A closer look at the Bills’ new defensive scheme

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, May 30, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

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Thanks to their new coaching staff, the Buffalo Bills have switched their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a Tampa 2. Although it is a variation of the Cover 2, rarely are any explanations given on how it works and what the players are expected to do. Because of its proven track record, the Tampa 2 is gaining popularity in the NFL, and the Bills hope to join three other notable teams who use it.

In the Bills' new defense, the defensive line is expected to get solid pressure on the opposing quarterback. The linemen used in the packages are primarily smaller, shiftier players with good amounts of quickness. Because of that, the Bills didn't go for a space-eating tackle through free agency or the draft. On the tackle front, the Bills' top foursome consists of Tim Anderson, Larry Tripplett, John McCargo and Kyle Williams. The biggest member of that group is Anderson, who weighs in at a meaty 304 pounds. Meanwhile, the other three top out around the 295 mark. These players all fit the system's one-gap style, which calls for the ability to rush the passer and be quick enough to stymie the opposition's running game.

At the defensive end position, the players are also expected to be quick and undersized. Currently, the Bills' top four consists of Aaron Schobel, Ryan Denney, Chris Kelsay and Mark Word. The 265-pound Schobel is the only proven performer of the quartet, as he's racked up at least eight sacks in each of the last four seasons, including 12 in 2005. On the other hand, the duo of Denney and Kelsay, who are both 275 pounds, chalked up only 6 ½ sacks last year. Word is the true wild card of the group, since he hasn't played in the NFL since 2003, when he finished with four sacks for the Cleveland Browns. At 295 pounds, Word might be on the outside looking in on the Bills' line because he may not be quick enough to fit the Tampa 2.

Much like the linemen, the linebackers in the Bills' new defense are expected to be undersized and fast. The projected trio of starters are all small in weight and fleet of foot. The outside 'backers, Takeo Spikes and Jeff Posey, weigh in at 242 and 241 pounds, respectively. Meanwhile, middle linebacker London Fletcher tips the scale at 245. Spikes and Fletcher should have big seasons as they always do, but Posey's a question mark. Because of that, backup Angelo Crowell might take his spot on the strong-side. Many believe Crowell is too small, but at 235 pounds, he should be just fine in the Tampa 2, where it's not good to have large linebackers.

For Spikes and the other outside linebacker, their role will be to cut the middle of the field in two. They are expected to divide the first 15 yards from the scrimmage line into halves, protecting against the pass. Fletcher, on the other hand, will fall back into deep coverage on the field, taking anything beyond 15 yards. Thus, the outsiders cover the flats and short-yardage pass routes, while the middle LB takes any sort of deep throws.

The Bills' cornerbacks, led by Nate Clements and Terrence McGee, will join the outside linebackers in covering passes within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. As for the safeties, led by Donte' Whitner and Troy Vincent, their role is to join Fletcher in protecting against deep pass plays.

The reason the Bills selected a total of three defensive backs in April's draft can be very much attributed to their new defensive style. Because cornerbacks and safeties are integral in protecting against opposing offenses' vertical attacks, Bills GM Marv Levy thought it would be best to find as many reliable defensive backs as possible. Whitner, a first-rounder, is expected to be ideal in the Tampa 2 because he's a hard-hitter who can cover deep passes. The same can be said for fourth-round free safety Ko Simpson. Cornerback Ashton Youboty, a third-rounder, possesses the same traits as both Whitner and Simpson.

The main thing on the Bills' side going into their first year with the Tampa 2 is history. The defensive style was invented by Buccaneers coordinator Monte Kiffin, who is one of the league's foremost defensive geniuses. Along with Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, Kiffin revolutionized the new method. Dungy, the former head coach of the Bucs, and Smith, a former assistant in Tampa, have installed the systems in Indy and Chicago, respectively. Not surprisingly, each of their defenses have experienced great success, including Smith, whose unit ranked No. 1 in points allowed last season.

The Bills' new defensive coordinator, Perry Fewell, is a disciple of Smith's Chicago coaching staff who knows what makes the Tampa 2 tick. It may take some time for him and head coach Dick Jauron to install the system in Buffalo, but it should bring great success eventually. Of course, personnel is the most important issue, and the Bills' players seem more than capable of at least finding themselves in the top half of the league next season in points and yards allowed.

With a new scheme, the Bills' defenders will need to crawl before they can walk in 2006.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

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