njbuff Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 Duke might have a shot at making the roster, but don't be shocked if Isaiah McKenzie beats out Roberts for the return job.
Patrick Duffy Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 6 minutes ago, njbuff said: Duke might have a shot at making the roster, but don't be shocked if Isaiah McKenzie beats out Roberts for the return job. I think I would be shocked. Would hope they stay with Roberts, he did pretty well and don't have to worry to death over a muffed punt or KR
C.Biscuit97 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 We need a hall of fame of below average players this board has loved - Mike Jasper, Jeff Tuel, Brandon Reilly, etc and I have zero problem with Duke competing for a spot. But there must be reasons why he couldn’t make of impact last year. 1
eball Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, njbuff said: don't be shocked if Isaiah McKenzie beats out Roberts for the return job Umm, this isn't going to happen. Roberts is an All-Pro returner. My prediction for the 53: Diggs Brown Beasley Davis Roberts McKenzie Practice Squad: Hodgins Williams Easley Edited August 10, 2020 by eball
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 50 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said: We need a hall of fame of below average players this board has loved - Mike Jasper, Jeff Tuel, Brandon Reilly, etc and I have zero problem with Duke competing for a spot. But there must be reasons why he couldn’t make of impact last year. Maybe call it Da’Hall? 1
Mr. WEO Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 22 hours ago, Hampton Josh fan said: I disagree about Hodkins having any higher upside or a leg up on Duke. Teams cut 6th rounders all the time. His college resume didn't seem to light up any other teams draft board. Williams overcame huge obstacles to get on the field and produced in a small sample size. If they dump Duke , guaranteed he's playing on another roster opening day. Huh?
GunnerBill Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 48 minutes ago, eball said: Umm, this isn't going to happen. Roberts is an All-Pro returner. My prediction for the 53: Diggs Brown Beasley Davis Roberts McKenzie Practice Squad: Hodgins Williams Easley This is what I think too..... though a chance either Hodgins or Williams gets pinched by someone else for the bottom end of their 53. 3 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Huh? He overcame his lack of NFL ability to get on the field.... so I suppose that's something....
Mr. WEO Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 1 minute ago, GunnerBill said: This is what I think too..... though a chance either Hodgins or Williams gets pinched by someone else for the bottom end of their 53. He overcame his lack of NFL ability to get on the field.... so I suppose that's something.... Exactly. These Duke Williams takes......
Shaw66 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 1 hour ago, eball said: Umm, this isn't going to happen. Roberts is an All-Pro returner. My prediction for the 53: Diggs Brown Beasley Davis Roberts McKenzie Practice Squad: Hodgins Williams Easley Right. I will be VERY surprised if Robert's doesn't make it. I dont think McKenzie makes it. He just isn't an NFL receiver, and Diggs (and Roberts) will take his jet sweep touches. McKenzie isnt a major contributor, a leader or a guy with much upside, so he is at risk. Similar things can be said about Duke, which is why he is at risk, too. So I think there's an open spot for one more. 1 hour ago, C.Biscuit97 said: We need a hall of fame of below average players this board has loved - Mike Jasper, Jeff Tuel, Brandon Reilly, This is great. There are plenty. One reason we believe in those guys is that Jason Peter's was one, too. A project with a back story.
C.Biscuit97 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 4 minutes ago, Shaw66 said: Right. I will be VERY surprised if Robert's doesn't make it. I dont think McKenzie makes it. He just isn't an NFL receiver, and Diggs (and Roberts) will take his jet sweep touches. McKenzie isnt a major contributor, a leader or a guy with much upside, so he is at risk. Similar things can be said about Duke, which is why he is at risk, too. So I think there's an open spot for one more. This is great. There are plenty. One reason we believe in those guys is that Jason Peter's was one, too. A project with a back story. Oh for sure, I’m happy for underdogs making the nfl. It’s awesome. But some people completely overrate how much preseason games actually mean. Tuel had a scoring drive in a preseason game and people were debating if he was a potential franchise qb haha. but it does suck for those end of the roster guys. It’s going to be really hard for them to beat out established players.
eball Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 11 minutes ago, Shaw66 said: Right. I will be VERY surprised if Robert's doesn't make it. I dont think McKenzie makes it. He just isn't an NFL receiver, and Diggs (and Roberts) will take his jet sweep touches. McKenzie isnt a major contributor, a leader or a guy with much upside, so he is at risk. Similar things can be said about Duke, which is why he is at risk, too. So I think there's an open spot for one more. I may be in the minority, but I think McKenzie is underrated by many. Sure hands, quick as a rabbit, and knows the offense. He's much more dependable than Duke, for example. If you put him in as the 4th WR and start doing things with motion you can put a lot of speed out there and pressure the defense. Just my $.02... 1
Jauronimo Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 21 hours ago, eball said: He was the only guy on the roster supposedly capable of making contested catches, and then he really let the team down in Houston. That's where I'm at with Duke. His whole value proposition is supposed to be strong hands, makes contested catches. We know he isn't getting separation at the NFL level, he isn't a threat to run after the catch, and he didn't come down with the ball when it mattered in Houston. I don't know if theres a spot for a guy who didn't squeeze the ball when it mattered. Hodgins is supposed to have amazing hands, similar height, and not be quite as slow as Duke. It will be tough for him to make the team in my opinion. 1 1
Jauronimo Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 2 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said: We need a hall of fame of below average players this board has loved - Mike Jasper, Jeff Tuel, Brandon Reilly, etc and I have zero problem with Duke competing for a spot. But there must be reasons why he couldn’t make of impact last year. There's one or two every year. Christian Wade could be bigger than all of them. Da'Rick is up there.
NoHuddleKelly12 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 15 minutes ago, Jauronimo said: That's where I'm at with Duke. His whole value proposition is supposed to be strong hands, makes contested catches. We know he isn't getting separation at the NFL level, he isn't a threat to run after the catch, and he didn't come down with the ball when it mattered in Houston. I don't know if theres a spot for a guy who didn't squeeze the ball when it mattered. Hodgins is supposed to have amazing hands, similar height, and not be quite as slow as Duke. It will be tough for him to make the team in my opinion. The mystique of the Duke has far outsized his actual contributions to the team, in part because his name just screams, "The Man"
Shaw66 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 32 minutes ago, eball said: I may be in the minority, but I think McKenzie is underrated by many. Sure hands, quick as a rabbit, and knows the offense. He's much more dependable than Duke, for example. If you put him in as the 4th WR and start doing things with motion you can put a lot of speed out there and pressure the defense. Just my $.02... I think he catches the ball against his body most of time and he rarely makes tough catches. They will put Doggs in motion. They won't need McKenzie in that role. 1
Jerome007 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 Well we know the guy is mentally tough to be on the bubble, released, hired, put on the practice squad, activated, and on and on. Sure he only had one great game, but that's one more than most can say! And he blocks well so... why not. It's on him to keep his place now. 1 hour ago, eball said: I may be in the minority, but I think McKenzie is underrated by many. Sure hands, quick as a rabbit, and knows the offense. He's much more dependable than Duke, for example. If you put him in as the 4th WR and start doing things with motion you can put a lot of speed out there and pressure the defense. Just my $.02... Hard to say as a WR, but for end arounds and the like, he is fast!
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 5 hours ago, njbuff said: Duke might have a shot at making the roster, but don't be shocked if Isaiah McKenzie beats out Roberts for the return job. I would be totally shocked if Isaiah McKenzie beats out Roberts for the return job this off season. As I recall, he lost the job in Denver and was upgraded by Roberts on the Bills because of fumbling issues on returns. I don't know how you can assess whether or not those problems have been assessed in a limited training camp and with no preseason games.
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 48 minutes ago, Shaw66 said: I think he catches the ball against his body most of time and he rarely makes tough catches. They will put Doggs in motion. They won't need McKenzie in that role. Assume you mean Diggs. Diggs is the Man, no doubt, but they need someone who can substitute in case Diggs goes on the Covid Reserve list or is injured.
eball Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 So in another thread it's being reported that John Brown has already praised Davis and Hodgins for knowing the playbook "better than some veterans." Duke, your days are numbered. 1
Shaw66 Posted August 10, 2020 Posted August 10, 2020 1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: Assume you mean Diggs. Diggs is the Man, no doubt, but they need someone who can substitute in case Diggs goes on the Covid Reserve list or is injured. Yeah, Diggs. Yes, you plan for subs, but at some point it's next man up. And carrying McKenzie to run the ball maybe 15 times a year just in case Diggs goes down is a pretty limited use of a roster spot. And it's enhanced only a little bit if you're all so carrying him to return punts in case Roberts goes down. Carrying a guy for those purposes is a luxury, especially because Roberts can back up Diggs in the jet sweep department, and Hyde and others can back up Roberts on the punts. In other words, although McKenzie is something of a gadget player, there's nothing that he does that is so special or so valuable that gives him an advantage. I think he's more a young guy who makes himself as useful as he can while you see if he develops. But we've seen him for a couple of years now, and he doesn't give much evidence that he's developing into a particularly useful player. Now, that's my take. McDermott may think that his versatility is itself so useful that he wants to keep him. And I also don't know how much they value his special teams contribution. What I do know is that whenever I see him on the field, I feel like the Bills are weaker. Particularly how he fields punts.
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