Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

[Woodman]

Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB position for now, per Brandon Beane - Buffalo Rumblings

Beane confirmed to host Chris Brown that rookie linebacker Dorian Williams, a third-round pick out of Tulane in the 2023 NFL Draft, will focus on playing WLB for now rather than cross-training at middle linebacker. Williams played middle linebacker at Tulane, and he even played middle linebacker in the spring for Buffalo. However, most of the scouting reports on him suggest that he is a better fit on the weak side than he is as a middle, and that’s where he’ll start his first NFL training camp.

[sukie]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

With only 2 true LBs on the field, where is the middle and what side is weak?

[YardRat]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

With only 2 true LBs on the field, where is the middle and what side is weak?

The middle is where we've been exposed for the last five seasons, and the weak went to Chicago.

[jamze132]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

Buffalo doesn’t care about a “better fit” because they could have turned Edmunds into an All Pro. Instead they jammed a square peg into a round hole for years.

[YardRat]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

"Let's take an edge/outside lber and make him play the middle."
"Good idea!"
"Well, that didn't work. Let's take a middle linebacker and make him play outside this time."
"Good idea!"

[Canadian'eh!]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

Considering McD built his Carolina D around one of the best MLBs of the last 10-12 years, you’d think he put a lot more emphasis on the position. I truly don’t understand what this D has been doing at MLB since he got here. Edmunds was a finesse guy who doesn’t like contact, and got big money from Chicago to NOT play MLB. I don’t think he’s worth what he got, but at least they knew that he doesn’t have the grit or instincts to play inside.

meanwhile, the teams solution is to keep rolling out the severely limited AJ Klein. No wonder we struggle vs good running teams.

[Night Train]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

LB's are glorified Safties today.

We're not opening the 1988 season again with a "true" MLB.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

Watched the Beane interview with OBL. You can tell everyone feels that Dorian is not ready, i.e. hesitant. And Tasker kept saying someone with pads on is a nothing, especially for a position like LB, which I think is pointed at Bernard. At this point, I feel like if we can stop the run from MLB better than Edmunds, which Dodson is supposed to be, then we are even. The last thing I want is our aging safeties taking/giving punishment in RBs play in and play out, which I feel is a bigger issue than people realized.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

Well. Whaddya know.

Now, all we need to do is finally realize that Milano is the best option we currently have to play the middle.

[notacon]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

LB's are glorified Safties today.

We're not opening the 1988 season again with a "true" MLB.

It’s pretty clear that a 4-2-5 defense does not have a true “MLB”....although that IS the guy who gets the defensive calls into his helmet and makes the on field call and is considered the “QB of the defense".

The more accurate calcification is where Dorian Williams is pegged...weak side LB....or the one lined up on weak side (duh!!!) with no TE opposite of him.

Milano is more effective on the weak side. It’s pretty simple. There is no reason to move him.

There is no one close to being able to replace Edmunds' superior skill set and outstanding performance for the Bills for five years. Those trolls cheering his leaving are spouting idiotic baloney that shows they know a LOT less about football than they think they do.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

I thought McDermott in his presser yesterday said he's open to have someone else to call defensive plays.

This year it is going to tell us what is the impact of no Edmunds. Among all the 1st round picks in McDermott and Beane era, he's first one that didn't get re-signed. Not saying he's complete flop, but certainly not a must have in the management's eyes.

[JoeMama]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

LB's are glorified Safties today.

We're not opening the 1988 season again with a "true" MLB.

Hell I'd settle for 1998.

I miss the old 3-4 days when we had Holecek and Cowart roving the middle. Those two had perfect synthesis.

Also helped that they had Ted Washington up front eating up 3 linemen.

[Forward_Lateral]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

There is no MLB in this defense, for the 9800th time. They play with 2 linebackers. A left and a right.

Unless McDermott switches base defenses, which I highly doubt, there is no need for a MLB. I don't know why people can't get that through their heads

[Mace]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

To me anyway....it hints at using 3 lbs more often when 2 can react with speed. I'd put Klein in the middle. He's not a dazzler...but he knows the game and readibg an offense. Dodson is a wildcard.

They need change.

[YardRat]

Re: Bills LB Dorian Williams focusing on WLB

There is no MLB in this defense, for the 9800th time. They play with 2 linebackers. A left and a right.

Unless McDermott switches base defenses, which I highly doubt, there is no need for a MLB. I don't know why people can't get that through their heads

Edmunds' responsibilities...especially against the pass...started in the middle and worked toward the outside. That's probably why most (including me) still refer to him with an interior reference.