mpl6876 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 So many people here saying, "too many obstacles, too many ?'s" Well, it's happened a lot recently that a new coordinator comes in, switches the D - Denver, Miami, and Green Bay are good examples - brings in some new guys, moves old guys into "new" positions, and the team flourishes. Elvis Dumerville - he didn't have his breakout season until he was switched to a 3-4 outside linebacker. Previous to that he was just as average as our Kelsay, and not near Schobel. Linebacker is one of the easiest positions for a good rookie to come in and do well at. We have a good mix at linebacker, just like we have a variety at RB - different guys for different game situations. Troupe will be a big ?, and so will Maybin. But, we have talent that was dormant here for years in a bad system - talent that played good for long stretches, but was asked to do too much, and eventually broke. We've added beef, strength, toughness. We still have speed, though. We will be good. Not the best, but we'll be good enough to stop people and to fight with anyone - it's our offense that needs to hold its own, so we can finally get to the postseason. Good rant and I respect your opinion. But, you didn't aswer the question about where the defense will be ranked... Your right about having concerns about the offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I suppose this could happen if both Troup and Maybin have fantastic years. Yeah, that's a good point. I don't expect it to happen, it looks like a very low-percentage chance, but if it does happen, we could be very solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 So many people here saying, "too many obstacles, too many ?'s" Well, it's happened a lot recently that a new coordinator comes in, switches the D - Denver, Miami, and Green Bay are good examples - brings in some new guys, moves old guys into "new" positions, and the team flourishes. Not even mildly close to the same situations. When Green Bay switched to the 3 - 4, they had a pro bowl NT and drafted a 340 pound monster to back him up in Raji. Their LBs are big and mobile. Denver brought in Jamal Williams and they already had Dumervil. Miami held back and acquired the personnel for three years before making the switch. And none of those teams were starting from the Tampa Two like us. The Tampa Two requires small quick guys. The 3 - 4 requires behemoths. Not even close. Elvis Dumerville - he didn't have his breakout season until he was switched to a 3-4 outside linebacker. Previous to that he was just as average as our Kelsay, and not near Schobel. Dumervil's pro sacks: 2006: 8.5 2007: 12.5 2008: 5.0 Then Denver switched to the 3-4 in 2009. 2009: 17.5 And you try to say Elvis was average before the switch? Chris Kelsay's pro sacks: 2003: 0 2004: 4.5 2005: 2.5 2006: 5.5 2007: 2.5 2008: 2.0 2009: 5.0 It's not exactly like looking at twins separated at birth. Before they switched to the 3 - 4, Dumervil averaged eight and two-thirds sacks per year, including his first year when he didn't even play in a bunch of games. Kelsay never had eight and two-thirds sacks in any year, didn't even get close. Linebacker is one of the easiest positions for a good rookie to come in and do well at. We have a good mix at linebacker, just like we have a variety at RB - different guys for different game situations. You're right, LB is one of the easiest positions in the league to come in and do well at. Which is why you can often reasonably expect that LBs drafted in the top three rounds have a pretty solid chance to come in and make a difference. Now, we drafted two sixth-rounders and brought in a few UDFAs. Those kind of guys occasionally make a contribution, but it's quite rare. Troupe will be a big ?, and so will Maybin. But, we have talent that was dormant here for years in a bad system - talent that played good for long stretches, but was asked to do too much, and eventually broke. We've added beef, strength, toughness. We still have speed, though. We will be good. Not the best, but we'll be good enough to stop people and to fight with anyone - it's our offense that needs to hold its own, so we can finally get to the postseason. Troup and Maybin are question marks. You got that right. Now, which are the most important positions in a 3 - 4 scheme? Oh, yeah, the ones played by Troup and Maybin. We are going to have guys playing out of position and rookies. In the long term, this might turn out to be an exceptional move. This season there's a very small chance of that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Chief Corky Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 The Bills defense will be: 1. we're in a rebuilding year 2. trying out new players is not an immediate win but a gradual progress 3. we'll win one in Toronto soon 4. the QB's are still learning the system 5. the fans still buy the tickets so why win? 6. injuries 7. the uncertain next year and the economy 8. darn other teams score more than we do 9. the offensive line takes time to jell 10. yadda yadda yadda pooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpl6876 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 The Bills defense will be: 1. we're in a rebuilding year 2. trying out new players is not an immediate win but a gradual progress 3. we'll win one in Toronto soon 4. the QB's are still learning the system 5. the fans still buy the tickets so why win? 6. injuries 7. the uncertain next year and the economy 8. darn other teams score more than we do 9. the offensive line takes time to jell 10. yadda yadda yadda pooo Hey Corky, I think what your trying to say is the same old ShI T we have been hearing for ten years and counting. It gets old doesn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logical Reasoning Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Troupe, Carrington and Maybin will play big parts in our success or failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpl6876 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Troupe, Carrington and Maybin will play big parts in our success or failure. That's a scary thought. Relying on rookie draft picks who were selected in the 2nd and 3rd round and a "one year wonder" out of college who may have "bust" written all over him. YICKS......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. K Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 They'll rank 15-20 on defense. Possibly better if a couple of young players take off, worse if they suffer too many injuries and the offense doesn't stay on the field very long. The pass D won't rank as high, but won't fall drastically. The run D has to be better, probably much better. To those who say the Bills don't have any linebackers who were drafted high, there's Poz, and I think Maybin would qualify as a highly drafted player more suited to linebacker. I hope can can make the transition. I expect he will look more natural there than Shobel would have, much as I liked Shobel as a player. Ellis it seems to me is like Maybin as being a guy who should have been slotted for linebacker when he was drafted. I don't know if he'll pan out there, but he has a better chance at LB than he had at DE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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