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Analyzing Jets Rivals: Catching up on Buffalo Bills Off-season Moves

Rex Ryan (Getty Images)

Rex Ryan (Getty Images)

 

After seeing the notable moves that the New England Patriots have made this offseason, let’s continue the look around the division with the Buffalo Bills. Rex Ryan’s squad finished in third place in the AFC East with an 8-8 record.

We all know how much Rex Ryan loves his defense, so let’s start on the defensive side of the ball, the Bills have signed Robert Blanton, a Safety who spent the past four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He has played in all 16 games in two of the past three years (15 games played in 2014). He had 34 combined tackles last year but had 106 in 2014.

Adding to their linebacker depth, the Bills have signed Zach Brown, who played the first four years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Brown played in just one game in 2014 due to injury but played in all 16 last year where he had 77 combined tackles.

Former Jet, Leger Douzable signed with Buffalo in June. The DT is entering his 9th season in the NFL and spent the last three years with the Jets. Douzable is a durable player as he has appeared in all 16 games in each of the past four seasons and played in 15 games in 2010. Douzable had 14 combined tackles last year and 25 combined tackles in 2014.

And perhaps the biggest news from this offseason was the decision to release DE Mario Williams who spent the past four seasons in Buffalo. The 31 year old has played in 63 games in the last four years with the Bills. Last year, he had a combined total of 19 tackles which is way down from his 2014 total of 42. Williams signed a new contract with the Miami Dolphins.

The Bills made a few moves offensively, but nothing major. Just a few newcomers that haven’t had big impacts on other teams. Also a few offensive players were drafted in the middle and late rounds of the draft, most notably Cardale Jones, the QB from Ohio State University. He was taken 139th overall in the 4th round.

Notable Draft Picks – With their first round pick, the Bills selected Shaq Lawson with the 19th overall pick. Lawson is a DE that played college football at the Clemson University. With the 41st overall pick, the Bills Selected Reggie Ragland out of the University of Alabama.

There were also a few interesting coaching personnel moves made in the offseason. First of all, the Bills hired Rob Ryan (Rex’s brother) as their new defensive coordinator. They also named Ed Reed as the assistant defensive backs coach. Reed actually spent the final year of his career with the Jets but spent the bulk of his career with the Baltimore Ravens from 2002-2012.

An update on the Miami Dolphins offseason moves will be coming in a few days.

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