billsfan89 Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Its hard to evaluate ILB's unless you really know the coverages and assignments (i don't). That probably goes for any position but inside guys are asked to do everything, including DLine adjustments if necessary. My idiot evaluation criteria for ILB's is how well they shed blocks, get to their gaps, and cover their side of the field for run or pass coverage. They all hit hard, including Davis, the question is are they making the tackles up at the line or 6 yards deep. Can they cover TE's or Backs? What about side to side range? (Barnett is strong in that category) Shep looked somewhat lost on a few plays, even the one where he released and stuck Vick to cause the INT he had a half second hesitation before shooting the gap. It was like, "wow, I have a clean lane to Mike Vick, holy crap I'd better get after him" He looked slow on the Vick long run, but so did everybody on the field except the DogKilla himself. Here's the skinny on him coming out of college: STRENGTHS Athletic inside linebacker prospect Versatile - experience inside and outside (may project best to weak side) Has the speed to make plays sideline to sideline Good lateral agility allows him to make plays down the line Moves well in space and looks fluid in coverage Diagnoses plays Times blitzes well and makes plays in the backfield Productive and around the football - over 100 tackles in 2009 and 2010 Good size Leader of one of the best defenses in the country - makes defensive calls Experienced - 3 year starter WEAKNESSES Lacks the build and physical style to play inside in a 3-4 (note: not sure whats wrong with 6'2 250) Is not a big hitter Tends to let the action come to him rather than anticipate and react Struggles to seal the edge Not overly physical I like how pros is good size, cons is lacks the physical build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poo Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Davis just gained a lot more respect in my book. And in Shep's book too I'm sure. This is the type of team first attitude I love. It's Shep's time to shine. With Davis' help. And Davis does not suck. Agreed. Up and down, agreed. Team first with these guys. Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2020 Our Year For Sure Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Davis definitely does not suck, as others have said. He reads plays and gets to the right spot (sheds blocks) well, and is a solid tackler. When you see an opposing RB get stuffed for a yard or two up the middle, Andra Davis probably got on that ballcarrier at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaattMaann Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 I really dont understand the love for Davis from you people...I truly think its you davis lovers who need to "watch him play"...just because the dude makes one or two tackles at the LOS doesnt mean hes capable linebacker (a capable backup, absolutely!). I realize you guys are so used to seeing Poz drag down ballcarriers 15 yards downfield so watching Davis make one or two plays a game gets ya all juiced up inside...but I HAVE watched the dude play, and more often than not I see him getting sealed off, mis diagnose plays or just be plain slow in getting to the point of attack...i was over Davis when this season started and cannot wait until Shepp takes over full time for him (even Davis himself is lobbying for Shepp. to be the man inside, whats that tell ya, other than "Andra is such a nice man") And as for whoever said "its no coincidence our run D has been better with Davis"...ummmm...disagree on two fronts 1) our run D really isnt alllll that better - granted itd improved, we probably wont be last in the league, but I would be very suprised if we crack the top 20 in rushing D at the seasons end 2) another year in the scheme for players, addition of other players (ex. Dareus) and the stepping up of others on the team contribute to an "improved" run D, nottttt just Davis Time to turn over the reigns to Shepp, who clearly has more upside and is an all around better player RIGHT NOW...sorry Davis lovers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I really dont understand the love for Davis from you people...I truly think its you davis lovers who need to "watch him play"...just because the dude makes one or two tackles at the LOS doesnt mean hes capable linebacker (a capable backup, absolutely!). I realize you guys are so used to seeing Poz drag down ballcarriers 15 yards downfield so watching Davis make one or two plays a game gets ya all juiced up inside...but I HAVE watched the dude play, and more often than not I see him getting sealed off, mis diagnose plays or just be plain slow in getting to the point of attack...i was over Davis when this season started and cannot wait until Shepp takes over full time for him (even Davis himself is lobbying for Shepp. to be the man inside, whats that tell ya, other than "Andra is such a nice man") And as for whoever said "its no coincidence our run D has been better with Davis"...ummmm...disagree on two fronts 1) our run D really isnt alllll that better - granted itd improved, we probably wont be last in the league, but I would be very suprised if we crack the top 20 in rushing D at the seasons end 2) another year in the scheme for players, addition of other players (ex. Dareus) and the stepping up of others on the team contribute to an "improved" run D, nottttt just Davis Time to turn over the reigns to Shepp, who clearly has more upside and is an all around better player RIGHT NOW...sorry Davis lovers So I guess you missed the whole point on what Davis is doing for Sheppard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaattMaann Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 So I guess you missed the whole point on what Davis is doing for Sheppard? by that, I assume you mean mentoring him/teaching him the game? no I did not miss that, and im all about that, but let him continue to mentor and teach him the game from the sidelines and in practice while Shepp brings it on the field if you ARENT talking about that, then yea I guess I did miss "the whole point" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Angel Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 Is Kelvin Sheppard permanently replacing Davis as one of our MLBs? or was that only b/c of Vick's athleticism...if you ask me, or anyone with a set of eyes that watched last sunday, Sheppard played a helluva game and was an obvious upgrade over slow and old Davis... It looked to me as if he was ready and could handle the full time role, the question is, has there been any evidence outta OBD that suggests hes now the full time starter or are we looking at a backup role/time share still? If he is not yet then he soon will be. Davis was nothing other than a stop gap. An average linebacker available in free agency that had experience in the 3-4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaattMaann Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 If he is not yet then he soon will be. Davis was nothing other than a stop gap. An average linebacker available in free agency that had experience in the 3-4. my thoughts exactly...im just ready to have Shepp take over full time, hopefully coaching staff billeaves that as well...I guess the bottom line is all signs are pointing to him being a real player and a building block for the future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Looks like Shep is ready to take over for Andra Davis: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/15751511 Go get 'em rook!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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