Bills Have Overhauled Defensive Front Seven

by Brian Galliford on May 12, 2011 8:30 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Whether or not you're a fan of the personnel work that the Buffalo Bills and GM Buddy Nix have done over the last 16 months, it's tough to deny that they've done a ton of work to overhaul their defensive front seven.

When the Bills trimmed their roster to 53 players last September, they kept a total of 17 defensive linemen and linebackers on their final roster. Two of those players were gone by the end of the regular season. As it stands today (i.e. not counting current free agents), the Bills have 19 players in those positional groups. Four are players that Nix and the current regime inherited from Dick Jauron.

Kyle Williams isn't going anywhere any time soon. Chris Kelsay got a lucrative contract extension. Spencer Johnson has found a niche as a reserve, and Aaron Maybin... well, he's still here, too. Clearly, if the team brings back either Paul Posluszny, Keith Ellison or John McCargo as free agents, that number of incumbents would increase a tad.

Still, nearly 80% of the defensive front seven are imported players right now - including everyone from Marcell Dareus to Jammie Kirlew. There may still be work yet to do up front, but it's clear that the Bills wanted to change their personnel up front, and do it in a hurry.

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I expect many growing pains.

That’s okay, though. At least the effort to re-create their identity is strong.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on May 12, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

looking forward to 3rd and 1.

We seem to never win those.

by SpiderWeb Sleeves on May 12, 2011 8:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

For some reason though, it does seem like we win 4th and 1’s a good amount of the time. Idk just what I’ve seen.

by Xaviermw on May 12, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Williams - Troup - Dareus

I can’t totally remember whether or not Williams played any DE last year when Troup was lined up as NT in the 3-4…is it possible that we will see the D-Line as Williams-Troup-Dareus this year at all?

This is assuming Troup has improved of course.

Hoping for the most ideal situation, though unlikely, I would like to see Williams as a permanent DE with Troup & Jasper in the NT slot.

Thoughts?

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by RIP058 on May 12, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

yes – Nix has even said that he can play DE.

You will see that line at some point – IMO

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on May 12, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

RE – Edwards
NT – Williams
LE – Dareus

Jasper has done nothing to warrent a starting position or even consideration for it
Troup (while he bulked up) still needs to prove he’s a valid #1 NT

I think the Bills will use a variation of the “big heavy” in the middle and will have our ends gooble up 2 OL allowing Kyle to penetrate through the center. This may cause the OL to collapse thus allowing our OLB to get a clearer pass rush.

Williams is a penetrating beast – I would not subject him to just goobling up OL in a 3-4 as defensive end.

by BuffaloFanFromCT on May 12, 2011 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

While Jasper certainly has not done anything as of yet to even merit consideration for a starting position, I think he could be exceptionally useful in certain short yardage packages.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on May 12, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

What makes you say that? Have you seen any game film of him playing? Sure he’s a big strong body. But if that’s all it took to be a good NT or DL then we would just sign bodybuilders.

by BuffaloFanFromCT on May 12, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Or Sumo wrestlers.

"You mean @TWHITNER. It’s how he prefers to be referenced." - Jon Harrington

by kaisertown on May 12, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Sumo high divers

by Stephen Schmidt on May 12, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd!

Even better!

by BuffaloFanFromCT on May 12, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Competition

The more competition the better “Stack ‘em and Rack’em” let the best players win the spots…

Hard to picture McGottago, Maybin, Davis, Ellison and posibly Coleman making the final roster and depending on what Jasper brings to the table Heard might have a hard time.

"Watching Bills football is like watching pornography. There’s plenty of action, and I can’t take my eyes off it, but when it’s over, I wonder why the hell I spent an afternoon doing it"

2011 will be different!!

by Goose22 on May 12, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

I think it’s important to note the overall depth of the front 3 of our 3-4 too. I really think they’ve done an outstanding job at adding depth and quality players to those positions.

Troup, Williams

Dareus, Edwards, Carrington, Johnson

we are really solid with our front 3 – it’d be nice to get a Vince Wilfork but we cannot say how good Troup will be – anyone who follows his Twitter account can testify to his off season preparation. He has work ethic and is just “a football player”.

Our rush linebacker has good depth too – regardless of what people think about it. I really have troubles with peoples issues with the Merriman, Moats, Batten, Maybin string of players to play the rush linebacker role. It’s like people don’t think that unit will be good unless we go out and get Matthews or Harrison or something. Nix’s job is to draft guys that can potentially get the job done. Batten and Moats are those guys with Maybin still clinging on and Merriman having a last opportunity to showcase himself.

I think it’s short sighted to blast that position because they didn’t take one in the 2nd or 1st round the last 2 years – they’ve added competition and players who have the potential to work out. Isn’t that what the draft is for? No pick is a guarantee – you can be picked 3 or 220. It’s what you do after you are drafted that matters – not where you are drafted. If Batten or Moats can be held off by Merriman then that would be a great thing because Moats showed enough in his pass rush to be given more opportunities there – if he gets stifled because of better play and competition from the other guys then better for the Bills and better for the fans.

When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts.

by J2 on May 12, 2011 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs

rec'd again, agreed

It’s all the process isn’t it. That’s the way I see it, a process to get better. Not sure how many friends you’ll make with comments like this but I couldn’t agree more. One thing we need to keep in the back of our minds, IMO. We need to compete against our division, we are building a identity but if we focus on competing against our division we will be able to play against anyone, anywhere. We are close with the dolphins, splitting the last two years, we need to stop the run against the jets and force the game into Sanchez’s hands and we will compete, we need to pressure Brady from a variety of different ways in order to compete with the Patriots. All part of the process.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on May 12, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

exciting

I haven’t been this pumped up over our defense in about 10 years. We have lots to prove, certainly, but I get the feeling that this will be a confident and hungry bunch of players willing to take on the challenge to be truly great. Injuries could dampen things, so conditioning will be extremely important, especially with a limited spring camp. But so far I am real excited about what I have seen thus far in scheme versatility and planning.

CC Infantino

by lostlasvegan on May 12, 2011 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

poor defense last year

makes me realise how good aaron schobel was for the team, not just at rushing the passer, but against the run

by wab2 on May 12, 2011 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

It’s amazing what kind of turnover happens in less than a year. I’m not a fan of the 53 man roster personally – with all the injuries that happen through the course of a game, let alone year, it makes it very tough to keep players that can contribute, but may ultimately be snatched up by another team because of the numbers game. The Bills have swiped a few, for sure.

Having seen some of the names that made the cut last year, one that I was curious about was Cary Harris who we drafted late last year. What happened with him? Did he get cut and scooped, practice squad or just outright released? I can’t remember…

by BuffaloRepresent on May 12, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I think you are looking at the

53 man roster a bit short sighted. If teams were not restricted to 53, this could create a shortage of ‘good’ players available to other teams. Players prefer to be on winning teams, this would make it even harder to level the playing field. It’s just better for competition.

by IronEagle119 on May 12, 2011 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Cary Harris is on the NY Giants roster. Perry Fewells new team scooped him up.

Year two is upon us.

by Buffalo for Eternity on May 12, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

impressive

its the lbs that are a point of concern. Poz should be a priority & he’s the only given except for Merriman & he has to get healthy. Beyond them its all 2nd teamers & youts( talented & intriguing)

by Blood, sweat & Win on May 12, 2011 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

There's still free agency

I’d imagine we at least add some depth that way

by Stephen Schmidt on May 12, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

2010 draft class....

It’s time for them to step up, on defense, Troup, Carrington, Moats, Coleman and Batten will largely determine just how good our D is this year.
On Offense, the receivers have to step up even more than last season and Spiller has to make big plays and big scores.
I think, it’s fair to say, that if the 2010 class doesn’t show up on film, we are in for another long season and a chance at Luck.
Conversely, if Spiller looks like a number 9 pick RB, Easley is as advertised and those front seven guys play smart, tough and mean, splitting in the AFC East is a real possibility. I really do…….

gobills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on May 12, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Coleman wasn’t part of the drafted players from the 2010 draft class – he was an undrafted free agent. I’d be VERY surprised if he stayed on the roster this year.

Easley needs to be no less than a game changer on WR. He’s got the speed and size to be a real player each week. Stevie, Easley, Evans and Parrish have the potential to be home run hitters.

by BuffaloFanFromCT on May 12, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions