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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Despite all the attention the Buffalo Bills spent on retooling their defence this offseason, Perry Fewell thinks it's way too early to get overly excited or start speaking in absolutes.
Then again, the coordinator has good reason to couch his hopes after what happened last year, when the Bills defence was decimated by injuries at every position but tackle. So Fewell peppers his comments with words like "should" and "might" in acknowledging his unit has the potential to be vastly improved after finishing 31st in yards allowed in the NFL last year.
"Yes, on paper," Fewell said during the Bills three-day rookie minicamp this weekend. "On paper, we've done some things to enhance the defence. Now, can we execute it when the pads go on? That'll be the big thing."
Those enhancements have been many and began when Buffalo made a splash during the first weekend of free agency in March. Besides signing two free agents, linebacker Kawika Mitchell and defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, the Bills also acquired three-time Pro Bowl tackle Marcus Stroud in a trade with Jacksonville.
The Bills continued addressing their defensive needs in the NFL draft by selecting cornerback Leodis McKelvin with the No. 11 pick and then added depth by picking defensive end Chris Ellis in the third round.
The additions immediately bolster what had been a young and ragtag group of defenders that was inconsistent, endured several late-game collapses and was particularly porous against the run last season. The Bills should also get a boost from the return of linebacker Paul Posluszny and free safety Ko Simpson, two starters who missed most of last season due to injuries.
Stroud's presence should anchor the front four and free up defensive end Aaron Schobel to re-establish a pass rush that proved deficient last season. Mitchell adds veteran presence to what should be a solid linebacking corps.
And then there's McKelvin, the speedy cornerback out of Troy who the Bills expect to take over the starting job opposite Terrence McGee.
Coach Dick Jauron stressed how high the team's expectations are for McKelvin.
"Yeah, he's got to come in and compete," Jauron said. "When you draft a man with your first pick, you're pretty confident in his abilities. You're making a statement of how you feel about him."
McKelvin said he's up for the challenge after the five-practice rookie minicamp concluded Sunday.
"That's the goal I set for myself coming in," McKelvin said. "If you're going to draft somebody No. 11, you don't want him sitting on the bench waiting behind somebody. ... I feel like I can compete against anybody."
McKelvin was the first of three cornerbacks drafted by the Bills. The team also signed veteran William James in free agency.
"I think we have a very exciting young football team," Fewell said, stressing the word "young." It's a unit that, including McKelvin, could start as many as five players with two or fewer years of NFL experience this season.
As difficult as last year was, when Buffalo finished with seven defensive regulars on injured reserve, Fewell saw positives in how several players stepped in to show they're capable of playing at the NFL level.
It's a group that includes George Wilson, the converted receiver, who returned two interceptions for touchdowns in his first stint at free safety and John DiGiorgio, an undrafted free agent, who did not look out of place in 13 starts filling in for Posluszny.
"That should strengthen our defense because of some added depth," Fewell said.
Should?
"Should," Fewell said, taking nothing for granted.
