Slot Recievers - McKenzie / Cole

[CorkScrewHill]

Jay Skurski indicate Cole could be a potential cut given our depth of slot receivers and his vaccine stance / his injury issues. To me, the guy is a warrior who played through a broken leg, so being injured but still suiting up and playing well is the whole best ability is availability thing.

https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/cole-beasley-could-be-surprise-cut/

 

USAToday ranked the top slot recievers and A Buffalo Bill placed 7th, but it was Mckenzie not Cole that go the nod from Doug Farrar. I actually found it odd that jarvis Landry was not on this list more than Cole not being on the list, but ...

 

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-best-slot-receivers-tyreek-hill-keenan-allen-juju-smith-schuster/

 

I Like Isaiah a lot, but when it is crunch time, Josh looks for one of three people to make a play, Stefon, Cole, and himself with his legs).

 

I do not see us letting either Cole or Isaiah go this year. Next year, well maybe next year.

 

[Punching Bag]

For Cole it was a cracked not broken leg.  There is a difference and I have had it.

[Not at the table Karlos]

10 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

For Cole it was a cracked not broken leg.  There is a difference and I have had it.

They're all the same thing.

https://www.orthopaedicinstitute.com/new/is-it-a-fracture-a-break-or-a-crack#:~:text=Fracture%2C break%2C crack%2C it's,of factors%2C including the cause.

 

 

 

This is pretty odd to have McKenzie this high with I think it said 21 targets from the slot. Iirc a decent amount of his tds were those jet sweep little toss that counts as a pass plays. Beasley should have been in top 5

Edited July 12, 2021 by Not at the table Karlos
Replies merged and became one block of text

[Punching Bag]

1 minute ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

They're all the same thing.

https://www.orthopaedicinstitute.com/new/is-it-a-fracture-a-break-or-a-crack#:~:text=Fracture%2C break%2C crack%2C it's,of factors%2C including the cause.

 

Different doctors say different things.  Mine told me it was a fracture/crack and if it was a bone broken treatment would have been different.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

14 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

For Cole it was a cracked not broken leg.  There is a difference and I have had it.

If you have 'had it', might I respectfully suggest you put those of us that vex you on 'blocked'. 😁

*
Geez, I hope he can see this to read it.  I might already be blocked! 🤔

[BillnutinHouston]

Emmanuel Sanders' former coach, June Jones, told Matt Fairburn that Sanders could be a gem in the slot:

 

"When I spoke to June Jones, who coached Sanders and Cole Beasley at SMU, after the Bills signed Sanders, he didn’t think the boundary was necessarily the best spot for Sanders.

'I think he and Cole both in the slots could be the real diamond,' Jones said."

 

https://theathletic.com/2647118/2021/07/08/bills-training-camp-positional-preview-finding-the-right-mix-of-wrs-to-keep-the-passing-game-elite?source=user-shared-article

 

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, BillnutinHouston said:

Emmanuel Sanders' former coach, June Jones, told Matt Fairburn that Sanders could be a gem in the slot:

 

"When I spoke to June Jones, who coached Sanders and Cole Beasley at SMU, after the Bills signed Sanders, he didn’t think the boundary was necessarily the best spot for Sanders.

'I think he and Cole both in the slots could be the real diamond,' Jones said."

 

https://theathletic.com/2647118/2021/07/08/bills-training-camp-positional-preview-finding-the-right-mix-of-wrs-to-keep-the-passing-game-elite?source=user-shared-article

 

 

Yep. If they cut Beas my expectation is their "base" would be Diggs and Davis wide and Sanders in the slot. McKenzie would get some snaps there with Sanders wide as well as his usual sweeps, reverses and trick plays I am sure but I think the top 3 receivers in snap count would be Diggs, Sanders and Davis.

[Royale with Cheese]

28 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

For Cole it was a cracked not broken leg.  There is a difference and I have had it.

I think it depends.

 

I had a cracked leg from foul ball in college. I barely felt it walking, running or sprinting.  But if something hit it, it would be pretty damn painful.

[Kwai San]

I have not "had a leg"  But I can tell you articles in July don't mean a diddly whit when it comes to who stays and who goes......just saying.

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

Sanders was a really good pickup by Beane.  He can effectively play outside and in the slot.  When injuries happen, he can be moved around to fill in where needed.  With the exception of losing Diggs, Sanders can replace any of the other guys without a huge drop off in performance.  My only concern is about how well his legs hold up in a long season.  I expect to see him share slot snaps with Cole (both are over 30) and fill in on the outside when someone needs a breather.  As some of the other posts have indicated, I don't see McKenzie being in the top 10 slot receivers in the league.  

[John from Riverside]

I would rather not lose cole

 

Having said that if something happens in season I’m going to be very unhappy that we had to let a quality wide receiver go because we can only keep so many and we didn’t keep a younger guy

[Boxcar]

1 hour ago, CorkScrewHill said:

Jay Skurski indicate Cole could be a potential cut given our depth of slot receivers and his vaccine stance / his injury issues. To me, the guy is a warrior who played through a broken leg, so being injured but still suiting up and playing well is the whole best ability is availability thing.

https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/cole-beasley-could-be-surprise-cut/

 

USAToday ranked the top slot recievers and A Buffalo Bill placed 7th, but it was Mckenzie not Cole that go the nod from Doug Farrar. I actually found it odd that jarvis Landry was not on this list more than Cole not being on the list, but ...

 

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-best-slot-receivers-tyreek-hill-keenan-allen-juju-smith-schuster/

 

I Like Isaiah a lot, but when it is crunch time, Josh looks for one of three people to make a play, Stefon, Cole, and himself with his legs).

 

I do not see us letting either Cole or Isaiah go this year. Next year, well maybe next year.

 

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Boxcar

[Kwai San]

4 minutes ago, Boxcar said:

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

 

It IS July and also like you said the writer doesn't seem keen on Cole's "outspokenness".

[DieHardBillsFan]

6 minutes ago, Boxcar said:

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

100% agree

 

This is complete BS! Some people are praised when they step out and have a different opinion, but if someone is against the political agenda, now they are poorly viewed by both the sports broadcaster, writers, and some on this forum. He was the BEST slot receiver last year and was 100% reliable to catch the pass. Mckenzie didn't play enough downs to be considered. I am sure the majority of his passes he caught were uncontested and within 5 yards from scrimmage. I like Mckenzie, but he is not near Cole Beasley's talent.

[GunnerBill]

17 minutes ago, Boxcar said:

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

 

I have never thought McKenzie was on the bubble. 

[Patrick Duffy]

1 hour ago, Limeaid said:

 

Different doctors say different things.  Mine told me it was a fracture/crack and if it was a bone broken treatment would have been different.

I assume it would depend on the severity of each injury. 

[Bulldog]

3 minutes ago, DieHardBillsFan said:

100% agree

 

This is complete BS! Some people are praised when they step out and have a different opinion, but if someone is against the political agenda, now they are poorly viewed by both the sports broadcaster, writers, and some on this forum. He was the BEST slot receiver last year and was 100% reliable to catch the pass. Mckenzie didn't play enough downs to be considered. I am sure the majority of his passes he caught were uncontested and within 5 yards from scrimmage. I like Mckenzie, but he is not near Cole Beasley's talent.

Amen! 100% on target. I don't want to turn this into a political post (there are more appropriate venues for that) - but a member of the media, who makes a living off of airing out his opinions on matters, who would denigrate someone else solely for speaking out about his beliefs angers me. Apparently freely speaking out is something that is "good for me, but not good for thee" to a guy like this. Disgusting. 

[In Summary]

Hogwash. Cole is the best slot receiver hands down until he's unseated which I don't expect if he chooses to play.  Speculation article.....

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

Cole may be cut because of his refusal to abide by non vaccinated covid protocols. 

 

If he submits to the protocols he will be on the team. If not we have to move forward with the players we have.

[Patrick Duffy]

2 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

Cole may be cut because of his refusal to abide by non vaccinated covid protocols. 

 

If he submits to the protocols he will be on the team. If not we have to move forward with the players we have.

I think he will do what he supposed to do. I still believe he was just venting out of frustration for some reason. We'll see I guess...

[Punching Bag]

35 minutes ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

Cole may be cut because of his refusal to abide by non vaccinated covid protocols. 

 

If he submits to the protocols he will be on the team. If not we have to move forward with the players we have.

 

He will not be cut, NFLPA will whine and stomp their feet too much.

He will be fined and if he continues to repeat then NFL will react with commissioner's list suspension likely.

If he is going to get NFL welfare paid by team I could see a lot of players doing it to get a free paid vacation.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

The Bills are not cutting Cole friggin Beasley.

[BarleyNY]

1 hour ago, Bulldog said:

Amen! 100% on target. I don't want to turn this into a political post (there are more appropriate venues for that) - but a member of the media, who makes a living off of airing out his opinions on matters, who would denigrate someone else solely for speaking out about his beliefs angers me. Apparently freely speaking out is something that is "good for me, but not good for thee" to a guy like this. Disgusting. 

I think the writer just ran with an angle on a story during a time where there are few to be had.  I doubt it was more than that as it didn’t seem like he had any recent or inside information.  But to his point, teams do not want big distractions and few players are worth that.  Beasley is a very good player and I’d hate to lose him, but he isn’t good enough to warrant the kind of distraction we would see if he refuses to abide by the rules.  He blew his lid on social media, but I think now he probably has cooled down and he will abide by whichever set of rules he chooses.  But if he doesn’t, then that would be a real problem for the team and I don’t see any other real option than the Bills parting ways with him.  But again, I don’t think it will come to that. 

[HappyDays]

If Beasley wants to play he is 100% making the team. Anyone who says McKenzie is in the same tier as him is delusional, and I like McKenzie.

[Don Otreply]

1 hour ago, Boxcar said:

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

Didn’t McKenzie score seven TDs last season? that kind of production is not on the bubble, just sayin,  also not saying he is Beasley either, but the guy scores points.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Don Otreply

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

3 hours ago, BillnutinHouston said:

Emmanuel Sanders' former coach, June Jones, told Matt Fairburn that Sanders could be a gem in the slot:

 

"When I spoke to June Jones, who coached Sanders and Cole Beasley at SMU, after the Bills signed Sanders, he didn’t think the boundary was necessarily the best spot for Sanders.

'I think he and Cole both in the slots could be the real diamond,' Jones said."

 

https://theathletic.com/2647118/2021/07/08/bills-training-camp-positional-preview-finding-the-right-mix-of-wrs-to-keep-the-passing-game-elite?source=user-shared-article

 

 

I think that was the play more than replacing brown.  It was moving davis to the boundary and having 2 challenging slot receivers on the field at once.

[Shaw66]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I have never thought McKenzie was on the bubble. 

I think of McKenzie as on the bubble every season.  He has stuck, year after year, with his versatility - punt returner, slot receiver, jet sweep guy.  That's made him valuable.   But at receiver and punt returner, he has never been able to become the starter.   

 

I look at Stevenson as a serious threat to McKenzie.    He has speed, punt returning experience.   His downside is that he has to show a lot of ability right out of the box for McDermott to trust him as a rookie.  But McDermott showed that confidence in Bass last season.  

 

Now, maybe Beasley will be gone, for a collection of reasons, and McKenzie's experience may say him.   But if Stevenson can return punts and run jet sweeps, Sanders can play the slot and Davis (and maybe Hodgins) can cover the #2 wideout spot, McKenzie's utility is less valuable.  

 

No one's spot on the roster is guaranteed.   It's all about competition.  McKenzie likely will find himself in a battle. 

[Don Otreply]

6 minutes ago, dneveu said:

 

I think that was the play more than replacing brown.  It was moving davis to the boundary and having 2 challenging slot receivers on the field at once.

This right here^^^
 

This will be our version of two TE sets, so to speak, GD will take JB’s spot, teams know damn well that if they don’t cover Davis he can catch and score a bunch of TDs over a season, so with Diggs, Davis Beasley and Sanders, with a sprinkling of McKenzie and Hodgins (sp) we have a really potent receiver group, it truly is a pick your poison situation for defenses.

 

Go w!!!

1 minute ago, Shaw66 said:

I think of McKenzie as on the bubble every season.  He has stuck, year after year, with his versatility - punt returner, slot receiver, jet sweep guy.  That's made him valuable.   But at receiver and punt returner, he has never been able to become the starter.   

 

I look at Stevenson as a serious threat to McKenzie.    He has speed, punt returning experience.   His downside is that he has to show a lot of ability right out of the box for McDermott to trust him as a rookie.  But McDermott showed that confidence in Bass last season.  

 

Now, maybe Beasley will be gone, for a collection of reasons, and McKenzie's experience may say him.   But if Stevenson can return punts and run jet sweeps, Sanders can play the slot and Davis (and maybe Hodgins) can cover the #2 wideout spot, McKenzie's utility is less valuable.  

 

No one's spot on the roster is guaranteed.   It's all about competition.  McKenzie likely will find himself in a battle. 

McKenzie in a way is like our current #2 CB, always in competition for his job, and always winning the position, I would not count him out, as it were.

 

 Go Bills!!!

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think of McKenzie as on the bubble every season.  He has stuck, year after year, with his versatility - punt returner, slot receiver, jet sweep guy.  That's made him valuable.   But at receiver and punt returner, he has never been able to become the starter.   

 

I look at Stevenson as a serious threat to McKenzie.    He has speed, punt returning experience.   His downside is that he has to show a lot of ability right out of the box for McDermott to trust him as a rookie.  But McDermott showed that confidence in Bass last season.  

 

Now, maybe Beasley will be gone, for a collection of reasons, and McKenzie's experience may say him.   But if Stevenson can return punts and run jet sweeps, Sanders can play the slot and Davis (and maybe Hodgins) can cover the #2 wideout spot, McKenzie's utility is less valuable.  

 

No one's spot on the roster is guaranteed.   It's all about competition.  McKenzie likely will find himself in a battle. 

 

McKenzie, if healthy, will be on this roster. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

8 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

This right here^^^
 

This will be our version of two TE sets, so to speak, GD will take JB’s spot, teams know damn well that if they don’t cover Davis he can catch and score a bunch of TDs over a season, so with Diggs, Davis Beasley and Sanders, with a sprinkling of McKenzie and Hodgins (sp) we have a really potent receiver group, it truly is a pick your poison situation for defenses.

 

Go w!!!

McKenzie in a way is like our current #2 CB, always in competition for his job, and always winning the position, I would not count him out, as it were.

 

 Go Bills!!!

 

Mckenzie is slot depth and primary returner (you have hyde as punt catcher - and depth KR would probably be Breida), hodgins is likely outside depth.  Stevenson maybe on PS with kumerow/duke/gentry as probably the other one on the PS.  

[Mr. WEO]

3 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

He will not be cut, NFLPA will whine and stomp their feet too much.

He will be fined and if he continues to repeat then NFL will react with commissioner's list suspension likely.

If he is going to get NFL welfare paid by team I could see a lot of players doing it to get a free paid vacation.

 

 

uuuhh...wut?

[Paup 1995MVP]

4 hours ago, Boxcar said:

This is absolutely insane and solely fueled by this writer not liking Cole's stances on certain things.

 

How did we go from McKenzie being on the bubble to him supplanting the best slot WR in the NFL? It's madness.

Agree 100 Boxcar.  I read the article yesterday and was dumfounded.  Beasley has had two great years for us.  The guy is almost uncoverable in the slot.  He is not going anywhere.  Skurski comes off as an amateur marginal reporter.  I long for the days of Allen Wilson (RIP) Bucky, Sully and Gaughn (when he was the lead reporter).

[GETTOTHE50]

Don’t cut cole. Yes he’s a ***** idiot on the vaccine, but just switch out his phone with one that fakes internet access or something so he’s just like an old man yelling at a cloud 

[Patrick Duffy]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

McKenzie, if healthy, will be on this roster. 

Yeah I assumed that kinda went without saying lol....

[FilthyBeast]

I don't care about Beasley's politics and vacination status, what I care about is that he is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. Pretty much Allen's version of Julian Edelman and there's no way we are cutting/trading him in the midst of an expected run at a championship without alienating pretty much the entire lockeroom.

 

 

[Matt_In_NH]

Beasley is unique and tremendous asset on the field.  I assume he will just get vaccinated or submit to the testing.  But he did mention he may just retire right?  In that case the decision gets made for the Bills

[Patrick Duffy]

3 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Didn’t McKenzie score seven TDs last season? that kind of production is not on the bubble, just sayin,  also not saying he is Beasley either, but the guy scores points.

Yeah McKenzie broke out last season some and was great. Not sure if play calling or the other big threat WR's helped more. Probably other WR's opening it up since last 2 or 3 years he was quiet.  But Daboll did make many good play calls getting him the ball and some space.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Patrick_Duffy

[GunnerBill]

13 minutes ago, mattynh said:

Beasley is unique and tremendous asset on the field.  I assume he will just get vaccinated or submit to the testing.  But he did mention he may just retire right?  In that case the decision gets made for the Bills

 

Yea him retiring is the most likely way he doesn't play for the Bills this year. 

[Patrick Duffy]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea him retiring is the most likely way he doesn't play for the Bills this year. 

And to be honest, I really don't see that happening. Imo he was just in one of those moments that ppl vent out their frustrations sometimes. That's what I believe it was.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, Patrick_Duffy said:

And to be honest, I really don't see that happening. Imo he was just in one of those moments that ppl vent out their frustrations sometimes. That's what I believe it was.

 

I do think he has backed himself into a corner somewhat. Will be interesting to see what happens.