Let’s talk D

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

45 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

The disconnect is a lot of fans think stopping the run is personnel driven when in reality it's population to the football and being gap sound. The people don't matter as long as they fit properly. You have to have the numbers advantage. The big runs are coming, more often than not, in situations where we lose the numbers advantage because of poor reads and initial attack steps or just poor fits in general not because we are getting overpowered up front.

 

Take this week for example. The big 43 yard touchdown happened because Taron Johnson didn't read his key, went flying into the box and we gave up the edge because of it. Additionally, he ran into Bernard and took him out of the play. Milano had a poor read backside and was slow to fit off the GT pull action away. All that combined we were -1 to the playside when we should have been +1 had everyone done their job correctly.

So you are saying it’s not about the people but it’s about people that know how to do the job? It seems like that’s a serious contradiction. I want the personnel on the field that are more likely to do the correct thing 

[Carmel Corn]

57 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

The disconnect is a lot of fans think stopping the run is personnel driven when in reality it's population to the football and being gap sound. The people don't matter as long as they fit properly. You have to have the numbers advantage. The big runs are coming, more often than not, in situations where we lose the numbers advantage because of poor reads and initial attack steps or just poor fits in general not because we are getting overpowered up front.

 

Take this week for example. The big 43 yard touchdown happened because Taron Johnson didn't read his key, went flying into the box and we gave up the edge because of it. Additionally, he ran into Bernard and took him out of the play. Milano had a poor read backside and was slow to fit off the GT pull action away. All that combined we were -1 to the playside when we should have been +1 had everyone done their job correctly.

All I know is that our front seven do not stop the run well and lack a pass rush.  Bad combination!  Our DB’s have to make far too many tackles.  

[HoofHearted]

58 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

So you are saying it’s not about the people but it’s about people that know how to do the job? It seems like that’s a serious contradiction. I want the personnel on the field that are more likely to do the correct thing 

I assumed you wanted more 4-3 for size. If it’s because you think Dorian Williams fits the run better that’s a different story. He hasn’t been consistent which is why he hasn’t broken the starting lineup.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

On 11/17/2025 at 9:47 AM, CirclnWagons said:

You can’t have d tackles get manhandled one on one with a 180lb linebacker. Bernard is solid as the come in coverage but his small frame is a huge liability if those interior lineman can’t consistently warrant a double team 

On 11/17/2025 at 2:30 PM, HoofHearted said:

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we didn't run any 3-4. Marino must be getting it confused with our Dime package if that's indeed what he said.

Seemed like they played a bit of 4-3 under 

 

41 minutes ago, HoofHearted said:

I assumed you wanted more 4-3 for size. If it’s because you think Dorian Williams fits the run better that’s a different story. He hasn’t been consistent which is why he hasn’t broken the starting lineup.

This is an example IMO 

 

 

[HoofHearted]

1 minute ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

 

 

This is an example IMO 

 

 

Great example! Dorian fits way too wide instead of fitting tight off the down down. Should have been a tackle for loss, but because he’s two steps too wide it hit for 7-8. His initial attack step and read are good in that clip. His angle is too flat which is why he works to wide instead of working a more downfield angle to fit tight.

[WideNine]

Traditionally, the Bills have never been very good at stopping the run.

 

We need players that can better anchor at 1-tech. We have Jones, but he isn't getting younger and each season gets dinged...likely a scenario that happens more vs less frequently.

 

Folks are high on Walker, but as Jerry O. has mentioned perception has not quite matched reality. He is a rookie who is not there yet and needs to grow into the role, but shows some promise. They could use another young 1T to add to the rotation and depth whose strength is run stuffing over the penetration qualities they tend to prioritize.

 

LB is an interesting take. Teams either have thumpers and as we have seen with TB they are great at filling gaps and stopping the run, but they cannot skate with TEs and RBs as receivers.

 

The Bills prioritized smaller LBs with some speed, but they get blown up and injured when asked to take on blockers and tackle RBs...especially if your DL cannot anchor and be gap sound.

 

Dorian is more of a thumper that does a great job as a spy mirror or playing downhill near the line. So we have some situational packages that may help hide the warts.

 

Would be great if the Bills could find a unicorn at LB with size and speed and a knack for finding the right gap and finishing tackles.

 

I think Taron's play has tailed off too and that has not helped and we may need an upgrade at nickel if Father time is just catching up to him.