TroutDog

Not really. The argument during the draft (by the talking heads) was that he would have been more productive as a three technique due to his speed. You can always make that argument but he was resoundingly successful in their system as a NG thus this coach questioning their logic.

The premise is that he was used incorrectly at Houston. Not sure if the double negative was a type-o. ? I put the quote in the Oliver thread from the draft and I agree he was used properly within their system.

While it’s been debated to death here, the biggest drop was by Clay against Miami. I believe he should have caught it giving us and Josh the win. With that being said, we would, more than likely, not have ended up with Oliver if he did so...

I posted this in the Oliver thread but his HS and college coach is sick of these guys saying he was used incorrectly in Houston. Given his stats, he has a point. https://theathletic.com/962885/2019/05/06/a-j-blum-qa-ed-olivers-longtime-coach-on-his-fit-with-buffalo-and-those-crazy-maturity-questions/

From The Athletic today, an article from his coach since HS: https://theathletic.com/962885/2019/05/06/a-j-blum-qa-ed-olivers-longtime-coach-on-his-fit-with-buffalo-and-those-crazy-maturity-questions/ Quote: ”The Bills have said they are going to make him a three-technique in their defense. How do you think he’ll transition to that? What are some of the challenges that come with that move? I think it’s going to be amazing. I had been telling Ed all along after the pro day, seeing the head coach and GM at his pro day, I was like, wow, this is the real deal. I went back and did some research and I had been telling Ed all along that from a scheme standpoint of every team that’s interested in you, Buffalo is probably the best fit. When we were in high school, I called 46 games with Ed playing three-technique or 2i, basically what he’s going to be playing in Buffalo. It’s going to be amazing. It just is. You can say all you want about him playing the zero-technique in the three down that we had at Houston, but he was very active. He stunted probably 70 percent of the time. I think the thing that’s going to be awesome is you’re not going to have to stunt him as much because he’s going to be on the outside shoulder or inside shoulder of that guard, and it’s going to allow him to really use his skills in a one-on-one situation. I’m sure he’ll get his fair share of double teams, but it will be a lot less than he got at Houston. I think it’s going to be amazing. I know he’s excited. I think it’s going to be really good. From a standpoint of what he needs to get better at, he is such a natural with his speed and explosiveness that a lot of times he defeats blocks by his get off, not so much side-stepping his blocker but by being a penetrator. When you’re a penetrator, you don’t necessarily have the use of great hand placement and block disengagement, but he’s going to be in situations, where that’s going to be one of the biggest things. Having worked with him for seven years, that’s going to be one of the biggest things he’ll have to refine as a skill, is just staying on that edge and being able to get off that block. People want to compare him to Aaron Donald, but he and Aaron Donald are two completely different players. Aaron Donald bench-pressed 550 pounds in college. That’s why he’s so good at getting off blocks. He gets that separation and he can still control and get off blocks. A guy like Ed, he’s punching a guy so fast and moving by him that he was able to get away with it. That’s going to be one of the biggest things that he’s going to have refine. Attack, lock out and then disengage. Just getting off those blocks. His feet are going to be great. His speed is going to be great. It’s just about controlling it and staying in that gap.”

His back story is worth looking up. He came from a town on Florida that is basically Hell.

When Jim was at the helm, if memory serves, they had seven plays with variants on those plays. The intent was to be able to execute to perfection without burdening everyone with a zillion things to learn. Todays game is so different. I believe he could do it down the road, just not necessarily this year.

I think Kimmel is funny: trying to understand why that is such an issue.

Man, I was at that Steelers game and was screaming that we were about to win, hugging and high fiving and then... Very much the same for my seats at SB XXV. The angle we were at made the kick look good, we’re jumping and screaming and then I looked over at our bench. Ugh. Game of inches, indeed.

Hate the guy but that’s funny...Kimmel, not the cheater.

It was more just a lack of accuracy on those thrown in my opinion. Velocity wasn’t the issue in most cases...particularly after he returned from injury. He simply was too sporadic with his short throws.

I’m content with who they brought in this year in the WR room. All of the FA’s have proven hands and with Josh, hopefully, working on touch in his short game, we should see an uptick. The separation that Beasley can get, alone, will help.

My son, who just graduated from Bama, along with two of my nephews who also went/go to Bama say he is a PS candidate. He’s got hands and talent but needs work per them. I watch every Bama game and honestly don’t remember him if that tells you anything.

Perhaps starting the process of indoctrinating us into a new tailgate experience at a new venue? It’s odd, as I only see the occasional hammered person. We park near the Field House and never have problems.

Always fun to do comparisons: thanks for taking the time. For myself, the most telling differences are the lack of supporting cast. Ben, having also gone to a smaller school, was far more proficient averaging nearly 66% in college. My hope is that Josh improves on his short game. Should he do so, he will be one of our best.

True, but we were saddled with poorly structured contracts for players who did not buy into the process or produce in a manner commensurate with their pay. Personally, I love how this FO is handling the cap and I’m glad we bit the bullet last year to get here. One look at the players we have jettisoned and what they’ve done since speaks volumes to the fact that Beane has done this right.

Extremely optimistic! SUMMER IS COMING (GOT reference in reverse ?)!!!!!!

Great info. It would be interesting to see if those were the same ref units at those four games.

He was fearless, a hard hitter, elusive when kick returning, sure handed, and a leader on teams. In short, he changed the course of many games during the glory years, either lengthening the field for the opposition or shortening it for the Bills. Once he got his chance to receive, Kelly knew when he threw to him, that he was going to make the tough catches. He should go in for teams alone.

Agreed. It appeared as though he finally learned under this coaching group that the fact you were a first rounder means exactly jack-s**t. If he can continue with that mindset, then he is a piece worth keeping. During the Rex years he saw a ‘leadership’ group that provided no leadership and he appeared to have followed suit.

It looks as though he uses his lack of height, combined with his vision to an advantage over the DL and LB’s. It’s as though they can’t see him and, even if they do, he’s highly elusive and slippery. Seems exciting to watch and I hope that translates to the next level.

I agree with your assessment and thanks for taking the time to watch the game. He’s a beast! Yet another piece of the puzzle!

Yeah, assuming your talking about the Bills I’d say Barkley. I’d love to answer Fitz but I don’t believe he’s the right choice for Daboll’s system as it requires some bombs which Fits just can’t do anymore. Fitz would be fine for a short spurt but overall I’m going Barkley: he can do it and has done it.

I believe your examples are correct. I attribute this to the turnover of the management and coaching staffs. Hopefully that is a thing of the past. It certainly feels as though it is.

Excellent, as always, Yolo: thank you! This is the third consecutive draft that I am very happy with. I love the vision this organization has and the manner in which they’re executing it. For the people here still complaining, think back just a few years and ask yourself, “Are we better off now?” That’s the measuring stick. We had to take a few steps back to take a leap forward. In addition, not every single position can be ‘fixed’ in a year. They clearly have a path that includes what to fix and in what order.