JohnNord Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Like many here and many in the media, I thought we would see big things from Isaiah McKenzie. After signing a multi-year contract with Buffalo, it seemed like he was going to be the heir apparent to Cole Beasley. Even when the Bills signed Jamison Crowder, McKenzie routinely hyped as one of the most impressive WR’s in training camp. I believe he was called “uncoverable” several times by beat reporters. But last season was not the step forward we thought he would take. While he still put up decent numbers there were times when he seemed invisible in the offense - a far cry from when Cole Beasley’s role. I’m wondering why… did he struggle with getting open and reading defenses in the way that Beasley did? Did Allen not trust him? Was Dorsey unable to utilize his skills and find advantageous matchups for him, the way that Daboll did the season before? Or did McKenzie simply prove that he is not a starting caliber WR…and is instead more of a gadget/role player? I know there were issues with drops this season too which didn’t help. I know on Ty Dunne’s podcast he said he was getting open but wasn’t getting the ball. Is this true? I can’t say that I completely buy that. If anyone has theories why or has watched his film, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Brown Eye Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 He was about as focused as a toddler at a circus 5 3 14 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 McKenzie is a fine player. He does have the skillset to play in the NFL. He however IMO is better suited as a role player. He can be a fun player to watch on an up and coming team...which he was here for years. And I believe he will be for Indy. I just don't believe he has the talent to be a full time NFL WR on a contending team. I do wish him luck and will be rooting he does well. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Because he couldn’t catch the ball lol 3 2 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zag20 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 He kind of plays like a chicken with its head cut off. Like every time he touches the ball is his first career touch. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Man he was just awful last year. Truly bad situational performance. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Bills Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Dropped so many balls. Just not a natural receiver 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted June 1, 2023 Author Share Posted June 1, 2023 10 minutes ago, NickelCity said: Man he was just awful last year. Truly bad situational performance. He made some big mistakes…I wouldn’t call him awful. They just needed more from him at slot WR and he didn’t deliver. Not sure why 2 minutes ago, Dave_Bills said: Dropped so many balls. Just not a natural receiver I think Josh lost some trust in him which could account for him not getting more targets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 26 minutes ago, DJB said: Because he couldn’t catch the ball lol Proof he can catch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einstein Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 29 minutes ago, DJB said: Because he couldn’t catch the ball lol That week 1 drop/int. against the Rams kinda set the tone for Isaiah. He just never settled into the slot role. He was just a gadget guy who would have a rare outlier big game. No consistency. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einstein Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 2 minutes ago, Limeaid said: Proof he can catch. What those clips actually showed is how valuable Brian Daboll is. I forgot how well he would scheme players open. Like night and day from last season. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat68 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 The play on opening night that resulted in a pick was the end. The gotta have it plays he was never an option for Allen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephilim17 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 We don't really know how hard he trained and studied but I suspect he wasn't very focused and/or smart, didn't have great hands, and lacked the fearlessness great slot guys have. He had a hell of shot to do it and simply didn't. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 15 minutes ago, Einstein said: What those clips actually showed is how valuable Brian Daboll is. I forgot how well he would scheme players open. Like night and day from last season. Daboll did not catch the balls and a lot of the balls were in very difficult places to catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Joe Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 I think it’s interesting they have paid Harty twice as much as Dirty,,, They must be quite high on him.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GETTOTHE50 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 b/c saffold 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warriorspikes51 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 11 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said: I think it’s interesting they have paid Harty twice as much as Dirty,,, They must be quite high on him.. yes. IF if if Harty can stay healthy, his analytics have been elite when on the field and given opportunities. Explosive player who plays bigger than his size 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 30 minutes ago, Einstein said: What those clips actually showed is how valuable Brian Daboll is. I forgot how well he would scheme players open. Like night and day from last season. Yup, as we experienced last season Daboll is worlds ahead of Dorsey. It just felt like no one was schemed up last year. Just a "go out and get open" gameplan. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellofellowbillsfans Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Because he trips over his feet more times than he catches the ball 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 40 minutes ago, JohnNord said: He made some big mistakes…I wouldn’t call him awful. They just needed more from him at slot WR and he didn’t deliver. Not sure why I think Josh lost some trust in him which could account for him not getting more targets you got the answers quickly and accurately. You just don’t like them. he’s not situationally aware or particularly well focused. dude probably has a touch of ADHD and got by in life with a mix of natural gifts, humor and excuses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabstblueribbon Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Outside of the gadget role, I'm getting a John Brown Routes type feeling for Harty. They obviously wanted those again bad enough last year to bring back the man himself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 25 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said: We don't really know how hard he trained and studied but I suspect he wasn't very focused and/or smart, didn't have great hands, and lacked the fearlessness great slot guys have. He had a hell of shot to do it and simply didn't. And doesn’t mean he’s a flop… but he’s not a fit for a contender, right? You can’t have a guy single-handedly lose a game when you are fighting for a #1 seed and a ring. for the colts he might steal a win or two. Unlikely he’s a plus guy in Buffalo though. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabstblueribbon Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Colts gave us Hines. This year we give Hines back, but he's missing 7 fingers and gone on a diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted June 1, 2023 Author Share Posted June 1, 2023 8 minutes ago, NoSaint said: you got the answers quickly and accurately. You just don’t like them. he’s not situationally aware or particularly well focused. dude probably has a touch of ADHD and got by in life with a mix of natural gifts, humor and excuses I would believe ADHD by listening to his show with Dunne! can give a few examples of him not being situationally aware? I can think of 2 instances off the top of my head - one being his fumble in KC which actually went on Josh and was chalked up to a miscommunication. The other was week 3 against Miami where he was tackled in bounds to end the game. Neither of these seem like glaring examples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 In my opinion, his biggest issue was between the ears. He’s a great guy, with great energy, elite athleticism, and speed. He was certainly capable of having great games, as we saw at the end of the ‘21 season. But his inconsistency was glaring. When he was dialed in, he was terrific. But too often he seemed to lose focus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msw2112 Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) McKenzie is a very athletic player who is capable of making big plays and having big games, but he doesn't appear to have the mental makeup and focus to be a consistent or reliable player. He also seems to be a good teammate and member of the community. Unfortunately, based on the present roster construction, there was not a place for him with the Bills this season. I wish him well and hope he succeeds with the Colts. Edited June 2, 2023 by msw2112 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
folz Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 He could make some plays in the slot against man coverage because of his speed, but he wasn't good against the zone, finding the spots and making himself available for his QB. He didn't have that knack/feel that most good slots like Beasley, Crowder, etc. have against zone coverage. If Crowder stayed healthy, they might have been a good tandem, but McKenzie couldn't do it on his own. Teams knew how to cover/eliminate him. And I think Josh lost some faith in him as the season wore on as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 1 hour ago, DJB said: Because he couldn’t catch the ball lol DING! DING! DING! This thread can now be closed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) 32 minutes ago, JohnNord said: The other was week 3 against Miami where he was tackled in bounds to end the game. Neither of these seem like glaring examples That one is indeed a glaring example. It was an in-season game but in the playoffs where teams are hyper competitive a mistake or lack of awareness can lose a game, as a single spectacular play (a la David Tyree) can win it Edited June 2, 2023 by Fan in Chicago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lagoon Blues Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 For the life of me I don't understand why we stopped doing the Jet Sweep with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnNord Posted June 2, 2023 Author Share Posted June 2, 2023 20 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said: That one is indeed a glaring example. It was an in-season game but in the playoffs where teams are hyper competitive a mistake or lack of awareness can lose a game, as a single spectacular play (a la David Tyree) can win it He said on his podcast that he was running as fast as he could to the sideline. Not sure if that truly counts as situational Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 1. Dumb player 2. Stiff and awkward athlete with hard hands 3. Not accountable or self aware 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookie Man Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Too much a gadgety skill set, kind of like Tavon Austin. Not quick enough out of his cuts. Questionable hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Zone defense /thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Limeaid said: Daboll did not catch the balls and a lot of the balls were in very difficult places to catch. I just got the mental image of Daboll running the route tree and catching passes. For some reason it was set the the Benny Hill theme and it was absolutely hysterical. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimeTime101 Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Limeaid said: Proof he can catch. from 2 years ago? When they had Brown and Diggs on the field and KcKenzie was the last target they were worried about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said: from 2 years ago? When they had Brown and Diggs on the field and KcKenzie was the last target they were worried about? I am glad you and the GOAT liar agreed. He had no way to defend him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 3 hours ago, Your Brown Eye said: He was about as focused as a toddler at a circus I actually think this sums it up. Clearly capable of being great, but he simply could NOT be consistent. And from my couch, it looked like a lack of focus. Perhaps he was overthinking or trying to anticipate too much. Who knows? I will say that I don’t think it was a lack of effort, care or work ethic. I enjoyed him as a Bill and I hope he has a great career. 2 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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