Controversial opinion: Elam was pretty solid

[notpolian]

I haven't re-watched the game, and given the holiday week probably won't.  Watching the game it sure seemed the Pats threw to Elams side a lot more than Benfords.

 

I read that Douglas said he could have played against Detroit.  It'll be interesting if they put in more defensive starters against the Jets.  Maybe it'll depend on the Steelers/Chiefs result this Wednesday and whether the #1 seed is even still in play by next Sunday.

[gonzo1105]

2 minutes ago, notpolian said:

I haven't re-watched the game, and given the holiday week probably won't.  Watching the game it sure seemed the Pats threw to Elams side a lot more than Benfords.

 

I read that Douglas said he could have played against Detroit.  It'll be interesting if they put in more defensive starters against the Jets.  Maybe it'll depend on the Steelers/Chiefs result this Wednesday and whether the #1 seed is even still in play by next Sunday.

 

I suspect the guys that can go will go against the Jets as their "final tune up" before hopefully getting the week off against the Pats.

[Augie]

18 hours ago, Sojourner said:

I get the complaints but don’t get the hate. 
 

The coverage is solid but he needs to start getting his head around as best as he can. 
 

He’s an ok corner. Not great, not terrible. Will give up some plays, will make some others. 
 

Can’t have blue chip talent at all 22 guys fielded as starters. 

 

The play that bothered me the most was when the WR took multiple steps looking back for the ball, and Elam’s head never came around. They talk about WR’s having “late hands” and turning the head is another clue that something might be coming your way, so GET READY! 

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

Guy has to be better at spotting the ball. That Booty TD was just a great throw, I thought his coverage was good.

[Success]

8 minutes ago, Slippery Rubber Mats said:

Guy has to be better at spotting the ball. That Booty TD was just a great throw, I thought his coverage was good.

 

That was a ridiculous throw.  Maye has had some "wow" throws this year, but that was probably his best.

 

I was worried more about Maye after that throw than I was at the end of the game.  He looked kind of average after that, but that one play was jaw-dropping.

 

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Elam undoubtably can run with his man, stay right on his hip - remember last week, Jameson Williams broke him off near the sidelines, but he wasn’t behind Elam.

 

On the long throw last night, Elam is right there about 1/3rd-1/2-yard down the field. 
 

We saw it against Calvin Ridley in the Jags game on the long throw near the end of the game.

 

He can run right with the WRs and has the right length. 
 

But he’s usually in a trailing position and professional QBs drop spirals over his head. 

[ProcessTruster]

He'll be fine , probaby replace Benford as he will get $20+m per from some desperate team.  Sign Douglas shorter term and draft another corner(s).   and the beat goes on.  

[Bimmer323i]

He didn’t look solid from my perch yesterday……

[DrDawkinstein]

I do not look forward to seeing more of Elam and Spector these last 2 games, but I'll take it over potentially injuring one of our starters and having to see them play in the playoffs.

[Dopey]

23 hours ago, DCofNC said:

At running with his guy and getting hit in the back w the ball.

That’s called a pass break up or pass defended. The nerve of that db to stick with the wr AND. break up the pass. That’s what pisses you off?!? WOW !

[SoMAn]

He has zero awareness of how a play is developing and can’t keep his hands off wideouts he’s assigned to. 
I’ve stated my theory here previously…I don’t think he has the mental capacity to play within the structure of a sophisticated NFL defense where all 11 need to communicate and be on the same page for it to work.
 Is he just a dummy with good athletic skills? Maybe. I’m not sure how else anyone can explain his lack of production after nearly 3 full seasons.

  Whatever the issue is, it’s clear he’s only getting a game day jersey by default due to injuries of players ahead of him. 
I don’t expect him to be a Bill in 2025. 

[dave mcbride]

17 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Elam undoubtably can run with his man, stay right on his hip - remember last week, Jameson Williams broke him off near the sidelines, but he wasn’t behind Elam.

 

On the long throw last night, Elam is right there about 1/3rd-1/2-yard down the field. 
 

We saw it against Calvin Ridley in the Jags game on the long throw near the end of the game.

 

He can run right with the WRs and has the right length. 
 

But he’s usually in a trailing position and professional QBs drop spirals over his head. 

On the next two deep sideline throws, he kept up with his man and walled him off at the end. No chance of completions on either.

[eball]

Without even commenting on the topic of this thread (Elam’s play) it’s absolutely hilarious that the thread is a microcosm of the posters around here.  Those known to criticize everything McD and Beane do are berating the OP, while those who are more even keeled are at least reasonably discussing the merits of the OP.

 

You be you, TSWers…

 

[All_Pro_Bills]

35 minutes ago, SoMAn said:

He has zero awareness of how a play is developing and can’t keep his hands off wideouts he’s assigned to. 
I’ve stated my theory here previously…I don’t think he has the mental capacity to play within the structure of a sophisticated NFL defense where all 11 need to communicate and be on the same page for it to work.
 Is he just a dummy with good athletic skills? Maybe. I’m not sure how else anyone can explain his lack of production after nearly 3 full seasons.

  Whatever the issue is, it’s clear he’s only getting a game day jersey by default due to injuries of players ahead of him. 
I don’t expect him to be a Bill in 2025. 

100% agree with this. Elam has the physical traits needed for a CB but is unable to process the mental aspects of the game or improve through learning and coaching to perform at a level high enough to be a good corner. Lots of NFL DBs are "handsy" when you watch them in coverage but they know the limits the officials will allow and are smart enough to know the refs will forgive some physical contact if you simply turn to look for the ball.

[RiotAct]

18 hours ago, notpolian said:

I haven't re-watched the game, and given the holiday week probably won't.  Watching the game it sure seemed the Pats threw to Elams side a lot more than Benfords.

 

yes, and there’s a reason for that

 

[Simon]

19 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Just speaking in general, I really don't know what the officials are thinking or how they're trained when it comes to calling penalties.

 

If I was training them my criteria for a foul would be:

 

1) How egregious is the foul?

2) Did it have any bearing on the outcome of the play?

 

Based on a summation of those two considerations a flag would be thrown or not.

 

It seems increasingly like NFL officials just can't resist the temptation to throw a flag, no matter how marginal the infraction is.

 

 

I agree with this 1000%.

It's liked their being trained to mercilessly hunt down infractions and encouraged to throw flags any time they think they might have seen something. The "indicators" they use are complete nonsense; not only is it an invitation to throw pointless flags because there might have been a penalty they didn't actually see, but guys know what they are and how to mimic them and manipulate officials into affecting games they have no business being a part of.

It has honestly reached the point for me that there are times I just turn games off and don't even bother watching them any more because it is nothing more than kabuki theater being manufactured by a league that thinks fake drama is a substitute for the real thing.

Hey NFL, you want drama? Get out of the way and let the greatest game in the world just be what made it so popular in the first place.

Ad execs and bean counters have turned great entertainment into the faux show they know best.

[JimmyNoodles]

Elam needs to play. Hope he gets the call the next two. He has tons of talent. He needs a little less hands early and more physicality at the catch. Could be a very important guy vs KC if we need somebody to man up on Worthy. 

[skibum]

If playing Elam in week 17 and 18 improves his game and helps Rasul heal up without costing the Bills playoff position, then why not give him some more snaps.

 

But at this point, I don't think he's going to get any better. Also, I picture Aaron Rodgers exploiting him relentlessly this weekend. 

[oldmanfan]

He wasn’t horrible.  Their first TD pass was one of the best throws I’ve see all year.  But he generally is unaware where the ball is and that leads to PI too much.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

19 hours ago, ProcessTruster said:

He'll be fine , probaby replace Benford as he will get $20+m per from some desperate team.  Sign Douglas shorter term and draft another corner(s).   and the beat goes on.  

The Bills aren’t letting Benford walk.