Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott came to Orchard Park having used a “big nickel” package often throughout his time as defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. Coincidentally called the “Buffalo Nickel” in his playbook, it employed the use of a coverage linebacker or a safety as a nickel back rather than a third cornerback.
While with the Panthers, McDermott had linebacker Shaq Thompson as his coverage specialist who was also a stout run defender; however, he has yet to find that style of player while in Buffalo. Rafael Bush played plenty of nickel corner last season, but McDermott has yet to find a linebacker capable of duplicating what Thompson was to the Carolina defense.