Terrel Bernard named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

[DeltaDigital]

1 hour ago, JayBaller10 said:

Whats funny is that I see Bills fans, not here but elsewhere, saying Bernard plays in a different defense than Tremaine. Saying Edmunds should’ve been used the way Bernard is used. And people wonder why the Edmunds threads won’t die, it’s constant conversation. 

Do you point out that it's the same defense, and that Edmunds just wasn't very good? 

[starrymessenger]

31 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

All great points. I just can’t get on board with the sentiment that Bernard has these stats and Edmunds didn’t simply because Edmunds wasn’t being used in the same way Bernard is being used. That would imply Edmunds was misused and that the Bills defensive scheme was at fault for his lack of big time plays, not the player himself. How many times have we said “almost” about a play Tremaine could have made but didn’t? 

I agree. Just for example was Tremaine not asked to blitz because they always wanted him in coverage or because he just wasn't very good at it? TB seems to have the skill set to do that. McD is not a blitz happy defensive coach but he can be effective calling them selectively. 

[ngbills]

Just now, DeltaDigital said:

Do you point out that it's the same defense, and that Edmunds just wasn't very good? 

No I tell them to watch a game or two from last year and compare to this year so they can see how obviously they are used differently. 

[DeltaDigital]

2 minutes ago, ngbills said:

No I tell them to watch a game or two from last year and compare to this year so they can see how obviously they are used differently. 

So, you're saying the teachable moment came and went? You'll get 'em next time. 1 of these players CAN and one of them, CANT. Edmunds was trash despite his freakish size. That much is evident. McDermott has two milano's now. That makes McClappinstuff very happy, I'd imagine. 

6 minutes ago, starrymessenger said:

I agree. Just for example was Tremaine not asked to blitz because they always wanted him in coverage or because he just wasn't very good at it? TB seems to have the skill set to do that. McD is not a blitz happy defensive coach but he can be effective calling them selectively. 

He was asked to blitz plenty. All I / We ever saw was edmunds washed by some middling guard, or taking the wrong hole and yes, you guessed it, got washed out for no impact. Good QB's recognized it, and heyyyy what do you know a giant hole over the middle formed. They stopped asking Edmunds to blitz because he can't do it. Watch Cover 1 on bernard and how he selects the proper holes to hit.... The difference in Edmunds game vs Bernards game is like watching a toddler try to race a varsity athlete. Poor ol tremaine, never had it between the ears where it counts, and he never will. 

[Chaos]

The Bills played great. Mr. Benard deserves the applause.   I also think the entire Bills defense likely created the beginning of the end in the "Sam Howell is a franchise" QB narrative. 

[TheFunPolice]

First Homecoming King on Sunday, now AFC DPW!

 

Congrats to Bernard, and well deserved! 

[Don Otreply]

56 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

Do you think those differences lend credence to why Bernard has made more impact plays? Or is it the players themselves?

It is likely what the current DC is doing with the pieces on the board so to speak, certainly Frazier had the opportunity and could have been doing what McDermott is doing, it’s part of what changed after Frazier was let go. 

[Brand J]

7 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

It is likely what the current DC is doing with the pieces on the board so to speak, certainly Frazier had the opportunity and could have been doing what McDermott is doing, it’s part of what changed after Frazier was let go. 

But you also have to give credit to the player for making the plays when they’re available. We know about Edmunds and his near INTs, but I wanted to touch on his blitzing since it was mentioned above. I had never seen a guy with his size and speed get stoned with a full head of steam by a RB. Happened last year against the Patriots, I could go dig up the play if you don’t remember. He didn’t have the same aggression and pursuit in his blitzes that TB43 seems to play with. It was almost as though Edmunds was content to get blocked rather than fight through to make the sack. Simply explaining away that TB43 makes plays and Edmunds didn’t is all because of how they’re being used, no, it’s mainly because the player is taking advantage when he’s put in a position to succeed. 

[HoofHearted]

27 minutes ago, Einstein said:

This is really impressive work by Bernard. Miami called out Milano as the MLB and Bernard instantly recognized the play.
 

 

Has nothing to do with them calling out Milano as the Mike and everything to do with the motion and recognizing where the bubble is. Still impressive - shows he's locked in on film study and tendencies based on formations.

29 minutes ago, starrymessenger said:

I agree. Just for example was Tremaine not asked to blitz because they always wanted him in coverage or because he just wasn't very good at it? TB seems to have the skill set to do that. McD is not a blitz happy defensive coach but he can be effective calling them selectively. 

Tremaine wasn't good at it. The vast majority of times Edmunds blitzed was because we were in man coverage and the back stayed in the protection which adds him into the rush. Additionally, it forces his rush path to be through the back (to protect vs screens) which made it look like he was just running into blockers to people who didn't understand the situation.

[Gunsgoodtime]

I knew it when we drafted him.........

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, HoofHearted said:

I don't think it implies Edmunds was misused. The two players are not the same. They each have different skill sets. Neither would have much success in the others roles because they lack the ability to be great at that specific scheme. If anything I think it speaks volumes of our defensive scheme and coaching staff to recognize what their players can and can't do well and put them in positions to be successful.

 

Did you ever once think that Edmunds was the best player on the field for either team?  I know I never did even when he played well.  I had that feeling with Bernard last week and I don't think 2nd place was particularly close.

[HoofHearted]

7 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

Has nothing to do with them calling out Milano as the Mike and everything to do with the motion and recognizing where the bubble is. Still impressive - shows he's locked in on film study and tendencies based on formations.

Tremaine wasn't good at it. The vast majority of times Edmunds blitzed was because we were in man coverage and the back stayed in the protection which adds him into the rush. Additionally, it forces his rush path to be through the back (to protect vs screens) which made it look like he was just running into blockers to people who didn't understand the situation.

@JayBaller10 read this regarding Edmunds taking on backs in his blitz path.

[DrDawkinstein]

19 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

It is likely what the current DC is doing with the pieces on the board so to speak, certainly Frazier had the opportunity and could have been doing what McDermott is doing, it’s part of what changed after Frazier was let go. 

 

5 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

But you also have to give credit to the player for making the plays when they’re available. We know about Edmunds and his near INTs, but I wanted to touch on his blitzing since it was mentioned above. I had never seen a guy with his size and speed get stoned with a full head of steam by a RB. Happened last year against the Patriots, I could go dig up the play if you don’t remember. He didn’t have the same aggression and pursuit in his blitzes that TB43 seems to play with. It was almost as though Edmunds was content to get blocked rather than fight through to make the sack. Simply explaining away that TB43 makes plays and Edmunds didn’t is all because of how they’re being used, no, it’s mainly because the player is taking advantage when he’s put in a position to succeed. 

 

I'm really curious if Frazier ever ran Edmunds in a blitz like the one linked below. 8:19 into the video if it doesnt link to the time right.

 

It's a great setup that has our DL and Milano fit up and take up all the guys, and Bernard comes knifing through like a shark.

 

Not sure if we ran different types of more straight ahead blitzing previously, or if Edmunds was just too big and lumbering to pull something like this off.

 

 

[Brand J]

2 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

@JayBaller10 read this regarding Edmunds taking on backs in his blitz path.

That’s fair, but with a guy his size and speed you would expect/hope he’d toss that smaller player aside and at least affect the QB. I’ve seen numerous LBs go head up with a RB and the RB gets bowled over. I had never seen one sprinting to the LoS just to get stoned by a RB and then “that’s it.” No fight or hustle through the block, just acceptance that the back was there. It was wild to me.

[Don Otreply]

13 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

But you also have to give credit to the player for making the plays when they’re available. We know about Edmunds and his near INTs, but I wanted to touch on his blitzing since it was mentioned above. I had never seen a guy with his size and speed get stoned with a full head of steam by a RB. Happened last year against the Patriots, I could go dig up the play if you don’t remember. He didn’t have the same aggression and pursuit in his blitzes that TB43 seems to play with. It was almost as though Edmunds was content to get blocked rather than fight through to make the sack. Simply explaining away that TB43 makes plays and Edmunds didn’t is all because of how they’re being used, no, it’s mainly because the player is taking advantage when he’s put in a position to succeed. 

I absolutely think TB is using his skills and capitalizing on this opportunity, he just seems to have the knack for being where he is supposed to be, 👍

[HoofHearted]

1 minute ago, Big Turk said:

 

Did you ever once think that Edmunds was the best player on the field for either team?  I know I never did even when he played well.  I had that feeling with Bernard last week and I don't think 2nd place was particularly close.

Again it's like comparing apples to oranges. Edmunds did a lot of really good things vs the run that go unnoticed. Basically every big run was blamed on him by people who don't know what they're looking at. As far as pass game is concerned, he was never asked to be as active as Bernard is being asked to be because it wasn't his skill set, but his impact in coverage was definitely felt. It just didn't put him in positions to make those impact plays as often.

 

Tremaine wasn't a dud like many here think he was, but certainly isn't worth the contract he got.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

2 hours ago, JayBaller10 said:

Whats funny is that I see Bills fans, not here but elsewhere, saying Bernard plays in a different defense than Tremaine. Saying Edmunds should’ve been used the way Bernard is used. And people wonder why the Edmunds threads won’t die, it’s constant conversation. 

Simple… the team has exchanged size and bulk for instincts and football IQ.

 

it still seems like it’s a potential matchup liability fielding 3 safety sized guys at the second level, but so far it’s working. 

[Einstein]

19 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

Has nothing to do with them calling out Milano as the Mike and everything to do with the motion and recognizing where the bubble is. 

 

I disagree. The Commanders motioned into Shotgun split on multiple plays. Bernard was able to recognize this particular direction due to Milano being the Mike.
 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Einstein

[H2o]

1 hour ago, GustheDog33 said:

Peter King in his column had Myles Garrett as his defensive standout and didn't even mention the Bills in general or Bernard Specifically.  Obviously, not a fan of the Bills, but he didn't even mention the game Bernard or the Bills D in general.

He's still salty from when Josh left him hanging. 

 

[Brand J]

Just now, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Simple… the team has exchanged size and bulk for instincts and football IQ.

 

it still seems like it’s a potential matchup liability fielding 3 safety sized guys at the second level, but so far it’s working. 

We’re getting gashed in the run game a bit, but I think if it was an opposing team’s primary way to move the ball we could shut it down. I don’t see any repeats of what happened versus the Jets last year where we knew the run was coming and couldn’t stop it. The Jets got most of their yardage on one play, 2 if you include the 26 yarder. The Commies got most of their rushing yards after they were trailing big and our defense was concerned with the pass (a la Green Bay last year). Miami presents the first true multi-dimensional team we’ve faced this year. Should be fun.