B/R Debate: Can Buffalo Bills Revamped Defensive Line Carry the Defense?

The Buffalo Bills added two key ingredients to their defensive line in Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. But two players doesn't make a defense. Along with defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, though, the Bills figure to field a fearsome foursome of defensive linemen every down.

But can the defensive line carry the burden for what was an all-around well-below-average defense in 2011?

To debate the topic, we welcome back B/R Bills featured columnist Chris Trapasso.

I'll let you lead us off.

Chris: Fantastic question. A topic many Bills' fans have been discussing since Williams and Anderson signed on the dotted line in March. 

Alone, Buffalo's defensive line has the potential to be dominant, but its ripple effect is far more important. 

Over the last few seasons, the linebacker corps in Western New York has lacked the ability to make impact plays which has led to one of the more porous run defenses in the NFL. 

With the addition of Nick Barnett, came a steady increase in production, but a lot of that had to do with Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus on the defensive front's interior along with a decent year from Chris Kelsay coming off the edge. 

Williams and especially Dareus, who played all 16 games in his rookie campaign, ate up blockers and allowed Barnett and new starter Kelvin Sheppard to make more plays closer to the line of scrimmage. 

The secondary allowed a respectable 232 passing yards per game, but opposing quarterbacks averaged a 90.4 QB rating against them last season. 

A lot of their struggles directly stemmed from a mundane and easy-to-block pass rush that mustered only 29 sacks throughout the year. 

Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus and Mark Anderson should be able to free up the Bills linebackers and not force the likes of Drayton Florence, Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Williams and Terrence McGee to cover for as long in 2012. They will allow the entire secondary to become more aggressive jumping routes, too.

Having stalwarts in the middle and established rushers on the edge of the defensive line will increase pressure on the opposition's offensive line and quarterback and alleviate pressure from the linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.  

We should witness a more downhill and aggressive Bills defense this season.  

Erik: I agree in principle, but not to the full extent of your discussion. You hit the statistical nails on the head, Chris: the Bills pass rush was horrendous last year, tallying 29 sacks total; the secondary was almost even worse, allowing a 90.4 passer rating and 7.7 yards per attempt; they allowed 30 passing touchdowns as a team, fourth-most in the NFL.

I think the group that the Bills have assembled on the line is great, but help in the secondary is still needed. The Giants are a good example; they won the Super Bowl on the strength of their defensive line but almost didn't even get there because of a deficient secondary that gave up an 86.1 passer rating on the season.

The names you listed in the secondary shouldn't inspire any level of confidence. The Bills grabbed 20 interceptions last year, which would seem to indicate a ball-hawking secondary, but eight of those came in two games. 

The pass rush will definitely effect the quarterback, but watch for a lot of three step drops and quick throws to counter that pass rush. Thus, while the defensive line should be enough to do the job for the most part, eventually, the Bills are going to face an elite offensive line. When that time comes, they'll at least need some guys who can cover at the second and third levels.

Chris: Quick throws to receivers over the middle, and running backs in the flat will be the perfect counter to the Bills improved defensive line, and right now, Buffalo's secondary wouldn't inspire confidence in anyone. 

While that contingent of defensive backs isn't horrible, they've been far from stellar over the last few seasons, that's for sure. 

However, how fair is it to call them below-average? 

As a team, the Bills had 32 sacks in 2009, 27 in 2010 and 29 last season. Quarterbacks have been afforded considerable time to get comfortable in the pocket and survey the field.

Buffalo's defensive line deficiencies have made things extremely difficult for the secondary. 

While I'm not suggesting Buffalo instantly vaults to a top five passing defense next season, don't be surprised if those cornerbacks and safeties have much better seasons in 2012. 

Lastly, George Wilson and Jairus Byrd have formulated one of the more underrated yet stout safety tandems in the league. Ask Matt Miller. They'll greatly benefit from the defensive line additions.  

I simply believe a ferocious and active defensive line makes everyone's life easier on defense. It's been lacking in Buffalo for a long time. 

Erik: I absolutely agree on the safeties, and for that reason, I think the Bills have a real chance at improving in the secondary overall. If the communication and talent on the back end is solid, the ceiling for any secondary is pretty high.

But think of all the guys with quickness and solid hands: Santonio Holmes, Wes Welker and Davone Bess. Those are the type of receivers that are going to eat the Bills cornerbacks alive, with or without that pass rush.

It looks like the No. 10 pick will, and should, go to an offensive linemen or wide receiver. Shortly thereafter, though, a cornerback should definitely be on the list, especially with the age and contract situations of their cornerbacks all carrying questions marks save for Aaron Williams.

Chris: Certainly a fair assessment, Erik. I grabbed cornerback Jamell Fleming in Round 2 of the Bleacher Report community mock draft. The Bills do need an upgrade and more depth in their secondary. The defensive line will have a positive impact on the defensive backfield and linebackers next season. 

There's no doubting that. 

Erik: It sounds like we're in agreement, Chris, and with that I think our debate has drawn to a close.

Thanks again for joining me in another debate, and I'd love to have you back again for more spirited discussion.

For the readers, be sure to check at the AFC East blog every day for a new debate over AFC East-related topics.

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