Matt who? - Dorian Williams - What will the Bills do when Milano can return?

[JGMcD2]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

Yeah, you beat me to it. That one aged quite poorly. 

It was poorly thought out at the time as well, just bad in general. 

[Augie]

Just now, JGMcD2 said:

It was poorly thought out at the time as well, just bad in general. 

 

You can sense the emotion there. That’s not usually a good thing. I prefer rational and sensible over angry and whining. 

[boyst]

1 hour ago, PoundingDog said:

 

We know Milano WAS great. Is he still? We have learned from Von's experience, right?   

bigly different injuries. Milano should trend up faster. also younger.

[GETTOTHE50]

I love how Dorian plays like his hair is on fire. He’s always running to wherever the ball is. I’d hate to take him off the field. 

[Orlando Buffalo]

I think we now have the option of more flexibility in our defense- maybe even doing a lesser version of the DL rotation- depending on team and situation. Maybe we run a 3-3 base when we have a team that has to throw against us. With those three LBs it allows us lots of ways to attack. 

[Solomon Grundy]

Let Dorian play. Have Milano back for December/January. Need Milano/Bernard for playoffs, SB.

[Logic]

McDermott's comments about "being smart" when Milano returns and "staying in rhythm" leads me to believe that they won't rush him into the lineup, and that they value the continuity and flow they have on defense right now.

As others have mentioned, it's a good problem to have.

One of the silver linings and blessings when starters miss time due to injury is that sometimes it allows the depth behind them a chance to develop on the field and get much needed reps. That's been the case with Dorian Williams.

Milano is a leader and a playmaker and has a big dead cap hit if cut this offseason, so I expect him to be a Bill in 2025. Beyond that, though, I'm not so sure. 

Edited November 19 by Logic

[jethro_tull]

Williams on third down.  Milano against the run and stunt blitzes.  

[MasterStrategist]

40 minutes ago, jethro_tull said:

Williams on third down.  Milano against the run and stunt blitzes.  

If anything, we start to see Milano on pass downs.  But our dime with Cam has been working very well.

 

Williams is off the field on 3rd downs currently, unless 3rd and short.  His pass game/playaction awareness/zone positioning just isn't that great yet.

 

Always need depth at LB come playoffs, as we've seen in past years.

[gonzo1105]

I suspect you’ll see Williams still getting the bulk early on then Milano will slowly take back the role after being eased back. I love Williams, have before he was drafted, but he can be out of position at times but he is a future star in this defense either replacing Milano or Bernard 

[MasterStrategist]

53 minutes ago, Logic said:

McDermott's comments about "being smart" when Milano returns and "staying in rhythm" leads me to believe that they won't rush him into the lineup, and that they value the continuity and flow they have on defense right now.

As others have mentioned, it's a good problem to have.

One of the silver linings and blessings when starters miss time due to injury is that sometimes it allows the depth behind them a chance to develop on the field and get much needed reps. That's been the case with Dorian Williams.

Milano is a leader and a playmaker and has a big dead cap hit if cut this offseason, so I expect him to be a Bill in 2025. Beyond that, though, I'm not so sure. 

Exactly this.

 

Our biggest weakness with Dorian is instincts.  Playaction/positioning in zone/etc.  He plays like a freight train, just gets out of position at times but again improving.

 

Get Milano healthy come January, things always happen and we will need all 3 of our LBs.  

 

Cam has also played above expectation at the dime.  I'm all for sticking with that package, even with a healthy Milano, on obvious pass downs.  That might be part of what Coach is also alluding to.

[Mat68]

If Milano is full go.  During the bye week could Mcdermott and Babich scheme up a 46 BEAR look.  Against base looks like 49ers, Lions and Ravens utilize.  Go with 3 bakers Milano, Benard and Williams.  Instead of the traditional box safety Taron Johnson in his normal slot role. Swap Williams for Hamlin or Rapp.  46 allows Williams and Johnson to both be on the field and in their similar roles. Nickel, Dime and 46 would be pretty sick combo.  

[DapperCam]

Williams always looks 2 steps behind to me. Whenever there is any misdirection he’s always chasing the guy that was his responsibility. Ravens and others have picked on him a lot. I think Milano will be an upgrade if he is healthy.

[PrimeTime101]

I believe with a healthy Milano, we at times could of gone 3 LB look like we did in prior years to deal with first downs and force them to pass on first downs.  Milano is healthy he starts. IF Milano needs to be eased in he will be eased in.  Its still Milano's job

[MiracleAtRich1393]

29 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

If Milano is full go.  During the bye week could Mcdermott and Babich scheme up a 46 BEAR look.  Against base looks like 49ers, Lions and Ravens utilize.  Go with 3 bakers Milano, Benard and Williams.  Instead of the traditional box safety Taron Johnson in his normal slot role. Swap Williams for Hamlin or Rapp.  46 allows Williams and Johnson to both be on the field and in their similar roles. Nickel, Dime and 46 would be pretty sick combo.  

Rapp at single high safety vs. Jameson Williams 😱

[Simon]

Dorian Williams is a pigeon in this league and the sooner the Bills get him off the field, the better their defense has a chance to be.

[MJS]

On 9/30/2024 at 2:41 PM, Westside said:

Oliver has sucked this year. Jones is invisible and couldn’t make a play if nobody was guarding him. Our DE’s are very very inconsistent. 
We came into this year depleted because of being in cap hell. And the players Beane brought in flat out suck.

I blame the front office if things go south this year. Beane gets too much credit and not enough criticism. To me he is a below average GM. With the way he’s managed the cap and the draft picks he’s chosen have been less than stellar. 
I could never see teams like KC, Balt, SF keeping beane around after all his bad decisions. But he has a lifetime employment contract with the bills who think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

It's amazing how you can be so wrong about so many things. Basically the opposite is true of everything claimed here. Pretty impressive, honestly.

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

McDermott's comments about "being smart" when Milano returns and "staying in rhythm" leads me to believe that they won't rush him into the lineup, and that they value the continuity and flow they have on defense right now.

As others have mentioned, it's a good problem to have.

One of the silver linings and blessings when starters miss time due to injury is that sometimes it allows the depth behind them a chance to develop on the field and get much needed reps. That's been the case with Dorian Williams.

Milano is a leader and a playmaker and has a big dead cap hit if cut this offseason, so I expect him to be a Bill in 2025. Beyond that, though, I'm not so sure. 

I like Dorian alot even though I didn't think he had that great of a game v KC.  Keep him in there until Matt is 100%.  Slowly give Milano snaps starting with SF.  I absolutely do not want him re-injuring anything. 

[MJS]

1 hour ago, jethro_tull said:

Williams on third down.  Milano against the run and stunt blitzes.  

Williams is strongest playing downhill against the run and short passes. Milano is best in coverage. You got it opposite, haha.

[klos63]

3 hours ago, Eastport bills said:

Put Matt on a pitch count and bring him back slowly. Dorian is playing great and is part of a tandem with Bernard that is a big part of 9 and 2. Matt is an all pro OLB but at this point in his career, he’s a good bet to hit IR before the playoffs if he’s the starter. Let’s just get him in game shape and in the flow and set him loose in the playoffs.

It's a snap count.  Pitch count is for baseball. 

Williams is not playing great,  he's been adequate.  

Milano has sat out enough,  get him in there.  He's a dynamic player whereas Williams is not.  Bernard is a dynamic player, and you see the impact that linebackers can have on a game. Big sack and game ending interception this week.  Can't wait to see Milano out there. 

This is a huge addition to the defense.