Bills sign Lee Smith to 3-year deal -contract details released

[FeelingOnYouboty]

1 hour ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

lolpff

 

 

Just trying to be positive lol

[Kelly the Dog]

4 minutes ago, Ethan in Portland said:

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. 

Wouldn't be a bad idea to have Gore, Smith and Knox split up the FB on the field plays that Daboll wants to run. It would save a roster spot, and provide for a little more versatility after the snap.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

head scratching post.

Yeah!

[YattaOkasan]

1 hour ago, BarleyNY said:

 

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

His bio on pff says #4

https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/lee-smith/6311 but only lists him as above average.  

[C.Biscuit97]

26 minutes ago, ddaryl said:

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.

 

 

They have constructed terrible offenses.  I don’t know why they get such a pass on offensive moves.  They have been bad on that side of the ball.  

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Its hard to upgrade from 0 TDs and 8 mill dollar Hands of Clay ?

‘Manos de piedra’ in boxing:  GOOD!

’Manos de piedra’ as a football TE:  BAD!

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

17 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

They have constructed terrible offenses.  I don’t know why they get such a pass on offensive moves.  They have been bad on that side of the ball.  

 

Because they drafted the franchise QB.  Aside from that, every other move has pretty much been a stop gap.  They haven't made "their move" to build the offense (aside from Allen), and so the judgment hasn't begun.  KB is the exception, but I don't think anyone thought it would go that bad.   

[Spiderweb]

7 hours ago, Rc2catch said:

I was never a big fan of his. 

Definitely don’t understand signing him now after we just drafted two and signed Kroft and fisher. I figured fisher would never make it regardless but now you’re pushing Sweeney to the practice squad and Croom is gone for sure. 

I recall Smith negatively when he was here before. Slow lunbering TE with bad hands and seemed to get as many penalties as he did good blocks. Not a fan at all of this signing.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours 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. 

 

Interesting perspective.  Certainly the Cover1 clip shows a very neat block in pass-protection.

17 minutes ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

Because they drafted the franchise QB.  Aside from that, every other move has pretty much been a stop gap.  They haven't made "their move" to build the offense (aside from Allen), and so the judgment hasn't begun.  KB is the exception, but I don't think anyone thought it would go that bad.   

 

Wouldn't you consider trading up for Zay Jones in the 2nd round as a move?

13 minutes ago, Spiderweb said:

I recall Smith negatively when he was here before. Slow lunbering TE with bad hands and seemed to get as many penalties as he did good blocks. Not a fan at all of this signing.

 

3 penalties in 2018, but 5 in 2017 and 5 in 2015 with Oakland (2016 only 4 games)

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

6 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Interesting perspective.  Certainly the Cover1 clip shows a very neat block in pass-protection.

 

Wouldn't you consider trading up for Zay Jones in the 2nd round as a move?

 

Only 3 penalties in 2018, but 5 in 2017 and 2015 with Oakland (2016 only 4 games)

 

Very good point!  

 

But, for what its worth, I really think Beane is the driving force behind personnel now.  This is mostly based on the videos of the draft room, where it appears McDermott is more of a bystander than a participant.  

[Rockinon]

Having Smith on the field does not mean it's automatically a run play.  Blocking is not always about running.  It's also about protecting the QB.  I think this could be an indication that we will be running more 2 TE sets.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

5 minutes ago, Rockinon said:

Having Smith on the field does not mean it's automatically a run play.  Blocking is not always about running.  It's also about protecting the QB.  I think this could be an indication that we will be running more 2 TE sets.

...guess I'm just not a fan of the "either or" proposition......a nice blend of TE's who can CATCH and BLOCK would be nice.....a 3 year deal for a thirty something one dimensional with 20 career catches in his previous 4 year OBD stint?...guess I missed the memo.....maybe some "Lester Hayes Stickem' "this trip through.....

[TBBills Fan]

5 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I asked in the other thread and still haven’t gotten an answer. Can someone please explain to me the advantage of a “blocking TE” as opposed to an extra tackle? No one is scared of Lee Smith in the passing game so he’s pretty much there to block. He’s not as good at blocking as an OT.  

 

 

Ok, here it goes, yes he is primarily a blocking TE and here is why its better than a OT:\

 

We can use him on running plays...obviously

 

Yes no one is scare of Lee smith burning you as a receiver, however in 2 TE sets, we can use play action and passing, keeping him in as a blocker and still pass...and if the opponent is keying it a run play because he is in we can simply pass the ball to a SKILL player that is also in the play. Just because he is on the field does NOT mean we wont pass...  This can be done via play action or by straight passing plays.

 

 if he is running a route on said passing play someone still has to cover him...
 

so there is versatility on passing plays  as an added blocker or  receiver.....I expect to see him as an added blocker and Josh now gets extra time since Lee can block...a secondary benefit is in man coverage a defender has to account for him even when blocking

 

goaline situations, if we havent used him as a receiver dabol can design plays where he ends up wide open ala butch rolle....5 catches with 4 TDS type receiving production

 

Cant do that with an extra OT...when we want to go with that front we can bring in an extra OT

 

so yeah theres value

 

[John from Riverside]

46 minutes ago, Spiderweb said:

I recall Smith negatively when he was here before. Slow lunbering TE with bad hands and seemed to get as many penalties as he did good blocks. Not a fan at all of this signing.

How was our running game during that time?

[RocCityRoller]

6 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I asked in the other thread and still haven’t gotten an answer. Can someone please explain to me the advantage of a “blocking TE” as opposed to an extra tackle? No one is scared of Lee Smith in the passing game so he’s pretty much there to block. He’s not as good at blocking as an OT.  

 

[YoloinOhio]

6 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...guess I'm just not a fan of the "either or" proposition......a nice blend of TE's who can CATCH and BLOCK would be nice.....a 3 year deal for a thirty something one dimensional with 20 career catches in his previous 4 year OBD stint?...guess I missed the memo.....maybe some "Lester Hayes Stickem' "this trip through.....

That’s pretty much what they have. Smith is more of a blocker and Croom more of a catcher but the rest are a blend of both. Just will take awhile for rookies to produce like Knox and Sweeney so need some vets in the mix.  I like the signing as it was the missing piece of the TE group - a vet leader who knows what he’s doing and can protect the QB. Knox is their TE of the future, he has all the traits and side/speed of a #1 and is a downfield weapon with YAC ability. Kroft is kind of a bridge TE.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

That’s pretty much what they have. Smith is more of a blocker and Croom more of a catcher but the rest are a blend of both. Just will take awhile for rookies to produce like Knox and Sweeney so need some vets in the mix.  I like the signing as it was the missing piece of the TE group - a vet leader who knows what he’s doing and can protect the QB. Knox is their TE of the future, he has all the traits and side/speed of a #1 and is a downfield weapon with YAC ability. Kroft is kind of a bridge TE.

 

....nice assessment Yolo..........so has he developed better skills versus his first trip through with 20 catches in 4 years where we could expect a minimal blend more so on receptions?...or.....is he forever THE blocking TE?.....

[BarleyNY]

36 minutes ago, Rockinon said:

Having Smith on the field does not mean it's automatically a run play.  Blocking is not always about running.  It's also about protecting the QB.  I think this could be an indication that we will be running more 2 TE sets.

 

I guess he makes sense if they think they need an extra pass blocker in for deep throws.  

 

26 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...guess I'm just not a fan of the "either or" proposition......a nice blend of TE's who can CATCH and BLOCK would be nice.....a 3 year deal for a thirty something one dimensional with 20 career catches in his previous 4 year OBD stint?...guess I missed the memo.....maybe some "Lester Hayes Stickem' "this trip through.....

 

Except that this is an option.  I wholeheartedly agree with this post.  TEs who are viable blockers as well as receivers help an offense tremendously.  

[wppete]

 

And this is why we signed Lee Smith. 

[bigK14094]

I have a favorite Lee Smith memory from his first tour here.  (I think this was Lee)   Lee is inactive (maybe hurt, I don't recall)  He is in shorts on the sideline during the game, and a Bills offensive guy breaks one down the Bills sideline.....Lee is running with him.....along the sideline.  He runs into an official standing out of bounds, and the Bills get flagged for "official interference"...something I had never heard of before or after.  Anyhow, I think that was LEE!!!  Not even active and he drew a bench penality for the Bills

[3rdand12]

4 hours ago, TBBills Fan said:

 

 

Ok, here it goes, yes he is primarily a blocking TE and here is why its better than a OT:\

 

We can use him on running plays...obviously

 

Yes no one is scare of Lee smith burning you as a receiver, however in 2 TE sets, we can use play action and passing, keeping him in as a blocker and still pass...and if the opponent is keying it a run play because he is in we can simply pass the ball to a SKILL player that is also in the play. Just because he is on the field does NOT mean we wont pass...  This can be done via play action or by straight passing plays.

 

 if he is running a route on said passing play someone still has to cover him...
 

so there is versatility on passing plays  as an added blocker or  receiver.....I expect to see him as an added blocker and Josh now gets extra time since Lee can block...a secondary benefit is in man coverage a defender has to account for him even when blocking

 

goaline situations, if we havent used him as a receiver dabol can design plays where he ends up wide open ala butch rolle....5 catches with 4 TDS type receiving production

 

Cant do that with an extra OT...when we want to go with that front we can bring in an extra OT

 

so yeah theres value

 

Decent post .

He has the exp to teach Sweeney and Knox by now as plus.

Edited May 14, 2019 by 3rdand12

[Pete]

I hate this signing!  Especially for 3 years!  WTF Beane?  These reeks of Andre Holmes and Benjamin.  ***** I wanted to see what Sweeney could do.  Lets overpay for a 31 year old 1 dimensional TE, and sign him to 3 years.  

 

I love Beanes drafts, and his UDFA signings.  I don't like him signing KB, Vlad, etc

[John from Riverside]

3 minutes ago, bigK14094 said:

I have a favorite Lee Smith memory from his first tour here.  (I think this was Lee)   Lee is inactive (maybe hurt, I don't recall)  He is in shorts on the sideline during the game, and a Bills offensive guy breaks one down the Bills sideline.....Lee is running with him.....along the sideline.  He runs into an official standing out of bounds, and the Bills get flagged for "official interference"...something I had never heard of before or after.  Anyhow, I think that was LEE!!!  Not even active and he drew a bench penality for the Bills

Lee doesnt care WHO he blocks!

 

Refs be warned

[YoloinOhio]

26 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

....nice assessment Yolo..........so has he developed better skills versus his first trip through with 20 catches in 4 years where we could expect a minimal blend more so on receptions?...or.....is he forever THE blocking TE?.....

He seems to catch it when thrown to, just isn’t targeted much. 55/65 career catches/targets. 

[3rdand12]

Just now, John from Riverside said:

Lee doesnt care WHO he blocks!

 

Refs be warned

head on a swivel Zebras !!

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

He seems to catch it when thrown to, just isn’t targeted much. 55/65 career catches/targets. 

if defenses  do not stay diligent. he will catch it.

 I think this bodes well for HB and PA.

 he can still clear a zone. and if someone does not stick with him you make them think twice next play.
But he is likely here to mentor pass block and protect Allen.

Good second level blocker obviously ; )

 

 thanks for the Lee on Lee viddy ^^

4 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea the fact that's it's 3 years makes 0 sense. None. 

 

Give him a 1 year deal so when he's basically useless when they aren't running the ball you aren't stuck with him. 

 

Just a real head scratcher. But this regime has had their fair share of those in regards to offensive decisions. 

depends on the contract doesn't it ?
guaranteed monies etc

[Punching Bag]

8 hours ago, PirateHookerMD said:

There goes Croom and Fisher probably. 

 

Kroft/Lee/Knoxx.

 

Sweeney/Fisher/Croom maybe for a last spot. 

 

Corrected.

[billsfan89]

2 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

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. 

 

Blocking tight ends are going the way of the fullback in that it is so heavily niche and only useful in a small amount of scenarios. Outside of short yardage, goal line, and maybe some early down running situations there really isn’t a need for a blocking tightend in the modern NFL. Passing downs, early downs, and almost any intermediate situation a blocking tight-end is inefficient and will not be on the field. Lee Smith isn’t worth this contract even if he is the best at what he does because what he does isn’t on the field a lot. 

[Punching Bag]

8 hours ago, Mark80 said:

McBeane on the forefront of a game revolution.  Starting offense - 1 QB, 2 HBs, 8 TEs.  Who's gonna be prepared to stop that?

 

Zebras.

8 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Haha. Apparently, he’s a great teammate.  All I remember from his time here is us calling a perfect pass play at the goal line and him tripping on his feet and blowing an easy td.

 

if you combine all of our TEs, would they even have 1,000 yards?  I’m glad they are trying to improve the position but it’s like they are just shopping at the dollar store. 

 

When they start shopping in the 5 and dime store you have a chance.

[Pete]

Next let's sign Riemersma to a 5 year deal

[Punching Bag]

8 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

They have Tom Brady.  They also had the best TE of their generation.  You don’t see the difference when you line up Gronk, who can do everything, vs Lee Smith?

 

I am sure Lee Smith can learn to make cheap shots if required.

8 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Haha.  You’re right.  This might be the year he tops 80 yards in a season.  But the Raiders are definitely a team I point to as being one I want to idle myself after.  

 

Like I said, I heard he’s a great guy.  And props to him for getting checks for so long with such average talent.  But lee smith’s Are a dime a dozen.

 

You are confused, you said Bills shopped in dollar shop and now you are saying he is available in 5 and dime store like you.

[H2o]

In the "wtf? files" this evening we have.......

[BillsFan17]

3 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

....anybody have Robert Royal on speed dial??........

Better yet, let's get ahold of Derek Fine!

[BillsfanAZ]

2 hours ago, Spiderweb said:

I recall Smith negatively when he was here before. Slow lunbering TE with bad hands and seemed to get as many penalties as he did good blocks. Not a fan at all of this signing.

So 56 catches on 66 targets over 8 yrs is bad hands? I couldnt find anywhere that he credited with any drops. 

[YoloinOhio]

5 minutes ago, BillsFan17 said:

Better yet, let's get ahold of Derek Fine!

Scorin Dorin

[Punching Bag]

7 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

 

That is ridiculous.  WTF?!

 

Bills are trying to get some fans to leave to allow for fresh blood.  Have a nice trip!

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Punching Bag]

7 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I asked in the other thread and still haven’t gotten an answer. Can someone please explain to me the advantage of a “blocking TE” as opposed to an extra tackle? No one is scared of Lee Smith in the passing game so he’s pretty much there to block. He’s not as good at blocking as an OT.  

 

I explained in another thread.  He is not as good as OL at straight blocking but you see Lee Smith down the field blocking for WRs and RBs (Probably other TEs but not seen on film).  He is very good pass blocker as well (from BN: In 61 pass-blocking snaps, he was charged with allowing one sack).  He is also good on plays which develop out of backfield where he needs to support back coming out of it on tosses.

7 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I believe it was Limeaid posted — 

Smith is a lot more mobile than most guards/tackles and will be blocking down the field for WRs/RBs when most guards/tackles would be left behind.  That is why you sign a TE like him rather than use an extra OL on play. 

When he is targeted he usually catches the ball (56/66) with 7 TDs - not many guards/tackles can do that.

 

That is correct.

[purple haze]

9 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Ditto. 

This is a head scratcher for me. 4 new OL on one 1 year deals and ‘never was’ TE on a 3 year?

He's there to block. To me, this is about the run game. It also tells me DiMarco might not be on the roster come September.

[Punching Bag]

7 hours ago, bourbonboy said:

 

He was injured early (3rd or 4th game?) - he may not have had enough run-block snap to even qualify....

 

He was injured in 2016 but has played almost every other game since 2012.

Receiving & Rushing

					Games		Receiving										Rushing							Total Yds
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%	Y/Tgt	Rush	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G	Touch	Y/Tch	YScm	RRTD	Fmb	AV
Career					107	66	66	56	392	7.0	7	30	0.5	3.7	84.8%	5.9								56	7.0	392	7	0	4
4 yrs		BUF			56	34	25	20	144	7.2	3	28	0.4	2.6	80.0%	5.8								20	7.2	144	3	0	1
4 yrs		OAK			51	32	41	36	248	6.9	4	30	0.7	4.9	87.8%	6.0								36	6.9	248	4	0	3
2011	24	BUF	te	85	10	3	4	4	11	2.8	0	6	0.4	1.1	100.0%	2.8								4	2.8	11	0	0	0
2012	25	BUF	te/wr	85	16	7	4	4	13	3.3	2	5	0.3	0.8	100.0%	3.3								4	3.3	13	2	0	0
2013	26	BUF	fb/TE	85	16	14	9	5	78	15.6	0	28	0.3	4.9	55.6%	8.7								5	15.6	78	0	0	1
2014	27	BUF	TE	85	14	10	8	7	42	6.0	1	18	0.5	3.0	87.5%	5.3								7	6.0	42	1	0	0
2015	28	OAK	TE	86	15	15	13	12	70	5.8	1	17	0.8	4.7	92.3%	5.4								12	5.8	70	1	0	1
2016	29	OAK	te	86	4	4	6	6	29	4.8	0	12	1.5	7.3	100.0%	4.8								6	4.8	29	0	0	0
2017	30	OAK	TE/wr	86	16	9	11	8	76	9.5	0	21	0.5	4.8	72.7%	6.9								8	9.5	76	0	0	1
2018	31	OAK	te	86	16	4	11	10	73	7.3	3	30	0.6	4.6	90.9%	6.6								10	7.3	73	3	0	1

[Punching Bag]

5 hours ago, Warcodered said:

I'm not even sure a FO move is even official without his seal of disapproval.

Sure there is.  P*ts FO.  He and WEO are a pair.

5 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

 

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. 

 

HE is NOT only good at run blocking, he is good at pass blocking and occasionally blocking a football in TD.

 

Yes some have issues with value of blockers.