John from Riverside Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I am sure im not the only one thinking about it......I know that Henderson despite his ups and downs last year ended up being ok for a starter (coaching last year should have given him more help) But lets face it......2nd round draft pick offensive linemen that fail are HUGE losses.........when you take a chance on a OT at that slot they have to hit......or else your left scrambling and not feeling good about your O line situation at all........there was so much talk about how if Kujo was not a second round pick he would have been straight cut last year fast forward to now The feeling about Kujo from last year to now appears to be night and day.....articles are coming out about the turnaround.....the camp he went to in the offseason....being in better shape.....more focus...immediately getting 1st team reps in OTA's Its almost as if Roman (and the OL coach) have said "yes you were not handled correctly in your rookie year.....and we are here to change that" Lets face it.......the best thing that could happen for this team is for Kujo to turn into a solid RT for this team....... and....thank god we did not cut him after a horrible first year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Yes it would be great if Kujo works out. It would also be a big indictment of last years coaching staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deranged Rhino Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I'm with you JfH, it would absolutely be a great thing if Kujo becomes a solid contributor, if not starter, for this team. I'm excited to see if he can take this positive momentum while in shorts and carry it into live action with pads in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 5, 2015 Author Share Posted June 5, 2015 I'm with you JfH, it would absolutely be a great thing if Kujo becomes a solid contributor, if not starter, for this team. I'm excited to see if he can take this positive momentum while in shorts and carry it into live action with pads in August. I could be totally off base on this.....but when the pads go on is when a guy like Kujo should actually shine (even more so then a guy like Henderson.....who is much more of an athlete) Kujo's strength should really be evident at that time.....as should Cordy Glenn's for that matter Before last season I had great visions of a Glenn LT/Kujo RT offensive line blowing teams off the ball.......it could still happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Yes it would be great if Kujo works out. It would also be a big indictment of last years coaching staff. The coaching sucked, but it's also very possible that he is one of those players that needs to develop before being a productive NFL player. A lot of times teams will draft players not for the year they are drafted, but for a couple years down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 5, 2015 Author Share Posted June 5, 2015 The coaching sucked, but it's also very possible that he is one of those players that needs to develop before being a productive NFL player. A lot of times teams will draft players not for the year they are drafted, but for a couple years down the road. I remember an interview with Kujo right after he was drafted on TV where he looked genuinely pissed that he was not a 1st round selection. I was SO SURE that he was going to come into last season with a chip on his shoulder.......then.....last season happened for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip Johnson Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 We're also assuming that Kujo couldn't have been useful last year. Obviously he was a mess in TC. But it is possible that he was making strides in practice all year long and Marrone was blind to it. Marrone was not quick to make adjustments of any kind on the O-Line. He was the last person to realize that Urbik was better than Cyril Richardson. He stuck with Pears the entire season. I do think that coaches at all levels allow for competition up until a certain point in the season. Then, while they keep giving lip service to the idea of competition, they aren't using practice to evaluate positional battles any longer. Kujo could have been a victim of that because Whaley's comments last fall indicated that he was developing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 (edited) Yes (response to thread title). Edited June 5, 2015 by Hopeful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubes Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I have always loved John's unbridled offseason optimism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Yes it would be great if Kujo works out. It would also be a big indictment of last years coaching staff. Maybe, maybe not indictment. The pre-draft gouge on Kujo was that he relied on physical talent, more than technique. Reportedly Marrone and Co. evaluated him as a "waist bender" which will get you beat in the NFL. It could be that Kujo either physically couldn't make the shift to bending low at the knees (still rehabbing from some knee procedure?) or that his head wasn't in the right place to buy in "this is how you have to play at the NFL level". Or he wasn't properly coached what to do, just criticized, that's a possiblity too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryCletus Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I think I recall the talking heads saying something along the lines of Kujo being a high upside guy that was very raw and young (new) to football. I am quite certain that given that- the coaching staff would have never it him, I am pretty sure they knew what they were getting when they drafted him. I'm just glad that he appears to have the motivation and drive to do what he needs to do in order to be successful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garranimal Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I don't know about working out, but I have heard that he does pilates in a banana hammock. (i considered posting a visual, but decided against it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I posted this in another thread about Kujo a while back: Kujo last season: Kujo next season: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 I gotta give credit to the Bills' training staff, but most of it should go to Kouandjio himself. We forget he was just 20 years old when drafted and had signs of arthritic knees to boot. He was absolutely clueless and lost all of last season and Marrone and Co. didn't do him any favors when he didn't immediately impress upon arrival. They did little to nurture his confidence to say the least. I can't put too much stock into any of these reports until they get the pads on in camp, but it's obvious he has matured over last season. He fully bought into the regimen prescribed and accepted the challenge. That speaks well of the kid. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 to answer the query ...Hell Yes it would be. I am delighted he is getting some good light upon him now. as Chris Heff has mentioned about coaching. I am very keen on this theory and will pay close attention to those rookies and even Glenn Urbik and Wood as to how they play the game this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayman Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 You aren't a real Bills fan if you don't want this kid to turn it around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonborn10 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 By all reports this kid was just not ready to play mentally. And that is despite coming from Alabama and about as professional a college team can get. If he starts at RT or RG that is a huge upgrade. Henderson is the perfect swing tackle. If Henderson is what he was coming out of HS, then he beats out Glenn for LT and Glenn becomes a ProBowl LG. Then pencil in the rookie at RG. Let Incognito go so he doesn't poison everything along with C. Williams. Next year draft a true center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Yes it would be great if Kujo works out. It would also be a big indictment of last years coaching staff. Not necessarily...he has been working his @ss off at a Offensive Lineman camp this offseason run by LeCharles Bentley. He admitted last year that perhaps he wasn't mentally prepared to endure the rigors of an NFL season and really went about his business in a professional manner this offseason. Hard not to pull for a kid who realizes his shortcomings then works his butt off to fix them. I don't know about working out, but I have heard that he does pilates in a banana hammock. (i considered posting a visual, but decided against it) As a complete gymrat who has been into heavy lifting for quite some time, I have to say pilates and yoga are definitely an eye-opener for me. My trainer has me doing Pilates on Saturday morning and Yoga on Sunday morning and I hate both days, lol That stuff is HARD!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryPinC Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 The coaching sucked, but it's also very possible that he is one of those players that needs to develop before being a productive NFL player. A lot of times teams will draft players not for the year they are drafted, but for a couple years down the road. +1 Why does it always have to be someone else's fault? Everyone has the opportunity to change and improve. He's only a second year player, and admitted he didn't have a good approach to his rookie year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I am sure im not the only one thinking about it......I know that Henderson despite his ups and downs last year ended up being ok for a starter (coaching last year should have given him more help) But lets face it......2nd round draft pick offensive linemen that fail are HUGE losses.........when you take a chance on a OT at that slot they have to hit......or else your left scrambling and not feeling good about your O line situation at all........there was so much talk about how if Kujo was not a second round pick he would have been straight cut last year fast forward to now The feeling about Kujo from last year to now appears to be night and day.....articles are coming out about the turnaround.....the camp he went to in the offseason....being in better shape.....more focus...immediately getting 1st team reps in OTA's Its almost as if Roman (and the OL coach) have said "yes you were not handled correctly in your rookie year.....and we are here to change that" Lets face it.......the best thing that could happen for this team is for Kujo to turn into a solid RT for this team....... and....thank god we did not cut him after a horrible first year. I was never too worried about Kujo...Not yet at least...He and Henderson were Rookies last year...I really don't fault any kid for a bad Rookie year, especially at certain positions...Some guys just take a little longer...It's sort of the same theory I have about EJ...It's not that I have been completely thrilled with what I've seen...But there's not enough evidence to convict either...These 2 young OT's have the potential...And I agree about it being a best-case-scenario seeing Kujo pan out...It gives them insurance if Glenn gets crazy money elsewhere...And the 2nd Round Pick thing is a very big deal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I was never too worried about Kujo...Not yet at least...He and Henderson were Rookies last year...I really don't fault any kid for a bad Rookie year, especially at certain positions...Some guys just take a little longer...It's sort of the same theory I have about EJ...It's not that I have been completely thrilled with what I've seen...But there's not enough evidence to convict either...These 2 young OT's have the potential...And I agree about it being a best-case-scenario seeing Kujo pan out...It gives them insurance if Glenn gets crazy money elsewhere...And the 2nd Round Pick thing is a very big deal... On the Bills, we're accustomed to having the cupboard be so bare of talent that all the rookies MUST START, often with "meh" to poor results. We forget that on more talented teams, only the 1st rounder is expected to start immediately with the others being competitors, good if they can take the job their rookie year, time to let them develop if they can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalScotts Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 ive mentioned many times he was drafted at 20 years old and was not a plug and play guy. Zack Martin of the cowboys drafted at 24 years old - there is the difference- he will be a very good to great player but it may take a couple years and he'll be only 22 ha. This is Watkins Woods and many others very very young when drafted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Paul Finebaum: "(Kouandjio) Will Have Big Success"ESPN Radio Host and SEC expert Paul Finebaum joined the John Murphy Show to talk about some of the prominent SEC Alumni that are currently on the Bills' roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I'd be ok with him Turing out to be awesome..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FluffHead Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 I hope kouandjio works out. It would be strange for a pro football player not to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadingpain Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 I was thinking about him just the other day along these same lines. Improving overall O line play with a piece already in place on the team would be easy and effective, and a welcome development. The question is whether or not Kujo has the ability to step it up. If we can move up a solid letter grade at O line and do the same at the QB position over Orton, I see us as a playoff team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayman Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 If I recall the only real knock on him was his conditioning/footwork (which I hear he has improved) and that he wasn't a "twitchy" player. Ultimately, I think we'll know this year whether he has what it takes to develop into a starter (even if he doesn't start this year). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 Of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4BillsintheBurgh Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 On the Bills, we're accustomed to having the cupboard be so bare of talent that all the rookies MUST START, often with "meh" to poor results. We forget that on more talented teams, only the 1st rounder is expected to start immediately with the others being competitors, good if they can take the job their rookie year, time to let them develop if they can't. And *gasp* sometimes good/talented teams only play the rookies who can handle it, like the rookie year for Timmons/Woodley where the 2nd round pick (Woodley) started from the getgo and 1st round pick L Timmons didn't see the field on defense much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigK14094 Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 I want him to succeed, but SHOW ME!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 We really need at least one of last year's OL draft picks to become a good starter this year. Two of the three - Kujo, Richardson, Henderson - becoming good starters would be a coup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 (edited) From Syracuse Post Standard: Kouandjio has been taking reps with the first team at right tackle, and the coaching staff seems to like what they've seen. He's transformed his body since his rookie season and has cleaned up some of his technique. The 2014 second-round pick didn't play at all as a rookie, so if the new coaching staff can get something out of him, that will be a big win. Of course, Roman is hesitant to get too excited. "With him, putting the pads on and seeing how that projects, that's the final test," Roman said. "That's the final exam." http://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2015/06/7_takeaways_from_conversations_with_buffalo_bills_assistant_coaches.html Edited June 7, 2015 by hondo in seattle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffaloed in Pa Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 I hope he some how got quicker feet. I`ve played a lot of sports over the years and I`ll tell you quickness is not easily obtained. I was lucky to have been born with a quick twitch which helped in a lot of sports and boxing. Kugo looked the big powerful slow type. Straight ahead power and not much if any foot speed for any edge rushers. I`d like to see if he got any snap in his step. Pre-season will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 (edited) I hope he some how got quicker feet. I`ve played a lot of sports over the years and I`ll tell you quickness is not easily obtained. I was lucky to have been born with a quick twitch which helped in a lot of sports and boxing. Kugo looked the big powerful slow type. Straight ahead power and not much if any foot speed for any edge rushers. I`d like to see if he got any snap in his step. Pre-season will tell. cant some of this be balanced against with his arm strength and technique? He was been described as very strong but raw in tech. How would you compensate for slower footwork. I assume you mean lateral speed and adjusting angles in pass rush? or did you mean creating contact first and the taking control of the leverage. Thought he hand very strong hands inside form reports. when he had you he had you. Edited June 7, 2015 by 3rdand12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayman Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 (edited) I hope he some how got quicker feet. I`ve played a lot of sports over the years and I`ll tell you quickness is not easily obtained. I was lucky to have been born with a quick twitch which helped in a lot of sports and boxing. Kugo looked the big powerful slow type. Straight ahead power and not much if any foot speed for any edge rushers. I`d like to see if he got any snap in his step. Pre-season will tell. I would go as far as to say you can't obtain quickness at all--you have it or not. Sure, you can become quicker (drop some weight, improve strength and flexibility)...but that is just relative to where you were. I don't know that I've ever seen/heard of a player who turned quickness from a weakness into an advantage. Edited June 7, 2015 by Rex'sOffense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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