Elam's issues

[EasternOHBillsFan]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Is it really that difficult to see Dane Jackson and Christian Benford are good players?

 

Well, we're about to find out as Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk will be their responsibilities. Maybe we might get Poyer back...?

[Solomon Grundy]

35 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Is it really that difficult to see Dane Jackson and Christian Benford are good players?

Or maybe better in run support? 

[whorlnut]

24 minutes ago, NewEra said:

The reason he’s been pushed down the depth chart:  Dane is currently a better zone CB for McDs system.  

Why can’t anyone see this? Who cares if Elam was a first rounder?  He hasn’t earned it yet and it should never be given to him based off is draft position. 

[NewEra]

4 minutes ago, whorlnut said:

Why can’t anyone see this? Who cares if Elam was a first rounder?  He hasn’t earned it yet and it should never be given to him based off is draft position. 

I think most people understand 

[BillnutinHouston]

OP, have you gotten enough "facts" yet?

[John from Riverside]

I mean at this point, it doesn’t matter
 

DaneJackson will probably start over him but he’s going to get time

[djp14150]

He’s more man CB than a zone  CB

he doesn’t do special teams

Edited October 3, 2023 by djp14150

[Dr.Sack]

Bottomline is Tre works extremely hard and is smarter (High School Valedictorian). Elam works harder but is likely not as smart as Tre. So you have two 1st round corners one who is one of the smartest in the NFL and is the hardest worker. That is a tough bar to clear if you are Elam.  As for Benford and Jackson it is my opinion that the Bills CB 2 is likely more a position of dealing with WR 2 and that is less demanding athletically. 

[Maynard]

Better get over them quick?

[cage]

7 hours ago, BillnutinHouston said:

OP, have you gotten enough "facts" yet?

 

I'm glad it's not just me.... everyone here seems as confused as I am.  

[Charles Romes]

I think the analytics department armed with irrefutable data demanded changes from mcbeane after the season. Part of the changes were limit the drops so they targeted a journeyman 3 and 4 who do not drop. Another part of the changes were limiting penalties especially chunk yardage PI. That’s where Elam got the axe. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

43 minutes ago, Charles Romes said:

I think the analytics department armed with irrefutable data demanded changes from mcbeane after the season. Part of the changes were limit the drops so they targeted a journeyman 3 and 4 who do not drop. Another part of the changes were limiting penalties especially chunk yardage PI. That’s where Elam got the axe. 

Buffalo Bills Analytics Department:

 

[Charles Romes]

32 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Buffalo Bills Analytics Department:

 

38-10, 37-3, 48-20

[Sargent Hulka]

My biggest takeaway is that whoever the college scout on Beane's staff is that recommended Elam as their 1st Round pick, he should never again be involved with picking that high of a selection. Honestly, some of the Bills scouts suck at their job.

[Tommy Callahan]

Huge fan of 47.   Hopefully the benching put a fire in his belly and we see it when he comes back.

 

 

[Shaw66]

10 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Is it really that difficult to see Dane Jackson and Christian Benford are good players?

I agree with this, but it isn't an answer.  Elam has, in all probability, some better physical skills than Jackson and Benford.  That's why he was a high pick.   So, what is it that makes him so clearly worse at the job than the three who are ahead of him?

 

The OP asked for actual information, not opinion, but there is no actual information.  McDermott didn't hold a press conference to explain why Elam isn't active. 

 

We're about to find out.  When he wasn't active, there wasn't much pressure on Elam to improve.   But if he goes active, he's going to have 42 teammates telling him he needs to make the plays.   Frankly, I'm expecting him to rise to the challenge.   

[Matt_In_NH]

I really think its just a numbers thing and is more a reflection of how deep the Bills are at corner.  White,  Benford, Jackson are better for this defense, he is on the team and will now get a jersey.  The only issue I have seen is that he is a little too physical and draws too many penalties.  Or at least the staff fears that.

Edited October 3, 2023 by Matt_In_NH

[boyst]

normally people root for the underdogs like Benford and Jackson, yet here we are chomping the bite for the blue chip.

 

in this case the only true concern i have is that we didn't get Elam active enough to have him get his feet underneath him. however, we have a great stretch where he can do that heading into a daunting 4 week stretch of @cin, @kc, dal, @san diego.

[Franco_92]

It's pretty clear from interviews that Elam gets lost in zone coverages and just doesn't have that intuition for where he needs to be and move to. He's fine in man coverage and has shown that. Beane's comments that they wish it was just a work ethic thing allude to the fact that something isnt happening right mentally when he is playing our system. Hopefully he can figure it out - he's young. But when you watch any film breakdown it's clear how important it is in our system (and any system) to be able to communicate and leverage yourself properly every play. These things aren't easy 

Edited October 3, 2023 by arcane

[Royale with Cheese]

I just think McDermott doesn't trust Elam.  It has to be the mental part because he physically has it.

 

You saw how precise the Bills defense is from what we saw on the Dolphins game review.  Elam probably just isn't in the right spot or gets easily confused or bites on play fakes....something mentally is keeping him off the field.