AJ Epenesa Is really playing well

[78thealltimegreat]

If you rewatch the game last night AJ was noticeable particularly in run support. This is the second week he’s playing solid hopefully he’s finally turned the corner. 

[Big Turk]

1 minute ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

If you rewatch the game last night AJ was noticeable particularly in run support. This is the second week he’s playing solid hopefully he’s finally turned the corner. 

 

I was worried he was going to get a flag for a hit to the head last night on that one run stop...it looked like he came up and just shouldered a dude under the chin and sent him flying near the LOS on the one play...I don't think I have ever seen a tackle like that before.

[clayboy54]

Just now, 78thealltimegreat said:

If you rewatch the game last night AJ was noticeable particularly in run support. This is the second week he’s playing solid hopefully he’s finally turned the corner. 

I totally agree. That said, guys don't always turn out to be the style of player that we envisioned them to be coming in. They are however, valuable pieces in this scheme. Right now, everybody is playing well. If they are all able to chill a little at the beginning of games, and play disciplined 1/11th football for 60 minutes, there is no way  this team can be stopped.

[78thealltimegreat]

1 hour ago, clayboy54 said:

I totally agree. That said, guys don't always turn out to be the style of player that we envisioned them to be coming in. They are however, valuable pieces in this scheme. Right now, everybody is playing well. If they are all able to chill a little at the beginning of games, and play disciplined 1/11th football for 60 minutes, there is no way  this team can be stopped.

Yeh it’s almost like a light went on he looks like a completely different player 

[wppete]

Yeah he really is playing great football. 

[thewookie1]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

I was worried he was going to get a flag for a hit to the head last night on that one run stop...it looked like he came up and just shouldered a dude under the chin and sent him flying near the LOS on the one play...I don't think I have ever seen a tackle like that before.

It looked more like a hockey hip check than a football tackle lol

[Bruffalo]

Von Miller is the kick in the butt the defensive line has needed.  Bringing back Phillips has brought the energy level way up as well.

[Success]

The line is DEEP.

 

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Success said:

The line is DEEP.

 

 

Might need to be if we are down 3 of our 4 DTs for Miami. In the heat and humidity down there you want to be able to have a heavy rotation as well. 

[Wyobills89]

It just feels like Von brought a leadership we have been missing up front. The youngins are really playing well, I'm not sure if just development or if Von has helped them with technique and just teaching them his knowledge. I think it's just a perfect mix of both. 

[Royale with Cheese]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Might need to be if we are down 3 of our 4 DTs for Miami. In the heat and humidity down there you want to be able to have a heavy rotation as well. 

 

I actually would be surprised if Oliver and Settle don't play.  

[Beast]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Might need to be if we are down 3 of our 4 DTs for Miami. In the heat and humidity down there you want to be able to have a heavy rotation as well. 

 

Basham can also slide inside if need be. Lots of versatility not to mention the Fish aren't all that much of a threat to run up the middle.

[DrDawkinstein]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

I was worried he was going to get a flag for a hit to the head last night on that one run stop...it looked like he came up and just shouldered a dude under the chin and sent him flying near the LOS on the one play...I don't think I have ever seen a tackle like that before.

 

It was my least favorite play of his all night. Bad form, and bad idea. As a DL, he needs to be wrapping up and tackling through the player. Especially when playing Derrick Henry.

 

I hate that DBs all try to do that human-missile garbage now, and I hate it even more from DLs.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I actually would be surprised if Oliver and Settle don't play.  

 

Settle of the 3 has the best shot I think. I don't think Ed was ever close for this week based on what I saw and heard. I think he is more 50/50. Phillips if he has tweaked his hammy is probably out. If it was just tightness and they said "this game is done out you come" then he should be fine. Think it is pretty binary on him we should know from McD's first media session where he stands.

[Brit]

The growth of the young talent is just as a important as having Von Miller, imo. Epenesa has taken a couple of years to develop, but the limits caused by COVID must have had an effect. Our second team DL this year might overall be on a par with our starting DL last year.

 

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, Beast said:

 

Basham can also slide inside if need be. Lots of versatility not to mention the Fish aren't all that much of a threat to run up the middle.

 

He can and so can Groot as he showed last night.... but you'd be down to one true starting level DT on the road in a place where you want to rotate because of conditions. That is not the end of the world but it is less than ideal. 

[Royale with Cheese]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

Settle of the 3 has the best shot I think. I don't think Ed was ever close for this week based on what I saw and heard. I think he is more 50/50. Phillips if he has tweaked his hammy is probably out. If it was just tightness and they said "this game is done out you come" then he should be fine. Think it is pretty binary on him we should know from McD's first media session where he stands.

 

I think Phillips is out for a long while.  He tweaked hammy usually has you hobbling...he went down hard liked it locked up completely.  

 

I've heard that Settle thought he could go last night.  I think it was a precautionary to hold him off one more week.

 

I think you're right about Oliver not being close last night but it'll be more than two weeks for his sprain.  I've sprained my ankle I think 7 times in my life and 10 days was the norm for me....but I'm also not 285 lbs.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

 

[Kaenon]

55 minutes ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

Yeh it’s almost like a light went on he looks like a completely different player 

It's the Von Miller effect.

[KHAN]

Miami is probably a good opponent to face with some of your huge DT's out. Being fast against them might be a good way to go anyway. Hill and Waddle against a depleted secondary is more of a concern IMO. They have enough bodies to rotate in the heat. Just not the bodies we might have expected.

 

Tua had a great 4th quarter but the long balls were all short and in the air a long time. Much harder to do that against our D. They won't stop Josh, and Tua having to match score for score without getting those long passes (which he won't against the Bills D) is a long shot IMO.

[Big Turk]

19 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

It was my least favorite play of his all night. Bad form, and bad idea. As a DL, he needs to be wrapping up and tackling through the player. Especially when playing Derrick Henry.

 

I hate that DBs all try to do that human-missile garbage now, and I hate it even more from DLs.

 

Yeah I wasn't a fan either but it just was a super weird play that worked that time...I am sure he will be getting ragged on in the film room about it

[starrymessenger]

Von Miller is to this D what Allen is to the O. They raise everybody’s game. Few players can do that. Bills have two.

[Big Turk]

2 minutes ago, KHAN said:

Miami is probably a good opponent to face with some of your huge DT's out. Being fast against them might be a good way to go anyway. Hill and Waddle against a depleted secondary is more of a concern IMO. They have enough bodies to rotate in the heat. Just not the bodies we might have expected.

 

Tua had a great 4th quarter but the long balls were all short and in the air a long time. Much harder to do that against our D. They won't stop Josh, and Tua having to match score for score without getting those long passes (which he won't against the Bills D) is a long shot IMO.

 

Slow your roll on assuming all of them will be out.

[KHAN]

5 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Slow your roll on assuming all of them will be out.

Slow your roll on slowing my roll. Nobody knows who will be out.

 

All I said is Miami is a team where not being as big might not be as much of a problem. I was more worried for last night. Turns out that was no problem either.

 

 

[GunnerBill]

28 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I think Phillips is out for a long while.  He tweaked hammy usually has you hobbling...he went down hard liked it locked up completely.  

 

I've heard that Settle thought he could go last night.  I think it was a precautionary to hold him off one more week.

 

I think you're right about Oliver not being close last night but it'll be more than two weeks for his sprain.  I've sprained my ankle I think 7 times in my life and 10 days was the norm for me....but I'm also not 285 lbs.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

Yea if he has tweaked it you are talking 2-3 weeks. If he has a grade 2 partial tear we are talking 6 weeks at least. 

[Big Turk]

12 minutes ago, KHAN said:

Slow your roll on slowing my roll. Nobody knows who will be out.

 

All I said is Miami is a team where not being as big might not be as much of a problem. I was more worried for last night. Turns out that was no problem either.

 

 

 

I would expect less than half. Most of those injury's save for Jackson's and possibly Phillips(although it appeared by all account he was fine on the sidelines once he left the game) looked minor.

Edited September 20, 2022 by Big Turk

[eball]

45 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I actually would be surprised if Oliver and Settle don't play.  

 

Agreed, seems like Settle was almost there and it was a smart decision to sit both of those guys.  But I'll tell you what, Bryant filled in really well last night.

 

[Airseven]

I don’t trust Epenesa. He flashes and then disappears. Need to see more before he graduates from practice hero status.

[eball]

5 minutes ago, Airseven said:

I don’t trust Epenesa. He flashes and then disappears. Need to see more before he graduates from practice hero status.

 

Well, you be sure to let us know when you've made up your mind.  We're on the edge of our seats...

 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

All rookies that year had it rough with no spring practice and no pre-season games, admittedly some handled it better.  On top of that he had weight issues which didn't help any.

[TBBills]

3 hours ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

Yeh it’s almost like a light went on he looks like a completely different player 

Light in the shape of a von Miller triangle. 

[LABILLBACKER]

3 hours ago, Beast said:

 

Basham can also slide inside if need be. Lots of versatility not to mention the Fish aren't all that much of a threat to run up the middle.

One thing you can count on Sunday is Miami will rarely run the ball.  Most of the passes from Tua will be in the 10-20 yard range on crosses.

[blacklabel]

It's been really remarkable how Von Miller has unlocked the potential of this DL. Just about everyone has had a splash play. Von with two big sacks vs. the Rams, Groot's got a sack in each game and a couple TFL's, AJ's got a sack and a half, big Jordan has one or two, Ed was looking great before the injury, I hope that doesn't hamper him all year. Boogie got the fumble recovery last night, everyone's contributing, love to see it.

 

As for Epenesa, I don't think he'll ever be a super flashy player with big numbers but if he can be a steady, solid player for them, then that's great. The word on him coming out of Iowa was that he didn't do anything that wowed you but he has the skills and talent to play for a long time. 

[HOUSE]

6 hours ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

If you rewatch the game last night AJ was noticeable particularly in run support. This is the second week he’s playing solid hopefully he’s finally turned the corner. 

Yes AJ, you looked pretty good 

[Bob in STL]

6 hours ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

If you rewatch the game last night AJ was noticeable particularly in run support. This is the second week he’s playing solid hopefully he’s finally turned the corner. 

 

4 hours ago, 78thealltimegreat said:

Yeh it’s almost like a light went on he looks like a completely different player 

 

The third year is usually the year a player takes a big step, if it is gonna happen at all.  Lets not forget his first year was the Covid year and that stunted development for him.  

 

Having Von Miller around can't hurt either.  

[716er]

Saw him at Bar Bill in EA last week. He put his name on the waiting list just like any other chump.

 

Kudos

[babulator]

I've been hard on AJ. He may never live up to expectations, but he's contributing. Hopefully he can remain consistent and maybe add a splash play or two.

[BrainwashedBillsFan]

4 hours ago, Wyobills89 said:

It just feels like Von brought a leadership we have been missing up front. The youngins are really playing well, I'm not sure if just development or if Von has helped them with technique and just teaching them his knowledge. I think it's just a perfect mix of both. 

I would say both. That Greg sack where he lined up inside, that move to get the offensive lineman off balance is something that I remember seeing Von preach about to the kid during training camp 

[The BLUES Brothers]

On Sunday 9/18 - it was my son's birthday and he lives in Amherst (by Buffalo) so we drove from Rochester to meet him at Bar Bills East Aurora to get their famous wings and Beef on Weck! We get there 15 minutes before they open and still needed to wait 45 minutes - so busy there!

 

We get our table and as we are finishing ....

 

Who walks in to get a table but The AJ Epensa! 

 

They had him wait outside until his table opened up - I asked hostess if she knew who that was and she said yes - they were getting him a table right away.

 

On our way out - he was still waiting outside and we wished him "Good luck on the game tomorrow" and he smiled and said Thanks a lot! - cool guy. Big guy and glad he had a great game too!

 

 

[Simon]

15 minutes ago, The BLUES Brothers said:

On Sunday 9/18 - it was my son's birthday

 

That's also my son's birthday. 

What year?

(And don't say "every year" )

[Richard Noggin]

9 hours ago, starrymessenger said:

Von Miller is to this D what Allen is to the O. They raise everybody’s game. Few players can do that. Bills have two.

 

Sorta disagree here, in that I think a better analogy is Von Miller is to this D what Stefon Diggs is to this O. Brought in from outside and instantly elevated the competitiveness and expectations of those around them. 

 

Allen, and the QB position in general, just doesn't have a comp on the defensive side.