Benford activated from IR

[BillsFan130]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

All good, and I dont disagree with the challenges of an in season move like this.  And as someone else pointed out, Tre is not a good tackler which is another valid reason of why this may not work out.

 

To be honest, this is more about whether Tre should be starting at CB right now, or should we start 2 guys from Elam, Dane, and Benford.  Tre has been the most exploitable weak spot on the defense since coming back.  Cincy came right at him and he drew an embarrassing PI where he was badly torched on first play and then a couple plays later got worked on an easy route for a TD.  

Teams smell blood and we have a slew of dangerous WR's potentially to face in the playoffs.  

You definitely raise some valid points about the concerns with Tre at corner.

 

He definitely isn’t himself right now.

 

I think his success this season will depend on the officials and if they “let them play or not”, because he seems very grabby since he’s been back this year 

[Einstein]

1 hour ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

The whole season with all the craziness with the DBs I just have to give a pass to all the young guys thrust into tough situations.

The defensive backfield room has had so much drama and continuous substitutions I give everyone credit for just getting this far.

 

The fact that we have had such injuries and craziness with the DB’s and Elam STILL can’t get on the field much is what concerns me the most. You’d think they’d be turning to him just out of sheer necessity… but they aren’t.

[Mango]

Can we release Rhodes twice?

[Einstein]

 

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Rough how? I don’t think his lack of playing time is warranted based on games. It’ll have to be something in practice or something else.

 

Elam has had a fine rookie season on the field.

 

I don’t think McD is punishing him over something that happened in practice presumably weeks ago. He hasn’t had over 40~% of the snaps since OCTOBER.

 

He is the 78th rated CB according to PFF.

[JDubya76]

1 minute ago, Mango said:

Can we release Rhodes twice?

As long as we signed him twice, sure.

[97bills]

8 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

The fact that we have had such injuries and craziness with the DB’s and Elam STILL can’t get on the field much is what concerns me the most. You’d think they’d be turning to him just out of sheer necessity… but they aren’t.

And I will add all the praise we give McDermott for working with the DB, and getting the most out of them. And you add he was a top pick on to that, it’s not looking good !!!  I really hope he turns the corner next year. 

[Mango]

12 minutes ago, JDubya76 said:

As long as we signed him twice, sure.

[JDubya76]

3 minutes ago, Mango said:

[John from Riverside]

22 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

The fact that we have had such injuries and craziness with the DB’s and Elam STILL can’t get on the field much is what concerns me the most. You’d think they’d be turning to him just out of sheer necessity… but they aren’t.

Can we please stop acting like elam is not playing he’s not starting he’s getting reps every game

[Governor]

3 hours ago, BillsFan130 said:

Problem with Tre at safety is historically he is not a good tackler 

Good point. Tre is gonna have to sit until next season. He can’t be out there in a playoff game unless it’s against the Ravens or Pats.

[Einstein]

4 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

Can we please stop acting like elam is not playing he’s not starting he’s getting reps every game

 

He has 0 snaps in 2 of the last 4 games and 40~% or less snaps in every game since October (last on the team).

 

He also had 0 snaps in the first two Bengals drives, so you could technically say 3 of the last 5 games he has had no snaps.

 

.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Einstein

[John from Riverside]

16 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

He has 0 snaps in 2 of the last 4 games and 40~% or less snaps in every game since October (last on the team).

 

He also had 0 snaps in the first two Bengals drives, so you could technically say 3 of the last 5 games he has had no snaps.

 

.

So you’re gonna count the Bengals game really?

[Einstein]

40 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

So you’re gonna count the Bengals game really?

 

I separated the Bengals game out.

 

I said if you want to count the Bengals game, then it’s 0 snaps in 3 of the last 5.

 

But if you don’t (and I don’t blame you for not counting it), then it’s still zero snaps in 2 of the last 4 AND 40~% or less snaps in every game since October.

 

.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Einstein

[Commish]

Interesting that the Bills had a featured video of Elam just before the Bengals game. Doesn't seem like someone they're trying to bury:

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/kaiir-elam-it-s-a-great-challenge-that-i-am-looking-forward-to

[Thurman#1]

13 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

They aren’t big on making changes. My guess is Johnson or Lewis start in place of Hamlin and Elam continues to ride the bench in favor of Jackson. 

Have to think it’s some off the field issue… either way sticking with Jackson opposite Tre gets frustrating.

 

 

The only off the field issue appears to be that at this point they'd rather him be off the field when they play zone, which is most of the time.

 

He essentially did not play zone in college. Next year hopefully he'll have figured it out. As of now, though, he's pretty good at man and less so in zone, though seems to be improving. And that improvement is good news.

 

Thanks to those looking at the actual facts in terms of snaps rather than just going with their narratives.

 

 

 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Thurman#1

[Rochesterfan]

7 hours ago, Einstein said:

 

I separated the Bengals game out.

 

I said if you want to count the Bengals game, then it’s 0 snaps in 3 of the last 5.

 

But if you don’t (and I don’t blame you for not counting it), then it’s still zero snaps in 2 of the last 4 AND 40~% or less snaps in every game since October.

 

.

 

I guess that depends up what you are referencing.

 

Pro Football focus had him at 47 and 48%  of defensive snaps the last 2 games and 43% versus the NYJ in game #1 - so that is at least 3 times since October that he has broken 40% of defensive snaps and the last 2 have been nearly 50%.

 

He is also alternating with Jackson - 2 series on and 2 series off - so since we had not even completed 2 series versus Cincinnati  - there is no way I would even look at it - even bringing it up is stupid.  Jackson starts as the Veteran and they have been running bland coverages - then they make adjustments and bring Elam in and then switch him out with other adjustments.

 

Basically against 2 teams that run a bunch and the Bills wanted to run a lot of zone - they pulled him out.  When they wanted more man corners against Miami - he played half the game.

 

I think you are seeing exactly what the Bills want to do - they are using Jackson, White, and Elam to switch up coverages and make adjustments to get teams out of their game plans.  
 

 

[balln]

7 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

I guess that depends up what you are referencing.

 

Pro Football focus had him at 47 and 48%  of defensive snaps the last 2 games and 43% versus the NYJ in game #1 - so that is at least 3 times since October that he has broken 40% of defensive snaps and the last 2 have been nearly 50%.

 

He is also alternating with Jackson - 2 series on and 2 series off - so since we had not even completed 2 series versus Cincinnati  - there is no way I would even look at it - even bringing it up is stupid.  Jackson starts as the Veteran and they have been running bland coverages - then they make adjustments and bring Elam in and then switch him out with other adjustments.

 

Basically against 2 teams that run a bunch and the Bills wanted to run a lot of zone - they pulled him out.  When they wanted more man corners against Miami - he played half the game.

 

I think you are seeing exactly what the Bills want to do - they are using Jackson, White, and Elam to switch up coverages and make adjustments to get teams out of their game plans.  
 

 

Which is kind of the problem. 

 

Oh look - elam is in they’re gonna play man’s -

let’s dial up our offense 

 

oh look Dane Jackson in- let’s dial up jump balls 

[Bookie Man]

16 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was pretty set against moving Tre to safety...but given the circumstances of both Hyde and Hamlin out coupled Tre struggling in coverage and being probably our most exploitable corner right now with his lack of speed or explosion, maybe its not such a crazy idea to slide him over to FS and let Elam, Dane, Taron, and Benford handle the CB duties. 

 

If Hamlin was still out there, I wouldn't suggest this.  But I would think Tre might fare as well or better at safety then our 3rd string FS at this point.  And I do think our pass D will be better with Dane and Elam starting outside right now than Tre.  

 

Tre has made some plays, but he is also very exploitable with his lack of burst and we are set to potentially face teams like Miami and Cincy in playoffs who have some dangerous WR's to account for.  

I think he might have meant Benford to safety. But you make some good points.

[Magox]

16 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I was pretty set against moving Tre to safety...but given the circumstances of both Hyde and Hamlin out coupled Tre struggling in coverage and being probably our most exploitable corner right now with his lack of speed or explosion, maybe its not such a crazy idea to slide him over to FS and let Elam, Dane, Taron, and Benford handle the CB duties. 

 

If Hamlin was still out there, I wouldn't suggest this.  But I would think Tre might fare as well or better at safety then our 3rd string FS at this point.  And I do think our pass D will be better with Dane and Elam starting outside right now than Tre.  

 

Tre has made some plays, but he is also very exploitable with his lack of burst and we are set to potentially face teams like Miami and Cincy in playoffs who have some dangerous WR's to account for.  

 

Conceptually, I like this idea.    It is clear that Tre is very exploitable on the deeper patterns and it is a potential serious liability.  He's been excellent so far on the short to intermediate stuff and safety's typically aren't required to have that explosiveness that CB's need to have.   Despite his extreme familiarity with the system, does he know enough to immediately step in at the safety spot?   I love the idea on paper, the question is it feasible/realistic that he could step right in and do the job at a higher level than Marlowe or Jaquan?

 

 

[SoCal Deek]

Lots of discussion on here about Elam. It leaves me to wonder if the Bills player personnel department isn’t falling down here a bit. Between Epenesa and now Elam (two of the last three draft classes) we seem to have selected defensive players that the coaching staff simply doesn’t know what to do with, or that are more aptly labeled ‘projects’. While the Bills are of course a very good team, no team can afford the luxury of doing that for long. 

[BananaB]

33 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

I guess that depends up what you are referencing.

 

Pro Football focus had him at 47 and 48%  of defensive snaps the last 2 games and 43% versus the NYJ in game #1 - so that is at least 3 times since October that he has broken 40% of defensive snaps and the last 2 have been nearly 50%.

 

He is also alternating with Jackson - 2 series on and 2 series off - so since we had not even completed 2 series versus Cincinnati  - there is no way I would even look at it - even bringing it up is stupid.  Jackson starts as the Veteran and they have been running bland coverages - then they make adjustments and bring Elam in and then switch him out with other adjustments.

 

Basically against 2 teams that run a bunch and the Bills wanted to run a lot of zone - they pulled him out.  When they wanted more man corners against Miami - he played half the game.

 

I think you are seeing exactly what the Bills want to do - they are using Jackson, White, and Elam to switch up coverages and make adjustments to get teams out of their game plans.  
 

 

So when Elam comes on the field it’s basically telling teams we are playing more man. Great! Reminds me of when Zach Moss came on the field everyone knew we were running up the middle. Bills shouldn’t have babied Elam all year and had him out there day 1. At this point in the season our physically most gifted DB hardly sees the field and he should be making an impact.  That’s the Bills way though, baby early round picks 

[Rochesterfan]

38 minutes ago, balln said:

Which is kind of the problem. 

 

Oh look - elam is in they’re gonna play man’s -

let’s dial up our offense 

 

oh look Dane Jackson in- let’s dial up jump balls 

 

Except they don’t - they have been playing different combinations of man and man zone and switching things off - which is why after they make adjustments teams find it harder to move the ball.  
 

They have been giving a ton of different looks not based on Elam or Jackson.

 

 

[ProcessTruster]

30 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Except they don’t - they have been playing different combinations of man and man zone and switching things off - which is why after they make adjustments teams find it harder to move the ball.  
 

They have been giving a ton of different looks not based on Elam or Jackson.

 

 

hard to tell exactly what the coverage is from play to play, even on the all-22 view.  we need to be careful to criticize when we do not really know what we are looking at with any kind of exact knowledge

[goober]

16 hours ago, BlazinBill said:

I would love Micah coming back just like the rest of us. A couple weeks back he said in an interview the the doctors said he would feel good enough to come back but this injury is like 6-9 healing time and they would be keeping him away to not further hurt himself. 

Apologize if it's already known- definitely not trying to be a Debbie Downer 

That’s my recollection as well.  Him saying he feels a lot better and the doctors had told him that would be the case but because of the nature of the injury feeling better didn’t equate to returning sooner.  But perhaps that was just my pessimistic interpretation.  

[Einstein]

2 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

I guess that depends up what you are referencing.

 

Pro Football focus had him at 47 and 48%  of defensive snaps the last 2 games and 43% versus the NYJ in game #1 - so that is at least 3 times since October that he has broken 40% of defensive snaps and the last 2 have been nearly 50%.

 

Sorry for the confusion. When someone puts “~” next to a number, that means it’s it’s approximately any number in that series. So 40~% is any number between 40 and 49.

 

He is not (for the most part) alternating with Jackson as Jackson has played 81% of defensive snaps for the year. There may be a couple games he did but overall it has been Jackson in and Elam out depending on zone or man (not based on series).

 

In the last 5 games, Elam has had:

 

Jets - 0% of snaps

Mia - 48% of snaps

Patriots - 0% of snaps

Chi - 47% of snaps

Cin - 0% of snaps (but obviously a shortened game)

 

He has not had anything higher than 48% since October. 

 

And I have a feeling with Benford coming back, Elams percentage is going to dip even lower.

 

 

 

 

.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Einstein

[Brand J]

3 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

I guess that depends up what you are referencing.

 

Pro Football focus had him at 47 and 48%  of defensive snaps the last 2 games and 43% versus the NYJ in game #1 - so that is at least 3 times since October that he has broken 40% of defensive snaps and the last 2 have been nearly 50%.

 

He is also alternating with Jackson - 2 series on and 2 series off - so since we had not even completed 2 series versus Cincinnati  - there is no way I would even look at it - even bringing it up is stupid.  Jackson starts as the Veteran and they have been running bland coverages - then they make adjustments and bring Elam in and then switch him out with other adjustments.

 

Basically against 2 teams that run a bunch and the Bills wanted to run a lot of zone - they pulled him out.  When they wanted more man corners against Miami - he played half the game.

 

I think you are seeing exactly what the Bills want to do - they are using Jackson, White, and Elam to switch up coverages and make adjustments to get teams out of their game plans.  
 

 

If the Bills believed Elam was one of their better corners, he’d be playing significant minutes. Period.

[LyndonvilleBill]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

 

Sorry for the confusion. When someone puts “~” next to a number, that means it’s it’s approximately any number in that series. So 40~% is any number between 40 and 49.

 

He is not (for the most part) alternating with Jackson as Jackson has played 81% of defensive snaps for the year. There may be a couple games he did but overall it has been Jackson in and Elam out depending on zone or man (not based on series).

 

In the last 5 games, Elam has had:

 

Jets - 0% of snaps

Mia - 48% of snaps

Patriots - 0% of snaps

Chi - 47% of snaps

Cin - 0% of snaps (but obviously a shortened game)

 

He has not had anything higher than 48% since October. 

 

And I have a feeling with Benford coming back, Elams percentage is going to dip even lower.

 

 

 

 

.

Based upon this I'd say he'll get 46% this week.😉🤣

[Warcodered]

People are stupid.

[BananaB]

17 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

If the Bills believed Elam was one of their better corners, he’d be playing significant minutes. Period.

Not really, this coaching staff has chosen experience over talent time and time again. They are more worried about not making mistakes than making plays. 

[Brand J]

8 minutes ago, BananaB said:

Not really, this coaching staff has chosen experience over talent time and time again. They are more worried about not making mistakes than making plays. 

I disagree there. I’d say they’ve misjudged  some of their own (Teller and Bates specifically), but I don’t recall better talent consistently riding the bench in lieu of more experienced players. Perhaps you could cite some examples…

[No_Matter_What]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

In the last 5 games, Elam has had:

 

Jets - 0% of snaps

Mia - 48% of snaps

Patriots - 0% of snaps

Chi - 47% of snaps

Cin - 0% of snaps (but obviously a shortened game)

 

He has not had anything higher than 48% since October. 

 

And I have a feeling with Benford coming back, Elams percentage is going to dip even lower.

Not arguing your overall point, but you chose really strange way to list those games. It is more like:

 

Pats - 0% of snaps - inactive

Jets - 0% of snaps

Dolphins - 47%

Bears - 48%

 

Mentioning Cincy seems weird since it ended in the first quarter. Him not playing doesn't mean much (if he didn't play, I didn't see it), I think they usually start with 2 series of Jackson then 2 series of Elam.

 

We will see what Benford's return brings.

[BananaB]

10 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

I disagree there. I’d say they’ve misjudged  some of their own (Teller and Bates specifically), but I don’t recall better talent consistently riding the bench in lieu of more experienced players. Perhaps you could cite some examples…

Peteman over Allen

 

Old man Gore getting more carries than Singletary. 

 

Sanders over Gabe for most of last season

 

Lil Dirty still starting at slot over Shakir

 

Jackson getting beat on a regular basis while Elam sits on the bench. 
 

Moss over Cook early in the season

[Einstein]

20 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

Not arguing your overall point, but you chose really strange way to list those games. It is more like:

 

Pats - 0% of snaps - inactive

Jets - 0% of snaps

Dolphins - 47%

Bears - 48%

 

Im confused. You listed the exact same numbers I did? Or are you just saying I didn’t put them in the correct order?

[No_Matter_What]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

 

Im confused. You listed the exact same numbers I did? Or are you just saying I didn’t put them in the correct order?

Yeah order. Seems important to me in this context. Plus I wouldn't count Bengals game at all.

[Einstein]

5 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

Yeah order. Seems important to me in this context. Plus I wouldn't count Bengals game at all.

 

Ok sorry I got the order wrong. I was going based off my memory from looking yesterday. 

 

I agree I don’t really count the Bengals game, but what little we did see, even after a disastrous opening defensive effort, didn’t include Elam.

[Brand J]

15 minutes ago, BananaB said:

Peteman over Allen

 

Old man Gore getting more carries than Singletary. 

 

Sanders over Gabe for most of last season

 

Lil Dirty still starting at slot over Shakir

 

Jackson getting beat on a regular basis while Elam sits on the bench. 
 

Moss over Cook early in the season

In all cases, the Bills believed - at that time - they were playing the better player. The rookie has to prove them wrong and at this point, they don’t think Elam is better than Jackson, no matter how many times Dane gets roasted. The Bills are in the business of winning, careers are on the line, money, etc. It goes back to my original point you disagreed with - if the Bills believed Elam was one of their better corners, he’d be seeing significant minutes. There’s no mental gymnastics around that.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

58 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

I disagree there. I’d say they’ve misjudged  some of their own (Teller and Bates specifically), but I don’t recall better talent consistently riding the bench in lieu of more experienced players. Perhaps you could cite some examples…

Murphy over Lawson

Sanders over Davis

Gore over Singletary 

[BananaB]

10 minutes ago, JayBaller10 said:

In all cases, the Bills believed - at that time - they were playing the better player. The rookie has to prove them wrong and at this point, they don’t think Elam is better than Jackson, no matter how many times Dane gets roasted. The Bills are in the business of winning, careers are on the line, money, etc. It goes back to my original point you disagreed with - if the Bills believed Elam was one of their better corners, he’d be seeing significant minutes. There’s no mental gymnastics around that.

Have you been living under a rock? All our young rookies hardly see the field, it’s not because the other players are better it’s because McDermott values experience over talent. Not a team in the league gets less out of their rookies than Buffalo. 

[Manther]

16 hours ago, Logic said:

Here's an unpopular take:

I thought that Cam Lewis -- who will likely be taking over at free safety from here on out -- actually played well in the Minnesota game, EXCEPT for on the famous non-swat-down of the Jefferson catch. Obviously, that's the play that gets remembered, and rightly so. But OTHER than that play, I thought he acquitted himself pretty well. Even on that play, yes, he obviously should have swatted it down instead of going for the pick, but he was in position and was a freak Justin Jefferson play away from having the game-sealing interception.

Anyway, I think we're about to see a bunch more of him, so we'll see if I'm right or I'm a crazy person. If he DOESN'T perform well, I'd have to think the leash won't be very long, since playoff time is coming and Dean Marlowe is a smart vet that knows the system.

Hmmm, interesting.

 

I absolutely agree on Cam Lewis.  I think he can play CB and S.  And, agree with the Minnesota game and Cam's ability moving forward.

 

I was always surprised when folks on here said he would be the next player cut if we needed a roster spot.

 

Regarding Dean Marlowe, in his first stint with the Bills I thought he was the back up to Poyer AND Hyde.  3rd Safety and great at the role and stepping in when he started.  He played great every time he played.  Barely skipped a beat and I think he played Special Teams.

 

We let Marlowe go and I thought it was for younger players and to save some cap.  We then brought Marlowe back I was surprised he has not played.  He knows the system.  My thought is since Marlowe has not played he has lost a step.  Marlowe is not what the Bills thought they were getting in the trade and Marlowe is less of a player now.  The Coaches must think he is not the next man up.

 

Not sure what to think, but, something does not add up.  We will see this Sunday if he is active or not and if so how much he plays.

[ColoradoBills]

5 minutes ago, BananaB said:

Have you been living under a rock? All our young rookies hardly see the field, it’s not because the other players are better it’s because McDermott values experience over talent. Not a team in the league gets less out of their rookies than Buffalo. 

 

I'm not totally sure about that.  I would say it's more like "all things being equal, or almost equal" McDermott goes with experience/knowledge.

I know the Bills DB are expected to work in a pretty complicated system.