2012 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Need To Stop Drafting Part-Timers
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2012 11:01 AM EST
in 2012 NFL Draft
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The list of NFL players that plays every snap of his team's games is small. First, injury must be avoided. Second, you'd better be a well-rounded player that makes a lot of big plays, or you'd better play on a good offensive line. Third, you'd better not have a talented teammate in need of reps behind you.
Knowing this to be true - that every-down NFL players are going the way of the dodo bird, particularly on defense - it's tough to construct an argument based on the idea that a bad team, like the Buffalo Bills, should only be drafting every-down players. It's important to note at the top, then, that that's not the argument I'm making.
What's the argument I'm making, then? It's simple: the Bills need to start drafting players that can, in theory, be every-down players with their premium draft picks. Those players are building blocks, and up until very recently, the team was too focused on more specialized players with their top picks.
The Bills haven't been to the playoffs since 1999. This April, they'll be picking in the Top 10 of the NFL Draft for a third straight year, as well as three picks in roughly the Top 75. They need to do a better job of drafting players that can play in all football situations. That's not easy to do - as football becomes a more specialized sport, the number of players that can legitimately be every-down players dwindles - but they're in position to find those players with their premium draft picks.
To GM Buddy Nix's credit, the Bills did better in this area than they did in his first year as GM, when they really struggled in this department. Let's take a look at the six Nix draft picks in question:
2010 Round 1, Pick 9: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson. Spiller was an unbelievably productive collegian with skills rarely seen in the NFL, but Nix drafted him into a running back situation already featuring Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch. Spiller was immediately going to be a part-time player. Nothing changed when Lynch was traded; in fact, Spiller had already lost reps by that point. When he finally got his chance to be a featured back after nearly two full years as a little-used understudy, Spiller still didn't record 20 carries in a game. Instead, Chan Gailey gave some of his reps to Tashard Choice. It's unclear if the Bills will ever view Spiller as an every-down back.
2010 Round 2, Pick 41: Torell Troup, NT, Central Florida. Troup wasn't even an every-down player in college, as he was routinely off the field in passing situations. Very few zero-technique nose tackles in this league are on the field in passing situations anymore, and Troup was never going to be a part of those packages as a pro. The team did need a zero-tech nose tackle for the 3-4 they were planning on running, but Troup was set to split reps with Kyle Williams. Flash forward two years: the oft-injured Troup is coming off of back surgery, the team is playing far more 4-3 and has a 40-front coordinator running the show in Dave Wannstedt, and the team has made further additions at his position. It's tough to envision Troup being anything more than an occasional run-down defender from this point, even after a promising training camp pre-injury.
2010 Round 3, Pick 72: Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State. Here, the Bills had some potential for an every-down type player, as Carrington had played 4-3 end in college, was the prototypical size for a 3-4 end, and could conceivably slide inside and play some three-technique in passing situations. Carrington has made a few plays here and there over two years, but his development has been slow, and his impact minimal. He's a good reserve at this point; can he ever emerge as a starting-worthy producer?
2011 Round 1, Pick 3: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. Not only was Dareus a slam dunk as a prospect, he was also a slam dunk as an every-down player. You'll be hard-pressed to find many more versatile linemen than Dareus, who can play inside and out in any alignment (the one exception being 4-3 defensive end, where he could play, but would be limited athletically). Dareus already is an every-down player, coming off the field essentially only when fatigued, and is a true building block for the defense.
2011 Round 2, Pick 34: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas. Williams was drafted into a sub-package role in which, at best, he'd emerge as a nickel cornerback. In actuality, he started the year as the dime back, but was immediately pressed into action after Terrence McGee was injured. When healthy, Williams played a lot in 2011, eventually becoming a starter almost by default. He looks like he'll be a starter in 2012, as well; even if he's not, the Bills play so much three-corner defense that Williams can easily be considered an every-down player, as well. He, too, is a building block.
2011 Round 3, Pick 68: Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU. Very few linebackers in this league are every-down players, as linebackers come off the field in lieu of defensive backs to match up against multiple-receiver packages. As long as Nick Barnett is in Buffalo, Sheppard won't be an every-down player, as Barnett's one of the rare every-down 'backers thanks to his solid coverage skills. Even if Barnett leaves at some point, it's tough to envision Sheppard being more than a run-down linebacker. He's a good player and oozes leadership potential, and that's not a bad thing at all to get in the third round; an every-down player he is, however, not.
There are, of course, exceptions that the team should make to this every-down argument I'm making. The most obvious one (and perhaps the only one): anybody that can rush the passer. If the team wants to take a pass rusher of any kind, that's fine, because golden rules of the field (i.e. protect your passer, disrupt theirs) trump golden rules of the draft any day of the week. Beyond that, the team would do well to find more building blocks, rather than little-used potential difference-makers.
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To a point, I agree
But, the game is changing. As more teams play 3, 4, and 5 WR sets, the defensive personnel will change. The only players that are every down players would be the 4 DL, 2 S, 2 CB, 1 lB
where is our weakness? Dareus, Williams, Barnett, Byrd, Wilson, and A. Williams are all starters. Pass rushers would be the other 2 DE spots, which we don’t have. So, are you saying that we should draft a CB or DB then? In an ideal world, Merriman and rookie would be the other 2 pass rushers and there are 3 other DB’s that could start, in theory anyways.
To follow up my first post
On offense, our QB is set. Our HB’s are starters. 4 out of the 5 OL are set. So, the only areas they need an every down starter is at LT, WR, TE (if they don’t resign Chandler), on offense. As I said previously, defense is only CB and the 2 pass rushing DE’s.
if they don’t resign Chandler
Chandler at this time does not have the blocking skills to be an everydown TE, he is more a 3rd down/rezone TE.
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by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 19, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Aaron Hernandez
would like to talk to you about that. He has low blocking skills. He does fine.
He’s not in every down either. When they don’t go two TEs, which does happen, Gronk is in, not Hernandez.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
by stetzwebs on Jan 19, 2012 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
^ this
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
not sure I agree
Their base offense is 2WR, 2TE, 1RB right? Yes, they change out personnel all the time. But, if that is their base, then isn’t he by default the starter?
If he was waived, wouldn’t you want us to sign him? Even if he is a part time player as you say?
Last point I want to make, is that it is okay to be a part timer if you are really really good at what you do. Maybin was very good last year at being a part time player. Kevin Faulk made a living out of it.
Doesn’t it seem to you that as the guys get bigger and stronger that they need to be given more breathers? Is it a function of the league wanting bigger men and lets face it, the human body is not meant to hold that much weight on it. Look at the players from the 60’s and 70’s. Some played dual positions. It seems to me that we are creating a mass of players that only do one thing well period.
Yes, that is their base offense, but so what? That doesn’t mean anything with regard to “any down” players. And of course I would sign him if he were waived, because he’s better than Chandler, but he still can’t block as well as Gronk, and as a result is not in when they go to 1 TE sets.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Their base offense is 2WR, 2TE, 1RB right? Yes, they change out personnel all the time. But, if that is their base, then isn’t he by default the starter?
this is the very reason BB is such a good coach. he recognized this:
As more teams play 3, 4, and 5 WR sets, the defensive personnel will change.
and this is the answer to:
Yes, that is their base offense, but so what?
he is looking at the league as a whole, and finding the way to always attack on offense, by CREATING a mismatch, rather than accepting an equal matchup, or handing the opponent one (see: Spencer Johnson at ROLB)
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 19, 2012 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
When are the pats NOT in 2 TE sets?
And when are those not-2-TE-sets actually 5 receiver sets that have both Gronkowski and Hernandez on the field, the latter of which is usually split off the line?
Answer: 99% of the time.
Thanks for the backup
I agree with you. You have to get your playmakers out on the field, no matter what position they play.
Where does the 99% stat comes from?
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
by stetzwebs on Jan 19, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In reality there are AT LEAST 3 starting CB's now..
with teams almost always having 3 or 4 receivers on the field. I’d call Williams a sure starter next year, and although I would much much much much rather have a pass rusher at #10, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it’s Dre or Morris if they fall.
Dre Kirkpatrick was arrested for marijuana possession earlier this week, so I think that will drop him from the list of players Nix will consider at #10. I’m guessing that Morris Claiborne will be gone before we pick, so that will probably leave DE, OLB, WR, or LT as the most likely pick. No other CB was considered to be as good as those two.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 12:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What about the CB from Nebraska?
I hate that I love Buffalo.
by bflo on Jan 19, 2012 1:04 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Alfonzo Denard is considered a late first round pick. That would be a huge reach at #10 unless he shines at the combine. He’s only 5’10", so that might keep him from moving up the charts.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 2:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Trumaine Johnson from Montana is built similar to Kirkpatrick. Bills could take Johnson in the 2nd or 3rd round.
by PineWoodsBillsFan on Jan 19, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
Good Post
Regardless of the change in the game, if you have talented players, they are going to be on the field most of the plays. We have not drafted well enough to have “majority” down players.
in a nutshell
Beyond that, the team would do well to find more building blocks, rather than little-used potential difference-makers.
this tells the tale. Maybe on a “normal” team, 2/6(33%) picks being “building blocks” might be acceptable. But, this team was(is) so weak, the hit ratio should be much higher (and I maintain Dareus was a no brainer), so, 1/5(20%) might be closer. That is unacceptable for a team with scarcely little talent.
Couple this with the laundry list of players we passed on, who are making impacts(building blocks) on other teams vs. those listed above, and, IMO you have a 10-22 result and a slim chance of marked improvement. With better picks, this team could have been (should have been) further along the “rebuild trail”. There is no bigger example than Spiller(9) vs. JPP (15)…do we need a pass rusher?…and it’s not hindsight. JPP was a force in college and worth a #9 pick.
"a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats". -Vivian Mercier - a description of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"
According to Beckett, Godot was a metaphor for the Buffalo Bills :-)
Part of the problem was that Gailey immediately wanted to change from the 4-3 to the 3-4. Lacking players for those positions, Nix reached for the best available 3-4 NT and DE, but they were reaches nonetheless. The 2010 draft wasn’t loaded at those positions. Now that we have some more solid pieces in place for that front, we can look for upgrades at DE (over Edwards and Carrington) or OLB (over just about everybody at that position).
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 12:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
upgrades at DE (over Edwards and Carrington)
That’s my hang up. 2 years in and we need to upgrade Carrington who they drafted? If we had taken JPP vs. Spiller, this would be a moot point. Their approach is like shoveling sand. We do not have players that the draft picks can sit behind and “develop”. We need them on the field from day one. If the picks cannot dislodge the current “talent”, what good are they?
And, frankly, the “problem” that Gailey wanted a 3-4 from day one, is an indictment of Gailey. He was brought in to solve problems not create them. Isn’t he the guru who molds “the plan” around the players he has? Again, 2 years later and we now have a 4-3 DC, no OLBs (well, except Kelsay ;P), no pass rush and a defense that is no better than Jauron’s.
"a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats". -Vivian Mercier - a description of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"
According to Beckett, Godot was a metaphor for the Buffalo Bills :-)
by fansince60 on Jan 19, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gailey and Nix inherited Jauron’s pop-gun offense. While picking Spiller was surprising, it’s easy to see why they didn’t want to pass up a home run threat. The offense was struggling to score 20 points per game before Gailey arrived.
I wasn’t wild about the 3-4 switch, but I think the biggest problem there was hiring a defensive coordinator who lacked NFL experience. Edwards was a disaster, and replacing him with Wannstedt is a huge upgrade. As for Carrington, are you really that upset that a third-round pick isn’t a superstar after two years? He might become a better player with a non-strike off-season, but we could definitely use better pass rushers. As for saying that he should have molded the defensive scheme around the players he had, there wasn’t much of anything to start with other than Kyle Williams. I certainly wouldn’t be building around Chris Kelsay or Spencer Johnson. Who have we lost from the front seven that we are truly missing today?
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 1:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I agree Sirius
Last year is a bad year all the way around due to the strike. Give guys a chance with at least 2 full off seasons worth of training.
Most of the time, it takes 3 years for any kid to either step up from the pack, or fall back into obscurity.
Valid point Red
He could be our secret Meatball.
T-Rex didn’t exactly light up the league his first few years either.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 19, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions
I kept hearing comparisons of JPP to Maybin and Gholston. Athletic freak who won against inferior talent.
and it’s not hindsight. JPP was a force in college and worth a #9 pick.
I had zero problem at the time with us passing on him then, he looked like another one of those workout wonders.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
And if he was on this defense he very well could have been a workout wonder. Playing alongside Tuck and the rest of the Giants dline can do wonders for players.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 19, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Don’t believe everything you hear :)
"a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats". -Vivian Mercier - a description of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"
According to Beckett, Godot was a metaphor for the Buffalo Bills :-)
Lol, I learned that a long time ago.
I was just pointing out that from what I had heard and seen, JPP would have been a pretty big shock at #9 to me. Not quite as big as Spiller was, but a shock none the less.
There is no bigger example than Spiller(9) vs. JPP (15)…do we need a pass rusher?…and it’s not hindsight. JPP was a force in college and worth a #9 pick.
For me, I was looking at the 3 LT’s that were all gone by 9 and Derrick Morgan who hasn’t played well. I think you are using a bit of hindsight here, I don’t think anyone was clamoring for JPP at that point.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
NFL 2010 Draft results.
1 STL Bradford, Sam, QB, Oklahoma
2 DET Suh, Ndamukong, DT, Nebraska
3 TB McCoy, Gerald, DT, Oklahoma
4 WAS Williams, Trent, OT, Oklahoma
5 KC Berry, Eric, SS, Tennessee
6 SEA Okung, Russell, OT, Oklahoma State
7 CLE Haden, Joe, CB, Florida
8 OAK McClain, Rolando, LB, Alabama
9 BUF Spiller, C.J., RB, Clemson
Only TWO OTs were drafted ahead of Spiller.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 19, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
My mistake, I was thinking that was the year Oakland picked Bruce Campbell
I never was a fan of Bulaga for us since I thought he could only play RT.
Main point though was the fact that JPP was never on my (or most fans) radar. The “we could have drafted” game only causes frustration IMO.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
I hated the Spiller pick initially; like it now
but I was hoping the Georgia Tech connection would have netted us Demaryius Thomas. He and Bulaga were my two faves with the 9 pick that year.
As of 1/17/2012
No longer feeding the Buffalo Rumblings resident troll.
No longer responding to said trolls passive aggressive posts.
Not even if he baits by replying to a comment of my own.
Not even if his reply is devoid of all logic and assumes opinion as fact.
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 19, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think Spiller will ever live up to his draft position. How many teams decide to make their regime’s first pick in that fashion? I doubt he’ll be retained after his rookie contract and that then turns into a wasted first-round pick.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 19, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions
I disagree
I think Spiller will be here for many years, whereas Fred Jackson will be the one who goes sooner than we want him to.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 12:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I wasn't a fan of the Spiller pick when it was first announced
but I have been a fan since maybe midway through his rookie season. In fairness to Spiller, I think he still has the potential to be an every down player, he’s just not in a situation that allows it.
As of 1/17/2012
No longer feeding the Buffalo Rumblings resident troll.
No longer responding to said trolls passive aggressive posts.
Not even if he baits by replying to a comment of my own.
Not even if his reply is devoid of all logic and assumes opinion as fact.
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 19, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
And because of that, I continue to view selecting him a bad decision.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 19, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
So what you're saying...
is that you will view Spiller as a good draft pick as soon as the Bills get rid of Fred Jackson?
by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 7:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
If Justin Blackmon is gone...
It’s Courtney Upshaw all day long for me. That cat can play every down in one capacity or another (LB on run downs and DE on pass downs). I mean, Upshaw is about as much of a slam dunk as Dareus as far as being a PRODUCTIVE every down player goes.
Justin Blackmon is phenomenal, and would play every down for Buffalo. I’m just so torn on which guy I would take because we so desperately need that bona fide OLB/DE, but Blackmon is a game-breaker on offense.
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
"If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it all over again."
that's
really the only consolation i have, because Upshaw would actually be a great consolation prize
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
"If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it all over again."
by ForeignArrow on Jan 19, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
I think Blackmon will go in the top five unless he does something stupid like failing the drug test at the combine or getting arrested.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 12:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Here's to hoping for the best
:)
~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 Jan 19, 2012 1:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Unless the Rams trade back because a team wants to use the #2 pick on RG3 I think Blackmon is a lock at #2. It just makes sense to give Bradford a weapon like that. Jackson is going to be solid at RB for another year or two, and any more it isn’t necessary to draft a RB in the top 10.
Even then, the chances of the Rams dropping out of the top 9 picks is very slim. I don’t see why they’d trade out of the 2 spot unless they were still getting a top 10 pick and a lot of compensation.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 19, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think Blackmon is a lock at #2.
why? blackmon isnt nearly as gifted as AJ green or Julio jones, picks 4 and 6 from last year draft, respectively.
i happen to think blackmon, while unlikely to make it to pick 10, is one of the more overrated prospects in this class
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
agreed
I think Blackmon strikes me as the type of player that could be bust as likely as he could be boom. If I am St Louis, I am taking Kalil there.
Check out http://mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com/
by Billsdownunder on Jan 20, 2012 1:19 AM EST up reply actions
2 is kinda close to 10... right?
Seriously, if he isn’t gone to the Rams (because of Kalil, i would assume) then the case can be made for ANY team 3-9. We have no shot without a move. IMO.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 19, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
Yep.
Rams need WR help (Though they also desperately need LT help).
Minnesota needs WR help (Harvin is good but can’t be the only one)
Cleveland needs WR help.
Jax needs WR help.
Carolina needs WR help (Steve Smith had a great year but he needs help and he’s not going to be good forever).
As of 1/17/2012
No longer feeding the Buffalo Rumblings resident troll.
No longer responding to said trolls passive aggressive posts.
Not even if he baits by replying to a comment of my own.
Not even if his reply is devoid of all logic and assumes opinion as fact.
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 19, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Very True
Obviously a reason why we have not made the playoffs in 12 years – We don’t have a Bill Polian any longer.
Exactly
As pathetic as the 12 year playoff drought is, as putrid as the 10-22 record under Chix is, and as disgraceful as the 1-8 finish to last season is, the lack of true building blocks added over the past two drafts is the most disheartening aspect of this operation there is and this deficiency is 100% exhibited by the lack of full-time players produced. What a disgrace.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Jan 19, 2012 12:07 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Yup, totally agree
The Bills are landscaping the yard and buying bathroom fixtures before pouring the foundation. It’s asinine and backwards.
~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 Jan 19, 2012 1:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 5 recs
Could we not refer to it as manscaping?
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 19, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
The Bills are landscaping the yard and buying bathroom fixtures before pouring the foundation
A outstanding analogy~Rec’d
Since 2001—3 RB’s and 3 DB’s have been drafted number 1, building from the backfields in instead of the trenches out. Worse only 2 of those picks are still on the team CJ and McKelvin.
.
How come I always get blamed for everything I do ?
Dennis the Menace
idk that i agree
RB, DT, DE as top 3 two years ago.
DE(orDT?), CB, MLB as top three this last draft.
That looks like 4 defensive middle players, and 2 skill players to me.
if we look at the rest of those drafts we have:
WR easley, OT (cut) wang, OLB moats, OLB Batten, QB(cut) Brown, LT (cut) Calloway
DB Searcy LT hairston RB johnny white LB Chris White DB Rogers DT Jasper
that is 3 OTs… 3 LBs… 2 DBs… 2 skill players (WR easley, Rb white), and a QB that apparently wasn’t worth keeping instead of Thigpen… (though i disagree)
I see a TON of defense, mostly in the middle and on the edges, and then some offensive tackles. Those are foundation pieces, to me at least.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 19, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
When I look at the first three rounds of the last 2 drafts and see that 50% of the picks were defensive linemen, I have a hard time believing the front office is “buying bathroom fixtures” or building from the outside in. Thats not to say they’re without fault though; it just seems to me that the fault lies in execution (player we chose) and not strategy (position we chose).
Time for the baby to start crawling its way out of the NFL basement - Joe P.
Analogy
Best analogy yet…this is exactly how I feel about Nix’s work expressed perfectly.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
rec'd as well
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden
"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu
rec'd ....well said
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden
"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu
I strongly disagree
I don’t see why you say that there are no building blocks that came out of these two drafts. Spiller and Dareus were the two first round picks, and each one (so far) looks like somebody you could build around. Although Troup and Carrington haven’t quite panned out yet, we are only two years in, and Troup has been injured for much of that time. Carrington has shown some flashes, so I wouldn’t be so quick to discard him. Additionally, none of the players drafted in 2010 has had the benefit of a true off-season program thanks to the lockout. Aaron Williams will be one of our starting cornerbacks going into next season, and Sheppard looked good as a run defender and inside pass rusher. We seem to be getting good value from our late-round picks in both drafts.
I don’t know what more you expect out of a draft. Do you expect to find first-round talent in every round?
by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 7:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
agree Sirius
Carrington being moved to LB did nothing more than hinder his progress at DE, IMO. For all we know, he will be superior to Dwan this year, and will replace him as a starter (assuming we still have any 3-4 looks).
I don’t know what more you expect out of a draft. Do you expect to find first-round talent in every round?
this is the impression that i get from a number of individuals expectations, surrounding this site. Reality is, many of these pieces are going to be the guys that make up our core group, and we will need more like them, to be competitive.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 20, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
Why
Why can’t you make a rebuttal without “grouping” or better yet insulting people with comments like above? You aren’t the definitive answer guy you know right? You have a opinion not any more of a “reality” than anybody elses opinion. Sorry for rant just kinda chapped at your wrong I’m right attitudes around here lately. Again sorry for rant TRT.
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 20, 2012 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
I somewhat disagree
I get the point of the article, but to some extent, you need to be able to rotate players in and out without a big drop-off in the level of play. If you’re counting on 11 guys to play 95% of the plays on either side of the ball, you’re going to have many tired-out players by the end of the game.
Spiller – I think a showdown is looming. Fred Jackson voiced his displeasure in the preseason when he wasn’t the clear #1 back. So, either we give CJ more touches and make Fred unhappy, or we keep our expensive home run threat on the sidelines while we try to bunt our way down the field. Something has to give, and this off-season would be the perfect time to trade Fred for draft picks. The status quo will leave us with at least one unhappy running back.
Troup – He was a reach when they took him. Now, he’s looking like nothing more than a backup. Injuries have limited him considerably, but it seems like Kyle Williams is entrenched as the 3-4 NT, and Dareus would be the backup. If they revert to a 4-3, then you still have Dareus and Williams in the middle.
Carrington – He shows occasional flashes, but not often enough. We can only hope that a non-strike off-season gets him on track. There’s a high probability of the Bills drafting a pass-rushing DE, so that might leave Carrington as a backup.
Dareus – Had a solid season. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do when paired with a healthy Kyle Williams.
Aaron Williams – Looks like he has the athleticism to be a starting corner, although he got banged up a bit this year. The Bills seem likely to draft another CB this year to pair with him.
Sheppard – I liked what I saw of him this year, and he even showed the ability to get after a QB. Coverage skills were questionable, but so were Poszlusny’s.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 12:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions
RB is a part time position now
Only 22 RB’s averaged 15 carries per game last year, and Freddie was one of them. Only two averaged 20, MJD and Arian Foster. Limiting RB’s to 10-15 carries is the standard and probably best for a long, productive career.
Here, here
It’s one thing when your top draft picks are part timers but making impact as starters. When they are part timers, back ups, and can’t stay healthy, then you have problems.
Part-timers are ok to bring in
If they are in the correct areas. I don’t think the Bills are addressing needs and important pieces the right way. A part-time RB, 2-down NT, 2-down ILB and good money for a Wildcat QB are just a waste of good resources to me. Those are pieces you add later in drafts, cheaply in FA or after you have the important areas of the team set (QB, OL, pass rush, DB’s). The Bills did it backwards and that’s what the biggest issue is to me. Part-timers are fine to add, but not in place of building blocks.
Hopefully, Nix does avoid these part-timers at less than premium positions and starts adding true difference makers.
~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 Jan 19, 2012 1:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
It comes down to your division
If you look at our division, not a single one of them is a base offense with more than 2 WR’s.
NE is 2TE, 1RB
NYJ and MIA are 1TE, 2RB
We still need run stopping DL and LB’s. They are still starters in this division. I think the real problem is that they haven’t been difference makers (except for Dareus)
Jeffery would be an everydown back. I’d use him over Johnson in single wide out packages due to his size. Drawing double coverage will allow Jackson, spiller and whatever bums we have at te to run free in those packages
Goin off the rails on the "missin' for griffin" train
by J. Mackin on Jan 19, 2012 1:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Everydown player, not back
Goin off the rails on the "missin' for griffin" train
by J. Mackin on Jan 19, 2012 1:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The title says it all
Good post and I agree with K’s points as well. It’s not bad to have complimentary pieces, but don’t add them before the building blocks.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
fair points
however if the Bills drafted a QB and pass rusher with their top 2 picks would anyone be disappointed? Even if the QB sat behind Fitz for a year or two and the pass rusher wasn’t an every down player – as Brian mentioned he wouldn’t be in his post?
Check out http://mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com/
I would be very happy if the Bills could grab a QB to develop, but I don’t think the chances are good for it to happen in either of the first two rounds because of Barkley and Jones returning to college. Luck and Griffin will almost certainly be gone before the Bills get to pick, and Tannehill is too much of a risk (because of lack of experience) for Nix to take at #10. For the second round, they would have to hope for either Tannehill to slide or have Nick Foley still on the board.
There might still be some developmental QBs in mid rounds, like Case Keenum. He would fit well in Gailey’s spread offense.
by SiriusRed on Jan 19, 2012 3:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I still think
Mercilus, or Perry, will be the pick at 10.
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
Why????
It’s unclear if the Bills will ever view Spiller as an every-down back.
Didn’t Chan already say Spiller couldn’t handle the load as a full time RB? How much clearer does he have to make it?
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden
"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances." - Sun Tzu
idk
The thought I have is that they don’t want to waste him right now when the team is bad. Instead they use Fred. Maybe it will increase his time in the NFL a year or two. So in theory when we are a playoff team in 1-2 years, Spiller will be a long term factor in that. Instead of being given 25 carries now, and playing less years. Just my logic on it.
You are now Watching The Throne.
Love this post
It is a unique way of saying that CHIX has followed in the decade long pattern of blowing draft choices. As has been made abundantly clear above, the game has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. I just don’t think an old dog like Nix can learn the required new tricks. Please turn this thing over to Doug Whaley.
prediction for 2011 season is 5 and 11
I don't see that at all
I think both of Nix’s drafts were reasonable. So far, more players are panning out from the 2011 draft, but that doesn’t mean that bad players were drafted. Maybin was a terrible pick — there was no way a player his size was going to be a 4-3 DE in the NFL. Spiller was the best player available, while Troup and.Carrington were drafted for need. Easley is still an unknown, and we got good value from Batten and Moats.
Every team is going to have some draft picks who fail, but the goal is to pick people with a reasonable chance to succeed. That is the difference I see with Nix in charge. He tries to pick players that will be around for a decade, not just three years.
by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 6:51 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Really?
I thought it was a unique way of saying Nix’s 2011 draft was better than his 2010 one.
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
I think Jeffery could be just as good if not better then Blackmon in buffalo’s current offense. He’s a big target and better route runner then Blackmon. Due to buffalo relying on short-intermediate timing routes it think Jeffery is actually the better option. Maybe grab hightower or a cb that slips, denard or the cb from north Alabama or oline man. The D isn’t as bad as we think (outside the pass rush) but one thing that can help them are long methodical drives that keep the defense fresh and off the field. I read somewhere that buffalo should make a run at Mario Williams and if the texans let him test the market we should over bid and make him an offer he can’t refuse. Imagine dareus, Williams, whoever on the line Williams, Barnett, Shepard, merriman/Kelsey/moats at lb and mckelvin, McGee, Williams, Byrd, Wilson and searcy. That defense looks stout but we only add 1 player. The d is on player away where as the offense is a couple wr, te, tackle away from being good. We payed all this money for fitz let’s give him the best chance to succeed.
Goin off the rails on the "missin' for griffin" train
by J. Mackin on Jan 19, 2012 5:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think this article makes fair points...
But misses the mark. Although Im not certain if Galliford is just ignoring one half of the equation to make his point, knowing full well the glass is always half full as well as half empty. If so, no disrespect for pointing out the obvious.
I see things quite differently. As Chan and Nix have said repeatedly, building depth is very important to an NFL teams’ chances of opening the window, jumping through it, and competing on the other side. Well not in those exact words, but yall get the point.
I think we all can agree that before the regime switch, and subsequent departures of players like Whitner, Poz, Lynch and Evans, the team was pretty much devoid of depth across the board. However, in two seasons, through the draft and free agency, Chix has built solid if not slightly above average depth at safety, on the defensive line, inside linebacker, on the offensive line, tail back, and wide out. With corner only being an issue due to McKelvins poor play, Corners lack of size, and McGees inability to stay healthy. In addition to outside linebacker, which isnt the easiest position to field with every down players to begin with, coupled with failed experiments and injuries.
My point being, the Bills are now in a fortunate position to begin taking chances in the draft and free agency considering the foundation is damn near set because of Chix’ philosophy not in spite of it. Its a chicken and the egg scenario. Do you take your chances drafting high risk, overpaid “studs” and building around them when they pan out, or build a foundation thatll be around for 4 to 5 years and plug high risk "studs into the system with something to fall back on if said players dont pan out?
In any case, I still dont see Chix solely swinging for the fences, and instead looking for a combination of versatile players and specialists to do the home run hitting for them.
by aRC on Jan 19, 2012 9:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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