NFL News & Rumors Digest

The final player on this series that we’ll be discussing is Totally free Safety (FS) Jairus Byrd. Byrd was an anomaly in his 1st season with the Bills as he recorded nine Interceptions (INT’s) in his rookie campaign. But, following the 2009 season, Byrd’s INT’s total went down significantly. What made Byrd’s nine INT’s a lot more impressive, was the truth that he played in 14 games, and started in 11.

In the 2011 season, Byrd put together his finest total stats to date with 98 Tackles (T) (75 solo/23 assisted), 1 Sack, 8 Passes Defended (PD), three Interceptions (INT’s), 1 Touchdown (TD), and three Forced Fumbles (FF).

Now, for the large query, why did Byrd have so significantly success in 2009 with INT’s, but not so a lot the following two seasons? The answer: lack of a pass rush. 2009 was the last time the Bills employed a consistent pass rusher in Aaron Schobel. In 2009, Schobel had ten sacks in his final season in a Bills uniform. Given that then, Defensive Tackles (DT’s) Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus led the Bills in sacks as Williams had five.five sacks in 2010, and Dareus repeated individuals numbers in 2011. At the time when Williams and Dareus had 5.five sacks, they had been playing as Nose Tackles (NT’s) in a hybrid three-4/4-3 defense. If the NT’s are leading the group in sacks, that indicates that the defense is making no pressure from the edge, which means that there are no elite edge rushers that the offense has to worry about double teaming, and the line can concentrate even more consideration to stopping the nose tackle.

As stated in the earlier articles, the Bills finally have four guys on the defensive line that can create pressure, close in the pocket and force the opposing Quarterback (QB) to throw the faster than he would like to, as well as finding bodies/arms/hands in the QB’s throwing lane. Add in Bills new Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt implementing his four-3 defensive system where the Defensive front four’s precise jobs are to penetrate the Offensive line and produce pressure. With anything place with each other on defense this past offseason, we can expect Byrd’s INT total to go up once again and look for him to place up the greatest numbers of his young NFL profession to date this season.

Related Posts:

• Which Bills player could have a career year in 2012, Part 2.
• Which Bills player could have a career year in 2012, Part 1
• Which Bills player could have a career year, Part 4.
• Which Bills player will put up career numbers in 2012, Part 3.
• Which player(s) will have a career year in 2012, Part 5 – Defensive Ends

Because we previously discussed Defensive Tackle (DT) Kyle Williams, let’s continue that thread with fellow DT Marcell Dareus.

In 2011, rookie Marcell Dareus had 43 Tackles (32 solo, 11 assisted), 5.five sacks and 2 Passes Defended (PD). Not negative for a player that had no offseason, no OTA’s, no minicamps, a shortened training camp, losing his pro-bowl line mate [Kyle Williams] early on in the season, and switching from a three-four Defensive End (DE), to a 3-4 Nose Tackle (NT). Just like Kyle Williams did in 2010, Dareus had five.5 sacks with no great pass rushers to compliment him. Consider about that for a minute, five.5 sacks with an abbreviated offseason, and no competent support about him.

Can Dareus have a career year, and surpass his rookie stats in 2012? Let’s take a look: Dareus now has a full offseason to prepare for the upcoming season returning next Dareus is fellow DT Kyle Williams, who is returning from an Achilles injury which plagued him given that his collegiate days, and appears to be 100% for the 1st time in a lot of years add in elite pass rusher Mario Williams, as effectively as adding a very good pass rusher in Mark Anderson, which gives the Bills their finest pass rushing duo (on paper) given that the Bruce Smith/Bryce Paup days and to best it all off, new Bills Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt implementing his 4-3 defensive system where the Defensive front four’s precise jobs are to penetrate the Offensive line and produce pressure. With all of that stated, not only could Dareus break his rookie numbers, but he can obliterate them.

Marcell Dareus has not even begun to scratch the surface on his NFL profession yet, as he had an abbreviated offseason, one particular full season of play, and switching positions mid-season. Can you picture the effect Marcell Dareus is going to have on the defensive line this season? Dareus could very well be the linchpin to the new Bills defense. Bills fans, it is going to be an absolute pleasure seeing this young man develop over the subsequent couple of years. Dareus could have career years not only in 2012, but over the next many years as nicely.

Related Posts:

• Which Bills player could have a career year in 2012, Part 1
• Which Bills player could put up career stats in 2012, Part 6 – The Finale
• Which player(s) will have a career year in 2012, Part 5 – Defensive Ends
• Which Bills player could have a career year, Part 4.
• Which Bills player will put up career numbers in 2012, Part 3.

In 2010, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey were banking on Aaron Schobel to transition from 4-three DE to 3-four OLB. Schobel mulled over retirement and couldn’t make up his thoughts. But, at the starting of August 2010, Buddy Nix had enough of Schobel’s indecision and produced up his own thoughts by releasing him. But, by releasing Schobel, the Bills had no 1 on the roster that could get a great, constant pass rush.

For the duration of the 2010 season, Nix claimed OLB Shawne Merriman off of waivers. Merriman lasted 15 minutes prior to landing on IR. For the duration of the offseason, Merriman and the Bills doctor’s stated they solved Merriman’s achilles difficulty, and felt good about Merriman’s well being 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, just before midseason, Merriman was placed on IR once more due to injuries to his achilles tendon and shoulder. Nix stated that Merriman had surgery on each injuries and plans to have him back for the 2012 season.

Even though I agree with bringing Merriman back, I would not put all my eggs in 1 basket with him. Expecting Merriman to solve the Bills pass rushing troubles at this point, given his injury history, is just pure stupidity. Granted, Nix stated he desires to bring in one particular to two much more pass rushers, a DE that is around 6’4″-6’5″, between 255-260 lbs. That sounds excellent if Nix can deliver. I agree that the Bills need to get “TWO” pass rushers, a DE and a OLB. The Bills have two great interior linemen in Kyle Williams &amp Marcell Dareus. In 2011, Dareus had 43 Tackles and 5.five 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 five.5 Sacks, which helped him earn a spot in the probowl. If Nix can get two excellent pass rushers, combined with Dareus and Williams (assuming he comes back wholesome), the Bills could finally have a good defense once again. With having to play against one of the finest QB’s to ever play the game (Brady) twice a year, you would feel the Bills would have addressed the pass rushing issue years ago. It’s a no brainer why the Bills haven’t produced the post season in 12 years, and had a 15 game losing streak against the Patriots.

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A challenging week for the Buffalo Bills grew worse on Wednesday following an ankle injury to rookie defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

Dareus was seen in the locker room with crutches and his ankle wrapped heavily, according to the Buffalo News. He reportedly suffered the injury Wednesday.

The Connected Press reports the Bills are awaiting test results to locate out how serious the injury is.

The No. three overall choose has looked as good as advertised thus far, with two sacks in the preseason.  Buffalo has a lot of injuries correct now 3 of their starting linebackers missed practice Wednesday and two of their top 3 receivers are hurt.

Losing Dareus for an extended period would be a enormous setback for the rebuilt defense.

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1. Panthers: Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn. Marty Hurney will swing for the fences at No. 1 overall. 2. Broncos: Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama. Denver adds an elite defensive tackle for the new 4-3. 3. Bills: Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M. Miller fixes Buffalo’s disastrous 2009 whiff on Aaron Maybin. 4. Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, quarterback,…

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So many things can change between now and Thursday… If there is a run on QB’s in the 2nd half of the first round the Bills will come away with another outstanding player. This is my gut feeling for the Bills but I would much prefer a defensive player at 3.

Panthers 1 1 QB Newton
Broncos 1 2 DL Dareus
Bills 1 3 QB Gabbert
Bengals 1 4 WR AJ Green
Cards 1 …

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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus have both declared early for the 2011 NFL Draft. Ingram is best known for winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy. He is also generally considered the top underclassmen running back eligible for this draft. Dareus is a potential top 10 selection. He is a big lineman who is versatile enough to play multiple positions along the defensive line, depending on which defensive scheme he ends up in. At this time fellow teammate, wide receiver Julio Jones has yet to make a decision although most analysts feel he will declare early as well. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Alabama could have all three players drafted in the first round. Entering college, Jones was considered the top prospect in the nation coming out of high school according to Rivals. Ingram rushed for only 875 yards but added 13 touchdowns while running in a three-back rotation. Dareus had 33 tackles and 5 sacks this year. Each player rates very near or at the top of their position rankings. Ingram could have gone pro after winning the Heisman last year but decided to return to school last year. Dareus can do it all at his position whether it’s pass rushing or stuffing the run.

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