Rex Ryan Getting the Buffalo Bills Going

Oct 20, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Defense

With the fierce front-seven they have, it’s no surprise the Bills had 54 sacks to lead the league in 2014. And of those 54, 34.5 of them came from three guys out of a base 4-3 with not too many tricks. All three of them can fit Ryan’s blitz-all-day 3-4 scheme too so they’ll lead the league by a wider margin in 2015.

At 6’6″, 292 pounds, Williams was a 4-3 end in 2014 but his size and length easily fit being a 3-4 end. Marcel Dareus, at 6’3″, 331 pounds, can play on the nose and has the quickness to play a little 3-4 end too. Then you have 6’2″, 255-pound Jerry Hughes, who can play 4-3 end or 3-4 outside backer just as well.

Now of course, the Bills have to bring back Hughes, who’s going to command top dollar in free agency. It would also be nice to bring back Brandon Spikes, who’s a better 3-4 inside backer than a 4-3 middle backer. Ryan’s first order of business was to trade Kiko Alonzo because he wants his kind of guy in the middle.

Next: What They Can Still do on Defense