What's Your Opening Day D Line Up Lookin Like ?

[Buffalodave83]

I know it's a ways off but with all That Buddy , Chan , Whaley ,& Wanny have done to bolster the D this year i have a vision of what my starting line up is going to be on the defensive side of the ball with some rotational players & was wondering what some other Bills fans are thinking as we dream of the dominance our D will have this year not only in the AFC but in the NFL ..

 

This is my take - what do you think ??

 

 

M . Williams ---------- M . Dareus ---------- K . Williams ---------- M . Anderson

 

Rotation - C . Kelsay ---------- K. Heard ----------- T . Troup ----------- S . Merriman

 

The LB corp is where i really need some help ! We have a ton of young & veteran talent but we can only have so many & could have one extra if we don't sign the kicker we drafted I know that Sheppard & Barnett are definitely in this mix as starter but who will be the 3rd LB & the back ups ??

 

? Barnett -----------------------------------Sheppard ------------------------------- ?????????????

 

A . WIlliams ----------------------- J . Byrd ---------------------------------- G . Wilson --------------------- S . Gilmore

 

Rotation -- T . Mcgee ------------------------ ?? ------------------------------------- D . Searsy --------------------- R . Brooks

 

Well that's what i got & just so you all know i ain't no great football mind but i did play one on TV once --- NOT !! Like i said i was just wondering what the other dreams are for this years line up b/c after all the time i have spent on this sight i know you all have your own opinions & aren't afraid to let others know what those opinions are !! So fire away Bills fans

 

Mario--KW--Dareus--Kelsay --------->Merriman, Anderson on obvious passing downs. Kelsay and Anderson probably split snaps. Troup and Spencer Johnson are primary DT backups. Dwan Edwards is cut.

 

Barnett--Shep--Morrison/or FA camp cut ala Barnett '11

 

 

McGee Gilmore Williams is 3rd CB

 

Byrd--Wilson

 

Williams-Williams-Dareus-Merriman

Barnett-Sheppard-Morrison

Mcgee- -Gilmore

 

Wilson. Byrd

[sllib olaffub]

There is no end to my excitement when I think about the Bills defense this year. There are a lot of talented teams - SanFran, Pittsburgh, Houston, Baltimore - but this defense, on paper, and being a fan and knowing the kind of talent we have where other people might not recognize the names yet, gets me thinking we could very well not only have one of the best defenses ever assembled by the Buffalo Bills, but one of the top 3 defenses in the NFL, period!

 

A lot of this hangs on injuries, and on players playing to their potential - and all sorts of "ifs", but when I look over the squad, there is only really a linebacker spot or two that I am unsure of, and now that we have the two rookies to add to what we had, I feel like we might already have our answers there.

 

But, looking at the D-lineup of Mario, Dareus, Williams, and Anderson/Merriman/Kelsay, with rotational guys like Carringon, Edwards, Troupe, Heard - we have a group that could be better than the Giants had during their scary run. Brady has got to be very nervous about this team. K.Williams and Dareus, each alone, were hard to cover and could get to the QB regularly. Put those two together - and then having Mario and perhaps Merriman on the other side! It's crazy to think how tough this line could be.

 

The linebackers could be good. We haven't seen what Sheppard can do with the right offseason, experience, etc. But, we do know he played well under much less favorable circumstances. Barnett is looking great, and a legitimate starter. The last spot could be filled well with Merriman, or Bradham, or Morrison - we don't know, but I think the rating of this defense, between say 1 and 10 in the NFL this year, will hang on how well the linebackers play, because I think the secondary is going to be practically just as talented a group as the D-line.

 

Our safeties are very good. Not just good, but excellent. Byrd, with the right setting, can be a monster at taking away the ball, and he's improved his tackling. Wilson and Searcy are both talented and bring different things to the table, but neither is a weak spot. Our CB's are better looking now (on paper) than I ever remember them - ever, in my 20 or so years of watching Bills football. If Gilmore turns out as good as his draft status, we've got Gilmore, Aaron Williams, two stud CB's. Rogers looked really good last year. Brooks, I think, could have 1st round talnet, and I believe will be the biggest surprise of this draft. McKelvin is still there, and his physical talents are as good as anyone's. It's always been the mental part of the game that has deterred him. If Wanny can limit the difficulty of his assignments and let McKelvin play on instinct, he might surprise us this year, too. McGee is a mentor/fall back option, and a good one at that.

 

So, although I didn't line them up, I just think between the absolute STUDS we have putting pressure on the QB (I consider us having the potential to have 4 PROBOWLERS!!! attacking the QB AT ONE TIME - Mario, Merriman, Dareus, K.Williams - that's insane!) and the young talent in the secondary, this defense could be great.

[ChanOverChin]

Defense:

 

M. Williams/K. Williams/Dareus/Merriman (best D-line in the league)

 

Barnett/Sheppard/Morrison (good tackles; could use another vet OLB to compete with this group)

 

Gilmore/Wilson/Byrd/A. Williams (Wilson/Byrd make up one of the top three safety duos in the league; Gilmore/Williams should be stellar by mid-season)

 

 

 

Offense:

 

S. Johnson/Glenn/Levitre/Wood/Urbik/Pears/Chandler/Nelson/D. Jones

Fitzpatrick

Jackson

[3rdand12]

There is no end to my excitement when I think about the Bills defense this year. There are a lot of talented teams - SanFran, Pittsburgh, Houston, Baltimore - but this defense, on paper, and being a fan and knowing the kind of talent we have where other people might not recognize the names yet, gets me thinking we could very well not only have one of the best defenses ever assembled by the Buffalo Bills, but one of the top 3 defenses in the NFL, period!

 

A lot of this hangs on injuries, and on players playing to their potential - and all sorts of "ifs", but when I look over the squad, there is only really a linebacker spot or two that I am unsure of, and now that we have the two rookies to add to what we had, I feel like we might already have our answers there.

 

But, looking at the D-lineup of Mario, Dareus, Williams, and Anderson/Merriman/Kelsay, with rotational guys like Carringon, Edwards, Troupe, Heard - we have a group that could be better than the Giants had during their scary run. Brady has got to be very nervous about this team. K.Williams and Dareus, each alone, were hard to cover and could get to the QB regularly. Put those two together - and then having Mario and perhaps Merriman on the other side! It's crazy to think how tough this line could be.

 

The linebackers could be good. We haven't seen what Sheppard can do with the right offseason, experience, etc. But, we do know he played well under much less favorable circumstances. Barnett is looking great, and a legitimate starter. The last spot could be filled well with Merriman, or Bradham, or Morrison - we don't know, but I think the rating of this defense, between say 1 and 10 in the NFL this year, will hang on how well the linebackers play, because I think the secondary is going to be practically just as talented a group as the D-line.

 

Our safeties are very good. Not just good, but excellent. Byrd, with the right setting, can be a monster at taking away the ball, and he's improved his tackling. Wilson and Searcy are both talented and bring different things to the table, but neither is a weak spot. Our CB's are better looking now (on paper) than I ever remember them - ever, in my 20 or so years of watching Bills football. If Gilmore turns out as good as his draft status, we've got Gilmore, Aaron Williams, two stud CB's. Rogers looked really good last year. Brooks, I think, could have 1st round talnet, and I believe will be the biggest surprise of this draft. McKelvin is still there, and his physical talents are as good as anyone's. It's always been the mental part of the game that has deterred him. If Wanny can limit the difficulty of his assignments and let McKelvin play on instinct, he might surprise us this year, too. McGee is a mentor/fall back option, and a good one at that.

 

So, although I didn't line them up, I just think between the absolute STUDS we have putting pressure on the QB (I consider us having the potential to have 4 PROBOWLERS!!! attacking the QB AT ONE TIME - Mario, Merriman, Dareus, K.Williams - that's insane!) and the young talent in the secondary, this defense could be great.

That is an assesment with a very positive spin. I have to agree with most every point you make.

To correct any folks whom question Byrd and Wilson, i might say to take another look at the games. One of the best tandems at safety is going to get much better, For three reasons, The defensive line they will be watching over. Our Corners will still need help but not after Gilmore and Williams get up to speed. Then it's gonna get crazy. And last. Wannstadt. I think he has clear vision of his goal and has the players to achieve that.

One of my concerns after hearing rookie line ups is MLB depth. thats about it for me.

[deep2evans]

Byrd. 13 INTs in 3 seasons. Yet, has lack of ball skills.

 

:wallbash: :wallbash:

 

If the following things happen, we could have a top 5 defense as soon as this season.

- Sheppard locks down the MLB spot and shows he's a solid NFLer.

- Morrison plays like he did a few years back OR one of our rookie OLB comes in and lights it up.

- Gilmore is ready to play at a high level from day 1, and maintains a pro bowl type level

 

i'll temper my expectations though, and say we finish somewhere between 10-15. there's just no way everything will go perfectly from the get go. there's always injuries, and a few players that don't live up to expectations. the talent is there though, that's for sure. you have at least 5 players who can play at an elite level, and that's not including our ultra talented young CBs. we just NEED anything from the LBing core.

Edited May 14, 2012 by deep2evans

[T master]

I think McGee is still the starter over Gilmore at least early on but Gilmore is def the nickel back with McKelvin or Brooks the dime back

 

Morrison will be the starter on the strong side to start eventually splitting time with Bradham who I see being the starter towards the end of the season as well

 

I am concerned with the depth on the D line or mor importantly the quality of depth they have. If Troup could somehow be a productive backup it would make a world of difference.

 

I disagree !! I think b/c of Mcgees past injuries they will try to keep him in the picture & healthier by playing him in a lessor role , if he get's hurt he's all done ! They will wave him immediately b/c the youngsters are chomping at the bit to get playing time & we have some real good rookie talent !!

 

I'd like to see Mcgee do better but he's been bittin by the bug , & father time waits for no one when talented youth waits in the wings !! Thanks Terrance it's been fun !!!

 

I even think there may be a chance he get's cut for final roster cuts with all the good young players we drafted !!

Edited May 14, 2012 by T master

[Dragonborn10]

Byrd. 13 INTs in 3 seasons. Yet, has lack of ball skills.

 

Look a little closer - 4 INT in the last two years(1 2010 3 2011). The three INT's last year came against John Beck, Tim Tebow, and Mark Sanchez. The Tebow pass was telegraphed and the Sanchez pick was an overthrow in the endzone. I can't find a highlight of the Beck pick but if he was the QB there is a good chance it was a bad throw. I did look back at his college stats and they were quite good, 17 INT's - as a CB though. Maybe I should have said route recognition and angle to the ball instead of ball skills.

 

Hope I am horribly wrong and a better pass rush will allow Byrd and the entire secondary to look better. They were awful down the stretch.

[mikef272002]

LE - Williams / Back up LE - Carrington

DT - Williams / Back up DT - Heard

DT - Marcel / Back up DT - Troupe

RE - Anderson / Back up RE - Kelsey

OLB - Barnett / Back up OLB - Bradham

MLB - Shepp / Back up MLB - Tank

OLB - Merriman / Back up OLB - Morrison

 

CB - Williams

CB - Gilmore

FS- Byrd

SS - Wilson

 

Nickle CB - McGee

Dime - McKelvin

[BobChalmers]

LE - Williams / Back up LE - Carrington

DT - Williams / Back up DT - Heard

DT - Marcel / Back up DT - Troupe

RE - Anderson / Back up RE - Kelsey

OLB - Barnett / Back up OLB - Bradham

MLB - Shepp / Back up MLB - Tank

OLB - Merriman / Back up OLB - Morrison

 

CB - Williams

CB - Gilmore

FS- Byrd

SS - Wilson

 

Nickle CB - McGee

Dime - McKelvin

 

So you are predicting the Bills reverse themselves and move Merriman to LB?

 

Right now they have stated that his position in this defense is DE.

 

Troup/Johnson/Heard will be a battle to watch.

 

Am I crazy to think Dwan Edwards wins the starting job at a slightly slimmed down 285 and rotates out on passing downs? He just seems to me a lot harder to run block against than the lighter guys.

 

Yes, you are crazy. Edwards is a 3-4 DE. Who are you benching to play him on non-"passing downs" as if there was such a thing in today's NFL? Mario or Anderson??

 

If anything, he's a DT in the new offense, and he might be OK at that, but he's competing with a real 4-3 DT (Johnson) and Buddy's first 2nd round pick (Troupe) plus Heard to be a backup.

[Dorkington]

My starting lineup is:

 

Williams, Williams, Dareus, Anderson

Barnett, Sheppard, Morrison

Williams, Gilmore

Wilson, Byrd

 

Main Backups:

 

Merriman, Johnson, Edwards, Kelsay

Bradham, Carder, White

McGee, Rogers

Searcy, Scott

[Salty]

I love Byrd. He seems to be around the ball all the time, hits hard, catches the ball when thrown to him and seems to have a quick reaction time. Also we must resign Byrd so my neighbors still get to hear me scream "BYRDMAN!! BBBBRBRBRRrrrrrdddddddddd BBBBBRBRBRrrrrddddd" (thats a bird call sound and then picture me jumping around flapping my BYRD wings bbbbbrbrbrrrrrrddddd) ps Im not jokin this is for real.....AM I THE ONLY ONE DOING THIS????

[inkman]

Rather than quote everyone who had it wrong, I'll just leave this:

 

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article826510.ece

 

Shawne Merriman is a DE.

[justnzane]

Rather than quote everyone who had it wrong, I'll just leave this:

 

http://www.buffalone...ticle826510.ece

 

Shawne Merriman is a DE.

inky i know what is in the press, but I think that he will be a 2 down olb and a 1 down DE, depending on the personel needs. Besides he is size wise more suited for OLB unless we are talking Tampa 2, instead of wannstache 4-3?

[inkman]

Let's hope Carder and Bradham make this conversation a moot point. If they excel then Shawne can reside at DE.

Edited May 14, 2012 by inkman

[CBD]

inky i know what is in the press, but I think that he will be a 2 down olb and a 1 down DE, depending on the personel needs. Besides he is size wise more suited for OLB unless we are talking Tampa 2, instead of wannstache 4-3?

If he can come back, Merriman will not play outside linebacker in the 4-3 scheme. “I’d rather him not. I think we’d rather him be a right defensive end rushing the passer all the time.”

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/billboard/2012/02/chan-on-merriman-brad.html

 

He's also bigger than both Kelsay and Mark Anderson.

Edited May 15, 2012 by Carey Bender

[BuffaloFan68]

I still say to have our best front 7 out there it may could be:

M. Williams, Dareus, K. Williams, Andrson with

Barnett, Shephard & Merriman

It would be my Dream Team D for the Bill's starting front.

[....lybob]

Base defense

 

Platoon 1 M.Williams, Dareus, K. Williams, Anderson

Platoon 2 K. Moore , K Heard, J Gilbert, Merriman Carrington will come in as both DT and LDE

 

LBs Morrison/Bradham Sheppard Barnett

 

CBs Gilmore, A. Williams

 

Safeties Wilson and Byrd

 

 

 

Giant's style

 

same Dlines

 

LBs Scott, Barnett, Merriman

 

CBs Gilmore, A.Williams,

 

S Wilson, Byrd

 

Variation 1

 

2 LBs Barnett, Merriman

 

3 CBs Gilmore, Williams, McGee

 

2 Ss Wilson Byrd

 

variation 2

 

1 LB Merriman

 

4 CBs Williams, Gilmore, McGee, McKelvin, Brooks/Rogers

 

1 S Searcy

[billsfan89]

Starting line up

 

DL- Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Dareus, Mark Anderson

LB- K.Morrison, N.Barnett, K.Sheppard

DB- L.Mckelvin, J.Byrd, G.Wilson, S.Gilmore (With McGee and A.Williams being the Nickle and Dime backs).

 

A little thin at LB as Sheppard is a crap shoot and Morrison is just a really good backup. But stacked on the D-line and solid in the secondary.