TheyCallMeAndy

Sanders does have a very high missed tackle rate and is very raw in college

Awesome!

Voldamort?

Agreed, no one should think otherwise. He’ll get a shot at it, but ultimately he is a best fit at OLB.

Absolutely could be, I think it’ll depend on what the offense is showing. I think they learned from throwing Edmunds into the fire and we may see Rapp sub out with a rookie MLB. I also think there is a very good chance Poyer/Hyde don’t start 17 games next year.

That is true, but remember his rating was based for the entire NFL, not scheme specific. Bills value pass coverage LBers and intelligence, those are his two best traits. Honestly, coming out I would bet he was one of the better pass coverage LBers in that draft.

Well he clearly isn’t slow. He’s easily the best athlete in the LB room, even when we had Edmunds. Guys who have watched that jets game said he struggled with his keys and the game was still very fast for him. Paralysis by analysis. They also said he plays with great hustle and was a sure tackler. Milano came back and he played 70% the special teams snaps, which should help the game slow down a bit.

Absolutely, we’ve seen they aren’t afraid of developmental projects. He doesn’t translate well to MLB, and that has nothing to do with the Jets game last year. I think that Jets game is nearly irrelevant when it comes to speculating how 2023 will play out. I think the plan is more 3-LBer sets.

The point remains. In Bernard’s start vs the Jets, he did some good things. People act like he was completely useless, just a body.

My optimism is based off trust in our coaches ability to develop linebackers, what Bernard did well last year, and what he was known for in college. Players take big steps from years 1 to year 2. And Tyler Bass after literally 2 kicks. This board demands instant gratification and scoffs at the idea that a player may need 1-2 years to develop. To suggest coaches know something they don’t is blasphemy.

No it isn’t, anything his role is very clear. If Bills are the exact same defense as last year he’s Milano’s backup and he will get a chance to compete for the Mike. If they opt to run more 3-LBer sets for various reasons, he has an inside track to start at the other OLB spot. Bernard could actually be the key to defensive scheme flexibility, something we haven’t seen for a few years.

While true, it’s also a bit misleading. Bernard was Milano’s backup, and he only missed that single Jets game. Dodson was the primary MLB backup when Edmunds was out. Bernard played about 70% the special teams snaps, so it’s not like he was useless to the team.

18 million!? 🤮🤮🤮🤮

We’ve only had 1 LB weight over 240 over the last 4 years. I think Dodson is the heaviest (237) behind Edmunds (250).

I’m sure they would’ve re-signed Edmunds if they could have, but they couldn’t touch 18 million. Bernards skill set definitely doesn’t translate to MLB, but he has tools to be a very good coverage OLB giving big time scheme flexibility

When he signs his rookie contract, will he be the highest paid hooker ever? And let’s be real, Allen has a massive ego 😂

Thanks for such a deep, detailed, and well thought out insight.

I think it’s the classic paralysis by analysis.

Agreed 100% I truly believe the plan is him at OLB and we finally stop using CBs to match up with TEs. Our base Nickel was bad vs the run, and when Edmunds was out of the lineup it was horrible vs it. I think this is the year we go back to being a base 4-3, or at least match up with offensive personnel more. I low key would love it too. Sanders AND Campbell? I doubt it though, I think they have a plan for Bernard.

What if Bills shocked everyone and went LB-LB in the first 2 rounds. SLB - Sanders - Mata MLB - Campbell - Dodson WLB - Milano - Bernard 🤯 No, just being slick with curses and have been reading a book that says arse all the time hahah He also did an episode on Spencer Brown, Ed Oliver, and will do Gave Davis next!

Locked In Bills did a whole episode on him and Dodson, a really good listen. Basically, the game was still very fast for him in 2022 and his only action was filling in for Milano, not Edmunds (which are 2 different positions). He plays with his arse on fire but has the issues you’d expect a 224 pound rookie to have. Bernard relies on his athleticism to beat blocks, this doesn’t translate well to MLB. My speculation is Bills may be looking to play more 3-LB sets than they have years past, as Bernard truly best spot it OLB. Milano isn’t leaving the weak side, meaning Bernard likely lines up covering TEs, but this is actually a good thing. I’m very excited to see Bernard this season, but I think our defense as a whole will look a little different. I’ve heard he hasn’t left OBD, he’d be a pleasant surprise but I don’t think the team will bank on him at MLB. Sounds like he will get a chance to compete though.

So dumb. *Changes profile picture*

Too bad it’s not the time of the year where you trust absolutely nothing a coach or GM says. If only!

Whoever Beane picks - Thad Brown, probably

So looking at Todd McShays top 150 prospects, he has LB Devin Llyod as his 13th best player, and he went 27th overall. His 17th best player, LB Nakobe Dean, went 83rd overall. His next highest rated LB was Christian Harris, who was ranked 38th and went 75th.