Controversial opinion: Elam was pretty solid

[Virgil]

He was a solid POS

[HappyDays]

19 minutes ago, Einstein said:

Know what helps all this though? More experience

 

Unfortunately that's not how it works in the NFL. Players with major fundamental problems don't get chance after chance in real games to work through them. He's had three full years of training camps, practices, and some spot starts, and he hasn't shown even a bit of progress in any of the areas he needed to improve. He still commits too many penalties, he still is late reading his responsibilities, he still loses the ball in the air. I don't know that there is anything there to build on at this point.

[BillsFanForever19]

 

[Dr.Sack]

Elam played fine today. At least he competes for 50/50 balls. Kinda hard to say he played bad when he gave up 1 TD and was covering 2 WRs at once on a DPI. 

[BuffaloRebound]

come playoff time, we could use a physical sticky CB when the refs put the flags away.  Not sure Elam can clean up his hands enough to not be a liability, but I’d give him more chances the next 2 weeks.  

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Looks like he can run with most WRs, just can't locate the ball. He got hosed on the first PI in the end-zone but the second one was a good call. 

I would still like to see him get one more start while Douglas heals up. But at this point it's Douglas' job.

[Charles Romes]

Douglas has been getting picked on more and more as the season has worn on and it reached a crescendo v the Rams. I’m not sure Douglas would have been within a yard on that first TD today where Elam got beat. I think they are slow-progressing  Douglas back to see if Elam can do any better.  Elam was bad today but better than Douglas v the Rams.  Maybe Douglas will be closer to 2023 form when he returns. 

[QLBillsFan]

1 hour ago, PauleeeWalnuts said:

He was horrific today 

Elam is not in any way the problem. What is anyone else doing ? DT’s ? Von? Please !!!

[QCity]

I was going to comment that after that game, at least we won't have to listen to people questioning why Elam doesn't start. But here we are.

[Peace Frog]

2 hours ago, Success said:

I thought the PI's on him were fairly questionable.  One thing he didn't do - lose his guy.  

 

He was no deer in the headlights out there. Too handsy?  You can make the case on that - but I thought the refs called it more than tight.

 

Elam's performance is inadequate for a starting corner. You could also add in that Cam Lewis is an absolutely terrible tackler and Von Millionaire is a pylon.

[K-9]

The issues that plagued him in college are the same issues that plague him still. His awareness and technique haven’t improved one iota since he entered the league. Can’t wait til he’s gone.

[Dablitzkrieg]

Elam sucks and he's getting worse.  Swing and a miss by Beane 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, BananaB said:

He didn’t deserve the first n in the endzone. WRs had his hands on Elams waist the same way Elam had his hands on WRs shoulders. Neither effected the play

the receiver flopped on that too. Terrible call. 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

Know what helps all this though? More experience. 

 

He's had 3 full years in the NFL. 3 Training Camps, 3 Pre-Seasons, and 3 years of Practices. He's played in 27 games and had 10 starts. He's had multiple Defensive Backs coaches at the NFL Level and plays for a DB's Head Coach.

 

And the issues that he had as a College Prospect that have had him in the Dog House still exist and were on full display today. I don't believe "more experience" is going to change his leopard's spots, if you will.

[Lionel Hutz]

He needs to play the last 2 games. We will likely need him in the playoffs.

[MasterStrategist]

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

The reason he had to recover is because he has to play the sticks first, which means letting a guy get even with him at the line to gain.

From that point it is now a race to the catch point and if he turns his head around he loses that race every time.

He was still in that guy's shirt and it took what was literally a perfect throw to beat him by a couple inches on a down where his primary responsibility was 20 yrds behind him.

Yeah it's man to man.  But again, every CB has that responsibility in the NFL.  Elam got beat initially and didn't get his head around.

 

Definition of an avg corner.  Elam is a more athletic Dane Jackson, more upside, less.consistent, and not a willing tackler.  

 

Elam will be replaced as soon as his contract expires, he fits the outside CB3 role until then.  We will be drafting a corner somewhere in the 2nd-4th range next year, who will compete for CB2.