Toshiero Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Yes there are several 'If's' but with our Starting DL, more talent at LB and the pure potential of our DB corp (even without the increased pass rush..) this D could be the best in the NFL in a year or so if the cards fall right. Hard to believe huh? :-) If Gilmore and williams can step up as starters...whew.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I think I heard someone in another thread mention Zweigles....mmmmmmmmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. The Giants seem to be doing ok without any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I'm excited too, but let's not go crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Best Player Available Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. ^this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never NEVER Give-up Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 WOW - from near-last in the league to #1, huh? Unprecedented!! Our offense went from near-last to middle of the pack last year. I'll be thrilled if the defense can do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juice_32 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. a dominating d line makes the secondary and linebackers much better. we just havent seen it in a while. there will be some bumps in the road with the lb's, but the talent has been improved. im as realistic as anyone, but i do think this d will be top tier. The Giants seem to be doing ok without any. ^ this, watch how good our "mediocre" lb's become with a real d line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog69 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 we are on the right track (at least on paper). Lets see how they play when the games start. They will definitely be much improved. But I agree with others who have said we still need some upgrades at LB. A Karlos Dansby type LB in place of Morrison would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 The Giants seem to be doing ok without any. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billsguy Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Yes there are several 'If's' but with our Starting DL, more talent at LB and the pure potential of our DB corp (even without the increased pass rush..) this D could be the best in the NFL in a year or so if the cards fall right. Hard to believe huh? :-) If Gilmore and williams can step up as starters...whew.... All they have to do is pass 27 other teams. No problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sllib olaffub Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 It may be a year away - because, as others have noted, we need to have that truly impactful LB - but, I'm hoping our 4th rounder this year ends up being able to step in by year's end and take over Morrison's spot. I can't say enough how thrilled I am, at least at how they look as prospects, with this draft. Our two 4th round picks could end up being excellent starters - they both have the dynamic quality that makes them capable of being not only good, but excellent pro's, if things fall their way. We'll have to see how fast the young guys can develop, but if they acclimate quickly, this Defense could be top 5 in the NFL. I expect that by the end of next year, for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsWatch Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 It is possible but I think the Bills need to bring on some specialists to improve conditioning and ability to roll/resist damage. They should strongly encourage via playing time for players to use the new style helmets which protect against concussions The Bills need to proactive regarding this especially due to new NFLPA imposed rules limited amount of practice in pads the players can have which I think INCREASES likelihood of injuries in games. Controlled practices help players anticipate and mitigate game injuries.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 If we break the top 10 I would be tickled pink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 The Bills D could be real nice this year. But what are we talking about? Top 5, 10, 15? I could see 13-17 which would be a huge upgrade. I'm nervous about big Kyle Willaims coming back this year at 100%. Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 we are on the right track (at least on paper). Lets see how they play when the games start. They will definitely be much improved. But I agree with others who have said we still need some upgrades at LB. A Karlos Dansby type LB in place of Morrison would be great. Pleas sir nothing personal, But why do some of you folks think Kirk is weak sauce? He is going to kick ass and.. then kick some more *** after that. You do know his background history right, before we got him. seriously, just because he did not see the field much last year? That was circumstance and some questionable coaching and when he did we were starting rookies just to get them snaps (shepp). Morrison is my sleeper pick even if Bradham ends up starting by year end. Barnett has been suggested by the experts ( not me) to be almsot pro bowl material and he played very well for us last year. very well indeed. Sheppard is a question mark. But he was a rookie with no camp. Just like all 3 of them had no playbook or otas etc!Geez. We might have the best set of linebackers including our depth that we have had in years as a whole. Dansby? Have some faith bro, Morrison's a bear. call me out after the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. Where do you think they come from? Wal-Mart? We draft 'em. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 WOW - from near-last in the league to #1, huh? Unprecedented!! OK, the kind of giddy thinking expressed by the OP kinda makes my shoulderblades itch uncomfortably too. I want to say "jinx" or "avert". I am from Missouri. You have to show me. But unprecedented? Really? Texans went from 29th in the league on pts, 30th in yards in 2010, to 4th in the league on points, 2nd in yards in 2011. Recipe: a few key acquisitions, and a new coach with a simplified scheme. Bills were 30th on points, 26 in yards so right in the same range. Our offense went from near-last to middle of the pack last year. I'll be thrilled if the defense can do the same. With all the talent we've added, I'll be disappointed if we aren't in the top third, maybe top 10 on D. I agree that top 3 or 4 is too much to hope for. To be fair, I don't think the OP was specifying that this transformation take place in 1 yr, either, which is good 'cuz it won't. And to whomever else it was, Barnett is a legit NFL linebacker by anyone's standards. Morrison is a legit NFL LB, the only question is the system. Shep looked good for a rook. We do need depth badly, 'cuz it's hard to go a season without injury and 2nd year players will make mistakes, never mind rookies. But it seems a bit harsh to say we need NFL linebackers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 It may be a year away - because, as others have noted, we need to have that truly impactful LB - but, I'm hoping our 4th rounder this year ends up being able to step in by year's end and take over Morrison's spot. I can't say enough how thrilled I am, at least at how they look as prospects, with this draft. Our two 4th round picks could end up being excellent starters - they both have the dynamic quality that makes them capable of being not only good, but excellent pro's, if things fall their way. We'll have to see how fast the young guys can develop, but if they acclimate quickly, this Defense could be top 5 in the NFL. I expect that by the end of next year, for sure. This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Amazing how many this defense can be this and that threads we've seen recently How about we see the defense play together before proclaiming it can be best in league With this many new players in a new system anything near top of the league would be outstanding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 We have seen 3 years of solid upgrades to the defense, in both the draft and in free agency. There really is reason to be optimistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Yes there are several 'If's' but with our Starting DL, more talent at LB and the pure potential of our DB corp (even without the increased pass rush..) this D could be the best in the NFL in a year or so if the cards fall right. Hard to believe huh? :-) If Gilmore and williams can step up as starters...whew.... You mean this year Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. Yeah Tank and Nigel are bums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toshiero Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Interesting. I read many of the responses and some have the nerve to call me a pessimist? Pot meet Kettle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealityCheck Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Interesting. I read many of the responses and some have the nerve to call me a pessimist? Pot meet Kettle? You're not a pessimist. You're just bipolar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 This is like a twilight zone thread. Toshiero actually says something positive and everyone rails against it. I don't get the theory that we're fielding a third rate LB corps. It's certainly not the strength of our D but Barnett is a solid NFL LB, Morrison has been productive in the NFL, and the coaches seem to be high on Shepherd. Throw in Scott and the two draft picks for depth and I don't feel so bad about this crowd. Especially given the line in front of them and the secondary behind them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 This is like a twilight zone thread. Toshiero actually says something positive and everyone rails against it. I don't get the theory that we're fielding a third rate LB corps. It's certainly not the strength of our D but Barnett is a solid NFL LB, Morrison has been productive in the NFL, and the coaches seem to be high on Shepherd. Throw in Scott and the two draft picks for depth and I don't feel so bad about this crowd. Especially given the line in front of them and the secondary behind them. Agreed. I implied as much in my earlier post in this thread, but the LB corps doesn't have to be spectacular in a 4-3 if the D line is dominant -- and the Giants are a perfect example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. The linebacker position has become less and less important in today's NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 With Wanny's system being based on the principal of each player has to win his individual battle then on paper this D looks good. Wanny 4-3 stresses that Dlineman must win their individual match ups against Olineman. The Bills now have about 6-7 Dlineman that are good-great. These guys will help the Lb's look better then last year. I always think about Ray Lewis when people talk about Lbs'. Lewis is argueably one of the greatest LBs' of all time. If you remember he has enjoyed his greatest success when he had a good Dline and specifically a big guy in fron tof him eating up two olineman. Goose and then later Ngata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 The team building here is starting to make sense. That the defense, by design, can be very functional and execute well. I think with what we have going into camp we have a High ceiling. Once we get rolling anyways. I think Wannstadt is the guy who sold it to Anderson and Williams as a team headed in the right direction with a solid plan. Like you fellas quote " let the guys up front win those battles and let the linebackers flow to the ball." I can see that happening this season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 You're not a pessimist. You're just bipolar. Well-played! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuncha Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. Now that we have a bunch of real D-linemen, perhaps our NFL linebackers will start playing like they are....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Call me once we've added some real NFL linebackers. Thanks for keeping it real around here. IF,however, we somehow hit a homer with malcolm chadley hadham or the guy called tank; then we could possibly have a sick little defense here. But with what we have starting at LB---we could possibly be upper 1/3 in the league if the Williams bros avoid injury. Now that we have a bunch of real D-linemen, perhaps our NFL linebackers will start playing like they are....... they should play better--but I don't like a scenario where other people have to be better in order for players to even look like NFL starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Yes there are several 'If's' but with our Starting DL, more talent at LB and the pure potential of our DB corp (even without the increased pass rush..) this D could be the best in the NFL in a year or so if the cards fall right. Hard to believe huh? :-) If Gilmore and williams can step up as starters...whew.... The "Ifs" are really big ones though to be ignored... 1. If Kyle Williams will be able to regain his Pro-bowl form since having surgery on his leg. 2. The team is switching from 3-4 to a 4-3 and also a change at the DC position. Will the players adapt to a new scheme quickly. 3. Do the LBs have it in them to get to the ball carriers @ the line of scrimmage. In spite of having Dareus, the run defense was still horrible last season. And these are just on the front 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 if i may Ganesh? #1. If he is healthy, i cannot imagine why not. And all reports say he is GO. We have read some quotes of him saying his range of motion is back as it was years ago before this started to nag him. #2. The switch to a Wannstadt 4-3 is supposed make the game simpler on defense and let the players make plays. #3. Refer to #2. In his 4-3 the linebackers should be getting the tackle stats at the line of scrimmage. You have darn good questions sir. I have hopeful answers based partially upon fact. : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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