TheyCallMeAndy Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both haveĀ been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be āreactingā on the field, rather than āthinking.āĀ Ā Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty.Ā Ā Matakevich, who has been dubbed a āspecial team onlyā guy,Ā has shown pretty solid instincts in both run and pass defense. When heās on the field he seems to always be around the ball.Ā Dodson and JGH have flashed potential too.Ā Not to mention we have seasoned vets in Klein (who technically is starter when 3 LBs take the field) and Marquel Lee. Ā 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.Ā Ā Smith was a protected P-squader andĀ Matakevich an elite Special Teamer, but is there a chance we could see them push Klein for playing time or the top reserve role? Ā What does the Wall think about our backup LBs? How many LBs in total make the 53 and practice squad? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NI Bills Fan Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 I agree with your points OP and the team will be better for better depth at linebacker. Ā However what this LB room REALLY needs is a leap forward from Tremaine Edmunds and a season long healthy Milano.Ā Then we will really be cookin'.Ā 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyBatty is alive Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, NI Bills Fan said: I agree with your points OP and the team will be better for better depth at linebacker. Ā However what this LB room REALLY needs is a leap forward from Tremaine Edmunds and a season long healthy Milano.Ā Then we will really be cookin'.Ā Tremaine can no longer use the "young" excuse, his fourth year, he has to live up to all the incredible potential he has. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushypeaches Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 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?? Ā SMFH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen2DĢ¶iĢ¶gĢ¶gĢ¶sĢ¶TBD Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 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 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 Very pleased with Smith, Matakevich & Dodson. Ā I think it is very likely that they will get their share of snaps this season, and not just on special teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan Huff Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 Iām trying to stay grounded and not get too overly hyped about anything I see in the preseason. Itās really hard because we look really good in every aspect of the game. Awww hell you know what, Iām saying SuperĀ Bowl right now. Iāve seen enoughĀ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 I've had a soft spot for Matakevich since college Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 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.Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybrew1 Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 Where was Andre Smith last year!??!? Ā what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK? Ā He sure looks like a LB this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv Levy Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 3 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said: Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both haveĀ been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be āreactingā on the field, rather than āthinking.āĀ Ā Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty.Ā Ā I think you meant, Detroit Lions, correct? Ā And yeah, the hit on QB Justin Fields was freaking awesome!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeAndy Posted August 25, 2021 Author Share Posted August 25, 2021 18 minutes ago, Marv Levy said: I think you meant, Detroit Lions, correct? Ā And yeah, the hit on QB Justin Fields was freaking awesome!! Yes yes sorry my mistakeā¦ Iām in preseason formā¦ 1 hour ago, billybrew1 said: Where was Andre Smith last year!??!? Ā what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK? Ā He sure looks like a LB this year! Learning, this is year 3 for him. Hard not to root for a #59 LB. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted August 25, 2021 Share Posted August 25, 2021 2 hours ago, billybrew1 said: Where was Andre Smith last year!??!? Ā Ā On the PS most of the year. Called up a couple times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwai San Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Smith is good....I'm all aboutĀ Mr. Smith.....Mrs. Smith is hawt also!!! Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 1 hour ago, TheyCallMeAndy said: Name a bigger preseason surprise than Andre freaking Smith and Tyler Matakevich. Both haveĀ been solid all preseason, and all with splash plays sprinkled in. Both men seem to be āreactingā on the field, rather than āthinking.āĀ Ā Smith had an epic INT vs Wash and bone crunching hit vs Chicago, both of which were wiped out by penalty.Ā Ā Matakevich, who has been dubbed a āspecial team onlyā guy,Ā has shown pretty solid instincts in both run and pass defense. When heās on the field he seems to always be around the ball.Ā Dodson and JGH have flashed potential too.Ā Not to mention we have seasoned vets in Klein (who technically is starter when 3 LBs take the field) and Marquel Lee. Ā 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.Ā Ā Smith was a protected P-squader andĀ Matakevich an elite Special Teamer, but is there a chance we could see them push Klein for playing time or the top reserve role? Ā What does the Wall think about our backup LBs? How many LBs in total make the 53 and practice squad? Ā WhenĀ 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. Ā I do not thinkĀ Marquel Lee is making active roster nor would I consider him a veteran. Ā 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. Ā Ā Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 4 hours ago, billybrew1 said: Where was Andre Smith last year!??!? Ā what, was he hurt? Or something? IDK? Ā He sure looks like a LB this year! Ā 1 hour ago, The Dean said: On the PS most of the year. Called up a couple times. Ā Yeah, he was signed August 31st last year.Ā Needed time to learn the playbook and get comfortable in the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 5 hours ago, Mark Vader said: Very pleased with Smith, Matakevich & Dodson. Ā I think it is very likely that they will get their share of snaps this season, and not just on special teams. Ā I hope so.Ā Giving starters breaks when not needed helps keep them healthy.Ā 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 2 minutes ago, Limeaid said: I hope so.Ā Giving starters breaks when not needed helps keep them healthy.Ā 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. Ā I think some of the players who were injured were going for personal records.Ā There was no need for them to be in the game at that point and there were options to replace them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 4 minutes ago, Doc said: Ā I think some of the players who were injured were going for personal records.Ā There was no need for them to be in the game at that point and there were options to replace them. Ā Personal records and financial incentives.Ā I believe the rules allow teams to give incentives even if player does not reach milestone when team decides to not play them.Ā The problem is every player's agent would be arguing client deserves incentive even if not earned. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoPoy88 Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Agree with pretty much everyone in this thread. andre smith looks great in preseason play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts