While much of what happens with the Buffalo Bills this season will likely hinge on the play of rookie quarterback?EJ Manuel -- the No. 16 overall pick of the 2013 NFL draft -- the remaking of the Bills' linebackers will also be a storyline to watch. The Bills used their third pick of the 2013 NFL draft to take former Oregon Ducks linebacker Kiko Alonso (No. 46 overall).
Alonso has already made a strong impression in training camp and could be tapped by new head coach Doug Marrone and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine to serve as the team's starting middle linebacker. If he earns the starting nod, Alonso will likely have the responsibility of calling out the team's defensive plays as well as making formation adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
Here's a look at what is being said about Alonso and what the expectations are for the Bills' rookie this season:
? Dan Murphy of Buddy Nixon writes about the "return to relevance" for linebackers on the Bills, thanks in large part to the addition of Alonso:
The unproven Nigel Bradham will be joined up the middle by presumed-defensive quarterback Kiko Alonso ... All of the measurables are there for Alonso; he plays with the versatility, speed and aggression required of the prototypical man in the middle, especially in Pettine?s seek-and-destroy system, and he displayed big-play ability with 14 tackles for loss as a senior at Oregon. The sky is the limit for Alonso.? Dennis Amo of BuffaLowDown writes that of the rookies on the team, he expects Alonso to make an "immediate impact":
Kiko Alonso, LB, will be the favorite to start at middle linebacker with the Bills trading Kelvin Sheppard in the off-season for Jerry Hughes. He will be one to keep an eye on and will have to step up to help out a struggling defense.? Carl Pfeiffer of Queen City Sports writes that Alonso will impress in training camp and will start the season as the one "calling the defensive signals":
Our line backing corps last year was nothing short of a joke. If Alonso can earn one of the starting LB positions then the one major weakness in our defense may have just turned into strength. At mini-camp he was running with the first team and calling some of the defensive signals. If Kiko plays like his college highlight tape, he may just conjure up memories of Shane Conlan, Jim Haslett and Ray Bentley. Don?t be surprised if Alonso wins the job early in camp.? Chris Burke of Audibles on SI.com writes that that "most intriguing positional battle" in training camp will be for the second inside linebacker. He says Alonso has all but sealed his spot in the starting lineup:
The Bills need to find two starting inside linebackers, because a) they traded 15-game starter Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis and b) their flip from a 4-3 to a defense that at least incorporates the 3-4 in a hybrid approach stresses the importance of that position.? Alex Parish of The Phinsider gives an "opponent preview" of the Bills. The Miami Dolphins insider tabs Alonso as the "Dark Horse Player of the Year":Rookie Kiko Alonso, a second-round pick, probably would have to bomb this preseason to wind up outside the starting lineup ? the coaching staff has raved about his work thus far, and Buffalo does not have the luxury of bringing him along slowly.
Rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso is a pretty instinctive player, and will likely be asked to start straight away. Very athletic and very good in coverage, but needs to improve his run blocking skills. Nonetheless, he's a player with huge upside.? Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings writes that the Bills expect Alonso to be the team's No. 1 linebacker and "play the vast majority of defensive snaps":
The 6'3", 238-pound Alonso comes into the NFL with experience doing a lot of the things the Bills will ask him to do. In particular, his work in coverage will be an asset to the Bills, as will his high-4.6 to low-4.7 speed. He can blitz, he can play outside or inside (yes, even in Buffalo's defense), and he has the look of a linebacker dependable enough against the run that the team can reasonably expect to leave him on the field as often as possible as a rookie. ...? ESPN.com slots Alonso in as the No. 105 best individual defensive player (IDP). It says the following about him:They need Alonso to be a playmaker - a guy that affects the passing game with big plays and the running game in the backfield. Alonso did that at Oregon. He'll be expected to do it at the NFL level right out of the gate, too.
Buffalo's new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is a linebacker guru -- who has hired two linebacker coaches -- with intentions of deploying this instinctual rookie as a three-down inside 'backer in his aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2013/07/nfl_training_camp_what_theyre_3.html
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