26CornerBlitz Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Ready to play: Instant-impact rookies Reggie Ragland, LB, Buffalo Bills Drafted in: Round 2, No. 41 overall. Ragland has a lot of the same physical qualities as David Harris, who played extremely well for Rex Ryan when Ryan was with the Jets. I expect Ragland to fill the Harris role under Ryan in Buffalo. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 102 tackles and seven pass breakups in 2015. The latter stat is important, because one of the things you worry about with someone who has Ragland's 4.72 speed is the ability to cover tight ends and running backs -- but that was something Ragland clearly was able to do in college. He has very good instincts and strengths, and he's an outstanding tackler. When he gets to 'em, they go down. He's also a great character person. I expect him to rack up 100-plus tackles and improve Buffalo's defense by 7 points per game. Quite a projection I'd say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 that would have been first this past year by over 2 points a game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Don't get me wrong, I hope that it's true but that is a ridiculous prediction. That would have them over 2 PPG better than the next best defense in the NFL last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 that would have been first this past year by over 2 points a game Don't get me wrong, I hope that it's true but that is a ridiculous prediction. That would have them over 2 PPG better than the next best defense in the NFL last year. Less than 20 PPG would be a good place to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeF Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I think the world of Gil Brandt -- but this is a put down the pipe comment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Guy on the Bench Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Quite a projection I'd say! He's changed it since to say "in a major way" vs. the 7 points prediction, which was absurd (though it would be awesome). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Less than 20 PPG would be a good place to start. Absolutely!! That's what I was thinking 3 points (or so) would be a great start. 15 PPG after being over 22 is just crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 He's changed it since to say "in a major way" vs. the 7 points prediction, which was absurd (though it would be awesome). He walked that back big time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty McFly Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Quite a projection I'd say! that guys drunk on the koolaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Guy on the Bench Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 (edited) He walked that back big time! Somebody must have mentioned to him that a seven point drop in his rookie year, attributable to him, would probably make Ragland the greatest LB of all time. Here's hoping. Edited May 3, 2016 by Last Guy on the Bench Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Brandt doesn't know what he is talking about. He says Ragland can do well in coverage, but so many posters here say he can't. Who are you going to believe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 Brandt doesn't know what he is talking about. He says Ragland can do well in coverage, but so many posters here say he can't. Who are you going to believe? Hmmm? Posters or Gil Brandt? Tough Choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Brandt doesn't know what he is talking about. He says Ragland can do well in coverage, but so many posters here say he can't. Who are you going to believe?I'm not believing anybody that things Ragland improves the defense by 7 PPG. That's crazy talk. He's not good in coverage. He has a chance to play some there though. It isn't his strength. Preston Brown isn't too good in coverage either. That will be where the Bills need Zach Brown to help out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 I'm not believing anybody that things Ragland improves the defense by 7 PPG. That's crazy talk. He's not good in coverage. He has a chance to play some there though. It isn't his strength. Preston Brown isn't too good in coverage either. That will be where the Bills need Zach Brown to help out. Brown will likely be the Nickel LB in obvious passing situations to take advantage of his speed and quickness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I'm not believing anybody that things Ragland improves the defense by 7 PPG. That's crazy talk. He's not good in coverage. He has a chance to play some there though. It isn't his strength. Preston Brown isn't too good in coverage either. That will be where the Bills need Zach Brown to help out. I think Preston Brown will be the odd man out in passing situations and Ragland will stay on the field or they may even rotate the two. I don't think they take Reggie off the field too much this year unless they absolutely have to, just my 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Gil Brandt is a rambling nut at this point. It's painful/sad listening to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Gil Brandt is a rambling nut at this point. It's painful/sad listening to him. Funny, I've heard the same whispers about you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Funny, I've heard the same whispers about you. Maybe he is Gil brandt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Gil Brandt is a rambling nut at this point. It's painful/sad listening to him. As someone who listens to Sirius NFL constantly, I couldn't disagree more. Yes, he's old (and yeah, he sounds it), but the guy still knows way more about football than most have forgotten! Gil's ability to pull out a random college players name at any spot always blows my mind! Obviously I'm not sure he's in the ballpark on this prediction, but one thing Brandt knows is football players! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Romes Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 As someone who listens to Sirius NFL constantly, I couldn't disagree more. Yes, he's old (and yeah, he sounds it), but the guy still knows way more about football than most have forgotten! Gil's ability to pull out a random college players name at any spot always blows my mind! Obviously I'm not sure he's in the ballpark on this prediction, but one thing Brandt knows is football players! Agreed - brandt still has got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 (edited) I always get him mixed up with Greg Cosell. Edited May 3, 2016 by YoloinOhio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Ragland sounds exciting... Is what it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Could it be that Brandt is saying that Ragland being a "part" of the "whole" will help improve the defense dramatically? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPS Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Quite a projection I'd say!he just out-TBD'd TBD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I appreciate Brandts enthusiasm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I won't comment on any specific poster as I hate the non-stop back and forth banter as there were a few questioning Gil Brandt's ability to pick talent. This man is going to go into the HOF one of the upcoming years for how he helped revolutionize the way front offices evaluated talent, being a pioneer in data analytics in the 1960's. Just because a man is older does not mean he is past knowing football. He has been to every draft since 1956. He was a GM on a perennial. SB team, and managed the Cowboys for over 25 years. I listen to him regularly and he is on point so much of the time. He sometimes can be too complimentary, but it's not over the top, and can be critical of teams that make poor decisions. Was he a little over the top in the prediction, maybe, but how many times is Kiper, Gruden, and so many other analysts over the top with predictions and evaluations. I'll agree with the Godfather ( Brandt ) Ragland will probably be an impact player barring injury for a long time on the Bills. We'll find out this summer if he can cover TE's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest K-GunJimKelly12 Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 As someone who listens to Sirius NFL constantly, I couldn't disagree more. Yes, he's old (and yeah, he sounds it), but the guy still knows way more about football than most have forgotten! Gil's ability to pull out a random college players name at any spot always blows my mind! Obviously I'm not sure he's in the ballpark on this prediction, but one thing Brandt knows is football players! I agree as well, I listen to a lot of Sirius NFL and he is still with it. Also I wonder how many posters on here determine that he can't cover by simply looking at his 40 time rather than watching him play. He 40 time isn't all that bad for a MLB anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 I think Ragland will be a terrific player but I don't think he has enough sand in the pants to make a 7 ppg difference. Hell, I'm not even sure there's enough sand out there to fill pants big enough to make a 7 ppg difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I miss Dr. Z... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Ragland may turn out to be the steal of this draft.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodbuster Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Looking at last years schedule and scores, seven fewer PPG would have gotten us two more wins and an OT game last season. Considering it would have swung one of the AFC games (Jags), and put the Pats* game up in the air, that's probably playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I agree as well, I listen to a lot of Sirius NFL and he is still with it. Also I wonder how many posters on here determine that he can't cover by simply looking at his 40 time rather than watching him play. He 40 time isn't all that bad for a MLB anyways. I dunno... 14th best just in this years LB class. He's slow. Not spikes slow, but Preston brown slow ish... Maybe he's instinctive and plays faster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Well Vegas gives virtually no points per game for almost any player other than a QB. The rest are interchangable parts including the great ones. I think Watt moved the spread 1 or two points. No way a rookie LB has a 7 point effect on a game. I'm just hoping for a solid upgrade over Brown and Bradham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Maybe we can put him down to score 6 too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prickly Pete Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 http://www.buffalobills.com/video/audio/Gil-Brandt-Knew-EJ-Manuel-Was-a-1st-Round-Talent/f48abd9d-7a66-4c80-8dea-1672161f430d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 We went from 54 sacks to 21 in Rex's first year. I'm a strictly wait and see method with Rex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 We went from 54 sacks to 21 in Rex's first year. I'm a strictly wait and see method with Rex. Wait and see something better, I hope! That was inexcusable. Let the men win their battles! (Wonder what Vegas would have as the odds for Roman being the Bills head coach within 24 months? Sorry, I digress.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#34fan Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I don't doubt it for a second.... If Brandt had ended his quote with "at least" he still wouldn't have been out of line. Ragland is an absolute hammer... I'm a Cardale fan, and RAGLAND is my favorite pick of this draft! YESSSS! -This D just got some oompf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingRex Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I'm not believing anybody that things Ragland improves the defense by 7 PPG. That's crazy talk. He's not good in coverage. He has a chance to play some there though. It isn't his strength. Preston Brown isn't too good in coverage either. That will be where the Bills need Zach Brown to help out. The 7 PpG prediction says a lot more about Brandt than Ragland. As far as actual player assessment the key seems to me is a rather obvious understanding that yes Ragland does not have the speed to be great in coverage, but looking at the stats, the things he does well (great tackler, excellent instincts, and recognized leadership of a great D), this SEC player of the year is not a great cover guy but is a good one. When one adds in the fact his pass rush ability will make him valuable on 3rd down (the folks who have labeled him a 2 down back look fairly foolish), and that he is slated as our Will LB rather than the Sam LB with TE pass coverage primary duty or the Mike LB with crossing pattern duty, it's quite easy to see why the Bills would not have been displeased if Lawson had not slipped to become their pick-up with pick # 19. As long as the docs prove to be right about the enlarged aorta issue, the Bills braintrust also scored big getting this 1st round level talent with a 2nd round pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I think Preston Brown will be the odd man out in passing situations and Ragland will stay on the field or they may even rotate the two. I don't think they take Reggie off the field too much this year unless they absolutely have to, just my 2. remember rookies hit the wall in the 2nd half of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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