Dion Dawkins is latest to rave about Bills DE A.J. Epenesa

[Putin]

10 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

I’ll admit that when I think of our ends, I keep forgetting about AJ due to the excitement of Boogie and Rousseau.  Fingers crossed he breaks out.

Lets not forget about Ed Oliver these four guys on 3rd downs could wreck a havoc going after QB’s 

31 minutes ago, wakingfane said:

Because it makes it sound like he has way further to go in his improvement than I previously thought.  Let's just be honest,  he is not on the standard player development trajectory.  He went from too heavy,  to too light,  and now hopefully just right,  but he has to get used to it... it's not the straight and direct path you'd like to see... so it's concerning

Don’t lose too much sleep over it 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

10 hours ago, wppete said:

I’m really pumped to see AJ this year. If he comes into camp and starts the season on fire our defense could be very scary with the rookies we drafted on the DLine and Huges and Oliver…

 

https://billswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/05/dion-dawkins-rave-buffalo-bills-aj-epenesa-sean-mcdermott-leslie-frazier/
 

“First Sean McDermott, then Leslie Frazier, and now Dion Dawkins.

During OTA practices at this point in the offseason, we usually don’t see many head-turning things. But we’re starting to see one growing trend over the past two weeks.

No, not “trust the process.”

 

Head coach, defensive coordinator and franchise left tackle have all been sure to mention one name recently: Defensive end AJ Epenesa.

 

Epenesa, Buffalo’s top-overall pick in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL draft, had a slow start to his career. He turned it around, but early struggles were attributed to him losing too much weight last offseason and the altered summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic probably didn’t help, either.

 

But now it sounds like Epenesa has turned a page. After coaches had complimented the pass rusher, a player in Dawkins has now followed suit. On the field, the offensive lineman absolutely sees a difference.

 

“I speak to AJ every single day… and I compliment him every single day,” Dawkins saidvia video conference this week.

“I ask him how his body feels and he says, ‘Man, honestly, I like it,’ and I say, ‘Yup, we do, too,'” Dawkins added. “He’s taking reps against me, and I can physically feel the difference and he’s not a feather anymore and he’s growing really, really well. I’m very excited to see what AJ does next.”

 

Dawkins’ thoughts follow praise from McDermott and Frazier who both mentioned how much Epenesa has come along. Frazier specially said he sees a more “explosive” player now.

 

Epenesa himself has admitted to having struggles as a rookie, but also followed that with feeling better about himself now. That could be big news for the Bills defense.

 

After failing to sign free-agent JJ Watt, the Bills decided to select Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham at the top of the 2021 NFL draft. Those two young guys, and now a confident Epenesa, will battle for playing time with each other and versus veterans Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison during training camp.

 

If that competition brings out the best of that group, the Bills could be poised to improve on their 38 total sacks as the team last season.”

 

I am with you. 
 

to Pat myself on the back, I feel like I started this AJ bandwagon before all the reports came out that he looked to be in top shape:

 

 

So, I would like to be at least the vice-president of his fan club. 

 

[NickelCity]

I thought AJ was playing well toward the end of last season. I'm not sure what folks were expecting from a second round pick with no offseason and a fairly drastic conditioning program, but he's catching unnecessary heat. Let's see how he does on the field. He looks like he belongs at the moment, and hopefully he shows more. 

[Billy Claude]

People seem to be taking a little bit of skepticism about Dawkins comments as being negative on Epenesa. 

 

I don't think anybody is giving up on Epenesa, simply that some nice comments during the OTAs are not very meaningful one way or the other.

 

We have heard it all before, though it is better than the alternative, i.e., player A (Robert Foster?) needs to put in a lot of work before training camp.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Billy Claude

[machine gun kelly]

16 hours ago, costrovs said:

6'5 275lbs Epenesa, 6'7 265lbs Rousseau, 6'3 275lbs Basham. Those are some BIG Dlinemen. Bigger the better in the trenches. I like Epenesa and Rousseau a LOT more than both Oliver and Star. Yes I know, different positions, but Rousseau can play inside, and height is a huge advantage against opposing QB's.

I know it was public knowledge on the rookies in their measurements from the draft, but I haven’t read anything what Epenesa was playing at now in OTA’s.  In college he was at one point 280lbs.  He was powerful.  I understand the reference of a feather last year as 255lbs. Didn’t suit him.

 

Are you guessing or did you read he’s at 275lbs. somewhere?  My interest is simply his frame makes sense fir him to be 270-275lbs.

 

If you get a chance to reply or anyone else for that matter is it’s published where Epenesa is hovering these days.

[jwhit34]

With Epenesa, Rousseau and Basham, if 2 of 3 end up being productive players, starting caliber edge guys (with versatility of kicking inside) the Bills have 2 value picks for the next few years. Edge rusher is great to have on rookie contracts for value. That is an example of the subtleties of the draft, roster building and cap management that Beane understands. 

 

Combined cap #s next 3 years:

'21: $4.4 million

'22: $5.6 million

'23: $6.5 million

 

If all 3 work out Beane hits a HR. 

Edited June 6, 2021 by jwhit34

[H2o]

12 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Out with the (expensive) old, and in with the (cheap) new! 

 

Josh will keep the change....

I just said he was toast because that's what some people on the board were saying after the 2nd day of the draft. That he was now "on the roster bubble" and whatnot. I expect him to take a big step forward this year with a full offseason. 

Edited June 6, 2021 by H2o

[costrovs]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

I know it was public knowledge on the rookies in their measurements from the draft, but I haven’t read anything what Epenesa was playing at now in OTA’s.  In college he was at one point 280lbs.  He was powerful.  I understand the reference of a feather last year as 255lbs. Didn’t suit him.

 

Are you guessing or did you read he’s at 275lbs. somewhere?  My interest is simply his frame makes sense fir him to be 270-275lbs.

 

If you get a chance to reply or anyone else for that matter is it’s published where Epenesa is hovering these days.

 

*****, thanks for reminding me. I totally forgot that they had him lose weight.

I grabbed it from https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/EpenAJ00.htm

 

I doubt its been updated since he's been drafted though. So your guess is as good as mine, but I would also like to know what he's weighing in at in OTA's.

 

 

[Jpsredemption]

Obviously there was and still is concern about him by the front office and coaching staff or you simply would not go back to back defensive ends. They of course are going to talk him up but if the guy puts in another year like last he won’t make it to year 3.

[Mat68]

2 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

I know it was public knowledge on the rookies in their measurements from the draft, but I haven’t read anything what Epenesa was playing at now in OTA’s.  In college he was at one point 280lbs.  He was powerful.  I understand the reference of a feather last year as 255lbs. Didn’t suit him.

 

Are you guessing or did you read he’s at 275lbs. somewhere?  My interest is simply his frame makes sense fir him to be 270-275lbs.

 

If you get a chance to reply or anyone else for that matter is it’s published where Epenesa is hovering these days.

Im reading it as last year he lost about 30 pds in the offseason.  By losing that much weight he also lost muscle to go with it.  The Bills want him in the 260 's. Being lean already this offseason he only needed to add 5 to 10 pds.  Imo gaining back the muscle mass he lost. 

[machine gun kelly]

Mat it was reported last year he overshot the weight loss and was at in the summer 255.  I think he gained a little back in season.  My reasoning was simply when I was a wrestler I routinely lost up to 30 lbs. in season and it has a dramatic effect in power and energy.  He was a mauler in college at I think 275-285lbs.

 

I also was a powerlifter (20-34 years ago) and although I went in untested as well as tested meets as I was clean, and they back then would lie detector, and urine test you.  The us championships they hair tested, but it is very expensive.  I’m not trying to give a resume, just if you already are close to a norm or peak in power, it is a challenge to put on 10 lbs. of muscle.  It’s not as easy as some think.  He doesn’t come across to me as a bend quick twitch guy like Hughes who can outdo tackles at 255 lbs.  Epenesa reminds me a lot more of Phil Hansen who was a balance of power and, some speed and good hands.

 

Reaching to Epenesa’s strengths it would make a lot more sense for him at 265 at the lightest to 270lbs.  I know what McD wanted out of him last year, but his opinion of Epenesa may have changed and would want him for more power at 10lbs. Heavier.  Just my opinion.  
 

Im rooting for him and I don’t care that we have now drafted H. Phillips, Ed Oliver, Epenesa, Rousseau, and Basham under this regime. Addison 34, Hughes 33, and Star 32 aren’t getting any younger.  You can bet the last three will be gone by 2022.  I’m looking forward to seeing if Star is here and guessing he will, what Butler can do at 330lbs. in the 3 tech, vs.  the 1 tech last year.

 

I am really optimistic our defense will take a big step forward.  I know everyone is optimistic before camp, but I can see us ranked on defense in the top 10 this year.  To do that coupled with a top 3 offense is what it will take to get to the big dance in February.

 

Lastly, a thank you to both guys above for the quick reply.  I guess we’ll see in July.

 

Go Bills!

Edited June 6, 2021 by machine gun kelly

[Green Lightning]

21 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

I feel like AJ Epenesa is a dark horse among the breakout candidates this year. Personally, I don't see him becoming a super sack-master. I'm hoping he can become an all around, jack of all trades, solid starter. 8-10 sacks, strong in run support, and racking up lots of tackles for a lineman.

 

Agree. If he becomes a Phil Hansen, I'm happy with that. 

[Thurman#1]

On 6/6/2021 at 12:58 AM, eball said:

 

Sloppy writing.  Who said they even tried?  All of the Watt-to-Buffalo talk was fan and media driven.

 

Anyway, I’m excited to see AJ in action and I love listening to Dawkins.  “He’s not a feather anymore…” — that’s gold.

 

 

It's perfectly reasonable writing. The most likely scenario was that they made an offer, but that it was quite a bit less than Arizona's.

 

"The Buffalo Bills ultimately ended up losing out on free agent J.J. Watt, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He would end up signing a two-year deal worth $31 million, with $23 million guaranteed.

 

"he expectation was that Watt would get a deal around $15 million, which he did, but it appears the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane didn’t plan to go that high. In one tweet from John Gambadoro, the Bills were the biggest competitor to the Cardinals. However, he followed that up with another tweet that said the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts actually offered Watt more with the Titans being comparable to the Cardinals deal.

 

"The fact that the Bills were not mentioned in the second tweet indicates that Brandon Beane was only willing to offer so much, which appears to not be as high as the $15 million. If J.J. Watt would have come to Buffalo, it would have been on a discount."

 

https://buffalowdown.com/2021/03/02/buffalo-bills-stayed-course-didnt-panic-j-j-watt/

 

 

On 6/6/2021 at 10:11 AM, eball said:

 

The Bills didn’t “fail” to sign Watt.  That’s the point.  The statement makes it seem as though Buffalo tried and failed — which is not what happened.  Minor point, but sloppy writing.

 

 

They absolutely did try. Making a lower offer and having it rejected for a higher offer can't be considered "not trying." Not trying is never making an offer or showing interest. They were in the last three teams in the running. That's trying. And since they didn't manage it, that's failing to sign him, which was the wording.

 

There were a number of reports that they were actually in the running, several that they were in the last group of three.

Edited June 7, 2021 by Thurman#1

[HardyBoy]

On 6/6/2021 at 10:56 PM, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

It's perfectly reasonable writing. The most likely scenario was that they made an offer, but that it was quite a bit less than Arizona's.

 

"The Buffalo Bills ultimately ended up losing out on free agent J.J. Watt, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He would end up signing a two-year deal worth $31 million, with $23 million guaranteed.

 

"he expectation was that Watt would get a deal around $15 million, which he did, but it appears the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane didn’t plan to go that high. In one tweet from John Gambadoro, the Bills were the biggest competitor to the Cardinals. However, he followed that up with another tweet that said the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts actually offered Watt more with the Titans being comparable to the Cardinals deal.

 

"The fact that the Bills were not mentioned in the second tweet indicates that Brandon Beane was only willing to offer so much, which appears to not be as high as the $15 million. If J.J. Watt would have come to Buffalo, it would have been on a discount."

 

https://buffalowdown.com/2021/03/02/buffalo-bills-stayed-course-didnt-panic-j-j-watt/

 

 

 

 

They absolutely did try. Making a lower offer and having it rejected for a higher offer can't be considered "not trying." Not trying is never making an offer or showing interest. They were in the last three teams in the running. That's trying. And since they didn't manage it, that's failing to sign him, which was the wording.

 

There were a number of reports that they were actually in the running, several that they were in the last group of three.

 

Well said...I think people are still stuck in the old frame of mind of what failing to sign a free agent meant in the past.

 

As someone else mentioned, Bills were the top competitor to the Cardinals. They offered the least of all the named teams. This tells me Watt wanted to come to buffalo, and the bills decided that the value they placed on the position was better spent on rookie DEs high in the draft, which likely accounts for the gap between the contracts.

 

Yes, they literally failed to sign Watt...this is not the same as Gilmore or Woods not wanting to sign here being the cause for failing to sign someone. The bills controlled the outcome and it was their choice. Still they tried, just the non-monetary benefits didn't sound like they quite made up for the business side.

Edited June 8, 2021 by HardyBoy

[Thurman#1]

35 minutes ago, HardyBoy said:

 

Well said...I think people are still stuck in the old frame of mind of what failing to sign a free agent meant in the past.

 

As someone else mentioned, Bills were the top competitor to the Cardinals. They offered the least of all the named teams. This tells me Watt wanted to come to buffalo, and the bills decided that the value they placed on the position was better spent on rookie DEs high in the draft, which likely accounts for the gap between the contracts.

 

Yes, they literally failed to sign Watt...this is not the same as Gilmore or Woods not wanting to sign here being the cause for failing to sign someone. The bills controlled the outcome and it was their choice. Still they tried, just the non-monetary benefits didn't sound like they quite made up for the business side.

 

 

Yeah, exactly.

 

Beane seems to have a way he works, he figures out how much he's willing to pay,  he makes the offer and if the guy wants more, he resigns himself to not making the deal. He seems to be willing to be a bit flexible, especially if the guy is willing to change other parameters of the deal.

 

Yeah, I also think Watt wanted to come to the Bills but decided he wasn't willing to give up $6M a year for the privilege.

[JMF2006]

On 6/5/2021 at 12:37 PM, 17islongenough said:

One of those edge guys have to hit.  Right?

 

With the way things have been going for this team they ALL will  

 

This isn't the Bills of 2000 to 2016 thankfully  :)

[colin]

well, anyone who followed mccoach in philly or carolina knows he likes his coverage to be sound and dependable, and his line to be deep, fresh, and agile mobile and hostile.  they have thrown the kitchen sink at the DL since they (he and bean) got here.  first pick of the last 3 drafts have been DL, and a few more above that, as well as some bigger FA contracts.  it will pay off at some point, I think by game 10 or so of the 2021 season.  one thing i think we can take to the bank, if we have a D like 2 years ago and an O like last year, the chip is ours to lose.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 6/5/2021 at 11:58 AM, eball said:

 

Sloppy writing.  Who said they even tried?  All of the Watt-to-Buffalo talk was fan and media driven.

 

Anyway, I’m excited to see AJ in action and I love listening to Dawkins.  “He’s not a feather anymore…” — that’s gold.

 

Yeah, if that guy's a feather then I'm a leaf.

[without a drought]

I'm surprised by this, usually Dion is throwing teammates under the bus when asked these types of questions.

[Rocky Landing]

Dion Dawkins raves. Jon Feliciano swings. AJ's doing something right.

[Max Fischer]

On 6/5/2021 at 10:07 PM, wakingfane said:

Because it makes it sound like he has way further to go in his improvement than I previously thought.  Let's just be honest,  he is not on the standard player development trajectory.  He went from too heavy,  to too light,  and now hopefully just right,  but he has to get used to it... it's not the straight and direct path you'd like to see... so it's concerning

 

This makes very little sense. You do realize AJ was a second round pick during COVID, didn't get a preseason game snap, had solid starters in front of him AND DE's take a while to develop?  Relax, man, breath. It may be another season or two before we know if AJ will be a solid contributor. 

[wakingfane]

5 minutes ago, Max Fischer said:

 

This makes very little sense. You do realize AJ was a second round pick during COVID, didn't get a preseason game snap, had solid starters in front of him AND DE's take a while to develop?  Relax, man, breath. It may be another season or two before we know if AJ will be a solid contributor. 

Okay, so in Year 4 at the end of his rookie contract we will know if he was worth a roster spot for four years.  Good thing we don't treat all our players with such deference,  lol

2 minutes ago, wakingfane said:

Okay, so in Year 4 at the end of his rookie contract we will know if he was worth a roster spot for four years.  Good thing we don't treat all our players with such deference,  lol

I know I'm overreacting,  there are very few areas of concern on the team to discuss! And I forget he was only just a rookie last year

[DrDawkinstein]

38 minutes ago, wakingfane said:

Okay, so in Year 4 at the end of his rookie contract we will know if he was worth a roster spot for four years.  Good thing we don't treat all our players with such deference,  lol

I know I'm overreacting,  there are very few areas of concern on the team to discuss! And I forget he was only just a rookie last year

 

With no rookie camp, no OTAs, no real camp, no preseason to get lots of reps in...

[Boxcar]

1 hour ago, Max Fischer said:

 

This makes very little sense. You do realize AJ was a second round pick during COVID, didn't get a preseason game snap, had solid starters in front of him AND DE's take a while to develop?  Relax, man, breath. It may be another season or two before we know if AJ will be a solid contributor. 

+ The weight thing

 

I don't see any reason why we can't start making judgments on AJ starting this season. He was trending up last year and after sticking at this weight for a year, plus full training camp, OTAs and pre-season, there shouldn't be anything holding him back physically.

[DrDawkinstein]

6 minutes ago, Boxcar said:

+ The weight thing

 

I don't see any reason why we can't start making judgments on AJ starting this season. He was trending up last year and after sticking at this weight for a year, plus full training camp, OTAs and pre-season, there shouldn't be anything holding him back physically.

 

Agreed. Fair to start assessing this year. Especially with having Rousseau and Basham to compare. Hopefully AJ is at the front of the young pack.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

On 6/6/2021 at 7:25 AM, Jpsredemption said:

Obviously there was and still is concern about him by the front office and coaching staff or you simply would not go back to back defensive ends. They of course are going to talk him up but if the guy puts in another year like last he won’t make it to year 3.

Does not follow.  McD loves him his DL rotation.

[Boxcar]

On 6/6/2021 at 8:25 AM, Jpsredemption said:

Obviously there was and still is concern about him by the front office and coaching staff or you simply would not go back to back defensive ends. They of course are going to talk him up but if the guy puts in another year like last he won’t make it to year 3.

The Basham pick reasoning has been explained ad nauseum. He was way higher than anyone else on their board. It has literally zero connection to AJ Epenesa.

[Royale with Cheese]

On 6/6/2021 at 8:25 AM, Jpsredemption said:

Obviously there was and still is concern about him by the front office and coaching staff or you simply would not go back to back defensive ends. They of course are going to talk him up but if the guy puts in another year like last he won’t make it to year 3.

Or maybe it’s because our two other ends are going to be 33 and 34 during the season, we use a heavy rotation, Basham can rush from the inside and was also the BPA on their board.

[Beerball]

22 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Or maybe it’s because our two other ends are going to be 33 and 34 during the season, we use a heavy rotation, Basham can rush from the inside and was also the BPA on their board.

I'm going to call him Boogie Basham because I think it has a nice ring to it & has a chance of sticking if we all get behind it. Please do your part.

 

Anyway, I think we'll see Boogie rushing from inside often.  As his pro career develops I would not be surprised to see Boogie put on more weight and spend an increasing amount of playing time inside. In 2-3 years Boogie the DT would not surprise me a bit.

 

Boogie.

[Niagara Bill]

2 minutes ago, Beerball said:

I'm going to call him Boogie Basham because I think it has a nice ring to it & has a chance of sticking if we all get behind it. Please do your part.

 

Anyway, I think we'll see Boogie rushing from inside often.  As his pro career develops I would not be surprised to see Boogie put on more weight and spend an increasing amount of playing time inside. In 2-3 years Boogie the DT would not surprise me a bit.

 

Boogie.

Boogie down Dude😁

[Beerball]

4 minutes ago, Niagara Bill said:

Boogie down Dude😁

Boogie>>>>>Booger

[Royale with Cheese]

1 hour ago, Beerball said:

I'm going to call him Boogie Basham because I think it has a nice ring to it & has a chance of sticking if we all get behind it. Please do your part.

 

Anyway, I think we'll see Boogie rushing from inside often.  As his pro career develops I would not be surprised to see Boogie put on more weight and spend an increasing amount of playing time inside. In 2-3 years Boogie the DT would not surprise me a bit.

 

Boogie.

Hes’s about the size of Ed Oliver now.

[machine gun kelly]

Royale, Oliver weighs about 285-90, so if even by the eye test, AJ looks the same, he has gained a few pounds of muscle.  I’d love to see what he can do at around 270-75lbs. As I’m betting he can get a good push against the O Line.

 

Do you think the new title for this thread should be Feliciano is the latest, latest to rave about AJ Epenesa. 🏋️‍♀️🏈🤪🤔

[Royale with Cheese]

39 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

Royale, Oliver weighs about 285-90, so if even by the eye test, AJ looks the same, he has gained a few pounds of muscle.  I’d love to see what he can do at around 270-75lbs. As I’m betting he can get a good push against the O Line.

 

Do you think the new title for this thread should be Feliciano is the latest, latest to rave about AJ Epenesa. 🏋️‍♀️🏈🤪🤔

I was referring to Boogie.

[Beerball]

1 hour ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Hes’s about the size of Ed Oliver now.

Boogie.

[DCofNC]

I’m interested to see if they do t come out and try playing a “light” line package.  Something like AJ/Boogie, Rousseau, Oliver, Hughes.  Bring the safeties up, try to create quick pressure and make the LBs responsible for runners, have Poyer as the in box type to clean up in case a team tried to run up the gut.

[transplantbillsfan]

https://theathletic.com/2637907/2021/06/09/it-opened-up-a-whole-new-world-how-a-j-epenesa-is-preparing-for-year-2-with-the-bills?source=user-shared-article

Epenesa, the Bills’ second-year defensive end and 2020 second-round pick, spent the majority of his offseason at the team’s facility in Orchard Park. He took some brief trips back home Illinois to spend time with family but opted to do his training at the team’s facility. After dropping too much weight prior to his rookie season and struggling to put it back on, Epenesa wanted to train under the guidance of Buffalo’s strength staff. And while the Bills haven’t put on pads yet, Dawkins has noticed the results.

...

“Football is such interesting sport where the weight room matters so much more than other professional sports, in my opinion,” Phillips said. “So, if you’re 10% stronger, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a 10% better football player, but there is a give and take. To see guys in the offseason, like AJ and some of these other rookies going from year one to year two or year two to year three really take advantage of the offseason and really take advantage of still being young.”

 

Epenesa now must face that challenge again. Coaches have praised Epenesa for the work he’s put in to get himself just above 250 pounds, but he still has to get closer to 260 pounds to reach what the coaching staff considers his ideal playing weight. Then he has to maintain it.

...

“I think it opened up a whole new world for me, because I was mainly known as a power rusher,” Epenesa said. “And a lot of my speed moves weren’t as effective. And then now that I’ve cut some weight, and that I’ve gotten a little quicker, I’ve been able to change my game a little bit and kind of develop and adapt to being a little more of a speed slash power rusher rather than being so one sided.”

...

“I honestly think this is a fresh start for A.J.,” Dawkins said. “He’s a different A.J. just with a stronger mind. As far as his presence on the football field, drastically different. And that’s just from what he’s been doing this offseason. So I have no idea. But I do think that it’s going to be great just because of the approach he’s taking already. He’s just doing it. He has his best foot forward already, which puts him in a great margin of success because he did what he’s supposed to do. And it should help him. And it will help him.”

[Stank_Nasty]

1 hour ago, transplantbillsfan said:

https://theathletic.com/2637907/2021/06/09/it-opened-up-a-whole-new-world-how-a-j-epenesa-is-preparing-for-year-2-with-the-bills?source=user-shared-article

Epenesa, the Bills’ second-year defensive end and 2020 second-round pick, spent the majority of his offseason at the team’s facility in Orchard Park. He took some brief trips back home Illinois to spend time with family but opted to do his training at the team’s facility. After dropping too much weight prior to his rookie season and struggling to put it back on, Epenesa wanted to train under the guidance of Buffalo’s strength staff. And while the Bills haven’t put on pads yet, Dawkins has noticed the results.

...

“Football is such interesting sport where the weight room matters so much more than other professional sports, in my opinion,” Phillips said. “So, if you’re 10% stronger, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a 10% better football player, but there is a give and take. To see guys in the offseason, like AJ and some of these other rookies going from year one to year two or year two to year three really take advantage of the offseason and really take advantage of still being young.”

 

Epenesa now must face that challenge again. Coaches have praised Epenesa for the work he’s put in to get himself just above 250 pounds, but he still has to get closer to 260 pounds to reach what the coaching staff considers his ideal playing weight. Then he has to maintain it.

...

“I think it opened up a whole new world for me, because I was mainly known as a power rusher,” Epenesa said. “And a lot of my speed moves weren’t as effective. And then now that I’ve cut some weight, and that I’ve gotten a little quicker, I’ve been able to change my game a little bit and kind of develop and adapt to being a little more of a speed slash power rusher rather than being so one sided.”

...

“I honestly think this is a fresh start for A.J.,” Dawkins said. “He’s a different A.J. just with a stronger mind. As far as his presence on the football field, drastically different. And that’s just from what he’s been doing this offseason. So I have no idea. But I do think that it’s going to be great just because of the approach he’s taking already. He’s just doing it. He has his best foot forward already, which puts him in a great margin of success because he did what he’s supposed to do. And it should help him. And it will help him.”

i just got done reading this whole deal myself.... they state he got as low as 245. i think thats the the first time anyone has put a real number on exactly how low he got. and thats friggin LOW.

[DrDawkinstein]

3 hours ago, DCofNC said:

I’m interested to see if they do t come out and try playing a “light” line package.  Something like AJ/Boogie, Rousseau, Oliver, Hughes.  Bring the safeties up, try to create quick pressure and make the LBs responsible for runners, have Poyer as the in box type to clean up in case a team tried to run up the gut.

 

The "NASCAR" package that the Giants used to beat the Pats in 07 👍

[Alphadawg7]

On 6/5/2021 at 1:34 PM, Shaw66 said:

Yeah, I actually agree with most of that.   It's just that we won't know any of it until the fall, and what Dawkins says about Epenesa in June is not convincing me that Epenesa is going to be the cause of the defensive improvement.  

 

I think McDermott, Frazier and the Dline coach have been scheming for months to create pass rush, to stop the run, and to make the defense stingier, and I have a lot of confidence that they will succeed.   Part of that scheming will include figuring out how the particular skills of Harrison, Oliver, Epenesa, Rousseau, and Basham are going to be utilized. 

 

Thats why you let his play on the field speak for itself, it was clear as day that AJE was coming on strong down the stretch last year and was also earning the trust of his coaches as his snaps dramatically increased.  

 

People keep forgetting AJE got 100% short changed as a rookie in camp and was also behind two veterans who have had very good careers in Hughes and Addison as well as some new FA additions too.  

 

Yet by the end of the year, he had battled his way into a regular rotation and was making plays.  

 

So yeah, talk at this time of year doesn't mean a whole lot, but how he developed last year certainly does and there is a ton of reasons to be optimistic about his sophomore year.

 

I picked AJE a while ago on this board for a breakout season and I still think that will be the case now.  He is one of those guys I am the most excited to see get on the field this year.