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

[Sierra Foothills]

9 minutes ago, NakedSquid said:

I didn't read all the pages o maybe someone already mentioned... but what about moving to a real 4-3 with Milano and DW and take off a safety so we keep TJ on 

 

This and variants of this have been mentioned.

 

I like that a new scheme introduces the element of surprise and gets bigger bodies on the field.

 

However with introducing a new defensive scheme mid-season, it's possible that there's just not enough practice reps to get where you'd feel comfortable that everyone knows their assignments on any given play. The likelihood of confusion and a breakdown increase.

 

I think it's easier for offenses to implement schematic changes mid-season than defenses.

 

JMO.

 

[Jukester]

 

[gordong]

sal's YouTube from today mentioned that Milano was tackling guys before the kc game. he was pretty sure that he would play in some capacity this week... they also though Carter would have his 21 day practice window open this week.    good news in the injury front

[Jerome007]

Fans can forget so quickly. Williams has been good, that's for sure. Milano is GREAT. 

[DJB]

[eball]

18 hours ago, NakedSquid said:

I didn't read all the pages o maybe someone already mentioned... but what about moving to a real 4-3 with Milano and DW and take off a safety so we keep TJ on 

 

17 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

This and variants of this have been mentioned.

 

I like that a new scheme introduces the element of surprise and gets bigger bodies on the field.

 

However with introducing a new defensive scheme mid-season, it's possible that there's just not enough practice reps to get where you'd feel comfortable that everyone knows their assignments on any given play. The likelihood of confusion and a breakdown increase.

 

I think it's easier for offenses to implement schematic changes mid-season than defenses.

 

JMO.

 

 

Lord knows the "big nickel" didn't work very well against the Ravens earlier this year...knowing Williams is now not a liability gives the Bills the chance to be a little more variable the next time around.  Will be interesting to watch for sure.

 

[Andrew Son]

8 minutes ago, Jerome007 said:

Fans can forget so quickly. Williams has been good, that's for sure. Milano is GREAT. 

The question is- is he still that same guy post injurie(s)?

 

If so it would be absolutely huge.

[ColoradoBills]

15 minutes ago, Andrew Son said:

The question is- is he still that same guy post injurie(s)?

 

If so it would be absolutely huge.

 

I'm hopeful.

The broken leg was a long time ago and should be totally healed.  A break should have no long-term negative effects.

The muscle tear probably is not 100% but should not leave any significant long-term side effects.

I don't see Milano having any phycological affects other than being pissed he missed time playing.

 

Edited November 27 by ColoradoBills

[Andrew Son]

2 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

I'm hopeful.

The broken leg was a long time ago and should be totally healed.  A break should have no long-term negative effects.

The muscle tear probably is not 100% but should not leave any significant long-term side effects.

I don't see Milano having any phycological affects other than being pissed he missed time playing.

 

I don't want to make any allegations, but he seems like one of those "maxed-out" body types that might be breaking down.  I guess my concern would be what's next?  Not necessarily the effects from the previous injuries.

[Scott7975]

Clipped this from an article about McDs comments today

 

“Probably what you would expect just in terms of getting back into the flow, endurance, because he hasn’t played football in quite some time,” McDermott said. “Really just trying to take it one day at a time, one play at a time, not to sound like it’s coach speak, but that’s really what we’re looking at.”

 

McDermott told reporters that Milano will be on a pitch count upon his ultimate return. The team does not technically have to activate Milano to the roster ahead of its Week 13 bout should his timeline not progress as hoped this week, as it has until December 4 to re-add him to the unit.

[ColoradoBills]

8 minutes ago, Andrew Son said:

I don't want to make any allegations, but he seems like one of those "maxed-out" body types that might be breaking down.  I guess my concern would be what's next?  Not necessarily the effects from the previous injuries.

 

If he is injured again, they will evaluate the situation then.  Right now, the effects of the previous injuries are all that matters.

IMO.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 hour ago, Jerome007 said:

Fans can forget so quickly. Williams has been good, that's for sure. Milano is GREAT. 

Milano was great. We have no idea what he will be post two serious injuries and no football in 15 months. 

 

I think it would be interesting to see some 4-3 alignments especially against a team like Baltimore.  But that most likely means taking Taron off the field and he's the best player on defense. 

 

I think the best we can hope for is he is as good as Williams and they play them both down the stretch and see how it goes. 

Edited November 27 by Ethan in Cleveland

[nosejob]

On 9/26/2024 at 1:50 PM, GASabresIUFan said:

Perfect response!!!!

 

Who is going to trade for an oft injured player on a big contract?  That's right no one will.  They would have to see some film that he's healthy and playing well to even consider trading for him after the season.  He isn't coming back until Dec at the earliest way after this year's deadline.

 

So what does McD do when (if?) Milano returns this season.  It depends.  How well is Williams playing?  Has he improved in pass coverage? Etc...

 

My guess is Milano and Williams rotate depending on down, distance, and place on the field. Once Milano proves full healthy, he'll be the starter.

I'd like to see them play some 4-3 against those teams with big backs. I'd like to give Taron a breather now and then.

[Steptide]

I see alot of people thinking Milano is just gonna come in and be a stud. Dude hasent played in almost 2 seasons. If he gets back to his old self, I highly doubt it'll be immediately. My hope is that he's fully back to himself by playoffs. I'd love to see him play this Sunday, but my expectations for him are minimal at this point 

[3rdand12]

20 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

This and variants of this have been mentioned.

 

I like that a new scheme introduces the element of surprise and gets bigger bodies on the field.

 

However with introducing a new defensive scheme mid-season, it's possible that there's just not enough practice reps to get where you'd feel comfortable that everyone knows their assignments on any given play. The likelihood of confusion and a breakdown increase.

 

I think it's easier for offenses to implement schematic changes mid-season than defenses.

 

JMO.

 

I might hope they can run variations skillfully from week to week with out much drop off. Full sale schematic changes  ? Of course that would be silly.

 Babich and McD certainly want best players dressed and ready.

 Do we call this a good problem to have with Milano coming back? Can ease him in even ?

On 11/21/2024 at 5:48 PM, mjt328 said:

Depth is a great thing to have.  

 

First I think they need to gradually ease Matt Milano back into the lineup sometime after the bye.  See how he's moving post-injury, and let him slowly get back into playing shape.  Don't forget how long it took for both Tre White and Von Miller to start looking like themselves again.  

 

If Milano can regain his pre-injury form by the playoffs, then it's a no-brainer.  He goes back into the starting lineup alongside Terrell Bernard, and the Bills will have the best Linebacker duo in the NFL.

 

You can also use Dorian Williams in more heavy-run situations, either as a third linebacker or simply replacing Milano/Bernard in the lineup.

 

Just read this. Good post 328

On 11/21/2024 at 5:48 PM, mjt328 said:

Depth is a great thing to have.  

 

First I think they need to gradually ease Matt Milano back into the lineup sometime after the bye.  See how he's moving post-injury, and let him slowly get back into playing shape.  Don't forget how long it took for both Tre White and Von Miller to start looking like themselves again.  

 

If Milano can regain his pre-injury form by the playoffs, then it's a no-brainer.  He goes back into the starting lineup alongside Terrell Bernard, and the Bills will have the best Linebacker duo in the NFL.

 

You can also use Dorian Williams in more heavy-run situations, either as a third linebacker or simply replacing Milano/Bernard in the lineup.

 

Just read this. Good post 328

On 11/21/2024 at 5:48 PM, mjt328 said:

Depth is a great thing to have.  

 

First I think they need to gradually ease Matt Milano back into the lineup sometime after the bye.  See how he's moving post-injury, and let him slowly get back into playing shape.  Don't forget how long it took for both Tre White and Von Miller to start looking like themselves again.  

 

If Milano can regain his pre-injury form by the playoffs, then it's a no-brainer.  He goes back into the starting lineup alongside Terrell Bernard, and the Bills will have the best Linebacker duo in the NFL.

 

You can also use Dorian Williams in more heavy-run situations, either as a third linebacker or simply replacing Milano/Bernard in the lineup.

 

Just read this. Good post 328

On 11/21/2024 at 5:48 PM, mjt328 said:

Depth is a great thing to have.  

 

First I think they need to gradually ease Matt Milano back into the lineup sometime after the bye.  See how he's moving post-injury, and let him slowly get back into playing shape.  Don't forget how long it took for both Tre White and Von Miller to start looking like themselves again.  

 

If Milano can regain his pre-injury form by the playoffs, then it's a no-brainer.  He goes back into the starting lineup alongside Terrell Bernard, and the Bills will have the best Linebacker duo in the NFL.

 

You can also use Dorian Williams in more heavy-run situations, either as a third linebacker or simply replacing Milano/Bernard in the lineup.

 

Just read this. Good post 328

[Sierra Foothills]

2 hours ago, eball said:

Lord knows the "big nickel" didn't work very well against the Ravens earlier this year...knowing Williams is now not a liability gives the Bills the chance to be a little more variable the next time around.  Will be interesting to watch for sure.

 

2 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

I might hope they can run variations skillfully from week to week with out much drop off. Full sale schematic changes  ? Of course that would be silly.

 Babich and McD certainly want best players dressed and ready.

 Do we call this a good problem to have with Milano coming back? Can ease him in even ?

 

I think with all the injuries on defense the last two years it's all the Bills could do to simply keep their base defense intact.

 

I think better health would have enabled them to experiment with different looks but that wasn't an option with all the young, unproven players in the starting lineup.

 

Going forward I'd love if they could scheme up some effective curveballs to throw at Mahomes and Lamar/Henry but I think the greatest good is assignment soundness. That said now that they're relatively healthy they have 5 more weeks to work on different looks and packages.

 

[Beck Water]

On 11/26/2024 at 8:02 PM, Sierra Foothills said:

 

This and variants of this have been mentioned.

 

I like that a new scheme introduces the element of surprise and gets bigger bodies on the field.

 

However with introducing a new defensive scheme mid-season, it's possible that there's just not enough practice reps to get where you'd feel comfortable that everyone knows their assignments on any given play. The likelihood of confusion and a breakdown increase.

 

I think it's easier for offenses to implement schematic changes mid-season than defenses.

 

JMO.

 

 

It's not just that, but the guy you'd be taking off is the nickel, Taron Johnson, who is one of the best in the league and one of the best on the team.

[LarryMadman]

On 11/27/2024 at 3:08 PM, ColoradoBills said:

 

I'm hopeful.

The broken leg was a long time ago and should be totally healed.  A break should have no long-term negative effects.

The muscle tear probably is not 100% but should not leave any significant long-term side effects.

I don't see Milano having any phycological affects other than being pissed he missed time playing.

 

He didn't just break his leg, he broke the tibia plateau which is a totally different animal, look it up.

[DJB]

On 11/26/2024 at 6:15 PM, RedDog3940 said:

I like the idea of a 3 LB set with Taron playing the safety role in place of Damar against likely run downs.

It’s something I’ve suggested in the past . We should do it vs the Ravens

[Beck Water]

On 11/21/2024 at 4:48 PM, mjt328 said:

Depth is a great thing to have.  

 

First I think they need to gradually ease Matt Milano back into the lineup sometime after the bye.  See how he's moving post-injury, and let him slowly get back into playing shape.  Don't forget how long it took for both Tre White and Von Miller to start looking like themselves again.  

 

If Milano can regain his pre-injury form by the playoffs, then it's a no-brainer.  He goes back into the starting lineup alongside Terrell Bernard, and the Bills will have the best Linebacker duo in the NFL.

 

You can also use Dorian Williams in more heavy-run situations, either as a third linebacker or simply replacing Milano/Bernard in the lineup.

 

 

Seems like a good place to put this.

 

Snap counts tonight in the snow vs. SF

Matt Milano 38 - 77%

Dorian Williams 0 - 0% (played heavily on ST)
Any other linebacker not named Bernard - 0%

Cam Lewis 11 - 23%

 

So much for easing Milano in

So much for playing 4-3 base

 

Milano stats 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 assists)

Bernard had 9 tackles (3 solo, 6 assists)

Johnson and Rapp had 6

Hamlin and Douglas also 5