Marcell Dareus

Rex Ryan still talking tough about Bills defense despite injuries, suspension

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:27 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

It’s going to take more than a couple of injuries and a suspension for Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan to change his opinion regarding the team’s defense.

Despite rookies Shaq Lawson and Reggie Ragland being out with injuries and Marcell Dareus’ four-game suspension, Ryan believes the Bills defense is heading in the right direction.

"I see the big picture. I also see this defense is improving," Ryan said Wednesday, via ESPN. "I've said it from Day 1: we're going to be better. We will definitely be better than we were last year, in my opinion. Regardless of those [injuries and suspension], this defense will be better."

The Bills defense was pretty mediocre last season, ranking 19th in yards allowed and 15th in scoring defense in Ryan’s first year with the team. Those numbers look even worse when you consider that Ryan -- known for his acumen as a defensive coach -- inherited a unit that ranked fourth in both of those statistics in 2014.

The Bills defense will be under the microscope even more in 2016 after Ryan hired his brother and former Saints defensive coordinator Rob for the same position despite New Orleans ranking near the bottom in multiple defensive categories last season.

The Bills' preseason opener didn’t exactly inspire confidence, either, with the team committing 11 penalties, prompting Rex Ryan to say, “that was last year’s team.”

Not a good sign if you’re a Bills fan.

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