YoloinOhio Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 (edited) All-Pros, Pro Bowlers and award winners aren't the only players who make an impact in the NFL. Below, you'll find one unsung hero -- someone who stepped out of the shadows to play a pivotal role -- for each team in the AFC. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001012619/article/unsung-heroes-in-the-afc-chris-jones-tyler-boyd-step-up BUFFALO BILLS: Matt Milano, linebacker. Every time I watched the Bills in 2018, I couldn't help but notice how effective their defense was, especially when No. 58 was on the field. The former fifth-round pick didn't have freakish athleticism or star power, but he was consistently excellent. Around The NFL's Chris Wesseling characterized him perfectly during a midseason podcast: Luke Kuechly Lite. The second-year pro landed on injured reserve after breaking his leg in Week 14, and his absence was noticeable the rest of the way. As the heart and soul of the Buffalo defense, he should receive much more love going forward. Edited January 24, 2019 by YoloinOhio 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo Montoya Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) No question that Milano was always wherever the ball was the entire season. I think Edmonds will take a big step forward next season with a year of experience under his belt and some good coaching, and the Bills will have one of the best linebacking duos in the league. Edited January 25, 2019 by Inigo Montoya 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Milano was the best player on the Bills defense this season. Yep, I said it and fully believe it. He catches hell from the old school types for occasionally being out of position and not holding up at the point of attack like a Reggie freakin Ragland, but all he does is make plays. Like a defensive Cris Carter.? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 He played well. I don't think he was consistency excellent. My take is they should draft a pass rushing OLB in first two rounds. Start Milano, Edmonds, and the rookie in the base 4-3. The nickel package would start as Milano and Edmonds as the two linebackers, with Lorax, Shaq, and the rookie OLB getting snaps as a pass rusher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 8 hours ago, LSHMEAB said: Milano was the best player on the Bills defense this season. Yep, I said it and fully believe it. He catches hell from the old school types for occasionally being out of position and not holding up at the point of attack like a Reggie freakin Ragland, but all he does is make plays. Like a defensive Cris Carter.? If you have watched Reggie this year he doesn't even do that. Beyond being a warm body I am not sure what he does do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 8 hours ago, LSHMEAB said: Milano was the best player on the Bills defense this season. Yep, I said it and fully believe it. He catches hell from the old school types for occasionally being out of position and not holding up at the point of attack like a Reggie freakin Ragland, but all he does is make plays. Like a defensive Cris Carter.? While I don’t believe he was the best player on the Bills D this season but you’re right, all he does is make plays. Kids gonna get paid in 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk71 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Milano has been an amazing surprise victory for the Bills Good Job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Finding a player with Milano’s talent and production in the 5th round is how you build a winner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceVilanch Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 He has been as key to this D as Tre White. What a great find in the late rounds. I can't wait to watch this defense grow together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Is Milano’s injury a concern? I know it is a broken leg, but it was ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 (edited) 6 minutes ago, chris heff said: Is Milano’s injury a concern? I know it is a broken leg, but it was ugly. Will be back for minicamp per McD. It was a break of the fibula. Not exactly the same as Bodine’s but similar recovery time. He had surgery on 12/10. It’s usually 8 weeks in a cast and 2-3 months recovery on the ligaments, which I think were involved based on how his foot was pointing. Edited January 25, 2019 by YoloinOhio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 hours ago, atlbillsfan1975 said: Finding a player with Milano’s talent and production in the 5th round is how you build a winner. ...BINGO!......the 5th delivers again (Meatball was a 5th)......this kid seemed a bit smallish but he plays LARGE.......Johnson (4th), Wallace (UDFA), Foster(UDFA) are other examples of striking it rich later..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodman19 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 You got to give it to McDermott and Beane, they find and develop talent better than anyone we have had for as long as I can remember. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 6 hours ago, GunnerBill said: If you have watched Reggie this year he doesn't even do that. Beyond being a warm body I am not sure what he does do. What helped out Milano was having Star Latul in front of him and giving him space to roam and pursue the ball. McDermott showed adroitness in getting players who fit his scheme. Poyer, Hyde, White and the defensive backfield are players who match his system. There is some thought given as to what players to pursue in free agency and through the draft. On defense McDermott knows what he is doing. Let's hope that that same smart and coherent thinking is also used on the offensive side of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 minute ago, JohnC said: What helped out Milano was having Star Latul in front of him and giving him space to roam and pursue the ball. McDermott showed adroitness in getting players who fit his scheme. Poyer, Hyde, White and the defensive backfield are players who match his system. There is some thought given as to what players to pursue in free agency and through the draft. On defense McDermott knows what he is doing. Let's hope that that same smart and coherent thinking is also used on the offensive side of the ball. I am less convinced that Star had any significant impact on Milano. Milano is just a darn good football player. Star? He's okay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 34 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ...BINGO!......the 5th delivers again (Meatball was a 5th)......this kid seemed a bit smallish but he plays LARGE.......Johnson (4th), Wallace (UDFA), Foster(UDFA) are other examples of striking it rich later..... And we got him with a pick from the Patriots, that alone makes him jersey worthy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I am less convinced that Star had any significant impact on Milano. Milano is just a darn good football player. Star? He's okay. I'm not taking away anything from Milano. His football instincts are stupendous. I disagree with you your judgment on Star. You don't assess Star by his stats so much as what he does for the unit. He plugs the middle and creates a jam so little gets behind him. Thus the smallish LB can be unfettered to chase the play. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Just now, JohnC said: I'm not taking away anything from Milano. His football instincts are stupendous. I disagree with you your judgment on Star. You don't assess Star by his stats so much as what he does for the unit. He plugs the middle and creates a jam so little gets behind him. Thus the smallish LB can be unfettered to chase the play. I am not judging him by stats. I know what Star's job is. I just think he is only okay at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Matt Milano = “The Guido Torpedo” . 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshAllenHasBigHands Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 13 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: He played well. I don't think he was consistency excellent. My take is they should draft a pass rushing OLB in first two rounds. Start Milano, Edmonds, and the rookie in the base 4-3. The nickel package would start as Milano and Edmonds as the two linebackers, with Lorax, Shaq, and the rookie OLB getting snaps as a pass rusher. NFL teams play a base defense something like 20% of snaps. The Bills last year did so on 12% of snaps. The "base" defense is not really a thing anymore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wppete Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Milano was the Defensive MVP hands down. Hope he comes back healthy and hungrier then ever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 9 hours ago, NewEra said: While I don’t believe he was the best player on the Bills D this season but you’re right, all he does is make plays. Kids gonna get paid in 2 years. I'm sure Tre White would be the answer for most, but I believe Milano made more of an impact. I'm not concerned about White going forward, but he didn't grade out nearly as well as a sophomore. Have no doubt he'll bounce back, but if we're talking 2018, I'm sticking with Milano. Hughes had a very good season as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 10 hours ago, GunnerBill said: If you have watched Reggie this year he doesn't even do that. Beyond being a warm body I am not sure what he does do. Well, hopefully Rex will be named DC and can go "coach him up" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 3 hours ago, GunnerBill said: I am less convinced that Star had any significant impact on Milano. Milano is just a darn good football player. Star? He's okay. Star seems to be the source of so much controversy. I saw a natural progression from first to second year with Milano. Don't believe the "space eating" DT had much impact on his game. I've stated my opinion on "Star," so I'll leave it at that. 10 hours ago, GunnerBill said: If you have watched Reggie this year he doesn't even do that. Beyond being a warm body I am not sure what he does do. Never really focused on Ragland as he's JAG. Just throwing his name out there for reference. I'm not sure what he does either. I suppose TCB like Kramer at Brandt Leyland. And no, Milano's talent does not alleviate the need for a pass rushing edge player. That's not really his game per se. Jerry/Lorax are getting up there. Murphy has trouble getting up period. 16 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said: He played well. I don't think he was consistency excellent. My take is they should draft a pass rushing OLB in first two rounds. Start Milano, Edmonds, and the rookie in the base 4-3. The nickel package would start as Milano and Edmonds as the two linebackers, with Lorax, Shaq, and the rookie OLB getting snaps as a pass rusher. Separate issues IMO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBacks Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ...BINGO!......the 5th delivers again (Meatball was a 5th)......this kid seemed a bit smallish but he plays LARGE.......Johnson (4th), Wallace (UDFA), Foster(UDFA) are other examples of striking it rich later..... I like the fact that McBeene and identifying talent in the late rounds and UFAs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 32 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: I'm sure Tre White would be the answer for most, but I believe Milano made more of an impact. I'm not concerned about White going forward, but he didn't grade out nearly as well as a sophomore. Have no doubt he'll bounce back, but if we're talking 2018, I'm sticking with Milano. Hughes had a very good season as well. I thought Jerry was the best player this season. Tre most likely IS the best player, but I thought Jerry was impressive 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misterbluesky Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 18 hours ago, LSHMEAB said: Milano was the best player on the Bills defense this season. Yep, I said it and fully believe it. He catches hell from the old school types for occasionally being out of position and not holding up at the point of attack like a Reggie freakin Ragland, but all he does is make plays. Like a defensive Cris Carter.? With the media hyping up so many Bills these days,it makes me wonder how we ended up at 6-10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 8 minutes ago, NewEra said: I thought Jerry was the best player this season. Tre most likely IS the best player, but I thought Jerry was impressive I have seen that case made and I think it’s a good one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 18 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: I have seen that case made and I think it’s a good one PFF has Hughes as the best defensive player. I would personally go Milano, Hughes, White. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 2 hours ago, JBacks said: I like the fact that McBeene and identifying talent in the late rounds and UFAs ...is this the same JBACKS from Billievers and BBMB? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 On 1/25/2019 at 3:31 AM, GunnerBill said: If you have watched Reggie this year he doesn't even do that. Beyond being a warm body I am not sure what he does do. He catches balls from T*m Br*dy, maybe he should switch to TE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBacks Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 On 1/25/2019 at 2:27 PM, Misterbluesky said: With the media hyping up so many Bills these days,it makes me wonder how we ended up at 6-10. It's called an inept offense although after JA came back it improved some. Haven't been this excited for an off-season like this year in a long time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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