Should The Bills Bench Alexander?

[Dr.Sack]

It’s no secret Lorenzo Alexander is a valuable veteran linebacker & has made incredible plays over the past 4 seasons for our defense. Remember the goal line stuff of Leornard Fournette? Amazing.

 

That said on both the Patriots TDs Saturday, Alexander was beaten both in pass coverage & couldn’t bring down Burkhead despite Star having him partially wrapped up. Does a younger more explosive linebacker make the play? Maybe. Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so. 
 

Putting that in consideration what is the likelihood McD pulls a Wade Phillips Johnson over Flutie & uses the Jets game to see if a backup LB can better play Zo’s position? Will Zo ride the pine in our Wild Card playoff game likely down in Houston? Is Zo resigned come 2020 or does he retire?

Edited December 24, 2019 by Dr.Sack

[Big Blitz]

Zero chance anything anyone does vs the Jets gets them suited up or more pt in round 1.  Especially on defense.  

 

Only 2 exceptions.

 

Duke and Yeldon.  That's it.  And even then I doubt it.  

[ShakAttack]

I don’t think it’s fair to evaluate him on the Pats game because the entire defense was making uncharacteristic mistakes like that. I think the combination of Pats extremely long drives plus the Bills offense unable to move the chains at all for an entire half resulted in the defense being gassed and it’s the reason you saw a lot of guys making the same mistakes. Certainly not coincidental when it’s coming from a defense that is normally one or the leagues best tackling units 

[bbb]

30 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so

 

I definitely vote for benching Lorax and putting in one of those guys.  

[oldmanfan]

35 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

It’s no secret Lorenzo Alexander is a valuable veteran linebacker & has made incredible plays over the past 4 seasons for our defense. Remember the goal line stuff of Leornard Fournette? Amazing.

 

That said on both the Patriots TDs Saturday, Alexander was beaten both in pass coverage & couldn’t bring down Burkhead despite Star having him partially wrapped up. Does a younger more explosive linebacker make the play? Maybe. Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so. 
 

Putting that in consideration what is the likelihood McD pulls a Wade Phillips Johnson over Flutie & uses the Jets game to see if a backup LB can better play Zo’s position? Will Zo ride the pine in our Wild Card playoff game likely down in Houston? Is Zo resigned come 2020 or does he retire?

Having an All Pro at Zo’s spot would improve things?  What a novel idea.

[Dr.Sack]

Just now, oldmanfan said:

Having an All Pro at Zo’s spot would improve things?  What a novel idea.

No All Pros waiting in the wings? I recall the Steelers LB U had a few come off their bench in 2004 to spoil our playoff hopes. 

[JoPoy88]

3 minutes ago, Dr.Sack said:

No All Pros waiting in the wings? I recall the Steelers LB U had a few come off their bench in 2004 to spoil our playoff hopes. 

Okay like who? Who is your choice as a future all-pro outside LB that is currently whiling away on the Bills’ bench? Since it happened that one time 15 years ago on a different team.

[transplantbillsfan]

Did you know that Alexander was also pivotal to stifling the Ravens a few weeks ago???

 

https://theathletic.com/1444660/2019/12/09/seven-observations-from-bills-loss-josh-allen-has-another-weak-spot-to-fix-and-bills-create-the-lamar-blueprint?source=shared-article

3) Bills provided the NFL a blueprint for the Ravens offense

The Ravens brought their unique offensive scheme to Buffalo, and the trouble with teams defensive game-planning for them so far has been overthinking it. The Ravens offense bring a lot of speed, which provided a challenge on paper for the Bills. Baltimore is primarily in a personnel grouping that dictates the defense gets into its base formation, which meant a lot of strong-side linebacker Lorenzo Alexander for the Bills. Alexander, 36, has been a dependable player for the Bills but struggles in the change of direction and getting to the edge quickly enough to make a stop. Using a bigger defensive back instead of Alexander, seemed like a logical change for the Bills.

 

Still, they stuck with Alexander all game and he rewarded them with a fantastic performance. In total, Alexander took 71 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and was part of the grand effort to limit Lamar Jackson in a way that no other team has to this point of the season.

 

Let's not overreact 

[Boatdrinks]

8 minutes ago, JoPoy88 said:

Okay like who? Who is your choice as a future all-pro outside LB that is currently whiling away on the Bills’ bench? Since it happened that one time 15 years ago on a different team.

Especially a team that was running a 3-4 defense ( and stocking the cupboard accordingly) since approximately the beginning of time. 

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, Big Blitz said:

Zero chance anything anyone does vs the Jets gets them suited up or more pt in round 1.  Especially on defense.  

 

Only 2 exceptions.

 

Duke and Yeldon.  That's it.  And even then I doubt it.  

I agree. Only Duke and TJ have an opportunity to be activated with a good day. We just don't have that much depth at LB. I was hoping one of the Johnson's would outplay Wallace be it didn't happen. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

No changes at this point. You dance with the date that brought you.

[DCbillsfan]

You go with Lorax for the rest of the season.  Make change in off season most likely.  He's been a good player but Bills need a younger, more athletic LB and more LB depth in general.

[atlbillsfan1975]

1 hour ago, DCbillsfan said:

You go with Lorax for the rest of the season.  Make change in off season most likely.  He's been a good player but Bills need a younger, more athletic LB and more LB depth in general.

Nailed it.

[ganesh]

3 hours ago, BobBelcher said:

I don’t think it’s fair to evaluate him on the Pats game because the entire defense was making uncharacteristic mistakes like that. I think the combination of Pats extremely long drives plus the Bills offense unable to move the chains at all for an entire half resulted in the defense being gassed and it’s the reason you saw a lot of guys making the same mistakes. Certainly not coincidental when it’s coming from a defense that is normally one or the leagues best tackling units 

Nope. The defense gassed itself by allowing a 18 play drive from the Patriots 1 yard line...If you cannot get off the field or put pressure on the Patriots at thier one yard line, then that is your fault.

[ganesh]

1 hour ago, DCbillsfan said:

You go with Lorax for the rest of the season.  Make change in off season most likely.  He's been a good player but Bills need a younger, more athletic LB and more LB depth in general.

Lorax has already decided that this is the last season in the NFL.

[GETTOTHE50]

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

Lorax has already decided that this is the last season in the NFL.

when the hell did he say that?

 

and why wasn’t I told??

 

but seriously, when

[TroutDog]

5 minutes ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

when the hell did he say that?

 

and why wasn’t I told??

 

but seriously, when

Prior to signing his last one year deal.  He has said since that it’s up in the air but he’s leaning towards retirement. 
 

I highly doubt we would bring him back as a starter. 

[thenorthremembers]

Can we please just put the Patriots game to bed.  We've had bench Milano our every down cusp of a pro bowl player and bench Lorax who given our defensive scheme plays only about half the snaps.

 

How about we just score 24 points next time.

[4merper4mer]

5 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

It’s no secret Lorenzo Alexander is a valuable veteran linebacker & has made incredible plays over the past 4 seasons for our defense. Remember the goal line stuff of Leornard Fournette? Amazing.

 

That said on both the Patriots TDs Saturday, Alexander was beaten both in pass coverage & couldn’t bring down Burkhead despite Star having him partially wrapped up. Does a younger more explosive linebacker make the play? Maybe. Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so. 
 

Putting that in consideration what is the likelihood McD pulls a Wade Phillips Johnson over Flutie & uses the Jets game to see if a backup LB can better play Zo’s position? Will Zo ride the pine in our Wild Card playoff game likely down in Houston? Is Zo resigned come 2020 or does he retire?

A little off topic but TJ Watt is good at his job and good at the "look at me celebrating in a self promotional" way stuff. That doesn't make him Lawrence Taylor.  

[ProcessTruster]

14 minutes ago, thenorthremembers said:

Can we please just put the Patriots game to bed.  We've had bench Milano our every down cusp of a pro bowl player and bench Lorax who given our defensive scheme plays only about half the snaps.

 

How about we just score 24 points next time.

correct.  Bills aren't quite ready for top 5 football because they don't have all the pieces and experiences yet to score more than 25 points per game.  Beane will get the new bodies they need and McD and BD will make all of the offense  better.   The NFL at the highest level is stacked towards and all about offensive football.  Trust the Process of continually improving the offense.  They are in no way finished.   Play the starters Sunday.   They need the work.  

[Rock-A-Bye Beasley]

5 hours ago, Big Blitz said:

Zero chance anything anyone does vs the Jets gets them suited up or more pt in round 1.  Especially on defense.  

 

Only 2 exceptions.

 

Duke and Yeldon.  That's it.  And even then I doubt it.  

 

So not zero chance anything anyone does. 

[hemma]

Would have been nice to have Vosean Joseph available at this point in the season.

I think he would have pushed for quite a few snaps by now.

[CommonCents]

The only way the Bills improve their defense this season is if they send Edmunds to meet with Waterboy’s coach. If he comes back to us and plays angry then we have something. 

[vincec]

4 hours ago, DCbillsfan said:

You go with Lorax for the rest of the season.  Make change in off season most likely.  He's been a good player but Bills need a younger, more athletic LB and more LB depth in general.

He said he was probably going to retire after the season so I think a change is a given.

[Happy]

Benching Lorax isn't the answer, he's still a good pass rusher and run defender.  Just don't let him cover a TE, WR, RB, the eligible tackle, etc.  I'm not sure why the defensive brain truss hasn't figured that out after the previous two years.

[loveorhatembillsfan4life]

6 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

It’s no secret Lorenzo Alexander is a valuable veteran linebacker & has made incredible plays over the past 4 seasons for our defense. Remember the goal line stuff of Leornard Fournette? Amazing.

 

That said on both the Patriots TDs Saturday, Alexander was beaten both in pass coverage & couldn’t bring down Burkhead despite Star having him partially wrapped up. Does a younger more explosive linebacker make the play? Maybe. Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so. 
 

Putting that in consideration what is the likelihood McD pulls a Wade Phillips Johnson over Flutie & uses the Jets game to see if a backup LB can better play Zo’s position? Will Zo ride the pine in our Wild Card playoff game likely down in Houston? Is Zo resigned come 2020 or does he retire?

It’s a good question. Alexander has had some problems on special teams as well this season.

 

I don’t think we do. We have rolled with him all year and I still prefer his veteran presence out there. Playoffs are not the time to pull a flutie Johnson move. 

[folz]

5 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Did you know that Alexander was also pivotal to stifling the Ravens a few weeks ago???

 

https://theathletic.com/1444660/2019/12/09/seven-observations-from-bills-loss-josh-allen-has-another-weak-spot-to-fix-and-bills-create-the-lamar-blueprint?source=shared-article

3) Bills provided the NFL a blueprint for the Ravens offense

The Ravens brought their unique offensive scheme to Buffalo, and the trouble with teams defensive game-planning for them so far has been overthinking it. The Ravens offense bring a lot of speed, which provided a challenge on paper for the Bills. Baltimore is primarily in a personnel grouping that dictates the defense gets into its base formation, which meant a lot of strong-side linebacker Lorenzo Alexander for the Bills. Alexander, 36, has been a dependable player for the Bills but struggles in the change of direction and getting to the edge quickly enough to make a stop. Using a bigger defensive back instead of Alexander, seemed like a logical change for the Bills.

 

Still, they stuck with Alexander all game and he rewarded them with a fantastic performance. In total, Alexander took 71 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and was part of the grand effort to limit Lamar Jackson in a way that no other team has to this point of the season.

 

Let's not overreact 

 

He was also pivotal in the Steelers game, made a couple of game saving plays!

[jwhit34]

5 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

I agree. Only Duke and TJ have an opportunity to be activated with a good day. We just don't have that much depth at LB. I was hoping one of the Johnson's would outplay Wallace be it didn't happen. 

Both have been inactive for weeks don't hold your breath. 

 

Yeldon is redundant with Singletary effective in the pass game and the continued fascination/infatuation with Duke Williams on this board amazes me. He's Brandon Reilly (currently XFL), Naaman Roosevelt, Da'Rick Rogers and Colby Listenbee all rolled into one. 

[HOUSE]

It was windy last Sunday 

[Putin]

1 hour ago, ProcessTruster said:

correct.  Bills aren't quite ready for top 5 football because they don't have all the pieces and experiences yet to score more than 25 points per game.  Beane will get the new bodies they need and McD and BD will make all of the offense  better.   The NFL at the highest level is stacked towards and all about offensive football.  Trust the Process of continually improving the offense.  They are in no way finished.   Play the starters Sunday.   They need the work.  

I agree with everything except the LAST part about playing the starters , 

Why would we take a chance and have a starter possibility getting hurt ?

 

[SWATeam]

I have a feeling this thread is going to be bumped in the playoffs.

 

LoRax is a gamer and was absolutely DOMINANT against the Jags in our last playoff appearance.  I expect the same this year, especially after a week of rest.

[thebandit27]

No...but they should use Edmunds in that role at times next year.

[DRA3196]

The more I reflect on our defensive performance against the Patriots. The more I conclude that the entire unit was exhausted because of their high level of play against some incredible competition over the last month and it was a short week with travel on both ends. I wouldn't worry about Zo or anyone else on the defensive side of the ball. They can rest up this week and get ready for the playoffs with their mind and body right. Sometimes ya just need a break.

[Lurker]

Merry Christmas...

[F.W. Cyclone]

8 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:

It’s no secret Lorenzo Alexander is a valuable veteran linebacker & has made incredible plays over the past 4 seasons for our defense. Remember the goal line stuff of Leornard Fournette? Amazing.

 

That said on both the Patriots TDs Saturday, Alexander was beaten both in pass coverage & couldn’t bring down Burkhead despite Star having him partially wrapped up. Does a younger more explosive linebacker make the play? Maybe. Would an elite talent like TJ Watt or Luke Kuechley make those plays? Probably so. 
 

Putting that in consideration what is the likelihood McD pulls a Wade Phillips Johnson over Flutie & uses the Jets game to see if a backup LB can better play Zo’s position? Will Zo ride the pine in our Wild Card playoff game likely down in Houston? Is Zo resigned come 2020 or does he retire?

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas!! That's the spirit Batman

Edited December 24, 2019 by Blackkat19

[Orlando Tim]

Do we have a better LB on roster? I think he has lost a step but who replaced him?

43 minutes ago, DRA3196 said:

The more I reflect on our defensive performance against the Patriots. The more I conclude that the entire unit was exhausted because of their high level of play against some incredible competition over the last month and it was a short week with travel on both ends. I wouldn't worry about Zo or anyone else on the defensive side of the ball. They can rest up this week and get ready for the playoffs with their mind and body right. Sometimes ya just need a break.

I had not thought of the short week and the emotional high from Steelers wearing off.

[billsfan_34]

5 hours ago, ganesh said:

Nope. The defense gassed itself by allowing a 18 play drive from the Patriots 1 yard line...If you cannot get off the field or put pressure on the Patriots at thier one yard line, then that is your fault.

I agree- they were uncharacteristically bad all game. None of them tackled well and many times were out of position.

1 hour ago, loveorhatembillsfan4life said:

It’s a good question. Alexander has had some problems on special teams as well this season.

 

I don’t think we do. We have rolled with him all year and I still prefer his veteran presence out there. Playoffs are not the time to pull a flutie Johnson move. 

Lorax has been brutal on teams- I love the dude but glad this is his last season.

[BBills88]

I believe Darryl Johnson should get an extensive look at DE for the JETS game.

[vincec]

4 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

I agree- they were uncharacteristically bad all game. None of them tackled well and many times were out of position.

Lorax has been brutal on teams- I love the dude but glad this is his last season.

Time takes out everybody. It’s undefeated. (credit Rocky Balboa)

Edited December 24, 2019 by vincec

[billsfan_34]

2 minutes ago, vincec said:

Time takes out everybody. It’s undefeated. (credit Rocky Balboa)

It sure does- we need a stud LB on the outside and an edge rusher in the worst way!