What? Really?

by sireric on Dec 23, 2010 7:40 PM EST

So I got a little bored today and decided to check out some ridiculously early mock drafts in an attempt to familiarize myself with some of the names that are getting kicked around the top of the draft boards at this early stage. My first stop was Walter Football. Walt is typically pretty good and it just so happened to be the first site in my mock draft folder of my bookmarks. Here is his latest mock. As I scrolled down to the Bills pick I was amazed at what I read. Here is the very first sentence for those of you who are too lazy to click the link:

The Bills have ruined their chances of becoming a playoff contender in the first half of this decade by winning themselves out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

So let me get this straight; the only way the Bills have any chance at making the playoffs in the next five years is if they get their hands on Luck.?!?!?! I admit that I haven't watched Luck play at all, but I do understand that he is very highly thought of and as of right now he is the consensus top pick and by leaps and bounds the top QB in the draft. But that is a pretty bold statement. I mean you are telling me that this is the only chance the Bills will have in the next five years to acquire a QB capable of bringing them to the playoffs? FIVE YEARS?!?!?!

As they say on ESPN: Come On Man!

Walt may have just been being factious here but he comes across pretty fatuous and quite frankly makes me question his football acumen a bit. Maybe I should move him down a few spaces in my folder....

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Walt's a little weird with his drafts...

…and tries to inject too much humor/dry wit, which often clouds his writing. He often drafts players based on what the mainstream media is saying the team needs, as opposed to what the team actually needs.

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by Richard Hill on Dec 23, 2010 8:02 PM EST reply actions

You are correct...Sir Eric

Walter has ben one of my favorite mock draft sights the past few years, but this year he has been totally unreasonable in his picks and mighty tough on the Bills I might add….Perhaps I am a minority in thinking that Fitz is a Franchise QB, but in any case we do NOT have to get Andrew Luck to get us back to the promised land…rather I would like to see D.D.D and more specifically LB’ s that can rush the passer (where are u Aaron Maybin) to make this team click……I personally feel like we are not in the position to go BPA but want to see BPA at a position of need i.e LB! Walter has lost it!

It's been too long ...Playoff Bound In '12?

by SPD on Dec 23, 2010 8:24 PM EST reply actions

Fitz & Franchise QB

Anythings possible, but rather unlikely. We need a QB in the “wings” learning to adapt to Pro game. Fitz is a fine substitue till we groom his replacement! We won’t be in position to get Luck, barring some draft day trade. I’m starting to hate BPA, but we do have across the board needs. Who’s to say which need is more than the other? Nix.

" All that 8-8 means for a team that needs a QB upgrade is your to good for your own good." Bob Dicesare.

by buffalobacker on Dec 23, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

Fair Enough....

But you don’t think that he is having a franchise QB year? And has the backing of his receiving corps to boot? I agree that we have needs across the board and actually did not mind the Spiller (he will be very good) pick as a BPA but if I see a WR when we have so much untapped potential at that position I will scream we need a lot as you mentioned but a few positions are looking pretty damn good for the forseeable fute i.e WR and RB, I will not freak if we do take a QB in the first but I feel like we have much bigger fish to be fried.

It's been too long ...Playoff Bound In '12?

by SPD on Dec 23, 2010 8:43 PM EST reply actions

I know I don't....

But you don’t think that he is having a franchise QB year?

And it’s really not even close.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has one excellent stat this year: TD passes. That’s extremely important (maybe most important) and he’s been great in that area all season long. BUT the rest of his game really leaves a lot to be desired.

2.749 passing yards (20th in the NFL)
58.7 completion percentage (26th in the NFL, horrible)
6.8 yards per attempt (22nd in the NFL, tied with Matt Hasselbeck, behind Chad Henne and Brett Favre)
229.1 yards per game (19th)
12 INT’s (12th most, not bad)
85.9 QB Rating (19th, not bad at all, solid)

Those are hardly franchise QB numbers. We Bills fans are so hard pressed for a franchise signal caller that average, slight below average numbers really cloud our judgment.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Dec 24, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

The only stat I worry about out of those is the completion %, and maybe secondly the yards per attempt. But to be fair to Fitz, as good as our no-name receivers have been, they’ve had their share of drops too (hello Stevie?). The rest I write off as Chan trying to implement his power running game and a balanced attack. If you are looking for Brady or Vick-like numbers it ain’t gonna happen because those are pass first offenses.
Fitz has faired well and I feel confident being our starter the next year or two, however it would be nice to have that all star waiting in the wings. But who says it HAS TO BE Luck?

by billskk69 on Dec 24, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

Like the"Hey There Trent Edwards" song sings.

Hey there Trent Edwards we’re not looking for Tom Brady, just a better Kelly Holcomb who throws farther than a lady, without arms.

That’s Fitz, a better Kelly Holcomb who throws farther than a lady without arms, you got your wish Mendola.

Kylesaurus Rex Williams Pro Bowl 2010

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 25, 2010 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

So can we blame him for the Fitz-frenzy?

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by UZ on Dec 25, 2010 11:25 PM EST up reply actions

So can we blame him for the Fitz-frenzy?

I guess so, If he was gonna wish. he shoulda wished big.

I would change the line to…….

Hey there Trent Edwards we’re not looking for Tom Brady, just another Joe Montana, who makes Brady look like a lady in Giselle’s thong.

Kylesaurus Rex Williams Pro Bowl 2010

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 25, 2010 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

passing yards

to be fair, he has played in two fewer games than most qb’s….add another 400 yards to the total and see where he falls. also fitzy has one thing going for him that will never show up on statistics…he and his head coach are on the same page. it is rare when the qb and coach both are perfect fits for the same system, remember Fitzy still has never been asked to start 16 games yet in his career. he hasnt started a full season and is still growing as a qb. while he may not be a franchise qb now, i do think he has the potential to be one.

by NHBillzFan on Dec 25, 2010 8:12 AM EST up reply actions

I still think it'd be cool to have a Bills jersey that says "LUCK" on the back.

Each tiny crumb of good news is immediately followed with a swift kick to the nuts.

by thekotton on Dec 23, 2010 8:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

And what if he's right?

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 23, 2010 9:15 PM EST reply actions

Said the Standford fan...

It's been too long ...Playoff Bound In '12?

by SPD on Dec 23, 2010 9:17 PM EST up reply actions

Stanford...............

only one “d” good sir.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 23, 2010 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

So Norcali?

Being the PAC 10 homer you are,

Are you rooting for the Ducks to beat Auburn, despite the way they knocked Stanford around in the 2nd half?

Kylesaurus Rex Williams Pro Bowl 2010

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 26, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

To go five years down the road and say in hindsight, they never made the playoffs, is not the same thing is him being right they have no shot at the playoffs. Your logic is messed up. That’s exactly why sireric said

So let me get this straight; the only way the Bills have any chance at making the playoffs in the next five years is if they get their hands on Luck.?!?!?!

If you think that statement is true, you’re not living in this plane of reality.

by thefourwinds on Dec 25, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't say Walt is that good.

Plus he’s very moody. He’s said nothing but snide remarks about the Bills ever since we passed over Jimmy Clausen. He can’t take emotion out of his equation and some of his picks just seem ridiculous (i.e. Locker to Seattle for the same reason everyone knew that Tebow would be a Jaguar…. /crickets).

Ryan Fitzpatrick -- Buffalo's new flavor at QB -- Diet Flutie

by NordicBillsfan on Dec 23, 2010 9:32 PM EST reply actions

Shows I could not attend that school huh?

But seriously didn’t mean to offend you…just saying. Last year it was Gerhardt and Now we cannot succeed without Luck? I do not know if that is how you honestly feel and if so…..good for you, but I feel like Fitzy has earned his chance and obviously the backing of his team, me for one, I love to see OUR team rallying behind and backing this kid to the fullest, he may or may not be our future and Chan may or may not be the guy who leads us to where WE wanna go (I think he is…I digress) but personally I love seeing a team that is showing attitude, charisma, and the dreaded word of potential….Luck will not be ours but he is not guaranteed to be the Next Manning…again potential.

It's been too long ...Playoff Bound In '12?

by SPD on Dec 23, 2010 9:33 PM EST reply actions

I wasnt offended...........so no worries.

I also do not feel that if Luck doesnt go to the Bills that they are screwed……..I’m a fan of a couple other of QB prospects……Fitz being the starter for 2011 doesnt bother me in the slightest either.

Having said that………..I’m of the opinion that if there’s a chance to upgrade the QB position then I feel like the team shouldnt pass up that opportunity.

Obviously Nix and Co. are going to build the team as they see fit………….whether that’s with Fitz or with someone else………only time will tell

I do think it will still be a couple of years before this Bills team sniffs the playoffs though…….which is why I originally said Walt may be right.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 23, 2010 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

Can't believe this is the same man.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year norcaliangelsfan.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Dec 23, 2010 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

I've never been anything but me................

Happy Holidays to you and your family as well my friend.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 23, 2010 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps a hopeless optimistic.....

But I really think that we have a chance to compete for a playoff spot NEXT year. Do we need some upgrades….certainly but I think the biggest thing that we have been lackin is Confidence and it seems that we are gaining that every week, we have competed with some really good teams this year (NE, BAL, Pit), and should have probably won most of those games….do we have a ways to go perhaps but I think confidence ( and depth) could do that for us…we were so vanilla and lazy the last few years and I for one really feel like Chan is giving this team a Swagger and that is one thing I have always said we lacked….especially under DJ. I think we have a lot of talent but need to realize that..easier said than done but like I said I see progression in that department every week.

It's been too long ...Playoff Bound In '12?

by SPD on Dec 23, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

No you are not hopeless........

The troops are responding to Chan.

"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Dec 23, 2010 10:06 PM EST up reply actions

The next two games will tell all.

We are starting to peak, wins against NE and the Jets, we will definitely compete for the Division championship.

A win against NE but a loss to the Jets we are also compete for the Division championship.

A loss against NE but a win against the Jets, we compete for a Wild card spot.

A loss to NE and the Jets, we need more talent and hope for the best,

These next two game are the biggest tests for this team to see how far they have come in my eyes.

Kylesaurus Rex Williams Pro Bowl 2010

by The Buffalo Kid on Dec 26, 2010 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Walter hasbeengood in the past

But his drafts this year at least to me have seemed lack luster. Which is why I’m waiting on Gosselin’s first.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Dec 23, 2010 11:37 PM EST reply actions

I think what Walter meant to say...

was that the drafting of Andrew Luck would be the fastest way for the Bills to reach the playoffs this decade. I’m curious to see what Chan does next year with Fitz, Brohm and the QB we will take in this years draft. Can Fitz improve his accuracy in the offseason? Is Brohm really the future (like he said when he dumped Edwards?) Which QB (Locker?) will fall to us? Or do we take the “project” in a later round?

To me Fitz has grown into a very serviceable starter. But will he ever become a franchise/Pro Bowl QB? Unlike K there’s only one stat I’m interested in. Wins. And he seems to be improving there.

I doubt we will get Luck by trade. First, Carolina would be idiots to not take him. And two, we would have to give up too much to get him. And we really need the picks on (Run) Defense to improve for next year.

by Moose68 on Dec 24, 2010 3:38 AM EST reply actions

I Couldn't Agree More!

At the end of the day wins are the only thing that matters.

Like Lombardi said: “Statistics are for losers!”

If you throw for 300 yards and your team loses, what do you have?

If you throw for 125 yards and your team wins, well, you have a WIN!

Seems pretty simple to me.

by mikeo76 on Dec 24, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

I think what Walter meant to say was that the drafting of Andrew Luck would be the fastest way for the Bills to reach the playoffs this decade.

That’s not what he meant at all. Last week his blurb said “Poor Buffalo, looks like another decade without playoffs for them!” at the thought of them not drafting Luck and letting Fitz start for any amount of time after this season.

by UZ on Dec 25, 2010 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

By extension does that mean Walt is saying that if we take Mallet, Locker or Newton we will make the playoffs when pigs fly? He must be the reincarnation of Nostradamus.

And for their first pick in the 2011 draft the Buffalo Bills select ...........

by Enigma3 on Dec 24, 2010 9:17 AM EST reply actions

You could always stop reading that site. I know I have. :)

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Dec 24, 2010 9:19 AM EST reply actions

Not sure I will abandon it completely, but it has definitely moved down my list.

No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.

by sireric on Dec 24, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

Both of those guys are so sensationalistic with their “analysis”. I particularly like this line:

If the Bills like Cam Newton enough, they could conceivably take him at No. 6, though I don’t think that will happen.

Well, I’m glad YOU don’t think so, Walt. Because if YOU don’t think so, then it’ll never happen. Genius.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Dec 24, 2010 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

AGREED

I still go there for the occasional scan of a mock just to get familiar with names. But Walter has really fell out of touch with what the Bills have been doing and is so focused on us being a joke that he can’t give an objective opinion anymore. What Walt we’ve gone 4-2 in our last 6 and would have been 5-1 if Stevie had caught that ball but we should have lost all of those games? He’s essentially contradicting himself by saying we are awful because we keep winning!! Laughable. I agree his site has digressed.

by jmkney on Dec 24, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

So what....he is giving his opinion....just like everyone else

I am not saying that Walt’s site is da bomb, but you seem to have some axe to grind. Besides, at least he has got a mock up….where is yours :-)

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and
beat you with experience.

If the ship has turned a corner it’s probably still uncomfortably close to the iceberg. - Ron From NM

by Joe P. on Dec 24, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

at least he has got a mock up

because, you know, mock drafts are so useful, especially when the draft order isn’t even close to being decided yet, because, you know, the season isn’t even over!

by thefourwinds on Dec 25, 2010 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Unless you work in an NFL front office,

what does any mock draft done at any point in time have to do with being useful????

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and
beat you with experience.

If the ship has turned a corner it’s probably still uncomfortably close to the iceberg. - Ron From NM

by Joe P. on Dec 25, 2010 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

This

Walter’s Football is near the bottom of sites that I take seriously, especially after reading tweets between Dan Kadar and Matt from WF.

Analysis is bad, arrogance is high. I’ll stick to Mike Mayock, Michael Lombardi, and Nolan Nawrocki.

Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.

I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.

by Der Jaeger on Dec 24, 2010 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

draftu

I’m also off the Walter bandwagon. In fact I don’t pay much attention to mock drafts at all, since the real draft when it takes place usually has no resemblance to what the various mocks had predicted. Maycock and Lombardi are worth some attention to see what they think of various college players, but my two favorite sites to get a sense of what the players are really like are www.nfldraftu.net and cbssportline.com. Both of them have excellent scouting reports that cover not only a player’s strengths but also his weakenesses. However, I ignore their actual rankings of draft prospects — all I care about is their analysis.

by Macktruck on Dec 25, 2010 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe he’s a bills fan and is mad we aren’t going to get luck ?!?!?

Fresnobillsfan

by Frenobillsfan on Dec 24, 2010 4:26 PM EST reply actions

Ahh bless his lil heart

Does it matter that he believes that we will follow our current trend here in Buffalo… where we dont have the money to bring in a major free agent, the climate to get a top tier coach (though i like Chan dont get me wrong), and unless we address some serious issues on this team in this offseason… we probably wont make the playoffs for the next five years.
The position that can overcome ineptness at other positions is QB… if you have an Elite QB (Brady, Manning, Big Ben or Brees) then you can have young WR’s, a bad defense or a crappy line and still win, still make the playoffs. I believe Luck is going to be one of those type of players (then again i also thought Cutler would be too) and if we were to draft Luck (we wont cause he will be gone) we could see our team surpass the JETS (and their spending sprees), the Dolphins (and their attractive climate) and the Pats (and their Top Tier HC). Therefore making the playoffs as the AFC East champs once again.

we wont get Luck though, so now we have to concentrate on addressing a desperate need for talented young players and hopefully two key big time free agent signings (Mankins and Ruud would be awesome by me)

I still remember flying paper airplanes at One Bills Drive during a game against the Redskins during the strike year... my first Bills game.

I own a Rob Johnson signed jersey, so with that in mind if i like the Bills QB just expect him to fall on a football and break his ribs.

by John Paul King Baron on Dec 25, 2010 9:34 PM EST reply actions

sorry i didnt finish right

and take this early pick to get an impact player on defense and add some depth at LB, DL and more excitement on Offense and honestly i belive we will have a shot at the playoffs in the next two years. Fitz is a better option than everyone in the draft other than Luck and Mallett… so let’s run with Fitz and see where he can take us.

I still remember flying paper airplanes at One Bills Drive during a game against the Redskins during the strike year... my first Bills game.

I own a Rob Johnson signed jersey, so with that in mind if i like the Bills QB just expect him to fall on a football and break his ribs.

by John Paul King Baron on Dec 25, 2010 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

You know what though

This is SSDD Same -—- Different Draft.
I will guarantee that in next years draft there will be a QB that everyone loves and they all will say is a future franchise cornerstone. Will they be right? Maybe, maybe not. Are they right about Luck? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that there will ALWAYS be a QB that everybody loves in the draft. Last year it was Bradford this year it is Luck. SSDD. To say that the Bills will suck for five years because they will miss out on this one is just stupid.

No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.

by sireric on Dec 26, 2010 11:12 AM EST up reply actions