CaptnCoke11 Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 Preseason over reacting.. both teams had players out. Jacoby Brisket is a bit easier to shut down than Luck.
MyDogLuvsPB Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 Here's a little dose of reality: Luck did NOT play a snap in that game! He alone makes them a playoff contender. Having said that I liked what the DL did--they brought consistent pressure which should've resulted in 2 more INT's. The running game needs to improve because I didn't see that holes that should've been there. Shady will only return to form if they are opening gaps for him to produce 1000 yards rushing and 8 TD's like he had been before that mess last year. 1
Inigo Montoya Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) Oliver was getting double teamed frequently during the game. If Star gets doubled as well, that is going to leave the linebackers free to shoot gaps and blow up plays at the line or in the backfield. I think Alexander, Edmunds, and Milano are going to feast this year. I agree, the defense looks scary good. Edited August 10, 2019 by Inigo Montoya
HappyDays Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 The run defense looks much better with Oliver in the mix and Edmunds playing with more confidence. Lotulelei looked good in his limited reps as well, and Lawson is still a beast against the run. I have no doubts the pass defense will be one of the best in the league. I hope the run defense can match it this year.
downunderbill Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 I'm sure the fact that Luck wasn't playing was not lost on anyone. 2
LSHMEAB Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 I'm not gonna get worked up about a preseason game against backups, but they definitely played with a certain physicality. Not sure if that means anything in the big picture, but that's what you want to see. 1
Drunken Pygmy Goat Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 (edited) There are a few reasons why the defense looks good (albeit preseason) and should be good this year (we all knows the things I'm about to mention, but I've been thinking about them a lot). *First of all, our defensive minded head coach entering his 3rd year. *Second, our former-head-coach/'85 Bear defensive coordinator, going into his 3rd year in Buffalo as well. We all know how important continuity is in football, and it finally seems like we have coaches in place that warrant continuity. *Third, we have a GM that is very well in tune with the types of players McDermott wants and needs for his defense to have the best chance for success. The old Parcells quote about being the cook and picking the ingredients comes to mind. McDermott is the cook, and Beane and the scouting department are his shopping staff. White (credit to our former GM and scouts) and Edmunds look like major hits in the draft, and we all know too well how missing on 1st rounders can set a team back for years. *Fourth, the Bills have done a good job of finding serviceable players on defense later in the draft. If they can land 1 late rounder that becomes a starter, especially early on, that's one less position to worry about next year, and on a cheap contract as well. And even if they cannot supplant certain starters right away, they may be in line to start when guys like Zo retire, or if guys like Hyde or Poyer get big bucks from other teams in free agency. Guys like Matt Milano (former GM/scouts) and Taron Johnson already have made names for themselves in this defense, and possibly guys like Siran Neal, Vosean Joseph, Jaquan Johnson, and Darryl Johnson could fill holes in the near future, but for now at least look like solid depth. *Fifth, the Bills have 10 out of 11 starters returning this season...more continuity. KW is the only one not back this year, but the Bills happen to have the perfect replacement fall into their laps. And let's be honest, Kyle was still decent, but his best days were behind him by a year or two. Time will tell how good Oliver becomes, but for now, we at least know we'll have an intense player with fresh legs, who "cares" and fits the culture. Also, they added a couple guys to the secondary, one of which played well in this scheme 2 years ago (edit, looks like IR for Gaines), and the other was a former first rounder, who's coach in Houston is now in Buffalo as well. Now maybe it was just preseason game #1, and some starters were out for both the Bills D and Colts O, but there were signs of encouragement with the starting unit. The run defense looked superb. Interior play was good. It looks like the game is slowing down for Edmunds. Lawson is very good at setting the edge, and perhaps not picking up the 5th year option may have lit a fire inside him. And the backups looked decent enough. With all that said, one thing that I noticed that might be worth watching is Milano in passing situations. Obviously teams are going to try and find weak spots and exploit them, and there may have been a glimpse of that on Thursday. Don't get me wrong, I like Milano. He always seems to be around the ball, does a pretty good job of sifting and knifing into the backfield, and has a bit of a knack for turnovers due to his instincts and being in the right place. BUT, speaking stricly from a pass coverage standpoint, he looked like a liability in man coverage (shocker, I know). Obviously his size and speed aren't top notch for his position, but guys like Edmunds don't grow on trees. Milano is just fine for what the Bills like to do, and having a fast, rangey/lengthy guy like Edmunds next to him makes his job a bit easier, but it looked like the Colts were picking on him a bit in the passing game. Underneath drag routes were open with plenty of seperation (their first 1st down came on a crosser to Milano's assignment), and there was one play where he was manned up with the RB (I believe) who was motioned out wide. Maybe it's a small sample, but it's a league of matchups and finding weaknesses, and with as much talent as the Bills have elsewhere on defense this year, I think that could be a theme throughout the season. Not trying to rain on the parade here...if that's our biggest or only noticeable weakness, we're good. I expect the defense to play similar to the 2017 unit; bend-don't-break, clamp down in the RZ and hold teams to FGs, DBs with eyes in the backfield and playing the ball/routes aggressively, and being opportunistic in creating turnovers. Sacks may be up, but I'm not sure to what extent. As long as the pressures are up, the back end should thrive. This defense seems to give up the underneath stuff willingly, whether it's a short crosser, or comeback routes on the boundary. They want to eliminate the deep pass first, and eventually "win" on enough plays to keep scores lower or take the ball away. If that means picking on Milano a bit, so be it. They'll get theirs, but we'll get ours, and our "ours" will be much more important in the grand scheme. I think that's the mentality, and it seemed to be that way in 2017. Edited August 11, 2019 by Drunken Pygmy Goat 4 1
Mr. WEO Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Peace Frog said: Imagine if Jerry Hughes, LorAx, and Micah were playing too... They all played the Colts last year...
Don Otreply Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 The D played very well, even without a couple of pieces not playing, yes it’s early still, but they do look good don’t they. ? Go Bills!!!
DCbillsfan Posted August 10, 2019 Posted August 10, 2019 I know the Bills were missing Hyde, Lorax, and Hughes. The Colts were missing Luck, Hilton, their starting Center, and starting LT. Bills D played well and I'll take that for the first preseason game. Bills D could be scary good.
ganesh Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 4 hours ago, VW82 said: We gave up a lot of points in 2018 but we were third in the league in yards allowed per play. Bet we finish top 5 in points against this year. So much talent and McD's a really good defensive coach. THe only thing missing with this team is Pass Rush. If they can get that consistently, they will be unstoppable.
VW82 Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, ganesh said: THe only thing missing with this team is Pass Rush. If they can get that consistently, they will be unstoppable. I feel like we're going to be able to consistently generate pressure rushing four. Murphy looks healthy again. Lawson is a year older and playing for his job. Oliver looks like a menace, and Hughes might be the most underrated player in the league. Add in our stud pass rushing LB core in pressure situations and there are going to be a lot of opposing QBs running for their lives this year. I expect big things out of this unit and I don't think I'm going to be disappointed.
Pete Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 Bills D will be my starting D in FF every league. I will overpay for them 1
TigerJ Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 3 hours ago, njbuff said: Another thread where we need to pump the brakes. It is preseason and there was no Luck out there. Don’t get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm you guys bring, but we need a reality check here. I want the Bills to be the best team they can be, but they still have to PROVE they deserve the high praise you give them. After all, they haven’t even played for real yet. What are guys gonna say if Darnold lights this D up on opening day? Darnold is a good young QB, and probably ahead of Josh Allen in some ways, but the Jets offensive line is below average. That may give Buffalo the opportunity to do things that disrupt Darnold's game.
eanyills Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 2 hours ago, downunderbill said: I'm sure the fact that Luck wasn't playing was not lost on anyone. What about the fact almost every week 1 skill position starter on offense didn’t play for the Colts? Pump the brakes. Preseason means absolutely nothing to assess team performance.
hemma Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 Coaching continuity. Not switching out from 34 to 43 every other year Players that believe in Team first and play to the whistle. McDermott. 2 1
RiotAct Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 4 hours ago, njbuff said: Another thread where we need to pump the brakes. It is preseason and there was no Luck out there. Don’t get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm you guys bring, but we need a reality check here. I want the Bills to be the best team they can be, but they still have to PROVE they deserve the high praise you give them. After all, they haven’t even played for real yet. What are guys gonna say if Darnold lights this D up on opening day? I don’t think either QB is going to be lighting the opposing defense up on opening day. I could see a final score of like 10-6.
26TrapDraw Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 This D will do their job. If we get 24 ppg from the offense this team will go to the playoffs that simple.
fansince88 Posted August 11, 2019 Posted August 11, 2019 6 hours ago, Shaw66 said: I've gotta say, I've been holding my breath a bit about the defense. The prevailing view around has been it should be as good or better than last year. Having now watched the first half of the Colts game, I gotta say there was nothing to worry about. Great gap discipline - everyone was where he needed to be, every play. They won their share of one on ones, held their ground on most, rarely got beaten badly one on one. Two or three guys on every tackle. Only tight windows for the Colts QBs. It was stifling. I also have to agree with those who have commented on Edmunds. Quick, attacking, always in the right hole. THAT was good defense. BREATHE MY GOOD FRIEND BREATHE!!!!. In fact catch your breath because you will be screaming for excitement this year.
Shaw66 Posted August 11, 2019 Author Posted August 11, 2019 4 hours ago, njbuff said: Another thread where we need to pump the brakes. It is preseason and there was no Luck out there. Don’t get me wrong, I love the enthusiasm you guys bring, but we need a reality check here. I want the Bills to be the best team they can be, but they still have to PROVE they deserve the high praise you give them. After all, they haven’t even played for real yet. What are guys gonna say if Darnold lights this D up on opening day? I didn't say anything about the future. I said the defense was very good against the Colts and gave my reasons Why do I have to pump my brakes about that? 2
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