The evolution of the game of football has evolved into a passing league. Very rarely do you see a run-first offense light up the scoreboard. That doesn’t mean a defense shouldn’t have an established and steady run defense to force the pass. The Buffalo Bills arguably had the worst run defense in 2017. Statistically, not the worst but if you were to watch just one game where they gave up 200+ yards on the ground, there’s a case that can be made.
Ranked 29th in 2017 against the run, giving up approximately 125 rushing yards a game, this unit was hard to watch for Bills fans. Especially in the three week span of where the Bills gave up a combined total 638 rushing yards to the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Chargers in the middle of the season.
The depth chart for the team was weak the defensive line last season, and that was before the team traded away Marcell Dareus to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the middle of the season. There was no true run-stopper, which allowed offenses’ to turn on the jets.
If it weren’t for the secondary, the defense might have crumbled as a whole for the entire season.
A total of 27 sacks throughout the season, either getting very little to no pressure every game, this defense was going to need some home improvement for 2018.
-
Ep 119: Patrick Mahomes' Top 5 List
by Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Renovation Time…
The Bills kept a majority of their defensive linemen, including Kyle Williams who could be going into his last season with the Bills. They also added Owa Odighizuwa, Terrence Fede and brought back Eddie Yarbrough. The two biggest signings for the Bills defense were Star Lotulelei and Trent Murphy. Lotulelei provides as a big stop-runner to go with Williams and Murphy is an excellent pass rusher who can collapse the pocket. Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson also return to the field as the teams’ sack leaders from last season. Having Lotulelei and Murphy providing pressure should allow both Lawson and Hughes to increase their numbers as well.
The key component for the team this offseason was bringing in extra help along with depth. The team lacked in this area and they payed the price, almost to the point where their playoff drought could have continued to 18 years.
The team also drafted Harrison Phillips, a vicious and physical linemen out of Stanford. He can develop into the successor of Kyle Williams. He’s big, mean and has a motor on in the inside.
Slowly Improving
The defensive line most likely is not going to make a huge leap from last season, but they have a better chance at containing the run and making opposing QB’s have to throw the ball into the Bills no fly zone secondary. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane wasted no time to bring in the help, now it is time to see what results will be produced. Don’t expect an all-star line, but the team has a good chance to dig themselves out of the hole they put themselves in against the run.
Brandon Ray is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage who covers the NFL and the Buffalo Bills. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_ray79 and @FPC_Bills for Bills coverage.
-
Ep 158: Billy "White Shoes" Johnson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
Former Oilers star Billy "White Shoes" Johnson joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 157: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay joins Clark and Ira to discuss his Top […]
-
These Transfer QBs could have Big Impact this Seasonby LandryFootball.com on June 6, 2023 at 12:40 pm
Last offseason, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. transferring to Oregon and […]
-
Look out for these Under the Radar Transfer Portal Prospects this Seasonby LandryFootball.com on June 5, 2023 at 2:15 pm
This time a year ago, there was a ton of preseason Heisman hype […]
-
Ep 288: Coast 2 Coast 2-Copy Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 1:55 pm
-
Ep 287: BLeague Brings His A-Gameby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
Ep 285: Draft Discussions Dominatingby Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 4:38 pm
-
Episode 3.11: OTAs and Hot Topics w/Sam Fortier from the Washington Postby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 9:20 pm
George Carmi hosts Sam Fortier from the Washington Post to discuss the […]
-
Episode 3.10: Commanders Roster and OTAsby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 8:53 pm
On the latest episode of the Command the Mic Podcast, George Carmi hosts […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Tuesday, April 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
It is the Connor Bedard show at the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Will Connor […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Monday, June 5thby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Kraken extend their GM, Captains and AHL update Learn more about your ad […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 769by Charlie Saunier on June 4, 2023 at 4:31 am
Ep 769 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 5 Preview Game 6 Milwaukee […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 768by Charlie Saunier on June 2, 2023 at 9:19 am
Ep 768 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 4 Preview Game 5 Milwaukee […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, June 1stby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Kraken have offseason work to do, AHL Playoff update. Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, June 1stby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 12:15 pm
What could the Blackhawks do to trade up in the 2023 NHL Draft? Who on the […]
-
6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Ian and John discuss the Golden Knights dominating win and look ahead to […]
-
6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Loveby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Ian and John discuss the Heat's win over the Nuggets, the Golden Knights […]
-
6/2 - Nuggets Take Game 1, Barry Bonds, Stanley Cup Chat w/ Jim Biringerby Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 1 win over the Heat, the upcoming […]
-
6/1 - NBA Finals Preview, Aaron Rodgers, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Ian and John discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Nuggets and Heat […]
-
5/30 - Heat Dominate Celtics; Vegas Advances; Jimmy Gby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics disappointing Game 7 performance against […]
-
5/29 - Celtics/Heat Game 7; DeAndre Hopkins Releasedby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 12:12 am
Ian and John discuss Game 7 between the Celtics and Heat as well as the […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
-
Ep. 225: Williams College Head Basketball Coach Kevin Appby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, June 5thby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 11:50 pm
-
New York Jets Preview and Win Totalsby Broken Controller Media on June 5, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Loveby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
-
Ep 288: Coast 2 Coast 2-Copy Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 1:55 pm
-
Heat at Nuggetsby Broken Controller Media on June 4, 2023 at 1:30 pm
-
Ep 167: Ahmed Johnsonby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, June 2ndby Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "Too Much Wrestling"by Boot 2 The Face on June 1, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Your boys are back talking ALL of the pro wrestling that happened this […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "PPV Predictions"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2023 at 1:06 am
BIG weekend in wrestling and EJ and Rucker are here to predict!AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and Night of Champions Previewby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they preview Double or […]
-
What's Next For CM Punk and AEW, The Bloodline, and the Countdown to Double or Nothingby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they discuss the launch […]