Should Shaq be starting instead of Trent Murphy?

[GreggTX]

Select one or the other. I know it's only 1 game, so I won't hold you to this answer. What's your feeling at this point?

[Malazan]

"starting" means nothing. This post makes no sense.

[Dadonkadonk]

I've been an anti-Murphy guy.  But to be fair, he had a good game against the Jets.  His pass rush was mostly taking wide routes around the RT.  I didn't see him involved in many stunts.  But he held his own in the run game and was active down the stretch making some plays.  I think Lawson is a solid DE in the NFL and if people can be reasonable he should be signed to an extension. 

[Doc Brown]

I chose Murphy because it doesn't matter.

[SCBills]

Both solid players.  Interchangeable in my view.... which is a good thing. 

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

When the defense plays as well as they id yesterday, cannot one reasonably infer that the coaches are doing a good job with scheme  and personnel?

[BillsfaninSB]

In this case the guy on the field for the first play does not mean anything.    You put the guy in for the right situation.

 

[ColoradoBills]

Wasn't Shaq spelling Hughes and Johnson spelling Murphy?

I seen Shaq on the right side when I noticed him in.

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, ColoradoBills said:

Wasn't Shaq spelling Hughes and Johnson spelling Murphy?

I seen Shaq on the right side when I noticed him in.

It is more or less a rotational, role playing design.

[gjv001]

It appears to me that Shaq Lawson plays much better from the right DE position. That's what he played at Clemson.

[wppete]

Yes

[Rochesterfan]

37 minutes ago, GreggTX said:

Select one or the other. I know it's only 1 game, so I won't hold you to this answer. What's your feeling at this point?

 

 

Don’t care both get about 40-50% of the snaps - as long as they keep playing - starting means nothing.  

 

They are different players and both have good plays and bad plays.  I will let the coaches decide who to play when.

 

I believe from the discussion with Sal - Shaq is spelling Hughes and Murphy is being spelled by Johnson and they are playing on opposite side.

 

Shaq also moved inside a couple of times to rush from a pseudo DT position which gives him some different flexibility.

Edited September 9, 2019 by Rochesterfan

[MJS]

I'll say Shaq, but they have a heavy rotation for a reason.

[StHustle]

1 minute ago, Rochesterfan said:

I will let the coaches decide who to play when.

 

I'm sure they will be happy to know this. Let's not share our opinions on anything and just let the coaches decide.

[Forward Progress]

When we're facing elite running backs, like Bell and Barkley in the first two weeks, the defensive ends may prioritize setting the edge for the run game over getting to the QB.  When they do this well they have a big influence on the success of the defense without showing up on the stat sheet.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that it's hard to know who performed better without understanding their assignment for this game.  Like you, I did notice Shaq making plays more than Murphy this week - I'm just not sure if that means he performed better or not.

[mjd1001]

Rotate them 50% - 50%.....keep them both fresh.

[Jerome007]

Both played well yesterday... so moot point for now. It's true that Shaq seems to do more damage on the right side

[GunnerBill]

Both played really well yesterday. Between the two of them they can be a serviceable option opposite Jerry. I still worry how we would cope if Jerry missed any time but credit both for good displays yesterday. 

 

I'd "start" Shaq because I would want him out there on early downs and Murphy more on passing downs. 

[JaBu]

 

During OTA's/Training Camp they announced they were moving Shaq to the right side (& Yarbrough to the left) because they felt that was his (their) more natural position and where he played in college. I think the results have proven them correct!

[Rico]

 Shaq sure played like he wants to be here next year. Much better at RDE than LDE though.

[Virgil]

In our rotation, I don’t think the term “starter” is that important 

[Rochesterfan]

33 minutes ago, StHustle said:

 

I'm sure they will be happy to know this. Let's not share our opinions on anything and just let the coaches decide.

 

 

I believe I gave my opinion.  Don’t really care which one you start they both get a bunch of snaps.

 

The fact they are playing on opposite sides should mean something as both could start, but that means sitting Hughes.

 

I stand by my opinion that the coaches will decide who to start.  The one thing I did not see is you actually state your opinion.  

 

Who would you start - not that it really matters since Shaq is not the one backing up Murphy, but we want to know your take.

[GreggTX]

1 hour ago, jeremy2020 said:

"starting" means nothing. This post makes no sense.

Sorry to confuse you, but of course this implies that one is preferred. The starter will get more snaps.

Edited September 9, 2019 by GreggTX

[Manther]

46 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

Both played really well yesterday. Between the two of them they can be a serviceable option opposite Jerry. I still worry how we would cope if Jerry missed any time but credit both for good displays yesterday. 

 

I'd "start" Shaq because I would want him out there on early downs and Murphy more on passing downs. 

Maybe I am putting the jinx in, but, I don't remember Hughes missing a game due to injury.  Maybe one or two random games and nothing consecutively.  Jerry has been very durable since joining the Bills!

 

Agreed, we need Hughes healthy this entire season.

[Malazan]

56 minutes ago, GreggTX said:

Sorry to confuse you, but of course this implies that one is preferred. The starter will get more snaps.

 

strange that people keep putting "start" in quotes in this thread

Edited September 9, 2019 by jeremy2020

[Formerly Allan in MD]

We'll see how Shaq plays next season once he's been a free agent who performed this season because the Bills didn't extend him.  Just a thought.

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

 

Don’t care both get about 40-50% of the snaps - as long as they keep playing - starting means nothing.  

 

They are different players and both have good plays and bad plays.  I will let the coaches decide who to play when.

 

I believe from the discussion with Sal - Shaq is spelling Hughes and Murphy is being spelled by Johnson and they are playing on opposite side.

 

Shaq also moved inside a couple of times to rush from a pseudo DT position which gives him some different flexibility.

 

T Murphy DE 57 79%

D Johnson DE 13 18%

 

J Hughes DE 50 69%

S Lawson DE 22 31%

 

Appears so although I'd have to watch film again to check.  Saw Murphy all over the place and it appears they wanted to give him lots of snaps after camp.

[Lurker]

Silent post for this thread...

[Reed83HOF]

Only said Murphy because Shaq is better on the other side

[BuffAlone]

7 hours ago, GreggTX said:

Select one or the other. I know it's only 1 game, so I won't hold you to this answer. What's your feeling at this point?

its speed vs. stout. apples and oranges. If we get a similar balance throughout the course of the year, then good job Frasier and co. for using the tools in your box properly. and expect sack numbers to go up  ?

[Patrick Duffy]

I'm happy with the rotation they are currently doing thus far so I'm good.

[Punching Bag]

11 minutes ago, BuffAlone said:

its speed vs. stout. apples and oranges. If we get a similar balance throughout the course of the year, then good job Frasier and co. for using the tools in your box properly. and expect sack numbers to go up  ?

 

This needs to be like wrestling where one is waiting on sideline to be tagged by other.  This means they need to change defense so Murphy and Shaq are always playing on same side of field as Bills bench. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Trick question. They both seemed disruptive. It’s a win-win!

[BuffAlone]

47 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

This needs to be like wrestling where one is waiting on sideline to be tagged by other.  This means they need to change defense so Murphy and Shaq are always playing on same side of field as Bills bench. 

I don't think so. they could have that in their game plan already. no need to be on the Bill's sideline. and , no need to change the D. it seemed to be pointing in that direction already.effectively

[Punching Bag]

8 minutes ago, BuffAlone said:

I don't think so. they could have that in their game plan already. no need to be on the Bill's sideline. and , no need to change the D. it seemed to be pointing in that direction already.effectively

 

I was being factious on switching sides but I think each should understand game plan such as each knows when it is time to swap without being told unless coaches are planning on special play.  They each have strengths/weaknesses which balance against each other and rotation helps keep energy up and gives resting player change to observe offense.

[mrags]

No vote. I like the rotation. Both are playing good ball 

[CSBill]

14 hours ago, Dadonkadonk said:

I've been an anti-Murphy guy.  But to be fair, he had a good game against the Jets.  His pass rush was mostly taking wide routes around the RT.  I didn't see him involved in many stunts.  But he held his own in the run game and was active down the stretch making some plays.  I think Lawson is a solid DE in the NFL and if people can be reasonable he should be signed to an extension. 

 

That is a sensible take, well done!

7 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

This needs to be like wrestling where one is waiting on sideline to be tagged by other.  This means they need to change defense so Murphy and Shaq are always playing on same side of field as Bills bench. 

 

Didn't they do that some last year, moving Shaq inside on passing downs? I would like to see more of that with him and Oliver as the DTs.

7 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

This needs to be like wrestling where one is waiting on sideline to be tagged by other.  This means they need to change defense so Murphy and Shaq are always playing on same side of field as Bills bench. 

 

Didn't they do that some last year, moving Shaq inside on passing downs? I would like to see more of that with him and Oliver as the DTs.

[HOUSE]

Trent Lawson

[vincec]

I saw many downs yesterday where Lawson AND Murphy were both in. Lawson spelled Hughes, not Murphy, and Murphy stayed in with the second unit in lieu of Johnson.

15 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

 

Don’t care both get about 40-50% of the snaps - as long as they keep playing - starting means nothing.  

 

They are different players and both have good plays and bad plays.  I will let the coaches decide who to play when.

 

I believe from the discussion with Sal - Shaq is spelling Hughes and Murphy is being spelled by Johnson and they are playing on opposite side.

 

Shaq also moved inside a couple of times to rush from a pseudo DT position which gives him some different flexibility.

It looked to me like their primary pass rush DL package was Hughes, Murphy, Alexander and Oliver. Shaq inside may have happened a couple of times as part of the 2nd rush package group but wasn't utilized much.

Edited September 10, 2019 by vincec

[Real McClappy]

8 hours ago, Shooter McGavin said:

Trick question. They both seemed disruptive. It’s a win-win!

A very very good problem to have. our depth right now is better than most team starters.

 

Both played outstanding, I'll leave the vote blank.