2021 Buffalo Bills - Same as it ever was*** (3 Viewers)

[GroveDiesel]

Anyone wanting Revis is crazy. He clearly has lost a step and his age is catching up to him. Next year will only be worse and by 2016 he won't be star table IMO. And with the money he'll command he's not even close to being worth it. Gilmore, Graham and McKelvin are more than good enough.

Hughes, Searcy and Easley are the most important re-signings. Don't be surprised to see some deals redone to move money around.

They have 6 other safeties, you don't think that they can replace Searcy? Rambo and the Williams maybe?And you don't think Easley can be replaced on special teams?

Honest questions and I know it all depends on price point.

Rambo and Williams have been pretty bad. Searcy has been sneakily good. Like well above average.

And Easley was ranked by PFF as their #1 special teams player this year.

Both those guys should be reasonable to sign and well worth it.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?

I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

 

[mphtrilogy]

Just popping in this thread, sorry bills fans, you deserved better than this....

 

[fruity pebbles]

A lot of talk that Schwartz is gone tomorrow

Sounds like it. And Thurman is the new DC with Rex calling the plays.

Only thing that I really mind a whole lot about that is the moving back to a 3-4. While I do think that the distinction between 3-4 and 4-3 is much smaller than it used to be with hybrid players, hybrid zone/man concepts and hybrid schemes, I do think that a base 4-3 seems overall a better fit. But they did do just fine under Pettine.

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

Yeah, it's bad enough they'd be paying on OLB 12 million a year. Can't see them paying the other 10.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Money. Be a lot tied up in OLBs.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I actually like Malzahn a lot and I think he was my favorite choice. National talk was that most top college coaches didn't want to make the jump to the NFL for whatever reason this year. Maybe they didn't like the job choices, like their college jobs, whatever. I'm not gonna get pissed at the Bills for not being able to convince a coach that has no interest in the NFL at this time to make the leap. Malzahn, Briles, Patterson, Helfrich, whoever.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Money. Be a lot tied up in OLBs.

sure, but if you don't re-sign him that leaves a pretty big hole on defense they have to fill somewhere.

Bradham isn't as critical now since they can stick with Brown/Alonso at ILB. Hughes would be a big loss in a move back to the 3-4.

 

[pantherclub]

I actually like Malzahn a lot and I think he was my favorite choice. National talk was that most top college coaches didn't want to make the jump to the NFL for whatever reason this year. Maybe they didn't like the job choices, like their college jobs, whatever. I'm not gonna get pissed at the Bills for not being able to convince a coach that has no interest in the NFL at this time to make the leap. Malzahn, Briles, Patterson, Helfrich, whoever.

Briles is another coach I think that gets a call from teh NFL.

I have watched probably 80% of Auburn games from Gus's OC days and up to current and I just think the dude is legit. Whether he can actually run an NFL team is up for debate but I truly think his scheme and intelligence will be off the charts for the NFL. His running game alone is already pro ready. If you are the bills and are in a rut of garbage why not try the hell mary? Whats it going to hurt all things considered

 

[fruity pebbles]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Money. Be a lot tied up in OLBs.

sure, but if you don't re-sign him that leaves a pretty big hole on defense they have to fill somewhere.Bradham isn't as critical now since they can stick with Brown/Alonso at ILB. Hughes would be a big loss in a move back to the 3-4.

Bradhams signed cheap for 2015. Spikes is prolly all but gone.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bradhams signed cheap for 2015.

yes, but they were already talking extension with him previously.

good guy to keep around if he's affordable, but not sure he's a starter when Alonso/Brown are healthy now.

Spikes barely played, but seems like a guy Rex would like.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I actually like Malzahn a lot and I think he was my favorite choice. National talk was that most top college coaches didn't want to make the jump to the NFL for whatever reason this year. Maybe they didn't like the job choices, like their college jobs, whatever. I'm not gonna get pissed at the Bills for not being able to convince a coach that has no interest in the NFL at this time to make the leap. Malzahn, Briles, Patterson, Helfrich, whoever.

Briles is another coach I think that gets a call from teh NFL.

I have watched probably 80% of Auburn games from Gus's OC days and up to current and I just think the dude is legit. Whether he can actually run an NFL team is up for debate but I truly think his scheme and intelligence will be off the charts for the NFL. His running game alone is already pro ready. If you are the bills and are in a rut of garbage why not try the hell mary? Whats it going to hurt all things considered

I have no idea if the Bills did or did not contact him, but it seemed that from the media's take on the coach search early on, the top college names were quickly ruled out as "not interested in the NFL at this time". If you look at all of the open NFL jobs right now, they're the same names being thrown around, all NFL assistants or ex-coaches. Maybe the Bills didn't pursue Malzahn or Briles or whoever, but I find it hard to believe that no one did. I think it's more likely that some (or all) of the teams with open jobs reached out to those coaches and were simply denied for whatever reason. Malzahn has a pretty good gig at Auburn. National recognition, good money, close to home. If he keeps up his current pace, the NFL jobs will be there if he wants them. Why jump ship to the Bills (or most all of the teams with coaching vacancies right now)?

 

[GroveDiesel]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Why not? I think Bradham can play outside no problem.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Why not? I think Bradham can play outside no problem.

6'2" 240 with limited pass rush ability. Manny Lawson a better option but a significant downgrade from Hughes.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Why not? I think Bradham can play outside no problem.

Awful small. Usually you see OLBs in the 260 range

 

[tommyGunZ]

Not a Rex fan at all. Bills are going to regret this hire big time.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Not a Rex fan at all. Bills are going to regret this hire big time.

Gunz the Bills!

 

[flysack]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?

I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Do you think they go with Kiko as a rush/cover OLB, or do they move him back to the middle in Rex's scheme? Seems to me the best fit would be to resign Spikes and have him and Kiko man the interior.

 

[On The Rocks]

The fact that the LA Dodgers are the only sports organization I despise more than the Jets, the whole Rex &Green Crew coming to Buffalo depresses me.

I'm gonna go get some snacks.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I actually like Malzahn a lot and I think he was my favorite choice. National talk was that most top college coaches didn't want to make the jump to the NFL for whatever reason this year. Maybe they didn't like the job choices, like their college jobs, whatever. I'm not gonna get pissed at the Bills for not being able to convince a coach that has no interest in the NFL at this time to make the leap. Malzahn, Briles, Patterson, Helfrich, whoever.

Briles is another coach I think that gets a call from teh NFL.

I have watched probably 80% of Auburn games from Gus's OC days and up to current and I just think the dude is legit. Whether he can actually run an NFL team is up for debate but I truly think his scheme and intelligence will be off the charts for the NFL. His running game alone is already pro ready. If you are the bills and are in a rut of garbage why not try the hell mary? Whats it going to hurt all things considered

I have no idea if the Bills did or did not contact him, but it seemed that from the media's take on the coach search early on, the top college names were quickly ruled out as "not interested in the NFL at this time". If you look at all of the open NFL jobs right now, they're the same names being thrown around, all NFL assistants or ex-coaches. Maybe the Bills didn't pursue Malzahn or Briles or whoever, but I find it hard to believe that no one did. I think it's more likely that some (or all) of the teams with open jobs reached out to those coaches and were simply denied for whatever reason. Malzahn has a pretty good gig at Auburn. National recognition, good money, close to home. If he keeps up his current pace, the NFL jobs will be there if he wants them. Why jump ship to the Bills (or most all of the teams with coaching vacancies right now)?

Agreed. Not all college coaches want to make the jump to the NFL. With the money in and eyeballs on the college game, it really isn't the promotion it once was.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Schwartz out, per Schefter

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Schwartz out, per Schefter

Makes sense. He won't have to spend a lot of time sorting through the help wanted ads to find work.

 

[humpback]

Not a Rex fan at all. Bills are going to regret this hire big time.

Gunz the Bills!

Time to bet the house on the Bills!

 

[ScottNorwood]

Not a Rex fan at all. Bills are going to regret this hire big time.

Gunz the Bills!

Time to bet the house on the Bills!

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?

I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Do you think they go with Kiko as a rush/cover OLB, or do they move him back to the middle in Rex's scheme? Seems to me the best fit would be to resign Spikes and have him and Kiko man the interior.

I think it's pretty clearly going to be Brown at SILB and Alonso at WILB. None of that group (Brown, Alonso, Bradham, Spikes) are a fit as a traditional 3-4 OLB. They would get engulfed by offensive tackles when playing close to the line.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Could mean no Hughes though as the need for him would be diminished. Spikes probably gone. Manny Lawson may see a resurgence.

why do you say that?I think Hughes is more critical now. You planning on using Bradham or Brown at OLB in a 3-4? I don't see it.

Do you think they go with Kiko as a rush/cover OLB, or do they move him back to the middle in Rex's scheme? Seems to me the best fit would be to resign Spikes and have him and Kiko man the interior.

I think it's pretty clearly going to be Brown at SILB and Alonso at WILB. None of that group (Brown, Alonso, Bradham, Spikes) are a fit as a traditional 3-4 OLB. They would get engulfed by offensive tackles when playing close to the line.

Yep. There's a reason DEs in 4-3s and OLBers in 3-4s are often interchangeable. If you can't envision a guy playing DE he's prolly not gonna be able to play OLB in a 3-4. Especially a Rex Ryan hybrid 3-4 where the OLBers are often on the line. These guys are typically good pass rushers, 6-3/6-4 and 260-270 pounds.

 

[QuizGuy66]

The fact that the LA Dodgers are the only sports organization I despise more than the Jets, the whole Rex &Green Crew coming to Buffalo depresses me.

I'm gonna go get some snacks.

Belichick came over to New England from the Jets and it worked out

-QG

 

[Borden]

Schwartz out, per Schefter

Supposedly, Rex wanted him there but wanted him there and willing to let Swartz run the defence are not the same. "Hey Jim. You know that 4th ranked defence you were running? Yeah, we aren't going to run that anymore. I had this defence that I want to run that has gotten progressively worse." Rex has a career regular season record of 46-50 and a Sanchez tattoo. He continually is either saying or doing something that receives negative attention from the media.

Better conversation to wonder about would be between whoever made the decision to bring in Rex (either Mr and Mrs Pegula or Mr Pegula and Whaley). "Hey, who do you think we should bring to be our head coach?"

"I'm not sure but our defence seems to be our strength."

"You're right. Better bring in a guy that will want to bring in his own defensive system, regardless of how well it's currently running."

"Yeah! Let's bring in Rex Ryan. His defensive system was bad last year. AND his first to seasons as a head coach were good but he hasn't been above .500 since."

"Our offense still needs work and we really need a QB."

"Don't worry Rex traded up to get Sanchez at 5th overall but that didn't work out so they took Geno Smith in the second round of 2013."

"2013 was a good year for quarterbacks." **high 5's all around**

 

[IvanKaramazov]

"Yeah! Let's bring in Rex Ryan. His defensive system was bad last year.

His system was fine last year. His defensive personnel was horrible. At one point, they were reduced to playing -- literally -- with no cornerbacks on the roster. The fact that they ever stopped anybody is a credit to the system and, by extension, Ryan.

I'm agnostic on whether Schwartz's approach or Rex's approach is better. Both have worked extremely well when the talent has been there.

"Don't worry Rex traded up to get Sanchez at 5th overall but that didn't work out so they took Geno Smith in the second round of 2013."

Do you know who John Idzik is?

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I like the talent of coaches we're bring in,but it seems strange to me that we don't really fit what they do. Rex is going to change the D to a 3-4 while we don't really have the personnel for that. And Roman wants to go with a power run game. We have one bigger rb and Roman must not have liked him that much because Dixon never saw the ball in SF.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Discussing differences between Rex Ryan, Jim Schwartz defensive systems

Particularly in the lower diagram, you see how the scheme remains a 4-3, despite the appearance of a 3-4: one of the outside linebackers (the weak-side player), in Buffalo's case Mario Williams, plays with a hand in the dirt like an end. The other outside linebacker has more of a contain-coverage role on base downs; Jerry Hughes is capable of playing it, and so is Manny Lawson.

The biggest difference is that the front takes a traditional linebacker off the field in favor of an extra defensive lineman. The Bills will likely be in the market for a five-technique end to play next to Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams up front (they could also open that spot up to a competition among a trio of reserves), and barring any sort of personnel move, there is going to be a ferocious battle for two linebacker jobs between Kiko Alonso, Nigel Bradham, and Preston Brown.

Pass rush preferencesOne of the biggest points of contention last offseason, when the Bills were switching from Pettine's scheme to Schwartz's, was that the Bills were ultimately going to do much less creative blitzing in 2014. Those concerns went by the wayside when the Bills still led the league in sacks and finished with the third-ranked pass defense in the league.

Now, there are concerns that the Bills are going back to the blitz-happy ways that fans were desperate to see retained this time last year. Ryan has the luxury of relying on a four-man rush in Buffalo if he wants to - especially if the team is able to retain Hughes, an upcoming free agent - but Ryan being Ryan, we're going to see a return to the overload blitzing that we saw under Pettine in 2013. That's just how Ryan prefers to play it.

Formations and personnel packagesAnother key difference between the two systems is the fact that Ryan's defense will use a far greater variety of formations and personnel packages than Schwartz's did. Where Schwartz largely switched between his base 4-3 and a nickel defense in passing situations, with very little dime mixed in, Ryan will use more dime than nearly every other team in the league, mix in some quarters, and still use a ton of nickel, as well - 2-4-5, 3-4-5, 4-3-5, or otherwise. Again, disguising intent is the name of the game, and this is one way to achieve that end.

Coverage preferencesCombine the changing personnel packages with Ryan's blitz-heavy tendencies, and you stumble across another key difference: the way coverages are structured.

The Bills emerged as one of the league's two or three best pass defenses under Schwartz because, aided by the league's best four-man pass rush, Schwartz was able to mix up coverages, switching between man, zone, and man under on a whim, leaving zero safeties high on some plays and three on others. The team's surge in quality linebacker play was a big reason for their success defending the pass, as well.

Under Ryan, the Bills will look more like they did in 2013 - there will be a heavier emphasis on man coverage given the blitz tendencies. So while there will still be coverage variation and disguise under Ryan, there will still be a slight shift in philosophy on the back end.

Buffalo's secondary made a seamless transition between 2013-14 thanks to the great coaching efforts of defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson. As Ryan poaches most of his former Jets defensive assistants for his coaching staff in Buffalo, it would be lovely if he'd consider keeping Buffalo's best position coach around. Working in favor of that goal: Ryan and Henderson both served as position coaches in Baltimore from 2000-03, with Henderson coaching the secondary under Brian Billick, and Ryan coaching the defensive line.

Bottom line: there is enough that is philosophically different about Ryan's defense, compared to Schwartz's, that would have made a marriage of the two virtually impossible. But while another scheme change might be frustrating to some fans, the Bills are going back in a direction that has very recently worked for them - and they have the league's best defensive mind helping them make the transition.

 

[Borden]

"Yeah! Let's bring in Rex Ryan. His defensive system was bad last year.

His system was fine last year. His defensive personnel was horrible. At one point, they were reduced to playing -- literally -- with no cornerbacks on the roster. The fact that they ever stopped anybody is a credit to the system and, by extension, Ryan.

I'm agnostic on whether Schwartz's approach or Rex's approach is better. Both have worked extremely well when the talent has been there.

"Don't worry Rex traded up to get Sanchez at 5th overall but that didn't work out so they took Geno Smith in the second round of 2013."

Do you know who John Idzik is?

Tannenbaum was the GM when they took Sanchez. Two GMs and two missed picks on QBs. You know the head coach had a say in both of those decisions.

With those corners would they have gone from 21st in DVOA to top 3? Because Swartz had the Bills as the #2 DVOA. Rex had 6 years with the Jets and his defense declined more in each of the last 3.

If you bring in Ryan and let him basically be the DC instead of the Swartz then that's a bad move. I was on board with the idea as motivator and general version of a head coach not coming in dictating. Why would Ryan come in and decide that "his" defense has to be used? It seems that a head coach should be opened minded enough to let what is working to keep working. I'm guessing there may be one or two other areas of this Bills team that need more attention. Install a new defense doesn't seem like it should very high on his priority list.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

The Bills are going back to the same schemes they used in 2013. That one worked pretty well too. The pass defense issues were mainly due to problems at CB that appear to have been addressed. It gave up too many big runs at times as well, but I think that's something they can fix too.

The sky is not falling due to the switch. Chances are Schwartz wouldn't have stuck around long-term anyway so they might as well start the transition sooner.

 

[Borden]

The Bills are going back to the same schemes they used in 2013. That one worked pretty well too. The pass defense issues were mainly due to problems at CB that appear to have been addressed. It gave up too many big runs at times as well, but I think that's something they can fix too.

The sky is not falling due to the switch. Chances are Schwartz wouldn't have stuck around long-term anyway so they might as well start the transition sooner.

I hear you and I don't think the Bills are suddenly going to have a bad defense. I also understand that being #2 in DVOA, Swartz was likely going to see some regression too. The problem is that, what does bringing in Rex Ryan accomplish? The quote below is from the article you just posted. One of the things that bothers me is when coaches use "their" system instead of tailoring it for the personnel they have.

"Particularly in the lower diagram, you see how the scheme remains a 4-3, despite the appearance of a 3-4: one of the outside linebackers (the weak-side player), in Buffalo's case Mario Williams, plays with a hand in the dirt like an end. The other outside linebacker has more of a contain-coverage role on base downs; Jerry Hughes is capable of playing it, and so is Manny Lawson.

The biggest difference is that the front takes a traditional linebacker off the field in favor of an extra defensive lineman. The Bills will likely be in the market for a five-technique end to play next to Marcell Dareus andKyle Williams up front (they could also open that spot up to a competition among a trio of reserves), and barring any sort of personnel move, there is going to be a ferocious battle for two linebacker jobs betweenKiko Alonso, Nigel Bradham, and Preston Brown."

 

[Borden]

Based on my recent posts I should probably clarify that I'm not backing Swartz and I don't have an issue with Rex Ryan. I have problem with the hiring of Rex Ryan because it doesn't address any issues that the team has and changes what was working for the team.

 

[GroveDiesel]

"Yeah! Let's bring in Rex Ryan. His defensive system was bad last year.

His system was fine last year. His defensive personnel was horrible. At one point, they were reduced to playing -- literally -- with no cornerbacks on the roster. The fact that they ever stopped anybody is a credit to the system and, by extension, Ryan.

I'm agnostic on whether Schwartz's approach or Rex's approach is better. Both have worked extremely well when the talent has been there.

"Don't worry Rex traded up to get Sanchez at 5th overall but that didn't work out so they took Geno Smith in the second round of 2013."

Do you know who John Idzik is?

Tannenbaum was the GM when they took Sanchez. Two GMs and two missed picks on QBs. You know the head coach had a say in both of those decisions. With those corners would they have gone from 21st in DVOA to top 3? Because Swartz had the Bills as the #2 DVOA. Rex had 6 years with the Jets and his defense declined more in each of the last 3.

If you bring in Ryan and let him basically be the DC instead of the Swartz then that's a bad move. I was on board with the idea as motivator and general version of a head coach not coming in dictating. Why would Ryan come in and decide that "his" defense has to be used? It seems that a head coach should be opened minded enough to let what is working to keep working. I'm guessing there may be one or two other areas of this Bills team that need more attention. Install a new defense doesn't seem like it should very high on his priority list.

You realize that Pettine runs the same defense as Ryan and that the Bills were 4th in DVOA in 2013, right?

And that there were a ton of injuries at the beginning of 2013 that hampered Buffalo greatly too, making that #4 ranking even more impressive?

 

[fruity pebbles]

Seems like a run stuffing DT is the biggest need for this defense. Lawson can play OLB if Hughes out prices himself. Bradham and Brown compete at the SILB spot. I would probably let Hughes and Spikes walk and use that money elsewhere.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Seems like a run stuffing DT is the biggest need for this defense.

you playing Williams and Dareus at DE in this scenario?

 

[Borden]

"Yeah! Let's bring in Rex Ryan. His defensive system was bad last year.

His system was fine last year. His defensive personnel was horrible. At one point, they were reduced to playing -- literally -- with no cornerbacks on the roster. The fact that they ever stopped anybody is a credit to the system and, by extension, Ryan.

I'm agnostic on whether Schwartz's approach or Rex's approach is better. Both have worked extremely well when the talent has been there.

"Don't worry Rex traded up to get Sanchez at 5th overall but that didn't work out so they took Geno Smith in the second round of 2013."

Do you know who John Idzik is?

Tannenbaum was the GM when they took Sanchez. Two GMs and two missed picks on QBs. You know the head coach had a say in both of those decisions. With those corners would they have gone from 21st in DVOA to top 3? Because Swartz had the Bills as the #2 DVOA. Rex had 6 years with the Jets and his defense declined more in each of the last 3.

If you bring in Ryan and let him basically be the DC instead of the Swartz then that's a bad move. I was on board with the idea as motivator and general version of a head coach not coming in dictating. Why would Ryan come in and decide that "his" defense has to be used? It seems that a head coach should be opened minded enough to let what is working to keep working. I'm guessing there may be one or two other areas of this Bills team that need more attention. Install a new defense doesn't seem like it should very high on his priority list.

You realize that Pettine runs the same defense as Ryan and that the Bills were 4th in DVOA in 2013, right? Yes

And that there were a ton of injuries at the beginning of 2013 that hampered Buffalo greatly too, making that #4 ranking even more impressive? I probably wouldn't argue that.

I probably skewed the point I was tiring to make by bashing Rex. It wasn't meant to be attack on Rex so much as the choice of speciality of the hire and his role.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Seems like a run stuffing DT is the biggest need for this defense.

you playing Williams and Dareus at DE in this scenario?

Yeah, both are better suited to DE in a 3-4 imo

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Seems like a run stuffing DT is the biggest need for this defense.

you playing Williams and Dareus at DE in this scenario?

Yeah, both are better suited to DE in a 3-4 imo

I think the way they actually use them is a bit different than a traditional 3-4. One of the OLBs (Mario most likely) will often be up on the line of scrimmage, so Dareus and Kyle Williams will still play inside. I don't know that you really want either of them outside.

If they can find a big NT to plug in on run downs, that would be nice but whoever that is likely won't see a ton of snaps so I don't think it's critical.

Jairus Wynn could likely hold down the other DE spot as part of a rotation.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Seems like a run stuffing DT is the biggest need for this defense.

you playing Williams and Dareus at DE in this scenario?

Yeah, both are better suited to DE in a 3-4 imo

I think the way they actually use them is a bit different than a traditional 3-4. One of the OLBs (Mario most likely) will often be up on the line of scrimmage, so Dareus and Kyle Williams will still play inside. I don't know that you really want either of them outside.If they can find a big NT to plug in on run downs, that would be nice but whoever that is likely won't see a ton of snaps so I don't think it's critical.

Jairus Wynn could likely hold down the other DE spot as part of a rotation.

Still need that immovable NT so Williams and Dareus can go after the QB a bit. They have their version of Wilkerson and Richardson but are missing Damon Harrison. Some would argue that a good NT is the most important piece in what Ryan wants to do.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bills in 2013 didn't have a true NT either. With so many teams running spread offenses, I don't think you need that guy as badly. Nice to have but not a huge priority imo.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Bills in 2013 didn't have a true NT either. With so many teams running spread offenses, I don't think you need that guy as badly. Nice to have but not a huge priority imo.

May be part of the reason the run defense wasn't very good though

 

[Borden]

*Charles, Stefan DT 6-5 323

Dareus, Marcell DT 6-3 331

Williams, Kyle DT 6-1 303

Williams, Mario DE 6-6 292

Harrison, Damon DL 6-4 350

Wilkerson, Muhammad DL 6-4 315

Richardson, Sheldon DT 6-3 294

Coples, Quinton LB 6-6 290

Total weight of Bills DL is 1249 lbs or 312.25 per player.

Total weight of Jets DL is 1249 lbs or 312.25 per player.

**I just wanted to see how much heavier the Jets were. I'm amazed they are exactly the same.

Total height of Bills DL is 25'3" or 6'3.75" per player.

Total height of Jets DL is 25'5" or 6'4.25" per player.

*Charles is the heaviest DL I could find on the roster (outside of Dareus).

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bills in 2013 didn't have a true NT either. With so many teams running spread offenses, I don't think you need that guy as badly. Nice to have but not a huge priority imo.

May be part of the reason the run defense wasn't very good though

more likely it was due to relying heavily on an undersized rookie Kiko Alonso at ILB with not much else.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I'm not all that thrilled about Gailey going to NY. I have a lot of respect for him as an OC. He had a lot of flaws as HC, but there was no question that he made that offense much better than it probably should have been.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'm not all that thrilled about Gailey going to NY. I have a lot of respect for him as an OC. He had a lot of flaws as HC, but there was no question that he made that offense much better than it probably should have been.

Same here. I was looking forward to the Jets hiring Marrone first of all because the coach-swapping aspect would be funny, but also because Marrone just isn't very good. Sadly, the Jets came to their senses and seem to be putting together a pretty decent staff. Gailey isn't perfect, but he's certainly a competent OC.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Now that teams are staying away from Doug Marrone in droves, I wonder if anybody in the national media will retract their statements about he's the second coming of Vince Lombardi and how the Bills were idiots to let him get away. I'm sure they'll get on that any day now.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Now that teams are staying away from Doug Marrone in droves, I wonder if anybody in the national media will retract their statements about he's the second coming of Vince Lombardi and how the Bills were idiots to let him get away. I'm sure they'll get on that any day now.

Rumored to have an interview with the Bears. I still don't think he's getting a HC job. If he does, it will be one of the last ones and out of desperation. If that does happen, expect to see a ton of tweets from Schefter and Mort about how "league sources" tell them it's a total steal and that whatever team it is is now poised for success.

 

[On The Rocks]

Now that teams are staying away from Doug Marrone in droves, I wonder if anybody in the national media will retract their statements about he's the second coming of Vince Lombardi and how the Bills were idiots to let him get away. I'm sure they'll get on that any day now.

Rumored to have an interview with the Bears. I still don't think he's getting a HC job. If he does, it will be one of the last ones and out of desperation. If that does happen, expect to see a ton of tweets from Schefter and Mort about how "league sources" tell them it's a total steal and that whatever team it is is now poised for success.

Well here's what's left:

Broncos

Chicago

Atlanta

49ers

All have star players with nice foundations on at least one side of the ball.

I think two of those jobs go to John Fox and Dan Quinn.

You also have Teryl Austin getting a second interview in Atlanta. (which surprised me)

I just don't think Marrone has the clout to pull one of these out and sort of don't think he has the reputation as a great offensive mind to be hired in one of the final OC openings. I doubt he has regrets for leaving the Bills but there is a part of me that sort of hopes he interviews for every HC and OC opening available and doesn't get hired at any.