Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix Lays Out Team's Off-Season Priorities
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:10 PM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintBuffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix held a 45-minute press conference with local reporters this morning at One Bills Drive, during which he fielded dozens upon dozens of questions about his plans for the team heading into a critical off-season. As is typical of Nix, he was frank with the vast majority of his responses, and even went into detail about where he sees room for improvement on his roster.
We don't have direct quotes for you, but having listened to the entire press conference, here's what you need to know about how Nix plans to address his team's shortcomings over the next few months.
Current Personnel. Obviously, the first question fired was about the free agent status of Stevie Johnson. Nix unequivocally said that the team wants him back, that there's been dialogue between the team and Johnson's representatives since the season ended, and that if Johnson leaves, the team will need two receivers. This sounds like their most imminent priority, the way Nix was talking.
Current Personnel (continued). Nix also said that he plans on getting Fred Jackson under contract so that the running back can finish his career in Buffalo. Given the fact that Jackson is still under contract through 2012, however, Nix said that the goal is to get Jackson extended by the time the 2012 regular season begins. This is a priority, just not an emergent one.
Nix was firm in stating that the team would like Rian Lindell back to kick, and also said that the current plan is to try to re-sign Demetrius Bell to compete at left tackle. He was far less convincing about Roscoe Parrish, who Nix perceives as a major injury risk, and (surprisingly) Scott Chandler, who Nix said the team would like back, but only at "the right price." Nix also said that the team needs a receiver with Parrish's skill set, and that Bell's injury history is concerning. (He sounded iffy about the left tackle position in general, in fact.)
Finally, Nix was fervent in his support of Ryan Fitzpatrick, though he did say that the team would draft a quarterback they liked at the right spot if that situation presented itself. Buddy seems to truly believe that with a better supporting cast, Fitzpatrick can be a playoff-level quarterback.
Areas of Acquisition. The first position Nix brought up in terms of areas to improve was the team's pass rush. He was non-committal about a scheme, saying that even 3-4 teams spend roughly half of their time playing four-man front in sub-packages; he went on to explain that that reality dictates that the team is looking for bigger pass rushers - he used a 6'4", 255 or 260-pound measurement as a guideline - that can stand up or put their hand on the ground. Nix also said that the team would like one or two of these players, and that if there was a pass rusher in free agency that could help, they'd aggressively pursue the option.
Nix then mentioned that the team needs a "big-time" receiver, referencing the need for a player like Calvin Johnson that's "uncovered when he's covered." They'd like to get one even if Stevie Johnson is re-signed, noting that they'd get two if Stevie leaves.
Offensive tackle will be on the upgrade list, as well, with Nix saying that the team can't ever have enough of them. They'll get one at some point; Nix said they'd look at them in the draft. The team also wants two more cornerbacks -where the team's depth really dwindled last season - and at linebacker, where they've got a bunch of impending free agents.
What say you, Bills fans? There's a lot in there, so take your time and digest thoroughly.
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For anyone that didn’t listen: I took fairly diligent notes during my lunch break, so if you have questions, ask. I’ll relay what I heard.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:16 PM EST reply actions
Sounds like he didn’t address the question (one way or the other) of whether he might be stepping down after the draft and turning the reins over to Whaley. Is that right? And if he didn’t, aren’t you a little surprised that none of the reporters asked about it? If nothing else it would have been interesting to hear exactly how he denied it — firmly or leaving a little wiggle room.
He said he’s not going anywhere. He said he’s never quit anything and wants to see this through completion. He said as long as he can continue to travel, do college scouting, etc., he’ll keep doing it. He said he doesn’t want to lose Whaley, but also hinted that Whaley needs more experience before he can become a GM (needs more experience in the draft room , etc.).
No, he definitely addressed it. He is not retiring, and he hopes Whaley doesn’t leave for another job.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder how Whaley feels about this. We can all hope for a lot of things…
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!
Whaley would have to have control of personnel and draft decisinos wherever he goes...
It is a stipulation in the NFL for non-GMs and assistant coaches who are under contract that they have to get jobs that are superior. If Whaley moved he would have to get significant control of the org because he is under contract with the Bills.
The NFL does not allow management to make parallel moves while udner contract.
yes
and I assume the Bills are not letting him talk with other teams. Or he would have been mentioned as a hot prospect the last week on other teams lists.
"God all-MIGHTY! God all-MIGHTY! Why do we DO that?!! God all-MIGHTY!!!" "Just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."
"We're at the crossroads...there's no doubt about that. But you can get it done...you can get it done...what's more you've GOT to get it done." Lou Saban
Are their any decent pass rushers in fa this year.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jan 9, 2012 12:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions
With about two months until free agency starts, teams have way too much time to re-sign their own to even be thinking about who may or may not be available. Just my opinion.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
I am not a team though. I just thought there were not many good pass rushere unlike the gold mine at wr this year
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jan 9, 2012 12:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
My point was that the list of free agents scheduled to be available today will look remarkably different from the one that actually matters, which we’ll see two months from now.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
I understood your point brian. It still remains I am curious who is avaible or who might be avaible. I am not the bills since it is the off season for the bills its not like I have a whole lot of bills related stuff to think or talk about. I have potential free agents thhe draft and how the front office can screw up. I am not obd I do not have to spend all my time thinking about resigning my own players.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jan 9, 2012 12:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I was simply responding to your original question: “Are their any decent pass rushers in fa this year.”
There’s no answer to that question right now.
And now I’m done talking about this subject, because there really isn’t anything else to say on my end. Sorry if I offended you. (Why is everyone offended by me?)
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
(Why is everyone offended by me?)
no worse than me. ;)
if i were to weigh in- in this instance though, i personally see no reason for matthew62 to be so antagonistic… you simply answered frankly, which most people appreciate.
@matthew62: GOOGLE.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
And in matthew62’s defense, he’s posting on his phone, which may or may not be Google-friendly.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
oh, for sure
i have a black berry, and i find it difficult to navigate some sites as well… but then, i am willing to wait and then look it up myself later. i mean, there are plenty of “potential” free agent lists, but as you point out: many of these are not yet relevant, as teams will likely pursue some or most of their own talent, and those lists will dwindle. More so, i don’t understand why your answer wasn’t adequate, in this instance. That’s all. Matthew62 and I generally see eye to eye, so i meant nothing offensive, just saying: google it. there are plenty of lists of guys we can dream for. : )
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Cliff Avril – DET – 26
Robert Mathis – IND – 31 (more of 2-3 year quick fix to make the pass rush respectable)
Mario Williams – HOU – 27
(ages given are what the players will be at the start of the next season).
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t believe so. But if the Vikes switch to a 3-4 we should pursue a trade for him.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
We’ll see.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
no...they won't
blue chippers who hit the FA market do so for two reasons…..first, they want a huge payday, which the Bills will never give them…..and two, they want to play on a team with a legitimate chance at a SB, which the Bills are not perceived as being. So, in summary….forget about blue chip FAs until the Bills show they can contend.
"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
by Joe P. on Jan 9, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
catch 22
and they might not contend until they get a blue chip FA or 2…sigh
"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 :-)
not really.....they just need to draft well enough to be competitive
"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
depends on the year....this year there might be more depending upon who signs and who hits the market
"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
Ask Derrick Dockery about a huge payday
I know, it wasn’t Buddy Nix, but the Bills have paid big $$ in the past to FA’s, and there’s no reason to assume they won’t again. I have no doubt that if Buddy likes a guy enough and that guy wants to come to Buffalo, then they’ll shell out the coin to get it done. Now of course there’s just the matter of liking a guy and him wanting to come to Buffalo :)
Dock was not a blue chip player.....overpaid yes, but not a blue chipper
That is where the Bills are at…overpaying for red chippers
"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 thought the Chandler comments were surprising and candid. I got the impression he didn’t think that highly of him and that his production was a product of being on the field. Almost like he views him more as a backup. But he didn’t say TE was a priority need either.
I think that’s one free agent that will make to the opening of free agency. It’ll be interesting to see if the other teams value him higher.
New england signs him and starts to use three te sets with 3 te that can catch the ball downfield.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jan 9, 2012 12:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'd rather him get the ball then Gronk or Hernandez - they're too good !
It's close to Midnight, somethings lurking in the backfield. Under the Bright Lights he cuts so fast it almost stops your heart. You start to scream, but he's in the End Zone before you make it. You're Paralysed.
Cause it's CJ Spiller - all Frickin Night, and no-ones gonna save you from the Beast that just struck ya. You know it's CJ Spiller ! You're fighting for your life against the Spiller Thriller tonight !
Maybe Buddy wants an upgrade
Chandler did reasonably well last year as a receiver, but he is not much of a blocker, and Chan Gailey really wants a first-string TE who can BOTH block and catch. There may be a possibility of picking one up in FA. As Der Jaeger has pointed out, John Carlson is likely to be available due to his differences with Pete Carroll in Seattle, and Carlson, a Notre Dame product, is someone who can do everything Chan wants. There are other possibilities as well, and also some prospects in the draft. If that’s how Buddy is thinking, it would make sense for him to say, in effect, that he is still interested in Chandler, but only for second-string money.
I was quite surprised at how candid he was on Chandler
Why say that? Is this what he really thinks and doesn’t care if Chandler knows, or is this a negotiating ploy?
The following TEs are FAs in 2012
Finley
Olsen
Donald Lee
Marcedes Lewis
Shiancoe
John Carlson
Jake Ballard
So based on this list, Chandler is far from the top free agent. I think we could upgrade the position this off season.
Last night Miller was an absolute beast in the run blocking game and he’s such a great pass catching target. I’d love to have a guy like Miller
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
Maybe the best of the FA class is Fred Davis, 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."
Oh I really like Davis, a lot!
Not much of a blocker but a great pass catching threat! Bo Buddy!!
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
True
but 1 strike away for a year long ban does not sound like the type of guy they usually bring in.
However that might make him a well priced pickup for some team ! Cooley is old and oft injured now though so I wonder if Washington end up bringing Davis back.
It's close to Midnight, somethings lurking in the backfield. Under the Bright Lights he cuts so fast it almost stops your heart. You start to scream, but he's in the End Zone before you make it. You're Paralysed.
Cause it's CJ Spiller - all Frickin Night, and no-ones gonna save you from the Beast that just struck ya. You know it's CJ Spiller ! You're fighting for your life against the Spiller Thriller tonight !
t. Gonzalez should be on that list
"God all-MIGHTY! God all-MIGHTY! Why do we DO that?!! God all-MIGHTY!!!" "Just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."
"We're at the crossroads...there's no doubt about that. But you can get it done...you can get it done...what's more you've GOT to get it done." Lou Saban
The only thing that I found strange was the hesitation when he spoke about re-signing Chandler. I wonder if they opened negotiations and Chandler requested an exorbitant amount? Or maybe he just doesn’t think pass catching TEs are that important lol
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Jan 9, 2012 12:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Chandler had good hands..
But a difference maker he is not. Buddy is hopefully thinking along those lines. Gronk, Hernandez, Graham, etc. We need one of those.
Id consider Chandler a first-stringer, just not the best in the league. woulldnt you consider Gronk & Hernandez both first-stringers? So pay Chandler (if it’s resonable) and still upgrade.
Actually, on reading Buddy’s comments on the Buff News website, I think he was fairly positive about re-signing Chandler. But he clearly doesn’t see Chandler as the equal of Gronk or Hernandez and won’t overpay. But the key remains that Chandler doesn’t block that well, and Chan Gailey really wants his main guy TE to be a good blocker.
Draft is very deep at Tight End
The draft as well has ton of prospect of similar size of Chandler and better skill that will be available.
I think the stats for Chandler are misleading his role was important on the team.
His role however can be filled since there are more athletic and fluid guys coming up in the tight end position.
When he mentioned upgrading the pass rush, is he planning on doing it with defensive ends, dedicated outside linebackers or pass-rushing safety/corner blitzes?
"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England
As stated in the article, he wants 6’4"-6’5", 255-260-pound pass rushers that can set the edge against the run and rush the passer in either a 3-4 or a 4-3. You know… what Shawne Merriman used to be.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
What it seems like is that he wants a defense that is full of specialists that are used in specific situations. I think that’s fine for when you’re protecting a lead or in certain down/yardage situations where the opponent’s offensive playbook is going to be more limited. I think it can lead to serious problems early in games, on 1st and 10s and when depth is tested due to injury. Specialists are great but the core of a team’s defense needs to be players who do several things well. If you rely on specialists too heavily, you surrender the advantage to the offense.
"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England
how did you interpret that? him wanting a 6’4 260 lb guy is exactly opposite of a specialist…
that size is bigger than our tampa-2 4-3 DE and the same size of 3-4 OLB… a couple fast guys of that body type can be fast enough to seal the edges and rush the passer…
that’s perfect
by statcruncher on Jan 9, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, to me, it seems like he wants the opposite – 11 guys that can play any down in any scheme. Which is what anyone would want.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
rec'd....this is exactly right
"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
and so different than what the other 31 teams want.
; )
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
IT IS
I know you are being sarcastic….but it is important to state.
We wouldn’t want a guy like he said like Vonn Miller.
we would rather go for a guy like Orkapo. Something that we weren’t about before hence why they drafted Aaron Maybin in the previous regime
i wasnt being sarcastic as much as stating the obvious
I have to disagree with you almost entirely. Had Denver taken Dareus, you can rest assured we would have taken Miller.
If we would rather a guy like orakpo, why did we select Maybin? Orakpo was still there as I recall, right?
My point was that I agree: it seems we want 11 guys who are capable in any scheme, in any down, or any situation. If you don’t agree that all GMs want a team of guys like that, I think you are mistaken. Nothing would make a GM’s job easier, or more successful than consistently finding guys that can do everything. Not just here and there, but all guys always? What would pray tell, be the downside to having a team of guys who do everything well? I don’t see any. Especially if any guy we got rid of (probably at a value) would inherently be replaced by another guy who was good at everything.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm pretty sure dabbling in the flesh trades is against BR community guidelines :-)
"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
We’re talking about a sumo culture, they pay by the pound…
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Jared Crick - 3/4 or 4/3 DE (Nebraska) 6'6 285Lbs. (late 1st - early 2nd)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Michael Floyd - WR (Notre Dame) 6'3 224Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
This is the best comment in the thread
rec’d
Very funny!
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
I really like Courtney Upshaw. He fits that bill to a tee (pardon the pun). He came on hot late in the season (really hot).
I will be watching him tonight almost exclusively
Wrong.
Upshaw is 6-1 (at best) 260. That makes him Incredibly undersized in terms of height (which means he’s also the wrong body type, short and stout vs. tall and built). That and he’s slow as molasses. watch him run a 4.82 40
Cliff Avril
He’s a free agent right? I read somewhere he had 11 sacks this year and the Lions have a lot of money tied up in their line already so they may have to let him go. Perhaps our “big” free agent acquisition?
(He sounded iffy about the left tackle position in general, in fact.)
I agree. He said Hairston could play LT, but then he also later said he could be serviceable. With Bell, he has ‘all the tools’ but can’t stay on the field.
There’s some OTs that could be there at #10 (the Stanford and Iowa LTs). I didn’t think that would be in play, but now I think it’s a possibility if there’s not a pass rusher they like.
Have no problems with anything he said.
WR who is uncovered when he’s covered could be someone like V-Jax in FA or Jeffery at the draft.
pass rushers – he used a 6’4", 255 or 260-pound measurement as a guideline – that can stand up or put their hand on the ground.
I wonder how he views Melvin Ingram in light of this. ESPN has him listed at 6-2 276 but he is quite the athlete. Athleticism can’t be taught like technique can. (plus I can’t imagine height is an issue if said 6-2 player has an average arm length similar to a 6-4 player.)
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
I would say the moats dibaccle means height matters to them. But these guys heights and weights are all over the place till the combine. Who knows he could be 6 ft 4
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Jan 9, 2012 12:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How soon we forget Ed Wang, our actual fifth rounder from that draft ;)
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
he’s right there with Calloway, Green, et al. as the “solutions” at tackle.
"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 :-)
To be fair, I don’t think anyone saw him as “the solution”. A reserve guard/tackle in the fifth round is entirely acceptable. He didn’t pan out, but it wasn’t unreasonable. The media just fell in love with the idea that he’s full-blooded Chinese so he got more attention than he deserved from a talent perspective.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
I know
It was sarcasm
"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 :-)
Sounds like Buddy has a mighty large wish list:
1 Super Athletic, uncoverable receiver
1 or 2 Large, fluid pass rushers
1 Shifty slot receiver
1 Left Tackle prospect, preferably not injury prone
2 cornerbacks for more depth
a couple of linebackers for more depth
"Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin." - stetzwebs
I’d be worried if his wish list was small.
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Certainly
But it does make it seem a little disappointing that, 2 years into this regime, we still are looking for 3 starters, at least 2 prospects to eventually become starters, and more depth, and we have a questionable starting quarterback.
If we have a draft as good as our 2011 draft was, I could see this team finally able to compete next year.
"Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin." - stetzwebs
I think every team has a wishlist like this. The reality is that they only hit on one or two of these in any given offseason, three would be considered a home run, imo. The other holes are usually filled with serviceable players.
Even the Patriots, Packers, and Saints have needs and positions that could use upgrading.
They were able to add Dareus, Williams, and Shepp in last year’s draft who all started as well as reserves they like in Hairston and Rogers. So it’s not disappointing… yet.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
I think the list of what he doesn't want is shorter
RB, C, G, DT, S, P, PK, LS
ls is fa this year
just saying
"God all-MIGHTY! God all-MIGHTY! Why do we DO that?!! God all-MIGHTY!!!" "Just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."
"We're at the crossroads...there's no doubt about that. But you can get it done...you can get it done...what's more you've GOT to get it done." Lou Saban
1 Super Athletic, uncoverable receiver—- Alshon Jeffery, rd1 (S.Carolina)
1 or 2 Large, fluid pass rushers—- Devin Taylor rd2 (S.Carolina) / Taylor Thompson rd7 (SMU)
1 Shifty slot receiver—- Clowney!!
1 Left Tackle prospect, preferably not injury prone— early rd4, maybe Ryan Miller (Colorado)
2 cornerbacks for more depth— Casey Hampton, rd3 (Vanderbilt) / Dequan Menzie late rd4 (Alabama)
a couple of linebackers for more depth— Early rd6 Danny Trevathan (Kentucky) / re-sign Morrison
… Not terribly difficult to fill. And there’s still lots of FA possibilities that might change things up
@Nepenthe88
Jeffery is good. Michael Floyd from Notre Dame might be better and is not much smaller. Has more speed than Jeffery.
I think the Bills go CB with #10. Watch Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama tonight. He won’t go too much lower than Morris Claiborne from LSU.
agree wholeheartedly on Kirkpatrick. He’s great against the run, has good size/speed and is good value for the pick. I’ll be watching!
On the WR’s, I think Nix will downgrade Floyd because of his DWI, and inflate Jeffery because of his size (if you’be been listening to him these past 2.5 years you’ll know he’s REAL big on measurables)…
anyway… MY top 11 BIG BOARD goes like this (11 because we’re guaranteed to get one of them regardless of who takes who before us, the first five are w/out stats cause we have very little chance at drafting them):
andrew luck
robert griffin3
matt kalil
justin blackmon
morris clayborne
(WR) Alshon Jeffery 6-5 230 (S.Carolina)
(CB) Dre Kirkpatrick 6-3 198 (Alabama)
(DE) Nick Perry 6-3 250 (USC)
(QB) Ryan Tannehill 6-4 220 (Texas A&M)
(OT) Riley Reiff 6-6 300 (Iowa)
(WR) Michael Floyd 6-3 225 (Notre Dame)
Buddy is on thje right track!
All this talk about drafting a QB, but they had a good draft last year in getting Dareus, Williams and Sheppard – Keep focusing on defense like the Steelers and Ravens did for years, and always are in the playoffs!
by BuffaloWhiner on Jan 9, 2012 12:34 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Keep focusing on defense like the Steelers and Ravens did for years
But neither of those teams draft defense heavy. Baltimore with only four first rounders on defense over the last decade and two QBs. Pittsburgh’s last 10 first rounders go DL – OL – DL – RB – LB – WR – TE – QB – SS – OL. There is no pattern of successful teams drafting defense. They all look for balance and they all go hard after QBs. If you want Buffalo to draft like Ozzie Newsome or like the Steelers do, then you want them to draft for balanced teams and you want them to prioritize the QB position over other positions.
"You mean @TWHITNER. It’s how he prefers to be referenced." - Jon Harrington
by kaisertown on Jan 9, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Agreed
Well put. While I agree with most of what Buddy states (or Brians notes about what Buddy states) about the teams needs, I hope there’s a QB there at 10 that they like, that can develop over the next couple of years as Fitzy’s successor.
by buffaloparks on Jan 9, 2012 1:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
QB shortage
This draft is seeing several top QB prospects opting for a senior year rather than coming out (Barkley and Jones), I’d hope they avoid the top ten QB pick this year and focus on one of the other needs
Agree with that too...
I don’t want them to reach for a QB at 10 “just because”, but if a guy like Tannehill or whomever else looks like he’s going to be the real deal, I’d hope they pull the trigger over anyone else. But you’re right, with top prospects like Barkley and Jones staying put, and several teams picking ahead of Buffalo w/ needs at QB, the chance of someone being there that they love is greatly reduced. It’ll be good fodder for discussion in the offseason once again however!
Agreed...
I also believe that teams that are more successful and periennially draft later in the rounds have the luxury of filling in for depth at positions without having to find “Starters” or difference makers in year “one”. Since there are only so many of these “elite talents” (plug and play) at the top of drafts… a team like Buffalo is looking for play makers. I think they thought Spiller was a lot more ready than he was and if we remember correctly had a big preseason his rookie year, then “flopped” out of the gate when he went up against the “big boys”. So Nix’s theory was correct… it just is taking more time for Spiller to show it. Darius is a plug and play. My guess is they will try to land another starter with their 10th pick this year even if it is at a position they have a starter at now, they might look at the 10th pick player as an immediate upgrade to what they have on the roster.
My other point is...
I think they should go QB either at #10 because they will have their “pick” outside of the top 2 guys in Luck and RG3. Or their #9 pick in the 2nd round, because they could still land a top tier guy that needs a bit of development behind Fitz.
I hope the Bills are agreesive in Free Agency to fill holes at WR, OLB/DE, then they find a QB early in the draft.
Cant say I disagree with any of it.
I like that they want a big play WR, even if we re-sign Stevie, which would then open up 13 even more.
Pass Rush is obvious, as is a reliable LT. Which could be Bell if he could just stay healthy.
I like the plan, now we just gotta execute.
I hate that I love Buffalo.
Sounds to me like Stevie is gone IF...
Nix finds 2 Calvin Johnsons in the draft/FA regardless of the price Stevie comes down to.
I have the distinct feeling Blackmon is #1 on Buffalo’s draft board right now.
Also, as I suspected, it’s been nice knowing you Roscoe. Go get yourself a superbowl with a team that gives you a fair shake.
Roscoe hasn’t gotten a fair shake here???
by Leo Crow on Jan 9, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Not up until the last two seasons. This last season I blame thanks in part to the lockout (new Strength & Conditioning coaches/program never got a chance).
This also coincides with Parrish actually getting playing time. For whatever reason, Jauron wouldn’t use him for anything more than punt returns, if at all. Once Gailey worked him into the offense, he proved he was too small and brittle to hold up for an entire season. I doubt he will be back unless Nix can get him for an absolute bargain.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i agree
and though his skillset is unique, guys like him haven’t often proven effective. D Jax is basically the only truly gifted smaller receiver who has maintained a #1 status recently. of course, few of them are taken to be true number one go-to-guy types… but it is also for that very reason they are expendable, and not worth giving ridiculous money to, especially if they can’t stay on the field, which has been Roscoe’s issue all along.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
You’re already saying he’s going to get hurt? That’s pessimistic…
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
parrish is a FA
so i think he is suggesting that clowney will be the FAST GUY role… but he is quite a big bigger, and idk if he is as shifty as what they are thinking. hard to say for sure.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I know, just wanted to get a dig on Parrish in.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
appreciate the bold honesty
And fire away. Won’t offend me. My only hope is mularkey can go back to Miami and find a Ted Ginn the third, a jp losman (oh wait he has him already) and maybe pick up lee when the ravens bounce him, and he can run gadget plays while Marcel eats his linemen alive, resulting in Incognito stabbing someone in the locker room after he gets owned and then dansby can talk about how great he is while yeremiah bell talks just to hear his won voice.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I'm sure Blackmon is high on their board...
but I don’t see any way that he will be available at #10. He will probably be gone in the top five.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
he will be gone no later than 2
would be my guess. I realize, this offers me very little (zero) leeway on being wrong… but, I am right, and most would likely agree. If the Colts could guarantee a few more year of Peyton, they would take him. Since they cannot, they have already accepted, they will take Luck. Which means the next team should be taking BPA, and biggest need both, and WR has been their biggest need since drafting Bradford, and it wasn’t really properly addressed yet. I don’t suspect that mistake to be made again this year.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Again, Buddy has demonstrated he has a firm grasp of the obvious.
Wow! The Bills need a pass rush and a big time receiver. Nothing even remotely new in this report with the possible exception of luke warm on Chandler. Too bad he didn’t announce his resignation and the elevation of Whaley. Yes he is frank but he is frankly mediocre.
prediction for 2011 season is 5 and 11
by jpheff on Jan 9, 2012 12:45 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m sure that if he could’ve signed Calvin Johnson and DeMarcus Ware while talking to reporters for 45 minutes on January 9, jpheff, he could have.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Make that would have at the end of that sentence.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
No he wouldn't...
That would be tampering. ;-)
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hence:
I’m sure that if he could’ve
Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz
by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 9, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
Since Buddy has not yet produced a winning team
(I know it is only 2 years but I’m getting old) we are left with dissecting his press conference.
We would all rather be talking about a Bills win in the playoffs. His ramblings, however frank, do nothing to move us forward. He moved the press conference back a week for this pablum?
prediction for 2011 season is 5 and 11
He moved the press conference back a week for this pablum?
That’s exactly what I thought, including the word pablum!
"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 :-)
i agree
i have that same feeling. i think that Chargers could just as likely tag him first (i am under impression that a limitation on franchising wasn’t imposed/included in the new CBA), just to force us to give up something for him. they can always trade him elsewhere, should that not work. as long as we don’t trade a first for him, i would be interested to see what another big body receiver with proven ability could do to make Fitz better. wouldn’t likely make him worse. idk if we could get him as a straight up FA.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
LOL...rec'd for...
Again, Buddy has demonstrated he has a firm grasp of the obvious.
comic gold :-)
"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
and yet, at the same time, it’s not funny!
"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 9, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
truth...rec'd
"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 love it when people give him hell when he says things they disagree with (the o-line might be okay) and then give him hell when he says things they do agree with (stating the obvious). It really leaves me to believe we have a fair and balanced community here at BR. One thats interested in football, not just griping!
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Jan 9, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Lol, well said grey.
You would think people would find comfort in what he said, I know I did. Apparently Buddy is still an idiot to many on BR simply due to his age and accent.
"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
Yea, those guys in the south don’t know anything about football!
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 7:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
recd
it is pretty easy to be a backseat driver critiquing Nix’s every move.
That said, the guy is human, and not without fault. I personally want to see him back up his claims in actions, as they are all logical, and the “right” answer for the most part.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Again, Buddy has demonstrated he has a firm grasp of the obvious.
and thats a problem because?
a firm grasp of the obvious is something that the bills front office has lacked for a good long while.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
by boomsauce on Jan 9, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
while he grasps the obvious at the press conference
he’ll probably draft another running back.
prediction for 2011 season is 5 and 11
if buddy nix drafts trent richardson, id have a very difficult time not being extremely excited about it that guy being a buffalo bill, despite the insanity of taking another RB.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
Same here. If that was the case I’d also hope we’d start drafting fantastic run blocking O-lineman (even at the cost of pass protection).
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
still dont follow him on fitzy
but i am happy to hear her wants stevie.
im with him on chandler and its nice to see his priorities match up with most of us on wanting a pass rusher.
i wonder which late round qb he likes……interesting tidbit i think.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5.
I think he left it open that he might use a first-round pick for a QB
He said flat-out that the Bills will take any QB that they really like. He didn’t specify what round that might be, which means that if a QB who they believe has exceptional potential is there at pick #10 they may very well go with him. It’s true that he gave Fitz a ringing endorsement, but I suspect his comment about being willing to draft a QB if they think highly of him is probably more important.
right
the draft is a “big picture” in a way, and the biggest needs aren’t always the ones addressed first. you have to take an impact player for the first few rounds, and then there are still plenty of kids that can work out, past those rounds. So far, Nix seems to have added talent, regardless of all the ‘boo birds’ feeling on this matter. I can’t say I endorse every move, but what fan can?
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
you have to take an impact player for the first few rounds
Do you mean first year impact? Or just someone who eventually makes an impact?
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
i meant immediate impact
although, i am one who thinks QBs/CBs/WRs/RBs often have at least one year needed for acclimation… even when they are pretty good. only truly AMAZING (“elite”?- i think i am better understanding how Kurupt sees his version of the talent scale) players come in and produce year one, to a ridiculous degree. so, in the first two rounds, you want an immediate upgrade for a need starter. for third and fourth, you are willing to give them 6-8 games to get to the field, probably because you at least have a capable starter, and then the first year is still getting feet wet, expect improvement in year 2. that is how i see it at least.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
I don't see it that way
It took CJ Spiller 26 games to make an impact. Does that diminish his value? Sometimes you place value on projection, not immediate impact. That’s what Green Bay did with Rodgers.
If you just go for immediate impact, then you may be missing on greatness.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
as i clearly point out
Rb and qb are positions that take time to get acclimated.
Let me pose this: do you agree CJs opportunities were quite limited for a first round running back, when compared to others selected in the first? I do. In fact, his development was more likely hindered, simply for not being given a chance to have impact, and yet when he did get said chance, he had an impact pretty much immediately.
Second: no way of knowing for sure, and maybe you are in the camp that Rodgers is a system guy, but do you feel he wouldn’t have had an immediate impact, or have just as much potential, had he not sat? Personally, I feel he is a great QB, and would have been, regardless of when he started. So, though I get your point, I disagree with both examples, given situation and circumstance, not so much their need for development.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 2:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Except he started as RB#1 his first season
because of injuries to Jackson and Lynch, he definitely took some time to get better, but could have played a bit more IMO, Chan just is too pass happy. ;) and that is #2 reason why he was in so little (besides FJ being very good, number 1, reason).
"God all-MIGHTY! God all-MIGHTY! Why do we DO that?!! God all-MIGHTY!!!" "Just keep matriculatin' the ball down the field, boys."
"We're at the crossroads...there's no doubt about that. But you can get it done...you can get it done...what's more you've GOT to get it done." Lou Saban
Follow On Fitz
Its simple he spewing owners mantra, he is a RW hire afterall. :) Were stuck with Fitz I’ll predict no 1st rd qb this draft.
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
sounds like
targeting a TE & WR might be a higher priority than I thought.
Chandler did give the best production @ the position since Metzalars.
"Will&Work2Win"coach Karma420
by Blood, sweat & Win on Jan 9, 2012 12:50 PM EST reply actions
Colston, Bowe or Jackson
I would say any of those FA’s WR’s would be nice pick-ups if they hit the market. I am guessing Blackmon will be on St. Louis’s draft board.
sounds exactly like my mock draft
1. jonathan martin, ot
because we need an lt.
2. chandler jones, de
6’4, 265 lb DE from syracuse. extremely quick and powerful but came out a year early. scouts are comparing him to jason pierre-paul.
3. michael egnew, te or dwight jones, wr
Any scouts making that comparison are NUTS
Jones is nowhere near the athlete JPP is…
~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."
agreed
if he had played the game his whole life like most kids who go on to the NFL: He would have been top 3 for sure. Giants got a steal, as he had questions to some degree if he would translate… which he obviously did.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
yeah but
How good could JPP be? Nix passed on him…the BPA at the time was Spiller and we didn’t “need” a pass rush, we had Kelsay.
"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 :-)
In hindsight
JPP would have probably been the best pick for us at 9. However, there were questions about JPP’s rawness coming out of college. He’d only been playing football for 4 (I think) years and while he was ridiculously athletic he wasnt very polished. He was actually selected two spots after Michigan pass-rusher Brandon Graham (13th and 15th). So yeah, it wasnt really a consensus that JPP was BPA at 9, although he has turned out to be a monster that would have looked real good in a Bills uniform.
once again proving my point in my comment in another post
jpp in buffalo might have busted out like maybin… when will the fans get this out of their head that draft is just a gamble, you either hit or miss….
jpp is a monster because the giants made him a monster… not because they took a chance and just threw him on the field and luckily he turned out to be a good pick… anybody with that thought process is nuts…
maybin could have succeeded if the coaches had the ability to develop him… busts are more often because of the coaching staff than the player himself
as CHIX has stated
(1/3) talent
(1/3) desire
(1/3) coaching
sounds pretty reasonable.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
looks straightforward but here is the depressing thing
there is also a degree of coachability…. some very talent players are harder to coach but the results are splendid…
that’s not what nix and gailey go for… they go for less talented players who are willing to listen to them more… basically, that translates to them just wanting an easier job… they want to do the least job possible… they dont want to put much effort in getting the best out of the best talent…
and fans lap it up coz of the blue collar BS… they made a similar comment in WGR the other day as well… when will fans stop getting pleased just for hard-working players and demand some talent instead
Maybe in the later rounds it is true, but in the first two rounds I wouldn’t agree based upon the picks.
Dareus and Spiller are very high on talent.
Aaron Williams is high on talent, and while there are questions about Troup, he is big and strong as an ox.
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
aaron williams is just technically sound… but if you remember, everyone was saying he is not fast to be a cb… maybe the bills will convert him to fs…
again an example of bills going for guys with less natural talent and more finished product which are easier to instruct than raw talent like jpp and coach them up
I remember the “experts” saying that he had average cover skills but was the best corner in regards to defending the run in the past couple years. He had a late first round grade, and our corners are old or not physical (or sometimes too physical, florence).
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 7:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Flo doesn’t hold cuz he is being physical, he holds because he is too slow, and gets beat. Veterans realize a penalty is only assisting a score, not allowing one. That said, put him at safety, as a dime/quarter db, or release him. That’s where I am at with him.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Effort and Talent
“….nix and gailey go for… less talented players who are willing to listen to them more… basically, that translates to them just wanting an easier job… they want to do the least job possible…”
Do you think assembling players into a group makes a team? That simply bringing people together results in a motivated group capable of winning? It doesn’t work anywhere. Case in point, Stevie Johnson. Excellent talent that does dumb things for his own benefit at the expense of his team. Think we need a bunch more of his talent with his thinking? Or do you think that a little less talent and more listening might be beneficial? It’s a team game.
Go big or go home.
I highly disagree with this sentiment. Look at the Jets man. HIGH on talent AND the Jets have a coach that supposedly they all love. One thing that can be agreed upon is that they are an uncooperative bunch of “me” guys. And while the Rex Ryan honeymoon lasted about 2 years which included HEALTHY doses of luck, look at them now. A quarreling bunch of “me” players that cant get out of their own way in order to reach a community goal. I would stake my lot on them missing the playoffs again next year. And look for an overhaul this year.
Furthermore, your suggestion on less talented players is foolhearty. Dareus and Spiller were some of the most talented guys in the draft. Neither pick was necessarily sexy or brilliant, but both guys were top 10 talents that were picked in the top 10. And picks like Williams and Sheppard were not reaches, in fact both guys have enough talent to start in the NFL in their rookie year.
by BillsfanDan on Jan 9, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I get where youre coming from and youre right, theres no guarantee Pierre-Paul turns into an elite pass rusher if the Bills select him. However, I think comparing him to Maybin is faulty. JPP was 6’6" 260 coming out of college and was supremely athletic. Maybin got tossed around for 2 years before finding moderate success in a situational role with the Jets (notice Maybin fell off a cliff the last 4 games this year). JPP has turned into an every down player near the league lead in sacks with 16.5 in just his second. IMO, JPP was always going to be a better, more complete player than Maybin regardless of what team drafted him. Being on the Giants has obviously helped in JPP’s development, but we cant say that he would have been another Maybin if he was selected by the Bills.
jpp has 16.5 sacks this year… no way i trust any of the bills regime to get that kind of production… they dont coach
So are you saying that JPP would have been a bust if he was drafted by the Bills? Im not going to say that he unequivocally wouldnt have been a bust, but given what hes shown in just his second year, I have a hard time believing the Bills coaching staff is so atrocious that he wouldnt have done anything. Its not like our defensive coaching staff just tells our OLB’s “Uh…get the quarterback by..uh…doing better.” Given the fact that we have very sub-par pass rushing talent on this team, I dont have as strong of a negative opinion of the defensive coaching staff as you do.
this is chicken or egg story, as is everything in the world… maybe the talent is sub-par because of the coaching
Right, and Fewell was one of Maybin’s first coaches, then Fewell coaches JPP.
Kinda blows a great big hole in that theory.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 9, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
scouts are comparing him to jason pierre-paul.
id really be curious as to which ones, because theyll be out of football pretty soon. that comparison is a joke
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/12/30/2671216/chandler-jones-enters-2012-nfl-draft
typical ignorant comment boom…. you and I dont know anything about scouting so we better not call anything a joke lest it bites us back later… countless jokes have gone on to become good…
the only reason you and I call anything a joke is because we are not accountable…
ignorant comment? you said “scouts” are comparing him to JPP, and i asked who… your right i was ignorant, in that i had no idea what NFL scout would make that comparison, because im not sure how anyone could watch jones and see that kind of talent
dan kadar is not a scout, hes runs a draft site but he is not employed by an NFL team. and beyond that, he is not in any way, shape, or form comparing jones to JPP as a football player in that article, hes speculating that jones may shoot up draft boards if he "test(s) out like Jason Pierre-Paul did ". ease off on the “ignorant” thing, i could just as as easily point out how u twisted MTD’s dan kadar’s words to make the case for jones in the second round.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
by boomsauce on Jan 9, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i am easing off nothing… you called the comparison a joke… i called that statement ignorant… coz you and i know nothing
id like to think i know a bit more than nothing.
i know chandler jones isnt the immense athletic talent that jason pierre-paul is, and i know that ur making a major assumption about me as a person when u do not know me at all. if we are all ignorant and we all know nothing then why does this website even exist? why does anyone take a stance and argue for anything?
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
by boomsauce on Jan 9, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
taking a stance is different from calling something a joke
just like you called something a joke, i am going to presume fans here including me know nothing about scouting and this website is just a place to dump theirs and my thoughts…
that presumption is ignorant.
It is possible a talent evaluator who follows the bills, could blog. It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. Additionally, one man’s view, when lacking sufficient credibility for having said view, is logically open to question. In the same way that you can choose to be skeptical, so can anyone else, regarding your view, shared by a webmaster or not. Brian is well respected, and knowledgeable, and is sometimes still wrong. Pierre-Paul has proven himself, and early in his career. That gives any future NFL hopeful pretty big shoes to fill, automatically.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
What?
Brian is sometimes wrong? What?!
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
sure
we all are. every last one of us. that is the problem with speculating. sometimes, you guess wrong.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 11, 2012 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
Sounds like all the right answers
WR – Yes, we need Stevie back. Yes, we still need another receiver. Stevie is a solid starter and David Nelson is a very good #3, but we still need somebody as our #2 (or maybe even our #1). Donald Jones is not it. Marcus Easley might be it, but he hasn’t played a single game in two years.
RB – I still think Gailey is going to have a hard time keeping both Jackson and Spiller happy. One of them will complain that the other is taking away too many touches.
QB – I don’t think Fitzpatrick would have led any of the current playoff teams to the playoffs. He is just too inconsistent. I don’t think there will be anybody Nix likes at QB at #10, but they really need somebody they can develop for the future. (Ryan Tannehill? Nick Foles? Case Keenum? Anybody? Please???)
LT – There will probably be a good one available at #10, but I wouldn’t expect them to pick any O-linemen until much later if Bell is resigned.
Pass rush – Yes. Definitely. Probably one of their first two picks in the draft.
CB – Also probably one of their first two picks in the draft.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
WR – Yes, we need Stevie back. Yes, we still need another receiver. Stevie is a solid starter and David Nelson is a very good #3, but we still need somebody as our #2 (or maybe even our #1). Donald Jones is not it. Marcus Easley might be it, but he hasn’t played a single game in two years.
If we don’t pick someone up in FA or draft Jeffery, I’m hoping Buddy takes a look at Marvin McNutt in the 2nd or 3rd.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
McNutt
has plenty of speed, could drop to early 3rd round and would be a good addition I think also.
Check out http://mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com/
by Billsdownunder on Jan 9, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
And he’s a senior from a respected school, and as far as I know has no character concerns.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
As an Iowa homer, I’d say McNutt’s speed is marginal. He gets open consistently with a very healthy dose of play action that Iowa runs. That being said – he’s a good sized guy that fights for the ball well. I think he’ll be there in the 3rd round.
by LeClaire Bill on Jan 9, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions
Tannenhill....
I keep hearing this name a lot on here, I also hear a lot of he isn’t worth our #10 pick. Depending on how his stock is, couldn’t we trade DOWN a few spots and take him then?? And get another pick?? Sure it’s a risk, but so is going all in to bet the farm on Luck or RG3! NONE of these players are a sure thing, and at least if let’s says someone nabs Tannenhill on us b4 we get there, we still got picks to use for our holes??
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
I think Tannehill is overrated
I only saw the Texas game and he looked pretty shaky.
Der Jaeger watched all of Tannehill’s games this year and came away pretty impressed. His take is that Tannehill was undercut at times by a poor supporting cast. Also, this was his first year as a starting college QB. Considering that fact he did well. From what I have seen of him he looks like he has a great deal of potential. If the Bills’ scouts and Buddy Nix are also high on him and believe he could be a true franchise QB, then he is definitely worth pick #10. If not, not.
As I was saying........
Why not trade down a little and get more bang for your buck???
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
If they think Tannehill is their future franchise QB, why mortgage that for an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder? Just look at last years draft and how QB’s were drafted earlier than expected (Ponder, Locker, Dalton, Kaepernick) and I wouldn’t even try it! I don’t think Buddy is much of a draft gambler either in that regard.
Qbs were drafted earlier than expected due to the lockout
With all of the uncertainty of the lockout teams didn’t know if they’d be able to have a FA period so they drafted QBs to make sure they filled that need.
I think they just all wanted QBs, since it’s the most important position ;)
"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 9, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nix always talks about players providing a body of work in college. I think this will keep him from taking Tannehill so high since he only has a year and a half as a starter at QB. He would have to really wow them at the Senior Bowl and combine for Nix to take such a huge risk.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That’s absolutely true and it’s a reason why they probably would not go for Tannehill. But they may also go down their checklist and find that he has the attributes you look for in a potential franchise QB and figure that all he needs is a year or two of development behind Fitz (which is perfect for their timetable). I think it could go either way.
I’d also support Tannehill if CHIX thought he was a good pick, though I wouldn’t personally be disappointed if we picked someone else.
One QB I’d be intrigued with in probably the 4th or later is Dan Persa from Northwestern. He hasn’t put up uber college stats but he’s accurate, has a decent arm, and maybe could turn into something sitting on the bench for a couple years.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Don't get me wrong now...
I am not sold on the QB idea to begin with, but a LOT of fans are screaming for a ‘Franchise QB’. I personally like the idea of building a Balt-like defense myself, was just trying to argue the other side of the point as well. Just getting a feel for what people would think about the possibility of moving down if the go to guy wasn’t at pick 10 is all. I personally would much rather see a pass rusher or WR taken with this pick myself, but I am not the type to say WE NEED THIS and discount everything else like others I see on here. I am not completely sold against Fitz at this point, no he isn’t Jim Kelly, but he isn’t Losman or Rob Johnson either….
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
And
I’m not sold on the Balt-D thing. I like trying to get franchise qb, its been a while!
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
V. Jackson and Steve Johnson
would be a good way to make Fitz look better and perform better.
If Nix and Gailey want to keep their jobs, they better hold true to these statments and make some serious moves this offseason. They need to win games and have a winning season next year, or we will be back to the start.
But actually making moves and not just talking about trying to make moves will be the difference this year.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
The Bills passing games is better when they don't have a true #1...
Fitzy is at his best when he is able to spread the wealth around to any and all pass catching options. A dual or triple threat any given play is opportunistic. Where our WR’s lack the most this year is beating press coverage and going up for Jump balls on the outside beating CB’s over the top or back shoulder throws. Fitzy isn’t the most accurate so he has to have a QB that can fight for a catch. I like Bowe a little more in this type of option with Johnson
Ok, ill take Bowe haha
just get one of them. We need a big guy who can get up and get balls that many ppl cant. Bowe or Jackson would draw coverage and Stevie can do his thing. This would open up the middle more for Nelspn and Spiller.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
i concur
And posted already I thought… Perhaps I did and it was deleted, or I didn’t click post… Idk.
Regardless, my wonder is if san Diego will franchise him again to get something for him, or even to just keep him. I wouldn’t be ok with trading too much for him (def not a first because given the large contract we would need to sign him to, we will have enough risk in that investment.)
I would however like to see us sign him, steve and Carlson, and see what fitz can do with a run game, play action, and large body receivers with proven ability. That would eliminate any questions to be had about Fitzpatrick, IMO.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
oops. i meant Chandler
Although it is probably a happy accident with my sub-conscious desire for Carlson/ another solid blocking capable TE. I still think Chandler can be the receiving threat, but that getting a guy good at both, or exceptional at either blocking or receiving would still be hugely beneficial. Carlson is sufficient as a catcher, and certainly is a solid blocker.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 5:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Health is key...
Injuries happen to every team… the Bills have been especially injured in the last few years that have hurt them badly with little depth behind key players. That is why we saw some extra signings this year at ILB (draft picks and free agency). I could see the same being done for OLB next year and any other position we are vulnerable at.
Alshon Jeffery and Vinny Curry?
One can dream
by Wien on Jan 9, 2012 1:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Vinny Curry next to Kyle Williams in the 4-3? That’s a spicy meatball right there.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
"We can spend the cap and we will," Nix said.
i hope!
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
Honestly, I will continue to be disinterested in this Franchise
until they draft a QB within the top 40 picks of a draft.
I seriously can’t even find it in myself to care about Nix’s thoughts on any other position, once he states his support for Fitzpatrick.
And yes, I realize Nix only claimed Fitz could be a “playoff-level QB” with a better supporting cast (are there any QBs in the NFL that couldn’t be a “playoff-level QB” with a good enough team around them? TJ Yates just won a playoff game!) and that if a QB is available when they pick, they would take them (yeah, we’ve heard that before).
But I’m way past the point of impatience with this team and settling for mediocrity (mediocrity at best) at the QB position. At this point, if the draft pick you currently have isn’t going to allow you to upgrade at this position, then just freakin make it happen. Have the courage to take a risk and trade for the guy you want.
If you wanted Tebow in the 2010 draft (there were some rumors of the Bills liking Tebow), pick him in the first….don’t wait to see if he falls to you in the 2nd.
If you thought Cam Newton was going to be the next great QB in this year’s draft (again, were rumors Nix liked Newton)…fine, then get on the horn to Carolina and start the discussion…worst they can say is no.
If you like Sam Bradford in the 2009 draft….then call up St. Louis.
Just get it done. I don’t need to hear “there wasn’t anyone we liked when we drafted”. Really? You disliked a full 2 year’s worth of QB prospects (no, Levi Brown doesn’t count)? And possibly a full 3 years worth (if they pass again this year)?
In the 2000 NFL, draft, the Atlanta Falcons, picking #5 overall and sick of hoping Chris Chandler would turn into anything more than an average QB, apparantly wanted Mike Vick. Did they “hope” he fell to them? Hell no. They traded with San Diego to get their guy.
In the 2004 NFL draft, the New York Giants, picking #4 overall and sick of hoping Kerry Collins would turn into more than an average QB, apparantly wanted Eli Manning. Did they b*tch and moan that they wouldn’t be able to get him? Hell no, they made the trade with San Diego to ensure they got the guy they wanted.
In the 2009 NFL draft, the New York Jets, picking #17 overal and not exactly thrilled with the prospects of Kellen Clemons being the long-term answer, apparantly wanted Mark Sanchez….so, they go out and trade with Cleveland for the #5th pick to take him.
In the 2010 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos, having already used their 1st rounder on Demaryious Thomas, traded back into the first round to select Tim Tebow with pick #25.
Now, you can argue if these particular moves worked out in the end or not, but that’s not the point. The point is, to get what you want, sometimes you have to be bold. You don’t always have to just sit there at your selection and have your future determined by everyone else’s picks. Take control of your own fate for once and make something happen!
Ultimately, football is entertainment. The one thing that all 4 of the above examples have in common are that at least those moves were interesting! That is the absolute least that can be gained by being so bold as to trading up to get a potential franchise QB….hell, at least we would be reminded that the Bills still play in the NFL! Because right now, they just aren’t even interesting to me. And that’s a shame.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 1:33 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Note that the term “playoff-caliber quarterback” is mine, not Nix’s. What Nix really said about Fitz: “We can get to the dance” with him.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Well, if by "the dance" he means Super Bowl, then I vehemently disagree with him.
But thanks for the clarification.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
well, it is possible that Fitz has to drive Buddy and Chan to the annual The Bills are out of the Playoffs Dance :-)
"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
by Joe P. on Jan 9, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Do you think Buddy reallys knows what kind of "dance" it is?
He might be talking about a somba or lawrence welk waltz or something?
Kidding aside… I am sure he thought the Bills would be knocking on the playoff door this year if they were not in… he is pissed with the losing streak like we all are. He doesn’t want to lose focus, but there are good reasons why our team grossly fell apart this year and I think a lot of it is QB play, but most of it is their lack of depth at key positions. I am guessing he feels a little pressure to upgrade our team next year a bit more agressively than he has in the past because it is his and Chan’s butts that are going to pay for it if they don’t.
Dude said Lawrence Welk. Hah!
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
For Lawrence Welk reference! I’m old:(
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
StroudFanClub
Tell me, what QB is Buffalo not draft that you wanted? Who is to say Nix didn’t call Carolina to try and get Newton? We will never know.
But honestly, in the past 2 drafts, which QB REALLY stood out to you? Gabbert? Ponder? Tebow? Clausen? Kapnerick?
These drafts have been seriously light in quality QB’s. I’m glad Buffalo didn’t reach to grab a QB. If they could have gotten Newton or Bradford, I’m 100% positive they would have done it.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Jan 9, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Honestly, I'm on record as wanting Tebow. I would have take him instead of Spiller.
And last year, I liked Gabbert…but didn’t know if I wanted him taken over Dareus or not.
Those are the QBs I like that were “available” to the Bills at their selections.
If I could have traded for one, I would have gone after Bradford. I thought he was really close to being a “sure thing”….still do.
As far as if the Bills did contact St. Louis…even if I would have heard a freakin rumor they did, I would have at least been a bit satisfied that they tried. But I haven’t hear any such thing. Yes, it’s possible it happened and the media never found out….but I doubt it.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
Bradford...
He is a franchise QB….# 1 OVERALL pick….and a ridiculous guaranteed salary!
Do you REALLY think the Rams would have traded the pick? And if they did trade the pick, would the risk of the guaranteed money be worth it?
Bills have a TON of holes on the team. The approach Nix is taking by building up a solid core of a team will put us in the perfect position to draft EITHER a franchise QB OR a developmental QB.
I know we all want to win NOW but it’s just too early to do that in the plan. Nix’s patience and thoughtful picks has made me a VERY happy fan.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Jan 9, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but it's all about timing.
You draft a QB early in the rebuild because it takes a good 2-3 years for that QB to get up to speed and play good ball….and usually 4-5 years for the QB to really start playing great ball. So while waiting for that maturation to occur, you have multiple drafts to start acquiring defense and offensive linemen.
And finally, you can wait on drafting receivers and running backs until your almost in that 4-5 year period after drafting your franchise QB, since those are the positions that seem to have the shortest “learning curve”. Guys come in and are effective in their rookie or second years all the time.
Building a winning team is as much about timing as anything. The goal is to get all your guys “peaking” at the same time…or close to it as possible.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
Agree
and if you draft a franchise QB without adequate help around, they can flounder. It’s a much greater risk to hit or miss with a franchise QB if you have a lousy franchise. Best to build up the franchise and then get a quality QB.
Look at San Fran, I wouldn’t say they have a franchise QB but they have a GREAT organization with quality players at all positions and have adequate depth. They are a playoff team and were able to roll the dice on a player like Kapernick.
The Bills certainly aren’t in a position to roll the dice yet.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Jan 9, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
San Franciso?
The same team that went 6-10 last year, 8-8 in 2009, 7-9 in 2008 and 4-12 in 2007?
I will give them credit for hiring Jim Harbaugh and having a really nice season this year. They way outperformed expectations. But I’d hold off on “crowning their ass”…haha. At least until they string together a few good seasons.
But yes, they did for the foresight to draft Kapernick to develop behind Smith.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
So if you had heard a ‘rumor’ that the Bills had wanted to trade up with St. Louis you would have been satisfied? Brilliant.
And really it would be great if teams could time their picks and plan on first taking their franchise QB and then their d-line and so on and so forth, but you’re forgetting that if there is no franchise QB to take you are kind of screwed.
Take the best football players you can, and when the opportunity to select a ‘franshise’ qb arises, jump on it.
I don’t like Tebow’s game, I’m betting he is long-run setting Denver back. But maybe this will help:
There was a rumor that the Bills made inquiries to trade up for Bradford and Tebow, but neither deal worked out. Just a rumor. I heard it. I swear.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
Haha, ok, I'm good then. Please disregard everything I've just said. : )
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I can see why John Elway has been less than enthusiastic in his comments about Tebow. The offense looks like a full-time wildcat. You essentially have a running back with some ability to throw, but if they fall too far behind and become one-dimensional, they’re hosed.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Did you see Sunday’s game? He has more than “some ability to throw.” When the game is on the line most of the time, Tebow gets in a zone and just finds ways to succeed.
He’s unorthodox, but so was throwing the football overhead and forward the line of scrimmage at one point. If Denver buys into Tebow 100%, they’ll potentially develop the type of QB to change the position into something yet again different, but alltogether the same ala throwback players.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
I seem to recall a fair amount of dicussion that St. Louis wasn’t sold on drafting Bradford – that they were entertaining offers.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
I really believe Kaepernick was right there for this picking...
The guy seemd to have everything we needed in a developmental QB… Rocket arm, good size, great speed, plus athletiscism, Pistol offense knowledge…
Nix then chose Aaron Williams, late 1st round talent with plenty of upside and play making ability who showed pretty well this year… but isn’t someone the fans are jumping up and down about knowing we have a possible playmaker ready to step in when needed.
i was thinking Kaepernick too
but, i am more than happy with williams.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
IF Kaepernick does in time develop into one of the best QB’s in the NFL (a big “if”) we will look back and think that the pick of Aaron Williams was a very foolish move, no matter how good Williams turns out to be. Choosing a capable CB when you had the chance to select a franchise QB is always going to be a terrible mistake. Of course if Kaep is a bust or only a fair QB then the choice of Williams will look pretty good (although Andy Dalton then enters the conversation).
by Macktruck on Jan 9, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree, to a degree
But, I am of the belief that a TON of QBs COULD be franchise QBs… given you accept their limitations, and put them in the right situation. I believe that generally, their talent level is always competitive, or they wouldn’t be in the league. Sure, there are those handful of exception type guys, who are just guaranteed awesome day 1, but a few years ago, you couldn’t have said much about Aaron Rodgers other than he will get the reigns some day, probably. Now, he is arguably one of the very best, maybe could be ever. So, I think a ton of the issue is not accepting what you have, what they can do, and how to help them do it, and commit to allowing their growth and development. very few teams employ this mentality, but most that do, find successful signal callers…. so either they are superior at talent evaluation, find themselves in great situations regularly, spend a ton of picks to get there, or are just lucky….. ORRRRRRR….. they employ a practice of allowing a guy a learning curve. Either way, there is no black and white answer to what makes a Franchise qb, other than being the best of the best, and being given a REAL, LEGIT chance at being “the guy”.
Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but if nothing else, they leave the question marks behind, and they can always be looking forward.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Great comment, if I was on my computer I would rec’ it. Who knows where Tom Brady is right now if he wasn’t drafted by New England, was able to sit behind Bledsoe, and have Belicheck as a coach.
Hopefully the Bills can either bottom out for that blue chip prospect or create the right scenario for a project pick to flourish.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 11:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Great
So Bill’s become better sometime in 2030?
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
the sky is falling!
The Bills improved this year. If you would’ve told me that they’d beat the Patsies and win 6 games before the season started I would’ve taken it.
Relax, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and NFL franchises don’t turn on a dime.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 11:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Funny
I’ll relax for another decade. I propose you hold off on sex till Bill’s make play-offs, you know relax dude!:)
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
the Bills can (should, and hopefully will) improve, regardless of competitors
i do think the better approach though is to recognize that Belicheat understands the cyclic nature of the league, and while others race to catch up and run a spread and a 34, that he is going to 43/multi-te sets to attack the defense’s weakness (too many dbs). the 43 i think is in part due to Wilfork’s age, and their decrease in LBs, and less talented corners, all combined.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
For the record, here was my FanPost on Tebow before the draft:
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/3/30/1397818/buffalo-bills-and-tim-tebow-need
Gotta admit, it’s interesting to go back and read, especially one day after Tebow’s absolutely incredible performance (10-21, 316 yards passing, 31.6 yards per completion, 2 passing tds, 0 INTs, 10 rushes for 50 yards, 5 yards per carry, 1 rush td, 0 fumbles.) against the NFL’s top rated defense (Pittsburgh – 14.2 points allowed per game in 2011 – best in the league.)
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
I still wouldn’t want Tebow. Did you see his throws yesterday? One dying quail after another. He couldn’t throw a spiral if his life depended on it. If Ike Taylor hadn’t been doing his Drayton Florence imitation all day, Pittsburgh would have won that game easily.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Fine. But you can never take yesterday's performance away from him.
Or this season’s performance, for that matter.
He became a starting QB for a team that was 1-4 to start the season….and that team not only made the playoffs, but beat an opponent who was a major favorite in vegas to win, to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
The next time Ryan Fitzpatrick does something similar will also be the first time.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
And Buffalo beat New England this year, while both New England and Buffalo embarrassed Tebow. Denver didn’t make it to the playoffs because Tebow is anything close to resembling an NFL quarterback. They did it through solid defense and keeping games close. Tebow is a good clutch player and a team leader, but other than that, their offense looks more like a full-time wildcat with a running back who has some capability to throw the ball. If he were the quarterback for the Bills, we’d get blown out of every game. Our defense wouldn’t keep us close, and forced to pass, Tebow would throw picks all day long.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think your discounting the fact that Tebow is in his 2nd NFL season
Is he beating teams in a “convential QB way”? No, at this point he is not.
But his team is winning. Whatever he is doing is working, to an extent. Seriously, people can’t take that away from him, no matter how hard they try.
Is this current form of Tebow’s play be successful in the long-term? Probably not. But, you don’t think he can improve on his mechanics and accuracy at all in the next few years? You really think he will have to keep playing this style 4 years from now? I don’t.
Good lord, he’s a 24 year old guy in just his second NFL season, his first as a starting QB….the guy’s won at EVERY SINGLE LEVEL he has played in his lifetime. He doesn’t play like a prototypical NFL QB because he never needed to before the NFL to win football games. His Florida teams won 2 SEC Championships & 2 National Championships. So now he gets to the NFL…and is the starting QB for a team that began the season 1-4…and he leads them not only to the playoffs but beats Pittsburgh & their #1 ranked defense to lead the Broncos to the 2nd round of the playoffs. All while the coach who drafted him was fired, and his GM doubted him publically.
Why must people look at the way he plays and admire him for leading his team to victories against teams they are favored to lose to….especially while doing it in a different fashion?
And your ready to doubt that this, still 24 year old player could fine tune some of his mechanics and accuracy and improve with NFL experience into a more “prototypical NFL QB”?
The number of people who are frothing at the mouth to discredit this kid are unreal, IMO.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Backlash is a reaction to someone being over-appreciated. No one’s foaming at the mouth over Joe Flacco but last I checked his team was pretty successful too.
by Leo Crow on Jan 9, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Perfect!
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
The Ravens were supposed to be good. Flacco had a fantastic season in 2010, and regressed in 2011. But again, everyone expected the Ravens to be in the playoffs.
Denver was left for dead. So there’s a reason why people talk so much about Tebow. No matter where he goes or how he does it, what he’s a part of, is usually a winning formula.
I fully believe when they were 1-4, Fox thought it was a golden opportunity to develop Tebow on the job, feeling the fanbase would be more forgiving if the losing continued, so long as they got to see an attempt at developing Tebow. I don’t believe they ever thought he’d be a part of what he has been this season.
Tebow is cool. The QB I wanted Buffalo to draft. The QB I find myself rooting for, most of the time.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Gotta Admit
Tebow’s pulled out some interesting wins. Good gameplan, D and a improving rookie QB, I’m impressed.
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2012 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
he was a rookie last year.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 11, 2012 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
The Broncos win with Tebow. They don’t win because of Tebow. His mechanics have not improved in the two years he has been in the league. He does not throw a spiral. The Broncos have adopted a run-heavy offense to work within his talent. He is a leader and can succeed despite some limitations, much the same way Doug Flutie was a winner.
Would I want Tebow on the Bills? Absolutely not. I don’t see any way that he would make our offense better than what we have now with Fitzpatrick. While the team was healthy at the beginning of the season, we had the #1 scoring offense in the league.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
How do you know this is true?
“The Broncos win with Tebow. They don’t win because of Tebow.”
I don’t want to get into this discussion again, because I already battled it out with Der Jaegar, who pretty much said Tebow had absolutely zero to do with the Broncos winning…
BUT, in my opinion, you simply can’t tell me that a team that was 1-4 with QB “A” (after going 4-12 the season before), switched mid-season to QB “B”, won the very next game, finished the season 7-4 as starter, and beat the #1 ranked defense in all of football in the first round of the playoffs.
Same team. Different QB. Different results.
Yes, it’s true that the Broncos ran the ball more with Tebow starting, but, holy cow, to say that somehow that he is not helping the Broncos to these wins at all? Simply unfair and illogical.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
sure there are many factors
But the most significant change made was QB, and offensive focus, which they surely COULD have done with Orton, but probably with lesser results.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I don’t recall if they said Tebow was 31st in the league in passing or if that was the Broncos as a whole (including Orton). It is clear that Tebow can lead a run-oriented attack. He has good speed for a QB. He does not have good passing skills for a QB. Orton does not have good running skills and was a turnover machine early this year.
Take an objective look at what Tebow does. Watch his wind-up (which still looks as long and exaggerated as it did two years ago when scouts were concerned). Watch the ball flutter like a dying quail instead of spiraling toward his receivers. Watch how Pittsburgh CB Ike Taylor faked himself out on several of those long receptions (including the game winner).
Tebow didn’t do anything spectacular yesterday. Yes, they won, but I think the scores were more about the WR-CB matchup than anything else. You won’t be so enthusiastic about Tebow next week after the Patriots exploit his flaws again.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You forgetting other changes
It was the mid-set Tebow brought to the offense.
K-I-S-S…keep it simple stupid. The broncos leveled with themselves.
The strength of the team is the DEFENSE.
They did what they needed to do.
They limited Pitts offense and didn’t make mistakes on their offensive possessions to let Pittsburgh get back into the game.
Tebow did what he needed to he made the great running plays work. Which then made the coverages on the wideouts easier to manipulate.
Tebow was def part of the win of course.
He wouldn’t work on our team. Denver is built on running has been every since Elway was there and left.
They have a great defense. He is in the right situation. I don’t hate on Tebow but i know if he was on a team like the Carolina Panthers we wouldn’t be having the same discussion
So the Patriots, they of the second-worst defense, will exploit Tebow’s flaws again after he beat the Steelers?
You don’t think that Tebow now has more info and experience on this vaunted Patriot defense you speak of?
If you recall, the Broncos were demolishing the Patriots early in that first meeting.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
Yep
Between Fox, D, and Tebow Bronco’s are poised to beat a NE team without a strong D. But Brady will show all why franchise qb isn’t a thought its a #1 need for all franchises that care to win try to get a Bradyesque qb draft in and draft out!
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 10, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
You can’t take play-off wins away from a lot of QBs. Like Rex Grossman, Jake Delhomme, MArk Sanchez, TJ Yates, but that doesnt make them worth first round picks or change the fact they look extremely limited.
As soon as we move the Bills to the AFC West, we will be able to get away with 3 game losing streaks that allow our team to fall backward into a home playoff birth.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Jan 9, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
All I'm saying is that, if his career ended tomorrow
Tim Tebow will be able to say he played a terrific game against the NFL’s best defense, in a pressure-packed playoff game. Not just was the starting QB of a team who won a playoff game….made critical plays to lead his team to a victory.
If his career ended tomorrow, at least he provided some considerable value to the Broncos organization for one year. And if you feel the urge to discount the impact, just take a visit to the Broncos SB site and tell me they’re not still excited and joyous today after yesterday’s game. I’d imagine the entire city has “Tebow fever”, and is delerious with excitement right now. In fact, I’m pretty envious.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Just like we were all delirious over here after five weeks and wins over New England and Oakland?
Let’s see how delirious they are next Monday.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Fair
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
Winners are winners because they WIN.
SFC, you’ve made some great points here, don’t distress over all the negative chatter. Fact is no one truly knows what Tebow can become. He’s in year two in the league, with less than a full season of NFL starts. In ten years he could be on the tail end of an all-world career, or just a footnote from the 2011 season, or somewhere in between.
I’m a strong believer in history being a good guide as to showing how things will likely play out. For example, our draft history shows that the Bills are very unlikely to take a QB with this drafts’ #10 overall pick. I am convinced that they won’t. History shows that Tebow is a high-character person, and a winner at every level he’s been at. Seems like this has convinced you that he’s got a good chance of being a quality NFL QB (and I agree). Sometimes things are difficult to explain. Why does Tebow win with sub-par mechanics and wounded duck passes? We can’t always explain it, he just DOES.
Leslie Michael Jasper - 2013 All-Pro NT.
by Home Run Throw-up on Jan 9, 2012 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You got it. Rec'd.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
If I were manning a team, i’d rather have Tebow behind center than Yates under center.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Not buying it
The AFC East was garbage this year and the Bills still went 1-5. They are internally inept and it has nothing to do with arbitrary external factors.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
UH we went 3-1 in the West. So… AFC East =Garbage ===> AFC West=Septic Tank
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Jan 9, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
afc east
- team in the AFC. The Bills would be a solid pick in the AFC West or South.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 10:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
At what point do we stop making excuses? The second place team in teh AFC East was 8-8 this year or 6-8 in all non-Bills related games. Buffalo’s division was not a factor in their absolute suckiness this year.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Jan 10, 2012 7:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No, but their unfortunate inability to beat teams in their own division was. My question is, isn’t beating the teams in your own division usually the first step? That’s what scares me about this rebuild the most. We’re not even built yet to be competitive in our own division, let alone able to compete against the rest of the league.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
If we can compete against the Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins, the rest of the wins will come.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
by WhyBillsWhy on Jan 10, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
I agree completely. But our division isn’t even that good, and we’re still losing to them.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
It’s not like those teams don’t have talent – they just have flaws. The Patriots cruised into the playoffs because of one of the most dominant offenses in NFL history, despite a lackluster D. The Jets nearly made the playoffs. The way the Dolphins would have made the playoffs if they hadn’t completely tanked at the beginning of the season – they certainly have the talent. The Dolphins are only really one good QB short of being perennial contenders.
Our division is plenty good.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
I disagree, I don’t think the AFC East is this powerhouse division (like the AFC North) that everyone thinks it is. I think it contains three mediocre teams and one great team, and the great team is so flawed I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose to the Broncos this week.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Did you see his throws yesterday? One dying quail after another.
Normally Tebow throws some god awful passes but yesterday most of his deep balls looked fantastic, at least in my opinion.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
That throw to the corner of the endzone…the TD – that was beautiful.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
This year's QB pool is very shallow
The QBs available in this year’s draft have been described as “Luck, Griffin, and throwing an anvil off a cliff.” Yes, there is that much of a dropoff in the ability of anybody else to be ready to play this year.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How do you know this?
“Draft pundits” were not giving Ponder or Dalton any credit before the draft last year and basically wrote Locker off too.
The Bills are too snake bitten by Losman and Edwards to feel they can just pick a higher round QB to develop. They have to fill so many other holes, that they are “settling” with Fitzy on their future.
Ahh
Agree with most of what you said except I believe they couldn’t creless about holes and yeas we did committ to Fitz. Here comes another decade of futility! :)
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
I was typing a comment w heading- "deja vu"
but, when I read yours…no need for me to continue it. You covered my points. Well said. rec’d.
“There wasn’t a _ we liked, when it was our pick” is getting to be a lame excuse.
"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 :-)
Nix is not a man to take huge risks
For a team with as many needs as the Bills have, there is no way they will give up a package of picks, nor is there anybody with solid trade value that they could afford to give up. (Maybe Fred Jackson, but they’d still need to include some picks.)
So, unlikely to move up, there won’t be any QB worth taking at #10. Tannehill might go in the first round, but his limited college experience will make him far too much of a risk and a reach to be worth drafting that early. If he’s still available in the second round, maybe they would consider him. Perhaps if he wows them at the Senior Bowl and the combine, they might even trade back into the first round. But I still think we’re going to see Nix play the waiting game, picking up a development project QB in a later round while filling some gaping holes on defense early on. I would be greatly disappointed if they haven’t picked one by the end of the fifth round.
While I am no great fan of Fitzpatrick, he is at least serviceable for another year. I can name several starting QBs around the league that are inferior to Fitz.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How many starting QB's in the NFL are both
currently inferior to Fitzpatrick’s play on the field AND not under the age of 26 (aka, not still learning & developing)?
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
That's not my point
I agree that the Bills need a better QB than Fitzpatrick. However, beyond one or two prospects each year, most are very high risk. Somebody like Tannehill even more so because of his limited college experience at that position. While it would be nice to grab Luck or RG3, the Bills would have to give up their entire draft to get one of them, and whether or not that QB worked out, it would set our franchise even deeper into the abyss because of the lack of talent and depth everywhere else. You can’t rebuild a talentless team by giving away draft picks, especially when free agents consider signing with your team as about as much fun as a trip to Siberia in wintertime.
We still have plenty of urgent needs, especially at DE/OLB and CB. Our secondary probably wouldn’t look so bad if opposing QBs didn’t have enough time to cook a steak before having to throw the ball. The lack of a pass rush was a much bigger difference maker this year than QB play. Perhaps Fitz wouldn’t throw so many picks if we weren’t playing from so far behind in every game. We would be able to run the ball more, something that went out of the playbook every second half of every game. As a one-dimensional team, we can’t rely on Fitzpatrick to carry us. If we can stay two-dimensional, we still have a reasonable chance.
Arguments about Bradford are irrelevant when talking about Nix. He wasn’t our GM then.
Bottom line: I expect Nix to take defensive players with the first two picks. After that, he will consider project QBs. I’m hoping they will grab Case Keenum in the third or fourth round as I think he would be a great fit in our offense.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Please read my below posts.
Teams that consistently win with great defenses have advantages Buffalo does not have: Top-notch front ofice/well-run organization, history of great defenses and systems that when guys leave, the “next man up” does just as well (Pittsburgh linebackers, anyone?), ability to attract top-notch players in free agency and top-notch coaches, etc.
Teams with disadvantages like Buffalo has, including: a 150 year-old owner with no public succession plan for the team after his death, does not have a top-notch front office, can’t attract top-notch players and coaches, and doesn’t have a history of good defenses or systems. The only chance that other historically not-as-well-run organizations have at ever developing a period of consistent winning is if they get somehow acquire a Hall of Fame QB, like Indy, New Orleans, etc.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously?
Case Keenum? You’re argument was OK until you threw that in there at the end.
You won’t take a guy like Tannehill because he’s only played 20 college games at QB, but besides that, he’s got all the talent and mental capacity for the position.
But you will take a way too short, way underpowered run’n’shoot QB whose stats are overinflated? In Buffalo? In our winters? Really?
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Best. Winter. Ever.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Bills drafted JP Losman in top 40 picks and how did that work out for them. In general teams do not use 2 first round picks per decade on a QB.
Good, they were bold, traded up but it didn't work.
Cool, credit to Donahoe. Now do it again.
And if that one doesn’t work, then do it again. And again. And again.
Eventually, you will hit a Jim Kelly, which, by the way, conincides with the last time the Bills were any good for an extended period of time.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
In fact, draft a QB in the first round every other year for all I care
Until you good a great one!
The only franchises that can win consistently with defense are Baltimore and Pittsburgh…mostly because they have fantastic front offices, a history of good defenses and systems that consistently work, no matter the players involved, ability to get top-notch players & coaches.
Buffalo, on the other hand, has a 150 year-old owner with no public succession plan for the team after his death, does not have a top-notch front office, can’t attract top-notch players and coaches, and doesn’t have a history of good defenses, The only way this franchise will ever have a period of consistent winning is if they get lucky with another Hall of Fame QB, like Indy, New Orleans, etc.
Buffalo, the organization, is much closer to an Indy/New Orleans type situation than a Baltimore/Pittsburgh situation.
We need the Franchise QB. It’s the only silver bullet we can hope for, IMO.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think you would last very long as an NFL GM by drafting a QB so early every year or two. If one pans out, you stop drafting them. Otherwise, fans will question why you drafted someone you don’t need, and your franchise QB will be unhappy with your apparent lack of confidence in him. And if they don’t pan out, impatient fans start calling for your head because you obviously don’t know how to evaluate QBs.
I don’t think we need a “silver bullet” — that is, I don’t think there is any one player we could acquire who will singlehandedly take this team to the Super Bowl. We need sound drafts and a constant influx of young talent to push aside the dead weight. I think Nix is on the right track.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, but QB's (have the ability to) hold their value though
Check it out:
Worst case scenario: same as worst case scenario of any other position
Medium case scenario: You develop the QB for a few years and possibly trade him for pretty decent return, since QBs are the 1 position that seem to hold their value best (Kevin Kolb, Matt Schaub, Matt Cassell, hell, even Charlie Whitehurst, drafted 3rd round of 2006 NFL draft by San Diego, played in exactly 2 regular season games in 4 years with San Diego….until traded to Seattle for a 2011 third round pick! You could add Matt Flynn to this list if he was still under contract for Green Bay after this year.)
Best case scenario: Franchise QB. Makes team annual playoff contender. Or, if you find a good QB but already have one, you can always make a killing in a trade as well (Jay Cutler traded for Kyle Orton, 2 first rounders and a third rounder; Carson Palmer traded for a first rounder and conditional second rounder (which could turn into a first round pick)
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Worst case scenario: same as worst case scenario of any other position
Is this really true? If we start a QB that doesn’t work out it’s worse (and sets the franchise back more) than starting a CB that doesn’t work out. Just like QBs have the capacity to bring the franchise farther, they have the capacity to hold them back more.
Unless you mean he just rides the pine for a few years. Then, yeah, I guess that’s the same as the other positions. But how many 1st round QBs aren’t eventually tried out?
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Yeah, that is prob right
If your throwing the QB right into the lineup in his rookie year, then yes, you should be more patient with him to give him enough time to develop.
But, if you do sit them behind a guy like Fitz for a year or two (like Rodgers & Rivers were), then you should have some ideas from 1-2 years of practices & preseason games on which to form an opinion…then, when the QB does finally start, if he continues to play as poorly as you’ve seen in practice and preseason the past 1-2 years, then I think you could safely come to te conclusion that it isn’t going to work without letting him hyjack too much playing time.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
rodgers sat for four years.
my favorite view is this: Dick Vermeil (spelled?) says that you can’t know how good a QB is, until they play 32 NFL games. Only then, do you have enough film, and information, to properly critique. Now, in this league, in this day and age, you aren’t going to get that really often. So, sometimes you have to just accept a game manager, and accept that if he doesn’t LOSE you the game, he at least gives you a chance to win it.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Look at Carolina and Cleveland
Carolina drafted Claussen in 2010 and came right back with very limited playing time for Claussed and drafted Newton.
Cleveland drafted Brady Quinn and waited and waited for him to develop, and never addressed their QB position adequately. They look to be doing the same thing with Colt.
Nowadays, QB’s better at least look the part early on. Otherwise I agree, keep looking for the great one. Its a passing league with good passing QB’s. Since ‘02, every team except the Bears have had really good QB’s with great passing offenses. Find the QB
by J09 on Jan 9, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
What value did JP Losman have when his contract was up? He wouldn’t have been worth a 7th round pick. Same for Trent Edwards.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Edwards was a 3rd-round pick. Losman was another Whitner-type selection.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve heard many claim that Ralph has no succession plan. How can any of us know this? Isn’t there the chance that he’s developed a plan in private? The guy can be faulted for a lot, but I don’t think we should be faulting him for this without sufficient evidence.
that's why I added the word "public"
as in, no succession plan that is public, or known to us.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t see how we can knock him for not making it public… It’s conceivable that it’s hugely important that it remains private.
You don't think it has an impact?
You don’t think that the uncertainty associated with the long-term ownership of the Buffalo Bills due to Ralph’s age and lack of public succession plan didn’t come into the thinking of potential Head Coaching candidates after Jauron was fired? Do you not see how such uncertainty could impact front office hires and those candidates? How about how willing Erie County is to provide the organization with public funding for stadium improvements? You think the possibility of Ralph passing away and the team being purchased by the highest bidder and moved out of Buffalo has no impact on such things?
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
okay, okay
These are all good points and perhaps you’re right to criticize him for not making a plan public. There is the possibility, though, that people in the upper-echelons of NFL management know a lot more than we do—so perhaps it’s not as devastating as you propose. Then again, it may be…
What if he passes away without telling anyone where he stashed that plan? What if it becomes Buffalo’s version of Raiders of the Lost Ark?!
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Whoever gazes upon Ralph’s succession plan will inevitably have his soul eat by RW’s ghost.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
What you don't seem to understand is
Franchise QB’s don’t usually come solo. Very few “franchise QBs” can take a crappy team and make it playoff caliber all by himself.
If you draft 1st round QB’s every other year, all you’re going to end up with will be a bunch of broken down QB’s that can’t play for crap because they have no protection and no one to throw to. Eventually some of them might go to other teams and actually prove themselves to be worthy starters.
or if you do
You’re going to suck for a very long time. Kind of like drafting 3 1st round WR’s in a row
well Bills
have only had the Losman pick as 1st round QB since the early 80s (Kelly) so by that logic they have a couple in the bank to use up. I say use one this year.
Check out http://mocknfldrafts.blogspot.com/
by Billsdownunder on Jan 9, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
That's not true
Tennessee drafted Vince Young in 2006 and Locker in 2010.
Denver drafted Cutler in 2006 and Tebow in 2009.
Atlanta took Vick in 2001 and Ryan in 2008.
Baltimore took Boller in 2003 and Flacco in 2008.
San Diego took Brees in 2001 and Manning in 2004.
Jacksonville took Leftwich in 2003 and Gabbert in 2010.
Detroit took Harrington in 2002 and Stafford in 2009.
Washington took Ramsey in 2002 and Campbell in 2005.
The Jets took Pennington in 2000 and Sanchez in 2009.
Almost a third of the league has taken two quarterbacks in the first round twice in a decade. In the past 20 years, 46% of first round QB’s pan out.
Which tells me you keep taking them until they pan out. A lot of the first guys on that list didn’t pan out and the second guy did.
JP Losman shouldn’t deter Buffalo from a thing.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
by Der Jaeger on Jan 9, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Which tells me you keep taking them until they pan out.
This. I never understand the “1st round qb is too risky” crowd.
You can go qb in the first and have, historically, a 50-50 shot…
or you can go for the 1/20 sweepstakes past round 2.
:\
by lord gloom on Jan 9, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
especially now that the cost/inherent risk just decreased dramatically
with the rookie wage scale. Now, I am with you to a degree. Keep selecting them til you find one, but i don’t believe that ONLY 1st and 2nd round guys are capable, I just think it is harder for guys to go under the radar, and so they are much more "known"s than they used to be, because of the increased scrutiny.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
sorry.
1st and 2nds are more clear "known"s and the later round guys, though capable (yates) maybe need more time, or the right system/cast around them. ANY of these guys could get you there though. Yes, even Ryan Fitzpatrick. How do I know?
Rich Gannon.
Nuff said. That guy was maybe one of the most average guys, forever. But, he got there. Of course, we want to win for once… but we darn well better start getting there- again.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
20 year facts
46% of first round QB’s pan out.
20% of second rounders pan out.
13% of third rounders pan out.
It goes much lower than that.
I’ll stick with first rounders and take the odds.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
This post upsets me because the rounds that we all believe Nix is likely to favor a QB, show little return on investment.
Someone needs to inform Nix of these stats. (He has to be aware, right?)
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
i would rather know what the stats were in the last 8 years.
mostly, because I feel like MOST of the 90’s had a ton of busts, a bunch of poor overall evaluation, and was in way, a transition period for the league. More and more QBs are starting sooner, and a lot of them with relative success, (even if they sat a year, or didn’t, or got arrested for running a dog ring, or bounced around a couple teams…) there have been what seems an inordinant amount of QB talent, relative to other decades. We feel it is scarce, because we don’t have one… but rarely were there more than 5 guys in the league, at a time, who would be regarded as enviable talent. Now, there are somewhere closer to a dozen QBs that if they hit the market, would get snatched up in a second, and for that, won’t ever hit the market. At least, that is how i feel, or see it.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
If we worked the numbers from 2000 until now...
My point is more valid.
2000-2009, with 2010 to now omitted due to my feeling that it’s too soon to grade QB’s. Metric is QB started and still is, had or has starting potential that hasn’t diminished.
First Round: 26 total selected, 16 panned out, 61.5% success rate
Second Round: 13 total selected, 4 panned out, 30.7% success rate
Third Round: 11 total selected, 2 panned out, 18% success rate
Rounds 4-7: 86 total selected, 8 panned out, 9% success rate
4-7 QB successes are Brady, Garrard, Wallace, Fitzpatrick, Cassel, Orton, Thigpen, and Flynn. One clear cut franchise QB in the past decade from rounds 4-7.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
you can see it as more valid, if you like
for me, all i see is an increase in the success from each grouping.
which was more my point: the evaluation is getting better, thus the failure is decreasing, thus it is possible that the growth of the position/changes in offenses have MORE QBs being successful than ever before-almost regardless of selection status.
Now, I can understand why you still wanna go with higher picks… their success rate is significantly higher, but then, that statistic HAS to be muddied by the small amount of QBs selected late, and of those, the few who are given opportunity, who might be equally capable, given my preferred method of development (which is of course, the hand them the reigns for 2 years, and allow them to grow in the system, and grow chemistry with teammates- which is a strategy few employ, but the successful franchises seem to at least try to employ if they can’t draft an instant starter (of which far too many are handed the reigns far too early, and then are considered unsuccessful))
An example: what if the Lions decided Stafford was too injury prone, and cut him. What if Matt Ryan had sat for four years (starting NEXT year, at some point)… would he have the same set of expectations he does now? this was really his first year outside of development, and given the team’s success, it might seem like a bad idea to have kept another veteran for the sake of letting Ryan… marinate… if you will…
So really, I guess all I am saying, is that circumstance still plays a significant role, and having a good QB mentor could help, say a 7th rounder find success, you have to wonder what that same mentor could do with an early 3rd rounder (not named Trent Edwards.)
not to mention, the numbers can be skewed by the opinion variable of “panned out”.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
Well, the gap is widening between first round success and later round success, isn’t that his point? If you want to have the best chance at a franchise guy, you draft in the first round (a first-round graded player).
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
If you want to have the best chance at a franchise guy, you draft in the first round (a first-round graded player).
yeah… this is his point. you can agree. it’s cool. i can’t argue the exact numbers, i can only argue the logic used in compiling them, and their overall validity based on that fact… which is what i did. there is a level of bias involved, as well as the fact that later round guys are often replaced by earlier round guys before they even get a chance… and so that distorts the numbers to a degree, in my opinion. maybe the reason that the later round guys don’t translate is their school, lack of experience in a system, coming from a spread… etc etc etc.
plenty of more first rounders may have panned out too. we don’t know. take Alex Smith. most had labeled him a definitive bust. But he has shown, that was incorrect, he was simply a victim of system/circumstances. That was MY initial point. often times, it is conceivable, that the team isn’t willing to invest the time, and that results in an increase in QBs that don’t “pan out”…. and the fact that earlier selected QBs cost more- they are put out there to gain a return on their investment through ticket sales. That is how I see it at least.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 11, 2012 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
Do you really think 86 QB’s drafted between 2000-2009 is that small of a sample size that you can’t make conclusions?
It is all in the eyes of the opinion-holder. I’m of the camp that whichever metric is used, it will effect everyone at all levels. If I say 50 games started is the metric, I’m willing to bet the percentages don’t change much.
Here’s my point: lots of folks are chasing the next Tom Brady or Joe Montana, and not use a first round pick on a QB, despite the fact that data from any time period, with any metric, points to the overwhelming success of first round QB’s developing into franchise, Super Bowl winning QB’s.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Do you really think 86 QB’s drafted between 2000-2009 is that small of a sample size that you can’t make conclusions?
I made conclusions. It is ok if you don’t agree with them, but don’t tell me that I didn’t even make them.
I guess my point is: though Brady and Montana are surely exceptions, and there have never been a whole lot of them in the history of the league, that doesn’t invalidate my point that more often than not, it is assumed that an earlier selection has more likelihood of success, and then subsequently get the later round pick booted, for the sake of both roster spot, and because of the money being spent on the first round selection. There are plenty of failed first rounders… but according to your stats still only about half of them work out, depending how long a sampling you take. You say nothing about the fact that teams are looking for the “face of the franchise” and that sometimes, just changing that face is a reason for a selection, and that later round guys who may be somewhat “buried” on the depth chart, are obviously the ones who are gonna get booted, thus inherently diluting the statistic for those groups.
Sure, you can look at it how you do. But, that doesn’t change the fact that your percentages aren’t both subject to bias, as well as being diluted by circumstance.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 11, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
But, that doesn’t change the fact that your percentagesaren’tare both subject to bias, as well as being diluted by circumstance.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 11, 2012 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Rec
And that is why I think we still have yet to draft a QB in round 1 since Losman. It scared off Ralph and he refuses to take that gamble again. That’s why this franchise keeps spinning it’s wheels and staying stuck in the mud.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 1:54 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Mularkey thought Losman was the guy. Jauron thought Edwards was the guy. They were both wrong and they were both fired. I don’t think it has anything to do with Ralph Wilson.
As far as this regime, it seems like they think Fitzpatrick is the guy for now. I don’t doubt that Nix is looking for an upgrade at QB if one is available, but Nix is a guy that values draft picks highly and probably doesn’t want to give several away to move up for one player. If there’s a QB they like that’s available when they pick, I guarantee they’ll take him. If there’s one available they like that requires a non-ridiculous amount of trade value, I think they’ll take him. Moving up from 10th to 3rd or 4th overall in this draft is going to require A LOT of compensation.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
Mularkey thought Losman was the guy. Jauron thought Edwards was the guy. They were both wrong and they were both fired. I don’t think it has anything to do with Ralph Wilson.
I’d say it has everything to do with Wilson. Might be they’re afraid of being fired for drafting a QB that flames out.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty much any GM/coach combination on any team in the NFL will be fired if they draft/develop a QB that doesn’t pan out. It’s not like Buffalo is unique in that respect.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
by WhyBillsWhy on Jan 10, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec
agree with ya SFC. It’s time to be bold and just show the world you have some “huevos” for lack of a better term. If there’s a guy there who you think will be the franchise guy then you make a move and you take him, it doesn’t matter at what cost. This organization has suffered long enough and until we get some real playmakers in here it will be more of the same.
It did sound like during the 2010 draft the Bills were trying to move up to take Tebow though but it’s a shame they got cute and tried to trade up for him and used the 1st pick on Spiller rather than snag your franchsie QB when he was there. That’s why you don’t play that game because you risk losing him. As far as Bradford and Newton I never heard that they tried to trade up and also it may have been pretty hard to get those teams to trade but who knows.
I’m like you startly to lose my patience and interest in this team fast because of the lack of quality management and crappy product they field year after year. That’s why I cancelled my season tix 2 years ago and why I stopped going to games last year. 1st time I never went to a game at least once in my life! The price just wasn’t worth it anymore.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 9, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This binary idea of franchise quarterback / not franchise quarterback exists only in the minds of fans.
by Leo Crow on Jan 9, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Well then consider Jim Irsay a fan.
Because he’s pretty much already announced to the world that he’s going to take potential franchise QB Andrew Luck with the first pick in the draft….happening 3 months from now!
He obviously finds it important to have a franchise QB on his team.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
That’s because Indy has an urgent need for a QB. Manning might not ever play again, and even if he does, it is obvious that his time is running out. Also, the backup QBs that they had on that roster were abysmal.
However, since you have been calling for the Bills to draft a QB in the first two rounds every year or two regardless of success, when has Indy done that since acquiring Manning?
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
They don't have to
because they FOUND Mannning. If we draft a QB in round 1 or 2 and land a Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers type of guy then the search is over! We found our guy.
Look at the Packers, they had drafted Rodgers had Favre let him go and still drafted Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn not knowing yet what they had in Rodgers. Once you do the search is over and it’s time to address other positions so then they took a DL in Raji and OLB in Matthews.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 9, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly right.
You’d draft QBs more often when your not completely sure of the guys currently on your roster.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Disagree. As stated many times here; GB is constantly taking QB’s. It’s not that they don’t trust their All-Pro, it’s because he was a perceived value.
yeah that's not true at all
The Packers have not drafted a single QB since 2008 when Rodgers was set to first become a starter and they didn’t know what they had in him. They drafted both Brian Brohm in rd. 2 and Matt Flynn in rd. 7 for depth and also in case Rodgers wasn’t the answer and franchise QB they had hoped.
Since discovering what they have in Rodgers and a solid backup in Flynn they have not drafted a single QB so your statement has no validity to it.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 1:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How can you say it has no validity? They’ve taken 3 QBs in 4 years…I would call that as close to “constantly taking QBs” as you’ll find.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Because he said
that they are constantly taking QB’s and it’s not that they don’t trust their all pro it’s just because of perceived value.
Had they known what they had in Rodgers they wouldn’t have wasted the early pick on Brohm. As soon as they found out they haven’t drafted a QB since.
That’s why they haven’t drafted a QB since. They have their franchise QB yes, they have a quality backup, no need to keep drafting QB’s. Now with Flynn ready to hit the open market and a chance to start I’m sure they will draft a QB only for depth purposes not in first 3 rounds.
They have used their other picks to address positions of need once their QB situation was resolved which was my original point.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 2:02 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Had they known what they had in Rodgers they wouldn’t have wasted the early pick on Brohm. As soon as they found out they haven’t drafted a QB since.
We don’t know this for sure. It’s really only been one draft since they’ve “known what they had in Rodgers”.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
1 draft?
The guy has been a full time starter since 2008. It’s been 3 drafts.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
You think after they went 6-10, they “knew what they had”?
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
No
they knew what they had after he threw for over 4,000 yds 28 TDs and only 13 ints as well as 200 yds rushing and 4 TDs. A completion % of 64% and QB rating of 94 also didn’t hurt. Despite the team finishing 6-10 the blame wasn’t on Rodgers. They knew they had a franchise QB.
Do you really think Carolina is considering another QB just because they finished 6-10?
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
You do realize I'm exaggerating (somewhat) about the whole draft a QB every other year thing
to make a point about how important I think the position is, how past mistakes should not prevent a team from trying again, and how QBs can hold their value and bring back a nice return if traded.
yes, I understand that NFL teams don’t really draft that way. More hyperbole than anything. I’d say I’d more likely consider drafting QBs often…may not really do it every other year, though.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
agree
and I got your comment about drafting a QB every year as more hyperbole and not to be taken as literal. See my comment above about the Packers and the importance they put on the position by not only drafting a QB once but 3 times to hopefully make sure they got it right.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
Look at NE with drafting Mallet this past year.
Brian Hoyer was drafted and the back up in NE to the “great” Tom Brady. So his contract is going to be up and they will move forward and develope Ryan Mallet to replace him. NE (who always has a ton of draft picks) didn’t have any problems with taking a high QB draft pick (3rd round I believe) when they had a franchise guy in place.
in this instance though
Malletts value superseded his draft position. he was talked about as a 1st round QB, with character issues. Taking him in the third is much lower risk, given his skill set.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 9, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Did they pick ahead of the Bills in round 3? I hope that’s the case, because if they didn’t, then it’s really troubling the Bills didn’t feel he was valuable enough to draft in the third round.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
Third round results as it applies here
4 Buffalo -Kelvin Sheppard (ILB) LSU
5 Arizona - Robert Housler (TE) FAU
6 Kansas City - Justin Houston (DE) Georgia
7 Dallas - Demarco Murray (RB) Oklahoma
8 New Orleans - Martez Wilson (OLB) Illinois
9 New England - Stevan Ridley (RB) LSU
10 New England - Ryan Mallett (QB) Arkansas
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 10, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, I will continue to be disinterested in this Franchise
you sure have an interesting way of acting disinterested, now dont you? if that were remotely true you wouldnt even be looking at this website, let alone writing such a post.
we all want a better quarterback, and the impression i got from nix is that he wants one too, but i appreciate his being cautious about it.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
by boomsauce on Jan 9, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
First of all I misclicked rec on this, I would NEVER REC this!!
If you are so disinterested why are you even posting on here? A ‘franchise QB’ is not our only hole, and is he least likely to be there for us, so why the debacle We don’t even have the weapons for him if he WAS there, which he isn’t by the way. Betting the farm will only hurt us everywhere else BUT QB!! That’s NOT a winning recipe! Not by a LONG SHOT!! So how about silent AND disinterested?? Us Bills fans have been annoyed long enough with the playoff drought, I want a winner, not someone who makes ‘interesting’ moves that, in your examples, missed 75 percent of the time!!
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
Thanks for the rec!
I find it odd that by simply expressing my current feelings about the football team I root for I have offended you so much. If you re-read my post, I make it clear that I am only talking about my own feelings and opinions. I never once ripped on any other person for their “interest” or “uninterest” in the current roster (edition?) of the Buffalo Bills. So I’m not really sure why you feel the need to respond with such anger, but I respect your right to your opinion. Maybe you should try doing the same?
Believe me, I take no joy in confessing my uninterest in the only football team I have ever rooted for. When I found myself not really caring if the late-year home games were blacked-out or not, it really was strange…a feeling I have never had before. It was just last season, 2010, that I was a season ticket holder.
But I’m also not going to apologize for it either. Something inside of me just will not let me get emotionally invested in a football team starting Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB. My knowledge of football and it’s history won’t allow it. But I’m also not disrespecting you if you do believe. Just expressing my opinion.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
Because I hear this day in and out.....
I USED to be a Bills fan until….. (insert tragedy here) it gets REAL old. Last place I’d expect to see it is ON A FAN SITE. Thought we were fans here! No, I am NOT happy with how things are, but my Bills flag is STILL flying in the window, and I watch every game blacked out or not. It is just sad to see people taking that kind of attitude on a fan site, we all supposed to have one thing in common here, we love our Bills! You expressed your opinion, I would have respected it a little more if it was on a NFL site, not a BILLS FAN site!! So I gave my opinion, disgust.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
by Mikey5275 on Jan 9, 2012 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I’ll “rec” this.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 9, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you....
I don’t know in what world disinterested and still a fan goes hand in hand, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t this one.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
It’s great that you can watch every Bills game, blacked out or not. Some of us live too near the team to enjoy that luxury. So we’re forced to pay a hefty sum to watch a bunch of underperforming men lose most of their games…and to give up a Sunday with family while traveling sometimes in excess of 80 miles (nevermind the distance those in Syracuse must travel) just to see the team?
They got my money far too long during the more recent years of ineptitude. I’m not about to shell that money out when it feels like we’re listening to a broken Red Rider record, year after year. (Props to anyone that figures out the association made.)
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions
Not to mention....
If you read the post, I wasn’t only disgusted. I also pointed out in YOUR OWN words, that tactic failed 75 percent of the time. Which made the post even more (How do I put this nicely, guess the isn’t a way.) kinda moronic. You’re disinterested because we aren’t winning, but your ‘solution’ by your own example fails 3/4 of the time??? So yes, I fail to see ANY logic at all to ANYTHING you said.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
I take that back....
We don’t know if Tebow will fail yet, but I think with all have a good idea….. so 50 percent with a STRONG chance of being 75.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
o god another fan
who is upset because he does not agree with the other guys point of view and has to resort to personal attacks like namecalling and insulting his comment. Grow up.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
I never namecalled......
I did call his idea moronic, because in his own comment, he pointed out the flaw for us! I never name called anyone nor will I. Read a little more before YOU attack!
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
by Mikey5275 on Jan 9, 2012 6:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He said he was disinterested
he never said he wasn’t a fan. Insulting his attitude, his post by calling it “moronic” because you couldn’t put it in a nice way? Etc. The whole tone of your writing was to attack. Maybe YOU should stop using CAPITALS to make it SEEM like you are YELLING and ATTACKING. It gets ANNOYING.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 9, 2012 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank you.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
Got your back SFC
haha :)
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
By "failed", do you mean...
…leading his team to the playoffs in 5 out of his first 7 years as starting QB, leading the Giants to a Super Bowl victory and earning Super Bowl MVP in the process?
…leading his team to the playoffs in 2 out of his first 4 years (in which he started more than 4 games), once leading Atlanta to the NFC Championship game, and overall taking an Atlanta team that was a combined 9-23 in the two years prior to drafing him and leading them to a record of 38-28-1 (regular season – games he started) in his 6 years with the team?
…leading his team to the AFC Championship game (only the 3rd & 4th time in Jets had made AFC Champ game in their history) both of his first two years in the NFL, being the second QB ever to lead his team to back-to-back conference championships (first was Big Ben) and overall taking a Jets team hat was a combined 18-30 in the three years prior to Sanchez and quarterbacking them to a record of 28-20 (regular season) in his first 3 years with the team?
…leading his team to (at least) the second round of the playoffs, after inheriting the starting QB position after the Broncos started the 2011 season 1-4 (and was 4-12 the year before) and leading the team to a 7-4 record the rest of the year, all in just his second NFL season?
Combined, these 4 teams made the playoffs 10 times in the 16 seasons in which they played for them. (not including Eli’s, Vick’s, or Tebow’s rookie seasons, since they didn’t play much.) Yep. Fail.
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 9, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
Geese, all this arguing and bickering back and forth on this thread and others is getting tiring. It’s almost getting to the point that the discussions are becoming unreadable.
by JP-3 on Jan 9, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah I'm done....
I guess my not liking the whole 1 out of 4 QB’s win a SB bet makes no sense to some people, and I guess stressing a word to make sure someone catches the meaning means I’m yelling, or need to grow up. Either way, I’m done with the discussion period.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
Football is a team sport but QB is the most important position.
The truth of the matter is for now we have Fitzpatrick. Nix has said repeatedly that if there is guy they like when their pick is up they will draft him. So maybe they will like Tannehill (or Foles or whoever), maybe they won’t. There really isn’t too much to discuss. Clearly great QBs can lead teams all the way to the Super Bowl and win (Peyton Manning), and it is also clear if you have a great defense and a great running game with a good QB you can also win the Super Bowl. (2007 Giants). So according to this press conference Nix has made it seem like unless they will probably not draft a QB. They need a WR, CB and OLB more than that.
Fitz has shown he can play very well, he has also show he can play very, very poorly. There are times he makes a throw like Tom Brady and there are times he reminds me of Trent Edwards/JP Losman combo of horrendous Quarterbacking But who is to say that if he has better weapons around him, and a defense that can actually allow only 20 pts per game and keep us in games not down 21-0 5 min in, that he can’t be good and he can’t lead us to the “dance”. He beat the Patriots.
Nix said that if they could stay away from injuries that the team that was on the field Week 1 could win 10 games. He said he only told his wife this. And who is to say he was wrong. I think we will get a more talented team, sign some FAs, have a good draft, we could actually make the playoffs next year. Nix laid out a clear plan of what they will do. They want to get talented WRs and build the defense through the draft and FA. Now we can watch them execute it.
Remember week 3?
You are now Watching The Throne.
by tomcs on Jan 9, 2012 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I agree here...
I am behind you here, I am NOT sold that Fitz is as bad as people make him, I mean come on, I am rooting for the same team here, and have gone thru the 12 year drought like everyone else. My point is, at 10 we’re not gonna get a sure to go guy (By the way, even a 1st overall doesn’t guarentee that…. ). Point is, ‘an interesting’ move isn’t what we need, we need a SOLID pick. At 10 a QB in this draft isn’t gonna be that. I have already stated my opinion, which is the same, WR and Pass rush! I’d love to see a defense as scary as Baltimore soon here! Make these other teams wish they NEVER came to Buffalo! Now THAT would be ‘interesting’!
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
yes I agree with you,
but I would not be disappointed by picking a QB at 10. I trust Nix’s evaluation of QB’s, there is no QB that was available when we drafted that I think we should have gotten, I wanted Ponder in the 2nd. If Nix thinks Tannehill, or whoever is the Franchise QB and hes available at 10 then there is 0 doubt in my mind that we need to take him. Fitz is okay but not a franchise guy. having said that a great WR would certainly help fitz as would a great defense.
You are now Watching The Throne.
75%
What are you referencing with the 75%?
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
The QBs mentioned....
I keep hearing the only way to bring back the team is QBQBQBQBQB, this is false. And we need to trade up to get the guy we want. Out of the 4 mentioned, only 1 has won a SB. And if memory serves Eli is not only the only to win, but the only to reach the SB. So yes, out of the beforementioned QBs the teams went after, 1 out 4 panned out? Am I crazy not not like those odds? There are gems out there, just gotta dig for them, not bet the farm on them. Would you want Sanchez on your team? I don’t. Eli and maybe Vick are the only 2 in that equation I would ever consider, and I’m not even 100 percent on Vick. Fitz may not be the best, he proved he is capable of winning games against tough teams when he has some weapons. Injuries happen I know, imagine if Fred stayed healthy? Or if we beef up the D? No, betting the farm (which is what we’d have to do to get Luck or RG3 more than likely) is not a great move imo. We aren’t exactly set at QB, but were not in the doghouse either. Get the WR, and fill the holes on D. If he tanks again, THEN I would SEMI-agree. But going Mike Ditka for one player is ridiculous, whether it’s a RB like Mike did, or a QB? What if the quick passing game we used was the ONLY reason Ftiz was the least sacked, and our shiny QB get injured? We’d be worse off than before and set us 10 years back! No, no way picking a QB for the sake of ‘interest’ is just a bad idea all around?
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
You're playing with stats to make a point
Here’s some facts.
Sinnce 1990, the Super Bowl scorecard is 17-4 in favor of franchise QB’s winning. Only four: Rypien, Hostetler, Johnson, and Dilfer.
46% of first round QB’s have panned out in the past 20 years. 20% for 2nd rounders. 13% for third rounders.
So, if you want to win a Super Bowl, chances are that you need a franchise QB. And chances are that you’ll need to take one in the first round.
No one is really saying Buffalo needs to go overboard. Picking Ryan Tannehill isn’t going overboard.
The rest of your argument is a bunch of “what if’s?” What if RWS collapses during a game? Or the team bus crashes? Should we be afraid to select a QB?
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Not true...
I have seen a few posts who say give up our next 10 years of picks to get Luck, that is what I am talking about, and if you scroll up and ignore ‘people getting people’s back’ because I expessed disgust, after disgust was was clearly expressed before mine. I am not against Tannenhill at all, in fact he just might be a guy we should look at. But if the league is putting his stock low, why not tarde down a few spots and get him then? And another pick? And let’s not go into what if’s please. I have seen a lot of what ifs on this discussion, but mine is singled out? I called the idea to go get a guy moronic, yes. Because we have so many OTHER holes. I admit the ‘disinterest’ comment irked me alittle, but then again I don’t see how someone who is so disinterested should be making suggestions at all, let alone one that is such a high risk.
In the 2000 NFL, draft, the Atlanta Falcons, picking #5 overall and sick of hoping Chris Chandler would turn into anything more than an average QB, apparantly wanted Mike Vick. Did they "hope" he fell to them? Hell no. They traded with San Diego to get their guy.
In the 2004 NFL draft, the New York Giants, picking #4 overall and sick of hoping Kerry Collins would turn into more than an average QB, apparantly wanted Eli Manning. Did they b*tch and moan that they wouldn’t be able to get him? Hell no, they made the trade with San Diego to ensure they got the guy they wanted.
In the 2009 NFL draft, the New York Jets, picking #17 overal and not exactly thrilled with the prospects of Kellen Clemons being the long-term answer, apparantly wanted Mark Sanchez….so, they go out and trade with Cleveland for the #5th pick to take him.
The point is ONLY Eli was worth it, the rest aren’t. I do not like those odds, especially with the price we would have to pay to get them. Now I didn’t put Tebow there, because he is getting a start to his run now, but I have seen him throw some very ugly dead ducks passes in the short game, let’s not even go into the long ball yet, in OUR offense where does this fit? Most of our passes in our offense IS short. Why would we want him?
No, I won’t back off the point. Which is going crazy over a QB is too much of a risk for a team like ours with so many holes. A trade DOWN for Tannenhill looks possible, depending on his workout at teh combine and a few other factors? Am I so wrong to want to get the most out of our picks since we obviously need them so badly??
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
What if RWS collapses during a game? Or the team bus crashes? Should we be afraid to select a QB?
I respected 100 percent of what you said until this, you lost me on that one. I am pointing out gametime what ifs that actually happen more often than not. We didn’t have to go there. I won’t express my opinon futher before I get attacked worse than Ralph Wilson Sr on his non-spending habits.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
You missed the point
How many reasons do you present for building the team and not taking a QB? What if he gets hurt….. etc.
Here’s what I know: in the past 21 Super Bowls, 17 teams won with franchise QB’s. 4 won with an adequate QB and the built up team.
Put me firmly in the camp of taking the risk with Tannehill. The odds of success are far better.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
I don't think many folks on here are advocating trading up to get Luck or RGIII
So your Vick-through-Sanchez history of trading up is really not relevant.
But if the league is putting his stock low, why not tarde down a few spots and get him then?
Unless you’ve got the capacity to see how teams are grading Tannehill, this statement is speculation. Nobody knows what Tannehill’s stock is going to look like in April. I’ve said top 15, since I constantly watch QB stock rise, every draft.
And even if you check, most of the media draft folks have Tannehill in the first round. McShay, Wes Bunting, the guys over at CBS Sports, The Huddle Report, etc., all have Tannehill as a first rounder. Russ Lande even had him being picked ahead of Buffalo’s pick at 10 in his latest mock.
A trade down for Tannehill might not work out. Besides, your original point was to trade for Luck or RGIII, but then showed how it didn’t work out. Buffalo would just have to sit at 10 to take Tannehill.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Speaking of specuation....
That’s all scouting is. We all ‘speculate’ on what said player may or may not do. So my speculations are worth as much as yours. Absolutely zero! That is, to the people who matter, and that is in the front office. You want the team to draft a QB high, in Tannenhill’s case, TOO high. I want them to beef up the defense and beat the crap out of any offense who steps in our yard. We both ‘speculate’, but at least I didn’t complain that you ‘speculate’. Because in the end, it is what we ALL are doing. Scouts do it when the rate someone. Looks like a case of the pot calling the kettle black here.
In the end, this discussion doesn’t mean very much. Nix said it, if a guy we like is there, we will take him. So enjoy another Fitz year! I bet if he does get the WR, and pass rush, this board will be singing a different tune. Which sound good to me, because a lot of the tune I am hearing at the moment sounds like William Hong singing on American Idol!
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
You're changing the topic to something I never said
Nobody knows what Tannehill’s stock is going to look like in April.
Did you miss that? You make an argument you can’t defend: that Tannehill at 10 is too high. Then you turn it around on me?
Then you say this:
Nix said it, if a guy we like is there, we will take him. So enjoy another Fitz year!
So Nix remained open to drafting a QB anywhere, but you’re telling me to get used to another year with Fitzpatrick?
Your logic is faulty.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
Also...
I wasn’t playing with stats, I took the posters examples. I stand by the comment and my point.
'Fight on my men' Sir Andrew said, 'A little I am hurt but not yet slain, I'll just lie here and bleed a while. Then I'll rise and fight again!'
The Bills drafted J.P. Losman in the top 40 picks. Gross.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
What I mean is… just drafting a QB in the top 40 won’t do it for me. He needs to be, ya know, good.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
And there it is.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
by WhyBillsWhy on Jan 10, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
exactly
it seems like people just want Nix to draft a QB. Nix has said he will take a QB if they think they he is the franchise guy. IMO he hasn’t passed on a franchise QB yet, maybe Dalton but it was only his rookie season.
You are now Watching The Throne.
They need another weapon on offense and defense defense defense
Doesn’t matter if it is a WR or TE, they need someone that defenses need to worry about in the passing game. The talent isn’t there
Then the defense… a pass rush cures a lot of problems
CB
Interesting to hear Buddy specifically call out the CB spot. Wonder if he is a little upset at himself for paying Florence.
Was there any mention of how Wood is progressing from his injury? How about Kyle Williams?
If they bring Bell and Stevie back and Wood is healthy the offense would seem to be one solid WR away from being top 10.
He just said you have to always get CBs. I think the need at CB is more related to McGee always being injured than Florence.
No updates on Wood or Williams from Nix.
personally, i hope to have McGee and Flo both as depth, because that means:
Williams/Rogers/McKelvin man 3 of the 4 starting corner spots, and one or 2 of the draftees either unseat McKelvin, or Florence, and take the remaining one starter spot.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Appologists
I keep reading about all the good work Buddy is doing and what a great draft they had last year. The Bills picked in front of Cinci this past year. They beat them in 2010 scoring a 40+points. Cinci drafted AJ Green and Andy Dalton. They go to the playoffs in a tougher division than the Bills this year. THAT is an impact of a draft. Not starting a CB and LB who may or may not be average on a terrible defense. I dont see how we are measurably closer to the playoffs or more importantly Super Bowl since Buddy has arrived. Someone should try and make an objective case based on their actual play. It would be very difficult, I think, to do.
by J09 on Jan 9, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Cincinnati is a playoff TEAM. Buffalo is not.
Cincinnati is only 2 seasons removed from it’s last playoff berth. Buffalo is what, 11 seasons removed?
Cincinnati has a far more talented and “experienced” team than Buffalo. AJ Green was obviously the Marquee pick last year. Dalton turned out to be extremely serviceable. Notably, Cincy’s defense is FAR better than Buffalo’s.
Put Dalton and Green on Buffalo’s roster with the rest of the supporting cast intact. Would Buffalo’s record have been any better? Doubtful.
Cinci
I dont like to guess what some players would do on other teams. I’m just saying that Green and Dalton were impact players. By the way the Bengals gave up more points in 2011 than 2010. They just happened to score 70 more points (Dalton and Green certainly made that possible). The Bills despite drafting for the defense and supposedly having 3 “good” starters gave up more points than they did in 2010 which was a dreadful defense. Good players make an impact. Where is the progress for the Bills defense?? I dont think Buddy has made really any progress, just roster turnover.
by J09 on Jan 9, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
this
Cincinnati came into the 2011 draft with a much better defense. Buffalo came in with a defense that resembled Swiss cheese.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Draft
In 2010 Cinci gave up a whopping 30 points less than the Bills for the entire year, less than 2 points per game. Would be curious as to how you define better. Their yardage total was better. Part of that was from a (-)17 giveaway/takeaway.
by J09 on Jan 9, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
You said it yourself: an average player on a terrible defense
That’s the thing, Cinci has an above average defense. Last year, they had a mediocre offense that couldn’t sustain drives, leaving it to the defense to stay on the field. There’s your points and yardage right there. I’m not discounting AJ Green being essentially an elite wideout. Look at most of Dalton’s scoring plays to him – just put it up where only the huge AJ Green can go up for it… and it worked. The defense still got Cinci to the playoffs in what was arguably the BEST division in the NFL. Dalton was good enough for Green to excel.
Like I said, put Dalton and Green on the Bills and you still end up with a 6-10 team. But instead of drafting offense skill positions in 2012, you’re picking defensive players this year.
by Khegobier on Jan 9, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Apologists?
Sure, they struck gold in Dalton and came into the season with a much improved defense from 2010, that much is correct. However, not to take anything away from what Dalton, Green, and Cincys front office have done, the Bengals, and for that matter the entire NFC North, won the NFL schedule lottery by pulling both the AFC South AND NFC West this season. Check the schedule. I"ll leave the Bills out, but the Colts, Jaguars, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Titans, dont strike fear into the hearts of anybody. Thats six of their 9 wins. With the Titans and Cardinals record boosted off of as many meaningless wins as the Bengals themselves. Not to mention, a Houston team sans their starting qb and best pass rusher (whom they somehow lost to) and a horrendous Denver team for their 2nd game of the season. The only games of consequence came against a hot Bills team, the 49ers, the Steelers twice, and Ravens twice, losing all but one in the process.
Not for nothing, but I firmly believe the Jets make the playoffs and the Bills make a much stronger push for the playoffs with that schedule.
by aRC on Jan 9, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I do believe the Bengals are firmly entrenched near the top of the middle of the pack the NFL and only getting better, but when you add in the Browns for the final two wins, its no wonder that team got blown out in the 1st round this weekend.
by aRC on Jan 9, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
But Cincy won on the strength of their defense, not their offense.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
Need shut-down corners, depth, as far as CB is concerned. McKelvin will be gone, which he should be because he’s garbage. I’d say top priorities are pass rusher, CB, and linebackers. We need to fix our defense, our D line will be a force with Marcell and Kyle…if you could back it up with a beast linebacker/pass rusher…things would be looking good.
My 3 guesses for the Bills 1st rounder..
Quinton Coples, Michael Floyd and Jonathan Martin from Stanford.
I’d guess that Blackmon long-shot hope
Yes. He acknowledged that his acquisition was a risk, but said in the same circumstances, he’d do it again. He also said that if he passes a physical, he’s coming back and playing next year.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully that doesn’t mean that next year the existence of a pass rush is again entirely contingent on Shawne Merriman being able to play and play well.
by Leo Crow on Jan 9, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Considering the article said the pass rusher was the #1 need, then I think you are safe to assume his plans don't hinge solely on Merriman.
"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
Merriman
Yeah hope we don’t hang our hat on Merriman being any kind of factor!
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
I feel it was a risk that was well worth taking. And while he didn’t put up big sack numbers, the pass rush seemed to disappear the moment he went on IR this year.
I would like to see him back, but maybe in a more limited role. I don’t think he has the durability to be an every-down player any more.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agree completely. I also think his point about Merrimans ability to set the edge properly goes unnoticed quite often.
"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
Yes. You can listen to it here.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 9, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Buddy... its gonna be tough
To accomplish all of that with a budget of $86.42 that Ralphie gives you to spend this offseason.
They asked about that, too – Nix said that under their cash to cap philosophy (i.e. no amortization of bonuses), he’s free to spend to the cap. The idea that there are restrictions has never been brought up with Nix.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
not to mention
according to the new CBA there is a minimum amount that needs to be spent, and really, the structure is such that the better teams in the league, are kinda picking up the tab.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Hasn’t Nix been on record (not in the most recent press conference) as saying that he’s had to talk Ralph out of spending money (meaning that Ralph isn’t dirt cheap as some claim)?
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
1st Round Targets: Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB, Alshon Jeffery WR, David DeCastro OG, Justin Blackmon WR, Ryan Tannehill QB, Sam Montgomery 3-4 OLB
2nd Round Targets: Jared Crick (3-4DE & 4-3LDE), Melvin Ingram 3-4OLB, Kirk Cousins QB
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
9th least spending in the league
means that we are frugal, but from the small market perspective, that makes sense. now, we HAVE to spend over 90% of available cap (idk the exact percent) but the excess money will come from NFL shared revenue being directed to the smaller market teams, instead of divided evenly.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I’d agree that we’re a little frugal, but I also feel that not spending a lot of money was also contingent on not having a lot of in-house players worthy of extensions or big money.
Now that we have Johnson, Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Williams (already taken care of), Dareus (a few years down the line), Jackson, Spiller (a few years down the line) we’ll have a lot more money being tied up with extensions.
That said I wouldn’t mind one top tier (not necessarily THE top) FA that would bolster our roster. Even someone like Mathis who may be nothing more than a starter worthy stop-gap until we are able to draft a replacement would tickle my fancy.
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (5th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
you have to keep in mind getting a value for what you pay
when you are talking LARGE contracts (7+/year) because they bring guaranteed money that you lose if you are wrong. Free agency is probably the biggest gamble in the NFL, and it has probably a no more than 50/50 shot of working, because ultimately, past success is no indication of future success, especially when changing teams, which changes everything about what made a FA successful, except for his individual talent, which can be impacted in any number of ways too.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
That figure isn't very accurate when talking about how much a team spends.
Use the total cash spent for that leauge year. I don’t recall the exact figure, but the Bills were in the top half of the league.
A team choosing to amortize it’s bonuses over 4 years doesn’t make them less frugal than the Bills, they just use different accounting methods. The Pats were right next to the Bills in cap room, yet no one calls them frugal.
"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
well, i looked it up, to see how much total in cap was spent
for each team, and they listed every team, and their cap expenditure, and we were ninth lowest in spending. we were significantly under the cap, and we must spend more regardless. So, i am not knocking them, or even disputing anything you say, i am just going off the info i located, and that info is relative only to this current year. we are going to spend more, because we are going to be required to.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I believe one of the moderators did a write up on that last year and said that the all of the teams in the league have to hit a salary floor combined, not individually. I could be dreaming (that’s what two little kids will do to ya) but I’m pretty sure the Bills aren’t required to hit a certain amount. There were some teams that spent over 20 million less than the Bills this past season.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
by hoosier3 on Jan 9, 2012 11:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
the way it is written, as i understand
is that before they would all split shared revenue… but now, they basically all pay into like, a pot… and then divide the money up among the lesser teams so that the teams that have a harder time meeting operating costs etc, still have the available money to spend to their cap, because shared revenues are funneled to them from the top large market teams. so that the great teams help keep the poor teams viable, and then everyone can afford to pay competitive players. it is a way better structure, as basically and loosely paraphrased as i have presented it.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
ok
It’s confusing. I was indifferent to the cap floor when it was proposed, but then I thought I read something by Galliford or MRW about how there wasn’t actually a floor for the Bills to reach. The example was the Buccaneers, I want to say their money spent was in the lower 70 million area. I thought they were just going to start spending crazy money to meet the floor but I was told that it is a league floor. Anyway, I could be off on that, and it really doesn’t matter anyway because the Bills are about to break the bank for Vincent Jackson and a legitimate pass rusher!!! (a guy can dream, right?)
If the Bills do spend the money I hope they put it to use in the right spots. Spending just for the sake of spending money isn’t going to get this team to the playoffs.
GET TO THE CHOPPA!!!
That is a good point. My apologies if I latched on to the first line in your post
means that we are frugal, but from the small market perspective, that makes sense.
I believe the 99% figure is a league wide minimum. If I remember correctly, the team floors didn’t start for 3-5 years into the new CBA. Either way though, we will need to spend more cap room this year and have already started with 2 large extensions to Kyle and Fitz.
"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 think at this point Ralph isn’t making clear financial decisions. It’s not a slam on him. He’s just very old and i’d guess a bit more confused than someone 20 years younger than he is. So, I could see him really not being that into throwing money out the window on players, but at the same time perhaps not feeling what he proposes is that exorbitant an amount to hand out.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
2 words...Geoff Hangartner
if Buddy has never had a spending limit and has always been able to go cash to cap, how he or anyone else at OBD explain the release of Hangartner prior to the season. Yes, he would have backed up Eric Wood, but he would have been a secure, veteran depth player that have played several years in the league. His experience and ability would have been a huuuge asset when Wood went down this year.. Instead (even though there was plenty of cash remaining under the cap) the Bills decided to cut him in favor of younger, cheaper alternatives.
by sfg79 on Jan 10, 2012 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
how he or anyone else at OBD explain the release of Hangartner prior to the season
Simple. Geoff Hangartner isn’t very good for our team. He’s small and he was dealing with giant NTs in the division. He didn’t do that well during the Jauron era, and he still doesn’t. He’s fine for a Carolina that has a lot of speedy 4-3 defenses in the division, but he’s not a guy that’s gonna take on guys like Pouha or Wilfork and win.
No team is 3 deep at all OL positions. It just doesn’t happen. So you run into trouble when the starting C and the backup C get injured.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
This. Geoff Hangartner was getting tossed around by our opponents far too often.
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (4th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Nick Toon - WR (Wisconsin) - 6'3 220LBs. (2nd round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Russell Wilson - QB (Wisconsin) 5'11 201Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Jared Crick - 3/4 or 4/3 DE (Nebraska) 6'6 285Lbs. (late 1st - early 2nd)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Michael Floyd - WR (Notre Dame) 6'3 224Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 10, 2012 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
if Buddy has never had a spending limit and has always been able to go cash to cap, how he or anyone else at OBD explain the release of Hangartner prior to the season.
For the same reason crazy-money Jerry Jones released former starters who were going to be backups in 2011. And for the same reason moneybags Dan Snyder released Derrick Dockery. You don’t pay back-ups starters money.
by MattRichWarren on Jan 10, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think this comment should be permanently mounted on the front page to put an end to the Hangartner thing.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 10, 2012 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
Draft Day
Brian, do you think they’ll go for a receiver or pass rusher with the first round pick?? (Your opinion only, doesn’t have to be backed up by the news conference)
I believe Nix when he says he’ll take the best player. They did take C.J. Spiller, after all.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
I think he’ll go with the BPA at a position of need. I can’t see a justification for another running back, for example.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree. I think they took Spiller because they really didn’t know what they had/needed. I think now that they have a clear list of needs, they’ll focus on a few positions. I would be shocked if they didn’t use the first pick this year on a pass rusher, wide receiver, or left tackle.
Ehh
This team still has needs at every position but RB and we’d take RB if he was BPA. How sad.
Alll Things Considered Bill's Franchise Is Consistent:)
by buffalobacker on Jan 9, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
I still don’t get how they took him thinking he was the best player, yet find little reason to get him on the field. Even with Jackson as RB1, there’s room for Spiller out there too.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
Watch #21 -Dre Kirkpatrick
from Alabama tonight.
I think when it all shakes out, he may represent the best value at #10 at a position identified as being a need.
I doubt Blackmon, Claiborn, or either of Kalil or Reiff last that long. Too early for either of Upshaw or Perry or for Martin at OT.
by Brian in Shortsville on Jan 9, 2012 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
Not a lot of suprises there...
Which I take as a good sign. Nix seems to see the obvious problems that need addressing, which isnt something that a lot of our GMs in the last 15 years could say. If he can really get us 1 stud pass rusher, a true #1 receiver, and an upgrade (or at least depth) at LT, I would call that a VERY successful offseason.
The one that shocks me is the comment about Chandler. Yeah, he’s not a top ten TE or anything, but he’s by far the best tight end the Bills have had in the past decade! They’d better resign him, or add picking up a god TE to the (already lengthy) list of needs.
Little worried about the Stevie situation
The fact that he doesn’t sound overly optimistic about it is a red flag to me. Perhaps it is a tactic so that they don’t give the upper hand to Stevie but the Bills are plenty under the cap and if Stevie’s asking price is really right around $7.5 million then I don’t know why the deal hasn’t been done already. That seems like a perfectly reasonable offer for a player who has produced. Instead of going out and finding 2 new WR’s why not sign Stevie and add one more either through F.A. or the draft. He sounded much more optimistic about Freddie and his deal than Stevie’s that’s all I’m saying.
As far as pass rush I’m glad he plans on bringing back Merriman to see this experiment through, but also agree that hopefully he does not put all his eggs into one basket again hoping that he can carry the pass rush.
Truly disappointed by the comments on QB and the overall evaluation of the position. It’s the same junk of well if there’s a guy there we will take him and of course there was never a guy there that they liked. This regime has certainly layed it all on the line with Fitz and they will either sink or swim with him. For their sake they better hope he gets it all together and produces next year or all of them may get canned by this time next year.
By the sounds of it the Bills will be looking at either WR, CB, or LT in the 1st round. Maybe pass rush depending on who’s available when they pick and who is available in F.A. but it seems that those 3 positions sound more like urgent needs in his mind.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 9, 2012 2:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Not Sure Nix Needs to Telegraph Everything
Stating the obvious never hurts. And it kind of defeats the purpose if tells everything if the other teams aren’t guessing come draft time.
Go big or go home.
They'll pull the trigger on a QB when one is available.
Who could they have picked the last 2 years that is better than Fitz? They would have taken Newton had he been available, and Buddy has consistently asnswered the QB questions by saying if one is available in the draft they think is a ‘franchise’ QB, they will select him.
I also want a QB so I’m with you there, but you need to identify the guy and then be lucky enough to get to choose him (we got f’d last year with Luck coming back). In the meantime, grab the Dareus’s, Von Miller’s, & Mo Claibornes of the world so that when you get a shot at the franchise QB you have a team around him.
See StroudFanClub's
post above. If it’s true there is only one there that you like then you need to trade up or at least attempt to trade up (I stress attempt). I would never fault them if they tried to trade up and couldn’t get a deal done. But it just seems a little too “convenient” for them to use the excuse that they haven’t liked a QB on the board year after year regime after regime since taking Losman in round 1 of 2004.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 2:06 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yessir, rec'd
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Jan 10, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
I only go off Buddy's time here
To link him with any GM/Coach/Decision maker before he got here is completely ridiculous. He’s had 2 drafts to attempt to trade up to grab Newton or Bradford, and it seems unlikely either Carolina or St. Louis would have traded (they get it too after all – when you have a franchise QB drop in your lap, you take him). No other QB in the draft while Buddy has been in charge has been worth a high pick at the expense of a much more talented player at another position. I restate, when the chance arises, whether it’s at our pick or a trade up is accepted), Buddy will jump at the chance to get that franchise QB. As he has consistently said.
It smells to me alot like what we perceive the LT situation to be.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
yup
agree with this too.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
by panekattack on Jan 10, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
LT not on my list of needs
Look, as far as I’m concerned, D. Bell has played well, and often very well when he’s been in. Hairston, to me, is a good backup LT. What more could you want? A broken collarbone is hardly his fault, and his other injuries don’t seem to be recurring.
To me a tall fast receiver, beast pass-rusher, and great cover-corner, are the better uses of an early draft pick.
If they resign Bell, that gives them three good (albeit not necessarily great) tackles on the roster. If that happens, I can’t see them using their first round pick on another tackle for a marginal upgrade when they could pick an instant starter and possible impact player at WR, DE, OLB, or CB.
by SiriusRed on Jan 9, 2012 3:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Unfortunately, he's had multiple knee injuries already. There is a bit of a pattern and they have to be concerned about it.
When healthy, his play has been good enough though.
"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
now that i know andre reed never had back to back 1000 yards seasons i dont know that he is hall of fame material.
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
Different era, my friend.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 9, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
yeppers
Andre Reed deserves the HOF.
Has anyone run the deep post nicer than Andre?
Nope, he was the best!
Girls use hair spray, Men don't.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!
Don't be a Paully!
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 9, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
The HOF deserves Andre Reed.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
But I do think Art Monk ran the deep post just as well.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
When you have t Thomas to hand off to back when the leagues was more balanced on offence not too many guys not named rice are getting back to back 1000 yds
Goin off the rails on the "missin' for griffin" train
by J. Mackin on Jan 9, 2012 4:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions
"he used a 6'4", 255 or 260-pound measurement as a guideline "
I was looking at the ESPN player rankings at DE and OLB. And looked at this size frame (scores are from ESPN insider).
Here are the following DE or OLB that look like 1st round picks.
DE:
1) Quinton Coples, UNC, 6’6", 272, Grade: 96
2) Andre Branch, Clemson, 6’4", 260, Grade: 94
3) Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6’2", 272, Grade: 93
4) Sam Montgomery, LSU, 6’4", 245, Grade: 92
OLB:
1) Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6’2", 271, Grade: 92
2) Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6’2", 242, Grade: 89
3) Kevin Reddick, UNC, 6’2", 230, Grade: 88
Branch fits the mold perfectly. We’ll see what happens
Didn't Clemson just get their butt handed to them???
I will be keeping a eye on Sam Montgomery tonight…SEC is the conference for Buddy!
"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
montgomerys claimed hes staying in school to finish his degree, unfortunately.
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
O well.......if he comes out next year, the Bills will probably still need help with their pass rush
"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
1) Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6’2", 271, Grade: 92
2) Jarvis Jones, Georgia, 6’2", 242, Grade: 89
3) Kevin Reddick, UNC, 6’2", 230, Grade: 88
jones and reddick arent coming out for the draft, which is too bad because they are both very very good football players
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
Got home from work late........ watching the game......
……. did not have time to read this monsterous thread. So I just finished watching the entire Buddy Nix press conference.
Call me a homer.
But how can you not love this guy as our GM? Straight shooter. Told it like it is.
Are there any other GMs in the NFL that our as honest as Buddy was today?
I think that not.
Bash Ralph some more? You want the Bears front office?
The only thing I was a bit disgruntled about was Scott Chandler. He’s the only TE worth a crap we’ve had in years. Maybe it was just a shot as his agent who might be already punking him for big bucks. Who knows.
I like what Buddy said, and I believe what he says. He’s freaking 70.
He wants to see this thing threw, and I’m behind him.
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 9, 2012 10:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Nix reminds me of the 28-year Command Sergeant Major whose seen everything, knows everything. The southern accent just fools people into thinking he doesn’t.
Re-starting the official Buffalo "Draft a quarterback in the First Round in 2012" campaign.
There is no such thing as a 28 year old CSM DJ. Impossible.
However, when young Capin’s get to the unit and they look like my daughter, who is 18, I feel old.
You must be maturing DJ!!!! Welcome to the club.
:-)
"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 9, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
However, when young Capin’s get to the unit and they look like my daughter, who is 18, I feel old.
I hear you. That was one of the things that convinced me to retire when I did.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 10, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Lots to digest for sure.
It sounds to me like WR is their priority (including the draft?) and that we fans may see them go LT in the draft before anything else. Tis early, but it sounds like we’re stuck with the Fitzpatrick experiment for the foreseeable future.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 9, 2012 11:20 PM EST reply actions
Dont'a Hightower will be the Bills 1st round draft pick.
he is 6’4" 260 lbs. Exactly the size Nix wants. He plays ILB, but rushes the passer as a DE on third down. He is fast and has the ability to play any position in the 3-4 which is what we need, versatility and pass rushing ability. He is a mid to late 1st prospect right now, but idk, he looked good today.
You are now Watching The Throne.
i would be entirely ok with that.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
by ThaRealTruth on Jan 10, 2012 12:40 AM EST up reply actions
Only knock on him
Is he tore his ACL…but def someone worth looking at him and Upshaw it is a toss up.
Dont’a just has the height on Upshaw.
He looked a bit rotund in last night’s game. I know he made plays, but in the NFL, I think he’ll be gassed and dominated playing as he appears now.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Overall good news - here's my predictions
Nix made two comments that really make me believe that he’s going to pursue Vincent Jackson in the off season. I also get the feeling that they want things to work out with Stevie.
I loved to hear that they will also look at LT, I would not be surprised at all if their top pick at #10 is either Rieff or Martin.
Happy to hear that they intend on being active in FA. The only way they get two pass rushers IMO is one in FA and one in the draft. I love to see them pursue D’quell Jackson or Cliff Avril in FA
In the draft there are a few guys that can be had in later rounds that seem quite good. If we take someone at #10, I think I see Ingram over Coples. Guys in later rounds that looked quite good in their Bowl games were
Shea McClellin
Cordero Law
Devon Taylor
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
The only way they get two pass rushers IMO is one in FA
If the unthinkable happens and Mario Williams becomes a FA (there are rumors Houston could have trouble signing all their top guys) Buddy needs to stalk him until he signs.
Kelsay – Williams – Dareus – Williams
/drool.
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (4th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Nick Toon - WR (Wisconsin) - 6'3 220LBs. (2nd round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Russell Wilson - QB (Wisconsin) 5'11 201Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Jared Crick - 3/4 or 4/3 DE (Nebraska) 6'6 285Lbs. (late 1st - early 2nd)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Michael Floyd - WR (Notre Dame) 6'3 224Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 9, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
I say bring back Pat Williams and Kevin Williams from the Vikings, and then sign Mario too.
Williams – Williams – Williams – Williams
by Munchausen on Jan 10, 2012 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
Well “Bill(s)” is/are a nickname for William(s). Perfect fit.
Aaron Williams likes it too.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 10, 2012 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
That, kind sir, is too far.
Good day!
Draft Prospect Wish List:
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (4th Round)
Marvin McNutt - WR (Iowa) - 6'4 215Lbs. (2nd Round)
Nick Toon - WR (Wisconsin) - 6'3 220LBs. (2nd round)
Dan Persa - QB (Northwestern) 6'1 210Lbs. (4th round)
Russell Wilson - QB (Wisconsin) 5'11 201Lbs. (4th round)
Whitney Mercilus - DE (Illinois) 6'4 265Lbs. (1-2nd round)
Melvin Ingram - DE/OLB(South Carolina) 6'2 276Lbs. (1-2nd Round)
Jared Crick - 3/4 or 4/3 DE (Nebraska) 6'6 285Lbs. (late 1st - early 2nd)
Alshon Jeffery - WR (South Carolina) 6'4 229Lbs. (1st Round)
Michael Floyd - WR (Notre Dame) 6'3 224Lbs. (1st Round)
Ryan Tannehill - QB (Texas A&M) 6'4 222Lbs. (1st Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 10, 2012 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
defibrillator PLEASE !!!
I did not dare mention him…
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
Buddy seems to truly believe that with a better supporting cast, Fitzpatrick can be a playoff-level quarterback
If he believes that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.
Girls use hair spray, Men don't.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!
Don't be a Paully!
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 10, 2012 1:36 AM EST reply actions
If TJ Yates can win a playoff game, so can Fitzpatrick.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Citi Field loves the mets so much it smothers them. -the caveman
He has yet to win one. He played in one. Foster won that game.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Awesome Buddy Quote.
“There’s two kinds of coaches, those who are fired and those who are gunna git fired”
I love it! Great quote!
Girls use hair spray, Men don't.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!
Don't be a Paully!
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 10, 2012 2:13 AM EST reply actions
I did some digging,
So we don’t need to dig more.
Girls use hair spray, Men don't.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!
Don't be a Paully!
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 10, 2012 6:41 AM EST reply actions
Fitz can be a playoff QB in the same way Dilfer was. Sadly, Dilfer was on a team that had the excellent supporting cast already assembled; Fitz not so much.
Okay, they do need an explosive receiver to go alongside Johnson. They do need the pieces to a Defense that will not crumble like sand.
Good speech.. Now if only speeches won football games.
That’s asking the Bills to field one of the greatest desenses ever and to hold them to 10 points or less in each game.
The formula for success should never include settling on a QB set up to succeed as Dilfer did.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 10, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
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