Brand J

“I don’t lift weights, I don’t watch film, I only practice when it matters, and I’m not paid to tackle, but I’m one of the best corners to ever do it.” -Asante Samuel I’m paraphrasing the above quote, but that’s essentially what he said. Did we undervalue Asante’s greatness? This is a round table of ex athletes including Lesean McCoy and Brandon Marshall who speak candidly about coaches and fellow players. Asante Samuel Recognizes His Greatness

Who would win in a fight? A grizzly bear or a Siberian tiger?

How will Madden view the Bills? I’m sure the team will still be in the high 80s overall.

I was hoping he’d get hired away so we could bring in Vic Fangio.

As great as Tre White is, he’s not a freakish athlete, he wins because his technique and knowledge of the game are supreme. When he goes up against physical freaks like Hill or DK Metcalf, they can beat him up for the better part of the game. Then again those freakish level WRs beat up just about every CB in today’s league.

Sure there is, but it’s contingent on Bernard showing up and showing out. Beane already said he believes he could play both spots. If he proves adept at MLB whenever Edmunds has to step out, it lessens the need of a first round MLB, or a highly sought after FA. In that instance (and if Edmunds doesn’t return) don’t be surprised if he’s paired with Milano in the nickel going into next year.

Edmunds IS an elite athlete based on testing, but as SDS said, he doesn’t maximize those athletic gifts. Part of that is his lack of play and processing speed, the other is just a lack of physicality or “dog.” The Leonard Fournette play was brought up, but I think this play against #25 from the Patriots was even more egregious: Edmunds Blitz Attempt I’ve never seen a LB with a full head of steam, much less one with Edmunds size, get completely stonewalled on a blitz by a flat-footed RB. He should’ve sent that guy flying into Mac Jones’s lap. Edmunds struggles to get off the blocks of non traditional TEs (big WRs) as well. If he had the temperament of a Ray Lewis, John Randle, Mike Singletary, etc., we’d probably want him to cash in on a big payday because he’d probably make more plays just being nastier. But that’s not who he is and that temperament isn’t something he’ll ever bring.

Maybe Edmunds doesn’t know the defense well enough to know that his teammate, Taron Johnson, is playing a zone to his immediate left and would light Kelce up if he was to continue that route. It’s just lack of awareness and responsibility on Edmunds’ part. His lack of instinct didn’t even matter on that particular play. You’ve gotta know where your help is and where it isn’t and he’s just not a natural field general despite what some others would have you believe.

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.