Backup LB Appreciation Thread 🏈

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both have been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be ‘reacting’ on the field, rather than ‘thinking.’ 
 

Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty. 

 

Matakevich, who has been dubbed a ‘special team only’ guy, has shown pretty solid instincts in both run and pass defense. When he’s on the field he seems to always be around the ball. 

Dodson and JGH have flashed potential too. 

Not to mention we have seasoned vets in Klein (who technically is starter when 3 LBs take the field) and Marquel Lee.

 

Hats off to the LB coaching staff for training these guys up, the whole room looks to have been vastly improved and well coached headed into this season. 
 

Smith was a protected P-squader and Matakevich an elite Special Teamer, but is there a chance we could see them push Klein for playing time or the top reserve role?

 

What does the Wall think about our backup LBs? How many LBs in total make the 53 and practice squad?

[NI Bills Fan]

I agree with your points OP and the team will be better for better depth at linebacker.

 

However what this LB room REALLY needs is a leap forward from Tremaine Edmunds and a season long healthy Milano.  Then we will really be cookin'. 

[RoyBatty is alive]

2 minutes ago, NI Bills Fan said:

I agree with your points OP and the team will be better for better depth at linebacker.

 

However what this LB room REALLY needs is a leap forward from Tremaine Edmunds and a season long healthy Milano.  Then we will really be cookin'. 

Tremaine can no longer use the "young" excuse, his fourth year, he has to live up to all the incredible potential he has.

[mushypeaches]

but, but, but, but - weren't we supposed to cut our overpaid ST demon LB who can also actually play LB pretty decently for a backup??

 

SMFH

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Andre Smith looks fast and instinctive both in pass coverage and run support. Klein had his moments late last season (mostly as a blitzer) but Smith fits our defensive scheme much better.

Edited August 25, 2021 by Allen2Diggs

[Mark Vader]

Very pleased with Smith, Matakevich & Dodson.

 

I think it is very likely that they will get their share of snaps this season, and not just on special teams.

[Brennan Huff]

I’m trying to stay grounded and not get too overly hyped about anything I see in the preseason. It’s really hard because we look really good in every aspect of the game. Awww hell you know what, I’m saying Super Bowl right now. I’ve seen enough 

[LeGOATski]

I've had a soft spot for Matakevich since college

[billsfan89]

Andre Smith gives this team some needed depth at LB, Matakevich has also been a nice surprise as I wrote him off as a fanatic special teams specialist but seeing him be someone that can add depth to the team is a nice plus. The front office continues to build the team very well. 

[billybrew1]

Where was Andre Smith last year!??!?

 

what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK?

 

He sure looks like a LB this year!

[Marv Levy]

3 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both have been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be ‘reacting’ on the field, rather than ‘thinking.’ 
 

Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty. 

 

I think you meant, Detroit Lions, correct?

 

And yeah, the hit on QB Justin Fields was freaking awesome!!

[TheyCallMeAndy]

18 minutes ago, Marv Levy said:

I think you meant, Detroit Lions, correct?

 

And yeah, the hit on QB Justin Fields was freaking awesome!!

Yes yes sorry my mistake… I’m in preseason form…

1 hour ago, billybrew1 said:

Where was Andre Smith last year!??!?

 

what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK?

 

He sure looks like a LB this year!

Learning, this is year 3 for him. Hard not to root for a #59 LB.

[The Dean]

2 hours ago, billybrew1 said:

Where was Andre Smith last year!??!?

 

 

On the PS most of the year. Called up a couple times.

[Kwai San]

Smith is good....I'm all about Mr. Smith.....Mrs. Smith is hawt also!!!

 

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both have been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be ‘reacting’ on the field, rather than ‘thinking.’ 
 

Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty. 

 

Matakevich, who has been dubbed a ‘special team only’ guy, has shown pretty solid instincts in both run and pass defense. When he’s on the field he seems to always be around the ball. 

Dodson and JGH have flashed potential too. 

Not to mention we have seasoned vets in Klein (who technically is starter when 3 LBs take the field) and Marquel Lee.

 

Hats off to the LB coaching staff for training these guys up, the whole room looks to have been vastly improved and well coached headed into this season. 
 

Smith was a protected P-squader and Matakevich an elite Special Teamer, but is there a chance we could see them push Klein for playing time or the top reserve role?

 

What does the Wall think about our backup LBs? How many LBs in total make the 53 and practice squad?

 

When Matakevich was signed I said he was a good LB from film I viewed from college.

LBs seem to be Steelers' specialty which is why he did not get many snaps on defense.

 

I do not think Marquel Lee is making active roster nor would I consider him a veteran.

 

Bills like flexibility in position but sometimes when you get a flexible player you lose the player who is very good at one specific position.

 

 

 

[Doc]

4 hours ago, billybrew1 said:

Where was Andre Smith last year!??!?

 

what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK?

 

He sure looks like a LB this year!

 

1 hour ago, The Dean said:

On the PS most of the year. Called up a couple times.

 

Yeah, he was signed August 31st last year.  Needed time to learn the playbook and get comfortable in the system.

[Punching Bag]

5 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

Very pleased with Smith, Matakevich & Dodson.

 

I think it is very likely that they will get their share of snaps this season, and not just on special teams.

 

I hope so.  Giving starters breaks when not needed helps keep them healthy. 

Several players were injured in last game against Phish when game was already in hand.

They could have substituted some who were active (which is why it is important that player can play special teams as well) and if game situation changed put back in some starters.

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

I hope so.  Giving starters breaks when not needed helps keep them healthy. 

Several players were injured in last game against Phish when game was already in hand.

They could have substituted some who were active (which is why it is important that player can play special teams as well) and if game situation changed put back in some starters.

 

I think some of the players who were injured were going for personal records.  There was no need for them to be in the game at that point and there were options to replace them.

[Punching Bag]

4 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

I think some of the players who were injured were going for personal records.  There was no need for them to be in the game at that point and there were options to replace them.

 

Personal records and financial incentives.  I believe the rules allow teams to give incentives even if player does not reach milestone when team decides to not play them.  The problem is every player's agent would be arguing client deserves incentive even if not earned.

[JoPoy88]

Agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. andre smith looks great in preseason play.

[Patrick Duffy]

4 minutes ago, JoPoy88 said:

Agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. andre smith looks great in preseason play.

Agree. Hell just about all of em look pretty good. Those depth players laid the hammer down on Bears starters. I bet other teams can't wait to pick up the ones Bills release. 

 

Some really good players are going to get cut

Edited August 26, 2021 by Sheneneh Jenkins

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both have been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be ‘reacting’ on the field, rather than ‘thinking.’ 
 

Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty. 

 

Matakevich, who has been dubbed a ‘special team only’ guy, has shown pretty solid instincts in both run and pass defense. When he’s on the field he seems to always be around the ball. 

Dodson and JGH have flashed potential too. 

Not to mention we have seasoned vets in Klein (who technically is starter when 3 LBs take the field) and Marquel Lee.

 

Hats off to the LB coaching staff for training these guys up, the whole room looks to have been vastly improved and well coached headed into this season. 
 

Smith was a protected P-squader and Matakevich an elite Special Teamer, but is there a chance we could see them push Klein for playing time or the top reserve role?

 

What does the Wall think about our backup LBs? How many LBs in total make the 53 and practice squad?

 

I agree with almost everything you said, except that I had noticed Andre Smith and Matekevich really played well on defense when they got the call last season, so I wasn't surprised.  Dirty Red logged 7 tackles/assists in 15 defensive snaps against Denver - 1 tackle every other snap is damned impressive.  Andre' Smith had a "meh" outing against NE earlier in the season, but looked like a changed man in Miami.

 

I felt that Matakevich had bumped Dodson on the depth chart at the end of the season when Dodson returned from IR, but that's not how the current depth chart reads.  Possibly Dodson was still injured?

 

I don't know how many LBs they keep.  Last year, they kept 6.  They got a log jam at DE and WR to deal with somehow, but I'm not sure LB is the place to shortchange to find an extra roster spot for a DE.  LB seems to be a high injury position, and both Smith and Matekevich would be on the field for ST a lot risking injury.  I think JGH has earned himself a PS slot if they can keep him.

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

I'm a bit apprehensive on appreciating 42 Giles-Harris.  On a Detroit TD run he gave up at 2 distinct points.  He wasn't in a good position either time, but if he'd given effort he might've gotten back in the play.  
 

edit, just re-watched it and I was wrong.  I think it was more a case of wretched instincts, followed by piss-poor athleticism, capped off with a lack of heart:

 

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by BringMetheHeadofLeonLett

[machine gun kelly]

I seem to be the NFLR Cheerleader and I deserve it as I’d rather listen to those guys than watch ESPN, or some of NFLN.

 

Well, the MTC guys force rank with a score of 20 as perfect different position groups.  They post the top 10, then top 5 from there, but they look at the entire group so they don’t just rank based on the top guy.  An example is we ranked much higher than KC in WR.  We made the top 10 for O Line.  We made the top 5 actually top 2 in WR and QB. No go on TE or RB, nor D Line.  I thought that was fair.

 

My point is they are down to ILB as they parse out the two.  Right now we are at 18 pts and they only have the NFCS to do last.  We should finish by their account either 1st or 2nd with the Bucs.

 

Then they wrap it up with DBacks.  I think they do safeties and then the CB’s.  Last year we were top 3 in both categories.  Have a listen if you like, but I love how thorough they are all the way down to the 5th on the depth chart.  GB would love that stuff.  I like them as they don’t seem to be biased.  They back up everything they state.

 

Enjoy as I’m betting now that the TC tour is over they will list their top 5 ILB’s tomorrow.

 

To the OP, well written brother.  We are even deeper here than last year just like every group but TE.  That is one area I think we marginally improved being kind with Hollister.

Edited August 26, 2021 by machine gun kelly

[Don Otreply]

19 hours ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Tremaine can no longer use the "young" excuse, his fourth year, he has to live up to all the incredible potential he has.

Tremaine has never once used age as an excuse, reporters and fans are the ones bringing that up.

[The Dean]

3 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Tremaine has never once used age as an excuse, reporters and fans are the ones bringing that up.

 

Nor has he brought up his shoulder injury, to my knowledge. The guy played handicapped the entire year last year. But let's not even mention that.

[Don Otreply]

23 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

Nor has he brought up his shoulder injury, to my knowledge. The guy played handicapped the entire year last year. But let's not even mention that.

Lots of “fans” that don’t know that a loads of defense guys were out/playing injured last season, yet they blather on as if they had an understanding of the situation…, 
 

Go Bills!!!

[The Dean]

14 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Lots of “fans” that don’t know that a loads of defense guys were out/playing injured last season, yet they blather on as if they had an understanding of the situation…, 
 

Go Bills!!!

 

There's no shortage of players who "play hurt", as that is expected in a physical game. The question to me is, "is the player's injury really debilitating and preventing him from doing his job at a high level?" I think it was fairly obvious Edward's shoulder was affecting his play. Maybe he should have just shut it down for the year, and avoided the criticism. But I'm sure the Bills thought Edwards was still and upgrade to his backup, in the majority of situations. And to Edwards' credit, he sucked it up and played as well as he was able. One could see his play improve near the end of the year as, I assume, the issue from his injury was waning. 

[Rubes]

What, no one suggesting that we're now in good position to trade Tremaine for 2 1st-round picks?