AJ Epenesa Is really playing well

[TheyCallMeAndy]

He isn’t perfect, but he’s stout vs the run and gets hustle sacks. Really like the player he’s turning into.

 

Lets not forget Boogie Basham is going through a similar body transformation. Confirmed last summer he is in the 265-270 range.

[Jauronimo]

On 9/21/2022 at 1:08 PM, NewEra said:

Agreed- I’d like to add that his ability to “sell” the route to the DB is among the best ever.  
 

No team should ever put a CB on Diggs in man with no help.    

I generally agree with a few exceptions: the Dolphins, Bengals, Chiefs and NFC Conference Champs.

[gobills404]

7 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

Not trying to dog on Epenesa at all, but Watt clearly wasn’t his usual self after returning from injury. It’d be interesting to see how AJ’s sacks per pass rushing snap (if that’s a thing) stacks up against some of the top pass rushers other than Watt.

[Royale with Cheese]

He has gotten better but he does get pushed way out against good LT's creating a huge opening.

[Andrew Son]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

He has gotten better but he does get pushed way out against good LT's creating a huge opening.

Von does that too, going wide too often

[BillsfaninSB]

I’m happy to see he is playing well enough to get off the TBD s%#t list.

 

Hopefully Basham achieves that next season. 

[Jauronimo]

3 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

He isn’t perfect, but he’s stout vs the run and gets hustle sacks. Really like the player he’s turning into.

 

Lets not forget Boogie Basham is going through a similar body transformation. Confirmed last summer he is in the 265-270 range.

Is AJ stout against the run?  I ask that honestly.  I have seen him make some plays but I also think hes susceptible to going way too far up field and losing contain, getting gashed with screen plays or runs between the tackle and guard.  Of course the bad reps stand out more to me than the good reps when watching the game under the influence.

[Solomon Grundy]

14 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

Where's the stat that shows the hurries or pressure that Watt creates opposed to Epenesa? You can't disregard that

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, Jauronimo said:

Is AJ stout against the run?  I ask that honestly.  I have seen him make some plays but I also think hes susceptible to going way too far up field and losing contain, getting gashed with screen plays or runs between the tackle and guard.  Of course the bad reps stand out more to me than the good reps when watching the game under the influence.

 

I think he takes himself out of the play too often against the run. Hopefully it's something he can get coached up on. 

 

Cause he does have some get off on his pass rush. 

[John from Riverside]

We’re in the endgame now need Epenesa to show he can get it done

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Is AJ stout against the run?  I ask that honestly.  I have seen him make some plays but I also think hes susceptible to going way too far up field and losing contain, getting gashed with screen plays or runs between the tackle and guard.  Of course the bad reps stand out more to me than the good reps when watching the game under the influence.

 

No. They have taken a guy who was stout against the run and a power rusher who pushed the pocket in college into a situations pass rusher who attacks the edge well but struggles to hold the point of attack. 

 

It is one of the most interesting experiments I have ever witnessed. He has been a good role player this year but not sure the way his body is now you can rely on him to be an every down starter because of his moveability on early downs. 

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

I think he takes himself out of the play too often against the run. Hopefully it's something he can get coached up on. 

 

Cause he does have some get off on his pass rush. 

 

that allegedly is the reason the Bills were convinced to try the transformation. They loved his first step get off and thought slimmed down that could be used to make him a more explosive speed rusher. 

8 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Where's the stat that shows the hurries or pressure that Watt creates opposed to Epenesa? You can't disregard that

 

AJE - 14 pressures

TJ Watt - 13 pressures

 

I mean TJ was never fully healthy so I'm not sure what it tells you but those are the numbers. 

[Rigotz]

16 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

He has gotten better but he does get pushed way out against good LT's creating a huge opening.

This.

 

He sells out on a wide speed rush WAY too often, which causes loss of contain on the QB and a huge rush lane for the RB.

 

It hasn’t burned us yet, but against a QB like Mahomes, he’ll immediately notice it and exploit.

 

AJ still feels like a liability to me out there.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Rigotz said:

This.

 

He sells out on a wide speed rush WAY too often, which causes loss of contain on the QB and a huge rush lane for the RB.

 

It hasn’t burned us yet, but against a QB like Mahomes, he’ll immediately notice it and exploit.

 

AJ still feels like a liability to me out there.

 

Less this year but I remember games last year where it cost us touchdowns. The Heinicke one vs the WFT stands out. 

[Big Turk]

Have noticed he is utilizing the Von "Ghost Rush" move and winning quite a bit with it this year...just came across this one...

 

Used it to force Jones to get rid of the ball on the Tre INT.

 

 

[BruceVilanch]

42 minutes ago, BillsfaninSB said:

I’m happy to see he is playing well enough to get off the TBD s%#t list.

 

Hopefully Basham achieves that next season. 

You're never truly off the list, I curse Chris kelsays name daily.

[Buffalo Junction]

1 hour ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Where's the stat that shows the hurries or pressure that Watt creates opposed to Epenesa? You can't disregard that

IDK, but they both have 5 passes defended. 

[Saxum]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

 

 

Less is more or maybe Watt had to play more padding stats since Steelers offense was not very good this year.

1 hour ago, Big Turk said:

Have noticed he is utilizing the Von "Ghost Rush" move and winning quite a bit with it this year...just came across this one...

 

Used it to force Jones to get rid of the ball on the Tre INT.

 

 

 

if our tackle played that bad of a snap the TBD auxiliaries would form up and demand he be fired mid-game.

 

 

 

[BearNorth]

Wonder if some of our DE's issues getting gashed are scheme related, we usually only play nickel, and Milano is often looking to defend the TE on obvious passing downs

[LABILLBACKER]

3 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

He has gotten better but he does get pushed way out against good LT's creating a huge opening.

6.5 sacks in a 17 game season screams Chris Kelsay. I like AJ but let's not kid ourselves, he doesn't have an elite pass rushing move. As others have accurately stated, he let's the tackle take him deep beyond a qb "stepping up" every time.  Never see a spin move inside or bull rush. I'm afraid 6-7 sacks is kind of his ceiling. 

[Motorin']

2 hours ago, BruceVilanch said:

You're never truly off the list, I curse Chris kelsays name daily.

 

What about Ryan Denney?