Buffalo Bills' 2008 Preview: Getting to Know Your Defense

: Always a staple of Buffalo Bills football, this year will be no different. The Bills have Pro-Bowl punter Brian Moorman, and much-improved kicker Rian Lindell to form one of the most solid, kicking duos in the league. Long snapper Ryan Neill needs to improve his game in bad weather conditions, but had a fairly solid year. Our kick-coverage units took a hit in the offseason, losing Sam Aiken, Josh Stamer, Coy Wire, and Mario Haggan, but we filled those holes with younger players like Justin Jenkins and John Wendling, who both played well last year, and via the draft with Alvin Bowen, Derek Fine, Kennard Cox, and Steve Johnson.

We have the best return duo in the league with Terrence McGee returning kicks and the electrifying Roscoe Parrish returning punts. Adding to that duo is rookie Leodis McKelvin, who's return abilities will take some of the load off both of them.

 

Coaching: Head coach Dick Jauron, in his third season here (14-18), is a former player, and is a coach whose players rally around him. He is a smart guy who treats his players like people, and won't feed you any bull. Turk Schonert is a first-year offensive coordinator, and was the quarterback coach last season. He uses systems built to the strength of his players, utilizing them as best as he can. As a former quarterback himself, he is putting more responsibility on that position, which will benefit Trent Edwards on the field.

Perry Fewell, in his third season as defensive coordinator, uses the cover-two defense, but mixes it up with blitz packages and exotic coverages. He coached well last year, losing a lot of players. He plugged people in and it didn't seem to matter. Bobby April is the special-teams coach, and has had one of the best special-teams units in the league each of his five years here.

This defensive group played well last year, and with the improvements it has made, I can see it being in the top fifteen next season. Schobel, Whitner, and Stroud are looking to have Pro-Bowl seasons in 2008.

Poz and Crowell should have breakout seasons, and with all of the additions to the secondary, this team is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Of course, our special teams will be one of the bright spots again, no matter what, and I can't wait to see the newbies playing, especially McKelvin.

Jauron needs to have a winning record this year or he could be done in Buffalo. I like our coaching staff, and I like what they have done so far. They have made this team a family, and put in not only high character guys, but some real strong leaders. With the Bills headed in the right direction, and with such a young team, they will be good and exciting to watch for years to come.

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