Christian Benford appreciation thread

[HappyDays]

 

Yeah he is having an elite start to the season. Almost unbelievably good.

 

In the 2nd tweet, look at Ja'Marcus Ingram just behind him.

 

Say what you will about Sean McDermott, he is the best DB coach in the league.

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yeah he is having an elite start to the season. Almost unbelievably good.

 

In the 2nd tweet, look at Ja'Marcus Ingram just behind him.

 

Say what you will about Sean McDermott, he is the best DB coach in the league.

 

Kyler Gordon was the guy I thought made the most sense for the Bills in the Elam draft. With him and Jaylon Johnson the Bears D is gonna be a tough out on the backend.

[Simon]

37 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Kyler Gordon was the guy I thought made the most sense for the Bills in the Elam draft. With him and Jaylon Johnson the Bears D is gonna be a tough out on the backend.

 

The problem they might have is that they could pitch 10 defensive shutouts in a row and go 5-5 while doing it.

[Logic]

2 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Say what you will about Sean McDermott, he is the best DB coach in the league.

Absolutely. It's something I wish he would get more attention for nationally. He's the DB whisperer.

I just take it for granted that the Bills will keep churning out late round and UDFA corners that end up producing at a high level. But of all of them, Benford is on track to be the most impressive. He's not just "good for a late rounder" or serviceable, the way Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson were. Benford is GOOD good. Like...lockdown corner good, or at least on the path to be so.

Also, don't look now, but as good a secondary coach as John Butler was, early returns suggest Jameel Addae may be just as good or better. 

[JP51]

On 9/16/2024 at 3:21 PM, MJS said:

Gardner is really overrated. He holds ALL the time and that is starting to catch up to him.

 

Tre White has really struggled. I think we moved on at the right time.

I hate this for Tre, but I think you are right we moved probably when we needed to...  those injuries he had suck to come back from especially when speed, burst and agility are your living. 

4 minutes ago, Logic said:

Absolutely. It's something I wish he would get more attention for nationally. He's the DB whisperer.

I just take it for granted that the Bills will keep churning out late round and UDFA corners that end up producing at a high level. But of all of them, Benford is on track to be the most impressive. He's not just "good for a late rounder" or serviceable, the way Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson were. Benford is GOOD good. Like...lockdown corner good, or at least on the path to be so.

Also, don't look now, but as good a secondary coach as John Butler was, early returns suggest Jameel Addae may be just as good or better. 

Makes you wonder what is up with Elam... cant think its coaching.... 

[Logic]

31 minutes ago, JP51 said:

 

Makes you wonder what is up with Elam... cant think its coaching.... 

I will always believe that the Bills wanted McDuffie (I know that some on the board with connections say they didn't, but I don't buy it). I also believe they were going corner come hell or high water, and that contrary to what he says, Beane drafts for need over BPA the vast majority of the time in the first couple rounds.

Anyway...when it comes to Elam specifically, he seemed like an odd fit for the Bills from the jump. A wiry man coverage specialist who doesn't have a natural feel for zone coverage and isn't a sound and physical tackler. Essentially the exact OPPOSITE of what the Bills tend to like in corners. I think they figured they could coach him up and teach him to excel in their system, and it hasn't gone as planned. It sounds like he looked good in camp, and he has even looked good at times in live game action here the past few seasons. His main issue now is that Benford and Douglas are studs, so unless one of them get injured, he's not likely to see the field much.

Classic case of "it matters where you're drafted". I think if Elam played for, say, Jacksonville (who play a lot of man coverage), his career might look a lot different right now. 

Edited September 18 by Logic

[JP51]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

I will always believe that the Bills wanted McDuffie (I know that some on the board with connections say they didn't, but I don't buy it). I also believe they were going corner come hell or high water, and that contrary to what he says, Beane drafts for need over BPA the vast majority of the time in the first couple rounds.

Anyway...when it comes to Elam specifically, he seemed like an odd fit for the Bills from the jump. A wiry man coverage specialist who doesn't have a natural feel for zone coverage and isn't a sound and physical tackler. Essentially the exact OPPOSITE of what the Bills tend to like in corners. I think they figured they could coach him up and teach him to excel in their system, and it hasn't gone as planned. It sounds like he looked good in camp, and he has even looked good at times in live game action here the past few seasons. His main issue now is that Benford and Douglas are studs, so unless one of them get injured, he's not likely to see the field much.

Agreed especially the wiry and non sound tackler... just the opposite of what McD looks for... I didnt really understand the pick then. I do wonder if its less the coverage and more the tackling that keeps him on the bench... I just dont know... but it seems like an odd marriage. We did need a CB at the time... and they took their shot.  But I think you are right, probably not the guy they wanted.  

4 minutes ago, Logic said:

I will always believe that the Bills wanted McDuffie (I know that some on the board with connections say they didn't, but I don't buy it). I also believe they were going corner come hell or high water, and that contrary to what he says, Beane drafts for need over BPA the vast majority of the time in the first couple rounds.

Anyway...when it comes to Elam specifically, he seemed like an odd fit for the Bills from the jump. A wiry man coverage specialist who doesn't have a natural feel for zone coverage and isn't a sound and physical tackler. Essentially the exact OPPOSITE of what the Bills tend to like in corners. I think they figured they could coach him up and teach him to excel in their system, and it hasn't gone as planned. It sounds like he looked good in camp, and he has even looked good at times in live game action here the past few seasons. His main issue now is that Benford and Douglas are studs, so unless one of them get injured, he's not likely to see the field much.

also, that Taron Johnson nickle slot, you need to come up and make a tackle and he just doesnt do it.

[No_Matter_What]

22 hours ago, HappyDays said:

His metrics are elite.

 

Basically this chart shows him top 3 in passer rating allowed and top 8 in yards allowed per snap.

 

You can find Sauce Gardner all the way in the bottom left.

This looks like the very same chart I posted in the OP

[Saxum]

1 hour ago, JP51 said:

I hate this for Tre, but I think you are right we moved probably when we needed to...  those injuries he had suck to come back from especially when speed, burst and agility are your living. 

Makes you wonder what is up with Elam... cant think its coaching.... 

 

Scheme.  He does not grasp zone well and he is not a good tackler.  Even some of our smaller DBs tackle very well except on special teams.

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, JP51 said:

Makes you wonder what is up with Elam... cant think its coaching.... 

 

What if Douglas and Benford are just very good?

[GunnerBill]

32 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

What if Douglas and Benford are just very good?

 

Yea if fingers crossed they stay healthy this year we might never know whether the light has come on or not for Kaiir. But at the same time it is fair to say that Benford beat him out fair and square in open competitions two years in a row in 2022 and 2023.

 

[Beck Water]

42 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

Yea if fingers crossed they stay healthy this year we might never know whether the light has come on or not for Kaiir. But at the same time it is fair to say that Benford beat him out fair and square in open competitions two years in a row in 2022 and 2023.

 

Yes, Benford absolutely did.

 

But there are two ways to look at that:

1) Dang, Elam must be horrible!  A 6th round pick beat him out!

2) Elam has shown flashes in his limited chances to play, it's not like he's horrid or can't play in the league.  But Benford is very very good.

Edited September 18 by Beck Water

[GunnerBill]

19 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Yes, Benford absolutely did.

 

But there are two ways to look at that:

1) Dang, Elam must be horrible!  A 6th round pick beat him out!

2) Elam has shown flashes in his limited chances to play, it's not like he's horrid or can't play in the league.  But Benford is very very good.

 

He has shown flashes Elam, for sure, but he has also shown severe inconsistency. His issue hasn't been making splash plays. It has been making routine ones where he has struggled.

[gonzo1105]

5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He has shown flashes Elam, for sure, but he has also shown severe inconsistency. His issue hasn't been making splash plays. It has been making routine ones where he has struggled.

At this point Elam is the hot chick with a stunning figure with mental issues. It’s always tantalizing to think about but you know it would cost you more than you’d gain. That’s my Elam scouting report for today 

[Augie]

1 hour ago, gonzo1105 said:

At this point Elam is the hot chick with a stunning figure with mental issues. It’s always tantalizing to think about but you know it would cost you more than you’d gain. That’s my Elam scouting report for today 

 

So, do you have a whole lot of experience with that? 

[gonzo1105]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

So, do you have a whole lot of experience with that? 

Back in the day lol I’ve been married for 15 years now so I’ve been out of that game for awhile lol 

[JP51]

14 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

What if Douglas and Benford are just very good?

Fair but I am just not even seeing him out there... but maybe Jmarcus Ingram is very good too... I hope that is the issue.

[dave mcbride]

19 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yeah he is having an elite start to the season. Almost unbelievably good.

 

In the 2nd tweet, look at Ja'Marcus Ingram just behind him.

 

Say what you will about Sean McDermott, he is the best DB coach in the league.

Big profile of Benford in The Athletic today. He certainly grew up in challenging circumstances (West Baltimore, setting of The Wire): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5699837/2024/09/19/christian-benford-bills-face-tattoo/

19 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Yeah he is having an elite start to the season. Almost unbelievably good.

 

In the 2nd tweet, look at Ja'Marcus Ingram just behind him.

 

Say what you will about Sean McDermott, he is the best DB coach in the league.

Rasul Douglas is also above average in both categories. All three are playing well.

[Saxum]

4 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Big profile of Benford in The Athletic today. He certainly grew up in challenging circumstances (West Baltimore, setting of The Wire): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5699837/2024/09/19/christian-benford-bills-face-tattoo/

Rasul Douglas is also above average in both categories. All three are playing well.

 

Opening page in Seamonkey browser and then editing page bypasses paygate just like Buffalo News.

 

[Saxum]

Woth effort.