Billsrhody

He said CBs were more "Important" than LBs... but that doesnt necessarily mean that he'll take a 2nd tier CB over a top class LB

From a talent standpoint, I would love him on the roster. But I think this is a case where you need to look at the bigger picture and find a balance between value and need. Unless he turns out to be Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu, he isn't going to be enough better than George Wilson to warrant picking him 10 overall. I'd rather grab a player at a position he instantly upgrades significantly.

Everyone keeps bringing this up... NO ONE is going to stop the TEs in NE. Gronkowski went an entire season without getting stopped and put up one of the best TE seasons in the history of the league. Truth is, no one in the league can stop him 1 on 1. Hopefully Kuechly can contribute to a solution where we limit the production.. but the problem will never be "fixed".

Physical evaluation and comparison Urlacher: 6037, 258 lbs 40 time: 4.59 s Bench: 27 reps Vertical: 34" Broad J: 10'02" Shuttle: 4.18 s 3 cone: 6.94 s Willis: 6011, 242 lbs 40 time: 4.51 s Bench: 22 reps Vertical: 39" Broad J: 9'11" Shuttle: 4.46 s 3 cone: 7.32 s Kuechly: 6024, 242 lbs 40 time: 4.58 s Bench: 27 reps Vertical: 38" Broad J: 10'03" Shuttle: 4.12 s 3 cone: 6.92 s VS Urlacher: Kuechly is a little shorter, but makes up for it with his vertical ability. He's a little quicker by all accounts and puts up the same amount of weight on the bench. He's likely a little less powerful (due to sheer size) but both players check out as very instinctive leaders. VS Willis: Kuechly gives up a little big in straight line speed but outperforms Willis in every other measurable except for vertical (1" shorter). Its surprising how poorly Willis did in his "change of direction" drills. Kuechly may move more fluidly than Willis in this regard. Overall: Kuechly seems to line up somewhere in between these 2 players on the strength / speed spectrum. He has quickness over Urlacher and strength over Willis and appears to be a near hybrid of the 2. Kuechly's measurables are very impressive when you look at them in this light. If you add this to the fact that he has the intelligence, leadership and college production, Kuechly sure looks like a future pro bowler. I think he's a sure thing and I hope the bills dont pass on him.

Looks like we should draft a LB!

He has said he's willing to restructure his deal if he goes to a new team.

Obviously if he's drafting a LB at #10 then he's drafting him because he believes he'll improve the entire defense. I never speculated why Nix would draft him, I said why I would draft him. You're making an argument out of nothing. Grownkowski is open with anyone standing next to him. The truth is, no one can cover him 1 on 1.

My link I say lets do it.

I just don't think the addition of 1 player changes our run defense from bad to good. Mario will be an improvement, but Mark Anderson is not going to be an upgrade against the run. I'd like to add another good run defender in Kuechly, which will further improve the run defense. I'm not really sure what you're trying to argue here.. I think we both agree that the addition of Kuechly will help the run defense. I just happen to think that you need to be able to stop the run to win in this league. Maybe you think otherwise.

Kyle Willams has not proved himself as a good run defender.. we were in the bottom 3 teams in run defense the 2 years prior to Dareus. I do agree that with both of them in the middle, it should be improved, but I still our run defense will be in the bottom 3rd of the league. No offense but I dont think you can tell me why I want Kuechly. I personally hate watching running backs like reggie bush gouge us for 12 yd gains. Teams average over 5 yards per carry against us. I dont care how good your pass D is, you cant win in the NFL like that. Kuechly has phenomenal tackling instincts and I think he'll instantly upgrade our run defense. I do think his coverage ability is valuable, I just like like what he brings to the running game more.

I'm worried that bills fans are forgetting how awful our run defense is. It seems like everyone is assuming our entire D is going to get better because of Mario and Anderson. I'm actually very worried that teams are going to be able to run it down our throats next year. That is the main reason why I want Kuechly on this team.

Basically.. we have too many holes to fill in just 1 draft. We still need OT, WR, LB, CB, TE, QB. We arent going to get a quality player at every position in this draft. Hopefully we can get 2 or 3 and have less positions of need next year.

I agree that it's because he was a rookie last year.. but that doesnt change the fact does it? I like Sheppard and I hope he does improve like you think he will. I just like Kuechly more.

People think Kuechly is better than Sheppard because he is faster, stronger, can jump higher, produced more in college, and is smarter. In my opinion, these attributes will make him a better player in every facet of the game. There is a reason he is going to be a top 15 pick and Sheppard was still available in round 2.

All I was saying is that Sheppard is the least proven LB on the roster. At least the bills know that they have an average pass rusher in moats.. which is why I said he would be a DE if he stays on the team. Anyways, All I'm saying is that people shouldnt assume that if we draft Kuechly he will take over for Morrison. Morrison is absolutely more proven than Sheppard. To you point about Dareus... I didnt say that sheppard sucks, so why would I be saying that Dareus does? If you're asking if I think Dareus has a lot of work to do to be a good run defender, than i would say yes he does. Sheppard and Dareus were both rookies last year and both of them still have room to improve significantly.

I'm not saying that moats is going to be better than sheppard will be.. but moats has been in the league longer and has produced more. Just that hit on Favre alone proves he has accomplished more than sheppard. Sheppard played a prominent role when the team was losing 8 of its last 9. Sheppard has proved next to nothing. Moats didn't get a lot of snaps last year so I think its unfair to pin the lack of a pass rush on him.. How was our run defense last year when sheppard was on the field?

I disagree on moats... batten is a DE in the 43 and i'm willing to bet that moats ends up there as well

I dont understand all of the confidence in Sheppard. I like him and all but he hasn't done much to prove that he is going to be a good player in this league, let along secure a starting role. Everyone has him penciled in as a starter, but the truth is that he is the least proven linebacker on our roster.

I do like the philosophy on giving rookies a limited playbook and more of a role. Thats what the panthers did with cam newton last year and it worked out great. They started him off with just a few basic plays, and added a few more every week.

Couldn't agree more.. I really think Kuechly should be the pick. If we pick him at 10, he'll be our starting middle linebacker for the next 10 years

Did someone say Jamarcus Russell?

Well the half the article is pointing out how difficult it is to draft a QB.. I cant think of any good QBs that he drafted off the top of my head. He missed big time on Kyle Boller.

I'm not sure if anyone has been following this series by Brian Billick on NFL.com.. I'm about halfway through it right now and its a really good read. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 If you've got the time I would recommend it. There is some pretty good insight from a former coach who had been around the league for the past couple decades. Considering the Bills may find themselves in this situation in the next couple of years, it gave me a lot to think about. Buffalo is a particularly interesting case study. In 2004, they traded away their 2005 first-round pick so they could move up to get Tulane quarterback J.P. Losman. The pick they dealt ended up being the 20th pick in the 2005 draft, four ahead of where Rodgers was taken. Losman started only one year (2006) in Buffalo and has a career completion rate under 60 percent with more interceptions than touchdowns. The Cowboys ended up taking Marcus Spears with the pick. The Bills suffered through four different starters at quarterback and as many head coaches on the way to a 42-74 record. Only the Browns and Raiders have been worse over that period of time.

This is a pretty good way of doing things as opposed to all of the mock drafts out there. I appreciate the fact that Kiper went through every pick to come up with his scenario. Things would have to fall perfectly for this to work out for us.. but I dont think its very likely. It's starting to look like Floyd wont be the pick.

Although I would be happy with a player of Jauron's caliber, I do not think his game would translate to today's NFL. In all likelihood, Jauron would not be able to make an NFL roster if he was a player today. It takes a superior athlete to play corner back today and I hope Gilmore is more athletic than Dick Jauron. just pulling your leg