Any thoughts on Dorian Williams about to be starting again?

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

43 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

He is a very capable replacement. He isn't Milano, but he is a good player.

this is where I am at. What I am mostly terrified about is if Bernard misses any time. Dorian, Buffalo Joe, and cam Lewis as our starting linebackers?

[Sierra Foothills]

The Bills held a walk-thru practice today. Here's today's defensive injury report:

• Ed Oliver  DNP/Out
• Matt Milano  DNP/Out
• Taron Johnson  Limited
• Cam Lewis  Limited
• Shaq Thompson   Limited
• Jordan Hancock   Full

Milano has been declared Out and I doubt Oliver will play. There's a question mark at nickel corner with Johnson and Lewis both on the report.

 

The injuries are certainly concerning but my concerns are softened by the Bills upcoming schedule of Miami, New Orleans, New England, @ Atlanta, Bye, and @ Carolina. There couldn't be a better time for backups and young players to get live game experience.

 

As Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger" and I'm glad of the silver lining... that so many of our young players will have this opportunity to grow their skills in games where their mistakes are likely to be inconsequential. Moreover, the extra experience they gain now will mean that the team's depth will be that much better later in the season when the stakes are higher.

 

For instance I love that Dorian Strong already has 72 defensive snaps under his belt. Because of Oliver's injury Sanders had 23 snaps and Walker had 22 snaps against the Jets. Zion Logue had 16 snaps.

 

With the return of Hoecht and Ogunjobi, I maintain my excitement for what this defense will become.

 

[MasterStrategist]

8 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

The Bills held a walk-thru practice today. Here's today's defensive injury report:

• Ed Oliver  DNP/Out
• Matt Milano  DNP/Out
• Taron Johnson  Limited
• Cam Lewis  Limited
• Shaq Thompson   Limited
• Jordan Hancock   Full

Milano has been declared Out and I doubt Oliver will play. There's a question mark at nickel corner with Johnson and Lewis both on the report.

 

The injuries are certainly concerning but my concerns are softened by the Bills upcoming schedule of Miami, New Orleans, New England, @ Atlanta, Bye, and @ Carolina. There couldn't be a better time for backups and young players to get live game experience.

 

As Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill me makes me stronger" and I'm glad of the silver lining... that so many of our young players will have this opportunity to grow their skills in games where their mistakes are likely to be inconsequential. Moreover, the extra experience they gain now will mean that the team's depth will be that much better later in the season when the stakes are higher.

 

For instance I love that Dorian Strong already has 72 defensive snaps under his belt. Because of Oliver's injury Sanders had 23 snaps and Walker had 22 snaps against the Jets. Zion Logue had 16 snaps.

 

With the return of Hoecht and Ogunjobi, I maintain my excitement for what this defense will become.

 

Where did you get info that Milano and Ed already declared out?  Its likely to be that way, but the official injury designation for Thursday hasn't been released yet.

[BuffaloBillies]

Love me some Milano AND Dorian. Both MF'er gives 110%. Super depth. All good. 

[Sierra Foothills]

35 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

Where did you get info that Milano and Ed already declared out?  Its likely to be that way, but the official injury designation for Thursday hasn't been released yet.

 

Fair question and I'm sorry that I took liberties with the facts.

 

I thought I saw where Milano would definitely not play against Miami.

 

I added "Out" to Oliver's "DNP" because I'm certain that I'm right... in both cases.

 

Again apologies for mixing my convictions with the facts.

 

Edited September 16 by Sierra Foothills

[gobills404]

I think he’ll be fine. Not a plus player but for a backup we could do a whole lot worse.

[RyanC883]

2 hours ago, Low Positive said:

Most teams are losing players too. The Bucs, for instance, are down both starting OTs as I type this and just lost an edge rusher. The Seahawks played this week without both S Nick Emmanwori and CB Devin Witherspoon. Their fans have pages of discsusion about these injuries, but I bet most here didn't know anything about them. We just don't notice other teams' injuries unless they are QBs or high-profile stars so it feels like we are the only team with guys out.

yep, the injury excuse is not an excuse unless it’s a franchise qb.  
 

and even then, sometimes you beat an more talented  team in SB 25. 

Edited September 16 by RyanC883

[Beck Water]

5 hours ago, Simon said:

COuple notes on yesterday:

 

> He wasn't horrible for being tossed into a starting role unexpectedly when Milano went down, although he still has issues with angles and tackling at times. He actually had a pass defended, which may be the first one ever in his career. He also had my favorite play of the game. After he got called for roughing on the sideline while Benford was holding a guy up (the refs screwed up the number on the penalty) watch what he does on what I think was the very next snap; Babich sent him up the A-gap and I think it was Breece Hall that tried to pick him up. It did not go well for Breece.  If you have access, it's worth finding that play just to watch what Williams does to him. 

> How long is Taron out? The Bills might be even more inclined to run more base nickel rather than try Andreesen or a hobbled Shaq Thompson in the 4-3 they've been messing around with the first couple weeks.

> We're flirting with that situation with missing starters on every level of the defense again; you can get away with missing a guy here and there, but this stuff becomes exponentially harder to handle when it gets to be cumulative like this. You can do things defensively to hide soft spots, but those options become extremely limited as those soft spots multiply.

> Thoughts?

 

You're absolutely right about the impact of missing players on every level.

 

I thought Williams was OK.  I'm not sure he's grown into a complete player.  The Bills covered his shortcomings before by playing a sort of heavy dime with Poyer.

 

 

[Mike in Horseheads]

We need some hockey players on this team.  They play through just about any injuries

[bearstobills]

Dorian is my secret favorite player on the Bills.  Now my secret is known.  

[syhuang]

6 hours ago, Simon said:

 

 

> He wasn't horrible for being tossed into a starting role unexpectedly when Milano went down, although he still has issues with angles and tackling at times. He actually had a pass defended, which may be the first one ever in his career. He also had my favorite play of the game. After he got called for roughing on the sideline while Benford was holding a guy up (the refs screwed up the number on the penalty) watch what he does on what I think was the very next snap; Babich sent him up the A-gap and I think it was Breece Hall that tried to pick him up. It did not go well for Breece.  If you have access, it's worth finding that play just to watch what Williams does to him. 

 

 

 

[BillsFanForever19]

11 hours ago, Simon said:

COuple notes on yesterday:

 

> He wasn't horrible for being tossed into a starting role unexpectedly when Milano went down, although he still has issues with angles and tackling at times. He actually had a pass defended, which may be the first one ever in his career. He also had my favorite play of the game. After he got called for roughing on the sideline while Benford was holding a guy up (the refs screwed up the number on the penalty) watch what he does on what I think was the very next snap; Babich sent him up the A-gap and I think it was Breece Hall that tried to pick him up. It did not go well for Breece.  If you have access, it's worth finding that play just to watch what Williams does to him. 

> How long is Taron out? The Bills might be even more inclined to run more base nickel rather than try Andreesen or a hobbled Shaq Thompson in the 4-3 they've been messing around with the first couple weeks.

> We're flirting with that situation with missing starters on every level of the defense again; you can get away with missing a guy here and there, but this stuff becomes exponentially harder to handle when it gets to be cumulative like this. You can do things defensively to hide soft spots, but those options become extremely limited as those soft spots multiply.

> Thoughts?

 

My thoughts are he's no stranger to this position. He started 12 games for us last season. And many felt last year that we were better off with Williams starting than Milano.

 

I don't know that there's really much difference between them as far as quality of play from the OLB position at this point. There's things I feel that Milano is better at than Williams and things I trust Williams with over Milano, at this point.

 

You see a flash play here or there like the one you mentioned. But the consistency is gone. Wear and tear, age, and constantly being behind the 8 ball because he's coming off of an injury - just to get injured again, has all but assured that. We haven't seen anything close to the Matt Milano we had in 2022 since.

 

And at this point, I don't think we really will. I think you IR him, bring up Jenkins from the Practice Squad, and hope for the best with Williams and Jenkins. If it's a minor Pec injury, bring back Milano after the bye and once again let him ease his way back into the lineup.

 

If it's a Tear, that's probably pretty much the end of the line for him in Buffalo. Bc those take months. Maybe he comes back at the end of the year, but I wouldn't expect much from him if he were able to. And with his unreliability and age, I wouldn't expect us to bring him back next season.

 

As for Nickel, Jordan Hancock was a full participant. Neither Taron or Lewis were a DNP. Just Limited. I'd bet one or both will be able to go and if one of them misses the game, Hancock will be active for his first game. I haven't heard that the expectation is that Taron will miss any time though.

Edited September 16 by BillsFanForever19

[newcam2012]

Any thoughts on Shaq Thompson if he's cleared to play. The guy looks like he has some gas left in the tank. I'm thinking he can be serviceable and not a liability out there. 

[Kirby Jackson]

I believe that Dorian Williams might be the Bills best LB. The emphasis is on “might.” Milano was playing well but he can’t stay healthy. I don’t think Bernard is very good (but he does have a nose for the football). Williams feels like he could take off if given the chance. I’m absolutely fine with him playing. This is probably the injury that the Bills can most easily survive. 

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

My unsubstantiated theory? When you base a defense on smaller, faster players, injuries are more likely to occur. 

[wjag]

Williams vs Achane will be the game within the game this week.

[BuffaloBill]

Williams is greatly improved and Milano appears to be in physical decline. The equation and outcome are pretty clear.  Maybe it’s time for some sort of LB rotation to keep these guys healthy later in the year. Injuries on D have really hurt the Bills in the playoffs.

[K-9]

All the athleticism you can ask for but William is too inconsistent for my comfort level and the best thing I can say about him at the moment is I hope he makes a liar out of me. 

[26TrapDraw]

12 hours ago, FireChans said:

Dorian is at his best when Babich doesn’t make him think. 
 

He’s a bit like Nigel Bradham. When you let him play a downfield attacking style, he can make some plays. When he has to read and react, he’s illiterate.

Perfectly stated.

[BearNorth]

1 hour ago, wjag said:

Williams vs Achane will be the game within the game this week.

Since it looks like Ed O will be out for this game, that looks like the key matchup.  I wish our safeties were reliable, longing for Po and Micah in their prime.