Subtle Point on Defense Improvement - Setting up players from your MLB

[PoundingDog]

We all saw how Thompson improved our D when he played. The main argument is Thompson being bigger, maybe healthier. But Cover 1's Erik Turner brought up a good point. Maybe Thompson is better at recognizing all those eye candies/motions etc. and setting the players to the right places than Bernard. Recency may have bias, but I remeber we had a lot of defensive plays this season when a bunch of players were totally fooled or out of positions. Since the 2nd half of Houston game, it came down to almost zero. I don't recall once in the Steelers game we had a breakdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BuffaloBillies]

Shaq needs to stay on the field no matter what.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

I think Shaq is definitely reading schemes and being more decisive than Bernard. That sad, Bernard has caught a lot of sheet from fans for poor play when in reality there has been a revolving door of defensive lineman in front of him. 
 

The biggest issue I see when looking it the bills run defense is how teams effect our alignment and numbers presnap with motions and shifts, which often leads to bad fits or players coming from places that make it very difficult to play gap sound. This could be something Shaq is good at (handling these shifts) or just coaching. Bernard is very vocal too. His visible frustrations referenced in the video are usually on pass plays, not necessarily on run downs. 
 

Another factor here is that the recent Shaq play is likely coming under a closer watch from McDermott on D - whereas the beginning of the year was being constructed from Babich and often felt messy. 
 

I’d like to see Shaq stay at MLB and try Bernard at the Will. I think this would be a good game to try it, as I don’t think they’ll be using a bunch of 4-3 front against the Bengals (if he’s healthy). 

 

I think he fits better in regards to playing the weak side of the run game: he’s definitely a better clean up player than disruptor.

Whether this week or next, I think it could be a good litmus test to see if a permanent move could be beneficial. 

That said, Bernard got paid and will be here. I hope they find a way to maximize his skill set. He is no bum and can be very effective. He does it a bit differently than Shaq (speed vs power), and I get that people want to be better on the run but a LOT of our issues with the ground game are because of the revolving door at DT and the poor tackling from the secondary. 
 

This clip encapsulates Bernard in his strengths and weaknesses.  He’s decisive, downhill with appropriate leverage, gets across the face of the pulling center and is first in on the tackle for a minimal gain. Would you like to see him be more stout and not displaced? Of course. Does Shaq have the speed to beat the OL to edge? Idk. At the end of the day it isn’t pretty, job well done. 
 

Bernard will likely be back in the lineup at MLB sooner than later, because it gives them the ability to have Shaq at the Sam in 4-3 and McDermott and company loves Bernard’s pass coverage. 

Edited 11 hours ago by EmotionallyUnstable

[H2o]

Bernard is not a bad player, but Shaq is the player this defense needs right now in this moment. If we are going to be successful the remainder of this year, the defense will need to continue the type of play we saw this past weekend. That defensive performance was led by Shaq Thompson. 

[Thurman#1]

Yeah, I think a lot of Bernard's bad play comes down to him being dinged up and to DL problems when the injuries get bad.

 

Still think Shaq should play right now, though.

[Mike R]

Whatever the reason, Bernard has been horrible and has hurt the defense. Keep Shaq playing.

[juno999]

This is going to be a real test for McD. He always says “playing time is earned”.  Thompson is the Bills best linebacker this season. As long as he’s healthy, Thompson should be playing over Bernard. 

[strive_for_five_guy]

This is why it was disappointing that Hoecht hardly played for us this year.  Aside from his own play, it seemed like in the Chiefs game he was very active in getting the D Line lined up certain ways.  We rushed Mahomes that game like I’ve never seen us do before.

[rajinka]

3 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

Yeah, I think a lot of Bernard's bad play comes down to him being dinged up and to DL problems when the injuries get bad.

 

Still think Shaq should play right now, though.

Maybe but he washes himself out of alot of plays taking wrong gap or over pursuing. I'll die in the hill that our early run D struggles were more back 7 and tackling then it was d line

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, rajinka said:

Maybe but he washes himself out of alot of plays taking wrong gap or over pursuing. I'll die in the hill that our early run D struggles were more back 7 and tackling then it was d line

 

It was the 2nd level - linebackers and nickel / dime players. They have been the biggest issue all season.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, juno999 said:

This is going to be a real test for McD. He always says “playing time is earned”.  Thompson is the Bills best linebacker this season. As long as he’s healthy, Thompson should be playing over Bernard. 

None of these guys can stay healthy, so I doubt he will have any real decisions to make. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

4 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

None of these guys can stay healthy, so I doubt he will have any real decisions to make. 

That's probably the closest thing to the truth in this thread. Seems a lot of weeks we have an either/or and not a both.

 

Though I will add this about play time and such. McDermott values guys being in the right place in the defense at the right time. I don't know who is supposed to be where at what point so I can't say who does it better, but that is valued with this coach.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

There has been a huge improvement in our defense shown by expected points when Shaq is on the field, like 180 degrees.

[Mango]

11 hours ago, PoundingDog said:

We all saw how Thompson improved our D when he played. The main argument is Thompson being bigger, maybe healthier. But Cover 1's Erik Turner brought up a good point. Maybe Thompson is better at recognizing all those eye candies/motions etc. and setting the players to the right places than Bernard. Recency may have bias, but I remeber we had a lot of defensive plays this season when a bunch of players were totally fooled or out of positions. Since the 2nd half of Houston game, it came down to almost zero. I don't recall once in the Steelers game we had a breakdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worth noting that I think this has also been Poyers value add. It's remarkable how low the football IQ seems to be in their replacements at safety and LB.

[BuffaloRebound]

Does seem like there’s a lot less confusion/panic pre-snap with Thompson on the field.  

[harmonkillebrew]

I feel like the D gets tougher and meaner with Shaq in the lineup. It also seems to enable more aggressive play from Dorian and Milano. This 3 LB lineup is particularly good against run teams. Perhaps Bernard comes back in against the Chiefs or other stronger passing team, but Shaq definitely improves our run D.

 

I also feel like some of our other (supposed) playmakers like Benford and Milano are stepping up with Bernard out.