By Matt Sohn
Sept. 29, 2008

Entering the season, the Bills knew they had shored up their defensive line with the additions of DTs Marcus Stroud and Spencer Johnson. They knew their LB corps was bolstered by the free-agent signing of OLB Kawika Mitchell. But there was serious concern about their secondary, a secondary that was among the worst in the league a season ago. But the same secondary that finished 29th in the league in pass defense in 2007 is ranked fifth in 2008.

In Sunday’s 31-14 victory over the Rams, the Bills’ defensive backs didn’t play their best game. They gave up 236 yards through the air to backup QB Trent Green but put the clamps down when they needed to. With only rookie Leodis McKelvin new to the crew, it’s been an adjustment in attitude that’s turned a weakness into a strength.

The PFW spin

The Bills' D-backs have gotten physical. Where they used to play off the line and avoid contact, they have stuck their nose into the thick of the action and delivered the blow instead of absorbing it.

No Bills defensive back has personified their dramatic shift in physicality more than embattled CB Ashton Youboty. The third-year pro out of Ohio State entered training camp as a likely cut casualty, with his lack of toughness at the root of his problems. But something clicked for him early on, and he’s made as dramatic a turnaround as a player can make. Rather than sitting out with bumps and bruises, he’s delivering the wood on opposing ballcarriers, serving as arguably the most physical defensive back Buffalo has.

On Sunday in St. Louis, McKelvin also got into the act. With starting CB Terrence McGee sitting out much of the afternoon with a sprained knee, McKelvin saw his most extensive action of the season and made his presence known quickly. On a play that actually marked his first career tackle as well, McKelvin slammed into Rams WR Dane Looker and jarred the ball loose for a fumble.

Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is philosophically conservative when it comes to his play-calling, but having physical, dependable corners has enabled him to be more creative with how he’s using his safeties. Primarily, he’s allowed SS Donte Whitner to do more freelancing throughout the formations, something that has been incredibly welcomed by Whitner, who has wanted to be deployed in a manner similar to fellow AFC safeties Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed and Bob Sanders. On Sunday, Whitner made the most of his opportunities, slamming Green for a sack on one such blitz.

The Bills aren’t likely to deviate much from their zone schemes into man press, but they’re nonetheless playing with a sense of purpose and pride in the secondary that was lacking for much of 2007.