Who is the first DT to come in off the bench?

[BillsFanSinceBirth85]

I think its probably Dwan Edwards. However, I'm hoping Troupe, or Carrington have a breakthrough year. I'm a bit confused as to how Carrington went from a 3-4 OLB/DE hybrid to a 4-3 DT. But, what do I know. What do all you folks think?

[BillsFanSinceBirth85]

I've already changed my mind, and voted for Heard. Wasn't this guy a beast in college? Just had some character concerns?

[V-Expression]

Heard was the first one off the bench to spell Dareus last year, and he did a great job. I wouldn't be surprised if Heard continues to back up Dareus.

[person1]

Dwan Edwards. He still has some gas in the tank, plays the run well, and as a backup will be very serviceable. Battle between Spencer Johnson and Troup for the 4th spot. The other two are possible dark horses, but also possible scrubs.

[WhenTheFitzHitsTheChan]

It all depends on whether a 1-tech or 3-tech is coming out of the game. The question is too general.

[rhinocoach]

I've already changed my mind, and voted for Heard. Wasn't this guy a beast in college? Just had some character concerns?

Doesn't he have a bad back like Troup?
call me insensitive but I want a little "charecter concerns" in my linemen.

[BillsFanSinceBirth85]

It all depends on whether a 1-tech or 3-tech is coming out of the game. The question is too general.

False. You are trying too hard to be smart. Dareus and Williams will be interchangeable, as will their backups. Wannstedt's D is one of symmetry. The only exception, which as of now is not one, will be RDE and LDE. Even that said, Kelsay and Mario were starting together in mini-camps.

[SyrCuse]

Carrington, he is a natural 4-3 DT with great size and to be honest I wouldnt be surprised if Edwards, with his contract being larger than the other DT's gets cut at the end of the year

[WhenTheFitzHitsTheChan]

False. You are trying too hard to be smart. Dareus and Williams will be interchangeable, as will their backups. Wannstedt's D is one of symmetry. The only exception, which as of now is not one, will be RDE and LDE. Even that said, Kelsay and Mario were starting together in mini-camps.

The question of " Who is the first DT to come in off the bench?" is still too general to me since football is such a situational sport. Say we're playing the Pats and they're airing it out every play while tiring out the defense and Kyle Williams has to come out. Say Troup is the 3rd DT although we all know he isn't going to be. If im Wannstedt, I'm not going to put in the backup who is built like a run stuffer and can't get any penetration with the pass rush.

[just1hugheser]

Pass Rushing situation I like to think Carrington will overtake Edwards as the primary backup in rush situations due to his youth, natural physical abilities including his arm length he could bat the ball if he doesn't get pressure. In run situations I hope Troupe is the one who comes in again due to his youth and size and I think like Alex has made consistent progress and usually Dline takes a couple years to digest and let the players physical ability come naturally as the knowledge of the game becomes instinct instead of distracting thought and the game as they say slows down. This would give us a very deep line, fingers crossed Merriman is actually healthy and either super clean and actually healthy or back on the hgh for a few more glorious seasons.

[Svupper]

Carrington, he is a natural 4-3 DT with great size and to be honest I wouldnt be surprised if Edwards, with his contract being larger than the other DT's gets cut at the end of the year

Just hope that they will trade him instead.
If they cut him the Jets will pick him up as he would love to play for Rex again.

The Cardinals, Packers, Cowboys, Steelers or Ravens should be great sites to trade him to. They all run the 3-4 and we don't play them twice every year

[GreggTX]

I'm amazed that no one thinks Troup can succeed. I realize he has the back problems, but he does have talent and should be a decent player if he stays healthy this year.

Also, Carrington added weight last offseason and I think his performance actually slipped quite a bit. I think he'd be better off taking his weight down.

Why all the love for Heard? I'm not hating on the guy, but I didn't see him do much of anything last year.

[BlokesAndHoes]

Personally, I reckon Spencer Johnson should be. He's a very good (albeit, a very expensive) backup.

[BillsFanSinceBirth85]

I can see big Spence coming in first too. He has the speed to penetrate and get in the backfield for sure. I'm just hoping Troupe, heard, or Carrington can really step it up this year. We drafted a lot of D-lineman in 2010, I'd like one of them to pan out into something special.

[indybillsfan]

I wish they'd let Carrington play at his college weight and be at DE instead of DT. As for the DT backups, I think it's Troup and Heard. Johnson and Edwards are expendable for the salaries they draw.

[Soda Popinski]

Right now whoever proves himself through tc and the preseason. The good news is we have 3-4 solid guys backing our starters up.
I don't think we have starters on the bench, but for the first time in a long time we actually have backups who would be backups on other teams. Not sure if that makes sense

[soflabillsfan]

I wish they'd let Carrington play at his college weight and be at DE instead of DT. As for the DT backups, I think it's Troup and Heard. Johnson and Edwards are expendable for the salaries they draw.

Too slow to be a 4-3 DE even at his college weight.

[soflabillsfan]

I'm amazed that no one thinks Troup can succeed. I realize he has the back problems, but he does have talent and should be a decent player if he stays healthy this year.

Also, Carrington added weight last offseason and I think his performance actually slipped quite a bit. I think he'd be better off taking his weight down.

Why all the love for Heard? I'm not hating on the guy, but I didn't see him do much of anything last year.

I don't think his performance slipped at all. For some reason, i see Troup being cut this year.

[havoc_84]

Great question, here are my thoughts:

1. The primary "back-up" DT, or DTs, will play as much as the starters, if not more pending injury. There may also be sub-packages for pass rush or run stuff.

2. Expect to see Mario Williams possibly kick down on pass rush situations, provided Merriman can get on the field.

3. DL may sub in waves, so we may see two players come in at one time.

4. Edwards and Johnson are both expensive back-ups. They need play at a starting level to stay on the team.

I can see one 2010 pick getting cut, and either Johnson or Edwards getting cut. I think the top two DT reserves will be Edwards and Troupe. Johnson makes the team due to versatility. Heard and Carrington get cut.

[WilliamCody]

We have to let the numbers battle shake itself out first.