Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver expects to start off where he left off last season

Ed Oliver is expecting to pick up where left off last season and this could mean big things for the Buffalo Bills defensive tackle in his second season.

On Monday, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver met with the media and discussed a number of topics including his expectations for the upcoming season. He said, “I’m expecting to start off where I left off last year.”

This is exciting to hear from Oliver who entered his rookie season with high expectations. The Bills drafted him ninth overall, which at the time was considered a steal. The player and franchise were connected regularly leading up to the NFL Draft but the thought was he would be selected prior to the team’s pick.

However, he slipped just enough for him to be available for the Bills to select him. The athletic ability Oliver possesses had fans excited and the expectations were extremely high.

Ed Oliver LIVE: Bills Training Camp 2020

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Posted by Buffalo Bills on Monday, August 10, 2020

The rookie season got off to a rough start, for a few reasons and Oliver mentioned one of those on Monday. During college, Oliver played the 0-tech which is the nose guard, a role that essentially lines up over the center and requires a player to be that unmovable object in the middle of the defensive line.

Entering the NFL, Oliver is much better suited as a three technique, which lines a little more wide outside of the guard. In this role, the player is expected to get more penetration and collapse the pocket.

Oliver noted that he had to shift his technique and learn to adjust crediting a veteran like Jordan Phillips. “A veteran presence like Jordan Phillips, who come in and can show you how to do it and you imitate.”

He went on to say just that little tweak can generate five or six sacks.

There is no question that shift took place about midway through the season and probably correlates with the increase in production. He had stretch midseason where he had four sacks in three games, including that breakout game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

He also saw an increase in playing time with over 50% of the defensive snaps in six of the final seven games.

While Oliver still has room to grow, this coming season could be that breakout performance many expected from the start of his rookie season.

The strong performance to finish the year, combined with the technique shift, it is easy to see why Ed Oliver is confident entering his second year with the Buffalo Bills.