Brandon Beane Addresses Media - NFL Annual Meeting

[34-78-83]

Just now, gonzo1105 said:

No, I think you’re not looking deep enough into it. Again no one answers the question why a highly talented athletic freak struggled to see the field for 4 out of his 5 years. The only thing people point to was he was a HS QB. Well I just pointed out there are hundreds of examples of this and no one wants to rebutt besides well it’s clear you want to disagree. 
 

Can’t point to NFL talent, can’t point to a high level program at South Carolina. So it’s points to something else who knows but I lean towards struggles to process or learn a playbook since he’s so athletically gifted 

And when he becomes a successful NFL starting WR, I can say I was right. Or when he doesn't, you can have that crown!

You're too dug in and wanting to debate for my blood.

 

Most of us that like Legette really like what we see on his film. Explosiveness that cannot be taught.

 

Regarding the QB thing, even at the ridiculously low pop-warner level that I've coached at, we put our most intelligent processors of information in the QB spot. You see it all over.

 

Move on from me gonzo, I'm not down with the debate...

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

13 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

 

 

 

very interesting comment there

Especially wth WR, I was critical of McConkey, but he's looking to fit the mold Beane wants

[Shaw66]

40 minutes ago, Sweats said:

 

 

I agree, however, stretching the field doesn't always apply to 30-40 or even 50 yards downfield.....it can still be designed and game planned for 10-20 yards with outside slants and crossing routes mixed in.

The underneath and middle can be managed by the TE's and Cook, while the longer routes can be done with Diggs and our rookie WR, but as i say, that doesn't necessarily mean that these "longer" routes will be massive chunks of yardage.

 

It does seem that the intermediate and underneath yardage is the way the game is designed these days, however, you still have to attempt at stretching the field to set up the play action.

Also, with the way that JA creates plays "on the fly", having guys being able to run downfield is a huge bonus for us, as he has shown that if the play is there, he will take it.

If you have guys that can stretch the field AND play tight in the middle for the underneath yardage, you are basically forcing the D to pick their poison. With the proper play-calling, you are telling the D that it's going to be hard to defend both, so which one are you going to defend.

 

Having guys that can stretch the field creates option, which is something this team desperately needs to compete going forward IMO.

 

Remember the 90's Bills?.......Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed managed the slots, the underneath and intermediate yardage, while Lofton stretched the field which in turn created mismatches for opposing D's.......10 minutes into each game, they didn't know what to defend anymore......play the middle and Lofton plays the stretch, play the stretch and then dump into the middle or the slot to Reed or Thomas.

They had options, which is what we need.

 

Thanks.  Good stuff.

 

Where I differ is that for me there's a difference between stretch the field and get deep.  Diggs and Davis got deep but weren't classic burners.  Shakir too.  I think that kind of speed is all you need.  It's enough to keep the safeties deep, even though they can't just blow by corners.  

[BrooklynBills]

14 hours ago, TheWeatherMan said:

Are WRs really versatile at 6’0” 185lbs? I absolutely love watching his highlight clips! 

 

It would depend on how he tested physically but there are plenty of high end WRs at that height-weight combo. Chris Olave is the same size. McConkey was compared physically to Garret Wilson.

[hondo in seattle]

15 hours ago, jahnyc said:

From these summaries of what Beane said, I would be surprised if we sign another safety (such as Simmons or Blackmon).

 

When Beane talked about Hyde and didn't rule out re-signing him, my conclusion was that he still wants another safety.  

 

[LeGOATski]

9 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

 No a raw WR prospect at 24 is not a good thing. You expect a 24 year old prospect to be a polished player by now. If he was 21 or 22 I wouldn’t have a problem. Let’s say he takes 2 years to get up to NFL speed due to his rawness. He’s now 26 and has 3 years left. Great we get fantastic production for 3 years then he’s going to seek a huge deal at 29 years old. It will likely be his only big contract and we don’t know if he’ll break down at 31 or 34 like you say but your going to either take that risk and pay him a ton or lose him 

Your hypothetical scenario is not an issue at all. The Bills had no problem paying Diggs at 29 years old.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, 34-78-83 said:

Yep they're all gonna have some of that where we are picking. There are flaws on AD Mitchell too (some say he takes plays off, not a hands plucker but more of a cradler, etc., size concerns on Worthy, heck Brian Thomas even shows limited routes ran in his critiques).

 

Yea, once you get past the top 3 all of these guys have question marks. It is legit to ask what kept Legette off the field and what stopped him being more productive when he was on it. You better believe every team that interviewed him at the Combine (and that includes the Bills) asked him that question. It is about risk appetite with him. Where and when he goes will tell us a lot about how the NFL responded to that risk. 

[gonzo1105]

1 minute ago, LeGOATski said:

Your hypothetical scenario is not an issue at all. The Bills had no problem paying Diggs at 29 years old.

Do you believe that Diggs being a cap hit at 28 million dollars with decreasing production as beneficial right now? I guess if you see it as a blip and he bounces back then yes. if you see his last half of the season and playoffs as a sign of things to come then it’s a terrible contract to have on the books 

[Beck Water]

17 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

His WR description is Ladd McConkey straight up.

 

Seriously?  YIKES!

 

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ladd-mcconkey/32004d43-4351-2833-c30c-76941288e843

 

Now, I will say that Diggs was projected as a slot in the NFL with comments like these: "Doesn't possess the strength or long speed to make a living as an outside receiver, but he can be an extremely effective weapon from the slot as a pro.....Must prove he can win as route runner against quality cornerbacks. Play strength is below par. Gets muscled around by physical defenders. Very aware of oncoming traffic and will stop routes to avoid big hits. Gives moderate effort as a blocker, but rarely ends up getting his man blocked."

 

Diggs can certainly win as a route runner against top CBs, but he does get muscled around by physical defenders still.

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, Shaw66 said:

Thanks.  Good stuff.

 

Where I differ is that for me there's a difference between stretch the field and get deep.  Diggs and Davis got deep but weren't classic burners.  Shakir too.  I think that kind of speed is all you need.  It's enough to keep the safeties deep, even though they can't just blow by corners.  

 

So here's my take and maybe I'm all wrong.  The problem I see with not being able to blow by corners, is in some games, notably playoff games, if the refs aren't calling DH and DPI, corners just muscle and hinder our guys and they can't get open.

 

A couple years ago, the Bills almost never saw man during the regular season, because Brown could burn man deep (unless there was a lot of uncalled mugging), Diggs could break their ankles, and there was usually a good outlet in Beasley unless they bracketed him.  In 2022, McKenzie could KILL man.  But last year, IIRC the Bills saw a huge amount of man coverage, because we lacked guys who could blow by corners or kill them short.  No one could get open against man.

 

We need that element back in our game.

 

17 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Your hypothetical scenario is not an issue at all. The Bills had no problem paying Diggs at 29 years old.

 

We didn't have a problem, but possibly we should have had one?

Edited March 25 by Beck Water

[LeGOATski]

7 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Do you believe that Diggs being a cap hit at 28 million dollars with decreasing production as beneficial right now? I guess if you see it as a blip and he bounces back then yes. if you see his last half of the season and playoffs as a sign of things to come then it’s a terrible contract to have on the books 

Look at this in context of drafting a 23 year old (you're original complaint) who turns into a #1 WR. In comparison to Diggs, this means you have him at least 9 years, producing 100+ receptions and double digit TDs. That also takes Josh to 37 years old, the probable end of his career. 

 

You're making up a problem where there isn't one.

4 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

We didn't have a problem, but possibly we should have had one?

Look at Diggs production from the moment he was signed and tell me where the problem is? I mean, he's only been Josh's best receiver and one of the best in the league.... woe is we....

[gonzo1105]

4 minutes ago, LeGOATski said:

Look at this in context of drafting a 23 year old (you're original complaint) who turns into a #1 WR. In comparison to Diggs, this means you have him at least 9 years, producing 100+ receptions and double digit TDs. That also takes Josh to 37 years old, the probable end of his career. 

 

You're making up a problem where there isn't one.

Look at Diggs production from the moment he was signed and tell me where the problem is? I mean, he's only been Josh's best receiver and one of the best in the league.... woe is we....

In your example of Diggs he only has two seasons of double digit TDs and 6 years of 1,000 yards. You’re also assuming that any WR is going to be a monster right off the bat which they will not be esp in his case. Legette, if he is going to be a bonafide all pro # 1 is going to take a couple of years to achieve that 

[msw2112]

17 hours ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

With the way Curtis Samuel runs, I think he could potentially be a Deebo Samuel type weapon on this offense 

 

I agree.  I see Curtis as a less physical version of Deebo.  He'll line up all over the place (slot and outside), take occasional handoffs out of the backfield, run jet sweeps, maybe wheel routes, etc.  He may do some of the things that Hines would have done had he remained with the team.  Brady seems to be a whole lot more creative than Dorsey and he'll leverage Samuel's talent in a positive way.

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

He is the DK comparison for me more than Legette or Franklin or whoever else has been compared at various stages. He is just a run downfield outside guy.

 

I would even consider him a lesser prospect than Metcalf. I loved Metcalf and would have been equally happy with him or Oliver at #9. Metcalf had downfield traits AND alpha traits. That's what separates him from BTJ for me. BTJ seemingly just has an elite release and very good vertical speed. But if he can't win contested catches or highpoint the ball or bully through contact, how useful will such a limited route tree be? Metcalf had the same one-trick pony profile but I felt that his physical abilities complemented that one trick a lot better. BTJ has size but he doesn't really use it, and his hands and YAC ability are average at best.

[Warriorspikes51]

8 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I would even consider him a lesser prospect than Metcalf. I loved Metcalf and would have been equally happy with him or Oliver at #9. Metcalf had downfield traits AND alpha traits. That's what separates him from BTJ for me. BTJ seemingly just has an elite release and very good vertical speed. But if he can't win contested catches or highpoint the ball or bully through contact, how useful will such a limited route tree be? Metcalf had the same one-trick pony profile but I felt that his physical abilities complemented that one trick a lot better. BTJ has size but he doesn't really use it, and his hands and YAC ability are average at best.

 

Have we been looking at the same BTJ?  😅

[BillsVet]

I don't think Beane is as concerned about the draft pick short from the league.  

 

It's the classic, "look over there" move.  And I get it because re-framing the narrative that the NFL is a problem takes focus from him at a media event.  One he likely anticipated receiving questions about how they'll get beyond the divisional round game for the first time since 2020. 

[Mat68]

Worthy.  Can be a weapon and line up anywhere.  His speed allows him to line up outside.  Can create space underneath and can run past you.  

[The Jokeman]

1 minute ago, Mat68 said:

Worthy.  Can be a weapon and line up anywhere.  His speed allows him to line up outside.  Can create space underneath and can run past you.  

Until a defender jams him in the first 5 yards off his route and he doesn't run the route  as intended and misses the timing of the pass. 

[NickelCity]

51 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Worthy.  Can be a weapon and line up anywhere.  His speed allows him to line up outside.  Can create space underneath and can run past you.  

 

He's fast, but in my layman view, his tape isn't that impressive. Strangely, I worry about separation ability. 

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

Have we been looking at the same BTJ?  😅

 

I know my opinion of him is in the minority. I just don't think his package of skills comes together to create a true #1 WR in the NFL. As an explosive role player I absolutely think he has a place in the league. But that projection isn't a 1st round caliber talent for me.

 

However if he quickly develops his route tree I will be wrong about him.