Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Its pretty obvious, we need a new face in town at MLB, nobody on the roster is a starter. Yeah, you're right, I guess players who start at Mike for GB and Oakland aren't up to our lofty standards of play. Hint: Barnett was a beast last year for us, and no reason he won't be a beast this year, especially if he were returned to his natural position of MLB - jury's out on if he'll adjust to WLB Shep has definitely struggled. Personally I think the best thing to do if he continutes to struggle would be to move Barnett back to middle linebacker and maybe have a Moats and Bradham/Morrison combo on the outside One of the more sensible solutions I've read. Moats and Bradham would give us a young but talented/hungry LB corp anchored by a high-motor, wiley vet in the middle. As with Barnett, if I'm not mistaken all Morrison's experience is as MLB and unclear if he can adjust to SLB or WLB. Edited August 20, 2012 by Hopeful
QCity Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 especially if he were returned to his natural position of MLB - jury's out on if he'll adjust to WLB can adjust to SLB or WLB. My understanding is that our 3 LB positions are almost interchangeable - that's coming from Wanny himself. I'm not saying they are exactly the same, but the difference is much less than moving outside/inside in our old 3-4 defense. Right now this team needs to figure out who those starting 3 are going to be, and it's becoming apparent that Sheppard should not be one of them. I'm not ready to completely write the kid off, but he's just not ready for a starting role yet.
The Helmet of Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 it will be disappointing if it turns out the Bills missed on Shep. after all, they fell in love with him at the senior bowl, and it was more than likely a consensus Gailey/Nix selection. or was it George Edwards who loved him so much?? also, i heard the stache took the play calling duties away from him, and gave them to WIlson against the Vikes? i hope he's not in a free fall...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) it will be disappointing if it turns out the Bills missed on Shep. after all, they fell in love with him at the senior bowl, and it was more than likely a consensus Gailey/Nix selection. or was it George Edwards who loved him so much?? also, i heard the stache took the play calling duties away from him, and gave them to WIlson against the Vikes? i hope he's not in a free fall... Linebacker City down in Pittsburgh (Stillers) says that it takes 3-4 years to develop a starting linebacker. Shep is not only being asked to start as a 2nd year guy, but to QB the defense. The fact that he's struggling with this role at this time in no way says that he's a miss or a bust. Give him time. Edited August 20, 2012 by Hopeful
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 My understanding is that our 3 LB positions are almost interchangeable - that's coming from Wanny himself. I'm not saying they are exactly the same, but the difference is much less than moving outside/inside in our old 3-4 defense. Right now this team needs to figure out who those starting 3 are going to be, and it's becoming apparent that Sheppard should not be one of them. I'm not ready to completely write the kid off, but he's just not ready for a starting role yet. Interchangeable must be in the eye of the beholder. It's true there is less difference in roles and responsibilities between OLB and ILB in a 4-3 than in a 3-4. But the positions do require somewhat different skill sets. Here is one explanation (scroll down and look for 4-3-4 LB descriptions). Simplistically speaking, the SLB needs to be stronger and able to take on a lead blocker on a run play (fullback or TE). The WLB needs to be fastest and most agile as he needs to run down a play from behind and cover the most space. And the MLB needs to be able to live the Who song "Won't Get Fooled Again" and have eyes in the back of his helmet - it's not only his job to call the play, it's his job to keep track of the play's progress, often to spy the QB etc. (Where's jboys? He can do better at explaining this than I can. Send up the giant Cow Signal, commisioner) One thing that I haven't heard mentioned here is that it's key to the ability of a Mike that the DL needs to be keeping the offensive linemen OFF of him. So if we've been seeing Shep engaged with an OL and unable to fight that off, keep in mind that's actually not supposed to be his job to fight off OLmen and it could be a sign that someone on the DL is whiffing on their job right now. (I don't think that's Shep's whole problem here, it may be part of it though)
Armchair GM Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 I would include myself in that statement as well. Me too...I have a new word.."Idiocrity," sums us up pretty well (put it together). Now, if only we could realize that this is PRE SEASON!! No schemeing, base D's & O's, glorified practices to fix what's "broke" in regular practices....hello...hello? Is anyone out there?
Armchair GM Posted August 20, 2012 Posted August 20, 2012 I know it's way early and that I'll change my mind several times between now and April, but my opinion at this point is... Manti Te'o GO BILLSSS!!!! 19 and 0 baby!!!!! . Good find...prototypical size &, from the write up, is a BEAST... I can't wait to watch this kid this year.
Buffaloed in Pa Posted August 21, 2012 Posted August 21, 2012 Shep has definitely struggled. Personally I think the best thing to do if he continutes to struggle would be to move Barnett back to middle linebacker and maybe have a Moats and Bradham/Morrison combo on the outside This
Never Wrong Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 Just read this thread and many of the comments. I am in agreement with most of what has been written here about Shep. He did nothing last year to imply that he was an impact player. Did he have any stops behind the line of scrimmage, or make any big stops on third down to get the defense off the field? I don't recall Shep making many (or any) of these type of plays. I have seats low on the sidelines for the home games, and my first impression of Shep was not very good. I remember a Michael Vick scramble last year against the eagles that went for 50 yards or so, and Sheppard chasing after him. I know that no MLB in the league is going to catch Michael Vick, but Shep looked like he was running on a wooden leg. He looked incredibly stiff; and I wondered then what the coaching staff was seeing in this guy. I'm still wondering. Here's hoping I'm wrong, because we need competent linebacker play to complement our very good defensive line.
BillnutinHouston Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 When Murph was interviewing Jairus Byrd on his show yesterday, it was mentioned that at practice yesterday they took the speaker out of the MLB's helmet and put it in Byrd's. This was explained as just making sure other guys can make calls when needed, but I couldn't help but think it reflects on Shep. I hope I'm wrong.
Coach Tuesday Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) Thats why I wanted martez Wilson ahead of shep last year. Yes he was a more raw talent but he had the goods physically. You can't coach "bigger and (a lot) faster " Martez Wilson is currently playing defensive end for the Saints... Edited August 22, 2012 by Coach Tuesday
Gray Beard Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 Here's hoping I'm wrong, because we need competent linebacker play to complement our very good defensive line. Interesting summary statement for a guy named Never Wrong. In this case, I think you are right.
Turbosrrgood Posted August 22, 2012 Posted August 22, 2012 (edited) yes, because Sheppard hasn't been all that good, let's put in a rookie who hasn't shown all that much into a starting position because his name is Tank. Fans really should run the team. Agreed, Tank needs to hit the gym, bulk up, and learn how to tackle big NFL players before he can consider being an NFL MLB. I know the Tank fans will moan, but so far Tank has looked like a boy playing a mans game. He has great instincts and good speed, but he just simply can't match up with NFL players at this point. I think he shows some skill, and could be a good player if he can become more stout at the point of attack. He's pretty much at the point you would think a 5th rnd prospect would be at this point in his career. I'm guessing he will be on the practice squad this year. I also agree with what others have said about Shepp, and never understood why he was "guaranteed" the starting job by Gailey last year despite proving nothing. He plays opposite tank, he's got the size, but he plays slow and doesn't get to the ball. Seems its impossible for him to break off a block, he just stops and wrestles with the blocker. So far McKillop has looked like the best MLB on this team, and I'd be ok with Morrison getting some looks there as well since he's the only one with experience there (Barnett played in a 3-4 for the last decade). It's going to be a problem if we don't shore up the middle. It's going to be really easy to neutralize our big pass rushers, if teams can just run it up the gut. Edited August 22, 2012 by Turbosrrgood
Happy Days Lois & Clark Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 He needs to step up his game. If not Mckillop or Tank should play.
Damond Talbot Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Check out this article on www.nomorelinks.com Also follow them on twitter @nomorelinks, I have been trying to put out as much stuff I can on the Bills prospects. Keep it up and God Bless http://nomorelinks.com/draft-news/second-year-sheppard-hoping-to-lead-the-charge-in-buffalo/
Damond Talbot Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Shep is my favorite on this team, he will be fine. They are using him in zone coverage, you will see tons of blitz packages with him this year
Buftex Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Was it Sheppard that was co-hosting a weekend AM sports radio show, ESPN out here or something like that? No, that woudl be Kirk Morrison...he has a Sunday afternoon show on FOX Sports Radio, which he hosts with Rob Dibble. I haven't listened in a while, I would assume he is not doing it during the football season. For as much PT as he got last season, he could have likely done the show, via remote, from the Bills bench.
Luxy312 Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 Check out this article on www.nomorelinks.com Also follow them on twitter @nomorelinks, I have been trying to put out as much stuff I can on the Bills prospects. Keep it up and God Bless http://nomorelinks....rge-in-buffalo/ Great article. None the less, I am worried about the linebackers. Thus far in the preseason, it has seemed that teams can still run the ball down our throats. I like the pass rush, but it won't matter if we can't keep teams in third and long situations.
thebandit27 Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but it's my opinion... He had a bad game against Minnesota. Is it possible he's actually a good player that had a bad pre-season game? Are we already pitchfork-ready regarding Sheppard, or does he at least get a chance to prove himself for a few regular season games? Sheesh.
Luxy312 Posted August 23, 2012 Posted August 23, 2012 I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but it's my opinion... He had a bad game against Minnesota. Is it possible he's actually a good player that had a bad pre-season game? Are we already pitchfork-ready regarding Sheppard, or does he at least get a chance to prove himself for a few regular season games? Sheesh. I'm with you there. I think he gets quite a bit more than that even. I would say that barring another season ending injury that threatens his NFL career, that we'll be watching this kid NEXT season as well and go from there. Let's all not forget that we let the Posluzny experiment go for 4 years before the team finally realized that he just wasn't good enough to play the position.
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