Will they bench Dorian Williams?

[bmur66]

The way Milano and Bernard play, chances are one of them is going to be injured at any given time so they really need 4 starters at the position.

[JerseyBills]

9 hours ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Dorian has not been the best LB that’s Bernard. Williams still has issues. It’s Milano’s job when he’s ready. 

Ya but Dorian at least would start on many teams. He's legit and this allows Milano , who is definitely superior to take extra time to get 110% healthy for a playoff run.

But Dorian has an extremely bright future, makes Milano expendable asap

 

[DJB]

10 hours ago, MJS said:

Absolutely they will. Milano us a top 5 linebacker in the entire NFL. Dorian Williams is a young, developing player. There is no contest. But I do wonder if they will give Williams some opportunities in different packages or as a 3rd linebacker, but that means you pull Taron Johnson off the field, which is not ideal.

If we play the Ravens pull Hamlin and go with 3 LB to stop Henry and that run game 

 

Make Lamar beat us with his arm

Edited October 24 by DJB

[machine gun kelly]

10 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

100% he goes into a back up role.  Milano when healthy is a top 5 linebackers in the league.  Williams not even close 

Golf, you nailed it.  Many have overlooked since 2017 Milano is the best defensive player on the Bills, and just because he breaks a leg or rips his bicep doesn’t mean he’s injury prone.  It’s not recurrent knee injuries, but just freak accidents.  He plays with aggression and never really talks which is an asset.

 

Please know, I like Williams and would be a starter on another team, but he’s not Milano.  Until Milano’s contract is up in 2027, he’ll be our starting WLB.  After, Williams can slip into that role.

[peterpan]

11 hours ago, BlazinBill said:

The way I see it no- he's not a MIKE LB he's a WILL LB- they really are completely different positions 

You say that but Spector has filled in for both positions.  This isn’t like the old days, I think any of these LBs could play any of the two positions.

 

also the OP said Williams has been our best LB.  No he hasn’t, Bernard is much better

[BlazinBill]

48 minutes ago, peterpan said:

You say that but Spector has filled in for both positions.  This isn’t like the old days, I think any of these LBs could play any of the two positions.

 

also the OP said Williams has been our best LB.  No he hasn’t, Bernard is much better

I honestly do not recall a time when Spector came in for anything but MIKE- perhaps when they had injuries they needed a body and put him in- I think the old days LB play is nothing like today which is why I wouldn't see it happening - 

 

Either way I really don't see them subbing in Williams for Milano or Bernard - and correct Bernard has been the best LB - when he's available that is- If healthy Bernard and Millano are not coming off the field for anyone.

Perhaps he meant Williams has been the most impactful from a week to week basis

[colin]

If Milano is 100% and g2g then he's the starting outside linebacker.  I could see some 3 lb sets at that point tho vs heavy formations.

 

The real question is will Milano be healthy?  He's played what, 3 games since our playoff loss to Cincinnati?  I think they'd have to put him on a snap count for the final 4-5 games of the season for him to be confirmed totally ready for the playoffs.

 

It's possible Williams keeps improving and is the clear choice by then vs a healthy Milano but MCD would need to see overwhelming evidence to choose Williams.

 

 

[peterpan]

47 minutes ago, BlazinBill said:

I honestly do not recall a time when Spector came in for anything but MIKE- perhaps when they had injuries they needed a body and put him in- I think the old days LB play is nothing like today which is why I wouldn't see it happening - 

 

Either way I really don't see them subbing in Williams for Milano or Bernard - and correct Bernard has been the best LB - when he's available that is- If healthy Bernard and Millano are not coming off the field for anyone.

Perhaps he meant Williams has been the most impactful from a week to week basis

I saw Spector and Bernard out there as the two LBs last game.  And while Spector obviously filled in for Bernard with his injuries, he’s actually listed as the Will LB on the Bills depth chart/website 

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/team/depth-chart

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Word from camp was Milano was slow and not really playing that well coming off injury. If Im wrong about that let me know.  He does has a few more months to heal so that might help his comeback from the leg injury. 

Ideally Bils wrap up playoff spot a few weeks before end of season and you can start to rotate Milano in to see if he can play or not. I doubt a guy 15 months out from football at his age is going to make any impact. 

Like it or not Milano is most likely going to be a cap casualty this off season. Sad because he was playing so well before the injury. But they need all the cap they can get to address DL, WR, Josh's contract, and CB. 

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Love Dorian, he’s getting better every week, but Milano is on a different league coverage wise.

 

If anything, Dorian Williams will prolong the career of Taron Johnson, who may not have to play as many heavy sets.

Edited October 24 by TheyCallMeAndy

[bobobonators]

Good thing about Milano’s current injury is that it allowed him to rest and further strengthen his legs. A bicep tear isn’t career ending. I was more concerned of his leg. 
 

When he returns my biggest concern is rust, but I’m going to imagine he’s going to have zero limitations and we’ll see the old Milano after a couple games.  

[Sgt. Ski]

13 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

When?  When is Milano miraculously coming back from a biceps tendon injury, then not playing meaningful football for at least 15 months, going to make some great impact.

 

Fans need to come back to reality.

It is in his head that makes him good! can still run

[LarryMadman]

People don't understand the severity of MM knee injury and are crazy to think he is just going to come back and be the same player he was before, would be great if he did but I don't think he will be nearly as good as he was. 

[BlazinBill]

2 hours ago, peterpan said:

I saw Spector and Bernard out there as the two LBs last game.  And while Spector obviously filled in for Bernard with his injuries, he’s actually listed as the Will LB on the Bills depth chart/website 

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/team/depth-chart

Well damn- I guess I'm wrong - I'll take learning something new today as a win- thank you 

[34-78-83]

IF Milano is able to return to some semblance of his form, I would use him exclusively on likely passing downs (3rd and medium to long for example), and use Williams on likely run downs, and rotate them a bit otherwise... I do like the idea someone presented also of going 4-3 with all 3 of them on the field if we are fortunate enough to face the Ravens again in January.

[frostbitmic]

I have a feeling that Hyde will be re-signed and ready to go before Milano will be.

[Kaenon]

Any timetable on Milano's return?

10 weeks post injury.

There was an article 3 weeks ago he was with the team traveling for the first time and he's been on the sidelines and stated typical 10-week recovery.

 

Have we heard anything from OBD?

[Back2Buff]

I don't know why people are so adamant Milano is returning.  Even if he returns, he will be a shell of himself.  Dorian Williams is your starting LB for this year and the next two.  

[bigK14094]

A lot of speculation here with no knowledge.  Not sure this is a productive discussion.  Williams has played well and has progressed.  If the Bills are in playoffs and not chasing home field, Milano could phase in......or not.  If the Bills are 12-2 in December, why change what is working.  And, Milano would be rusty/put him on a pitch count.

[dpberr]

16 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

When?  When is Milano miraculously coming back from a biceps tendon injury, then not playing meaningful football for at least 15 months, going to make some great impact.

 

Fans need to come back to reality.

I agree.  He won't be in game shape this season, and it takes a series of games to get there.  

 

I think the rosiest of the best case scenarios is where he's playing batches of meaningful minutes in playoff games.