Partial Safety solution

[NoSaint]

6 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I’m no football fundamental expert, but I would think the techniques are different. Elam could transition to safety rather nicely. 

Base upon?

[BlazinBill]

6 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Would rather just draft one and sign another. Kyle Dugger on this defense would be insane.

^ this please 

[ALLinALLEN]

9 minutes ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

I’m no football fundamental expert, but I would think the techniques are different. Elam could transition to safety rather nicely. 

Why? Care to elaborate. How a man to man guy that hasn’t been able to even start in a zone defense scheme would transition well to a safety? 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

40 minutes ago, M. Wrotto said:

I am pretty sure this was discussed quite a while ago, but I can’t find anything on it. With Hyde and possibly Poyer gone, what’s the possibility of transitioning Elam to Safety? I am in favor of it honestly.

 

Why not Allen.   He's just sitting around on the bench when the defense is out there anyway.  I'm sure he could hit good, likely much harder than Elam can.  Knox would be another good choice, big hitter.

 

What evidence do you even remotely have to show that Elam would be be a good safety, or even just a decent one?

[BuffaloRebound]

With Taron at 190lbs on the field for almost 100% of the defensive snaps next to 2 linebackers who are on the smaller side, we need more size at safety to replace Micah.  I’d bring Rapp back who was greatly improved by end of season and I’d also sign a guy like Jeremy Chinn who’s a bigger safety.  Then I’d bring in an upper tier 1 tech like DJ Reader.  Joseph was good for a couple weeks but had no tread left on the tires.  I’m also tired of light in the ass Defensive Ends.  They wear down by the end of the year.  

[Saxum]

A safety needs to be physical in this system.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

I think it’ll be Rapp and Poyer. Cam Lewis 3rd safety. I also think Hamlin returns.

Edited January 24 by Buffalo_Stampede

[TBBills Fan]

I'll play safety. I played that position on high school

[Big Turk]

2 hours ago, M. Wrotto said:

I am pretty sure this was discussed quite a while ago, but I can’t find anything on it. With Hyde and possibly Poyer gone, what’s the possibility of transitioning Elam to Safety? I am in favor of it honestly.

 

No.

[John from Riverside]

Doesn’t seem to have the attitude for it not a hitter

[davefan66]

Just because Hyde’s wife wrote a nice letter to the fans, doesn’t mean he will be gone.  Poyer ended up coming back.  That being said, not sure he is worth a large salary. Skills definitely eroded this year, but if the right price maybe one more year.

 

Benford?  Hate to see him not be a CB.  Dude has skills.  Needs to stay at corner, especially if Tre goes.

 

Elam?  Dude has speed and can stay in the receivers pocket well enough.  Just can’t track the ball while covering.  Would he be better if everything is in front of him? Probably would make sense to try him at safety.

 

 

 

[wppete]

Elam is an awful tackler. He wouldn’t work at safety. 

[BillsFanForever19]

8 hours ago, Bagwell358 said:

More likely bentford. Problem is we don’t know how good or bad Elam will be at corner and we may need 47 at CB. Plus he was pretty good there

 

Benford isn't moving to Safety. You don't take a very good and still developing young starting CB and move them to Safety.

 

It's much easier and much cheaper to replace a Safety than to replace a Cornerback.

 

We'll find a Safety to replace Micah Hyde. I'm not concerned. Even if it's a Day 2 Rookie that's going to take some lumps, I still think we'd be in a better position than we were with Hyde this year. 

 

I have all the respect in the world for him and all the love for what he did in his first 5 years with us. But he wasn't remotely the same player after the Neck injury. I think he knows it too and that's why he's most likely retiring.

Edited January 24 by BillsFanForever19

[Trogdor]

7 hours ago, whorlnut said:

I’m not sure about that. They got both poyer and Hyde in one FA period. They were both corners with position flexibility that allowed the bills to convert them to safety. I’d bet anything they are seeing who will be available on the FA market in a similar scenario where they could get them cheap and convert them. 

The Bills didn't convert them to safety, Hyde was only a corner his rookie year, GB shifted him to safety after that which probably isn't that rare for a 5th round corner. Same thing for Poyer who was a backup CB for Chip Kelly that couldn't stay on the field and then got converted to safety in Cleveland after being cut. They are probably the best pickups we had under Whaley. While some people have floated the idea of converting Benford, neither of these guys ever performed as well as Benford at CB. Also, I think for those pushing for Elam it would make less sense as he specifically struggles with zone.

1 hour ago, davefan66 said:

Just because Hyde’s wife wrote a nice letter to the fans, doesn’t mean he will be gone.  Poyer ended up coming back.  That being said, not sure he is worth a large salary. Skills definitely eroded this year, but if the right price maybe one more year.

 

Benford?  Hate to see him not be a CB.  Dude has skills.  Needs to stay at corner, especially if Tre goes.

 

Elam?  Dude has speed and can stay in the receivers pocket well enough.  Just can’t track the ball while covering.  Would he be better if everything is in front of him? Probably would make sense to try him at safety.

 

 

 

I think there is a distinct difference between those two wives and their interaction with fans on social media lol. Poyer's wife has been talking about them leaving since the start. 

[Trogdor]

6 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I think it’ll be Rapp and Poyer. Cam Lewis 3rd safety. I also think Hamlin returns.

I don't think this would work because they both play the same style and you need free safety not another SS. Rapp is a liability on every play because he just runs real hard with his head down and tries to torpedo the play like a 70s safety and that doesn't work anymore. I honestly don't understand what happened to Hamlin, he really wasn't that awful as a young safety when he had to start. 

[Matt_In_NH]

Not any corner can just move to safety.   What skill sets does a safety need and how does Elam rate in those areas?   Can you articulate why this is a good idea?   Or is it just guy is not working at corner so let’s do something else?

Edited January 24 by Matt_In_NH

[Billzgobowlin]

If money weren't an issue White would be an obvious move to safety but his salary is troublesome.  Elam won't be able to adapt I'm afraid to the complexity of the role.  More than likely if Hyde is gone Poyer will be in a transition year and Rapp will take on more of a role.  We would be great signing someone like Duggar but we can't afford that.  Look for a signing in the same mold as Hyde or Poyer 7 years ago where they have been underrated (I kind of see Rapp as the one last year).  Benford isn't moving and he gets injured too much.

26 minutes ago, Trogdor said:

I don't think this would work because they both play the same style and you need free safety not another SS. Rapp is a liability on every play because he just runs real hard with his head down and tries to torpedo the play like a 70s safety and that doesn't work anymore. I honestly don't understand what happened to Hamlin, he really wasn't that awful as a young safety when he had to start. 

Unfortunately Hamlin is broken goods as I think the mental game with good reason is too limiting.  I think Poyer and Rapp will be the best bet and pretty sure McDerm will make it work

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

8 hours ago, ALLinALLEN said:

I don’t understand the fascination this board has with moving a guy who a) is strictly a man to man cb and b)who struggled to even see the field in a zone defense. It’s an awful decision. 

Value for the dollar.  Like getting the cafeteria lady to teach biology, or coach the football team. 🤔😁

[Trogdor]

19 minutes ago, Billzgobowlin said:

If money weren't an issue White would be an obvious move to safety but his salary is troublesome.  Elam won't be able to adapt I'm afraid to the complexity of the role.  More than likely if Hyde is gone Poyer will be in a transition year and Rapp will take on more of a role.  We would be great signing someone like Duggar but we can't afford that.  Look for a signing in the same mold as Hyde or Poyer 7 years ago where they have been underrated (I kind of see Rapp as the one last year).  Benford isn't moving and he gets injured too much.

Unfortunately Hamlin is broken goods as I think the mental game with good reason is too limiting.  I think Poyer and Rapp will be the best bet and pretty sure McDerm will make it work

I mean we get some pretty sub-par safety play if Hyde is out. There is a very clear drop off when Rapp played in the backfield and not as a 3rd safety/lb. I'm not sure McD has show the ability to scheme around missing pieces like that yet. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

7 hours ago, TBBills Fan said:

I'll play safety. I played that position on high school

You can play safety if you want to.

You can leave the rest behind.