Why hasn't the Samuel signing worked?

[GASabresIUFan]

On paper this had the hallmarks of a really good value signing.  Samuel was productive even in bad offenses and he had a prior positive relationship with Brady.  He has also proven productive in Wash and Car in the slot, occasionally outside or in the backfield.  Kind of like a poor man's Deebo Samuel.    He also has the kind of straight speed the Bills needed.

 

So why hasn't it worked.  Obviously the pre-season injury set him back, but is now week 16 and we have seen next to nothing from Samuel.  You would think given Brady's experience with Samuel that he'd scheme to get him the ball at least 4-5 times a game and that hasn't been the case.  

 

I have a bit of a theory.  I think he has a redundant skill set and Josh prefers Shakir and Kincaid (for obvious reasons) on the inside and despite his speed Samuel doesn't get separation when lined up on the boundary.   He also doesn't give us anything in the backfield that Cook, Davis and Johnson don't already bring as well.

 

Once he got healthy, the acquisition of Cooper and improved play by Coleman relegated Samuel to the 6th or 7th target behind Shakir, Kincaid, the RBs, Cooper, Coleman and probably Hollins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Because Hollins is better.  Because Shakir is better.  Because Cooper is better.  Because the RBs are better.  Because the TEs are better.  

[Beast]

Because he got hurt and the team went in a different direction out of necessity…..and that direction worked.

 

***** happens and I have a feeling the Samuel book is yet to be closed.

[mushypeaches]

I think the main reason is that Samuel has lost a good part of the speed element that made him unique.  Without that, he’s not awfully useful in this offense

[WotAGuy]

Didn’t he get a 3-year deal?  Wonder if they will keep him or let him go. It seems like he is a poor fit for what they are doing because when he does get a target, it’s seldom downfield. 

[nedboy7]

I think we will see a different Samuel next year. 

[CSBill]

13 minutes ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said:

Because Hollins is better.  Because Shakir is better.  Because Cooper is better.  Because the RBs are better.  Because the TEs are better.  

 

This.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Probably going to get flamed but if there is a second flaw (consistent deep ball being the other) in Josh's game it is these quick throws to WR screens.  He really doesn't throw them well. He bounced a ball to Samuel in the Detroit game. It's almost like he doesn't have the ball fully gripped. 

These bad throws and Samuel's injuries have hurt him. Shakir took most of the Isiah McKenzie crossing routes. Just not much else for Samuel to do. 

[mjt328]

20 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Obviously the pre-season injury set him back, 

 

he has a redundant skill set and Josh prefers Shakir and Kincaid (for obvious reasons) on the inside and despite his speed Samuel doesn't get separation when lined up on the boundary.   He also doesn't give us anything in the backfield that Cook, Davis and Johnson don't already bring as well.

 

Once he got healthy, the acquisition of Cooper and improved play by Coleman relegated Samuel to the 6th or 7th target behind Shakir, Kincaid, the RBs, Cooper, Coleman and probably Hollins.

 

You answered your own question exactly.

All of these reasons above.

 

[Jerry Jabber]

Samuel has been dealing with foot issues all season long. 

[strive_for_five_guy]

2 minutes ago, Jerry Jabber said:

Samuel has been dealing with foot issues all season long. 

And this has been the working theory since around when the season started, with Samuel essentially confirming as much heading into the bye week.

[Aussie Joe]

20 minutes ago, WotAGuy said:

Didn’t he get a 3-year deal?  Wonder if they will keep him or let him go. It seems like he is a poor fit for what they are doing because when he does get a target, it’s seldom downfield. 

His contract pretty much dictates he will be here next season with most of his 2025 money guaranteed…

 

I haven’t completely given up on him …although it’s looking like a case of next year … Hope I’m wrong about this and he can pull out a big game in the playoffs …

[Mikie2times]

Shakir is best in the slot, Kincaid is best in the slot, hell, even Coleman was a fantastic big slot at FSU (when he did it). It's hard to get the guy on the field and sure, I wish the front office saw this better early on. I don't think it's completely hindsight to make that statement. 

[T.E.]

He was always a slightly-above average player who was constantly hurt with Carolina and especially Washington. Seemed like a panic signing just to get a veteran wideout on the roster.

[ControllerOfPlanetX]

They’ve scored over 30 points for 8 straight games, so I think it has worked out quite well.

 

[Albany,n.y.]

Was productive in Car & Wash.  Maybe he can get a job at Delta Sonic.  

[warrior9]

23 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Probably going to get flamed but if there is a second flaw (consistent deep ball being the other) in Josh's game it is these quick throws to WR screens.  He really doesn't throw them well. He bounced a ball to Samuel in the Detroit game. It's almost like he doesn't have the ball fully gripped. 

These bad throws and Samuel's injuries have hurt him. Shakir took most of the Isiah McKenzie crossing routes. Just not much else for Samuel to do. 

Any examples of this other than the 1 example from last game? 

[HOUSE]

McD is hiding him on the roster hoping no team will notice. Obviously you did

[FireChans]

25 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Probably going to get flamed but if there is a second flaw (consistent deep ball being the other) in Josh's game it is these quick throws to WR screens.  He really doesn't throw them well. He bounced a ball to Samuel in the Detroit game. It's almost like he doesn't have the ball fully gripped. 

These bad throws and Samuel's injuries have hurt him. Shakir took most of the Isiah McKenzie crossing routes. Just not much else for Samuel to do. 

This is part of it. There’s a weird chemistry/connection issue with Josh and Samuel on those plays.

 

the other part of it is that defenses have nothing to fear from Samuel EXCEPT those quick WR screens. They haven’t done any motion hand offs or pop passes or any much else.

 

If you were a DC, you are telling your guys if there’s numbers on Samuel’s side of the field, watch the quick screen. You’d be right like 90% of the time. 
 

the other part is also that explosive ability we saw from him preseason where he touched the ball and was moving half a step faster than everyone else seems to have gone up in smoke with his injury. 

[Chaos]

38 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Probably going to get flamed but if there is a second flaw (consistent deep ball being the other) in Josh's game it is these quick throws to WR screens.  He really doesn't throw them well. He bounced a ball to Samuel in the Detroit game. It's almost like he doesn't have the ball fully gripped. 

These bad throws and Samuel's injuries have hurt him. Shakir took most of the Isiah McKenzie crossing routes. Just not much else for Samuel to do. 

You are wrong on the first flaw. Just repeating a false narrative.