When you sign a player like Von Miller, you don’t do so without some big plans in mind.
The Buffalo Bills have them.
Miller inked a multi-year contract despite being 33. Time will tell if he sees the end of that, but the team clearly thinks he can still make an impact. Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was the latest to express that.
“Really excited about Von being here,” Frazier said via video conference from OTAs. “He shows he still has flashes to be a primer pass rusher.”
“We think there’s still a lot left in the tank,” Frazier added.
So now what do the Bills do with what is left? Without exactly showing their entire playbook, Frazier gave some interesting insight.
First, he reaffirmed that Miller will be kept fresh for the fourth quarter.
Since Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott took over in 2017, the team has run a rotation along the defensive line. Frazier said that concept will keep Miller ready to go when the fourth quarter comes around.
Then the intriguing one: the No. 40 won’t be very stagnant on the field.
Miller is going to be moving around the formation based on game plan, he won’t just be rushing from one side of the defense every down.
“There will definitely be situations where we want him to line up in a specific spot,” Frazier said.
That could also have a trickle-down effect.
Last week, McDermott said this is a “big offseason” for the three young pass rushers running with Miller: Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham and AJ Epenesa.
“They’re in a position where they have to, we need them to really, really grow and develop and make a mark on our defense, and not just in a supporting role, but in a primary role,” McDermott said.
Frazier added to that, saying more “consistency” is needed from the young trio, but Miller is there to help.
From the sounds of it, Miller’s ability to move around the defensive scheme is going to benefit Rousseau, Basham and Epenesa by putting them in positions to succeed. Perhaps even in a plug-and-play style.
“We have some things in mind for those guys,” Frazier said.
Where could those spots be? Frazier said Rousseau will mostly play on the left side again, but mentioned he can move around the defensive line, too.
Aside from that, we’ll have to wait and see what the film tells us once the regular season rolls around.
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