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Transitioning from one defense to another as can be as problematic as a coaching change, and coaches who rush into the scheme transition just because they believe in a system often are doomed to failure.
The advice from Bill Parcells: Don't rush!
Parcells once sat down with me to talk about the transition from a 4-3 defense to his favored 3-4.
I watched him make the transition with the Jets and I remember how long he took to make the switch in Dallas. He's against making the switch until you all the critical pieces up front are in place. That's why Mike Zimmer stayed in a 4-3 package under Parcells for the first two years (2003-04).
| 2011 starting defense | ||
| Position | Player | |
| LDE | Marcell Dareus | |
| NT | Kyle Williams | |
| RDE | Dwan Edwards | |
| LOLB | Chris Kelsey | |
| LILB | Andre Davis | |
| RILB | Nick Barnett | |
| ROLB | Shawne Merriman | |
| LCB | Terrence McGee | |
| SS | George Wilson | |
| FS | Jarius Byrd | |
| LCB | Leodis McKelvin | |
Bills GM Buddy Nix is a smart and patient man. Nix and coach Chan Gailey hired Dave Wannstedt in 2011 while they were deep into a 3-4 defense. They didn't change to a 4-3 because Wannstedt -- a coach steeped in the 4-man front philosophy -- arrived at Orchard Park. They set their sights on 2012 for the transition and set a 12-month course to get the right players to foster the change.
Compare the starting 3-4 lineup for opening day 2011 and the projected 2012 lineup and you realize the Bills have done in one year what it took the Cowboys two years to accomplish: A masterful job of securing the right talent before the move.
Dareus can play DE in this scheme but will be much more effective inside as a "3 technique." Kyle Williams is more quick than powerful and he will do even more damage shaded on the center as a "1 technique." Dwan Edwards is now a backup.
Kelsey returns to his natural position (DE) but relegated to backup, too, and this improves depth. Andre Davis is gone. Barnett is better suited to play in a 4-3 front (scheme he played when originally drafted by Green Bay) and Merriman becomes a situational pass rusher which adds length to his career which has been up and down with injury. The only change in the secondary is McKelvin, who is now third string.
To make their 4-3 move, the Bills got two excellent defensive ends in free agency and moved all three linebackers to their natural positions. The addition of their 2012 first-round pick at corner (Stephon Gilmore) helps a secondary that already was fifth in the NFL in interceptions. Five retained players are at new positions and three new players join the starting unit. Not only do they make a major transition, they also improve their depth considerably.
| 2012 projected starters | ||
| Position | Player | |
| LDE | Mario Williams | |
| LDT | Marcell Dareus | |
| RDT | Kyle Williams | |
| RDE | Mark Anderson | |
| SAM LB | Kirk Morrison | |
| MIKE LB | Kelvin Sheppard | |
| WILL LB | Nick Barnett | |
| LCB | Terrence McGee | |
| SS | George Wilson | |
| FS | Jarius Byrd | |
| LCB | Stephone Gilmore | |
The Bills will not be giving up 4.8 yards a carry as they did in 2011. They will generate more than the 29 sacks they did last year. They will not be forced to blitz to get to the quarterback like they did last year when more than half of their sacks came off such pressure. I dare say they will improve on the 20 interceptions from 2011 because the front seven will be much better. Last year the Bills were No. 26 among NFL defenses. Look for a big jump in 2012 because they made the transition the right way. Take a look at the 2012 projected lineup, and it is impressive.
• This D-line alone should generate close to 30 sacks and stop the run. There are three potential Pro Bowlers in the group -- if we ever have another Pro Bowl.
• At linebacker, Morrison had 210 tackles in 2008-09 at this same position; Sheppard is a 245-pound natural middle backer; Barnett is a run and hit player with good pass coverage skills (nine INTs, 28 passes defended when he played in this scheme in Green Bay. This group should also generate close to 250 tackles as well as 6 sacks and 4 interceptions.
• In the secondary, Wilson and Byrd combined for seven INTs last season with a mediocre pass rush.
The key backups on this defense are solid. Carrington and Dwan Edwards can back up the tackles, Chris Kelsay and Shawne Merriman will get some pass rush while Aaron Williams and Da’Norris Searcy add depth in the secondary. The Bills can incur some injuries and still play well.
The Bills are now looking like a fine 4-3 defense built for the long haul.
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