Shaw66 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I didn't get all the bashing of Roberts around here this summer. Whenever I see him return kicks, including last season, it seems pretty clear that he has the knack. Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. I'm sure the special teams are creating the opportunities, but it's obvious that Roberts can read the broken field and take advantage. He's an important piece to the team's success. 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 His ankle injury scare me. Hope he practices today. I agree - he’s very valuable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Yes, he's been a big contributor this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Sorry to be blunt, but anyone with half a brain knew Roberts wasn't going anywhere because of how good/reliable he is as a returner, and he's not a liability if he has to fill in at WR. 7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 With the importance of field position Roberts has been huge this year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjag Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I like how they get guys like Andre, Isiah Mc, Lee Smith in the game and then throw to them too. Keeps them motivated and ready. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Success Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 That was a BIG play in the game on Sunday. It came at a time when we most needed it. Special teams can be downplayed - especially both the return game, and punting. A great punt that pins an opponent deep can be just as impactful - we've been lacking that, but hoping it develops. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He does have a solid kick return average of 34.7 but he has only 3 returns so far. His 8 punt returns have netted 124 yards with 31% of those coming on 1 return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushypeaches Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 It's tough because the rule changes on kickoffs have essentially neutered the value of a good returner and return unit And special teams as a whole have become so much better over the last 20 years that there isn't such a disparity between teams or units. Not like it was in the 80's & 90's But Roberts is still a top-shelf returner, and key to this team's success. It's just that the big plays aren't going to be there like in past days. But consistency is still a plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 17 minutes ago, Shaw66 said: I didn't get all the bashing of Roberts around here this summer. Whenever I see him return kicks, including last season, it seems pretty clear that he has the knack. Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. I'm sure the special teams are creating the opportunities, but it's obvious that Roberts can read the broken field and take advantage. He's an important piece to the team's success. I completely agree that Andre Roberts has a rare knack for reading the broken field & making the most of return opportunities. I really appreciate his abilities. However, my favorite aspect of his abilities as a returner is his decision making. Roberts knows when to fair catch, when to stay away from a kick, and when to go for it on a return. There is little concern about seeing a costly bone-headed decision back there, potentially resulting in a game changing turnover, when he is on the field. He is a valuable piece of the puzzle on special teams. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StHustle Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Another stupid move by the Jets to let this guy go after a pro bowl season. Anither solid pick up by McBeane and Co. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyBatty is alive Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 2 minutes ago, mushypeaches said: It's tough because the rule changes on kickoffs have essentially neutered the value of a good returner and return unit And special teams as a whole have become so much better over the last 20 years that there isn't such a disparity between teams or units. Not like it was in the 80's & 90's But Roberts is still a top-shelf returner, and key to this team's success. It's just that the big plays aren't going to be there like in past days. But consistency is still a plus This is all true. Now with as long as FG kickers that obviates the need for a punter and when you are too far, most NFL punters can punt it very deep and/or out of bounds. The need for returners has greatly diminished in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvbillsfan Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 It would be lovely if our defense could force more punts so Roberts could increase his impact on the game. That’s coming though 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nester Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 People who bashed Roberts last year just do not know football. He is a big asset imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 14 minutes ago, Bulldog said: I completely agree that Andre Roberts has a rare knack for reading the broken field & making the most of return opportunities. I really appreciate his abilities. However, my favorite aspect of his abilities as a returner is his decision making. Roberts knows when to fair catch, when to stay away from a kick, and when to go for it on a return. There is little concern about seeing a costly bone-headed decision back there, potentially resulting in a game changing turnover, when he is on the field. He is a valuable piece of the puzzle on special teams. I agree with this and with eball. He didn't have big returns last season, but I thought his talent was obvious almost every time he touched the ball. He gets everything out of every return. And yes, his decision making and his hands are excellent. I'm always amazed that some of these skills aren't transferable. You'd think that what he can do on kick returns would translate somehow into important receiving skills, but he's never been anywhere where he's shown that he can contribute as a receiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemma Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 When I go to this page: https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/player/_/view/special/table/returning/sort/yardsPerPuntReturn/dir/desc If you click the column header (is sortable), I see Roberts as 1st in KR and 2nd in PR average. He is the best and at some point this year, he'll swing the game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Usually the people having an issue are the pretend gm’s. They see a salary on the roster and want that money spent on their free agent. Cut Kroft, Murphy and Roberts to sign clowney or something similar. #MaddenSyndrome 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillies Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He catches the ball cleanly and confidently, and then just GOES... no delay or dancing around with indecision. One, maybe two cuts max. That's how you maximize yardage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragoon Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He also seems like a really good dude and teammate. That dude is always smiles and jokes every time I see him on the sidelines. I wanna party with Robert’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I think it worked out great that the team was able to keep both Roberts and McKenzie. At one point during camp cutdown time, it was down to the wire between the two of them. The injury to the rookie 7th Rounder and our former FB helped the cause to keep both of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Do The Reich Thing Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He looks so much faster and quicker this year. Benjamin Button? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 He is a fine young lad . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Shaw66 said: I didn't get all the bashing of Roberts around here this summer. Whenever I see him return kicks, including last season, it seems pretty clear that he has the knack. Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. I'm sure the special teams are creating the opportunities, but it's obvious that Roberts can read the broken field and take advantage. He's an important piece to the team's success. He’s great returner. I like him but I also completely understand the perspective of getting a young dynamic returner that also has a chance to grow into being a frequent contributor in one of the other phases like; Tyreek, Hardman, AB, Deonte Johnson, Leodis, Freddy, Tarik Cohen, Hester, the list goes on. At 30+ I suspect he is never going to be much of a WR, for whatever reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I figured we didn't want two Andre Roberts threads so here you are: ANDRE ROBERTS ON CBS SPORTS RADIO, SOMETIME BETWEEN 2-3PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddyjj Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said: He does have a solid kick return average of 34.7 but he has only 3 returns so far. His 8 punt returns have netted 124 yards with 31% of those coming on 1 return. 1 hour ago, Shaw66 said: Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. As mentioned in thread above, KRs and PRs are skewed by large returns, usually for TDs. In this case, Andre is averaging 15.5 Yds on 8 Punt returns. His career average is 9.2 for perspective. All time Career leader average in NFL is 12.8 ypr so 15.5 is pretty good, albeit small sample here. I do see him breaking a KR or PR soon. Maybe vs Titans if they play, given state of their team now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgoteam Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 43 minutes ago, Do The Reich Thing said: He looks so much faster and quicker this year. Benjamin Button? Wasnt he struggling with injuries most of last year? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, hemma said: When I go to this page: https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/player/_/view/special/table/returning/sort/yardsPerPuntReturn/dir/desc If you click the column header (is sortable), I see Roberts as 1st in KR and 2nd in PR average. He is the best and at some point this year, he'll swing the game. That's interesting. That's what I did before I posted, and it showed the Bills as seventh, not first, in kickoff returns. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) How quickly fans forget how a botched return could easily cost you games. In 2018 the Bills lost a game against the Jets because their return game was horrid and Roberts shifted field position for the Jets, there was also 1-2 other games that had bad return miscues that put games out of reach. I don't even have to go back to 2008 with McKelvin... Simply put Roberts is a key component of the ST unit and someone who while maybe not a dramatically great returner like Devin Hester or Dante Hall is still someone that is reliable (thus avoids costly turnovers) and can subtly shift field position. He is a top 10 returner with top 5 potential. That's easily worth the 2 million he gets paid. And this year unlike last year he is breaking off bigger returns and that's helping to really shift field position in key moments. I have no idea how any fan could have wanted to cut him to roster a JAG receiver like Foster or Duke. No offense to either guy but neither fills a niche and role like Roberts. Edited October 8, 2020 by billsfan89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 (edited) I guess my issue with Roberts is he’s kind of a luxury. Most kickoffs are touchbacks, he is willing to run it out and on punts he doesn’t fair catch often, so I like that he will take those chances, that’s his job. He is the anti Chris Watson. He doesn’t contribute much as a WR, not that the Bills need him to. Edited October 8, 2020 by chris heff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 51 minutes ago, Do The Reich Thing said: He looks so much faster and quicker this year. Benjamin Button? I think the blocking has been better on the return unit. Could be what is giving him more space to accelerate? Unless he was battling an injury last year? I think it's most likely a combo. I think the ST additions of guys like Tawain Jones and Matakevich could be leading to better blocking. 1 minute ago, chris heff said: I guess my issue with Roberts is he’s kind of a luxury. Most kickoffs are touchbacks, he is willing to run it out and on punts he doesn’t fair catch often. He doesn’t contribute much as a WR, not that the Bills need him to. A muffed punt can cost games, yes what he adds on kickoffs is limited but just being a good punt returner who can reliably field the ball and break off the occasional 10+ yard return is bigger than fans give it credit for. He isn't making 4-5 million to be a returner he is making 2 million. I think a lot of fans are making it seem like Roberts is making a lot more than he is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 11 minutes ago, freddyjj said: As mentioned in thread above, KRs and PRs are skewed by large returns, usually for TDs. In this case, Andre is averaging 15.5 Yds on 8 Punt returns. His career average is 9.2 for perspective. All time Career leader average in NFL is 12.8 ypr so 15.5 is pretty good, albeit small sample here. I do see him breaking a KR or PR soon. Maybe vs Titans if they play, given state of their team now. It's harder to skew a larger sample size with outliers. Minus the 38 yarder he's at 12 per. LAst whole season he was 8YPR. By far, his career year was 2018 with the Jets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technobot Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I think as Bills fans we know the pain of having a guy who could break off a run back for a TD, but would also kill you with a bonehead decision or the worst hands at the worst time. Roberts is reliable and consistent. You know he'll always make the right decision, personal stats or glory don't factor in. He's due for a big one, especially as the special teams unit around him improves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Ugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 I was dead wrong about him. I didn't really see the need for him stick around, but he's been a game changer this year and a huge part of our team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain_Quint Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Special teams in general has improved this year. Hes always been a solid returner and reliable. But if you dont have the blocking in place, you see what we saw last year. A guy who always could handle the ball well, but didnt break any returns. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 hours ago, Shaw66 said: I didn't get all the bashing of Roberts around here this summer. Whenever I see him return kicks, including last season, it seems pretty clear that he has the knack. Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. I'm sure the special teams are creating the opportunities, but it's obvious that Roberts can read the broken field and take advantage. He's an important piece to the team's success. I, too, was confused at any criticism he received based on last year's performance. I'm pretty sure he was a top 3 return man in the entire league. He's already been a difference maker this season. Love the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 hours ago, Shaw66 said: I didn't get all the bashing of Roberts around here this summer. Whenever I see him return kicks, including last season, it seems pretty clear that he has the knack. Through four games, Bills are seventh in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Historically, leaders in average do it by having a TD return or too, but the Bills haven't done that. I'm sure the special teams are creating the opportunities, but it's obvious that Roberts can read the broken field and take advantage. He's an important piece to the team's success. I think the bashing was due to the fact that all he did last year was be a Kick Returner, which in today's NFL, usually means you have a player who is receiving touchbacks. That's not Roberts' fault, it's just how the game is now. Also, as a Wide Receiver, Roberts is clearly a back-up player. What has surprised fans this year, myself included, is that Roberts has shown how good he is as a Punt Returner. I do not recall one game from last season where he returned one punt. That has been a big positive for Roberts. It makes me wonder why he wasn't pulling double duty as a returner last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 2 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said: He’s great returner. I like him but I also completely understand the perspective of getting a young dynamic returner that also has a chance to grow into being a frequent contributor in one of the other phases like; Tyreek, Hardman, AB, Deonte Johnson, Leodis, Freddy, Tarik Cohen, Hester, the list goes on. At 30+ I suspect he is never going to be much of a WR, for whatever reason Andre Roberts almost has as many career receiving yards as Devin Hester... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_In_NH Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 People generally want guys who have fantasy stats at the wr position. Any wr who is not fantasy worthy should be replaced by a guy who once caught 2 tds in a game. Special teams specialists? Figure it out some other way. Anyone can do that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Just dont let him play offense.....on ST's he is awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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