The Buffalo Bills ran a 4-3 defense for nine of the ten years from 2001-2009. The All-Decade defense will follow that trend and field four down linemen and three linebackers. We begin our discussion on the defense of the decade with the big guys in the middle. This is one of the few positions that actually has several quality candidates.
Pat Williams
Williams joined the Bills in 1997 and stayed through the 2004 season. Williams started 64 games for the Bills in the decade, accumulating 7 sacks, 222 tackles, two forced fumbles, a safety, and two touchdowns on an interception and fumble return. In 2000, the Bills were the third-ranked defense in the NFL, and in 2003 and 2004 they were second.
Sam Adams
The Bills signed Adams from the Raiders following the 2002 season. In his three years in Buffalo, he started 40 games and amassed 65 tackles, 13 sacks, two interceptions (one of which went back for a touchdown), batted down six passes, and recovered a fumble. In 2003 and 2004, Adams teamed with Pat Williams to own the middle of the Bills' second-ranked defense in back-to-back years.
Kyle Williams
Williams was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, 108 spots behind first-round DT John McCargo. Big Kyle started 11 games in his rookie season and 57 games (second to the other Williams) in four season in Buffalo. For his career, he has 8 sacks, one pass defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 139 tackles. His sack and tackles totals are second in the decade amongst DTs, to Adams and Pat Williams, respectively. In 2009, Williams' agent told the media he was a Pro Bowl alternate after he had the best season of his career.
Larry Tripplett
Larry Tripplett was signed as a free agent from the Indianapolis Colts. In two unremarkable seasons in Buffalo, he compiled 3.5 sacks, one interception, 8 defended passes, two fumbles forced and two recovered, and 38 tackles while starting all 32 games.
Marcus Stroud
The Bills traded third- and fifth-round picks to acquire Stroud from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. In his two seasons in Buffalo, he has started 31 games, making 67 tackles, 4.5 sacks, forcing a fumble, and recovering three. He's also batted down 15 passes.
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