Bernard, Torrence and Benford all officially starters

[JerseyBills]

Benford could be a beast. Loved his game before the injury

[appoo]

1 minute ago, NewEra said:

And that’s one of the reasons that’s that Milano isn’t a middle linebacker….

Roquon weighs 236.  Bernard is 222.  How is that slightly lighter?  And Bernard doesn’t look any bigger than he did last year.  Put on 14 LBs of muscle and tell me you’re slightly heavier afterwards.  And “slightly” stronger.  Roquon is much stronger, takes on blocks much better and has advanced instincts.  Did I meantion he has 14 more

pounds of muscle than Bernard.

 

that’s why people disliked your post.  I wasn’t even one of them, but it’s obvious to me why they disliked it

Roquon is a 3-4 backer which means he's gotta be bigger. Though point made. Bernard is absolutely undersized for the postion, but the hope he's big enough to be a 4-3 Mike.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

11 minutes ago, appoo said:

I'm not at all trying to be argumentative or even say I'm confident in Bernard - but McDermott literally never took Milano or Edmunds off the field unless they were injured.  Those two played a 100% of the available snaps after week 9.  After Week 9 the only other linebacker to play was AJ Klein, and he only barely played. 

 

But there is absolutely space for McDermott not liking what he saw out of Bernard in that WK9 Jets game and shelving him. 

They sign Klein for a reason last year. Trust wasn’t there in the young LBs. 
 

I let actions speak and starting Bernard definitely shows confidence. They could’ve kept Klein around a few weeks to fill the hole until Kirksey was ready. Bernard has a huge opportunity.

 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[appoo]

1 minute ago, Special K said:

 

Agree on Benford......Elam not so much.

Nothing I've seen on field from Elam suggests to me he's been a bust. In fact he finished the season as our best corner last season - with Benford injured. 

 

Despite being a first-round pick in 2022, Elam failed to become a starting cornerback by the start of the season and had an inconsistent rookie year. However, as a former first-round pick, he should have plenty of opportunities to win that position battle. He also finished the season strong, flipping his 56.7 PFF grade in the regular season to 87.1 in two playoff games, a mark that would have ranked second among cornerbacks in the regular season.

 

Rather than seeing this as Elam busting (he's officially listed as Tre's backup FWIW, which is the same line in the depth chart as Jackson), I lean towards thinking McDermott loving Benford. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

5 minutes ago, appoo said:

Roquon is a 3-4 backer which means he's gotta be bigger. Though point made. Bernard is absolutely undersized for the postion, but the hope he's big enough to be a 4-3 Mike.

Size really doesn’t matter anymore. Different game. It’s all about instincts and making the right read.

 

Shaquille Leonard played MLB at 215 LBs.

[That's No Moon]

26 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Bills fan base hate a draft pick more than Bernard? Holy smokes.

 

There haven't been that many that have looked as absolutely lost and physically overmatched as he did in the limited time he got. I know he got limited snaps. That happened because those snaps were so bad they went out and re-signed AJ Klein so he wouldn't have to play any more LB last year. 

 

So yeah, there's a faction of the board that wants us to remember a college game from two years ago as reason to not be terrified. Bernard is BY FAR the biggest unknown question mark the Bills have started in a really long time. If we are talking about an unknown question mark starter for a GOOD Bills team I might need to go all the way back to Jerry Crafts to find one as dicey as this.

[BigAl2526]

I think that for pass defense Bernard is the better choice.  He might, however, get manhandled by offensive linemen blocking for runners at the second level.  I hope our defensive front four is strong enough against the run to compensate for the lack of brawn at the linebacking. 

[Roundybout]

15 minutes ago, Special K said:

 

Bummer the Bills drafted Elam when there were so many other quality players at positions of need.

 

Benford panning out from the 6th round is helpful to the Bills, but it makes it all the more harder to take that the Bills drafted Elam instead of players like Devin Lloyd or Breece Hall with that 1st round pick.

 

As for Torrence, really excited for him....a great pick in the 2nd round by Beane as I see him as a starter on this O-line for the next decade.👍

Eh, we were putting out the corpse of Josh Norman and Levi Wallace. We needed to draft a good CB.

[That's No Moon]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Size really doesn’t matter anymore. Different game. It’s all about instincts and making the right read.

 

Shaquille Leonard played MLB at 215 LBs.

Size doesn't matter, until you're getting blocked by a 330lb guard. But size doesn't matter in that instance either I guess 

[Special K]

2 minutes ago, appoo said:

Nothing I've seen on field from Elam suggests to me he's been a bust. In fact he finished the season as our best corner last season - with Benford injured. 

 

Despite being a first-round pick in 2022, Elam failed to become a starting cornerback by the start of the season and had an inconsistent rookie year. However, as a former first-round pick, he should have plenty of opportunities to win that position battle. He also finished the season strong, flipping his 56.7 PFF grade in the regular season to 87.1 in two playoff games, a mark that would have ranked second among cornerbacks in the regular season.

 

Rather than seeing this as Elam busting (he's officially listed as Tre's backup FWIW, which is the same line in the depth chart as Jackson), I lean towards thinking McDermott loving Benford. 

 

I’m sure Elam will get a chance at some point during the season.....even though I disagree with drafting him, I still hope he pans out, and figures it out....I don’t want any Bills draft pick to be a bust.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

3 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

There haven't been that many that have looked as absolutely lost and physically overmatched as he did in the limited time he got. I know he got limited snaps. That happened because those snaps were so bad they went out and re-signed AJ Klein so he wouldn't have to play any more LB last year. 

 

So yeah, there's a faction of the board that wants us to remember a college game from two years ago as reason to not be terrified. Bernard is BY FAR the biggest unknown question mark the Bills have started in a really long time. If we are talking about an unknown question mark starter for a GOOD Bills team I might need to go all the way back to Jerry Crafts to find one as dicey as this.

There’s been 1st round picks that looked lost in their first start early in the season.

1 minute ago, That's No Moon said:

Size doesn't matter, until you're getting blocked by a 330lb guard. But size doesn't matter in that instance either I guess 

If you’re getting blocked you already lost.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

11 minutes ago, noacls said:

Uhh... What are you talking about? 🍎 to 🍊 

I’m suggesting Bernard is more of an 🍎 than an 🍊 too

[NewEra]

9 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Our defense for whatever reason is prone to giving up a huge run. I think it’s because of our safeties taking poor angles but it’s a problem.

Yeah that’s was the case in a big way last season.  

[appoo]

last point about Benford, he came out as a rookie in 22 and WON the Corner job, and didn't lose it - he was injured. It shouldn't be a surprise he's won this job again. 

[RyanC883]

52 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Bummer about Elam 

 

at this point, if we can get a 2nd for him I'd do it.  The pick never made sense.  Perhaps he can pick up zone. But taking an elite man-press guy into what is a complex zone D was odd.  Luckly, we got Benford and Jackson around.  

[BuffaloBillyG]

1 minute ago, That's No Moon said:

Size doesn't matter, until you're getting blocked by a 330lb guard. But size doesn't matter in that instance either I guess 

If a 330lb guard is doing the blocking on a LBer, it really doesn't make much difference if the dude is 220lbs or 240lbs. It also meant your DTs didn't do their job and keep the LBer clean.

 

Bernard has played a whopping 110 professional snaps on defense. Anyone that is going on about how bad (or good) he will be on Monday is completely guessing. 

[Airseven]

While expected, still great to hear about Benford and Torrence. Excited for both. Bernard won the job literally by not playing. What a wasteland at LB.

[PBF81]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

In all due respect to Bernard, I hope he's not on the field a lot and we run with three safeties.  

 

Isn't that essentially what they're doing with Bernard on the field.  

 

 

[RyanC883]

9 minutes ago, appoo said:

Nothing I've seen on field from Elam suggests to me he's been a bust. In fact he finished the season as our best corner last season - with Benford injured. 

 

Despite being a first-round pick in 2022, Elam failed to become a starting cornerback by the start of the season and had an inconsistent rookie year. However, as a former first-round pick, he should have plenty of opportunities to win that position battle. He also finished the season strong, flipping his 56.7 PFF grade in the regular season to 87.1 in two playoff games, a mark that would have ranked second among cornerbacks in the regular season.

 

Rather than seeing this as Elam busting (he's officially listed as Tre's backup FWIW, which is the same line in the depth chart as Jackson), I lean towards thinking McDermott loving Benford. 

 

this is also possible, you can only start one guy.  

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Excited about Bernard but how ready is this guy going to be? The guy played almost none last year…is he going to be ready to call a defense week 1?