Should Davis start over Sanders going forward?

[Blainorama5]

Whenever Emmanuel Sanders gets healthy again - should Gabe stay in as the starter?  Obviously it's never a good thing to lose your spot based on injury .... but clearly Gabe is playing lights out right now and is probably fresher due to less playing time this season.  Is Davis our secret weapon for a late season push??

[Ramza86]

I was irate to know Sanders ever started over Davis. I made a really old thread about how mad I was

 

I thought the Sanders signing was a good one because we needed depth in case of injury like we did at the end of last season.

 

Then to see Sanders taking all of his snaps? Pfft. What a poor roster decision. Wonder if that was Beane over McDermott. 

 

[Dablitzkrieg]

Yes, 100%.  Not the Sanders is bad by any means.  But Gabe = better offensive production.  Don't know why, but it's apparent 

[Blainorama5]

2 minutes ago, Ramza86 said:

I was irate to know Sanders ever started over Davis. I made a really old thread about how mad I was

 

I thought the Sanders signing was a good one because we needed depth in case of injury like we did at the end of last season.

 

Then to see Sanders taking all of his snaps? Pfft. What a poor roster decision. Wonder if that was Beane over McDermott. 

 

Wasn't Davis dealing with some lingering injuries to start the season?  But in general, I agree - as much as I like what Sanders' experience can do, Gabe is just a solid WR who will only continue to get better with MORE starting reps!

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 minute ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Yes, 100%.  Not the Sanders is bad by any means.  But Gabe = better offensive production.  Don't know why, but it's apparent 

I dont know why either but he just makes more plays. Let Sanders and Beasley rotate in the slot.  Sanders was getting open deep consistently and JA has found him at times. He can still be a weapon but Davis commands a few more snaps per game

[TheBrownBear]

How much bigger is Gabe?  He just seems like a much bigger and physical target than Manny.  Decent YAC too.  Like a poor man's (smaller) Mike Evans.

 

Edit:  Obviously still like Manny in the mix as one of our top-4, just not at the expense of snaps for Gabe.

Edited December 20, 2021 by TheBrownBear

[JimmyNoodles]

Yes, becasue we need a bigger body out there, which is something the receiving corp needs.  

[Blainorama5]

"I voted for Kumerow"  <--- There's one in every crowd! 😉

Just now, JimmyNoodles said:

Yes, becasue we need a bigger body out there, which is something the receiving corp needs.  

Yeah, I think he's got like 3 inches and at least 20+ lbs on Sanders!  He does a good job shielding defenders from the ball.

[Dablitzkrieg]

3 minutes ago, JimmyNoodles said:

Yes, becasue we need a bigger body out there, which is something the receiving corp needs.  

Jimmy, do you think the Bills need a bigger body because they need it?

[JohnNord]

The offense is so much better with Davis active.  We definitely want to mix in Sanders but Davis deserves to be WR 2

[Fan in Chicago]

3 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

The offense is so much better with Davis active.  We definitely want to mix in Sanders but Davis deserves to be WR 2

I agree. Based on production esp over the last month, he should always be on the field with Diggs. Sanders, imo, should be #4 and used in spot duty. I still think he is valuable to have on the team. 

[MAJBobby]

Sanders SHOULD have never started over Davis. 

[Steptide]

I've thought all season Gabe should've started over sanders. Sanders Imo is a complimentary player to diggs, Bease and Davis 

[TampaBillsJunkie]

Gabe is getting it done and we have no other big bodies in traffic other than Knox. I like the idea of getting Sanders in as a 4th and rotating with Beas in the slot. Davis on the outside is a more dynamic weapon and should ease the doubles on Diggs. 

[RyanC883]

20 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Yes, 100%.  Not the Sanders is bad by any means.  But Gabe = better offensive production.  Don't know why, but it's apparent 

 

this.  Sanders is good, Gabe is just better at this point.  

 

our ridiculous coaches and GM's are obsessed with playing the wrong players, getting the wrong players, etc.  I fully expect to see Sanders back in over Gabe.  

[DJB]

Duke Williams instead please. 

 

And I'm offended he wasn't part of the poll 

[NewEra]

I’ve been one of sanders’ biggest supporters.  Gabe belongs in the starting lineup this season.

[34-78-83]

Yes Gabe should be the #2 for many of the reasons already cited. That is NOT a slight on Sanders. Sanders (along with Beasley) can still be heavily involved in the slot (he's played there many times before) and we use more than 2 receivers on nearly every down.

[JimmyNoodles]

39 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Jimmy, do you think the Bills need a bigger body because they need it?

If it's worth saying once, it's worth saying twice 😀

Edited December 20, 2021 by JimmyNoodles

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Davis was getting about 30-40 % of snaps. Sanders 80-90%. That should definitely flip.

 

I'll say this though, Sanders has been open at times, Allen  and him just aren't on the same page.

Edited December 20, 2021 by Buffalo_Stampede

[FilthyBeast]

Everyone knows the answer but this coaching staff is dead set on playing veterans and guys 'they seem to trust more'.

 

[quinnearlysghost88]

I consider gabe a wr who plays like a te. I think it’s invaluable. Even sanders was talking about him stealing snaps from him earlier in the season. They like each other. 

[All_Pro_Bills]

You strike when the iron is hot and right now Davis is that iron. 

[foreboding]

2 hours ago, Ramza86 said:

I was irate to know Sanders ever started over Davis. I made a really old thread about how mad I was

 

I thought the Sanders signing was a good one because we needed depth in case of injury like we did at the end of last season.

 

Then to see Sanders taking all of his snaps? Pfft. What a poor roster decision. Wonder if that was Beane over McDermott. 

 

Game day roster is 100% coaching staff.

[RoyBatty is alive]

Gabe Davis.

 

Emmanuel Sanders will be 35 yr old next year and expensive.  Gab still on his rookie contract is the future.

[DCofNC]

Said it before, gonna say it again, as if this moment in time, Davis is our best WR.  I know full well he’s benefiting from the attention to Diggs, but he’s flat out producing, if he comes off the field for any reason other than catching his breath, the decision maker should be beat with a switch.

[davefan66]

For all the reasons above Gabe needs to be on the field.

 

I also feel Josh tries too hard to get the ball to Sanders.  
 

Lastly, Diggs and Sanders to me seem to be kinda the same guys.  Need big body Gabe with his toe-drag-swag I’m the game more!

[Alphadawg7]

100% they should switch roles.  

 

I said it after the Bucs game...we are a better offense without Sanders.  That is NOT a knock on Sanders who is a great dude, great teammate and still can play.  Its about the rest of our offense.  

 

Our OL struggles to hold up on pass pro this year, and getting guys like Cole and Knox more touches on shorter quicker routes because they can often win their matchup is key.  Davis fits in better on the outside because he brings something different to the table.  He is more physical of a receiver than Sanders, can still go deep, and plays bigger.  So he compliments Diggs more than Sanders does.  

 

So now you have a more layered offense on the field that is harder to defend.  What I love about Davis is that he is deceptively fast too, he is a guy who can beat you deep when you are not expecting it, just like he is a guy who can use his body to create space on a quick slant.  

 

Sanders at this stage is more of a finesse receiver and can be taken out of the game too easily by physical corners.  Absolutely should still get some snaps, but I think the snap count should flip flop between what Sanders was seeing and what Davis was seeing.  

 

Davis should be the starter, he has earned it the last game and a half where he was finally getting the touches.  Him and Josh seem to have a great connection too.

[Real McClappy]

Wasn't is Sanders who said he didn't know why he was on the team after seeing Gabe in practice?

Edited December 20, 2021 by Real McNasty

[Buftex]

Not going to say that Sanders is over the hill or washed up or anything like that....but for whatever reason, some of Allens' worst passes have gone to Sanders...like he is trying to force the ball to him, so he doesn't feel left out.  I am sure there is a bit of that with all the receivers from time to time...and Sanders certainly doesn't seem like a "diva".  Davis is up an coming... he continually comes up big for the Bills, in his limited role.  Let him play more!

[jlgarsh]

I'd like to see Sanders in the slot once healthy again, with Gabe as the clear #2. 

[billsbackto81]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

I’ve been one of sanders’ biggest supporters.  Gabe belongs in the starting lineup this season.

He does no doubt. At this point I think Gabe should be the starting #2 with Sanders and Beasley sharing snaps in the slot and Sanders spelling Gabe at the #2. 

Edited December 20, 2021 by billsbackto81

[UConn James]

20 minutes ago, Buftex said:

Not going to say that Sanders is over the hill or washed up or anything like that....but for whatever reason, some of Allens' worst passes have gone to Sanders...like he is trying to force the ball to him, so he doesn't feel left out.  I am sure there is a bit of that with all the receivers from time to time...and Sanders certainly doesn't seem like a "diva".  Davis is up an coming... he continually comes up big for the Bills, in his limited role.  Let him play more!

Took the words out of my mouth.

 

For whatever reason, Josh’s deep passes to Sanders this season have almost never seemed to hit. Whether that’s Josh overthrowing, under-throwing (he does put a lot of balls at receivers’ feet), or if it’s Sanders being too slow or difficulty tracking the ball, the connection hasn’t been there. IIRC, they say that Sanders is great in practice, but that absolutely hasn’t translated to games.

 

Gabe, otoh, has been pretty 🔥 when he’s been given chances / targets.

[Freddie's Dead]

Gabe Davis is now WR2, Sanders is WR3 or WR4, depending on Beas's health.  Gabe just went out and took it, he deserves to start over Sanders.

[In Summary]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

So now you have a more layered offense on the field that is harder to defend.  What I love about Davis is that he is deceptively fast too, he is a guy who can beat you deep when you are not expecting it, just like he is a guy who can use his body to create space on a quick slant.  

Going a step further, is it also worth having Stevenson run a few go routes during a game?  (Essentially the Robert Foster role)

[Dopey]

YES. Although my reason is Davis does a better job in run blocking than Sanders. We really need to run outside more often by pulling our guards and having the WRs helping out.

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

100% they should switch roles.  

 

I said it after the Bucs game...we are a better offense without Sanders.  That is NOT a knock on Sanders who is a great dude, great teammate and still can play.  Its about the rest of our offense.  

 

Our OL struggles to hold up on pass pro this year, and getting guys like Cole and Knox more touches on shorter quicker routes because they can often win their matchup is key.  Davis fits in better on the outside because he brings something different to the table.  He is more physical of a receiver than Sanders, can still go deep, and plays bigger.  So he compliments Diggs more than Sanders does.  

 

So now you have a more layered offense on the field that is harder to defend.  What I love about Davis is that he is deceptively fast too, he is a guy who can beat you deep when you are not expecting it, just like he is a guy who can use his body to create space on a quick slant.  

 

Sanders at this stage is more of a finesse receiver and can be taken out of the game too easily by physical corners.  Absolutely should still get some snaps, but I think the snap count should flip flop between what Sanders was seeing and what Davis was seeing.  

 

Davis should be the starter, he has earned it the last game and a half where he was finally getting the touches.  Him and Josh seem to have a great connection too.

This. Especially in the run game where WR's are more important than a lot of people realize.

[Irv]

Diggs was getting double teamed all game yesterday.  Davis benefits from that.  Everyone does.  

[MJS]

Sanders had some good games as a Bill, but Davis is just more solid and more clutch. He should get more opportunities.

 

We would not have won that playoff game against the Colts without Davis.

[Blainorama5]

1 minute ago, MJS said:

Sanders had some good games as a Bill, but Davis is just more solid and more clutch. He should get more opportunities.

 

We would not have won that playoff game against the Colts without Davis.

I'd say he's "hungrier" than Sanders as well - who's clearly more towards the end of his career.

[billsfan89]

Davis should be the WR2 and Sanders relegated to a supporting role. It's pretty obvious Davis is ready to take that role and Sanders is more of a complementary role player at this point of a long season. I think the coaching staff should be seeing this.