NFL Notes: Bills, Bucs, Colts & Raiders

Bills

Bills DE Mario Williams offered his opinion about his lack of production in HC Rex Ryan‘s defensive scheme .

“We were building a defense that we can go and shut people down, shut people out, and then all of a sudden everything just changes as far as how the players are used,” said Williams, via Mike Rodak of ESPN. “That’s just kind of odd to me. … I’m not saying that the scheme is wrong, I’m just saying that our strengths could be utilized better. … In our meetings defensively, especially in our defensive line room, we said, ‘Can we go straight? Can we just go? Can we turn it loose?’

Williams admits that he was not accustomed to Ryan’s system, questioning when he had to drop back into coverage instead of rushing the quarterback.

“It’s kind of crazy when you are asked to do something that is totally different, but yet as a whole it didn’t work out defensively. … But yet I’m the one whose production has fallen off? Like, that is why I’m saying, I’m prepared for anything because I know I’m going to prove a point and that is not even a question in my mind,” said Williams.

Williams, 31, gathered just five sacks in 2015 after racking up 15 in the previous season. Pro Football Focus rated him as their No. 44 defensive end in a 4-3 system out of 48 qualifiers.

There is rumor that Williams is a candidate to be released from Buffalo this offseason.

“At the end of the day, if I’m not there, I’ll show you that I’m better than what I’ve been before. Like, that’s just a chip on my shoulder regardless of whether I am there or not, because given the opportunity I’ll get back to what I was,” said Williams.

We will provide more information regarding the Bills and Williams as the news becomes available.

Buccaneers

• Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com expects the Buccaneers to select as many as three defensive linemen in the upcoming NFL Draft.
• Reynolds believes Baylor DE Shawn Oakman could be considered by the Buccaneers.

Colts

• The Colts announced they have hired Jemal Singleton as running backs coach, Maurice Drayton as assistant special teams coach, and Lee Hull as their new receivers coach.

Raiders

• Jeff McDonald  points out that LB Curtis Lofton‘s $5.3 million salary sticks out as a possible cap casualty, largely due to his part-time work in 2015 and the progress of fifth round rookie LB Ben Heeney.