Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

[justasportsfan]

Taking a look back at the 2010 campaign one quickly realizes that by Week 2, one starting inside linebacker was out of the lineup with a sprained knee and the other had torn a labrum in his shoulder and would be lost for the season just five weeks later. It’s amazing the group was able to hold things together. What those setbacks did however, was show how much the inside linebacker position needed depth, which was addressed in this past spring’s NFL draft.

“We drafted a couple of young kids so hopefully we can create some good competition there and be better,” said Wannstedt.

Buffalo’s inside linebackers coach is referring to third-round pick Kelvin Sheppard and sixth-round pick Chris White. The pair is forecast to line up at inside linebacker once they step on the field for the Bills in the practice setting.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Bills-ILB-corps-has-healthy-mix/dfe8d853-5329-4bbf-90da-37b2ac059ffb

[OpIv37]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

It’s amazing the group was able to hold things together

um, we were DEAD LAST against the run and lost numerous games largely because of the D's inability to get off the field.

So, what exactly did they hold together?

[WeAreArthurMoates]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

I really like the Chris White drafting, I think in time the kid can become a good ILBer, and will be a special team demon.

[don137]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

um, we were DEAD LAST against the run and lost numerous games largely because of the D's inability to get off the field.

So, what exactly did they hold together?

I agree Op. This run defense held up about as successful as trying to nail jello to a wall...

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

A healthy mix of average players, below average players, horrible players and unproven players.

Works for me.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

chris white and shepp were all sec. i would guess that poz, shepp, and white will be the ilb rotation... torbor will have to beat out davis or coleman... out of davis coleman and torbor, one will be cut. probably torbor because of his age... davis is also a better ilb than torbor so that would be my guess.

merriman/moats/coleman
poz/white
shepp/davis
kelsay/batten

[OpIv37]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

merriman/moats/coleman
poz/white
shepp/davis
kelsay/batten

Two rookies, two 2nd year players (one who didn't play at all last year), a vet coming off injury, two career back-ups, the very average Poz, and Kelsay who shouldn't be on the team.

Yup, Lecter nailed it.

[OpIv37]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

and you forgot Maybin but that's an understandable oversight. He's very forgettable and I don't see him contributing, even if he makes the cut.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

and you forgot Maybin but that's an understandable oversight. He's very forgettable and I don't see him contributing, even if he makes the cut.

i dont see maybin getting past coleman, coleman has a first step plus hes stronger and more stout. white was a stud at miss st. he was very good. he will backup poz. davis will last longer as a backup for 1 year. plus hes better than torbor inside. i dont really see any rookie fas beating out davis for that backup job behind shepp... jmo

keep in mind batten can play inside in an emergency

[Night Train]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

In the 2 drafts under Nix, they selected Troup and Dareus at DT, Batten, Sheppard & White at ILB.

Looks like the Bills are concerned about production up the middle. Time will tell if these guys can take play away from very average to below average players currently starting there.

[tampabay25690]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

I think are middle of Williams, Dareus, and Troup will be much better this year and to be honest distruptive...
This only helps are LB crew...

[DraftBoy]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

I think are middle of Williams, Dareus, and Troup will be much better this year and to be honest distruptive...
This only helps are LB crew...

Asking Troup to play out of position and relying on a rookie is very risky. That's not saying they can't do it though.

[tampabay25690]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

Asking Troup to play out of position and relying on a rookie is very risky. That's not saying they can't do it though.

DB what do u mean out of position?
I still think u will see a dose of 4-3 with Dareus and Williams or Troup right in the middle....
They definitely won't run a strict 3-4

[DraftBoy]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

DB what do u mean out of position?
I still think u will see a dose of 4-3 with Dareus and Williams or Troup right in the middle....
They definitely won't run a strict 3-4

But they will run a base 34 set so where does Troup fit? We didnt take a 2nd round pick just to spell Williams.

[EDS]

Re: Bills ILB corps has healthy mix

But they will run a base 34 set so where does Troup fit? We didnt take a 2nd round pick just to spell Williams.

Yes they did. Heck the used a first last year on a back-up RB.