Have the 2 D collapses this season changed Beane’s 2024 off-season agenda?

[starrymessenger]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

 

I know he's not a DT but a guy that I will be keeping an eye on through the draft process is Mike Green an Edge Rusher from Marshall. He's 6'4 250 and might be better suited for a 3-4 but he's a sack artist with 16.5 this year and he is young as he's only a Redshirt Sophomore. As we know the Bills loves to draft younger draft prospects that have not reached their ceiling yet. He has a quick first step and has a good assortment of pass rush moves for a younger guy. He definitely needs time in the weightroom as he doesn't have a power game developed yet but he will most likely be there at 30 unless he blows away testing in the process.

There will be edge rushers available in FA and the draft. I would look to FA or possibly a trade to fill that need(s). The reason is that there doesn't seem to be anything of interest in the way of FA DTs so I would burn an early pick on one in the draft. Mason Graham would be a dream but is likely a top 5 pick. His teammate Kenneth Grant is for now seen as a late first/early second so he would be within reach if the Bills like him.

[Sierra Foothills]

15 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Even without the D failures at LA and Baltimore, the defense was going to be the focal point of this coming off-season as DB starters Hamlin and Douglas are FAs and Groot is up for his 5th option. The D line got gashed against Balt’s run offense and failed to get any qb pressure vs the Rams.  That raised questions about Epenesa, Miller, D Jones and even Oliver. I believe those performances will echo in Beane’s mind as he tries to find ways to improve the rushing defense and pass rush and some of the signed vet players will be replaced.  

 

Fair and legitimate questions.

 

13 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Epenesa extension was a terrible decision. He will be cut.  Can't pay your 10th DL that kind of money.

 

Only Groot has taken  more snaps among the Bills D-line. For better or worse AJ's not their 10th DL.

 

12 hours ago, Einstein said:

The entire d-line was built by Beane over the last several drafts and free agency.

 

Not sure why we should expect much different, even if the names on the back of the jersey change.

 

I don't think this is fair. On offense we've arguably see the Bills modify their approach to personnel decisions and now they have their best O-line in memory, and are solid if not above average at all the other offensive position groups. More to the point they've arguably changed the traits that they look for and the philosophies they employ.

 

I think it's very plausible that the Bills do a thorough re-examination of their defensive philosophies and act accordingly. McDermott is not going to want his defense to be associated with the organization's failures and I believe he will do some soul searching and change his ways. It's obvious that the defense has to get significantly better so as not to be an anchor on the organization's fortunes.

 

11 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

I see a problem, being that regardless of who we bring on board in the offseason they will still be playing that near worthless soft zone defense the vast majority of the time against the best opponents, how many years of this teams D scheme not being able to compete against the best teams does it take before the lights go on for someone to realize it’s not working, and a modification of said scheme is needed? 
 

Always hoping for the best,

 

GO BILLS!!!

 

I'm hopeful that the teams approach to personnel, traits, and philosophies will be re-evaluated based on how the offense was allowed to evolve.

 

 

[djp14150]

15 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Even without the D failures at LA and Baltimore, the defense was going to be the focal point of this coming off-season as DB starters Hamlin and Douglas are FAs and Groot is up for his 5th option.  

 

However, those two collapses have centered on the performance of the D line as it got gashed against Balt’s run offense and then failed to get any qb pressure vs the Rams.  That raised questions about the viability of Epenesa, Miller, D Jones and even Oliver.  I believe those performances will echo in Beane’s mind as he tries to find ways to improve the rushing defense and pass rush and some of the signed vet players will be replaced.  

 

Is there a chance no one returns except Groot and the two kids Carter and  Solomon?  

I also wonder about Milano’s viability beyond this season.  Is Williams ready to take over? 
 

The Bills have a ton of money invested in these defensive players.  Miller’s 2025 cap is  23.874 (dead cap 15.415), Oliver’s is 20.75 (dead cap 26.475), Milano is 16.122 (DC 17.253), Jones is 9.048 (DC 7.632) and AJE is 6.287 (DC 4.148). 
 

Given the extra cap space gained, I can see Miller, Jones and AJE all getting cut.  Even If cut how do the Bills afford the upgrades?   
 

 

 

 

I have a different views on these. In baltimore you had a few long 3rd downs on scoring drives they could have stopped but didn’t. Unsure how much of that was a poor assignment, mistake.  Thr long hrnry TD run was a blown assignment. Thr offense was also sputtering where the half time score very easily could have had the bills leading.

 

with the Rams Stafford played a perfect game between his throws, t8ming, and receiver plays that he has not done in other games this year. In other games he throws the same route and it’s off a bit unusurrvif it’s receiver or qb fault.

 

[RyanC883]

13 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

I’m fully expecting Beane to go heavy early in the draft on defense.  

 

hopefully not a Groot and other DE 1st and 2nd.  He’s been bad at early DL picks

[Alphadawg7]

13 hours ago, FireChans said:

Yeah, but you said that “besides Hollins and Cooper” (who are basically both starters right now).

 

so it’s like the same amount of starters not under contract for offense/defense next year, right?

 

I would also argue guys like Curtis Samuel are getting paid big money for replacement level play lol.

 

Even you know the defense is the weakest part of this team right now.  Lets now try and act like we have some gaping holes on offense or anything close to the same issues we have on defense heading into next year...because we don't.  Ask the Bengals what its like to be all offense and no defense when they are sitting home watching the postseason despite what should be an MVP leading season by Burrow right now.  

Edited December 15 by Alphadawg7

[FireChans]

11 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Even you know the defense is the weakest part of this team right now.  Let’s now try and act like we have some gaping holes on offense or anything close to the same issues we have on defense heading into next year...because we don't.  Ask the Bengals what it’s like to be all offense and no defense when they are sitting home watching the postseason despite what should be an MVP leading season by Burrow right now.  

We are back to 2021. Let’s get another Von Miller because Josh can cobble together some good offensive performances by doing literally everything. 
 

I won’t argue the defense doesn’t need help. If Milano is washed the talent is bad. Really, the only young player I would offer a second contract to is Benford. Cupboard is kinda bare. 
 

But the defense has GOTTEN a lot of help. I’m very sick and tired of prioritizing the defense and saying the offense is “fine”, when the defense will inevitably suck and fall apart in the biggest moments while we know that Josh won’t. 

[GoBills808]

1 minute ago, FireChans said:

We are back to 2021. Let’s get another Von Miller because Josh can cobble together some good offensive performances by doing literally everything. 
 

I won’t argue the defense doesn’t need help. If Milano is washed the talent is bad. Really, the only young player I would offer a second contract to is Benford. Cupboard is kinda bare. 
 

But the defense has GOTTEN a lot of help. I’m very sick and tired of prioritizing the defense and saying the offense is “fine”, when the defense will inevitably suck and fall apart in the biggest moments while we know that Josh won’t. 

Been saying it so long I don't know how it hasn't gotten thru yet

 

Oh well maybe another season of the same will help it stick

[FireChans]

6 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Been saying it so long I don't know how it hasn't gotten thru yet

 

Oh well maybe another season of the same will help it stick

It’s like Groundhog Day lol.

 

The next Rousseau, AJE, Boogie, Elam, Oliver will save us!

[GoBills808]

3 minutes ago, FireChans said:

It’s like Groundhog Day lol.

 

The next Rousseau, AJE, Boogie, Elam, Oliver will save us!

We can resign Shakir and extend Cooper! 

[SCBills]

Id call around and try to make a trade if im Beane. 
 

The guy is elite at drafting good players late in the Draft, but we cannot seem to get the DL right.   It’s his one blind spot. 
 

If they don’t get it together this season, drastic changes need to be made there.  
 

You have to have a difference maker.. 

 

And fwiw, the Chiefs DL is the Bills DL, except they have Chris Jones and we have Ed Oliver.   That’s it, that’s the difference.  Karlaftis is Rousseau and everyone else is some version of what we have. 
 

Thats how important having a difference maker is on the DL. 

[Alphadawg7]

8 hours ago, FireChans said:

We are back to 2021. Let’s get another Von Miller because Josh can cobble together some good offensive performances by doing literally everything. 
 

I won’t argue the defense doesn’t need help. If Milano is washed the talent is bad. Really, the only young player I would offer a second contract to is Benford. Cupboard is kinda bare. 
 

But the defense has GOTTEN a lot of help. I’m very sick and tired of prioritizing the defense and saying the offense is “fine”, when the defense will inevitably suck and fall apart in the biggest moments while we know that Josh won’t. 

You’re living in the past…offense has had all the most premium investments the past 3 seasons.  

[GreggTX]

It will be a defense first draft. Edge and DT are top priorities. CB too if Douglas isn't resigned.