Kurupt is crying.

I know the Bills won’t be addressing DE early. I’ve had that hunch for a while, but I can still hope for the best.

What I disagree with is why they want all-around players like that, instead of all-around players and some situational players. I’d rather have a situational pass rusher who may be borderline great at getting after the QB, than another well-rounded DE who’s not good or bad at anything. We already have enough of those players, we need someone who can bring an impact off the edge.

Since we likely won’t be going DE, I kind of hope we go Matthews. At least the team can bring him off the edge in passing situations.

I think it is really disappointing if they don’t address DE in round 1, but it would be more disappointing to a lot of folks I think if they ignore the defensive front 7 entirely in round 1. I’m starting to think for Dick Jauron’s sake and the fact they are in year 4, jobs on the line, with wolves at their door ready to bust in and kick them out if they go 7-9 again, that trading Jason Peters if possible, acquring an extra early pick to fill OLB, OL and maybe TE is the better situation for the Bills.

Either way, OL, IMO is the MOST PRESSING need for the Bills in this draft with the Jason Peters situation. We cannot afford to lack quality depth on the OL, as the entire success of the 2009 Buffalo Bills requires Trent Edwards to have time to find all these weapons he has.

Add to that the fact if they take Robert Ayers at #11 I’ll throw my beer through my TV, I think DE is out of the question at 11

but can definately see them going TE/LB at 11. then g/c in 2

whatever – just improve our weak areas – I don’t really care who or what they draft as long as their plugging the obvious holes with what they feel are quality players.

By the way, folks (as emails continue to filter in like crazy)…

I have NO inside information on this. This is entirely an opinion piece. There is a very real possibility that I could be 100% wrong on this. Carry on.

Why has my post been removed?

Nice one-two, with the DE review preceding. That is fine blogging.

What pick, hypothetically, is the fence between early and late? Day one? Later?

if they grab Pettigrew 1st, then go for Ayers or Johnson. I like both those players at DE.

The underpinning of your article is that Buffalo doesn’t draft role players but rather complete players. You then curiously list Fine as one of the complete players. I like Fine but he’s not (yet) a complete player. He’s a blocking TE who has yet to demonstrate much in the receiving department. In that way Fine isn’t unlike the pass catching TE prospects who haven’t demonstrated the ability to block. If Buffalo is willing to draft a guy like fine why not a guy like Cook or Nelson? I stipulate that the Bills would rather have the complete package but that’s rarely available in the draft, particularly after the first couple of guys at a position are taken.

Also, Perry Fewell gave an interview (at the Combine, I think—and a much more lucid effort than Turk managed) in which he specifically stated that Buffalo would be more than happy with a ‘situational’ player. If memory serves he was speaking directly about the pass rush and the need to get pressure even if it wasn’t from an every down player.

On the offensive side of the ball, I don’t know that Hardy was drafted because he was an every down player. Wasn’t the knock on him coming out of college that he basically just loped downfield and was tall? OBD knew that their 2nd round draft pick was likely to contribute only in the red zone and harped on his ability to turn 3s into 7s.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Buffalo take a pass rushing specialist at #11, even less so if the Bills somehow come to terms with Peters. I’ve been openly lobbying for a trade down for quite some time but I won’t exactly be crushed if Buffalo instead takes a guy who can generate some quick pressure on opposing QBs.

please!!!!

where I think the Bills scheme on defense could get better. I have referred to the John Abraham situation in Atlanta last year numerous times this off-season. He played something like 45-55% of the total defensive snaps as they found he would be kept fresh, more productive, and less chance of injury. The Bills, IMO, desperately need situational guys on defense because of:

1) our defense is “bend but don’t break” which we end up having a lot of times the defense is on the field for 10-15 play drives. Having situational LB and DE’s is crucial to success
2) Our DE’s are proven to be average pass-rushers even in “ideal” pass-rushing situations. Thus, adding “pass-rush” specialists to our team would greatly benefit those situations

I understand wanting a guy to be on the field all the time, but the NFL requires a huge adjustment for players on and off the field. There are certian players that handle the transition with ease, but with others who don’t, limiting their snaps and focusing them on situational plays is the best way to get them involved especially at the offensive skill positions and DE/OLB pass rushers

What this team needs is a pass-catching TE (Chase Coffman is my preferred option) and an Everette Brown-type-DE.
1. round – Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
2. round – Max Unger, C/OG, Oregon
3. round – Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri

This is what I would consider a somewhat realistic first three rounds of a Dick Jauron-draft, and I would love that draft. (Obviously, this would require us re-signing Jason Peters, which I pray will happen.)

Btw. Brian – do you have any insight on how the negotiations with Jason are going? Thanks beforehand

Brian’s description of our DE’s says it all… We have 3 guys right at or over 30 and one younger unproven guy.

The Bills talked about drafting playmakers and having talent. Brown is one of the premier playmakers on Defense. Character great. Work ethic strong. Rushes inside and outside.

We have to take him, unless they trade down

No more aging DE’s that need a new contract, PLEASE!

Then trade Chris Kelsay and either a 2nd or 3rd round pick to Green Bay for Aaron Kampman.

I think you’d have to bump it up to a 1st if you want any team to take Kelsay back……

- I also thought that since they have so many $$$ tied up with the Big-3, that would affect their draft decision. Although I did hear that Jauron wants a pass-rusher. A lot of draft experts state that offensive linemen and pass rushers are what most NFL teams look to draft early, rather than linebackers, tight ends, and safeties.
- That being said, if things do not go well with Peters and they trade him, I look for them to draft a tackle.
- Who knows with this organization. After the Mike Williams and Donte Whitner picks from the past, nothing would surprise me.

so many times during this off season when it comes to our 1st pick it’s rediculous!

I truely want to see Pettigrew in a Bills uni for sure. I keep imagining in my head the weapons we’d have as far as the receiving corps goes, especially if they can manage to grab up Pettigrew and solidify the TE position once and for all. The thought of having 83 on one side, 81 on the other, 82 in the slot (where he belongs), and adding a Pettigrew lined up @ TE, AND having 2 very capable pass catchers in the backfield, the passing game SHOULD be one to really look forward to this up coming year.

BUT, w/ the Peter’s situation seemingly repeating itself all over again, I seem to fall off that fence over & over again.

Assuming OBD gets a deal done w/ 71, then I see the passing game improve dramatically w/ the receivers already on our roster, and by adding Pettigrew into the mix, only makes it more dangerous for ANY ‘D’. I mean, who do you cover? It gets me excited to think of some of the possibilities we’ll have on ‘O’.

BUT, once again there’s that HUGE problem over at the 71 camp lingering over our heads AGAIN. That right there is what I think – DICTATES who the Bills target in the 1st round.