Not sure Darby actually fits this system?

[CommonCents]

Darby is about halfway down on the list of concerns. He can play. Good luck to anyone playing infront of Poyer though.

[mead107]

It will work.

[YoloinOhio]

Darby, Ragland, Shaq, Washington, ... pretty much everyone drafted while Rex was here is now a square peg in a round hole. Part of the fun of switching defenses every two years.

 

That being said, Darby is probably the least affected. If you can cover then you can cover.

Adolphus Washington? He's actually a better fit in a 4-3 by far. Why would you say he's not? Edited May 15, 2017 by YoloinOhio

[Rc2catch]

Darby has talent, I can see maybe an adjustment period as he learns maybe some new techniques. I can't see him losing his job or nothing. He's the #1 corner on this team and I expect him to make the jump to a possible top 15-20 corner in the league. As for the others, I agree with Lawson much better suited as a 4-3 end, and I think we may see Adolphus Washington be a real beast as a rotational guy coming in fresh to spell other guys. While he may not be amazing Washington just has that knack for first step explosion. I like our young guys under this new system. If the pass rush is there this defense can be very good

[ndirish1978]

Of all the Rex guys Ragland is the only one who would APPEAR to be out of position. BUT, we haven't seen him play a single down as a pro. I dislike relying on draft buzz to classify a player. I liked watching him in college but admit I never focused on how he played in coverage, I just liked watching him bash the crap out of people. I really hope he pans out, because if he does he's likely to be a fan favorite.

[Doc]

Yeah, not sure from where the "Darby, Lawson, Ragland, and Washington are square pegs" idea came? Lawson played in a 4-3 in college, Ragland more often played in a 4-3, Washington at 6'4" and 295# isn't a NT, and Darby is a CB.

[Logic]

I had this thought as well, but I read a tweet from Andy Benoit today stating that he expects Darby to be BETTER in McDermott's defense. Certainly interesting, since I think of Darby more as a man-to-man specialist.

[vincec]

Adolphus Washington? He's actually a better fit in a 4-3 by far. Why would you say he's not?

Because he's not a strong interior run defender as a DT, or at least wasn't in college and in his limited time in the NFL, and not a great edge rusher.

Edited May 15, 2017 by vincec

[Kirby Jackson]

I had this thought as well, but I read a tweet from Andy Benoit today stating that he expects Darby to be BETTER in McDermott's defense. Certainly interesting, since I think of Darby more as a man-to-man specialist.

Rex's stupid system doesn't do any corners favors. They are just left to fend for themselves. McDermott and company will have that defense much more prepared.

[vincec]

Yeah, not sure from where the "Darby, Lawson, Ragland, and Washington are square pegs" idea came? Lawson played in a 4-3 in college, Ragland more often played in a 4-3, Washington at 6'4" and 295# isn't a NT, and Darby is a CB.

Ragland doesn't have the classic range required to play MLB or WLB in a 4-3 at the pro level. Lawson is a small 4-3 DE or a slow 4-3 SLB.

 

Not saying these guys can't make the transition. If they turn out to be elite players then they can play in any system. But they were drafted as "fits" for a completely different system than the one they are now being asked to play in.

Edited May 15, 2017 by vincec

[wppete]

He can play zone , he is fast and he is a great tackler. He fits great in the defense.

[ndirish1978]

Ragland doesn't have the classic range required to play MLB or WLB in a 4-3 at the pro level. Lawson is a small 4-3 DE or a slow 4-3 SLB.

 

Not saying these guys can't make the transition. If they turn out to be elite players then they can play in any system. But they were drafted as "fits" for a completely different system than the one they are now being asked to play in.

 

Yeah, this is simply wrong. Shaq is 6'4 269. That is not undersized for a 4-3 DE.

[YoloinOhio]

Because he's not a strong interior run defender as a DT, or at least wasn't in college and in his limited time in the NFL, and not a great edge rusher.

he's a 4-3 DT and athletic, technically sound interior pass rusher. He needs to continue to improve against the run but that's not system specific. He will be excellent in this scheme imo.

[CommonCents]

 

Yeah, this is simply wrong. Shaq is 6'4 269. That is not undersized for a 4-3 DE.

Shaq's size isn't the question his ability to rush off the edge is. I think that is a legit concern, I heard some Suggs mentions when Shaq was drafted around here. People need to go see how a guy like Suggs bends around the corner.

[YoloinOhio]

 

I think what you see are guys drafted for a certain system when in fact they fit into more than system and perhaps some better into this system.

[vincec]

I think what you see are guys drafted for a certain system when in fact they fit into more than system and perhaps some better into this system.

Could be. I hope so. All will be revealed in time.

[baskingridgebillsfan]

thinking Lawson and Washington are better fits. Ragland Ragland Ragland . lets see

[K-9]

Darby has that closing speed

 

if you have that....you can play any system

Agree to a point. You can't teach speed but playing zone is about so much more than that.

[QB Bills]

Why is it always "player doesn't fit the system" and not "system doesn't fit the player"? A good coach gets the most out of his players, whether that means he has to adjust his system or not. Isn't that what everyone was on Rex for?

 

Darby has shown talent and work ethic. He never quits on a play and looked fantastic in 2015. If he doesn't look good this year, I'd say it says more about McDermott than him.

[YoloinOhio]

One reason he fits

 

@pff

Best run defense grades among CBs

Xavier Rhodes, MIN, 86.4

Ronald Darby, BUF, 86.3

Brent Grimes, TB, 83.5

Aqib Talib, DEN, 83.2