I want Tre'Davious White back

[colin]

1 hour ago, Bill from NYC said:

This might actually be possible now that McCorner was shown the door. That said, I will not be holding a clipboard during round one. My TV is way too expensive.

 

lol, McCorner!

[Sierra Foothills]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

There's a very good chance that the reason he hasn't been brought back yet is that Beane and/or Leonhard don't believe he's a good fit for the new scheme.

 

Maybe.

 

But the Bills wouldn't sign him until after the draft anyways.

 

50 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

He was never fast. He's gotten slower with age and injuries (as all players do). Because of this, he can't stay in coverage very long. It makes him a poor fit for Man to Man. Especially against speedy WR's. That's why Jameson Williams had people thinking Tre's career was over and why LA let him go before the year was over. He's a great zone Corner. That's why he always looked great here with McDermott's Zone scheme. That's also why he looked better last year.

 

But Sean McDermott is gone. So is his Defense. If we're not running much Zone and we have our Safeties playing downhill more - he would be a bad fit and you wouldn't be seeing the same Tre.

 

1) Tre ran a 4.47 at the combine so he was fast.

2) Jameson Williams will make everyone look slow.

3) As @GunnerBill pointed out, the most man-heavy defenses in the league play 60% zone... Tre White still has value for any team.

 

Ultimately this seems like it'll be a Leon Hard decision more than a Beane decision.

 

JMO.

 

[DJB]

We need corners that are better suited for man coverage. I love Tre but it’s not his strength and it’s time to get younger at the position 

[dave mcbride]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I will say two things:

 

1. In the first half of his career (pre-the ACL) even though he was never fast he was a better man player than he got credit for and his metrics were consistently well above average in man situations - though not ELITE as they were in zone. The second half of his career his numbers in man are noticeably worse - I think his long speed is reasonably similar it is his explosive speed that has gone. His 10 yard split in his pre-draft 40 was an elite time for a corner and that allowed him pre-injuries to hold up in man because he could get on top of the route early. It's that explosive burst that has gone, sadly, and so he doesn't even get chance to use his smarts and understanding of leverage in the middle and at the top of the route, he's already lost. 

 

2. I wouldn't say we won't be "running much zone." While we will definitely be playing more man in this scheme - especially in high leverage moments - and so I agree it makes Tre a poor fit, there will still be a majority zone coverage. The Browns ran the most man coverage in the NFL last year at 40% (Denver was 4th at 35%, Bills were bottom third at 24%). So even the defenses that use a heavy dose of man coverage are primarily zone teams.

If you’re running zone that much, though, doesn’t that kind of make a good fit as a backup? Injuries happen, as we all know, and we need decent depth (we appear to have none now). I mean, who do you want: White or the man-oriented equivalent of Dane Jackson? Because that’s who is going to be available at this point (along with late round rookie CBs, most of whom fail in the NFL).

Edited Tuesday at 11:59 AM by dave mcbride

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, dave mcbride said:

If you’re running zone that much, though, doesn’t that kind of make a good fit as a backup? Injuries happen, as we all know, and we need decent depth (we appear to have none now). I mean, who do you want: White or the man-oriented equivalent of Dane Jackson? Because that’s who is going to be available at this point (along with late round rookie CBs, most of whom fail in the NFL).

 

If I was looking for a CB3... sure. As I said above though, I think Alford will be their 3rd guy outside and they'd backfill the slot. I'd therefore prefer to have a younger developmental guy in the pipeline as CB4 - ideally who can play some teams. 

 

I love Tre so I wouldn't hate him being a Bill again but it would have to come cheaper than last year and on the understanding this is not really a competing to start job, you are coming very much as a depth backup piece. 

[Freddie's Dead]

Tre' was finally rounding into form towards the end of last season.  I think it took him this long to overcome the injuries.  I would give him at least a one year deal.

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

4 hours ago, BringMetheHeadofLeonLett said:

Hook him up a 2 year deal- he's still got some snaps left.   Don't care about the dpi meltdown- he's just a part of 'this' team.  

- with absolutely nothing to back it up other than a feel on his play, I'd bet a decent chunk he's going to have an upswing for the next year or 2.  

He's a player I'm really indecisive about. Let me start by saying...I love me some Tre. He's one of my favorite Bills of this era. And despite him starting the year slow, the back half of the season he looked to be playing really well. He even somehow turned into a very willing and at times a punishing tackler. 

 

But I see him as the past and Max Hairston as the future. I'm not big on the idea of bringing in a guy that may take snaps away from Max and him losing out on getting in game experience. Especially early in the year when the stakes aren't as high. 

 

Of course, the flip side is having a guy like White rostered would be smart because Max hasn't shown he can stay injury free. It's a conundrum wrapped in a riddle. 

[Coach Tuesday]

If he was a good enough tackler to switch to FS, maybe.

 

As others have said, McDermott’s defense was designed to protect its corners, and Leonard’s will put a lot more stress on them.  Tre looked good in a high zone, rally-and-tackle scheme.  He’s just not likely a fit anymore although if it does happen it’ll be after the draft I would think.

[T master]

4 hours ago, BringMetheHeadofLeonLett said:

Hook him up a 2 year deal- he's still got some snaps left.   Don't care about the dpi meltdown- he's just a part of 'this' team.  

- with absolutely nothing to back it up other than a feel on his play, I'd bet a decent chunk he's going to have an upswing for the next year or 2.  

I'm with you ! Last season he was finally healthy & I think he has some left in the tank & his experience that he can pass on to the younger guys will be a good thing for the team with a new DC .

 

Then if you take e into consideration that he didn't really play ball for 2 seasons his body has had a bit of a break & wasn't getting beat up for those years which is also a help . So if nothing else he is a good veteran depth piece & will Always be a Buffalo Bill & loves it here . 

 

Put him in coach !!

[Urban Achievers]

If McDermott were still here, I’d say no. Because you know McDermott would still do some weird rotation.
 

With the new DC I’d absolutely assume  Tre would be a depth piece only. I’m totally good with that! 

[T.E.]

I want the new DC to bring in his own guys and not feel obligated to keep players past their prime for sentimental reasons.

[GASabresIUFan]

This whole offseason has been weird.  You bring in a new coaching staff, change the D philosophy, but outside of Chubb, Beane really hasn’t changed the players especially upfront on defense.  To make it worse most of the players have zero pro experience in a 3-4 because they are McD era draft picks. 
 

Are the same guys going to suddenly learn to stop the run because of a new scheme? 
 

We still don’t have a proven NT or a proven LB to start next to Bernard.  
 

I agree in general with the getting younger on defense (which is why no Poyer, White, Jones or Thompson), but seriously what’s the plan?  Hope the 2026 draftees step in and start? Hope Sanders or Walker or castoff Mathias can play nose? Hope Dorian Williams is starter material and that Buffalo Joe is adequate depth behind Williams and Bernard? Last I looked Hope is not a plan.  

Sorry for venting, but this D transition doesn’t look to be really happening except in coach speak.  

Edited Tuesday at 04:47 PM by GASabresIUFan

[ScotSHO]

We're moving forward & younger, Tre's in the past.  Dawkins should be released this offseason too, but it looks like we'll get 1 more season with him.  Hopefully he is serviceable and he doesn't weigh 400 lbs.  I mean, I guess he can be phat as long as he plays well.  I shouldn't be phat shaming.

 

 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I'm torn. They could probably do worse as a 3rd or 4th CB on a veteran minimum contract but I'm sure that is not what White wants. 

If White is smart he should just wait out the inevitable training camp injury and sign a one year mercenary deal with a desperate team. 

It is also interesting that his best play last year was the pass break up against the Jags and it was man coverage.

 

Oh well in the end I say get younger and faster on defense wherever and whenever you can. 

[Mr. WEO]

Why stop there?  Gilmore, Poyer and Hyde are also available!

[DapperCam]

I think we will take a look at guys like Tre White and Shaq Thompson after the draft (along with other vet FAs). We'll see who we take at the top of the draft and then fill the remaining needs on the roster.

[HappyDays]

Tre was built in a lab to play in McDermott's defense. As someone that didn't want him last year and was proven wrong, I wouldn't necessarily have a problem bringing him back again but I don't know that he fits this scheme. I am rooting for him though. Actually I hate to say it but I think he'd be a good post-draft signing for Miami. Jeff Hafley ran a zone heavy scheme in GB (just 17% man calls) with cover 2 or cover 3 on over 50% of play calls, and he runs a bend don't break scheme that relies heavily on disguised coverages - sound familar? Plus Miami badly needs a capable vet in the CB room.

 

The vet from last year that I'd like to bring back is Shaq Thompson. Plant him in the middle and kick Bernard out to WLB. Thompson I think could be a capable starter in Leonhard's scheme, he showed last year that he still has good instincts and tackling ability as a run defender. Wouldn't preclude us from drafting a LB and will likely be cheap. But if they want to wait until after the draft to sign a vet LB I get it.

 

Edited Tuesday at 03:54 PM by HappyDays

[julian]

I don’t care either way, as long as he’s on the bench in case of emergency.

[bigK14094]

Hairstons duribility still a question to me.  Gonna need more cbs, but Leonard is going to have to make that call imho.

[Special K]

Been wondering if guys like White, Milano, Cooks and Bosa are waiting to see how the Draft plays out in the hopes the Bills will bring them back if their positions aren't filled.