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Is there a way to get Sammy in space?


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I'm convinced we haven't used all of Sammy's talents as a WR.

 

One thing we've seen is how well he plays "after the catch" when he's in the open field. He has burners and world class speed when he is moving straight ahead. His stress fractures (in my opinion) have a lot to do with his propensity to "start, stop and plant" plant his foot on quick out patterns. He is so good at selling his pattern that he typically shakes off a CB to make himself open.

 

That being said - there is one part of our game where I think Sammy could really help and it mirrors the bubble screens from college (i.e. it gets him in space):

 

Special teams:

 

1) He has the ability to catch a kickoff or punt. Check

2) He is elusive when approaching tacklers. Check

3) World class speed. Check

4) Ability to break tackles if applicable. Check

5) Running straight ahead doesn't put stress on that injured foot or ankle. Check.

 

Adding Sammy as a punt returner and kick off returner would put him in space and we'd be able to see his talents on full display. Certainly, if he wants that "big contract" he'd gonna need to contribute in other ways.

 

Thoughts?

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Lol. Nice

 

I'm sure they'll try and have been trying for that matter. The good thing about Sammy though is that he can create the space himself and can even make tough catches when there is no space. He just needs to stay on the field and get some decent QB play from Taylor.

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You don't need to be able to play special teams to earn a big contract if you're a WR. Most of the ones with big contracts don't do both.

 

Running straight won't put stress on the foot? You don't just run straight on kickoffs or punts. Those holes don't just open up in the middle. You have to make very quick change of direction because you have 10 special teamers running at you.

If you're concerned about the stress on his foot, why put him on special teams?

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I'm convinced we haven't used all of Sammy's talents as a WR.

 

One thing we've seen is how well he plays "after the catch" when he's in the open field. He has burners and world class speed when he is moving straight ahead. His stress fractures (in my opinion) have a lot to do with his propensity to "start, stop and plant" plant his foot on quick out patterns. He is so good at selling his pattern that he typically shakes off a CB to make himself open.

 

That being said - there is one part of our game where I think Sammy could really help and it mirrors the bubble screens from college (i.e. it gets him in space):

 

Special teams:

 

1) He has the ability to catch a kickoff or punt. Check

2) He is elusive when approaching tacklers. Check

3) World class speed. Check

4) Ability to break tackles if applicable. Check

5) Running straight ahead doesn't put stress on that injured foot or ankle. Check.

 

Adding Sammy as a punt returner and kick off returner would put him in space and we'd be able to see his talents on full display. Certainly, if he wants that "big contract" he'd gonna need to contribute in other ways.

 

Thoughts?

I don't think the reward would outweigh the risk. The Bills have been pretty good on returns recently. Replacing Tate with Watkins might yield a TD or 2, but it also puts Sammy at higher risk of injury. Losing him to injury would cripple our passing attack. We need him on the field for those 25-35 passes per game much more than we need him for 5-6 returns.

 

I don't think it's a terrible idea, but I personally wouldn't want to put him at risk of getting clobbered by someone running at him full speed. I would have Jones return over Watkins.

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I'm not really sure putting your number one injury prone WR on special teams is the answer.

 

Bills ranked 19th in kickoff return yards per attempt with 21.3

Bills ranked 6th in punt return yardage with an 11.2 average.

 

So how much do we improve from 19th/6th by moving Sammy to special teams? No way would I take that risk/reward.

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I'm not really sure putting your number one injury prone WR on special teams is the answer.

 

Bills ranked 19th in kickoff return yards per attempt with 21.3

Bills ranked 6th in punt return yardage with an 11.2 average.

 

So how much do we improve from 19th/6th by moving Sammy to special teams? No way would I take that risk/reward.

You put your best players on the field as much as possible.

 

Lorenzo Alexander was probably our best defensive player last year and he loves special teams and played it in addition to his linebacker duties.

 

Why not put our best offensive playmaker out there to receive punts or kicks? If you worry about injuries all the time we'll never see a player's best work.

 

Is it that Sammy refuses to play Special Teams? If so, that's a risk/reward that applies to our team (i.e. whether he's willing to play any position to help the team at all costs).

 

He's a sturdy fellow...he can handle being tackled when he runs up the middle on a kick return.

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I'm convinced we haven't used all of Sammy's talents as a WR.

 

One thing we've seen is how well he plays "after the catch" when he's in the open field. He has burners and world class speed when he is moving straight ahead. His stress fractures (in my opinion) have a lot to do with his propensity to "start, stop and plant" plant his foot on quick out patterns. He is so good at selling his pattern that he typically shakes off a CB to make himself open.

 

That being said - there is one part of our game where I think Sammy could really help and it mirrors the bubble screens from college (i.e. it gets him in space):

 

Special teams:

 

1) He has the ability to catch a kickoff or punt. Check

2) He is elusive when approaching tacklers. Check

3) World class speed. Check

4) Ability to break tackles if applicable. Check

5) Running straight ahead doesn't put stress on that injured foot or ankle. Check.

 

Adding Sammy as a punt returner and kick off returner would put him in space and we'd be able to see his talents on full display. Certainly, if he wants that "big contract" he'd gonna need to contribute in other ways.

 

Thoughts?

There really isn't a lot of 'space' on special teams. Punts often are fair caught because there is no 'space' to run. Kickoffs are usually touchbacks or the players get hit pretty hard by a lot of fast running , hard hitting linebackers. Not a good idea, or were you just joking?

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There really isn't a lot of 'space' on special teams. Punts often are fair caught because there is no 'space' to run. Kickoffs are usually touchbacks or the players get hit pretty hard by a lot of fast running , hard hitting linebackers. Not a good idea, or were you just joking?

Read above: Put your best players on the field as much as possible.

 

(For example: Patrick Peterson for the Cardinals. Star CB and kick returner.)

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You put your best players on the field as much as possible.

 

Lorenzo Alexander was probably our best defensive player last year and he loves special teams and played it in addition to his linebacker duties.

 

Why not put our best offensive playmaker out there to receive punts or kicks? If you worry about injuries all the time we'll never see a player's best work.

 

Is it that Sammy refuses to play Special Teams? If so, that's a risk/reward that applies to our team (i.e. whether he's willing to play any position to help the team at all costs).

 

He's a sturdy fellow...he can handle being tackled when he runs up the middle on a kick return.

But you don't be careless about it.

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Read above: Put your best players on the field as much as possible.

 

(For example: Patrick Peterson for the Cardinals. Star CB and kick returner.)

Yeah, I 'Read above' - that's how I came to comment on your post.

 

TT is faster than Sammy, how about have him return kicks?

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