AFC East Poll Doubts Bills' Defense, Shows Little Love for Ed Oliver and Cole Bishop
AFC East Poll Doubts Bills' Defense, Shows Little Love for Ed Oliver and Cole Bishop
The Buffalo Bills are viewed as lacking defensive talent in important spots compared to their AFC East foes.Ralph Ventre|
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Buffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & StandingsBased upon their most-recent performance alone, the Buffalo Bills' defense has some improving to do.
Allowing 33 points to the Denver Broncos and Bo Nix in an elimination game will sting for a long time.
Recognizing the need for change, Bills' brass fired defensive-minded head coach Sean McDermott. With first-year head coach Joe Brady tabbing new coordinator Jim Leonhard to lead the defensive overhaul, Buffalo already looks wildly different on that side of the ball.
First and foremost, Leonhard brings a different scheme that leans on a 3-4 base front.
Molding the roster to better fit that system, the Bills added multiple key pieces starting with edge rushers Bradley Chubb and second-round rookie TJ Parker. In the secondary, Buffalo signed safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and versatile cornerback Dee Alford before drafting Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun in Round 2.
While Leonhard's arrival has generated buzz, the Bills' defensive personnel is still viewed as lacking.
In a telling occurrence, not one Buffalo defensive position group ranked atop the AFC East in our On SI post-minicamp expert poll that surveyed Ralph Ventre (Bills), Alain Poupart (Dolphins), Ethan Hurwitz (Patriots), Jovan Alford (Jets) on the talent throughout the division.
Of the five positions ranked on defense, the New England Patriots, who ended Buffalo's five-year AFC East title run, topped all division rivals in three areas — interior defensive line, cornerback and safety.
The Bills were tabbed either second or third in all five categories on defense (iDL, Edge, LB, CB, S). Conversely, they topped three of the five position groups on offense by earning the most votes at quarterback, running back and tight end.
No respect for defensive line
Buffalo's interior defensive linemen ranked behind both the Patriots and the Quinnen Williams-less New York Jets.
Although the Bills may not be deep at the position, their two foundational pieces are as good as any other pairing in the division.
Veteran Ed Oliver and 2025 fourth-round steal Deone Walker make for a formidable tandem up front. The former has sufficient ability to line up as a nose tackle or on the end in a 3-4 setup.
The ceiling for Oliver and Walker seems to be higher than what New England's Cory Durden and Milton Williams bring to the table. Meanwhile, the Jets feature Bills' castoff Harrison Phillips and 2024 Tennessee Titans' second-rounder T'Vondre Sweat.
The 28-year-old Oliver, who logged a sack in all three games he played during an injury-riddled 2025 campaign, is arguably pound for pound the AFC East's best interior defensive lineman. The always-gregarious publicly suggested that Leonhard's defense may bring out the best in him.
"I know it sounds cliche, but if you turn on the tape, the guy they had in Denver [DJ Jones] was pretty good, and he looks like he's playing pretty free. So, hopefully I can have that same success in the same system," said Oliver.
Underestimating safeties?
Like the interior defense lineman, the Bills' safeties ranked third amongst AFC East rosters. Meanwhile, Buffalo's Cole Bishop, a 2024 second-round pick who broke out last season, may be the division's most exciting player at the position.
As for Bishop's running mate, the Bills signed two free agents with adequate starting experience - Super Bowl champion Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and veteran Geno Stone, who has 14 career interceptions. Gardner-Johnson, who is the favorite to start alongside Bishop, brings an edge that has proven to rattle opponents.
Certainly, Bishop and Gardner-Johnson have as much ability, if not more, than the Jets' combination of an over-the-hill Minkah Fitzpatrick and an average Andrew Cisco that combined for one total interception last year.
As for the Patriots, who earned the most safety votes, they will likely miss Kyle Duggar. Meanwhile, an aging Kevin Byard isn't nearly what he used to be and 2025 fourth-rounder Craig Woodson appears limited against the pass.
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RALPH VENTRERalph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20+ years of media experience to Buffalo Bills ON SI. Prior to focusing on the Bills, he spent two years covering the New York Jets. Ventre initially joined the ON SI family in 2021, providing NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
