(WGR 550) -- Two things to glean from the Bills reported hiring of Giff Smith as outside linebackers coach, and I think both are entirely reasonable.
1) They are going to a 3-4.
2) There's a good chance they'll take Derrick Morgan with the No. 9 over all pick if he's available.
Follow me here.
Smith coached the defensive line at Georgia Tech, where Morgan was an absolute beast, declaring for the draft after a monster junior year that saw him record 12 sacks in 13 games, including three multi-sack games.
At 6'4", 275 pounds, Morgan fits the prototype of an outside linebacker in the 3-4, and is also ranked by many as a Top Ten pick in April's draft (New Bills head coach Chan Gailey recruited Morgan to school in Atlanta).
By hiring an outside linebackers coach, it'd be reasonable to assume they'd also hire an inside linebackers coach and, unless the Bills plan on having two players coached by one guy, you'd think the recipe called for two starting inside linebackers. Otherwise, it would make for an awkward introduction (For our purposes, let's pretend the Bills hire GT linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary as their inside linebackers coach).
"Paul, Kawika... this is Brian Jean-Mary. Yeah, he'll be your inside linebackers coach. It's just you three, all-year, so let's hope you guys get along reeeeeeal well."
Side note: There was always a funny side-note to covering 2009 Bills practices, watching tight ends coach Charlie Coiner work with anywhere between one and three tight ends on a daily basis. On his best days, he had Joe Klopfenstein, Shawn Nelson and Jonathan Stupar. Most days, Klopfenstein was not on the roster, so there would be Coiner, "coaching up" two guys. Two guys.
So, presuming the Atlanta-Journal Constitution is correct in reporting that Smith is leaving the Yellow Jackets for Buffalo, look out for the 3-4, and maybe Morgan (more on what that draft could look like HERE).
If we do draft this guy from Georgia Tech most likely Teboew wont go til 2nd round, now if Oakland gets this guy or screws this up, now what?
01/27/2010 7:23AM
like....
the 3-4. lets go buffalo!
01/27/2010 7:50AM
3-4 and The QB issue
I like the 3-4, and if it encourages the Bills to not draft a QB in the first two rounds, that may be a good thing. None of the quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl practice have acquitted themselves well, and the two big names (Claussen and Bradford) have injury issues. Track down a big man like Cody for the NT in round 2, move Schoebel to the other OLB spot, use Maybin as a situational pass rusher and you have a shot at a formidable defense.
01/27/2010 8:21AM
What about O-Line?
Where is the tackle? They must have a FA plan. Got to get a beast @NT for the 3-4. Wait and pick up QB Lefevor for CMU, cold weather guy, with lots of passing yds.
01/27/2010 8:57AM
I can't wait...
to buy my season tickets tomorrow! BwaHAHAHAHA! Sure don't take a QB in the 1st round, not like the Bills need one or anything like that. LMAO!
01/27/2010 9:00AM
real deal
morgan is a beast in rd 1 rd two get a strong saftey that doesnt have a leagal issue every year like the guy with all the character we drafted a few years back...Sign Joey Porter, Wilfork if Avail. both of these guys would love to stick to their old teams 2 times a year...o yeah and if u go out and get kerry rhodes u wont have to use 2nd rd on SS u could get a lineman...wow that was a good dream i just had over night, who the hell is GIFF SMITH???
01/27/2010 9:03AM
Tony Pike
I'm a relocated Buffalo guy and I go to the University of Cincinnati. Tony Pike for Bills QB in this scenario. I'd take Tebow as well, but Tony has been great for us, and I think he will have a nice combine. Watch for him!
01/27/2010 9:08AM
Rather see them take a NT
I'm fine with drafting defense. The one sticking point is that they need much more size in the middle if they are going to a 3-4. If they are not going to draft a gigantic human being to clog the middle its an absolute waste to make this switch.Granted they need better LB's but a dominant NT is a much greater need.
01/27/2010 9:08AM
Maybin will start
if they move to the 3-4, sink or swim. He too is a prototypical OLB in the 3-4 and they have to see what they've got with this kid. The prospect of Morgan and Maybin on the outside is intriguing.
01/27/2010 9:46AM
Maybin is OLB
...so they don't need another in round 1
01/27/2010 12:10PM
only
Morgan makes sense only if Schoebel retires then he steps in for him with Maybin being OLB as Morgan is probly 50 lbs heavier than Maybin. Still you need a franchise QB and LT, both more important than Morgan, sorry
01/27/2010 12:42PM
3-4??
WHATS THAT THE MAXIMUM REQUIREMENT OF LETTERS ALLOWED BEFORE YOUR HIRED BY THE BILLS??? ERRRR RUSS,TOM,CHAN,GIFF AND BUD(DY)
01/27/2010 6:47PM
why?
there are the same amount of linebackers in the 3-4 as the 4-3 so everyone instantly saying that theyre switching to a 3-4 cause they hired an outer linebackers coach makes no sense at all
01/27/2010 9:27PM
like it
they just need some players to play the 3-4 d.
01/28/2010 12:24PM
makes sense
if you look at this logically i feel QB and LT are the priority. I think you have to put off the 3-4 till next year. You'd need a good DT plus way too many LB's. If we had 2 first round pics i can see it, unless they are agressive in free agency but most of the difference makers will be franchised or go elsewhere. The two biggest DT's Cody and Williams are not elite like a Casey Hampton
01/30/2010 9:17AM
3-4 is not a better scheme
Get over this obsession on the 3-4. the best defensive scheme is the one that fits your players. If the players that they get are best fit for the 3-4 then go that way. In the 90s everyone blindly switched to the 4-3 because Philly had so much successwith it. The reality is that when you hvae Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons and Reggie White, then 4-3 is the best scheme. If you have Troy Polomalu, then the 3-4 is your defense. Smarten up fans! Think... don't just copy!
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