Thoughts including Fitz, a poll, potential trades, free agent signings and BPA

by MarinoTheBill on Feb 14, 2012 9:27 AM EST

I have seen a lot of chatter back and forth about Ryan Fitzpatrick on a number of threads, some positive, and of course some that were negative. I side with the camp that thinks he can take the Bills to the playoffs, with some of the right moves around him.

Obviously for Fitz to be successful, there needs to be the right tools around him. Spiller and Jackson more than have the backfield covered, and the team will need to re-sign Johnson and Chandler. I know those are rather obvious statements, but I can't see the team signing Fitz to a lucrative deal, and then letting his two favorite targets walk. If the early reports are any indication, Johnson's contract would be somewhere in the $8-$9 million range, which is average for a receiver with back to back 1,000 yard seasons. While there is no word yet on Chandler's contract, I do hope that he is retained. Guys like Nelson and Jones are decent, but everyone agrees the team needs a bonafide #2 next to Johnson. Hopefully someone can be added in free agency.

I'm not going to spend time talking about potential trades, but I do find it funny when a large number of posters will draft mocks that include us dropping down 15 picks, or trading random players for a 3rd or 4th round pick. The infatuation to trade washed up players for day 2 draft picks always makes me laugh.

Many others have made the point, but I will just note that I hope the Bills are active in free agency. I would like to see them re-sign Bell and Scott along with Chandler and Johnson. If they can keep Parrish at a discount it would make sense to have his experience on special teams and as a receiver. And of course a pass rusher and a #2 WR would be most welcome. Yes, I do realize this sounds like a lot.

Finally, I think fans need to look at the Bills draft philosophy. If Buddy sticks with his theory on taking the best player available, I am curious what will happen at #10. My question is, would the Bills take David Decastro from Stanford at 10? Everyone predicts him to be an elite guard, that can be a fixture on the line for years to come. The pundits have him as an elite talent, and likely the only elite player available at 10. Would you be happy with David Decastro at #10?

Poll

Would you be happy if the Bills took Stanford OG David Decastro at #10?

Yes, would be very happy to add an elite prospect to the line.

22 votes

No, the line is OK and we need a pass rusher at 10.

128 votes

Maybe, as long as the pass rush is addressed in free agency.

99 votes

249 votes | Poll has closed

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

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Comments

Give me an relatively young, established pass rush threat (see Williams) in FA, and I have no problem at all if they go BPA. Otherwise DE/OLB must be addressed.

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by BigBlkGr8Dane on Feb 14, 2012 9:59 AM EST reply actions

no way Mario comes to Buffalo

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

No.

We have a great interior offensive line. No guards needed.

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by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 14, 2012 10:11 AM EST reply actions

but

if they did draft him they could kick Levitre to LT and have Hairston as back-up, but depending on FA i would like to see them take Bobbie Massie in the 2nd for our LT

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

We complain all the time about the lack of depth on our offensive line, so I would think drafting Decastro (if he is the BPA) would be a wise move. Seems like teams that draft BPAs and not positions of need end up being successful for a longer period of time. Just my very humble opinion.

by CarlinTexas on Feb 14, 2012 12:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I wouldnt hate a Decastro pick

He is an elite talent. I think Elite talents like you said can never be overlooked. Basically there isnt a hole now, but you never know when one may arise, and to have an elite talent to fill that would be awesome. however, i wouldnt be happy with the pick; i would much prefer a WR or OLB/DE at that spot, or even one of the top tier CB’s.

by NHBillzFan on Feb 14, 2012 12:53 PM EST reply actions

coples or kirkpatrick, if not why not trade down add another pick and still take the an elite player

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

the more you move back

the less elite players there are.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I hate strict adherence to the BPA approach.

Superstars can’t win championships alone. It’s a team sport. I believe you draft the best player available at a position of need. That way you have balanced talent across the entirety of the roster.

What if the BPA is another running back? Are you BPA advocates suggesting we draft him?

Why take a guard with the 10th overall pick when we have an excellent interior line, and glaring needs elsewhere. Why take the best player available (Decastro in this scenario) when you can possibly take the 2nd best player available overall and have him fill a position of need?

"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 14, 2012 1:50 PM EST reply actions

Also...

BPA is subjective. How can you say that a player is the best player available at any given time when you are comparing players at all positions? Maybe Decastro will be the best Guard available when the Bills are on the clock, but how do you determine that he is better than the available DEs, OLBs, WRs, and CBs?

"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 14, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Dude

Its a hypothetical situation.

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by MarinoTheBill on Feb 14, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Right

and hypothetically I’m against taking a guard at # 10, no matter how good he is.

BTW, I’m not attacking anyone. This is my opinion. I don’t like the BPA line of thinking. I like need-based drafting.

"The Amish Rifle is your god now." - Muzza34

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Feb 14, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

i’m the same tho – no way i’d take a guard at 10

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by J2 on Feb 14, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

nope.

a LT, for sure. as Nix says, they can move inside, and even a “weak” (not strength, but deficient in some way) LT can sometimes end up being a RT.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

combination, u have to have flexibility when drafting but BPA should be a big part of it expecially in later rounds, best example is Stevie, in the first round i think need based is more important than later rounds because you expect those guys to start in year, i think a team should be willing to trade down if the player they can get him a few picks later, good example Spiller Buddy could have traded down a few spots and still picked him up,

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

Coples or Kirkpatrick with the 10th

only way i see them drafting DeCastro is if they dont resign Bell, and they think the Levitre is a starting LT which i dont think they think he is, besides Levitre, Wood, and I hope Jasper will be an amazing interior for years to come, maybe they should add Massie in the 2nd,

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

DeCastro is overrated

he’s not elite, he’s a Pouncey type prospect, thats not bad, it’s just not someone you’d take at ten.

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by mob16151 on Feb 14, 2012 3:07 PM EST reply actions