Zulu Cthulhu Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 It has become PAINFULLY obvious over the course of the season that the bills need a substantial overhaul on the defensive line and linebacker core. Personally I say keep Shoebel and Fletcher for sure but everybody else has either been inconsistent or just plain sh*tty. Some decent players in those units, like Crowell, don't look like they're comfortable in the present scheme (Cover 2). The Cover 2 just puts too much coverage responsiblity on the young secondary unit to allow them to offer the front 7 the run stopping support they seem to constantly need. Tripplett was a waste, Kelsay and Denney really don't consistently close gaps, Williams is young so hopefully he will get better. It kills me to say this because i'm such a fan but Spikes is injured and old and probably needs to go. The rest of the LB's (besides Fletch of course) look rather mediocre. My dream come true: we focus at least 2 of our top three draft picks on these two units and pick up a stud free agent LB. Tampa 2 essentially requires a stout front 7 with at least one (preferably 2) fat ass mean bastards at the DT positions. If the bills are committed to staying with their present defensive philosophy, I hope they address these units immediately this off-season. That's my Christmas wish.
CAT Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 agree,we will do well to get 1 good DT and a LB in the draft. The other guys have to get better including our "1 from this year. need to replace NC as well
MadBuffaloDisease Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 I wouldn't say they need a "substantial" overhaul, or even an overhaul at all. On the DL, add a good run-stuffing DT. At LB, build around Ellison, be with Crowell, Fletch, Spikes, or someone like Lance Briggs. At CB, keep Nate, promote Youboty to 2nd WR, and move McGee back to nickel.
SDS Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 I wouldn't say they need a "substantial" overhaul, or even an overhaul at all. On the DL, add a good run-stuffing DT. At LB, build around Ellison, be with Crowell, Fletch, Spikes, or someone like Lance Briggs. At CB, keep Nate, promote Youboty to 2nd WR, and move McGee back to nickel. 877745[/snapback] I'm against signing anybody with the 1st name "Lance"... unless I'm filming a XXX movie.
Koufax Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 Bring in a top 3 DT to push Kyle to #4, and whether he is the #3 or the #1 guy we are better for it. I'd love him to be a little bigger even if he isn't Ted Washington because of our scheme. Big and quick would be nice. At LB I can see adding someone to the mix, and while this is a position I would not be targeting in the first round, if there is a surprise available who is the most talented guy we can pick, I can live with first round LB (or DT), even though my first choice would be OG at #1. So some additions, but starting camp with Ellison, TKO, London, and Angelo all at 100%, and McCargo healthy and a 2nd year Kyle, I don't think we need a drastic overhaul. Our scheme works as a unit, and I expect the unit as a whole to progress in year two even at the positions where there is no personnel change.
BravinSeattle Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 Bring in a top 3 DT to push Kyle to #4, and whether he is the #3 or the #1 guy we are better for it. I'd love him to be a little bigger even if he isn't Ted Washington because of our scheme. Big and quick would be nice. At LB I can see adding someone to the mix, and while this is a position I would not be targeting in the first round, if there is a surprise available who is the most talented guy we can pick, I can live with first round LB (or DT), even though my first choice would be OG at #1. So some additions, but starting camp with Ellison, TKO, London, and Angelo all at 100%, and McCargo healthy and a 2nd year Kyle, I don't think we need a drastic overhaul. Our scheme works as a unit, and I expect the unit as a whole to progress in year two even at the positions where there is no personnel change. 877765[/snapback] I really think he's got to be bigger -- maybe not Washington/Adams big but Pat Williams big. My hope is DT Frank Okam comes out from Texas but there are a number of good (not great) DT's n this year's draft. The depth and talent level we would have on the defensive line would really take the pressure off of our LB's and while I'm a fan of London Fletcher, our FA priorities must be spent at OL and re-signing CB Nate Clements. I think we should also see a lot of improvement in the secondary (If Nate re-signs) and I'm going to enjoy watching these safeties grow into what could end up being our strongest unit on defense. My hope is that we can shore up the OG spot via free agency which would allow us to grab a WR in a draft that is very deep at WR, in the second round. If Clements leaves then obviously we would have to draft CB with one of our first two picks unless a top DT drops to our pick. I think our biggest weakness mght be LB considering one starter is a free agent and the other two are coming off of injury. I think Ellison is a player but this draft is as good as any to take LBs if they are the best player available at our pick....AFTER we grab a DT.
Fan in San Diego Posted December 25, 2006 Posted December 25, 2006 I wouldn't overhaul but a couple of big widebody DT's to stop the run would be in order.
Zulu Cthulhu Posted December 26, 2006 Author Posted December 26, 2006 I agree all great replies guys. my only concern about getting a FA offensive guard is that im not sure how deep that pool is going to be. Despite his porno first name, i really think the boys (grampas?) upstairs need to make a hard push for Briggs if we don't land a big name college LB like Posluszny in the draft cuz I still am not convinced about Ellison or Crowell in our present D scheme. Nate is going to command mucho $$$ though so if we reisgn him Briggs may be out of our reach.
apuszczalowski Posted December 26, 2006 Posted December 26, 2006 no need for a full overhaul, since most of the players are young and still developing. there are some holes needed to be filled, like maybe another DE and DT that are better in run support, and maybe another LB incase Spikes can't fully recover from his injury. He definitly gets one more year to prove he can come back and play at atleast 90% of what he did before. The DB's just need some more time to fully develop, they were mostly rookies this year, and maybe a replacement for Clements if his salary is out of reach (in other words becomes unreasonable)
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted December 26, 2006 Posted December 26, 2006 no need for a full overhaul, since most of the players are young and still developing. there are some holes needed to be filled, like maybe another DE and DT that are better in run support, and maybe another LB incase Spikes can't fully recover from his injury. He definitly gets one more year to prove he can come back and play at atleast 90% of what he did before. The DB's just need some more time to fully develop, they were mostly rookies this year, and maybe a replacement for Clements if his salary is out of reach (in other words becomes unreasonable) 877980[/snapback] I don't even want to think about the porspect of yet another 1st round secondary draftee.
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