What does this mean for the rest of the AFC East?
The Williams signing gives the Bills arguably the best defense in the division. While the New York Jets will certainly take umbrage with that statement based on their outstanding secondary, the Bills now have a defense that features playmakers on every level. From Williams and Dareus controlling the line of scrimmage to Nick Barnett and Jairus Byrd making critical plays in back seven, the Bills have a deep and talented lineup that can thrive against any offensive style.
In the AFC East, the unit has to match up against the New England Patriots’ diversified attack. The Pats place a premium on spreading the field with multiple formations and personnel groupings, while using the short passing game to stretch the defense horizontally. After watching the New York Giants’ front four throttle the attack in Super Bowl XLVI, the Bills now have the capability of using a similar approach in a pair of division games.
For the Miami Dolphins and Jets, the Bills’ revamped defense now possesses a front line to control the game in the trenches, neutralizing both teams’ ground-based attacks. The size and athleticism of the defensive line can create penetration at the point, allowing the linebackers to flow freely to the ball.
NFL.com news: Mario Williams takes stout Buffalo defense to next level
And on the third day of Free Agency Buffalo ascended to the top defense in the AFC East…