HOUSE Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) Chris Brown Lead Journalist Crucial, vital, essential, necessary are just a few of the words that describe indispensable. Buffalo’s defense has made some critical additions that should raise the level of play on that side of the ball. Their depth is also appreciably better in some areas, but injuries have compromised promising Bills’ seasons before. And as hard as GM Buddy Nix has tried to make his roster complete there are still a few areas where if a starter goes down it will be hard to maintain the same level of play. Here are the candidates on defense that the Bills can least afford to lose. Kelvin Sheppard He might just be a second-year player, but there isn’t as good a fit at middle linebacker on the roster right now as Sheppard. I’m pretty comfortable with the system because it’s the same system I ran in college where I had a lot of success,” Sheppard told Buffalobills.com. Sheppard is expected to take a giant step forward in his second NFL season. He was the emotional leader of the LSU defense where he was the team’s leading tackler for three straight seasons. “This is our year and I plan on bringing my game and my intensity to the locker room and to the field,” he said. Should Sheppard succumb to injury at some point during the season it’s believed the either veteran Kirk Morrison or Nick Barnett would shift inside to the middle backer position and run the defense. But the Bills would be subtracting from another position to fill the middle linebacker role, which is far from an ideal situation at a position where proven depth is still lacking. Kyle Williams Bills fans saw just what life was like without the penetrating interior lineman. Williams was not only a playmaker, but dependable and consistent with his run fits. The fact that Williams looks more than ready to return to the fold is very good news coming off Achilles surgery. He participated in the OTAs and minicamp practices, though his reps in the team setting were minimal. Williams should be full go for training camp. Should the unfortunate happen and Williams misses more time this season, Buffalo appears a bit more equipped to fill the hole. With veteran Dwan Edwards moving to defensive tackle in the Bills new 4-3 scheme, there is a starting caliber option right behind Williams and Marcell Dareus on the roster. If Torell Troup successfully returns from offseason back surgery it’ll only add to the depth of talent behind Williams. That should be sufficient to help to sustain Buffalo’s run front. Mario Williams Just about anyone on Buffalo’s roster would tell you that there is no replacing Mario Williams. He's clearly the most talented defensive player, but last season Houston was able to finish as the second best defense in football despite not having Williams for the final 11 games of the regular season and the playoffs. The reason why is they had talented depth behind him on the roster. Arguably the Bills do as well. Mark Anderson and Shawne Merriman are both more than capable of picking up the pass rushing slack, should Williams miss time due to injury. Merriman appears poised to finally make a full return to form and Anderson is quietly productive in his own right. That’s why Williams believes competing with one another every day in the practice setting will have all of them ready to take on added responsibility if it comes to that. “We know we all have each other’s backs and that’s the most important thing, but you’re not going to get any better without competition,” Williams told Buffalobills.com. “That’s why you should always thrive off of competition and thrive off the opportunity to get better amongst your peers. Anytime we can get out here and can mix it up amongst each other and get better its welcome.” So although Williams is a unique talent, Buffalo’s pass rush would not be devoid of capable talent elsewhere on the roster. George Wilson The starting strong safety is the defense’s compass. Whatever Wilson points out pre-snap to his teammates they listen. Kelvin Sheppard knows the defense and will capably call out checks and pre-snap changes, but he doesn’t have the offensive background that Wilson has as a former receiver. It allows Wilson to accurately predict what’s coming before anyone else. That kind of value is hard to duplicate. Add in the fact that he’s finished second in tackles two of the last three seasons and has been first or second on the squad in interceptions each of the last three seasons and the production isn’t easy to replicate either. Were the Bills forced to spell him in the lineup it would likely be Da’Norris Searcy, a promising but green player or Bryan Scott, though that would compromise his hybrid nickel linebacker role. Conclusion There are valuable contributors throughout Buffalo’s defensive unit, but replacing Sheppard or Wilson might prove to be the most difficult. Knowing Wilson’s replacement would most likely be a young player and not a veteran as in the case of Sheppard, Wilson is probably the defensive unit’s most indispensable player. http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/16---Who-is-the-most-indispensable-player-on-defense/26c596be-2a0b-49ee-837e-63d38a992d28 Edited July 9, 2012 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARCELL DAREUS POWER Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 tied between dareus and mario Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) I have to go with Chris Browns conclusion... There are valuable contributors throughout Buffalo’s defensive unit, but replacing Sheppard or Wilson might prove to be the most difficult. Knowing Wilson’s replacement would most likely be a young player and not a veteran as in the case of Sheppard, Wilson is probably the defensive unit’s most indispensable player. Its just my opinion but Mark Anderson is very under rated for making the big play when you least expect it, NEVER gives up. Great Video too This is just my cheap plug for Mark Anderson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrR2ydrgxsY Edited July 9, 2012 by HOUSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Jarius Byrd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Agree on George Wilson; when he is hot he can take over a game which is what you expect from an indispensable (spelling corrected) player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainwampus Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 But Kelsay's been here the longest. Shouldn't that get him at least a mention as the most indispensable? After all, they refuse to get rid of him. He must be indispensable, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'd say George Wilson. I think he's the straw that stirs that defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonechiller Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 With what they have put together, I don't know if there is one individual player that is "indispensable". If I had to choose, it would be Darius and/or Kyle Williams If they can keep middle plugged up, rest of defense can hold their own, but if teams can run we are screwed, again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 tied between dareus and mario Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSpeed Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Kyle Williams. No question in my mind. Some think that his back-ups are adequate but I'm not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I think most of the replies here are missing the point of the article. The questions posed is not who is the best player on defense but the most indispensable. And Brown picks Wilson because he has the least depth behind him and hence it is critical that he plays well and without injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I think most of the replies here are missing the point of the article. The questions posed is not who is the best player on defense but the most indispensable. And Brown picks Wilson because he has the least depth behind him and hence it is critical that he plays well and without injury. I hear that, & I sure wouldn't want to lose Wilson for any stretch. But I would feel a lot better having Searcy in the line-up than any subs for Dareus & Mario, they are the 2 bonafide super-studs on the D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
You herd it hear last Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 With what they have put together, I don't know if there is one individual player that is "indispensable". If I had to choose, it would be Darius and/or Kyle Williams If they can keep middle plugged up, rest of defense can hold their own, but if teams can run we are screwed, again! If you're going to be a grammar Nazi and point out the OP's error, you could at the very least spell Dareus correctly. His was a typo. Yours however, I'm not so sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cocktosten Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I have to go with Chris Browns conclusion... There are valuable contributors throughout Buffalo’s defensive unit, but replacing Sheppard or Wilson might prove to be the most difficult. Knowing Wilson’s replacement would most likely be a young player and not a veteran as in the case of Sheppard, Wilson is probably the defensive unit’s most indispensable player. Its just my opinion but Mark Anderson is very under rated for making the big play when you least expect it, NEVER gives up. Great Video too This is just my cheap plug for Mark Anderson. youtube.com/watch?v=lrR2ydrgxsY Wow, if Anderson can bring that effort to Buffalo this defense might be unreal to watch against the pass. A couple things jumped out to me about that video: 1. MA has an array of moves. Stutter than inside, spin, speed rush. 2. He is relentless with his counter moves and effort. He is going to get 5-7 sacks alone from the pocket being collapsed and his effort. 3. He will be standing up against the WC/Spread teams when the Bills move to a 5 man front. If Merriman is healthy the Bills will show this look a lot more than people think. 4.He knows how to use his wingspan and his hands. He creates nice separation from blockers with textbook extension. His hands never stop and rarely gets engulfed by the blocker. 5.He's a little light and gets pushed around a bit but he never stops. 6.He's everything Maybin wishes he could be. God, I am so pumped to watch this defense this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintmyhouse Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I think it would benefit the team the most if the most indispesable player was a LB since we have had very little impact at that spot in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Wannstedt is more indispensable than any one player. More than half the defensive starters will be in their 1st or 2nd year with the team; success will be based on how well they can perform as a unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 1341853305[/url]' post='2500298']Wow, if Anderson can bring that effort to Buffalo this defense might be unreal to watch against the pass. A couple things jumped out to me about that video: 1. MA has an array of moves. Stutter than inside, spin, speed rush. 2. He is relentless with his counter moves and effort. He is going to get 5-7 sacks alone from the pocket being collapsed and his effort. 3. He will be standing up against the WC/Spread teams when the Bills move to a 5 man front. If Merriman is healthy the Bills will show this look a lot more than people think. 4.He knows how to use his wingspan and his hands. He creates nice separation from blockers with textbook extension. His hands never stop and rarely gets engulfed by the blocker. 5.He's a little light and gets pushed around a bit but he never stops. 6.He's everything Maybin wishes he could be. God, I am so pumped to watch this defense this year. Nice analysis. Having him opposite Mario and outside of Dareus and Williams is going to be special to watch. He really looks good. If we can keep all 4 of our DEs fresh and healthy, watch out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) Wow, if Anderson can bring that effort to Buffalo this defense might be unreal to watch against the pass. A couple things jumped out to me about that video: 1. MA has an array of moves. Stutter than inside, spin, speed rush. 2. He is relentless with his counter moves and effort. He is going to get 5-7 sacks alone from the pocket being collapsed and his effort. 3. He will be standing up against the WC/Spread teams when the Bills move to a 5 man front. If Merriman is healthy the Bills will show this look a lot more than people think. 4.He knows how to use his wingspan and his hands. He creates nice separation from blockers with textbook extension. His hands never stop and rarely gets engulfed by the blocker. 5.He's a little light and gets pushed around a bit but he never stops. 6.He's everything Maybin wishes he could be. God, I am so pumped to watch this defense this year. I agree. And since MA can play on both ends, I predict we're gonna see much more of Mario Williams kicking inside with BOTH MA and SM lining up as defensive ends. I'm a broken record on this, but a healthy Merriman gives Wanny a TON of scheme/personnel flexibility. There are three Pro Bowlers already on the DL with another in Dareus who is on that trajectory. Not to mention MA and what he brings. This personal group on the DL is probably the best we've ever had. On paper anyway. We're gonna give O lines fits. GO BILLS!!! Edited July 9, 2012 by K-9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) For the reasons Chris Brown stated i also have to concur that Sheppard is the most important guy not to lose. Dline is stacked, and yes it would stink to lose one of the Williams' or Marcel. But LB is already very thin. If Sheppard can step up and be the guy that Barnett thinks he is, then he would absolutely hurt the most to lose. I am not usually a big fan of LB's being that important. The are just like running backs, much of their success starts with the guys playing in front of them. But it seems that if Sheppard went down it would cause some shuffling around in the lB corp. Where as if a dline guy went down, the Bills have adequate depth there. Edited July 9, 2012 by atlbillsfan1975 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffBill Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I would have to go with Kyle Williams, if only because we saw what happened last year when he wasn't 100% or injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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