Is the MLB Competition Over Before It Started?

[JackKemp]

https://apple.news/A2u_Ix6gBR4SS1sBP-7nFOA
 

With this hamstring injury did Bernard already lose his competition with Dodson?

[K D]

This "competition" was never much of a competition to begin with. They had Dodson, who is a career backup but knows the defense, and they had Bernard, who is the size of a safety. They never even made an attempt to replace Edmunds and I think it will come back to bite them in the you know what. The MLB is a very important piece in this defense. It's the Luke Kuechly position. You can't just stick a backup in there and call it a day

[BillsVet]

Trust the process?

 

Or rather, believe that MLB is of lower positional value, that Edmunds' value was significantly overrated by TBD, and that knowing the defense and being instinctive is more important than having top-end physical talent with low-end instincts.  

 

I'm amazed at how many people are doubting McD now.  Trust the process! 

[K D]

 

The counterpoint to my argument seems to be "we had a top 5 defense with Edmunds, but let's spend the money elsewhere and worst case still have a top 10 defense with a backup. It's not that much of a difference." I think it will be a very noticeable difference. We saw it last year when Edmunds was out.

[I'm Spartacus]

Go with Klein 

[Bangarang]

Seemed like Dodson already had it won. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

Well, can never be too sure how things would have played out but I think Dodson was ahead already in the competition. 

 

My personal feeling is that they "hoped" Bernard or Spector would have taken the job away...but Dodson was the safe bet to at least start the season at MLB due to his familiarity. 

 

If Bernard is missing a good length of time my only question is: Does Spector do anything to put himself back in the conversation?

[oldmanfan]

13 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

 

The counterpoint to my argument seems to be "we had a top 5 defense with Edmunds, but let's spend the money elsewhere and worst case still have a top 10 defense with a backup. It's not that much of a difference." I think it will be a very noticeable difference. We saw it last year when Edmunds was out.

I believe they were 4-0 with Dodson starting last year.

[K D]

5 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

I believe they were 4-0 with Dodson starting last year.

Well then there's your answer. They, like some on here, probably think a backup is "good enough." I guess we'll see!

[Drew21PA]

Or….OR maybe Dodson is actually ya know a good player capable of filling in for Edmunds who - well, underperformed and underwhelmed ?

 

never felt we missed much when Edmunds sat out and Dodson had game prep opportunities in the past 

 

I like the kid personally but what do I know 

[oldmanfan]

1 minute ago, KDIGGZ said:

Well then there's your answer. They, like some on here, probably think a backup is "good enough." I guess we'll see!

And what would your answer be?  Bring in a guy with no experience in McD’s defense, whether rookie or vet? ?  Or stick with a veteran who knows the system as has performed fairly well within it?

 

When are fans going to get it through their heads that there is a salary cap in the NFL and because of that you are not going to have All Pros at every spot on the field?  If one were to listen to the hysteria this past off season we should have brought high priced guys in at MLB, WR2, RT.  That is not the way the NFL works.

[Beast]

11 minutes ago, Drew21PA said:

Or….OR maybe Dodson is actually ya know a good player capable of filling in for Edmunds who - well, underperformed and underwhelmed ?

 

never felt we missed much when Edmunds sat out and Dodson had game prep opportunities in the past 

 

I like the kid personally but what do I know 

Edmunds underperformed and underwhelmed himself into a 20 million per year contract.

 

[whorlnut]

13 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

Well then there's your answer. They, like some on here, probably think a backup is "good enough." I guess we'll see!

You talk about backups like they are a bad thing. Sometimes players are only backups until they are given a chance to prove themselves as starters and they never look back…

[K D]

1 minute ago, whorlnut said:

You talk about backups like they are a bad thing. Sometimes players are only backups until they are given a chance to prove themselves as starters and they never look back…

Any news from camp about Dodson being amazing and taking the job by the reigns? Nope, it was between him and a "hybrid" special teams player and he's only winning by default because the little guy hurt his hammy

[Simon Says]

40 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

This "competition" was never much of a competition to begin with. They had Dodson, who is a career backup but knows the defense, and they had Bernard, who is the size of a safety. They never even made an attempt to replace Edmunds and I think it will come back to bite them in the you know what. The MLB is a very important piece in this defense. It's the Luke Kuechly position. You can't just stick a backup in there and call it a day

Perhaps the scheme will be adjusted to accommodate the players they DO have.

I never took Bernard seriously as a MLB because of his size.

I assumed from the start that Dodson would be the guy but Iwonder if Klein gets many reps 

[whorlnut]

Just now, KDIGGZ said:

Any news from camp about Dodson being amazing and taking the job by the reigns? Nope, it was between him and a "hybrid" special teams player and he's only winning by default because the little guy hurt his hammy

That’s funny because I’ve read a lot about how Dodson is making plays and looks to be in control. But you have an agenda, so…

[Einstein]

43 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

This "competition" was never much of a competition to begin with. They had Dodson, who is a career backup but knows the defense, and they had Bernard, who is the size of a safety. They never even made an attempt to replace Edmunds and I think it will come back to bite them in the you know what. 

 

Agreed. We better hope our DL is strong enough to not allow many runners to reach the second level. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

48 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

This "competition" was never much of a competition to begin with. They had Dodson, who is a career backup but knows the defense, and they had Bernard, who is the size of a safety. They never even made an attempt to replace Edmunds and I think it will come back to bite them in the you know what. The MLB is a very important piece in this defense. It's the Luke Kuechly position. You can't just stick a backup in there and call it a day

You’re talking about a defense that had a nickel CB playing LB and taking on pulling OGs.

 

Size is not needed for this defense to be successful. It also sounds like they’re going to be attacking with speed. Rapp is going to play a lot.

 

If they felt they needed better at MLB they would’ve signed someone.

Edited August 11, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Bigvinny]

Von Miller even said it was Dodson the whole time.

[whorlnut]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

You’re talking about a defense that had a nickel CB playing LB and taking on pulling OGs.

 

Size is not needed for this defense to be successful. It also sounds like they’re going to be attacking with speed. Rapp is going to play a lot.

Sam Mills starred in McDs defense in Carolina and was 5’9”, 229.