Baylon Spector played well

[Einstein]

Just watched the game again and he exceeded my expectations. Granted, my expectations were low when I saw him jog onto the field...

 

I also think it's telling that McD went to Spector instead of Dorian Williams. 

What I noticed is that Spector is a bit more reserved than our other LB'ers. He doesn't burst right off the snap, instead opting to wait a split second. This can be bad when you need a short distance stop, but in some ways that proved advantageous on Sunday night. Instead of immediately rushing and getting himself caught in the fray of linemen, that split second wait helped him diagnose the play and make a clean tackle.

 

Below is an example of this that I posted to my Twitter:
 

 

[fergie's ire]

Yeah, I'm hoping someone does a careful breakdown of him on the all 22.  I noticed him make some plays and never noticed him completely lost or pushed around so it seemed like he did well, but I did not isolate him.  I'm hoping someone else will...and maybe Van Demark and Dane Jackson as well.

[goldenboy81]

When he came on the field I double checked to make sure it was him. He played surprisingly well 

[HOUSE]

Wasn't surprised at all, he just needs a chance. The guy rocked training camp

[K D]

Williams too aggressive. He's been boom or bust in his opportunities. He's either making a great play or getting completely fooled and out of position. They can't trust him

[Einstein]

22 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

Williams too aggressive. He's been boom or bust in his opportunities. He's either making a great play or getting completely fooled and out of position. They can't trust him

Agreed. Spector struck a nice balance.

[BADOLBILZ]

23 minutes ago, Einstein said:

Agreed. Spector struck a nice balance.

 

 

I don't remember Spector NOT looking good whenever he's played.   I know preseason is more basic football but he's looked excellent and instinctive in those opportunities.  

 

Dodson had also almost always looked solid as well(despite some claims to the contrary).    AJ Klein had a nice run when he had to start(once they adjusted his role to his strengths).    Even Julian Stanford looked good filling in for Edmunds in 2018.   Preston Brown lead the NFL in tackles in 2017 and Ramon Humber wasn't even too bad before Milano took that job over full time.   Lorax was also excellent in a hybrid role that included a lot of LB.

 

You pretty much gotta' go back to the Rex days to see poor LB play in Buffalo.    

[SoCal Deek]

1 hour ago, goldenboy81 said:

When he came on the field I double checked to make sure it was him. He played surprisingly well 

Don’t leave us hanging. When you checked…..Was it him? 

[Sestak4ever]

I agree that he played well. Especially for a guy who hasn’t seen the field for quite some time. Very encouraging.

[JGMcD2]

15 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I don't remember Spector NOT looking good whenever he's played.   I know preseason is more basic football but he's looked excellent and instinctive in those opportunities.  

 

Dodson had also almost always looked solid as well(despite some claims to the contrary).    AJ Klein had a nice run when he had to start(once they adjusted his role to his strengths).    Even Julian Stanford looked good filling in for Edmunds in 2018.   Preston Brown lead the NFL in tackles in 2017 and Ramon Humber wasn't even too bad before Milano took that job over full time.   Lorax was also excellent in a hybrid role that included a lot of LB.

 

You pretty much gotta' go back to the Rex days to see poor LB play in Buffalo.    

This is why I have hope that Dorian Williams makes a Terrel Bernard-esque leap in 2024. 

[Logic]

I agree. I'm surprised this is the first thread about it, tbh.

Two guys stepped into prominent roles in a huge spot on Sunday -- Dane Jackson and Baylon Spector. Both acquitted themselves rather well. Neither gave up any particularly memorable plays, and the Bills defense shut the Phins out in the second half and limited them to 7 yards rushing.

Jackson playing well was not as big a surprise, as he's done it before, and is a bona fide starting level corner in this league. Spector, though, was a HUGE surprise to me. I was worried when I saw him jog onto the field. I then proceeded not to think about him the rest of the game, because he just looked like he belonged.

If he turns out to be a good player at Will, it'll be great news for our linebacker depth this year and beyond.

[BADOLBILZ]

2 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

This is why I have hope that Dorian Williams makes a Terrel Bernard-esque leap in 2024. 

 

 

Yeah he has a very high ceiling but he played in a pretty simple system in college.    The quality of processing of the other LB's in the room should help push him.   

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, goldenboy81 said:

When he came on the field I double checked to make sure it was him. He played surprisingly well 

 

I thought so too.

 

Also, am I mistaken or was he taking the MLB role (in play, not play calling) at times?

Edited January 9 by Beck Water

[Billzgobowlin]

1 hour ago, KDIGGZ said:

Williams too aggressive. He's been boom or bust in his opportunities. He's either making a great play or getting completely fooled and out of position. They can't trust him

That's why McDerm preaches the 1/11 concept.  Dorian has immense ability but has to remain consistent

[mushypeaches]

And yet another reason to be glad that we didn't back up the Brinks truck for Tremaine Edmunds

[TheyCallMeAndy]

We have an absolute STUD coach in Bobby Babich. 
 

 

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, Einstein said:

Just watched the game again and he exceeded my expectations. Granted, my expectations were low when I saw him jog onto the field...

 

I also think it's telling that McD went to Spector instead of Dorian Williams.

 

Telling of what?

 

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 minute ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

We have an absolute STUD coach in Bobby Babich. 
 

 

Agreed, he is going to get a shot at DC, I wish the bills would give him the title before he leaves

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Just now, RoyBatty is alive said:

Agreed, he is going to get a shot at DC, I wish the bills would give him the title before he leaves

I wouldn’t rule it out! 

[Beck Water]

54 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I don't remember Spector NOT looking good whenever he's played.   I know preseason is more basic football but he's looked excellent and instinctive in those opportunities.  

 

Dodson had also almost always looked solid as well(despite some claims to the contrary).    AJ Klein had a nice run when he had to start(once they adjusted his role to his strengths).    Even Julian Stanford looked good filling in for Edmunds in 2018.   Preston Brown lead the NFL in tackles in 2017 and Ramon Humber wasn't even too bad before Milano took that job over full time.   Lorax was also excellent in a hybrid role that included a lot of LB.

 

You pretty much gotta' go back to the Rex days to see poor LB play in Buffalo.    

 

I could be mis-remembering, but weren't you using "poor LB play" and Tremaine Edmunds in the same sentence?

 

And again, I could be mis-remembering, but I don't think that sentence was to the effect of "good thing we have Edmunds so we don't see poor LB play in Buffalo"