BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? Edited August 7, 2017 by 26CornerBlitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Watch Clemson Tape. Incorporate into your offense. There Easy And no that doesnt include putting him on ST Edited August 7, 2017 by MAJBobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Man Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Is there a way to get Sammy in space? Well..............he'd have to get a running start before his 'liftoff' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? stole my thunder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Pygmy Goat Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottebillsfan2 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? I'd assume he couldn't withstand the force of the launch, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyToughII Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Yeah, its called get open like other WR's do in the NFL. Two WR's in the same draft we took sammy, and could have had without trading up, can do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? Dam it thats where I was going with my comment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Putting Anquan Boldin on the other side of the line might clear some space for Sammy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 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.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 But you don't be careless about it. See Patrick Peterson of the Cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Fergy you're onto something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in Horseheads Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Say... now theres a idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 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? Not sure TT is accustomed to catching the football....which is part of returning kicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Watch Clemson Tape. Incorporate into your offense. There Easy And no that doesnt include putting him on ST Pretty much... watch miami tape with landry too. Move him around - throw him quick passes if they line up off him. His speed and strength make it hard to bump him at the line without basically shading a safety to play over the top. If they're bumping, then its likely that there will be space. Unfortunately it's probably in the middle of the field Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 here you go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DriveFor1Outta5 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) I've always found this widely accepted idea of "getting players into space" to be a myth. Aside from a rocket ship, the only way to get a player into space is by using them on punt/kickoff returns. That is a risk which most coaches aren't willing to take with their star players. Elite players have the ability to get themselves into space. A receiver who is a good route runner with elite speed should be able to win battles with defenders. Winning such battles allows the receiver to get into space. I'm not convinced that you can always game plan "space" in the pros. Players like Rice and Moss created their own space. Edited August 7, 2017 by DriveFor1Outta5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmur66 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 I don't know. Couldn't get Spiller there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Elon Musk Rocket to Mars? And to think we could have sent OBJ to Mars and had an extra first round pick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenhigh Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Maybe like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 I don't know. Couldn't get Spiller there. CJ was winded. He didn't have the breath to make it. Sammy could very easily be our premier returner if the coaches would give him a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 And to think we could have sent OBJ to Mars and had an extra first round pick... Dammit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheElectricCompany Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Jailbreak screens, quick slants, endarounds, etc. etc. Those each have a place, but I'd prefer we just get the ball to Sammy on "standard" routes. Guys like Reggie Bush, Percy Harvin and Cordarelle Patterson that need the ball in a certain way to succeed aren't worth the trouble. Edited August 7, 2017 by TheElectricCompany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DriveFor1Outta5 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Jailbreak screens, quick slants, endarounds, etc. etc. Those each have a place, but I'd prefer we just get the ball to Sammy on "standard" routes. Guys like Reggie Bush, Percy Harvin and Cordarelle Patterson that need the ball in a certain way to succeed aren't worth the trouble. I agree. Elite players make their own space. You gave great examples of players who needed "space" to be part of the game plan. They were all gadget players who didn't have great all around games. Many of these type of play calls aren't very successful in the pros either. College offenses can dominate calling only "space" plays. Those types of plays usually get shutdown in the pros. Only the Pats* succeed with them consistently. Apparently the NFL has decided that holding doesn't apply when they run a screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBonhamRocks Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Get Anquan Boldin to block for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGun12TD Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Ask Chan! 😂😂😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Lorenzo Alexander came here to play Special Teams and got his opportunity after an injury. Sammy is and has been our #1 WR. Why isn't Julio Jones or AJ Green returning kicks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 I've heard of jet sweeps in football. So now we're advancing the game to include jet packs.....Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottebillsfan2 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 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. Isn't the best ability availability? that's my point about why risk further injury. Also your acting like Sammy will be an upgrade in our return game. In college Sammy averaged 22.9 yards per kick off return with 1 TD over three seasons. He averaged 3.8 yards on his 6 punt returns over three years. These are college stats that are average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 Lorenzo Alexander came here to play Special Teams and got his opportunity after an injury. Sammy is and has been our #1 WR. Why isn't Julio Jones or AJ Green returning kicks? Jones and Green have talented QB's throwing them the ball. By returning kicks and/or punts, we are taking our QB's shortcomings out of the equation. Not to mention, we now have Boldin...there's even more reason to have Sammy work on another part of his game after his ankle heals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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