Bills defense primed for significant improvement in 2012

Entering free agency, there was little doubt that Buffalo needed to focus on improving a defense that was among the NFL's worst in yards allowed (26th), sacks (t-27th), rush defense (28th) and points (t-29th). In the span of a little over a week, Bills general manager Buddy Nix was able to sign the best defensive player on the market, inking former Houston Texan defensive end Mario Williams to the richest contract in NFL history for a defensive player with a six year, $100 million deal. Along with Williams, the Bills were able to sign former New England Patriot pass-rusher Mark Anderson to a four year, $27.5 million deal (which according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, includes $8 million in guaranteed money).

With Dave Wannstedt taking over as defensive coordinator for the 2012 season, the team will be going back to a 4-3 alignment after two largely disastrous seasons as a 3-4 team under former coordinator George Edwards. While he's struggled as a head coach (82-86 with the Bears and Dolphins), Wannstedt has done a very good job as a defensive coordinator, including successful stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins under Jimmy Johnson.

Joining Mario Williams and Mark Anderson along the defensive line are defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams. Dareus, the #3 overall pick in the last year's draft, is a mammoth man that recorded a team-high 5.5 sacks during the 2011 campaign. While his conditioning needs to improve, he's got the build (6'3", 319 pounds) to stuff the run, in addition to rushing the passer. Kyle Williams was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2010, but battled injuries during the 2011 campaign, playing in just five games due to a foot injury (which he's since had surgery for). When healthy, Williams plays with a non-stop motor, and does a great job of utilizing his hands and leverage to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.

The "X-factor" for this defense will be Shawne Merriman. When healthy, Merriman was among the premiere pass rushers in the league. Achilles injuries over the past several seasons have caused his stock to drop significantly. If Merriman is able to come in to training camp healthy, he could provide the team with another pass-rusher that would be able to give Williams or Anderson a spell in pass-rushing downs.

The team also possesses a solid amount of depth, including defensive ends Chris Kelsay (31.0 career sacks), end/tackle Spencer Johnson (12.0) and defensive tackles Dwan Edwards (5.5) and Alex Carrington (2.0). Carrington was drafted as a five technique defensive end in the Bills' old 3-4 scheme, but has very good athleticism, and has the potential to claim the rotation tackle spot. Edwards is a solid veteran, and has shown the ability to play end in both three and four man fronts, and that positional versatility makes him a valuable commodity in run downs, where he could take over for the smaller Mark Anderson. Johnson actually saw a good amount of time at outside linebacker this year, but is definitely more effective as a defensive tackle, where he has above average quickness, and can shoot the gaps in passing downs. Kelsay has been a mainstay on the Bills since 2003, and will battle with Mark Anderson for a starting spot opposite Mario Williams at right defensive end. Kelsay plays with a great motor, and while not a dynamic pass-rusher, is solid against both the run and pass, and has a better than average shot to beat out Anderson as the starter for 2012.

At linebacker, the Bills will be starting Kelvin Sheppard in the middle. A fourth round pick in 2011, Sheppard won't wow you with athleticism, but is a student of the game and a solid tackler. Nick Barnett will slide to weakside linebacker as the team shifts to a 4-3. Barnett has been a Pro Bowler, and is one of the faster linebackers in the league, which Wannstedt will use both in coverage, as well as blitz packages. Kirk Morrison was re-signed just before free agency, and is currently penciled in as the strong-side starter. While not a play-maker, Morrison is a steady veteran linebacker who is a much better fit in Wannstedt's 4-3. It's likely that the front office looks to draft a player like Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis in the middle rounds to provide a younger alternative to Morrison on the strong side in 2012.

The team had 20 interceptions in 2011, but will need better cornerback play to take the next step. Drayton Florence was wildly inconsistent after being re-signed during the 2011 offseason, combining head-scratching penalties and mind-boggling blown coverages. Terrence McGee has battled injuries for much of the past few seasons, but with a more friendly re-structured contract, could provide the team value as a nickel cornerback. Rookie Aaron Williams had flashes of brilliance during the 2011 season, but also experienced his fair share of growing pains, including getting torched by Patriot WR Wes Welker in week four. Fellow rookie Justin Rogers showed well as a return man, but is likely better suited in either a nickel or dime package in 2012.

Safety was a strong point for the Bills in 2011, as free safety Jairus Byrd and strong safety George Wilson put up Pro Bowl caliber numbers. While both struggled to cover the better receiving tight ends in the league (and really, how many safeties can?), both show good instincts in pass coverage, and Byrd in particular made significant improvements in run support. Bryan Scott was recently retained, and provides depth at both strong safety and linebacker, where he will likely see time in passing downs. Da'Norris Searcy got a couple of starts in 2011 in place of an injured Wilson, and has the physical tools to be an effective starter down the road.

The next five months will be critical to this team, as the transition to a 4-3 defense will not be a quick one. Wannstedt has had success as a defensive coordinator throughout his career, and with the talent on the roster assembled, there is a legitimate opportunity for major improvement this season. If the team is able to stay healthy, there's no reason to believe this Bills team could become a top ten defense in 2012.