News Now: Bills Defense Shows Promise After OTAs, But Questions Remain.
The Buffalo Bills defense has been a topic of discussion after the team’s OTAs, with both positive and negative takeaways emerging. On one hand, cornerback Kaiir Elam is looking to bounce back after a tough first two seasons in the NFL, and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is optimistic about his mindset and work ethic. On the other hand, the team is still waiting for Von Miller to return to form after an ACL injury in 2022, and the defensive line is looking for players to step up.
Elam, who was drafted by the Bills in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, has struggled to find his footing in the league. He started only six games last season and dealt with an ankle injury, and he was a healthy scratch for one game. However, Babich is confident that Elam has the talent and work ethic to turn things around. “Clean slate for Kaiir. Working extremely hard,” Babich said. “I think his mindset is where it needs to be. And coach Addae and [safeties] coach [Joe] Danna are doing a great job with him honing in on the little things where we know he needs to improve literally minute by minute, drill by drill. We’re not trying to go big scope. We’re trying to focus in on certain things.”
Miller, who signed a six-year deal with the Bills in 2022, is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last season. He didn’t start to make an impact until the end of the season, and the team is hoping he can return to form this year. “There was flashes of some Von Miller there at the end of the year,” Babich said. “Von’s working hard to get back. Von’s a terrific person. The expectation is that minute by minute, we’re just continuing to get better and continuing to hone back in on the skills and to train the skills that are needed for him to impact the game like we need him to.”
The defensive line is also a question mark for the Bills, with Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa looking to take on bigger roles. Rousseau, who had eight sacks last season, is looking to improve on that total, and Epenesa is looking to build on his five sacks. “I put the most pressure on myself, like nobody has higher expectations for me than I have for myself,” Rousseau said. “And honestly it just comes from me wanting to be great and also just wanting to help my teammates out and help my team win. It’s a team sport and when one player is playing good, you can help out somebody else on the defense and vice versa.”
Overall, the Bills defense is a mix of new and experienced pieces, and it’s unclear how they will come together this season. Babich, who was promoted to defensive coordinator after the departure of Leslie Frazier, is looking to make a name for himself as a playcaller, and he has a solid returning group to work with. However, the team is still waiting for Miller to return to form, and the defensive line is looking for players to step up.
Here are some key points to watch for the Buffalo Bills defense this season:
– Can Kaiir Elam bounce back after a tough first two seasons in the NFL?
– Will Von Miller return to form after an ACL injury in 2022?
– Can Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa take on bigger roles on the defensive line?
– How will defensive coordinator Bobby Babich fare as a playcaller?
– Can the Bills defense come together and make a push for the top of the AFC East standings?
Only time will tell if the Bills defense can come together and make a push for the playoffs. One thing is for sure, however – they have the talent and the work ethic to make it happen.
