Joe B. Von Miller article in the Athletic

[Long Suffering Fan]

This is behind a pay wall.  Joe B watched every snap from Miller last year.  It is a very long article which goes so far as analyzing some reps frame by frame to point to Miller's ability.

 

https://theathletic.com/3224175/2022/04/05/von-miller-buffalo-bills-film-review/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

 

Some conclusions from the article:

 

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Even into his 30s, he does just about everything, which makes him a well-rounded rusher offensive linemen have difficulty preparing for every week. But his rare movement skills put him over the top.

 

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He does some unique things as a pass rusher, which we’ll get into, but it all comes back to his unbelievable balance. Miller is in complete control on every snap, and the only time he goes to the ground is when he is trying to sprawl out for a tackle attempt. Offensive linemen rarely force him back onto one leg after his momentum stops. Good luck finding a rep on which an offensive lineman pancakes Miller to the ground on a pass rush attempt. It just doesn’t happen.

 

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His calling card is his zero-gravity bend on wide rushing attempts. It’s extraordinary to witness because it defies normal body logic, even for most NFL pass rushers. With how well he can bend under the outstretched arms of an offensive tackle, it looks like the vast majority of other humans would fall over if they tried the move. 

 

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Miller is the rare complete defensive end, which is likely why the Bills felt comfortable giving him such a lucrative multiyear contract in his age-33 season.

 

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It’s pretty clear the Bills are getting an incredible and nuanced pass rusher even at Miller’s age, though it’s fair to wonder how that projects into the highly lucrative second and third years of his contract. The element I expected to see more of in his film was explosiveness and bend around the edge. There were still some examples during the 2021 season, but he wasn’t dependent upon that in any way. My primary concern in projecting his future would have been if he was overly reliant on that speed element, but that was far from the case. He has settled into his 30s as a pass rusher nicely, using excellent intelligence, play strength, violent hands and ankle flexibility to create multiple pressures per game. The closing speed might wane over the next three years, but Miller should continue to demand the offense’s attention for as long as the Bills have him.

 

There is much, much more...some interesting stuff about him rushing from the left and how he fits, etc.  Miller will have an impact, not only on his rushes, but his presence will help all of his teammates through the extra attention that he receives, stunts, and forcing the QB up into the pocket.  I think most of us were happy with the Von Miller signing, but we were all wary of his age and the length of his contract.  As strange as this may sound, after reading the article, I went from being really excited about the signing to wondering if this is actually much better than I thought.

 

Not to be blasphemous, but did we just add Bruce Smith?  Obviously, no.  No one was as good as Bruce, but did we just add something close?  I have that weird, excited feeling that the Bills fan in me tamps down with thoughts like - don't be a homer, don't get carried away - but there is a chance this could be really good.

 

[Greg S]

6 minutes ago, Long Suffering Fan said:

This is behind a pay wall.  Joe B watched every snap from Miller last year.  It is a very long article which goes so far as analyzing some reps frame by frame to point to Miller's ability.

 

https://theathletic.com/3224175/2022/04/05/von-miller-buffalo-bills-film-review/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

 

Some conclusions from the article:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is much, much more...some interesting stuff about him rushing from the left and how he fits, etc.  Miller will have an impact, not only on his rushes, but his presence will help all of his teammates through the extra attention that he receives, stunts, and forcing the QB up into the pocket.  I think most of us were happy with the Von Miller signing, but we were all wary of his age and the length of his contract.  As strange as this may sound, after reading the article, I went from being really excited about the signing to wondering if this is actually much better than I thought.

 

Not to be blasphemous, but did we just add Bruce Smith?  Obviously, no.  No one was as good as Bruce, but did we just add something close?  I have that weird, excited feeling that the Bills fan in me tamps down with thoughts like - don't be a homer, don't get carried away - but there is a chance this could be really good.

 

 

Getting Miller is a final piece move to win a championship. It worked for LA last year. There are some concerns at CB right now but this roster is set up to win a Super Bowl. Just have to hope injuries don't play a factor but every team has to deal with that.

[unbillievable]

4 hours ago, Long Suffering Fan said:

Not to be blasphemous, but did we just add Bruce Smith?  Obviously, no.  No one was as good as Bruce, but did we just add something close?  I have that weird, excited feeling that the Bills fan in me tamps down with thoughts like - don't be a homer, don't get carried away - but there is a chance this could be really good.

 

 

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by unbillievable

[Logic]

17 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

Smith had 29 sacks and 8 forced fumbles over four years in Washington. If that’s what we’re getting, I’m fine with it. Especially if Miller turns it up a notch in the playoffs like he did for LA.

[unbillievable]

3 minutes ago, Logic said:

Smith had 29 sacks and 8 forced fumbles over four years in Washington. If that’s what we’re getting, I’m fine with it. Especially if Miller turns it up a notch in the playoffs like he did for LA.

 

I wonder if they are going to limit him during the season, like they did Diggs, Beasley, Sanders, (even Josh) so they can Unleash him for the playoffs.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

FWIW 

 

there is no paywall on Twitter 

 

 

 

[CSBill]

The age is the only negative. But this article seems to negate that negative. I do hope! 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Many of these guys take their dozen of tweets and create one article 

[Brand J]

From the article it sounds like Miller needs to play on the left side of the formation, going against the RT. Sounds like where he’s most comfortable. Bills need a RDE to step up, I’m not sure if Groot has the skill set to consistently win against LTs.

[Chandler#81]

42 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

WTF are you talking about, son?!?😳

[John from Riverside]

45 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

..............................

[unbillievable]

Just now, Chandler#81 said:

WTF are you talking about, son?!?😳

Bruce Smith played for Washington to finish his career. That's what I expect Von Miller to be here.

He was a situational pass rusher (still very good) but wasn't the Dominant force he was in Buffalo.

[BADOLBILZ]

22 minutes ago, Logic said:

Smith had 29 sacks and 8 forced fumbles over four years in Washington. If that’s what we’re getting, I’m fine with it. Especially if Miller turns it up a notch in the playoffs like he did for LA.

 

 

Bruce was sometimes mocked on TSW for his play in Washington........he was clearly physically diminished wrt run defense........but what his production there showed was how dominant he COULD have been in his prime if playing in a true 4-3 like he did with the Redskins.

 

In his time in Washington he had multi-sack games against both Orlando Pace and Walter Jones........I believe the only one's they allowed in their careers.   In Buffalo he often had multi-gap responsibilities in their 3-4........which tamped down his production significantly on early downs and lead to a false narrative that he couldn't beat elite LT's(specifically Tony Boselli).    

[Sierra Foothills]

46 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

From the article it sounds like Miller needs to play on the left side of the formation, going against the RT. Sounds like where he’s most comfortable. Bills need a RDE to step up, I’m not sure if Groot has the skill set to consistently win against LTs.

 

What hasn't been mentioned yet is that Buscaglia suggests that the Bills should entertain re-signing Jerry Hughes to play at his customary RDE position. Buscaglia reasons that the present candidates... Greg Rousseau who has almost never lined up at RDE in college or pros, Shaq Lawson, AJ Epenesa, and Boogie Basham, don't inspire confidence.

 

In Buscaglia's documented view, Von Miller is substantially more effective lining up at LDE, and therefore bringing Jerry Hughes back to play his familiar RDE position could be the cherry on top of a revamped Bills pass rush.

[The Frankish Reich]

PFF haters: it appears that Beane is a subscriber, or at least that his people are on the same wavelength as PFF's people.

 

Von Miller 2021 PFF rating: 88.7 (playoffs: 93.0)

Compare our best pass rusher last year, Jerry Hughes: 71.1 (62.4 playoffs) [Rousseau: 70.2 was already about to pass him]

 

And then there's the Moneyball style "same performance, less money" moves:

 

Jamison Crowder: 64.9

Cole Beasley: 66.6

 

And then there's the "it is always easier to upgrade from poor to average" than from "good to great" moves:

 

Rodger Saffold: 68.8, Bates 64.3 (they paid the man!)

Compare: Boettger 59.8, Ford 46.4, Feliciano 56.7

 

Daquan Jones: 66.4, Settle 70.1

Compare: Star 43.5 (ouch!)

 

My takeaway: everyone now sees the same things. We have moved closer an closer to a classic efficient market, where there isn't a whole lot of difference in pro football scouting between teams. I don't think this is the case with college scouting, particularly after the first 50 picks or so, but I suspect that that's moving in the same direction too.

 

 

 

On Von: it's pretty apparent he was strongly influenced by DeMarcus Ware. Ware joined the Broncs at the tail end of his career, and he played at a considerably lower weight, recognizing that he couldn't play at his Cowboys weight and still be effective moving into his mid-30s. Ware had a fantastic comeback season in the Broncs SB year. And that's exactly what I saw from Von last year. 

[bigK14094]

2 hours ago, unbillievable said:

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

Virginia Tech was the source institution as I recall.....

[WhoTom]

2 hours ago, unbillievable said:

 

We got Bruce Smith from Washington, not Buffalo.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

WTF are you talking about, son?!?😳

 

1 hour ago, unbillievable said:

Bruce Smith played for Washington to finish his career. That's what I expect Von Miller to be here.

He was a situational pass rusher (still very good) but wasn't the Dominant force he was in Buffalo.

 

So to clarify your first comment, you're saying that we got the Washington version of Bruce, not the Buffalo version.

 

[billybrew1]

3 hours ago, Long Suffering Fan said:

This is behind a pay wall.  Joe B watched every snap from Miller last year.  It is a very long article which goes so far as analyzing some reps frame by frame to point to Miller's ability.

 

https://theathletic.com/3224175/2022/04/05/von-miller-buffalo-bills-film-review/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

 

Some conclusions from the article:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is much, much more...some interesting stuff about him rushing from the left and how he fits, etc.  Miller will have an impact, not only on his rushes, but his presence will help all of his teammates through the extra attention that he receives, stunts, and forcing the QB up into the pocket.  I think most of us were happy with the Von Miller signing, but we were all wary of his age and the length of his contract.  As strange as this may sound, after reading the article, I went from being really excited about the signing to wondering if this is actually much better than I thought.

 

Not to be blasphemous, but did we just add Bruce Smith?  Obviously, no.  No one was as good as Bruce, but did we just add something close?  I have that weird, excited feeling that the Bills fan in me tamps down with thoughts like - don't be a homer, don't get carried away - but there is a chance this could be really good.

 

I don’t care what anybody says. He lost his world class explosion and that means he’s human now. If we can’t seriously help him with pressure in the middle, pressure from the other side, the right blitz calls, he’s going to have a hard time being an impact player.

He needs help. Only a young Von Miller or a Bruse Smith can do it alone. Groot, Epenesa and Basham need to really step up. Those new DTS WE SIGNED need to be impactful…Then and only then will Von fly….

[Shaw66]

Joe raises some very important questions and then just concludes that the Bills will be able to solve them.   I'm not so sure. 

 

One is that Miller appears to be much better on the left side of the defense, and the Bills don't have anyone proven to play the right.  Rousseau only plays the left, Epenesa hasn't shown much, nor has Basham.  Lawson plays the left, too.  I don't see a solution to that.  Maybe Miller will play the right more this season, but Joe B points out that the Broncos figured out that he's better on the left, and the Rams seemed to figure it out, too. 

 

More of a problem, I think, is that Miller lines up wide, without a hand on the ground.  The Bills rarely put their DEs wide.  Joe says they don't because they're okay with forcing the running back to the outside, because the linebackers and DBs are good at shutting down the run out there.  Lining up wide lets Miller pick his route to the passer, but it also creates a gap to his inside for the running back, a gap that Edmunds has never shown he can control very well.  

 

McDermott and Frazier are smart, and I suspect they're already working on adjustments.   I can't imagine that the Bills spent the money on Miller to use him in a style that limits his effectiveness.  The whole point of getting him was to have a finisher, and if he's going to be a finisher the Bills have to put him in the best position to do what he does.   That means a right defensive end is going to have step up (AJ, Boogie, Shaq, or Rousseau), and the Bills' back seven will have to learn to shut down the off-tackle runs that Miller's style may give up. 

[14774]

1 hour ago, bigK14094 said:

Virginia Tech was the source institution as I recall.....

The premise of WAS vs BUF seems to be completely lost on some people. LMAO