All this DE talk...

[nateodoms'bff]

So am i the only person here that thinks the Bills should draft BJ Raji?

I like Spencer Johnson and Kyle Williams, but ever since the Bills let Pat Williams go, this defense has not been the same. Having 2 dominant DT's upfront, would eliminate the problems this defense had against the run, and would free up the DE's to make plays in the back field.

This idea that our DE's are the worst in the league, is just plain redundant and boring.

The interior of both lines needs improvement. They Bills FO addressed the O-Line needs in FA, and will hopefully shore up the holes on the Defense in the draft.

Sure Schobel is getting old, and Kelsay is no good. But both of those players would benefit greatly by having Raji and Stroud eating up 4 guys on the line, allowing for one on one coverage of the DE's, which I am confident that Schobel can still beat. Allowing Ellis to rotate in, allows for a speedier pass rush from both ends.

The biggest holes are at DT and LB, those MUST be fixed in the first round.

And yes, I made this same thread the other day. I feel its the smartest and quickest way to get this team into the playoffs, and to compete at the next level. If you don't believe me, look at the other teams in this division that are focusing on defense.

[kernowboy]

Re: All this DE talk...

Kelsay and Denney couldn't conjure up decent sack totals even if they were being blocked by thin air.

We have a lot of money tied up in Williams, Johnson and Stroud, and they do a better than average job.

What we desperately need is guys outside of them who can take advantage of their good work.

[BILLSROCK1212]

Re: All this DE talk...

to be honest i actually still have hope for McCargo

[Yasgur's Farm]

Re: All this DE talk...

I got Raji above Orakpo and Brown as far as the Bills go. I've recently thought Tyson Jackson would be the best of both worlds. At 297, he'd be a great option in obvious passing situation for producing QB pressure from the interior. At the same time, he'd be an outstanding edge guy vs the run.

[Nighthawk]

Re: All this DE talk...

I want a DE at #11, but if Raji falls to us, then I think it would be hard for them to pass on taking him.

[Akhippo]

Re: All this DE talk...

If it was a choice between stopping the run or rushing the passer. Rushing the passer. Have you seen the pass rush our DEs get; neither have I.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: All this DE talk...

This idea that our DE's are the worst in the league, is just plain redundant and boring.

And true. But Raji would be hard to pass on if he fell to 11. I'd still take a DE at 28, though. We desperately need a pass rush, and you are not going to get it from our current DEs, unless Ellis has a major metemorphosis.

[T-Long]

Re: All this DE talk...

It would turn into the BPA instead of drafting for need. If Raji fell, I would jump through the TV and take the card up myself.

[Nighthawk]

Re: All this DE talk...

It would turn into the BPA instead of drafting for need. If Raji fell, I would jump through the TV and take the card up myself.

That would be interesting to see!

[nateodoms'bff]

Re: All this DE talk...

If it was a choice between stopping the run or rushing the passer. Rushing the passer. Have you seen the pass rush our DEs get; neither have I.

I guess this is the fundamental difference. I would much rather stop the run, than the pass. The Bills play the Jets, Dolphins, Patriots six times a year. Every time that those teams win, its because the Defense was unable to stop the run consistently. The passing game of two of these teams is less than average. The Patriots have a phenomenal offense, based on their ability to grind out yards and clock when they have to. They do it with the run game. If you take that ability out of their offense, it tends to fall apart. See last years season.

By establishing the interior of the line, that gives the Bills a better than average chance of winning in the division. If the Bills go 4-2, or 5-1 in this division, the playoffs are guaranteed. The only way to do that is to stop the run. Stopping the pass is a great benefit of the strong play of the interior line man. Slightly better than average DT play, translates into less than average pass rush. It doesn't matter who is at the end. With DT's that don't eat up the line, those ends become Kelsay. Watch how better Washington's defense ends will be this year.

Rushing the passer is great for highlights and stats, but it means nothing if you don't stop the run.

[kernowboy]

Re: All this DE talk...

If the opposing QB is flat on his arse 15yds behind the line of scrimmage that stops both the run and the pass

[kid mickey]

Re: All this DE talk...

Raji won't be around for Buffalo's pick. End of story.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: All this DE talk...

If the opposing QB is flat on his arse 15yds behind the line of scrimmage that stops both the run and the pass

Post of the week, at least.

[nateodoms'bff]

Re: All this DE talk...

Considering most mock drafts have him falling to the Bronco's at #12, I would say there's a better than good chance he'll be there at #11.

[nateodoms'bff]

Re: All this DE talk...

If the opposing QB is flat on his arse 15yds behind the line of scrimmage that stops both the run and the pass

So your defensive strategy is sack the QB on every down? That works awesome in Madden, and in NCAA '09, I have a defensive end that has 33 sacks in 8 games. My defense is pretty good.

Sadly, in REAL football, you have to stop the run, before you stop the pass. The best way to stop the run, is with DT's that gobble up the interior of the line. Not 254 lb guys who are able to do a spin move, or swivel their hips and swim underneath the Tackle.

I get the idea of wanting a fancy pass rusher. I remember the days of Bruce Smith. But I also remember 4 Super Bowl losses. I remember that no matter how good Bruce was, they were never able to stop the run. What has every single Super Bowl winning team been able to do? STOP the run when they had to. Until the Bills can do that, they will never be above .500, let alone the playoffs.