Re-Assessing The Buffalo Bills' Defensive Front Seven

I agree with what Brian wrote, with Carrington as the LDE option. He played OLB in training camp and didn’t look out of place.

Obviously the bar hasn’t been set very high, but as soon as he clears that then I think the nominal starting LE job is his. Carrington has done a decent job in run support so I think that part of his game is OK.

I’ve always believed that Kelsay wouldn’t finish his current contract here and that’s why it never bothered me too much. With the backloaded salary he will become a possible cap casualty over the next 2 years.

simply put – they need to be able to play the run. Whether it be a pulling guard, FB or whatever. Plus they have to be able to jam a TE and if you can get a SLB that can control the better TE’s in the game then they can make plays in the run game and disrupt the passing game

They’re going back to a 4-3, NOT the Tampa-2 they played under Jauron/Fewell. It’s a four-man front, but it aligns differently and calls for different attributes in the athletes than the Tampa-2 or the 40 front they used under Jerry Gray.

Wannstedt often has his three backers (when they’re all on the field together i.e. NOT nickel) lined up off the line, behind and protected by the front four.

Subtle, but maybe important difference between Wannstedt’s past use of the 40 front and the last two versions we’ve seen the Bills run.

Keith Ellison shouldn’t have been a starting NFL linebacker regardless of scheme. Serviceable sub-package/special teams guy, earned his paycheck, but starting? Uh, no.

Keep in mind that Jauron/Fewell ran the Tampa 2.

Could we get anything on the trade market for Edwards or Johnson?

Probably not

In my mind one of the two will not make the team and I am leaning towards it being S. Johnson. I dont think he will have any trade value, on the other hand we might could keep Spencer one more year as DT depth, and if some team wanted D.Edwards for a late pick that might not be a bad thing. His salary is moveable. It could happen, but I doubt it.

The only player that could become expendable with any marginal would probably be Dwan Edwards. Unfortunately his medical history probably eliminates many landing spots. Remember that we only got him after 2 teams turned him down due to his medical history.

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“Forget about Merriman he is a shell of his dominate days and his body will continue to breakdown.”

Mostly you are right, but he is here for another year if we want him, and he could fill a reserve pass rush roll nicely. I would not say to forget about him.

They need to start grooming a replacement for Kelsay. He’s not getting any younger and Merriman has the body of a 70 year-old marathon runner.

First thing’s first: I would not argue that Moats “excels rushing the passer.” It may be what he does best, but he’s not been very good at it, quite frankly.

Second: Moats weighs 249 pounds, and does not have the frame to get bigger. As long as Buddy Nix is involved with this team, the defense will be built with size, and Moats just doesn’t have the size they’re looking for in their defensive linemen.

Third: let’s say Moats becomes the starting SAM linebacker. He’d play maybe half of the snaps, and he’d be off the field in obvious passing situations. Figuring he’d be 50-50 on his snaps, he may cover a quarter of the game, if that. He’d be a liability – and a liability against the run, too – but that’s his best position athletically. It’s similar to how the Giants used a 3-4 rush linebacker (Clint Sintim) on the outside in their scheme.

His importance to this defense is actually really weird. When he was in the lineup the Bills d was a heck of alot better then it was without him. He is a starter in the NFL, he’s not elite, he’s not below average. He’s a guy with a big heart and a good leader for the youth on this team. He’s a pro, he keeps his mouth shut and he shows up every Sunday to play the game he loves at a high level. You ouldn’t really ask for much more. He gets pressures, not sacks but he causes sacks. is he overpaid? for sure, but i would have Chris Kelsay on my team any day of the week.

I believe he can work hard enough to do it, I think that he might be able to get down, even to that target, but that won’t make him instantly and explosive passrusher. He is more likely a run stopping DE, who might only be played situationally. which would be kinda under using him, IMO.

it is looking more and more like the Troup pick was a reach to begin with and now a wasted pick if the guy is only going to be Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus’ backup. An early 2nd round pick who has hardly seen the field and now will be relgated to backup duty? Wasted if you ask me.