Western New York has experienced something new over the past few seasons in regard to the Buffalo Bills: Wins.
Even so, the team turning things around hasn’t turned off a torch that burns bright. Someone has to be the scapegoat for the Bills, even when they’re 9-3.
After the offensive coordinator took that responsibility for about two decades, Brian Daboll shook it off. Just this season, linebacker AJ Klein was the guy for most of 2020. Then he appears to have passed the torch to cornerback Levi Wallace.
The difference now is that the Bills coaching staff agrees with the commentary this time around. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier reflected on the highly-criticized effort that Wallace put in against the 49ers this week and Frazier was certainly critical.
“There were definitely some plays out there that he’d like to have back. There were some moments where you’d like to see him get a hand on some of those balls. It didn’t happen,” Frazier said said via video conference.
This week it remains to be seen what the Bills do against the Steelers (11-1). With a plethora of targets such as JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool at their wideout spots, even if the team wants to move a Dane Jackson or Josh Norman into Wallace’s spot at the No. 2 spot across from Tre’Davious White, Wallace still might be relied upon.
Wallace recorded among the NFL’s worst coverage grades via Pro Football Focus’ grading scale, a 28.1, vs. the Niners. Of course, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Frazier mentioned that, complimenting Wallace’s tackling.
“There was some other times where he was in position and was able to help us, making some tackles,” Frazier said. “But it did seem as if they were really, in his case… [throwing to] the guy that was away from Tre’Davious. When that happens, you’ve just got to find a way to make some plays.”
But certainly the Bills might be in a bit of a pickle between Wallace, Jackson and Norman and hoping for better place from Wallace might be the route to go.
In Jackson, you’ve got a seventh-round rookie. Wallace himself went undrafted and is a starter, but thrusting Jackson into the spotlight on Sunday Night Football might be a tall order. Although, he has flashed.
Norman, 32, signed a one-year deal with the Bills and the team hoped he could rejuvenate his career. He hasn’t and Norman recently reflected on that, saying it’s been just “one thing after another” in terms of being sidelined.
But the vet does sound eager to try and get back out there
“I’m looking forward to finishing this thing out on a high note,” Norman added.
Who goes where in Buffalo’s secondary against the AFC North leading Steelers in Week 14 is certainly something to keep an eye on around kickoff.
[lawrence-related id=74270,74294,73823,74256]