The Bills ranked 26th in total defense last season. Linebacker Nick Barnett thinks they can improve that number by 26.
"I think we can be as good as the best defense in the NFL if we do what we’re supposed to do," Barnett told reporters Tuesday, according to BuffaloBills.com "I definitely think we have that potential."
While Buffalo's defense has a lot to prove on the field, it looks pretty stout on paper. "Best in the league" seems like a bit of a stretch at this point, but the Bills' defenders definitely make up a unit that is much-improved from a year ago.
Buffalo signed standout defensive end Mario Williams to a $100 million contract and added defensive end Mark Anderson, who recorded double-digits worth of sacks in 2011. The Bills were already solid on the interior with an underrated Kyle Williams and second-year tackle Marcell Dareus.
The Bills have a good mix of young and old in the secondary and linebacker corps, including a veteran presence in safety George Wilson coupled with first-round cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who could start right away.
"We’ve got great pass rushers. We’ve got great interior linemen. We’ve got young hungry linebackers. I’m getting a little long in the tooth but I still consider myself young and we’ve got some young DB’s," Barnett said. "I don’t know if you guys are watching but they look pretty good... A lot of potential to be one of the best defenses in the NFL."
Only two teams gave up more points-per-game than the Bills last season.
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Only two teams gave up more points-per-game than the Bills last season.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
