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...
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