Bengals Cuts

[*ochocincos*]

(09-01-2021, 08:41 PM)Mobster Wrote: How has Sample been lackluster? He looked good to me in just about every aspect last year. Good blocker, good receiver, made yardage after the catch.

Sounds like these dimwits who are judging something based on a stat sheet or some stupid fantasy football stats.You say he's no good because you don't think he's utilized enough in the passing game and other TEs put up more receiving numbers? You realize we had the worst O-Line in football last year and we're forced to keep the lone TE in to block and keep him close to the line, limiting his downfield opportunities and having to rely more on short stuff And TE screens on the rare occasions we were able to utilize him?

I don't see anything on film that makes me think he's not a really good TE

I realize the Bengals had a bad OL last year (not actually the worst in the league though) and that Sample was used to block a lot.
However, I am not in the local market anymore, I don't pay for NFL Sunday Ticket (too expensive), and I chose to avoid going to a bar to watch the game because of COVID.
I purchased NFL Game Pass and watched the games right after they aired live, up through Burrow's last game. After Burrow went down, I had 0 motivation to watch any game because I knew it was going to be bad.

With that said, I have to go by stats more than people who get to watch all the games.

Some stats that matter (to me at least):
- Among TEs with 20+ receptions, Sample had the 5th worst yards per reception at 8.73. Only Cole Kmet, Jacob Hollister, Durham Smythe, and Ian Thomas were worse.
- Sample had the 32nd most targets per game at 3.31.
- Sample had 435 blocking snaps per PFF. That's less than Tyler Higbee (541), Gronk (527), Jonnu Smith (444), and tied with Darren Waller. All of those guys had (significantly) more receiving production than Sample. 
- Sample's YAC per reception was 5.0, which is higher than the likes of Eric Ebron, Tonyan, and Logan Thomas.

So perhaps you are on to something that he could do better if he gets targeted on some more deeper routes. Maybe Taylor just needs to use him better in the passing game.

Ultimately though, I think Sample's performance as a pass catcher this year will determine whether the team looks for a new starting TE in 2022 or not, as Sample will have 3 full years in the league at that point and entering the final year of his rookie contract.