Coach Marrone has three quarterbacks who will work hard to be named the starter.

How they compare

You can really get a sense of the type of quarterback that this new offensive staff is looking for when you scan the quarterbacks on this roster. All three of these quarterbacks have good arm strength and thus the ability to get the ball downfield. They can clearly use this to take advantage of the speed that has been added at the receiver position in the last two drafts. They are also all mobile in the backfield, and elusive enough to escape pressure when they need to. Lastly, if you read much of what ex-teammates, and coaches have said about these three you consistently hear that they are hard workers.

So, Coach Marrone has three quarterbacks who will work hard to be named the starter, and possess at least a couple similar characteristics in terms of their play. In the end the starter isn’t going to be named by what they did in the past, or we would already know who will be taking the first snaps next year. That being said I am a strong believer that the past is a good predictor of the future when it comes to football, so I’ll detail a few things that each one could do to set himself apart for better or worse.

Tarvaris Jackson (Photo by Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

Tarvaris Jackson

Jackson is by far the hardest quarterback of the group to evaluate. With no actual playing time last year there is a wide range of possibilities of how he will perform in this competition. At the start of his career in Minnesota expectations for Jackson were very high. Although he never came close to meeting those expectations there are some aspects of his game that can set him apart from the other two and give him the possibility to be the starter.

If you look at his season with the Seahawks in 2011 there is a pretty clear line drawn in the center of the year. The first eight games were a mixture of average to terrible play which can be attributed to a fresh offensive line. Two of his offensive linemen that year were rookies, and a third was in his first year as a starter. This line started to gel mid season and Jackson’s level of play increased. His sack totals dropped by over 25%, his completion percentage went up by a couple percent, and his TD to Int ratio went from 7/10 to 8/4. I’m not saying that he played phenomenal football in the second half of that season, but he did play well enough to win football games with a good running back, which the Bills certainly have.

Another interesting aspect of Jackson’s game with the Seahawks was his red zone efficiency. Throughout the whole season Jackson was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the red zone. This is something that the Bills have needed badly in the last few seasons. If Jackson continues to be very effective in the red zone he could take hold of the starting job in the backfield.

Kevin Kolb (Photo lifted from ThePhillyPhour)

Kevin Kolb

Kolb is an interesting quarterback to study. At times he can look like a superstar, and at other times he can seem to completely fall apart. That being said Kolb’s consistency could set him apart as a clear starter for this football team. That doesn’t seem to make sense given my previous statement, but hear me out.

Kolb seems to have a hard time progressing through his receivers, but if his first option is open he is extremely accurate with the ball. Also he can get antsy a little too early in the pocket when it starts to squeeze down on him, and he will scramble or check down to the running back when he still has plenty of time. So, what I mean by his consistency helping him win the job is that if his first option is open he will get him the ball more often than not. And with both CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson as check down options Kolb’s decision to check down, even if it is earlier than it needs to be, could make him look very good when Spiller is racking up yards after catch. On top of this, when given a clean pocket and a decent amount of time he can find an open man downfield, even when the defense takes away his first option.

EJ Manuel (Photo by Phil Sears)

EJ Manuel

EJ Manuel, the heir apparent for the franchise quarterback position at One Bills Drive. But first, he has to win the starting job. Without having any NFL experience there is a lot in his game that can be very positive and help him win the job early, as well as many negatives that can allow one of the veterans to hold the job when this season kicks off.

One thing that really surprised me about Manuel is his ability to throw on the run. He is much better at throwing on the run than either of the veterans are, and can use this to his advantage. That being the case, there are a lot of times where he stands in the pocket for too long, and takes an unnecessary sack when he should scramble, or even just throw the ball away.

Much like Kolb, Manuel often stays on his first option for too long, and doesn’t progress through his reads as quickly as you would like to see. He does cover this up to an extent with an extremely quick release which can be a great benefit when he finds an open man.

Like I said earlier, all three of these quarterbacks have the ability to escape pressure, but Manuel takes that a step further. Not only is Manuel quick enough to escape, He also has elite straight line speed that allows him to get down field with his feet when he needs to. He doesn’t seem to use his feet as often as he could, but that’s not the worst thing as I don’t want to see him get injured like RG3 did last year.

Conclusion

All three of these quarterbacks have the ability to win this starting job if they play to their own strengths. The west coast style offense that is expected to be run by Hackett and the Bills can be used to play well to the strengths of any one of these given quarterbacks. Although I’m not trying to advocate any of these options, if I were a gambling man I would bet on Kolb taking the first snaps opening weekend against the Patsies, and Manuel coming in mid season or at the beginning of next year depending on how the year progresses.

Hackett, who is just 33 years old and has one season of coordinating experience; at the college level; will be under the microscope throughout the 2013 season.

Hackett is the son of Paul, one of the more intelligent offensive minds in the game, with 41 years of coaching experience under his belt.

Hackett coordinated Syracuse’s offense almost exactly as his father did roughly 30 years prior. (Photo by US PRESSWIRE)

Paul Hackett, a former collegiate quarterback himself, coached the position at every level. I came across a transcript of a seminar he delivered in 1980, when he was serving as the USC assistant head coach about quarterback development.

Considering the Bills just selected E.J. Manuel, who has been deemed as a “developmental” quarterback, it was interesting to see just how similar Nathaniel coordinated the Syracuse offense almost exactly as his father did roughly 30 years prior.

The first point that Coach Hackett expressed in his clinic was to establish a consistent balance between the run and pass. He went on to explain that in order for progressive development in a young quarterback there are two keys: “Keep it simple and versatile.” Sound familiar?

Nathaniel Hackett had this to say to BuffaloBills.com regarding the selection of Manuel in the 2013 NFL draft.

“You could tell he was very excited. I think that compared to what he’s done the past five years, which has been very successful for him, I think the way that we do things and the way this whole system is developed around the quarterback and it’s about him becoming successful while still trying to be diverse and multiple.”

The next step in developing a young quarterback that Paul Hackett preached was prioritizing the player’s footwork in drops and hitches.

What has been the theme regarding Manuel throughout the first six days of offseason training activities? Manuel’s footwork.

Another eerie similarity between the elder Hackett and the skill set of the players on the Bills’ offense was that Hackett described the Trojans’ offense as a “perimeter running team,” with an emphasis on play action and roll outs.

According to Stats Inc., 125 of running back C.J. Spiller’s 207 carries last season were to the outside. Furthermore, Manuel’s athleticism and the threat he brings as a runner indicates that Nathaniel Hackett is taking a lot of his fathers’ philosophies into his own game plans.

Hackett explained that since it generally takes younger, more inexperienced quarterbacks a longer period of time to fully digest a full playbook, he explained that there are a variety of plays that can be used my implementing simple concepts.

When describing facing underneath coverage, Hackett diagrammed several plays that were based on a triangular zone that would assist the quarterback in making correct reads.

He stated, “One of the principles that we have used a great deal comes from the old front and back principle. I am going to put a man in front of a linebacker, and I am going to put a man behind the linebacker, and then I am going to have the quarterback make a decision which one to throw the ball to. I call this the ‘triangle’.”

Want a bit of evidence that Nathaniel is using his father’s philosophies? Take a look at this play drawn up by Paul Hackett – in 1980:

Then, watch this play that Syracuse ran in 2012 against Rutgers (nine second mark). It is essentially the same play with the same triangle concept, except the quarterback is in the shotgun instead of under center.

Hackett said that his main goal was to “convince the quarterback that no matter what defense he is facing, he will have the response and instinct to know what to do with the football.” To do this, he says to keep things simple; play terminology and even adding short notes next to specific plays within the playbook.

At USC, Hackett’s passing attack was predicated on high percentage passes in a timing offense, with three-to-five step drops. These are the exact offensive concepts that Coach Marrone and Hackett operated during their tenures at Syracuse.

While the game has obviously evolved tremendously in the 33 years it has been since Paul Hackett delivered his quarterback coaching clinic, Nathaniel has and is clearly using the primary principles that his father implemented in the past.

Stay tuned throughout the next few weeks as we breakdown the 10 Buffalo Bills that are poised for breakout years in 2013!

The Buffalo Bills selected defensive tackle Marcell Dareus with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. While he hasn’t played poorly by any means, he’s yet to live up to the hype that garnered his status as a top five pick.

Marcell Dareus was the 8th ranked DT in pass rushing, per PFF. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

In his first two seasons with the Bills, Dareus recorded 82 tackles, 14 of which for a loss and 11 sacks. (Note: ProFootballFocus and Advanced NFL Stats credit Dareus with 13 sacks) At 6’3” and 331 pounds, Dareus’ ability as a penetrating pass rusher has been vastly overlooked.

His +15.7 pass rushing grade courtesy of ProFootballFocus ranked Dareus eighth among 85 qualifying defensive tackles/nose tackles. However, his ability to consistently defend the run has been an issue, especially in the 2012 season.

Dareus admitted that his head wasn’t in the game after his 19-year old brother was shot and killed in a triple-homicide/robbery during the 2012 season.

In an interview with John Kryk, Dareus explained the situation.

“It’s been pretty hard to play football, period – altogether. This if the first place I’ve been to since all this happened. I haven’t been home, I haven’t been on a plane (outside of football trips). I’ve just been scared.”

“I didn’t leave my house for months. I just got to the point where I’m able to leave it now. For the things to go the way they went, it just hit me in a whole other way. I’ve been looking over my shoulder and it just got me spooked.”

For a 23-year old being away from his family after a tragic occurance he went through, it’s understandable and forgiveable that Dareus didn’t have football as his No. 1 priority last year. Following that interview with the Toronto Sun, Dareus’ game began to take off, leading many to believe that he’ll come back even better this upcoming season.

Dareus is an extremely athletic individual considering his 330+ pound frame, and his versatility allows him to play a variety of positions along the defensive line. He can play both the nose tackle and three-technique defensive tackle in 4-3 looks, and can play all three spots in a three-man front.

The Bills drafted Dareus when they were transitioning to a 3-4 defense, and he played fairly well at the five-technique defensive end position as a rookie. Last season, he and Kyle Williams rotated between the three and one technique defensive tackle positions.

While it’s unclear whether Dareus will primarily play defensive end or nose tackle in Coach Pettine’s “hybrid” defense, it’s likely that he’ll be moved around in order to create mismatches for opposing offensive lines.

With Dareus entering his third professional season in the National Football League; the year players should emerge as complete players, it’s pretty easy to get optimistic about him heading into the 2013 season.

Marcell Dareus Projected 2013 Stat Line: 48 TKL, 7 sacks, 3 FF, 4 PD

When have the Bills ever moved into an off season that hit the ground running this fast? A complete set of new coaches within weeks after the end of the latest horror show season from Hades? Wow. Color me impressed.

New Bills GM Doug Whaley (Photo lifted from MondayQBC.com)

However, in the midst of this efficient rebuilding of the foundational structure of this franchise, Doug Whaley has been slowly brought along for what could become a lasting legacy in Bills history. Of all the transformational moves that have occurred during this offseason, the passing of this torch is of particular interest to me.

The role of GM is a highly variable one across the league. Some teams have their owners as GMs (even though someone else may have the title in name only). Other teams have coaches who are also GMs, though that seems to be on the wane. It’s a huge undertaking to try and fill the role of both, and in my opinion it often comes at the expense of not realizing their potential in either role.

So enter the new era of Doug Whaley. If you think you have a real feel for what this man is all about from watching interviews or reading about what he is saying and doing, good luck. What you saw with Buddy Nix is exactly what you got. He put his authentic self right out there for everyone to see.

Doug Whaley appears to be a man who prefers a less transparent approach. I find myself always wondering what he’s really like behind closed doors. His soft spoken approach can’t hide his cerebral responses to questions. This man is a measured thinker.

I’m looking forward to seeing him do more interviews. Now that the bright lights will be shining upon him, will he emerge from the mystical place he’s been ripening for the last few years? Only time will tell.

It’s been since the Tom Donahoe era that I’ve been truly as intrigued by what to expect from the GM of the Bills. Marv Levy, bless his heart was obviously doing the job more as a stabilizing force until the Bills could find a guy who could help them right the ship. I’m comfortable they found that man in Buddy Nix.

Doug Whaley? Probably the most intriguing move in the transformation of this team in terms of watching how it all unfolds. I love a good puzzle, and figuring out what makes this man tick will be very interesting to follow. As Tom Donahoe used to say, “stay tuned.” I can’t wait to find out what Doug Whaley will develop as his mantra.

In the fifth installment, I will be reviewing the inside / middle linebacker position.

The linebacker position has underperformed for the past several seasons, but with the hire of defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, that weakness could suddenly emerge into a strength.

When Pettine was hired, he told Buffalo Bills Broadcaster John Murphy,

“I’ve never been a guy to characterize what we’ve done as 3-4; 4-3; ’46.’ We are a multiple front, multiple coverage defense. And my foundation has always been, we are going to build what we do defensively based on the talent that we have. I’m not one to say, ‘this is my system, and you guys have to run it.’”

This emphasis on multiple defensive formations stresses versatility everywhere on the defense, but particularly the inside linebacker position.

In a 4-3 defensive front, middle linebackers, or the “MIKE” are typically responsible for defending the run; taking on lead blockers, making tackles and occasionally dropping into coverage, depending on the style of 4-3.

3-4 defenses feature two inside linebackers; the “MIKE” and the “TED”. Inside linebackers in 3-4 fronts must be solid against the run, due to the fact that there’s one less defensive lineman in front of them.

However, the versatility and athleticism of the linebackers on the roster will allow Pettine to be very creative with how he uses them.

“But Mike Pettine made this statement during the draft,” Nix told host John Murphy. “The days of the Mike linebacker and the strong safety have just about fallen by the wayside. Everything has moved over. You’ve taken the Mike now, and he’s moved over. You’ve moved Will to Mike. And now you walk up Bryan Scott as a nickel linebacker, and he’s now the Will. Those guys got to be able to run and cover.”

This transition into a new age of National Football League play is putting a premium on athleticism in the defense, which is why Pettine’s statements are completely true.

Now, on to the Players!

Note: Players listed in alphabetical order, not by depth chart

Nigel Bradham, 23, 6’2” 240

Nigel Bradham looks like the prime candidate for the “TED” role, or left inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense after a promising rookie campaign as the strongside linebacker last season. Bradham’s athleticism and strong build will allow him to not only defend the run, which was an underrated aspect of his game last year, but will also allow him to drop into coverage.

In 4-3 looks, Bradham would likely return back to the strongside outside linebacker position, where he would provide a similar role.

Kiko Alonso, 22 6’3” 238

With the Bills’ second round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the Bills selected Oregon linebacker Kiko Alonso. Alonso fits the most of the new-age weakside linebacker: considered a bit “undersized”, but is extremely effective in both run support and pass coverage.

In 3-4 looks, Alonso will be likely be playing inside, where his relentless attitude and ability will add great value at the “MIKE” position.

Upon selecting Alonso, who recorded 144 tackles, 21 of which for a loss and intercepted six passes during his tenure with the Oregon Ducks, head coach Doug Marrone had this to say:

“I think he can play two (positions),” said Marrone. “He’s a big kid. You can see it on the clips. He can play man-to-man, he has good zone awareness, has a bunch of pass breakups. You see it from a coverage standpoint and then you also see him coming downhill making plays and he has a lot of tackles for losses. So he can make big plays from that linebacker position in both coverage and the running game.”

When Marrone said that Alonso has the ability to play two positions, I believe he’s referring to playing weakside outside linebacker when the defense is lined up with a 4-3 front, where his speed and zone awareness will assist the team’s short-to-intermediate pass coverage.

Arthur Moats, 25, 6’2” 250 (sleeper)

While Arthur Moats is currently listed as an outside linebacker on the official BuffaloBills.com roster, he fits the mold of the typical middle linebacker. Since being selected in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft, the defensive coaching staff hasn’t been able to find a clearly defined role for Moats.

He’s played defensive end, strongside linebacker and a few snaps at inside linebacker. Moats’ combination of size and his ability to defend the run could help him earn a role in the middle of the Bills’ defense, considering the depth at outside linebacker.

Jerry Hughes is versatile enough to play Will or Mike, which is what attracted the Bills. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Jerry Hughes, 24, 6’2” 254 (sleeper)

Like Moats, Hughes is primarily a pass rush specialist that is adequate in coverage.

Acquired in a straight up trade for Kelvin Sheppard with the Indianapolis Colts, Hughes’ versatility is what attracted former General Manager Buddy Nix.

Speaking of the Hughes acquisition, Nix told Buffalo News columnist Mark Gaughan,

“We want our linebackers to at least be able to play both outside spots. We’d like our middle backers to have the ability to play Will or Mike. So that really was enticing about Jerry”

Marcus Dowtin, 24, 6’3” 226

Acquired via waivers last month, Marcus Dowtin was a former student of Coach Pettine during his time on the Jets’ roster. Dowtin is extremely undersized for a typical inside linebacker, but again, versatility is the theme here; just take a look at what he had to say about his role(s) on the Jets.

“I was able to also play multiple positions like running back, receiver, safety, corner, roving linebacker, and blitz off the edge as well,” he said on the radio show. “I worked on my skills under Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine. I definitely enjoyed my time there and learned a lot.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue to be versatile and play for the Bills the same way I did for the Jets.”

Dowtin will most likely play a similar role to the one Pettine used Demario Davis, another undersized inside linebacker. His defensive role will likely be seeing limited snaps in obvious passing situations, while adding some value to the special teams’ coverage unit.

Brian Smith, 24, 6’3” 240

After a productive collegiate career at Notre Dame in which Brian Smith recorded 199 tackles, 5.5 sacks, intercepted four passes and forced three fumbles, he went undrafted in 2011. Bouncing from the Cleveland Browns to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bills signed Smith in December.

Smith played both outside linebacker in Notre Dame’s 3-4 defense while seeing time at both inside and middle linebacker as well.

Greg Lloyd, 24, 6’1” 247

Greg Lloyd was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles after recording 179 tackles, 15 for a loss, and five sacks during his four years with the UConn Huskies. In November of last season, the Bills signed Lloyd to the practice squad, and promoted him to the active roster in December. However, he has yet to play one snap in the NFL. Lloyd will have to prove himself in order to earn a role with the 2013 Bills.

Stay tuned throughout the next few weeks as we breakdown the 10 Buffalo Bills that are poised for breakout years in 2013!

The second breakout player (editor’s note: click here for breakout player #1) of the 2013 Buffalo Bills will be linebacker Nigel Bradham. Bradham was a fourth round draft pick last year out of Florida State. Initially, Bradham primarily played special teams, before seeing his defensive snaps increase as the season went on.

Bradham finished the 2012 season with 57 tackles while playing the strong side linebacker position. In defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s hybrid 3-4 defense, Bradham has the versatility and athleticism to perform at a high level at multiple positions.

Nigel Bradham saw his defensive snaps increase as last season went on. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Bradham’s statistics didn’t tell the whole story of how good he was as a rookie, as he was extremely productive against the run during his rookie season. He recorded 24 stops versus the run, despite playing just 229 run snaps, ranking his as ProFootballFocus’ 14^th ranked 4-3 outside linebacker.

Furthermore, Nigel was a sure tackler, missing one tackle per 12.8 attempts, good for 18^th among all 4-3 outside linebackers.

Bradham brings the versatility that the new coaching staff has been preaching, meaning he will likely be one of the key starters in the new defensive scheme. Bradham is arguably the most athletic linebacker on the Bills’ roster, meaning he can play anywhere from the TED (weak side inside linebacker), WILL (weak side linebacker), SAM (strong side linebacker) and the MIKE (strong side inside linebacker).

The 6’2” 240 pounder also made huge contributions on special teams, recording nine tackles on kick and punt coverage last season, ranking him ninth among 632 qualifying players.

In Coach Pettine’s defense, Bradham will likely be moved around, playing a variety of roles as the team transitions into more of a nickel base that will feature both 3-4 and 4-3 looks.

Bradham’s athleticism and ability to play multiple positions at a high level gives him the chance to be the most productive player on the Bills’ defense in 2013.

As a fourth round draft pick, he contributed far more than expected as a rookie and his future only looks brighter heading into the 2013 season.

Nigel Bradham Projected Stat Line: 95 Tackles, 3.0 sacks, 4 FF, INT

Buddy Nix, now-former Bills GM. (Photo lifted from NESN.com)

The Buffalo Bills announced that general manager Buddy Nix was stepping down from his position, paving the way for Doug Whaley to take over as the team transitions into a new era.

While there has been a ton of hate for Nix’s failure to address the quarterback position since he was hired as general manager in 2009, he clearly had a plan to build the team into a contender for the long-term.

When Nix took over in 2009, the roster was in shambles at every position. The rebuild would not be easy, which is why he took the “best player available” route in the draft, rather than drafting for need.

Instead of selecting a quarterback that would essentially be set up for failure, much like Jacksonville did by selecting Blaine Gabbert or the Texans selecting David Carr; both teams that had no running game, no offensive line, and subpar receivers, Nix stuck to his board, opting to select the most talented players to fill out the roster.

In 2009, the offensive line consisted of Kirk Chambers, Geoff Hangartner, Brad Butler and Jonathan Scott. Now, the Bills have young talented players like Cordy Glenn, Eric Wood, Kraig Urbik and Chris Hairston.

He turned a front seven featuring Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay, Kawika Mitchell, Keith Ellison and Marcus Stroud into a ferocious bunch with the likes of Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, Marcell Dareus, Kiko Alonso, and Manny Lawson.

Nix scoured the waiver wire as well, adding Scott Chandler, who has been arguably the best tight end the Bills have had in roughly 20 years, and Kraig Urbik, a mauling guard that recently signed a long-term extension.

Like every NFL executive, Nix had his share of errors. Passing on quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick in 2011, and opting to go in a different direction than Russell Wilson on day 2 of the 2012 draft. But can you really blame him for wanting to field the best possible roster in order for a young quarterback to succeed?

Nix’s selection of EJ Manuel with define his legacy in Buffalo. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

In the three years Nix spent as General Manager, the Bills posted a 16-32 record. But when you take a step back and compare the 2013 roster to the one he inherited from 2009, Nix clearly made the team better and has put them in a position to succeed for the foreseeable future.

Nix’s 2013 draft selection of E.J. Manuel will define his legacy as the general manager of the Bills, but Nix never got the respect from the fans he truly deserved. He took over what was arguably the worst roster in the National Football League and had to replace nearly every player on the team.

From the 90 players from the 2009 training camp roster, only seven players remain on the team: Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Kyle Williams, Rian Lindell, Garrison Sanborn, Bryan Scott and Leodis McKelvin.

General Managers are typically given three-to-four years max to turn over a roster, and Nix left right when it appears that all the pieces are in place to be a contender.

Luckily, the Bills stated that Nix would be retained as a “special assistant” to Whaley, meaning that he will have the chance to see his work in action.

For those knocking Nix for the team’s lack of success during his tenure, take a step back and realize that he had the best intentions for the Buffalo Bills’ organization; grooming and mentoring Whaley into one of the most respected assistant executives in the league, while rebuilding a roster that had no chance.

All in all, Nix did a fine job during his time with the Bills, and should be held in high regards by fans. He took on a difficult task that many potential suitors wanted no part of.

On behalf of the #BillsMafia, dadgumit, thank you Buddy!

Stay tuned throughout the next few weeks as we breakdown the 10 Buffalo Bills that are poised for breakout years in 2013!

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

While you normally wouldn’t be in a position to say that a player that has averaged just over nine sacks per year throughout the past seven seasons and was his team’s sack leader hasn’t broken out, Bills’ defensive end/ outside linebacker Mario Williams could very well be ready for his best season yet.

The former No. 1 overall pick signed with the Bills as a free agent last year, and was limited to playing left defensive end in former defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt’s relaxed 4-3 defensive scheme.

Mario consistently faced double teams, taking on not only right tackles, but was frequently chipped by guards and tight ends as well. Still, Williams finished the season with 10.5 sacks, the highest sack total of any Bills defensive lineman since Aaron Schobel was on the roster.

Williams dealt with a wrist injury throughout the year and recorded just 16 tackles and 3.5 sacks before getting surgery to repair it during the week eight bye. Following the bye week, Williams went on a tear, racking up 30 tackles, seven sacks and forced two fumbles over the final nine games of the year.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Williams graded out as the 12^th best overall 4-3 defensive end in the 2012 season out of 42 qualifying players. His 56 quarterback pressures were 12^th at his position. However, his ability as an all-around player went far beyond the stat sheet.

Williams made 23 “stops” against the run which ranked eighth among defensive ends. Mario was reportedly hovering around 300 pounds last year, but exhibits the necessary length, strength and push to consistently bring down running backs in the backfield.

Now, with the Bills’ transition to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s “hybrid” defense, Williams will have the opportunity to make more plays from a variety of places on the field.

With the offseason additions of pass rushers such as Manny Lawson and Keith Pough, coupled with the return of fellow defensive end/linebacker Mark Anderson from injury, Williams won’t face as many double teams making it increasingly difficult for opposing offenses to locate him prior to the snap.

In 3-4 looks, Mario’s versatility allows him to play multiple roles. His large frame enables him to anchor the five-technique defensive end position, where Houston Texans’ interior pass rusher J.J. Watt and former Bills’ defensive end and Hall of Famer Bruce Smith saw great success, in penetrating and attacking one-gap fronts.

Additionally, he has proven effective as a standup pass-rushing outside linebacker in the same scheme. In his last season as a Texan, Williams racked up five sacks in as many games, while recording 23 quarterback pressures in 123 pass rushing snaps before suffering a season ending pectoral injury.

In 4-3 looks, Williams can return to his natural defensive end position, where he can use his power to bull rush offensive tackles and disrupt plays in the backfield.

Coach Pettine is a smart individual and is going to put the best player on the team’s defense in a position to excel, no matter what the situation may be.

Throughout Pettine’s time with the Ravens and the Jets, he’s made one thing clear: he likes to get after opposing quarterbacks. Just because history says that defensive lineman are only asked to occupy offensive linemen, doesn’t mean Pettine abides by this.

In Baltimore, Pettine has used players like Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata to not only set the edge, but to attack the quarterback. Pryce contributed 13 sacks with the Ravens in 2006, and Shaun Ellis totaled 11 sacks during the 2009-10 seasons with the Jets.

Most recently, Pettine has utilized the talents of Muhammed Wilkerson and Quinton Coples, who combined for 10.5 sacks in the 2012 season.

While Mario Williams is a pass rusher first-and-foremost, his versatility, size and athleticism will allow him to play multiple roles in a hybrid defense, in a scheme where offenses will have to account for more than just him.

Mario Williams Projected Stat Line- 58 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 4 FF 

These players aren’t necessarily fighting for a job on the roster, but if they prove themselves to the new coaching staff, they could easily move their way up the depth chart in a hurry.

Note: No rookies were meant to be featured in this piece

5.      WR Kevin Elliott

The Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Kevin Elliott in mid-December of last season and quickly signed the former 6’2” 220 pounder to a two-year deal. Elliott has the prototypical size and speed necessary to compete as an outside receiver, but after the Bills added Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Da’rick Rogers and Kevin Norrell in the draft and free agency, Elliott needs to showcase his ability.

Elliott is a physically imposing target that displays excellent athleticism and ball skills necessary to make plays that other receivers would typically struggle to make.

The wide receiver position will boil down to a numbers game, but Elliott is a sleeper that could earn a spot on the final roster.

4.      LB Arthur Moats

With the Bills transitioning to a hybrid 3-4 defensive front, Arthur Moats projects well to the strongside pass rusher role he will likely be playing. However, the Bills signed Manny Lawson, a more experienced veteran that plays the same position in free agency.

In the Chan Gailey era, Moats appeared in 43 games, but started just four. This was due to Moats being moved everywhere from defensive end to inside linebacker and outside linebacker. In his three seasons with the team, Moats recorded 87 tackles and five sacks.

With players like Lawson and Mario Williams that will likely see their share of time at the pass-rushing outside linebacker position, Moats needs to make the most out of this offseason and prove that he’s worthy of garnering significant playing time in 2013.

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

3.      S Da’Norris Searcy

Da’Norris Searcy began to see an increase in playing time last year, appearing in roughly 23% of the snaps at the strong safety position. Following the release of veteran safety George Wilson, it appeared that the front office had big plans for Searcy heading into the 2013 season.

However, the team announced they were moving former cornerback Aaron Williams to safety, while double dipping at the position in the draft, selecting Nevada strong safety Duke Williams and a versatile defensive back in Jonathan Meeks out of Clemson.

While Searcy clearly has the upper hand in terms of experience over the rookies selected in the draft, he still needs to prove that he’s worthy of a full-time role in Mike Pettine’s defense.

2.      S Aaron Williams

Aaron Williams is a big and physical defensive back that just couldn’t cut it at the cornerback position. The former second round pick out of Texas has been moved to safety, where his range and ability to react to developing plays will allow him to be a more productive player in the secondary.

At the cornerback position, Williams just didn’t have the fluidity to consistently match up with opposing wideouts, but in Pettine’s hybrid defense, he will be allowed to play both strong safety and play over the top, where he will be able to utilize his skill set to match up with tight ends and slot receivers, while adding run support.

Williams is a solid tackler that could really produce in the right system. Still, he hasn’t played the safety position in a few years and with several players at the position currently on the roster, Williams needs to play well in camp to prove that he was worthy of his second round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

1.      WR TJ Graham

Selected with the third round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, T.J. Graham is a small, but explosive wide receiver. Coming out of North Carolina State, Graham had exceptional speed, but was raw in terms of route running ability and awareness.

Graham managed to haul in 31 passes for 322 yards and a score, but his hands were questionable, as he dropped seven passes last year according to ProFootballFocus.com. Being targeted 58 times, Graham had the second-highest “drop rate” in the National Football League among 82 qualifying wide receivers

In the 2013 NFL draft, the team selected Marquise Goodwin, another small speedster that seems to fit the same role that Graham was brought in to fill. Graham now has a full professional season under his belt and with another couple months of offseason training, he should have a bit of an advantage over Goodwin for now.

Graham has the speed to be a deep threat as an outside receiver, but he will have to match Goodwin’s quickness and agility to compete with him for snaps at both the “X” (split end) or the “H” (slot) role.

Dangerfield was a three-year starter for Towson, where he was a captain and named first-team all CAA.

Dangerfield has experience at free safety, but had the physicality to play the strong side as well.

At 5’11″ 200 pounds, Dangerfield displays excellent range and delivers powerful hits on ball carriers.

Jordan was kind enough to answer some questions with the #BillsMafia just a day before Rookie Mini-Camp begins.

As always, be sure to follow Jordan on Twitter (@DanGer_FieLd46) and wish him luck!

Jordan Dangerfield highlight reel

1. You transferred from Hofstra to Towson after Hofstra shut down the football program. Can you explain what that process was like?

The process was something I wouldn’t want anyone to go through. It was difficult to find a school who was really interested and who was telling the truth, being that the high-school signing day being right around the corner at that time.

Towson was the school showing the most interest and moved the fastest in the process. I set my visit up, fell in love with the town, school, campus. I saw the direction Towson was moving in, and I wanted to be a part of a program that was on the turn around. That is one reason why I chose Hofstra.

2. You were a three-year starter at free safety, but you play an extremely physical brand of football. Do you feel that you could play strong safety as well?

Yes definitely. At Towson we used more right/left safeties as both were basically the same. Every play we were rotating from being in the box to playing over top.

(Photo lifted from CAAZone.com)

What do you feel is your biggest strength as a player?

I feel my biggest strength as a player is my physical play; playing hard, getting the defense lined up and being a smart player on the field.

In your mind, what is the most important attribute a defensive back must have in order to succeed?

Every defensive back must have that swagger out on the field. They must know all the plays and have a short memory after a play doesn’t go our way. We have to put the past behind us fast and move on to the next play in order to succeed.

Who was your inspiration to play football as a kid?

My parents and my two older brothers are close behind.

Which NFL player do you model your game after?

Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu

If you had to tell fans to pick one of your college games to watch, which would it be?

My senior year against LSU!

Towson went 1-10 in your sophomore season. You were elected team captain, and went 9-2 the following year. How did you rally the team that year?

I was tired of losing and so was everyone else, so I preached on that a lot. I made sure our team was focused on the little things and everyone was doing their part on the team.

What are some of your hobbies away from football?

Hanging out with my family, spending time with my brothers, playing video games and watching movies. Just relaxing. I am laid back and always down to do whatever.

What can fans expect from you both on and off the field?

No matter what it is that I am doing, I will be giving it 110% of my effort. I will always give my all in everything I am doing.
GO BILLS !!!! #BillsMafia