How Will McDermott Change the Defense?

[Simon Says]

With Frazier semi-retired and McD calling the defense...how much different will it look?

Less Nickel? Taron Johnson playing some safety?

Rapp playing a big nickel, in a  three-safety lineup?

4-3 scheme,with a more traditional "middle" linebacker ? I suppose the draft will shed some light. 

 

[dorquemada]

We'll see.  I just hope it's more aggressive.  Even if it results in a worse statistical outcome.  We've had a top ranked D for several years now that couldn't stop anyone when it counted most.  I'll gladly give up more points in the regular season if we see more big/game changing plays from the D.  Mostly I never want to see a soft zone again as long as I live

[Simon Says]

2 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

We'll see.  I just hope it's more aggressive.  Even if it results in a worse statistical outcome.  We've had a top ranked D for several years now that couldn't stop anyone when it counted most.  I'll gladly give up more points in the regular season if we see more big/game changing plays from the D.  Mostly I never want to see a soft zone again as long as I live

"Aggressive " is the consensus I've seen so far. I don't remember if he used many exotic looks in Carolina.

[billsbackto81]

I expect to see more effort in generating pressure and getting to the QB. Also maybe playing more press coverage against opposing teams top receivers instead of the 10 yards of cushion they usually get.

[dorquemada]

Just now, billsbackto81 said:

I expect to see more effort in generating pressure and getting to the QB. Also maybe playing more press coverage against opposing teams top receivers instead of the 10 yards of cushion they usually get.

 

Ah, the old let them wear themselves out getting first downs, then we'll have them!  defense

[Beck Water]

15 minutes ago, Herb Nightly said:

With Frazier semi-retired and McD calling the defense...how much different will it look?

Less Nickel? Taron Johnson playing some safety?

Rapp playing a big nickel, in a  three-safety lineup?

4-3 scheme,with a more traditional "middle" linebacker ? I suppose the draft will shed some light.

 

There was a bunch of discussion on this in another thread when the move was announced.

 

One of the best pieces on this was done by Cover1, looking back carefully at the defenses McDermott ran in Carolina.

 

I don't know if you're going to see any changes in personnel, but the consensus thinking is that McDermott uses his personnel in a much more aggressive way, for example press man coverage and double A gap blitzes by the linebackers, more switching around on DL (having the DE play inside and blitz the A gaps for example) - always trying to figure out the protection rules a team uses and use those rules against them.

Edited April 3, 2023 by Beck Water

[Simon Says]

4 minutes ago, dorquemada said:

 

Ah, the old let them wear themselves out getting first downs, then we'll have them!  defense

LOL!

[Brand J]

Maybe we’ll see a defense specifically tailored to stop the opposing offense, rather than a “this is what we do” nickel cover 2 scheme employed against everyone.

[ganesh]

I remember the one time McDermott took the play calling during half-time and it showed a different team...I hope we get the same....The main issue is that this team is dependent on generating pass rush by its front-four -  Groot, Basham, Epenesa and Oliver.   This group has been vastly underwhelming. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

I think we will see more 5 man blitzes than we have in a long time. The biggest factor IMO is we no longer have Edmunds and that wingspan clogging the middle. That will change the whole approach to what they can do on defense. 

[Simon Says]

26 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

There was a bunch of discussion on this in another thread when the move was announced.

 

One of the best pieces on this was done by Cover1, looking back carefully at the defenses McDermott ran in Carolina.

 

I don't know if you're going to see any changes in personnel, but the consensus thinking is that McDermott uses his personnel in a much more aggressive way, for example press man coverage and double A gap blitzes by the linebackers, more switching around on DL (having the DE play inside and blitz the A gaps for example) - always trying to figure out the protection rules a team uses and use those rules against them.

Yes,thanks I saw this.  The most in depth analysis I have seen. Not so much a "schematic" change but more about "style, attitude,violence,and aggression". Hopefully optimizing defensive personnel. 

11 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I remember the one time McDermott took the play calling during half-time and it showed a different team...I hope we get the same....The main issue is that this team is dependent on generating pass rush by its front-four -  Groot, Basham, Epenesa and Oliver.   This group has been vastly underwhelming. 

Do you expect more blitzing,especially if Miller is out?

[Simon Says]

 I'm wondering what defensive clues we get from the draft. Jack Campbell LOOKS like Edmunds and seems to have strong leadership traits, recognition skills, making defensive calls,etc. If Bills pick him,I would expect the  alignment  to remain similar to what we have seen. But if they select Sanders,or Nolan Smith,or possibly even Simpson? That might signal a change?

[KHAN]

The Bills are always ranked very high on defense. What they do in the regular season "works" because you're not playing top offenses every week while putting out (even with their struggles) a top offense. You don't "give" them anything, and make them work for everything. It kind of works for the regular season racking up wins.

 

When you play Mahomes and Burrow in the playoffs, they carve you up taking what you give them.

 

You can't totally stop those guys. But you do need to get a stop sometimes. That's the biggest failing IMO.

[jkeerie]

35 minutes ago, SUNY_amherst said:

I'm surprised he still has a job. McDermott should've been fired after blowing that lead in KC, then you bring him back only to puss out in the snow at home.

 

It is sad our favorite team is not really interested in winning titles

I sure hope there's no limit to the number of posters we can ignore on this site.

[KHAN]

Just now, jkeerie said:

I sure hope there's no limit to the number of posters we can ignore on this site.

HAHA!  In his defense, I've heard Rex and Marrone are currently available. So we do have options...

[Warriorspikes51]

Can start by playing some press man in the playoffs because defensive holding is rarely called and we have failed to take advantage of that for 2 post seasons now

[dorquemada]

20 minutes ago, KHAN said:

...

 

When you play Mahomes and Burrow in the playoffs, they carve you up taking what you give them.

 

You can't totally stop those guys. But you do need to get a stop sometimes. That's the biggest failing IMO.

 

Hitting a QB behind the LoS is positively unsportsmanlike!  We certainly won't have that here!

[mrags]

Expect to be disappointed if you expect any change. Anyone that thinks Frazier wasn’t running the D exactly how McClappy wanted it ran is in for a shocker this year. 
 

really hope I’m wrong. But we’ll find out I guess. 

[NoSaint]

48 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

Maybe we’ll see a defense specifically tailored to stop the opposing offense, rather than a “this is what we do” nickel cover 2 scheme employed against everyone.

 

I mean, I think that a cover 3 zone is still going to pretty well be base for us, but hopefully a few more wrinkles in it 

[dpberr]

Plenty more Jim-Johnson style zone blitzes from all directions.  

 

I expect less of the "we'll predictably only rush four to generate pressure" nonsense.