Let's take a look at the defensive unit the Buffalo Bills will (likely) field in 2008, position by position, starting up front.
DE
One of the main concerns surrounding the Bills defense the past several seasons has been stopping the run. They have not been able to do it, and the unit taking the most blame has been the defensive line. Although the Bills have a Pro Bowl DE in Aaron Schobel, some say he is just a pass rusher, and does not defend well against the run. The stats would show otherwise. Schobel set a single-season career-high in tackles, despite the dip in sacks from his first Pro Bowl season in 2007. There is more to Schobel than just his pass rush.So with the Pro Bowler Schobel on one end, and Chris Kelsay, Ryan Denney, and 3rd-round draft choice, Chris Ellis, leading the way, Buffalo is hoping they have the pieces they need for an effective pass rush from the outside, but also quickness to the ball against the run.
DT
That will, of course, be helped by the interior defensive linemen. Arguably the biggest move the Bills made in the off-season (pun intended) was to beef up the middle of their defensive line by trading for Marcus Stroud, perennial Pro Bowl lineman from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud is exactly what the Bills were looking for. He's large (6'6", 310 lbs) and he's experienced (8 years in the league) and he's a player that the opposing team must account for. Just adding Stroud to the mix already makes the defensive ends mentioned above that much better, as the offensive line has to account for him.In addition to the new big man, the Bills pulled off an "under the radar" signing of Specner Johnson from Minnesota. This free agent acquisition has experience stuffing the run, playing next to the Williamses (Pat & Kevin) with the Vikings. Johnson will add depth to an interior line that now features Stroud, promising third-year player John McCargo, and Kyle Williams. The Bills released Larry Tripplett just before the free agency period began, likely knowing they were going to bring in the two defensive tackles.
Some Bills fans will still bemoan the fact that our DL is small, but for the scheme the Bills run, that's what they need. Their defensive scheme is about quickness to the ball, and that is definitely the model of player they have signed and drafted. Still, the addition of Stroud to the team - assuming he can play at the same level he has in his career thus far - will markedly improve the entire Bills defense.
LB
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11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Joe Rogers about 1 year ago
Wow awesome
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Philip Wiggle about 1 year ago
Don't ya just love optimism! Rain or shine, the Bills are my team, for good or bad. It has been that way for several dacades and I am not changing course. The OTAs begin next week and I cannot wait.
by Phil
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Gabe Erlichman about 1 year ago
The only fear I ahve is the growing talent in our division. AKA New York Jets. Also Parcells taking over in Miami, were going to have to be as agressive as ever in Free Agency and the draft as we ever have been to stay competitive.
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Gabe Erlichman about 1 year ago
Great article though. I loved the ending with your flashback to the late 80's. Great optimism, Im as excited as anyone for the seasoin to start
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Bart Upchurch about 1 year ago
That article shows your love for the Bills . It was a fantastic article and Leodis McKelvin is going to shut down every receiver he faces next year.The Bills made fantastic moves this offseason and are headed straight to the Superbowl
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Don Webb about 1 year ago
The Bills D wil improve greatly this year for the simple reason that we will get injured players back. However, the addition of Stroud, Mitchell and a fine group of rookies we will move back into the middle of the pack raqther than lounging as bottom feeders. Make no mistake. This will be a better team in '08 in all areas. We will be genuine contenders...if not this year, then certainly in 2009. Go Bills.
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jeff about 1 year ago
ha the bills will go to the playoffs and dominate
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scott birmingham about 1 year ago
mark my words, THE BUFFALO BILLS WILL TAKE THE AFC EAST!!!! dont know how far in the playoffs we'll go (should go deep into the playoffs)but you got to hand it to the coaches and staff thay've done a hell of a job bringing in the players we needed, And all the injured players from last year it's like having 2 yrs of draft picks all in one year. we got nothing but great thing in front of us for years to come.lets just hope thay stay in buffalo for us to enjoy them
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ZOOP about 1 year ago
This season is going to be great!! I can't wait to see these players on the field. Getting back POZ is awesome. We have some great young talent and this is our year. LETS GO BUFFALO!!!!!! I am a HUGE Edwards fan and he is going to be awesome!!! Aswell as James Hardy!!! (Called both those picks!)
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
Its nice that you are writing about the Bills onfield status...it would be nice to see the Bills community check in on the off field status
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Edward Neuland about 1 year ago
Great read! the Bills "D" adds starters Stroud, Mitchell, POZ, Ko Simpson, McKelvin. Great depth additions in Chris Ellis, Spencer Johnson, James, Corner. I can't think of any team that has that much quality being added to their defense. Very impressive! Hardy and several tight ends join a powerful running game in its second year playing together plus top 5 special teams, spells a winning season. I think your comparison to the late 80's and early 90's Bills squads has a lot of merit.
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