Why hasn't the Samuel signing worked?

[theRalph]

What??? WTF is your definition of working out? He had a slow start. Hell, Coop wasn't even targeted Sunday. Is he ALSO not working out??

[GASabresIUFan]

13 minutes ago, theRalph said:

What??? WTF is your definition of working out? He had a slow start. Hell, Coop wasn't even targeted Sunday. Is he ALSO not working out??

For the last 2 years in Wash, Samuel averaged 91.5 targets, 63 receptions for 635 yards and 4 TDs with 10.15 yards per reception.

 

For that kind of production the Bills signed him as a FA for  3 years 24 million (14 mill guaranteed).

 

He's on pace for 47 targets, 30 catches and 247 yards with 8.4 yards/reception and 1 TD.  This is less than half his normal production for $8 million

 

By contrast Mack Hollins is on pace for 47 targets 28 receptions for 337 yards and 6 TDs for 2.6 million and he is also the best player on our special teams.

 

By any objective measure Samuel isn't working out as expected.

[JohnNord]

2 hours ago, Jerry Jabber said:

According to Sal C. from WGR550, his foot/toe have been hindering Samuel for a majority of the season. This topic has been brought up numerous time on WGR550.

Where was this reported?  I feel both McDermott and Brady said the opposite and that we was at full health multiple times this season.

 

I don’t think it’s as much of an injury issue as it is Samuel not fitting into the offense.  It happens sometimes

[Eastport bills]

16 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That sounds exactly right, but he provides good depth and my prediction is that he will make some big plays before all is said and done. You remember the game after Coleman and Kincaid went down he was a productive target in a good win. 

[JohnNord]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

This.  Hopefully they sit him for the remainder of the regular season now that the rest of the WR room is more or less healthy.

That’s why I’m struggling with injuries being the reason for his lack of production.

 

If he’s hurting from turf toe, why not just sit him?  He’s 5th on the depth chart and probably the last option when he’s on the field.  I don’t think it happened because he’s not on the injury report. 

[JP51]

10 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

That’s why I’m struggling with injuries being the reason for his lack of production.

 

If he’s hurting from turf toe, why not just sit him?  He’s 5th on the depth chart and probably the last option when he’s on the field.  I don’t think it happened because he’s not on the injury report. 

You may be right here.... I honestly dont know the answer for the less than stellar season... I will tell you what I do know... please stop throwing passes to him at or behind the line of scrimmage... they dont work... lol 

[Utah John]

There is a chance that the Samuel signing will work out long term.  Most likely Amari Cooper is a rental and maybe the Bills think Samuel will make up for his departure.  I don't really think this is apples to apples since they really don't play the same flavor of WR, but it could still work out. 

 

Anyway, he's on the team, he's an asset, and maybe the Bills just have him waiting his turn for his big game (like Cooper had against the Rams).  

[Udubalum07]

Sometimes it just doesn't work as expected, just like early round draft picks.  

 

They obviously had a bigger role imagined for him with that contract when they didn't have much cash.  However, others have stepped up probably more than expected, so it hasn't mattered. With the everybody eats philosophy, I see him making some impacts over the end of the year through next year, it just won't match the money spent, but that is okay.  

[Doc]

3 hours ago, JohnNord said:

That’s why I’m struggling with injuries being the reason for his lack of production.

 

If he’s hurting from turf toe, why not just sit him?  He’s 5th on the depth chart and probably the last option when he’s on the field.  I don’t think it happened because he’s not on the injury report. 

 

No idea other than he wants to play for incentive reasons.  I mean, I've heard the turf toe thing since the beginning of the season and I don't think Sal would lie about it as there's no reason to do so.

[BillsFanForever19]

22 hours 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. 

 

Looking at Spotrac, they list the potential 'Out' as after next season. He has a 9.1m Cap Hit with a 11.25m Dead Cap Hit next season. 

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/21781/curtis-samuel 

[TheFunPolice]

I'm not trying to be funny, but I actually forgot he was on the team. 

 

when he does make a catch I'm always like "oh yeah... that guy" 

 

 

[nedboy7]

20 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Deebo?

 

He is one of my favorite players in the NFL.  I would love that. 

[WideNine]

On 12/17/2024 at 2:27 PM, Beast said:

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.

 

Agree.

 

He suffered turf toe early and for an explosive guy whose game is planting and changing direction that really impacts their game.

 

Usually something that hangs around for a while and easily reaggravated. Had that once when I was a younger man playing sports. Also pulled groin and tore a hammy so can relate to all those things.

 

Sucks for him, but it just means that other guys get to eat more.

 

 

 

[SCBills]

Part of it is injury and inability to get on the field / build chemistry.  
 

Some of it is also the fact we have three running backs that are really good receivers out of the backfield.   Whats the point in lining up Samuel back there when any of our RB’s can do it.  Who’s he playing over in the slot?.. definitely not Shakir or Kincaid.  
 

He seems like a guy who can still help us, but there’s just no need to force him out there when Cooper/Coleman/Hollins demand outside snaps, Shakir/Kincaid demand slot snaps, Knox still warrants time and our running backs are huge parts of the passing game. 

[RochesterLifer]

Samuel is one person who may surprise us, and our opponent, in the playoffs. He has the skill, athleticism, and experience. If he is healthy in the new year, he could be the extra explosion.

 

And yes, for the negative Nanvy's on this board, I go into every week optimistic.

[skibum]

What do you mean it hasn't worked? The Bills are 11-3 and had the AFC East in the bag by week 14. Allen is the odds-on favorite for MVP. Great signing if you ask me!

[Not at the table Karlos]

On 12/18/2024 at 8:42 AM, JohnNord said:

Where was this reported?  I feel both McDermott and Brady said the opposite and that we was at full health multiple times this season.

 

I don’t think it’s as much of an injury issue as it is Samuel not fitting into the offense.  It happens sometimes

He’s been on and off the injury report for his foot. 

Edited Thursday at 11:17 PM by Not at the table Karlos

[JohnNord]

43 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

He’s been on and off the injury report for his foot. 

No.  He hasn’t been on the report for his foot since early in the season.  First it was turf toe then it was a foot injury.  But he returned in full.    

 

most recently he had a shoulder injury and now an injury to his ribs.   Nothing to do with his previous injuries 
 

It reminds me last season when everyone was the lack of production Diggs was from an unreported injury.  It wasn’t.  He just wasn’t getting the ball 

Edited Friday at 12:00 AM by JohnNord

[Not at the table Karlos]

40 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

No.  He hasn’t been on the report for his foot since early in the season.  First it was turf toe then it was a foot injury.  But he returned in full.    

 

most recently he had a shoulder injury and now an injury to his ribs.   Nothing to do with his previous injuries 
 

It reminds me last season when everyone was the lack of production Diggs was from an unreported injury.  It wasn’t.  He just wasn’t getting the ball 

Is being on the report then being off then being back on, not being on and off the injury report? 

[uticaclub]

Have any of our 2024 free agent worked out?