The 3-4 is dead, right?

[Stewie]

The switch to the 3-4 failed. Our best defender is a 4-3 DT. So, we're going to stick with the 4-3 and build around Kyle Williams, right?

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

i think we will run a hybrid as long as gailey is here...

[ServoBillieves]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

i think we will run a hybrid as long as gailey is here...

I'm OK with it. If we can get a big pass rusher and bulk up KW, we could switch to the 3-4 full time.

[TigerJ]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

I don't think the team is going to run a whole lot of 3-4 the rest of this season, but I do expect they will add more 3-4 personnel in the offseason. I think the Bills will make another go at it next season, maybe keeping the idea of a hybrid available too. I think the pickup of Kevin Heard is a sign the 3-4 is not dead long term.

[k-oneputt]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

They had better get some 3-4 pass rushers then.
That would be Quinn but idk what Nix thinks about his situation.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

They had better get some 3-4 pass rushers then.
That would be Quinn but idk what Nix thinks about his situation.

i guarantee kerrigan who is a badass will be the pick!

[Akhippo]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

If you get playmakers it shouldnt make to much of a difference. Just get big athletic guys. The NT position is really the only spot that is dependent on a specific type. But even Dallas plays with a light NT.

[OpIv37]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

i think we will run a hybrid as long as we lack the talent to run either the 3-4 or the 4-3 properly...

I fixed it for you.

But, back to the original question: Kyle Williams is good, but not quite good enough to build a defense around. I suspect that the team will pick up some front 7 players who are a better fit for the 3-4 in the off-season and keep moving in that direction. Next year, we will probably still see a bit of a hybrid but with more emphasis on the 3-4, and by the season after that, we should be a consistent 3-4 team (assuming the players we get in the next two off-seasons turn out to be good choices).

[Don't Panic]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

Kyle Williams is good, but not quite good enough to build a defense around. I suspect that the team will pick up some front 7 players who are a better fit for the 3-4 in the off-season and keep moving in that direction. Next year, we will probably still see a bit of a hybrid but with more emphasis on the 3-4, and by the season after that, we should be a consistent 3-4 team (assuming the players we get in the next two off-seasons turn out to be good choices).

Agreed for the most part. Personnel has and will continue to limit us to what we can do. I could see us maintaining a hybrid element from here on. The fact that 3-4 LBs and 4-3 DEs are interchangeable give us the flexibility to run either. With Williams, we have a DT who can go 3-4 or 4-3, giving us added flexibility. I'd like to see us go about 11-12 deep on the front 7, giving us a ton of options in the package we can use there.

Since we've ditched the Cover 2, our DBs are more traditional in their assignments now (heavy man for the CBs, dynamic safeties who can cover, fill the box or blitz). That means we can get by with the same four there, so we can spend most of our attention on the front 7 through the draft and FA.

[Extremebillsfan247]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

I fixed it for you.

But, back to the original question: Kyle Williams is good, but not quite good enough to build a defense around. I suspect that the team will pick up some front 7 players who are a better fit for the 3-4 in the off-season and keep moving in that direction. Next year, we will probably still see a bit of a hybrid but with more emphasis on the 3-4, and by the season after that, we should be a consistent 3-4 team (assuming the players we get in the next two off-seasons turn out to be good choices).

Why isn't Williams good enough to build a defense around? what's he got to do, walk on water? He is second in the league among all Dlineman in tackles, 5th in sacks among DTs and NTs in his first year in a 3/4 defense. But he isn't good enough. LMAO...

[Crisis]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

I would've agreed with OP last year, but this year kyle has definitely won me over....i always thought he was a serviceable player but he's definitely working his way into elite if he's not there yet.

[Night Train]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

Most of the D formations lately have been of the 4-3 variety. The Bills were getting trampled by the opposing running game in the 3-4, during the 0-8 start.

[OpIv37]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

Why isn't Williams good enough to build a defense around? what's he got to do, walk on water? He is second in the league among all Dlineman in tackles, 5th in sacks among DTs and NTs in his first year in a 3/4 defense. But he isn't good enough. LMAO...

because he's been that way for what? The last 10 games or so out of a 5 year career?

Look, he's a good player and he's having a great season. He's proven me wrong because I was afraid he'd be out of place in this D. But building a D around him as if he is going to stay that great for the rest of his career is a HUGE gamble.

[better days]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

because he's been that way for what? The last 10 games or so out of a 5 year career?

Look, he's a good player and he's having a great season. He's proven me wrong because I was afraid he'd be out of place in this D. But building a D around him as if he is going to stay that great for the rest of his career is a HUGE gamble.

He was drafted in 06 so this would be his 4th year & his 1st under Gailey. I think he is having a pro bowl year myself. He is definitely a starter in the NFL.

[OpIv37]

Re: The 3-4 is dead, right?

He was drafted in 06 so this would be his 4th year & his 1st under Gailey. I think he is having a pro bowl year myself. He is definitely a starter in the NFL.

06
07
08
09
10

This is his fifth year- count 'em if you have to.

I agree, he is definitely a starter in the NFL. And he looks like one of those guys who can play well in any system. Both of those are huge assets. He's an above average NFL talent, possibly on the verge of becoming elite. But there are only maybe 6 defenders in the league right now that you can really build your D around. I just think doing that right now is still way too risky.