Two seasons and 20 sacks after the Buffalo Bills traded linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for <a href="http://www.officialbuccaneersshop.com/shop-by-players-brandon-myers-jersey-c-1_7.html">http://www.officialbuccaneersshop.com/shop-by-players-brandon-myers-jersey-c-1_7.html</a> defensive end Jerry Hughes, it seemed nothing short of a highway robbery in favor of Buffalo. Under defensive coordinators Mike Pettine and Jim Schwartz, Hughes thrived as a pass rusher, often aligning wide of the tight end, where he’d utilize his ridiculous burst, speed and power to terrorize opposing offensive linemen.

But, when Rex Ryan was hired as the team’s head coach, the Bills transitioned to a 3-4 defense that asked Hughes to play a variety of roles, from a five-technique interior alignment all the way to his natural nine-technique alignment while often dropping into coverage as well. Hughes made best of the situation but it seemed like<a href="http://www.officialnflfalconsshop.com/shop-by-players-stansly-maponga-jersey-c-9_100.html">http://www.officialnflfalconsshop.com/shop-by-players-stansly-maponga-jersey-c-9_100.html</a>  the 28-year old simply was out of position on too many occasions and his best attributes being put to waste. In his two seasons under Ryan, Hughes notched just 11 total sacks and looked out of place.

Ryan was fired shortly before the season ended and Buffalo’s new head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator will be bringing back a more traditional 4-3 defensive front, which is a more natural scheme for just about every player on the Bills’ defensive line.

Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander joined the Bills Wire podcast to talk about the new defensive scheme and was emphatic in his belief that not only Hughes but second-year defensive end Shaq Lawson, the team’s first-round draft<a href="http://www.officialpanthersstore.com/shop-by-players-thomas-davis-sr-jersey-c-9_89.html">Thomas Davis Sr Kids Jersey</a>  pick in 2016, would both benefit greatly from the scheme change.

“I think Jerry (Hughes) and Shaq (Lawson) are more hand in the dirt type of guys that love to rush and are more, true defensive ends. That transition (to linebacker) is hard, and even though they can do it, it takes time. But that transition is hard and in the NFL, you don’t have to through every look and everything each week to get a guy comfortable where he’s fully ready to go out and produce,” Alexander said.

Despite having only played one season as his teammate, Alexander is well aware of what he’s capable of having seen the film of his play following the trade from Indianapolis. He made it clear that in the new defense, Hughes doesn’t have to worry about numerous responsibilities, nonchalantly stating that he’s poised for a bounce-back year with double-digit sacks.

“I know with Jerry now playing with <a href="http://www.officialpatriotsonline.com/shop-by-players-chris-long-jersey-c-2_12.html">Chris Long Kids Jersey</a> his hand in the dirt, he’s going to have a big season. A double-digit sack season because he just doesn’t have to worry about standing up and worrying about pass coverage. He can focus on what he’s great at, and that’s the same for Shaq as well.”