Kelly the Dog Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 We paid a little too much but we have the money. I hated Lee Smith when he was here before because we often ran an incredible three-TE offense, none of whom were a threat. With Kroft as the dual TE, Knox as the lock receiving TE, and "I don't cut" Smith as the blocking TE, we are not in bad shape. I always thought Croom was gone after we drafted Knox. Now either Sweeney is the fourth TE or goes to the PS. Makes sense. I'm sure Bobby Johnson played a huge role in this and McD loves him some locker room presence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 15 minutes ago, frostbitmic said: The last time he was here I vaguely remember him getting a 15 yard personal foul penalty while standing on the sideline ... Good times. i remember always sarcastically saying... a penalty waiting to happen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Nick the Greek said: Kroft, Lee Smith, Croom, 2 draft picks.. seems like a lot. Who’s gonna play? I gotta think someone is getting cut. The contract is front loaded with money over the first 2 years.. so I’m looking at it as a 2 year deal with an option to keep him for 3. I think that’s team friendly. Front loaded deals are player friendly, not team friendly. That is because they pay out money more quickly than back loaded deals of the same total contract value. That means that if released before the end of the deal, the player will make more money per season than the average across the whole deal. Star has a deal like this. So did Clay. Lee Smith’s contract is not huge, so it isn’t THAT big of a deal. But we still are overpaying for a 31 year old TE who is only good at run blocking - even if he is very good at it. I just don’t see much value in TEs who aren’t productive receivers, which is what I’m really having an issue with here. 8 seasons, 392 yards and 7 TDs. Those are totals, people, not yearly averages. Ugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshAllenHasBigHands Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 I think something that is being missed is that this signals Daboll's intention to commit to the deep passing game. Sure, Lee Smith is great for run blocking. But what I really see is that they are committed to having a lot of max-protection. This works with the run game, obviously, since it is mixed with play action. I really don't think having Lee Smith on the field signals a guaranteed run play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingOnYouboty Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) Charles Clay must've really pissed off Brandon Beane EDIT: PFF has him ranked as the 4th best graded TE last year fwiw Edited May 13, 2019 by FeelingOnYouboty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 4 minutes ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said: I think something that is being missed is that this signals Daboll's intention to commit to the deep passing game. Sure, Lee Smith is great for run blocking. But what I really see is that they are committed to having a lot of max-protection. This works with the run game, obviously, since it is mixed with play action. I really don't think having Lee Smith on the field signals a guaranteed run play. I mean it's really up to the OC if they do their job right assume it's a run at your own peril if they don't then yeah it becomes predictable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingOnYouboty Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 We have Frank Gore teaching Devin Singletary how to be a pro and now we have Lee Smith teaching Dawson Knox how to block. Get young guys and then get seasoned vets in that same room to help the youngins. Love it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlCowlingsTaxiService Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Still need to see a proven TE on this roster who truly makes a difference for the offense ... time will tell, I suppose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddyjj Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Logic said: Like others have said, you're adding leadership by example to the tight end room. You're also adding a guy who can show these youngsters (Knox, Sweeney, Moral) a thing or two about being an effective blocker. Blocking Tight Ends are obviously not most football fans' favorite players, but they are quite valuable to both the run and the pass game. Lee Smith is a top 3 blocking tight end in the NFL. He may be the BEST blocking tight end in the NFL. I see the final roster shaking out at that position thusly: Kroft Knox Smith Sweeney It's not out of the realm of possibilities that Croom makes the roster and Sweeney goes to the practice squad. S and Ks S#$% Kickers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 It feels like Smith has been around forever. Are we gonna block this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, ScottLaw said: Must've gave McDermott the body of Christ and then wrestled him with an easy victory.... only thing I can think of to warrant a 3 year deal. Because religion and a background in wrestling are the primary criteria for drafting or signing players. There are few narratives more tiring on this board.... 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnCoke11 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Good move. Fisher experiment was puzzling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XABI64 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 head scratching signing surely we moved on from singing players like Lee Smith. we've barely upgraded the TE position Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r00tabaga Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Love this move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wppete Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 STEVIE!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 53 minutes ago, FeelingOnYouboty said: Charles Clay must've really pissed off Brandon Beane EDIT: PFF has him ranked as the 4th best graded TE last year fwiw Can someone link that? I have two PFF links for 2018 TEs. 5 best blocking and 10 best red zone, but he shows up on neither. https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-the-nfls-top-five-blocking-tight-ends-in-2018 https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-nfls-best-red-zone-tight-ends-in-2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 18 minutes ago, XABI64 said: head scratching signing surely we moved on from singing players like Lee Smith. we've barely upgraded the TE position head scratching post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Lee Smith's penalty to snap count ratio was always around 1:2. I'd expect it'll remain the same on go-round #2 with the Bills. Signing him to that deal says a lot about how they feel about their TE group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, BillsfanAZ said: Just because a player gets released doesnt mean he cant contribute to another team. Clay signed pretty quickly with the Cards. I think your expectations are too high if you are expecting the Bills to sign star players with each signing. I know everyone was hoping for a trade for Rudolph but that prob isnt in the cards. 7 mil salary and he would prob want an extension seeing it may be his last contract. If the Patriots would have made this move Scott would be talking about how the Patriots play chess and everyone else is playing checkers.......lol 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornette's Commentary Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 25 minutes ago, XABI64 said: head scratching signing surely we moved on from singing players like Lee Smith. we've barely upgraded the TE position Who's "we?" Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan (paragons of personnel management) moved on from Lee Smith, not Beane and McDermott. Now, if Beane had released him in 2017 and are now bringing him back, then I'd be concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, FeelingOnYouboty said: Charles Clay must've really pissed off Brandon Beane EDIT: PFF has him ranked as the 4th best graded TE last year fwiw lolpff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan17 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 35 minutes ago, XABI64 said: head scratching signing surely we moved on from singing players like Lee Smith. we've barely upgraded the TE position So the Bills didnt sing Kroft and draft Knox in the third? Lee is being strutted out as the primary TE that we will utilize in all situations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, frostbitmic said: The last time he was here I vaguely remember him getting a 15 yard personal foul penalty while standing on the sideline ... Good times. ...not to mention 20 catches in his 4 year Bflo career....prolific..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 Just now, BillsFan17 said: So the Bills didnt sing Kroft and draft Knox in the third? Lee is being strutted out as the primary TE that we will utilize in all situations? Its hard to upgrade from 0 TDs and 8 mill dollar Hands of Clay ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Just now, YoloinOhio said: Its hard to upgrade from 0 TDs and 8 mill dollar Hands of Clay ? ....anybody have Robert Royal on speed dial??........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 5 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said: In fairness, Lee Smith has always had a much bigger market than fans have appreciated. Say more? To me he's an incomplete player...when he's in the game, you know he's gonna block, but he's not (or at least I didn't think he was) that great shakes as a blocker. Do you see him as having developed during the last 4 years in Oak or ?? He's 32, and 3 years is a pretty long time. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 47 minutes ago, XABI64 said: head scratching signing surely we moved on from singing players like Lee Smith. we've barely upgraded the TE position "we" probably thought it was a good idea to have some veteran in the young TE locker room.....and a guy who has had some success at his position at that. that is probably what "we" were thinking......oh by the way "we also signed another vet te and "we drafted 2 TE's in this draft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 The Apocalypse is nigh.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
End The Drought Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Great move. Anything that improves our run game will get a thumbs up from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 This reminds me of the DiMarco move. Paying a premium for a niche position that becomes less and less relevant as the years go by. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgotBILLStopay Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Will just repeat my earlier post in the other TE thread Quote Maybe Beane wants to field 11 TEs on the field on offense at the same time. Enough with the TEs already!! This is in no way an attack on Moral Stephens. Just want register a protest on the MoraLEEty of signing yet another TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
End The Drought Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 8 minutes ago, billsfan89 said: This reminds me of the DiMarco move. Paying a premium for a niche position that becomes less and less relevant as the years go by. Not sure if you’re an All 22 film guy or not but if you go back and watch our TEs blocking and then watch Lee Smith blocking it is much different. With how bad our O line was last year we could use all the help we can get Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshAllenHasBigHands Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 21 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: Say more? To me he's an incomplete player...when he's in the game, you know he's gonna block, but he's not (or at least I didn't think he was) that great shakes as a blocker. Do you see him as having developed during the last 4 years in Oak or ?? He's 32, and 3 years is a pretty long time. If you think that the most important part of TEs play is their ability play receiver, you are going to hate Lee Smith. If you think TEs ability to block is as important, if not more, than you will love Lee Smith. Last time he was here, half the fan base wanted to see him cut. But he has never had a problem finding work, and always for more money than this fan base would expect. I have always thought that Lee Smith, and guys like him that are better blockers than anything else, are illustrative of just how much NFL fans do not understand the TE position. I think there is a perception that TEs are just tall receivers. But they aren't; they are so much more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
End The Drought Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 anyone who is questioning this signing needs to read this article and watch some of the clips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyWhiteShows Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 What this move tells me is that Daboll is planning a lot of 12 personnel. Meaning 2 TE’s and Smith’s role will be involved in a lot of run blocking and pass protection out of these schemes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Smith should be much better than Fisher and Sweeney. Sweeney was probably 50/50 to make the roster anyways now probably less than 25%. I still think they carry 4 tight ends and Croom makes the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Long Beach Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 8 minutes ago, End The Drought said: anyone who is questioning this signing needs to read this article and watch some of the clips Great article and some sweet blocking clips. Showing some tough assignments and some solid work done by Lee. As for Lee telegraphing what we're doing, well It's a combination of both playcalling and being a good team. A good team wins by running/passing the ball even if the defense knows it's coming. We weren't a good team before. Here's to us becoming one. As somebody else said, we got the best case of what Fisher hoped to become by someone who has already done it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 19 minutes ago, End The Drought said: Not sure if you’re an All 22 film guy or not but if you go back and watch our TEs blocking and then watch Lee Smith blocking it is much different. With how bad our O line was last year we could use all the help we can get There were people saying that DiMarco could be a valuable piece given his versatility and blocking. I haven't seen much impact from DiMarco and while I don't doubt that there is a niche use for a blocking tight end but it seems like a position with limited utility in an increasingly more spread and passing oriented league. I don't doubt the need for an upgrade to the blocking TE position but it seems like a position that is fairly easy to find at a much cheaper cost and a position that is more of a niche that has limited use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, billsfan89 said: There were people saying that DiMarco could be a valuable piece given his versatility and blocking. I haven't seen much impact from DiMarco and while I don't doubt that there is a niche use for a blocking tight end but it seems like a position with limited utility in an increasingly more spread and passing oriented league. I don't doubt the need for an upgrade to the blocking TE position but it seems like a position that is fairly easy to find at a much cheaper cost and a position that is more of a niche that has limited use. Time to get rid of the DiMarco. He isn't even good at being a FB let alone the fact that FBs are useless. Still a role for a blocking TE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddaryl Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 If Beane and McDermott think Lee is an upgrade to what we had or have then I'm all in. I am more than willing to give this duo lots of LEEway on their personnel decisions because I simply like what is being built and how with these 2. Lee never played under HC McDermott's system, and McDermott has a way of getting more out of players like Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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