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How the Buffalo Bills defensive assistant coaches impact the team

By Caleb Holfoth

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Harrison Phillips #99 slaps hands with head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter against the New York Jets at New Era Field on December 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 27-23. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Harrison Phillips #99 slaps hands with head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter against the New York Jets at New Era Field on December 9, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. New York defeats Buffalo 27-23. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills
Jan 3, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Coordinator: Leslie Frazier

Leslie Frazier has been a coach in the NFL for the past 22 years. Serving as both Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach in his past Frazier joined the Bills in 2017 and has served as the Defensive Coordinator since. Because of Frazier’s quality work he was also given the role of Assistant Head Coach.

Frazier and McDermott have a very similar style of systems, combining the Tampa 2 system with an aggressive blitzing 4-3 they both learned under famed coach Jim Johnson when they shared time in Philadelphia. Frazier has helped lead the Bills defense to historic levels throughout his four-year tenure.

What Frazier does so well really showed in 2020. While a Frazier-led defense may not finish atop the stats all the time his defenses always have a strong impact on the game. That showed last year when the Bills defense often did not have the best numbers. However, there were multiple plays and play calls that you could point to throughout the game as game-defining moments.

Can Frazier’s experience help get the Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl?

Most of that success ties back to the system and playcalling of Frazier. The Bills defense never gets too high or too low which is an important trait for a team that is young but has Super Bowl aspirations.

While Frazier’s defense did have many solid games in 2020 the overall performance did leave a little to be desired. Just like every other team, Frazier failed to stop the Chiefs offense both times the teams met as well as failing to fix the run defense during the season. Frazier’s job is nowhere near in jeopardy and is much closer to a head coaching job than he is being fired.

However, if he does want one more crack as a head coach he needs to return the Bills to their 2019 form. Frazier has more talent at his disposal than ever before with Buffalo. In 2021 expect Frazier and the Bills to show more of what we saw in 2019 than 2020.

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