Defensive Tackle - Need or Strength?

Much has been made this off-season about the relative weakness of Buffalo's run defense. The criticism is well-documented, and also is well-deserved - the Bills ranked 28th in the league in rushing defense in 2006, surrendering 140.9 yards per game. Only Cleveland, Tennessee, St. Louis and Indianapolis fared worse in the regular season. If the Bills wish to become playoff contenders, they will need to shave at least 30 yards per game off that total next season.

Many NFL and draft "experts" predict that the way Buffalo will fix their run defense is to load up on defensive tackles. Free agent names such as Ian Scott, Robaire Smith, Alfonso Boone and Hollis Thomas have been mentioned in the same breath as the Bills. In addition, some early mock drafts have the Bills choosing players such as Michigan DT Alan Branch, Louisville DT Amobi Okoye or even Nebraska DE Adam Carriker (a player with big potential who can play either inside or end).

Young Depth
Here's my prediction: Buffalo will not sign a high-priced defensive tackle. Here's another prediction: the Bills will not draft a defensive tackle on Day One. There is no need. Why, you ask?

It's simple: Defensive Tackle is the deepest position on Buffalo's roster.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's scheme calls for interior linemen that are athletic, fast, and hustle to the ball play in and play out. The Bills have three such athletes on their roster. Larry Tripplett will enter the second year of his four-year deal as a starter. Fifth-round pick Kyle Williams emerged as a starter as a rookie, and will be counted on as a key contributor to the rotation once again next year. And the team also likes to rotate ends Ryan Denney and Anthony Hargrove to the inside as well, giving the team an added pass-rush element on passing downs.

McCargo's Role
The wild card of the group is first-round pick John McCargo (pictured above), who missed the majority of his rookie campaign after landing on Injured Reserve. With Tim Anderson all but a lock to leave as a free agent, McCargo will be counted on heavily to earn a starting spot next to Tripplett. McCargo is listed at 295 (the same weight as Tripplett and Williams), but don't be surprised if he comes into camp with an extra 7-10 pounds of muscle on him.

McCargo could be counted on as the every-down player of this group. He has the greatest ability of any of the linemen on the club, with the ability to get after the passer as well as hold up against the run. With McCargo playing every down possible, it will allow the Bills to rotate Tripplett, Williams, Denney and Hargrove on the inside - five players who specialize in certain areas of the game.

The "Run-Clogger"
Stemming from the days of Ted Washington, Pat Williams and Sam Adams playing nose tackle in Buffalo, a lot of Bills fans have been calling for a 330-pound behemoth on the inside to occupy blockers in the run game. It's not surprising to hear these pleas, because that system has worked in Buffalo in the past.

Get used to this fact: Buffalo's current defensive system does not employ the "Run-Clogger". There will be no behemoth tackle who plays run downs to occupy two guards and a center. That is not how Buffalo's system works - this system is built around speed, penetration and disruption. You're not going to get that out of a "Run-Clogger".

No Rookie, No Big Name... then who?
There is one player out there who I think would be a very solid fit as a tackle in Buffalo's system. Aubrayo Franklin (left) has spent his first four years with the Ravens and will be a restricted free agent this off-season. Listed at 320, he would likely be asked to shed a few pounds, down to the 310-315 range in Buffalo.

Marv Levy has a history of going after restricted free agents - he signed Chicago DT Israel Idonije and Arizona LG Reggie Wells to offer sheets just last off-season. Franklin is just 26 years old and comes from a defense that is annually the best against the run. He also wasn't a starter there - something that bodes well for the Bills.

Franklin, if he gets a large enough offer, will likely not be retained by the Ravens - the team has a lot of salary cap dollars tied up in linemen Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata. Franklin backed up nose tackle Kelly Gregg, but his size and athleticism would make him the ideal run-oriented tackle in Buffalo's scheme. If Marv goes after any tackle in the free agent class, my money is on Franklin - he would be a fantastic guy to rotate in for McCargo and Tripplett.