Dolphins' Pick is In; Good News for the Bills

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 2:00 PM EDT in NFL Draft Comment 57 comments

In a development that has taken place remarkably early, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with offensive tackle Jake Long on a 5-year, $57.5 million contract ($30 million guaranteed), which will make Long the first overall pick in Saturday's NFL Draft. The Dolphins have been negotiating with Long for over a week; the team, headed up by Bill Parcells, had also been rumored to be interested in defensive ends Chris Long (Virginia) and Vernon Gholston (Ohio State).

While at first glance it may not be the best news to hear that the draft's elite tackle prospect will be playing in the division, this is a development that could be a favorable one for the Buffalo Bills. It has been quite some time since the clear best option for the Bills in the draft has been to trade down; the Bills, who are likely to target a wide receiver or cornerback with their top pick, could trade down and still pick up the top player on their board (whoever that may be).

With Long off the board at the top pick, the draft stock of other top-flight offensive line talent immediately rises. Specifically, Boise State's Ryan Clady, Virginia's Branden Albert and Vanderbilt's Chris Williams are now players that teams picking immediately below Buffalo could target in a move up. There have always been players that teams could target in a move up, but with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots also likely to target offensive linemen in the top ten picks, one of those top linemen could be too tempting to pass up for a team below Buffalo.

Last year, the Bills surprised draftniks everywhere when they took Stanford QB Trent Edwards in the bottom of the third round of the draft. Those same draftniks were surprised again (along with everyone else) when Edwards proved that he could win games at the NFL level right out of the gate. Now, draft experts are looking for the next Trent Edwards, and CBS Sportsline's Clark Judge thinks that that player is Edwards' former backup.

This is one last reminder, folks - tomorrow morning (which could technically be midnight tonight or any time tomorrow), Buffalo Rumblings is switching over to a new blogging platform called SBN 2.0. So take one last good look around you, because today is the last day you'll see Rumblings as it appears now. The new platform is spiffy, but there will be a bit of a transition period. Please know that myself, as well as the tech gurus (who will have a "this is what you should do now that we're upgraded" post up immediately after migration) will be around tomorrow to assist you with any questions or feedback you may have. Stay tuned!

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Better than Chris Long

I think that this is not only great news for the reason Brian mentioned above concerning our trade possibilities improving with the rising stock of O-Linemen (I would add Jeff Otah to that list of LTs) but also because I would rather face Jake Long twice a year than have to go up against Jason Taylor and Chris Long. I think Chris Long is going to be as disruptive as his father was and I for one am happy he won't be in our division and especially won't be on the fins.

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 22, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Transition

I hope the transition doesn't take as long as the one for www.realfootball365.com did. I was a regular there and eventually gave up on it. It didn't help that I could never get logged on--never mind the confirmation e-mals they sent me.

by Ron From NM on Apr 22, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No need to worry

It'll most likely be done overnight - we'll be fully migrated tomorrow morning, in all likelihood. You'll need to go through a quick account reclamation process (5 minutes tops), and then we're smooth sailing from there. And if you have issues, just e-mail me - I'm confident we can get you set up in no time.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

I don't think this affects the value of the other O-Lineman at all. Jake Long would have gone two or three if the Dolphins didn't come to an agreement with him.

It was really improbable that Long would slip to KC at 5 and there isn't another OL who could go in the top 4, so the value of Brandon Albert, Ryan Clady and the others is the same as it was yesterday.

I would be surprised if any team is willing to move up to 11 for Jeff Otah (unathletic, will be relegated to RT) or Chris Williams (not physical or aggressive enough to be dominant). If a team is moving up to grab an O-Lineman it will be to grab a surprisingly available Albert or a potentially great run AND pass blocker in Clady. I still think the Bills best chance of moving down is Mendenhall or Harvey. There are too many solid OTs for someone to move up more than a couple spots.

i agree with Poz that the good news for Bills fans in this news is that the Dolphins have the number 1 pick and aren't picking the best player. Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey might not fit their scheme as well as Jake Long does, but I think both will be better pros.

by kaisertown on Apr 22, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

improbable

Improbable isn't the point, you're right but it's not the point. The point is that it was POSSIBLE that he could have slipped, now it's not. Is it a huge difference, no probably not but it does have an effect.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 22, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe

I just don't see how the Dolphins selection of Jake Long will lead to any changes in the players who will be available when the 11th pick roles around. It wasn't an impossibility that Jake Long would fall to 5, but it was pretty close. Even before today I would've said that he was the least likely prospect to still be available at 5.

It will be interesting to see if the potential Jared Allen trade shakes up the top ten at all. That deal is much more likely to impact who will still be there at 11 then Jake Long signing a few days before the draft.

Should we be cheering for the Chiefs to go DE so that Albert might slide, or should we want KC to take Albert so that the Jets take a DE, making it possible that a CB the Bills like is still there? I am confusing myself.

by kaisertown on Apr 22, 2008 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this platform...

But from what I saw, the new one should be just as good, if not better.

One question I've had, and it does stem from RF365's difficulties - why are you doing this so close to the draft? A move like this so close to such a high traffic day is playing with fire if you ask me.

This site, and it's members, have grown on me, and I've really enjoyed the discussions and banter. I think we'd all be a little disappointed if something "RF365 like" happened this Saturday. Just make sure those tech guys are on standby...

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If you've got a baseball team that you like

or just go to Mocking the draft, you can switch over now. Then when Rumblings converts it's literally a one click process.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 22, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Krytime

Again, you have nothing to fear. Here's why:

1. This platform is "new" here, but it's been in beta testing since around Christmas time. It's been live on the baseball blogs since mid-February. A very, VERY large amount of the bugs have already been worked out. The platform has received an incredibly favorable response across the network to this point, and I'm confident you'll feel the same way this time tomorrow.

2. The tech guys are already on standby. This tech team is incredible - they built this new platform from the ground up specifically for sports bloggers (which is why it's so awesome), and they join literally every blog they migrate to field questions and take feedback. Nowhere else probably on Earth will you find a tech team that's more interactive and more willing to play to the preferences of its readers. They're truly marvelous, and we (the bloggers at SB Nation) owe them a lot.

3. We're migrating before the draft because, well, it's the draft. Traffic will still be through the roof, and the new features - specifically auto-refresh comments and the ease of use within open threads - will make Saturday's experience much smoother than it would have been on this platform.

4. As sireric said above, you can actually create your SB Nation account now. Just click here, fill out the information, and then "claim" your account here and at any other SB Nation blog you're a part of. You'll then be a part of the blog automatically when it's migrated, and all your old diaries (now renamed "FanPosts") and comments will be claimed under your new network account.

And again, if you have problems tomorrow, feel free to e-mail me directly.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In Brian I Trust

Thanks for the confirmation. At the risk of sounding like a lifeless loser, I've cleared out my whole day from 3:00 on this Saturday, just so I can sit in on this website, watch Kiper make a fool of himself on ESPN, and enjoy many beers, and some good bourbon.

As always my friend - nice work...

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nothing wrong with that.

I know I will be glued to the front of my TV with beer in hand as well. How many people in the football loving world will have to miss the draft due to whatever reason? We are the lucky ones. Football and beer! Doesn't get any better than that! I might even urinate in my own sink just to simulate that stadium feel. (Just Kidding)

The draft has become yet another event that the NFL provides to us and gets us all anxious about. The schedule is just the beginning, now on to the draft. Its not as much fun as the weekly 3 hour feeding we get during the season, but its what we have now. The Yankees suck already this year (new manager, same pathetic result), so I am glad and appreciative to have this.

by JTM1023 on Apr 22, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's funny..

"might even urinate in my own sink just to simulate that stadium feel"

It makes me wonder if I should serve myself flat, awful tasting draft beer, and make myself pay $6.50 for it.

Also, I could invite some of my local Allentown drunks over to block my view. I could then say, "Dude, you're in the wrong seats. You're section is the next one over."

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better yet

Sell you're couch to them for $99 on Stub Hub.

by Zumone on Apr 22, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My first Bills Game

I went to the bathroom at halftime, got in line and it lead to... a sink! Well the last two guys in front of me urinated in it so... when in Rome...

I've got the wife taking my daughter out of town for the WHOLE weekend. Just me the t.v., the computer, in my under wear, drinking beer, eating cold pizza, conversing with you fine folk.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Apr 22, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My advice to you...

Don't go in the sink this weekend; your wife and daughter will appreciate when they come home.

I'm good from Sat at three on. But Sunday Morning, I'm suddenly faced with a dilemna - the first scheduled softball practice of the season.

[Dear God - please make it rain (not the Pacman way) on Sunday morning, from 10 until 5. I am putting an extra twenty in the Church envelope, FYI. Thanks in advance.]

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Other accounts

Brian,

When the move was made in the baseball blogs I couldn't log in to my account because it had said that my screen name was already in use at a different blog (diebytheblade). From then on, I haven't been able to log on to the baseball blog even though my password wasn't any different. I hope that this doesn't effect this site as well, as I agree with a number of guys on here that this is the best football blog on the web.

Thanks

"Marshawn has been a fresh of breath air" ~Mr. Royal

by Fucilli5 on Apr 22, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will

But it can be fixed. I would suggest sending an e-mail after we're migrated to bugreport@sbnation.com explaining your situation. The tech guys should be able to fix your account problem and/or give you the correct next step to your situation.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jordy Nelson

I love this pick in the third round and I would actually trade up into the late second round to assure we get him. He has really gone under the radar of a lot of teams but I believe he will become a top notch #2 receiver in the league

by cmagic7747 on Apr 22, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rams can make the difference

The Rams can start the negotiations with the 2nd pick. If, instead, they trade down, say, to the Jets, so that the Jets pick up Matt Ryan ahead of Atlanta, the Rams could pick up Clady or Albert at 6 (and/or Chiefs could do the same a pick ahead of them). Now THAT would create a panick run at OT and also, shift down a couple of the certain "top 10" players to the Bills spot. Our 11th pick will then look very valuable to those who want to trade up. In this dream scenario (don't wake me up), picks could be J. Long, Ryan, Dorsey, C. Long, Albert, Clady, Rivers, McKelvin, Ellis, Gholston -- could McFadden be there at 11 for Dallas to trade up with the Bills? Bills get their 2 first rounders and the 2nd round pick!; with the 22nd pick, we grab Thomas/Hardy/Sweed, with the 28th pick, we grab Flowers/Cason, with the 41st pick, we grab Kelly/Groves/Merling/Campbell/Lawrence Jackson, with the 61st pick, we grab Fred Davis/Keller/Bennett/Carlson. Then, we have 3rd round to go! Sorry, just dreaming.

by labill on Apr 22, 2008 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Greatest ever on paper

That would be the greatest Bills draft on paper in our History........ I guess I will dream with you for a minute because things like that never happen to the Bills

by LuBAR on Apr 22, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In My Dream World

All it takes is an OT run (Albert and Clady) ahead of us -- then we could seriously be looking at McFadden (in my dream). Dallas would do the deal. But then, I wake up.

by labill on Apr 22, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

please dont ever do that again

Now anything less than that will be a disappointment. I'm going to try and erase that from my mind because it is indulging in way too much fantasy. If it happened I seriously might pass out from cheering without breathing for too long.

It's not delivery, It's DiGiorgio!

by poz on Apr 22, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rams can't

do anything Miami actually picks.

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's wrong.

As soon as the ink dries on Long's contract, the Rams are free to do as they please.

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Rams

can't sign a player period.Maimi is the only team able to do that.

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rams Can Negotiate With Anyone Other Than Jake Lon

The Rams have the defacto #1 pick in the draft now that Miami has signed their guy. They can negotiate with any player in the draft other than Jake Long. Wander over to PFT if you like...

by Ron From NM on Apr 22, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you trying to be "thatguy?"

I won't say for certain that the Rams can sign anyone. But I will say beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can negotiate with any player now. And that is huge; they probably should owe Miami some compensation.

The Rams probably have three guys targeted. They now get a chance to see which guy will take the best offer, and that is important when you consider the amount of gauranteed money the top picks are getting.

Take Russell last year as an example. He held out for so long, you could argue his rookie year was a wash - nothing really gained. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he got about a six year, sixty million dollar deal. Well, if you take away that "wasted" rookie year, your team just threw away about ten million dollars. That's about nine percent of your cap room.

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am THATGUY

because one minute I can say something brillant and the next minute say something completely stoopid.

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone owes the Dolphins this year

None of the first rounders like to sign their deal until the guy taken ahead of them signs his. The Rams are likely to sign their guy much, much earlier which should let the Falcons to sign theirs and so on...

by Ron From NM on Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

they can't sign until they're drafted is what I'm saying .

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But you're wrong

The Rams can negotiate with prospects now. :)

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm right

and If anybody was watching ESPN On the clock Special tonight Trey Wingo even said they can't negotiate.

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good bye B3J....Hello NYTXFAN.....

my alter ego.....or maybe I could possibly set up an account name as thebloggerformerlyknownasbigbaddbubbaj. Catchy aint it?

Do you BILLieve?

by NYTXFAN on Apr 22, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RE:

Jake Long was just a formality. I think the Dolphins did a phenomenal job of instead of waiting till after the draft to negotiate a contract, to do it 10-14 days prior to the draft. It makes it easier for the Dolphins and Long and his agent now that the deal is donzo. I think it was a great, great job by both sides. If you have the #1 pick why wait it out? What good does that do you? It pleases your fans and improves your respect around the league if you can sign the #1 pick, bring him in, parade him around and look forward to brighter things.

As far as making any impact on the Bills. None, whatsoever. The Key will someone fall out of the top 10 to the Bills somehow? I wish there were better QB's this year. That would only help the Bills. Instead only matt ryan is probable to go in the 1st 10 picks

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Apr 22, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it.

As far as making any impact on the Bills. None, whatsoever.

I happen to disagree with you, because that's a debatable point. I'll let that slide. But then...

The Key will someone fall out of the top 10 to the Bills somehow?

Even if you don't think Jake Long to Miami has an immediate effect on Buffalo... it does have BIG effect on this second point! Teams will scramble for O-Line talent now. There could be a lot of shuffling in the top ten. That could very well cause someone who wasn't expected to slide to be available at Buffalo. So I don't get how you can logically follow one argument with the other there.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brian

I get the point you are trying to make, but I think it was a lock for Jake Long to go in the top three anyways. I just don't see the impact here. The Rams will probably go DE, maybe DT. The Falcons will probably go DT, The Raiders could do anything, but weren't going to go OT anyways. The Chiefs could go DE, DT or OL, but they were going to do that before Long reached his agreement.

What could possibly shake out differently than before?

by kaisertown on Apr 22, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again

it increases the value of the "second tier" of offensive linemen, namely Albert and Clady. Either of those guys could now be top-5 picks, and in fact, they have a better chance of being picked there. That's the impact.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That point...

I do understand that point, but since the Dolphins were supposed to take Jake Long on most mock drafts and is exactly how it went down, then how does it really affect what happens? This scenario has been played out time and time again. The only thing that is definate, is that the Bills will not select Jake Long with #11.

by JTM1023 on Apr 22, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since when?

Every mock I've seen has been either Chris or Jake Long at the top pick. It wasn't a certainty until today.

Clearly, nothing is definite. But two teams that were hoping for Long to fall - St. Louis and Kansas City - no longer have that option. That makes guys like Clady and Albert more viable options in their eyes. That makes other tackles, like Williams, more attractive to teams considering moving up outside of the top ten. It's a trickle down effect. The other possible side effect is that a team could reach a bit higher than expected for a lineman (look for Clady to go earlier than expected), causing another high-profile name to slip.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mock drafts

The self-appointed Draft Guru's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both mocked Jake Long to go #1 to the Fish. If those two can agree on just one pick, then it should come to pass. They agreed, it did happen, now you gotta respect their opinions.

I do agree with you that if many of the other teams do try for O-Line help, then we pretty much will have out "pick-of-the-litter". The only thing that will hurt us is if those teams you mentioned give up on O-Linemen and decide to take what we covet. Their value of defensive linemen and backs must've risen. They may also see that taking one of the other O-Line guys would be a reach in the Top 10. Saturday afternoon is going to be very interesting. IMO the Bills should still trade down and get their receiver in the bottom 20-25 picks.

by JTM1023 on Apr 22, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes...

... but Kiper and McShay didn't start making those projections until the Dolphins started negotiating with their top choice. They're not geniuses, they're just observant.

The only thing that will hurt us is if those teams you mentioned give up on O-Linemen and decide to take what we covet.

I don't think that hurts us in the least - because if they're taking what we "covet", it's certainly not a wide receiver. Not that high. That lets us trade down for a team looking for a lineman (that were just passed on) and pick up our top wideout and an extra pick (or extra picks). That doesn't hurt us at all.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

Kansas City didn't have that option to begin with. Long would have gone in the top 3. Supposedly he was at the top of Atlanta's draft board too. So the options are the same as they were yesterday for KC.

STL simply won't take Clady or Albert. They, like Atlanta, will draft a defensive player.

I also don't think that Williams or Otah are the kind of prospects teams will conisder trading up to 11 to get. If anything the Bills probably wanted Jake Long to fall to KC at 5 making it more likely that Clady will be available. I'm starting to think that the Patriots will take Albert. they could play him at RG now. Stephen Neal is on the wrong side of 30 and had offseason shoulder surgery. Walter (from Walterfootball .... obviously) had that in his last mock. Albert could be their LT or RT of the future as well.

If Jake Long was going to go in the top 3 anyways, In what scenario are the players available to Buffalo any different than before?

by kaisertown on Apr 22, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not about the players

It's about the draft status of Clady and Long. They're now the best offensive linemen available, and if a team gets desperate enough, they'll pull the trigger. The Chiefs are the most obvious choice to do this - I actually think they'll end up taking Clady at #5. I also agree with you that Albert will be a Patriot IF Vernon Gholston is off the board.

Right now, Clady, Albert and teams coveting a lineman hold the key to the top ten. Either those teams will reach for those two guys and other big-name prospects will fall (helping Buffalo), or they'll stick to the popular opinion, those linemen will fall, and teams will look to move up (helping Buffalo). Having Long off the board at #1 creates a slight shift in how teams value the next two linemen, similar to how the Bills shifted their draft grade on John McCargo when he was the best DT available for two rounds on their board. That's what is important here, not the big-name prospects themselves.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

“Right now, Clady, Albert and teams coveting a lineman hold the key to the top ten.”

I agree. Clady, Albert and maybe McKelvin or DRC are the only potential top 7 picks that have a chance to slide to 11 and where they get drafted will have a direct impact on who the Bills pick and the way the top 10 shakes out in general.

I think the John McCargo example is so extreme that it barely applies here. OT is probably the deepest position through the first 2 – 3 rounds of the draft. Teams will have lots of options in round 2 (Nicks, Cherilus, Collins, Baker) and round 3 (Duane Brown, Tony Hillis, Oniel Cousins, Barry Richardson) A dropoff as extreme as McCargo won’t really occur until sometime in the mid to late third round.

“Having Long off the board at #1 creates a slight shift in how teams value the next two linemen”

This is where I really disagree.

The Rams and Falcons won’t draft an O-Lineman. They would have taken Long though. The Raiders weren’t considering OT to begin with. The value of Clady and Albert for those teams hasn’t changed. They simply weren’t and still aren’t options.

The Chiefs have been planning on Jake Long not being available. They already had their board set up for the first five picks. I don’t see how Long going one vs. going two or three changes anything for the Chiefs.

by kaisertown on Apr 23, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

That made no logical sense and I apologize. However, what I was trying to say is that how does it matter who went #1? Jake Long was not going to slide past #2 to St. Louis. I understand where you are ocming from, I just think that there are 7-8 players that we can be 95% confident in that will be gone by #11, and Jake Long was for shizzo to be one of them.

Teams will not "scramble" for O-line talent. It is not as if this is a huge shock. I guess my point is, since we knew all along that Jake Long would be picked high why does this matter?

And who do we think is going to fall at #11 for the Bills to take or have someone trade up to get?

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Apr 22, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure they will

Why wouldn't teams scramble for O-Line talent? Sure, Long was a top-three prospect, but the fact that he's already gone means something for guys like Clady and Albert. Teams can and will get desperate. I'm telling you, right now, Albert and Clady hold the keys to how the top ten will shake out. That effects Buffalo in a BIG way.

It's not about players - we all know who the big-name guys are (or at least who the media says the big-name guys are, at any rate). It's about what Long does for the best O-Line talent left, and their draft status, that's important here.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

I see your point. But according to your logic that could be said for any position. Take St. Louis for example, if they select a DT, then by your reasoning then teams will "scramble" for DT's, which will "help" Buffalo at #11. If Chris Long and Gholston go in the top 5,6,7 then that will effect teams who want a DE such as Harvey or Merling. I just think it is such a vague statement.

Sure every selection has a trickle down effect on the board. But to think that this will have such an impact on the draft is not a nascent idea or a keen insight. Now if Atlanta passes on Ryan, or if Oakland drafts McFadden, those will have more immediate impacts on Top Ten.

Jake Long, Gholston, Matt Ryan, Chris Long, Dorsey, McFadden, will all be gone by 10. The question is what combination of the next 4 players will be gone? The best case for Buffalo is no CB or WR is off the board at #11.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Apr 22, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I never said I was breaking ground here, a la Copernicus. I'm just saying that it helps, especially considering it's the offensive line, where talent is top-heavy.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice Copernicus reference..

Not often can you make an astronomy reference in a football forum...

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

I guess we can agree to disagree on this one.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Apr 22, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brian 's right

about OT.It's only true about the OT because of the teams at 12-16 and 18,19 has OT as top need.

by ThatGuy2 on Apr 22, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate the Dolphins, but...

They did a nice job with this. Nothing sets a guy back like a hold out, and with this they completely avoided that. All in all, it's just good mojo for them..

by krytime on Apr 22, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rematch of Capital One Bowl??

Kurupt wouldn't it be nice to see this twice a year. Jake Long had his hands full with Derrick Harvey in that game. Interesting to hear the Bills scouts mention they were watching the tape of the Oklahoma St./Troy game. Were they really watching McKelvin or that other 6'4", 223 lb. receiver that they can get anywhere between rds 3-6. By the way, who were the Giants starting CB's last year and what rds were David Tyree(the "other Catch") and Steve Smith of the Giants drafted in. Moral of this story is if you give your QB time in the pocket and the opposing QB no time in the pocket your late rd. WR's can get open and your average CB's can cover the "great" receivers who broke scoring records last season.

by the Skycap on Apr 22, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Giants

Tyree in the 6th, but had just 4 receptions last year, so he does nothing to prove your point. The Bills can get that production from Justin Jenkins. Smith was their 2nd round pick last year, and the Giants top three receievers, Burress, Toomer, and Shockey, were drafted #8, #34, and #14 overall. Not quite late round receivers.

And their cornerbacks - Sam Madison and Aaron Ross? Madison is a 4-time Pro Bowler drafted in the 2nd round, and Aaron Ross was the 1st round pick last year.

by Krenn on Apr 22, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point exactly Krenn

Shockey wasn't even a factor last season. Ross and Madison weren't Pro Bowl CB's last season either. Ahmad Bradshaw and Kevin Boss were key contributors to their season and were late rd selections. The story of the Giants season were the BIG guys upfront defensively and offensively. Do you really think that Ross and Madison would have been able to stop Moss, Welker and Stallworth if Brady had time to throw the ball? Would Eli have been able to complete that pass to Tyree if the O-line hadn't stayed with their blocks? The "Tuna" knows how to build a championship team, from the inside out.

by the Skycap on Apr 22, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely

Oh, I agree with you - the offensive and defensive line was definitely the key to the Giants' success. That plus Eli Manning stepping up big from week 17 on.

I'm just saying that if you want an example of a team that's getting great production despite (specifically) WRs and CBs drafted late, the Giants isn't the team to look at. For that, the Super Bowl wins of the Patriots are better examples, as painful as it is. They had great blocking by the line, giving Brady time to throw to, uh, well, nobodies. Troy Brown? 8th round. David Patten was undrafted, and David Givens was 7th round. Deion Branch was the only highly drafted wide receiver of the bunch (2nd round.)

I've got to go find some mouthwash now; that's too much talking about the Team That Must Not Be Named.

by Krenn on Apr 22, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Early wake-up call, folks

I've got to be up at 6:30AM, so I'm going to check out. According to the latest from the tech guys, Rumblings is scheduled to upgrade anywhere between 4AM and 6AM eastern, though it could be a couple hours later than that. Specific questions that you have pre-migration should be sent to my e-mail address (buffalorumblings@gmail.com), and I'll get to them in the morning.

R.I.P., Rumblings 1.0.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Apr 22, 2008 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs