Brand J

The defensive prowess is part of my argument against Edmunds. The Bills struggle against teams that can run or pass, but they’re excellent in shutting down one dimensional offenses (Patriots game #1 notwithstanding). As I said, they’re not alone, no team consistently stops the better offenses. To that end, I question the unicorn comment and Edmunds’ subsequent worth. I don’t believe he does his job so well that he makes everyone else on the backend look great. I think those players look great because they are. I’m not saying he doesn’t have a part in the unit as a whole, that would be silly, I’m saying his value is overstated, especially when it comes to stopping the better or balanced offenses in the league.

I didn’t like the Terel Bernard pick in the 3rd (liked the position, not the name), but by all accounts he’s really popped in practice and showcased his speed. He and Edmunds are entirely different players, but if Bernard excels more than we could’ve hoped for, it makes Edmunds that much more expendable. Like Beane said, their styles are totally different, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Milano/Bernard pairing going into next year if the rook keeps killing it. The MLB position in this defense isn’t typical anyway since they do run so much nickel.

Also, Marino made a comment like Edmunds is doing things on the field that almost no other LB does, maybe since Brian Urlacher (I’m paraphrasing here). Does anyone get the feeling Edmunds is revolutionizing the way that position is played? That he’s so great in what he does, there’s no other like him? Let’s be realistic here, Saleh’s comments aside…

I’m all for the big picture, but against the better offenses I’ve never felt the MLB was making all that much of a difference. Those better offenses dictated to the Bills D more than the other way around. And I get it, no defense in the league consistently stops top offenses, that’s not what Roger Goodell wants, but if that’s also true, then how much value would Edmunds have if he truly was a unicorn and took away the middle/got his hands on tons of passes? His value would be through the roof, not the $13-$15M some are speculating as a 2nd or 3rd tier LB. Something’s not adding up.

The Saleh quote is often used, but for all its glory, I’m waiting for Edmunds to play as good as we’re all told he is against the better offenses in the league. Make a big play, Tremaine, please.

Apparently Nick McCloud is running with the safeties more these days. Not sure why because he tested with blazing speed and looked to have decent quickness. Poyer had lots of praise for him recently though, said he reminded him of his younger self.

It’s Edmunds year to put up or shut up. I’ve heard more excuses for this player than any other in recent memory. Everything from his age to his responsibilities in the defense limiting his overall effectiveness. He is not a “bad” or “terrible” linebacker, but he’s not a “great” or “elite” one either. In my opinion, he has to flash on the screen more than Matt Milano to be paid more than Matt Milano and so far in his career that hasn’t happened. His instincts and his processing speed are his limitations and I’m not sure those will ever take a giant leap, but let’s see what he does with a much better DL in front of him…

What year is this? And is that John Murphy as the color guy next to Van Miller? Had no idea he’s been around that long.

I wanted Moss to be our new age version of Travis Henry, sans the nine kids by nine different women or whatever it was. A slippery 5’9” 220 lb RB who’s tough as hell to bring down. Moss hasn’t shown that type of ability yet and I’m not sure he has it. Henry had exceptional contact balance and lower body strength and was called “the toughest SOB in the league to get on the ground” by Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas. For a pass first team, if Moss makes the 53, his role will be minimal unless he surpasses Singletary. He is our best pass protecting RB, but doesn’t do anything else that wows you. Cook was looking special so far according to Mitch Morse and will likely have a big role in the weekly game plan. As far as Epenesa, I don’t think he’s going anywhere. I think he has the most value (and upside) of the three. Ford, I was surprised to see his RAS score wasn’t particularly high given he was drafted to be our RT. Those guys have to be athletic and even guards need foot speed. Ford just seems too lumbering and not overly powerful, it’s his last chance to show he’s worthy of being game day active.

If they don’t make these divisive remarks, the show would be boring. I can’t believe Skip would tell you in all candor he believes more in Baker Mayfield than Josh Allen.

Fitz has a great sense of humor and as we all know is very intelligent. He should do very well, better than Tom Brady.

I think if the injury bug wasn’t a concern, Hodgins would have what it takes to make the 53. I say that based on reports from his teammates and coaches. We all heard how everyone raved about him and Davis knowing the playbook so well their rookie years, that vets would turn to them for questions. He’s not the fastest guy, but he scored well in agility and explosion. Josh talked about how quick he was for a guy at that height and how he possibly had the best hands on the team. Last year McD said Hodgins was positioning himself to make a “real move” up the depth chart and then he gets injured again. That’s his weakness, he just can’t stay out of the training room. I’m counting him out from this point forward.

No.

Where did I hear that McD changed his mind about the kickoff (from through the EZ to short of it) and that the amended call never made it to Bass? Farwell was supposedly on the short kick to the EZ train from the moment after the offense scored.

Say we were coming off all those years of QB hell; Cleveland took Allen and we drafted Darnold who turned out to be another bust. I could never stop rooting for the Bills and that logo, but I’d be pissed at the amount of draft capital we gave up for Watson and I wouldn’t wear Bills clothing around LA so proudly. Not because of any personal feelings I had towards Watson, but because I wouldn’t want to hear the blowback from all the other fans. I root for the team first and foremost, players second. I’d be supportive, but not happy. I would also have zero expectations that the team was on a real path to success. EDIT: Oh and bypassing Mahomes for Tre White would continue to loom over this franchise like a dark cloud.

Edmunds praised Terrel Bernard for how he’s looked in practice and when a reporter later asked who’s ahead in their positional battles, Bernard or him, Edmunds said something along the lines of “we’ll keep that between our linebacker group.” I would’ve LOVED for some alpha personality to flash there and if he had answered the question matter-of-factly like “me! Come on now.” Could’ve done it with a grin, but I understand that’s not who he is.

I’m about ready to give up on Hodgins. Every year we hear some sort of great praise, just last year McD said he’s positioned himself to make a “real” move, but despite all the applause levied onto him, he just can’t stay out of the training room. The best ability is availability and he’s always hurt.

Von has never played less than 76% of the snaps on defense. Just last year with the Rams he was on the field 79% of the time. When asked earlier about rotation, Von said he’s for it, but doesn’t want to be off the field for more than a couple plays here or there. He said he can’t make an impact from the sideline. Interested to see how this goes down. He also needs to play the majority of his snaps from the left side as that’s where he’s been most effective throughout his career. Rams actually tried to play him on the right when he first got there, but by the end of the season it was almost 100% on the left.

They’re all learning from each other. There was an article in The Athletic this morning detailing everything: Pass Rush Summit Here’s Maxx Crosby showing Groot his signature spin move.

Desoto to College Station is more like a 2.5 hour drive. Never been to the A&M campus, but a 2.5 hour drive is still relatively close within the confines of TX. When I lived in Lubbock I had friends from the suburbs of Houston, which was a 9 hour drive away. That state is too big.

More from Webb on Allen

That’s what I took from it as well. Can’t be happy with the amount of drops I’m hearing Stevenson has had.

Nothing crazy, just a friendly $100 wager. Edit: Let me know if the bet is good. Not saying you’re the type who’d later try to collect on an unconfirmed bet, but it has to be agreed upon before it’s valid.

I’m no Tua fan but I’ll take you up on your bet if you’re serious. His backup is Teddy Bridgewater.

Outside of the beginning of this season when he was coming back from Covid, his play at LT has been great. And there are still some here who want to move him inside to guard 🙄