Bills Select LB Bowen in Round 5 of NFL Draft
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:15 PM EDT
in NFL Draft
110 comments
With the 147th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected Iowa State linebacker Alvin "Ace" Bowen.
The Bills entered this draft with a need for more depth at linebacker after losing special teams aces Mario Haggan and Josh Stamer in free agency (Haggan was suspended as well). Enter Bowen, an undersized but aggressive linebacker that plays the game hard and can deliver a big hit. He immediately becomes a favorite to be a "starter" on the team's kick coverage units based on his hard-hitting nature alone.
Measuring in at 6'1", 223 pounds and timed at 4.75 seconds in the 40 yard dash, Bowen is an explosive athlete that is known for his sideline-to-sideline range and plays faster than he times. He is, once again, a typical Dick Jauron player - high character, blue-collar worker with a non-stop motor and the ability to help the team out in more than one way. Again, he's about as safe a prospect as you can find in the fifth round and should contribute from day one in Buffalo.
What's interesting about Bowen is his potential pro position - in Buffalo, he could either play linebacker on the weak side (where his 223-pound frame fits best), but Bowen's coverage skills are so good that he could even make the switch to strong safety. He's got a Coy Wire aura about him, but he's a much better athlete than Wire ever was. A position change of that magnitude may be a difficult one for Bowen to undertake, but it's an option that the team may explore early on in his career.
The Bills have now made six selections in this year's draft, and four of them have come on the defensive side of the ball. With four more selections, will the Bills turn their attention to building depth on the offense? Will they trade up to grab one of the better offensive prospects remaining (TE Kellen Davis, FB Owen Schmitt)? Stay tuned to Buffalo Rumblings to find out.
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bye bye schmidt, the perfect buffalo FB
by brownmac on Apr 27, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes
we need LB depth…. But we need offense depth too!!!!
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm the Iowa State blogger here...
I’ll leave some comments after I finish my sandwich that I’d already started.
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not bad, don't like his 40 time tho
Height: 6-11/8 | Weight: 223 | 40-Time: 4.75
Strengths:
Great athleticism…Has excellent sideline-to-sideline range…Able to deliver the big hit…Pretty good instincts…Fluid and does an outstanding job in coverage…Decent blitzer…Real tough and durable..Has a non-stop motor…Plays a lot faster than he times…Good leader on the field…Has a ton of special teams potential…Productive.
Weaknesses:
Vastly undersized and doesn’t have the bulk that you look for..Struggles when he has to take on and shed blockers…Average tackler…Isn’t very strong and will get physically manhandled…Undisciplined and can be too aggressive at times….Might have to make a position change…Marginal ball skills..Intelligence may be an issue.
Notes:
Nickname is “Ace”...JUCO transfer from Garden City Community College…Could be looked at as a possible safety..A difficult projection because he looks real good on film but is missing a lot of key physical tools…Will have to land with a team that is willing to overlook his lack of size..Best shot will come as a special teams dynamo.
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
at this point in the draft who cares,
they are obviously drafting depth and not guys who could possibly become starters
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
by NYTXFAN on Apr 27, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I care! :)
But you’re right – this is about finding solid, smart athletes who can help on special teams and build depth.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kid is suppossed to be a gamer
But we could have used some real help on Offense. I know we needed some more depth with the losses of Haggan and Stamer, but not sure on this.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Apr 27, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The point is you can still draft starters if they are less “important” positions – i.e. FULLBACK
by brownmac on Apr 27, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
exactly, we really should consider drafting a fullback.
by big john on Apr 27, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not happy
4 defensive guys and 2 offensive players? The team was losing because the offense couldn’t score, not because the defense was terrible.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm suprise the offense has gotten so little love.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dont like it, would have liked owen alot better
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why?
We don’t need ANOTHER slow, undersized OLB. Haven’t we learned that by now?
He’s a solid player, but I hate adding undersized players to our already undersized D….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There you are.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not? We need LB depth, and the kid’s a gamer. I like this pick.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah we needed the depth
that’s obvious.
I’m questioning adding another undersized LB. I’m sick of watching these guys get pushed around by OLinemen because they aren’t big enough to disengage blocks. Bowen is also said to be somewhat weak, so I still don’t understand this.
Bowen is a good player, I admit that. I just hope his size/strength doesn’t create another Keith Ellison nightmare if he is in on D….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe well trade up our worthless 3 7 rounders to pick him up?
Bills make me wanna SHOUT!
by silverstreak3k on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bowen led the nation in tackles per game
as a junior
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Eat that sandwich already man
I know very little about this guy
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure the OBD's thinking
I really think we need offensive depth. Maybe they have some room and plan to get a veteran WR or TE after the June 1st cuts. Dont know why they need a LB.
by Berg79 on Apr 27, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can they trade back into the 5th?
With a 6th and two 7ths that can be traded (pick 251 is compensatory), is that enough ammo to get back to the 5th to take Schmitt?
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Get us another WR,,,,,,,,,,,,please
Will we add another WR and depth on the OL? I sure hope so. Marcus Monk would have been a nice pick there.
I still don’t understand the Derrick Fine pick….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe they like the offense
Not defending the draft, but the defense played above their skills because of their coaching and the offense played below their talent because of coaching. the offense definitely needs talent, but maybe not as much as we fear.
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Last 3 picks
all seem to be more special team additions….
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, they sort of do
And that would be ridiculous. You don’t add special teams depth in the mid rounds like this. Good ST’er can be found late or undrafted. I really hope they weren’t thinking this way….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
K, I think it’s more depth AND special teams. There aren’t any starters at this point in the draft. Trust in the front office…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe true
but we could still find a WR who would contribute, a backup OL where we really need depth, maybe a DT for the rotation or everybody’s favorite fullback.
ST players can be had later, but I’m not sure any of the above can be….Just my 2
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll admit that though I figured a LB would be taken, I am surprised it wasn’t a guy who can play SLB. I really don’t think Crowell is a Bill next year. Although if he leaves, we can always slide Mitchell to the Sam, I suppose…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My take
Bowen came into ISU as a JUCO, replacing Tim Dobbins. He’s been our WLB for the last two years and led the nation in tackles per game (and tackles until the end of the season). He’s quick but not real big. I tended to think he missed a lot of tackles for a guy that got so many, and he had some trouble at times making solo tackles. Didn’t make a whole lot of big hits. Was pretty consistent, and has “motor”, whatever that is. High character guy from what I’ve seen at ISU. Doesn’t seem real high ceiling, but no one ever knew his name before he came in, so he put in the work to become all Big 12.
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the inside scoop, CrossCyed.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last 2 drafts
Seem to be strong in the first 3 rounds but rather sketchy in the later ones. Not a draft that I see getting us far in the playoffs if we make them, but builds alot of depth. May need another year to round out a contending team.
by south123 on Apr 27, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and for what its worth
I would have projected Bowen 6th or 7th round, possibly undrafted. I had seen mocks with the Bills taking WR Blythe out of ISU, actually.
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Some more
I had heard stuff about Bowen switching to safety. Don’t know if he’s quick enough or can hit hard enough to do that. Also, he was rarely ever a guy that made you say “wow”.
I will say, he’s a good guy. He brought his little brother with him to Iowa so that he could grow up in a safe environment, and he’s straight up class. So, at the very least, you can pull for him.
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Some more
I had heard stuff about Bowen switching to safety. Don’t know if he’s quick enough or can hit hard enough to do that. Also, he was rarely ever a guy that made you say “wow”.
I will say, he’s a good guy. He brought his little brother with him to Iowa so that he could grow up in a safe environment, and he’s straight up class. So, at the very least, you can pull for him.
by CrossCyed on Apr 27, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Freudian Slip
Galliford, I noticed in your intro you called Bowen, “Bowman”. I see you want the wideout as well. Welcome to the party Kurupt. Here’s some more lowdown on Bowen. http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2008/players/7657.html
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, all is not yet lost...
My wants, needs desires….
Hillis/Schmidtt
Valesco/Richards
Ainge/Dixon
Bowman
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dixon was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers just a few slots ago.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've lost track
Is Johnson still out there???
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scratch that. Josh Johnson was just picked by the Bucs.
Sireric, I believe you’ve won your bet.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Victory sweet victory
I’m looking forward to the diary Arrow.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next pick
With the way today has gone, expect the Bills to pick the fourth best punter. A little undersized but great motor and character.
by keuka121 on Apr 27, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shane Longest
With a corner named Corner, and a Fine tight end, the only thing missing is the punter that hits it the Longest.
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be
either Brad Smurf or Chris Munchkin.
by keuka121 on Apr 27, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats Eric
You won the Josh Johnson bet, I look forward to the post for you.
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Marcus Howard
Great pick by Indy. I would have much preferred him to Bowen at this point. Polian is so good on draft day…
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Indy’s had an underrated draft. Pollak was a reach, but adding Philip Wheeler was a great pick, Tamme will be solid, and Howard will be a nice speed rusher for them as a defensive end.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
James Hardy
In case you haven’t read this, here is a link to a interview Hardy gave the Ft. Wayne Press. This is the kind of attitude I wanted to see in our new WR. Doesn’t sound like a bad guy Superfan82.
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oh no
this board is going to explode!
Owen = no!
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Uh oh
here comes the blog meltdown….
Thank you for taking him off our hands Seattle….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry here is the link
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/SPORTS0301/804270382/tbd/
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn Seahawks
Schmitt is now gone
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s OK. Schmitt’s the big name, but there are still fullbacks there, if the Bills take one…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Thank God Seattle took him.
Mike Cox in the final stanza would be nice. I wonder if Derrick Fine is going to play any FB. He sure doesn’t have the size or speed we were hoping for at TE….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Brown is reporting at BB.com that the Bills view him as a hand-on-the-ground tight end and a guy who can play special teams on all four units. So no… he’s not moving to FB.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
QB's
I wonder if we’d consider Andre Woodson if he fell even further to the 6th to us…..
And Tampa has a plethora of backup QB’s. I wonder if we’d consider going after one of them if a Losman trade happens at some point in the coming weeks/months.
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't want him
Johnson is clearly a better QB and he’s gone.
Man who could have ever predicted that???
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Center/Guard
We need a back-up interior. Let’s get Justice.
by labill on Apr 27, 2008 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I actually had my fingers crossed for Carl Nicks, a guard/tackle, but he was just gobbled up by the Saints. He would have been fantastic value this late.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nicks would have been great
We need a back-up OL who can play. Not many left.
by labill on Apr 27, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Nicks would have been a much better pick at the end of the 4th or in the 5th for us, IMO….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nicks, Schmitt, Keller, Justice instead of Fine?
Can’t believe I am saying that is the question we are asking!
by labill on Apr 27, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hubbard
is still available…would the Bills doubledip into the WR batter?
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Seahawks
took Carlson, Red Bryant and Schmitt, all picks we talked about hoping the bills would get on here
by thejimbo on Apr 27, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Holmgren
Maybe he is a secret member of SB Nation:) Geronimo are you really Mike Holmgren?
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a master plan?
Are the Bills thinking a trade after the draft? Like getting a Shockey? Besides Hardy, they really aren’t making their Qbs job any easier this year.
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Better play-calling and having another guy to think about in Hardy is plenty help. Not saying it’s enough – we won’t know that for a while – but both WILL help, possibly a lot…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ST
It appears special teams were addressed more than the O. One large receiver and a offensive coordinator without a history of success is not going out of the way to try and improve. They said themselves they needed a Tight End, another target that a QB like Trent Edwards would use.
The D looks good, the O is going to be kinda sad to watch this year (based on the draft moves)
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree to disagree. Not about Schonert – I’ll share those concerns with you for now – but I really like the dynamic that Hardy adds to the offense. 6’5” means that defenses are focusing on him no matter what. That automatically helps our two best players, Evans and Lynch. That’s a hard fact to ignore.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hardy
I guess I can’t get caught up in thinking the Bills will be a contender this year. Hardy is what the team needed – but it might take a year or two (or three, like most WRs) to realize his vast potential. And I guess Trent still needs a full season of seasoning to learn the ropes and be the ‘man’. I’m just confused on their inability to trade up and get a quality TE – unless they graded them all poorly?
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Freaking Raiders
They took Trevor Scott
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Scott
before Richards?? Did I miss more than the Schmidtt pick when I took the dog out???
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thomas Brown
A good local pick-up for the Falcons
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who do you all want in the 6th?
I want a WR and feel we really need one there.
Marcus Monk, Steve Johnson, Adrian Arrington, Josh Morgan would all be nice picks.
I could see Safety too, but I would have guessed Domonique Barber, who just became a Texan. Maybe Josh Barrett, but unlikely.
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hillis
or Cox…. Unless your happy with Barnes???
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can wait on a fullback. I’m looking for an O-Lineman or a receiver here.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still like Kerry Brown of Appalachian State myself.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Brian said
Another WR or a OL depth is more important than a FB at this point, IMO. We CAN get someone in the 7th to fill that need I’m guessing….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here comes the WR run?
SF just took the top rated WR on Mel Kiper’s board.
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget...
The Bills may grab Jehuu Caulcrick as a free agent
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
safety
The Bills went a-looking for one in free agency – do they trust Ko to come back fine?
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They’d better, because a safety drafted this late isn’t going to displace him or Wilson.
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bills coaching link to Bowen
According to bb.com, the Bills asst ST/LB coach, DeMontie Cross, coached Bowen at Iowa State. Here’s a quote from Cross: “When we first got him out of a junior college at Iowa State he just started doing backwards flips standing still, like three or four in a row.”
by Krenn on Apr 27, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no kicker
The Saints took the one they liked.
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
start complaining...
and go.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am back in the house
Not real happy. Day 2 is not what I wanted at all. Ainge to the Jets is just salt in the wound.
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Bills
Did they accidentally bring their needs board from last year for day 2?
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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