Want to know how to transform your weaknesses into strengths?
You need to methodically build through the draft and make heads-up decisions on the open market.
Or, you could just start paying close attention to the Buffalo Bills.
After registering only 29 sacks last season (ranked 27th in NFL) and ending the year 26th in total defense, 28th against the run and 30th in scoring, the Bills have decided to make relentless efforts to completely revamp their defense.
Photo Credit: HoustonTexans.com
Probably no other team needed a big-ticket fee agent pass-rusher more than the Bills and they landed their target.
It costed a fortunate and it may end up being a major mistake, but Buffalo had to go all in, pull out all of the stops and get the job done. Well, mission accomplished. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out, Super Mario will ignite intense interest in the local market and also create legitimate national attention.
In addition, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt had to have a star player he could build the Bills’ new-look 3-4 defense around.
The Bills already bolstered their receiving corps back before the 2012 NFL Free Agency frenzy.
Following the momentous splash by acquiring Mario Williams, Buffalo has also struck a four-year contract with another premier pass-rusher, according to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com.
Mark Anderson racked up 10 sacks last season with the New England Patriots (12.5 sacks when you include the postseason), along with 29 tackles and two forced fumbles and started just one game. Anderson spent over four seasons with the Chicago Bears after being drafted by the team in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Per Alper: “The Bills will hold a press conference later this afternoon to officially announce the deal. Financial terms aren’t yet available.”
When you compare the 6-4, 255-pound pass-rusher’s numbers from last year and his rookie year, they’re nearly identical. In 2006, he totaled 28 tackles, 12.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and two pass deflections. He also played in every game, but only started one game just like last year. There was a drop-off between last season and his rookie season, nonetheless.
In 2007, he started and played 14 contests and racked up 31 tackles, six sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble. His numbers descended to 18 tackles, two pass deflections and 1.0 sack in ’08, when he played in all 16 games, but had no starts. In 2009, his last full-season with Chicago, he started two contests and played in every game, chalking up 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
In four games (and one start), he had eight tackles, before being shipped to the Texans in 2010. Anderson started two games and played in 11 contests for the Houston Texans, accumulating 21 tackles, 4.0 sacks and a pair of pass deflections, before of course making his way to New England for the 2011 season.
Anderson figures to operate opposite Super Mario in passing situations and the Alabama alum should havoc with Marcell Dareus (also excelled for the Crimson Tide) and Kyle Williams in the middle.
I think it’s safe to say Buffalo’s tenure as a life-long K-Mart shopper is now over. The team has turned the chapter. And the Bills may finally be on the cusp of ending their 12-year playoff drought, which is currently the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.
Verse of This Piece: “Treat wisdom as a sister, and make understanding your closest friend.”—Proverbs 7:4
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