Jump to content

Complete 180 in WR Talent


Recommended Posts

 

IMO, Brad's got to be gone in this offense, now that we have some size on the outside.

 

He's a long strider, rather than quick, which is what this group is going to emphasize. And I just can't see any Wildcat in the Bills future...

 

Well, I imagine instead of "wildcat" it'll be "option" and ej will run it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 131
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

IMO, Brad's got to be gone in this offense, now that we have some size on the outside.

 

He's a long strider, rather than quick, which is what this group is going to emphasize. And I just can't see any Wildcat in the Bills future...

I'm not sure about that although I am admittedly biased because I think Smith is a big talent. Marrone went out of his way last night in the press conference to say how well Brad Smith was in the OTAs, the first guy he mentioned. Marrone and Hackett love playmaking ability and speed, and Smith possesses both. I could easily see them keeping Smith and using him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not sure about that although I am admittedly biased because I think Smith is a big talent. Marrone went out of his way last night in the press conference to say how well Brad Smith was in the OTAs, the first guy he mentioned. Marrone and Hackett love playmaking ability and speed, and Smith possesses both. I could easily see them keeping Smith and using him.

It just doesn't make financial sense, IMO. That money could be redeployed so much more effectively.

 

I hope Buddy sees that as well, even if the coaching staff says nice things about him running around in shorts...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It just doesn't make financial sense, IMO. That money could be redeployed so much more effectively.

 

I hope Buddy sees that as well, even if the coaching staff says nice things about him running around in shorts...

It depends on what they want to spend it on. Smith is owed 2.75m plus a 500K roster bonus (don't know the date it goes into effect though). That's a lot, but not necessarily if he is going to play WR, KR and gunner. We have a couple draftees that can play gunner. Goodwin could be a KR. So we may not need him. But Marrone and Hackett could very well love him and can't wait to use him.

 

It's basically the same thing as the K drafted. If they want to save almost 2m and use it to re-sign Byrd, then they cut Lindell and keep the rookie. They could do the same thing with Smith. I will predict that they keep Smith because they want the talent and we have the money. I wouldn't bet on it though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

It just doesn't make financial sense, IMO. That money could be redeployed so much more effectively.

 

I hope Buddy sees that as well, even if the coaching staff says nice things about him running around in shorts...

 

Pettine knows him in pads too though. Coached defenses against him 5 days a week for years. I could see him being a guy that gets extra reps early as a vet, then keeps more valuable players off special teams helping keep them healthy (like mckelvin, who as #2 cb with little depth shouldn't touch kicks), with occasional gadgets or insurance against injury/bust

 

Behind Stevie, if we keep tj and the 3 youngsters - we have a combined 31 catches for 300 yards.

Edited by NoSaint
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pettine knows him in pads too though. Coached defenses against him 5 days a week for years. I could see him being a guy that gets extra reps early as a vet, then keeps more valuable players off special teams, with occasional gadgets or insurance against injury/bust

 

Behind Stevie, if we keep tj and the 3 youngsters - we have a combined 31 catches for 300 yards.

Good points, both.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the odd players out are Dickerson (he is listed as a WR now, correct?) and Easley.

 

I think Brad Smith makes the team.

 

Anyways after years of having a pea shooter offense I'm looking forward to watching a QB with a big arm who can make all the throws operate with an arsenal which will allow him to attack the entire field.

 

I think we'll be seeing more "heaving of the rock" and taking big shots downfield than we have since the Losman to Evans season of 2006.

 

That will be very cathartic after having to watch Fitz and Company's bad impersonation of a deep passing attack.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now now, they're still rookies. Remember how hyped we were for james hardy and roscoe

 

This.

 

I'm excited on paper, but in reality, none of them have played a nfl snap. So I'll wait until pre-season before I get too excited.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the odd players out are Dickerson (he is listed as a WR now, correct?) and Easley.

 

I think Brad Smith makes the team.

 

Anyways after years of having a pea shooter offense I'm looking forward to watching a QB with a big arm who can make all the throws operate with an arsenal which will allow him to attack the entire field.

 

I think we'll be seeing more "heaving of the rock" and taking big shots downfield than we have since the Losman to Evans season of 2006.

 

That will be very cathartic after having to watch Fitz and Company's bad impersonation of a deep passing attack.

 

Agreed. Dickerson might get a spot if chandler starts on pup... But I think the two picks are a gimme and da'rick would require a real disaster not to have a spot.... Leaves a question about 6 and brad is a special teams ace and vet WR. Huge leg up for the spot if it exists

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pettine knows him in pads too though. Coached defenses against him 5 days a week for years.

 

Yeah, but wasn't his knowledge of him related to stopping the wildcat, which is unlikely to be a part of Hackett's offense? And as was said above, Manuel can play that 'option' role in year one, even if he can't get on the field as a full-time QB behind Kolb.

 

I could see him being a guy that gets extra reps early as a vet, then keeps more valuable players off special teams helping keep them healthy (like mckelvin, who as #2 cb with little depth shouldn't touch kicks), with occasional gadgets or insurance against injury/bust

 

While that 'mentor' role could be a possibility, it still seems like an expensive luxury. I'd much rather use that budget at another position of need, like having Dansby be a steady veteran influence on a young LB group, or Moore playing the same role on the O-line.

 

Or, if it's just a straight out money save, putting those dollars to work for Bryd. (Lindell's $300,000 cap save isn't much help there, )...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed. Dickerson might get a spot if chandler starts on pup... But I think the two picks are a gimme and da'rick would require a real disaster not to have a spot.... Leaves a question about 6 and brad is a special teams ace and vet WR. Huge leg up for the spot if it exists

That's what I am thinking. They will keep 6. What's going to be hard is what they do with Dickerson. He may just be the odd man out.

 

To me, they will play Caussin at the Chandler spot in training camp and preseason unless Chandler can go, and then just cut Caussin when Chandler is ready to go. I think Chandler himself said he is going to be ready for training camp but it remains to be seen. I think they design a position in the offense for Dickerson and Gragg, who are close to the same size, and who will play a hybrid TE/HB/FB. Marrone even spoke about a defensive tackle playing FB on goal line and short yardage last night after the draft. Summers is all they have. They may just forgo the FB position and keep 6 WR and 4 TE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

That's what I am thinking. They will keep 6. What's going to be hard is what they do with Dickerson. He may just be the odd man out.

 

To me, they will play Caussin at the Chandler spot in training camp and preseason unless Chandler can go, and then just cut Caussin when Chandler is ready to go. I think Chandler himself said he is going to be ready for training camp but it remains to be seen. I think they design a position in the offense for Dickerson and Gragg, who are close to the same size, and who will play a hybrid TE/HB/FB. Marrone even spoke about a defensive tackle playing FB on goal line and short yardage last night after the draft. Summers is all they have. They may just forgo the FB position and keep 6 WR and 4 TE.

 

Very likely FB saves us a spot. I think Gragg is a great practice squad option too, potentially.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Or, if it's just a straight out money save, putting those dollars to work for Bryd. (Lindell's $300,000 cap save isn't much help there, )...

Not sure the cap will play into it as much as real dollars. I didn't like the K pick at first, but if he is decently accurate, which he seems to be, I say save the 2m from Lindell and use it to lock up Byrd or sign Dansby or Moore as you said. They of course could do the same with Smith, but to me that is taking away from some stuff you do on offense.

 

Frankly, it just comes down to whether Marrone and Hackett love the toy that is Brad Smith. They may and they may not. I'm predicting they do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And while we're on the subject, I think Brad Smith is now a wide receiver on this team.

 

There's no reason for him to play QB.

 

With his exceptional athleticism, I'm excited to see how he does as a full time WR.

 

I still remember that awesome jump ball TD he had against the Jets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man - even Kaufman WR, UDFA, looks good! I just watched some highlights on him - he had a 10 catch game against Desmond Trufant. Even if he's just used as a sort of endzone / possession type reciever, he's got potential. And, he's faster than suggested.

 

This WR corps went from nothing much to a hole lotta something fast! It's going to be one of those situations where I really don't want to see someone or 2 get cut! We're keeping 6 on the active roster, I'd bet. That means Stevie, Woods, Graham, Goodwin, Rogers, and either Easley, Smith, or Kaufman. Kaufman could go to the practice squad. I think Easley has to make it or he's gone. That leaves Smith as the odd man out IF Easley makes it. If Easley goes Smith stays, unless, of course, Kaufman really impresses at camp.

 

That's a WR corps that can grow together for years - I love it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Strangley I remember last year when people proclaimed we had the best young corner duo in the league with Aaron Williams and Stephen Gilmour. How'd that turn out?

 

I'd rather have David Nelson in the WR Corp at this stage because he's proven and the rookies aren't. I don't like the Goodwin pick because it says TJ Graham was a wasted pick. However I can't see many people not liking the Woods move and Rogers as an UDFA looks excellent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Strangley I remember last year when people proclaimed we had the best young corner duo in the league with Aaron Williams and Stephen Gilmour. How'd that turn out?

 

I'd rather have David Nelson in the WR Corp at this stage because he's proven and the rookies aren't. I don't like the Goodwin pick because it says TJ Graham was a wasted pick. However I can't see many people not liking the Woods move and Rogers as an UDFA looks excellent.

Your first point is a good one and very true.

 

I was quite disappointed in not keeping Nelson, but after this draft it became glaringly apparent why they didn't. They want speed and big play ability across the board, and Nelson is not that kind of player. There is a method to the madness. Let's hope it works.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd like to see us start Kolb, but incorporate packages into the game plan for EJ like we did with Brad Smith, but make them a larger part of the offense. That way EJ can get his feet wet with some live action and adjust to the speed of the game in small doses, while also allowing us to have a more flexible attack.

That is what I think you will see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...