HOUSE Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 Bills' A.J. Klein steps up vs. Jets: 'There's really no fall off' https://billswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/15/bills-a-j-klein-steps-up-vs-jets-theres-really-no-fall-off/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rochesterfan Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 2 hours ago, HOUSE said: A.J. Klein signed a 3 year, $18,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $1,200,000 signing bonus, $11,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,000,000. My thoughts on AJ Klein. - He is a decent back-up level LB, but god forbid he has to start to many weeks. He is a pretty good straight ahead thumper, but he was out of position on several passes where he was to slow to cover the running back in the flat and gave up first downs, he missed tackles on the RBs in space on passes, and he wasn’t deep enough on drops to impact the middle of the field passes. Any plays outside the hash marks/numbers were questionable as he lacks the sideline speed to close on the ball. There we’re several running plays where just like Edmunds he was blocked 10+ yards down field and jumped on the pile at the end or slid off the RB. Basically in the modern NFL - he is a nice luxury to have, but he was not an improvement out there. He made a few plays, missed a few plays, and was exactly what he should be - an experienced vet that did not cost them the game. I like him best coming in for a few plays here or there in specific situations and then let him sit the rest of the time. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timekills17 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 1 hour ago, JY422 said: Just because Klein hits hard and makes point of impact plays in one game we have people thinking he makes Edmunds expendable. keep in mind the Bills D gave up their highest passing total of the season yesterday. That’s Mike White and Old-ass Joe Flacco doing that. C’mon people. I thought we were beyond overlooking Edmunds overall value to the Bills. What he brings to this D goes beyond his stats and eye-popping plays. Several of those big passes over the middle (especially the third and longs) would not have happened if 49 is playing yesterday. He’s too long, fast and smart to give that ish up. Agree that with most offenses being pass heavy and especially against the Bills most teams try to get rid of the ball quickly, having a tall, fast LB like Edmunds is a must. Even when playing the nickel defense which the Bills typically do. I kind of wonder if they couldn't play a traditional 4-3 with Edmunds ability to play against the TE or slot but also give them more bodies to defend the run. It's fine to just accept the shorter typical run plays in order to prevent the pass, but there are two teams that either isn't or might not work against - the Titans and the Patriots. Not that either of those two teams should concern the Bills... I almost think Klein's one "strength" over Edmunds would have made him a better choice against the Titans. But that's about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherlock Holmes Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 (edited) Klein learned from the GOAT... of course he's good! Edited November 15, 2021 by Sherlock Holmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasNootz Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 My thoughts - I wish he and Edmunds could make a love child to play LB for the Bills. Pros Ideal backup - high energy with good instincts. Cons Lacks the lateral movement and coverage that Edmunds has. Ultimately he's more likely to make a play in the backfield, but also more likely to give up a big play. I think for a game or two he's great, but teams will start scheming around him if he were an every week starter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 3 hours ago, Cotton Fitzsimmons said: AJ’s skill set is definitely different than Milano and Edmunds, but he brings a sort of violence to the game that is unique. After that awful start he had filling in early last season, he has been terrific in the role they’ve designed for him. He gets in the backfield and really lays the wood. And this is a key point. I think the Bills learned their lesson last year not to just plug in Klein for Edmunds. They change up the roles and responsibilities between Milano, Johnson, and Klein vs Milano, Johnson, and Edmunds. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Im glad he's on the Bills! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back2Buff Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 He diagnoses a play so much faster than Edmunds. Not going to lie, I would rather he play versus Taylor than Edmunds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Championship teams have players like this coming off of the bench. His straight line speed, whether rushing the QB or running down the ball carrier, looks impressive. There are weaknesses in his game, as noted above, but he is still a solid role player when called upon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santana Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 3 hours ago, HOUSE said: A.J. Klein signed a 3 year, $18,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $1,200,000 signing bonus, $11,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,000,000. AJ is a huge asset. Love having him. He's made such a huge leap from when he first got here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 A.J. is definitely a asset to this team & i'm glad the Bills have him for situation like this plus they can use him during games for a different look on certain packages for the D if need be he was a good get !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastport bills Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 This guy is a baller. He's got better instincts than Edmunds or Milano,without the physical gifts. He makes a lot of plays and he's physical as he'll. Great guy to have if one of our great LBs go down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan_34 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 From mid season last year up until now, Klein has been playing really good football. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeAndy Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 He took all his pent up anger and frustration from being the TBD whipping boy out on those poor Jets. He can retire a Bills 👍🏼 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 1 hour ago, nedboy7 said: This is thread is so positive it’s making me feel weird. Like when you're climbing the ropes in gym class? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 4 hours ago, HOUSE said: A.J. Klein signed a 3 year, $18,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $1,200,000 signing bonus, $11,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,000,000. So evidently your thoughts on "Coach Klein" are to judge him by his contract? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 I’m gonna say this, the next time the Bills play the Titans/Chiefs I wanna see a Klein and Edmunds on the field together. Let Edmunds play in Milano’s role. Edmunds have the length and athletic ability to cover TEs and Klein is a thumper!! Klein seems to attack the gaps more aggressively than Edmunds at this point in time. I know McDermott wouldn’t consider it, but it would be nice to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar High JA17 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Ive always liked A.J. Klein, Plays fearless and instinctively. Plays with a chip on his shoulder, looks like he's having fun on the field! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brand J Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 1 hour ago, HOUSE said: Bills' A.J. Klein steps up vs. Jets: 'There's really no fall off' https://billswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/15/bills-a-j-klein-steps-up-vs-jets-theres-really-no-fall-off/ “There’s really no fall off” says Jordan Poyer. ”He ran the defense just as if Tremaine was out there” says Taron Johnson. If Edmunds was on the level of Urlacher, Kuechle, Darius Leonard, etc., these comments would be seen as ridiculous and a slight to Edmunds. It’s nice to have Klein’s back and give him praise for his performance, but saying he handled the job just as well as your “pro bowl” starter is pretty damning to that starter for me. None of us would in a million years say “there’s no fall off with Davis Webb” “He ran the offense the same as Josh.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 He's fantastic. I think if I'm Frazier, I use him more during games when everyone is healthy. He brings a different look than Edmunds (pass rush, mostly). I'd mix him in a few more times during the game. I'm not saying he is better than Edmunds, when Edmunds is on his A game (which is horribly inconsistent) he is a top MLB. But Klein is a great LB and a fantastic backup/rotational part. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 5 hours ago, HOUSE said: A.J. Klein signed a 3 year, $18,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $1,200,000 signing bonus, $11,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,000,000. Good signing. Just realized you are back. Thought you left for good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Very solid 3rd LB in a 2 LB scheme. Contract IS a bit rich for a backup LB. Should be cut after the season if he doesn’t take a pay cut. 400k dead cap is better than an almost 6M cap hit to keep him. I’d be happy if we brought him back for 1-2M a year as a backup. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DQW87 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 He played sideline to sideline, put on a great pass rush, and covered his drop back zone area very nicely. I also didn't see him bouncing off anyone's ankles during a tackle,....cough cough. Thinking he should be seeing the field a lot more even when everyone is healthy. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Cotton Fitzsimmons said: AJ’s skill set is definitely different than Milano and Edmunds, but he brings a sort of violence to the game that is unique. After that awful start he had filling in early last season, he has been terrific in the role they’ve designed for him. He gets in the backfield and really lays the wood. I remember how bad he looked last year until his amazing game against Seattle. He's a different style of MLB then Tremaine and fans will just have to get used to it. We're very fortunate to have this depth. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 5 hours ago, HOUSE said: A.J. Klein signed a 3 year, $18,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $1,200,000 signing bonus, $11,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,000,000. Earned his keep as a top end BU that can play both Milanos and Edmunds spots is needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 (edited) 34 minutes ago, NewEra said: Very solid 3rd LB in a 2 LB scheme. Contract IS a bit rich for a backup LB. Should be cut after the season if he doesn’t take a pay cut. 400k dead cap is better than an almost 6M cap hit to keep him. I’d be happy if we brought him back for 1-2M a year as a backup. I kind of doubt he is going anywhere but we shall see, one of McD's boys Edited November 15, 2021 by HOUSE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 You can clearly see from this picture, the guy has no fingers. You ever try to tackle without fingers ? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 55 minutes ago, HOUSE said: I kind of doubt he is going anywhere but we shall see, one of McD's boys Yeah you could be right. It’s just a lot of money for a backup LB imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Process Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 We are paying a backup LB $6,000,000 a year? Wtf? McBeane really needs to get better with his spending..way too much money spent on average players / situational guys. I was very happy with Klien until I saw the OP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FilthyBeast Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Klein did exactly what I expected yesterday and showed played like a grisled veteran. I'll also go as far to say that even if Edmonds is healthy this week that Klein should get the bulk of the snaps against a physical colts team that's going to look to run all over the Bills defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngbills Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 I think the Jets are a good matchup for AJ. They dont have as much speed at TE or RB so he is not exposed in pass coverage as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloMatt Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 5 hours ago, Ray Finkel said: He plays the way a middle linebacker should play. Reminds of Paul Posluszny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 19 minutes ago, Process said: We are paying a backup LB $6,000,000 a year? Wtf? McBeane really needs to get better with his spending..way too much money spent on average players / situational guys. I was very happy with Klien until I saw the OP. He was paid to be a Starting SLB. Then the Defense changed to running a Nickle over 90% of the game. His next contract in Buffalo will reflect the BU status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moulds 808080 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Starter on any nfl team!!! Pay him!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebert19 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 I think Klein is a great back up...but if we was a starter teams would be able to gameplan to take advantage of his deficiencies. Him coming in a few times...he can get by but he's not a starter imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Klein and Edmunds have different playing styles, and I'm glad the coaches figured out how to play to his strengths instead of asking him to just be like Edmunds. Given that, I'd love to see him and Edmunds rotated based on the down/distance/gametime situations. Let each one use his strengths when they're needed and, like the D-line rotations, keep everyone fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 We played the Jests. Everyone calm down...our whole Defense looked HOF worthy yesterday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moulds 808080 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 24 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said: We played the Jests. Everyone calm down...our whole Defense looked HOF worthy yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 7 hours ago, JMF2006 said: So after you saw him in the tent what was your evaluation? jets team doctor diagnosed him: “Mr. White, I believe you were smooshed by AJ Klein.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moulds 808080 Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 We didn't look like that versus Jaguars? Let's get rid of him like Teller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.