Greg Rousseau/AJ Epenesa are going to be elite DEs. What a steal!

[Back2Buff]

This coaching staff will refuse to trust AJ.  The guy has barely played in these first two games when it mattered.

 

Instead, we get to watch Hughes look overweight, slow, and old.  Hughes has not been good this year, yet still gets a ton of snaps.  Addison has looked a lot better than Hughes.

[Logic]

Epenesa and Rousseau looked excellent yesterday, there's no doubt about it.

What's even more wild is that they both seemed to straight up outplay Hughes and Addison.

Have to wonder if after this season, the vets might be on the way out. I wouldn't have thought so with Hughes, but with the way Epenesa and Rousseau are playing, and with what Jerry makes, they may force Beane's hand on the issue. 

The cool thing about both Epenesa and Rousseau is that they each had an elite season in college -- both were at one point talked about as early first round picks -- and both fell to the Bills largely due to poor combine showings. Having two really good, young pass rushers will transform this defense.

Now if only Basham can prove to be a player, too, by 2022...
 

[NewEra]

20 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

This coaching staff will refuse to trust AJ.  The guy has barely played in these first two games when it mattered.

 

Instead, we get to watch Hughes look overweight, slow, and old.  Hughes has not been good this year, yet still gets a ton of snaps.  Addison has looked a lot better than Hughes.

This board will continue to refuse to trust your imaginary crystal ball that doesn’t really exist.  
 

Instead, we get to ignore you.

[ThurmanThomasEnglishMuffin]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

Epenesa and Rousseau looked excellent yesterday, there's no doubt about it.

What's even more wild is that they both seemed to straight up outplay Hughes and Addison.

Have to wonder if after this season, the vets might be on the way out. I wouldn't have thought so with Hughes, but with the way Epenesa and Rousseau are playing, and with what Jerry makes, they may force Beane's hand on the issue. 

The cool thing about both Epenesa and Rousseau is that they each had an elite season in college -- both were at one point talked about as early first round picks -- and both fell to the Bills largely due to poor combine showings. Having two really good, young pass rushers will transform this defense.

Now if only Basham can prove to be a player, too, by 2022...
 

 

Jerry Hughes is on the last year of his contract. Addison's contract voids 23 days before the 2022 season, with a cap hit of $2million (part of his restructure deal).

 

Basically neither is under contract in 2022.

 

If AJ and Groot can keep improving, very little chance one or both are on the roster in 2022. This should help the cap situation overall and free up some room to resign Taron Johnson and/or maybe Levi Wallace.

[Back2Buff]

8 minutes ago, NewEra said:

This board will continue to refuse to trust your imaginary crystal ball that doesn’t really exist.  
 

Instead, we get to ignore you.

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Back2Buff

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

 

So you say as AJE has proven to play better his snap count has gone up? Interesting. 

[Motor26]

44 minutes ago, Jerome007 said:

Well, one commentator I heard after the game, I don't recall who, said that Tua's injury could open back the door for the Deshaun Watson talk with the Fishes. So his big hit could indeed come back to bite the Bills in the butt...

 

As long as the Dolphins oline is so bad, it won’t matter who is back there at QB.

15 hours ago, DCofNC said:

Groot is doing a great job shedding blocks and is fantastic at setting the edge, then taking down the runner, genuinely impressive for a young player, forget about the fact he didn’t play last year and is up against NFL competition now.  He’s been a difference maker. 
 

AJE, looking really good, more flash than I expected this year, he’s LOOKING like he could be the best DE on the team for now (I think Groot will own that title), it’s an impressive transformation.

 

Just being real Addison is looking really good early in the year, which he did last year too, hope he can keep it going all year.

 

Groot getting dropped into zone coverage is impressive to watch. And he has looked really good as a run defender as well. 

[uninja]

Watching them drop Rousseau into coverage was interesting, he's got the speed and length to do it and for DCs to potentially have to worry about that is another interesting wrinkle.

 

Zimmer just has an insane motor, there was multiple plays where a RB or WR would break free for a gain and Zimmer would be the first one there chasing the guy down. For a DT that's pretty bonkers.

[Chuck Schick]

18 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

While we fans live and die with each week’s game, coaches have long term strategies.  That includes putting young players in position to succeed, and regulating playing time.  I would lean toward that being the case here. 

[inkman]

57 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

This coaching staff will refuse to trust AJ.  The guy has barely played in these first two games when it mattered.

 

Instead, we get to watch Hughes look overweight, slow, and old.  Hughes has not been good this year, yet still gets a ton of snaps.  Addison has looked a lot better than Hughes.

Epenesa is basically splitting snaps with Hughs and Addison.  I’d like to see him get closer to Groot’s snap count but a nice rotation is a good problem to have. 
 

 

[Back2Buff]

4 minutes ago, inkman said:

Epenesa is basically splitting snaps with Hughs and Addison.  I’d like to see him get closer to Groot’s snap count but a nice rotation is a good problem to have. 
 

 

 

The snap count for this past game is misleading because AJE played like the last 10 or snaps on D, when the game was out of hand.  AJE should not be getting pretty much half his total game snaps, after the game is over.  He has the potential to have an impact from the first snap of the game.

[NewEra]

36 minutes ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

Imaginary is you talking about the future like you know what will happen.  As Aj improves, his snap count will grow.  That is what my crystal ball is telling me.  I don’t see any of our DEs playing 80% of the snaps.  Maybe ever.  McD likes the rotation to keep bodies fresh and healthy 

[Wayne Cubed]

Look at that bend on the hit on Tua 😍

[Ethan in Cleveland]

21 minutes ago, Chuck Schick said:

While we fans live and die with each week’s game, coaches have long term strategies.  That includes putting young players in position to succeed, and regulating playing time.  I would lean toward that being the case here. 

Agreed. Good post. Rookies still hit a wall and playing Addison and Hughes on lowrr snap counts will keep them fresher as the season wears on.

[Plano]

why are we calling him Groot? Does everyone have to have a nickname?

[maryland-bills-fan]

17 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

I would love it if one of our media types would do a piece on who is playing where, how much on the OL

 

The big surprise to me on the inactives was Harrison Phillips.  But, even with Star out, he only played 36% of the snaps last week.

Zimmer saw 40%, Butler saw 50%, and Big Ed saw 62%.  Obada had 26% and pretty sure I saw him playing inside at DT at times.

 

I wonder if this is a "healthy scratch but not really" situation where he isn't on the injury report but is still needing to work his way back from the knee?

 

Otherwise, it's looking bad for Mr. Horrible; either Butler or Zimmer or both have jumped him on the depth chart.

Yes,  we can be sure he is rested and fully healed.  A luxury,

34 minutes ago, uninja said:

Watching them drop Rousseau into coverage was interesting, he's got the speed and length to do it and for DCs to potentially have to worry about that is another interesting wrinkle.

 

Zimmer just has an insane motor, there was multiple plays where a RB or WR would break free for a gain and Zimmer would be the first one there chasing the guy down. For a DT that's pretty bonkers.

He is just the thing to help chase down those shifting running quarterbacks.  He will take away that extra whole second that they have to set and throw after scrambling.

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Epenesa and Rousseau looked excellent yesterday, there's no doubt about it.

What's even more wild is that they both seemed to straight up outplay Hughes and Addison.

Have to wonder if after this season, the vets might be on the way out. I wouldn't have thought so with Hughes, but with the way Epenesa and Rousseau are playing, and with what Jerry makes, they may force Beane's hand on the issue. 

The cool thing about both Epenesa and Rousseau is that they each had an elite season in college -- both were at one point talked about as early first round picks -- and both fell to the Bills largely due to poor combine showings. Having two really good, young pass rushers will transform this defense.

Now if only Basham can prove to be a player, too, by 2022...
 

 

On the bold. It is absolutely both Addison and Hughes's last year. Both contracts will be up and I dont see us renewing either.

 

I'm confident Basham will develop. And if all he even becomes is a role player, it will be huge. To have Rousseau, Epenesa, and Basham all contributing is a big win for Beane.

[maryland-bills-fan]

Our DE's are

Addison & Hughes ......................... Both of these fellows will not be on the team next year (one might be that is)  and one might be traded during this season if the rookies develop .

 

Epnesea & Rosseau.........................These are the starting defensive ends by the second half of this season and will be next year's starters

 

Basham & Obada(resign)................These are next year's rotational defensive ends. They will be used on occasion as interior D-linemen on passing downs against mobile QB's

 

Brian Cox & Mike Love & XXX........These are development prospects that might bounce up from the practice squad to cover for injuries.

 

We will probably go with 5 roster DE's next year.  They will not keep expensive veterans because $$ will be need to keep other core players and for upgrades at CB, OL and LB.

 

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by maryland-bills-fan

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Epensea is frustrating as hell, make the damn tackle. That’s some Jerry Hughes BS. 
 

That said, I’m pumped about the two of them, I though Groot looked REALLY GOOD.

 

Seems like they are splitting snaps with each other, as are Hughes and Addison.

[Logic]

3 minutes ago, maryland-bills-fan said:

Our DE's are

Addison & Hughes ......................... Both of these fellows will not be on the team next year and one might be traded during this season if the rookies develop .

 

Epnesea & Rosseau.........................These are the starting defensive ends by the second half of this season and will be next year's starters

 

Basham & Obada(resign)................These are next year's rotational defensive ends. They will be used on occasion as interior D-linemen on passing downs against mobile QB's

 

Brian Cox & Mike Love & XXX........These are development prospects that might bounce up from the practice squad to cover for injuries.

 

We will probably go with 5 roster DE's next year.  They will not keep expensive veterans because $$ will be need to keep other core players and for upgrades at CB, OL and LB.

 

 

Thanks. Nice, clean way of looking at the present and future.

I'll just add one thing: I wish the Bills had kept Daryl Johnson and jettisoned Addison. I understand why they didn't, and I realize that the cap implications of doing so would not have been great. Still, it seemed he was FINALLY starting to make defensive contributions that matched those he was making on special teams. It's tough to choose between the present and the future, and clearly Beane and McDermott think the Bills' Super Bowl window is open RIGHT NOW. I can't argue. Still, it was a bit painful to see Johnson traded away, knowing that Hughes and Addison won't be here next year.

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

AJ would have been useless vs Pitt because Ben throws the ball quickly 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Epenesa and Rousseau looked excellent yesterday, there's no doubt about it.

What's even more wild is that they both seemed to straight up outplay Hughes and Addison.

Have to wonder if after this season, the vets might be on the way out. I wouldn't have thought so with Hughes, but with the way Epenesa and Rousseau are playing, and with what Jerry makes, they may force Beane's hand on the issue. 

The cool thing about both Epenesa and Rousseau is that they each had an elite season in college -- both were at one point talked about as early first round picks -- and both fell to the Bills largely due to poor combine showings. Having two really good, young pass rushers will transform this defense.

Now if only Basham can prove to be a player, too, by 2022...
 

I think Obada is still a good player too, very solid ‘4th DE’ although he’s on a one year deal. 

[Shaw66]

18 hours ago, RichRiderBills said:

Milano was all over the place today

There's a simply reality here.   Milano is an excellent linebacker, and the Bills know how to use him.   The Bills understood that when they ponied up to sign him.  

 

But there's a parallel reality, and that's Edmunds.   Look at video of Milano's sack.  He comes pouring in from Brissett's right side.  Brissett sees Milano and looks to escape left.   Edmunds is right there, so Brissett tries to escape up the middle.  Edmunds forced Brissett right into MIlano's arms.   

 

Those two guys prowling all around are a real problem for defenses.   And now they've added Rousseau, who's prowling in the same way.  And that's who Hyde and Poyer are, too.  The Bills are filling the field with guys who make tackles all over the place.  

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 hour ago, Back2Buff said:

 

Not too sure what is imaginary about snap counts.  Vs Pitt Hughes got 33, AJ 19.

 

They got equal snaps this last game, but AJ's mostly came with the second stringers late in the game.

I think the biggest issue with Epenesa is missed tackles. The guy legitimately should have had 3 sacks yesterday, yet here is he on Monday with goose eggs in every category.

 

Pressure and QB hits is great if your combining them with TFL and Sacks, otherwise they just look like participation trophies. 
 

How many times have we seen a DE apply great pressure or even contact the QB to just see him not finish the play and the QB throw a completion? 
 

Epenesa had a good game, but should have had a great game. All the same, the future looks very bright with him and Groot.

[Warcodered]

1 minute ago, Shaw66 said:

There's a simply reality here.   Milano is an excellent linebacker, and the Bills know how to use him.   The Bills understood that when they ponied up to sign him.  

 

But there's a parallel reality, and that's Edmunds.   Look at video of Milano's sack.  He comes pouring in from Brissett's right side.  Brissett sees Milano and looks to escape left.   Edmunds is right there, so Brissett tries to escape up the middle.  Edmunds forced Brissett right into MIlano's arms.   

 

Those two guys prowling all around are a real problem for defenses.   And now they've added Rousseau, who's prowling in the same way.  And that's who Hyde and Poyer are, too.  The Bills are filling the field with guys who make tackles all over the place.  

Edmunds is starting to feel like the Star Lotulelie of the LBs.

[BuffaloBill]

18 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I'd say AJE and Milano jointly. Matt is balling out. But Groot was good too. 

 

Yeah Milano had himself an impressive game.

[BillsPride12]

21 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

There's a simply reality here.   Milano is an excellent linebacker, and the Bills know how to use him.   The Bills understood that when they ponied up to sign him.  

 

But there's a parallel reality, and that's Edmunds.   Look at video of Milano's sack.  He comes pouring in from Brissett's right side.  Brissett sees Milano and looks to escape left.   Edmunds is right there, so Brissett tries to escape up the middle.  Edmunds forced Brissett right into MIlano's arms.   

 

Those two guys prowling all around are a real problem for defenses.   And now they've added Rousseau, who's prowling in the same way.  And that's who Hyde and Poyer are, too.  The Bills are filling the field with guys who make tackles all over the place.  

[Reader]

2 hours ago, Warcodered said:

Edmunds is starting to feel like the Star Lotulelie of the LBs.

 

I was going to compare Edmunds to Chris Kelsay. Clearly liked by the staff with many fans (or at least vocal posters) wondering why he is around.

[Mark Vader]

4 hours ago, Warcodered said:

Edmunds is starting to feel like the Star Lotulelie of the LBs.

What does that make AJ Klein?

[Ethan in Cleveland]

2 hours ago, Reader said:

 

I was going to compare Edmunds to Chris Kelsay. Clearly liked by the staff with many fans (or at least vocal posters) wondering why he is around.

As one of the vocal posters, even I wouldn't go so far as to compare Edmunds to Kelsay.  As much as I gave him crap for last year his second half of 2019 was excellent football.  Maybe that is why it stings so much.  He could be our Ray Lewis but he is just not there.  Not giving up hope just anayzinf what I see on the field each week.  

[Eastport bills]

The absolute strength of this team is going to be our D-line. This portends well for our long term goals.These two young guys are so talented and explosive that we'll be able to rush 4 and drop 7 really quick guys into coverage. Josh will have a lot of short fields. 

[DaggersEOD]

6 hours ago, Plano said:

why are we calling him Groot? Does everyone have to have a nickname?

 

Easier to spell right

[maryland-bills-fan]

5 hours ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I think the biggest issue with Epenesa is missed tackles. The guy legitimately should have had 3 sacks yesterday, yet here is he on Monday with goose eggs in every category.

 

Pressure and QB hits is great if your combining them with TFL and Sacks, otherwise they just look like participation trophies. 
 

How many times have we seen a DE apply great pressure or even contact the QB to just see him not finish the play and the QB throw a completion? 
 

Epenesa had a good game, but should have had a great game. All the same, the future looks very bright with him and Groot.

Gee,,,, Do you think that he missed the tackle on the fish QB early in the game?  Asking for a friend.

7 hours ago, uninja said:

Watching them drop Rousseau into coverage was interesting, he's got the speed and length to do it and for DCs to potentially have to worry about that is another interesting wrinkle.

 

Zimmer just has an insane motor, there was multiple plays where a RB or WR would break free for a gain and Zimmer would be the first one there chasing the guy down. For a DT that's pretty bonkers.

...and he can use that to chase down the mobile QB's dancing around the pocket.  Maybe not get them, but he will take a second or two off their time to survey downfield.

[Bruffalo]

I am crazy high on Rousseau after these two weeks. He's looking patient, powerful, and incredibly dangerous.

 

Epenesa got crazy pressures against the Dolphins, but I want to see that more for me to be completely sold on him.

[ROCBillsBeliever]

8 hours ago, Maynard said:

Greg is so freakishly long that if he’s not doubled it’s a huge problem. I love his slide/swim move into the pocket. His long arms and huge hands allow him to pull that off very effectively. He’s doing exactly what he did in college at Miami, except against higher level talent. 

 

I feel like--and of course, this is all speculation--there just aren't many humans out there as long and athletic as Groot, who can also hold the line against OLmen. I wonder if part of his early success is due to the fact that OL just aren't accustomed to his length, and honestly don't know how to handle a guy like Groot.

 

(also, Miami's OL wasn't very good, to begin with; we'll see how this pans out, over the course of the season, I guess).

[Punching Bag]

7 hours ago, uninja said:

Watching them drop Rousseau into coverage was interesting, he's got the speed and length to do it and for DCs to potentially have to worry about that is another interesting wrinkle.

 

Zimmer just has an insane motor, there was multiple plays where a RB or WR would break free for a gain and Zimmer would be the first one there chasing the guy down. For a DT that's pretty bonkers.

 

Rousseau might be a good defender of TEs.

 

Zimmer was just plowing through defenders this game.

[Ralonzo]

45 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

Rousseau might be a good defender of TEs.

ever watch his tape from high school when he was a wide receiver? As he becomes a vested veteran there’s some interesting specialty situations where he could contribute - Hail Mary defense for instance.

[HappyDays]

A couple times yesterday they dropped Rousseau into the flat and he was there to clean up on the sack when Brissett thought he had room to run out of the pocket. You see all this open space in front of the QB and then suddenly Rousseau explodes into the picture and pulls him to the ground. It takes incredible athleticism and instincts to play that style, and Rousseau has both. I think that will work really well against Mahomes too. Drop Rousseau into the window where Kelce would typically sit, and if Mahomes tries to run out of the pocket chase him down. We may have hit on a really special talent at DE and I don't think it's fully sunk in for Bills fans how important that is.

Edited September 20, 2021 by HappyDays

[ColoradoBills]

5 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

A couple times yesterday they dropped Rousseau into the flat and he was there to clean up on the sack when Brissett thought he had room to run out of the pocket. You see all this open space in front of the QB and then suddenly Rousseau explodes into the picture and pulls him to the ground. It takes incredible athleticism and instincts to play that style, and Rousseau has both. I think that will work really well against Mahomes too. Drop Rousseau into the window where Kelce would typically sit, and if Mahomes tries to run out of the pocket chase him down. We may have hit on a really special talent at DE and I don't think it's fully sunk in for Bills fans how important that is.

 

There definitely seems to be a tweak in the way the front 6 are lining up and playing.  I likey.

[Maynard]

1 hour ago, ROCBillsBeliever said:

 

I feel like--and of course, this is all speculation--there just aren't many humans out there as long and athletic as Groot, who can also hold the line against OLmen. I wonder if part of his early success is due to the fact that OL just aren't accustomed to his length, and honestly don't know how to handle a guy like Groot.

 

(also, Miami's OL wasn't very good, to begin with; we'll see how this pans out, over the course of the season, I guess).

I would agree. He’s a bit of a freak in size. I’m not sure what an opposing OL-man does to counter that. Once Greg gets his hands into the shoulder/chest with those long arms and pushes the pocket there is trouble. But you’re right, Miami’s o-line might be trash.