What's the Plan at Middle Linebacker? *****

[bcw]

11 hours ago, f8ta1ity54 said:

I think they will give dodson the first crack at starting MLB, but he will eventually get beaten out by bernard. 

I see it this way too except I expect I see Dodson being benched rather than Bernard eventually beating him out.

[bcw]

It worries me that I am more concerned about MLB than Beane and McDermott.

Bernard looked really bad last year and Dodson has never looked like a starter to me.

 

[bcw]

What isn't being discussed is that whoever "wins" the MLB job is going to be calling the defense.

None of these guys has ever done that before and McDermott is going to have his hands full as HC and defensive playcaller.

The Bills have the benefit of being a defense full of veterans but I'm worried.

[f8ta1ity54]

55 minutes ago, bcw said:

What isn't being discussed is that whoever "wins" the MLB job is going to be calling the defense.

None of these guys has ever done that before and McDermott is going to have his hands full as HC and defensive playcaller.

The Bills have the benefit of being a defense full of veterans but I'm worried.

I thought I heard something about milano possibly making calls.

[whorlnut]

On 5/3/2023 at 8:11 PM, seandelevan said:

Fuck defense…who cares? 
 

OUT SCORE MOTHERFUCKERS!

I agree. It’s hilarious that so many on here called bs when Beane said the replacement might already be in the roster. This isn’t the old nfl. No one gives a crap about a MLB in the playoffs. Just what we needed, huh? Another defensive player that will inevitably get torched by Mahomes and burrow when the chips are in the table. 

[RichJ]

We brought in Deonte Harty. DuH!!!!!

[seandelevan]

4 hours ago, whorlnut said:

I agree. It’s hilarious that so many on here called bs when Beane said the replacement might already be in the roster. This isn’t the old nfl. No one gives a crap about a MLB in the playoffs. Just what we needed, huh? Another defensive player that will inevitably get torched by Mahomes and burrow when the chips are in the table. 

Yup. I mean come on…Nick Bolton(KC) and Germain Pratt(Cincy) really wrecked the Bills offense right? 🤣

[Buffalochief2]

34 minutes ago, seandelevan said:

Yup. I mean come on…Nick Bolton(KC) and Germain Pratt(Cincy) really wrecked the Bills offense right? 🤣

KC and Cincy know how to blitz to overcome their short comings on defense I don’t think Frazier knew how to do that and I hope HC/DCSM does.
Also KC and Cincy have smart offensive coordinators to attack opposing team’s weaknesses.  I don’t think Daboll or Dorsey know how to do that, they just run what they run.  In the 13 sec game, How long did it take after KCs safety was out of the game for before Daboll realized he could throw it deep middle!  OCKD hasn’t shown me any intelligence in his attack of opposing defenses.  This is a prove it year for him in my mind, if the offense struggles in the playoffs again he may be out. 

[seandelevan]

9 hours ago, Buffalochief2 said:

KC and Cincy know how to blitz to overcome their short comings on defense I don’t think Frazier knew how to do that and I hope HC/DCSM does.
Also KC and Cincy have smart offensive coordinators to attack opposing team’s weaknesses.  I don’t think Daboll or Dorsey know how to do that, they just run what they run.  In the 13 sec game, How long did it take after KCs safety was out of the game for before Daboll realized he could throw it deep middle!  OCKD hasn’t shown me any intelligence in his attack of opposing defenses.  This is a prove it year for him in my mind, if the offense struggles in the playoffs again he may be out. 

Agree. But I’ve said it and will keep saying it…Frazier was just a clipboard holder. McDermott is the fucking head coach and if he wants the defense to be more aggressive…or run a certain scheme…he can tell Frazier to run it!!!! In that 13 seconds game I wouldn’t be surprised at all that it was McDermott that played it conservatively. 
 

As for Dorsey, we’ll see….at the end of the day he answers to McDermott. 

[f8ta1ity54]

On 5/4/2023 at 6:24 PM, SpikedLemonade said:

EVERYONE EXCEPT F8 COULD SEE THIS.

NOT F8...

 

I know exactly what im looking at. That seems to be your problem. I expect a drop off in defense this year. I'm hoping mcdermott is more aggressive in play calling considering the defensive limitations of the front 7.

[George]

I have to go with AJ Klein

[rcas0308]

On 5/7/2023 at 3:17 PM, whorlnut said:

I agree. It’s hilarious that so many on here called bs when Beane said the replacement might already be in the roster. This isn’t the old nfl. No one gives a crap about a MLB in the playoffs. Just what we needed, huh? Another defensive player that will inevitably get torched by Mahomes and burrow when the chips are in the table. 

What they need is the best possible coverage MLB on the field to help cover TE and backs that the Bills will face. Run downs bring in someone who can stack and shed. It will be an improvement over just using Tremaine, he looked the part but in reality he was average at best in all phases of play. Especially inside the tackles on run defense and he was very limited on his change of direction skills. Expect an improvement at MLB with some kind of rotation of specialists. Having Milano call the defense would be the stable presence they need. 
 

Tremaine was exposed in the playoffs by the better passing teams. After seeing the Bengals game again, he was one of the players that was holding this team back with his limitations in coverage. They had to move on from him and Leslie Frazier who crumbled in big games. 

[bi-polar billiever]

3 hours ago, rcas0308 said:

What they need is the best possible coverage MLB on the field to help cover TE and backs that the Bills will face. Run downs bring in someone who can stack and shed. It will be an improvement over just using Tremaine, he looked the part but in reality he was average at best in all phases of play. Especially inside the tackles on run defense and he was very limited on his change of direction skills. Expect an improvement at MLB with some kind of rotation of specialists. Having Milano call the defense would be the stable presence they need. 
 

Tremaine was exposed in the playoffs by the better passing teams. After seeing the Bengals game again, he was one of the players that was holding this team back with his limitations in coverage. They had to move on from him and Leslie Frazier who crumbled in big games. 

This is why i actually wanted Dorian Williams, he was from what i saw the best coverage LB in the draft and has elite speed, i actually wanted Jack Campell as he is bigger and a better all-around LB, but when the lions took him i was crossing my fingers we would get Williams....i dont understand all the hate with the pick.

[rcas0308]

1 hour ago, bi-polar billiever said:

This is why i actually wanted Dorian Williams, he was from what i saw the best coverage LB in the draft and has elite speed, i actually wanted Jack Campell as he is bigger and a better all-around LB, but when the lions took him i was crossing my fingers we would get Williams....i dont understand all the hate with the pick.

Because they wanted him to look like the perfect specimen like Edmunds but he played like Jane. He was dog shit against the run inside the tackles. Dorian is already an upgrade at this but he won't get the chance to prove that this year due to his body type. His toughness and decisiveness is already superior. 

[bi-polar billiever]

2 hours ago, rcas0308 said:

Because they wanted him to look like the perfect specimen like Edmunds but he played like Jane. He was dog shit against the run inside the tackles. Dorian is already an upgrade at this but he won't get the chance to prove that this year due to his body type. His toughness and decisiveness is already superior. 

I honestly think he could win the spot by the end of the year, I definitely think he will get some meaningful snaps this year

[nealpellecchia@yahoo]

Rotate speedy little guys and let them try to outplay each other instead of last guy who waited for his contract year.

[rcas0308]

20 hours ago, bi-polar billiever said:

This is why i actually wanted Dorian Williams, he was from what i saw the best coverage LB in the draft and has elite speed, i actually wanted Jack Campell as he is bigger and a better all-around LB, but when the lions took him i was crossing my fingers we would get Williams....i dont understand all the hate with the pick.

I don't either, they act like edmunds was some big lose as a stack and shed MLB. He was big but played small. 

[bi-polar billiever]

1 hour ago, rcas0308 said:

I don't either, they act like edmunds was some big lose as a stack and shed MLB. He was big but played small. 

Edmunds was very disruptive in coverage just due to his sheer size, but Williams will b more like a Milano, smallish but can cover well, and Williams is fast also, unlike Campbell who I wanted who had size and coverage ability, but not great speed, he had more lateral speed which I think translates to the position more anyways, now I’m going to have to look up Williams lateral test compared to Campbell….

[Crazy Legs]

On 5/4/2023 at 9:31 PM, bcw said:

What isn't being discussed is that whoever "wins" the MLB job is going to be calling the defense.

None of these guys has ever done that before and McDermott is going to have his hands full as HC and defensive playcaller.

The Bills have the benefit of being a defense full of veterans but I'm worried.

This is why I find it hard to believe Dorian Williams will be the starting MLB on September 1st, no matter his physical skills. 

Beane (and McDermott) has mentioned Dorian has a lot to learn, as he is coming from a simple defense in college.  

 

PS  I didn't get the Terrel Bernard pick last year.    If Dorian does jump him on the depth chart,   it would seem to have been a wasted pick.

[The Chosen]

On 5/8/2023 at 5:31 AM, seandelevan said:

Agree. But I’ve said it and will keep saying it…Frazier was just a clipboard holder. McDermott is the fucking head coach and if he wants the defense to be more aggressive…or run a certain scheme…he can tell Frazier to run it!!!! In that 13 seconds game I wouldn’t be surprised at all that it was McDermott that played it conservatively. 
 

As for Dorsey, we’ll see….at the end of the day he answers to McDermott. 

If true, and I suspect it is. It could be a long season. 

[Crazy Legs]

On 5/12/2023 at 1:20 PM, bi-polar billiever said:

This is why i actually wanted Dorian Williams, he was from what i saw the best coverage LB in the draft and has elite speed, i actually wanted Jack Campell as he is bigger and a better all-around LB, but when the lions took him i was crossing my fingers we would get Williams....i dont understand all the hate with the pick.

Not so much hate, but I think we can acknowledge McDermott is unlikely to play Dorian Williams at MLB as a rookie.

Beane/McDermott both said Dorian came from a very simple college defense and it will take awhile for him to learn the Bills Dee.   I think fans expect Dorian to be "redshirted" this year.    Which for your 3rd round pick is a bit frustrating.  

[Zan186]

All depends on what the rookie can do.  Defense is a lot about instincts, physical attributes and experience.  If Dorian has great instincts he might just play himself into the starting role.  I have some concerns about his size as he is built more like a big strong safety than an inside line backer.  However, he has great coverage skills...so the Bills might be looking at the front 4 to stop the run and the back 7 to cover the passing game.  Time will tell if Dorian adapts quickly to the position it could be Dorian and Milano.  That is a lot of speed, but lacking size is a worry!

 

[bi-polar billiever]

12 hours ago, Zan186 said:

All depends on what the rookie can do.  Defense is a lot about instincts, physical attributes and experience.  If Dorian has great instincts he might just play himself into the starting role.  I have some concerns about his size as he is built more like a big strong safety than an inside line backer.  However, he has great coverage skills...so the Bills might be looking at the front 4 to stop the run and the back 7 to cover the passing game.  Time will tell if Dorian adapts quickly to the position it could be Dorian and Milano.  That is a lot of speed, but lacking size is a worry!

 

Dorian is undersized compared to Edmunds, but Edmunds was a giant. Dorian is also aggressive and better against the run even though he is smaller. I did hear they said they are not expecting him to catch onto the system right away due to his simple system in college….but I am hoping it’s a mixture of him catching on faster than expected and them just saying that so he doesn’t feel pressured right away, but I fully expect him to be starting at some point this season.

[LIBills]

You guys are SEVERELY overstating Williams size.

If the NFL was a ground and pound league like up until recently, then it MIGHT be a factor.

But the size issue is a non starter and apparently the Bills themselves agree with that.