Steely Dan Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'll tell you why, because since Bruuuce, we haven't had that guy who throws the fear into the heartsof opposing qb's, it is pretty evident that we haven't had a real good pass rush over the last several years. Withe the benefit of Schobel coming back, hopefully strong, and Stroud in the middle, a Maturing Poz, and a can't miss 11 overall pick at the other end, and we should solve our pass rushing problems. Besides, the prevailing thought as the Raji, the best DT in the draft will not be there for the Bills. So I say DE is our biggest priority, hopefully we can get a good one, and we can addres the WR issue via FA, DE, then Center or TE in the draft. If the Bills have two huge run stuffers in the middle of the line that can get to the QB once in a while the sack numbers will increase, IMO. It's easier to make a sack on third and long than it is third and two. Forcing a team to throw repeatedly will up the sack numbers and Int. numbers. DE's are great when they get to the QB and sack him but they don't help as much in the running game. With two great DT's the offense has to decide who to double team on the line and it can't be both DT's and the DE's. If they keep the TE on the line to block with the RB on passing downs it limits the number of targets the QB has and lowers the number of guys the LB's have to support in coverage. RB's aren't the best blockers either.The run stuffing is the key to the defense IMO. Run and stop the run. Hey Steely, I would say two things. Statistically the Bills were 22nd in run defense, both in yards surrendered per game and in yards per rush. Statistically the Bills were 28th in sacks and 27th in interceptions which most people view as a function of QB pressure. So statistically the argument favors pass rushers, not run stuffers, unless your argument is for a pass rushing interior lineman. Secondly, Aaron Schobel is coming off injury and is a year older. Chris Ellis is not assured of making a step forward in progress although I hope/think he will. So we are not guaranteed of getting more quarterback pressure than we did last year. You're right statistically it appears DE is more important but a great DT is still more of a need, IMO, than a great DE. Exactly! Your big guys in the middle of the line are mainly there to plug up the run and to force the play to the outside allowing your backers and ends to make plays. The guys in the middle are not going to rack up big sack numbers. It's really up to the DE's to pressure the QB. Pressure on the QB can result in MANY good things for the defense: 1. sack for loss of yards 2. forced fumble 3. interception 4. incomplete pass 5. and a VERY NERVOUS QB who starts worrying about his health instead of finding his receivers THAT's why a DE is critical. The fact is all 11 guys are critical as a team is only as strong as its weakest link. But pressure on the QB is essential to team success. Even an average QB can pick you apart when given the time and that's why we need a Bruce Smith-caliber DE and right away. We don't have any thing even close to a Smith on this team. The team that wins the turnover battle is statistically the team that ends up winning the game, and a DE is a key component in winning the turnover battle. That's the logic as I see it. The fact is you need a strong line all the way across. They feed on each other. A strong interior line occupies more blockers which frees up the DE's and vice-versa. Any major weakness will be exposed. I'll just say that if I could only be average in one area and super in another, I'd choose to be super at the DE position and average at the DT position, but, both are critical. I see some really good points here and I'm not as convinced about the DT over DE as I was but I still think DT is more important. The highlighted part of your post is something a lot of Bills fans suffer from. The Bruce Smith problem. The fans expect another one to fall into the Bills laps again. The problem is that there are 32 teams in the NFL who don't have anything close to a Bruce Smith and probably won't for many years to come. He's the all time sack leader in the history of the NFL and an amazing physical specimen. They don't grow on trees. The best DE in the NFL right now couldn't hold Bruce's jock strap. Bills fans were really spoiled by having a once in a lifetime talent on their team for so long. It's understandable. I think a strong push up the middle forces the running plays to the outside where DE's and linebackers should be able to stop the runner. A pass rush up the middle while not getting those players a lot of sacks leads to the DE's getting more sacks because the QB has to roll out to his right or left closer to the DE's on either side. A push up the middle can also force a QB to run straight backwards if the pressure comes from all sides and he can't throw the ball away unless he's outside the tackles so he has to make a desperate attempt or take the sack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'd be happy with an upgrade at either - I was really hoping we'd bring in Jovan Haye, but it was not to be - he signed with Tennessee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 I'd be happy with an upgrade at either - I was really hoping we'd bring in Jovan Haye, but it was not to be - he signed with Tennessee. Hey! You're a poet but you don't know it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Yeah I was surprised at the Bills lack of interest in Haye, unless we called him and he said no thanks. I always say the best athlete available. Of the top D-linemen that would be Raji. After him I think the DEs are more highly rated than the remaining DTs. My favorite draft fascination right now is Ziggy Hood, a tackle. But #11 is too high to take him and he won't be around at #42. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 The Bills have Ellis, Schobel, Denney and Kelsey at DE right now. At DT they have Stroud and... I'd rather see them go into the season with just the DE's they have now instead of just the DT's they have now. I just don't get the logic behind a DE being a bigger need than DT. JMO Peria Jerry would be a perfect fit for our defense as Stroud's partner @ DT and he's likely to be on the board at #11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 Yeah I was surprised at the Bills lack of interest in Haye, unless we called him and he said no thanks. I always say the best athlete available. Of the top D-linemen that would be Raji. After him I think the DEs are more highly rated than the remaining DTs. My favorite draft fascination right now is Ziggy Hood, a tackle. But #11 is too high to take him and he won't be around at #42. I'm hoping that someone that the Bills have no need for but is coveted by a lot of teams falls down and the Bills can trade back and still get a guy they want but pick up more DP's also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 our corners would be so much better with a good pash rush. I'd prefer to get a DE over DT due too our current ends. Schobels winding down, kelsey and denney suck at getting to the QB and ellis is unproven and was unable to unseat denney and kelsey. maybe ellis will step up his play this year, but i'd rather get a bonafide pass rusher. I don't think that everette brown is the answer though. I'll pass on florida state de's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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