Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

[Pinkerton Security]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=4248108

Paul Posluszny, LB, Buffalo Bills
Another middle linebacker, Posluszny would likely already be one of the AFC East's Ultimate Building Blocks had he not fractured his forearm three games into the 2007 season. In what effectively served as his rookie year in 2008, Posluszny showed signs of becoming an excellent middle linebacker. He made 14.7 percent of his team's plays on the ground, eighth among 4-3 middle linebackers; furthermore, he made tackles in important places. He had a stop rate of 54 percent, meaning that 63 of his 116 plays prevented the opposition from achieving a "successful" outcome on the play (defined here as gaining 40 percent of the needed yardage for a first down on first down, 60 percent on second down, or 100 percent on third or fourth down); that figure was sixth among 4-3 middle linebackers.

He has still some work to go as a pass defender and as a pass-rusher, but the Bills count on him primarily to be an elite run-stopper at linebacker. If he's not quite there yet, he very well may be after this season.

[yordad]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

He made 14.7 percent of his team's plays on the ground, eighth among 4-3 middle linebackers; furthermore, he made tackles in important places. He had a stop rate of 54 percent, meaning that 63 of his 116 plays prevented the opposition from achieving a "successful" outcome on the play (defined here as gaining 40 percent of the needed yardage for a first down on first down, 60 percent on second down, or 100 percent on third or fourth down); that figure was sixth among 4-3 middle linebackers.

IMO, those stats are more telling then the common ones.

[Luisito23]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

Nice read, thanks Dog!

[X-Era]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insid...ory?id=4248108

Paul Posluszny, LB, Buffalo Bills
Another middle linebacker, Posluszny would likely already be one of the AFC East's Ultimate Building Blocks had he not fractured his forearm three games into the 2007 season. In what effectively served as his rookie year in 2008, Posluszny showed signs of becoming an excellent middle linebacker. He made 14.7 percent of his team's plays on the ground, eighth among 4-3 middle linebackers; furthermore, he made tackles in important places. He had a stop rate of 54 percent, meaning that 63 of his 116 plays prevented the opposition from achieving a "successful" outcome on the play (defined here as gaining 40 percent of the needed yardage for a first down on first down, 60 percent on second down, or 100 percent on third or fourth down); that figure was sixth among 4-3 middle linebackers.

He has still some work to go as a pass defender and as a pass-rusher, but the Bills count on him primarily to be an elite run-stopper at linebacker. If he's not quite there yet, he very well may be after this season.

Hes got loads of potential. I would so have loved to see us get a bigtime OLB to complement him and Mitchell. It would have been a special group.

Ill take Brandon Spikes in the 1st in the 2010 draft.

He runs as a ILB in a 5-2 scheme but with only 2 LB'ers he certainly can cover enough ground to do the job at OLB. Hes one of my favorite players in all of 2010. I think he may end up being a top 10 pick.

[psubills62]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

Hes got loads of potential. I would so have loved to see us get a bigtime OLB to complement him and Mitchell. It would have been a special group.

Ill take Brandon Spikes in the 1st in the 2010 draft.

He runs as a ILB in a 5-2 scheme but with only 2 LB'ers he certainly can cover enough ground to do the job at OLB. Hes one of my favorite players in all of 2010. I think he may end up being a top 10 pick.

Spikes would be pretty awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if the ideal situation there is to move Poz outside and have Spikes inside, although Poz would have more experience at that point.

I gotta go homer though, because if Navorro Bowman decides to go pro after this coming season, I would LOVE to have him. It's too bad he's had some character issues, because he's a first-round talent. The kid knows how to tackle and does everything pretty well (pass coverage, pass rush, get off blocks, wraps up in open space, etc.).

[BertSquirtgum]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

the polish prince is going to be beastly this year

[BillsHound]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

I thought this was an interesting read. It's by a guy who used to work for the Pats and who is going to be covering the Bills for CBSSports.com. He says in this article that Belichick didn't even have Poz rated on his draft board. I guess teams don't view players the same.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/177862-paul-posluszny-is-a-rising-star-for-the-buffalo-bills-defense

"I worked for the New England Patriots the year Posluszny was drafted and it’s interesting to note how different teams viewed him coming out of Penn State.

I know for a fact that Bill Belichick and the Patriots had Posluszny rated as a priority free agent, which is to say he wasn’t even on New England’s draft board.

Granted, the Patriots and Bills run different defensive schemes and aren’t looking for the same kind of players to inject into their systems, but it’s intriguing to see how one player can be valued so differently by two NFL scouting departments.

Posluszny was off to a strong rookie campaign before he broke his forearm against those very same Patriots in the third game of the year, ending his season. I was in the Bills' locker room after that game and Posluszny was visibly upset over his injury.

You could see he was a leader even as a rookie and his teammates rallied around him, inspired by his fiery reaction to the injury.


One defensive player said “that kid has a lot of heart,” responding to Posluszny's declaration that he would be on the field the following week, even with a broken forearm."

[SeatownBillsFan21]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

I do like Poz but i think were setting ourselves up for a huge let down to think he will some day be a Pro Bowl caliber LB in this league.

[Mike]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

Agreed

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

I love Poz. He's Urlacher in the making. I'm sure of it.

[casdhf]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

He'll be the leader of this defense for 10 years. Pro Bowls or not, I think that it will be worth what we gave up to select him.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

I do like Poz but i think were setting ourselves up for a huge let down to think he will some day be a Pro Bowl caliber LB in this league.

After reading those stats why would you make this comment?

[The Jokeman]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

I clicked on the link to the article and was saddened to learn the Bills only have 1 player listed about the division top 10 building blocks. What made matters worse is it was for Marshawn Lynch who's not even going to play a full season this year. In terms of Poz, they stats sound impressive but will admit I haven't warmed up to him as much as everyone else as seen him struggle in coverage and don't recall many game breaking plays. Time will tell but in all honesty looking back think a better plan of attack would have been to stay put where we were in the draft and not traded up for him.

[yordad]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

Who else was on the list?

[SeatownBillsFan21]

Re: Poz is an Ultimate Building Block

After reading those stats why would you make this comment?

Well for one he plays outta position.And for another Perry Fewell is our DC.