The Buffalo Bills are ready to contend for a playoff spot in Rex Ryan’s second year at the helm, but they must improve in all three phases of the game in order to do that.
The 2015 Buffalo Bills finished 8-8 and failed to meet the lofty expectations that were set for them prior to the season.
Related Story: Profile on rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland
From inconsistent quarterback play from Tyrod Taylor to injuries to a suspect defense, the 2015 Bills left a lot to be desired. If the Bills are going to challenge the Patriots in the AFC East, they must improve in these areas.
Here are five things the Bills must do schematically in 2016.
1. Run Tyrod Taylor: I don’t think offensive coordinator Greg Roman did enough with Tyrod Taylor in the running game last season. Roman needs to look at what he did with Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco and utilize some of those concepts with Taylor. From zone read to designed quarterback runs, the Bills need to do more with Taylor as a runner.
2. Split Carries Between LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams: Rex Ryan needs to go back to what made him successful offensively early on with the Jets and split carries between LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams.
Just like he did in New York with Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene, Ryan needs to run utilize McCoy as his zone scheme runner and Williams as his power back. Carries should be predicated on the match up.
3. Blitz, Blitz, Blitz: With Rob Ryan now on the staff, look for the Bills to get into a variety of fronts, coverages and sub packages and bring more pressure. The Ryan’s love designing blitz packages and implementing them. Look for the Bills to blitz 30-40% of the time.
4. Generate Match Ups With Charles Clay: The Bills didn’t get enough out of Charles Clay in 2015. Clay only caught 51 passes for 528 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bills gave Clay a 5 year, $38 million dollar contract with $24 million guaranteed. They made a huge financial commitment to Clay and he needs to play like one of the highest paid players at his position.
In order to do that, Clay needs to be moved around in formations and personnel groupings and used to generate match ups. Look for Clay to line up at tight end, in the slot and split end in an effort to free him up and generate favorable one on one match ups.
More Bills: Profile on franchise tackle Cordy Glenn
5. Take Advantage of Playing in Buffalo: The Bills have a distinct advantage at home, especially when the weather gets colder. They need to do more schematically to take advantage of it. They need to be more physical on both sides of the ball and they must take advantage of the wind on special teams. Rex Ryan has to place a premium on the kicking game in Buffalo.