Through two preseason games, the starting offense hasn't gotten hardly anything going through the passing game. Some of it is by design, some if it comes from a lack of putting Josh Allen on the field, but some of it is certainly an area that points to needed growth out of the young receivers on the roster – namely, Keon Coleman , who is slated to start on the outside as a rookie second-round draft pick.
For offensive coordinator Joe Brady , there is plenty to talk about when it comes to Coleman's readiness and his development.
Joe Brady please with where Keon Coleman is at this point
Speaking with the media on Tuesday before practice, Brady was asked about Coleman and where he stands with one week remaining in the preseason.
"I love where Keon's at as a football player right now. You know, it's obviously understanding where expectations are and everything, I understand where he got drafted and whatnot. I'm not always just focused on how the production is in a preseason game, as opposed to seeing it every day in practice," Brady said.
Brady makes a very good point. Production hasn't been there, but it's important to contextualize the situation and understand that Coleman, along with the rest of the starters, have had very little time in these preseason games with Allen. How he's performing in practice has been stellar, and the coaching staff seems excited about his development.
Brady highlights an area where Coleman has excelled
Through the two preseason games, one thing has stood out to Brady about Coleman, and it isn't exactly what fans would have expected or hoped for.
"If you remember Keon coming out, he was one of the best blockers in the draft – I'm not saying you're drafting a guy to block, but having guys that can do a little bit of everything, you know, where they can make plays as a receiver, they can block, it makes it a little harder on defenses. I'm pleased with where Keon's at right now,"
Blocking doesn't fill the stat sheet, but especially in Brady's system, having wide receivers that are strong blockers in the run game is crucial. Gabe Davis, who departed this offseason via free agency, was a terrific blocker. Coleman having the willingness and the ability to set the tone in the ground game is an important element.
Brady points to continued experience being crucial for Coleman's development
For everything that they like about Coleman as a player, and about where he stood as a prospect, experience can sometimes be the only teacher.
"I think the biggest thing is just when you know you're getting into gameplans, you've got to eventually learn how guys are playing you," Brady said when asked about where Coleman can continue to grow. "I thought he did a good job last week going into practice, and you know, you're doing some one on ones, you're going against Joey Porter Jr, and you're seeing how he kind of plays it. And the next time being able to, 'okay, this is how I think guys are going to play a guy like my size.'
"And a lot of that sometimes changes throughout games. But especially for young guys as it is, is getting a feel of, 'hey, who are you going against?' And then knowing you know what's in your tools and how they're going to be playing it against you, because it might be a corner on a 5'8" receiver, he's going to play differently than they're playing Keon. And him just learning that, learning the game, from that standpoint."
What Brady is describing is the difference between knowledge and experience, something that will come with time.
"Physically, he can do everything that we've asked him for. Have no issues with anything physically. It's just a matter of him just growing and getting the experience of how the game's being played, how guys are going to defend him, how they're going to change things as the year goes, and that's just for every rookie, but that's something I'm really just harping on with him," Brady concluded.
Throughout the press conference, Brady said that he always wishes he could have more reps, more days, more practices, more years, especially in reference to helping these young guys develop, but as the preseason is winding down, Coleman and other young players will be thrown directly into the fire in a matter of weeks.
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