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Bills Defensive Evolution in 2026 - Triple Coverage Podcast · Built In Buffalo Podcast Network

0:30
[SPEAKER_00]: As it fills fans I am with Nelson president of built in Buffalo to my right Benjamin Schupe tonight shout out to our guy Scott Cassen who broke his ankle so he is not with us tonight I hope we have him back next week potentially hope everything is going well with him So well wish is the Scott he'll fast brother and we miss you for sure
0:57
[SPEAKER_00]: a few big trades over this path and student first year we're going to have some quick thoughts on that and then we're going to get into the defense and how it can evolve here in twenty twenty six to have a little bit hopefully improved success and part of that starts with the health of a few guys and I think we'll take a deep dive right after this word from our sponsor a week and one eighty
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2:13
[SPEAKER_00]: All right, Benjamin Schupe, sub-schupe.
2:17
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, nothing much.
2:18
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, just as one of us gets off the IR, one of us gets back on, Scott's a little more serious than mine was.
2:29
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, no Scott's definitely unfortunate timing with everything if it was one day earlier, he probably would be on tonight.
2:37
[SPEAKER_01]: But unfortunately, it did have his surgery today.
2:41
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, we will be fun to have him back, but excited to talk the defense a little bit.
2:46
[SPEAKER_01]: I know you're having a great week with your next winning game.
2:49
[SPEAKER_01]: One, even though it still spurs in five for me.
2:52
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it's, but yeah, I'm excited to talk everything.
2:58
[SPEAKER_01]: When it comes to just the defense and what we expect really from them.
3:04
[SPEAKER_00]: The biggest thing about last night's Nick's game if I can just have an aside for two minutes was just that I was able to put on by Stefan Marbury number three, the which I assumed most people thought was a John Stark's number three jersey, but it was actually Stefan Marbury in my era, I guess,
3:23
[SPEAKER_00]: when I wore the jersey in high school and you don't want to put on a jersey that I had in high school is just a great feeling and I don't want to be labor the awakened one 80 talk.
3:33
[SPEAKER_00]: I just feel like it's necessary to remind people that this is another example of how effective a awakened one 80 can be and I'm just really excited about the opportunity that I had to
3:45
[SPEAKER_00]: to be on this program with a wake and 180 and get reach help reach my goals, which I struggled doing on my own.
3:52
[SPEAKER_00]: So excited to be in that Jalen Brunson, obviously, incredible OG and I know my favorite Nick right now and played well.
3:59
[SPEAKER_00]: So super exciting stuff in New York here.
4:03
[SPEAKER_00]: But we'll get this football people, I think, tune in for our football talk.
4:09
[SPEAKER_00]: So we might as well talk some Buffalo Bills.
4:11
[SPEAKER_00]: And just around the NFL real quick with the Miles Garrett and AJ Brown trades.
4:16
[SPEAKER_00]: What does it mean?
4:18
[SPEAKER_00]: Does it mean anything to you for the Bills?
4:20
[SPEAKER_00]: And do you have any FOMO or wishes that one of those guys landed here in Buffalo?
4:27
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, I mean, yeah.
4:28
[SPEAKER_01]: Miles Garrett for me was the one.
4:30
[SPEAKER_01]: Obviously though, I think once Chub was signed, once they kind of went out and changed everything, you kind of didn't expect it to.
4:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, just unfortunate timing that they decided to kind of open up the trade market for
4:49
[SPEAKER_01]: Because I do think they would have made a massive offer.
4:52
[SPEAKER_01]: Now, the thing was, is I just don't know if they would have been able to match what the Rams gave them.
4:56
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, first second and third and Jared verse, Jared verse is probably worth what two first Trump picks alone.
5:02
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, they got very good value for Miles Garrett, who obviously,
5:09
[SPEAKER_01]: is in otherworldly talent.
5:11
[SPEAKER_01]: The Rams again, if the Aaron Donald comes back, I might not even watch the season this year.
5:15
[SPEAKER_01]: It might just be given the trophy and let's move on.
5:18
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, the Rams are looking scary.
5:21
[SPEAKER_01]: The Patriots, I would say Renew is gonna have with AJ Brown.
5:24
[SPEAKER_01]: I was hearing about the rumors that he was one of the four teams that he, the bills were one of the four teams he would have gone to, definitely opened my eyes a little bit, but I still, I kind of go back and forth now to think about like, do what I rather do, do what they did for DJ Moore or give up a 2028 first with, with what the Patriots gave up for
5:52
[SPEAKER_01]: doesn't necessarily have the drama that AJ Brown has.
5:55
[SPEAKER_01]: AJ Brown's, I would say higher ceiling lower, but lower floor when it comes to going to a new team.
6:05
[SPEAKER_01]: So I, I don't mind that they wouldn't, they opted for DJ more over AJ Brown.
6:10
[SPEAKER_01]: I think AJ Brown's better, but I do necessary.
6:14
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't necessarily, you know, care that we didn't go get AJ Brown.
6:18
[SPEAKER_01]: Miles Garrett was the one that man that would have been.
6:21
[SPEAKER_01]: That would have been nice.
6:21
[SPEAKER_01]: I would have given up a good good amount for him.
6:24
[SPEAKER_01]: But again, I don't know which player you even would start with on the bills because they wanted a young premium player.
6:29
[SPEAKER_01]: It'd have to be.
6:29
[SPEAKER_00]: That's true.
6:30
[SPEAKER_00]: I have to probably what I had to bend myself.
6:33
[SPEAKER_00]: If you're going to.
6:37
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't think he's enough to you.
6:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Like verse compared to group is an even close.
6:41
[SPEAKER_01]: Like verses.
6:43
[SPEAKER_01]: shown more already.
6:44
[SPEAKER_01]: He's better been better already.
6:46
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, they did say D line as well.
6:48
[SPEAKER_01]: So I actually been for it will not count.
6:49
[SPEAKER_01]: Like D on Walker, but D on Walker doesn't have the production that Jared versus had so far.
6:55
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe he has the upside, but so it's kind of tough.
6:57
[SPEAKER_01]: Like what would the bills have given up?
6:59
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, I don't think they would have been able to match really anybody, uh, just because of, uh,
7:04
[SPEAKER_01]: the picks that they had compared to the Rams and the Rams also not carrying again.
7:09
[SPEAKER_01]: So it's a top one, but unfortunate, but yeah, not always guarantee really the only one out of the two that I wish they would have maybe been more aggressive with.
7:18
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm sort of the exact opposite.
7:20
[SPEAKER_00]: And not because I don't think Miles Garrett could help the defense and not because I don't understand or realize that fixing and having a dominant defense is going to make this team go this year.
7:36
[SPEAKER_00]: But I just think that having the discussion around, and I hate to sound petty just wanting to shut people up.
7:44
[SPEAKER_00]: But I think that just having the,
7:48
[SPEAKER_00]: star-wide receiver.
7:49
[SPEAKER_00]: There's no more talk about Josh Allen's not getting help.
7:52
[SPEAKER_00]: Josh Allen doesn't have the weapons.
7:54
[SPEAKER_00]: If you bring in AJ Brown, you're going all in on offense and saying Josh Allen is our focal point.
8:01
[SPEAKER_00]: He's going to lead this team.
8:02
[SPEAKER_00]: We're giving him everything we can around him.
8:05
[SPEAKER_00]: And that would be an example of that.
8:07
[SPEAKER_00]: And I feel like
8:09
[SPEAKER_00]: I just would have liked to have that.
8:11
[SPEAKER_00]: I would like to see the reaction from people as well as see the field, but I would just would love to see the reaction and how the conversation shifts once you add AJ Brown to the mix and say, OK, this offense got everything it needs.
8:27
[SPEAKER_00]: There's no weakness.
8:28
[SPEAKER_00]: It's got an elite offensive line returning four out of five starters.
8:32
[SPEAKER_00]: It's got elite wide receivers.
8:34
[SPEAKER_00]: Now it's got tight ends running backs.
8:38
[SPEAKER_00]: the best quarterback in the world, maybe the best football player in the NFL, what more do you want on offense?
8:44
[SPEAKER_00]: Can't ask for more.
8:45
[SPEAKER_00]: So then, the defensive coaches change, we're gonna get into that.
8:49
[SPEAKER_00]: I just think AJ Brown would have been really interesting to see on this bill's team.
8:56
[SPEAKER_00]: And look, both, you could say for both of them, and you made the case for Miles Garrett, I don't just necessarily disagree with what you said, and again, I don't disagree that the bill's defense needs to be the catalyst.
9:08
[SPEAKER_00]: going forward and and shutting people down to win games, but hoping Jim Leonard can bring a better success rate in that field than Sean McDermott did, but
9:22
[SPEAKER_00]: For me, I just, I would have taken AJ Brown over the two.
9:27
[SPEAKER_01]: I do also wonder how much the Eagles, because obviously, yes, Bill's maybe one, we're one of 14's who would have been fine going to, but he also was a Patriots fan going up if people didn't notice, like he's been a very outspoken about that over years, so I wonder if the Eagles maybe also knew that and kind of said, hey, we'll make sure you go to New England,
9:50
[SPEAKER_01]: unless we get blown out of the water by one of the other three teams, but if it's close, we'll send it into England.
9:56
[SPEAKER_01]: I wonder if something like that happened?
9:58
[SPEAKER_01]: Obviously, we'll never know where the association is.
10:00
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, we'll never know that, but yeah, we'll see, but yeah, unfortunate, but yeah, I got nothing else.
10:08
[SPEAKER_01]: I
10:09
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, good, brother.
10:10
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, it's super interesting.
10:13
[SPEAKER_00]: Huge blockbuster trades.
10:14
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a little bit crazy.
10:16
[SPEAKER_00]: I think some people see the Rams again going all in and being able to just land a big superstar name.
10:24
[SPEAKER_00]: But look, I'm gonna tell you guys in a few minutes here as we go through the bill's defense, why I think that
10:32
[SPEAKER_00]: they have enough with with what we have on this roster and there's a lot of young players here and I think it's going to be maybe better than some people anticipate this year with Jim Leonard and the group we have.
10:45
[SPEAKER_00]: So
10:47
[SPEAKER_00]: First of all, let's take a moment and just thank our sponsors here.
10:50
[SPEAKER_00]: The big tree in is the official tailgate partner of built in Buffalo.
10:55
[SPEAKER_00]: You can catch myself, Ben and Scott over at the big tree in before each and every home game in Buffalo.
11:03
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11:05
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11:15
[SPEAKER_00]: We already kind of saying the praises of awakened 180 weight loss, but thank you to them again for a great opportunity for me to change my life and get a grasp on my health and fitness down over 30 pounds against since April 1st and feeling great excited to see where the rest of this journey takes me.
11:34
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12:06
[SPEAKER_00]: All right, Ben.
12:06
[SPEAKER_00]: Let's dive into the defense and you want to start with the defensive line first.
12:11
[SPEAKER_00]: What do you think about the new look for the defensive line?
12:14
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
12:16
[SPEAKER_01]: I happen to put on for everybody that I can't see it.
12:19
[SPEAKER_01]: I happen to put quotes in the word new because obviously it's not a completely different group.
12:24
[SPEAKER_01]: A lot of guys still returning that that we're back or that we're here last year, but at the same time there's new guys and you know guys like Bradley Chub.
12:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, and then you got the, you know, the rookies that came in as well, uh, even guy like land in Jackson who got hurt didn't play much last year.
12:44
[SPEAKER_01]: Like, there's a lot of guys that we really just don't know fully what we're going to get out of them, but we're going to get going into your two for them or whatever your, uh, with the team that they're going in.
12:54
[SPEAKER_01]: But the new really more was for the fact that it is Jim owner's defense now and how much different well this defensive line look.
13:02
[SPEAKER_01]: compared to when Sean McDermott was the deep, the head coach here.
13:08
[SPEAKER_01]: So first I want to talk about the big, I guess big three would probably maybe call them, at least probably around the NFL.
13:14
[SPEAKER_01]: They would be the biggest names on the bill's defense of line at Oliver, Greg Russo and Bradley Chubb.
13:20
[SPEAKER_01]: What are your expectations for them and who I guess do you expect the most out of out of those three this year?
13:28
[SPEAKER_00]: At big expectations, I'm most intrigued by Greg Russo and how you can improve seven sacs last year, 52 QB pressures if you're looking at NFL pro stats here and I know those sort of stats can change from site to site.
13:44
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm using NFL pro and next gen stats.
13:46
[SPEAKER_00]: So if I throw a stat up, that's where it's from.
13:49
[SPEAKER_00]: And 46 tackles, 40 stops.
13:53
[SPEAKER_00]: want to see that double digit sack number from Rousseau.
13:56
[SPEAKER_00]: I think a lot of people are are wanting that.
13:59
[SPEAKER_00]: We'll see if he can get to that this year, 14.6 QB percentage.
14:04
[SPEAKER_00]: So, so I'm intrigued most about how Greg Rousseau may
14:10
[SPEAKER_00]: take strides in this defense from where what he was asked to do in the Sean McDermott scheme.
14:17
[SPEAKER_00]: See if they can get him attacking more.
14:18
[SPEAKER_00]: I think they're going to still want him to set a good edge and be who he is.
14:23
[SPEAKER_00]: But at the same time, is he going to get a few more opportunities to get the quarterback on the ground.
14:28
[SPEAKER_00]: Bradley Chub had eight and a half sacks last year.
14:32
[SPEAKER_00]: So if he can maintain that rate and bring that level of production over to Buffalo, I'd be very satisfied.
14:39
[SPEAKER_00]: And then the biggest sort of what we've heard is at Oliver being a disruptor this year, right?
14:44
[SPEAKER_00]: So at Oliver, only three games last year, three sacks and three games, 12 total tackles.
14:51
[SPEAKER_00]: I think he is the X factor for the big three.
14:54
[SPEAKER_00]: He's
14:57
[SPEAKER_00]: that you're going to be turning the TV on to see each and every Sunday.
15:01
[SPEAKER_00]: And his motor just doesn't stop.
15:04
[SPEAKER_00]: I think the way that he's going to fuel this defensive line with his tenacity, I think that sort of sets the tone for the defense as a whole and what Jim Leonard really wants to embody in a defensive coordinator as well.
15:19
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, um, I like that you kind of split up.
15:22
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, maybe who's the biggest one with the biggest expectations and who is the intriguing ones?
15:27
[SPEAKER_01]: I do agree that the intriguing ones are Groot and Trub just to see how the, especially the ad rushers or while outside line backers in this scheme are going to look at how they're going to play.
15:38
[SPEAKER_01]: So I'm curious how Gregor's so and Shub even play off of each other, but as you mentioned, Ad Alvers want
15:49
[SPEAKER_01]: And even, yeah, for me, I think that he's the guy that if he does do what Jim Wonder would expect some to do and get one on one matchups and that's what they're going to do for him is find him knows I expect him to have a huge year because the last year even though he didn't play a lot and he was hurt he looked amazing and he's one guy that I feel like's been kind of underappreciated for this team over the last few years because he's now hasn't had much help alongside him.
16:17
[SPEAKER_01]: Who's 1D tech?
16:18
[SPEAKER_01]: I can't even think of one that really made a huge impact consistently helping at Oliver.
16:23
[SPEAKER_00]: So yeah, we saw Dion Walker come in last year and sort of make some impacts, but at Oliver was sideline with an injury.
16:31
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's what have been nice.
16:33
[SPEAKER_00]: It really had been really fun to see those two being able once Dion Walker sort of started feeling comfortable and making more consistent impacts on games.
16:42
[SPEAKER_00]: I think
16:42
[SPEAKER_00]: having at all over there would have been would have been nice shout out to our guy Robby here coming in from the 716 sports blizzard a buddy appreciate you for tuning in.
16:54
[SPEAKER_01]: So you just talked about I want to just segue then right into Dion Walker you mentioned him.
17:00
[SPEAKER_01]: Who obviously a lot of bills fans I think are still very excited to see what he's going to do in this defense there hasn't been too much talk about him.
17:08
[SPEAKER_01]: I know beans had some comments here and there but.
17:10
[SPEAKER_01]: We still don't know really where he's going to be playing.
17:13
[SPEAKER_01]: My guess is he'll be kind of playing all around and then insert in situations.
17:17
[SPEAKER_00]: But that's going to be the theme for a lot of people in this defense.
17:20
[SPEAKER_00]: If you listen sort of to what I think Jim Leonard was that episode drop today.
17:24
[SPEAKER_00]: Jim Leonard was on centered on Buffalo with Eric Wood and you can go check that out.
17:29
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm the centered on Buffalo podcast.
17:30
[SPEAKER_00]: I'll plug for him on YouTube.
17:32
[SPEAKER_00]: But I...
17:33
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, Jim Leonard wants to attack these guys and I think you're going to talk about what he did in Denver and how, you know, you're going to have five guys and positions to come and not really sure which which person might drop back or if they're all going to go towards the quarterback so you really have to.
17:50
[SPEAKER_00]: be ready for one-on-one and I think these guys are going to get a lot of opportunities to your point with at all over to with the unlockers, especially at all over May be the one where they try to they kind of have to start focusing on where he's at and it's just going to make everybody's life a little bit easier in my opinion.
18:07
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah and DM Locker you mentioned I would like my open things up for him as well.
18:12
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm wondering you know I think a lot of bills fans saw that
18:20
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, and now going into this year, I think some people are expecting him to show even more than last year.
18:26
[SPEAKER_01]: So do you expect that he can make that second, that second year jump to meet the expectations I guess of what Bill's fans are expecting from her, what you're expecting from him can he get to that next step.
18:42
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, he's going to have every opportunity to make that leap and with the different scheme coming in, I think they're going to have to
18:53
[SPEAKER_00]: people are going to have to realize that they're going to be trying some things early on, especially not to get too down on if the early season production isn't there right away.
19:03
[SPEAKER_00]: But I think as the season grows on and faring unforeseen injuries and things like that, I really am excited to see how Dion Walker does take that lead because he's going to have, like I said, all the opportunities he needs.
19:16
[SPEAKER_00]: I think the focus is going to be on, you know,
19:20
[SPEAKER_00]: And we're so for the most part, but teams are going to really quickly see that they're going to have to pay attention to where D. N. Walker is as well.
19:27
[SPEAKER_00]: I think he's earned at least that sort of Talk at this point in the season.
19:33
[SPEAKER_00]: We'll see if he continues to command that throughout the preseason and then obviously when when the real football starts, but at least at this point, I think he warrants the talk about him
19:49
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
19:49
[SPEAKER_01]: And now we said earlier, how there's just so many guys on the steel line that are going to be in these conversations figuring out where they're going to fit.
19:59
[SPEAKER_01]: And we won't get to everybody today.
20:01
[SPEAKER_01]: So I do know some people might have comments about, you know, TJ Parker, but we'll probably be talking to him more probably towards training camp once we actually see him in action.
20:09
[SPEAKER_01]: Same with TJ Sanders, a guy like him going into his second year doing Carter as well, who's a guy who's been remembered to really kind of
20:18
[SPEAKER_01]: gain weight and hopefully play a different role this year.
20:21
[SPEAKER_01]: The last guy I want to mention on the defensive line, the Robert or John Robert dot just brought him up here.
20:27
[SPEAKER_01]: He's also interested in how to win and inject and we'll play with more muscle and weight.
20:30
[SPEAKER_01]: It's been a huge topic of conversation, especially ever since that picture of him looking huge came out.
20:37
[SPEAKER_01]: So what do you think?
20:39
[SPEAKER_01]: about Brandon Jackson who again is kind of a weird prospect for the bells.
20:45
[SPEAKER_01]: Like there isn't much on him that we even as fans know going into his second year about how he'll play, how what style he will look like, where he'll be on the line.
20:57
[SPEAKER_01]: So what are you kind of expecting from him with such little information about that maybe his game and how he fits with bells?
21:07
[SPEAKER_00]: He says all the right things at least that I like to guy I like guys that are gonna, you know, talk about, look, nobody's expectations are greater for themselves than land and Jackson's are.
21:18
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, he wants to be great.
21:20
[SPEAKER_00]: He has the drive.
21:21
[SPEAKER_00]: He's putting in the work.
21:22
[SPEAKER_00]: We're seeing that as a result of his physique right now.
21:25
[SPEAKER_00]: So if you really can't expect much more than what you're hearing and what you're seeing.
21:31
[SPEAKER_00]: in that regard.
21:32
[SPEAKER_00]: I expect Landon Jackson to be a role player very early on in the season and in this defense.
21:39
[SPEAKER_00]: I think, you know, this season's probably not going to prove to have him stuffing the stat sheet with a lot of things, but I think the
21:50
[SPEAKER_00]: I really think that he's going to play a solid role.
21:52
[SPEAKER_00]: I love to think continuity for them to sort of rotate some guys in and keep guys fresh.
21:58
[SPEAKER_00]: I think he really adds an element to that.
22:03
[SPEAKER_01]: I guess Blank a question for this, for Blank and Dragon, you mentioned how you think he can kind of become a good part of this defense of wine.
22:12
[SPEAKER_01]: But do you think
22:14
[SPEAKER_01]: he can't really become a part of that rotation that they might have or just guys coming in or do you think he will be hey if somebody needs a breaker if there's a quick injury that they need to get a check somebody out or if somebody goes down do you think that's more of his role and do you think that it's going to be something that he'll have to earn throughout the season or do you think if he comes in with a good training camp he can really fight for one of these spots early in the season.
22:39
[SPEAKER_00]: He's going to be fighting for time, for sure.
22:41
[SPEAKER_00]: I think that he's going to have his work cut out for him to earn his spots in the rotation.
22:47
[SPEAKER_00]: But I think he can, he's probably going to start out as you mentioned, more so like, hey, a guy's down.
22:54
[SPEAKER_00]: We kind of need you to get in there.
22:56
[SPEAKER_00]: Or there's maybe one rotation, the starters, and then you have sort of the second rotation coming through.
23:08
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, picked up something last series or whatever and you know, you got to play there and they're going to mix or hey, you know, this guy went out and didn't have a good series last time out.
23:19
[SPEAKER_00]: Let's see if Jackson gives us a better element there for the match up or for what.
23:24
[SPEAKER_00]: What the team's trying to do to us, they're running a certain scheme or, you know, the run games on fire.
23:29
[SPEAKER_00]: Let's see if we can get Jackson out there and see if his strengths lend itself to counter what the other team suits.
23:35
[SPEAKER_00]: It's going to be very situational, as you mentioned, I think, for land and jacks in early on to start.
23:40
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I actually love that very at the end that you just had of it.
23:44
[SPEAKER_01]: It's going to be a situational might be game by game.
23:47
[SPEAKER_01]: One game you might play in two steps, not even a snap.
23:50
[SPEAKER_01]: One game he might play 20, 30 depending on you.
23:53
[SPEAKER_00]: What's talking about a guy who didn't really have a jersey much last year as it is, right?
23:57
[SPEAKER_00]: So I mean, I'm not sure.
23:58
[SPEAKER_00]: Sure.
23:58
[SPEAKER_01]: Those who got the end of the year, expect.
24:01
[SPEAKER_01]: At the end of the year, a lot of those fans were so disappointed, even though he got injured.
24:05
[SPEAKER_01]: and so upset with how he even just looked on the football field that they wanted to him go like some people were saying oh it's done where we've given up on him already.
24:14
[SPEAKER_01]: Now all of a sudden this picture comes out who knows what he's going to look like and now I think a lot of people even though even maybe some people that wrote them off early is maybe saying hey
24:25
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know, maybe we have a guy that can be a part of the crucial part of this defense, but we'll see.
24:30
[SPEAKER_00]: I was off in their first year, even Keon Cole and we talked about him a lot, you know, this year is a little bit different, having seen two years with him, but, you know, these these young guys, they do take some time, they have to find their footing, they're coming from being the best player in their room.
24:46
[SPEAKER_00]: to being not very close to the top usually for for most guys coming from college in FL.
24:53
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a big adjustment and there's not a lot of third and fourth round picks that just come in and just make a splash right away.
25:01
[SPEAKER_00]: Even late from somewhere.
25:04
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, some rare guys do it and it's not, but that's the exception.
25:07
[SPEAKER_00]: That's not the rule.
25:08
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think I always stay patient.
25:10
[SPEAKER_00]: I try to give guys, you know, two to three solid years.
25:15
[SPEAKER_00]: And he even picked up an injury, too.
25:16
[SPEAKER_00]: So, you know, it's.
25:18
[SPEAKER_00]: No excuses for the guy, just I don't, you know, my expectations just aren't where maybe some other people's expectations might be emotional.
25:25
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I mean, I guess you can use an injury as an excuse because, you know, if you can't get on the field, you can't get on the field.
25:31
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, I agree with whatever you're saying there.
25:35
[SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, the linebackers or the defensive line is it's going to be a big question.
25:39
[SPEAKER_01]: I think the biggest question until the season starts until we see with them live in action for a lot of bills fans.
25:45
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, before we're going to the linebackers here, though, I do want to bring up John Robert again, just given our minor for anybody.
25:51
[SPEAKER_01]: Greg Russo is now running the charity softball game or softball baseball, I can't remember what one is.
25:56
[SPEAKER_01]: But the game over on Sunday at 12 tailgating starts at 10 30 for anybody interested.
26:03
[SPEAKER_01]: And I don't know IDC's under as if it's in Rochester.
26:06
[SPEAKER_00]: It's in Rochester.
26:06
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah.
26:07
[SPEAKER_00]: That's at the Red Wing Stadium.
26:08
[SPEAKER_01]: Yep.
26:08
[SPEAKER_01]: So it's now not in Buffalo this year, but it is in Rochester.
26:11
[SPEAKER_01]: So anybody going?
26:12
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, hope you guys have fun.
26:14
[SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, on the linebackers, this is another group that I think people are kind of, I mean, I know the whole defense as a whole is a question, but I think the linebackers is a question for a different aspect.
26:25
[SPEAKER_01]: A lot of people are just wondering how the defense of lines going to look or how the corners are going to look when they play.
26:31
[SPEAKER_01]: I think a lot of people know the starters.
26:33
[SPEAKER_01]: Linebackers is a different story because.
26:35
[SPEAKER_01]: They bring any alarms or they still have Dorian Williams, they still have trouble nor are they so a Buffalo Joe, but they still don't have that many bodies in that room.
26:43
[SPEAKER_01]: I think they could still add a vet or two, so I'm going to start off with that.
26:47
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you think they have rooms for another vet?
26:51
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you think they should add one and do you think if they do add one, do you think it should be a guy that is in serious contenturing to start?
27:01
[SPEAKER_00]: You'd like that, ideally, if you're gonna bring another guy in for him to have a chance to start, but I also don't want to stun the young players, growth, if we're able to, you know, have them sort of learning on the job without too much of a detriment to the defense, say, you know, if E-Larms work and come in and play at a certain base level, which most people
27:31
[SPEAKER_00]: And one of them, think that Elarm's or was a targeted pick at the spot they got him to come in and sort of plug and play, you know, and they sort of thought they knew what his base level production might be and they were okay with it.
27:48
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think that there's some value in letting that play out letting him if he earns it.
27:55
[SPEAKER_00]: take that role and run with it.
27:57
[SPEAKER_00]: Now, you know, Dorian Williams is going to have a lot to say about that, too.
28:01
[SPEAKER_00]: I think he's looking for his opportunity at this point is career, but, you know, he's got to seize the opportunity and we'll see if he does that.
28:09
[SPEAKER_00]: Now, if they're at a point where they're like, we don't see either guy necessarily giving us the the floor, the base level that we want, you know, Ken, one of these guys in free agency.
28:19
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, you have Ocarika, Wagner, still out there,
28:24
[SPEAKER_00]: want to be David for what he's worth, I guess, you know, some guys out there that can come in and contribute potentially is it worth sticking with their floor, maybe a shack Thompson, I think people kind of loved what they saw from him last year.
28:40
[SPEAKER_00]: are their floors or their base level of contributions going to be more in line with what the bills are looking for at that position or can e-larm's or or Dorian Williams provide that.
28:53
[SPEAKER_00]: It'd be the best in my opinion if if one of those guys can provide that base level production and continue to develop and improve throughout the year and have, you know,
29:10
[SPEAKER_00]: running here.
29:11
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, um, yeah, the Lymeic aroma is very interesting to me just because and we'll get into the last question really is why I'm majorly interested just to see how it is handled.
29:26
[SPEAKER_01]: But I do think yes, you could bring another vet into this locker room pretty easily.
29:32
[SPEAKER_01]: I think you should, whether it's a guy like Thompson or Mammalana or
29:35
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I'd be fine bringing either of those guys back or even if you go somewhere else.
29:39
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think you should try to bring another vet in.
29:41
[SPEAKER_01]: You've found it though where the alums are and and Dorian of those two being the first two that are going to get a shot.
29:48
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, Elam's or is already getting the hype.
29:51
[SPEAKER_01]: Roy Williams, we already know kind of a little bit where we haven't seen them fully in a starting role for all season.
29:56
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you have a major preference on who you'd want?
30:01
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know if I just missed a little bit at the end of what you were saying if you did say you mentioned.
30:06
[SPEAKER_01]: But do you have a preference?
30:08
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't John John just commented here saying Elam's or is fighting to start.
30:13
[SPEAKER_01]: Sounds like maybe some fans are the leaning towards the, or are you, or e-larm's all.
30:19
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, they did bring in a flanagan foals as well to, you know, have another option in that.
30:25
[SPEAKER_00]: I just want to add that role.
30:27
[SPEAKER_01]: Real quick, before the bill signed him, have you heard of them?
30:30
[SPEAKER_01]: Okay.
30:31
[SPEAKER_00]: No.
30:32
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:32
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:32
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:32
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:34
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:35
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:35
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:35
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:36
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:36
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:36
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:37
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:37
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:37
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:38
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:38
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:38
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:39
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:39
[SPEAKER_01]: No.
30:59
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, for me, when it comes to those two, I'd like to see them start the year kind of splitting snaps, seeing what both can do, seeing how both kind of hold up and if they do you have none, well, if they both play well, there's another question that I'm going to ask you here about trial Bernard.
31:19
[SPEAKER_01]: because Reubinard had a rough year last year with injuries with just even on the field when he was playing, it was a real rough year.
31:28
[SPEAKER_01]: So a lot of people I think have kind of lost confidence in him.
31:32
[SPEAKER_01]: So if both e-limbs or enduring play well,
31:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Are you have you lost confidence at all in 12 Bernard first of all to be a starter and second, if they play well, would you be open to sitting 12 Bernard for both of them?
31:51
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I mean, I'm open to whatever is the best.
31:56
[SPEAKER_00]: two linebackers out there giving the bills the best chance to win.
32:00
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm open to the discussion.
32:02
[SPEAKER_00]: I really don't think that either those two are going to outplay Trobren, or this year.
32:08
[SPEAKER_00]: Bernard does have some injury history.
32:10
[SPEAKER_00]: He hasn't been very healthy.
32:12
[SPEAKER_00]: He hasn't been overly productive because of
32:15
[SPEAKER_00]: set injuries and oh, I haven't lost any confidence in Traubernard.
32:20
[SPEAKER_00]: His level of play went healthy to me exceeds that of those other two and Williams and E-Larm's ore to a degree where, you know, I'm not even
32:34
[SPEAKER_00]: put in that in my mind or a consideration, Trellbert Art is the unquestion starter at off-ball by I'm back during this defense for now.
32:41
[SPEAKER_00]: And we'll see if someone can unseat, if those two can unseat him and become the two in the middle, then
32:49
[SPEAKER_00]: Call me wrong, but I don't I don't see that.
32:52
[SPEAKER_00]: I haven't lost a bit of confidence in trouble Bernard.
32:54
[SPEAKER_00]: I just think that he's got to get his body right good healthy and I think he's he's a stud playmaker in the middle of a defense when when he's right when his body's right
33:05
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, you know, pretty much more than a lot of people that I, I, I, especially going in the last year was a huge 12 Bernard van going into even his second year when people are still questioning I still thought, hey, let's give this guy a chance, but, oh, there you go, a little old.
33:22
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, yeah.
33:25
[SPEAKER_01]: I will say it.
33:25
[SPEAKER_01]: My confidence has wavered a little bit.
33:27
[SPEAKER_01]: It has.
33:28
[SPEAKER_01]: I what we saw last year.
33:30
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, there were injuries, but it was bad bad last year.
33:34
[SPEAKER_01]: Like he looked lost.
33:36
[SPEAKER_01]: He looked slow.
33:38
[SPEAKER_01]: He looked just all over the place in not a good way.
33:42
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, so I would say my confidence definitely wavered.
33:45
[SPEAKER_01]: I still think, you know, he's the starter, but.
33:49
[SPEAKER_01]: that question is something that I would take into consideration even if it's early in the season.
33:55
[SPEAKER_01]: If he is off to a slow start.
33:57
[SPEAKER_01]: There's going to have to be tough conversations about him that's going to have to be made, especially if the D line then it isn't performing the way that they're hoping he's going to have to step up, so if he doesn't, there's going to be some questions, but I will say, we've seen an injury, injured season bad season, just all overall just season that you want to forget, but you've also seen a season that a problem that was phenomenal.
34:20
[SPEAKER_01]: I do think he even that phenomenal season had some things that I'd love for him to clean up and get better with.
34:28
[SPEAKER_01]: And hopefully he can show a jump from year two going into this year.
34:33
[SPEAKER_01]: But if he gives us what he saw and what he had in year two, I'll be happy with that as well.
34:37
[SPEAKER_01]: So Trebner is a tough one for me.
34:39
[SPEAKER_01]: I definitely go back and forth with him a little bit, but
34:42
[SPEAKER_01]: We'll see what goes on there tonight.
34:45
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm really stubborn and sort of hardheaded on that sort of thing is like not to say that anyone's position is is guaranteed.
34:54
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't think that way, but I just to give up on a guy who hasn't been right in the last year or so, you just, you have to take, you got to take it into account.
35:06
[SPEAKER_00]: You can't just say,
35:08
[SPEAKER_00]: they got to get rid of, they got to move on because, you know, he got her.
35:12
[SPEAKER_00]: It's like, no, you know, he's a contracted player and they're not just going to give up on him even though his production dropped and they're going to give him leeway and an understanding that, you know, hey, this guy has been dealing with things that are outside of his control in some ways and, you know, there has to be a patience with,
35:35
[SPEAKER_00]: with football players in a certain sense, a lot of people are very quick to overreact, I think, when it comes to that and I'm just very stubborn.
35:44
[SPEAKER_00]: I probably, I'm probably the other extreme where I wait too long to get to a point.
35:49
[SPEAKER_00]: Like I still don't think Sean McDermott should be fired.
35:51
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm going to, when we see the team play this year and if the defense is wildly improved,
35:56
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, then I'm going to be like, yeah, they did a great, they made a great decision.
35:59
[SPEAKER_00]: The team's way better now for it.
36:01
[SPEAKER_00]: But, you know, for me, it just takes a while to get to that point with a lot of players.
36:08
[SPEAKER_00]: And now, look, I mean, guys like Keon Coleman, we've talked about this a lot where, you know, this wasn't necessarily my guy at the beginning of, is career anyway, you know, yeah, be quicker to move on or, you know, be a little bit of a naysay or on a player like that.
36:24
[SPEAKER_00]: when they fail to meet expectations, but trouble or not, it's not one of those for me at least.
36:29
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, when it comes to that, it's always tough because there's a million factors that go into it with injuries and just even scheme, everything like that.
36:39
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, like I said, I'm not fully done with them yet or by any means.
36:43
[SPEAKER_01]: I still am a big fan of them.
36:44
[SPEAKER_01]: Hope that he can get back to what we saw near to think he can, but he'll have to show it.
36:50
[SPEAKER_01]: The last group though that I want to talk about is the second dairy.
36:55
[SPEAKER_01]: This one's an interesting group for a third different reason because
37:01
[SPEAKER_01]: We kind of know what it's gonna look like, but we don't at the same time.
37:05
[SPEAKER_01]: Like, it's not like the defensive line where we're expecting it to look completely different.
37:10
[SPEAKER_01]: Corners, I don't know if it will look that much different.
37:13
[SPEAKER_01]: But when it comes to the outside corners, the first, the starting two are back.
37:17
[SPEAKER_01]: Benford and Harrison, they did add somebody in the draft.
37:20
[SPEAKER_01]: IGB is everybody knows, but they still don't have much behind either of those two and after IGB.
37:28
[SPEAKER_01]: So my question to you, should they, and is it even worse going out and maybe spending on money on corner for depth instead of maybe even like a lineback or would you prefer that for the bills?
37:40
[SPEAKER_00]: If you have to choose between a corner or a linebacker right now, I would absolutely go out and get a veteran corner back 100%.
37:49
[SPEAKER_00]: I think that, you know, we saw how they talked about it after the draft or in the draft about one injury away, this that and the other.
37:58
[SPEAKER_00]: And so, you know,
37:59
[SPEAKER_00]: Give me another guy that can be a strong for even if it's a tray white, something like that where it's a guy where there's maybe not a lot of expectations, the veteran presence in there, but again talk about giving you a base level of play that you know and that I think this coaching staff is going to be smart with that where they're going to have to get some guys because a lot of the guys are young here where
38:26
[SPEAKER_00]: you know, their base level is being established right now, especially changing.
38:31
[SPEAKER_00]: If you have guys left over from last year, young guys coming in this year, their base level still being established, especially with the different changes in scheme that are going to happen here.
38:41
[SPEAKER_00]: So if you have a guy that can come in and give you a base level that you're confident in,
38:47
[SPEAKER_00]: then you have to do that and I believe corner back would be the best place for that.
38:53
[SPEAKER_00]: So for me I like the three that they've got as far as IGB coming in to join Harrison and Benford Benford's health obviously has to stay.
39:06
[SPEAKER_00]: In check, we got to make sure he's staying healthy as well.
39:09
[SPEAKER_00]: So he's the biggest concern in that regard.
39:11
[SPEAKER_00]: But otherwise, I think, you know, this group is just solid at corner and adding a vet presence with a with a nice floor.
39:20
[SPEAKER_00]: It's going to be the biggest benefit to this team.
39:22
[SPEAKER_00]: I think they, I think they almost need to do that.
39:25
[SPEAKER_01]: I think this that will that will be there next move is bringing in a depth corner or at least like major move, you know, not a oh practice squad for practice squad guys getting released practice by like, you know, I mean, so I think they will I think they have to I think for what dream Leonard said, especially about IGB and why they picked them and how much he's been talking about they need to add to corner depth and that they needed more.
39:49
[SPEAKER_01]: I still think that they do need more, especially we don't know what Dorian Strong is going to be if he's going to even be able to come back and we've heard good things but still, what is he going to look like, you know, you do have Tory and Pride Junior as well, but it's here guy that you want to rely on Sam Franklin Jr. who's also safe to go, we know, you don't want to see him out there.
40:09
[SPEAKER_01]: Jordan Hancock still, like, I don't think they see him as a boundary corner.
40:12
[SPEAKER_01]: So,
40:13
[SPEAKER_01]: I would like to see maybe a tray white brought back would definitely love that as we are all I've been majority of us huge tray white fans so I'd love for guy like him has some years under his belt still can give you a little bit if you need him to and help these young guys learn especially guy like Max who like we've talked about last year or in the last year
40:34
[SPEAKER_01]: how Max Harrison was similar to Tray White in so many different variables, so yeah, I'm excited to see kind of what they do with the outside corners that you know I've been harping on outside corners for the entire off season.
40:48
[SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, I'm excited to see and hope that they add somebody else.
40:53
[SPEAKER_01]: I see John as well talking about.
40:56
[SPEAKER_01]: where it is that there it is, John, talking about D. Allford is the oldest corner now, which is just a cool little fact there, but he is right now slotted in as that nickel slot corner.
41:08
[SPEAKER_01]: Not too many guys behind him that maybe could challenge him for that spot.
41:12
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you see him as that that's locked in pencil then?
41:15
[SPEAKER_01]: He's going to be the day one starting nickel.
41:18
[SPEAKER_01]: Or do you think Jordan Hancock can push them?
41:20
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you think maybe Jalen Kilgor can show, hey, I'm not just going to be a safety here.
41:25
[SPEAKER_01]: I can push in for this spot.
41:27
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you think there really is a realistic shot for any of these guys to jump in?
41:32
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't know exactly what their plans are, but I just also can see a scenario where they're not rolling with one guy specifically every time.
41:43
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, again, situational where you do have, you know, stone and gardener Johnson and bishop.
41:52
[SPEAKER_00]: Do one of those three offer you something where you could see all three of those guys
42:02
[SPEAKER_00]: as you're, you know, one of those guys all about disguising the defense, right?
42:08
[SPEAKER_00]: So they may do things like that, where D. Allford may be penciled in as you're starting nickel back, but you also have to understand that.
42:19
[SPEAKER_00]: Different guys are going to play different roles and there's going to be a disguise element to this defense that's going to show you here's guys on the field lined up and they could maybe do one or one of two things and you don't know which one's going to do.
42:33
[SPEAKER_00]: The safety thing in which one is going to do this sought or nickel role, and that sort of thing might happen.
42:39
[SPEAKER_00]: So the offered may, you know, it probably is expected to be penciled in as you're starting nickel come week one, but I, you know, I think they're also going to, you have to, you have to be aware and be ready to see them mix it up and maybe have three safeties and try to play the disguise gave there.
42:59
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think you kind of know that there.
43:01
[SPEAKER_01]: I think the offer.
43:02
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, we'll be the nickels who start he'll be the guy that an Instraditional went into traditional nickel he'll be out there, but like you said it when they try to Disguise things when they try to move things around I could see a guy like Dr. Alan Kilgore coming in and
43:17
[SPEAKER_01]: playing that nickel spot from what it looks like to the offense, but he really drops or he really Does something to throw them off or he's actually playing more of a safety role, or maybe a little bit higher or whatever it is that they are going to Drop to try to throw the offense off.
43:33
[SPEAKER_01]: So I do think he's a guy that could challenge Jordan Hancock as well.
43:36
[SPEAKER_01]: We already know.
43:37
[SPEAKER_01]: I think I think
43:38
[SPEAKER_01]: there's more to his game than what we saw.
43:40
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, he still needs to develop, and he's still young, and still has, he's going to make mistakes, but I easy guy that I'm really intrigued by, and I was last year, and I think some people still are going into this year, but I think the hype for him has died down a little bit from what it was, especially during the season, early in the season.
43:57
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, so yeah, I think those two guys will be in there.
44:00
[SPEAKER_01]: Jeno Stone, like you said, might be able to push CJ Carter Johnson up a little bit.
44:04
[SPEAKER_01]: Sometimes they're called bishop up like in that role a little bit, you know, more than Jeno Stone can get the high, uh, happy the high safety there.
44:12
[SPEAKER_01]: So, um, and as John mentioned here, sometimes they might just say, hey, we're not even going to rock.
44:19
[SPEAKER_01]: a nickel out there, we're just going to go three linebackers in some sets.
44:24
[SPEAKER_01]: So, secondaries, tell us before linebackers, right?
44:28
[SPEAKER_00]: Because you're going to have a lot of fronts, so they'll be, well, technically, you'd have five or four, but yeah.
44:35
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, technically, he's saying like, there'd be three linebackers.
44:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, three off all, okay.
44:39
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, yeah.
44:40
[SPEAKER_01]: So,
44:41
[SPEAKER_01]: That definitely I don't think we'll see that too much.
44:44
[SPEAKER_01]: I think you might see it a more in the go line and in those sets But definitely something that if hey if it looks good for his team and they're saying hey we three linebackers look good if all three door and Williams and
44:55
[SPEAKER_01]: alarms or in Bernard look good.
44:56
[SPEAKER_01]: There's a chance that they go to that.
44:58
[SPEAKER_01]: Last thing for the secondary that I have, and John also had another good time I hear about a guy that could potentially challenge she took out of Johnson for that second safety spot next to Cole Bishop.
45:10
[SPEAKER_01]: I think we all assume Cole Bishop is going to be a starting safety.
45:13
[SPEAKER_01]: It's second spot is up for grabs, as you mentioned, you know, Stone's going to be in there.
45:18
[SPEAKER_01]: And Jalen Cogor, as there's Jones that he's looking forward to hearing about Jalen Cogor, who, yes, is a safety, but can also maybe play a little play around a little bit on different spots.
45:26
[SPEAKER_00]: He's going to be another guy that's going to be looking at, you know, hey, do you get him?
45:30
[SPEAKER_00]: Is he going to take some steps away from DL for it as well?
45:33
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you think he's a guy that could really challenge C.J.
45:37
[SPEAKER_01]: Gardner Johnson and Jino Stone for that matter?
45:43
[SPEAKER_00]: Kilgore is one of those guys that has enough upside, in my opinion, to take over as the safety next to Cole Bishop, and not really to replace CJ Gardner Johnson too much.
45:58
[SPEAKER_00]: on as his spot on the depth chart, Gino Stone absolutely can be overtaken by expect kill board to earn a spot ahead of Gino Stone.
46:08
[SPEAKER_00]: I fully expect that.
46:10
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm not sure if Gino Stone sticks around or how that's all going to work out, but I fully expect kill board to come in and play at a higher level.
46:20
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think, you know, Stone is an insurance policy does give you that, again, base level.
46:24
[SPEAKER_00]: It gives you that edge that you want on this team.
46:27
[SPEAKER_00]: But I think it just gives them more flexibility to do some different things with guys like Kilwar, or CJ Gardner Johnson.
46:35
[SPEAKER_00]: Again, all that sort of thing where you can disguise what you're going to try to do on defense.
46:43
[SPEAKER_00]: And there's going to be some variability in there in which roles each of those are assuming.
46:48
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, and I just also see this kind of from Roy coming in is killed by the guy who had to hit some, not a ton.
46:54
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, he only had 12 returns, uh, point returns in his three years at South Carolina.
47:00
[SPEAKER_01]: So, but still, that is experience.
47:02
[SPEAKER_01]: So, and that that's the spot where maybe he does end up, maybe he ends up showing out as a returner.
47:09
[SPEAKER_01]: And play and pretty good at safety and they say, hey, we want you to kind of play a little more here or
47:14
[SPEAKER_01]: But I do think it's going to be more like what you said of, yeah, you might see kind of both C.J.
47:19
[SPEAKER_01]: Gardener Dronson cohort swap out in certain situations.
47:22
[SPEAKER_01]: I think it could be a though a situation of C.J.
47:25
[SPEAKER_01]: Gardener Dronson starts the year as the starting safety.
47:28
[SPEAKER_01]: And throughout the year, you slowly see C.J.
47:30
[SPEAKER_01]: Gardener Dronson snaps go down and maybe even C.J.
47:33
[SPEAKER_01]: Gardener Dronson playing the nickel.
47:35
[SPEAKER_01]: They slowly move him to nickel, introduce kilobore and a safety and go from there.
47:39
[SPEAKER_01]: So,
47:40
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, the secondary kind of reminds me of the defensive line in that aspect of
47:48
[SPEAKER_01]: these guys are going to be all over the place.
47:49
[SPEAKER_01]: You're not going to not want like as a fan, I'd like it and it's exciting to be able to say like, hey, I won't be able to look at the screen or be at the game and look at the defense and know exactly what we're going to run like wish on like domestic defense that I've did many years of hey, I know that this is soft coverage that we're going to drop on third down.
48:09
[SPEAKER_01]: Sorry Sean for the slight hit I'll show you even though
48:15
[SPEAKER_01]: Like it's just I think you're not going to know what's going to come on the screen.
48:18
[SPEAKER_01]: I think that's a good thing.
48:19
[SPEAKER_01]: And I think you're going to see these guys do a lot of different things.
48:21
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's why I was sort of like my point to answer your question and around about way was really like if CJ Gardner Johnson's not the second safety.
48:31
[SPEAKER_00]: It's because kill gore's taken the spot in Gardner Johnson probably is still contributing.
48:37
[SPEAKER_00]: in a different way, like a nickel or some other rule, or if they're trying to roll out like a three safety package, something like that.
48:46
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, yeah, it's kind of, and I'm just, I know that this is a tough kind of, and I know everybody will listen, it's kind of a weird show in the terms of like, we are speaking in more hypothetical terms with the defense than we were, especially the offense, but that is simply because of the fact that this defense is going to be completely different, and even though we are hearing more and seeing a little bit more,
49:10
[SPEAKER_01]: there's still a lot that we don't know.
49:12
[SPEAKER_00]: It really will be total training camp that you know a lot of these answers, but the biggest problem is like Jim Leonard does have a scheme that he's, you know, used and it's there's sort of like a base.
49:25
[SPEAKER_00]: level knowledge of what he has done and what he probably.
49:30
[SPEAKER_00]: He's going to have to hold that to the players, right?
49:32
[SPEAKER_00]: The players are going to also dictate what they're going to be successful at.
49:36
[SPEAKER_00]: So if he comes in and wants to do one thing, but he can't find the right guys to do all the things to execute it, then he's got to kind of pivot to being effective in other areas in different ways.
49:47
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's the entry guy have with this
49:50
[SPEAKER_01]: It's also like, in a way of like, when Joe Brady started out, I only started in Carolina, but when he first got a, uh, offense coordinate trap, even in LSU, right?
50:00
[SPEAKER_01]: He came from the Sean Peyton tree.
50:01
[SPEAKER_01]: So you knew, okay, that's the style, maybe, or the scheme that they're gonna be running.
50:08
[SPEAKER_01]: But there's still the wrinkles that Joe Brady has on it.
50:11
[SPEAKER_01]: It's now going to have its differences.
50:13
[SPEAKER_01]: It's just like, look at him one, Erd, you know, you've seen it, you maybe able to look back with constant know a little bit.
50:18
[SPEAKER_01]: Or maybe able to look at Denver and say, hey, we know whom he's learned from.
50:23
[SPEAKER_01]: But he still is going to have his own wrinkles on it.
50:25
[SPEAKER_01]: He's going to have his own little things that he puts on it.
50:27
[SPEAKER_01]: So it will be a little bit different.
50:29
[SPEAKER_01]: And there's going to be, it's going to be an interesting kind of combo to see how it goes with all of these new and
50:38
[SPEAKER_01]: Last question I have for you, and then that's it.
50:41
[SPEAKER_01]: You don't have to answer any more of my question.
50:45
[SPEAKER_01]: It's actually not my question.
50:46
[SPEAKER_01]: Sorry.
50:47
[SPEAKER_01]: It's probably this question of what are you expecting from this defense side of the ball?
50:51
[SPEAKER_01]: I know we kind of talked about each individual position.
50:53
[SPEAKER_01]: What do you expect from it as a whole?
50:55
[SPEAKER_01]: Are you ranking?
50:56
[SPEAKER_01]: I guess go in the terms of do you think it will rank?
50:59
[SPEAKER_01]: In that 10 to 15 range, do you think you expected to be in that 5 to 10 or do you expect to be out towards 10 to 25 or 25 to whatever it is?
51:06
[SPEAKER_01]: What do you think?
51:09
[SPEAKER_00]: Rob you really nailed it with that question to wrap us up here.
51:12
[SPEAKER_00]: I really appreciate that Robbie because I was prepared to speak about this and I we didn't really have it in our topics in discussion.
51:18
[SPEAKER_00]: So, you know, I'm just glad that we're able to bring it up and it was from Robbie, you know, 27th in total QB pressures last year as a team defense got to get better.
51:31
[SPEAKER_00]: They did not farewell in EPA per rush was 30th.
51:38
[SPEAKER_00]: And then they got better in EPA per pass.
51:42
[SPEAKER_00]: This defense was six in their overall EPA per play as a defense ended up at 12 in the league.
51:51
[SPEAKER_00]: So 12th in EPA per play, let's see, yards per game, they were,
51:59
[SPEAKER_00]: 7th fewest yards per game defense.
52:01
[SPEAKER_00]: So middle of the road in some areas higher end and other areas, but that QB pressure rate, that QB pressure total has to be up in the top 10 this year with Jim Leonard's defense.
52:14
[SPEAKER_00]: I think it will be the average time to throw for a quarter bat was the 0.8 in last year.
52:19
[SPEAKER_00]: I expect that number to come down at least a half second or better.
52:25
[SPEAKER_00]: And then that EPA per Rush number, which is going to have everyone talking about their running defense effectiveness, I think that's one of the biggest areas where you hope Jim Leonard's going to figure some things out and retool these guys to get them in position to be more effective against the run and hopefully bring that EPA per Rush up inside the top 20, maybe even top 15 and see if they can really show some more effectiveness here.
52:53
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
52:55
[SPEAKER_01]: I think my expectations are pretty much the similar to yours.
52:59
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't, I will say, anybody that I think expects them to be a top eight or a seven defense.
53:07
[SPEAKER_01]: I think it is setting their expectations a little high.
53:12
[SPEAKER_01]: I think there will be the growing pains.
53:14
[SPEAKER_01]: There will be these guys that are learning and skiing.
53:15
[SPEAKER_01]: There will be, you know, maybe some guys are underperforming.
53:21
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't though expect them to be 27th in pressures, right?
53:26
[SPEAKER_01]: Or I don't expect them to improve on everything little by little throughout the season goes.
53:32
[SPEAKER_01]: I expect them to be better against Iran and get more pressure.
53:35
[SPEAKER_01]: Now, while they're over aggressiveness, I think there will be times it will be over aggressive and it will hurt them with big plays.
53:42
[SPEAKER_01]: I think the big play I guess aspect of this defense of eliminating big plays that might go down and like it worse, so you might see some more big plays given up.
53:52
[SPEAKER_01]: But if that in turn results in more quick drives, more three and ounce, more pressures in general, I'll take that.
53:59
[SPEAKER_01]: So I do expect them to still be in that 12 to 15 range.
54:03
[SPEAKER_01]: Maybe they can push to that top 10 towards that top 10, or the bottom of the top 10.
54:08
[SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, that's kind of where my expectations are at, but man, it can really, really go pretty much any which way for first time defensive play caller.
54:20
[SPEAKER_00]: for sure.
54:20
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's the fun thing about this offseason really is there's just a whole new wide-eyed.
54:29
[SPEAKER_00]: hope and and sort of intrigue with this defense I think Leonard's gonna do a great job with with the players we have here and it's all gonna come down to overall health of some key pieces if our if some key pieces can get uh... and stay healthy we didn't even talk about Michael white my favorite defense player on the defense like uh...
54:52
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, wait, just has that energy has sort of that it factor and if these guys stay healthy and they get a good stretch of good health here Some good luck not got wood here in Buffalo on the defense side of the ball watch out because I think they're going to challenge to be in that top seven top eight
55:14
[SPEAKER_00]: I think if health and everything clicks just right, you know, from that 7 to 10 range, like you're mentioning, it's probably going to be pretty possible.
55:26
[SPEAKER_00]: And if it really goes well, I do think near the five spot would be.
55:33
[SPEAKER_00]: Achievable range for the defense.
55:34
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't think they're going to be the number one defense this year.
55:36
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm not sure they could be, but I think they have enough If if everything clicks and they and they do get the health Aspect is to stay on their side.
55:45
[SPEAKER_00]: I really think this could be Somewhere near top five top six top seven type of defense.
55:51
[SPEAKER_01]: I'll end it on this.
55:52
[SPEAKER_01]: I agree with you to an extent I agree that maybe by the end of the year if they stay healthy guys develop they get used to the scheme
56:03
[SPEAKER_01]: maybe looks wise, look like a top 7, 8 defense.
56:08
[SPEAKER_01]: Numbers wise due to one, again, scheme change and just people adjusting, and two, the offense being with the offense is going to be putting up a lot of points, teams are going to throw a lot and they're going to attack, try to attack this defense as well.
56:21
[SPEAKER_01]: That's another reason why I think, baby, you'll see some higher scoring games some more yards given up and maybe they won't by the end of the year on paper be a top eight defense.
56:33
[SPEAKER_01]: So if they can and the year in that 12th kind of area 12 13 area,
56:39
[SPEAKER_01]: And show improvement throughout the season.
56:41
[SPEAKER_01]: And yeah, I agree with you that they can, you know, to us be a top five, six, seven defense, just based on how they look towards the end of the season.
56:51
[SPEAKER_01]: So I do agree with that if they can say healthy, they can do everything like that.
56:54
[SPEAKER_01]: But I got nothing else for you though.
56:57
[SPEAKER_00]: All right folks.
56:58
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, thank you for hanging with us for just about an hour here.
57:02
[SPEAKER_00]: Shout out to Wake in 180.
57:03
[SPEAKER_00]: We at loss the big tree in over an orchard park.
57:07
[SPEAKER_00]: Wing night tonight 75 cent things get them all their hot over a big tree in wing nuts Buffalo sign up for room 40 and have your party at wing nuts Buffalo on Genesis 3 near the airport.
57:18
[SPEAKER_00]: and then 7-1 Slicks Barbershop on Broadway and Dupue, book with the cut-up with Dennis and his team over at 7-1 Slicks Barbershop.
57:27
[SPEAKER_00]: Great stuff, Ben.
57:27
[SPEAKER_00]: I appreciate your time here.
57:29
[SPEAKER_00]: We are Miss and Scott Cass, and again, out due to a broken angle at ankle and having surgery in the last day or so.
57:38
[SPEAKER_00]: So get better, sir, and we're open to see your face on this show next week.
57:48
[SPEAKER_01]: Cowbells.