Film Breakdown on Terrel Bernard - Also, Keep an Eye on the Rest of the Defense as Well.

[GaryPinC]

4 hours ago, sven233 said:

It wasn't a fluke.  It wasn't luck.  This guy just gets it.  For a 2nd year guy that didn't play much at all coming into this season, what he is doing on the field is incredible right now.  He isn't the most physically imposing player, but he's super smart, plays with great situational awareness and instincts, and communicates so well on the field.  This breakdown done by Cover 1 really shows off what he does extremely well and matches what I saw on the All-22 I've watched so far.  What's encouraging, is everything he put on film here is something that he will be able to repeat game after game because he just gets it.  I don't want to compare him to Edmunds.  It's not fair to either player because they offer different traits.  But, that said, Bernard is so much more instinctive and doesn't hesitate in fear of making a mistake.  I thought too many times Edmunds would get himself in position to make a play, but didn't trust himself enough, and that half second of indecision would have him slow to react and the opportunity to make a big play would pass him by.  But, it's totally different with Bernard to this point.  He trusts himself and what he is seeing, fires his gun, and that is leading to making the splash plays we've been waiting for out of this position.  Now, will he be right every time?  Of course not.  There will be times he makes the wrong read and it will take him out of the play.  But you can live with it because it seems, more often than not, he's going to be right.

 

While the film breakdown in this video is primarily about Bernard, I want you to take a look at the rest of the defense and how they played together as a unit.  Yes, Howell held onto the ball too long yesterday and took more sacks than he should have.  But there was a reason for it.  The back end was totally in sync and played with great communication and gave the guys up front that extra second to affect the QB.  It really is fun to watch.  There's another thread on here asking how to stop the Dolphins offense.  And sure, there will have to be some adjustments and a different game plan to combat their speed.  But, Washington did try to utilize a lot of crossers and some similar concepts that the Dolphins use and our defense was smart and sound against them.  Can we use the same game plan we did against Washington against Miami?  Of course not.  But there were concepts in this game on defense that you will absolutely see next week at times vs the Dolphins.  Anyway, enjoy this breakdown.  It's a real fun watch.

 

 

Thanks for posting this, it really made my day.  Shows why the coaches handed him the job.  Suffice to say I don't think Milano or the secondary will miss Edmunds and can play faster now.

What impressed me the most is how he times his attacks.  The early running play where they led the TE through the hole and he hid out behind the line blocking and jumped the RB after the TE went by.  

 

This guy really, really processes at a high speed.  What a complete 180 from Edmunds.  Should get even better as things continue to settle in!

Edited September 25, 2023 by GaryPinC

[Logic]

All I know is that he has a tiny wingspan that doesn't affect passing lanes the way that a giant pterodactyl might. He's also really old.

Kidding, of course.

I've been absolutely thrilled with Bernard's play so far. My biggest worry about the defense this year (MLB), seems unfounded. In fact, it seems that not only did the Bills not downgrade at MLB, they may have UPGRADED!

By the way, the fact that Bernard did something that hasn't been done in 16 years (2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Recovery), when Brian Urlacher and James Harrison did it, is pretty damned impressive. Bernard impacted that game in a big way yesterday, and getting impact plays from the middle linebacker position is a sight for sore eyes.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Logic

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, Southern_Bills said:

 

That was decided .5 seconds after he was drafted...lol

 

I didn't think he would contribute at this level honestly, figured he would be a big nickel player in sub packages only at best.

 

All the pundits stated how the Bills probably could have gotten him later in the draft. I didn't hate taking some depth at LB as going into 2022 there wasn't much depth behind Milano and Edumonds. But I thought if they could have gotten this player in round 4-5 why not wait and take someone else that can have a better impact at another position like a guard? However, the Bills front office liked what they saw and took the player they wanted when they wanted to which has had good returns just a year later. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I think we will slowly evolve out of the 90% base nickel and become a more well-rounded defense

 

Williams  - Bernard - Milano, I cannot wait for that trio. 

[Aussie Joe]

2 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I think we will slowly evolve out of the 90% base nickel and become a more well-rounded defense

 

Williams  - Bernard - Milano, I cannot wait for that trio. 

Im happy with how Taron Johnson is going… I expect him to remain in this D for a few more years 

[Don Otreply]

Yup, the guy seems to know what he is doing and why he is doing it,  what’s not yo like, 

[Augie]

4 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Plenty of examples in this video of him playing well vs the run.  From a guy that understands how to break down film.

Are you still going to lead the "Bernard is a liability in the run game" parade?

@PBF81

 

Every game will not be like THIS game, so those with the determination will find a way to work in their message to us.

 

I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just happen to enjoy watching football. I just have occasional observations.

 

Something has to give next week vs the Dolphins. That great D against the team that just put up 70 points. And I thought the writers were on strike!!!  😋

 

 

.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Augie

[nedboy7]

If we could only draft well.....

[nuiwek]

4 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

If we could only draft well.....

We all have dreams...

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

4 hours ago, NewEra said:

I was thinking about it, but I’m really hoping that he switches his number next year. 43 🤮 

 

3 hours ago, Max Fischer said:

 

I think 43 is a cool number unless you hate Richard Petty.

 

still have nightmares of Brady yelling “43 is the mike,” before then abusing Bryan Scott.

[colin]

he and milano aren't fast nfl LBs.  they aren't slow, they are better than average, but they aren't either as fast as edmunds.

 

what they have, is a really green light and a hair trigger with no safety.  they see what they want and they go full speed.  they are also agile and don't get their body twisted up so they have to waste steps and motion, which is worth more than like 1.5 tenths on a 40 at that position.  they are both pretty strong (milano more so) for being short and not that long armed of lbs.  and perhaps most of all, they are both smart and instinctive football players.  edmunds getting played like a fiddle vs kc yesterday reminded me of a scout breaking down his first game as a bill (unmitigated disaster).  the qb just attacked him over and over again, he bit on everything, and made every mistake.  edmunds improved on that, but never got rid of it.  TB and MM have very little of that in them, and they just ball so hard in our D.

[MasterStrategist]

I love videos like this, breaking down the film/angles/reads.

 

Bernard has been extremely impressive.  Pre-snap recognition is improving each game.  His ability to "read his keys" quickly, or what some call instinctive/mental processing, has been the biggest suprise.  He's always been explosive/emotional player, that's what drew Buffalo to draft him.  He showed that off in the Sugar Bowl.

 

His emotional leadership is something Tremaine lacked.  Not a knock on Maine, some guys just have a natural ability to fill that role.  He's continuing to get better each week and generate big plays, similar to Kiko Alonsos early tenure with us.  Unlike Kiko, TB appears to be a much better leader/well spoken.  

 

MLB was high, if not at the top, on everyone's "weakness" areas coming into the season. It's still early, but after 3 games he's proving a lot of doubters wrong 

[Ya Digg?]

1 hour ago, billsfan89 said:

 

All the pundits stated how the Bills probably could have gotten him later in the draft. I didn't hate taking some depth at LB as going into 2022 there wasn't much depth behind Milano and Edumonds. But I thought if they could have gotten this player in round 4-5 why not wait and take someone else that can have a better impact at another position like a guard? However, the Bills front office liked what they saw and took the player they wanted when they wanted to which has had good returns just a year later. 

This just isn’t a true statement, Perhaps you can prove me wrong though. Also, there’s no guarantee he’s there a round later. 

[nedboy7]

ESPN‘s Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Bills a B grade and wrote, “The pick of undersized linebacker Terrel Bernard (89) was a reach on my board, even if it was a need. I like Brian Asamoah and Leo Chenal, who were both available, more than Bernard, who does have some read-and-react ability.”

 

USA Today’s Nick Wojton offered each of the Bills’ eight draft picks a specific grade and gave Bernard, the Sugar Bowl MVP, a C+. Wojton wrote, “Bernard was the most-questioned selection the Bills made. The reasoning is because Buffalo could’ve probably continued to trade back and landed him. Instead, they opted to use their Round 3 pick on Bernard.

 

Bernard is fast and plays fast. At the same time, he’s firmly undersized… and comes with serious tackling issues. Bernard owns a 14.8% missed tackle rate for his career and is teetering toward safety territory. He doesn’t let the lack of size get in the way of his mindset, and he does have quality instincts and athleticism. Still, Bernard should have been a Day 3 pick.

 

Terrel Bernard was drafted with pick 89 of round 3 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 8.88 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 271 out of 2419 LB from 1987 to 2022.

 

Despite the criticism of when he was picked, Bernard’s elite talent is evident. A two-time, second-team All-Big 12 selection, who ran the 40 in 4.59 seconds, received an incredibly high analytical score. During his senior year, Bernard recorded 103 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and four passes defended, per Bills Wire.

 

As for his size, Bills’ general manager Brandon Beane doesn’t see it as an issue. On May 2, Beane said on the One Bills Live, “He’s instinctive. He’s smart. Guys like him make up for the lack of prototype size.”

 

I have strong reservations about his durability as Bernard enters the NFL. If he can acclimate his body early on, limit his snaps to special teams, and play in a reserve role on defense, then he could be a fine player. I hope he doesn’t get injured, I never want that, but if he begins to miss time due to injuries, there is plenty of information to support why his body may not withstand the rigors of playing in the NFL.

Edited September 25, 2023 by nedboy7

[John from Riverside]

Feeling pretty good about the linebacker position now especially with Dorien Williams, waiting in the wings

[LABILLBACKER]

His cover skills and instincts absolutely blew me away yesterday. Forget about all his flying around, but he was always in the right position to make a play. His speed was also refreshing. Little or no hesitation like Edmunds.  Huge find here McB.

6 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Feeling pretty good about the linebacker position now especially with Dorien Williams, waiting in the wings

And I think Dorian will be a great backup to Milano & Bernard.  Our LB room looks very good right now. 

[billsfan89]

5 minutes ago, Ya Digg? said:

This just isn’t a true statement, Perhaps you can prove me wrong though. Also, there’s no guarantee he’s there a round later. 

 

I agree that there is no guarantee that draft picks will be there later, I am just talking about myself as an amateur fan thinking if pundits say he could have been drafted later then why not take him later? But pundits were generally saying he was a bit "over-drafted" just a quick look at what some pundits were saying. 

 

"Although it was a bit earlier than expected, you could tell Beane was excited about the Bernard pick Friday night." 

https://theathletic.com/3283624/2022/04/30/terrel-bernard-draft-buffalo-bills/

 

Mel Kiper call him a "reach on his board" 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2022/insider/story/_/id/33827196/nfl-draft-grades-mel-kiper-jr-picks-steals-sleepers-favorite-2022-classes-all-32-teams#BUF

 

NFL.com had a draft projection of round 5

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/terrel-bernard/32004245-5223-6424-136f-901f81674ee9

 

Draft Network had a draft projection of round 4

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/terrel-bernard-7acaddc4-edff-42bf-9ad1-e89b6873b0e9/

 

PFF didn't like the pick thinking he was more of a day 3 pick but others liked it. 

 

I am sure other pundits liked the pick but I am just going off of what I remember at the time. 

[Nephilim17]

Great film breakdown. Thanks for posting.

He really does seem to have great instincts and maturity. Love on the 3rd and 22 how he tells Milano, the veteran star linebacker, to back up...

 

I don't expect this kind of performance every week from a young player but perhaps the anxiety about the position (and Beane's drafting) wasn't entirely warranted.

BTW, these 16-year-old Cover 1 kids offer more insight in a single video than I see in a year from the beat reporters. They're really good. I hope Erik makes some decent money doing this.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Nephilim17

[Brand J]

1 hour ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I agree that there is no guarantee that draft picks will be there later, I am just talking about myself as an amateur fan thinking if pundits say he could have been drafted later then why not take him later? But pundits were generally saying he was a bit "over-drafted" just a quick look at what some pundits were saying. 

 

"Although it was a bit earlier than expected, you could tell Beane was excited about the Bernard pick Friday night." 

https://theathletic.com/3283624/2022/04/30/terrel-bernard-draft-buffalo-bills/

 

Mel Kiper call him a "reach on his board" 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2022/insider/story/_/id/33827196/nfl-draft-grades-mel-kiper-jr-picks-steals-sleepers-favorite-2022-classes-all-32-teams#BUF

 

NFL.com had a draft projection of round 5

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/terrel-bernard/32004245-5223-6424-136f-901f81674ee9

 

Draft Network had a draft projection of round 4

https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/terrel-bernard-7acaddc4-edff-42bf-9ad1-e89b6873b0e9/

 

PFF didn't like the pick thinking he was more of a day 3 pick but others liked it. 

 

I am sure other pundits liked the pick but I am just going off of what I remember at the time. 

From what I remember, Dallas was rumored to love Bernard. We didn’t have a 4th round pick after trading up for Elam, so it was either the 3rd round or taking a chance he’d be there late in the 5th. Of course you could always try to trade back or trade up, but no guarantees there either. Taking Bernard in the 3rd meant that the Bills really loved his tape and thought he’d bring more to the table than a backup LB or special teamer. They think the same of Dorian Williams too. Glad he’s panning out so far, but it’s a long season. Mistakes will be made. Still, lots to be excited about.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

3 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Im happy with how Taron Johnson is going… I expect him to remain in this D for a few more years 

Oh he will, no doubt. I’m sure we will see more 3 LBer sets as wrinkles though. Williams is 30 pounds heavier and still runs a 4.54.