The Bills made a big move on their coaching staff Friday. The team announced that the club and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison have parted ways.
Dennison completed his 23rd season in the NFL and first season with the Buffalo Bills in 2017, but it didn't come with the success the coaching staff had planned. Buffalo's offense, in its first year under head coach Sean McDermott, found adjusting to a zone-based blocking scheme and timing passing attack difficult.
Buffalo's league-leading rushing attack the past two seasons did not find consistency until they returned to more of the power-based blocking scheme that was so successful each of the previous two seasons.They finished the year ranked sixth in the league in rushing.
GM Brandon Beane stated plainly at the team's season wrap-up press conference on Tuesday that he and McDermott were not satisfied with the performance of the offense and that there would be a lot of work to do going forward.
The passing game never seemed to get on track with any measure of consistency throughout the 2017 campaign, finishing 31st in the league, averaging less than 180 yards per game.
Buffalo's offense ranked 26th in yards per attempt, 27th in passing touchdowns, 30th in first downs, 31st in yards after the catch and 31st in pass completions and attempts. It was a big reason why the Bills ranked 22nd in points per game (18.9).
Now the search begins for a new offensive play caller. With other NFL clubs filling out staffs, McDermott will work to be both thorough and efficient in making a new hire for offensive coordinator.
