We're all very hopeful that better defensive coaching will turn around the careers of several Bills defenders.
There's actually a chance that our wishing and hoping might actually have some substance to it this time.
Here's a piece in the Buffalo News by Mark Gaughan which basically confirmed what all of us were saying last season: that the Bills D was unimaginative, didn't blitz or stunt enough and was over-reliant on a soft zone scheme:
http://www.buffalone...ills-drive-1082
The Bills blitzed on just 15 percent of pass plays under Dave Wannstedt in 2012, according to News figures. Buffalo ranked last in the NFL in blitzing the quarterback, according to ESPN.
Overall, the amount of heat on the quarterback the Bills produced was insufficient. The proof is the Bills were terrible at getting off the field. They ranked 31st on third downs, allowing opponents to convert 44 percent in that situation. And it wasn't just because the run defense was bad. They were bad on third and long, too. On third and 6 to 10, they allowed foes to convert 45 percent of pass plays. That says the quarterback was too comfortable in the pocket and the Bills were too predictable.
“They don't move guys,” Kelso said, referring to the front four. “They started to twist and stunt a little more later in the year, but there was not nearly enough movement. Too many times guys would line up on the shoulder they're responsible for and that's the rush they'd take. Sometimes they'd execute a pass rush in that situation. But rarely did they go to the opposite shoulder, rarely did they extend the defense or slant.”
The Bills played too much zone defense, as well; not enough man-to-man coverage. Wannstedt repeatedly stated during the season that his defense was young. It was obvious he didn't trust his secondary to hold up if he devoted more men to the rush. His conservatism failed miserably.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the Bills' 6-10 season. But if Wannstedt had done a decent job, Chan Gailey still would be the head coach.