starrymessenger

There is a lot of back and forth on the need or not for a "true # 1" receiver. Probably just me but I would benefit from understanding what exactly people mean by that. Are we just talking numbers so that it means the guy lining up on the weak side of the LOS in 1 receiver sets? Actually in multiple receiver sets you often have guys lined up at either end of the LOS and, numerically and for playcalling purposes, they are both # 1s. Or do we mean the receiver who most earns his quarterback's trust, is the go to guy and probably the one with the most targets, catches and yards (eg Shakir)? If so, presumably the # 1 could line up as an X, Y or Z receiver. But I think people are referencing a specific skill set. I assume they mean an X type boundary receiver who is a burner (or at least considered fast enough to gain separation) and who can credibly threaten to take the top off of a defence (bearing in mind that in today's game a deep threat will also be positioned as a slot or flanker (Jefferson, Davante Adams) and work all parts of the field). So based on that criteria is Worthy a true # 1? And for those wanting a true # 1, does it also mean they would have preferred Worthy, Leggett or Mitchell to Coleman in the last draft (from amongst those players we could actually draft). Besides being fast some would say that the prototypical # 1 need be big and/or strong. So forget Worthy. The definition can be further limited by requiring that the guy also qualify as the O's principal passing weapon and that he be among the team leaders in targets, catches and yardage, and therefore inferentially that he also have a developed route tree (Jamar Chase, Tyreek).To find someone like that (assuming one is available) your best bet is to burn an early first round pick. And then you often have to wait for the player to develop. Failing that you need to crack a very large cheque to a FA. My view for now is that the Bills O can certainly benefit schematically from having a healthy Cooper. But I dont think you need a great player of that type. A good one should be enuf if you can't find or afford an elite player. You can probably do that. I was interested in Mooney for that role in FA last year, though I doubt anyone would call him a # 1 receiver.

We better start to see some of Amari Cooper soon. Otherwise we have wasted a 3rd. That's a big price to pay for nothing.

Great play Kelce. Time to retire.

That connection is going to be a problem.

All those other ones were too easy.

He's fantastic!!!

Actually should have been a catch. Not showing good hands today.

There was a thing called a trebuchet. You could strap Bass into one of those and he'd just be a spot on the horizon in a nanosecond.

Refs looking for a way.

Run D totally sucks. Everybody knew they were going to run the ball.

Davis a natch.

Bad hold

Bs

Calais Campbell such a stud.

That's 2 TDs down the drain.

And that's where 80% of games are won or lost.

Wrist

34/17 Bills of course. We are at least twice as good.

Reminds me of the Jets getting rid of Darnold.

I think they are one and the same.

The game has really slowed down for Aaron. I thought that was a good thing. Guess not.

Im heading over to Gang Green for some laughs.

I think Aaron is ready for the wax museum.

Whats Woody gonna do? Maybe he can wring his own neck. Would be a good move.

If by #1 we mean Allen's go to guy I wouldn't be completely surprised if that was in Keon's future. For a number of years Julian Edelman, a slot receiver, was Brady's go to guy and saw a ton of balls. Before Edelman it was Wes Welker, another slot. If by #1 we mean the outside receiver to the weak side of the line opposite an eligible tight end or either receiver at the end of the line in multiple receiver sets (say 2x2 or 3x1) that's a different assertion. Keon is not a dedicated #1 outside X receiver imo, meaning he is not going to take the significant majority of his snaps outside. Actually not many of today's best receivers do eg Davante Adams. Neither is Keon one of those "slot only" guys obviously. He is going to wind up lining up both outside and inside on or off the line depending upon the purpose underlying the play call. The exact percentage breakdown has yet to be determined and will be influenced by a number of factors some of which are unknown and unknowable at this time. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it wound up a roughly 50/50 proposition. For those who think the slot belongs to Shakir, his snaps too will be divided in some proportion. He can play some on the boundary.There are two types of slot receiver generally. Some are fast and quick, some are big and strong. We know what group Keon falls in. And there is nothing preventing the Bills from using two slots, like the championship Cardinals often did. Boldin lined up inside and in so doing he benefitted from having more room to operate in the middle of the field. The payoff, in part, was that he managed to be one of the games best YAC receivers, even though he was slow. Coleman reminded me of Boldin a lot when he took off for big yardage after the catch.