Honest discussion of our D Line

[GASabresIUFan]

I’ll begin by saying I like what Beane has done so far to improve the D line with the draft still to go. On paper this line should be more effective at stopping the run, but it seems about the same in rushing the QB with upside if Bosa remains healthy.

 

Here is how things stand 

DE - Groot, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Hoecht (DT/LB)

DT - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Ogunjobi, Lodge

Ogunjobi is an upgrade on Austin Johnson, Bosa is an upgrade on AJE and Miller when healthy and Hoecht fills the utility role held by Smoot last season.  My biggest concern with Bosa, besides his health, is whether McD will again push Groot to the right side to accommodate Bosa like they did with Miller.  This is not the highest and best use of Rousseau’s talent IMHO.

 

The best part of the Bosa signing is that he is a 3 down player and he hopefully send AJE to the bench or off the team.  I am not a fan.  The Bills can save a decent amount in cap if they release him and the truth is he is mediocre against the run and his pressure rate was terrible last season.  I’d much rather Bosa rotate with Solomon, Hoecht and whomever they draft.  My hope is a good edge rusher falls to the Bills at 30.  That player then has a good camp earning PT above AJE and the tackling challenged Solomon.

 

I am looking forward to watching DTs Oliver, Jones, Carter and Ogunjobi play the interior this season.  I believe Ogunjobi can challenge Jones for the starting job.  With Ogunjobi and Carter on one year deals at this point, finding a DT early in this draft is also still an imperative.

The ultimate question is has Beane done enough to improve our defense against the run and our pass rush?  

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by GASabresIUFan

[billsfan89]

D-Line in terms of vet and prime talent looks very good. Bosa/Ogunjobi/Hoecht should plug in nicely while the left over talent of Ed Oliver, Groot, AJE, Daquon, Solomon and Carter are a nice group. But I think the Bills are going to draft DL twice with their first three picks and that's going to likely be what puts the group over the top and solidifies it long term. If the Bills can get a big presence at DT and a good edge prospect in rounds 1-2 I think that puts this unit in elite territory and solidifies it longer term given that Bosa/Daquon/Ogunjobi are older while AJE is an expiring contract. 

 

I would have preferred a big time war daddy difference maker but Bosa if he can be close to that for 7-9 games that might be the bridge rookies need to step into larger roles. 

[JimmyNoodles]

Honesty hurts.  

[MasterStrategist]

Let's revisit after draft.

 

Fully expect 1, possibly 2, premium picks used on DL.   Daquon could be let go.  Aje isn't a lock, but I'd say highly likely to stay as of now.

 

Beane has options, which he usually prefers heading into draft.

[Gregg]

This is supposed to be a strong draft class for DL, so I expect the Bills to select one or two of them. Have to build for the long-term future as well  not just next year.

Edited 5 hours ago by Gregg

[DJB]

Bosa can play both sides so this shouldn’t be an issue 

[GASabresIUFan]

I am fully expecting a DT and Edge rusher with 2 of our 3 premium picks.  I also expect the 3rd pick to be used on a CB.  However, draftees see limited PT as rookies under McD. There are some exceptions, but they are few and far between.  

[ColoradoBills]

1 minute ago, DJB said:

Bosa can play both sides so this shouldn’t be an issue 

 

So does Groot.  Hoecht moves around.  Get a DT 1-Tech in the draft.

I think there is enough talent for the DL to excel, just need to use these guys right.

Let's try confusing the opponents OL please.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Hoecht isn’t a LB or DT. When he was 311 pounds, he was a DT.

 

When he trimmed down to 267, he played OLB in a 3-4.
 

He’s a DE here, who will crash inside on rush downs like Smoot and Lawson.

[finn]

28 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

I’ll begin by saying I like what Beane has done so far to improve the D line with the draft still to go. On paper this line should be more effective at stopping the run, but it seems about the same in rushing the QB with upside if Bosa remains healthy.

 

Here is how things stand 

DE - Groot, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Hoecht (DT/LB)

DT - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Ogunjobi, Lodge

Ogunjobi is an upgrade on Austin Johnson, Bosa is an upgrade on AJE and Miller when healthy and Hoecht fills the utility role held by Smoot last season.  My biggest concern with Bosa, besides his health, is whether McD will again push Groot to the right side to accommodate Bosa like they did with Miller.  This is not the highest and best use of Rousseau’s talent IMHO.

 

The best part of the Bosa signing is that he is a 3 down player and he hopefully send AJE to the bench or off the team.  I am not a fan.  The Bills can save a decent amount in cap if they release him and the truth is he is mediocre against the run and his pressure rate was terrible last season.  I’d much rather Bosa rotate with Solomon, Hoecht and whomever they draft.  My hope is a good edge rusher falls to the Bills at 30.  That player then has a good camp earning PT above AJE and the tackling challenged Solomon.

 

I am looking forward to watching DTs Oliver, Jones, Carter and Ogunjobi play the interior this season.  I believe Ogunjobi can challenge Jones for the starting job.  With Ogunjobi and Carter on one year deals at this point, finding a DT early in this draft is also still an imperative.

The ultimate question is has Beane done enough to improve our defense against the run and our pass rush?  

 

 

I don't think he has. As you say, the players he's signed, along with Palmer at WR, might be slight upgrades, but I don't see them as much more than than. So far, Beane is just shuffling his feet. The draft might produce a difference maker, but how often does that happen, picking so late?

 

No, as fun as it is hearing about new players joining the Bills, objectively speaking, this new-look line will likely get the same results as the last two years. That doesn't mean I won't be hoping that Bosa will light it up from one side, freeing up the monster in Groot on the other side while Ogunjobi and Oliver collapse the pocket. Hey, it's the offseason!

[SoonerBillsFan]

38 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

I’ll begin by saying I like what Beane has done so far to improve the D line with the draft still to go. On paper this line should be more effective at stopping the run, but it seems about the same in rushing the QB with upside if Bosa remains healthy.

 

Here is how things stand 

DE - Groot, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Hoecht (DT/LB)

DT - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Ogunjobi, Lodge

Ogunjobi is an upgrade on Austin Johnson, Bosa is an upgrade on AJE and Miller when healthy and Hoecht fills the utility role held by Smoot last season.  My biggest concern with Bosa, besides his health, is whether McD will again push Groot to the right side to accommodate Bosa like they did with Miller.  This is not the highest and best use of Rousseau’s talent IMHO.

 

The best part of the Bosa signing is that he is a 3 down player and he hopefully send AJE to the bench or off the team.  I am not a fan.  The Bills can save a decent amount in cap if they release him and the truth is he is mediocre against the run and his pressure rate was terrible last season.  I’d much rather Bosa rotate with Solomon, Hoecht and whomever they draft.  My hope is a good edge rusher falls to the Bills at 30.  That player then has a good camp earning PT above AJE and the tackling challenged Solomon.

 

I am looking forward to watching DTs Oliver, Jones, Carter and Ogunjobi play the interior this season.  I believe Ogunjobi can challenge Jones for the starting job.  With Ogunjobi and Carter on one year deals at this point, finding a DT early in this draft is also still an imperative.

The ultimate question is has Beane done enough to improve our defense against the run and our pass rush?  

 

 

We are much better off than we were the end of the season and NO we are not done adding. We will still address DE, DT in the draft. But as of right now, our pass rush is much better. 

[oldmanfan]

42 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

I’ll begin by saying I like what Beane has done so far to improve the D line with the draft still to go. On paper this line should be more effective at stopping the run, but it seems about the same in rushing the QB with upside if Bosa remains healthy.

 

Here is how things stand 

DE - Groot, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Hoecht (DT/LB)

DT - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Ogunjobi, Lodge

Ogunjobi is an upgrade on Austin Johnson, Bosa is an upgrade on AJE and Miller when healthy and Hoecht fills the utility role held by Smoot last season.  My biggest concern with Bosa, besides his health, is whether McD will again push Groot to the right side to accommodate Bosa like they did with Miller.  This is not the highest and best use of Rousseau’s talent IMHO.

 

The best part of the Bosa signing is that he is a 3 down player and he hopefully send AJE to the bench or off the team.  I am not a fan.  The Bills can save a decent amount in cap if they release him and the truth is he is mediocre against the run and his pressure rate was terrible last season.  I’d much rather Bosa rotate with Solomon, Hoecht and whomever they draft.  My hope is a good edge rusher falls to the Bills at 30.  That player then has a good camp earning PT above AJE and the tackling challenged Solomon.

 

I am looking forward to watching DTs Oliver, Jones, Carter and Ogunjobi play the interior this season.  I believe Ogunjobi can challenge Jones for the starting job.  With Ogunjobi and Carter on one year deals at this point, finding a DT early in this draft is also still an imperative.

The ultimate question is has Beane done enough to improve our defense against the run and our pass rush?  

 

 

On paper, yes.

[hondo in seattle]

58 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

I’ll begin by saying I like what Beane has done so far to improve the D line with the draft still to go. On paper this line should be more effective at stopping the run, but it seems about the same in rushing the QB with upside if Bosa remains healthy.

 

Here is how things stand 

DE - Groot, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Hoecht (DT/LB)

DT - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Ogunjobi, Lodge

Ogunjobi is an upgrade on Austin Johnson, Bosa is an upgrade on AJE and Miller when healthy and Hoecht fills the utility role held by Smoot last season.  My biggest concern with Bosa, besides his health, is whether McD will again push Groot to the right side to accommodate Bosa like they did with Miller.  This is not the highest and best use of Rousseau’s talent IMHO.

 

The best part of the Bosa signing is that he is a 3 down player and he hopefully send AJE to the bench or off the team.  I am not a fan.  The Bills can save a decent amount in cap if they release him and the truth is he is mediocre against the run and his pressure rate was terrible last season.  I’d much rather Bosa rotate with Solomon, Hoecht and whomever they draft.  My hope is a good edge rusher falls to the Bills at 30.  That player then has a good camp earning PT above AJE and the tackling challenged Solomon.

 

I am looking forward to watching DTs Oliver, Jones, Carter and Ogunjobi play the interior this season.  I believe Ogunjobi can challenge Jones for the starting job.  With Ogunjobi and Carter on one year deals at this point, finding a DT early in this draft is also still an imperative.

The ultimate question is has Beane done enough to improve our defense against the run and our pass rush?  

 

 

 

DL was one of the weak spots on a team dreaming to reach the SB.  I'd personally like to see a massive upgrade.  I think, so far, we're treading water.  But let's see what the draft brings.  

[BuffaloBill]

33 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Hoecht isn’t a LB or DT. When he was 311 pounds, he was a DT.

 

When he trimmed down to 267, he played OLB in a 3-4.
 

He’s a DE here, who will crash inside on rush downs like Smoot and Lawson.

 

This^^^ the bills like this tweener role. He is supposed to be good at setting the edge which was a Lawson role. He may also allow the Bills to run more stunts.

[Warriorspikes51]

Personally, I’d sign Calais Campbell and draft Kenneth Grant. Release DaQuan

 

Ogunjobi, Grant

Oliver, Campbell

Carter

 

That’s a fairly strong rotation inside

[chris heff]

They are not going to use all 10 draft picks, if there is a DT or DE they really like expect them to move up. 

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

This is supposed to be a strong draft class for DL, so I expect the Bills to select one or two of them. Have to build for the long-term future as well  not just next year.

Right now Carter and Solomon are the only “prospects” along the D-Line, Bills are in a good position in a deep draft class for D-Line to add 2 picks in rounds 1-2 to solidify both the short term depth and long term future of the D-Line while still having a pick in the first two rounds to address a need elsewhere 

[Warriorspikes51]

21 minutes ago, chris heff said:

They are not going to use all 10 draft picks, if there is a DT or DE they really like expect them to move up. 

Kenneth Grant seems like an instant stud. Get him

[Sweats]

For the most part, not being able to stop the run last year really didn't hurt us all that badly.........yeah, we gave away the Ravens game in the first match-up and assembled all of our resources the 2nd time we played and stopped Henry, but other than that, there really wasn't too many times where we were steam rolled into submission through anyone's run game.

 

As limited in talent as our D was and as much as we all yelled at our tv's to stop teams from running on us, we did an adequate job with what we had to work with.

 

Defending the passing game is another story, however.

We always seem to give 10-15 yards cushions, play soft and seem to let teams dink and dunk all over us all over the field........the passing game is where i see where the problem lies IMO.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

I’d expect Bosa to play about 50% of the defensive snaps, that worked pretty well for him last year. 
 

We just need to cross our fingers with him.