Christian Wade [Mod edited] has a groupie

[jwhit34]

Christian Wade, the RB equivalent to the WR camp champs from Da'Rick Rodgers to Duke WIlliams.

 

If Wade makes the 53 something has gone terribly wrong with Singletary, Moss, Breida and even Antonio Williams. 

 

That doesn't detract from his story, it just doesn't get him on the roster.

[Simon Says]

6 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

I didn’t real realize he had another year. What if he absolutely blows up preseason again? What would it take for you to believe he is worth a spot over Moss or Singletary? Would you be open to trading Moss or Singletary? 

Maybe I’m the only one that sees it, but I think Wade is a better runner than Singletary or Moss. 

The Bills must have some plan for Wade, they must see that he is such a fantastic runner who can rip off major chunks of yardage. Why would they continuously place him on the PS if they didn’t think he had some viable path for the future? I fail to see what Moss provides that Wade can’t do other than swallowing the pride of using a draft pick on Moss. 

Singletary,Moss and Williams are only 23. Wade just turned 30 and has zero NFL experience . Why would you cut one of those young backs to accommodate your feel good, warm & fuzzy fantasy? Why are are you so pumped for this guy? It's all about building and sustaining a winning roster. 

[Rockinon]

This is Wades 3rd year on the team. He's had lots of time to learn the position and I do believe this is the year the coaches give him a legitimate shot to make the roster. I think his first 2yrs here the coaches simply wanted time to mold him into a RB. Big difference between rugby and football. But it will be interesting to see if he makes it. The kid certainly has big play ability and this team could use that. Would be an incredible story too.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, HOUSE said:

Christian Wade got Swoll

 

"Hey, HOY-cue-leez!"

Edited May 16, 2021 by Ridgewaycynic2013
Added 'da wabbit'.

[McBean]

Wade = the 2021 Mike Jasper

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

This is about a month earlier than I would have expected for the first major Christian Wade thread of the season. It usually comes out around late June/early July. 

[HOUSE]

1 minute ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

This is about a month earlier than I would have expected for the first major Christian Wade thread of the season. It usually comes out around late June/early July. 

June & July is Duke Williams

[Just Joshin']

At least there have been no threads to make Wade a TE.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

5 minutes ago, Just Joshin' said:

At least there have been no threads to make Wade a TE.

[Arkady Renko]

I am old enough to remember when fans impressed by Fred Jackson's performance in preseason were dismissed as silly.  

[Long Suffering Fan]

7 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

 

It’s not a talent issue keeping Wade off the 53 man roster. It’s an understanding of everything that comes with the game of football. I think he has had enough time to learn most of the nuisances to land himself a spot. Wade is by far the most interesting player for me going into the pre season. He was robbed last year of valuable game experience, this year he will be able to shine. 

 

He may be 4 RB, but he would get some carries during the year. I would give him opportunities on first downs in some situations where he could rip off huge yardage where Singletary can’t. 

 

You've got to love that highlight.  We watch plays from Motor last year and you see him hesitate and you see him look slow.  Then you watch this side by side and it is almost jarring.  It is a flash that gives you hope, but this is one play in preseason against a defense that was fielding lots of guys that wouldn't have made the team and blew a gap assignment in a big way.  

 

This is his third year so maybe he has learned how to read blocks better and has learned his blitz protections.  IF that is true and IF he has multiple more flashes like this in preseason again, then I think we would all be super excited about him.  

 

Right now I am more excited about Breida.  He seems like a younger version of Wade who also grew up with all those important football fundamentals his whole life and has already made an NFL team.

Edited May 16, 2021 by Long Suffering Fan
Finished sentence...

[ROCBillsBeliever]

8 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

I love Wade's attitude and it's a great story.

 

But when you look at our RB room, I don't see how he makes the 53.  

 

Brieda is on a 1 year, prove-it deal. Wade has another "stash" year, with the IPP, and it's difficult to argue that he couldn't benefit from another season of NFL training, practice, film study, and learning.

 

Next year we will see Wade take over the "Brieda" / speed back role; not this year. 

[HardyBoy]

2 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

I am honestly curious as to what you have seen to be able to say this.  
 

I won’t agree or disagree until after training camp, but considering all we saw was a very few handoffs 2 years ago.  I am not prepared to say he is better than the top 5 RBs on this roster - Moss, Singletary, Breida, Williams, or Jones.  
 

He was an instinctual runner 2 years ago with an offensive line and scheme that was more designed to block and allow the RB to hit any hole.  Last year that scheme changed to more of an outside zone - get to the hole and go - scheme that favored Moss and even Singletary struggled to pick it up mid season- I am not sure Wade barely practicing was able to pick it up completely and I think it suits him less.

 

My gut/gun to my head thought is Wade has little shot to make this current roster this year.  The NFL gave an extra year because these guys got no on the field training last year - no preseason, little training camp, and very little on field practice during the season.  I am sure he got a lot of mental reps, but the change in blocking scheme with little practice means he is basically starting over.

 

I would expect him to get cut - clear waivers - and be on the PS as an unusable extra again this year and then when he doesn’t make the team next year - go back to England and work to set up an NFL style training program for Brits that want to make the NFL.

 

I like the dude a lot, but until we see it in TC and preseason - I think he is 6 or lower on the depth chart.

 

That's what I think too, he's trying to set up an american football program in the UK as a long term vision.

[chris heff]

I don’t understand what the point is with guys like Wade. If the league is really trying to expand the talent pool and league popularity let these guys dress, but be exempt from the 53. At least then you could give them some reps even if it is just garbage time. 

[Bangarang]

7 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

I didn’t real realize he had another year. What if he absolutely blows up preseason again? What would it take for you to believe he is worth a spot over Moss or Singletary? Would you be open to trading Moss or Singletary? 

Maybe I’m the only one that sees it, but I think Wade is a better runner than Singletary or Moss. 

The Bills must have some plan for Wade, they must see that he is such a fantastic runner who can rip off major chunks of yardage. Why would they continuously place him on the PS if they didn’t think he had some viable path for the future? I fail to see what Moss provides that Wade can’t do other than swallowing the pride of using a draft pick on Moss. 

Look, he had a couple of nice plays but you should probably pump the brakes. You sound pretty foolish right now with all this. It’s a cool story but you’re really reaching here.

[Mr. WEO]

make it stop

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, HOUSE said:

June & July is Duke Williams

that’s true. Now I am worried with this early Wade thread, we won’t see our first meaningful Duke thread until around August. 

[Milanos Milano]

1 hour ago, ROCBillsBeliever said:

 

Brieda is on a 1 year, prove-it deal. Wade has another "stash" year, with the IPP, and it's difficult to argue that he couldn't benefit from another season of NFL training, practice, film study, and learning.

 

Next year we will see Wade take over the "Brieda" / speed back role; not this year. 

This is a very fair assessment. I just think Wade is going to just blow up the off-season this year. It’s my opinion. He was robbed of valuable playing time last preseason with the virus issues, but this year he will be able to showcase more of that explosive speed and vision. If Wade doesn’t make the team either this year or next, I will be very surprised. 

2 hours ago, Arkady Renko said:

I am old enough to remember when fans impressed by Fred Jackson's performance in preseason were dismissed as silly.  

Exactly. Wade has that vision and speed combo I look for. Singletary and Moss are snails compared to Wade. Breida is very similar to Wade, so that camp battle will be interesting. 

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

make it stop

I can’t wait until Wade shuts up all the downers on here. 

[Augie]

7 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

Maiden, you might want to consider consolidating you’re thoughts into one post meaning, you’ve multiple times keep responding to yourself.  I understand if you’re having a conversation with some of the guys and you bring up new points, that makes sense.  I don’t care, it’s just I wanted to read through the thread to hear you out in you’re case, and was looking, wait he’s posting, and then posting again.  At a quick glance I thought maybe others are agreeing with you’re points.

 

Anyway, he seems to be a nice young guy, but he has a lot stacked against him.  As you mentioned our depth players value is in ST.  It’s not like Jones is going to sub in for Moss, Singletary or Breida unless one or multiple are hurt which can happen.  He activated for ST, but in an emergency for example, Moss takes one for 7 yards and bangs up his knee.  McD has Singletary activated and god forbid two plays later Singletary goes down with an ankle.  Well you have a RB who was there for ST that now can get you through the game.

 

I’m not sure why you’re so high on him as I can only remember one play in the pre season two years ago, and after he didn’t even know to run off the field for the extra point.  Maybe he’s learned the game, but I haven’t seen extensive interviews of him, or any substantive tape in practice to know if he’s improved.  We didn’t activate Yeldon throughout the last two years so they only had two RB’s active plus a ST RB.  Why would that change?  Not me asking, but what would lead you to believe McD all of a sudden changes his philosophy on offense.

 

He’ll probably be on the IPP again, it’s a nice story, and by next year he either learns the game enough to make the 53 or he received a nice paycheck for three years.  If he really wanted to make the active roster, wouldn’t they exhaust every Avenue to get him to be an excellent ST player?

 

Having it’s own thread makes sense, I just think it’s all been said before.  If you really have some new info., interviews by the coaches, etc., practice tape, please share it as maybe you are right.  I’ve just not seen anything and trust our coaching staff.  Maybe he lights it up in all three preseason games and he gets his shot.  That’s where he’ll have to prove it.

 

That was very kind of you to be gentle with Mrs Wade. I think all mothers have big dreams for their kids. 🤷‍♂️

[Milanos Milano]

6 hours ago, mattynh said:

Why are you so sure about wade?  Based on what a couple plays in preseason ?

It’s his style of running. The vision, the speed, it’s fluid, It’s impressive. I don’t even care if he doesn’t know how to block. I’d swing him out wide on 1st downs when we need to rip off huge yards to open us up. 

[CEN-CAL17]

He’s gotta be able to play STs.... Brieda will more than likely be on STs. That’s just McDs way.

[Shaw66]

We had this conversation a few weeks ago.   There's nothing much to talk about, so here's another chance for people. 

 

Personally, I'd love to have a serious break-away threat in the running back room, someone who when you put him on the field is a threat to make a big play.  Wade is the only guy on the roster who is that kind of threat.   

 

His lack of special teams experience hurts him; he'd have a shot if he could be the kick returner, and last time we talked about this, someone pointed out that at his position in rugby he actually had a lot of experience fielding balls kicked in the air.   However, those ball fly truer than a football, especially a football in the wind.   Worse for him, however, is that Stevenson has come along to challenge McKenzie for his spot, so Wade has two kick returners to beat out of the special teams spot.   

 

On top of that, as others have pointed out, to be a third down back, he has to be able to block.  He's had a couple of years to practice and learn that role, so that's something, but he doesn't see the field unless he's very good at that role.  On that interview he did on some British podcast several months ago, he admitted that he still was weak on blocking technique, and how good he is recognizing defenses and reacting to blitzes is anyone's guess.  

 

Put those two points together with just his general lack of experience and you have to guess that he's a longshot to make the roster.   If he does, it's a credit to him, McDermott and the coaching staff.  

[Milanos Milano]

5 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

He’s gotta be able to play STs.... Brieda will more than likely be on STs. That’s just McDs way.

Then why bring on Wade in the first place? If you don’t plan on using him, just release him. If I was an OC, I’d love to have a player like Wade on my roster. That’s because I know how to use talent like that. 

[CEN-CAL17]

2 minutes ago, IronMaidenBills said:

Then why bring on Wade in the first place? If you don’t plan on using him, just release him. If I was an OC, I’d love to have a player like Wade on my roster. That’s because I know how to use talent like that. 

Cause usually the 3rd or 4th RB or anyone 3 down on the depth charts must be able to get on the field..... unless he’s guaranteed to get carries, which he’s not, how’s his slot justified on the 53, let alone the 47 that dress.

[Bobby Hooks]

What about Antonio Williams? He flashed pretty hard in that Dolphins game. Apparently he’s working very hard to make the most of his opportunities. 

 

Was Wade even active that game? I feel like that’s a big indicator on how they’ve feel about Wade vs. Williams. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

The Bills are keeping Wade in case they're ever called upon again to play Jacksonville in England.  Wade knows which Yelp reviews are true, and which are BS.

[Milanos Milano]

2 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

We had this conversation a few weeks ago.   There's nothing much to talk about, so here's another chance for people. 

 

Personally, I'd love to have a serious break-away threat in the running back room, someone who when you put him on the field is a threat to make a big play.  Wade is the only guy on the roster who is that kind of threat.   

 

His lack of special teams experience hurts him; he'd have a shot if he could be the kick returner, and last time we talked about this, someone pointed out that at his position in rugby he actually had a lot of experience fielding balls kicked in the air.   However, those ball fly truer than a football, especially a football in the wind.   Worse for him, however, is that Stevenson has come along to challenge McKenzie for his spot, so Wade has two kick returners to beat out of the special teams spot.   

 

On top of that, as others have pointed out, to be a third down back, he has to be able to block.  He's had a couple of years to practice and learn that role, so that's something, but he doesn't see the field unless he's very good at that role.  On that interview he did on some British podcast several months ago, he admitted that he still was weak on blocking technique, and how good he is recognizing defenses and reacting to blitzes is anyone's guess.  

 

Put those two points together with just his general lack of experience and you have to guess that he's a longshot to make the roster.   If he does, it's a credit to him, McDermott and the coaching staff.  

This is also a fair assessment. My thing is with Wade, is he is a home run threat anytime he touches the ball. If I want to win maximum games, I want players who can score anywhere on the field. For that alone, I would have Wade on the roster. He doesn’t have to start to be of use. He is totally worth a roster spot if he comes in 4 or 5 times a game on 1st downs if he rips of 15+ yards a pass or carry. Just look what he does in the open field vs Indy or Car. Just swing him in space. We have plenty of other players on this team that can be used for blocking or special teams. We haven’t had a home run threat as a RB since Spiller. 

[Shaw66]

2 minutes ago, IronMaidenBills said:

Then why bring on Wade in the first place? If you don’t plan on using him, just release him. If I was an OC, I’d love to have a player like Wade on my roster. That’s because I know how to use talent like that. 

They're not going to release him.   He doesn't cost the Bills a roster spot, so there's no reason not to keep him and see what happens.  What might happen is that at the end of preseason, when he doesn't make the 53, he could leave the Bills if he can find a team that WILL put him on their roster.   That, too, seems unlikely, so the Bills will probably have him for another season as just an extra player hanging around.   Maybe next season he makes. 

 

People who are negative about him need to recognize, however, that we've seen the guy touch the ball twice, once for a long touchdown and once for a long run from scrimmage.   In both cases, he showed speed, change of direction, recognition, balance, and some strength.   On the pass play, he made a nice catch.   Now, on Friday, he makes a play for a touchdown in the rookie mini-camp.   The guy has talent. 

[NCBufFan]

4 minutes ago, Bobby Hooks said:

What about Antonio Williams? He flashed pretty hard in that Dolphins game. Apparently he’s working very hard to make the most of his opportunities. 

 

Was Wade even active that game? I feel like that’s a big indicator on how they’ve feel about Wade vs. Williams. 

Wade wasn't eligible to be active, so it's not an indicator at all. He was required to be in the practice squad all season because of his roster exempt status. 

[Milanos Milano]

2 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Cause usually the 3rd or 4th RB or anyone 3 down on the depth charts must be able to get on the field..... unless he’s guaranteed to get carries, which he’s not, how’s his slot justified on the 53, let alone the 47 that dress.

I would use Wade as a speciality back. He would be strictly a 1st down back that could be used in screens and space. Just let him rip off yardage. It’s what he does best. Just look at the Carolina pass and how he moves in space. It’s electric. That’s worth having him as RB 3 or 4 to me if that means cutting Taiwan. McDermott is super conservative, so it’s not really a surprise he doesn’t find a way to utilize Wade’s talent at the expense of a special teamer. 

[Shaw66]

1 minute ago, IronMaidenBills said:

This is also a fair assessment. My thing is with Wade, is he is a home run threat anytime he touches the ball. If I want to win maximum games, I want players who can score anywhere on the field. For that alone, I would have Wade on the roster. He doesn’t have to start to be of use. He is totally worth a roster spot if he comes in 4 or 5 times a game on 1st downs if he rips of 15+ yards a pass or carry. Just look what he does in the open field vs Indy or Car. Just swing him in space. We have plenty of other players on this team that can be used for blocking or special teams. We haven’t had a home run threat as a RB since Spiller. 

The problem is that if he can't block, or he can't run all the receiving routes, it becomes very clear to the rest of the league very quickly.  Then he's something of a liability on the field, because the defense knows there's only a limited number of ways the Bills get him the ball, and the rest of the time he's a decoy.  That's a big advantage for the defense, and it's a waste of a roster spot just to have a threat like that on the field for 3-4 plays a game.  

 

He MUST be able to play the position, all aspects of the position, or he MUST be able to be the kick returner.   Or both.   It's the only way he can make the 53.  

[Milanos Milano]

4 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

They're not going to release him.   He doesn't cost the Bills a roster spot, so there's no reason not to keep him and see what happens.  What might happen is that at the end of preseason, when he doesn't make the 53, he could leave the Bills if he can find a team that WILL put him on their roster.   That, too, seems unlikely, so the Bills will probably have him for another season as just an extra player hanging around.   Maybe next season he makes. 

 

People who are negative about him need to recognize, however, that we've seen the guy touch the ball twice, once for a long touchdown and once for a long run from scrimmage.   In both cases, he showed speed, change of direction, recognition, balance, and some strength.   On the pass play, he made a nice catch.   Now, on Friday, he makes a play for a touchdown in the rookie mini-camp.   The guy has talent. 

People are irrationally down on Wade, for no good reason. It’s obvious to anyone with a football talent eye that Wade is one of our best runners. 

[Pete]

Does Wade play special teams?  His skill set looks like he would be an ace special teamed.  We know how much management reveres special teams.  Some earn roster spots- Taiwan fit example- solely on ST ability.  ST might be Wade’s ticket to 53

[Putin]

11 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

 

I think this is the depth chart going into this season. 

 

Singletary 

Moss 

Breida 

Wade 

 

I personally think Taiwan is replaceable on special teams. 

Wade is a great story and he sounds like a great guy everyone in the locker room seem to like him , I’m really rooting for him but lets be honest even if he kills it in the preseason I’m still not sure he makes the 53 

[benderbender]

I'm rooting for Wade. He has more experience against 15 defenders than our entire RB room has against 11. He's explosive and elusive. We don't have two backs with those attributes. 

 

On the other hand he's had two years to learn to block or a ST skill. If he can't make a case for himself over 2nd year underachievers or a journeyman speedster, then cheerio to him. 

Edited May 16, 2021 by benderbender

[Putin]

27 minutes ago, Pete said:

Does Wade play special teams?  His skill set looks like he would be an ace special teamed.  We know how much management reveres special teams.  Some earn roster spots- Taiwan fit example- solely on ST ability.  ST might be Wade’s ticket to 53

I haven’t heard anything Wade learning SP , but I agree with you 100% if he could play SP his chances of making the 53 would sky rocket 

[1ManRaid]

3 hours ago, Arkady Renko said:

I am old enough to remember when fans impressed by Fred Jackson's performance in preseason were dismissed as silly.  

 

So is Wade.  That's part of the problem.

[RobbRiddick]

40 minutes ago, IronMaidenBills said:

I would use Wade as a speciality back. He would be strictly a 1st down back that could be used in screens and space. Just let him rip off yardage. It’s what he does best. Just look at the Carolina pass and how he moves in space. It’s electric. That’s worth having him as RB 3 or 4 to me if that means cutting Taiwan. McDermott is super conservative, so it’s not really a surprise he doesn’t find a way to utilize Wade’s talent at the expense of a special teamer. 

 

I agree it would be fun to design a few speciality plays that take advantage of his speed. Unfortunately that's not enough to keep a roster spot for. If the NFL is serious about pushing these opportunities for international guys (which would help spread the popularity overseas if a few caught on) then they should let every NFL team activate a guy on game day without him counting against the roster.

[NewEra]

53 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

We had this conversation a few weeks ago.   There's nothing much to talk about, so here's another chance for people. 

 

Personally, I'd love to have a serious break-away threat in the running back room, someone who when you put him on the field is a threat to make a big play.  Wade is the only guy on the roster who is that kind of threat.   

 

His lack of special teams experience hurts him; he'd have a shot if he could be the kick returner, and last time we talked about this, someone pointed out that at his position in rugby he actually had a lot of experience fielding balls kicked in the air.   However, those ball fly truer than a football, especially a football in the wind.   Worse for him, however, is that Stevenson has come along to challenge McKenzie for his spot, so Wade has two kick returners to beat out of the special teams spot.   

 

On top of that, as others have pointed out, to be a third down back, he has to be able to block.  He's had a couple of years to practice and learn that role, so that's something, but he doesn't see the field unless he's very good at that role.  On that interview he did on some British podcast several months ago, he admitted that he still was weak on blocking technique, and how good he is recognizing defenses and reacting to blitzes is anyone's guess.  

 

Put those two points together with just his general lack of experience and you have to guess that he's a longshot to make the roster.   If he does, it's a credit to him, McDermott and the coaching staff.  

Breida is a threat to take it the distance on every touch.  He’s probably top 5 fastest RBs in the league.....when healthy.  Which is his biggest problem imo.  Wade could be a good replacement for Breida, stashed on the PS.  

[1ManRaid]

47 minutes ago, IronMaidenBills said:

People are irrationally down on Wade, for no good reason. It’s obvious to anyone with a football talent eye that Wade is one of our best runners. 

 

Not being able to block IS A GOOD REASON.  So is his age.  I like Wade and want to see him get a chance too, but it's delusional to say people are being irrational about it.