Malcolm Butler

*** I agree with jc

 

Every open practice I have been to where they have the WR vs DB drills Kalen Reed always shines. I think he plays with better shut down corner instincts than Sims. I really don't understand why he doesn't get more opportunities over some of these other guys. Im truly baffled by that.

 

A change in coaching staff could be good for him. Dick was likely set on his predetermined pecking order. He does seem more aggressive , though Sims really steps that up in the red zone so he should have value there.

 

I'd have to go back and find the exact quote.

But sometime late in the year after Sim's got hurt and Ryan got hurt one game and McCain finally was riding the bench. Reed came in to play snaps late in a game. Later that week after a practice, they asked Mularkey why Reed hasn't gotten more playing time cause he seemed to do well.

Paraphrasing he then said something like "He's been playing sticky coverage on our starting WR's all year as a scout DB. He's been very valuable there and help these guys get ready for gamedays."

So essentially, Mularkey and his staff felt he was more valuable imitating opposing teams starting corners than getting legit snaps on defense himself.

It could be just lip service, like most coaching comments on individual players.

But at the same time, with the exception of one deep ball in pre-season week 4 (against Mahomes, who looks like he may be the real deal) and the fact he was playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers. He had the best opposing QB rating when targeted in the NFL during pre-season.

 

That's why our WRs had such a low drop rate. Everything seemed easy on gameday after dealing with Mr. Reed. Decker probably had PTSD after getting owned and dropped all of those balls.

So he wasn't getting reps on gameday, but Dodd was? Hopefully his response was truthful and not just some PC way to avoid answering the question.

 

Not sure, even then. Towards the end there and in the playoffs, Tye Smith was getting more snaps than him.

Although, that staff was more high on corners that can tackle, rather than covering and Smith was a pretty sound tackling CB.

That's why our DBs constantly played off the ball. Sure it was stupid and annoying to see our guys playing 10 yards off the ball on 3rd and 6. But their philosophy was pretty much, let them get catch the ball for a few yards then wrap them up immediately for a short gain.

That may of been a key reason why Reed didn't see too many defensive snaps.