Defense Needs a Pass Rush

In the first year under defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, the Bills' defense adjusted well to a brand new defensive scheme based on the famed "Tampa 2" defense. This new scheme was much different than anything the Bills have ever run - lighter, faster defenders were brought in to replace strong, meaty ones. Players had to adjust to new roles at their positions. Overall, the transition was pretty smooth.

Despite that success, the Bills still have plenty of weak areas. The team's run defense, in general, was pretty bad. The team gave up a lot of big plays through the air as well. A third problem area was third down defense - Buffalo often could not get off the field, leading to extended drives for the opposition. All of these issues need to be addressed this off-season. An improved pass rush would help to solve all three problems.

Sacking a Cover 2 Must
The one thing Buffalo really lacks is a premiere pass rushing threat. Sure, Aaron Schobel (above, left) went to the Pro Bowl this year after registering 14 take-downs. The team finished with 37.5 sacks total, which admittedly is not a low number. However, the numbers behind Schobel's 14 are unimpressive, at best: Ryan Denney registered 6 (three in one game against Miami, if you recall), Chris Kelsay had 5.5, and Larry Tripplett finished fourth with just two and a half. Those numbers aren't exactly going to scare offensive coordinators into taking double teams away from Schobel.

Cover 2 defenses thrive on getting pressure on the quarterback. Pressure leads to hurried throws, and against a zone defense, hurried throws get intercepted. Without a consistent pass rush (note: consistent is the key word there), quarterbacks and receivers have the necessary time to find holes in the zone and exploit even the most talented of defensive backfields. Too many times in '06, quarterbacks had all day to sit and wait for a receiver to find a hole.

Cover 2 Sack Artists: A Rich History
Some of the league's most feared pass rushers of recent years evolved from an aggressive Cover 2 scheme. Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp wreaked havoc on quarterbacks when the two played for Tampa Bay. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are lethal edge rushers for the Super Bowl Champion Colts. Practically the entirety of the Chicago Bears' defensive line fits the bill. Heck, even Jared Allen has become a household name thanks to Herm Edwards' Cover 2 scheme in Kansas City.

Outside of Schobel, the Bills do not have a pass rush threat that opposing offenses need to pay attention to on every play. That limits the effectiveness of Schobel. While Kelsay, Denney and even Anthony Hargrove (pictured below, right) played effectively, none are the sack artist threat that Buffalo really needs.

Luckily, the 2007 draft is chock-full of nifty pass rushers that will assuredly tempt GM Marv Levy.

Four Potential Answers
With Kelsay a free agent, he will likely be signed by another club. That will leave Denney and Hargrove to split time opposite Schobel at end. (Provided, of course, that Hargrove is re-signed; the 23-year old is a restricted free agent.) The same problem is apparent: the Bills need to add a fourth end who can play pass downs and be the "pass rush specialist" that will really make this defense tick.

There are four rookies who really fit that bill. Gaines Adams is probably the draft's most ferocious pass rush threat coming out of Clemson. The one knock on him at the moment is that he may be slightly undersized. Playing at his listed weight of 260, he would be just two pounds lighter than Schobel, who generally doesn't have an issue holding up against the run. Adams may be too talented to fall to the #12 pick, however.

Jarvis Moss is a name that is climbing draft boards rapidly. Moss, of the national champion Florida Gators, is even lighter than Adams is. However, his 4.65 timed speed (which could be bettered at the Combine) would look great in a situational role as an edge rusher for Buffalo. He may be a bit of a reach at #12 for now, but he is certainly a hot commodity.

A third option is Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri. This pass rush specialist is certainly talented, but a bit more of a raw prospect than either Adams or Moss. He is certainly not worth the 12th pick at the moment, but may be an option if the Bills trade down and acquire a lower first-round pick.

A second round option would be Anthony Spencer of Purdue. After a fantastic senior year, Spencer is a player who will have outstanding workouts and be coveted by a lot of teams that run a 3-4 defensive scheme. He would be a nice option for pass-rush duty and, at least for now, may not cost the Bills their first-round pick.

More Blitzing in '07?
Having a better pass rush will increase the effectiveness of the entire defense - defensive tackles, linebackers and the secondary included. More importantly, however, is this: a second year in Fewell's scheme may allow the coaching staff to take more chances on defense by sending blitzes.

With two rookie safeties in Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson last year, the Bills were extremely hesitant to send blitzes - it would have left the young defenders in a highly dangerous situation. With a year under their belt, however, the Bills may be more comfortable in sending Takeo Spikes, Angelo Crowell and perhaps even Terrence McGee on the occasional blitz. That would also help create a more consistent pass rush for the Cover 2 scheme.

One way or another, Levy has to understand that if he wants his defense to truly dominate, a better, more consistent pass rush is sorely needed.