Frazier on the LBers

[YardRat]

http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffal...sxms_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]

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

[Mace]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Mace]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[swiper]

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.

Brown and Ragland, hopefully, will both turn out to be healthy good LBs. And maybe someone will slide over to that outside spot.

[YardRat]

You guys are forgetting about LorAx. He may see some time at end spelling Hughes, but in the base D he's a given at one spot. I would expect Hodges to pass Humber on the depth chart, and unless Ragland really shows a ton in TC he's probably going to at least start the season backing up Brown in the middle.

[Mace]

You guys are forgetting about LorAx. He may see some time at end spelling Hughes, but in the base D he's a given at one spot. I would expect Hodges to pass Humber on the depth chart, and unless Ragland really shows a ton in TC he's probably going to at least start the season backing up Brown in the middle.

I like Lorenzo Alexander, but I can't see him lasting as a full time starter at LB. He's 34, and while he's great at special teams and excelled in Ryan's junk D, I have a feeling he's best as a rotational or situational guy.

[Night Train]

Waiting for camp and seeing who plays the LB positions....is a beautiful thing.

[swiper]

The quiet of June/July 2017 is a beautiful thing. Every year there seems to be something to discuss or fight about on these boards leading up to camp. The latest savior QB. Drafting too many CBs. An overpaid lineman. Whatever. All of it distracts us from how bad the Bills really are. It's what Brandon is good at. Distracting fans from reality. At least he tries that. This year there's nothing. It's nice to see. You just get a feel that the coaches are hard at work on football matters. Maybe Pegula did it right this time. Even with an underwhelming roster, the hope of turning things around is still there. The roster is good enough that with some good coaching and in-game management this team could break above that .500 mark.