The Forgotten Ones on defense.

[HaldimandBills]

Looking for some general opinions / knowledge as to what the Bills may do with the following?

 

Landon Jackson: Can he play OLB/Edge in a 3-4 defense or is he going to have to add 15 pounds and play 5 Tech? 

 

Javon Solomon: Was he strictly a 4 3 hand in the dirt end in College or did he play a wide 7 OLB and this defensive switch might benefit him?

 

DeWayne Carter: Can he find a role as Oliver's back up having immediate help next to him or is he a trade/release candidate?

 

Jordan Hancock: Is he a slot or safety? He was hyped after last years draft. Yet the Bills added three players in FA that play the same position as him. 

 

Zion Logue/Mathis: Is there a new role for them as run stuffing sit and anchor Nose tackles eating two blockers? McDermott didnt like them because he only valued DT's who could shoot gaps. Its why Poona Forde and Tim Settle sucked here and found success before and after playing in Buffalo. 

 

Dorian Strong: Any word on his health? He looked like he at least belonged as a depth corner in the NFL in his limited action. 

[psuscott16]

Solomon was projected as a OLB in the 3-4, very excited to see what he can do.

 

Hancock's versatility will play right in to what Leonard wants to do on defense. I expect them to focus him on safety though. 

 

No clue on the rest. 

[wppete]

Javon Solomon is a great fit for this defense at OLB. Think he will thrive when he gets the chance. 

[Sierra Foothills]

I hope these links are helpful to you.

 

 

[HaldimandBills]

1 minute ago, wppete said:

Javon Solomon is a great fit for this defense at OLB. Think he will thrive when he gets the chance. 

I agree from what ive read.

 

Really curious what happens with Landon Jackson. He had a horrible start before the injury and I really struggle to see how he translates to a 3 4 defense? Usually I go to Cover1 or Joe Marino for input but neither of them have had much to say about Jackson outside a quick opinion from Marino that he is likely a 5 tech. 

[strive_for_five_guy]

So with all of these guys that were DEs in a 4-3 shifting to OLB in the 3-4, aren’t we almost in a 5-2 then?  Essentially with three DTs on the inside?

[HaldimandBills]

3 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

I hope these links are helpful to you.

 

 

I've read all those forums. None of them really deep dive into these players outside slotting them into projected depth positions. 

[MrEpsYtown]

Solomon is a great fit as an outside backer in this defense. He always seemed like a weird fit for McDermott's scheme. Pretty sure he was a base end in college, but always projected as a 3-4 OLB. He isn't tall, but he is tightly wound and has very long arms for his frame. 

 

Mathis played a ton of zero nose at Alabama, but played all across the front in that 3-4. I think he is a versatile piece who can play some nose to free up Dion Walker to play to his strengths. 

 

Logue and Carter I am not sure, are long for the roster. Carter is like temu TJ Sanders. He is more of a 1 gap player with no standout traits. Logue is huge and long, but not sure if he is a nose in the defense. I think he is more of a 4i/5 tech type. I am irrationally excited about Tommy Akingbesote who I think has some interesting traits for a 4i/5 tech. I am more excited about Logue and Tommy Akingbesote than I am Carter. I think they are more versatile. 

 

Jackson feels like a  5 tech to me. He is very athletic but doesn't have that speed and bend to the QB you ussualluy want out of OLBs. But to add, neither does Cubb or Roousseau really. 

 

I have no idea what they have in mind for Hancock, but I think his versatility helps him. He's supposed to be a really good zone defender, but we did not see that this past season. Up in the air on him, but I think his versatility saves him. I think he minds up being a backup nickel and maybe plays in some dime looks. If someone gets hurt I guess they move Alford outside and play Hancock inside. 

 

Strong has injury questions, but he was also touted as more of a zone type corner who has some potential in press-man situations. I think it is going to come down to his health and what the team asks him to do. If he's healthy, I like him as the third corner. 

 

 

[Rocky Landing]

Does Landon Jackson get a second chance with this new defensive coaching staff? Were he to emerge as even a serviceable rotational piece, maybe with some special teams ability, it would be a fun redemption story. He looked like he had so much potential coming out of the draft, and then he dissolved like a powdered Gatorade pack. Maybe he makes it onto the practice squad? I'm still rooting for him!

[MrEpsYtown]

19 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

So with all of these guys that were DEs in a 4-3 shifting to OLB in the 3-4, aren’t we almost in a 5-2 then?  Essentially with three DTs on the inside?

 

I think your outside backers are Chubb, Groot, Hoect, Solomon. Everyone else is a defensive tackle imo, including Jackson. The biggest question for a lot of people is who is going to play the nose and if the nose is going to be asked to 2 gap or play a 1 tech shade like Keanu Benton did a lot at Wisconsin.  

 

5 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Does Landon Jackson get a second chance with this new defensive coaching staff? Were he to emerge as even a serviceable rotational piece, maybe with some special teams ability, it would be a fun redemption story. He looked like he had so much potential coming out of the draft, and then he dissolved like a powdered Gatorade pack. Maybe he makes it onto the practice squad? I'm still rooting for him!

 

Jackson is very athletic and has great size, so I think he definitely gets an opportunity. It took him a while in college to figure it out, there is a late bloomer in there. 

 

 

Edited March 16 by MrEpsYtown

[SoCal Deek]

This is gonna be interesting for sure. I wonder if we’ll see more of the defensive starters during preseason in an effort to get them acclimated to this new scheme 

[SoonerBillsFan]

48 minutes ago, HaldimandBills said:

Looking for some general opinions / knowledge as to what the Bills may do with the following?

 

Landon Jackson: Can he play OLB/Edge in a 3-4 defense or is he going to have to add 15 pounds and play 5 Tech? 

 

Javon Solomon: Was he strictly a 4 3 hand in the dirt end in College or did he play a wide 7 OLB and this defensive switch might benefit him?

 

DeWayne Carter: Can he find a role as Oliver's back up having immediate help next to him or is he a trade/release candidate?

 

Jordan Hancock: Is he a slot or safety? He was hyped after last years draft. Yet the Bills added three players in FA that play the same position as him. 

 

Zion Logue/Mathis: Is there a new role for them as run stuffing sit and anchor Nose tackles eating two blockers? McDermott didnt like them because he only valued DT's who could shoot gaps. Its why Poona Forde and Tim Settle sucked here and found success before and after playing in Buffalo. 

 

Dorian Strong: Any word on his health? He looked like he at least belonged as a depth corner in the NFL in his limited action. 

Landon Jackson was terrible, and that was before the knee injury. Slow,  lost, just terrible across the board.... and that was in pre season.  His knee has been torn up before and now he has re torn what 2 ligaments?  I don't expect anything from him, except to be cut during camp.

[Captain_Quint]

I think it will be important this year to do what they can, with the intent being to evolve the defense into what it should be by next year. What will they have, 25 practices together before the 1st week?

 

Thats not enough time to overhaul a defense and get all the right personnel in place. We should expect some highscoring games this year and some communication breakdowns while they break free from McDermotts nickle defensive tendencies after 9 years in it. 

 

The offense really needs to carry the team this year if they want to compete (which Josh & company are used to anyway). 

 

[Green Lightning]

Hard to say where Landon Jackson would play. He's about as bendy as a fire hydrant, so likely will need to get by as a power rusher and hand fighter. I think Soloman's game is better suited for OLB/Edge.

[947]

Carter was already questionable & now is coming off a torn achilles. Injury settlement & release is the most likely outcome.

[eball]

33 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

I think it will be important this year to do what they can, with the intent being to evolve the defense into what it should be by next year. What will they have, 25 practices together before the 1st week?

 

Thats not enough time to overhaul a defense and get all the right personnel in place. We should expect some highscoring games this year and some communication breakdowns while they break free from McDermotts nickle defensive tendencies after 9 years in it. 

 

The offense really needs to carry the team this year if they want to compete (which Josh & company are used to anyway). 

 

Not buying this at all; regularly it seems defenses change coordinators and are immediately improved. 
 

It’s not as if guys were speaking English and now have to learn French; it’s more like they have to get used to a southern twang now…at least that’s how I see it. 
 

Perhaps those in the know feel differently. 
 

 

[buffblue]

27 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

Hard to say where Landon Jackson would play. He's about as bendy as a fire hydrant, so likely will need to get by as a power rusher and hand fighter. I think Soloman's game is better suited for OLB/Edge.

The RAS really seems to have its limitations. The guy ranks 46 out of over 2000 DE's since the 80's but seems to have virtually no difference making skill on a football field. A score like his should translate to more than a lunch pail effort guy.

Edited March 16 by buffblue

[Kirby Jackson]

2 hours ago, HaldimandBills said:

Looking for some general opinions / knowledge as to what the Bills may do with the following?

 

Landon Jackson: Can he play OLB/Edge in a 3-4 defense or is he going to have to add 15 pounds and play 5 Tech? 

 

Javon Solomon: Was he strictly a 4 3 hand in the dirt end in College or did he play a wide 7 OLB and this defensive switch might benefit him?

 

DeWayne Carter: Can he find a role as Oliver's back up having immediate help next to him or is he a trade/release candidate?

 

Jordan Hancock: Is he a slot or safety? He was hyped after last years draft. Yet the Bills added three players in FA that play the same position as him. 

 

Zion Logue/Mathis: Is there a new role for them as run stuffing sit and anchor Nose tackles eating two blockers? McDermott didnt like them because he only valued DT's who could shoot gaps. Its why Poona Forde and Tim Settle sucked here and found success before and after playing in Buffalo. 

 

Dorian Strong: Any word on his health? He looked like he at least belonged as a depth corner in the NFL in his limited action. 

Jackson, Hancock and Mathis will be on the team (assuming Jackson is healthy). Carter is likely to stick as well. Solomon feels like a much better fit in this defense but it also feels like he could be “recruited over.” Logue feels like he has an uphill battle to make the roster and Strong may never play again (although I haven’t seen updates).

 

These guys, and guys drafted, will be tasked will filling roles that the Bills have employed vets to do in the past. They’ll fill the Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle, Larry Ogunjobi, Shaq Lawson and even AJE types of spots. The Bills have to scale back on the dollars spent for rotational defensive linemen. It appears that they have. Now they have these young guys, many of whom were top 100 picks, that do not have resumes that will be counted on as depth. TJ Sanders falls in this category as well but he may be filling a starting spot alongside Oliver and Walker. 
 

We will see what, if anything, becomes of them but the Bills had to change their philosophy on the DL depth. This is the result. Let’s hope that these guys develop and are healthy. They will be asked to play a role (although I do not expect nearly as much rotation as we are accustomed to). 

Edited March 16 by Kirby Jackson

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, Captain_Quint said:

I think it will be important this year to do what they can, with the intent being to evolve the defense into what it should be by next year. What will they have, 25 practices together before the 1st week?

 

Thats not enough time to overhaul a defense and get all the right personnel in place. We should expect some highscoring games this year and some communication breakdowns while they break free from McDermotts nickle defensive tendencies after 9 years in it. 

 

The offense really needs to carry the team this year if they want to compete (which Josh & company are used to anyway). 

 

I suspect there is a lot of truth in your post, no slow rolling the offense this upcoming season, gonna have to score a bunch of points in every game, 

[Buffalo716]

3 hours ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

So with all of these guys that were DEs in a 4-3 shifting to OLB in the 3-4, aren’t we almost in a 5-2 then?  Essentially with three DTs on the inside?

A 5-2 and 34 are slightly similar fundamentally 

 

It's two inside backers with five people on the line in base sets... Even when we went to the three four with Rex Ryan guys like Kyle Williams were playing end.. a 34 end and a 43 DT lots can do both

 

A true 5-2 typically uses hand in dirt edges but we're probably going to be standing them up which is more typical in the 34

Edited March 16 by Buffalo716