Brady is great no matter what, but his YPA that year (2011) was actually higher than it was any other year of his career, even higher than when the team had Randy Moss and went 16-0.
The interesting possibility for me is to have the flexibility to use Clay as both a blocking fullback and a tight end who can play inline or split out wide. I'm not sure that even the Patriots had that with Gronkowski/Hernandez, as neither of them had Clay's ability as a blocking fullback in the run game.
Didn't anyone pay attention to the Cameron interview when they pressed him about what they told him about his role?? He admitted on camera in front of everybody that his major role will be in the slot. Jordan Cameron is a WR.............Charles Clay is a TE/FB/H-Back. We need Clay back to play a role that neither Cameron or Simms can play. And what is with that photo they are circulating? I think we can start calling him ,"chucky." Plan B: David Ausberry If this guy could ever get healthy and stay healthy he could be twice the player Clay is...http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=64495&draftyear=2011&genpos=FB
If Clay joins Wallace, Hartline, Gibson, as goners you really ha e to wonder wtf Hickey and co are doing other than cost cutting.
I would love to keep him. He and Cameron could possibly be a dangerous duo. Not like Gronk and Hernandez, but dangerous in their own right. Clay was one of our play makers this past season. Remember him running over like half the D on his way to the end zone? That was sick. That was play making. Would hate even more to see him go to Rexy in Barfalo.
Speaking of sick, Buffalo's D is scary good even w/o Rex. If they add Clay to go along w Shady McCoy, Harvin, Watkins, Woods, Goodwin, SMH. The Jets have Revis and Cromartie back, plus Marshall accross from Decker, SMH. The AFCE is no joke.
The Bills view Clay as Vernon Davis 2.0 in Greg Romans offense. He will be very productive in that offense with that role.
If the Bills can get one of their three QB's to be a decent game manager, I see them as the Patriots main competition for the division next year. They have the best defense in the division and more playmakers on their offense than any team in the division. It is all going to come down to their QB play and no one can determine that at this time. The Jets should be better next year because they certainly upgraded their defensive secondary, but like with the Bills. Their season is going to be determined on the play they get from the QB position. I think the Dolphins are at least two drafts from being a threat in the division because of all the needs they have to fill at this time. The Jets and Dolphins will probably fight it out for third place place in the division next year.
I'd like to think that they are trying to build a roster of players that fit Lazor's vision of what the offense should be.
Yeah, but that bolded part is the elephant in the room. All that talent and we'll probably just get yet another example of how important the QB position is in today's NFL.
In my opinion the bills made a good move. Clay is a gamer. I don't care how he looks on paper. He made the most out of opportunities that came his way. He has a clutch quality in him. His knee is a definite concern but if he stays healthy he is worth every cent they offered and once more if they want to sway him they had to make him a solid offer.
Your point amuses me, not that I disagree with it, but just the HUGE debates there have been on here about that situation. Some of us agree with you it is the QB that is important, but others say it is everybody around the QB.
No one says that. Everyone says QB is the most important. No one debates or argues that. The only debate is the importance of the others around the QB. Some think they are important some think are not that important.
Interesting piece from Kevin Nogle @ ThePhinsider Here are some snippets but go ahead and read the whole thing, it's not long and it's interesting: "The Dolphins have stated they want Clay back, and Clay has said he would like to return to Miami. At the end of the day, however, the Bills are offering Clay $38 million and it is really hard to fault a player for taking that much money. Will the Dolphins match the offer? They should. That's right, despite all the talk about how expensive Clay becomes with the Bills offer, especially as they constructed the contract to balloon in the second year, right as Miami has the balloon-effect in Ndamukong Suh's contract as well as new deals needed for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, defensive end Olivier Vernon, and center Mike Pouncey, the Dolphins should match the offer for Clay. Why? Matching the offer gives Miami flexibility... ...The Dolphins receive nothing in return for Clay if they do not match. He simply joins the Bills under the contract they just offered him. Miami would receive back the $7 million in salary cap space Clay currently fills under the transition tag, but, unlike a franchise tag, there is no draft pick compensation owed by the Bills. Losing your starting tight end, and a player who is clearly respected around the league for the talent he has, with no compensation, would hurt... ...As soon as they match it, they could offer Clay to the Bills - on the exact same contract they offered him - for some form of compensation... ...Miami can restructure Clay's contract next offseason. Yes, the Bills made Clay have a huge salary cap number in the second year of the deal. That does not mean he has to keep that cap number. The Dolphins and Clay can work out a new contract next offseason... ...The Dolphins could even eat Clay's offer from the Bills for a year, then restructure it and consider trading him after that, if it were to make it more palatable for another team... ...While the Tannehill, Pouncey, and Vernon contracts will also have to be added into the mix, if we have learned anything from this year, Dolphins Executive Vice President for Football Administration Dawn Aponte, General Manager Dennis Hickey, and Executive Vice President for Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum can be very creative in how they structure a contract against the salary cap...."
According to ESPN we are not going to match, and I'm glad we aren't. Good bye Clay, enjoy the snow and Cassell.
I'll miss the Claymaker, but matching that deal the Bills gave him would be foolish. We need to trade for a veteran Guard and grab a veteran WR. Then we can go into the draft with all options open (except trading up, unless we pair Vernon with our first rounder).
Sad to see him go, really turned into a good player. It was nice to see a late round draft pick like that become such a solid contributor. Hate that he went to the Bills, looks like I need a new avatar.
Agreed. I really like Clay. We drafted him, raised him and now he is going somewhere else. So sad. I see why, that is a lot of money. Miami did a poor job of keeping him. First mark against T-Baum.
Good for Clay. He's come a long way from the days where he was unable to beat out Anthony Fasano. Not worth anywhere close to that contract.
Jets had really no other place to go but up, Bills I agree, don't forget the Pats going down (not much else you can do as a SB champ), and I'd say Dolphins treading water at WORST, but that's just the glass half full side of the fanbase speaking. And that's all before the draft.
Ah yes....the ole "Sign the best free agent in the offseason, in his prime, future hall of famer....trade for a young, fast upside cheap WR by using a mid round pick and a linebacker you're going to cut anyways" type of treading water.
Suh is a major pickup, no doubt. Still a ways to go before I'd say this team is better than the 2014 squad though. Yes, the draft is coming, but all the other teams will be drafting as well.
Not sure how much you can realistically ask for beyond adding a future HOFer? The offense has treaded water, but the defense has greatly improved.
Sure. Now put that list up against heist of players who've left the roster and tell me what you think..?