Thoughts on the Bills' 3-4 Switch

While some of your points may be debatable I agree with most of them… I hope the Bills can get creative on D and not lose some of the defensive positives we have had over the past few years, while I do understand there is alot of room to get better.
Maybin in the 3-4 is a much better fit, and while many of the top guys on Rumblings have said he is a guy who needs his hand on the ground, or at least has had the best success there, I just don’t buy it and do think he is a guy who can play between positions and be effective IF we get creative in our scheme by positioning the defense by the strengths of the players we have.
If Shcbel will come ack next year, and I think he will because of a good year the past year, some positive moves in the FO and the chance to change things up with a new scheme, then I think you’re assessment is good.
HEll, can’t wait to see what happens

I don’t think Maybin needs to learn a new position. Based on his play last year he never learned a position so he can start with a clean slate and not have to “re-learn” anything.

Adalius Thomas had a terrible year because NE played mostly a 4-3. He was playing out of position all year. The second might be a reach, but I have heard that the Bills are high on Lonnie Harvey(the NT they pivked up near the end of last season). He could be a canidate for a rotation at NT.

I’m not sure that I agree on Williams ability to play one gap NT. That being said, it may remain our best use of him. Ultimatly I think that both the Bills and Williams would be better served if we traded him. I really love Kyle Williams as a player, but he is much more suited to play the 4-3. Maybe the Colts would be interested as they always look to upgrade their talent at DT.

I’m not sure I agree on McClain either, but I don’t see him excelling as a strong side ILB either.

As for Poz, i thinnk that he would be a very good weak side ILB. trick is you have to drop him into coverage on 60% of the plays at least for him to be effective. He should be glued to the opponants best TE. If we do that then he could be a pro-bowler.

I think that Spencer Johnson could be very usefull in a 3-4. In fact i wouldn’t be surprised to see him play close to 50% of the snaps opposite Stroud’s DE position. Like you said, he could be our Jarvis Green.

As for the UFA and the draft, I think that it’s way to early to start speculating on either. I’ve been trying to avoid it (except for the big names like Wilfork, Porter and Merriman) simply because I want to wait and see what teams do in a release/re-sign capacity before I tackle that. And as for the draft, I didn’t do any speculating until after the combine last year, and thats how its going to stay for me this year. The only thing that I’m certain of is that I don’t want us to draft Tebow, thats about it.

I feel great now that I see that you agree with a lot of my opinions – albeit trashing one of them!

I’ve been shouting as loud as I can that I really think Stroud will make a great DE in a 3-4. I just think hes built perfectly, has all the qualities desired for the position, and could buy us time to find more pressing starters now.

I too am excited for Maybin to finally play where he belongs, and a position which highlights his strengths, in our 3-4.

Now, you crushed my dreams on Rolando McClain and Shawn Merriman. Just because we need a NT and DE doesn’t mean we should ignore our pressing need for a fourth LB does it DJ? In my mind, Schobel is already retired. At least we should be planning as if he is. Hope for the best, plan for the worst right? Poz needs a thumper [I love this term K] next to him. Larry Foote would be great as you noted. Maybin has one OLB locked up. Does that mean Kawika is going to man OLB? I know he has the size and hes a decent blitzer but is this really a good position for Kawika? He doesn’t shed blockers too well and can get gobbled up by blockers. What do you suggest here if Schobel retires? Just because a guy like Shawn Merriman would be better with a better DE and NT doesn’t mean we shouldn’t upgrade does it?

What about Chris Ellis’ prospects in a 3-4. Just curious of your thoughts on that. Call me crazy but I still think this guy should be given a chance to play with the new regime.

Trade down and take Mount Cody and an xtra pick?

I would love it, and using him as a FB on the goalline too? How could you ever see Fred Jackson behind him.

when we could try to trade Kelsay or Denney (granted, there may not be many suitors)?

but the pass rushing moves are the same.

Maybin has pass rushing moves?!

that just because we are switching to a 3-4 doesn’t mean the team still won’t be aggressively seeking a QB in round 1. I think a trade with Kansas City is very likely if the Rams don’t take Jimmy Clausen. It would likely mean Washington takes the first QB and we would jump ahead of Seattle at 6, who is also looking for a QB. Kansas City has its QB and I just can’t see them being more satisfied with their pick at 5 then more draft picks to drop back and still get what they need – a LT to protect Cassel and his 5 second release. If we swap picks the Chiefs still get Anthony Davis and an extra pick and we get our QB.

I enjoyed the read.

I disagree with you regarding Stroud. I’m not sure he can play on the outside simply because I don’t think he moves that well at all anymore. He looked so stiff and ineffective for most of this past season. Unless his role is to eat up blockers from the outside, I think he could struggle. A few years ago, he would have been perfect based on his build and ability. I could be wrong, and most likely am.

I agree with you on McClain. It’d be a waste to play him on the strong side limiting his playmaking ability. I also question whether he’s worth the 9th pick in the draft. Is this guy really that good? Are people overrating him simply because they think he’s the next Patrick Willis??

I totally agree that Foote needs to be a priority FA. I think he’d be a perfect fit. He’s only 29 right now, and has a ton of experience in the 3-4. He could help mentor younger players while providing a solid veteran presence to build around. And he wouldn’t cost all that much. I really hope the front office goes after him hard.

I really think we need to bring in at least one, and preferably two players with 3-4 DE experience. We don’t know how a Stroud or Williams might play in that role, so its imperative to bring in a couple of players that do have the experience in the scheme. Eason and Edwards are very good depth options. I’d also keep an eye on Stephen Bowen from Dallas. He’s going to be a RFA, but if Dallas gives him the lowest tender, Buffalo needs to try prying him away. He was undrafted, and would thus cost nothing if given the lowest tender. He’d be another quality depth option.

I also think 3-4 DE is the easiest position to fill in the front 7. Lots of college DT’s can make the transition and there’s always a bunch of 290 lb DT’s coming out every year. This is a position that we can probably add a veteran or two and a late round pick and be in pretty good shape.

As for NT, how many do teams typically carry? Two right? Of potential UFA’s, I think Casey Hampton is the most likely to be available player of the bigger names. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did make it to the market. If we only bring in a guy like Bryan Robinson or Jimmy Kennedy, then we absolutely must make NT a major priority on draft day.

I’d also keep an eye on RFA Louis Leonard here. Another former undrafted player, who if given the low tender, would be a nice option to pursue. He broke his ankle early this year, but was one of Carolina’s starting DT’s. He’s a big dude, so he could fill a nice depth role at NT too.

In addition to Maybin, who I think will continue to be a major question mark, and potentially Schobel and Mitchell, we definitely need to add some talent and experience at OLB. I’d love to add a Banta-Cain, but I think he’ll stay in NE. Adalius Thomas could end up being a possibility, but how much does he have left? Okeafor might be a nice cheap pickup, but he isn’t exactly a great option. This is going to be a tough one to fill immediately….

I’d love to add a Banta-Cain, but I think he’ll stay in NE. Adalius Thomas could end up being a possibility, but how much does he have left?

I think Thomas has plenty left in a 3-4, I don’t think he is a real possibility though if the Pats release him, because I bet he will run to Rex Ryan and the Jets and his comfort role that he is used to playing even if we offered more $$$.

And I do think he will be released and is done in NE unless they can get something from an NFC 3-4 team in a trade, or put him on a bottom feeder team in the AFC like the Lions that isn’t in their division, if they can’t unload him to the NFC.

Schobel: I believe he can drop into zone coverages perfectly fine, he does it well when the Bills ask him to do it. He can cover the flats, he just can’t be expected to play any man coverages.

Poz: from what I saw from him, he’s gotten better every season so far at shedding blocks and working thru the trash. He should excel in that role, without a doubt.

Mitchell: his best fit may be at that thumper position (strong side ILB) engaging blocks and blitzing. He definitely fits the middle of this scheme better because he’s so much better playing downhill.

Spencer Johnson: a bit of question mark for me as a 5-T. He’s not the most stout in the running game, but if he develops a nastiness to him he might workout well there… he’s definitely got the talent.

Kelsay: if he got back up to 280 he would be fine at end and probably every down. As long as he doesn’t have to use his pis-poor instincts (which are now the OLB’s responsibility), he could play the run effectively. He’s a decent penetrator. I just don’t know how you make a guy a situational pass rusher when he’s terrible at rushing the passer.

Dan Williams: He’s my favorite DT this (besides McCoy and Suh). He scheme versatile. Unfortunately McClain is a higher priority because he has a top 10 grade…. Williams doesn’t. The Bills would foolish not to take McClain. Williams will be mid-late 1st, IMO. Trading back for picks wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

When it comes to the draft, this is a very good draft for Buffalo to trade down in. There are several players the Bills can pick up that could build a super strong young nucleus. There are a lot of very talented players that are on the fringe of the 1st-2nd round to late 2nd round.

Brandon Spikes
Eric Norwood
George Selvie
Terrance Cody
Vladimir Ducasse
LaMarr Houston (undersized DT, just right for 3-4 end… PLAYMAKER)
Malcolm Sheppard (later round DT prospect but would be a great 3-4 end)

All of these players should be available in rounds 2-4… and they should be on everyone’s radar because they could pay off huge if they land in Buffalo. If Buffalo trades back enough to get a 2nd rounder, then a 1st, two 2nds, and two 3rds is plenty on the 1st day for Buffalo to land some contributors and 5 potential future starters.

A guy that’s going to drop a ton due to injury that should be taken late is O’Brien Schoefield… perfect 3-4 OLB

Honestly I have paid attention to the few times that he has been in pass coverage and he was’nt that bad. I remember him effectively swatting down passes a few years back. So I don’t know where your assesment came from.

he’s gotten better every season so far at shedding blocks and working thru the trash

- With the way we had problems stopping the run, a change is in order. Secondly, this may help free up Maybin with his speed to do more. Also, you can devise so many different blitz packages to confuse the offense with a 3:4 – See Trent Edwards.
- I believe that if the Bills don’t take a tackle in the first round, they could take Rolando McClain from Alabama.
- A linebacking corps of Kawika Mitchell, Poz, McCain, and possibly Maybin, could be pretty solid.
- Then you have Stroud or Kyle Williams at NT, with Schoebel and Kelsey/Denney.

I understand the reason for downplaying Rolondo McClain.

I understand the critical importance of a NT.

I feel like we can take McClain and still have the appropriate personal to play LB, then address Nose Tackle later.

But at the same time – when I think of 3-4 defenses I always think about their nose tackles.

But could the following work:
Maybin (3-4 OLB/DE), Mitchell (OLB), and in the center Poz and McClain

NT – Draft, Hampton? DE – Kyle Williams, DE – Spencer Johnson

Bills Potentially:
Maybin – 6’4’’ 250lb
Poz – 6’1’’ 231lb
Mitchell – 6’1’’ 255lb
McClain – 6’4’’ 258lb

Comparison – New York Jets:
Harris – 6’2’’ 240lb
Pace – 6’4’’ 265lb
Scott – 6’2’’ 240lb
Thomas – 6’4’’ 260lb

Comparison – NE Patriots (Also play a two gap):
Mayo – 6’1’’ 240lb
Cain – 6’2’’ 250lb
Burgess – 6’2’’ 260lb
Seau – 6’3’’ 250lb

True. Our LB crew would be undersized. We need a big OLB such as Brandon Graham. Regardless of if we draft McClain or not, Maybin HAS TO BULK UP!!!!

Chris Brown mentioned 49ers NT Aubrayo Franklin, too.