Cole Beasley is good with the football

[716er]

6 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I don’t even want to think about it but tbh I think there is a chance of that 😞

 I do think Hodgins could act as a big slot 

 

Hodgins oozes process according to our local reporters. He'd have the best shot IMO

[Hapless Bills Fan]

16 minutes ago, 716er said:

 

Hodgins oozes process according to our local reporters. He'd have the best shot IMO

 

Per his original draft scouting report, he has a lot of upside but needs work:

 

Quote

Overview

Potential inside/outside target with below average speed but outstanding ball skills, instincts and will to make the contested catch. Scouts must balance his impressive pass-catching talent against issues eluding press-man and NFL-caliber coverage. Hodgins is astutely aware of coverage location in all areas of the field and adjusts accordingly. He's clearly more skilled than opponents when the ball is in the air, but the catch space will be tighter and the challenges more fierce as a pro. He needs to refine his route-running and may need to be moved and stacked in bunch sets for release freedom, but Hodgins has the ability to see the field in multiple-wideout sets as a middle-round pick.

Strengths

NFL size and competitiveness to play outside

Takes smart angles back to the throw on first two levels

Allows double moves to ripen

Great awareness to protect the catch with his frame

Squares his numbers to the quarterback over the middle

Instinctive ball skills and body control

Delays showing hands on fade routes as long as possible

Good luck finding drops on tape

Tremendous ball tracker on the move

Able to create late catch space tight to the boundary

High points it like a rebounder

Weaknesses

Has issues against talented press-man

Release will be mirrored and stalled

Excessive stutter release needs to be quicker

Below average short area twitch to lose coverage

Doesn't have enough speed to worry a cornerback

Long cornerbacks phase up his sideline routes

Extended gather steps to open on comebacks

Needs additional play strength to battle at the top of the route

 

A lot of the areas I highlighted are, I believe, not areas that would show in a red jersey or without contact

[Teddy KGB]

4 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Sanders is a shell of himself

it’s cute when you just make stuff up 

[The Dean]

22 minutes ago, Teddy KGB said:

it’s cute when you just make stuff up 

 

 

I have to agree. Based on what? Looked pretty good last year with an injured, fairly washed up QB. No disrespect to Brees, who had a great career. But if anyone was "a shell of himself" last year it was Drew.

 

Maybe this is the year Sanders loses it, but I'm guessing he'll be an upgrade over Brown from last year. I also think Brown may be an upgrade from Brown last year.

[The Dean]

5 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

No one who opts out gets paid their normal salary.  It was very clear: players who opt out due to high risk factors will still get a $350,000 stipend, but otherwise, Nopenope, Nothing.

 

 

I'm not a college football fan but my impression is NFW based on this assessment by Lance Zierlein:

 

Not that Lance Zierlein is Truth or the Final Word, but when we have a 2nd or 3rd year player, I frequently go back to Zierlein's scouting reports and find myself nodding.

 

Yolo already took care of the fist part. Pay attention!   😶

 

As for Stevenson,  I've seen multiple other analyses (including the one you posted) that suggest the slot is his best chance to make it on offense early in his career. I can try to dig more up when I get home if you like.

 

From what I remember his strengths were speed and shiftyness. One weaknesses I think I recall was he could be out physicalled (is that a word?) early in his route. 

 

Sine the Bills coaching staff seems to be pretty good at "coahing guys up", and since many analysts suggest his best chance is in the slot, why shouldn't he be considered a possibility in a slot receiver by committee approach?

 

Let me, one again, make clear I really hope Cole is there to make this discussion moot.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

21 minutes ago, Teddy KGB said:

it’s cute when you just make stuff up 

 

I think it's a bit tedious, me, but Your Kink is OK

 

As far as Sanders last year, with the Ghost of Drew Brees and Taysom "I Can, Too, Play QB" throwing to him, looks pretty comparable to the productivity we got from John Brown and Cole Beasley last season.

 

https://stathead.com/football/pcm_finder.cgi?player_id2=BrowJo02&p1yrfrom=2020&player_id1=SandEm00&p2yrfrom=2020&sum=0&request=1

Similar YPG, similar receptions/game, Brown 2 more Y/R not too surprising.  Sanders played 14 games to Brown 9

 

https://stathead.com/football/pcm_finder.cgi?player_id2=BeasCo00&p1yrfrom=2020&player_id1=SandEm00&p2yrfrom=2020&sum=0&request=1

(click to embiggen)

 

Less productive than Beas, but then, Beas was less productive with the 'Boys (1 year anomoly)than he was last 2 years with the Bills, so who knows?

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

27 minutes ago, The Dean said:

As for Stevenson,  I've seen multiple other analyses (including the one you posted) that suggest the slot is his best chance to make it on offense early in his career. I can try to dig more up when I get home if you like.

 

I think you're misreading Zierlein's take.  He says "He'll be scouted as a slot receiver, but is hindered by unfocused route-running and leggy strides that limit his suddenness to uncover quickly underneath" and "he will need to improve his toughness, pass-catching consistency and routes if he wants to make his mark in the pros."

 

Now he could be the kind of guy who comes in hyper-focused and has been doing the right training and who gets to the point where he can do that, in a single off season.  But many a rookie has recounted how being handed a pro playbook was like being handed the Chicago Phone Book and told to memorize it at first.

 

That's why I don't think he's a realistic prospect to excel in the slot this year.  I think he's going to be struggling to figure out which route to run, which variant to run depending on the defense, and how to run his route the exact same way every time so that he and the ball show up at the same place, same time (which is Beasley's gift)

 

I think "Developmental prospect" means unless he makes the Bills as the KR/PR, he may well wind up on the Practice Squad.

 

 

27 minutes ago, The Dean said:

Let me, one again, make clear I really hope Cole is there to make this discussion moot.

 

I, too, hope Beasley is there.   On the other hand, I honestly don't see how McDermott and Beane can run a disciplined, unified team where one of the veteran leaders openly refuses to follow NFL protocols and not have it become a distraction.

[CincyBillsFan]

The Bills are on the cusp of getting to and winning a Super Bowl.  We all can feel it.  Losing Beasley at this time would likely keep us from getting over the hump IMO.

 

I would challenge all the plug in and play guys who think McKenzie or Sanders or Davis or Hodges can just step in and play slot the way Beasley does to watch Josh Allen or Bills Offensive highlights from 2020.  Beasley made a lot of critical catches at critical moments in a lot of games.

 

If Beasley doesn't play and with the departure of Brown I would worry about taking a hit on WR continuity. 

 

 

 

 

[BarleyNY]

7 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

He wouldn’t be paid at all unless he is high risk. 

 

Notably Beasley already got a $500k roster bonus in March.

[Boxcar]

On 2/11/2021 at 9:43 AM, Draconator said:

 

Worthless, release him

8 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I believe Humphrey is mostly a slot cover guy. 

Even if he wasn't, it would make more sense to cover Beasley considering the wind was helping to defend intermediate to deep passes.

[The Dean]

4 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I think you're misreading Zierlein's take.  He says "He'll be scouted as a slot receiver, but is hindered by unfocused route-running and leggy strides that limit his suddenness to uncover quickly underneath" and "he will need to improve his toughness, pass-catching consistency and routes if he wants to make his mark in the pros."

 

Now he could be the kind of guy who comes in hyper-focused and has been doing the right training and who gets to the point where he can do that, in a single off season.  But many a rookie has recounted how being handed a pro playbook was like being handed the Chicago Phone Book and told to memorize it at first.

 

That's why I don't think he's a realistic prospect to excel in the slot this year.  I think he's going to be struggling to figure out which route to run, which variant to run depending on the defense, and how to run his route the exact same way every time so that he and the ball show up at the same place, same time (which is Beasley's gift)

 

I think "Developmental prospect" means unless he makes the Bills as the KR/PR, he may well wind up on the Practice Squad.

 

 

 

I, too, hope Beasley is there.   On the other hand, I honestly don't see how McDermott and Beane can run a disciplined, unified team where one of the veteran leaders openly refuses to follow NFL protocols and not have it become a distraction.

 

 

I don't think we are disagreeing all that much. It will be tough for Stevenson to make the 53, IMO. If he does, it will likely be as a return specialist. BUT, if he does contribute on offense this year, at all, my guess is it will be in the slot, and not as an outside WR. 

 

I really don't think anyone on the roster other than Cole would make an ideal slot receiver, at the moment. I love McKenzie but don't think using him as the every down slot works to his advantage. I'd foresee a slot by committee, if Cole is gone and they don't pick up someone else. Should that happen, and should Stevenson make the 53, don't be surprised if he is one of those contributing in that position. But yes, he has a LOT of work to do before then.

[Putin]

On 2/11/2021 at 9:04 AM, Patrick_Duffy said:

He's awesome. Very reliable WR and being a slot WR makes it more impressive. I think he is one of the best slot guys in the NFL. He was good in Dallas but really showed how good he actually is when he came to Buffalo.

Measly Beasley ha ? 

[billsfan89]

As much as I disagree with Beasley’s stance off the field it is undeniable that Beasley retiring would massively hurt the Bills on the field. Beasley is the teams second best offensive target for Josh. That’s not to say that Davis and Sanders are chumps but rather that the offensive burden falling onto them if Beasley is absent hurts the teams depth and might put too much burden on a veteran (Sanders) and a younger player in Davis.

 

Beasley is also so critical in allowing Josh to take what defenses give him when teams double Diggs and take away deep plays via a soft zone. Beasley allows for a safe reliable outlet that can consistently get open in those situations. Even if this team acquired Ertz who can help in those situations does this team really want to rely on two vets with a recent injury history to be a huge part of the receiving options for Josh? 
 

I hope the team and NFLPA can work it out with Beasley where he can follow and understand the protocols and if he has a reasonable complaint about the protocols maybe they can adjust them in a way that keeps him and everyone safe.

[TBBills]

12 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

As much as I disagree with Beasley’s stance off the field it is undeniable that Beasley retiring would massively hurt the Bills on the field. Beasley is the teams second best offensive target for Josh. That’s not to say that Davis and Sanders are chumps but rather that the offensive burden falling onto them if Beasley is absent hurts the teams depth and might put too much burden on a veteran (Sanders) and a younger player in Davis.

 

Beasley is also so critical in allowing Josh to take what defenses give him when teams double Diggs and take away deep plays via a soft zone. Beasley allows for a safe reliable outlet that can consistently get open in those situations. Even if this team acquired Ertz who can help in those situations does this team really want to rely on two vets with a recent injury history to be a huge part of the receiving options for Josh? 
 

I hope the team and NFLPA can work it out with Beasley where he can follow and understand the protocols and if he has a reasonable complaint about the protocols maybe they can adjust them in a way that keeps him and everyone safe.

After watching Josh Allen almost break the NFL record for TDs to different players I am not worried about Beasley.

 

We have the QB that makes players better.

[starrymessenger]

3 hours ago, TBBills said:

After watching Josh Allen almost break the NFL record for TDs to different players I am not worried about Beasley.

 

We have the QB that makes players better.

Yeah but Allen makes Beasley the best slot receiver in the league and 100% a badass. It would be a big big loss.

[eball]

Beasley can be replaced. By the way, somebody should ask Cole if he thinks the NC State baseball players are happy they “lived their lives normally.”

[NY Nole]

It never ceases to amaze me about the level of stupidity that exists. The notion of cutting a very good player and making the team worse because he doesn’t conform to a mob mentality is beyond stupid. Cole Beasley is an important piece of the Bills team. Beyond that - cutting him with weeks to go before training camp is even more mind numbing - as there is no replacement option on the free agent market to fill the void he would leave. 

[TBBills]

38 minutes ago, NY Nole said:

It never ceases to amaze me about the level of stupidity that exists. The notion of cutting a very good player and making the team worse because he doesn’t conform to a mob mentality is beyond stupid. Cole Beasley is an important piece of the Bills team. Beyond that - cutting him with weeks to go before training camp is even more mind numbing - as there is no replacement option on the free agent market to fill the void he would leave. 

Why would he be cut when he would just retire... He said he would retire, that is the level of stupidity that exists.

Edited June 26, 2021 by TBBills

[Fan in Chicago]

37 minutes ago, NY Nole said:

It never ceases to amaze me about the level of stupidity that exists. The notion of cutting a very good player and making the team worse because he doesn’t conform to a mob mentality is beyond stupid. Cole Beasley is an important piece of the Bills team. Beyond that - cutting him with weeks to go before training camp is even more mind numbing - as there is no replacement option on the free agent market to fill the void he would leave. 

Your first sentence is rather ironic given the rest of your post.

- The Bills are not threatening to cut him, he is opting to take that stance

- This is not about vaxx or anti-vaxx, it is flow down terms from the league which make it a condition of continued employment

- Beasley's stance is surprising as it means he will be giving up a means of income which he is very good at and also stop playing the competitive sport he evidently loves

[NY Nole]

2 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Your first sentence is rather ironic given the rest of your post.

- The Bills are not threatening to cut him, he is opting to take that stance

- This is not about vaxx or anti-vaxx, it is flow down terms from the league which make it a condition of continued employment

- Beasley's stance is surprising as it means he will be giving up a means of income which he is very good at and also stop playing the competitive sport he evidently loves

So - regardless if the Bills are threatening to cut him (though Brandon Beane was quoted about that general premise a few weeks ago), many of the posters on this board are calling for him to be cut. That is what I am referring to as stupid. In terms of the league - vaccination is not a requirement for employment - it merely waives the ginned up procedures for unvaxxed. If he doesn’t get the shot- he is still allowed to play with heightened protocols and other procedures like 2020. That he should be further penalized or ostracized is foolish. Also - if you read through this thread - there are posts that suggest he wasn’t any good anyways…it was all a product of Josh Allen… yada yada - that is foolish and stupid.

 

As to Beasley’s stance, maybe Cole was trying to bring attention for a perceived lack of support from his union. Maybe he is frustrated by the process and feels there can/should be a less restrictive compromise for non vaxxed.