ny33 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2013/04/nigel-bradham-bills-expect-him-to-be-a-defensive-playmaker-.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 "We've got some talent there," Nix said, "and a lot more than people think." Is any other GM selling his roster to the fans like this? They're not nearly as bad as we think! Phew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 "We've got some talent there," Nix said, "and a lot more than people think." Is any other GM selling his roster to the fans like this? They're not nearly as bad as we think! Phew! And of course he likes them and thinks they're better, he picked 'em. I don't know what he is seeing though. I think Bradham could be very good, and we also have... oh wait, no we don't... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 And of course he likes them and thinks they're better, he picked 'em. I don't know what he is seeing though. I think Bradham could be very good, and we also have... oh wait, no we don't... Well, they signed Lawson, who obviously they think can play. Sheppard was much better as a rookie playing in a 3-4 than he was last season, so that may factor in as well. Add in the idea that guys like Moats and Anderson will likely see time as OLBs when the team lines up in a 34, and you start to get the feel for what Nix is saying. I don't necessarily agree with him, but I think that's what he means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 And of course he likes them and thinks they're better, he picked 'em. I don't know what he is seeing though. I think Bradham could be very good, and we also have... oh wait, no we don't... lol CBF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jukester Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I liked this part: 'Bradham also is bullish on his evolution as a defensive playmaker and emphasized Pettine's proclivity for "a lot more blitzing ... so it'll be a lot more fun."' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Well, they signed Lawson, who obviously they think can play. Sheppard was much better as a rookie playing in a 3-4 than he was last season, so that may factor in as well. Add in the idea that guys like Moats and Anderson will likely see time as OLBs when the team lines up in a 34, and you start to get the feel for what Nix is saying. I don't necessarily agree with him, but I think that's what he means. I was high on Sheppard as a draft pick and he has looked terrible to me the entire time. I don't think Moats is anything more than an average back-up. I like Lawson as kind of a decent to pretty good cog, not really a playmaker. If you count Mario and Mark Anderson as LBs, then we have a bunch of talent back there, but they're not going to be playing that position more than 25% of the time. Anderson is a guy who may still be a very valuable player for us that people are forgetting about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 If you can't be optimistic in the off-season, when can you? It's all we usually have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I don't know what he is seeing though. This is a bigger smoke screen from Buddy than any so far, IMO. It would not surprise me one bit if they went LB with number eight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2004 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 And of course he likes them and thinks they're better, he picked 'em. That is pretty accurate. Forget getting the best player available this year. Get a position of need for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Saying "our LBs suck" isn't exactly inspiring to your current players and staff, now, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 If you can't be optimistic in the off-season, when can you? It's all we usually have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 The article has me pumped. Yes, it was a miserable season to behold but I liked what I saw in Bradham. He got better each week. When you're a fan of a team that ..well, SUX, you try to find something encouraging and Nigel was one of them for me. He played well for a rookie in Wanny's vanilla D. Just my opinion, but I don't think this is a 'Buddy pre-draft smoke-screen' the kid is a worthy starting LB just entering his second season with a new, aggressive D approach. Things could be worse.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeisterHollow Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Judging the Bills defensive talent, from a positional perspective, isn't as easy as its been in the past. We simply don't know how Pettine wants to line everyone up. If, for instance, he plans on using Mark Anderson and Mario Williams to fill the same OLB spot, then you've got to think that position is stacked - earning something like 20-25 million a year just between the two! On the opposite side you have Manny Lawson, who, I believe, is expected to be a 3 down LB - that ability being what drew Buffalo to him. Nigel Bradham is also a 3 down LB, and I think a very promising one. So, if that is how the Bills are lining up the LB'ers, then we're only really missing a good starter at ILB, beside Nigel. That, to me, doesn't make us terribly weak there. We have Scott and the kid - Dotson? - we just signed as lighter nickel type LB'ers. We have Moats, White as backups - and Sheppard, if we find a good starter to go next to Bradham - would make a good backup. So, to round off that group we need another LB'er to backup Lawson, and a starter at ILB. With Williams moving to Safety, I am excited about our secondary! I can imagine he and Byrd flying around making plays, and if we add a good starter to the CB group, our secondary might be VERY GOOD. How about our D-line? Kyle Williams is getting older, but I think he'll be good for another 2 years. Dareus is legit. Carrington is also very good, I think. Branch will give us a good NT option. Troupe will be a bit of a wild-card. I feel like we're missing a real agile space eating NT who is versatile enough to play DT/NT. Maybe Branch is that guy. If so, this is a strong unit, no? According to my reckoning, we're a starting caliber player at ILB, and maybe a good CB, and a NT away from being one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. Throw in Pettine calling the plays - and I think we're going to see a totally different Bills defense this year - like night and day different. I'm comfortable guessing we'll be a top 12 defense right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KollegeStudnet Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 If you can't be optimistic in the off-season, when can you? It's all we usually have. Ha true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perk71 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 If you can't be optimistic in the off-season, when can you? It's all we usually have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I personally think Nigel Bradham is a monster.....he showed a lot of good stuff last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Did anyone hear the Mark Anderson interview on the John Murphy show? Anderson is now an OLB. He goes to the linebacker meetings and his position coach is the linebacker's coach. Sounds to me like we are running a 3-4 even though they haven't publicly said so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Did anyone hear the Mark Anderson interview on the John Murphy show? Anderson is now an OLB. He goes to the linebacker meetings and his position coach is the linebacker's coach. Sounds to me like we are running a 3-4 even though they haven't publicly said so About what I figured...he'll play OLB opposite Lawson when the team lines up in a 34, with Bradham and Sheppard inside. Mario, Kyle, and Dareus play the line with Carrington, Branch, and Gilbert rotating in (and Troup if he makes the team). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 About what I figured...he'll play OLB opposite Lawson when the team lines up in a 34, with Bradham and Sheppard inside. Mario, Kyle, and Dareus play the line with Carrington, Branch, and Gilbert rotating in (and Troup if he makes the team). The year before we signed Anderson, and he had double digit sacks, he mostly played 4-3 DE. But late in the season and during the playoffs, the Pats played a 3-4. Anderson was an OLB, played 3 downs, and he played great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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