Hot take: Shakir should be the starting slot receiver going forward

[ddaryl]

If he continues to improve on his oportunities than I can see the position shifting to him being starting slot.

I will say, he got out of the gate slowly this season but he is a rookie, I noticed yesterday when running back a punt (maybe a kick) return he looked a little loose holding the ball extended away from his body while running. Then there was the easy catch that he dropped, SO he still has some thing to improve upon... 

But like I said, it will come down to how he handles his opporunities moving forward. If he continues to improve, limit mistakes,  he plays more snaps

[Warriorspikes51]

Cooper Kupp 

[Beck Water]

Just now, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Like Gabe Davis, you saw his ability to separate from the first preseason game. 

 

It has translated against the starters. 

 

If the Bills are finally in the mind-set of Super Bowl or nothing, then I agree, no more holding players back just because they are young so that worn out veterans can play. Nothing against Jamison Crowder, but that's why his injury was a blessing in disguise, it took away the excuses. 

 

Diggs and Davis never come off the field, but I agree that Shakir can now rotate in with McKenzie, pushing Kumerow down the depth chart, and he's a good WR in his own right. 

 

Actually, one of the changes this season is that Diggs DOES come off the field, regularly, and before the starters come out.  Part of it is that (I think) Dorsey is running more (2,1) (1,2) and even (2,2) personnel packages.  More of it is that they seem to be systematically giving Diggs some breathers to keep himself fresh.  The Ravens game was an outlier so far. 

 

Davis has had a higher snap count than Diggs because he blocks.

[Bob in STL]

 

Shakir looks versatile and can rotate in and sub for any of the three (McKenzie, Davis, Diggs).  Whether Shakir "starts" is not important.  He will play and he will get targets. I like the possibility that we can move him around.  He will make plays.  

 

Not sure we are going to see much of Crowder with his injury.  Kumerow will go back to ST mostly.  

 

 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Bob in STL

[Beck Water]

4 minutes ago, ddaryl said:

If he continues to improve on his oportunities than I can see the position shifting to him being starting slot.

I will say, he got out of the gate slowly this season but he is a rookie, I noticed yesterday when running back a punt (maybe a kick) return he looked a little loose holding the ball extended away from his body while running. Then there was the easy catch that he dropped, SO he still has some thing to improve upon... 

But like I said, it will come down to how he handles his opporunities moving forward. If he continues to improve, limit mistakes,  he plays more snaps

 

How I see it.  I don't think McDermott was a fan of his first punt reception either.  He called it off and let it bounce, which was better than going for it and having a turnover, but the result of being pinned on the goal line was not pretty.

 

But he's earned the opportunity to be active on gameday and to get his snaps.  What he does with them will determine his share of the playing time.

[hemma]

I think he gets a mulligan on 1 drop.

 

Gabe had more than 1 last week.  I’m happy he wasn’t benched this week.

[mrags]

12 minutes ago, Process said:

Crowder? He'll never play another snap for the Bills.

 

McKenzie is much better as #4 WR/gadget guy. I agree, I think Shakir should start and I think he's going to be a stud.

Don’t agree with this entirely. Crowder could easily be put on the IR and he’s not. They expect him back sooner than later. 
 

but your point about McKenzie is correct. He’s good in certain situations and with certain expectations. I think he would and should be the starter at slot if Shakir hadn’t progressed so well. And I’d have absolute faith that he would be fine there. 
 

the point about Shakir is 100% correct though. He has not only earned at least opportunities and splitting time on the field. He has shown he has something that the other guys don’t. He’s going to be a very good player going forward. 

[Warriorspikes51]

Just now, mrags said:

Don’t agree with this entirely. Crowder could easily be put on the IR and he’s not. They expect him back sooner than later. 
 

but your point about McKenzie is correct. He’s good in certain situations and with certain expectations. I think he would and should be the starter at slot if Shakir hadn’t progressed so well. And I’d have absolute faith that he would be fine there. 
 

the point about Shakir is 100% correct though. He has not only earned at least opportunities and splitting time on the field. He has shown he has something that the other guys don’t. He’s going to be a very good player going forward. 

He was put on IR Saturday when Hodgins was signed to the 53.  Once Kumerow is back:

Diggs

Davis

McKenzie/Shakir
Kumerow/Hodgins 

[Beck Water]

Just now, mrags said:

Don’t agree with this entirely. Crowder could easily be put on the IR and he’s not. They expect him back sooner than later.

 

Crowder is on IR.  They waited until Saturday to make the move.

[Captain_Quint]

All he needs to do is show that he is more reliable than McKenzie and I don't think McD will hesitate to have him as the starter. I think McD gets sick of the mental errors that come with McKenzie. 

 

I think from a physical standpoint, they both have alot of ability and both can play a big role in the weekly gameplans.

[Beck Water]

Just now, Warriorspikes51 said:

He was put on IR Saturday when Hodgins was signed to the 53.  Once Kumerow is back:

Diggs

Davis

McKenzie/Shakir
Kumerow/Hodgins 

 

Hodgins is likely to be the inactive guy once Kumerow is healthy because of Kumerow's blocking skill and ST role.

 

But, if McKenzie takes further steps towards McDermott's doghouse and Shakir continues to look good, that could change.

[Biden is Mentally Fit]

Hips don’t lie. Give me more Shakir. Uh. 

[Johnnyp566]

I don't think this a hot take either. I think this kid has serious potential and its been said over and over that if he was taken in the 3rd round no one would have thought twice. I still don't understand how he lasted as long as he did. He has an interesting body type but he's muscular and I think will have a much easier time staying healthy than McKenzie. I think this kid is going to be a serious player in this league and it was a case of the rich getting richer. Yesterday was a great start but I think the job will be his exclusively and McKenzie will settle back into role player mode. There is some special talent with Shakir and he's got juice too in addition to the toughness we saw on his contested catch. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Johnnyp566

[Warriorspikes51]

 

2 minutes ago, Johnnyp566 said:

I don't think is a hot take either. I think this kid has serious potential and its been said over and over that if he was taken in the 3rd round no one would have thought twice. I still don't understand how he lasted as long as he did. He has an interesting body type but he's muscular and I think will have a much easier time staying healthy than McKenzie. I think this kid is going to be a serious player in this league and it was a case of the rich getting richer. Yesterday was a great start but I think the job will be his exclusively and McKenzie will settle back into role player mode. There is some special talent with Shakir and he's got juice too in addition to the toughness we saw on his contested catch. 

Shakir seems to have subtle moves and a unique running style that makes him harder to defend 
Ideally, we would use McKenzie's speed more than we have so far.  More motion / designed end arounds 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Warriorspikes51

[mrags]

6 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

He was put on IR Saturday when Hodgins was signed to the 53.  Once Kumerow is back:

Diggs

Davis

McKenzie/Shakir
Kumerow/Hodgins 

Oh didn’t know that. Lol

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Watch his post game  interview…. Dude has the maturity of a 40 year old. My guess is good player this year and great player after one full pro off season next year. 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I’m all in on it. The kid has made plays every time he’s touched the ball. He could be the run after catch element we have been missing. He needs to stay on the field.

[Scott7975]

Other than that INT that was on McKenzie, McK has been playing pretty well.  He has 3 TDs and should have a 4th TD game winner if not for the missed throw by Josh.  I think Shakir is going to be really good for us and I am sure he will get more playing time.

 

 

[Bruffalo]

He certainly deserves an expanded workload.  McKenzie is still useful and deserves snaps as well.  

 

Good problem to have. 

[transplantbillsfan]

Whether he's #3 or #4 this year almost doesn't matter to me as long as he sees the field, which I think happens.