Mister Defense

I wanted a wide receiver in this draft, agree it is the missing element on offense, one that can make a great offense greater, even more unbeatable than last year's, on their 14 win team. However I do not agree that the Bills did not improve their offense last year--or they do not support Josh, cannot believe anyone can say that after their changes, improvements since Brady stepped in: --first time ever, ? , a team had 30 rushing and 30 receiving touchdowns, (Isn't giving Josh one of the best balanced team in NFL history 'support'?) --one of the best running games in the league (Please see right above for why this supports Josh--ditto.) --scored more points than ANY other team in the NFL (Doesn't this show the offense was 'improved'? I would say that is pretty good evidence that they accomplished that feat, don't you? --And they had the best offensive line we have seen on the Bills in many years, one of the best in the NFL now by almost all accounts, and a much improved one. (Isn't this something that supports Josh Allen and really undermines your main contention, that they are not supporting him?) A high quality wideout would make that historically good, great, offense even better, enable them to break their own records and more. Seems almost a given to me, and to many. But to say 'at some point he needs support' seems dramatically out of place, misguided--se the bullets above.. and they are only part of the story of how good the offense was last year, and how supported Josh Allen was. I am monumentally confident that what Josh Allen has seen so far in this superbly focused and realized draft, with more to come, has made him ecstatic--he is finally about to have the defense he needs to SUPPORT him and the offense, as they help his team take the final step. I hate cliches, but this one is backed up, at least recently, but overall--defense wins championships. That is the support Allen did not have and now may have.

? He had one of the best running games in the NFL last year, yes, not used enough in either the running or passing, but still very effective. And the ball was spread around wonderfully, part of the clear and direct scheme and philosophy they were going for. Worked at historically good levels. Strange and ironic post, when the real reason he has to play hero ball is usually because the running game did not come through--and because the defense did not, so he was forced to score again and again, even after it seemed he had just won the game for the Bills. The best way to have Josh play within his (awesome) potential is to, of course, to give him a good, then great defense. Kind of a duh, I think. You should be extremely happy right now, and hopefully more to come on defense soon.

But after the three starters none have proven, lately, that they can play well in the NFL. And White, and likely Jackson?, are also too expensive. Young, fast and athletic now, with potential-- and let McDermott and his staff work their magic. Don't rain on my parade! I want the perfect defensive draft, to redo the defense, and it soo close to that... Just needt one more cornerback, and using whatever it takes to get the best one available, even if it means no more picks. Then, you can have what's left! Or, I will give you some picks in next year's draft.

Me too!! I am thinking, and I think you would agree-?, that they likely did dramatically more research, which is probably a monstrous understatement, then you, or I, possibly did on Walker. Beane is clearly using Two Bills Drive to get his ideas this year, is almost assuredly reading this post right now, for his next step.. So, once again, please get another cornerback now, Brandon!! (Though I think it is more likely another position, wideout, linebacker, or safety-? I hope I am wrong though, as one more corner will literally complete the process I was hoping for. Yup, getting greedy now. ) You are The Man!! Brandon better call and thank you.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe this!! Deon Walker, the missing link on the d-line!! Soo happy. No more run around at D tackle, with likely two starting caliber players. And Beane doing all I was hoping for, using their picks to get quality, not quantity. And all defense. I said yesterday before the draft that the Bills needed to break their draft process, and instead use their many picks to get fewer better players, and to focus almost exclusively on defense. I have never witnessed a draft in my many years of being a Bills fanatic going almost exactly as I wanted. Now, another cornerback too, please! Thank you Brandon!!! And especially to eee1776 for pointing out that Walker was still available, when I had thought he was not.

Sheesh. You need to get your priorities in order.

His strengths, from NFL Draft Buzz, seem to indicate he is not a "horrendous athlete" or "not a very good football player" --Rare blend of mass and mobility for his size - shows shocking lateral quickness when working down the line and can change direction without losing power or balance --Natural power to stack and shed single blocks in the run game, using his 6'7" frame and heavy hands to control offensive linemen before violently disengaging --Creates instant interior push with his bull rush, showing the ability to walk back centers and guards while keeping his feet churning through contact --Surprising short-area quickness allows him to shoot gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield before blockers can properly engage --Strong upper body and active hands help him defeat blocks both as a run defender and pass rusher - has shown an effective swim move --Takes away multiple gaps with his sheer size and length, forcing runners to bounce outside where his deceptive mobility allows him to make plays --Shows flashes of dominant potential when fresh, with the raw power to simply overwhelm offensive linemen who don't match his physical traits --Three-year starter in the SEC who has proven he can hold up against elite competition while facing constant double teams And to be even handed, what they consider his weaknesses: --Conditioning is a major concern - tends to wear down quickly and becomes much less effective in longer drives or when asked to chase plays --Consistently plays with high pad level, negating his natural power and making him vulnerable against double teams and combo blocks --Initial burst off the snap is inconsistent, sometimes appearing sluggish and allowing offensive linemen to establish position before he's fully engaged --Hand placement in pass rush needs refinement - too often makes contact without a clear plan, leading to stalemates even against single blocks --Motor runs hot and cold throughout games, showing concerning lapses in effort when fatigued or trailing offensive plays Glad you posted that, so that I went to find out more about what others say. The strengths listed really contradict the horrible athlete thing and how poor of a football player he is. While the weak areas are much less significant, and are things the can be fixed with coaching and mentors.. He certainly seems like the kind of player that McBeane may think they can do very good things with..

Huh? Mahomes was not given much the last few years on his offense, and it was clearly the defense, revamped a few years ago, that made the biggest difference. Mahomes, like Allen, one of the best now and ever, made it happen on offense when needed, in crunch time, but the Bills had the far superior offense last year. I think the key to what you say for me above is "hope all of these defenders can make up the difference". That is what I am arguing against doing again, bringing in bunch of 'just guys' on defense and hoping that in that potluck and quantity it will all work out. It has not. So time to address it differently now. The Bills have a superior O line, running game and backs, and wide receivers to KC--now they need the defense that can stop a weaker KC offense. On their way to that now, but more to do..

yes! Perfect fit, just the kind of d-tackle, at 6' 7" and 331 the Bills need to finish their work, for now, at D tackle. An excellent value too; surprised Walker is still available. Obviously, from my OP. I think, this is the kind of player the Bills should go and get, make it happen, and not wait to see. Everyone says how aggressive you are on draft days, Brandon, so show it. It became a get a wideout thread!, but I am still hoping for someone like this, and with their first pick today. And then a corner, of course!

Unfair. I had no say in what my parents named me, what they saw in my eyes when I was born. So, take it back, please.

I was on the speedy, competent, down field wideout 'choo choo train' too, in fact my #1 free agent target was Metcalf and I posted a lot on that, hitting on some of the same reasons you do above. (In fact, I think I started an OP on that which is pretty rare for me.) It was clearly a missing element on what was otherwise maybe the best, most consistent, dynamic offense I have ever seen on the Bills. In a recent thread on 'which former Bills wideout' would we add to the current offense to enhance it, I went right to James Lofton, hitting briefly on some the same ideas you do above. So if the Bills get a high level wide receiver today I will be happy, as what you say about the offense above I mostly agree with. BUT, to me, right now, seeing the Bills have done what I was worried they would not do, and take the defensive needs seriously enough in the draft, I want them to do better, to really bolster the D, by infusing it with more talent and more depth. It is clearly needed. Still. And like I said, and this is not an aside, not a minor point to me, this then may free up a slew of money next off season, and in the future, to sign the offensive lineman and others who have/and will take the offense to an even higher level. As it was the defense that prevented the Bills from being even better last year, in nailing home field throughout the playoffs, and then, to me, in beating KC in the AFC Championship. Though I agree, and thought this too often, if the Bills had that field stretching burner at wideout that too could have also helped them reach our their goal. But this was always in my mind--'it would have helped them to overcome any of their serious defensive deficiencies'. So, to me, now that is what I want most. So as to not put the offense in that position again, where they have to score 40-50 points to get the job done. The better option is to really fix the defense, as it is more sound to me now as the priority.

I completely agree with you, it will be about value, like I said in my response to the first reaction. It is a sport, after all, and there will be many variables today, many unforeseen. But so far they are doing what I was praying they did, revamping the defense. And I want more!

If there is a high value wideout available, one much more highly rated than a corner or d tackle, I would take him too. But to say that wideout is the 'biggest need by 40 miles' does not make sense, with the highest scoring offense in the entire league last year, best in Bills history, I believe, where all key players are returning, and where it seems they have also upgraded at wideout already. The defense, on the other hand, was one of the worst in the NFL last year on 3rd down efficiency, quarterback completion percentage. So those areas are clearly more vital to fix by any objective standard.

Today I am hoping, and thinking, more defense, to finish the job the Bills have started and make the defensive make over, which is vital, more complete. No real depth now at corner, as no one who saw either guy play last year should be relaxed and confident if White or Jackson had to step in and play a game or two or more (or less). No one. Hopefully someone in the Bills' brain trust is banging this same drum now, persuading the Bills to get the best corner available--and using their draft capital to do so. And ditto for defensive tackle. Daquan Jones should never start another game for the Bills, as at 34 he took a giant step back last year. At least one more defensive tackle is just as needed still as another corner. A potential starter and depth, maybe the huge guy they don't have yet. So we never again have to hear the discouraging words, "The Bills have resigned...Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Phillips, Eli Ankou, and any Johnson..." ever again. If the Bills parlay all of their 6-7-? day 3 picks into these two players, almost everyone will be pleased by the results next year--a defense more capable of going toe to toe with the top teams in the NFL, and finally giving the best quarterback in the league the defense he needs to drive the Bills home. The Bills gave Josh the running game he needed over the last few years AD (after dorsey), focusing like a laser on the O-line and backs, and that should be even better this year, used more. And a now a new defense will be the final step. If the Bills are successful in finishing the job today it helps the offense too, and not just in the complimentary football manner. The Bills will find themselves with a bunch of new defensive starters (and backups) this year and next, at a very low price, so can then much more easily re-sign the offensive lineman and others needed to sustain and increase their success. They will likely be able to jettison dead weight on defense this off season too, freeing up serious $ now. The Bills are doing what the Chiefs did so well a few years ago before they won their two Super Bowls, and even more directly, doing what the Eagles did last off season-- taking one of the worst defenses in the NFL and transforming it over night into one of the best. But more to do. Saturday is vital in finishing the job.

With that, I assume you are on the same bandwagon as I am for Saturday. NOW, get that 2nd corner, someone who could become a starting caliber soon, and give the Bills their missing depth at the position--and also save the money by cutting the likes of White and/or Jackson, who are the definition of what had you so concerned last season. And the exact same thing for defensive tackle, to stop, once and for all, the endless parade of once had beens, could have beens, and never will bes that have inundated the Bills the last few years and diminished the defense in the ways you describe so well. Parlay the picks we have into better picks to make this happen. And then the Phili KC type of defensive rebuild will be even more likely. Great post, one of the best of the gazillion tonight.

What!? Now, on the team!? When? No, this cannot be, would be a humiliation for Beane. White, Jackson, Lawson, Miller?, Phillips?... if it is true, all the more reason to get another high quality defensive tackle in the draft, and soon--4th round. And use some draft capital to move up and get a better one if needed.

It is like the running backs are a dime a dozen cliche held so dearly by a bunch of Bills' fans. They have been told, again, by analysts that the only way to have a great run defense is to have mountains of men, so they simply believe it, and as gospel. Even if the Bills return to having one of the best run defenses in the NFL soon because of players like this, it won't matter, as they will still see believe what they have been told--no matter what, no matter what is right in front of their eyes telling them differently. (See: James Cook)

I heard Cosell say this, tried to store it so I remembered it, but did not. As NO one's opinion do I value more. YES! Thank you for posting this.

Can I still win the grand prize even though I voted after the 3rd started? Like I have said, this is what you get when you fill your kid's head with hot air all of his life, making him believe he is the chosen one. Then, he doesn't get chosen at all. Humiliating. How accurate that one late report must have been on the 'worst interview" ever, how consistent across the league.

Kind of funny how so many haters come out of their holes on important occasions. Like I have said before, I cannot wait for their reactions when the Bills win it all this year. Their heads will explode with fury and confusion, as they won't know how to react..

yup, that number one or top 5 defense they had for years, and now one of the best running games in the league, and one of the best offensive lines.. the Bills have gotten nothing but Allen under 'this regime'. He is a one man show. You should say %110 correct with that astute and extremely objective analysis..

Yes! Keep moving up, break the mold. 3-4 more likely starters, or better than that, is much more needed for the Bill now than a slew of players who cannot make the team.

Yup, and there were likely only 2-3 players of the entire hundreds remaining that would would have not elicited the same exact reaction as his one here. Maybe 2-3..

Sounds like you went into the draft with an open mind on Beane, as your post comes across as very objective, but then he happened to deeply disappoint you with THIS move. So now you loathe him. Based on one draft pick. Don't worry, I think you will get over this soon and start to feel the good will again you have always felt for Beane and 'this regime'.

Marino says he now watches very little college football, to get closer to his focus, the NFL. Listening to him on the draft, he often seems to just be reading the words of others on his show, repeating the same jargon, over and over.