Bernard via Rumblings.....

[Chet]

He is smarter than all of t he coaches we've had since Marv.

That is saying very little

[DraftBoy]

None of the three current options are a solution, we either have to piece it together like patchwork this year or look for a midseason trade. I don’t think a trade is likely because that would mean admitting to a mistake, which we aren’t known to do.

[kingJofNYC]

He's played better than I expected to be honest. I'm less concerned about his run D than his pass D, we still don't know what he can do in that area because the QBs we've played our pedestrian to say the least. Lets see how he defends the pass against a real passing attack, that will be his true test.

[Goobylal]

None of the three current options are a solution, we either have to piece it together like patchwork this year or look for a midseason trade. I don’t think a trade is likely because that would mean admitting to a mistake, which we aren’t known to do.

There is no way to legitimately say this. It's been 2 games into the season and the defense has played well in both contests.

[notacon]

There is no way to legitimately say this. It's been 2 games into the season and the defense has played well in both contests.

Like I predicted many times. Why?

The Bills added three important players on defense....Ray Floyd, Poona Ford and Taylor Rapp and injury bug has not hit....yet.

Because Poyer and Hyde are back at full strength. Hyde played only one full game last year.

Tre’ White is fully recovered from his injury instead of missing most of the season....and when he came back it took a few games to get back to his usual self.

Ray Floyd is a huge addition.

Greg Rousseau is getting better and better.

The meaningful competition at CB #2 has Benford showing that he is extremely good (especially for a 6th round pick..it’s like a gift from the football gods) while Elam (who has not been active yet) could probably start for the majority of NFL teams. That shows great depth at a critical position. Benford was OUT five games late in the season on IR.

Matt Milano is his usual stellar self.

Ed Oliver has grown into an extremely good (if not elite) DT.

All of this diminishes the importance of a MLB and easier to compensate for what is now the weakest position for the 2023 Bills defense as the TEAM DEFENSE is strong (at least so far.). When Von Miller returns, this defense is going to get even better.

Amazingly the first three games of this season has NO ONE on the Friday injury report. Compared to 2022 this is a HUGE reason for optimism (although, as we all know can change at any moment). Pro-Football Reference provides full injury report for the whole season.

The first two weeks after week one (and thereafter) of 2022 were dismal and it got worse and worse as the year progressed. Seeing it with color coded chart is eye popping.

Week #2 2022 for defense:

Dane Jackson - Questionable
Ed Oliver - OUT
Tim Settle - Doubtful

Week #3 2022 for defense:

Micah Hyde - IR OUT for the season
Dane Jackson - OUT
Ed Oliver - OUT
Jordan Phillips - OUT
Tim Settle - Doubtful
Jordan Poyer - Questionable

That’s FOUR starters (including Tre’ White) OUT...over a THIRD of the starting eleven, with another rotational DT OUT.

[YardRat]

None of the three current options are a solution, we either have to piece it together like patchwork this year or look for a midseason trade. I don’t think a trade is likely because that would mean admitting to a mistake, which we aren’t known to do.

I would still try for Dean or Muma before the deadline or this offseason. Would include Lloyd and Clark but they've already secured the starting positions in Jax and Dallas. We missed out.

[DraftBoy]

There is no way to legitimately say this. It's been 2 games into the season and the defense has played well in both contests.

Yes there is. It doesn’t take much to see the skill just isn’t there or acceptable.

[Goobylal]

Yes there is. It doesn’t take much to see the skill just isn’t there or acceptable.

Then you're obviously watching a different team. While Bernard is still green when it comes to play-calling, that's understandable given his inexperience, which will improve with time.

[DraftBoy]

Then you're obviously watching a different team. While Bernard is still green when it comes to play-calling, that's understandable given his inexperience, which will improve with time.

He’s overwhelmed at the point of attack, overpursues in angles, can get sucked in on counter plays or with OL post-snap motions, and doesn’t do well in traffic. Who gives a **** about his play calling? It’s his skil level that needs significant improvement.

[Goobylal]

He’s overwhelmed at the point of attack, overpursues in angles, can get sucked in on counter plays or with OL post-snap motions, and doesn’t do well in traffic. Who gives a **** about his play calling? It’s his skil level that needs significant improvement.

Gee, sounds no worse than the guy he replaced. Except he's a 2nd year player and first-year starter...

And this isn't to say they shouldn't look for an upgrade. But that goes for any position that isn't occupied by an All-Pro. The Bills will just have to live with the growing pains for at least the year, if not longer given the investments elsewhere.

[Mace]

Gee, sounds no worse than the guy he replaced. Except he's a 2nd year player and first-year starter...

And this isn't to say they shouldn't look for an upgrade. But that goes for any position that isn't occupied by an All-Pro. The Bills will just have to live with the growing pains for at least the year, if not longer given the investments elsewhere.

That's my middle ground in a nutshell. Still think he gets damaged anyway relatively soon.

[DraftBoy]

Gee, sounds no worse than the guy he replaced. Except he's a 2nd year player and first-year starter...

And this isn't to say they shouldn't look for an upgrade. But that goes for any position that isn't occupied by an All-Pro. The Bills will just have to live with the growing pains for at least the year, if not longer given the investments elsewhere.

Cool. I’m interested in getting better, don’t care about pointless comparisons with guys who are no longer here. Your last line is not acceptable given the decision to do **** to actually improve the position this offseason.

[Goobylal]

Cool. I’m interested in getting better, don’t care about pointless comparisons with guys who are no longer here. Your last line is not acceptable given the decision to do **** to actually improve the position this offseason.

They addressed the position last year in the draft with Bernard and Spector. This year they drafted Williams, but they decided to play him at OLB. FA was a bust for MLBs with Edmunds being the top prize, journeyman Alex Anzalone who opted to remain in Detroit after having a career year in a contract year and then a bunch of 30+ year old players. As for the draft, AFAIK only Jack Campbell, who was taken 18th overall, is starting at MLB as a rookie for his team. So I'm not sure from where they were supposed to improve the position.

[Woodman]

They addressed the position last year in the draft with Bernard and Spector. This year they drafted Williams, but they decided to play him at OLB. FA was a bust for MLBs with Edmunds being the top prize, journeyman Alex Anzalone who opted to remain in Detroit after having a career year in a contract year and then a bunch of 30+ year old players. As for the draft, AFAIK only Jack Campbell, who was taken 18th overall, is starting at MLB as a rookie for his team. So I'm not sure from where they were supposed to improve the position.

Excellent post!

[Novacane]

The guy can't play.

[sahlensguy]

Haters gonna hate. Lol.

Some wrote him off after the 1st series against the Jets, if not earlier.

[Goobylal]

Very impressive first half. Probably haven't seen a better one by a Bills defensive player in a decade. And for comparison's sake, he's already equaled Edmunds' best seasons for INTs and sacks.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Can't give them freebies.

[ParanoidAndroid]

That was close to a fumble.

[ParanoidAndroid]

forward progress? There was no whistle. That would be the quickest forward progress call in the history of the game.