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With all the love for Kiko early on, the hate for Mario, and the surprising play of Aaron Williams two players have been overlooked in my opinion as we have talked about each game.
DT/DE Marcel Dareus-19 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 TFL, 1 Pass Defense
For a guy who plays two positions (NT and 5 Tech DE) where his job is to take up space and hold up blockers he's done a great job shedding lineman and making plays. Yesterday was a breakout performance after a down year in a bad scheme for his skill set. Compared to a perennial pro bowl player like Ngata (14 tackles, 1 sack) he's on pace to do what Ngata has never done before and that's eclipse 50 tackles (project stands at 76) and get over 6 sacks (projection stands at 12). Talk all you want about tackles down the field, or coverage sacks but honestly how far down the field do you think a 330lbs Dareus is chasing, and so what if it's a coverage sack? This guy is playing lights out right now.
OLB Manny Lawson-28 Tackles, 1 Sack
Lawson leads the Bills in solo tackles and has been a force setting the edge consistently on the strongside. He's quick off the ball and gets into the backfield to either make the play or re-route the RB. Lawson has been solid in pass coverage though he's been over shadowed by Alonso and his INT's. Lawson is constantly around the ball and rarely out of position. In this defense where he can attack and get downhill he's looking every bit like what San Francisco thought they had found in 2009 (68 Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 3 FF). If we get that for a 2nd or 3rd Tier FA signing its a big time win.
These two guys are going just as much as the names Alonso, and Williams to help keep the Bills in ballgames and the deserve more credit.
DT/DE Marcel Dareus-19 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 TFL, 1 Pass Defense
For a guy who plays two positions (NT and 5 Tech DE) where his job is to take up space and hold up blockers he's done a great job shedding lineman and making plays. Yesterday was a breakout performance after a down year in a bad scheme for his skill set. Compared to a perennial pro bowl player like Ngata (14 tackles, 1 sack) he's on pace to do what Ngata has never done before and that's eclipse 50 tackles (project stands at 76) and get over 6 sacks (projection stands at 12). Talk all you want about tackles down the field, or coverage sacks but honestly how far down the field do you think a 330lbs Dareus is chasing, and so what if it's a coverage sack? This guy is playing lights out right now.
OLB Manny Lawson-28 Tackles, 1 Sack
Lawson leads the Bills in solo tackles and has been a force setting the edge consistently on the strongside. He's quick off the ball and gets into the backfield to either make the play or re-route the RB. Lawson has been solid in pass coverage though he's been over shadowed by Alonso and his INT's. Lawson is constantly around the ball and rarely out of position. In this defense where he can attack and get downhill he's looking every bit like what San Francisco thought they had found in 2009 (68 Tackles, 6.5 Sacks, 3 FF). If we get that for a 2nd or 3rd Tier FA signing its a big time win.
These two guys are going just as much as the names Alonso, and Williams to help keep the Bills in ballgames and the deserve more credit.
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