Inigo Montoya Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) I've included a link to a youtube video of Jenna Cottrell and Mike Catalana from Buffalo Plus discussing the rookie CBs in training camp / preseason so far. I think they are really solid reporters on the Bills and I watch all of their content. They echo what I have heard from other camp watchers, namely, that Benford is outplaying Elam so far. It would be something for McDermott and Frazier to start the #180 pick ahead of the #30 pick, but if Benford is outplaying Elam they need to put him out there. They need the best CBs on the field regardless of their draft status. This is especially true if Tre White is not ready to go at the start of the season or needs some time to round back into form. We've seen late draft picks force their way onto the field with stellar play before. One of my favorite Bills, 5th rounder Kyle Williams, comes to mind. The Bills just couldn't keep him off the field. Will Benford force McDermott and Frazier's hand and leapfrog him ahead of Elam to start the season? The section talking about Elam and Benford starts around the 4:40 minute mark Edited September 9, 2022 by Inigo Montoya 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Training camp and one preseason game is not enough to make any bold declarations like Benford should be starting over Elam. It looks like Dane Jackson is ahead of both of them anyway, right now. Just have to see how things play out. But Elam was brought in partly because of his elite physical traits, something we were lacking at CB. Excited for Benford and what he can bring to the table as well. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddaryl Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Its a great problem to have 13 27 3 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyBatty is alive Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) So far, Benford looks like the real deal. One pre season game looked great but obviously a long way to go. Very important because I don't think there is any realistic way Tre will be ready nor should he play week 1. Edited August 18, 2022 by RoyBatty is alive 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltonWaddams Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 4 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said: So far, Benford looks like the real deal. One pre season game looked great but obviously a long way to go. Very important because I don't think there is any realistic way Tre will be ready nor should he play week 1. I think that those holding out hope that we will see Tre suit up week one, or even week two, should probably reconsider. If he hasn’t even joined basic activities at this point, he’s not gonna be cleared in sufficient time to be ready. As for Benford versus Elam, may the best man win. It would be sad to not have the first round player out there, but what would be sadder would be to have a player who is not ready to perform on the big stage forced into a role because of their draft status . 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) I mean this team simply can coach up DB's like no other...maybe New England who always seems to get similar results even from low drafted or undrafted players like JC Jackson and Malcolm Butler. McD and Frazier are DB Whisperers. 2 minutes ago, MiltonWaddams said: I think that those holding out hope that we will see Tre suit up week one, or even week two, should probably reconsider. If he hasn’t even joined basic activities at this point, he’s not gonna be cleared in sufficient time to be ready. As for Benford versus Elam, may the best man win. It would be sad to not have the first round player out there, but what would be sadder would be to have a player who is not ready to perform on the big stage forced into a role because of their draft status . I don't want to see Tre until the trainers are doubly and triply sure there won't be even a 1% extra risk of him playing that he could re-injure himself. Edited August 18, 2022 by Big Turk 3 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemma Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 I wonder who gets Kupp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Ok, so we drafted Benford in the 1st and Elam in the 6th Are you happy now ? 1 1 1 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Just now, hemma said: I wonder who gets Kupp. I doubt it will be man to man mostly will be zone I would bet with a lot of safety help if they go man. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiltonWaddams Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Just now, hemma said: I wonder who gets Kupp. Depends where he lines up. I’m not sure that they’re going to put any one particular corner on him the whole game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWATeam Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 1 minute ago, hemma said: I wonder who gets Kupp. A lot of Taron I imagine. 8 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 15 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said: I've included a link to a youtube video of Jenna Cottrell and Mike Catalana from Buffalo Plus discussing the rookie CBs in training camp / preseason so far. I think they are really solid reporters on the Bills and I watch all of their content. They echo what I have heard from other camp watchers, namely, that Benford is outplaying Elam so far. It would be something for McDermott and Frazier to start the #180 pick ahead of the #30 pick, but if Benford is outplaying Elam they need to put him out there. They need the best CBs on the field regardless of their draft status. This is especially true if Tre White is not ready to go at the start of the season or needs some time to round back into form. We've seen late draft picks force their way onto the field with stellar play before. One of my favorite Bills, 5th rounder Kyle Williams, comes to mind. The Bills just couldn't keep him off the field. Will Benford force McDermott and Frazier's hand and leapfrog him ahead of Elam to start the season? The section talking about Elam and Benford starts around the 4:40 minute mark I wouldn't put too much into training camp...Elam looked really good defensively in coverage for the most part in his first game. If he takes a little longer to develop then so be it. It doesn't matter who is on the field as long as they play well. 1 minute ago, BillsFan4 said: I’m not sure I’d say that. It would be a great problem to have if both were playing so great that you didn’t know who to choose. Buffalo’s 1st round pick being outplayed by a late round selection isn’t ideal though. JC Jackson was undrafted 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Process Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 This would be very exciting! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansLanda Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 I mean they are both rookies. There is tons of growth/upside for both now apparently. 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddaryl Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 1 minute ago, BillsFan4 said: I’m not sure I’d say that. It would be a great problem to have if both were playing so great that you didn’t know who to choose. Buffalo’s 1st round pick being outplayed by a late round selection isn’t ideal though. There both playing well, and this debate is far from settled. I think that is where we are at, both are playing at a solid level that its going to come down to the last 2 preseason games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Big Turk said: JC Jackson was undrafted yes, he was. I never said benford couldn’t be a good CB because he was a late pick. I’m just saying that ideally you want your 1st round picks playing better than your late round picks from the same draft. Do you disagree? edit - just to be clear I’m not writing off Elam either. I think he will be fine in the long run. He’s transitioning from man to zone. Edited August 18, 2022 by BillsFan4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireChans Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 17 minutes ago, MJS said: Training camp and one preseason game is not enough to make any bold declarations like Benford should be starting over Elam. It looks like Dane Jackson is ahead of both of them anyway, right now. Just have to see how things play out. But Elam was brought in partly because of his elite physical traits, something we were lacking at CB. Excited for Benford and what he can bring to the table as well. But we need 3 starting CB's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uninja Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 1 minute ago, Big Turk said: I wouldn't put too much into training camp...Elam looked really good defensively in coverage for the most part in his first game. If he takes a little longer to develop then so be it. It doesn't matter who is on the field as long as they play well. JC Jackson was undrafted Also Elam gets drafted, shows up to camp and basically gets told "see Diggs, Davis and McKenzie over there? Cover those dudes" Diggs has regularly made the top CBs in the league look utterly silly the last 2 years. We're expecting our first round pick to be prime Revis first day of camp? Come on. 11 4 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 3 minutes ago, ddaryl said: There both playing well, and this debate is far from settled. I think that is where we are at, both are playing at a solid level that its going to come down to the last 2 preseason games Yeah it’s probably too soon to judge. Let’s see how the rest of the preseason goes. Ultimately what matters is how they play in the regular season anyway. And Elam has been going against the 1’s most of camp. I don’t know if Benford has too? If not, that also matters. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 8 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said: yes, he was. I never said benford couldn’t be a good CB because he was a late pick. I’m just saying that ideally you want your 1st round picks playing better than your late round picks from the same draft. Do you disagree? edit - just to be clear I’m not writing off Elam either. I think he will be fine in the long run. He’s transitioning from man to zone. I don't disagree in general, but draft position doesn't always reflect talent level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsClinton Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Nate Peterman, a 5th round draft pick, outplayed 1st round Josh Allen in the 2018 preseason. 2 1 7 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Development and progression is not the same for every athlete neither is a players ceiling Some players come in ready to contribute sooner but their ceiling is pretty capped… they are close to maxed out other players have lots of room to grow when they enter the league they just need time it’s not about who’s better week 1 it’s about who’s better year 3-4 5 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Water Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 28 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said: I've included a link to a youtube video of Jenna Cottrell and Mike Catalana from Buffalo Plus discussing the rookie CBs in training camp / preseason so far. I think they are really solid reporters on the Bills and I watch all of their content. They echo what I have heard from other camp watchers, namely, that Benford is outplaying Elam so far. It would be something for McDermott and Frazier to start the #180 pick ahead of the #30 pick, but if Benford is outplaying Elam they need to put him out there. They need the best CBs on the field regardless of their draft status. This is especially true if Tre White is not ready to go at the start of the season or needs some time to round back into form. We've seen late draft picks force their way onto the field with stellar play before. One of my favorite Bills, 5th rounder Kyle Williams, comes to mind. The Bills just couldn't keep him off the field. Will Benford force McDermott and Frazier's hand and leapfrog him ahead of Elam to start the season? The section talking about Elam and Benford starts around the 4:40 minute mark Elam was known as a press man corner with a grabby hands issue, while Benford made the team as a zone coverage guy. It's not a shock that the experienced zone corner would be outplaying the guy who is learning that coverage during pre-season. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 4 minutes ago, Big Turk said: I don't disagree in general, but draft position doesn't always reflect talent level. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeding Bills Blue Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 13 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said: yes, he was. I never said benford couldn’t be a good CB because he was a late pick. I’m just saying that ideally you want your 1st round picks playing better than your late round picks from the same draft. Do you disagree? edit - just to be clear I’m not writing off Elam either. I think he will be fine in the long run. He’s transitioning from man to zone. We brought him in to do both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCBills Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) If Tre can't go Week One, I'm still going with Dane and Kaiir. Elam's potential, based on traits, is a #1 lockdown corner. IMO, unless he's a complete liability, you start that guy. I'd start him over Dane Jackson when Tre comes back as well. I'd rather have Kaiir Elam, with an entire season of reps entering the playoffs, with his potential, over us playing musical chairs all year. Benford looks like a home run pick, but I'm betting on Tre and Elam to man outside corner for the next few years. Dane and Benford could be some of the best depth in the NFL. Edited August 18, 2022 by SCBills 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brand J Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Every time I see those Bills highlight videos, it’s #30 Dane Jackson getting beat deep, but Frazier said he’s ahead of both rookies. With that said, if both rookies continue to ball, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Elam and Benford starting against the Rams, with Jackson rotating in situationally. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Beck Water said: Elam was known as a press man corner with a grabby hands issue, while Benford made the team as a zone coverage guy. It's not a shock that the experienced zone corner would be outplaying the guy who is learning that coverage during pre-season. I think they might be worried Elam will get flagged too often in actual games until he learns to tone that down a little bit. And I agree...a CB that has played zone most of his career SHOULD be ahead of a player who has played man almost exclusively thus far and has to be taught all of the off the ball stuff from square one. However, too often we get into a mindset that because a player wasn't asked to do something in college that he cannot do it in the NFL. I don't agree with this, unless there is a legit reason he can't(ie, he is too slow, etc). Elam has all the tools to be a good zone player, he just needs to work on figuring out spacing, reading the QB's eyes and breaking on the ball properly among other things that Benford knows like the back of his hand already. Also, the Bills DO play man quite a bit more than most think. Some weeks we are predominantly a man team depending on matchups. However, it is true that we do mostly play zone most weeks. Edited August 18, 2022 by Big Turk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 14 minutes ago, BillsClinton said: Nate Peterman, a 5th round draft pick, outplayed 1st round Josh Allen in the 2018 preseason. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 31 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said: I’m not sure I’d say that. It would be a great problem to have if both were playing so great that you didn’t know who to choose. Buffalo’s 1st round pick being outplayed by a late round selection isn’t ideal though. It would be one thing if Elam was playing like Maybin and Benford was looking like a 1st rounder. Its another thing entirely if Bedford looks like he was overlooked in the draft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royale with Cheese Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 If Benford is like legit, I wonder if Elam could play safety replacing Poyer next year? I'm just making conversation.... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beck Water Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 8 minutes ago, Big Turk said: I think they might be worried Elam will get flagged too often in actual games until he learns to tone that down a little bit. Could be 8 minutes ago, Big Turk said: And I agree...a CB that has played zone most of his career SHOULD be ahead of a player who has played man almost exclusively thus far and has to be taught all of the off the ball stuff from square one. However, too often we get into a mindset that because a player wasn't asked to do something in college that he cannot do it in the NFL. I don't agree with this, unless there is a legit reason he can't(ie, he is too slow, etc). Elam has all the tools to be a good zone player, he just needs to work on figuring out spacing, reading the QB's eyes and breaking on the ball properly among other things that Benford knows like the back of his hand already. The Bills wouldn't have drafted Elam in round 1 if they didn't believe he could be developed 8 minutes ago, Big Turk said: Also, the Bills DO play man quite a bit more than most think. Some weeks we are predominantly a man team depending on matchups. However, it is true that we do mostly play zone most weeks. Agree, something like 34% of the coverage last year I think I read somewhere (sorry can't find source now). IMHO it was a limitation after they lost Tre for the season. Levi and Dane were both good off-ball corners but neither could play man against a top WR or TE. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 1 minute ago, Royale with Cheese said: If Benford is like legit, I wonder if Elam could play safety replacing Poyer next year? I'm just making conversation.... Elam's tackling is one of his biggest weaknesses, so I don't think safety would suit him. I think we keep both active on gameday and rotate them situationally, using Benford more in zone coverage and Elam in press man coverage. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 11 minutes ago, Big Turk said: I think they might be worried Elam will get flagged too often in actual games until he learns to tone that down a little bit. And I agree...a CB that has played zone most of his career SHOULD be ahead of a player who has played man almost exclusively thus far and has to be taught all of the off the ball stuff from square one. However, too often we get into a mindset that because a player wasn't asked to do something in college that he cannot do it in the NFL. I don't agree with this, unless there is a legit reason he can't(ie, he is too slow, etc). Elam has all the tools to be a good zone player, he just needs to work on figuring out spacing, reading the QB's eyes and breaking on the ball properly among other things that Benford knows like the back of his hand already. Also, the Bills DO play man quite a bit more than most think. Some weeks we are predominantly a man team depending on matchups. However, it is true that we do mostly play zone most weeks. The bills ran more man last year than any McDermott year including the highest percentage on 3rd down it’s been shifting for a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 I don't think it will be a problem for them to start whoever's better. Could possibly be a situational rotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djp14150 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) If I had a dollar for every low rounder who impressed in camp…. Edited August 18, 2022 by djp14150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 28 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said: Development and progression is not the same for every athlete neither is a players ceiling Some players come in ready to contribute sooner but their ceiling is pretty capped… they are close to maxed out other players have lots of room to grow when they enter the league they just need time it’s not about who’s better week 1 it’s about who’s better year 3-4 Well said. I mentioned previously that I think Benford came in more well versed in what the Bills' defensive coaches generally ask of their defensive backs, whereas a lot of it was/is new to Elam. I still tend to think that Elam has a higher ceiling than Benford, but Benford is no slouch athletically, either. In any case, it seems like both players are getting better week after week. By the bye week of the 2022 season, I expect the Bills to have four quality outside corners on the roster and the "problem" of not having enough playing time for all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Says Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Inigo Montoya said: I've included a link to a youtube video of Jenna Cottrell and Mike Catalana from Buffalo Plus discussing the rookie CBs in training camp / preseason so far. I think they are really solid reporters on the Bills and I watch all of their content. They echo what I have heard from other camp watchers, namely, that Benford is outplaying Elam so far. It would be something for McDermott and Frazier to start the #180 pick ahead of the #30 pick, but if Benford is outplaying Elam they need to put him out there. They need the best CBs on the field regardless of their draft status. This is especially true if Tre White is not ready to go at the start of the season or needs some time to round back into form. We've seen late draft picks force their way onto the field with stellar play before. One of my favorite Bills, 5th rounder Kyle Williams, comes to mind. The Bills just couldn't keep him off the field. Will Benford force McDermott and Frazier's hand and leapfrog him ahead of Elam to start the season? The section talking about Elam and Benford starts around the 4:40 minute mark I dont know that they actually said Benford was "outplaying " Elam. Seemed more like he is "pushing" Elam. I'll listen again but... Update: they do not say Benford has outplayed Elam. I interpret them as saying he has exceeded expectatuons of being a 6th round pick. Edited August 18, 2022 by Georgie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo716 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 8 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said: If Benford is like legit, I wonder if Elam could play safety replacing Poyer next year? I'm just making conversation.... Ideally you would flip that benford is much stockier and has a higher awareness… I thought he was the development safety for the future honestly Elam is so wiry and his tackling is not a strength… you want safeties to be sure tacklers I have no doubt he will be a good man corner in the mold of leodis my man he sticks to the hip just needs to work out the kinks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7975 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) Does it matter if he is? They both play for us 😁 seems like a good thing to me. Edited August 18, 2022 by Scott7975 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.