Nix needs to fix the Bills pass rushing problems

By Steve B.  |   Tuesday, January 17, 2012  |  Comments( 28 )

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In 2010, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey were banking on Aaron Schobel to transition from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB. Schobel mulled over retirement and couldn't make up his mind. But, at the beginning of August 2010, Buddy Nix had enough of Schobel's indecision and made up his own mind by releasing him. But, by releasing Schobel, the Bills had no one on the roster that could get a good, consistent pass rush.

During the 2010 season, Nix claimed OLB Shawne Merriman off of waivers. Merriman lasted 15 minutes before landing on IR. During the offseason, Merriman and the Bills doctor's stated they solved Merriman's achilles problem, and felt good about Merriman's health for the 2011 season. That had Nix sold again. Merriman looked like he was back to his old "Lights Out" form again in the preseason, as he had back to back sacks on Jay Cutler. But, before midseason, Merriman was placed on IR again due to injuries to his achilles tendon and shoulder. Nix stated that Merriman had surgery on both injuries and plans to have him back for the 2012 season.

While I agree with bringing Merriman back, I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket with him. Expecting Merriman to solve the Bills pass rushing problems at this point, given his injury history, is just pure stupidity. Granted, Nix stated he wants to bring in one to two more pass rushers, a DE that is around 6'4"-6'5", between 255-260 lbs. That sounds great if Nix can deliver. I agree that the Bills should get "TWO" pass rushers, a DE and a OLB. The Bills have two good interior linemen in Kyle Williams & Marcell Dareus. In 2011, Dareus had 43 Tackles and 5.5 Sacks, with sub-par/mediocre talent besides him (due to Kyle Williams injury). In 2010, Kyle Williams had his best season to date with 77 Tackles and 5.5 Sacks, which helped him earn a spot in the probowl. If Nix can get two good pass rushers, combined with Dareus and Williams (assuming he comes back healthy), the Bills could finally have a good defense again. With having to play against one of the best QB's to ever play the game (Brady) twice a year, you would think the Bills would have addressed the pass rushing problem years ago. It's a no brainer why the Bills haven't made the post season in 12 years, and had a 15 game losing streak against the Patriots.
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CommentsComments: 28  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
Goose		09:52 AM
01/17/2012
I'm stuck in sports purgatory--The Bills and Bucs seasons mirrored each other both started the season in high fashion with the...
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No.2
Goose		10:24 AM
01/17/2012
Steve thanks for taking the time to write another article... Merriman is done and I wish the Bills would just cut the cord with...
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No.3
garyg		12:04 PM
01/17/2012
Goose - yes, having back surgery in early February Thanks for writing the new article Steve. The Bills definitely need pass...
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