BuffaLowDown
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Buffalo Bills
CHICAGO, IL – CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Bob Babich of the Chicago Bears poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images) /

Linebackers Coach: Bob Babich

Bob Babich is one of the older coaches in Buffalo but does have a massive impact on the linebackers. Babich has filled a multitude of defensive roles for four other teams, most notably eight years with the Chicago Bears. Babich has been Buffalo’s linebackers coach since 2017 and coached some pretty successful seasons.

Babich coached Preston Brown to a league-leading 144 tackles in his first season as the linebackers coach. Since then, Babich has helped both Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano turn into solid linebackers.

While the group took a small step back due to the loss of veteran Lorenzo Alexander, they are one of the strongest position groups on the team. Babich is much more impactful than coaching as he is one of the main reasons Buffalo was able to retain Matt Milano.

https://twitter.com/SalSports/status/1370336678003535874?s=20

Babich has a big 2021 on his hands. Edmunds looks to take a massive step forward that fans and even coaches have been waiting for. Outside of starters Edmunds, Klein, and Milano, there are a couple of new players. The additions of Marquel Lee and Tyrell Adams give the Bills two more legitimate linebackers who will compete with Tyrel Dodson and Andre Smith for a roster spot. Buffalo has several NFL-caliber linebackers who may be cut this season for the first time in a while.

What will define Babich’s 2021 season will be the development of Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds came into the NFL when he was just 19 years old. As the play-caller of the Bills defense, he still is extremely young for the role the Bills give him. However, Edmunds shows massive potential with his extremely big frame and above-average athleticism.

Where Babich can help Edmunds is the mental aspect of the game. Edmunds often took poor angles and made incorrect reads from the middle. Babich will try to work on this extensively during training camp and the season to push Edmunds closer to his potential.

Home/Buffalo Bills News