Picking up Edmunds Option a Rare Beane Mistake

[Billy Zabka]

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Billy Zabka

[LeGOATski]

Meanwhile, McDermott gives him the game ball.

 

 

[Buffalo Junction]

12.5 million is easier on the cap than the 20 million the Darius Leonard is making. Replacing Edmunds with a noticeably better MLB is going to cost serious capital in FA or the draft. 

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Meanwhile, McDermott gives him the game ball.

 

 

He gave the Defense the game ball; he just presented it to Edmunds as captain.

[Big Turk]

13 minutes ago, Billy Zabka said:

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

 

He was out of the game for much of the 2nd half with cramps.  Must be terrible with the Bills allowing an average of 234 yards a game of offense.

[LeGOATski]

5 minutes ago, Simon said:

He gave the Defense the game ball; he just presented it to Edmunds as captain.

Poyer or Hyde could've been given it, then

[Malazan]

Regardless of how you feel about Edmunds play picking up his option was the exact right move if they didn't want to give him an extension when they had other priorities. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Right decision to pick up the option.  They had to find out if he could play and he may still yet play better this year.  I think it's unlikely and they can move on from him at the end of the season.  Someone will pick him up in free agency and they won't be on the hook for his full guaranteed salary.  I'm pretty sure there is offset language even for 5th year options.  

[Da webster guy]

24 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

12.5 million is easier on the cap than the 20 million the Darius Leonard is making. Replacing Edmunds with a noticeably better MLB is going to cost serious capital in FA or the draft. 

 

True but could you imagine this defense if we had just stayed put in the draft and taken Darius Leonard instead of Tremaine?  Wld be elite.

[Buffalo Junction]

6 minutes ago, Da webster guy said:

 

True but could you imagine this defense if we had just stayed put in the draft and taken Darius Leonard instead of Tremaine?  Wld be elite.

Or here’s a novel idea…. Grabbed Nick Chubb in the 1st and used that extra 3rd to grab Fred Warner. Hindsight is great, but I totally understand grabbing the most physically gifted player at a position. Edmunds instincts just aren’t at that extra level. Maybe an off-season of tip drills will help with the turnover production. 🤷‍♂️

Edited September 20, 2021 by Buffalo Junction

[Rc2catch]

Very rare to see someone so disliked. Especially after a dominating defensive shutout. What’s not rare? How many coaches we have on here trying their best to nitpick his game apart. He’s on the team, get over it and support the guy. 

[Big C]

7 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

Or here’s a novel idea…. Grabbed Nick Chubb in the 1st and used that extra 3rd to grab Fred Warner. Hindsight is great, but I totally understand grabbing the most physically gifted player at a position. Edmunds instincts just aren’t at that extra level. Maybe an off-season of tip drills will help with the turnover production. 🤷‍♂️

yeah you gotta love the revisionist history here. I loved Leonard in that draft but we always know it’s a crap shoot. Edmunds was a physical freak and we know this staff loves those guys. Meanwhile Rousseau was not supposed to be ready and Boogie was supposed be the plug and play guy while he developed 🤷‍♂️. 
 

Tremaine was good last week and this week before leaving. He may not be a top 5 MLB but let’s not act like he’s bringing the team down.

[Paup 1995MVP]

59 minutes ago, Billy Zabka said:

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

Some guys are just good football players, and some guys are not.  Edmunds does not have the right body type to play MLB.  He is just too long.  He can't get any leverage to make tackles.  On top of that he doesn't read plays quick enuf.  The difference between Milano and Edmunds is big.  One is a playmaker, and the other isn't.  With Klein or Dodson playing next to Milano, we don't lose much if anything w Edmunds out of the game.  

 

I hope the light goes on for him at some point real soon.  But I have my doubts.  But on a more positive note, you have to love the aggressive game plan the Bills came out with against the Fish today.  The Miami offense was totally unprepared for our blitzes w Taron and Hyde on the first series.  And it went on the entire game.  Coaching was top notch today, as well as the game plan.  Kudos to McDermott and company for turning it around.    

[MJS]

He played well today until he went in to get hydrated. And I'm sure he would have gone back in if the score wasn't so lopsided.

 

Edmunds is a good player. He just isn't traditional, hard-hitting type of linebacker that fans are used to seeing. He is a coverage linebacker. He's long, fast, and athletic.

 

Yes, he isn't an All-Pro caliber linebacker, but that's fine. Not all your prayers can be that.

[John from Riverside]

I swear of people around here have the memory of a gnat Edmunds just got done playing well last week

 

[Thurman#1]

Non

3 hours ago, Billy Zabka said:

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

 

 

Oh, please.

 

This defense is playing extremely well, and he's part of it.

 

In seasons when he's not injured, he has graded out very well in coverage.

 

He does make a good scapegoat, though. Maybe next you could complain about Star or Oliver. They're the other two that people desperate to attack somebody generally target.

 

He's still got some things to prove, but you're way off.

 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2021 by Thurman#1

[thurst44]

16 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

I swear of people around here have the memory of a gnat Edmunds just got done playing well last week

 

I mean, really! How is anyone's first thought after a 35-0 win to come on the fansite to come at the team's defensive captain?!?!?!?! And some of the best counterpoints here have had "well, he's not a top 5 mlb" or "we can get out of his contract" equivocation. You know who does think he's a top 5 mlb? His peers. Also, many coaches who voted in a recent survey. So, maybe, maybe not, but this seems a very strange subject to come to after a game where the defense (that he leads... captain is not just an honorary title) dominated.

 

Oh, by the way... Darius Leonard's team? 0-2, and we knocked them out of the playoffs last year. I'm not arguing Edmunds is better--at this point in their career, that would be foolish. Just making the point that maybe as fans we should be a little less ridiculous. If you are going to be miserable after a 35-0 win on the road, what is your fandom doing for you or to you? 

 

Should we have dropped Josh Allen or not signed him b/c he's "not Pat Mahomes" at this juncture?

Edited September 20, 2021 by thurst44

[Thurman#1]

3 hours ago, Da webster guy said:

 

True but could you imagine this defense if we had just stayed put in the draft and taken Darius Leonard instead of Tremaine?  Wld be elite.

 

 

We might easily be elite right now. We were in 2019 with Edmunds.

[Aussie Joe]

4 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Right decision to pick up the option.  They had to find out if he could play and he may still yet play better this year.  I think it's unlikely and they can move on from him at the end of the season.  Someone will pick him up in free agency and they won't be on the hook for his full guaranteed salary.  I'm pretty sure there is offset language even for 5th year options.  

They have changed the rules and the 5th  year option salary is now guaranteed when it is exercised…

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-guide-to-fifth-year-options-for-every-nfl-teams-first-round-pick-from-2018/

Edited September 20, 2021 by Aussie Joe

[Brennan Huff]

Edmunds is a very polarizing figure on these boards. He’s made the Pro Bowl 2 out his 3 years in the league but yet a lot of you say he’s terrible and want to run him out of town. I don’t get it. I hope we do offer him a contract 

[ProcessTruster]

46 minutes ago, Brennan Huff said:

Edmunds is a very polarizing figure on these boards. He’s made the Pro Bowl 2 out his 3 years in the league but yet a lot of you say he’s terrible and want to run him out of town. I don’t get it. I hope we do offer him a contract 

I would need to understand exactly what his role is in the defense before judging him.   I am thinking the front 6 is more of a gap integrity, manage your gap and then go to the ball type of approach,  rather than keep the LBs clean so they can make all the tackles.   I might be wrong.   Has any one actually studied how McD plays defense?   It's not a "star maker" defense, it's kind of a 1/11th "control your gap/play zone behind it" approach to it isn't it?   

[GETTOTHE50]

He will be worth every penny if he learns how to cover Kelce. He needs to be working on his man-to-man tight end covering skills every day so he’s prepared for that test. He’s the only one with the size, speed, and strength on the defense that can cover tight tends. I hope he’s up for it cause if he isn’t, then no one is and we will have to double cover Kelce again. 
 

I know some here might think Milano can cover Kelce, but Milano doesn’t have the size to man up against him. Milanos strength in coverage lies in following the backs outta the back field. 

[Rochesterfan]

3 minutes ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

He will be worth every penny if he learns how to cover Kelce. He needs to be working on his man-to-man tight end covering skills every day so he’s prepared for that test. He’s the only one with the size, speed, and strength on the defense that can cover tight tends. I hope he’s up for it cause if he isn’t, then no one is and we will have to double cover Kelce again. 
 

I know some here might think Milano can cover Kelce, but Milano doesn’t have the size to man up against him. Milanos strength in coverage lies in following the backs outta the back field. 

 

It looks to me like they are using more safety coverage on the TE this year and using Edmunds more in an underneath drop into areas around the slot - getting into passing areas.  I saw a lot more of Poyer and Hyde picking up TEs than last years.

 

It is not a great matchup, but Ithink they are looking at different ways to attack a TE heavy team - like Baltimore and KC.

 

 

[Niagara Dude]

6 hours ago, Billy Zabka said:

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

What would you offer him once he becomes a free agent,  because teams get excited by his size but like you stated he rarely makes big plays.

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, Brennan Huff said:

Edmunds is a very polarizing figure on these boards. He’s made the Pro Bowl 2 out his 3 years in the league but yet a lot of you say he’s terrible and want to run him out of town. I don’t get it. I hope we do offer him a contract 

 

It's the dreadlocks.

[RobbRiddicksTDLeap]

The CLASSIC  Paul Pozluzny Gambit. 
 

Fans want Butkus or Urlacher or Lewis, but the reality of the position is very different. Tremaine Edmunds is an excellent MLB. He didn’t stand out to us, because most of us aren’t paying attention to him filling running lanes, and forcing backs to the outside, unblocked defender. Sometimes they break out, and those “hugging players 8 yards downfield” is a 6’4” 250lb man, chasing down a RB. That’s impressive. 
 

If they don’t extend him, the defense will suffer, like it did when they replaced Poz, with Marcus Buggs. 
 

 

[machine gun kelly]

They gave him the 5th year so they can continue to evaluate.  It’s that simple.  He’s a coverage end to end LB, not Ray Lewis.  I’m not defending him, just glad we decided to give another year to evaluate.

[Brennan Huff]

4 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

It's the dreadlocks.

And he’s got a weird number for a linebacker. Well I guess a lot of linebackers have weird numbers now, but 49 is definitely weird

[Fan in Chicago]

7 hours ago, Billy Zabka said:

I.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

It is pretty damning if we are discussing this in his fourth year in the league. He was picked pretty high, he should have been impactful in year 3 , latest. 

I was very much against picking up his option and wanted to see how he performed this season. I think he has the size needed, lacks smarts and instincts. I don't know the cap implications, but he should be traded at the end of this season. I will be glad to be proven wrong if he suddenly starts playing well. 

 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

7 hours ago, Billy Zabka said:

I think it's time, watching him play his 4th season, that we have to finally admit that Tremaine Edmunds is simply not a very good MLB.  This is a glamour position in a McD defense and he rarely makes any plays.  On top of that he struggles to even make routine plays.  Sure he racks up tackle numbers and a bogus pro Bowl nod last year hugging guys down 8 yards downfield as a 3 down LB in the middle of this D, but that's about it.  He grades out poor in coverage, misses tackles, struggles to get off blocks and is indecisive out there.  Edmunds was probably the only weak link out there on D today and was outplayed by journeyman AJ Klein when he left the game with cramps.  I wanted to give him time realizing that he was so young and learning a new position but 4 years is enough.  The Bills who will be cap strapped next year should not have picked up his 12.7 million option because he doesn't warrant the salary, the trade up for the pick and option pick up will go down as a rare Beane whiff imo.  I hope I'm wrong but I don't see it an Edmunds turnaround happening.

He was invisible in the second half.  I didn’t see him make any plays. 

[BigBuff423]

It's interesting how many on this message board believe themselves to be football geniuses and yet know so little about how McD runs his Defense and how the value personnel. 

[cwater10]

1 hour ago, Brennan Huff said:

And he’s got a weird number for a linebacker. Well I guess a lot of linebackers have weird numbers now, but 49 is definitely weird

Look out! I think that Phil Villiapiano is throwing chairs in your direction.

[Roundybout]

Edmunds is no Brian Urlacher but he's fine. That's what he is - fine. No imminent need for replacement but you keep your eye on things, like if you're in a solid relationship but you can't help but wonder about that girl in the red dress at the other end at the bar. 

[Kwai San]

8 hours ago, Da webster guy said:

 

True but could you imagine this defense if we had just stayed put in the draft and taken Darius Leonard instead of Tremaine?  Wld be elite.

 

Coulda woulda shoulda.....ANYONE could build a team like that!!  The option pick up was the right move at the right time.  Edmunds does precisely what Frazier is asking him to do.  All the fanboys out there want the second coming of Dick Butkus.  Not gonna happen.

[Kwai San]

2 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

He will be worth every penny if he learns how to cover Kelce. He needs to be working on his man-to-man tight end covering skills every day so he’s prepared for that test. He’s the only one with the size, speed, and strength on the defense that can cover tight tends. I hope he’s up for it cause if he isn’t, then no one is and we will have to double cover Kelce again. 
 

I know some here might think Milano can cover Kelce, but Milano doesn’t have the size to man up against him. Milanos strength in coverage lies in following the backs outta the back field. 

 

GREAT post!  Thanks for this as it is dead nuts on.

 

Fanboys bullies on here have to have someone as a scapegoat after a 35-0 thrashing and sadly it is Edmunds this week.  Honestly do some of you even watch the game?  Understand it?  I really doubt it reading these "comments"

 

Go BILLS!!!

[Mango]

I am admittedly not nearly as high on Edmunds as others here. But today is the weirdest time to call out "the mistake". McD gave him a game ball yesterday. 

Edited September 20, 2021 by Mango

[Scott7975]

The Bills have invested in Edmunds.  Using the 5th year option was not a mistake, it was a no brainer.  Absolutely the right move.

[without a drought]

With a better MLB, the Bills could have held Miami to less than zero.

 

 

[BillsFan130]

2 minutes ago, without a drought said:

With a better MLB, the Bills could have held Miami to less than zero.

 

 

Edmunds didn't even Play the 2nd half and the defence was actually better without him.

[Bigantall]

9 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

Meanwhile, McDermott gives him the game ball.

 

 

I think coach is trying to coach him up