Vikes interested in pair of DB's

[Uncle]

Nickell Robey-Coleman (www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8810/nickell-robey), 

...and Lardarius Webb (www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5331/lardarius-webb). 

I would think Robey-Coleman is more of a need because he could easily slide into the slot CB role and allow Alexander time to develop as either an outside CB or slot CB (he can play both). It's been discussed that Webb could also play the slot CB position, but I would think you'd want a true slot CB there and Webb played outside and all of last season in Baltimore as a Safety. It is possible that Zimmer might view Webb as a hedge against Newman not coming back to provide outside CB depth and/or a potential replacement for Sendejo for 2018+ (I don't think Sendejo is a candidate for release given his $2.9m dead cap hit for 2017). 

[badgervike]

At least someone figured out we might need replacement cornerbacks. Don't know much about either of them but I give Zim a lot of latitude to figure out what he needs in the defensive backfield.

[Uncle]

I live in Bills country in western NY and the general feeling among Bills' fans and media outlets is that they didn't want the Bills to release Robey-Coleman. He isn't the best slot CB in the league, but he's solid, graded higher than Captain in 2016 and is young (only 25) so he has nowhere to go but up. Since Webb plays all over the secondary (inside CB, outside CB and S) and is 31, and we have Alexander waiting in the wings who likewise can play the inside or outside CB positions, I would tend to go w/ Robey-Coleman more because of his experience in the slot and for his youth. It would allow Alexander another season or two to get either role (inside or outside CB) down pat before he starts.

[badgervike]

Mar 13, 2017 14:40:40 GMT -6 Uncle said:

I live in Bills country in western NY and the general feeling among Bills' fans and media outlets is that they didn't want the Bills to release Robey-Coleman. He isn't the best slot CB in the league, but he's solid, graded higher than Captain in 2016 and is young (only 25) so he has nowhere to go but up. Since Webb plays all over the secondary (inside CB, outside CB and S) and is 31, and we have Alexander waiting in the wings who likewise can play the inside or outside CB positions, I would tend to go w/ Robey-Coleman more because of his experience in the slot and for his youth. It would allow Alexander another season or two to get either role (inside or outside CB) down pat before he starts.

Maybe they're looking at both in case Newman doesn't come back?

[Uncle]

Mar 13, 2017 14:45:36 GMT -6 badgervike said:

Mar 13, 2017 14:40:40 GMT -6 Uncle said:

Maybe they're looking at both in case Newman doesn't come back?

I would definitely take both. Sendejo has $0 dead cap if released next year, so if Webb signs a 2 or 3 yr deal and Sendejo has a bad year in 2017, they cut cut-bait w/ Sendejo, absorb no dead cap hit and move Webb to play alongside Harrison in 2018 while possibly giving Kearse or another young player more time to get up to speed. 

While Robey-Coleman gives a solid body at the slot CB position, Webb does offer some secondary versatility. 

If Newman is back for 2017, Robey-Coleman is definitely more of a need, but if Newman doesn't come back, both are needs and signing either one (or both) to a very team-friendly deal would be fine. 

At the very least, Rick is casting somewhat of a wide net when it comes to filling some secondary slots....and because we missed out on some players we targeted earlier in FA, the more people we kick the tires on, the better chances we have at actually landing one. 

[savannahskol]

Mar 13, 2017 14:40:40 GMT -6 Uncle said:

I live in Bills country in western NY and the general feeling among Bills' fans and media outlets is that they didn't want the Bills to release Robey-Coleman. He isn't the best slot CB in the league, but he's solid, graded higher than Captain in 2016 and is young (only 25) so he has nowhere to go but up. Since Webb plays all over the secondary (inside CB, outside CB and S) and is 31, and we have Alexander waiting in the wings who likewise can play the inside or outside CB positions, I would tend to go w/ Robey-Coleman more because of his experience in the slot and for his youth. It would allow Alexander another season or two to get either role (inside or outside CB) down pat before he starts.

Agree! 

Gimme Nickell for the Nickle!!


6. Nickell Robey (Buffalo Bills)  link (yeah, it's b/r, lol)
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Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft, Nickell Robey showed the league he shouldn’t have been punished for his lack of height. Despite being 5’8”, 165 pounds, Robey allowed just a 54.9 completion percentage as a rookie, establishing himself as one of the best nickelbacks in the league.

Robey doesn’t have the deep speed or arm length that outside corners need. But he does possess excellent timing when jumping patterns, and he recognizes routes very well. His read-and-react ability limited receivers to just 104 yards after catch, third best in the league.

Robey struggled in 2013 to contribute as a run defender due to his size, even in the slot. That being said, he is tough and works hard to fill the running lane, which helps his teammates make tackles.