Lately, I've read some things that people are group thinking our individual talent on defense...that they are only so good because of the sum of the parts.
Earl has been targeted in this thinking, in a few of the things I've read. That he is really good, but elevated (perception wise) because of how good the whole defense is. It's the same kind of lazy thinking that we heard about Russell Wilson last season - "he has a great running back and defense, so he doesn't have to do much". B.s.
I disagree with Byrd > Thomas. Earl has phenomenal range and allows us to do things elsewhere on the defense that most FS's wouldn't.
Byrd does not elevate the Bills defense.