starrymessenger

Same place (combine). Not the same time.

Well they do have the same hand size. Exactly.

Five games into his rookie season (before injury) Steve Smith told Sports Illustrated that Keon Coleman was "one heck of a football player". Just sayin. In fairness, the thought was also expressed that playing him exclusively as a dedicated X from the get go without the benefit of scheme touches and motion was too much to put on the kid's plate given the step up in competition. I note that even Brian Thomas takes 30% of his snaps from the slot. I'm pretty confident that Keon can play from the slot. I can think of game situations where you might use a big slot effectively. Contrary to many I think he can also play outside, but only if he can learn to do some of the things that Boldin could do. I wouldn't set that bar for just any big "slow" receiver. I say it because he is a rare physical specimen who probably has the physical attributes to do it. It's largely up to him imo.

I disagree. The debate is informative (at least for yours truly). On the other hand your conclusion is 100% correct imo. Personally I'm optimistic about his chances.

His 10 and 20 yard splits are good. In fact his 10 yard split (1.54) is excellent. That's where you look for initial burst. It's likely the last 20 yards of his 40 that is slow.

I hear ya (and Steve). We shall see.

As long as he NEVER has to play in a different system. Even then.

Yeah we all remember the hit he took from the two Jets DBs. One of the worse things I've ever seen on a football field (next to Hamlin). I agree that Boldin is an outlier obviously. And every big slow receiver gets compared to him without justification. Where I might disagree with you is in thinking that (without actually being Boldin) he cannot have a very productive career having learned to do the kinds of things that Boldin did. I think I saw enuf from him last year before injury to conclude that it is not unreasonable to project him that way. Boldin was rare. Coleman is a rare specimen.

Prather is an ambitious kid who is pushing the envelope by having declared for the draft. He had another year of eligibility and he surely would have benefitted by transferring to a bigger program and conference for his last year of college ball because he is raw and his game is in need of refinement. Analysts frequently disagree of course but something I found a little odd was coming across diametrically opposed views on certain aspects, specifically footwork, release, route running, and hand use. What I think that winds up meaning is that he has shown that he can do it all well enuf except that he doesn't do it all the time. In other words he is not consistent, which is hardly surprising him being a youngster who lost targets to Tai Felton (who was drafted around 100 by Minni). Too me he may have declared too early and would have had a better shot of making a roster after next years draft. That's why I think he probably belongs on the practice squad. But if he makes the roster because he shows greater consistency even in spite of the limited reps he will get in OTÀs and preseason games I think it will be reasonable to conclude that the Bills found a diamond in the 7th round. It does happen. Jacobi Meyers was undrafted.

From day one Boldin has been my comp for Coleman. Boldin certainly did well playing from the slot, esp with Saints, and I feel pretty sure Coleman can line up as a big slot. But for the majority of Boldin's career, certainly earlier on, he lined up outside and was very effective in that role. Even in his last year he lined up outside for 45% of his snaps. His career average depth of target is 12.8 yards, similar to Larry Fitzgerald or Brandon Marshall. Boldin was also used to attack all field levels and had a diversified route-running skill set. Boldin was slower than Coleman. Boldin was good from the get go. Coleman is more a work in progress. But I don't think he is necessarily limited or incapable of significant improvement/development. Actually I tend to think he can. Like you I say he needs to do what Boldin did - win with ball skills, toughness, length, physicality, smarts, yac etc...

The refreshing thing about President Trump is that he will back down or reverse course when he figures out that reality is in fact different than he would like it to be. I can't emphasize how important that is. Politicians are generally ruled by dogma and received notions. Typically they double down which usually only makes matters worse. He's a businessman who will back down when he sees that it's the only reasonable thing to do. I can understand why he likes tariffs. It's because he likes money. A lot. Slap a percentage, 10%, 30%., 145% on the notional amount of trade flows into the United States and you'll be rolling in so much money.that you'll be tired of winning. Thing is it doesn't quite work that way. He's the Roger Clemons of politics. A big bad boy with a good heater. Thing is China is a big dog too, and a heavy hitter. To me they turned that tariff fastball around big time. I won't be surprised if the remaining 20% fentanyl related China tariff comes down in 90 days.

Whether Biden is a criminal would depend upon a medical assessment of his mental state. He may have been of diminished responsibility. There is no excuse for Blinken, Sullivan, McGurk, and their Transylvanian spox, Miller. Bottom line, these are quite simply bad people.

Président Trump's visit to the Middle East is of historic importance not because of the foreign investment he claims to have secured for America. The numbers are largely irrelevant since these for the most part are only statements of intention and not in any way real commitments. The Arab states could change their minds tomorrow without consequence. What President Trump has accomplished is in fact of far greater importance. He has in his remarkable speech exploded the traditional neocon mantra of American foreign policy in the Middle East (and I might add in Ukraine) which he correctly understands not to be in America's national interest. It's not clear that he will be able to follow through because of the opposition he will encounter from the paid shills in both parties in Congress but if he succeeds he will prove himself to be a greater man and President than Bush, Clinton, Obama and, needless to say, the criminal Biden, at least with respect to foreign policy. He will deserve, and will have earned, the Nobel Peace Prize.

After hearing that he was turning heads at mini-camp I thought I'd take a closer look. Some have commented that his college tape is unimpressive. I disagree. Some college receivers benefit from scheme touches, pre-snap motion and free releases. Prather was used almost exclusively outside, facing press coverage and battling DBs for contested balls. And that's what Beane specifically wants him to do, even if eventually he shows that can also line up and work from the slot. For now Beane is not looking for him to operate at all field levels but certainly they are at least aware of his proven ability to run in breaking routes after selling the vertical. Prather tests as a decent but in no way exceptional athlete (RAS 7.68). He has been criticized for an alleged lack of explosion as evidenced by his 30" vertical and 9'6" broad jump but I think that needs to be reexamined. His vertical, while disappointing, is perhaps partially offset by his truly remarkable ability to adjust to the ball at the catch point. Nobody in his draft class does it as well as he does. And he does start out with a height advantage over the guys who will be covering him. Although his combine vertical and broad jump suggest a lack of explosive power/lower body strength his ten yard split, 1.53, is elite (Brian Thomas' was 1.55, Justin Jefferson's 1.57) and his 20 yard split, 2.64, is also very good (Thomas' was 2.53, Jefferson's 2.61). Ill take those over his broad jump all day. His hand size/wingspan check out ok. He is a developmental player who probably belongs on the practice squad but if he truly shines in OTAs and preseason games Bills may have to make a decision. Word gets around. Of course he won't be getting much in the way of reps so he will have to make the most of his opportunities. Beane's draft strategy was based on addressing perceived needs and some of his later picks are clearly seen as roll players. Prather is in that group. He may not make it of course but he was an excellent 7th round pick.

Bengals can't afford him after paying Burrow, Tee and Chase. Thing to do was trade Tee, draft their new #2 and extend Hendrickson. Their O would still be very good and their awful D would be a lot better than it will now be. The receivers are represented by the same agent and it was apparently made clear to the Bengals that they came as a pair. You could not ask for more from a player than Hendrickson has given, on and off the field. At his age now is the time for him to get paid. They are going to trade him.

If he's what folks think he might be he won't last on the PS. A number of analysts liked him. Beane drafted him because he didn't want him to fall into the UDFA pool. Could well be #6. Check out his combine 40. Smooth strider. Suggests very good body control. Seems a good kid too.

A number of people thought highly of this kid. Glad we get a chance to better see what he's got. Word is Beane had his eye on him and did not want hm to fall into the UDFA pool

All I've seen is his 2023/2024 highlights and his senior bowl tape/coverage. If you have followed him at Kentucky you are certainly in a better position to opine on him. I understand why you would compare him to Jordan Philips because that's what he can look and play like. The tape suggests that. But that comp, while obvious, might be incomplete. I agree that his strength is in his upper body and that his lower body needs to get stronger. But that's a big part of what he needs to work on if he is going to play with a lower pad level. I don't know if you would call it job one but it's certainly very important. If he can't do that his chance of succeeding will be lessened. I am assuming without knowing for certain that a strength and conditioning program will enable him to get there. But maybe this is just a consequence of his unusual body type. I hope not. I'm glad you said he "rarely" occupied two blockers (instead of never) because even based on my limited exposure I've seen him do it against good competition. I can credit your statement though based on your greater familiarity with his play. But I will add that I've seen tape of him showing exceptional lateral mobility for a guy his size pursuing on sweeps and penetrating, not to pressure the quarterback, but to disrupt the run game. There was a senior bowl rep where a 280 pound guard was supposed to disengage from the defender and accede to the second level. He wound up in exactly the same spot after the snap as before. I think he can perhaps develop into the kind of player who has positional versatility along the line. No doubt for now he is a controversial, polarizing player.

He doesn't look like your prototypical 3 tech either (like Jordan Philips, although I think he can be more than that) . Dude is pretty much a unicorn. Something else that's encouraging is that his intangibles are very good. Team captain and loved by his teammates and coaches. Doubt the Bills would have drafted him, given the issues around whether he will translate to the pros, if his character was problematic. His good tape is excellent but we don't get to see his bad and meh reps (unless you follow Kentucky) which are certainly much more numerous. He needs to be better conditioned. He plays with a good motor until he gets puffed later in games. Given where he was taken I absolutely love this pick. Upside is stratospheric.

I think they will groom him as a run defender, but because of his athleticism and agility for a big man he will eventually be able to play 3 tech. Has a chance to become the kind of DT you can line up anywhere - maybe like Chris Jones (I wish).

Absolutely. He's a project. Disagree. In run defence drills at the senior bowl against guys who are going to be drafted or priority free agents he was very effective.

I'm pretty sure that Walker can occupy two blockers and has good lateral mobility. So I think he can defend the run. In time he may well also bring pressure inside to at least disrupt the pocket.

Just watching his highlights and senior bowl tape. What encourages me is that he does not always play with a high pad level, not at all. even if it might seem that way because he is so tall. To me that may mean that his standing up is a just a natural tendency that can be managed with coaching. Apart from his height, the fact that his power is more above the waist rather than below would contribute to this tendency. He needs to strengthen his lower body. To me the thing that may hamper his development is his back. I assume that the Bills have done their medical due diligence on him and were comfortable enuf to move up to draft him. He has traits that simply cannot be taught. As far as I'm concerned if the back issue is resolved or resolvable he stands an excellent chance of being a very good player with positional versatility along the D line.

Right. Even in a reduced role his flaws would not be proportionately less prominent. If we are going with six, I would prefer a younger player with the right traits and upside. If Prather could learn to block something like Gabe I might favour him (he's a bit taller, quite a bit faster, looks to have good hands and ball tracking ability and runs decent albeit limited routes for now). Some analysts like him and expected him to go earlier. Good receivers can be found later in the draft - Puka, Shakir.

I think Diggs (and Josh) and breakdowns in coverage had a role to play if memory serves. No doubt a career game nevertheless.