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Don't sleep on Oklahoma OT Trent Williams

The Buffalo Bills need an offensive tackle. That much is obvious, and unfortunately, it remains true even after Monday's free agent signing of former Oakland right tackle Cornell Green. The 34-year-old right tackle is a likely starter, but Buffalo still lacks a serious candidate to start on the left side, excluding the unlikely event that the team is comfortable letting Demetrius Bell and Jamon Meredith duke it out for that role.

As a result, this year's crop of rookie tackles have been the most heavily debated players amongst the Bills' fan base (excluding quarterbacks, and in particular one quarterback).

We know who the top prospects are. Oklahoma State's Russell Okung has cemented himself as the top tackle available this year, and as such, he's unlikely to make it to Buffalo's No. 9 overall pick. Rutgers' Anthony Davis holds up well on tape, but his stock took a slight hit after the NFL Combine thanks to clunky workouts and poor interviews. Perhaps the early fan favorite, Iowa's Bryan Bulaga isn't a blue-chip prospect, but he's dependable, safe, and possesses the blue collar playing style that would make him an instant hit in this region. USC's Charles Brown and Maryland's Bruce Campbell are intriguing physical specimens, but reviews on their playing abilities are mixed.

The one tackle very few Bills fans are talking about is Oklahoma's Trent Williams. He entered the season as a near-consensus top tackle available, getting about as much hype as Okung did. During his senior season, however, Williams struggled a little, playing left tackle for the first time at Oklahoma in front of a backup quarterback and next to inexperienced teammates up front.

Star-divide

Scouts openly questioned whether Williams was a left tackle prospect, though they've admitted all along that he'd make an excellent investment on the right side. Williams answered some of his critics at the NFL Combine, recording outstanding athletic numbers (his 4.88-second 40-yard dash was second amongst linemen to Campbell) and measuring in ideally.

There are a number of NFL teams who have rated Williams ahead of Bulaga throughout the process; we're beginning to see why. Many NFL teams view Bulaga as a right tackle; Williams gets the nod in those cases because he's a better athlete with better measureables. The problem with this year's crop of tackles is that while there are a lot of solid prospects, there's really only one lock to be a starter on the left side from day one, and that's Okung.

Don't sleep on Williams though, folks. He's been high on draft boards throughout the process, and folks on the outside are starting to realize it, sliding him up boards quickly post-Combine. There are some that don't believe Williams will make it out of the Top 10 at this point, and considering where Buffalo picks, this is a prospect that absolutely needs to be on the radar of Bills fans.

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Cornell Green. The 34-year-old right tackle is a likely starter

I don’t think he will be the starter come opening day… I have a much better feeling, especially if we draft a LT prospect, that Bell will most likely, or Meredith, will get the starting nod at RT. Green is getting a good amount of money, but my money is on Bell bouncing back and learning from a tough year.

If its between Beluga and Williams, I would go Williams as well… and I like the idea of a OT here, and then doing our best to fill the NT void thereafter

On the hunt... Bills in the playoffs 2010

by killascript on Mar 10, 2010 8:53 AM EST reply actions  

I don’t think he will be the starter come opening day

I agree on that.

Green had 13 penalties last year. If he shows any signs of repeating that tendency in camp, I hope Chan acts swiftly. Our OL penalty problem was well documented BEFORE he got here. I don’t see Green as the tonic for what ails the OL.

"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"

by fansince60 on Mar 10, 2010 9:11 AM EST up reply actions  

Agreed.

MRW just posted this morning that we lead the league in penalties and yardage for an O-line, and then we added this penatly machine. He doesnt sound like a bad pick up, but Im hoping he gets beat out for the starting job.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 9:25 AM EST up reply actions  

ditto

I ‘lifted" the 13 penalty stat from MRW’s post.

"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"

by fansince60 on Mar 10, 2010 9:27 AM EST up reply actions  

I like the guys interview on BB.com. I liked the fact that he got excited when he said he likes to run the ball. But an interview and actual play on the field are two different things. And at his age, I dont see much changing in his game… but would be a pretty good backup, and with the injury situation we had last year, we could have used the help.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I think all OL players like to “run” the ball. They’re attacking rather than reacting. Moving forward rather than peddaling blindly backward. I didn’t think his statement was anything earth-shattering.

Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: U2 - Breathe

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 10, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions  

No, not earth shattering at all, but liked his enthusiasm about it. But yeah you’re probably right, attacking is probably what 99% of O-lineman like more.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 9:43 AM EST up reply actions  

he had just received 9 million reasons to be enthusiastic.

"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"

by fansince60 on Mar 10, 2010 9:46 AM EST up reply actions  

I think Madden has said running is an OLman’s favorite thing to do. It’s gotta be fun bowling over LBers and Chris Kelsays.

Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
Song recommendation of the week: U2 - Breathe

by TheAfghanTwilight on Mar 10, 2010 9:49 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Madden also said "The team that scores more usually wins..."

lol No, I got ya.

It’s gotta be fun bowling over LBers and Chris Kelsays.

- great line

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Hahahahaha!

~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 Mar 10, 2010 10:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I am on the same page as You!
I like the guys interview on BB.com. I liked the fact that he got excited when he said he likes to run the ball. But an interview and actual play on the field are two different things.

Gotta agree, I was impressed with the interview he gave and the enthusiasm he showed in coming to Buffalo. But as you said it’s what he does on the field of play that counts.

by Kill_Bill on Mar 10, 2010 9:58 AM EST up reply actions  

if he works out, its a solid pickup. If he gets beat out then good backup. We’ll have to wait to judge this one… as we will with all FA’s / rookies lol

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 10:27 AM EST up reply actions  

What makes you think Bell or Meredith would be ideal RT's?

Neither has great bulk or strength. I think we need a more competent run blocker on the right side, which Green is compared to those two. To me, Bell is a LT and Meredith likely is too.

~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 Mar 10, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions  

well

I am of the assumption, or perhaps of the hope, that Bell and Meredith, two younger guys, can put on some wait and strength to play RT… and while i wish Bell could elevate his game to play LT and do all the things you’d hope a pro-athlete would do in terms of developing in his early years, but only because of last year, where he was not capable over the long haul, then I guess that the Bills have a good chance of drafting a LT at 9, and therefore, i would like to also hope that the young guys who showed some promise, but ultimately failed last year, might be able to out play Green, who might even find himself cut before the first game a la Da-mi-neek Rhodes last year

On the hunt... Bills in the playoffs 2010

by killascript on Mar 10, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Meredith's combine stats....

Jamon Meredith South Carolina 6’4 5/8 304 Arms34 1/2" Hand10" Time5.04 reps31

I agree he needs more bulk, but 31 reps isn’t bad, and even his 40 time looks pretty good… I really hope, both he and Bell are given a chance to compete for starting jobs in camp…. We hopefully have REAL coaches now that can help these guys develop… Not a knock on Kugs, but certainly a hard knock on DJ…

by Cinga on Mar 10, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions  

excluding quarterbacks, and in particular one quarterback

He-who-must-not-be-named.

Bill Polian and AJ Smith are gone, so there's not the usual balance between "sane" and "others." Ralph has mentally checked out since 1994. It's a very dangerous time. The coalition for reason is extremely weak.

by thatguy34 on Mar 10, 2010 9:10 AM EST reply actions  

ha!

Does saying his name give him power?

by Mindbender14 on Mar 10, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions  

I'm sure he meant J.C.

J.j. Brian

Starting a movement to draft Jimmy Clausen in april, he'll be the 2nd coming of Kelly, the saviour of the Bills

by J. Mackin on Mar 10, 2010 9:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Brian, do you think he could work at LT? I see you said scouts think of him more as a RT, but he seems pretty darn athletic and could be an LT. I think he could be, but you guys know a helluva lot more about these prospects than I do… I couldnt even begin to put together a mock draft…

And I apologize a head of time if you wrote in the article if you think he could be, I could have missed it.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 9:29 AM EST reply actions  

I don’t think he can be a LT, not initially, at least. As mentioned, the only guy I believe can start at LT from day one is Okung. I view Davis, Williams and Bulaga as day one starters, but it’d be risky putting them on the left side. All three can play RT, but I think Williams and Bulaga are actually better prospects if you think of them solely as right tackles.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 9:50 AM EST up reply actions  

And if he could end up being our LT of the future, its probably best to get his feet wet on the right side first anyways. But if we were to get him and he ended up just being an RT, I wouldnt mind that either. As important as LT is, every position on the line needs to be solid. And with Levitre and hopefully Wood back, with a shiney, new tackle we would be on our way to a good line.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions  

The bills can’t afford to miss on the #9 pick. if they don’t obtain a left tackle in free agency then that #9 pick better be ready to man the left side from day one. I don’t see Bell playing left tackle right away and there is nobody else to do so.

by gatornation on Mar 10, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions  

I dont think Bell is ready either, I would love to go LT via FA and draft one of the top tackles and put him at RT. I dont know how realistic the FA – LT part is though, thats what concerns me. In a perfect world, that would be great.

But you’re right, #9 HAS to be a great pick… it has to.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

so who will start LT day 1?

or most likely

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Mar 10, 2010 11:49 AM EST up reply actions  

agree

Bulaga and Williams would both be great tackles. and we still have a need for more than one tackle. so even if C Green the Penalty Machine somehow starts (Please no!) we are going to need depth. or we will need one and C G the P M will be the depth. that said….. LEVITRE TO LT? i mean, that is what he played in college, and he is PROTOTYPICAL size (as far as height/ build, as he is almost too small for guard anyway). only thing i am unsure of is arm length. but he is quick, and i believe graded as our best lineman and one of the few to make it through to the end of the season without a season ending injury. moral of this story is, couldn’t we just be looking at interior lineman and expecting some movement? no saying that last years arrangement will be working out with Wood a huge question mark still and really only Hangartner and Levitre as a returning veteran lineman who will likely start.

FS Jairus Byrd aka the Buffalo Bills' Silver Lining

by Ren Diggity on Mar 10, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions  

The years crop

This years draft is so top heavy with offensive lineman, Buffalo is spoiled for choice! I’d be more than happy with any of the following; T. Williams, Bulaga, Davis, or Campbell. Or as was posted yesterday that we go for a NT in D. Williams.

by Kill_Bill on Mar 10, 2010 9:44 AM EST reply actions  

I don't like Davis's questionable work ethic and Campbell's injury history

I think calling Bulaga a RT is laughable……people said the same of Oher last year. Williams seems like a good prospect, but would probably need a half to full year before being ready to play LT. IMHO.

A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

by Joe P. on Mar 10, 2010 11:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Didn't Oher play mostly RT though !?!?

"Fan ?" You want to talk about being a fan of the Bills ? Try getting up at 3 AM every Monday to watch their games knowing they'll likely lose. Do this for 18 years and then call yourself a "fan"

by Will G on Mar 10, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Mostly

But they anticipate him playing LT in the future

by NorCal BillsFan on Mar 10, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions  

He played LT part time

when Gaither was hurt. Oher completely shut down Jared Allen in the Minnesota game. He will be an excellent LT for a long time.

by gatornation on Mar 10, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Yea the guy I begged OBD to draft last season, at least they got Wood and Levitre

" A wise man once told me, never argue with a fool, becuase from a far, you can't tell who is who" - Jay-Z

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Mar 10, 2010 4:19 PM EST up reply actions  

You and me both

A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

by Joe P. on Mar 10, 2010 5:24 PM EST up reply actions  

If we do dt qb in the first

I think that kid from umass would be a good 2nd round lt prospect

Starting a movement to draft Jimmy Clausen in april, he'll be the 2nd coming of Kelly, the saviour of the Bills

by J. Mackin on Mar 10, 2010 9:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

Vladimir Ducasse profiles best as a guard, and if he’s forced to play tackle, he’s a right-side option only.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions  

Saffold is a better 2nd round prospect

And a LT as well

Quit, don't quit? Noodles, don't noodles? You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." --Oogway

by Der Jaeger on Mar 10, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm a big Saffold fan but

It seems that everyone hates on him because he went to Indiana-Bloomington, all that anti-Hoosier sentiment around here, (I’m obviously joking). I would love to see Buffalo go Buluga, D Williams @ 9, then go Saffold @ 41 (even if we go Buluga), I like the double trenches approach. The Jags did this last season taking Eugene Monre OT @ 8, then Eben Britton OT in 2nd round, I would love if Buffalo went this route.

" A wise man once told me, never argue with a fool, becuase from a far, you can't tell who is who" - Jay-Z

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Mar 11, 2010 1:07 AM EST up reply actions  

Oher

Oher played most of his rookie year at RT. That’s probably not a bad way to develop a rookie.

I’d be happy with T. Williams too. Brian, do you see any pure LTs in later rounds (Saffold maybe)? Or if we drafted T. Williams (or Baluga for that matter), do you see Buffalo going into the year with Bell or Meredith starting at LT?

Great post. We’re not talking about Trent Williams enough. His junior season was impressive enough that you can’t just call him a workout warrior.

by TNBillsfans on Mar 10, 2010 10:14 AM EST reply actions  

Combine Shmombine

If he had problems playing the line, he had problems playing the line-period.

He’s an athletic young kid with some talent? Great-so is most everyone else in the draft. I don’t think the fact that other teams are maybe “pushing him up the board post-combine” should have any bearing on how he is viewed in Buffalo. I know there is this prevailing opinion that other teams know stuff the Bills don’t (as is evidenced by our record, I know) but that doesn’t mean the Bills need to take the bait on a player that is suspect.

That said-I don’t know where the Bills have him on the board, and how he compares to other people they are looking at-I’m just skeptical of anything other than the personal interviews at the combine.

by FrankL on Mar 10, 2010 10:25 AM EST reply actions  

Deja Vu

A Big 12 Offensive Tackle who is a physical specimen and has the last name Williams…
Noooooooooo!

Alright, I’ll try not to hold that against him.

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here! -The Dude

by S2 on Mar 10, 2010 10:59 AM EST reply actions  

Williams good, but Saffold probably better

I wouldn’t be unhappy if we ended up with Trent Williams, but if he struggled last year playing LT in college he would really struggle at LT in the NFL, at least at the start. Remember that Jason Smith was considered a terrific OT prospect last year and was picked #2 overall, but did not look much better than Demetrius Bell the first half of the year (the only way to compare them since Bell only played half a season), even though the Rams put Smith at RT.

That said, I keep wondering if the most solid prospect available to the Bills (assuming Okung isn’t) would be Rodger Saffold. He started 41 CONSECUTIVE GAMES at LT (that’s three and a half years) in the Big Ten, and in his senior year he only gave up one sack. He is 6’ 5", 315 lbs., and may have the most nimble feet of anyone at the position including Okung. Proof of that came at the combine when he completed the 3 cone drill (a great test of foot agility) in 7.42 seconds. Okung, Williams and Bulaga didn’t even try it, while Bruce Campbell, who everyone said showed terrific skills at the combine, posted a time of 7.58. Saffold also had a broadjump distance of 9’ 5" (a measure of explosiveness), which tied Williams for first place among OT’s. Nix keeps saying that the best way to judge draft prospects is by their body of work in college. Nobody this year can beat Saffold in that regard. And best of all we would not have to take him at #9.

by Macktruck on Mar 10, 2010 11:03 AM EST reply actions  

I think Saffold is the 2nd best LT prospect in this draft, with Charles Brown right there as well. As pointed out previously, Bulaga, T. Williams and Davis all probably profile better at RT. If we draft one of them, we still need a LT. However, to get Saffold we’d have to use our 2nd round pick as I don’t believe he’ll make it to round 3 anymore. With the signing of Green to play RT, I think it’s likely we take a position other than OL in the first round, and then grab our LT in a later round while eschewing RT for now.

by Jeff Winters on Mar 10, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

I like Saffold

but just like Williams he is probably rising on draft boards and may be a 1st round pick when all is said and done.

the Jason Smith comparison above probably isn’t a valid comparison because Smith never played from a 3 point stance in college. LT’s take time to develop which will result in some growing pains (and physical pains for the QB !!)

by gatornation on Mar 10, 2010 11:13 AM EST reply actions  

I wouldn’t be shocked if Saffold cracks the first round. To expect him there at 41 could be a mistake if you’re putting eggs in that basket.

by Pistol on Mar 10, 2010 11:49 AM EST up reply actions  

I agree that Saffold could end up going at the back of the first round. If that happened we might have to trade down to be in the right position to get him — say with the Eagles, who own pick #24. We would then have two second round picks, one of which could be used for a NT (i.e., Cam Thomas). What would screw that up is if Nix and Gailey are determined to get Tebow. If they want him and Saffold, too, they would need to trade an existing player (my nominee is McKelvin) for another first round pick. The danger is that if they don’t take someone like Williams at #9 and put their sights on Saffold later, only to find that he is gone, there ain’t no more OT’s left in this draft who could start this year or next.

It’s complicated!

by Macktruck on Mar 10, 2010 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Brian

haha Brian you ripped on me in December for ranking Williams so high….
haha

by Pablo Escobar on Mar 10, 2010 11:18 AM EST reply actions  

Did I? Define “high.”

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

lol…

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 10, 2010 11:27 AM EST up reply actions  

If Bulaga is gone, then Williams is my next best. I really don’t like Davis, I hate guys that are lazy, they lack focus and always have weight issues.

Nothing left to say... the clock is ticking...

by keysh67 on Mar 10, 2010 11:26 AM EST reply actions  

So

do his inconsistencies last year warrant drafting him as a LT? My concern is if you can’t draft a OT that has proven dominance at the college level at LT, then I have a hard time taking him #9 overall for that spot. But I can see the argument over Bualga. Just give me a guy with a work ethic, desire to continue to work and persist. Cuz any time you take these big fat men, as long as they are willing to work, they usually produce.

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on Mar 10, 2010 11:26 AM EST reply actions  

I still like Bulaga

great work ethic, mean, technique is good and he’s 20 years old. He still has a greater upside.

by gatornation on Mar 10, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Question is...

If when the Bills are on the clock both Jimmy Claussen and Trent Williams are both available what will Nix do?

If we go with Williams and he ends up being a RT at the next level are we better off than if we pull the trigger on Claussen and let him mature for one year and then maybe get our hands on Gabe Carimi next year?

Hypothetically speaking, what’s better?
Williams / Mallet
Claussen / Carimi

Nothing left to say... the clock is ticking...

by keysh67 on Mar 10, 2010 11:46 AM EST reply actions  

Like Brian's post about the Dolphins..

it might be best to build on the line, as most on here said a couple months ago… but the thoughts of QBs is too alluring not to drool at the prospect of a franchise signal caller… in my estimation… it has to be OT or NT at 9, but since i don’t work in the bills FO and don’t know how they rate the QBs… if clausen or bradford drops (probably neither) the Bills might be forced to pull the trigger, unless of course they can trade with denver or something and then still get our man.. but chances are they and other teams are looing for NTs as welll, so maybe we should stand pat, draft the biggest best player available and go on from there

On the hunt... Bills in the playoffs 2010

by killascript on Mar 10, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Der Jaeger’s post about the Dolphins, actually. :)

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

whoops

On the hunt... Bills in the playoffs 2010

by killascript on Mar 10, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions  

it was in fact, a very good post, so my apologies for that

On the hunt... Bills in the playoffs 2010

by killascript on Mar 10, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions  

William's is an all right prospect

I just have a problem with the Bill’s going with possibly the 4th best OT, when the best or second best player’s at other positions will still be on the board when they pick at number 9.

by mob16151 on Mar 10, 2010 12:47 PM EST reply actions  

What about if the 4th best OT is better than the best NT? We need a lot of talent on this ballclub and I wouldn’t take a lesser player just because of his position.

by Jeff Winters on Mar 10, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

So what

hypothewtically, dont’t take the NT. Quit locking into position’s whenyour thinking of the draft people.

by mob16151 on Mar 10, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Blindsided?

If T. Williams is the pick at #9 and best suited to play Right Tackle, perhaps OBD is looking at a left handed QB? keeping D. Bell at LT?

by StandingBillFan on Mar 10, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions  

the thought crossed my mind

but didn’t want such a comment to be seen as a “covert highjacking”!

"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"

by fansince60 on Mar 10, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep

That fact isn’t lost on me either.

by buffalobacker on Mar 10, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Even when you have a left-handed quarterback, what you look for in a LT and RT doesn’t change much.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions  

But

I thought that’s why LT was considered “harder” because he’s protecting right handed QB’s blindside.

by buffalobacker on Mar 10, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Nope. It’s considered harder because teams typically place their best pass rushers on the right side of the line.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 9:10 PM EST up reply actions  

And

I’ll assume that’s because the defense wants to attack his(QB) RH blindside? The reason why best pass rusher is on right side? If I’m gettin on your nerves, I apologize in advance. Just very curious..

by buffalobacker on Mar 10, 2010 9:20 PM EST up reply actions  

-Anthony Davis does not hold up on tape. He can’t handle speed rushers.

-Bulaga was man handled, and i mean MAN HANDLED by brandon graham. He can’t handle speed rushers.

-Charles Brown is a very good pass blocker, he just is not a good run blocker.

-Okung is really impressive and I think would warrant the 1st pick in the draft. To me neither clausen or bradford are worthy. Sammy B was banged up all year, we don’t know how he’ll recover, and he worked out of the shotgun too much

by buffaloboy90 on Mar 10, 2010 2:20 PM EST reply actions  

What are your thoughts on the article’s subject? :)

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Mar 10, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I think

characterizing players based on a matchup or two is not sufficient to come to these conclusions. why was a particular player manhandled? was it technique, strength, etc.

by gatornation on Mar 10, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree with your sentiment, that's why I try to explain the "Buluga couldn't handle Graham"

When it’s brought up. Two good players going against each other, first round type players, I’m sure they each one some battles during their games.
 
OT: To gatornation, what’s up with Urban? I think he and his wife Shelley are doind a little to much of that yayo or any other uppers, they look tweaked. Urbie still gets the job done though. Such an amazing recruiter.

" A wise man once told me, never argue with a fool, becuase from a far, you can't tell who is who" - Jay-Z

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Mar 10, 2010 4:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Buluga vs B Graham

In the games they played against each other, Grahams height being 6’1 and speed got to Buluga, which is what makes him a 1-2 round DE. Graham’s a great player and like the old saying with taller OT’s having trouble pass blocking verse smaller, quicker DE’s (ex. Freeny). I think this is the reason he struggled with Graham but Buluga is still a great OT prospect with many games that he just dominated. He reminds of some other Big-10 OT’s in Jake Long and Joe Thomas just he’s not as strong as them which is why he isn’t considered a top-5 pick but more in the 10-20 range. From what I’ve seem from watching Buluga play, I believe he’s a great OT. He also had a good running mate at RT at Iowa in Kyle Calloway (late round prospect I like). Going back to the Buluga vs Graham matchup, if I remember I think Buluga gave up only one sack to him but Graham caused a lot of pressure, and making an impact.

" A wise man once told me, never argue with a fool, becuase from a far, you can't tell who is who" - Jay-Z

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Mar 10, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Speaking of Jake Long

In the Michigan-Ohio State game his senior year I remember him getting tooled on by Vernon Gholston, who had 3 sacks in the game. Other than a few instances such as that, Long had a very productive career at Michigan and has looked strong so far in his NFL career. Gholston on the other hand…well yeah. One game does not make a prospect, Baluga’s performance against Graham should not be overvalued.

by kfisk214 on Mar 10, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Graham had two sacks

What’s more, Graham exposed Bulaga for lack of recovery footwork, which is why people are starting to look at Bulaga as a RT.

Graham is for sure not a 1-2 rounder. He’s a 1st rounder.

Bulaga may go as high as Long and Thomas (like 5th to the Chiefs) but he’s not in the same place grade-wise as those two OT’s. Bulaga has shorter arms, struggles to anchor, and doesn’t have ideal LT quick feet. Long doesn’t have the quick feet, but he can anchor and has long arms. Thomas can’t anchor, but has quick feet and long arms. All three as nasty SOB’s. Bulaga’s just not in their league right now.

Quit, don't quit? Noodles, don't noodles? You are too concerned about what was and what will be. There is a saying: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." --Oogway

by Der Jaeger on Mar 10, 2010 10:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Totally agree he's

nowhere near the OT’s that Long and Thomas were coming into the draft. That’s why I was saying those two were sure fire top-5 picks, correct? Buluga grades more into the 8-15 range IMO and from what I’ve seen. Like you said though Buluga could be gone by the Chiefs pick as discussed by Brian in his mock (Pioli showed in the last draft he doesn’t care about where kiper has him proj. if he has a need he takes him T Jackson), I hope not. I hope Buluga doesn’t have to move over to the right side escpecially if he gets picked by Buffalo, that would be a dissapointment. Thanks for the correction on the sacks Graham had in the game, like I said he showed some weaknesses in the games they played, that was a wild game.

" A wise man once told me, never argue with a fool, becuase from a far, you can't tell who is who" - Jay-Z

by SouthBuffaloNDgrad on Mar 11, 2010 1:22 AM EST up reply actions  

LT is a crazy position

where if you give up just one sack you had a bad game, no matter how you played the rest of the game. That’s why they’re the second-highest paid position on the field after QB.

Just like DE’s, if they had one sack, played a good game.

by TNBillsfans on Mar 10, 2010 4:57 PM EST reply actions  

One of the times when SNL sucked, Jim Carey was on and was so funny he elevated the rest of the cast and for that one episode the show was hilarious.

Same thing with football. If you’re that good, you elevate the play of everybody around you. That’s the kind of player the number 9 pick needs to be used on, not some guy who needs excuses. This team is full of excuses.

New York City Buffalo Bills Backers
www.nycbbb.com

by BillsNYC on Mar 10, 2010 6:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

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