With 3-4 guru Mike Pettine taking over a defense that has been constructed to operate as a 4-3, the big question for the Bills has become whether Mario Williams will for the second time in three seasons be asked to play outside linebacker.
The easy answer is yes. And no.
Pettine talked about his new job with the Bills’ official website, and he was asked whether he’ll be using a 3-4 or a 4-3.
“The answer is really yes to both,” Pettine said. “We’ll be a multiple front, multiple coverage defense. The trademark of our defense is we’re going to be smart, tough and relentless. How we configure it is more player-driven. I’ve always believed that you don’t fit your players to your scheme, but you fit your scheme to your players. What I see here is a group of explosive athletes and playmakers and we’re going to put them in a position to do just that. We’re going to be in the configuration that gives us the best opportunity to win football games.”
And the effort to win football games will include an ongoing competition with his former team, the Jets, and his former boss, Rex Ryan.
“Rex and I are like brothers, brothers that fight a lot,” Pettine said.
We look forward to seeing their respective teams fight in 2013. And if they choose to get in on the action, too, we won’t complain.
