Bills fortify run defense on NFL Draft day two

Anywho I think I agree with the way our picks went. I might not necessarily liked them but at least they’re sticking to their plan and not doing whatever makes the fans happy. I agree with the entire article. I see us taking a qb next year in the draft.

I am excited about what we did the past two days. I presume we’ll make some more good picks tomorrow to fill more holes.

they better not waste a pick with a qb this draft. we dont have time for a project.

I think one thing that the Carrington pick tells us is that Buffalo doesn’t intend to rotate Kyle Williams at multiple positions. I don’t think he will see time at DE, I think he’ll play NT on first downs and passing downs with Troup rotating in situationally.

I actually got a chance to sit down and watch Carrington play a game and came away impressed with his pass rushing and technical polish. He uses his hands well and anticipates much better than you would expect a small school guy. He’s not nearly the type of project that 3rd round small school players typically are. At this point in his development, I think he’s a better pass rusher than run stuffer and I think the Bills will use him on passing situations where Stroud and Edwards aren’t big threats.

This isn’t exactly how I’d have done it, but I think I will be buying a Spiller jersey. I still think they should shop Marshawn for a couple of picks to whichever team has a few in the fourth or fifth.

No Colt or Jimmy, though… still, there are one or two projects… and we do probably have the time. I get the feeling Chix were told ‘You don’t have to turn it all the way around THIS year, no pressure’ so they’re focusing on the long-term.

This isn’t too bad, and I wonder, think Troup or Carrington will show up in the Pro Bowl next year? It’d be nice irony after seeing the way the Byrd thread went…

I think it’ll be nice to have a defense that will likely give up a tad fewer yards on the ground, maybe be more effective on 3rd down, thus making us hopefully a little more competitive and in turn giving us a chance to win some games, even with all the holes and issues on this team.

Troupe sounds like a good kid and said twice, “I can’t wait to play in the cold”. He is apparently from Detroit until he moved to Georgia when he was 14 and has no adversity towards the cold.
The hosts went on to say, and he backed it up, how he is a quality character guy and a guy who lost 30lbs for te combine (weighing in at 314 right now) but can easily play upwards of 340, so that is a HUGE plus.

After they hung up with the young NT, they went on to breakdown all 3 picks, saying Alex Carrington is a solid DE that is very coachable and loves football. Basically, I LOVE the size these two bring to our DL. We just got tougher in the trenches like everyone wanted, just on defense, not offense. Remember, last year we went OL (although obviously not Tackle, but we have depth on the OL like it or not) this year I think we got a lot better at the point of attack and our D is looking much stronger. If Maybin can pan out, it might be lights out. We may also be able to show other looks, like 4-4, and 46 in the goal line area, red zone and short yardage… very interesting and exciting.

Then the hosts began to wax the Bills car, talking about how Wilson said Denver got scared and gave away too much for Tebow, a layer the Bills liked, but were not going to go after like that. I think the Bills were never going to trade anything, just sit back and let the good players fall to them. Smart in a deep draft with limited picks and unlimited holes.
Then the hosts went on to say that Bills fans should be excited about Gailey and that he is a very exciting play caller who will exploit the players we have to their full potential. They didn’t touch on the OL, but we had two young guys in Bell and Meredith who might develop to be more than servicable. If Wood comes back healthy, then our interior is toucgh and strong as well. We knew we weren’t going to fill all the holes, but we did pretty damn good in my estimation.
I am very excited and you should be too. The team is tougher, and has a dynamic playmaker like we may not have seen since Thurman…

GO BILLS!!!!!

Still loving this draft so far. They’ve filled a huge need (NT) and solved two of the lesser needs that we were adequate but not good at. (RB and 3-4 DE)

Hopefully those Crompton rumors aren’t true and we’ll get a REAL QB in Buffalo this time next year.

FYI – From the National Football Post’s Prospect Rankings

Spiller 6.9 – Becomes a starter during his rookie year…a prospect who possesses physical attributes that will create mismatches vs. most opponents…a featured player on team.

Troup 6.2 – Has one deficient area of his physical attributes that he can never overcome but has been productive and has the potential to be a starter in the NFL in spite of his shortcomings.

Carrington 6.5 – Clean player who is inconsistent in his play due to character, alertness or competitiveness…has all the physical tools needed to become a starter…if he overcomes his deficiencies, he will be a star in the league…if he doesn’t, he’ll be a complete failure…NO middle ground.

Considering our D lineman?

I don’t like either the Troup or Carrington pick where they were picked vs. who was on the board, but I can’t say this is a bad draft because you can see where all of these picks could help the Bills.
Buffalo had one of the worst run games in the league.
Nose tackle was a big need and at least we got that out of the way. The Bills are going to be much harder to run on I think everyone can see that, and in fact their defense will be good once again especially if schobel comes back.

I wanted a Quarterback and thought Buffalo was in a great position to pick one in all three rounds. However Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix obviously do not believe in these quarterbacks. What is important to note is that Gailey worked out all of these players so he must have seen something that we don’t know about and that made him skiddish about taking one. This was a defining moment because had Buffalo taken Clausen in the 2nd round they would have immediately rocketed to the media’s pet pick for best draft, and the fans would have been going totally crazy.

Gailey and Nix both know this and so they made a very important sacrifice in not taking those players. Time will tell whether they made a huge blunder or not.

As for QBs left. I like John Skelton

What’s great about this draft, versus the debacles of the past with Levy/Jauron is that they took players with not only character, but talent and the physical tools to make an impact in the NFL, not a bunch of mediocre players who were character guys or guys who were impact special teamers and not much else. That to me is utterly refreshing and a good sign for the future (I hope).

i.e., no more of the endless parade of undersized, not really overachieving players, especially on defense.

is a 2 year project and isnt delhomme have a 2 year contract ? i forsee a clipboard in his hands like rodgers and rivers did

When i overheard Goddell(over that damn interview with Holmgren i think) and heard Terrell Troup i almost took my foot and smashed it through my TV. I WANTED CLAUSEN and let everybody know it. So right now it’s before we’ve made our 3rd rounder and i’m still fuming.

Then 3rd round, we have Bruce Campbell on the board(still on the board though) and i want him and surprised the Raiders didn’t take him YET and really hoping we take him. I see DE Alex Carrington on the bottom and i almost filled my man cave with brain matter i was so upset. Then i read some scouting reports on him and that pretty much saved my life. A big 6’5 285 DE that is athletic and i liked the pick, and this made me understand Nix and i liked the Troup pick much more.

WE now have made the D-Line from a huge weakness to a small strengh. Also we didn’t take an O-Line man because Trent checkwards will be the QB and who cares if he gets beat down, he’s not the franchse. The Franchsie QB is Jake Locker or Andrew Luck in 2011(better believe we will have a top 5 pick)

Now take Eric Norwood to absolutly solidify that D-Line with a 2nd round prospect in the 4th round and trade back in for the very physical Bruce Campbell if possible.

Let Trent get torn aprt in 2010 and let Spiller become the man. Trade Lynch or Jackson. We almost have a very solid defense and defense is more important than offense. Just look at the Jets(had a good run game/good line/bad QB/best defense in NFL).

We have a solid defense and all we are from being a playoff team is a solid QB(Locker/Luck) and build up that o-line.

So in 2011 Draft take a QB right away and take O-Line picks 2-4 and we could be a playoff caliber team for the 2012 season

I love our new Dline with Edwards, Troup/Williams, and Carrington/Stroud lining up every down to keep Maybin, Poz, Mitchell/Davis, Schobel? clean every game.

I hope the Bills go with Norwood in the 4th, take a pure speed and catch WR in the 5th, and then just load up on beef for the Oline in the 6th and 7th, that would make my day.

Now that my Tebow disappointment has worn off a bit, here’s what I think:

-Spiller was a BPA pick. The Spiller pick makes sense for a couple of reasons. Clemson didn’t have the greatest OL, but played some decent defensive fronts in the ACC. And Spiller still scored in every game. Granted, some of that was on special teams, but his speed is going to make the offense better. Blockers don’t have to hold their blocks as long, and Spiller doesn’t need a huge hole. Spiller’s speed changes the angles that defenders have to take. Tomlinson succeeded for a long time in San Diego without a great OL. I think Spiller can do the same.

-Really like the Troup pick. Buffalo’s trying to do the same thing as Denver is: create the right atmosphere on the team. Cody wasn’t a good fit. In Baltimore, there’s an established locker room, and Cody will either assimilate or face Ray Lewis’ wrath. Troup is a good NT prospect. Buffalo has a great secondary, but that won’t matter if Buffalo can’t stop the run. Troup has the right attitude for a forming team, and is a position of need.

-Carrington is a great pick. When Miami transitioned to the 3-4 they picked 5 technique DE’s in their first draft. Buffalo has done something similar. Carrington is the kind of guy that I can see as a cog to the defense…. maybe not getting great stats, but someone that the offense has to account for, and a DE that frees up the LB’s with his power game.

-Hoping we go heavy OL and OLB tomorrow. Don’t think we should go QB tomorrow.

-Overall, Nix knows that it’s going to take a couple drafts, and this was a very good start. If Troup and Carrinton develop, then Buffalo becomes a very tough defense to run against. Combined with Edwards and Davis, this is a good start to the rebuild.

Couple more thoughts, dealing with current NFL trends, and why I disagree.:
-I’m going to try to write something up soon on why I think going with Edwards this year might not be that bad. The current NFL trend is to draft a rookie QB and throw him into the fire. But there are more good QB’s starting now that don’t fit that mold. I’m also interested in Edwards stats compared, historically, with other QB’s.

-I keep hearing that the way to win in the NFL is the passing game. While the QB is the key, teams like the Jets and Carolina give opponents fits because running the ball isn’t the norm, and defenses aren’t used to seeing it. Power running isn’t dead like the option… but I think the league has trended away from power running, so far so that teams that do run for power are hard to play against. I perceive what Nix and Gailey are doing as moving the Bills toward and Erhardt-Perkins power run game and a tough defense. Could be very successful countering the current trend.

These are things from the Nix presser:

Bills looking to draft or FA acquire a QB tomorrow or after draft:

The Bills have an ambiguous quarterback situation with Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm. Even though they didn’t add another one through the first three rounds, Nix confirmed the Bills will add a fourth quarterback either Saturday or by adding a veteran through free agency or a trade.

He also explains why some positions like OT haven’t been addresses as of yet:

“You say we haven’t addressed the offensive line. We want to take a guy we know can come in and help us, and if he can’t then we’re going to go on to another guy. If you take a guy that can’t play, then you’ve compounded the problem. Now you got two that can’t play.”

9. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
“We need a quarterback, left tackle and nose tackle! We don’t need a running back! Let’s take a running back!” This is why the Bills continue to pick in the top 12 every year. C.J. Spiller should be a dynamic talent in the NFL, but wow. I’m disgusted. (Pick Grade: F)

41. Torell Troup, NT, Central Florida
This fills a need, but Torell Troup is more of a third-round prospect. Still, maybe they just didn’t like Terrence Cody, Cam Thomas or Linval Joseph. They had to find a nose tackle. (Pick Grade: C)

72. Alex Carrington, DE/DT, Arkansas State
The Bills needed to find some pieces for their new 3-4 defense. Alex Carrington is a skilled prospect who fits the range. (Pick Grade: A)

Athletic LT, can get the corner and help CJ get into space? He needs to fill out a little bit but looks to be one of the best prospects available.

No word as to whether or not that will be a reality, but if it did happen, that would allow us to snag him, play him at RG, move Wood to C, and make the Hangman our super sub on the inside.

Agree with what Kaiser said above…like the players, but hate the picks.

Pick #9:
I would have taken – Tim Tebow

If I was limited to picking the position they chose to address, I would pick: CJ Spiller

Overall: Short term & selfishly, I like the pick because he will be really fun to watch play football. Long term & team oriented, I dislike the pick, since I don’t see how picking a RB early in a complete re-build is a good idea. So many more holes to fill at more important positions. I am of the mind that you draft positions where there is a 2-3 year learning curve early, then go RB when it appears your team is ready to compete for the playoffs.

Pick #41:

I would have taken: Jimmy Clausen

If I was limited to picking the position they chose to address, I would pick: Terrence Cody

Overall: Hate the pick, and unsure on the player. I think it was a gift from the football gods that Clausen was available here. I’m just really shocked they passed on him. Even though I liked Tebow better, I don’t see how a team without a franchise QB could pass up on such a talented and pro-ready QB in the 2nd round (not even committing huge money to him either, in case he doesn’t work out). Then, if they needed a DT, 99 times out of 100 I would have picked Cody. The guy is a monster. Was Phil Steele’s #1 draft eligible DT prospect before the year. Every time I watched Alabama play last year, Cody was a force the opponent had to deal with. Of course the Ravens drafted him. That’s why they are consistent winners. I will give Troupe a chance to win me over, but I just don’t get the pick. It seems like he was known to be a 3rd round prospect. Plus, he was the 60th best draft eligible DT prospect prior to this year (Phil Steele ranking). Played at UCF, and didn’t put up mind blowing stats while playing against a not so great schedule.

Third Round Pick:

I would have taken: Everson Griffen

If I was limited to picking the position they chose to address, I would pick: Everson Griffen….unless they really needed a DE & some consider Griffen a LB, then I would pick Arthur Jones and line him up at DE.

Overall: Another hate the pick, gonna give the player a chance. I couldn’t believe Griffen was still on the board when the Bills were on the clock…..was really hoping they would call his name. Shocked he hasn’t been drafted yet. Griffen was the top DE recruit coming out of high school, 1st team Frosh AA, and played on a few really good USC defenses. 5th best draft eligible DE (Steele ranking) prior to this year. Only a junior, so much unrealized potential still. Instead, got Carrington. Ranked 55th best draft eligible DE prior to this year (Steele rankings), played 4 years at Arkansas State, and put up some nice numbers, albeit against some weak competition.

I think the best word to describe my feelings right now is confused. (also a work I’ve seen multiple people use) I just don’t understand how OBD could pass up a Top 15 talent in Clausen (my opinion) when they have such inadequate and inexpensive options currently at that position, which is the most important position on the team. Getting Clausen and Spiller in the first 2 rounds is a great thing (2 players with top 15 talent). Some are saying “well, they must not have liked him”….like him or not, he’s the best player available by far at a position you desperately need to upgrade. I just don’t understand passing on Clausen in the 2nd round given the circumstances. And, I think we could have gotten Troupe in the 3rd still. So many good, proven and productive players passed over.

One bright spot…I do like the trend that the Bills are selecting guys who have 4 solid years of college experience and seem to be good, character guys.

It’s not going to help Buffalo win many games in 2010, but over a longer period of time, Nix’s plan makes a little more sense.

I have been saying that for a while now. two year rebuilding project people. Did nobody believe me or did nobody listen (or read)?

Two names to keep an eye ball on tomorrow: Sam Young OT Notre Dame and John Estes C Hawaii. just my gut hunch.

anyone know where Myron Rolle is projected?

not what i expected. how does adding a tremendous playmaker like spiller and bolstering the defense not lead to more wins? last time i checked defense wins championships. think about this, we are one or two olb from having a very nice defense. i think nix knew fixing this offense will take time, and we were much closer to having a very good defense, so he made the smart decisions and went to bolster this defense this year. i still expect them to pick up a guy like cooper somwhere in this draft, and perhaps a project olb. nix must like bell and thinks he can improve. obviously green is starting in at rt for the season. Meridith is good depth and the inside of the line is good with wood and levitre (servicable with hang). still have to see which wr will step up this off-season, but i also think spiller helps out alot in the passing game. im happy with our day two picks. i like lineman, and every clamoring for them should be very happy.

I think I get where they are going with this and I am really happy with it. An old fashioned Polian style draft where not only skill, but character and work ethic matter. Spiller is a breathe of fresh air. No ego, just a desire to work hard and deliver. Maybe the third string RB Lynch could learn something from him.

I reckon Edwards ends up being our QB after this weekend….for good or ill. But if Nelson comes on, and Spiller and Jackson deliver as expected he should be ok-ish

Nix is looking long term and knows this doesn’t get fixed in one draft. Another offseason like this one and we will be in a decent place.

For the first time in a long time I have hope….the fun bit of being a Bills fan is now working out hope they will crush that hope to dust.

Go Bills!!

Muzz

So, how many people here think that Clausen would have thrived in this situation, being a rookie QB with a suspect O-line and limited weapons? Sanchez threw more interceptions than touchdowns last year, even with an O-line better than ours. But I guess I must be stupid when I say that getting an NT, a position of need, who WILL be starting, was a better move then getting a QB who may or may not have started, and who may or may not have done well if he managed to start. I will take a defensive starter all day over a quarterback that might not even pan out to be anything in this league. If you don’t like what OBD did, then really, don’t even post anything anymore. You don’t deserve to if you are looking at this from such a conceited, one-sided point of view.

I like the fact that we addressed the defense last night. Troup is a 320 pound kind of bowling ball that stops the run very, very well and takes on double teams. He’ll be in on first and second down with Kyle rotating in on third in obvious pass situations.
Carrington is a guy I thought to be a very solid, yet unspectacular prospect because of his position as a five-technique 3-4 DE. He adds paramount depth and competition to the defensive front.

However, there are still moves to be made for us imo.:

1) QB —> Trade our fifth rounder for Jason Campbell

2) LT —> Draft Bruce Campbell or Selvish Capers

3) Trade Marshawn for a fourth rounder

I mean – we didn’t draft a QB we didn’t like and it seems that some won’t get past that.

Here’s my outlook:

I can’t remember who said it, Nix or Gailey, but one of them said you win by running and stopping the run. Well – I’d say that plan was staring us in the face and we just all thought we were smarter and thought Clausen or Tebow – well we’d be wrong becuase those guys clearly aren’t in the Bills plans.

Spiller will make our run game even better and will have a Thurman type role in the slot. Troup is a hard working talent NT that can still add weight – he’s a great pick. Carrington could be a great player for us – i’m excited about him.

We added a playmaker and solidified our defensive line. With so many holes on this team it would have been impossible for us address all our needs.

I think we just need to chill – let their plan take form – then rip them apart in 2 years if that plan doesn’t work. Right now though – let’s focus on why they are building the team the way they are and just roll with the punches.

Nix is really impressing me with his talent evaluations right now – I can see he knows to take players that will have an immediate impact – unlike most picks we’ve had in the past.