vincec

The Bills are going to continue to play a hybrid defense. Nix, Wannstadt and Gailey all downplayed a switch back to the 4-3, saying that every team in the league except for KC and Detroit plays some level of hybrid. Also, if they flat switch to a 4-3 what are they going to do with all their 3-4 players (Merriman, Edwards, Carrington, Sheppard, Moats, Batten, etc.). Kick them to the curb and fall another 2 years behind in the perpetual rebuild? Upshaw would be a player that can play 4-3 or 3-4 so he would be a logical pick, but this is all premature. Players move up and down like crazy after the combine.

Except for Upshaw, it looks a lot like the front 7 that's got schooled this season in terms of personnel. I doubt seriously that Williams can play DE and keep any kind of containment or provide and edge pass rush. Also, are you showing Searcy at CB???

Mike Nolan to the Saints. That would be a great pickup for them.

I hope so too, but the Bill's can't draft everybody. Two WR, a LT, a CB, two pass rushers AND a QB? Some of these positions are going to have to come from FA.

How about just the first 5 from last year's draft: Newton Dareus Miller Green Peterson Very good and young...

I was very high on Carrington coming into this season but he really disappointed. He got manhandled on running plays and was invisible in the pass rush (supposedly his specialty). He had a huge opportunity with the injuries and just didn't do anything with it. The fact that the Bills thought Spencer Johnson was a better DE option than Carrington says it all about his chances to play 4-3 DE. I agree about Batten, but I've seen some flashes out of Moats. I'd like to see how he does in a new scheme before I write him off completely.

I like it. It all depends on signing FAs however. If the Bills can re-sign S Johnson, D Bell and S Chandler, and then bring in a FA wide receiver like Vincent Jackson then I'd be all over your top 3. Otherwise, they may need to waste more picks hoping to replace guys that they let slip away and stay on the treadmill for another year.

Just my gut feeling. The Bills should definitely be looking to upgrade the SLB position through the draft.

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading the article. I think that knee braces are mandatory on the Bills for training camp and if I'm not mistaken, practices during the week. It's a policy that Gailey brought.

Sure, IF they sign Mario Williams of which I am skeptical. I think Kelsay looked better this year playing lighter than he did at 270. Also, why don't you think that Barnett can play the weakside OLB in a 4-3? I think he would fit in well. Finally, I'd consider giving Moats a shot at the strong side OLB. I have a feeling that he can play this position.

You mean back when the Bills ranked 10 - 15 spots higher in total defense? Maybe it's time to consider that developing a defense based on stopping the pass is how you win in today's NFL.

All part of the master plan to "get bigger". They have accomplished this. Too bad it made the defense worse and not better.

You don't get better by playing against lesser competition. The better the coaching in the AFC East the better for the Bills, IMO... that is if you want to win a Super Bowl and not just go to the playoffs and get smoked. Plus it makes the divisional games more entertaining.

Draft picks are WAY overvalued, IMO. This is borne out by your chart. If the Bills had traded their #1 pick each of the last 10 years for a solid starter, which they would easily have been able to do given the perceived value of these picks, they would be infinitely better off. You may say that this is because the Bills can't draft, but I suspect that if you look at most teams in the NFL you would find that they would've been better off on average. Maybe not a top 5 pick, but if you can convert anything there after into a starting caliber player, then it's a no brainer, IMO. That goes for any pick in any round. To me the point of the draft is to convert your picks into solid players. If you can trade for one with a track record then why mess around with a rookie?

This is my opinion as well. All this 4-3 or 3-4 talk is a red herring. What the Bills need are more playmakers and better defensive coaching, plain and simple.

Imagine how much the Packers would be passing if they were behind all the time like the Bills are.

On the other hand, per all PTR posts any criticism of the Bills in unfounded and illustrative of an irrational fan/media base.

Don't forget QB and WR (if and when S Johnson leaves). Lots of ways to go with the top pick. The most important thing is to draft an impact player, regardless of position. No more Maybin fiascos.

Also, I heard during Monday nights broadcast of the Green Bay game that the Packers have allowed more yards that they have gained. They are 14-1. I guess defense is overrated these days...

I meant next season. I misspoke. Sorry if that makes me an idiot in your eyes. Well, I don't really care about what you think so I'm not really that sorry...

This is true. Since the first Jets game I see more bump-and-run type coverages with blitzes in the box. The incidental benefit is that you have more men in there to defend against the run. To beat it, you need either superior pass protection to allow receivers to work longer against the coverages or superior receivers to beat the coverages quickly, and of course strong QB play. The Bills haven't had any of these things. Multiple TEs is out, IMO. The Bills don't even have one good TE right now and haven't really had more than Chandler at any point in the season. They could use McIntyre more. I wouldn't mind seeing this, but I am concerned about Spiller's ability to run behind a FB into a stacked defense. I still think it is preferable to put another WR out there and take a defender to the sidelines with him than play with a FB and rely on him blocking a LB at the point of attack. Maybe Chan and I went to the same school, but I agree with the general principle that most of the time when the other team stacks the box you throw the ball and when they back off you run it. That is what the Bills are trying to do.

One thing to consider: The Bills RBs have a high run average because the Bills pass so much. They face a lot of nickel defenses with players spread out so that there are holes for quick backs with good vision to run to. If the Bills came out in two tight ends or a FB and a TE they would be looking at 8 man fronts with 3 or 4 LBs in the game. I'm fairly certain that the rushing average would go down significantly. Also, neither Jackson nor Spiller are the kind of between the tackles, power backs that would do well rushing in this type of situation. I do agree that the Bills should run it a little more, but I don't think it makes sense to switch to a conservative, power offense. Look at the top offenses in the league: Saints, Packers, Patriots, Eagles. They are all primarily passing offenses.

Pears has struggled in several games this season. He has played well in others. He is a marginal starter. He is also a 7 year vet so he is not likely to get any better. Bell is a much better player. He has played better against better defensive players. Therefore, Bell will walk and Pears is signed to a new contract. This is my concern. It's time that the Bills re-sign their better players, not their cheaper ones.

What will really happen: Jackson will walk after this season. Bills will get nothing.

This makes too much sense to be embraced by one bills drive. Jackson will probably walk after next season without a serious offer from the Bills.