PFF: Three Bills Among NFL's Most Dependable Tacklers

by MattRichWarren on Jul 21, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Overall, the Buffalo Bills have been bad defensively for the past two seasons. Despite that fact, three Bills defenders are receiving high praise for their tackling ability from Pro Football Focus in their three-year study of defenders and missed tackles. Keep in mind that it's a lot more difficult to make a tackle in the defensive backfield than it is in the tackle box.

Paul Posluszny's presence on the list shouldn't surprise anyone. He's been the leader of the defense and a tackling machine in the last three seasons, racking up 277 tackles in 42 games. In those contests, he's only missed 14 tackles for an attempts-to-miss ratio of 24.64, good for fifth-best among NFL linebackers.

Dwan Edwards spent two of these three seasons on the Baltimore Ravens' defensive line, but placed seventh among defensive linemen with 48 tackles per miss. He has only missed two tackles in three years, according to the folks at PFF.

Jairus Byrd's name might surprise you, as the knock against him has been his ability to stop the run. While this study doesn't take into account if Byrd was in the right place or not, if he sets his sights on the ball carrier, the tackle is usually made. Byrd's 90 tackles with seven misses gives him a ratio of 17 tackles for every miss, ranking him 11th among defensive backs.

Several former Bills also made the list. On the defensive line, Justin Bannan was 14th-best, with Pat Williams right behind him at 15. Takeo Spikes graded out as the top linebacker by far in his career renaissance with San Fransisco. The dependable Antoine Winfield finished seventh among defensive backs, as well.

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Edwards.

I’m a little confused about this guy. If he and Poz were so dependable, and we know Kyle Williams is good, who are we blaming for the horrific run defense? Marcus Stroud and Akin Ayodele?

@sawyervanhorn

by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 21, 2011 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

dont forget

that this only takes into account the times they got to the ball. Not where, when and how they did. Also, I firmly believed that Kyle, Poz and Dwan were the only Bills who showed up on running plays consistently. Those three guys were always doing their jobs all year round. The rest of the team was horrific. 3 guys playing great run D won’t hold up against the 8 others that are not.

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Jul 21, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. Think of it as the physical act of tackling, folks, and not from the angle of defensive responsibility.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jul 21, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Kelsay?

People defend him a lot as a run defender

@sawyervanhorn

by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 21, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont

I think he played the best out of any of our linebackers and he did but I think he has trouble laterally and backs can break him down to get outside on him with ease.

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Jul 21, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Not only that, but he’s SOOOOO gullible when it comes to misdirection. I think he’s a well below average run defender, but he did look okay rushing the passer at times last year. Let’s hope he can improve in one of those areas.

"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men." -Unnamed NFL CBA negotiator

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Jul 21, 2011 4:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

so with all that said..

do we lump edwards in a similar category w/ Kelsay? Average at best players who help add up to a second rate front 7? I guess my main point is that I would love to see Carrington start over Edwards very soon.

@sawyervanhorn

by Sawyer in Boston on Jul 21, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Edwards may be approaching the dawn of his career, but he will be a better option than Carrington when he’s healthy in 2011, and he may have another year or two of above average play.

In my opinion he’s underrated by most Bills fans. But many Rumblers and other Bills fans who watch the whole league remember how great Edwards was in Baltimore. He was actually close to the league lead in tackles when he was injured last year.

It's simple, but it aint easy. *2

by Undee on Jul 21, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Fixed it for you.

Edwards may be approaching the ~~dawn~~ twilight of his career …

He just hit 30 May 16th.

Year two is upon us.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Jul 21, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

none really shock me

Poz – enough said
Dwan – He was always dependable when on the field
Byrdman – one of the reasons I continue to reiterate that he has the ceiling of an elite safety is because he really showed us last year that he was figuring out the running game while still making big plays happen. He still had his lapses but he played, I thought, better against the run than any other safety last year on the team (and I think we have good safeties). Kurupt makes this argument about Byrd having a good season much better than I though, so hopefully he drops some of that here :)

The bandwagon will be full and fast and drunk and exciting - Undee

by poz on Jul 21, 2011 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

I was a little surprised

Fletcher wasn’t on the list of top 15 LB’s with the amount of tackles he makes every year. It’s nice to see some positive feedback for some players on the roster instead of the constant negativity. I hope that Poz gets that contract done though, he would be a great mentor for Sheppard.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Jul 21, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

It seemed like he made every tackle on those defenses. I guess perhaps it was deceiving, much like one Mr. Donte Whitner – he whom so many defend as a talented tackler (not me).

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

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jul 21, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I would say Donte is an above average tackler

most def. not a tackle machine. The one positive I can take from Donte’s stats however is that at least he finds a way to put himself around the play or the ball. He’s not an allstar but he is a solid player.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Jul 21, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions