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...
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