Logic

I loved this bit about Miller from Rams reporter Jordan Rodrigue in The Athletic today: https://theathletic.com/3191131/2022/03/17/von-miller-joins-the-bills-what-will-he-bring-to-buffalo-and-what-do-the-rams-do-now/?source=twitterhq It’s an interesting thing to compare the acquisition of Miller by either of these teams, at the time they did. When the Rams traded for Miller in November, they did so knowing they were contenders who needed to get a little extra “oomph” in their outside pass rush, especially with the way coaches were scheming double- and triple-teams against Aaron Donald and chipping against Leonard Floyd. That worked out for the Rams, and then some. Miller’s presence allowed them to rush only four when needed. Their numbers in this regard increased through the second half of the season, which allowed them to get more creative with their coverage and rotations in the middle and defensive backfield. And then when the playoffs arrived, they were able to do a lot of creative things specifically up front with Donald and Miller working off each other and also opening blitz space. What I think needs to be talked about as it pertains to the Bills, though, is what Miller lent to the locker room as a (then one-time) Super Bowl champion. He literally brought a replica Lombardi Trophy to the Rams facilities, set it on the training room table that everybody walked by each morning and wrote daily notes next to it about what it would take to hold the real thing. He reached Donald in a way not many people can and actually helped Donald find another gear to his game — which, let’s face it, we didn’t realize was even possible. There are only a few teams who truly contend each year, and the Rams are one of them. Now, the Bills certainly are as well. But the difference between constant playoff appearances and an actual championship comes down to the little details on the field, and off it.

I was curious about the level of production of elite pass rushers at age 33 and beyond, so I went and looked at the stats of Bruce Smith and Reggie White. At ages 33-37, Bruce had 13.5, 14, 10, 7, and 10 sacks. At age 33-37, Reggie White had 8, 12, 8.5, 11, and 16 sacks. You may say “but Logic, those are two Hall of Famers, of course they still produced!”. To which I would say that Von Miller will be a first ballot Hall of Famer, too, and that was why I looked at those two guys. I wanted to see how some elite, HOF edge rushers produced as they aged. I’m not saying Miller is going to be as productive as those guys, but it is not out of the realm of possibility, either.

Nailed it. Pretty cool to think there’s a guy that played with Bruce and also with the newest Bill, Von Miller. All three guys Hall of Famers, too.

Bruce Arians famously underuses tight ends in the passing game (with the exception of Gronk the past couple seasons, which I view as more Brady’s influence than Arians’). Assuming he’s healthy, I like his chances to have a big year and earn a big payday in 2023 (likely elsewhere, as we’ll need to pay Knox).

Can anyone name the player that was a teammate of Bruce Smith’s, and later went on to be a teammate of Von Miller’s?

Agreed. The fact that he had an astounding 82 pressures last year points to him still having plenty of juice. Rams reporters pointed out that his presence on the team really helped free up Aaron Donald to make more plays. The offense can’t double everybody! I’m hoping Miller’s presence here has the same effect on Ed Oliver. An underrated bonus of signing Miller is that he’s known to be a very generous teacher of younger players. He hosts his own pass rush summit every offseason. If the Bills get 1-3 good years out of Miller AND his tutelage helps our trio of youngsters take major steps forward, the big contract will be WELL worth it!

Knox and Howard has to be one of the most athletic TE pairings in the league. The Bills can now operate out of 12 personnel and not be predictable — as opposed to last year when Tommy Doyle’s presence tipped the run. Knox and Howard up the seams with Diggs and Davis on the outside is gonna be tough for defenses. Both TEs are “too fast for an LB, too big for a safety” guys. Call me a hopeless optimist, but I think Howard is gonna ball out and earn himself a big payday in 2023.

For what it's worth, I just listened to the Cover 1 Youtube show, and Aaron Quinn mentioned that he hears from the Buffalo News that the team is working on the contract with Phillips as we speak. I know, I know...a lot of "sources of sources" and "I'm hearing...." right now, but it's all we've got. As you yourself pointed out to me, the Bills rostered 5 DTs last season. Perhaps they plan to do so again this season. Also, perhaps they feel that Settle and Phillips are diverse enough at their size -- each around 325 lbs -- to play some 1T in spots. I'd bet we'll know soon enough whether the Phillips stuff is true. And as to the defensive end position...as crowded as it looks now, I have a feeling the Bills are going to try to bring back either Hughes or Addison. Again, time should tell pretty quickly whether that's the case.

We're not likely to find out who Ryan Talbot's source is, but Ryan himself is a good/reliable enough source for me:

Von Miller's 2021 (19 games, including playoffs): 82 pressures 13 sacks 10 hits 59 hurries (2nd in the NFL) 20.4 pass rush win percentage (8th in the NFL) Sorry to repeat myself, but Von Miller is ABSOLUTELY still a force. That's what "taking a closer look" reveals.

Just heard on the Cover 1 show that Von Miller, in 19 games in 2021 (so that includes playoffs and Super Bowl, obviously)...had: 82 pressures (!) 13 sacks 10 hits 59 hurries (2nd in the NFL) 20.4 pass rush win percentage (8th in the NFL) And let's not forget that four of those sacks came in the playoffs (two in the Super Bowl). Any notion that Miller is not still a very dangerous pass rusher is incorrect. He's still a hell of a player. Also, the fact that we will have DaQuan Jones eating double teams, leaving Ed Oliver and Von Miller potentially in one-on-ones, is super exciting. Also also, as an added bonus, Miller is known to be one of the most generous teachers of younger players in the league. He runs his own pass rush summit every year, because he's eager to teach the tools of the trade to up and coming pass rushers. He's gonna do wonders for our trio of youngsters.

Thank you, I shall treasure it always! (You’re happy about this signing though, right? Or still mad at Beane for…reasons?)

I know it’s a nickel and dime league now, that the 4-3 vs 3-4 discussion is almost irrelevant, and that rushing the passer is rushing the passer, but still… Its worth noting that this will be Miller’s first time being a full time 4-3 edge.

For those whining about his age: He’s the same age as Chandler Jones and Khalil Mack, who all of you seemed to want.

Guess now we know who at least one of the big free agents that reached out to Buffalo was.

I liked it better when the thread title said “Bills sign ok Howard”, because that’s a hilariously true type-o.

Now we get to see those who were crying and and moaning about not signing any big time players pivot to crying and moaning that we overpaid for an old guy. @BillsVet? @Coach Tuesday? Who wants to go first?

Yet another recent high priced, "big splash" addition to a team that was much ballyhooed by the media, and then didn't work out very well and the guy was released a year into his deal. These big names on the back nine of their careers don't always work out the way fans think they will...

As it stands right now, the Bills have: 1T: Daquan Jones, Star Lotulelei, Eli Ankou (practice squad) 3T: Ed Oliver, Tim Settle I feel like they normally roll with just 4 DTs on the roster, particularly now that they have Basham, who they like to kick inside on third downs. That said, unless they decide to roll with 5 DTs this year, I'm not sure where Jordan Phillips fits on the roster. I liked him as a player here, and he brought great energy and was seemingly beloved by his teammates. If they find a spot for him, so be it. He can bring juice as a rotational pass rusher. I just don't think we give game day jerseys to 5 DTs, so unless someone mentioned above is getting cut, one of the five will be inactive every Sunday.

Like I said... Jones says "it isn't about money", but would surely proceed to take more money to play for a non contender. And yes, I'm counting the Raiders -- in that division -- as a non-contender. You're telling me they're gonna rise above the Mahomes Chiefs, Herbert Chargers, and Wilson Broncos any time in the foreseeable future? Ain't happenin'. Money talks, bull#### walks.