Armchair GM

Oh, my brother, your pain is radiant. I lost my mom to that horrible disease. She went 12 rounds with the big C! In '96 she was diagnosed with lung cancer, caught late and it had already metastasized and spread to her brain. She was given a few weeks to live. But, she did not accept that and leaned on her faith...she "beat it" and went into remission for several years. In 2011, it resurfaced in her pancreas and she succumbed. My father, one of my hero’s, is going through a debilitating mental disease now, and inevitably will die too. I can go on and on about the experiences in my life that would give me every reason to deny God...divorce, suicide, illness, death...unfortunately, it happens to us all. But, we're not alone in our suffering. God, too, has suffered. Right alongside us at times. But in the beginning, he proved that he was willing to suffer to save us. His only son, who lived a perfect life, was betrayed, humiliated, tortured and murdered. All just to save us from the evil that is present every day. Jim Kelly is a shining example of a man who lived a life of privilege, excessive wealth, celebrity, and emptiness. He was blessed with talent, the love of a good woman, and the gift of fatherhood. Everything he had amounted to nothing. He lost his only son to a disease that strikes with the same odds as winning the lotto. But, God found him...healed him, and has used him as an example of His grace. Jim Kelly was a Christian, a servant of God, and he has lived out his love for God and others openly and in the public eye for several years now. Part of the deal God made with us, after having sacrificed his son to save us, is that we have a choice as to whether or not we accept him or reject him. There are two forces at war, every day, in this world...good and evil. It's the Devil's job to get you to turn from God. Temptation, "bad things," et al., are tests of our faith. If for nothing else, God gives you something to believe in...something much bigger than yourself. Is that not enough to provide hope? Is it not enough to hope to see both, your dad, and Jim Kelly someday in a place much better than this? Sorry for the rant...and if I'm too preachy..but, I was once where you're at.

As will Moncrief...But, if I had my choice between the two, it'd be Moncrief...all day!

What is the basis of your arguement that Matthews is a better LT? He's not played a single down in the NFL. A statement like that shows your ignorance to the transition from the NCAA to the NFL. There are absolutely no guarantees in football. Matthews has a 50/50 shot of being a stud at the next level, as does any prospect in this draft.

Apparently my rants are too long winded...who gets 600+ views and only two replies on a dog penis joke?

Ummmm....no, he can't! He's a gifted athlete who may become a good receiving TE, but the dude can't block, can't make contested catches, and drops way too many balls. Plus, he's not very bright/academically challenged, which to me, says he's hard to "coach up." Now, I've heard he's a better prospect as a rush OLB. This speaks to his athleticism, as he's produced on both sides of the ball and I've seen him graded out as a RD 1 H-Back/TE or a Rd 3 OLB. All things considered, no thanks. Matthews will not be around @ 9 when you have 3 teams in front of you who are OT needy and his talent will be too tough to pass up. Even if St. Louis passes up on an OT @ #2, I wouldn't be surprised if they traded back up and grabbed 2 top 10 picks this year. Hell, they may even try to swing a trade with us.

Wanted to get everyone's opinions on who their "under the radar," and/or "sleeper" picks are. Who do you think will jump up and who'll fall, may it be a few slots or multiple slots... Here are my fallers: The QB's: The closer we get and the more I think about it, I just don't see the hype around the guys that are pegged to be at the top of this years QB class, with the exception of Bortles. And even he doesn't seem like a top 5 pick, IMHO. Granted there are a couple teams that are desperate for a signal caller, but I can only see one pulling the trigger...Oakland. And I'm not so sure they get it right and take Bortles. The "2nd" tier guys, IMHO have an equal shot of making a name for themselves in the NFL. McCarron = WINNER. Can he carry a team on his arm? Who knows, but you can't argue how successful the kid has been. Mettenberger...how are you not impressed with his workout only 3 months removed from ACL surgery? How about the underdog, Garoppolo (sp)? Anyway, I can see Bortles (i think Oakland takes Manziel) & Bridgewater, falling out of the top 10...maybe even into the later part of round one where we'll see some wheeling and dealing by Houston and Jacksonville. Cleveland can stay put and land a QB @ 26. Ebron...He's very good as a receiving TE, but I think he's a one trick pony and a luxury pick that only a few teams in late rd 1 can afford. I don't think he's as a complete TE as Amaro, ASJ, Niklas, Fiedorwicz, or Gilmore for that matter. Yes, he's probably the best receiver of the bunch, buch the rest of these guys can stay on the field with a hand in the dirt and block...wierd that TE's should be able to block, eh? Risers: The "other" OT's: I've been a big fan of Martin, Moses, and Bitonio for a while now. I've seen mixed opinions on whether or not Martin and Bitonio come in as OG's or OT's, but I see all three of these guys as being quality RT's, with Moses leading the group. It'd be a surprise, but not over all that much of a shock if these guys go in rd 1...aside from Martin as he's been graded out at a rd 1 talent for some time now. Moncrief...you guys are probably sick of me talking about this kid, but homeboy is good. I can see a team like Cinci picking him up and putting him opposite Green. Not only would that provide a legit #2 option opposite of Mr. Green, but it may make the Red Rockets lipstick come out and save/resurrect his career. Then again, I was way off when I was stoked about Sanu a couple years ago. Thoughts, opinions, complaints?

Respectfully disagree...your run D starts up front. DT's taking up blockers, double teams covering the LB's. MD and KW are gap shooters and attackers, not 2 gappers.

I stand by my arguement, but perhaps I got a bit ahead of myself. We still need a beastly DT to sure up our run D, but this may not be the year to pull the trigger. Maybe if there was a Suh type guy, but there's not. Maybe grab a guy like Ellis or McCullers in the 3-4 range or ever guys like Kerr and Carrethers in the 7th or as UDFA's?

Good morning Bills fans! Been mulling this over and came to the conclusion that this year needs to be about addressing deficiencies, regardless of the argument, because it is a deep draft. Shocker...right? This conclusion lead to some thinking on the most apparent deficiencies, the RUN D. Though we've made a few moves to address this issue (extending Branch, moving Kiko, Spikes) I don't billieve that it's enough. We're missing the most important piece, a dominant DT. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of Dareus and Williams, but they're obviously not the answer with plugging up the line and covering our LB's. They both provide great pressure on passing downs and get good penetration, but their strengths are too similar. We have to be able to mix them up with a true, bigger bodied run stuffer. All of tis has made me rethink my draft strategy. Even though I am of the school of thought that the game is won @ the LOS, I kinda got carried away with Ebron and/or Evans. Again, the draft is deep @ TE an WR and OT, but not so much @ DT. That being said, there aren't any DT's rated in t top 10, so it further adds to possibility of trading back n picking up extra selections. So, I reprioritized my draft.. Trade back out of #9 and pick up an extra 2nd, then; Rd 1 - Louis Nix III 2a - Morgan Moses 2b - Donte Moncrief 3 - Troy Niklas 4 - Jon Halapio 5 - Storm Johnson 7 - Andrew Jackson \

I guess I just don't get all the love for the Bungals...Yes, I'd say they're in the topn 1/3 of the conference, given their record, but I don't see them as more of a threat than any other team in the bottom 1/2. JMO...

Core guy for the dynasty

I believe this was my EXACT statement in a mock I posted about a month ago...You like me...you really like me

Mid rounder, WV Sr. DE Will Clarke, 6'6" 271Lbs. 22 reps on the bench, 32" vertical, 9'04" broad and a 7.26 3 cone drill (4.77 40). Should be there in the 3rd, maybe 4th. Put on a display Sr. Bowl week, making an example out of ND OT Zach Martin. Late rounder, West TX A&M, Sr. DE Ethan Westbrooks, 6'3" 267Lbs. 19 reps on the bench, 29" vertical, 9'02" broad and a 7.03 3 cone drill (4.9 40). Should be there in the end, around in the 6th. Solid small school division II prospect that has racked up sacks and TFL for the last couple years garnering him the award for top defensive player in division II of the NCAA.

WORD! My favorite receiver in this draft! However, not sure he lasts to the 3rd. He turned some heads @ the combine and addressed the questions about his route running @ his pro day. @ 6'2 3/8" 219 Lbs., ran a 4.40, 39.5" vertical and 11' broad jump, he poseesses the athleticism to be an elite WR...Alos, 16 reps on the bench shows he'll be hard to jam up at the line. If I'm picking in the mid (15-25) range of Rd. 2, and I need a WR, I can't pass this kid up. I can see him in Carolina.

Agreed...somewhat. Round 2, please!! Playmaking WR/TE in rd 1 then Morgan Moses in rd 2. Those 2 picks will make or break this draft.

Unfortunately, I don't see us as being "set" at any position aside from CB. I'm leaning toward this draft going BPA round by round, which is a great position to be in. It makes sense to try and trade down, in that regard. If we get a partner that is willing to pay the right price, picking up additional selections is the best possible scenario while in this stage of rebuilding.

Maybe, but no way Atlanta passes up Robinson/Matthews with how heavily invested they are with Ryan, who took a beating last year. With the moves Tampa has made, I'd be more worried about them snatching Ebron, but I don't see him going top 10...more like around 15ish.

Williams is plugged in as the starting LG and it's his to lose. Pears @ RT with a healthy Hairston to push competition. Whaley views Rivers as a 4 down OLB and Lawson will be used situationally, sometimes coming off the edge with his hand on the ground. Kiko to the outside (love it). Graham will push Robey and be a ST gunner opposite Easley. Pretty much done in FA unless they find that "value" (multiple position) pick that will improve the team and push the guys around him. Our top 2 picks in the draft will be (purely speculative and IMHO), with a hole @ MLB and Whaley's "favorite" NCAA game last year being NC vs. Miami, in which Ebron caught 8 passes for 199 and a TD, which was a 71yd catch and run for a score: Trade back 1a Ebron Trade up, back into rd. 1 1b Mosley Remaining picks are up in the air. I'd expect a WR, S, OL, DT/DE, in no particular order. Guys I like, in each position (*favorite): OL: *Bitonio (3) Britt (5-6) Dozer (3) Halapio (4-5) C. Richardson (3-4) WR: *Moncrief (2-3) Bryant (2-3) Coleman (4-5) Janis (6) Washington (6-7) S: *Bucannon (2-3) Dixon (4-5) Sunsieri (6) Huff (6) Reynolds (3-4) DT: Carrethers (5-6) Johnson (3) *Reid (4-5) Uko (4) Coleman (6) DE: *Clarke (3-4) Lynch (6) Marcus Smith (3-4) Mauro (4-5) Westbrooks (6-7)

A guy I work with, a football guy, is from Gragg's hometown. He said he's watched Gragg through HS and in college, Basically says the dude is a stud and don't be surprised if he makes an im-pact 2-3 years down the road. He's had 2 pretty bad knee injuries because he sells out for poorly thrown balls and is balls to the wall to make plays. Admittedly, I've never seen him play aside from highlight reels, which make everyone look good. So, I'm in the same boat...hopeing for a surprise.

God, I wish this post would have self destructed as soon as you hit the "post" button.

Exactly...this is why we DO NOT NEED to go with Matthews, Robinson or even Lewan @ 9. Yes, it would be hard to pass up on guys like this, but landing a big-time playmaker, on either side of the ball, is a higher priority. Now, I'm all in favor of going OL early and often, but no need to draft a LT prospect when we have a top 10 talent already there. You guys have to start looking at guys like Moses, Richardson, Britt, Bintonio, Mewhort and Turner for answers @ RT and the interior OL. All of whom can be had outside of the top 15-20 and even into rounds 2 & 3. This all points in favor to a trade back, which is my 1st choice this year.

OK, so I looked...seems to be mutual interest, but no action yet. Maybe the G-Men let the market set the price and match it an he stays, unless someone overvalues him and pays up...Starting to scratch him off the list, anyway.

According to Tom Coughlin, Beason "deserves" to test the FA market. I haven't seen anything about him wanting to stay there...though I haven't really looked, either.

Beason = Beast-on...Dude played fenominally well for the G-Men coming off an injury. Joined the team and instantly brcame a leader on D. Plays aggressive and passionately. Vocal leader on the field and just the type of guy you want in the middle of a 4-3 scheme...all IMHO, of course. A 3 year deal and a mid round pick to be his understudy/back-up is a good move.

Do you seriously think that scouts watch more highlights than film...and. for that matter, less than Mayock? Riddle me this...why isn't Mayock the top payed scout that every NFL team is fighting over, rather than just another talking head on the idiot box? No disrespect, but I just thought the "certain scouts that sit and watch highlights all day" statement is a bit cra cra. If a scout, a real NFL scout, did that he'd be fired faster than CJ2K's 40 time.