Frazier on the LBers

[YardRat]

http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2017/07/the_most_interesting_things_buffalo_bills_leslie_frazier_said_on_siriusxms_late.html

Although plenty can change between now and Week 1 of the regular season, Frazier shed light on Buffalo's linebacker situation when he told Marvez and Polian that Buffalo's starting linebackers are currently Lorenzo Alexander, Preston Brown and Ramon Humber. Frazier first talked about the middle linebacker position and a player that he says needs to be a leader for the Bills.

"At middle linebacker, Preston Brown. A guy who has a ton of potential. He's been a starter in this league. He's a guy who we're counting on to really step up and be a leader for us in our 4-3 scheme. The middle linebacker is so, so important."
Frazier made no mention of second year linebacker Reggie Ragland during his segment on Late Hits, but that doesn't mean the former Alabama linebacker is out of the middle linebacker competition. Heading into training camp, Brown appears to be the favorite at middle linebacker.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

That is possibly the worst 4-3 LB corps in the NFL. This constant scheme switching hopefully stops here for a while.

[Mace]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

You'd think he'd be "excited over the competition at mlb" if Ragland was really in the mlb conversation. I guess it's early yet.

Agree with Paranoid though...that's a feeble looking lb corps.

[Forward_Lateral]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

You can't pencil a guy who has never played a down in the NFL, and is coming off of a major injury (Ragland) into the starting lineup. He has to earn it.

[Topas]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I am afraid that Tyrod is actually better than anticipated and I really like McDermott. That all leads me to think that we might actually win some games which would screw our chances to get a good Qb next year. Then I think about Frazier and our D, especially our LBs and then I smile and google "Sam Darnold".
Only problem is if Kyle motivates Dareus. But I am confident that Dareus will not disappoint me.

[streetkings01]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I am afraid that Tyrod is actually better than anticipated and I really like McDermott. That all leads me to think that we might actually win some games which would screw our chances to get a good Qb next year. Then I think about Frazier and our D, especially our LBs and then I smile and google "Sam Darnold".
Only problem is if Kyle motivates Dareus. But I am confident that Dareus will not disappoint me.

Please explain how that's a bad thing?

[jimmifli]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

Our Dline is so good the LBs will look better than they are.

My big worry is that the offense can't match last year's output. If we could keep the scoring and get the defense to not be among the league's worst we'd be in good shape.

[Mace]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

You can't pencil a guy who has never played a down in the NFL, and is coming off of a major injury (Ragland) into the starting lineup. He has to earn it.

Not pencil him in by any means. But so far they've been all about talking competition for spots. Brown isn't a given excellence as an lb (not saying he's terrible though either) where Frazier couldn't talk up being being pleased having a "solid" vet and a "young talent", which I suppose I would have expected.

I'm not getting overly focused on it, just an observation. I think Ragland has some major lb chops and will show it, I'm not anti-Brown, and it's early.

Regardless of which one is there though, he's going to need to be able to cover a zone and plug a hole fast. If the best available guy to do that at mlb is Cardale Jones I won't be upset.

[Ed]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I still expect Ragland to win a starting job at LB. It's hard to imagine him not being one of our top 3 LBs considering how weak the unit is, but at the same time he's never looked like a good fit for this D so who knows. Either way I expect LB to be a top need heading into next season. I'd also rather see one of the rookies they just drafted start at OLB over Humber. Even if they struggle at least they'll get some valuable experience. And maybe they'll even end up being a pleasant surprise. Starting Humber just seems like a waste.

[kgun12]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I am afraid that Tyrod is actually better than anticipated and I really like McDermott. That all leads me to think that we might actually win some games which would screw our chances to get a good Qb next year. Then I think about Frazier and our D, especially our LBs and then I smile and google "Sam Darnold".
Only problem is if Kyle motivates Dareus. But I am confident that Dareus will not disappoint me.

So let me get this start, your worried that our present QB will be good and in turn won't draft a QB because the team is winning or is it that you like the coach but want TT to suck so we can draft a QB which will take 2-3 years to play the position and then the coach you like gets fired, REALLY?

[YardRat]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I really want to know what Niles thinks of the secondary.

[Mace]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I really want to know what Niles thinks of the secondary.

It's going to be an um, interesting year like it or not. I'd be happy with a couple good pieces. I think Hyde and White at least will be two of them.

[Turf]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

So let me get this start, your worried that our present QB will be good and in turn won't draft a QB because the team is winning or is it that you like the coach but want TT to suck so we can draft a QB which will take 2-3 years to play the position and then the coach you like gets fired, REALLY?

Yeah, because all of these guys want to do is play NFL draft forever. They have no concept of today or winning. ****ing morons.

[Goobylal]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

Darnold might not even declare next year. It would be dumb to tank for him when he could say "the Bills have the first pick? I'm not coming out this year."

As for the starting LB corps I'm hoping it's made up of Ragland, Brown, and Hodges when all is said and done.

[swiper]

Re: Frazier on the LBers

I am afraid that Tyrod is actually better than anticipated and I really like McDermott. That all leads me to think that we might actually win some games which would screw our chances to get a good Qb next year. Then I think about Frazier and our D, especially our LBs and then I smile and google "Sam Darnold".
Only problem is if Kyle motivates Dareus. But I am confident that Dareus will not disappoint me.

Kyle doesn't need to do it. If the Bills new DL coach can't motivate Dareus, no one will. He motivated Robert Quinn in St. Louis.