Bernard/Williams >>> Edmunds/Milano by the end of the regular season

[Big Turk]

I have watched Dorian Williams play the last 2 games and have come away really impressed with this kid...the dude is all over the place...yes in the Jags game maybe he was a little TOO "all over the place" as he overran some runs, but he also had some fantastically athletic pass breakups too.  Last game was much better and he shed blocks a few times to make tackles for short gains better than I ever remember seeing Edmunds do.

 

I strongly believe that by the end of the year Bernard/Williams will be better than Edmunds/Milano last year as a tandem on the field, once Williams gains experience.  That being said, I still think Bernard/Milano would be the best combo for them...Milano is just so good, it's crazy.  Dude does everything well.  I just think Williams is a better fit for what the Bills are trying to do on a down to down basis than Edmunds was and will prove to be even better once he gets more reps and experience as the season moves on.  Bernard is already Milano "Lite" and has been nothing short of remarkable for us.  

 

Thoughts on this?  I know it's a little bit of speculation and some high praise for Williams who we haven't seen enough of, but I think this kid has it at LB. 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Big Turk

[ChevyVanMiller]

Just now, Big Turk said:

I have watched Dorian Williams play the last 2 games and have come away really impressed with this kid...the dude is all over the place...yes in the Jags game maybe he was a little TOO "all over the place" as he overran some plays, but he also had some fantastically athletic pass breakups too.  Last game was much better and he shed blocks a few times and made tackles better than I ever remember seeing Edmunds do.

 

I strongly believe that by the end of the year Bernard/Williams will be better than Edmunds/Milano last year as a tandem on the field, once Williams gains experience.  That being said, I still think Bernard/Milano would be the best combo for them...Milano is just so good, it's crazy.  Dude does everything well.  I just think Williams is a better fit for what the Bills are trying to do on a down to down basis than Edmunds was and will prove to be even better once he gets more reps and experience as the season moves on.  Bernard is already Milano "Lite" and has been nothing short of remarkable for us.  

 

Thoughts on this?  I know it's a little bit of speculation and some high praise for Williams who we haven't seen enough of, but I think this kid has it at LB. 

I think we'd all be happy if it was just a push.

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

If they play good then Ill be happy

[BuffaloBill]

This duo has been the most pleasant surprise of the young season.  I hate that Milano is out as he is a very special talent. Having said this, if Williams develops into the player his athleticism enables he will als be a very special player.  Let’s hope the Bills have to figure out how to solve this problem on their roster next year.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

I think Bernard could be better than Edmunds, but that's big leap for Williams to be better than Milano, who is being talked about as one of top 10 in league if not higher.

 

That being said Williams could be better than Milano post injury or at least through the 2024 season.  By 2025 Williams is in his 3rd year, so could see him replacing Milano barring a miraculous recovery.  Certainly this injury will drastically accelerate Williams learning curve.

 

But overall IMO team would be better right now, by year end, and in 2024 with Milano & Bernard as the starters.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

11 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

I have watched Dorian Williams play the last 2 games and have come away really impressed with this kid...the dude is all over the place...yes in the Jags game maybe he was a little TOO "all over the place" as he overran some runs, but he also had some fantastically athletic pass breakups too.  Last game was much better and he shed blocks a few times to make tackles for short gains better than I ever remember seeing Edmunds do.

 

I strongly believe that by the end of the year Bernard/Williams will be better than Edmunds/Milano last year as a tandem on the field, once Williams gains experience.  That being said, I still think Bernard/Milano would be the best combo for them...Milano is just so good, it's crazy.  Dude does everything well.  I just think Williams is a better fit for what the Bills are trying to do on a down to down basis than Edmunds was and will prove to be even better once he gets more reps and experience as the season moves on.  Bernard is already Milano "Lite" and has been nothing short of remarkable for us.  

 

Thoughts on this?  I know it's a little bit of speculation and some high praise for Williams who we haven't seen enough of, but I think this kid has it at LB. 

I hope so!

 

I love Taron Johnson, but I think the coaches would love the opportunity to sub Dorian Williams in for Johnson on some situations. 

[Big Turk]

Just now, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I hope so!

 

I love Taron Johnson, but I think the coaches would love the opportunity to sub Dorian Williams in for Johnson on some situations. 

 

I'm not sure how they could sub Williams for him when Williams would already be on the field in 95% of those situations.

[Process]

Milano is probably the third best player on this team. With that said, Jones is a much bigger loss.

[Charles Romes]

But Edmunds was so huge he was able to neutralize Kelce 

[Motorin']

7 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

I'm not sure how they could sub Williams for him when Williams would already be on the field in 95% of those situations.

 

I think he means with a healthy Milano. 

 

Williams definitely needs to improve his zone coverage technique. But in man vs a TE or RB I think he's up to the challenge. He's actually slightly faster than Taron. 

[RyanC883]

adding Bernard appears to be an upgrade over Edmunds for sure.  I don't think Williams will reach Milano's level this year, but it's not impossible for him to do so in the future.  

[Big Turk]

Just now, RyanC883 said:

adding Bernard appears to be an upgrade over Edmunds for sure.  I don't think Williams will reach Milano's level this year, but it's not impossible for him to do so in the future.  

 

I don't think Williams will reach Milano's level either, I just think the Bernard/Williams combo will be better by the end of this season than the Edmunds/Milano combo from last year...but not as good as the Bernard/Milano combo we saw this season.

[Captain_Quint]

Big challenge this weekend going against the run game of NE and Belichek. You know he has something in store for this game.

 

[Coach Tuesday]

It’s definitely something we need to decide right now, five games in.

[mushypeaches]

AJ Klein will be a practice squad call up

[YattaOkasan]

I think his giants film for the most part is pretty rough but did show flashes so I’ll be super happy with a push. Cover 1 did a good breakdown (though they are higher than I am). He was responsible for two explosive plays (believe the other two were the perfect drop in a bucket throws by TT). Additionally he got beat by the same TE crossing pattern later in the game and Poyer saved his bacon. The flashes though were pretty great (Barkley coverage and taking in a pulling C) so I see the upside but if the giants can take advantage of him I’m worried what a better offense can do. 

Edited October 20, 2023 by YattaOkasan

[Big Turk]

11 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

Big challenge this weekend going against the run game of NE and Belichek. You know he has something in store for this game.

 

 

You mean their 31st ranked run and pass offense.  Yes...huge challenge it would seem. Watch other games much?

8 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

I think his giants film for the most part is pretty rough but did show flashes so I’ll be super happy with a push. Cover 1 did a good breakdown (though they are higher than I am). He was responsible for two explosive plays (believe the other two were the perfect drop in a bucket throws by TT). Additionally he got beat by the same TE crossing pattern later in the game and Poyer saved his bacon. The flashes though were pretty great (Barkley coverage and taking in a pulling C) so I see the upside but if the giants can take advantage of him I’m worried what a better offense can do. 

 

You know that players do improve typically in their rookie years as time goes on right?  Usually pretty massively.  That's why I specifically said end of the season.  

Edited October 20, 2023 by Big Turk

[HappyDays]

I don't know about that, but what we have seen so far is enough to say that Bills fans way over panicked about losing players at a non-premium position. I saw people here and elsewhere say that the season is over because of Milano's injury, even though he plays the least important position on defense. Obviously I love Milano as a player but LB is an easy position to fill, especially in a base nickel scheme. People forget but we were willing to let Milano walk in free agency until he took a true hometown discount. Some speed and some instincts and good coaching is all it takes to get solid play from the position.

[Nephilim17]

I don't want to make any of those judgments at this point but I am very, very pleasantly surprised that our second and first-year linebackers are doing well.

 

I no longer think the starting LBs will be a playoff-run killer. And that's a lot to say given 95% of this board was ready to crucify Beane for these two third-round picks.

[finn]

41 minutes ago, Charles Romes said:

But Edmunds was so huge he was able to neutralize Kelce 

And so young!

[Rigotz]

Bernard is already a significant update over Edmunds.

He has more impact production in 6 games than Edmunds had in any year of his career.

How many times did you see Edmunds knife into the backfield to hit a run fit? It's consistent with Bernard and he's better in coverage as well.

 

Dorian Williams ... I'm not ready to say that and probably won't be all year.

The bar is significantly higher. Milano is an all-pro and an impact player.

Dorian has shown glimpses, but he hasn't had the production yet and it seems foolish to assume he'll be an All-Pro by year end.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Rigotz

[Big Blitz]

26 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

Big challenge this weekend going against the run game of NE and Belichek. You know he has something in store for this game.

 

 

In fantasy I told some guys in my league Stevenson is the start of the week.   

[Logic]

It's funny how quickly the narrative changes.

I seem to recall an awwwful lot of hand wringing and whining and crying when Williams was drafted and then it was announced that he'd be a WILL. The way people carried on, you'd think no starter in the NFL ever gets injured and misses time. Lo and behold, a quarter of the way into the season, Williams is called upon to play, and looks good, and here we are.

I'm sure all of the people that absolutely ripped Brandon Beane apart for picking Williams will be trickling in aaany minute now for mea culpas. 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Logic

[RiotAct]

20 minutes ago, finn said:

And so young!

is he old enough to drink yet?

[Big Turk]

26 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Bernard is already a significant update over Edmunds.

He has more impact production in 6 games than Edmunds had in any year of his career.

How many times did you see Edmunds knife into the backfield to hit a run fit? It's consistent with Bernard and he's better in coverage as well.

 

Dorian Williams ... I'm not ready to say that and probably won't be all year.

The bar is significantly higher. Milano is an all-pro and an impact player.

Dorian has shown glimpses, but he hasn't had the production yet and it seems foolish to assume he'll be an All-Pro by year end.

 

 

 

Not comparing them individually, I am comparing them combined.  Bernard/Milano is by far the best combo if we could have it.  I am simply saying that by  the end of this year, this combo will be better than Edmunds/Milano last year...mostly because I think both players will be better than Edmunds by that point.

22 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

 

In fantasy I told some guys in my league Stevenson is the start of the week.   

 

Must not be watching games since he has been awful and the Pats have the 31st ranked O in both pass AND run. Their OLine might be as bad as the Giants.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Milano is one of the best weak side linebackers in the NFL if not the best.

Bernard is everything Edmunds was not and I'm elated that so far he has proved me wrong. Hopefully he can stand up to the pounding with Jones out.

Williams is raw and the speed is there for sure. Ideally he gets better each week. But he will make mistakes. Hopefully the safeties can make up for it.

[warrior9]

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

I think Bernard could be better than Edmunds, but that's big leap for Williams to be better than Milano, who is being talked about as one of top 10 in league if not higher.

 

That being said Williams could be better than Milano post injury or at least through the 2024 season.  By 2025 Williams is in his 3rd year, so could see him replacing Milano barring a miraculous recovery.  Certainly this injury will drastically accelerate Williams learning curve.

 

But overall IMO team would be better right now, by year end, and in 2024 with Milano & Bernard as the starters.

I mean, Milano was All-Pro last year which means he's top 2-3. 

[BADOLBILZ]

 

Maybe, yeah.   Bit early on Williams but love his style of game.

 

The objective in selecting LB's in round 3 is to get good one's.     Like RB,  it's a position that you ideally get premium production from with a 3rd round pick.    They seem to have done better with the LB's in round 3 than the RB's, so far.     Not that Singletary wasn't good but Bernard and Williams have higher ceilings at their positions.

 

Next the team needs to realize that they really don't need a first round CB to play mostly zone defense for a team that is run by a defensive specialist.

 

And then hopefully they will get around to the reality that job #1 of any organization is to make the QB look as good as he can........and having a bunch of underwhelming day 3 picks and UDFA's comprising your receiving corps from 2-5 or 6 is not enough investment.

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

37 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

 

In fantasy I told some guys in my league Stevenson is the start of the week.   

Are you trying to sabotage their lineups?  Or are you really that high on a guy that has yet to top 60 rushing yards in a game this season?  He is averaging 3 yards per carry and has a total of 2 TDs.  NE has been very bad at running the ball this year and I highly doubt they have a break out game against the Bills, even with Oliver out.

Edited October 20, 2023 by HereComesTheReignAgain

[oldmanfan]

1 hour ago, Big Turk said:

I have watched Dorian Williams play the last 2 games and have come away really impressed with this kid...the dude is all over the place...yes in the Jags game maybe he was a little TOO "all over the place" as he overran some runs, but he also had some fantastically athletic pass breakups too.  Last game was much better and he shed blocks a few times to make tackles for short gains better than I ever remember seeing Edmunds do.

 

I strongly believe that by the end of the year Bernard/Williams will be better than Edmunds/Milano last year as a tandem on the field, once Williams gains experience.  That being said, I still think Bernard/Milano would be the best combo for them...Milano is just so good, it's crazy.  Dude does everything well.  I just think Williams is a better fit for what the Bills are trying to do on a down to down basis than Edmunds was and will prove to be even better once he gets more reps and experience as the season moves on.  Bernard is already Milano "Lite" and has been nothing short of remarkable for us.  

 

Thoughts on this?  I know it's a little bit of speculation and some high praise for Williams who we haven't seen enough of, but I think this kid has it at LB. 

Let's calm down a bit.  Milano is an All Pro caliber player, and Williams is filling his spot.  Bernard is filling Edmund's spot and I think that's a wash at minimum.

[Success]

I like the way both of these guys play.  They just seem to be flying all over the place, and are always around the ball.

 

It's a different LB corps than Edmunds/Milano.  It just seems faster - but I don't think they give up much in physicality. Both Williams and Bernard are good tacklers when they have good position.

 

 

 

[jahnyc]

I am just thankful that Bernard has played well so far this season (and clearly he is not a bust, which many on this board feared).  We can hope for Williams to improve throughout this season as he gets more experience so that he is at least an adequate (or more than adequate) replacement for Milano.

 

Evaluating our recent drafts has become more complicated with the play of Bernard and others (such as Moss).  I do like our most recent draft with Kincaid, Torrence and Williams all performing well as rookie players.

[Doc]

I could see both developing to the point that Bernard is more of an upgrade over Edmunds than Williams is a downgrade from Milano.

[gonzo1105]

I believe that Dorian Williams was the 2nd best draft pick behind Kincaid in this draft. I really believe that Williams has pro bowl type potential. He was my # 2 MLB in the draft behind Campbell and I was elated when the Bills got him. You can already see the flashes of brilliance from him, he just needs the reps to be more consistent with it. 

[BBFL]

55 minutes ago, Logic said:

It's funny how quickly the narrative changes.

I seem to recall an awwwful lot of hand wringing and whining and crying when Williams was drafted and then it was announced that he'd be a WILL. The way people carried on, you'd think no starter in the NFL ever gets injured and misses time. Lo and behold, a quarter of the way into the season, Williams is called upon to play, and looks good, and here we are.

I'm sure all of the people that absolutely ripped Brandon Beane apart for picking Williams will be trickling in aaany minute now for mea culpas. 

My narrative changed on Bernard but really what did he have to show during his first year? No play time over Dodson, barely made any plays on special teams and seemed a little confused out there. He’s changed that narrative but I saw that being a lot of help from Milano giving him confidence. Hopefully his play continues to round out and be solid. 🤞

Edited October 20, 2023 by BBFL

[TheBrownBear]

Love the enthusiasm and I've been pleasantly surprised by them, but let's pump the brakes for a second, especially on Williams.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

19 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

I believe that Dorian Williams was the 2nd best draft pick behind Kincaid in this draft. I really believe that Williams has pro bowl type potential. He was my # 2 MLB in the draft behind Campbell and I was elated when the Bills got him. You can already see the flashes of brilliance from him, he just needs the reps to be more consistent with it. 

Huh? If the voting was fair and bot biased to skill players, Torrence would be in the running for OROY. 

[gonzo1105]

Just now, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Huh? If the voting was fair and bot biased to skill players, Torrence would be in the running for OROY. 

 

I don't go back on what I said around draft time, I'm willing to admit mistakes too, Torrence has been better than I thought.  I wasn't high on Torrence, he has proven me wrong to this point but he does at times struggle with his feet which I thought would be his biggest issue in the pros. I think Torrence will be a solid guard for a long time it looks like but I believe Williams in the long term will be a better player than Torrence 5 years down the road. I still believe that watching him these past 2 weeks. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Williams has a long way to go in his zone coverage.

[machine gun kelly]

2 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

I think Bernard could be better than Edmunds, but that's big leap for Williams to be better than Milano, who is being talked about as one of top 10 in league if not higher.

 

That being said Williams could be better than Milano post injury or at least through the 2024 season.  By 2025 Williams is in his 3rd year, so could see him replacing Milano barring a miraculous recovery.  Certainly this injury will drastically accelerate Williams learning curve.

 

But overall IMO team would be better right now, by year end, and in 2024 with Milano & Bernard as the starters.

I don’t know if Williams will ever be as good as Milano, but he shows promise in his own right.  Bernard, I believe will surpass Edmunds in time.  He’s been a significant participant in this defense, and McD is getting the most out if his players.