Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith knows a thing or two about rushing the passer. The former Virginia Tech Hokies legend is the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks with 200. Smith, who also holds the record for most seasons with at least one sack, 19, and most seasons with at least 10 sacks, 13, accomplished that feat without ever being the league leader in sacks during any time in his illustrious career.
Smith, was also a part of the Bills dynasty that came up short in four consecutive Super Bowls. With the current Bills being a popular pick as Super Bowl favorites, improving the pass rush was priority No. 1, as they already have a top-notch defensive unit.
The team signed former Rams and Broncos edge rusher Von Miller, who has 115.5 career sacks in 11 seasons. The former Texas A&M player just helped the Rams win the Super Bowl after being acquired midseason. He’s being asked to fix the Achilles’ heel of the Bills defense, which is getting to the quarterback without bringing extra defenders.
The aforementioned Smith knows a Hall of Famer when he sees one.
“I told them. I said, Look, this is the guy we need rushing the quarterback,’” Smith told TMZ Sports this week. “His body of work speaks for itself. And that’s what he have to focus on.”
“I’m happy and very glad that we got him and nobody else did, because he’s going to be a pain in the ass for somebody in the coming season.”
Von Miller’s playoff numbers are so impressive. 11 games, 8 wins, 2 rings, 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 1 Super Bowl MVP.
Last season’s playoffs: 4 games, 4 sacks (2 in the Super Bowl), 6 TFLs, 6 QB hits pic.twitter.com/tpWdICjEBZ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 15, 2022
Smith claimed he played a role in the team signing Miller to a six-year, $120 million deal, with $52.5 million guaranteed.
Miller Helped Rams Win Super Bowl
Miller spent the first 10 seasons of his likely Hall of Fame career before being traded to the Rams in November. The move was part of the “go for it now” movement that the Rams are employing. Miller’s arrival added to a star-studded defense led by three-time DPOY Aaron Donald, and lockdown cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The move took pressure off of Donald in the interior, allowing him to see fewer double- and triple-teams, which ultimately led to them winning it all.
Von Miller’s playoff numbers are so impressive. 11 games, 8 wins, 2 rings, 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 1 Super Bowl MVP.
Last season’s playoffs: 4 games, 4 sacks (2 in the Super Bowl), 6 TFLs, 6 QB hits pic.twitter.com/tpWdICjEBZ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 15, 2022
Miller was no stranger to Super Bowls, having won Super Bowl 50 MVP in helping to lead the Broncos. Now the Bills hope he can help them reach a place they haven’t been since the 1993 season.
Bills’ Pass Rush Will See A Huge Jump
The Bills finished the 2021 season as the top-ranked defense in the league. They allowed a league-low 17.0 points per game, and just 272.8 yards per game. Their 289 points allowed was also tops in the league, and while they finished tied for 11th with 42 sacks, they didn’t get them when they needed them. They also finished second in the league with 30 takeaways, but none of that helped them in their wild overtime divisional playoff loss (42-36) to the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes had all day to find open receivers.
With their elite safety duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer both being named All-Pros in 2021, plus a healthy former All-Pro in cornerback Tre’Davious White returning, the acquisition of Miller should make them even better in the secondary. Edge rushers Greg Rousseau (four sacks), AJ Epenesa (2.5) sacks, and Boogie Basham (2.5) sacks will benefit the most from Miller’s arrival and tutelage. All were 2021 draft picks chosen to take the lead as edge rushers of the Bills’ future.
Finished last season tied for second-most sacks on defense. 😤@onlocationexp | #BillsMafia
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) June 9, 2022
Also expect former Houston Cougars star Ed Oliver to have a huge season from the interior, and, no, he isn’t Aaron Donald, but he’s very good. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has all the pieces. Can he put it all together?