What to do for Edge Rusher?

[TheBeaneBandit]

1 hour ago, frostbitmic said:

Deone Walker - DT - Kentucky - 6'6" 348 ... He'd plug a hole.

Wonder where he's projected to go? Iz gonna look him up...

[DJB]

4 minutes ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

Wonder where he's projected to go? Iz gonna look him up...

2nd round projected by many 

[TheBeaneBandit]

Just now, DJB said:

2nd round projected by many 

Yep. One site has him at 69.....could be a nice pick with one of our 2nd rounders. All his weaknesses can be fixed with coaching and conditioning.

[Billsfed1]

 

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, Billsfed1 said:

 

 

So, we love him, right? 

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, ProcessTruster said:

BC this board is in perma-negative mode 12 months per year; unable to stay in the moment and enjoy another great, successful season.   Not their fault.  

 

This is a function of the media-induced "win super bowl or you suck" mind set.   SB winners get all the accolades, all the media hype, all the coverage, the White House tours and victory parades and the other 31 teams can go pound sand for another 7 months of "soul searching" about "what went wrong" and "we need this or that to win the SB".

 

Rosters and coaching contribute heavily to but don't guarantee winning single elimination tournaments.   Teams that get through single elimination tournaments execute very well (or at least at a higher level than the opposition) for 3 conscutive weekends against comparable competition (wild card round games are usually mismatches).   Importantly, breaks, penalties, key injuries go their way for a 3 games in a row; good fortune has a fair amount to with getting past each tournament game "gate".   Having the last possession of the game, for example is a big deal; basically the clock is one arbitrary barrier where luck and fortune play a part. 

 

If the Philly guy doesn't get called for hitting Mahomes on the sidelines in that SB, the clock runs out, Philly wins and KC loses, for example.   Its all about execution in the big moments between closely matched teams.   

 

The NFL salary cap has assured that no one team can build a "dream team" that will simply overwhelm the entire league.   What's great about McBeanes is they have consistently maintained a top 5/top 10  roster around a HOF QB.   Now its just go execute in 2 or 3 games at a high level and you get through the tournament.   It won't happen every year.   It won't happen most years bc of the variables stated above.  

 

What I still haven't figured out is why when you fire your HC the entire organization gets fired as well and you start over.   That is devastating to a franchise and seems strange to me as the HC is really just an overseer for the most part.

 

 

Some of this youre reading is negative nancies...... but a lot of this is die hard Bills and college fans, thinking about a draft too.  I know plenty who like the draft more than the SB (obv when Buff isnt in it).  Im by far not the most knowledgeable college fan, but im constantly looking ahead to the draft.  Even if we win the SB this year, Ill be excited looking forward to the draft, and not just who Buffalo takes.

 

The draft is fun for all 32 teams, and a day where every fanhood can feel good about the future.  The whole process is interesting to many, even guys that watch 0 college

[T master]

On 11/9/2024 at 12:40 PM, GreggTX said:

Von is healthy, but he's not elite any more. Javon Solomon shows promise, but is it enough? AJ Epinesa is OK, but not special. Rousseau is outstanding overall, but I think he should stay at LE.

 

Personally, I think they need to move on from Von after this season. I'd be looking to move up in the draft and get Von's successor.

 

What's you take?

Sorry for the double post. Please delete this one. Thanks.

 

I've always wanted them to try Oliver at the DE position if only for a play or 2 every now and again, they always say how quick his get off is but he's to undersized to push a 330 lb guard around and they can double team him to keep him from getting through the line but he may be quick enough to get around the edge just a thought .

 

Jason Peters got switched and he's now a HOF tackle you never know unless you try and if he lost a bit of weight he might be even quicker on the get off .

[Mat68]

14 minutes ago, T master said:

 

I've always wanted them to try Oliver at the DE position if only for a play or 2 every now and again, they always say how quick his get off is but he's to undersized to push a 330 lb guard around and they can double team him to keep him from getting through the line but he may be quick enough to get around the edge just a thought .

 

Jason Peters got switched and he's now a HOF tackle you never know unless you try and if he lost a bit of weight he might be even quicker on the get off .

He was always a OT prospect.  Peters had ideal traits for the position.  Ed doesn’t have the length to play outside.  Terrible analogy.  Peters was moved to his natural position.  That is why Ed plays 3 tech on the Bills and was a 0 Tech/ nose tackle at Houston. 

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, frostbitmic said:

Deone Walker - DT - Kentucky - 6'6" 348 ... He'd plug a hole.

 

He doesn't plug though.   That's not his game.   Kinda' like a Jordan Phillips prospect.   Shoots gaps, doesn't like to hold the point of attack.   Probably the most upside in the DT class but not sure he will get there.  

[T master]

14 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

He was always a OT prospect.  Peters had ideal traits for the position.  Ed doesn’t have the length to play outside.  Terrible analogy.  Peters was moved to his natural position.  That is why Ed plays 3 tech on the Bills and was a 0 Tech/ nose tackle at Houston. 

 

Peters was a TE when he was drafted he told the coach Mularkey that he wanted to play more so Mularkey told Peters that Jim McNally liked him and that he could try playing on the line, so Peters tried it even though he had never played that position before & McNally coached him on how to play the position .

 

Peters started out as a RT in 2005 and changed to LT in 06 and his 3rd year he went to the pro bowl . So it took time to develop him .

 

So what would be so different if they just tried Ed there ? Peters was a TE all during his college career but he was coached up and became a HOFer .

 

Ed has speed and power, matter of fact he's faster than AJ . Yes he is a bit short on length but he had a 36" vert in his combine work out . I'm no football expert but i say why not try it in a package, at the very least it would make the opponent go WTH ?

 

Groot plays DE and in college they put him on the line in some instances . I'm not saying it has to be permanent .

 

And if it didn't work put him back where he's at . Nothin ventured nothing gained .

 

There have been a lot of college players that have came to the NFL and changed or tried different positions and have went on to have good careers and other wise if they had never tried & stayed at the position they were drafted at may have had much shorter careers .

 

Ed is a good line men and McD likes versatility so what could it hurt to try it in a practice setting to see if on a certain limited package to see if it might not work ?

 

It was just a thought because he's not been lighting up our D . Flame away ...

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Myles Garrett for Two #1s and Minn #2

3 minutes ago, T master said:

 

Peters was a TE when he was drafted he told the coach Mularkey that he wanted to play more so Mularkey told Peters that Jim McNally liked him and that he could try playing on the line, so Peters tried it even though he had never played that position before & McNally coached him on how to play the position .

 

Peters started out as a RT in 2005 and changed to LT in 06 and his 3rd year he went to the pro bowl . So it took time to develop him .

 

So what would be so different if they just tried Ed there ? Peters was a TE all during his college career but he was coached up and became a HOFer .

 

Ed has speed and power, matter of fact he's faster than AJ . Yes he is a bit short on length but he had a 36" vert in his combine work out . I'm no football expert but i say why not try it in a package, at the very least it would make the opponent go WTH ?

 

Groot plays DE and in college they put him on the line in some instances . I'm not saying it has to be permanent .

 

And if it didn't work put him back where he's at . Nothin ventured nothing gained .

 

There have been a lot of college players that have came to the NFL and changed or tried different positions and have went on to have good careers and other wise if they had never tried & stayed at the position they were drafted at may have had much shorter careers .

 

Ed is a good line men and McD likes versatility so what could it hurt to try it in a practice setting to see if on a certain limited package to see if it might not work ?

 

It was just a thought because he's not been lighting up our D . Flame away ...

Ed is too short and round to play DE. LTs would eat him alive.  He's a good but bit great DT. Leave him where he is and get a true DE. 

[T master]

10 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Myles Garrett for Two #1s and Minn #2

Ed is too short and round to play DE. LTs would eat him alive.  He's a good but bit great DT. Leave him where he is and get a true DE. 

 

Okay so leave him where he is but they need to rework his contract because he ain't living up to it or his draft status . Or trade him and his contract for more draft capital to get a better/bigger D tackle .

 

He flashes in 1 game then nothing, 1 good game 3 or 4 meh .

[TheBeaneBandit]

3 hours ago, Augie said:

 

So, we love him, right? 

We do😆

[CaseyatBat]

2 hours ago, T master said:

 

I've always wanted them to try Oliver at the DE position if only for a play or 2 every now and again, they always say how quick his get off is but he's to undersized to push a 330 lb guard around and they can double team him to keep him from getting through the line but he may be quick enough to get around the edge just a thought .

 

Jason Peters got switched and he's now a HOF tackle you never know unless you try and if he lost a bit of weight he might be even quicker on the get off .

 

Oliver doesn't have the length to play DE. Tackles in this league are taller and longer than guards. They will throw their big arms at him and keep him at bay, he's never been the best at shedding blocks

[Mr. WEO]

Dareus Marcel

[BearNorth]

1 hour ago, CaseyatBat said:

 

Oliver doesn't have the length to play DE. Tackles in this league are taller and longer than guards. They will throw their big arms at him and keep him at bay, he's never been the best at shedding blocks

Of the top 15 edge rushers in the league [Household names mostly, Hendrickson, Garrett, Watt, Bosa ...] Average height is right at 6-4, average weight is right at 260.  Four teams with two edges graded in top 15 - Steelers [Watt, Highsmith], Texans [Anderson, Hunter], Cleveland [Garrett, McGuire] and Bills [Von, Groot].

[LABILLBACKER]

6 hours ago, Sweats said:

I would like to see us get rid of that Albatross of a contract with Von and look at an "in their prime" quality edge rusher or massive DT.........you know, guys that can disrupt and create chaos at the line.

Malcolm Koonce (26)

Raiders UFA

Coming off injury 

He would be my #1 target and we would not have to pay crazy cap $.

[BADOLBILZ]

6 hours ago, TheBeaneBandit said:

Yep. One site has him at 69.....could be a nice pick with one of our 2nd rounders. All his weaknesses can be fixed with coaching and conditioning.

 

With big guys like Walker it's often about want-to.   Jordan Phillips never wanted to get low to gain leverage and be able to take on double teams because that's strenuous for a big guy with a long legs.  So he's been nothing but a journeyman who is easily steered out of the way in run defense.   This 2025 class of DT's has a number of very good prospects for both DT1T and DT3T but with the weakness at so many other positions the obvious one's may all go before the Bills first second round pick.

 

A potential alternative shot in the dark:

 

Mazi Smith went 26th overall to Dallas in 2023 because he was a giant, super-athletic big man but he was unplayable as a rookie in 2023 and was not effective in 2024 either.  He's 6'3" so his frame doesn't work against him for leverage like Walker/Phillips do but he was lousy in run D the first 2 years in the league.  I could see Deion Sanders taking the Cowboys job and wanting man CB's.....the Bills taking a CB in round 1(The Athletic's Dane Brugler mocked ECU CB Shavon Revel to Buffalo recently).....and maybe the Bills line up for a post-draft Elam for Mazi bust-for-bust trade.   

 

Elam has been the more effective of the 2 but will be entering a walk year.   Smith has 2 years of control and  maybe he ends up on a Ted Washington trajectory where he comes on in year 3/4 after being a bust and that's how the Bills find their 1 tech.   If not, Elam and Mazi probably aren't worth more than a 6th rounder in a trade so if Elam doesn't fit in the plans and Smith doesn't make the team........not a big loss.   But I do think the Cowboys would have some attraction to Elam as his dad Abe was a favorite of Jerry Jones when Abe played for Dallas. 

[TheBeaneBandit]

1 minute ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

With big guys like Walker it's often about want-to.   Jordan Phillips never wanted to get low to gain leverage and be able to take on double teams because that's strenuous for a big guy with a long legs.  So he's been nothing but a journeyman who is easily steered out of the way in run defense.   This 2025 class of DT's has a number of very good prospects for both DT1T and DT3T but with the weakness at so many other positions the obvious one's may all go before the Bills first second round pick.

 

A potential alternative shot in the dark:

 

Mazi Smith went 26th overall to Dallas in 2023 because he was a giant, super-athletic big man but he was unplayable as a rookie in 2023 and was not effective in 2024 either.  He's 6'3" so his frame doesn't work against him for leverage like Walker/Phillips do but he was lousy in run D the first 2 years in the league.  I could see Deion Sanders taking the Cowboys job and wanting man CB's.....the Bills taking a CB in round 1(The Athletic's Dane Brugler mocked ECU CB Shavon Revel to Buffalo recently).....and maybe the Bills line up for a post-draft Elam for Mazi bust-for-bust trade.   

 

Elam has been the more effective of the 2 but will be entering a walk year.   Smith has 2 years of control and  maybe he ends up on a Ted Washington trajectory where he comes on in year 3/4 after being a bust and that's how the Bills find their 1 tech.   If not, Elam and Mazi probably aren't worth more than a 6th rounder in a trade so if Elam doesn't fit in the plans and Smith doesn't make the team........not a big loss.   But I do think the Cowboys would have some attraction to Elam as his dad Abe was a favorite of Jerry Jones when Abe played for Dallas. 

I like this idea a lot. Because like you said the Bills probably gotta throw in some later round picks with one of their seconds to move up to ensure one of the "more of a sure thing" at 1tech. I've also already strongly suspect the 1st rounder could be CB so Elam leaving doesn't hurt my feelings whatsoever 😂

[BADOLBILZ]

1 hour ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Malcolm Koonce (26)

Raiders UFA

Coming off injury 

He would be my #1 target and we would not have to pay crazy cap $.

 

 

Sign Khalil Mack and Koonce.   Get Dolac in the draft of UDFA.   That would be 6 UB Bulls on defense?