Time for Tyler Kroft to step up EDIT: He Did!!!

[Freddie's Dead]

I don't think Josh looks at Pufnstuf.  On the Gilliam TD last week, Kroft is wide open behind and to the left of Gilliam.  Josh picked the harder throw to a covered Gilliam.

 

Edited September 26, 2020 by Freddie's Dead

[3rdand12]

6 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

Kroft restructured his contract earlier this year and is essentially on the last year of a two year $10.5 million contract that is fully guaranteed.  Since he arrived in Buffalo at the beginning of the 2019 season he has had 6 catches for 71 yards and 1 TD.  You can do the math about how much money that is per catch.  He has battled injuries and has had limited availability.  Beane brought him in because he flashed some pass catching skill in Cincinnati in the 2017 season before being injured there.

 

Kroft is healthy right now, and with Knox and Sweeney out, he is the Bills' primary pass catching TE.  This game on Sunday has all the looks of a shootout, especially if we don't get both Edmunds and Milano back on the field.   The Rams' defense is going to be focused on Diggs, Smoke, and Beasley and Kroft could end up being Daboll's sneaky X factor in the game plan.  One thing is certain though, with Knox out, now is time for Tyler Kroft to finally step up and justify that contract.  

He owes us.

6 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

To be a "primary pass catching" TE, he has to be on the field and actually catch passes

I find you to be overly critical.............

6 hours ago, bobobonators said:

I completely agree. Im confident that as long as MCD is the coach our defense will be decent even with average talent. We have the chiefs and ravens in our conference. We need to be able to score 30-35pts when we play those teams in the playoffs. Looks like theyre going to be around a few years with those QB’s. Maybe even the next decade. 
 

Josh is showing us hes the man. We have the RB’s. We have WR. Build the OL more and get him another big weapon at TE. 

we need the Ravens TEs from last season all 3 of them

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

we need the Ravens TEs from last season all 3 of them

 

Ravens are not giving any of them up

[Rc2catch]

I think as fans our expectations of Kroft have always been too high. 
We overpaid in case we didn’t get tight ends in the draft. Obviously just my opinion but I always thought he was just an expensive backup plan cause we had so much cap space. 
I watched a lot of Kroft his one good year in Cincy, he’s not a weapon. He’s a check down. 
He was extremely reliable for dalton in the 5-10 yard range as a check down receiver. He has size and works good in short range. I have always wondered why he hasn’t seen more red zone snaps with us just based on size alone. Knox is a mismatch across the field who has to be accounted for even if not targeted. Kroft though is going to chip block and be wide open in the 4-5 yard range probably all game long if he’s out there. Rather Allen uses him or not is anyone’s guess. 

[3rdand12]

3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Ravens are not giving any of them up

Beanes has majic powers y'know.
 

 I like Sweeney and hold great hope for Knox yet still.
Bills would do well to fortify at TE position asap. Ala the draft and FA.
Just a position that needs consistency from the #1 and 2.
also have some hope for the Hybrid Kid  I think he might have something worth development.
 

Go Krofty !

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Laura Kroft is a walking injury. Terrible signing and basically worthless. I'd rather put 10 lbs on Duke and teach him the TE position than waste anymore time with the tomb raider.

 

Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, is renowned for her derring-do, butt kicking, and  just general Bad-Assery.   I get the name-based play-on-words, but she's probably a poor choice  for someone you describe as a "walking injury", unless you're speaking of someone who causes them.

 

Which Tyler Kroft isn't, as far as I can tell. 

 

I looked it up - he was on the field for 50% (!!!!) of the offensive snaps last week and ~50% of the ST snaps so far this season. 

And yet I can barely remember seeing him.  He's like the Invisible Man

 

 

[The Firebaugh Kid]

1,750,000 per catch? 

1,750,000 per catch? 

1,750,000 per catch? 

1,750,000 per catch? 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

4 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I think as fans our expectations of Kroft have always been too high. 
We overpaid in case we didn’t get tight ends in the draft. Obviously just my opinion but I always thought he was just an expensive backup plan cause we had so much cap space. 
I watched a lot of Kroft his one good year in Cincy, he’s not a weapon. He’s a check down. 
He was extremely reliable for dalton in the 5-10 yard range as a check down receiver. He has size and works good in short range. I have always wondered why he hasn’t seen more red zone snaps with us just based on size alone. Knox is a mismatch across the field who has to be accounted for even if not targeted. Kroft though is going to chip block and be wide open in the 4-5 yard range probably all game long if he’s out there. Rather Allen uses him or not is anyone’s guess. 

 

Well....Allen was blind to the check-down last year.  But it seems to me a reliable pass catching outlet who is "always open" 'cuz he's so tall, in the 5-10 yd range is pretty much just what we need, especially against a fierce pass rush or QB pressure.

 

I don't think anyone pays out the contract Kroft got to be a "back up plan", and certainly not Mr. Beane.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Freddie's Dead said:

I don't think Josh looks at Pufnstuf.  On the Gilliam TD last week, Kroft is wide open behind and to the left of Gilliam.  Josh picked the harder throw to a covered Gilliam.

 

I saw that too.  I think, at the point where Josh decided to throw, he had a clear window to Gilliam but a LB in position to batt the ball down between him and Kroft.

 

It can be argued that means Josh has more trust/chemistry with Gilliam that he will surge or dive to make the contested throw, but I think it mostly means he had a clear throwing lane to Gilliam. 

 

Knox was arguably open enough for a contested catch at the R side of the EZ but again, there was a DB between Josh and Knox who could potentially have made a play on the ball.

 

OK...I watched that play again - Josh had that window because of a SICK block by Moss.  Just upended a guy.  So I think it may have been designed to go to Gilliam.

 

 

[Rc2catch]

29 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Well....Allen was blind to the check-down last year.  But it seems to me a reliable pass catching outlet who is "always open" 'cuz he's so tall, in the 5-10 yd range is pretty much just what we need, especially against a fierce pass rush or QB pressure.

 

I don't think anyone pays out the contract Kroft got to be a "back up plan", and certainly not Mr. Beane.

I’m sure they saw some potential when they signed him, but I always figured it was just to make sure they had someone signed before the draft in case they struck out. Had Kroft not been hurt Knox might of sat for awhile before seeing the field 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

24 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

I’m sure they saw some potential when they signed him, but I always figured it was just to make sure they had someone signed before the draft in case they struck out. Had Kroft not been hurt Knox might of sat for awhile before seeing the field 

 

I'm sure you're quite correct that if Kroft hadn't been hurt, neither Knox nor Sweeney would have seen the field.

 

But I'm pretty sure they thought of Kroft as the incumbent starter that allowed them to take a shot at a physically talented but raw, inexperienced Knox - because he wasn't expected to start, he could sit behind the guy they signed.  Now your point may be they didn't see "star" potential in Kroft, and that's probably true - but I think they saw him as a solid, capable NFL-talent starter who could serve as that big reliable pass-catching checkdown target for their new QB and be in on every down because he can block.  They were paying him way too much money to not be pencilled in to start..

[CircleTheWagons99]

I forgot he was on the team. 

[John from Riverside]

I would love it but I am not counting on it

 

I will be satisfied if he can just gt his blocks so our running game gets on track

[Rc2catch]

15 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I'm sure you're quite correct that if Kroft hadn't been hurt, neither Knox nor Sweeney would have seen the field.

 

But I'm pretty sure they thought of Kroft as the incumbent starter that allowed them to take a shot at a physically talented but raw, inexperienced Knox - because he wasn't expected to start, he could sit behind the guy they signed.  Now your point may be they didn't see "star" potential in Kroft, and that's probably true - but I think they saw him as a solid, capable NFL-talent starter who could serve as that big reliable pass-catching checkdown target for their new QB and be in on every down because he can block.  They were paying him way too much money to not be pencilled in to start..

I’ve been a big Kroft supporter since he’s been here. We’ve never really seen him play. I hope he’s featured a little for this Ram game 

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, is renowned for her derring-do, butt kicking, and  just general Bad-Assery.   I get the name-based play-on-words, but she's probably a poor choice  for someone you describe as a "walking injury", unless you're speaking of someone who causes them.

 

Which Tyler Kroft isn't, as far as I can tell. 

 

I looked it up - he was on the field for 50% (!!!!) of the offensive snaps last week and ~50% of the ST snaps so far this season. 

And yet I can barely remember seeing him.  He's like the Invisible Man

 

 

Yeah, you were probably just staring at Angelina's rack.

[brianthomas]

8 hours ago, Real McNasty said:

Agree with all, for all you Fantasy Football freaks he is a real good sneaky play this weak if hurting at that position.

Nobody & i mean nobody should be hurting that much

There's plenty of good TE's out there... more than i can remember in recent years. Picking up Kroft on ur FF team is like picking up Croom

Theres much better options out there.

Dalton Schultz, Logan Thomas, Jordan Reed, Mo Alie Cox just to name a few, but we could list 20 other names better than Kroft this week.

All that being said, as a Bills fan i hope Kroft puts up 3 tds & 150 yards... but thats not likely to happen. One foot at a time with Kroft, which also describes his injury history.

[billybrew1]

9 hours ago, bobobonators said:

2021 is setting up to potentially be a good draft for TE with a couple worthy of going in the 1st round/early 2nd
 

i would love to see Kolar or Freirermuth in a Bills uniform

 

Allen is showing he is the franchise. Its time to keep adding tools to his toolbox - continue adding talent to the OL to protect him and pass catching weapons. Those two positions should be our focus rounds 1/2, then we can get a LB or CB rounds 3/4

I’m with you 100%. If we can get a great two-way TE, go get him. If Knox turns out great we’ll have two.

[Nuncha]

Who?

[billybrew1]

1 hour ago, Rc2catch said:

I’ve been a big Kroft supporter since he’s been here. We’ve never really seen him play. I hope he’s featured a little for this Ram game 

He played about 30 snaps last week if I remember correctly, he helped block on a few of those longer runs by Singletary and Moss. I hope we go to him Sunday, I really do. I like him to at least get targeted for a TD tomorrow. I think he’ll catch it. He’s big, tall, a very good blocker and athletic for someone that size, I hope we go to him but the problem has been he blocks too well. We don’t have an over abundance of good blocking skill players, so.... We have him block.

[Real McClappy]

33 minutes ago, brianthomas said:

Nobody & i mean nobody should be hurting that much

There's plenty of good TE's out there... more than i can remember in recent years. Picking up Kroft on ur FF team is like picking up Croom

Theres much better options out there.

Dalton Schultz, Logan Thomas, Jordan Reed, Mo Alie Cox just to name a few, but we could list 20 other names better than Kroft this week.

All that being said, as a Bills fan i hope Kroft puts up 3 tds & 150 yards... but thats not likely to happen. One foot at a time with Kroft, which also describes his injury history.

We will see Brian

[JohnNord]

9 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

He sucks.  The end.  
 

but you are right.  I was never a fan of the signing but it would be a great time to earn his money.  Also, I’m not sure if he will ever be fully healthy.  Foot injuries are a killer for skill players.  Luckily, we have 3 very good receivers but man a good TE could eat on this offense.

I wouldn’t say he sucks.... I’ll say he’s probably not a starting TE, but he would be fine as a TE2.  The problem with Kroft is that he’s always hurt, so he becomes kind of tough to evaluate 

[Mr. WEO]

9 hours ago, eball said:

I think Kroft, now that he is healthy, will be a pleasant surprise to a lot of Bills fans on Sunday.  I’m not suggesting he should supplant Knox but he is a very capable TE in this league.

 

 

wtf?  Which league?

 

In his 6th season, he has one season with more than 11 catches.  Combining '18, '19, '20, he has played 18 games and has 10 catches.  In a single season CROOM was more productive than Kroft's past 3.

 

He's a bum.

[Process]

One of Beane's very few misses. Was a dumb signing from the beginning. 

 

Lot of good TEs in next year's draft. Not a huge fan of taking TEs early but let's bite the bullet and finally solidify the position. 

 

Other than LB it's not like we have any other major needs. 

Edited September 27, 2020 by Process

[Mr. WEO]

Offense is fine without this guy. 

 

 

The Defense needs to step up..

[1st&ten]

No worries Duke will be activated on game day & will play TE.

[stuvian]

our starting TE job is ripe for the taking

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

10 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

For sure.  I don't know if he just doesn't have timing and chemistry with Josh or what the deal is.  I see him open but that doesn't mean he's open in the right place at the right time for the play.

 

This is going to be a game of timing and "get it out quick" for Josh, and he badly needs reliable quick routes from Motor and from Kroft as outlets.  I just don't think we can count on the guy who hasn't shown it yet, to suddenly step up.

 

I disagree with you.  I think the Bills felt, based on his 2017 season, that he had the talent and they gave him the contract they did in the expectation they'd see 2017 Kroft on the field last year.

 

 

They paid him because there was competition to sign him. He was the only free agent that offered any sort of upgrade to the existing roster.  If they were confident that he was as talented as you suggest, he would not have been signed to a shorter term deal. They had no great expectations but they were desperately trying to fill a significant void in the roster.  His signing was criticized at the time by several different sources in the sports media.  Kroft was viewed as an average guy that just got over paid because of supply and demand.  It was also interesting that the Bills continued to bring in other guys to evaluate/try out even after the Kroft signing.  As we all know, they eventually went on to draft Knox and Sweeney.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

10 minutes ago, Florida Bills Fanatic said:

They paid him because there was competition to sign him. He was the only free agent that offered any sort of upgrade to the existing roster.  If they were confident that he was as talented as you suggest, he would not have been signed to a shorter term deal. They had no great expectations but they were desperately trying to fill a significant void in the roster.  His signing was criticized at the time by several different sources in the sports media.  Kroft was viewed as an average guy that just got over paid because of supply and demand.  It was also interesting that the Bills continued to bring in other guys to evaluate/try out even after the Kroft signing.  As we all know, they eventually went on to draft Knox and Sweeney.

 

Huh.  Exactly what do you think I suggested as far as Kroft’s talent, “as talented as you suggest”?

His stats for 2017 and his play then were available to all.  Those provided evidence he could play in the NFL as a capable NFL TE, and that’s what the Bills expected (and didn’t get)

 

As we all know, Knox and Sweeney were both “high ceiling, low floor” projects when drafted (for different reasons).  They weren’t intended to start right away.

[Fan in Chicago]

7 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

 

I find you to be overly critical.............

 

If you mean about Kroft, then I agree. I have seen very very little to give any confidence in his ability to be available and make a positive impact on the O. 

If you made a general statement about my posts,  do explain.

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

Offense is fine without this guy. 

 

 

The Defense needs to step up..

Without Kroft? Absolutely because he does not add anything to the O.

But the team in general will benefit from a competent TE especially in those games where the opposing D has a good DB stable. The TE position has been a weakness for far too long. I realize that not all problems can be fixed on a team, but I hope Gilliam can step up as the position is ripe for the taking

[ganesh]

7 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

Beanes has majic powers y'know.
 

 I like Sweeney and hold great hope for Knox yet still.
Bills would do well to fortify at TE position asap. Ala the draft and FA.
Just a position that needs consistency from the #1 and 2.
also have some hope for the Hybrid Kid  I think he might have something worth development.
 

Go Krofty !

They have already invested heavily in FA with signing of Kroft and Smith.   They can't pay premium FA dollars at every position especially when a  QB and MLB contract extension is coming up soon.

[CommonCents]

Is this a foot joke?

[Richard Noggin]

8 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Ravens are not giving any of them up

 

Typed in jest? The Ravens did give one up in the offseason numbers game. But not before he snapped one off against us in 2019...

[Special K]

15 hours ago, ganesh said:

I think we will see a lot more 4-WR set with Davis on the field   I think Daboll  has more confidence in the rookie than an oft-injured TE.

 

 

This is my thinking as well....I believe Davis will definitely have a more prominent role in the offensive game plan this week.

Edited September 27, 2020 by Special K

[BillsShredder83]

16 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Also, when Kroft has 2 tds on Sunday, our reverse jinx will have totally worked. 

I realize this was a joke but I literally do things like that all the time to myself. Man 2020 was rough. What a relief to have football back during such a tough year

[3rdand12]

12 hours ago, ganesh said:

They have already invested heavily in FA with signing of Kroft and Smith.   They can't pay premium FA dollars at every position especially when a  QB and MLB contract extension is coming up soon.

The draft looks to be where McBeanes will need to find gems for awhile.

But  when Kroft comes off the books? that opens up the budget a bit

12 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

If you mean about Kroft, then I agree. I have seen very very little to give any confidence in his ability to be available and make a positive impact on the O. 

If you made a general statement about my posts,  do explain.

Without Kroft? Absolutely because he does not add anything to the O.

But the team in general will benefit from a competent TE especially in those games where the opposing D has a good DB stable. The TE position has been a weakness for far too long. I realize that not all problems can be fixed on a team, but I hope Gilliam can step up as the position is ripe for the taking

My poor sense of humor in regard to Kroft

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

13 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Huh.  Exactly what do you think I suggested as far as Kroft’s talent, “as talented as you suggest”?

His stats for 2017 and his play then were available to all.  Those provided evidence he could play in the NFL as a capable NFL TE, and that’s what the Bills expected (and didn’t get)

 

As we all know, Knox and Sweeney were both “high ceiling, low floor” projects when drafted (for different reasons).  They weren’t intended to start right away.

My point was that I doubt that the Bills had high expectations for Kroft when they signed him (and over paid him). They were desperate to fill a glaring hole with no good options. Stats didn't tell the whole 2017 story but the game film did.  He's an average receiver and below average blocker.  I do agree that they probably expected more than they have gotten from him.  Staying available to play has been his biggest failure.

[Fan in Chicago]

26 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

 

My poor sense of humor in regard to Kroft

All good. I was really thinking that Kroft will be cut this past off season and was unpleasantly surprised to see his contract re-structure. It will of course be great if he turns out to at at least an average contributor to the O but his track record over the past 3 years has been dismal

[Special K]

12 hours ago, Special K said:

 

This is my thinking as well....I believe Davis will definitely have a more prominent role in the offensive game plan this week.

 

I believe I had this one right!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Poor Tyler if it weren’t for bad luck he’d have no luck at all.  That was a reception.  No way was that an interception.  He can’t even get a fair call.

[MarkyMannn]

Big game!