Had a chance to sit down with Buffalo Bills play-by-play man John Murphy this week, an interview you will see on All Sports WNY on WBBZ-TV July 23rd at 6:30pm and the topic of the Bills Defense came up. In fact, Murphy feels it was the lack of attention to the defensive side of the ball that cost Chan Gailey his job as coach of the Bills.

The Defense last season was off the charts bad at times, allowing the opposition to run up statistical totals that were the worst in team history. Dave Wanndstedt’s inability to utilize the talent assembled,especially in the front seven, was beyond puzzling.

New Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine has impressed Murphy and other’s who watch the Bills every day with his attacking defensive scheme. Pettine was mentored by Jet’s Coach Rex Ryan and the scheme is based on pre-snap reads more than most defenses.

Both sides of the ball under Coach Doug Marrone will rely on speed, both in personnel and execution. Offensive Coordinator Nate Hackett will institute a n0-huddle offense that has been rumored to be among the quickest in the league.

Bills fans who remember the “K-gun” with Jim Kelly know what a fast paced no-huddle offense can do to opposing defenses. However, wanting to run a fast paced offense and being efficient doing it are two different things. Kelly was superb at finding his reads and choosing between a run and pass, but it was Kent Hull at Center that really made the “K-gun” work as well as it did.

Hull could make changes and the correct calls with the offensive lineman that allowed Kelly to just worry about the pass coverage and not the protection. Will Eric Woods be able to duplicate Hull’s skill?

John Murphy is also among those who believe Kevin Kolb will be the starter at QB come September 8th unless EJ Manuel has a stellar camp. Murph hinted that Manuel is having some transitional issues to the NFL with his mechanics which is not unusual for a rookie. Murphy did feel Manuel’s physical skills and dedication to the game will eventually place him in the starting slot.

For more on John Murphy’s insights and a behind the scenes view of the Bills nightly radio show on WGR tune in to All Sports WNY Tuesday, July 23rd at 6:30pm on WBBZ-TV.

 

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