Leonhard, a 10-year defensive back in Buffalo, Baltimore, New York, Denver and Cleveland, before he turned to coaching, knows what it’s like to communicate through noise. The first-year Bills DC believes it should be viewed as a positive, not an excuse for struggles.
"We have to make it an advantage for us: We can't use that as a crutch. It is what it is," Leonhard said. "Every team -- not every team, most teams, the good teams -- that's an issue [for them] when you play a home game. I'm excited we got this fan base."
The Bills defense has allowed 29-plus points in three of four games this season (two of three home tilts). They currently sit 28th in EPA per play allowed, 27th in EPA per dropback and 21st in EPA per called run.
Despite an excellent start for Gregory Rousseau and most of the front four, the back end has been ripped to shreds. Not having Christian Benford on Sunday certainly hurt. Second-year CB Maxwell Hairston’s struggles have been particularly problematic, giving up two touchdowns on four catches Sunday.
With two road games against the Rams and Raiders on the docket, the Bills have no crowd excuse if the D continues to struggle the rest of the month.