WhitewalkerInPhilly

Well, the team I'm looking at now is different than the one we saw at the end of last season. We completely changed out coaching staff, went from a 4-3 to a hybrid which appears to be based in the 3-4, gutted out WR corps, and let go of some popular veterans, cut Fitz because he wouldn't take a pay cut, and lost Levitre and Rinehart. Alternately, we brought in Kevin Kolb as a veteran who fits the system but has run into injury problems and took a high risk, high reward pick with EJ Manuel. While we lost Nelson and Jones, we drafted Woods, Goodwin and took Rodgers. While we lost Barnett, we picked up Lawon, Dowtin and Alonso. We cut Wilson, but moved A Rodgers to SS and took two more safeties as well. So far, I think we're a stronger team for it. We cut the players who were pretty dependable but had long reached their ceiling. I can think of 5 rookies who could all start together (Manuel, Woods, Alonso, Rodgers and Hopkins). But in the end, you can't fix all of your problems in one draft. Where do we think the Bills are still weakest? For me, it's at CB. The additional safeties will help, especially if Pettine is intend on using A Willams, and D Williams and nickel and dime guys, but they're really safeties. I see very little depth after Brooks, and Brooks and McKelvin at #2 and #3 doesn't sound all that promising. After that...as much as I have to say it, it's at Guard. I absolutely, positively did NOT want Cooper or Warmack in the first round but I can't deny that while the Bills have depth, we have yet to see a stud starter, even if Nix and Marrone look satisfied.

Thanks for the merge. I thought I had seen this thread before but I couldn't find it this morning.

Easy everybody, can we stop bickering over who we credit for a draft we like and just enjoy it? ... ... ... Right...I forgot where I was . Carry on

Which guy are you talking about? I can definitely see Woods (who I think is a lock to be one of the starting two) or maybe Rodgers?

Wow, I forgot his name already... Nice job new WR's!!!!

*headdesk* Seriously? The Bills have what appears to be their best draft in years. They pick up a bit of depth so that their backup at FS isn't necessarily Mana Silva? They pick up a guy who may be competition between Aaron Williams and D'Norris Seacry at SS? How will they handle that overflow of talent? *facepalm* Seriously, we do the bare minimum for a position that is bare bones as it is, and that suddenly translates into. "We're not going to make a deal with the guy we signed a franchise tag to?"

People were mad about losing Donald Jones? I think,at worst, we were worried about depth. I still think they may have been hasty with Nelson, but now depth doesn't seem to be a problem. For once.

Agreed. That's why I put the question mark. With all the competition, plus all the people on practice squad and the new UDFAs he'll need to impress. It's strange, suddenly seeing competition at the spot. Good point. After going over some analysis, he seems to be a real plug and play guy. I see him in instantly at #2, maybe #1 eventually, especially with Rodgers now.

I was watching Buddy and Marrone's sum up Williams alcohol problems I just burst out laughing at Buddy's response (paraphrased): "We got caught for underaged drinking...beer. Has anyone here done that?" *Hands go up, sheepish laughter throughout the press room*

I'll be the first to admit that I was feeling a little leery of our WR going into the draft. The Bills could have kept David Nelson and Donald Jones who are both...decent, if not exceptional or above average players. They didn't. With the flurry of WR's in Free Agency, we were hoping the Bills would take someone. Stevie pleaded the Front Office to pick up DHB. They didn't. So, to be honest, I was a little leery of how things were going to go in the draft. I didn't think that Tavon Austin was a perfect fit with us, and Cordarelle Patterson kept falling back in predictions as we went along. As thrilled as I was for EJ Manuel, I was getting kind of worried. Friday and Saturday changed that. Woods is considered an immediate starter,and like Stevie, he has the reputation for getting open and making possession plays. Goodwin looks like he's immediately on par with Graham, which isn't saying much, but at least there's competition. Finally, we took Da'Rick Rodgers, a man who was considered first round talent outside of personal issues, a 2-3rd rounder with them, and we got him as an UDFA. He looks like the big, fast, "is open even when he's covered" guy we said we wanted. We have gone from 2012 SJ Donald Jones David Nelson TJ Graham Brad Smith to 2013 SJ Da'Rick Rodgers Robert Woods Goodwin Graham? Brad Smith? For the first time in years, it feels like there is real competition of #2...and maybe #1. Stevie could be phenomenal in the slot, and it's starting to feel like the Bills could come out of the huddle and the defense has no idea where to line up.

I know what you mean. I didn't hate Buddy before this offseason, but I would have been the first to admit that he whiffed a lot on picks that weren't first rounders. I don't know if it's because Whaley has taken over, or we're desperate with the new system in place, or simply that Marrone, Hackett and Pettine have breathed new life into the organization but the last few years it felt like we were waiting for people to come to us, and then grabbing the desperate off of waivers...but now it feels like we're hunting for people. I also agree that DR (we needed to abbreviate it somehow) looks like an absolute steal as an UDFA. Seriously, I looked at the highlight reel they put up of him and I was seriously impressed. The suspension thing is troubling, and it does look like there was a reason why he dropped out of being drafted, but the level of talent there is so great that picking him up outside of the draft, on the cheap...I'm sorry, my jaw can't seem to reclench, I'm still in shock.

True that. I also seem to remember someone posting a list of the O-linemen we had between people on IR and practice squad and it was enormous. Couple that with the UDFA's that the Bills obviously had eyes on, take into account Sanders coming back and I think we'll be fine...even if we're not quite as good as last year. But do keep in mind that we are now an offense built for speed, so that may impact the type of line we're trying to build.

OK, odd choice of words there... But seriously, I don't see how he's anything but excited. I remember that we were always saying, "If only we had a big, fast, strong receiver on the outside, we could put Stevie in the slot, where he would be unstoppable." Well, maybe we don't have that guy yet but Da'Rick Rodgers was an absolute steal and has a great chance of being able to play on the side. Robert Woods is considered a Day 1 starter. Goodwin and Graham are Olympic athlete speedsters, and with all of those raw talents, Stevie is still the #1 guy. He's done it with hard work and being crafty, and is still insanely elusive.

I'm in complete shock with Rodgers. This is insane. I know that we always are optimistic every offseason but this time our FO looks...really, really smart. Seriously, where has this been for years?

Well, I suppose that Buddy Nix would have keeled over if he didn't take *ONE* SEC pick...still, we needed a guy, and the move to being a speed team continues. Hopefully quickly.

*Sigh* Well, I won't be turning handstand for getting a kicker, but with the sixth round, it's probably as impactful as we're going to get if the Bills really don't trust Lindell.

Don't you come in here with your fancy "logic", "reasoning" and "analysis". Never mind that Buddy got exactly the guy he wanted and an extra two picks while doing it, we must have mass panic!!!

Yes.

That is ridiculous *sips from hip flask* I'm not one of the TSW best posters.

I've been ignoring this, as it wasn't as contentious as Alonso...but really, I love it. This is looking like a day 1 starter. I really hope we take someone in round 3 to really restock our WR corps

Well....I really don't know. I'm willing to look some problems from early in his life due to alcohol, and if he's mocked as a 3 down LB I really think he could be worth it. I still would like to see Dansby brought in at a reasonable price. Our front seven would be monstrous.

OK, am I the only one who will be joining the chorus of "Who the !@#$ is this?" Never heard of him, never saw him mocked. I mean, I want some people at ILB, but I really haven't even considered this guy.

That was fast. They must like Woods. Solid pick.

I'm hoping that Manuel vs Smith will be an epic rivalry in years to come.

Yeah right now I'm feeling better about the WR options. I just hope some good ones make it to us.