Figuring out Knox

[Wizard]

I am curious the opinion everyone has on Knox's role in this offense.

 

The guy is being paid a good chunk of change to average 2-3 catches a game and will probably have 500 receiving yards or less this season.

 

Tonight he had zero catches, and I believe one target.

 

Is he overrated? Is he not used properly? I know the Bills are not known for having top flight TE's. I am just trying to figure out if he's fools gold or if a package of plays need to be catered to utilize him.

 

What say ye?

 

He is just a puzzling and polarizing player in this offense in my view.

 

 

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

He's a blocking TE because we had a turnstile and a potato at OT today.

Edited December 2, 2022 by SageAgainstTheMachine

[Brand J]

Bad contract, he’s never shown the ability to take over a game. And still struggles with drops. 

[Beck Water]

On 12/1/2022 at 10:48 PM, Wizard said:

I am curious the opinion everyone has on Knox's role in this offense.

 

The guy is being paid a good chunk of change to average 2-3 catches a game and will probably have 500 receiving yards or less this season.

 

Tonight he had zero catches, and I believe one target.

 

Is he overrated? Is he not used properly? I know the Bills are not known for having top flight TE's. I am just trying to figure out if he's fools gold or if a package of plays need to be catered to utilize him.

 

What say ye?

 

He is just a puzzling and polarizing player in this offense in my view.

 

 

 

He can contribute when he’s used.  Against Detroit, he had what, 7 catches for 70 yards? [EDIT: I was mistaken, that was the Browns game]

 

My personal theory is that he’s struggling mentally, still trying to process and deal with his brother’s death.  He seems to be really enjoying the blocking aspect of the game, and he slowly seems to be coming back into the passing game.

 

I think tonight he was busy blocking

Edited December 3, 2022 by Beck Water

[boyst]

2 minutes ago, SageAgainstTheMachine said:

He's a blocking TE because we had a turnstile and a potato at OT today.

I think turnstile and potato is the morning crew at weei

[Not at the table Karlos]

He was open at least 4 times today where Josh for whatever reason never looked his way.

[Awwufelloff]

He was signed to that contract to make Allen happy as they are good friends. That's all I have as he's not worth anywhere near that contract.

[Johnnycage46]

9 and 3 baby!!!!

[KingBoots8]

He’s had a bigger role blocking this year I think, and to be honest I’m not sure if this year is going to be a huge “numbers” year for him given his off-season. He will get back to form, but he’s got to get through it on his own time.

 

My theory: he’s gonna show up for a big play in the post season that will completely overshadow his regular seas woes. 

[Warcodered]

Feels like he can get open, and when he's targeted he catches the ball. Hell in the previous game against the Pats he was an inch short of having 3TDs.

[Simon]

1 minute ago, KingBoots8 said:

My theory: he’s gonna show up for a big play in the post season that will completely overshadow his regular seas woes. 

 

Yeah, it almost feels like they're keeping that part of their game stashed in teh bank, like they do with the run game for long stretches and then torture unprepared teams with it when games get bigger.

I can see him being a giant pain in somebody's ass during the first playoff game.

[RiotAct]

5 minutes ago, Johnnycage46 said:

9 and 3 baby!!!!

we’re on to the Jets!

[AlfaBill]

10 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

He can contribute when he’s used.  Against Detroit, he had what, 7 catches for 70 yards?

 

My personal theory is that he’s struggling mentally, still trying to process and deal with his brother’s death.  He seems to be really enjoying the blocking aspect of the game, and he slowly seems to be coming back into the passing game.

 

I think tonight he was busy blocking

This. So many people forget the great plays people make and focus on the bad. Also losing a brother cannot be easy. I think he’s a very good TE who can catch, run tough and block well. If every team threw out every player who struggled how would you stay competitive?

 

Gabe on the other hand?

Edited December 2, 2022 by AlfaBill

[Malazan]

I think there's two things.. 

 

1. Unimaginable tragedy at the start of the year

2. He's being asked to do more in a blocking role as the offensive line is utterly putrid

[Victory Formation]

10 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

He can contribute when he’s used.  Against Detroit, he had what, 7 catches for 70 yards?

 

My personal theory is that he’s struggling mentally, still trying to process and deal with his brother’s death.  He seems to be really enjoying the blocking aspect of the game, and he slowly seems to be coming back into the passing game.

 

I think tonight he was busy blocking

I agree. The reason why Knox is struggling is highly understandable.

[Freddie's Dead]

We want Dawesome, but Dropsome came to play tonight.  Right now dude is a Dow Joneser.

[947]

He dropped his only target. But he's been pretty good blocking, I bet the 2nd Diggs TD would've counted if Knox had been there instead of Sweeney.

[Beck Water]

8 minutes ago, AlfaBill said:

This. So many people forget the great plays people make and focus on the bad. Also losing a brother cannot be easy. I think he’s a very good TE who can catch, run tough and block well. If every team threw out every player who struggled how would you stay competitive?

 

Gabe on the other hand?

 

When Knox caught that TD at the back of the EZ, Diggs in the postgame said something to the effect of “mental health is real” and he was glad for Knox to get that.  Which is why I think there’s something to the mental struggles idea.

 

TBH, I felt better about Gabe in this game.  Did he have one ball he should have caught and didn’t?  Josh was a little rushed and overthrew him for the deep ball and either overthrew him or he was a little held on his route in the end zone.  But that catch for the TD was unreal.  

 

5 minutes ago, 947 said:

He dropped his only target. But he's been pretty good blocking, I bet the 2nd Diggs TD would've counted if Knox had been there instead of Sweeney.

 

Yes.

Edited December 2, 2022 by Beck Water

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Let's not over think this. He's the same exact player he has always been. Only difference is the TD's dried up. That shouldn't be a surprise. TD's are less predictive year over year than receptions and yardage totals. He averaged 3.3 receptions per game last year. And this year he is averaging... 3.3 receptions per game.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

19 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

He was open at least 4 times today where Josh for whatever reason never looked his way.

agree. He could have easily had like 5-7 catches. 

[Norcalbillsfan]

10 minutes ago, Malazan said:

I think there's two things.. 

 

1. Unimaginable tragedy at the start of the year

2. He's being asked to do more in a blocking role as the offensive line is utterly putrid

Agreed, I dont think the bills offense expected they would need him to block as much as he is.

[Warcodered]

9 minutes ago, 947 said:

He dropped his only target. But he's been pretty good blocking, I bet the 2nd Diggs TD would've counted if Knox had been there instead of Sweeney.

He did have that drop but honestly it just seemed to get on him at an odd angle for some reason.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

26 minutes ago, Wizard said:

I am curious the opinion everyone has on Knox's role in this offense.

 

The guy is being paid a good chunk of change to average 2-3 catches a game and will probably have 500 receiving yards or less this season.

 

Tonight he had zero catches, and I believe one target.

 

Is he overrated? Is he not used properly? I know the Bills are not known for having top flight TE's. I am just trying to figure out if he's fools gold or if a package of plays need to be catered to utilize him.

 

What say ye?

 

He is just a puzzling and polarizing player in this offense in my view.

 

 

I just don’t understand why the Bills can’t seem to run anything for him over the middle of the field.

 

Nothing ever comes to him in stride.

 

He’s used as a dump-off option on the sidelines. 

[Gunsgoodtime]

27 minutes ago, Wizard said:

I am curious the opinion everyone has on Knox's role in this offense.

 

The guy is being paid a good chunk of change to average 2-3 catches a game and will probably have 500 receiving yards or less this season.

 

Tonight he had zero catches, and I believe one target.

 

Is he overrated? Is he not used properly? I know the Bills are not known for having top flight TE's. I am just trying to figure out if he's fools gold or if a package of plays need to be catered to utilize him.

 

What say ye?

 

He is just a puzzling and polarizing player in this offense in my view.

 

 

Everyone has their opinion.  I am usually never one to fuss about contracts, but when they signed Knox that was 1 I really disagreed with.  I couldn't understand how they could pay him top tier money based off his past and future chances.  He is average.  They paid him like he will be in the upper tier, he is in the lower tier production wise

[gobills404]

27 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

Bad contract, he’s never shown the ability to take over a game. And still struggles with drops. 

That was his fifth drop since the start of 2021 on 103 targets. His drop rate is <1% more than Diggs since then. But go off I guess.

[BigAl2526]

He's had a decent season.  Essentially Knox has done everything asked of him this season.  It would be incorrect to blame him for not doing more when he hasn't been asked.  Tonight, he probably was kept in to block more than usual considering the "turnstile and potato" OTs Buffalo had to field.  Allen is probably not conditioned to look for him in the way Patrick Mahomes is looking for Kelce.  Allen is probably more comfortable with Diggs and Davis, so even when he's out in a pattern and open, he's not going to look at Knox first.  I think Dorsey ought to design and call some plays where Knox is the first read.  

[Solomon Grundy]

31 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

He was open at least 4 times today where Josh for whatever reason never looked his way.

I honestly believe Josh doesn't have the trust in him. I noticed the same thing and Josh waited to hit Diggs

[Process]

He was definitely open at least a few times tonight. It is a bit strange that Josh isn't looking for him. The diggs connection is too strong.

[Bangarang]

He runs a lot of routes, among the leaders of all TEs. He’s just out there doing cardio really.

[Solomon Grundy]

9 minutes ago, BigAl2526 said:

He's had a decent season.  Essentially Knox has done everything asked of him this season.  It would be incorrect to blame him for not doing more when he hasn't been asked.  Tonight, he probably was kept in to block more than usual considering the "turnstile and potato" OTs Buffalo had to field.  Allen is probably not conditioned to look for him in the way Patrick Mahomes is looking for Kelce.  Allen is probably more comfortable with Diggs and Davis, so even when he's out in a pattern and open, he's not going to look at Knox first.  I think Dorsey ought to design and call some plays where Knox is the first read.  

Josh NEEDS to look at Knox more. Especially when teams play that 2 high safety look. 

[Punching Bag]

55 minutes ago, Wizard said:

I am curious the opinion everyone has on Knox's role in this offense.

 

The guy is being paid a good chunk of change to average 2-3 catches a game and will probably have 500 receiving yards or less this season.

 

He is just a puzzling and polarizing player in this offense in my view.

 

He feels guilty about getting so much money and it impacts his play.

[MJS]

He is not being utilized enough, in my opinion.

[ToGoGo]

After the recent game he was mic'd up it became obvious to me. 

 

He's still depressed. I think the fanbase should show more empathy and understanding to Knox as he struggles through this bittersweet year for him. 

 

He's playing hard, but there's a spark missing that he had last year. It'll come back with time. 

[pigpen65]

He's supposed to be better than he is for sure. Seems like a bad contact so far

[Brand J]

27 minutes ago, gobills404 said:

That was his fifth drop since the start of 2021 on 103 targets. His drop rate is <1% more than Diggs since then. But go off I guess.

Going into this year, this was his write up in The Athletic in regards to drops:

 

Quote

His drop rate of 8.8 percent is also higher than most starting tight ends, but he has vastly improved in this area from his rookie season (17.3 percent).

What percentage of drops do you have? I wonder if they count that failed TD against the Vikes (or Jets?) where he didn’t box out the defender and bring the ball in. You know, the one that hit him in his chest. If you think Knox is a sure handed pass catcher I’d disagree. 

[Mr. WEO]

Dude got paid.  Old NFL story…

[LABILLBACKER]

57 minutes ago, SageAgainstTheMachine said:

He's a blocking TE because we had a turnstile and a potato at OT today.

Because of how terrible our OL is, we are forced to do the exact opposite of what made Knox productive. With only 3 dependable olineman in Dawkins, Morse & Bates, we are forced to lose 100% of any offensive production from all our TE's.  They gotta stay in to block and even then they get blown up. Diggs lost a td because of it.  Until we completely overhaul our OL, Knox & Co will be rendered useless. 

[Billznut]

1 hour ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

He was open at least 4 times today where Josh for whatever reason never looked his way.

Josh had lost confidence in him due to his numerous drops over the last few years. Can hardly blame Allen from looking at everyone else before Knox on pass plays. Knox is a great guy and teammate and I feel for him losing his brother, but Knox in NO way deserved the contract he got. 

[beerme1]

55 minutes ago, AlfaBill said:

This. So many people forget the great plays people make and focus on the bad. Also losing a brother cannot be easy. I think he’s a very good TE who can catch, run tough and block well. If every team threw out every player who struggled how would you stay competitive?

 

Gabe on the other hand?

 

I want to stop throwing to him. I can't stand the ratio of passes thrown to and caught. It's just ridiculous and makes me 100% on OBJ. If we can somehow. Which I still don't understand how we could, but that's not my job or my business. 

[BobbyC81]

Josh seems to look for Diggs first.  It’s impossible to see who else may be open but there was was one play where it was like 3rd and five and Josh threw about a 15 yard pass to Diggs who made a good contested catch.  On the live broadcast I noticed that Knox was wide open on the opposite sideline waving his arm.