quincy Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 Smith is a physically bigger TE, at 6 foot 6 & 265lbs. All the others seem to be at maximum 6 foot 4 & 255lbs. Good to have multiple body types. Still surprised that Jake Fisher was cut so early. Extremely unlikely the practice squad OL will amount to much in the long run. I hope Sweeney makes the 53, 5 yard catches are important too and he like more NFL ready than Knox at this moment.
GreggTX Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 Still one of the top run blockers in the NFL at the TE position. He doesn't catch many passes, but has average hands for a TE.
John from Riverside Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 6 minutes ago, ScottLaw said: Must've gave McDermott the body of Christ and then wrestled him with an easy victory.... only thing I can think of to warrant a 3 year deal. These guys have issues evaluating offensive talent. If only we could be more like the patriots in that regard....eh Scott?
Logic Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 Like others have said, you're adding leadership by example to the tight end room. You're also adding a guy who can show these youngsters (Knox, Sweeney, Moral) a thing or two about being an effective blocker. Blocking Tight Ends are obviously not most football fans' favorite players, but they are quite valuable to both the run and the pass game. Lee Smith is a top 3 blocking tight end in the NFL. He may be the BEST blocking tight end in the NFL. I see the final roster shaking out at that position thusly: Kroft Knox Smith Sweeney It's not out of the realm of possibilities that Croom makes the roster and Sweeney goes to the practice squad. 2
GreggTX Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said: To me Kroft-Knox-Smith-Sweeney make the final roster. To me, Croom is a fun experiment, like Logan Thomas, Jake Fisher. It's an interesting experiment when your team sucks, but Croom does not provide anything special here. He should be out. I get that he dates the bosses' daughter, but i doesn't make football sense for him to be on the team and I trust that the brain trust here will understand that. Knox can do everything Croom can do, is faster, and a much better blocker already. Kroft is a very underrated receiver as well. No need to have such a 1 dimensional player hogging a roster spot this year. With Sweeney on the PS, but the other 3 will make the final 53. I agree about Kroft too. I think he'll be a pleasant surprise. 1
hemma Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 If you don't like him, for a brief moment close your eyes & pretend he is Logan Thomas. 1
John from Riverside Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 I dont about the rest of you.....but to me it is a breath of fresh air that they are ADDRESSING Tight End
brianthomas Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 2 hours ago, LabattBlue said: If he is that good, why wasn’t he scooped up in FA before now...enquiring minds want to know? Because he was just released about a week ago
ColoradoBills Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said: I believe it was Limeaid posted — Smith is a lot more mobile than most guards/tackles and will be blocking down the field for WRs/RBs when most guards/tackles would be left behind. That is why you sign a TE like him rather than use an extra OL on play. When he is targeted he usually catches the ball (56/66) with 7 TDs - not many guards/tackles can do that. Thanks for all of your rational posts today on this subject. Last year he had 11 targets, 10 catches and 3 TDs. Only Jones had more receiving TDs on the Bills. If Lee Smith can keep blocking well and be a Red Zone guy that can block and catch a few TDs it sounds good to me. I will wait to see how Daboll uses him before I judge. It may be said he costs a little too much but I'll also wait to see the contract. FWIW Lee had almost 50% of Special Team snaps last year.
Logic Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 I'm sad to see Jake Fisher go, but I get it: In the absolute BEST CASE SCENARIO, Fisher would've become Lee Smith. Lee Smith is ALREADY Lee Smith. I also think this front office and coaching staff highly value the idea of having at least one veteran, lead-by-example guy in each position room. Not that Kroft couldn't have been that guy. But boy, having Lee Smith as a learning resource for the two rookie tight ends should sure speed up their learning arc when it comes to blocking. 1
Warcodered Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, Logic said: I'm sad to see Jake Fisher go, but I get it: In the absolute BEST CASE SCENARIO, Fisher would've become Lee Smith. Lee Smith is ALREADY Lee Smith. I also think this front office and coaching staff highly value the idea of having at least one veteran, lead-by-example guy in each position room. Not that Kroft couldn't have been that guy. But boy, having Lee Smith as a learning resource for the two rookie tight ends should sure speed up their learning arc when it comes to blocking. Lorax was just on One Bills live the other day and said they had a senior guy in pretty much every room except TE. He also talked about them bringing in a guy who fit that bill and it might of been Lee but I'd have to listen again to be sure. 2
YoloinOhio Posted May 13, 2019 Author Posted May 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Warcodered said: Lorax was just on One Bills live the other day and said they had a senior guy in pretty much every room except TE. He also talked about them bringing in a guy who fit that bill and it might of been Lee but I'd have to listen again to be sure. He was the one who actually broke the news that Smith was visiting in that interview
Logic Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 1 minute ago, Warcodered said: Lorax was just on One Bills live the other day and said they had a senior guy in pretty much every room except TE. He also talked about them bringing in a guy who fit that bill and it might of been Lee but I'd have to listen again to be sure. It makes sense. They're ALREADY breaking in THREE rookies at the position, not to mention continuing the position transition for Jason Croom. To have ALSO had a guy in the room who was trying to convert from tackle might have been a bit much. To instead replace said player with an already accomplished blocking specialist, great locker room presence, and veteran on whom all the youngsters can lean seems like another well thought out, logical Beane/McDermott move. 1
BillsfanAZ Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 6 minutes ago, ScottLaw said: Ok. If he is that good why was he released by the Raiders?? Just because a player gets released doesnt mean he cant contribute to another team. Clay signed pretty quickly with the Cards. I think your expectations are too high if you are expecting the Bills to sign star players with each signing. I know everyone was hoping for a trade for Rudolph but that prob isnt in the cards. 7 mil salary and he would prob want an extension seeing it may be his last contract.
teef Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 1 minute ago, BillsfanAZ said: Just because a player gets released doesnt mean he cant contribute to another team. Clay signed pretty quickly with the Cards. I think your expectations are too high if you are expecting the Bills to sign star players with each signing. I know everyone was hoping for a trade for Rudolph but that prob isnt in the cards. 7 mil salary and he would prob want an extension seeing it may be his last contract. just let scott be upset. it's his happy. 1 1 2
Coach Tuesday Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: one I want to idle myself after We had a "mute point" a few weeks ago - and now THIS. Gold. Edited May 13, 2019 by Coach Tuesday
ctk232 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 3 hours ago, Rc2catch said: I was never a big fan of his. Definitely don’t understand signing him now after we just drafted two and signed Kroft and fisher. I figured fisher would never make it regardless but now you’re pushing Sweeney to the practice squad and Croom is gone for sure. I'm trying to recall the board's voice last time he was on the roster - weren't we all unhappy with the fact that he was a one-dimensional player who could only really block, so every time he was on the field we were telegraphing our formations? While I'm not arguing against the necessity of blocking TEs, or in this pick up specifically, I'm not quite sure what signing him really adds to the roster that we didn't already go through before with him...I think he left us all wishing we had that top TE that could both block and receive. 2
frostbitmic Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 The last time he was here I vaguely remember him getting a 15 yard personal foul penalty while standing on the sideline ... Good times. 1
Warcodered Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 9 minutes ago, teef said: just let scott be upset. it's his happy. I'm not even sure a FO move is even official without his seal of disapproval. 3
BillsFan17 Posted May 13, 2019 Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: This what worries me about this regime. They seem to have outdated ways of thinking. It’s liek signing Star. Good at one thing, completely worthless if teams pass. Smith is a glorified o linemen. Why not just keep Fisher who can fill two roles? Two players are the only example you have out of the multitude of other players they brought in? Moreover, your take on Fischer, a guy who failed at OL and has not proven anything at a positional switch is a better solution.... Edited May 13, 2019 by BillsFan17 2
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