The Bills have Saturday and Sunday off to let it all sink in. The team spent three days on the field this week, beginning the conversion back to the 4-3 defensive scheme. It's the project of new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. He joined the Bills last season as assistant head coach and linebackers coach. After the Bills finished 26th in total defense, changes were expected in Orchard Park. That began with the promotion of Wannstedt, the signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, and the drafting of Stephon Gilmore.

"We’ll be as good as our guys up front." Wannstedt said on Friday. "That’s how it was at Dallas, at Miami and every place where we’ve run this scheme. The guys up front it all starts there. If we can get a good rotation going and keep some guys healthy that kind of sets the foundation for what we’re trying to get done here."

Last season, much of the defensive struggles started with the pass rush. The Bills registered only 29 sacks. That had them tied for 27th in the league, with Tennessee and Tampa Bay being the only two teams who had fewer.

"Our main focus this year is bringing a pass rush," said Shawne Merriman. "That’s what we need to do and that’s what we lacked a little bit last year and we have to pick up on that."