Buffalo Bills: Can Rex Ryan Get the Defense to Rebound?

The Buffalo Bills finished with an 8-8 record in 2015, and one of the reasons for the mediocrity was their defense.

When Rex Ryan was hired by the Buffalo Bills prior to the start of last season, the expectations were for the Bills to have one of the best defenses in the NFL. However, the Bills’ defense really struggled last season even with talent and the great defensive mind of Ryan.

In 2015, the Bills were ranked 19th in total yards allowed last season, which was a major drop after being ranked fourth in that same category in 2014. Injuries certainly played a factor in the drop, but the locker room also didn’t seem to be 100 percent behind Ryan.

Jul 30, 2016; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive back Robert Blanton (26) puts in extra work after the first session of training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

“You’ve got to look at yourself first. ‘This has never happened. Why is it happening?’” Ryan said of the complaints to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “I’m sure the players in some way were justified in saying things. It might not have been as smooth as it normally is because we were going through it.

This offseason, Ryan has surrounded himself with a coaching staff that he hopes will help turn the defense around in Buffalo. The hiring of his brother Rob Ryan and his former safety Ed Reed should help the Bills’ defense establish the identity that Ryan wants. Ryan’s message has been clear this training camp. He wants the team to be all in and not be a divided unit.

“He said, I need guys to be all-in. This isn’t going to work if we’re not all-in,” veteran guard Richie Incognito said to Pelissero. “Last year, we had some division, no matter where it was. It was pretty clear, and we finish 8-8. We don’t need anybody bitching and moaning.”

There is a lot of talent on all levels of the Bills’ defense heading into 2016, as Ryan will be trying to lead them back to becoming one of the best defensive units in the league. Last season, Ryan’s defense allowed 30 or more points in five of their 16 games, which is a shocking thing to see from a Ryan-coached defense. Even though his first season in didn’t go as planned, Ryan isn’t worried about the pressure on him to succeed.

“I’ve never even once in my life felt pressure about a job,” Ryan told Pelissero. “It’s never been about me, and that’s how I approach it. I’m just going to do the best job I can, but not for one iota, not one second of 30 years of coaching have I ever worried about my job.”

If the Bills are able to stay healthy this coming season, there shouldn’t be any reason why they won’t get back to being one of the best defenses in the league. Ryan runs a very different style of defense compared to most other coaches and having a full season with him as the coach should help players on the Bills feel more comfortable on the field.

If Ryan is able to get some of the players to buy into his system next season, the Bills’ defense will have a great season in 2016.

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