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Bills' Organized Team Activities Week 3: June 8-11


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I'm starting to think that Cassel will be the odd man out.

 

 

EJ and Tyrod would have to pull away from him quite a bit for the staff to be comfortable releasing the one guy with substantial experience.

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Worth a listen. Sammy was so worth that trade and pick; can't wait to see what he does in this offense.

Agreed.....also.....Sammy is ours in his 2nd year and the compensation for him is behind us......got our 1st again next year

 

Meanwhile....Darby is shining at camp at the 50th pick and might really have a 1st round value on him

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I think Tyrod could be the veteran presence and he's a lot cheaper.

 

As for Darby, everything I read about him made him like the best cover corner in the draft. Not sure why he slipped to the mid 2nd round. But it's the Bills' gain.

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Cassel hasn't been good for several seasons now. I'm not sure why anyone would expect him to suddenly improve at age 33.

Seems to me that Cassel has played well when he's had good protection, and poorly when he hasn't. I don't see it as a question of him "suddenly improving." If anything, he is a known commodity, and if he fits the offense, we know what we are going to get from him. If our front line plays up to his needs, I would expect him to start. If it doesn't, and we need a passer with better mobility, more athleticism, who can perform out of the pocket, I think they go with one of the other guys. And, we're probably screwed at that point, anyway.

Edited by Rocky Landing
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Interesting that the Bills seemed hot on extending Cassel right after the trade and there has been little talk of that after OTA's began. I don't think he gets cut but I wonder if he is a one year experienced insurance policy...and the QB dollars occupies go to the draft or extending EJ or TT..

Edited by Formerly Joe F
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Seems to me that Cassel has played well when he's had good protection, and poorly when he hasn't. I don't see it as a question of him "suddenly improving." If anything, he is a known commodity, and if he fits the offense, we know what we are going to get from him. If our front line plays up to his needs, I would expect him to start. If it doesn't, and we need a passer with better mobility, more athleticism, who can perform out of the pocket, I think they go with one of the other guys. And, we're probably screwed at that point, anyway.

I think you’re looking at this all wrong. IMO, Greg Roman wants either Manuel or Taylor’s starting because they both have the ability to scare defenses with their wheels. If you add a mobile QB in the mix on offense with guys like Watkins, Harvin, Clay and McCoy…you have the ability to actually scare a defense till the final tick of the clock. If Cassel were a much better passer than either Manuel or Taylor then there'd be something to what you're suggesting, but that's not the case.
IMO Cassel was always the emergency parachute QB who would take over if Manuel and Taylor just play horribly bad. IMO he is a guy who’s time has come and gone and he’s on NFL backup QB career cruise control now. I have nothing but his stats and career path after he was benched for Brady Quinn to go by, but that’s how I’ve always felt about Cassel after he was signed here.

 

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I think you’re looking at this all wrong. IMO, Greg Roman wants either Manuel or Taylor’s starting because they both have the ability to scare defenses with their wheels. If you add a mobile QB in the mix on offense with guys like Watkins, Harvin, Clay and McCoy…you have the ability to actually scare a defense till the final tick of the clock. If Cassel were a much better passer than either Manuel or Taylor then there'd be something to what you're suggesting, but that's not the case.
IMO Cassel was always the emergency parachute QB who would take over if Manuel and Taylor just play horribly bad. IMO he is a guy who’s time has come and gone and he’s on NFL backup QB career cruise control now. I have nothing but his stats and career path after he was benched for Brady Quinn to go by, but that’s how I’ve always felt about Cassel after he was signed here.

 

 

There's certainly something to that-- much more so for Tyrod, than EJ. But, I think you (and most people) are underestimating Cassel. I think that going into OTAs, it was generally assumed (by coaches, and pundits) that Cassel was the more accurate of the three. I'm not sure if that is still the consensus, as Taylor has been impressing with his accuracy.

 

But, if our front line turns into an efficient unit, that can maintain the pocket for an adequate amount of time, I believe that the QB who performs best in the pocket will win the competition. I don't think that Roman will be game planning for the QB to scramble, unless he has to. I tend to think of Cassel as something of a known commodity. I don't see any real mystery between his rotten seasons, and his decent ones. To me, that means that neither should be discounted, and if he is afforded the protection he was at KC, and NE, he should be able to play up to his higher level. If that happens, I think he wins the job. Unless, of course, EJ or Tyrod make serious gains on what they've shown in the past.

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There's certainly something to that-- much more so for Tyrod, than EJ. But, I think you (and most people) are underestimating Cassel. I think that going into OTAs, it was generally assumed (by coaches, and pundits) that Cassel was the more accurate of the three. I'm not sure if that is still the consensus, as Taylor has been impressing with his accuracy.

 

But, if our front line turns into an efficient unit, that can maintain the pocket for an adequate amount of time, I believe that the QB who performs best in the pocket will win the competition. I don't think that Roman will be game planning for the QB to scramble, unless he has to. I tend to think of Cassel as something of a known commodity. I don't see any real mystery between his rotten seasons, and his decent ones. To me, that means that neither should be discounted, and if he is afforded the protection he was at KC, and NE, he should be able to play up to his higher level. If that happens, I think he wins the job. Unless, of course, EJ or Tyrod make serious gains on what they've shown in the past.

Any KC or Minny fan will tell you should underestimate Cassel.

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Any KC or Minny fan will tell you should underestimate Cassel.

The fans who tend to underestimate players (or overestimate them :flirt: ) are those that prefer to form their opinions first, and then selectively choose the stats that back up their claim. I don't see any value in that approach. Cassel had two exceptional seasons, and a handful of crappy ones. I think (although, not being a Minny, or KC fan, I can say for sure) that that had to do with the amount of protection he had at the line. At least, that seems to be the consensus. I don't see any reason to believe that he played well for two seasons by accident.

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Bingo.

@ChrisTrapasso

Pre-TC prediction after rewatching all his NFL throws: if #Bills OL keeps EJ's pressure % under 32 (36 in '14) BUF should win 10 or 11 games

Majority of EJ's mistakes were typical of (good or bad) rookie QB. Usually when under pressure or when timing with WR/TE/RB wasnt perfect...

...but he showed he can be accurate when in a rhythm/not having to deal with rushers every other snap. #Bills have ? at OG and RT. If...

...those ? are "semi" solved in '15, with a loaded roster, based on '13 & '14 tape, I think EJ will be fine. Not great. But fine.

I've watched Cassel's recent film too, and I think, only 14 starts in, EJ provides more and obviously has 10x more upside.

Blake Bortles has played in the same amount of games as EJ and has attempted more passes.

EJ certainly has much to prove. If you think Cassel or Taylor should start, that's fine. I just think Manuel has best tools & is best option

To me, EJ is #Bills' best QB option, but he could flop. Just think they need to give him more than 14 games. If bad, draft QB early in '16.

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The fans who tend to underestimate players (or overestimate them :flirt: ) are those that prefer to form their opinions first, and then selectively choose the stats that back up their claim. I don't see any value in that approach. Cassel had two exceptional seasons, and a handful of crappy ones. I think (although, not being a Minny, or KC fan, I can say for sure) that that had to do with the amount of protection he had at the line. At least, that seems to be the consensus. I don't see any reason to believe that he played well for two seasons by accident.

 

Not accident, no. But it's not just protection, either. The OC he had in 2008 in NE was McDaniels and the Pats had >500 rushing attempts, 4th in the league. The OC he had in his good year in KC was Charlie Weis and the Chiefs were #1 in the league in rushing attempts with >550.

 

IMO, Cassel is a system QB. His history says he functions best in a run-heavy, run-first system where he passes just enough to keep the defense honest. And even there, he's inconsistent - one game great, 72% completions , next game Meh, 54% completions. If he's asked to be a typical NFL QB in a typical modern NFL system, he doesn't do so well, quite possibly due to his physical limitations betraying his mental abilities**? Not sure on that, but anyway, McDaniels, Weis, run-heavy, facts.

 

**I don't think it's an accident that Fitzy had by far the best year of his pro career down in Houston 2014 which was #1 in the league for rushing attempts, either.

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