I'm Surprised by Zay Jones' Slow Start

[4merper4mer]

How can anyone argue with a straight face that Zay Jones is NOT having a tough start of the season?

 

 

If you hate Sammy enough you can do it. Because that is what it's about.

[zow2]

Yeah Zay is really struggling but i think he will be ok in the long run. It seems like he has the Yips right now. Hope they can get him a few throws to get his confidence up. That one where he was wide open and Tyrod was hurried and threw high...ugh, that was a big play missed.

[NewMexBills]

I think Brandon Reilly is better then Zay"hands of stone"Jones! Brandon Reilly needs to be called up to play, time for some excitement in this boring WR play we have!

[cj192]

Of course. So no numbers, just hasn't met "expectations." Whose expectations? Yours? Well my expectations for jones are equally as meaningless as yours, but he's meeting mine so far.

No. Not my expectations. Not your expectations. 2nd round pick expectations. NFL receiver expectations.

Edited September 25, 2017 by cj192

[Chandler#81]

Dude can't catch a cold.

I don't want to have to bust out the B word yet. Hopefully he starts catching soon.

On the TD, smart move by Dennison to keep a receiver behind Zay that might be able to catch the football after it goes through his hands.

A tad over-reactive, but I have to agree with your premise. Just short of alarming, he's on a par with James Hardy as a high draft pick WR who is in over his head. The similarities end there, as Zay was a 4 year starter and college record holder, but there have been 5 targets in 3 games he didn't catch. Granted, most would have been of the 'circus catch' variety, but an undeniable trend has developed. It appears to me he's fallen down Tyrod's 'looks progression' which is harmful as well.

I understand all the 'it's hard for rookie WR's' line, but JD Hill, Jerry Butler, Eric Moulds, Lee Evans (among others) counter this claim. That he isn't blessed with great speed means he'll likely only be single covered. That he CAN'T make difficult catches, contributes more to bottling up our running game. He had one good block up field yesterday that sprung Shady for 12 yrds and a critical 1st down, but nobody thinks he's Robert Woods -whose blocking had been a significant contribution to previous years rushing success.

Tyrod doesn't possess the talent or necessary accuracy to threaten the entire 'passing tree' to avail Zay routinely perfect throws.

Yes, it's early, but I'm duly concerned.

[GG]

OTOH, it's a tad early to write him off. Many people forget how awful Andre Reed was in his rookie year

[CircleTheWagons99]

He needs to catch the first td that bounced off his hands. Last week I stuck up for the kid but doing that on a regular basis will end up in a lot of picks...

I still have high hopes for the kid tho.

Was thinking the samething, hopefully its just rookie mistakes and he gets that taken care of. Maybe he is not used to catching a ball thrown at these speeds.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

what did Giselle say?

 

He can't pass it and catch it.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

I'd chalk it up to finding his footing (and hands) while adjusting to the NFL speed. The kid's best attribute all through college, if not his route running, was his hands.

 

I'm not worried. Still, that slant off his hands was pretty bad. That gets caught by a Bronco defender instead of Holmes and Jones could very well be in discussion for being the goat of the game 2 weeks in a row.

[The Wiz]

The best I can say about the missed TD catch was the ball was thrown into a "blind window" for Zay to run into. I can't really describe it so I'll attach the picture I have. The ball about to come out of TT hand to the spot that Zay will be at and Zay is running the correct route. However, Von Miller is jumping in the air and blocking the line of sight between TT and Zay and Zay and the ball.

 

He was late getting his hands up the ball and I'm thinking the screen from Miller was likely the cause. Either way. Yes I think he should be doing better but it's his 3rd game of his NFL career so I'll give him time before I start to worry about it. I'm guessing you would be able to see it better on the All-22 so hopefully our weekly reporter can take a look at this play and let me know if my assumptions were correct.

 

Edited September 25, 2017 by The Wiz

[GreggTX]

 

 

Catching the ball cleanly seems to be his biggest issue.

 

 

 

Catching the ball cleanly seems to be his biggest issue.

Well, he used the same 2 hands to catch the ball in college a few hundred times. I think he'll be ok.

[DC Greg]

Sure, a bit...

But none of our wide receivers have more than 3 receptions in any of our first 3 games.

Tyrod Taylor doesn't throw down the field this year. Just check downs to RBs and some passes to the TEs. We might as well not have WRs.

 

Week 3 - 6 WR receptions

Matthews: 3

Holmes: 2

K. Clay: 1

 

Week 2 - 7 WR receptions

Matthews: 3

Holmes: 2

Jones: 2

 

Week 1 - 4 WR receptions

Matthews: 2

Jones: 1

Holmes: 1

 

That is nuts.

[San-O]

 

That is nuts.

 

Agree.

 

He's got 3 reception on 12 targets for.... 39 yards.

 

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3059722/zay-jones

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

He is fighting the ball with his hands. And seems to panic and lose confidence each time he gets an opportunity and bungles it. They need to work some easy throws into the game plan in early downs next week or he could keep sliding.

Yep.. playing too tight. Yips....was reportedly inconsolable after Carolina. Needs to remember it's a game he loves and have some fun with it.

 

Once he losens up he'll be great. They need to get him a TD

[UB2SF]

I think Zay will be fine in the long run, but I'm worried about the short-term implications for the team. I feel like we have a really thin margin of error, meaning that we need players to make the make-able plays consistently in order for us to win consistently. One starting receiver with a case of the yips could be the difference between a couple W's and L's.

[CardinalScotts]

track record on rookie wide recievers is not good

[reddogblitz]

track record on rookie wide recievers is not good

I keep reading this. Yet, somehow rookie WR Robert Woods was able to get his hands on and hold onto 3 footballs per game (average) with EJ, Thaddeus Maximus, and Tuel Time throwing him the football.

 

I have NEVER seen any alleged good WR having this much trouble catching the football when it hits him the hands.

 

I hope you're right.

[Marty McFly]

I waa thinking bout this during the game yest. Maybe it was what i was on but, it reminded me of the special i saw on Jerry Rice. Rice was sure handed in college never a dropper. Finally makes it to the NFL and starts dropping everything his rookie season. He made a huge TD catch late in the season and boom Mental block destroyed and the rest is history.

 

ZJ needs to get his confidence back. Its all in his head, they need to give him some quick easy opportunities early in the game and get the kid rolling.

 

 

 

 

 

Jerry Rice had a rough rookie season with regards to the dropsies...not worried...rookie growing pains.

It's not a strain . He should be better than this.

[Augie]

I waa thinking bout this during the game yest. Maybe it was what i was on but, it reminded me of the special i saw on Jerry Rice. Rice was sure handed in college never a dropper. Finally makes it to the NFL and starts dropping everything his rookie season. He made a huge TD catch late in the season and boom Mental block destroyed and the rest is history.

ZJ needs to get his confidence back. Its all in his head, they need to give him some quick easy opportunities early in the game and get the kid rolling.

 

It will come, in time... Edited September 25, 2017 by Augie

[Marty McFly]

It will come, in time...

I agree with you breh, i just want him to get some targets early and that confidence up. The mental aspect of competition and creating are so underrated, dont want that potential going to waste.

[MarlinTheMagician]

Agree with all. Young man is struggling. Yips, confidence, adjustment - call it wall you will. He needs some positive mojo. But once he gets squared away I think his floor is to be a solid NFL receiver and his ceiling is to be a very, very good one. Let's give the rook a break and let him work through it. One of the reasons I have some optimism for the offense is that Matthews and TT likely are just finding their timing and getting to know each other. Zay is contributing Zip. Both those receivers should improve steadily over the course of the season as they play together in the offense with TT and the others.

[26CornerBlitz]

@MatthewFairburn

Why Jordan Matthews, Buffalo Bills coaches haven't lost confidence in Zay Jones: http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2017/09/why_jordan_matthews_buffalo_bills_coaches_havent_lost_confidence_in_zay_jones.html

Orchard Park, N.Y. -- Jordan Matthews wonders if his draft class might have screwed everything up.

 

Before the 2014 rookie class of wide receivers, which included Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson, Brandon Cooks and Matthews, there was a rule out wide receivers. Generally speaking, it took a wide receiver until his third season to make a big jump in productivity. Then the 2014 rookie class came in and took the league by storm.

 

Beckham had 91 catches and 12 touchdowns. Evans had 12 touchdowns. Watkins looked mediocre by comparison, hauling in over 900 yards and six touchdowns for the Buffalo Bills.

 

So now in 2017, rookie wide receivers are expected to contribute right away. That's caused some impatience with Bills second-round pick Zay Jones, who has three catches for 39 yards in his first three NFL games.

 

 

[jaybee]

 

 

Catching the ball cleanly seems to be his biggest issue.

 

QB pass accuracy is a factor.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I have been a little disappointed with him to start the year. I fully expected him to make a nice impact on the offense. It's early, but to this point I have been let down

[NewMexBills]

He lacks the "it" factor...

[Sweats]

So, a college player coming into the NFL might not grasp everything right off the bat............big deal.

[without a drought]

He lacks the "it" factor...

I thought it was targets that he lacks.

[John from Riverside]

 

QB pass accuracy is a factor.

Not when a player has a reputation of catching everything in his catch radius...which in Zay's case is considerable.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

I agree with you breh, i just want him to get some targets early and that confidence up. The mental aspect of competition and creating are so underrated, dont want that potential going to waste.

 

...kid had some amazing Rice like stats at ECU.......numbers WELL beyond a premier+ season production in the NFL......so the lad has some major adjustments from "those days" to NFL days...and his QB will not be a member of the "5,000 Yard Club" ....so you work you tail off to build his confidence at this level as he has the promise to be a good one long term IMO..........

[3rdand12]

Yes the competition level is higher. The ball is the same. He caught them. Now he's not.

If Sammy was here, Jones might have been the 3rd receiver package depending.

Don't feel he was drafted to be the #1 receiver. Just a very solid one, with upside. I find it hard to believe he won't find his feet soon enough.

Building character is what he is doing right now : )

 

Genetics wasn't the point. Duh!

 

 

Someone gets that the implication was that the game wouldn't be too big for him.

 

I think it's a confidence issue. If he can get his confidence back then that will be a huge plus to this offense.

I have to agree. On both counts. expect he will.

I thought it was targets that he lacks.

as long as the chains are moving who cares who gets the ball, really

 

Everyone gets a chance to be a hero !

[xRUSHx]

Not worried about Zay Jones. He'll be just fine imo.

I agree I think he just needs a little time

[LABILLBACKER]

Part of developing as a rookie wr is being on the same page and establishing confidence with your QB. No one is going to mistake TT as the most accurate QB. They're both "off" right now. There's still debate about the Carolina play. All I know is Zay looked amazing at ECU and catching passes from Peterman in the Senior Bowl. He needs more time. I'll re-evaluate his rookie year in January.

Edited September 29, 2017 by LABILLBACKER

[Marty McFly]

...kid had some amazing Rice like stats at ECU.......numbers WELL beyond a premier+ season production in the NFL......so the lad has some major adjustments from "those days" to NFL days...and his QB will not be a member of the "5,000 Yard Club" ....so you work you tail off to build his confidence at this level as he has the promise to be a good one long term IMO..........

 

Right, we should see a bunch of quick passes to him, if he gets separation on sunday to get him rolling.

 

 

If Sammy was here, Jones might have been the 3rd receiver package depending.

Don't feel he was drafted to be the #1 receiver. Just a very solid one, with upside. I find it hard to believe he won't find his feet soon enough.

Building character is what he is doing right now : )

 

 

Thats right big breh. The roster moves mean He has to grow into a starter a little faster now. Jerry Rice dropped a lot of passes his rookie season too.

 

I agree I think he just needs a little time

Thats right Niel Peart!

[3rdand12]

 

 

Right, we should see a bunch of quick passes to him, if he gets separation on sunday to get him rolling.

 

 

 

 

Thats right big breh. The roster moves mean He has to grow into a starter a little faster now. Jerry Rice dropped a lot of passes his rookie season too.

 

 

Thats right Niel Peart!

sure it aint Geddy Lee or Alex Lifeson? off the top of my pointed head.

 

awesome as always Little breh !

Think the kid has the wherewithal to overcome. I look forward to see what his ceiling really is.

 

Patience Grasshoppers

[Marty McFly]

sure it aint Geddy Lee or Alex Lifeson? off the top of my pointed head.

 

awesome as always Little breh !

Think the kid has the wherewithal to overcome. I look forward to see what his ceiling really is.

 

Patience Grasshoppers

 

 

Indeed. Could be Geddy with the base.

[3rdand12]

Indeed. Could be Geddy with the base.

probably Niel with that mustache

[Juice_32]

The best I can say about the missed TD catch was the ball was thrown into a "blind window" for Zay to run into. I can't really describe it so I'll attach the picture I have. The ball about to come out of TT hand to the spot that Zay will be at and Zay is running the correct route. However, Von Miller is jumping in the air and blocking the line of sight between TT and Zay and Zay and the ball.

 

He was late getting his hands up the ball and I'm thinking the screen from Miller was likely the cause. Either way. Yes I think he should be doing better but it's his 3rd game of his NFL career so I'll give him time before I start to worry about it. I'm guessing you would be able to see it better on the All-22 so hopefully our weekly reporter can take a look at this play and let me know if my assumptions were correct.

 

throw.jpg

I noticed this yesterday on the all 22 review. This play was the equivalent of someone walking around a corner to catch a ball that is already in the air and coming in hot.

 

As I've said before he still has to catch it, but Miller made this a much harder catch than it appeared to be in real time. That ball was on him very quickly.

 

Zay is going to be fine. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few targets early on Sunday.

[reddogblitz]

Thats right Niel Peart!

That's one thing Niel has in droves. Time.

[billsfan89]

If Sammy was on the team I would be surprised at Zay's slow start. But without Sammy there, the defensive attention is locked in on Jones a lot more. I wouldn't be surprised if teams are gearing coverages and putting their best corners onto Zay a decent chunk of the time. I am hoping Zay has more of an impact as the season progresses but I don't expect flashy numbers at all given the circumstances of the offense (no true #1, primarily a rushing offense, and a offense that is going to be playing conservative due to a defense that will keep them in games.)

 

I still like Zay's long term outlook as a player but the circumstances he finds himself in just aren't conducive to putting up big numbers.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

^billsfan89, I will be excited to see what new WRs and TEs we add with those 6 top 100 picks in the Spring. Another solid WR and if we can re-sign Matthews - that's a pretty good squad.