steampunk

Sorry Wiz but this description is in fact the opposite of what Wannstedt's scheme traditionally asks the tackles to do.

A big 43 has never been Wannstedt's philosophy. Personnel-wise that system believes in smaller, faster players in the same mold as the Tampa people the Bills have been moving away from. Remember that the Dallas DTs you are referring to, Leon Lett, Russell Maryland, Jimmie Jones, Tony Casillas etc were all 300 lbs or less. The Wanny/JJ regime in Miami did get a little bit bigger with low 300s Bowens and Gardener in the middle, but they didn't pick up any 340 lb slobberknockers like Keith Traylor until Saban got hired and wanted true NTs. Sisphyean Bills quote about Wanny remaking the Bears D in his image also mentions the undersized Flanigan and Zorich, the 275 and 290 lb DTs he used on the Bears line. That's been his philosophy for the JJ 43 that Dave has run throughout his career. 43s often use smaller personnel than 34s (with notable exceptions like the Buddy Ball fronts), but the JJ/DW version used smaller people even for a 43. I remember this old Jimmy Johnson quote about how he wanted safeties for OLBs, LBs for ends, DEs for tackles. I think that's been my biggest worry about the Wannstedt promotion; that he takes them back to small ball. Because I love stout defenses, and I hated watching that Jauron D get pushed around every week. I've been hoping some of the good reporters like J. Wawrow or M. Gaughn would start asking the right question. I don't think the question is what front they might be in 51% of the time. Hardly matters. The question I'd love to hear explored is how the new coordinator's career-long defensive personnel philosophy might affect the drafting and pro player approach at One Bills Drive. I know it's possible he could change. Incorporate bigger bodies in the style that Nix has preferred so far. I hope so, and I think the Bills tackle position is safe from downsizing due to how simply good Dareus and KW are, but the heck with 240 lb DEs or safeties as 'backers.

Thanks Jboyst62!

I don't know if I can win the challenge, but I'll give my analysis. Brian Brohm's pocket awareness was rated somewhere between Coma and Rotted, Shuffling Zombie. His upcoming RFA status now ranks below "DVD Rewinder" on the sales buzz charts. He had worse mechanics than a high school autoshop class in Palm Springs. His field vision was comparable to a helmet-less Predator after Arnold covers himself in mud. Brohm's internal clock was a calendar. On second thought it was a colander. Yes, that thing your grandma strains noodles in. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.

Well I can give a few recent examples. Ryan Pickett was a DT for the Packers old 4-3 front. A couple of years ago, they got Dom Capers as defensive coordinator, switched to the 34, and Pickett became the nose tackle. Last year they drafted B.J Raji. He took over at NT and Pickett -- all 340 lbs of him -- has played DE since. Dolphins NT Jason Ferguson got suspended for the first 10 games of this season. During training camp and preseason, the Fish moved Randy Starks from DE to NT. Starks is a good lineman, and he's played DT for them before. His backup NT, Paul Soliai, decided to shake his previous lazy/bust label and came on strong, earning the NT job, outright. Gotta love those contract years! Meanwhile, Ferguson decided to retire. Starks is back at his DE job. Shaun Rogers has gone to a few pro bowls as NT for the Browns. Last year, he broke his leg. Rogers' backup, Ataba Rubin, took the job and performed well. 350 lb Rogers now plays alongside him as a DE. Except on passing downs. I think Rubin usually waddles off the field, Rogers slides into the middle and they run another pass rusher out to fill the empty DE spot. Similar story with the Baltimore Ravens 34 front and NT/DT/DE/Pastry Chef Haloti Ngata playing at End, alongside Kelly Gregg. Of course the Bills played all the above teams this season, so we've seen these fronts and position swaps in action.

I'm with ya in general. They need the true NT. Soliai is a primo candidate. Something clicked for him this year and he's come on strong for the Fish. Getting Nolan as DC probably helped his development. Kyle to 34 DE. Yes. On running downs at least. On obvious passing downs I think he'd slide back inward when they pull the fat in favor of a pressure front. I missed the Cap One bowl. I'll have to look for Dareus highlights. DE wouldn't be a bad pick, but I don't believe it's as big a need as many. We're talking about a three man front. We've just covered two of the spots. That leaves one spot and a bunch of guys already on the roster to compete for it or fill it by committee. For example, Kelsay might rotate in for pass downs and the nickel (except for bench depth and special teams, he has no other business on field in a 34). Spencer Johnson has been better than Carrington or Stroud vs. the run. Dwan Edwards is probably the most balanced. About the biggest need, that would be LBs. And this scenario already used free agency to cover the other big need, a zero tech. The remaining defensive need I'd add is coaching. I'm not a believer in Merriman, and I think his extension might be a case of ... aw heck, the term slips my mind. When stocks continually fall, but the investor rides them to the bottom in desperate hope of a turnaround? Anyway. I am a big believer in Nix's talent evaluation, but in this case he's purely gambling, because we know how long it's been since SM produced anything that could be evaluated. I hope the gamble works and I end up being wrong. All I want is a smothering D.

I keep Wrotto in the 5 for sure. If the offseason goes well, he should be moving down to first-off-the-bench OT depth, but his performance has been steadying for the line. Hey McCargo got a vote! It really IS Christmas.

The 3-4. Like a few other posters have already written, the key personnel signings/drafts/internal developments needed are a true NT and multiple LBs. Me, I'd add that coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball are just as important.

Good point, Bob. I've read a few threads lately where (legit) excitement over a new guy's (or newish guy's) limited body of work has too many of us ready to bump a proven starter. The talent they've mined at the middle o-line spots this season is shaping up to be a good problem to have. My vote for Bills Asst. Coach MVP is Joe D'Alessandris. For what he's done with what he's been given -- with often little time to make it work.

Thanks Tipster. Fun read. )

Pink Slip (aka firing) won't really apply to Wilson, since his contract expires in 14 days. Brohm and McCargo are also done with their contracts. Except I believe that those two are RFAs. Other contracts ending this season: Ayodele, Corto, Ellison, Florence, Ganther, Martin, Merriman, Posluzny, Stupar, Whitner, Wrotto, Youboty. So here's my reply to your Q, using the above list: Practice Field (if this means re-signing): Ayodele for depth. Flo' for the stability. Poz, because the '4' in their 3-4 already needs serious feeding. Stupar, getting the nod over Martin due to upside of youth. Whitner, within certain $$ limits (better left to other threads!). Wrotto, future swing tackle off the bench who will no doubt get a lot of work in an 18 game sched. Wilson, hitting a similar theme; quality relief play at multi. positions in the secondary. Quality character, too. Finally, a tender offer to Brohm. Pink Slip (if this means not re-signing): Corto, the ST gunner who became an ST liability this season. Ellison, featherweight Tampa-2 depth chart LB that isn't much use to a 34. Martin, purely a warm body at the team's weakest offensive position. McCargo, because he's the Brett Favre of starts on the inactive list. And Ganther, who could get another look in late Spring.

Thanks for the link! The segment where he talked Xs and Os about the Packers game was very interesting. I guess he relaxed a bit with it being a non-conference game that's already in their rearview mirror. The Bills segment was Belichick's usual ultra-bland, bulletin-board-proof, roster recital that I'm sure we'll hear more of at the Wed. press party.

I believe Coach Gailey realized he'd struck QB gold (without qualifiers) some time ago, but knew he'd have to bring his owner and fanbase on-board in gradual doses, beginning the process back on Fitz's birthday. The general public and NFL media are much warmer to the idea now, sometimes with caveats and qualifiers (for 2011, to teach a rookie, etc.). Of which I think Chan shares none.

Hello and welcome! I appreciate the 'tude Corey brings to his game. Do you rep any other clients on the Bills' roster?

Agreed. He didn't use that word. Donte leaked being unhappy with negotiations and the front office's estimation of his true value. My point was that it's not uncommon for players (on any team) to do. Often nothing comes of it. Most here would re-sign him for $500k/yr. Most here would let him walk for 10mil/yr. The difference of opinion is all about the tipping point in between, right? I don't see any use in getting all Mister Furious on either Whitner or the front office without knowing their disconnect price. I do appreciate the posts going on record with their own magic number -- the tipping point they'd walk away from. Once this plays out and we have the deets, it'll be interesting to compare.

This might all be gamesmanship! Dunno how many times we've seen a player grouse to the press about feeling 'disrespected' by the pace/amount of negotiations, only to end up smiling alongside the GM at a signing announcement one month later. For where this team is, cap and personnel-wise, the right price point for 25 year old Whitner is somewhere between an average of 4 and 5M/yr. Still well below the top-tier 7 to 8 mil that Ed Reed, Adrian Wilson, Laron Landry, Polumalu, Sanders and Rolle are clearing. If that amount includes a little overpay to a loyal starter whose idea of a good time is studying opponent film in his home theater at 5 am, well fine! Better spent than Merriman's 1.8.

If he was, wow, his joiques have good timing!

Nice close-up view on Wood, SJ. Good points, re: the simplified schemes and your thoughts about proximity playing into Wood's strengths. I kinda squinted dubiously at the "make it permanent!" cheers ringing out when EW's start was announced last week. I guess I filed it in the undeserved category -- alongside calls for Wang-to-(any position at all). Hangartner has become great at line calls this season, while being fair in pass protection and not far below average on run blocking. I haven't noticed him lay any big eggs since Baltimore. I wasn't in a rush to get him off the field in favor of a guy who's already out there, too. With the game in the books, I have to admit that Wood looked very strong in his first start. Especially on runs. The only personal muff I recall was him gumming up a middle screen to Jackson in the 3rd. Protection calls are tough to assign blame from where we sit. I did notice that #53, Roth, was unaccounted for a few times in the 2nd quarter. Including one glaring blitz where Stupar was staying home and available on that side of the line. The Jets and Patsies games should give line calls and adjustments a mean workout. Can't wait to see how it goes!

Well, one guy's shackle is another guy's Sportscenter highlight. Playing within the scheme and maintaining outside position is what has set up each of Moats' big plays. Moats gets help, but Moats knows what to do with it. On the Delhomme fumble, Moats' role was to edge rush along the outside lane. Spencer Johnson lined up at NT, alongside Kyle at RDE. Spencer's job on the play -- and this was absolutely schemed -- was drive into the center, clamp onto him, and drive him backward like a forklift. Spencer executed perfectly and rode Mack over 4 yards backwards. He didn't try to shed. Or penetrate. Or show off his "arsenal of moves". He just played his role in the scheme. Meanwhile, Kyle stunted directly into the right guard, clapped a hand under each armpit and began doing the same thing. And you know Kyle has other moves. Result is, when Moats finished his quarter-circle arc from point A to point B, Delhomme had been nicely backed up and was waiting at ground zero. On the Favre/Moats play a week earlier, they sent a blitzing safety into the middle of the line. Same purpose, even though the play ended up developing differently. On the sack Poz was credited for in Minnesota, which originally looked like an 0.5 for Moats, Poz had that role of providing middle push. So one difference between Moats and Maybin is that Moats might better appreciate how "shackling" his game within the scheme is what makes it work. Another difference is that Moats is simply better at staying alive out there. He has better balance and keeps his feet churning underneath him. He's also better at fighting off the LT's hands with his own. So far, the lineman seem to have a easier time steering Maybin out of a play or simply chucking him to the ground.

Is he free from Indy? I'd like to see the Bills reel him back in. Joique is clearly on the radar of a few respected front offices.

New D-coord.

R. Rich, you have a great eye. I like that you noticed George Wilson's role on the infamous Moats/Favre play. Wilson disrupted the pjesus out of the oline on that. He came on-field late and sprinted to the line, alongside Kyle, just as the O got set. There was one extra protector; Shiancoe stayed home to block. At the snap, McKinnie began riding Moats along the edge. In a blown assignment, BOTH the center and Hutchinson's replacement at guard bit down hard on skinny lil George Wilson. Now without a hat over him, Kyle delayed and then ran wide into the outside lane behind Moats. Shanks halfheartedly chipped Moats and then politely waved Kyle through. McKinnie seemed to ease up on Moats once he saw Kyle in tow. Moats used nice balance and handplay to stay alive during his arc with McKinnie. Maybin doesn't have those yet.

I'm with ya on that. Crazy-agile 340 pounder Ngata used to play NT for the Ravens, but with Gregg in the middle as the "try to move me, I dare ya" clogger, Ngata is free to create more havoc at DE. Kyle would be successful at end. In a 3-4, it's the best place for his skills. With the superhuman effort he seems to put into every snap, I do believe he'd hold his own as a very undersized 2-gap NT in the 'clog and occupy' role. But that doesn't seem like best bang for the buck. Mister Kyledriver is SO good at shedding blockers and punching through. So, Kyle at DE. On obvious passing downs, the NT waddles off the field. Williams slides midward. Another DE comes off the bench. My opinion on biggest defensive needs for the Bills 3-4 is: 1) New coordinator 2) 3-4 NT (maybe that's Troupe and maybe it's not) 3) Three linebackers, preferably A) A strongside LB that can rush and fight off a block to get to the passer or ballcarrier. B) Another ILB. Needs to be able both tackle AND cover (imagine that), because every other AFC East team has one or more great young TEs. C) A very smart utility LB of the type Crennel and Belichick seem to value. May not be great at any one thing, but can do a little pass rushing, a little coverage, etc. The real strength of the 3-4 is that the 4 LBs make it a versatile scheme that has a lot of options and is tough to read. Torbor (coverage) plus Ayodele (run stop) may combine two 0.5s of a linebacker into one average player, but the other side can see those substitutions and game on them. Needs #2 and #3 shouldn't be a license to reach in the draft. After this past decade they need draft hits more than any single position. The NT/LBs could come through the draft, existing roster development or free agency.

Choosing one from Bills opponents this season, I'll take Tamba Hali, 275 lb SOLB for the Chiefs. A terror. He may have single-handedly changed the course of Cordero Howard's career. Polumalu would be a great choice for your player steal, too. Ed Reed's talked about retiring soon, so I won't waste the pick on him -- even though it was amazing the way he returned from injury and seemed to magically attract turnovers.

Stroud's been mailing it in. I think Johnson has been the best DE throughout the season (but let's keep that praise in context). Kelsay's been playing well in just the last 3 games. The announcers and CBS graphics were still calling him a linebacker on Sunday, but he's obviously playing a 43 DE. About bagging the 3-4: I hope not. With all the LBs hitting IR, I understand not having the depth to stay with it for the whole 16, but I want to see them finish the switch in the offseason. Chan's pretty flexible though. I figure the new D-Coord will have a lot of influence on the scheme.