Matt Milano - rusty or washed?

[Solomon Grundy]

2 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

Dorian was the only player consistently tackling Henry too 

Hopefully if Bills v Ravens, McDermott will employ a base 4-3 defense.

[Ralonzo]

1 hour ago, Drew21PA said:

I watched him closely this week as well - half step behind when a linemen comes out to block him - he’s almost there in game speed - I liked the progress this week 

 

the one play he was hesitant was the Adams crosser - he knew it was coming but just shuddered and didn’t get there in time - half second - he would have tackled him for a small gain instead of 15 yarder 

 

The Athletic broke down this play extensively. His recognition was on point, he just wasnt able to get to the spot. It's not mental rust, it's physical rust.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6027879/2024/12/31/buffalo-bills-matt-milano-injury-performance/

[Simon]

45 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

They fear your elusiveness? 

 

They damned well should.

I'd give them at least three good snaps before I had to be taken off in a wheelbarrow.

[since79]

18 hours ago, BillsFan130 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLtXl6fIYBA- Cover 1 breakdown of Milano. Clips from the rams, lions and jets games.

 

Breaks down Milano vs Dorian- Showed clips of Milano doing a good job in zone for the most part capping routes, and showed Dorian struggling in zone coverage

 

 

Watching this Milano looked like when he came back, he was avoiding contact or wrapping up with his left arm.  Maybe a little weak there at the time or tentative.   Seems to have gotten better there as it helps with game speed not having to surround plays from his right side.  Trust is building as is game speed. I trust Milano more on the field.  

 

Against the Jets, it seems I saw us run 4-3 more than in any game if at all earlier.  At least we were trying it more I think we are building for the playoffs there. Anyone who reviews game film can comment there.
 

I think Andresson should get some evaluation time this next game.  

[Simon]

6 minutes ago, since79 said:

 

I think Andresson should get some evaluation time this next game.  

 

He may not be ready to play meaningful snaps, but he absolutely should be in front of Spector in an emergency imo.

 

6 minutes ago, since79 said:

Against the Jets, it seems I saw us run 4-3 more than in any game if at all earlier.  At least we were trying it more I think we are building for the playoffs there. Anyone who reviews game film can comment there.

 

I didn't watch any film but I definitely got the same sense during the game.

[Augie]

52 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

They damned well should.

I'd give them at least three good snaps before I had to be taken off in a wheelbarrow.

 

They have carts for things like that, but somehow I’m guessing a wheelbarrow is the right tool for the job. Like Caddyshack, we have a pool, and a pond. The wheelbarrow will be good for you.  😊

 

BTW, that’s two more snaps than they would get out of me, so I am duly impressed. 

[Sierra Foothills]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

They damned well should.

I'd give them at least three good snaps before I had to be taken off in a wheelbarrow.

 

It's possible that some here would actually be more elusive in a wheelbarrow because they pivot on one wheel, thus having an excellent turn radius.

 

Not throwing shade... just saying...

 

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

It's possible that some here would actually be more elusive in a wheelbarrow because they pivot on one wheel, thus having an excellent turn radius.

 

Not throwing shade... just saying...

 

 

You don't round off routes when you have a limited number of steps to play with 

 

And I like how you dropped shade into your thought about sharp pivots since Shady McCoy's nickname was CutonaDime.

Although that may be a coke thing for all I know 🤷‍♂️

41 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

They have carts for things like that, but somehow I’m guessing a wheelbarrow is the right tool for the job. Like Caddyshack, we have a pool, and a pond. The wheelbarrow will be good for you.  😊

 

BTW, that’s two more snaps than they would get out of me, so I am duly impressed. 

 

I am definitely a wheelbarrow sort of fellow; with a built in coozie and a cigar holder 

[Sierra Foothills]

4 minutes ago, Simon said:

I am definitely a wheelbarrow sort of fellow; with a built in coozie and a cigar holder 

 

May I suggest...

 

 

Gimbaled so you don't spill your beverage.

 

[Simon]

5 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

May I suggest...

 

 

Gimbaled so you don't spill your beverage.

 

 

O...M...G

I just told my wife I'm leaving her for you.

What's your address?

 

 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

 

O...M...G

I just told my wife I'm leaving her for you.

What's your address?

 

 

 

Just start driving…..

[Simon]

5 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Just start driving…..

 

The Sierras are about the only range in the continental US I haven't hiked.

I can find it!

 

[Warriorspikes51]

Milano being on the field against a top tier QB will be critical....his mere reputation is enough that QB's may prefer to look elsewhere

If Williams is starting, they will attack him 

[Sierra Foothills]

3 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Milano being on the field against a top tier QB will be critical....his mere reputation is enough that QB's may prefer to look elsewhere

If Williams is starting, they will attack him 

 

It's times like this I wish we'd have re-signed Tremaine...

 

[Bills!Win!]

11 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Milano being on the field against a top tier QB will be critical....his mere reputation is enough that QB's may prefer to look elsewhere

If Williams is starting, they will attack him 

I can’t help but notice almost every run and pass went to whatever side he wasn’t on 

[Scott7975]

4 hours ago, Simon said:

 

This is not even remotely true.

I'm 56 years old and am not entirely convinced Dorian Williams could cover me.

There's several reasons the Bills don't start him unless they're forced to, and that's one of them.

 

I was lumping coverage in with instincts. Milano is good with it. Williams is not. 

[Simon]

On 12/30/2024 at 4:30 PM, QCity said:

 

Rodgers definitely made a business decision on that fumble recovery.

 

During the game I called it half-Cam

 

6 hours ago, Ralonzo said:

 

The Athletic broke down this play extensively. His recognition was on point, he just wasnt able to get to the spot. It's not mental rust, it's physical rust.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6027879/2024/12/31/buffalo-bills-matt-milano-injury-performance/

 

Here is a list of NFL LB's that can hang with Davante Adams on a horizontal route:

 

 

[Beck Water]

On 12/31/2024 at 11:34 AM, Ralonzo said:

The Athletic broke down this play extensively. His recognition was on point, he just wasnt able to get to the spot. It's not mental rust, it's physical rust.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6027879/2024/12/31/buffalo-bills-matt-milano-injury-performance/

 

I came here to link this article.   Buscaglia points out that everyone else on the field was sold on the misdirection; Milano was the only one who was able to read and react fast enough to get a hand on Adams.  And, that's Davante Adams; even in his prime, I'm not sure Milano would have been able to hang with him.  Maybe enough to get two hands on his shoestrings.

Key point, Milano has been shedding rust rapidly game to game and quarter to quarter.  On the Lions game:

Quote

In his third game, against the Lions, it’s easy to read that as another negative day for Milano because the Bills gave up 42 points. But when Milano left the game with an injury early in the fourth quarter, the Bills had only surrendered 21 points. The high-powered Lions, to that point of the game, had only 45 rushing yards between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and a per carry average of 3.2 yards. The Bills surrendered an additional 21 points after Milano’s exit. However, what stood out about Milano’s game was his anticipation skills for what was coming, and beating the ball carrier to the spot. Or if he wasn’t there getting the tackle, he was helping to force the play to teammates. It was, without question, a big step forward from the 49ers game and the first half against the Rams.

 

Conclusion:

Quote

The player Milano was before the injury is still in there, with examples of it, like that one, all over the Lions and Jets film. Between him and Terrel Bernard, Milano has been the better linebacker since his return. And while backup Dorian Williams provides that athletic spark that Milano had early in his career, Williams is caught out of position on plays too often that will hurt the Bills more than Milano being half-a-step slower than he was before his injury in 2023. Williams has potential and had some good moments with more time on the field, but the nuance Milano plays with is more valuable in the starting lineup until his speed really proves to be a big problem.

 

 

[Beck Water]

On 12/31/2024 at 12:17 PM, since79 said:

Watching this Milano looked like when he came back, he was avoiding contact or wrapping up with his left arm.  Maybe a little weak there at the time or tentative.   Seems to have gotten better there as it helps with game speed not having to surround plays from his right side.  Trust is building as is game speed. I trust Milano more on the field.  

 

Against the Jets, it seems I saw us run 4-3 more than in any game if at all earlier.  At least we were trying it more I think we are building for the playoffs there. Anyone who reviews game film can comment there.
 

I think Andresson should get some evaluation time this next game.  

 

I don't have the game film to review, but Dorian Williams was only on the field 40% of the snaps, not enough to fill in for the 44% of the snaps Milano was off the field for,.  Buffalo Joe took over for Bernard, and no other LB played snaps on defense.  Rapp and Bishop played 100%, and Ingram and Codrington took over for Benford and Douglas.

 

Cam Lewis, on the other hand, was on the field more than the 40% needed to back up Taron Johnson. 

Rather than playing 4-3 base, I think the Bills were actually playing a "big nickel" variant (sorta dime?) where they took out a linebacker and brought in Cam Lewis.  Along with that, they may have used Quinton Jefferson or Greg Rousseau as a "joker" on the DL ("heavy LB or hybrid DL/DE").  I believe they used to do this sort of set with Lorenzo Alexander and I believe it was how they hoped to use Jefferson when they initially brought him in back in 2020.  Only then Lotulelei "opted out" on the season, and the Bills were left scrambling to fill the 1T position, so much for that.

Edited Thursday at 01:41 AM by Beck Water

[klos63]

On 12/31/2024 at 8:20 AM, GETTOTHE50 said:

Dorian was the only player consistently tackling Henry too 

Yep, held him to 199 yards rushing, 8.3 ypc.