Will Jordan Hancock be up to the challenge?

[PoundingDog]

With Jordan Poyer out, most likely it will be Jordan Hancock to step in at Mile High. I expect Hamlin will be called upon if it goes badly for Hancock.

 

With Bishop and Hancock at safety, we definitely have more speed than ever at the position. Hancock actually ran a faster 40 times than Bishop. Tackle wise, he might be a tad better than Poyer.

 

But the big challenge is play recognition and disguises. That's the main reason it is Poyer who started along with Bishop for the most part. We saw what the Jaguars were doing in the 2nd half, attacking Hancock successfully a number of times.  Can McDermott and Babich coach Hancock up this week? Safety was in shaky ground earlier in the season when Rapp and Bishop were starting. When Poyer moved into the starting role, we saw clear improvement of Bishop as well as the play of safeties overall. You can bet Sean Peyton was busy designing plays to attack the young safeties last 2 days.

[paulmm3]

Hope so. Hancock looked like Kaiir Elam coming into the Chiefs game last year on Sunday. Not great. But hopefully a week of prep helps increase his confidence and reduce his hesitation.

[LetJamesCook]

I know they will go after him, but Denver won't be able to attack him like Jacksonville did - they don't have the weapons.  That should make it easier to give him help in coverage (at least that's my hope)

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Hopefully he’s on the bench and it’s either Lewis or Damar. Or Savage. 

Edited January 13 by The Firebaugh Kid

[dave mcbride]

The problem, as I see it, is that he's not even really a safety, and the weaknesses identified in his game prior to the draft are ill suited to the safety position in the Bills scheme (which relies on play recognition): https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jordan-hancock/32004841-4e07-2674-a62a-bb5417cce048

 

"Position-versatile defensive back with good size but average coverage talent. Hancock is strong enough to play near the line or on the back end, and his heaviest usage has come from the nickel spot. He’s an above-average tackler in run support and in space but has average thump. He gets beat off the dribble in press-man and struggles to make up ground quickly against shifty route-runners. He does his job from zone by keeping catches in front of him and tackling quickly but lacks playmaking instincts. Hancock’s size and versatility helps, but he might not excel enough in the coverage phase to become a long-term starter.

 

Strengths

Experience playing back, down and from the slot.

Excellent size when lined up as a nickel corner.

Hands are heavy when punching or rerouting release.

Rides heavy on short routes from tight man coverage.

Size creates catch disruptions when he’s in position.

Runs the alley from safety and strikes.

 

Weaknesses

Loses sight of play development from zone.

Lacks route anticipation and twitch to match at break points.

Tends to stay behind once he falls behind in man coverage.

Below-average instincts and response to quarterback’s operation.

Needs better use of hands to play off the block near the line."

[NeverOutNick]

Hancock will be fine. I’ve got confidence in him going into the game knowing he’s the starter. Hopefully Savage is his backup not Hamlin 

[stlbills13]

I do think with a full week of prep Hancock will be a lot better. I bet they want Hamlin though. I would be okay with Lewis even though

[The Jokeman]

Just now, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Hopefully he’s on the bench and it’s either Lewis or Damar. 

No thanks on Damar. Cam Lewis is slightly better than both IMO. 

[SoCal Deek]

I’m just praying that Poyer has taught Bishop enough over the course of the season that he’s now comfortable being the leader on the back end. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 minute ago, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Hopefully he’s on the bench and it’s either Lewis or Damar. Or Savage. 

 

I can't with the missed tackles though.  If they want to attack hancock down the field, that takes a number of things going right from protection to play design.  Lewis out there and i feel like they'd attack underneath because he's undersized and not the strongest tackler.  Hamlin plays a fundamentally sound game, but he's slow as molasses and also not the strongest tackler.  

[Walking Tall]

In a playoff game I think I’d feel more comfortable with Cam Lewis. I think Hancock is going to be a good player for us but I am a little uneasy about him starting in a do or die game right now.

[Kelly to Allen]

I think so. Excellent player at Ohio State, great athlete. Extremely versatile too.

 

 

[NeverOutNick]

Just now, Walking Tall said:

In a playoff game I think I’d feel more comfortable with Cam Lewis. I think Hancock is going to be a good player for us but I am a little uneasy about him starting in a do or die game right now.

We’ve been in playoff games with Lewis and Hamlin. They both give up big plays because they’re not very good. Stick with Hancock after a full week with the starters and have Savage as his backup. 

Just now, Kelly to Allen said:

I think so. Excellent player at Ohio State, great athlete. Extremely versatile too.

 

 

Exactly 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

8 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

The problem, as I see it, is that he's not even really a safety, and the weaknesses identified in his game prior to the draft are ill suited to the safety position in the Bills scheme (which relies on play recognition): https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jordan-hancock/32004841-4e07-2674-a62a-bb5417cce048

 

"Position-versatile defensive back with good size but average coverage talent. Hancock is strong enough to play near the line or on the back end, and his heaviest usage has come from the nickel spot. He’s an above-average tackler in run support and in space but has average thump. He gets beat off the dribble in press-man and struggles to make up ground quickly against shifty route-runners. He does his job from zone by keeping catches in front of him and tackling quickly but lacks playmaking instincts. Hancock’s size and versatility helps, but he might not excel enough in the coverage phase to become a long-term starter.

 

Strengths

Experience playing back, down and from the slot.

Excellent size when lined up as a nickel corner.

Hands are heavy when punching or rerouting release.

Rides heavy on short routes from tight man coverage.

Size creates catch disruptions when he’s in position.

Runs the alley from safety and strikes.

 

Weaknesses

Loses sight of play development from zone.

Lacks route anticipation and twitch to match at break points.

Tends to stay behind once he falls behind in man coverage.

Below-average instincts and response to quarterback’s operation.

Needs better use of hands to play off the block near the line."

those weaknesses stood out, for sure. Hips were all turned around in coverage. 

[mbowman14]

Was Cam Lewis injured (limited) or was this strictly a belief that Hancock is more capable now?  The timing of his insertion over Cam makes no sense to me unless Lewis is nursing something and deemed less effective than usual.

[BuffaloRebound]

Even though he had some bad plays on sunday, I’d rather go with hancock than cam lewis or hamlin.  We already know those 2 are not good.  

[BuffaloBillyG]

It doesn't matter if it's Hancock, Savage, Hamlin, Lewis...

 

We need our defensive game plan to focus on hiding whomever is there. Personally, I play Savage. He may not have the snaps on the defense but he's a vet that has seen a lot. Give me someone with experience in the playoffs. 

[Walking Tall]

3 minutes ago, NeverOutNick said:

We’ve been in playoff games with Lewis and Hamlin. They both give up big plays because they’re not very good. Stick with Hancock after a full week with the starters and have Savage as his backup. 

And we saw Jordan Hancock get attacked against the Jaguars, rather successfully, the second he stepped on the field.

 

Again, I really like Hancocks potential but I’ll take Cam Lewis and his experience. McDermott continues to employ Lewis for a reason.

[Kelly to Allen]

8 minutes ago, mbowman14 said:

Was Cam Lewis injured (limited) or was this strictly a belief that Hancock is more capable now?  The timing of his insertion over Cam makes no sense to me unless Lewis is nursing something and deemed less effective than usual.

It could be because he's so valuable as a. Backup nickel / situational chess piece. 

[YattaOkasan]

11 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

Even though he had some bad plays on sunday, I’d rather go with hancock than cam lewis or hamlin.  We already know those 2 are not good.  

Now is the not the time to find out how good someone is. Go with the best. Regular season is the timeout to find out things. If they think he’s better great. But I hope they ain’t taking a let’s find out approach to Hancock for this game (maybe not exactly what you’re saying). No matter the plan I hope they have a backup plan ready. I would expect Denver to focus on Hancock more than Jax did (only targeted 3 times?) 

Edited January 13 by YattaOkasan