What Is It With Elam?

[FireChans]

On 11/4/2024 at 10:41 PM, Thurman#1 said:

 

You could definitely be right here, but equally, Elam might be the reason they don't give Rasul another contract. I don't think it's as predictable as you say here. But we'll see.

The only person that will dictate if Rasul gets another contract is Benford’s availability, imo.

[BigDingus]

Elam has had the same amount of time in this system as he had in college at Florida.

 

If he's STILL unable to "fit the scheme" at this point, it's because he's not good. Stop pretending the coaches have some kind of vendetta against him. They want to WIN.

 

They played a 7th rounder & 6th rounder above Elam in the past because they don't care about draft position. The old excuse "they don't like playing rookies" was always ridiculous. Rookies have gotten plenty of time when they've proven themselves ready. Elam is not good enough to see the field when others are healthy.

[Richard Noggin]

On 11/3/2024 at 5:27 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

It makes him a waste of a 1st round pick.  You can't afford as an organization to have 1 st rounder get outplayed by a 6th in the same draft. Let alone sit the bench.

 

Why is this so hard to understand?

 

Lot of extreme and entrenched positions in this thread, headlined by yours shared here. You're usually able to acknowledge more nuance. I like your posting, so this repeated oversimplification seems odd. 

 

It's awesome that Benford has become such a beast, and really helps that draft haul become somewhat "transformative" which I think another thread is devoted to. Elam's retrospective 1st round value is 100% independent of whatever the guys behind him do. Benford is all bonus. Elam has not lived up to the draft value spent on him, although his on-field performances have been better (minus Jax last year) than most want to acknowledge. 

 

No need to conflate the two things. 

 

On 11/3/2024 at 6:48 PM, DCofNC said:

Please, get real.  If he was close to starting quality, he wouldn’t be sitting behind guys who couldn’t crack the roster on 30 other teams.  You are delusional.

 

Benford would absolutely start on MOST (if not all) teams. Douglas is a decent #2 option for at least half the league, I'd guess. Both are at the very least "starting caliber" NFL boundary CBs. Douglas could be getting to the end of that level of play, but he is still a physical and tenacious presence out there. 

 

Why are some posters so hyperbolic in this thread? Lot of feels over this most recent defensive performance. Lot of trauma. 

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

I don’t consider myself a scout but I’ve had zero issues with Elam in all but 1 game, the game vs Jacksonville. He’s had some down moments in games but rebounded. 
 

I think he’s an NFL starter and will be at some point. He’s still under contract with Buffalo. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is starting at CB opposite Benford next year. I think Douglas get a bigger deal elsewhere.

Edited yesterday at 02:49 AM by Buffalo_Stampede

[GunnerBill]

4 hours ago, GaryPinC said:

 

Sure, but if a late developer, you take his rookie season with a grain of salt.  Last year he was trying to play with torn ankle ligaments until the team IR'd him.

 

Sunday he probably sustained a dislocated shoulder on that long pass play to Hill.

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2024/11/03/kaiir-elam-injury-update-buffalo-bills-cornerback-hurt-giving-up-catch-tyreek-hill/76033886007/

 

I can't find his quote but saw it post game to the effect that once they popped his shoulder back in he returned to the game because he wasn't leaving for anything.

 

Make the effort to get the kid some reps where you can.  His body of work isn't very extensive.

 

I think you are still being blinded by the 1st round price tag. After 3 years in the league I'm judging you by what you have done for me as a pro.

[BananaB]

Fella played pretty good yesterday. He’s also came up big for us at times despite hardly seeing the field. The KC game comes to mind a couple years ago and there is two playoff games where he made great plays at key times. Seems to me seeing the field more might help him, but I’m not the coach. 

6 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think you are still being blinded by the 1st round price tag. After 3 years in the league I'm judging you by what you have done for me as a pro.

Big pick against Mahommes in the redzone. Two playoff games with picks despite hardly seeing the field in regular season. One pass breakup in playoffs that sealed the game for us. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 

I’d also point out that against the Jags he was filling in for Benford, Dane was the #2 at that point. Dane got the easier job that day, which I found very weird. If he’s the better player why wasn’t he on Ridley. And to be honest Dane was getting abused by Zay Jones until he left the game with injury. 

Edited yesterday at 05:04 AM by BananaB

[GunnerBill]

23 minutes ago, BananaB said:

Fella played pretty good yesterday. He’s also came up big for us at times despite hardly seeing the field. The KC game comes to mind a couple years ago and there is two playoff games where he made great plays at key times. Seems to me seeing the field more might help him, but I’m not the coach. 

Big pick against Mahommes in the redzone. Two playoff games with picks despite hardly seeing the field in regular season. One pass breakup in playoffs that sealed the game for us. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 

I’d also point out that against the Jags he was filling in for Benford, Dane was the #2 at that point. Dane got the easier job that day, which I found very weird. If he’s the better player why wasn’t he on Ridley. And to be honest Dane was getting abused by Zay Jones until he left the game with injury. 

 

Elam's problem has never been the solash plays. It's been the ordinary plays. He played well last week. I'm just not buying that he has done enough at this stage to earn more time on the field over the two guys infront of him.

[Richard Noggin]

37 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think you are still being blinded by the 1st round price tag. After 3 years in the league I'm judging you by what you have done for me as a pro.

 

My immediate thought here was of course that in his limited time, Elam HAS shown a knack for getting his hands on the football. Twice against Mahomes somehow innit? 

 

9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Elam's problem has never been the solash plays. It's been the ordinary plays. He played well last week. I'm just not buying that he has done enough at this stage to earn more time on the field over the two guys infront of him.

 

Appreciate that you recognize Elam's "solash [sic] plays." 

 

Agree that it's likely consistency and reliability (to physically hit those run fits, too; it's not just about coverage responsibilities) keeping him staunchly behind the starters. Was nice to see him get the nod against Miami. Would be such a bonus at this point to get meaningful snaps out of him moving forward.

 

[BananaB]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Elam's problem has never been the solash plays. It's been the ordinary plays. He played well last week. I'm just not buying that he has done enough at this stage to earn more time on the field over the two guys infront of him.

At this point he’s not gonna with Rasul and Benford. Even in camp, despite how good he played he was never gonna out seat either. He’s gotta wait for opportunities at this point. He played solid Sunday, let’s hope he adds to that when he gets another opportunity 

Edited 19 hours ago by BananaB

[GaryPinC]

9 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think you are still being blinded by the 1st round price tag. After 3 years in the league I'm judging you by what you have done for me as a pro.

I get it, you think he's had enough opportunities and I don't.  Definitely understand and respect your view, just happen to disagree. 

 

If I'm blinded by anything about him, it's 6'1"   4.39 sec and the fact that he "pops" at times on the field with quick agility and playmaking ability.  I would also say McDermott probably shares your view, I just hope he changes his mind enough to throw him more scraps.  The kid seems tough, wants to win and is eager for opportunities.

[Don Otreply]

On 11/3/2024 at 4:59 PM, SoonerBillsFan said:

When you take a guy in the 1st, you don't expect him to be no better than a backup

Same Can be said about a whole bunch of QBs that didn’t pan out, this sort of thing happens to every team over the years…, frustrating? Sure is, but it is not out of the ordinary when it happens. It just sucks more when it’s your team,

 

GO BILLS!!!

[NewEra]

17 hours ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

Lot of extreme and entrenched positions in this thread, headlined by yours shared here. You're usually able to acknowledge more nuance. I like your posting, so this repeated oversimplification seems odd. 

 

It's awesome that Benford has become such a beast, and really helps that draft haul become somewhat "transformative" which I think another thread is devoted to. Elam's retrospective 1st round value is 100% independent of whatever the guys behind him do. Benford is all bonus. Elam has not lived up to the draft value spent on him, although his on-field performances have been better (minus Jax last year) than most want to acknowledge. 

 

No need to conflate the two things. 

 

 

Benford would absolutely start on MOST (if not all) teams. Douglas is a decent #2 option for at least half the league, I'd guess. Both are at the very least "starting caliber" NFL boundary CBs. Douglas could be getting to the end of that level of play, but he is still a physical and tenacious presence out there. 

 

Why are some posters so hyperbolic in this thread? Lot of feels over this most recent defensive performance. Lot of trauma. 

 

Consider the sources.  
 

Elam has looked solid in his time as a starter.  Solid isn’t good enough to get snaps over 2 very good corners.  That’s just the reality.  Is it a wasted pick?  Of course…..but that doesn’t mean he sucks.  

5 hours ago, GaryPinC said:

I get it, you think he's had enough opportunities and I don't.  Definitely understand and respect your view, just happen to disagree. 

 

If I'm blinded by anything about him, it's 6'1"   4.39 sec and the fact that he "pops" at times on the field with quick agility and playmaking ability.  I would also say McDermott probably shares your view, I just hope he changes his mind enough to throw him more scraps.  The kid seems tough, wants to win and is eager for opportunities.

You should be blinded by the great play of benford and Douglas.  They are the reason why Elam never plays. 

[TheWei44]

To the splash plays point, I'd be curious to see what % of plays he's a key part of a turnover (interception/fumble recovery/forced fumble).  Seems like that percentage would be pretty high and maybe calls for a bit more snaps at times?  Who knows but I think he's quietly gotten better.  : )