RD 2, Pick 41: LB Reggie Ragland, University of Alabama

[26CornerBlitz]

Whaley: Ragland a born leader

The Bills do their best to make the most of their pre-draft visits. Often times they’ll host players in small groups on purpose. It’s designed to get a gauge on a player’s personality makeup. Bills second-round pick Reggie Ragland was on such a visit in Buffalo and by all accounts stood out.

 

Buffalo had Ragland for both an NFL combine interview and a pre-draft visit, and on the pre-draft visit there were other prospects in town as well.

 

[dorquemada]

I love the Bama defense and saw pretty much every game in which Ragland has played. I do however think that Rex has a ton of nerve to compare the mess he put on the field last season to the Bama defense. If Bama's defense was that bad, Kirby Smart would have been fired long before the season was over.

 

That said, enjoy watching Ragland! I am telling you that the kid is always around the football. You are going to appreciate this football player.

 

I'm with Bill on this. Ragland is a special player, who had the benefit of great coaching and being surrounded by other solid players. I'm not sure that any of this applies under sexy rexy, but I can promise you that Ragland will work harder than anyone else, and any lack of results will not be for a lack of effort.

[K D]

Love this!

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/24540/bart-scott-wants-to-mentor-bills-reggie-ragland-in-rex-ryans-defense

[26CornerBlitz]

Why Bills 2nd rd. pick believes he’s a 3 down LB

Bills second-round pick Reggie Ragland has heard and read the criticism. He knows there were draftniks and probably some NFL clubs that did not see him as a three down linebacker. Ragland is ready to prove them all wrong.

 

In an appearance on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 this week, Ragland reiterated that he is wholly confident that he’s capable of being a three-down linebacker in the NFL.

[Peter]

If you have not listened to the WGR interview of the Alabama play-by-play guy re Reggie this morning, you may want to check it out.

[eball]

If you have not listened to the WGR interview of the Alabama play-by-play guy re Reggie this morning, you may want to check it out.

 

Don't have the time...give us a hint, will we like it or not?

[Last Guy on the Bench]

If you have not listened to the WGR interview of the Alabama play-by-play guy re Reggie this morning, you may want to check it out.

Was it on Howard Simon? Which hour? Thanks!

Was it on Howard Simon? Which hour? Thanks!

Found it. For those interested it's Hour 4 of the Howard Simon show May 4th starting about 21:15 into the hour.

[Peter]

 

Don't have the time...give us a hint, will we like it or not?

Yes.

 

Quick Summary:

 

Great player who was a three down LB in college and was able to handle Saban's complex defense and is a great kid.

 

Link:

 

http://media.wgr550.com/a/115026075/5-4-howard-simon-show-hr-4.htm?&seek=1350.089

 

As Last Guy states above, the interview begins around the 21:15 mark.

Edited May 4, 2016 by Peter

[YoloinOhio]

Hopefully "Reggie is just a 2-down LB" becomes the new "Cordy Glenn is just a Guard"

[Beerball]

Hopefully "Reggie is just a 2-down LB" becomes the new "Cordy Glenn is just a Guard"

I don't really care if he is a 2 down LB as long as he fits it up (to borrow a wanny phrase) I could not care less. If he is a 3 down backer so much the better.

[LeGOATski]

Hopefully "Reggie is just a 2-down LB" becomes the new "Cordy Glenn is just a Guard"

It will. Years from now, we'll find ourselves pounding the table for a Reggie's Ragland extension.

[26CornerBlitz]

@SalSports

Audio: Alabama football writer Erik Evans from @rollbamaroll joined me to talk about Reggie Ragland: http://media.wgr550.com/a/115035118/05-04-alabama-football-reporter-erik-evans-with-sal-capaccio-on-the-john-murphy-show.htm?pageid=1114062

[26CornerBlitz]

@NFLHQ

Here's @CharleyCasserly sharing his #NFLDraft steals with @ColeWrightNFL this morning http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hq/0ap3000000660177/Charley-Casserly-s-draft-steals

[26CornerBlitz]

Kiper: Early-impact rookies, Rounds 2-3

Which second- and third-rounders could produce immediately? Giants WR Sterling Shepard and Jaguars LB Myles Jack make Mel Kiper's list.

 

Reggie Ragland, LB: A first-round talent who fell because of coverage/range questions, Ragland is more of a classic thumper in the middle of the field. He reads and tackles as well as any linebacker in the draft class. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he finishes 2016 as the Bills' leading tackler.

[26CornerBlitz]

ESPN: 10 NFL rookies who landed in perfect homes

Jalen Ramsey and Ezekiel Elliott hit the jackpot by landing in systems perfectly suited to maximize their talent. Which other rookies found great scheme fits? Matt Bowen explores.

 

Reggie Ragland, LB, Buffalo Bills

In Rex Ryan's 3-4 front, Ragland is the big boy at the second-level, that linebacker with downhill power to eat up the run game: Stack and shed, fill the hole and put the running back on the ground. This guy is a tackling machine. But don't peg Ragland as just a base defender who has to come off the field on third downs. He has enough juice in his legs to drop in zone coverage, close on the ball and be used as a matchup weapon in the blitz packages. Ragland versus a running back in protection? I'm taking the linebacker in that one -- and broken chinstraps. This is an immediate upgrade for Ryan's defense, an ideal fit for the 3-4 scheme and an absolute steal for the Bills in the second-round. It was a smart move to trade up with Ragland still on the board.

[26CornerBlitz]

LB Ragland eager to dive in with the Ryans

Bills second-round pick Reggie Ragland played in a defensive scheme at Alabama, that GM Doug Whaley claims will have a lot of carry over to Rex Ryan’s scheme in Buffalo. That will hopefully translate into a shorter learning curve for the physical linebacker. Either way Ragland is altogether anxious to get to work on the scheme with both head coach Rex Ryan and Assistant head coach Defense Rob Ryan.

 

[John from Riverside]

To me the big thing with Ragland is the trainers need to make sure he is playing at the correct weight. I thought he was just too heavy in that championship game and it showed.

[26CornerBlitz]

@NFL_CFB

Reggie Ragland is certain he was meant to be with @BuffaloBills --> http://on.nfl.com/1rQQ0eo

[3rdand12]

To me the big thing with Ragland is the trainers need to make sure he is playing at the correct weight. I thought he was just too heavy in that championship game and it showed.

I heard he played slow as molasses from a bunch of people. Wonder if there was something more to it?

[26CornerBlitz]

Will Ragland ragdoll opponents?

Stepping into an NFL defense should have a steep learning curve. But if you're Reggie Ragland, you've already played in a hugely complex system at Alabama. That's why Ragland should be the best Bills rookie according to Mike Rodak. Best rookie for every NFL team