Here's John Clayton's latest assessment of the Bills:
He's not alone. It's obvious that many media "experts" are skeptical of our upcoming season because we've lost all these big name players, which they just can't see past. But how do these big name players really stack up?
Linebackers:
London Fletcher was #3 in tackles. Big loss to us. But Spikes was ranked #68, behind Crowell @ #59 and just above Ellison @ #75. Losing London hurts, but we gained Posluzsny and if he's any good, the hit isn't so big.
D-backs:
Nate Clements was #56 in tackles, whereas Whitner was #5, McGee was #41, and Simpson was #42. 3 interceptions, 19 passes defeneded (though that's pretty good).
Replaceable. Way overrated.
Runningbacks:
Willis McGahee was ranked #21 in yards/game, or 36 in yards/att (among backs with 100+ carries), behind guys like Willie Parker, Tatum Bell, and even Ladell Betts for crying out loud.
No big loss.
All in all, what hurt us the most was the loss of Fletcher. Spikes is completely replaceable, as is McGahee. Depends on the development of Youboty, the loss of Clements could have minor effect. Plus we gained a lot in offensive line, which is a big step towards helping our defense.
Discuss.
Are the Bills really better at linebacker without Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher?
A follow-up question is whether the Bills are as good at running back with Marshawn Lynch replacing Willis McGahee. Naturally, the Bills wanted Patrick Willis to be their first-round pick. He would have been the anchor to their linebacking corps, but the 49ers drafted him one spot ahead of the Bills. Marv Levy believes he found a new Shane Conlin with the second-round selection of Paul Posluszny.
Spikes and Fletcher are gone, so the linebacking group has been completely overhauled. With a defensive line that isn't dominating, it is hard to tell whether the defense is even better. Making things worse is the loss of Nate Clements at cornerback. The Bills are hoping to get by with Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty. As a low-revenue team, the Bills have to cut some financial corners. It remains to be seen whether they cut their collective throats by losing too many key defenders.
A follow-up question is whether the Bills are as good at running back with Marshawn Lynch replacing Willis McGahee. Naturally, the Bills wanted Patrick Willis to be their first-round pick. He would have been the anchor to their linebacking corps, but the 49ers drafted him one spot ahead of the Bills. Marv Levy believes he found a new Shane Conlin with the second-round selection of Paul Posluszny.
Spikes and Fletcher are gone, so the linebacking group has been completely overhauled. With a defensive line that isn't dominating, it is hard to tell whether the defense is even better. Making things worse is the loss of Nate Clements at cornerback. The Bills are hoping to get by with Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty. As a low-revenue team, the Bills have to cut some financial corners. It remains to be seen whether they cut their collective throats by losing too many key defenders.
He's not alone. It's obvious that many media "experts" are skeptical of our upcoming season because we've lost all these big name players, which they just can't see past. But how do these big name players really stack up?
Linebackers:
London Fletcher was #3 in tackles. Big loss to us. But Spikes was ranked #68, behind Crowell @ #59 and just above Ellison @ #75. Losing London hurts, but we gained Posluzsny and if he's any good, the hit isn't so big.
D-backs:
Nate Clements was #56 in tackles, whereas Whitner was #5, McGee was #41, and Simpson was #42. 3 interceptions, 19 passes defeneded (though that's pretty good).
Replaceable. Way overrated.
Runningbacks:
Willis McGahee was ranked #21 in yards/game, or 36 in yards/att (among backs with 100+ carries), behind guys like Willie Parker, Tatum Bell, and even Ladell Betts for crying out loud.
No big loss.
All in all, what hurt us the most was the loss of Fletcher. Spikes is completely replaceable, as is McGahee. Depends on the development of Youboty, the loss of Clements could have minor effect. Plus we gained a lot in offensive line, which is a big step towards helping our defense.
Discuss.
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