Goodbye Kelsay

[rcatty]

How/why is he still on the team?

[OldTimer1960]

Why do so many people here hate Kelsay? He isn't a great player, but he does work extremely hard and

give it everything he has. He doesn't get in trouble off the field and doesn't seem like an arrogant a**

, as far as I can tell without knowing him.

 

It seems like he ought to be well regarded by fans, but he sure is some folks' favorite whipping boy.

[rcatty]

Why do so many people here hate Kelsay? He isn't a great player, but he does work extremely hard and

give it everything he has. He doesn't get in trouble off the field and doesn't seem like an arrogant a**

, as far as I can tell without knowing him.

 

It seems like he ought to be well regarded by fans, but he sure is some folks' favorite whipping boy.

 

 

As a defensive end he is awful. Playing outside linebacker he is worse. No speed, no power. I haven't seen him make a play since he has been here.

[Rob's House]

I hate these threads. I know I should just skip over them but for some reason I think maybe there is something new and interesting being discussed. But no.

[cmjoyce113]

I'm beginning to think the peoe that start Kelsey sucks threads don't truly understand football. You do know you can "make a play" without making the tackle right?

[Dorkington]

He wouldn't be on the team if he sucked so much. He's one of those solid guys who does the little things, calm down people.

[nucci]

Why do so many people here hate Kelsay? He isn't a great player, but he does work extremely hard and

give it everything he has. He doesn't get in trouble off the field and doesn't seem like an arrogant a**

, as far as I can tell without knowing him.

 

It seems like he ought to be well regarded by fans, but he sure is some folks' favorite whipping boy.

This is your criteria for players on your team? How about he is slow, small, and doesn't really contribute to the defense in any way?

[rpcolosi]

How/why is he still on the team?

 

1.) he's consistent

2.) he gets QB pressure just not sacks (the ultimate - almost-sack-guy)

3.) solid against run/holds edge decently

4.) relatively cheap.

 

is he great? no. but even Scouts Inc on Espn has him ranked an above avg starter, which he is. Bills fan's expected Phil Hansen or Aaron schobel. He is neither. He's just a solid RDE/OLB. lets leave it at that.

[....lybob]

All the arguments you can give for trading Lee Evans go doubly for Kelsay- Lee was too old to help the team at 30 Kelsay is 31, Lee was overpaid for what he brings so is Kelsay, Lee doesn't fit system perfectly neither does Kelsay, retaining Lee would slow the development of young WRs Kelsay's presence slows the development of Batten and Coleman.

[1billsfan]

Why do so many people here hate Kelsay? He isn't a great player, but he does work extremely hard and

give it everything he has. He doesn't get in trouble off the field and doesn't seem like an arrogant a**

, as far as I can tell without knowing him.

 

It seems like he ought to be well regarded by fans, but he sure is some folks' favorite whipping boy.

 

 

I know you didn't mean it this way, but this reads like sarcasm to me. Three mediocre talents left the Bills recently…Evans, Posluzny, Whitner…with still a somewhat large contingent of supporters here. Now Kelsay? What is going on with you fans? Seriously, why are your standards so low? Why do you support such mediocre players? Don't you want the Bills to be good, get in the playoffs, win a superbowl?

[nucci]

1.) he's consistent

2.) he gets QB pressure just not sacks (the ultimate - almost-sack-guy)

3.) solid against run/holds edge decently

4.) relatively cheap.

 

is he great? no. but even Scouts Inc on Espn has him ranked an above avg starter, which he is. Bills fan's expected Phil Hansen or Aaron schobel. He is neither. He's just a solid RDE/OLB. lets leave it at that.

disagree with this one. Kelsay is not solid anywhere.

[Fat Man from Tonawanda]

I'm beginning to think the peoe that start Kelsey sucks threads don't truly understand football. You do know you can "make a play" without making the tackle right?

Problem has been that too many Bills defenders have "made plays without making tackles." Which is why they gave up 170 yards per game on the ground last season.

 

Kelsay may be a "good guy", "good teammate" and "works really hard", what he is not is "talented." He is an below average player on a team in desperate need of actual "player makers."

[GG]

All the arguments you can give for trading Lee Evans go doubly for Kelsay- Lee was too old to help the team at 30 Kelsay is 31, Lyuee was overpaid for what he brings so is Kelsay, Lee doesn't fit system perfectly neither does Kelsay, retaining Lee would slow the development of young WRs Kelsay's presence slows the development of Batten and Coleman.

 

Very true, except that Lee still commands double teams and defenses have to game plan around him. Kelsay. ....?

[RealityCheck]

How/why is he still on the team?

Because they didn't cut or trade him yet. Does that answer your question?

[BobChalmers]

Very true, except that Lee still commands double teams and defenses have to game plan around him. Kelsay. ....?

 

This is just weird. Evans hasn't commanded a double-team in 2 years. Did you stop watching the games when Losman left????

 

Kelsay was creating a lot of pressure last night. Go back and watch a recording of the game.

Edited August 14, 2011 by BobChalmers

[CSBill]

I hate these threads. I know I should just skip over them but for some reason I think maybe there is something new and interesting being discussed. But no.

 

yeap

[offsides#76FredSmerlas]

This is your criteria for players on your team? How about he is slow, small, and doesn't really contribute to the defense in any way?

I am not a Kelsay supporter at all. I also think he is done this year. But one thing I will definitely say is that he is not small. The man has got great size and that's why I think he was on the team last year. We were so small that the coaches probably thought they had to keep him; why the dumb contract he received I don't know but we'll cut him and we won't see the majority of that money. Just so you know he is 6'4 265 as a LB. I'll give you that he is slow an not agile enough to be a LB, and zero cover skills. I think he was a much better backup lineman.

[Defend Greece]

I'm beginning to think the peoe that start Kelsey sucks threads don't truly understand football. You do know you can "make a play" without making the tackle right?

Sorry bud, just the opposite

[Dr. K]

disagree with this one. Kelsay is not solid anywhere.

 

I re-ran every defensive play from the first quarter last night. Kelsay did seal the edge, did get into the backfield, did force plays inside. No, he didn't get sacks or make spectacular plays. But he did his job well, and helped make it possible for Williams, Dareus, and Merriman to make such plays.

 

Is he great? No. But he is not the liability that you'd think from all this whining.

 

This anti-Kelsay moaning has become such a mantra for some people on this board that it is beyond tiresome. If you put it to music you might be able to dance to it, but as it stands it's the definition of knee-jerk thoughtless bitching.

[DaGimp]

I'm beginning to think the peoe that start Kelsey sucks threads don't truly understand football. You do know you can "make a play" without making the tackle right?

My God!! So many people are delusional. Do you think you have better vision than I do? I can watch Kelsey just like you and he is a miserable football player. His move is to allow himself to be pushed past the QB and out of the play especially on run plays. People that want to keep Kelsey must be the same who think this team can make the playoffs every year!

[John Cocktosten]

I re-ran every defensive play from the first quarter last night. Kelsay did seal the edge, did get into the backfield, did force plays inside. No, he didn't get sacks or make spectacular plays. But he did his job well, and helped make it possible for Williams, Dareus, and Merriman to make such plays.

Did you watch the first defensive play of the game? Reverse comes to Kelsay and where is he? Squeezing the play inside instead of keeping contain. Seriously, get some glasses.

[BillsFan74]

Would he be a better fit as an ILB in the 3/4?

[NaPolian8693]

ya, that reverse totally broke contain and went for huge yardage bro!

[DaGimp]

The best fit for him would be to retire and go fishing with aaron schobel

[Thoner7]

I'm beginning to think the peoe that start Kelsey sucks threads don't truly understand football. You do know you can "make a play" without making the tackle right?

 

Yea I know that very well. The thing is, Kelsay never makes the play without making a tackle. He is the one over pursuing, he is the one not drawing a double team, he is the one who cannot contain a play. These have been his problems since the day he was drafted.

 

All that said his second half of last season was by far and away the best he has ever played. He was actually OK last night too. He almost had a good pressure but got pancaked before getting there on Merrimans 2nd sack. He was easily pushed past the QB on Merrimans first sack too. he was handled fairly easily by a rookie from Wisconsin.

 

If no one else noticed Kelsay played with his hand down last night. I dont think I saw him stand up once. From how we were aligned, I still think he had the responsibilities of a LB though. After seeing Carrington play with the twos, and a few plays where he was standing up, I think Carrington is Kelsays replacement, unless we go to a more traditional 34.

Edited August 14, 2011 by Thoner7

[DrDawkinstein]

Im about as supportive and optimistic as fans come. I long supported Kelsay the entire time he was playing opposite Schobel. Thought he did ok at 4-3 DE...

 

Over the past 2-3 seasons, Kelsay has done everything in his power to prove me wrong, and nothing to show he is even just "ok".

 

He's horrible. Cant rush the passer. Cant stop the run. Always out of position. Not holding the edge (FIRST series last night). Cant tackle in space. He's just a complete liability out there.

 

It truly pains me to say that about a player who has bought into the Buffalo community and has been a "good soldier" during these years of losing. But facts are facts, and the fact is, he doesnt belong on the field. Not at least on a defense that is moving forward with players like Dareus, Merriman, Barnett who are intense, ferocious AND make plays.

 

He and Maybin need to be cut. I agree that a llot of things said about Evans can be applied to Kelsay, the problem is NO ONE wants to trade for Kelsay, so we're going to have to release him. And the sooner the better.

 

Sorry Chris, you've been a good guy, but this team has to move on...

[Thoner7]

Did you watch the first defensive play of the game? Reverse comes to Kelsay and where is he? Squeezing the play inside instead of keeping contain. Seriously, get some glasses.

 

I'm not sure what you mean, but squeezing the play inside is keeping contain.

[26TrapDraw]

Why do so many people here hate Kelsay? He isn't a great player, but he does work extremely hard and

give it everything he has. He doesn't get in trouble off the field and doesn't seem like an arrogant a**

, as far as I can tell without knowing him.

 

It seems like he ought to be well regarded by fans, but he sure is some folks' favorite whipping boy.

 

He isn't a great player...stop right there. This is whats wrong with the Bills we have too many of these and at a position like the one Kelsey mans where he regularly gets beat by RB's and TE's in coverage like he stole something, we need to get better...period

[DrDawkinstein]

He isn't a great player...stop right there. This is whats wrong with the Bills we have too many of these and at a position like the one Kelsey mans where he regularly gets beat by RB's and TE's in coverage like he stole something, we need to get better...period

 

Exactly! The time for those excuses are over. Maaaybe for a rookie, but Kelsay is a 10 year vet. We know what we have and he's only going to get worse, not better.

[NaPolian8693]

Droolers ITT

 

Kelsay struggled to adjust to the 3-4 last year, no doubt. He was awkward out in space. It was an experimental process.

 

Towards the end of the year he looked better. Last night he looked fine. He's not going to be some highlight reel guy, but he did a fine job out there. As someone else pointed out he spent his time with a hand in the dirt, so the coaches perhaps will utilize his strengths a bit more this year.

 

Everyone hopes Carrington is the future. But the reality is Kelsay is still holding him off for the job.

 

If you want him cut, you are honestly embarrassing yourself by saying so. It would be ideal if Carrington developed into a good player and Kelsay then became a solid reserve - but why cut him now? That makes absolutely no sense. He can help this season, perhaps a transition will be made to Carrington and perhaps it won't, and things can be reevaluated in the offseason.

Edited August 14, 2011 by NaPolian8693

[BobChalmers]

The best fit for him would be to retire and go fishing with aaron schobel

 

Troll, right?

[DrDawkinstein]

Is rather have Carrington in there, learning as he goes, than Kelsay on the downside of his career. Carrington is on his way up. Kelsay is on his way out. Make the move now, imo.

[John Cocktosten]

I'm not sure what you mean, but squeezing the play inside is keeping contain.

No it's not. Kelsay's first job is find the ball and if he reads that the play is going away from him, he "squeezes" the play inside and has cutback and backside pursuit. The "squeeze" comes from closing the gap in the cutback lanes.

 

Contain is when the play is coming at you and your job is to turn the play back up inside where you have help.

 

Kelsay read the play as if the play was going away and the reverse ran right past him.

 

This is something that Kelsay does quite often so I can see how you are confused.

Edited August 14, 2011 by John Cocktosten

[Dr. K]

But facts are facts, and the fact is, he doesnt belong on the field. Not at least on a defense that is moving forward with players like Dareus, Merriman, Barnett who are intense, ferocious AND make plays.

 

 

I like Barnett, but did you see him on the first series where Cutler scrambled for ten yards? There was great pressure on the play, and Barnett had an open lane to Cutler in the backfield, but he whiffed on him completely and Cutler went by him up the middle. On that play Kelsay held his side and forced Cutler inside.

 

I'd be pleased to see someone better than Kelsay take his job, and I'm confident that when one of the younger players steps up (Carrington?) that will happen. Gailey won't hesitate to get rid of someone if he has somebody better. I'm no knee-jerk Kelsay fan, but I'm tired of the drumbeat.

[DrDawkinstein]

No it's not. Kelsay's first job is find the ball and if he reads that the play is going away from him, he "squeezes" the play inside and has cutback and backside pursuit. The "squeeze" comes from closing the gap in the cutback lanes.

 

Contain is when the play is coming at you and your job is to turn the play back up inside where you have help.

 

Kelsay read the play as if the play was going away and the reverse ran right past him.

 

This is something that Kelsay does quite often so I can see how you are confused.

 

I get what you're saying now, and yes agree. But the way you originally wrote it was a bit confusing...

[NaPolian8693]

No it's not. Kelsay's first job is find the ball and if he reads that the play is going away from him, he "squeezes" the play inside and has cutback and backside pursuit. The "squeeze" comes from closing the gap in the cutback lanes.

 

Contain is when the play is coming at you and your job is to turn the play back up inside where you have help.

 

Kelsay read the play as if the play was going away and the reverse ran right past him.

 

This is something that Kelsay does quite often so I can see how you are confused.

 

How many yards did the reverse gain? If the play went completely away from help, why do you think it was unsuccessful?

 

You are trying to take one play that the defense stuffed, and use that as your argument to say that Kelsay played poorly in that game? Nice logic.

 

Is rather have Carrington in there, learning as he goes, than Kelsay on the downside of his career. Carrington is on his way up. Kelsay is on his way out. Make the move now, imo.

 

ro·ta·tion   [roh-tey-shuhn]

noun

[DrDawkinstein]

I like Barnett, but did you see him on the first series where Cutler scrambled for ten yards? There was great pressure on the play, and Barnett had an open lane to Cutler in the backfield, but he whiffed on him completely and Cutler went by him up the middle. On that play Kelsay held his side and forced Cutler inside.

 

I'd be pleased to see someone better than Kelsay take his job, and I'm confident that when one of the younger players steps up (Carrington?) that will happen. Gailey won't hesitate to get rid of someone if he has somebody better. I'm no knee-jerk Kelsay fan, but I'm tired of the drumbeat.

 

As Im typing this, they are showing the game highlights on ESPN and I just re-wound that play. Kelsay comes off the edge and gets SHOVED outside by the OT. By then Cutler is already scrambling and decides to go up the middle for 10 yards. Kelsay was completely ineffective that play other than being just a body in a spot. Cutler was ALREADY going up the middle because he read we blitzed our ILB. Kelsay did not "contain". Sorry, Im not giving Kelsay credit for doing nothing just because the play went away from him.

 

I reeeally dont want to hate on him, believe me. But he does nothing well. Its that simple.

[marsadale]

As a defensive end he is awful. Playing outside linebacker he is worse. No speed, no power. I haven't seen him make a play since he has been here.

watch the highlights from last nites game and see Kelsay drive the guy trying to block him up into Cutlers lap. He set the edge exactly like hes supposed to. I havent seen a Kelsay basher do **** since Ive been watching Bills football.

[Bob in STL]

How/why is he still on the team?

 

 

If you have to ask than either you are not watching or you don't know what you are watching.

 

I did not see him make any mistakes last night. Every coach he has ever had says he is solid and plays the defense he is instructed to play.

 

He does not look good as a LB, especially in coverage but he did not ask to play there either. As a DE on the line of scrimmage he is decent. He lined up on the line with Dareus inside on those key passing downs and he did his job. Football is a team sport.

 

Calm down and assume that Nix, Gailey, Edwards and Wannestadt know a little bit more about football than you do?

[Dr. K]

As Im typing this, they are showing the game highlights on ESPN and I just re-wound that play. Kelsay comes off the edge and gets SHOVED outside by the OT. By then Cutler is already scrambling and decides to go up the middle for 10 yards. Kelsay was completely ineffective that play other than being just a body in a spot. Cutler was ALREADY going up the middle because he read we blitzed our ILB. Kelsay did not "contain". Sorry, Im not giving Kelsay credit for doing nothing just because the play went away from him.

 

I reeeally dont want to hate on him, believe me. But he does nothing well. Its that simple.

 

My point on that play was not that Kelsay did anything great, but that BARNETT completely whiffed in the backfield. Look at it again. It was Barnett's play to make or not make, and he didn't make it.