by Coast
The Bills have made wholesale changes in
their organization, starting at the top, this off-season. Russ Brandon
took over for Ralph Wilson after 53 years as president of the franchise.
The coaching staff was replaced and a new head coach with no head
coaching experience in the NFL was named in Doug Marrone. The coaches
are younger, more energetic and will attack more than the old fashioned
regime led by Chan Gailey that was clearly coaching as if it was 1994.
As training camp begins, we will soon see if the culture of this
franchise is indeed going in a different direction.
Let's start by breaking down the linebackers and defensive backs.
Mike
Pettine is going to install a defense with an attacking mind set. The
Bills will blitz often and show many different looks. The defense will
not sit in its base 4-3 scheme like they did under Dave Wannstedt while
getting shredded without making a single adjustment. The Bills base
defense under Pettine will resemble the nickel formation, but will be
fluid and attacking. The linebackers will be important in the varying
blitz packages and in getting pressure on the quarterback. The only
problem is, there is no way to know if this group of linebackers has the
capability to do so. To better fit the new attack Mike Pettine
defense the Bills made changes to the makeup of their linebacker corps
during the offseason including the release of leading tackler Nick
Barnett.
The Bills spent the 46th pick of the 2013 draft on
inside linebacker Kiko Alonso, who should be a starter from day 1.
Alonso comes with off the field problems, but his upside outweighs his
risk. Alsono is another versatile player who is capable of playing any
of the linebacker positions which will enable him to fit perfectly into
the Pettine scheme. Out of all the linebackers on the Bills roster,
Alonso is the front runner to be the quarterback of the defense and
remain on the field on all downs.
Nigel Bradham is the favorite
to join Alonso as the all down linebacker in the "nickel" base defense being installed. Bradham's speed and
athleticism can make him a viable option at this position. Veteran
linebackers Bryan Scott and Arthur Moats will also compete, but ideally,
Nigel will separate himself from the pack.
Manny Lawson, a
former first round pick of the Bungals from 2006, was signed via free agency. Lawson
was brought in to play strong side linebacker opposite Mario Williams
and is a versatile defender who is strong against the run. Manny's
weakness is pass coverage, but his versatility and ability to play
multiple positions should immediately help the Bills' defense.
Kelvin
Sheppard, a very ordinary middle linebacker, was traded to the Colts
for Jerry Hughes, a former 2010 first round draft pick. Hughes can play
both outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and has experience at
defensive end. Hughes should be a situational pass rusher that will play
behind the likes of Mario Williams and Manny Lawson.
Adding
depth to the position is Marcus Dowtin who played for the Jets and is
familiar with Mike Pettine. The Bills also think highly of undrafted Howard U
rookie Keith Pough. Pettine thinks highly of his linebackers
going into training camp but this could be lip service until we see
these guys on the field. The position has been so pathetic since 2004 so
it is a breath of fresh air to start over with young guys with a lot of
upside/potential.
The Bills secondary is a bit of an unknown as
well. Leader of the secondary, and defense as a whole, is free safety
Jairus Byrd. The only problem is that Byrd is likely going to hold out
through most, if not all, of training camp. Byrd will probably show up
for the season, but will not be up to speed on the new defense. In
Byrd's absence, and with the release of George Wilson (finally) this
offseason, the safety positions are completely up for grabs.
Aaron
Williams, the cast off cornerback, has switched to safety but based
on what I have seen out of him since the Bills drafted him in the 2nd
round, I do not have high hopes (even if he is a front runner to start
at strong safety).
In Byrd's absence, Da'Norris Searcy and Duke
Williams will battle it out for playing time at free safety. Searcy got
some playing time in 2012, but did nothing to prove he is better than
the rookie Williams. Duke brings more versatility to the
defense than Searcy (Williams played some corner this spring), but
Searcy may be better in run support. Let's all just hope Byrd signs his
tender and gets to camp ASAP so these two can battle it out for the back
up role and not starter.
At cornerback in my opinion could be
the Bills' best defensive player in 2013. Stephon Gilmore. He has the
potential to be the shut down corner that will take over for Revis as
best in the division and maybe the conference. Opposite Gilmore is a bit
of a question mark. The Bills paid Leodis McKelvin but he warrants a
contract for his ability to return kicks, not cover anyone. Ron Brooks
and Justin Rodgers will battle for the 3rd and 4th cornerback spots with
rookies Jonathan Meeks and Nickell Robey.
The Bills have a lot
of unknowns in the defensive backfield this year, but I will take that
over the known mediocrity that we are used to.
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