Cole Bishop should start the final two games of the Regular Season....

[Sierra Foothills]

I think safety in the McDefense is a little bit different than it is in other defenses... a steeper and longer learning curve.

 

I retain high hopes and optimism for Bishop... (but I still do for Elam too so there's that).

[Shaw66]

My recollection is that coming out of college Bishop had excellent physical skills and most importantly, he played his position flawlessly in college.  He was smart and led the team.  I think the Bills liked him for his smarts, just like they liked Bernard for his smarts. 

 

However, I suspect that safety is one of the toughest positions to learn in McD's defense, because the responsibilities are so broad.  Cover like a corner, tackle like a linebacker, blitz, disguise what you're doing presnap.  As some have said, missing a lot of camp hurt him, because that's the best opportunity to try to get up that learning curve. 

 

I think he's a good candidate to make a significant leap in year two.  He has the measureables, and next year in camp he will be able fine tune the things he's learning about the position late in this season. 

[mbs]

Looking back on my rookie or even second year assessments, Damar was third string at best, Bernard was an undersized player and waste of a pick, Williams was flat out terrible. What were they thinking? And I'm a homer who's a sucker for those players who "show a spark."

 

If I continue to be a terrible judge of talent, then Bishop (who doesn't look anywhere near as awful as those guys did) will be All-Pro next year.

[Mat68]

18 hours ago, dorquemada said:

 

Im not sure I agree.  They've got a bunch of serviceable guys but nowhere near the production from how much draft and FA capital they've spent on it.

Beane has done such a good job drafting we forget what busts look like.  He hasnt hit all home runs but all but a few of the guys he drafts play in Buffalo or elsewhere.  Vast majority of the impact players on the team were drafted here.  Beane is a top 5 GM.   Every leader of every statistical category on the Bills but TD catches is held by a player drafted by Beane.  

[JP51]

18 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

My recollection is that coming out of college Bishop had excellent physical skills and most importantly, he played his position flawlessly in college.  He was smart and led the team.  I think the Bills liked him for his smarts, just like they liked Bernard for his smarts. 

 

However, I suspect that safety is one of the toughest positions to learn in McD's defense, because the responsibilities are so broad.  Cover like a corner, tackle like a linebacker, blitz, disguise what you're doing presnap.  As some have said, missing a lot of camp hurt him, because that's the best opportunity to try to get up that learning curve. 

 

I think he's a good candidate to make a significant leap in year two.  He has the measureables, and next year in camp he will be able fine tune the things he's learning about the position late in this season. 

This is my hope and whether it was one of the reasons to bring Hyde back or not, I think this benefits him... I think he needs to play... I like the coaching staff has high hopes... but clearly he is a rook and not playing at a level that I would say is what they are looking for but sometimes the only way to make that leap is to play... no time like the present. 

[Mat68]

18 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

My recollection is that coming out of college Bishop had excellent physical skills and most importantly, he played his position flawlessly in college.  He was smart and led the team.  I think the Bills liked him for his smarts, just like they liked Bernard for his smarts. 

 

However, I suspect that safety is one of the toughest positions to learn in McD's defense, because the responsibilities are so broad.  Cover like a corner, tackle like a linebacker, blitz, disguise what you're doing presnap.  As some have said, missing a lot of camp hurt him, because that's the best opportunity to try to get up that learning curve. 

 

I think he's a good candidate to make a significant leap in year two.  He has the measureables, and next year in camp he will be able fine tune the things he's learning about the position late in this season. 

His role in college was that of a slot/box safety.  Playing deep third or half was always going to be an adjustment.  Buffalo puts a significant amount of run responsibility on its safeties by playing Nickel.  The best coverage safeties coming out usually are a liability vs the run.  I think he is coming along.  Better than his first game.    

[DrDawkinstein]

He looks better and better each week, which is great to see.

 

Another improved performance this week and he's a lock to be our starter next year. Which says a lot about a rookie Safety anywhere in the NFL, but especially in this defense.

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, Mat68 said:

His role in college was that of a slot/box safety.  Playing deep third or half was always going to be an adjustment.  Buffalo puts a significant amount of run responsibility on its safeties by playing Nickel.  The best coverage safeties coming out usually are a liability vs the run.  I think he is coming along.  Better than his first game.    

Yeah, Sunday there were a couple of plays where he attacked the run at the line of scrimmage, and I thought, "that's different."  He isn't afraid to hit, and he seems to have good speed, so let's hope he's learning his way into the role. 

 

For me, simply the eye-test tells me he's a better talent (size and athleticism) than Hamlin. To his credit, Hamlin learned the position and plays it about as well as his talent will allow.

[MrEpsYtown]

He’s going to be okay. But He does scare me going into the playoffs. He is better than Damar, way more athletic, but he can be easily manipulated. On Von’s sack this week, it looked like he bit hard on a sluggo to Davante Adams, he was wide open for a likely TD if Rodgers isn’t sacked there. And it’s those coverage breakdowns that don’t typically happen with McD’s defensive scheme that is worrisome to me. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:

He looks better and better each week, which is great to see.

 

Another improved performance this week and he's a lock to be our starter next year. Which says a lot about a rookie Safety anywhere in the NFL, but especially in this defense.

 

But at what position??  Free or Strong??  IMO his hard hitting suits him better for SS, but have Rapp there too.  Then would still need a FS unless they keep Hamlin there, don't think Rapp could play FS.  Could Elam play FS, think he has the speed.  Or sign a free agent FS and trade Rapp??

[Sojourner]

51 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

But at what position??  Free or Strong??  IMO his hard hitting suits him better for SS, but have Rapp there too.  Then would still need a FS unless they keep Hamlin there, don't think Rapp could play FS.  Could Elam play FS, think he has the speed.  Or sign a free agent FS and trade Rapp??

Oddly enough, the guys we have on the roster seem to be best suited at playing the strong position. However, if you’ve got one who’s physically best suited to play the free then that would be Cole imo. 

I don’t think it’ll happen but it won’t surprise me if they add a guy in the off-season if things aren’t solid during the playoffs. 

[mathja]

I remember a lot of talk about Micah & Poyer playing interchangeably & that their positions didn’t matter that much & it helped to disguise the D. 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

But at what position??  Free or Strong??  IMO his hard hitting suits him better for SS, but have Rapp there too.  Then would still need a FS unless they keep Hamlin there, don't think Rapp could play FS.  Could Elam play FS, think he has the speed.  Or sign a free agent FS and trade Rapp??

 

Free Safety. I think he'll grow into that as he continues to develop and learn the system. Right now, he looks like a good SS because he can fall back on his hitting skills where they arent asking him to do too much. As his awareness and IQ develops, he'll be able to transition to FS. IMO.

[BillsFooteball]

I think bishop is the starter going forward. McDermott last couple weeks has been praising him on and off the field. Today he gave a “will see” when asked about his role going forward when Hamlin returns. 

[PoundingDog]

8 hours ago, BillsFooteball said:

I think bishop is the starter going forward. McDermott last couple weeks has been praising him on and off the field. Today he gave a “will see” when asked about his role going forward when Hamlin returns. 

 

McDermott's presser is below. About 7:47 mark where the question about Bishop expanded role being answered. Said something like 4 games span improvement, taking notes blah blah blah

 

[Kelly to Allen]

9 hours ago, BillsFooteball said:

I think bishop is the starter going forward. McDermott last couple weeks has been praising him on and off the field. Today he gave a “will see” when asked about his role going forward when Hamlin returns. 

As much as I am a Elam truther, it definitely hurts my case if McDermott is going to let Bishop start even after missing training camp. 

 

Maybe Elam is just not a fit, that's unfortunate because man we could have used Gordon or someone else. 

 

Can't hit on every pick tho. It happens 

 

I suspect that since Elam is inactive now, he will be traded if possible next year. 

[gonzo1105]

Bishop is improving for sure much in the same way that Dorian Williams has. He is still making mistakes but you can see the small improvements week to week. He still has a way to go to be a really good player but he's coming around for sure. It helps that McDermott and Babich are playing more to his strengths these past couple of games with him.

[Sojourner]

10 hours ago, BillsFooteball said:

I think bishop is the starter going forward. McDermott last couple weeks has been praising him on and off the field. Today he gave a “will see” when asked about his role going forward when Hamlin returns. 

Think you might be right. However, Hamlin is still the better player right now. Not as gifted physically as Cole but he certainly doesn’t appear to have the mental lapses that Bishop does. That could be the difference between going home or making the Super Bowl. All it takes is one busted play. 
 

Personally, I have no problem with either dude playing as you can advocate reasons for and against each. 

[Mikie2times]

On 12/31/2024 at 6:43 AM, Mat68 said:

Beane has done such a good job drafting we forget what busts look like.  He hasnt hit all home runs but all but a few of the guys he drafts play in Buffalo or elsewhere.  Vast majority of the impact players on the team were drafted here.  Beane is a top 5 GM.   Every leader of every statistical category on the Bills but TD catches is held by a player drafted by Beane.  

How many elite talents does that include?

[GunnerBill]

On 12/31/2024 at 6:23 PM, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Free Safety. I think he'll grow into that as he continues to develop and learn the system. Right now, he looks like a good SS because he can fall back on his hitting skills where they arent asking him to do too much. As his awareness and IQ develops, he'll be able to transition to FS. IMO.

 

He definitely has the range and the phsicaly profile to suggest he should be able to play free safety but at the moment I don't think he is close to there mentally. Still way too many mistakes.