Tag: bobby babich

Bills confident Matt Milano will be back: ‘Matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano’

#Bills confident Matt Milano will be back: ‘Matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano’

Matt Milano taking part in the entirety of Buffalo Bills 2024 training camp up until this point has been a very welcomed sight at St. John Fisher University.

Fresh off an All-Pro season in 2022, Milano’s year was cut short in 2023. He sustained a serious leg injury that kept him out until the start of training camp.

While Milano’s play might look superhuman, he’s going to need time like anybody else.

“That’s been the goal since the injury – just to be able to start the season off with the team,” Milano told the Buffalo News. “I’m doing good. Just been working all summer, all OTAs to get back to be able to practice Day 1, and was able to do that.”

The team is happy with his comeback efforts to this point, too. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich displayed that and gave the best analysis of all.

“It’s just a matter of time until Matt Milano is Matt Milano,” Babich said.

Babich’s full thoughts on Milano can be found in the Batavia Daily clip below:

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Bills’ Sean McDermott provides update on potential defensive play calling

#Bills’ Sean McDermott provides update on potential defensive play calling:

The Buffalo Bills have a new defensive coordinator. It’s still unclear who will be the one in charge of calling the plays once the 2024 NFL regular season rolls around.

Bobby Babich has served on the coaching staff since 2017 and has held multiple positions. He was promoted to defensive coordinator earlier this offseason after McDermott doubled down as head coach and DC in 2023.

Despite the upgrade for Babich, McDermott has remained silent on whether or not him or Babich will call plays for the defense next season.

That continued when McDermott spoke via video conference at the start of training camp.

But in a bit of a curve ball, McDermott added that during camp practices in the coming weeks when plays are being sent in by coaches during team drills, both McDermott and Babich will get chances to call plays.

McDermott is keeping his cards close to his chest once again.

The coach’s full thoughts can be found in the clip below:

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Bills surprisingly don’t crack PFF’s top-10 linebacker units

#Bills surprisingly don’t crack PFF’s top-10 linebacker units:

The Bills’ linebackers group has been a formidable presence under head coach Sean McDermott. The team has drafted some impact starters and rotation players under his and general manager Brandon Beane’s watch.

Such players have included Matt Milano and more recent addition, Terrel Bernard, as well as former starter and defensive play-caller Tremaine Edmunds.

They’ve not been without weak spots, perhaps no more visible than in the amount of ground yards they’ve given up at times to opposing running backs in McDermott’s “bend-don’t-break” defensive schemes.

That and Milano has occasionally missed time due to injuries.

Nonetheless, the group has been effective, with Milano in particular standing out in his play. This is why a new list from Pro Football Focus (PFF) that ranks the best units around the NFL might surprise many who hold Buffalo’s group in high regard.

The outlet shared their lists of different position groups and how they ranked them,

The evaluation was exclusively on off-ball linebackers and not outside linebackers who function as edge defenders, such as Bills OLB Von Miller, for example.

In their 2024 rankings for every linebacker group in the NFL, PFF does have the Bills linebacker group included but has them ranked at 11th in the league.

Obviously things can change once the regular season kicks off, and the Bills were without Milano for a large part of their 2023 season due to a right tibial plateau fracture (a tibia fracture just below the knee) which may have been a factor in this offseason assessment.

In Milano’s absence, Terrel Bernard would see increased time, logging 143 tackles along with six and a half sacks to go with three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Ahead of them were the Jets (1st overall), 49ers (2nd), Bears (3rd), Patriots (4th), Giants (5th), Ravens (6th), Jaguars (7th), Browns (8th), Saints (9th), and Vikings (10th).

With that, here is what PFF had to say about their ranking for the Bills in their 2024 NFL linebacker unit rankings…

11. BUFFALO BILLS

Assuming Matt Milano can play at the level he was at before going down with a season-ending injury in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023, the Bills will be in a good spot at linebacker again.

Milano was one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in 2022, earning an 83.2 PFF coverage grade. Next to him, Terrel Bernard proved himself to be a solid starter in his second NFL season, producing a 65.9 PFF grade on 1,031 snaps.

Bills’ Von Miller details motivation ahead of potential bounce-back year

#Bills’ Von Miller details motivation ahead of potential bounce-back year:

Bills outside linebacker and longtime NFL star at that position Von Miller is looking to return to that stature this season.

The veteran and free agent splash signing by Buffalo suffered what was a season-ending knee injury in 2022.

He returned to the field last year but registered no sacks amidst limited snaps during the teams’ 2023 campaign.

As the 34-year-old aims to get back to the level of play that he, fans, teammates, and coaches are accustomed to, he has his head coach’s support as he works toward finding success on the field and justifying his contract.

In a new collaboration with GlassesUSA.com, Miller fielded some questions including one asking what his biggest individual and team goals for the upcoming season are.

“My biggest individual goal is just getting back to playing my style of football,” Miller said per Sports Illustrated. “It’s crazy how you get injured, and you come back, and you really shouldn’t have even been playing, and people judge you by a product on the field. I could have easily sat out all of last season, but I couldn’t do my teammates like that. I felt like being later in my career, I didn’t want to sacrifice any of my years. But at the same time, I shouldn’t have been out there.”

Miller appeared to be a shell of his former self much of the time when he did see the field last season, that is until the team’s playoff run in which he began to show flashes of a return to form.

“I feel like people are judging me on that, so it’s making me a little bit angry, to be honest. It’s making me tap into a Von that I haven’t been in a while. I just want to get back to playing my style of football.”

The Bills will need Miller to do just that, a leader on and off the field, he is a key to the team’s Super Bowl hopes. And in a year in which roster turnover has left fewer veterans, his ability to coach up young players and lead the defense will be valuable. Perhaps no more so than in setting the pace on the field in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.

“The biggest team goal is bringing the first Super Bowl to Buffalo,” he added. “Everyone feels like they deserve it, and they work hard, but Buffalo Bills fans and Western New York they deserve it, man. They do so much for our community and our football team. Josh Allen is an amazing player and person – he is one of the most amazing people that I have ever been around in my life. These guys deserve it, and I’m going to do everything in my power to give it to them.”

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Bills’ DeWayne Carter, Rasul Douglas: Bobby Babich off to good start as DC

#Bills’ DeWayne Carter, Rasul Douglas: Bobby Babich off to good start as DC:

The Bills have plenty of new faces for media and fans to familiarize themselves with on the field this offseason.

Among them is defensive lineman Dewayne Carter.

Buffalo’s third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Duke is getting acclimated to his new coaches and teammates, who are helping each other along the way.

One of those coaches is newly promoted defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.

Carter noted the impact both Babich and his teammates are having in his first offseason as a Bill.

“Knowledge of the game, and how much knowledge he’s giving me,” Carter said about his new DC. “And not just me, it’s everybody in that whole room, it’s like coach corrects you on one thing, and everybody chips in you know, and gives you pointers.”

With the roster turnover since their 2023 campaign ended, the Bills have seen an influx of new and young players and will be looking to a number of their draft selections to hopefully be able to contribute as soon as possible on the field in the regular season.

That veterans on the roster are helping support the application of their coaches’ input to elevate younger players like Carter and help them get up to speed and the level of play to contribute is a good sign that everyone is doing their part to field the best team possible.

“It’s never from like, the point of ego or like ‘I’m the guy so you should listen to me’, it’s like I want to help you be better and help this team win,” Carter added.

That they are backing Babich is a good sign as well. Hee has been a popular defensive presence on the coaching staff for some time, most recently serving as the linebackers coach.

“Good coach,” coach Sean McDermott said about Babich when he was promoted. “Bobby and I have been together a number of years, going back to our time together in Carolina. And you know, his dad [coach Bob Babich] was with us for a number of years here, and good family. Bob is a good coach. He’s developed players, and I think when you evaluate a coach, [you are] taking what you have and making it better? And I think it doesn’t get any, need to get any more complex than that. And Bobby’s done that.”

Babich made some headlines this offseason commenting on his approach toward the new role he’s assumed and his transition into the duties it entails.

“I’m vulnerable enough to say that I’m as prepared as I’m possibly going to be, and I’m (continuing) to learn every day and every part of this process,” he noted.

Bills corner Rasul Douglas also recently commented on the new Bills DC and the energy he brings to their defense.

“Juiced. A lot of energy,” said Douglas. “It wakes you up because you gotta try to match his energy. He’s ready. He’s juiced. He’s pumped to go out there. It’s like he’s playing.”

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ESPN: Bills should lock up Greg Rousseau before training camp

ESPN: #Bills should lock up Greg Rousseau before training camp:

The Buffalo Bills underwent a significant roster turnover during the 2024 offseason, with many familiar faces heading to other NFL teams and new ones suiting up in Orchard Park.

With most of the Bills’ needs having been addressed in free agency and the draft, ESPN had named which addition might still remain ahead of the 2024 season.

In it, ESPN writer Aaron Schatz suggests one final move for all 32 NFL teams that each can make in late June or early July that will put them in a better situation for the upcoming season and/or the ones beyond.

This includes contract extensions and last-minute signing or trade suggestions.

So which does he pick for the Bills? Does it involve talent on offense or defense? A stop-gap veteran on a short-term deal or a multi-year pact type of player? A familiar face or someone new?

Here’s the player and move that ESPN  picked for Buffalo ahead of their 2024 campaign…

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Extend edge rusher Gregory Rousseau

The Bills’ roster doesn’t have many clear holes, so it’s time to lock up some players in their primes. Rousseau is an important part of the Bills’ pass rush, with five sacks and 34 pressures last season. He is excellent against the run, ranking ninth among edge rushers in average yards per run tackle.

This would be a shrewd move for the Bills, Rousseau’s development has been steady year-to-year, he’s an impact player and a key part of their defense and pass rush.

He hasn’t had a monster year yet, but he could this season or in those that lie ahead in his young career. An extension now that Buffalo has reworked its cap space for the future would lock him into a sensible deal for both sides without overpaying.

Rousseau also appears to be part of the team’s long-term plans on defense, so getting a deal done with the 24-year-old ahead of the season to extend his deal through more of the prime years of his young career makes sense.

The team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal in April to already extend his pact and buy them time to get a new agreement done.

Under those terms, Rousseau would make $2.3M this upcoming season and $13.4 million in 2025. Suffice it to say Buffalo will look to extend him to a new multi-year deal.

He had eight sacks as a rookie and five last season and will look to help put up or increase those numbers to replace the productivity in the pass rush filled last season by Leonard Floyd who had 10 sacks but departed in free agency.

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Bills’ Bobby Babich gives honest opinion on new defensive coordinator role

#Bills’ Bobby Babich gives honest opinion on new defensive coordinator role:

Is Bobby Babich ready to be the new Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator?

Yes and no… in his words, not ours.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott appointed Babich as the team’s defensive coordinator after McDermott held the job last season. Since promoting Babich, McDermott has consistently been asked who will call plays on defense and we’ve yet to get an answer.

By the sound of it, Babich will understand the choice either way.

When asked about his new role, Babich gave a very honest and candid answer. Is he ready to be a DC in the NFL for the first time?

He’s going to prep for it, but no, he’s not.

“You’re never ready until you do it,” Babich said. “Until actually do something you’re never ready.”

Babich’s full response can be found in the WROC-TV clip below:

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Bills’ Von Miller: ‘Still feel like I have a couple of years left’

Von thinks he’s got some time left in his career:

After a hot start to his time with the Buffalo Bills, an injury bug has started to slow down pass rusher Von Miller.

Ever the optimist, the 35-year-old does not believe that will be an issue that will derail his career plans.

After a 2022 knee injury, Miller returned to the fold last year. In doing so, Miller played in 12 games but failed to record a sack.

With more time off since that setback, Miller is remaining positive at spring practices.

“I still feel like I got a couple of more years left. I’m going to give it my all,” Miller said.

Miller has support in this area, too.

Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said he saw the Von-of-the-past at times in 2023 even though he didn’t have a sack.

“There was a couple of plays in there where you were like, ‘Okay, I see Von,’” Babich said via video conference.

Time will tell how long Miller can give it a go… because Father Time will make that decision.

For more from Miller, see the attached WGRZ-TV clip below:

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Sean McDermott: Bills’ Bobby Babich has multi-positional experience

Sean McDermott: #Bills’ Bobby Babich has multi-positional experience:

The Bills promoted Bobby Babich to their defensive coordinator post.

But why?

Below the coordinator position, not much is typically known about assistant coaches. Head coach Sean McDermott was in charge of selections the team’s defensive coordinator and he told One Bills Live one trait Babich has that stood out to him.

McDermott noted Babich has experience working with multiple levels on the Bills defense in the past, including the secondary and linebackers, his most-recent post.

“He’s had success developing players at more than one position, which is impressive,” McDermott said.

The full clip of McDermott joining the team’s radio program from the 2024 NFL combine can be found below:

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Brandon Beane says Bills still figuring out who will call plays on defense

Brandon Beane says #Bills still figuring out who will call plays on defense:

The Buffalo Bills have made some coaching changes but not all decisions have yet to be made.

The team promoted Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator. He previously was Buffalo’s linebackers coach.

Last offseason, Leslie Frazier stepped down from the DC position but no replacement was named. Instead, head coach Sean McDermott doubled down as the coordinator as well.

That responsibility included the job of calling plays. When Babich was promoted, the first thought for many was whether or not McDermott or Babich would end up calling plays on defense.

As for now, the team is still figuring that out according to Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane.

“We’re still working through all those things,” Beane said to the Buffalo News. “Sean and Bobby, from the defensive side, are still sorting things out.”

“I think we’ll have some more clarity here in the coming days and weeks,” Beane added.

In terms of McDermott himself, he played the fence just perfectly. He admitted there was some “rust” early on in 2023 when he was calling plays and said he thought there was improvement… but then McDermott noted he there is “more on the plate” having to be head coach and play caller.

McDermott’s full thoughts can be found in the WGRZ-TV clip below:

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