McDermott discusses starting LBs

[Ed]

There have been a lot of questions/uncertainty regarding the LB positions and who would start and where. McDermott has now provided some answers. I'm not really buying Humber as a starter, but I thought it was interesting that he doesn't seem to be considering Preston Brown for a role at OLB after stating that Ragland will be the starting MLB.

Per Mike Rodak:
Sean McDermott says he envisions 2016 second-round pick Reggie Ragland starting at middle linebacker, comparing his role to former Panthers LB Luke Kuechly and Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter. Ragland missed all of last season with a torn ACL. Where does that leave Preston Brown? McDermott says middle linebacker too, but doesn't label him a starter. Brown started each of the past three seasons for Buffalo, wearing the play call helmet.

Bills coach Sean McDermott says Ramon Humber and Lorenzo Alexander are currently slated to be his outside linebackers in 4-3 defense. That's a jump for Humber, who was almost exclusively a special teams player last season for Buffalo.

[Mouldsie]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

yikes.... we need 3 new LB's

[EDS]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

That makes the back 7 on defense sound down right horrible.

[Wally The Barber]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

Oh sure lets assume Ragland will be 100% next season while Zach Brown signs with the Dolphins!
We sit around watching our injured starters on the bench come week #1
Same ol Bills

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

yikes.... we need 3 new LB's

Can we watch Raglan before throw him in the garbage pile?

[The King]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

This is why the Bills aren't going to spend $$ on Zach Brown.

[Mouldsie]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

Can we watch Raglan before throw him in the garbage pile?

You can, I never wanted him drafted but lived with it in a 3-4.... in a 4-3 cover 2? *shudder*


He should be competing at SLB

[Goobylal]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

Oh sure lets assume Ragland will be 100% next season while Zach Brown signs with the Dolphins!
We sit around watching our injured starters on the bench come week #1
Same ol Bills

Miami only offered him a 1-year deal for $3-4M. They're out.

[Cali512]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

yikes.... we need 3 new LB's

I've been saying for months that Preston will be traded. He doesn't fit the way this team is being built

Zo will take on Shaq Thompsons role
Reggie will be Luke
Humber fits Davis' size. Davis 6-1 235, humber 5-11 233. If he can just get to 240 he'd be a good fit

We can always get more competition in the draft also.

[Mouldsie]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

Reggie is no Luke. Not even close.

[Cali512]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

Reggie is no Luke. Not even close.

Are you saying that to me or Lukes former DC?

Because neither one of us said he was Luke, we said he'd pay his position.

Also Reggie looked amazing in college. His tackling is incredible and he reminded me a lot of Vontaze

[Thurmal]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

This team needs a S or LB at #10 badly. Shouldn't even be looking at WRs.

[Mouldsie]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

I'm being hard on him because I don't think his game translates well to the NFL level and he's not going to be a 3 down player here. He's a Brandon Spikes type, excellent at a specific role. Not worth the cost it took to acquire him IMO.... but I hope to be proven wrong.

I'd rather have Reuben Foster ON THE FIELD... not off.

[TigerJ]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

I have had a nagging concern about the linebacking right along. I think Ragland will be OK. He doesn't have the elite athleticism of Kuechly, but then not too many linebackers do. He is a decent athlete at least. I think McDermott can tweak the scheme enough that Ragland would have to show quite the range that Kuechly does. The real challenge will be at outside linebacker. I think Lorenzo is going to be asked to do a lot of things that he's never had to do much of before. He's smart and he's experienced, and has a great attitude. The big question is whether or not he has the skill set. Humber may actually be a better match in terms of size and athleticism that Lorenzo for a 4-3 outside linebacker. The question with Humber is whether or not he'll be up to the increased responsibility. I still wouldn't be surprised if the Bills draft an outside linebacker.

[Cali512]

Re: McDermott discusses starting LBs

This team needs a S or LB at #10 badly. Shouldn't even be looking at WRs.

This Lb class isn't great, and we signed 2 safeties. Hyde will probably be our FS, and Poyer was going to be the browns starting SS before being injured. They are also both being paid good money.

To say we don't need a WR is asinine. We needed a WR when we had Woods, Watkins, and Hogan. Now we just have Watkins and we all of a sudden are better off at that position than a position that has been addressed and a LB core with a 2nd round pick, pro bowler, and 2 average guys?