Archives for April 2010

‘”He’s the right kind of kid,” Bills General Manager Buddy Nix said after taking Spiller with the ninth overall pick Thursday night. “His mother wanted him to come out. He felt that he wanted to graduate by his class. He was recruited by the head coach and felt a loyalty to him and felt the NFL was still going to be there.”‘

‘This pick reveals management’s true feelings about Marshawn Lynch. Nix said nothing has changed with Lynch. But this is a clear sign that the Bills are prepared to part ways with Lynch, who has been a disappointment on the field and an embarrassment off it. It’s a further indictment of Marv Levy’s tenure as GM.’

‘”We need some excitement, somebody that can make a big play and create some things on their own.”‘

‘”When I laid down last night, I reflected on all of my visits and I just remembered all of my conversations that I had when I went up to Buffalo,” Spiller said. “I had a good feeling that’s where I was going to land. I’m very excited that they made the decision. It’s one that they will never regret and I’m going to come in there and work hard.”‘

‘”When I laid down last night, I reflected on all of my visits and I just remembered all of my conversations that I had when I went up to Buffalo,” Spiller said. “I had a good feeling that’s where I was going to land. I’m very excited that they made the decision. It’s one that they will never regret and I’m going to come in there and work hard.”‘

‘”I don’t know what my role will be,” Spiller said, “but whatever it is, you have to be willing to accept it. My main priority is to go in there and learn and not be The Man. I don’t know anything right now.”‘

‘I can see why many Bills fans don’t get this pick. The Bills clearly need a left tackle, and Anthony Davis of Rutgers and Bryan Bulaga of Iowa were still on the board, and the Bills need a nose tackle, and Dan Williams was there. They need a quarterback too, and Jimmy Clausen wasn’t even taken in the first round at all.’

‘”He’s a playmaker. He’s a guy that creates field position and scores points,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. “He’s exciting. We need some excitement, somebody that can make a big play and create some things on their own.”‘

‘The Bills overlooked needs at offensive line and quarterback in selecting Spiller. His arrival leaves in question the future of Marshawn Lynch, the subject of trade speculation this offseason.’

‘Spiller is coming off an ACC player of the year campaign when he gained 1,715 yards from scrimmage. He was the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to score in every game last fall. NFL evaluators like his versatility, scoring a touchdown five different ways. Spiller set an NCAA record with his seventh career kick return for a touchdown this fall.’

‘Spiller is the best back in the draft, but he seems like more of a luxury for a club that has two players who have rushed for more than 1,000 yards. The Bills passed on Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga, Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams and Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.’

‘1-9 RB C.J. Spiller – Clemson Not a position of need or a popular choice. Gailey wants a playmaking scat back and he fits the Bill. He would be an impact player and that is what they want at this spot.’

‘My sense is that Buffalo is just a bit out of where they would really like to be to get an impact player at a position of need, something we’ve certainly seen before. Given the amount of rebuilding the team needs to do, I don’t see them trading up and giving up picks to move up in the round. On the contrary, I think Buffalo would love to move down in the draft if they can find a partner and there isn’t a slam dunk player available at #9.’

‘As a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 1999 season, Buffalo has its share of holes to fill.’

‘The Bills are a team with a lot of holes, a team still reeling from a decade of dubious draft picks and trades. They need playmakers at almost every critical position. They need depth. They need linebackers, defensive and offensive linemen, a franchise quarterback, at least one viable wide receiver.’