Weary Seahawks Face Rejuvenated Bills Schulz Elevates Buffalo ‘D’

Yes, the Buffalo Bills brought in some high-priced defensive help this season.

And, yes, they’ve gone to a more attacking-style defense.

But Bills coach Marv Levy points to another contributing factor in his team’s rise to No. 1 in the National Football League’s defensive standings.

“The emergence of Kurt Schulz has been very, very important to us,” Levy said. “He’s been playing exceptionally well at free safety.”

Before this season, those who were not followers of the Eastern Washington Eagles might have drawn a blank when the name Kurt Schulz arose.

But the former EWU defensive back now in his fourth season with the Bills - has finally received a shot at a starting role and is capitalizing.

In five games, Schulz has three interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown. He’s made 31 tackles (12 in the Denver game, alone) and forced two fumbles.

The admiration he’s earned from his teammates crested after Buffalo’s win over Carolina, when they awarded Schulz with the game ball.

“Kurt has always been a good athlete, a hard hitter and a hard worker,” Levy said. “With experience, his confidence level has come up. About three-quarters of the way through preseason we decided to put him in the starting lineup, and he’s proven he’s worthy of that decision.”

Schulz, from Yakima’s Eisenhower High, left Eastern as the school’s second-leading tackler, and was fourth on the all-time Big Sky Conference list with 17 career interceptions.

All of which is still a long way from being a sure bet in the NFL. But if his development has been a surprise to others, it’s not to Schulz.

“I guess I knew I could play,” Schulz said. “I just finally got the opportunity.”

And made the most of it - in a hurry.

In the season opener at Denver, Schulz broke up a pass on third-and-goal in the second period and then forced a fumble near the end of the first half when he chased John Elway out of the pocket and hit him from behind.

Against Carolina, his first career interception resulted in a 32-yard touchdown return.

The difference for Schulz this season, simply, is experience. Assorted injuries limited his first two seasons, while his action last year came largely on special teams and obvious passing downs.

“The more playing time you get, you become more aware of the people around you and what they’re doing,” Schulz said. “And you use your nervous energies toward other things - like playing well.

“I felt like I was doing well last year, but the first two years were difficult because I didn’t get a lot of playing time and I was fighting injuries,” he said. “Those things slow you down because you’re not in there playing.”

Now, feeling at home in the Buffalo defense, Schulz is free from the prime burden that slows defenders - thinking.

“Part of maturing as a player is learning to relax and not trying to think too much. You just go out there and play,” he said.

Schulz has served mostly as a reserve strong safety, but was moved to free safety when starter Matt Darby went down with an injury.

“It took a while to get used (to the move), but I’m pretty adjusted to it now,” Schulz said.

The term “free safety” is a bit of misnomer since there isn’t much freedom involved, he said.

“It’s a restricted freedom because you have your own responsibilities - there’s no free-lancing going on,” he said. “And you’re the last line of defense, so you have some big responsibilities.”

The more aggressive Bills defense suits Schulz’s style as it puts more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, increasing their vulnerability to interceptions.

“The defense has changed quite a bit and it’s good, because we’ve got a great defensive line and great linebackers,” Schulz said. “That makes it a lot easier on the defensive backs when they’re getting a lot of pressure up front.”

Such was the case with his first interception.

“We had a blitz on and I had the running back man-to-man, but he stayed in to help block, so I just helped out another guy and stepped in front of the pattern and ran it back in,” Schulz said.

He will get a shot at the Seattle Seahawks today as the 4-1 Bills play host to the Hawks at Rich Stadium.

Only two players in the AFC have more interceptions than Schulz, leading to a bit of celebrity for him - a development with which he’s not comfortable.

“All I want is to try to get better every week and do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said.

Which has amounted to quite a bit, thus far.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Hawks vs. Bills The game: 10 a.m. Rich Stadium. Coaches: Seattle - Dennis Erickson, 2-3, first season. Buffalo - Marv Levy, 121-91, 15th season. The records: Seattle 2-3. Buffalo 4-1. The series: Seattle leads 3-1. Last week: Seattle was abused by Oakland 34-14. The Bills won their fourth straight, taking a 29-10 decision over the New York Jets. The line: Buffalo by 7-1/2. On the air Television: NBC with Jim Lampley and Bob Golic. Radio: KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.