The Offense Was Lousy, But the Defense...

[Schneed10]

The defense looked mean once again.

I saw the DTs controlling the middle of the line of scrimmage, specifically Golston, who did not look undersized at all. I saw pre-snap shifts being directed by London Fletcher. And I saw the Titans limited to a field goal that they never would have gotten without a 37 yard punt return yielded by our punt coverage team.

This quote from the Washington Times makes me feel real good:

"It was nice to see London in there controlling things, and there was some positive feedback from the other guys on how well he did out there and how he got them all lined up," Williams said.

We haven't had a brain at MLB since Antonio Pierce. We may already be seeing just how much better we'll be with London Fletcher. I don't want to draw too many conclusions from one preseason game, but I think we're showing signs that we're on our way to bouncing back defensively.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I would agree there. Even our second and third stringers were playing well. I thought the entire second team played well and the front line of the third team played well too.

I'll say this however. If I EVER have to see The Ade play CB this year, we're done.

And London Fletcher is a total beast. I thought he'd be an upgrade, but he's much more than that. The entire LB corps was flying around and the DTs were absolutely blowing people up in the middle.

[hesscl34]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I would agree there. Even our second and third stringers were playing well. I thought the entire second team played well and the front line of the third team played well too.

I'll say this however. If I EVER have to see The Ade play CB this year, we're done.

And London Fletcher is a total beast. I thought he'd be an upgrade, but he's much more than that. The entire LB corps was flying around and the DTs were absolutely blowing people up in the middle.

Did I miss something... because I didn't see Rogers out there all night, or Smoot?? Did they not play, or did I not see them... ??

[Krills]

Originally Posted by hesscl34

Did I miss something... because I didn't see Rogers out there all night, or Smoot?? Did they not play, or did I not see them... ??

When you don't remember seeing corners and safeties, that's always a sign of a secondary playing well.

[Crazyhorse1]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The defense looked mean once again.

I saw the DTs controlling the middle of the line of scrimmage, specifically Golston, who did not look undersized at all. I saw pre-snap shifts being directed by London Fletcher. And I saw the Titans limited to a field goal that they never would have gotten without a 37 yard punt return yielded by our punt coverage team.

This quote from the Washington Times makes me feel real good:



We haven't had a brain at MLB since Antonio Pierce. We may already be seeing just how much better we'll be with London Fletcher. I don't want to draw too many conclusions from one preseason game, but I think we're showing signs that we're on our way to bouncing back defensively.

I was stunned by how good Fletcher looked. For once, the hype seem right. The guy was a tackling machine. The combination of his low level of gravity, strength, and real hustle was awesome. Rocky looked good too and so did Landry. We've stepped it up in three positions for sure and Golston looked improved. I hope I'm not just seeing things.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Crazyhorse1

I was stunned by how good Fletcher looked. For once, the hype seem right. The guy was a tackling machine. The combination of his low level of gravity, strength, and real hustle was awesome. Rocky looked good too and so did Landry. We've stepped it up in three positions for sure and Golston looked improved. I hope I'm not just seeing things.

He did look good, however I'm concerned with whether or not he'll wear down over the course of the season. He's far from ancient but with the Bills not willing to pay him, I'm kind of curious. We haven't had a lot of experience with getting it right on a player that other teams weren't that interested in.

[dmek25]

it seemed overall that the skins defense was flying around, and getting after the ball. that only takes alittle hustle. wonder why they weren't doing it last season? but i don't know about the brain statement. i think Lamar knew the position. i just think there were too many injuries

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by dmek25

it seemed overall that the skins defense was flying around, and getting after the ball. that only takes alittle hustle. wonder why they weren't doing it last season? but i don't know about the brain statement. i think Lamar knew the position. i just think there were too many injuries

I don't think you're getting me. Lamar knew the position in terms of his own assignments, but he wasn't the field general that Antonio Pierce was. Nowhere cose. Pierce had that knack of being able to read the offensive formations in a heartbeat, and call out adjustments. You'd see him running up and slapping linemen on the rear on one side or another, to get them to shift and line up over different gaps. I watched Fletcher intently before the snap, and he was doing the same things (minus the slapping on the rear). He was constantly barking instructions to the line, and I saw plenty of pre-snap shifts.

When it comes to stopping the run, half the battle is being lined up in the right spots before the snap.

If you remember last year, you didn't see much pre-snap shifting with Lamar at MLB.

Pierce was our biggest personnel loss in the last 5 years, and now I think we finally have a replacement.

[jbcjr14]

I think the defense played well. One thing I noticed was the number of defenders that were around the ball at the end of the play. I do think we also have to remember that there was no VY in the game. With him in the game I think our DE's and OLB's would have had to stay at home a little bit more to respect the bootleg.

Overall a good performance from the d. The O, just plain horrible.

[MTK]

Fletcher was all over the place, he'll prove to be worth every penny.

[SmootSmack]

The defense looked very nice, pleasantly surprised with Fletcher. And it looked like Springs was back to 2004 form. Plus, we did all that without Griffin I believe.

[MTK]

The Bills don't know what the hell they are doing. On one hand they let key guys go like Fletcher and Clements, then they turn around and spend huge cash on Dockery. I wouldn't worry about their moves saying anything about Fletcher.

He's a tackling machine, always has been.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The Bills don't know what the hell they are doing. On one hand they let key guys go like Fletcher and Clements, then they turn around and spend huge cash on Dockery. I wouldn't worry about their moves saying anything about Fletcher.

He's a tackling machine, always has been.

You beat me to it. The Bills have no idea what they're doing. Don't forget they let go of Spikes too. He wasn't as good as Fletch, but half of your linebacking core, your best corner, and you overpay for a guard.

Let's not forget about McGahee getting away too.

[MTK]

Blades really is a clone of Fletcher. It's funny to see them standing together, let's just hope Blades ends up having a career like Fletcher's. He certainly has a good mentor to learn from.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Blades really is a clone of Fletcher. It's funny to see them standing together, let's just hope Blades ends up having a career like Fletcher's. He certainly has a good mentor to learn from.

I was just about to post that very statement, nice job.

Blades is bigger than I thought he was much more stout, but I think he will bring the same instinct to MLB position that Fletcher brings, but he is probably not as fast as Fletcher, at least earlier in his career, but I think he will prove to be a tremendous pick when it is all said and done.