tonyjustbcuz

Good post..I enjoyed reading it! I think one thing is certain in this draft particuliary, and that is nothing is for certain. Cam Newton has unbelievable athletic ability but yet there are red flags, Blaine Gabbert don't have the red flags, and he has many positive intangibles, except he doesn't have the resume Newton has. Nick Fairley has talent, but he takes plays off, and has some red flags. Ryan Mallet can throw a tight, fast, spiral, but he's got the legs of Drew Blesdoe, Da'Quan Bowers may be one of the most talented players, but his pro day suffered because of his injury. A.J. Green is an awesome receiver but he had a 9 in the wonderlick test which could help him slide some. Von Miller has it all, but I'm nervous because of the Maybin experiment! Hmmmmmmmm, after thinking about it..the only one I haven't heard or thought anything negative about at all is Patrick Peterson! I don't even want a CB for the Bills, but he may be the safest pick in the draft if their is such a animal. He may also be a future all-pro player who will be highly regarded with the likes you mentioned in your post like Bruce Smith...and the other perrenial top performers! I may have to reconsider my mock after my post!

I know the first two picks were in beforehand...but if the Bills feel this strongly about M. Dareus so far, it's likely that Carolina and Denver fans and possibly their organizations may feel as strongly too! But if Dareus is still there I am all for the pick!!! But, I have a feeling despite my personal feelings and reasons why we should draft Dareus...that the Bills organization will instead select Von Miller which may be a very good pick in the end, but I just feel better about Dareus, his size, and his ability to plug up the middle and slow down the opponents run game!

Well I can say this post is outrageous as advertised! lol Actually, this would not surprise me at all!

Of the three QB's you mentioned I would personally go for Kaepernick! Kaepernick has a very strong arm as does Mallett, but Kaepernick is a lot more mobile than Mallett who is similar in build and style as Drew Blesdoe. Kaepernick set some records with his passing/running game and I think he is a diamond in the rough! He'll need a year or two of grooming, but most QB's in this draft will. I don't think many are ready....I expressed my disdain for C. Ponder, but I do have to admit he is one of the most NFL ready QB's at this time. I just don't think he will ever be that franchise QB you'd want.

The Eagles are not going to spend their precious pre-draft planning on conjuring up a trade scenario involving players when the current CBA situation has already determined that no player trades will be allowed until the CBA has been resolved. If player movement was allowed I would be open to the idea even though Kolb is an unproven commodity to me at QB. I'd rather just have Philly's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks straight up for our first rounder!!! I don't forsee that happening though, as that would be a lot to give up in a draft. I'd even be open to their 1st, 2nd, and 4th for our 1st rounder and still doubt that would happen...but I'd leap on it if they were willing!

Why do some people quote back to you something you didn't say to begin with?? C. Ponder probably isn't as intelligent as Trent Edwards is all I implied as he scored lower than the majority of QB's on the wonderlick test they take to measure one's capacity to learn new material. Neverless, You read the same post I wrote and I didn't call anyone stupid or dumb as you put it! I would think most of the College players are either of average smarts or better and some are less intelligent than others, so I'm not really sure how that warranted a response? Clarification? Did you misread my post? Regardless, I hope we don't select C. Ponder in the Bills draft no matter what his level of intelligence or lack therof may be. Most of my complaint on him was his similarities to Trent Edwards and his tendancy to not be able to sense pocket pressure resulting in him being injured quite often and requiring multiple surgeries. The Ponder experiment quite possibly could mean 2 or 3 years on top of Fitz's upcoming year wasted without the playoffs and in my eyes would likely spell the end of yet another coaching regime in 3 or 4 years!

Yuck, and more Yuck! I guess I'm sort of a draft guru as it's my big hobby and I set up my own war room and have charts, graphs, best player available board etc....not to mention Bills logos and everything to give it the info and decor to give it the credability I seek when simualting the actual Bills war room. It's geeky fun that I am obsessed with...it doesn't make me better or as thorough as the Bills, but one thing I know is this: That if the Bills would've stuck to my board vice theirs..we would be a lot better off than we are now! IE: Clay Matthews, H. Ngata, Bryan Orakapo, etc......the one likely bust I would've picked last year in the 2nd round would've been J. Claussen so I messed up there! QB is often hard to accurately identify. C.J. Spiller last year was a head scratcher! Anyways, there are at least two red flags leaping out at you about Mallet..probably 3+ The first being that their is some sort of connection between R. Mallet and drug usage which he had the opportunity to deny at a press conference and instead refused to address the subject, which pretty much would implicate him to some degree in my mind. I know that people rarely refuse to talk when something alledged is false! Secondly, he has some personality flaws that are whispered about...And it always shows in leadership abilities which I have heard he lacks in. That is one of the biggest flaws to overcome as a QB! I tried to overlook that with Jimmy Claussen and wasted a valuable pick for that very reason in last years mock. Ryan Mallet can throw with great zip and has a good arm, but he is lacking a complete game and his stock actually dropped consistently through the 2010 college football season. Long story short: I don't want the Bills to draft Ryan Mallet! I'm not sold on expending a 1st round pick on Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert neither. After extensive studying I believe are best bet is to draft Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd round and followup in the 4th or 5th round with drafting Ricky Stanzi. I think both of those QB's have great upside and potential! I think the Bills should primarily shore up the run game with a DT, draft 2 LB's, draft 2 QB's, draft a TE, add a OT, DE, and one CB for depth. We have enough holes that we probably wish we had about 12 picks! (at least..lol) so I really think the Bills will give strong consideration of moving down slightly in the first round if we can pick up an extra 2nd round pick! The other yuck yuck is Robert Quinn! Not only did Robert Quinn miss the entire 2010 season due to a violation regarding his dealing with agents, but he lacks the ability to adequately play against both the pass and the run which is essential! He is a one trick pony that is very good at getting to the QB, but may be less likely to seize the moment and do the same in the NFL! I definitely don't need players with both questions as to rather they possess the skillset necessary to succeed and the moral ethics to stay out of trouble!

Yes, I watched enough of him and I'll probably vomit if we select him! Him and his noodle arm...He is essentially a checkdown QB who does not sense pressure of opposing defense's until it's too late, that is why he is often injured during the games that he is healthy enough to play! When comparing the upcoming draft class to present NFL players I have seen in more than one publication that C. Ponder is comparable to Trent Edwards regarding his skill set, tendancies, and proneness for injury. The other difference is that C. Ponder is not as intelligent as Trent Edwards and was one of the lower scoring QB's in this draft class which leaves him potentially with a lesser upside than Trent Edwards considering the complexities of the NFL Playbook! And your specific reason for wanting the Bills to spend their 2nd round pick on Ponder is ??????

There's no way at #3 the Bills should do this! But it is the Bills lol...so they may! But I wouldn't! The first thing we need to do is take the best defensive line player available. We need to slow down the opponents running game or we are just wasting another season! It's our biggest flaw among many....I'm hoping they draft Marcell Dareus DT at #3, if not I would be okay with Da'Quan Bowers...At a lesser but satisfactory degree I would be okay with Nick Fairley and possibly Von Miller. Robert Quinn is a one trick pony who is not stout against the run or pass, but can rush the QB...but he's a red flag to me! Fairley has elements of a red flag, but he's talent is worth the risk! There is just no way that I would draft a future RT with my 3rd pick....if I was desperate for an OLT I would consider the choice if he was rated a little higher, but at #3 your talking a big reach! QB at #3 is always a temptation, but I'm not part of the Gabbert/Newton bandwagon and would select a QB at #34....Maybe Colin Kaepernick, or Jake Locker and still try and draft Ricky Stanzi in the fourth as competition is good for the position. I would possibly bring Levi Brown to training camp, but he probably would be released prior to the season. I would be satisfied going into the season with Fitz,Kaepernick, and Stanzi....But, I'm not on the Christian Ponder bandwagon either as I've read comparisons of his abilities to present NFL QB, and the comparison most often made is believe it or not...Trent Edwards!!! He's downfall is he likes to check it down, he's accuracy is sub-par, and he is often injured and missed games due to injury repeatedly! and just why are the C. Ponder fans thinking the Bills should draft him??? I don't get that!!!

My take for what it's worth......... If Da'Quan Bowers and Marcell Dareus are not available then I could live with Nick Fairley, but would strongly consider Von Miller at that point. Fairley would be my 4th choice of the four. Of the four players maybe Fairley has the highest ceiling, but he has the tendancy to take plays off from what I've read, and may have some character issues as well. Da'Quan Bowers had a recent injury and will be having his Pro Day today. That may go a long way of influencing the scouts one direction or another. Besides the injury, I really like Bowers...but it's a red flag regardless. I like Von Miller, but am not convinced that his talent will convert to the NFL. But, he's done nothing short of exceptional in the combine and last couple of seasons. I would say that Marcell Dareus has been a consistent performer, appears healthy, and besides a 2 game suspension for improper dealings with an agent had no other reported behavioral issues. So my first choice is; #1 Marcell Dareus DT (alternate Von Miller OLB) As far as C. Ponder there is no way I want the Bills to draft him..and here is why. Chris Ponder is an often injured QB including last season. He just recovered from one of his many injuried prior to the Senior bowl where he was efficient, not great by any stretch. He tends to be a check-down passer and dumps it off a fair amount and has trouble sensing pocket pressure which leads to him being injury prone. C. Ponder is most closely identified with Trent Edwards in several NFL Draft scouting magazines when comparing his skill set to a current NFL QB. There is no way I want someone like him that shows an occasional flash, but overall just doesn't have the stat's nor the physical capability to stay on the field!!!! Enough Said.... My selection would be Colin kaepernick QB in the 2nd round if he makes it that far! All he does is win and perform and unbelievably has stats that exceed even the highly praised Cam Newton! If Kaepernick isn't available then I think you take a chance on a high ceiling, underperformer like Jake Locker. I would also snag Ricky Stanzi in the 4th round as I want my QB of the future and backup being groomed together, as it would intensify the competiveness at the position, and push both to progress at full speed. Also, there is no guarantee that a 2nd rounder will outperfrom a 4th round draftee!

Let me try and fix at least their first two picks.. 1. Marcell Dareus DT 2. Colin Kaepernick QB 3. Best available OT.. Okay, now at least I'm happy!

I appreciate the topic and your comments as well, but unfortunately I differ in opinion which I guess is fine as it makes things more interesting. Really at the moment nobody truly knows how the draft will pan out for the Bills this year, and how their selections will impact the future. I sure hope Buddy Nix doesn't go solely based on the best available player mentality. If there is a clear seperation of talent for a position that is a secondary need, I may understand the concept. But, I did not agree with C. Spiller as our pick last year and was visibly upset. Each year the Bills seem to take a other than norm route with their first pick! I cannot blame Buddy Nix when the Bills passed on B. Orakapo for Aaron Maybin, but I was livid and I felt that I wasted my time analyzing data, studying video of prospects, and making my own personal War Room. (as ridiculous as it sounds, I have charts, graphs, projections, a red flag chart, alternative picks for trade scenarios, fair compensation for trades chart etc....it's sick, but fun! I have waivered back and forth with Von Miller as he was such a stellar performer last year, and posseses sackability! Every since I read someone else's post about Von Miller being undersized, and him having some similar traits as Aaron Maybin. I started to turn sour on Von Miller at that time even though I previously had him as our 1st pick on my mock!!! I started to reconsider, focus too much on the Maybin failure, Miller's physical attributes and how they will convert to the NFL and got scared off! So even though I'm not selecting Von Miller at this time, I do understand his appeal as he is a workout monster, a leader on the team he was on, a strategic nightmare for opposing offenses etc...So who knows, I may change my mind again prior to the draft? I just am a skeptic of undersized players after being scorched by Maybin. Just think I lectured the other person who was down on Von Miller, and now I'm sitting in his chair! With all that being said, I agree that we need an immediate impact player on the defense to stop or at least slow down the run. I do not feel that Patrick Peterson is the player we should select despite his immense talent. I think it comes down to one of three players on the defensive line. Da'Quan Bowers, Marcell Dareus, or Nick Fairley. I would be thrilled with any one of those picks! I think the Bills will go with Von Miller though, based on my research despite my concerns. Only time will reveal if that selection is prudent or not. Fairley has the most potential to boom or bust, and of the three picks I'd prefer I would rank him third solely on intangibles and not on talent. I don't like that he occasionally takes a play off neither. Da'Quan Bowers has probably been known as a potential top 10 pick for the greatest duration of the three players. He has been highly recruited since High School and even in one of my draft magazines he was projected as the 2011 #1 pick in this draft prior to the 2010 draft! But he has sustained a mild-medium injury, and I'm sure scouts will want to see a full recovery prior to investing a high pick on him. I think the safest pick for a high return is Marcell Dareus. He is a run plugger who is built bigger/stouter than Nick Fairley. He will have the ability to clog up the middle and slow down opponents running game. One player that I would stand clear of that I sometimes see as a mock selection of ours is R. Quinn. Quinn is one dimensional and specific for sacks. He's not adept at stopping the run or pass. He was suspended for the entire 2010 season as well. There were other negatives that I saw on him and he is another player I wouldn't be shocked to see the Bills draft. I 100% agree with you that the proposition of drafting Blaine Gabbert or Cameron Newton is a risky undertaken. I would not go in that direction if I was the Bills. I think Newton is a talented motion QB who can run great! He had a excellent team around him at most positons, especially skill positions. The NFL is a passing leaugue first, and when Newton had his opportunity at the combine he missed several key throws and did not perform as a top pick should. I'm not trying to take any credit away from Newton as he deserved the accolades he received, but you never see your 1st round QB's that amount to anything have behavioral type red flags prior to being drafted. I believe it is public knowledge that Cam Newton was accused of stealing a laptop computer, that he also was accused of cheating in college. That he attended two colleges prior to his wondoruous year at Auburn U. I think it's unsettling to listen to someone describe themselves in the third person, and convey that they are/will be a icon and an entertainer. I think Cam Newton is a product of his home environment where his father thought it was okay if he could get away with soliciting Newton's talents to the highest bidder. Children often emulate their parents based on the morals and ethics that are ingrained in them or voided with vacancy. I wouldn't draft Newton with the 15th pick of the draft let alone the third pick! Blaine Gabbert has benefited greatly based on Andrew Luck's decision to stay at Stanford for one more year. When everyone thought that Andrew Luck may declare draft eligibility for the 2011 NFL Draft Blaine Gabbert was ranked between the fifth and tenth projected QB. With Andrew Luck's absence it seems as everyone was trying to seek another QB to cling to. Blaine Gabbert started to shoot up draft boards based on his intangibles! Based on production Gabbert probably isn't in the top 5! Suddenly terms like Prototypical size started to replace on the field production. Vison and accuracy started to replace touchdowns versus interceptions. Cam Newton didn't blow away the scouts at the Combine neither which further enhanced Gabbert's positon. Blaine Gabbert impressed scouts at his personal pro day on his home turf without having to worry about defenders coming at him and the pressures of gameday. Yes, he was highly accurate, but even Trent Edwards looks like the next coming during training camps! Going back a few years, but it was all the intangibles everone was clamoring about when we drafted Trent Edwards in the third round. A very smart QB, good leader and team guy. Bill Walsh annointed him the next Joe Montana and even gave Marv Levy his personal approval of T.E. One thing about T.E. though is he had everything except the production and stat's on the college field and it showed on the NFL Field. I want someone that has been there and done that more than someone that has been there and SHOULD be able to do that! As far as Christian Ponder is concerned I just flat out have a negative opinion of him as a NFL QB. First point is that he is often injured and recently was recovering from another injury prior to the Senior Bowl. He was dominant in the Senior Bowl, but did perform better than the other QB's. But, that is not saying as much about Ponder as it is about the other QB's including Jake Locker. I've read enough material to know that the one player that the draft magazines most closely compare Christian Ponder to at the NFL level is "Trent Edwards". I'm not joking either and upon your request I will cite the source and give you the current name of the issue I found it in! That's not someone that I want to expend my 2nd round pick on!!!! I have more feelings on Ponder, but that should be enough in itself.. Well, if a QB is the 2nd round pick who would I select...Good Question. I would only consider two QB's even if Ryan Mallet slides down to them. He can keep on sliding! I would draft either Colin Kaepernick or Jake Locker, both have played in bad weather, both can throw a bullet of the ball in the worst weather. Kaepernick's stats are better, but Locker seems to have the higher ceiling on talent if he ever puts it all together. I will leave that decision for arguements sake, but am leaning on Kaepernick (today!)..

Well I like the post you put out and want to comment on some of it..I believe from what I have read that until the owners and players reach a CBA that there can be no roster movement involved in trades. We can trade picks from this years draft, but if I understand correctly we cannot trade future year draft picks. If so, this will extremely limit the number of trades that are made in each round..especially the first round where the price for moving up is considerable and usually can be offset slightly by including a pick from the following year to spice it up a bit! If the Bills traded down for example to S.Fran's 7th pick in the draft it would cost S.Fran it's 1st rounder at #7 of course, but also probably it's 2nd rounder this year and maybe it's 3rd or 4th rounder as well (this year..)...that's really mortgaging the future on the 3rd pick in the draft which is only 4 spots up! A team better KNOW that if they are moving up for a QB ie: Gabbert/Newton that that QB is more than probable to do very well in the NFL as a QB. I realize both QB's have talent, but each has a downside as well..Briefly..to me Newton is a red flag with talent, but a risk as far as his personal life and prior incidents. B. Gabbert has good intangibles, body composition, accuracy, leadership traits etc....but lacks on the statistical resume. I don't think one can guarantee success of either QB....I think once Andrew Luck decided not to declare in this draft, the QB position became less impressive as a class. Blaine Gabbert really wasn't even in the discussion until Andrew Luck declined. I think it's natural for all of us to find someone else to fill his shoes and be declared "The Guy" I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss San Fran from the trade scenario though....as I heard it...Jim Harbaugh tried hard to recruit Blaine Gabbert at Stanford prior to landing Andrew Luck and really wanted him as his QB! Realizing that Harbaugh tried so hard to get him in college, I wouldn't think that Gabbert did anything to change Harbaugh's position on this young QB... With two first round picks in the draft, I think New England is the only sure bet to trade one of their picks down or both of them to move to the top of the draft! Would you take two first round picks if you were Carolina to give up that first spot to New England? I think I would....and maybe one more pick might be tacked on to make it a no-brainer...but Belicheat isn't stupid, if he gets that pick, he may parlay that into something else and stun all the War rooms. Who would New England want with the first pick? Brady's replacement? Did Brady resign? If not, Having Gabbert or Newton waiting in the wings gives the Patriots leverage with Brady and what kind of trade would N.England be able to pull-off when the leaugue does authorize player trades again? Not that I think they would unload Brady, but Bellicheck never does the expected and somehow he always wins! (Darn it!).... Well thanks for you post..very enjoyable despite my differences of opinion on a couple of issues.

I hear ya....I would say normally there is seperation between the first two or three QB's in a draft class and all the other QB's. With me it's not so much that there is a definite distinction between Newton/Gabbert and all the other QB's, but there are some characteristics of both that may warrant 1st round selections. I look at everything when I do my mocks..Stat's, Body Composition, Performance at the Combine, Pro Days, NFL Mock Draft magazines, Team Sites, Video Highlights, etc...I also look at hundreds of other Mock drafts from the average fan to the experts in the field. The straight to the point personal feelings I have on Cam Newton is this: I feel that he posseses an abundance of talent! I do always raise eyebrows when the QB did not play in an NFL like offense, but quite honestly that is very common, and it's the exception anymore when a QB played in a NFL offense. My caution on Cam Newton does not reflect his performance or his athletic abilities. It solely stems from a question of moral and ethic concerns. I am always slow to commit to a player that has been accused of theft in the past. I am not thrilled that Cam Newton's father tried to solicit his son's services to the highest bidder. What does that say about the upbringing and environment that Cam Newton was brought up in? I believe there were one or two other questionable allegations as well. I really see a big red flag waving when I see Cam Newton. Add to that that he see's himself as a entertainer and a Icon even though he hasn't accomplished anything in the NFL yet speaks volumes. I also as stated above sense a fakeness and rehearsed approach when he addresses the media. I don't really have a high opinion of someone who continuously addresses himself in the third person! You won't see Tony do that!!! lol..(see what I mean ??) I wouldn't take him with my 2nd round pick to be honest! He would be gone to the highest bidder in free agency and playing in sunny Miami where he can be a dance idol on the side and make three times $$$ his rookie contract or more. What has Blaine Gabbert proven? Statistically he isn't even a top 5 QB! Colin Kapernick, Ricky Stanzi, Ryan Mallet, Cam Newton, and a few others have much better stats. Just because he was an accurate passer in his pistol offense in his final college season doesn't neccesarily equate to NFL success. Many of his passes were the same dink and dunk short passes that Captain checkdown (T.E.) used to thrive on. Just because he is the prototype build doesn't mean he will be the next Peyton Manning. Tom Brady's are once every 20 years. Most QB's don't come out of nowhere stat wise and become world champion QB's in the NFL. I never even heard talk of Blaine Gabbert much until Andrew Luck ducked out of this draft! It was Luck, Luck, Luck, and suddenly because Gabbert has a good pro day on his home field without defenders pressuring him..and suddenly he is top 5 or 10? One of the biggest flaws mentioned about Gabbert is that he often struggles to sense the pocket pressure from the defense. That's a big problem, especially in the NFL where everything is much quicker and less forgiving! I know Ryan Mallet has his red flags as well and there is a question about him trying drugs in some fashion, but he throws a tight spiral and a bullet and has very good stats. Jake Locker has a lot of intangibles and can run very well. He is a good leader etc... Most of these players in the top tier of the Draft are tall and built like QB's. There are probably 5-7 QB's in this draft that I feel can become a future franchise QB. I think that most if not all of them will require 1-2 years of development including Cameron Newton and Blaine Gabbert. I do not think there is a Sam Bradford in this draft who can just go out there in his first year and start being a NFL QB. I think in some of the other drafts that Cam Newton would be a mid first rounder, and Blaine Gabbert would be a 2nd round pick, along with Ryan Mallet and Jake Locker, but without a Andrew Luck or a Sam Bradford this draft is what it is and everyone moves up some to meet the needs of teams who will select a QB early. Overall I don't think much of the QB class of 2011, and that is why I said that defense may be the way to go! I also agree that the defensive talent is deep and can understand the temptation to wait for a DT or DE, but I also think that the top 6 or 7 defensive line players are far seperated from the 2nd tier defenders. I think Dareus, Fairley, Bowers, (and still wondering about how I really feel about Von Miller..) C. Jorden etc..and a couple of others is the catch of the day! The one thing about the draft is you may be right, I may be right, but the Bills never quite seem to do the expected or probably the most prudent thing when it comes to drafting players. So what will they really do? Probably go after A.J. Green and fool everyone!!! lol..but possibly true!

I choose Cameron Newton as well, but too me it was more due to the lack of choices as I prefer to do something else with the 3rd pick in the draft. I prefer to either trade up late in the 1st round or pick a QB in the 2nd round and use my third pick in the draft on one of the following players in this order: Da'Quan Bowers, Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley. What looks good about Blaine Gabbert is his intangibles, his leadership skills from what I've read, his size, and his accuracy, but to me these traits have not converted to superior success on the field as of yet. I want a proven dominant commodity if I'm going to use my third pick in the draft. On the other hand Cam Newton has had great success on the football field above and beyond everyone else except for maybe Colin Kaper..(something..).. What I worry about with Newton like most everyone is the intangibles as he has the talent that reflects on the scoreboard and the stats. I worry about his character, and sincereity, and how he views himself as a icon and entertainer. He also talks about himself in the third person form which doesn't convey well to me. I wonder if his Dad was willing to sell him to the highest bidder then what type of environment was he raised in when it comes to morals and ethics and how that will reveal itself throughout his NFL Career? These may be some questions that our scouts can seek answers to prior to mortgaging the Bills future on this important selection. In my World I'd pick one of those D-Lineman...go for a Locker, Mallet (although he has some issues himself).., Kapernick, or Stanzi as some or all of them may have as much potential as the high risk early first rounders do imo. The one player I would stay away from that I'm afraid that the Bills really like is Christian Ponder as I've read up on him quite a bit..and when comparing him to current NFL players the closest comparison was made of his skill set to Trent Edwards and that made me loudly say He%%-No !!! So here's my view....1st round get the D-LINE guy to slow down the run! Stay away from Robert Quinn as he is a one-trick sack pony that doesn't play the run nor pass all that well! Don't go after undersized guys despite their college sucess: Von Miller (I know the Bills love'em, but don't do another Aaron Maybin again!) Not with such a precious 3rd pick in the draft... 2nd round (or move up slightly but that'll cost'ya)..get the Best QB on the board! 3RD Round..get you a OT that is versatile, who has the ability to play left tackle and right tackle! Find a TE maybe in the 4th round...Get some depth at CB in the 5th round. and spend the last 2 picks on LB's as you need'em. It's not a perfect assesment, but I don't feel that I'm way off the mark on our needs. The problem is we still could use another 5 players or so even after our picks..oh yeah the other 4th rounder maybe take a 2nd QB! You say what?? Are you nuts?? Well maybe, but I think if Ricky Stanzi is on the board still that would be a QB with some potential and look at his stats, and his frame and you may agree! So probably Jake Locker & Ricky Stanzi and keep Fitzy and let them duke it out in camp & preseason for the immediate 2nd and 3rd QB spots on the roster! After camp you can always release Levi Brown again as it's obvious he isn't in the Bills longterm (or short term) plans!!! So back to the question...Cam Newton if it's down to two, but round two if it's up to me!!!

You are right about that! We're probably about 5+ impact rookies and a couple good free agents away from becoming a potential playoff team...and maybe that is a kind assesment! Definitely need to upgrade the Defensive line (probably 2 impact players away..) A QB (That's a given..) (One maybe two Offensive line...Definitely RT and probably LT as well..)So already there is 5 players...probably another veteran FA WR even though we're improving at that position...and I'm not quite sure we're okay at RB for more than a year or so with Fred Jackson starting to age....possible FA acquisition? That doesn't address other needs including LB which is crucial...and the CB positon can go either way at the moment. Not to mention that although of minor importance the kicking game isn't what it once was and we may need to look at that soon even if it seems trivial. Last year I said that we would not likely win more than 5 games! I got a lot of flak about that prediction when others were saying 8-8, 7-9, 10-6...u know the usual stuff..(I used to as well..) but with the defensive philosophy changine, new coaches (some inexperienced at the positon), new 3-4 defense that appears to be headed for hybirdcy (new word..lol)..It was exactly what it was and what I thought it would be..! I think this year the best potential record based on purging some of the non-desired players from the roster..(Aaron Maybin still here?? why??)finding out exactly who we want to keep and we're we need to focus on the draft and free agency..based on that and many other factors I'm going to 7-9 (if there is a 16 game season that is..) as next years prediction! (I know it's early, but this isn't rocket science..lol) 2012...If we draft better than last year and address positional needs in the draft I think we are looking at 9 or 10 wins and in the running for (yes...the magic word...PLAYOFFS!) All this is a long ways off, but if you are not thinking about the future then you are in idle!

I choose Fairly as well of the three..but I lean towards either Marcell Dareus or Da'Quan Bowers if given the choice! I notice that the Poster has Fairly as a DE, but he really is a DT. I'm figuring it was a typo probably. I think Bowers has the longest sustained period of success of him, Dareus, and Fairley so I'd go with him overall if I couldn't trade down to picks between #5-9 which could be the most prudent move if a coveted player is available.

Well...I want to say I appreciate the high effort level in taking the time to explain who you want the Bills to pick with the third overall pick in the draft and why. I like that you took the time and made a good effort to support your views. I agree with some of your views, but I disagree with several also. I'll try to share some of my feelings on the first pick and possibly beyond to the 2nd round etc... I don't neccesarily think you are wrong with your first two picks. I think that M. Dareus has slowly edged up the draft charts the past few weeks. I think based on his season he would've been a #4-9 pick, but I think the combine helped him considerably as he probably outperformed Nick Fairley in that process. I don't think M. Dareus will be the first pick though...I don't agree with the pick, but I think that pick is reserved for either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert which is quite common for a QB to be chosen number one! I do agree with you on Von Miller who was a super college football player the past year especially, but I think it's a high risk pick anywhere in the top 10 considering his lack of size. I think our mentality is ruined when thinking about how high the Bills were on Aaron Maybin when drafted despite being undersized for the position. Just not worth taking the chance, besides Buddy Nix made a comment which was something to the effect that we need to get some big or bigger players on the team. For too long we've had some tweeners and players shifting positions and just not being able to hold up near the line of scrimmage. We need some big people to help plug up things in the middle and slow down the opponents running game. Von Miller just isn't going to be able to assist much in that department at the NFL level. I think the Bills are strongly considering him despite my comments, but that doesn't surprise me any based on past drafts! I really do not know where you get the opinion that Blaine Gabbert is the 2nd coming of Jimmy Claussen? This guy is extremely accurate. He can and does make all the necessary throws. He does get frazzled by pressure some, but has good senses and can use his legs to evade a sack. Blaine Gabbert is also of high character and has the reputation of being a good leader, and well respected. Jimmy Claussen carries an attitude of entitlement despite the fact that he hasn't accomplished anything in Carolina. He actually irritated many players on his team last year on the second day of training camp and beyond. He isn't necessarily well liked, and isn't known for his leadership ability which was average but abrasive at best. I don't see the comparison in these two players even though I'm not hoping the Bills use the 3rd pick in the draft on a QB. The next part of your blog was just a bit screwy to me...sorry, but A. Carrington has done nothing yet to make anyone think that he will be anywhere near as good as Da'Quan Bowers! He barely even cracked the lineup at all in his rookie year. He wasn't as productive in college, and wasn't drafted as high, wasn't predicted to have the same success as Bowers in the NFL either...Just can't even go there! By the way Bowers can jump 2.5 inches higher than Carrington can so are you still saying that Carrington has an advantage blocking balls with his hands by being a inch or two taller? That stat is faily minor overall anyways. That's not what makes a DE good or bad by having the ability to deflect a ball. It can be an occasional good play as infrequently as it happens. T. Troup played a few good games near the end of the season, but Ngata? Not anywhere near Ngatas talent as of yet! Just wanting guys that are on a roster based on being the similar size of star players on other teams doesn't make them as good as the stud players! Ngata was drafted early for a reason and usually it's a combination of talent and past performance in College. So it took a while and you seemed all over the place, but you finally picked Cam Newton...I think Cam Newton is one of the biggest risks besides Fairly in the draft and probably bigger. Cam Newton has had some sticky issues and was accused of stealing a computer. I'm not clear on the outcome, but it seemed as if it may have involved the authorities from what I heard. I also reas that Cam Newton was caught cheating in College on one of his papers and got in trouble for it. His Dad is accused of selling Cam's services to other colleges, and supposedly Cam Newton had nothing to do with it... He also blurts out comments about becoming a ICON an Enteratiner and stuff like that...He sounds as if he is entitled in his opinion and he also talks about himself in the third person which I think is a sign that he is self abosorbed. One NFL Scout actually said that Cam Newton seemed rehearsed and scripted in his answers and fake. He was turned off by that trait and prefers direct, honest, players that don't flash fake smiles at every encounter. I agree...he had a wonderful...ONE YEAR in College football, but I wouldn't risk anything before pick#34 on him and he will be gone in the top 15 picks for certain! probably a lot sooner than that! I thought you were leading into selecting Da'Quan Bowers at DE which I was going to credit you as being very astute. I have given too much time and thought including research in the draft again this year, and from everything I've read and watched I have concluded so far that the right choice would be either Da'Quan Bowers or Marcell Dareus. I give the edge to Bowers as last year...in the NFL Draft guides they were trying to predict who NFL team would select in 2011 even though it was a full year away...and that player was Da'Quan Bowers at #1 a year prior!!! Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus were not even projected to be in the first round let alone one of the top 5 picks! I think D.Bowers is the pick here...he has been consistent and is as safe as a pick could be! By the way..the Bills have wined and dined several players, brought them to their facility and so have other teams and it doesn't really mean too much. The Bills will probably wine and dine about 10-15 players that are prospective first rounders and they can't get them all... Casey Matthews was a good college player...he sure has a brother who is bigger and can really play in the NFL...The NFL pedigree is there in Matthews name, but I think that will be about all for this player as he is severely hindered by his lack of size. I do not think he will be able to motor it and will his way like his brother considering his shortcomings. I think if anything Matthews may slide into the 4th round. Lastly, if the Bills wanted Tebow so bad last year they would've either picked him with their first pick or traded up to ensure they got him...I think the Bills liked him if the Bills got good value in where they would've selected him, but they weren't willing to reach for him and didn't !!! I don't think Tebow will be a star in the NFL and I am glad we passed on both him and Claussen !!! Bowers or Dareus, but I'd prefer to move down to the 5-9 range, still get a excellent player and pick up a couple of extra picks!

I put out this exact scenario a couple of weeks ago on here...except instead of a 4th rounder this year, I included a third rounder next year with the 2nd rounder at #45 and swapping firsts with S.Fran..I agree that there is excellent defensive talent that is deep in this draft...I think we still pick up a great player at #9. I think the right spot to pickup a QB with potential is with our 2nd pick in the 2nd round..I think two players have potential to be drafted by the Bills at that pick...either Jake Locker or Colin Kapernick. Both have unusually strong arms and our also very good on their feet. If we wait to the third or fourth round we may like Ricky Stanzi from Iowa. He has good potential and stats.. Someone of quality is going to fall to #9 ..Top 10 players should include Da'Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley, Prince Akumura, AJ Green, Von Miller, Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Patrick Peterson, Marcell Dareus...any of these players could possibly become the NFL Rookie of the year..So why not get one of these guys and gain two extra picks? Can't wait till Apr 28th...

I know I would be interested! Da'Quan Bowers has less risk than Fairley does...yeah, he had some sort of injury that he probably has fully recovered from...but Fairley scares me...well yeah, If he were across the line from me he'd scare me a bit too..Fairley is talented but only has one year of production to show for it. He was actually underweight at the combine...only in the 260's when his playing weight is 20+ pounds more. He didn't tear it up at the combine neither as Dareus actually performed better. To me I'd take Bowers as he has sustained superior performance! If you go back to all the mock draft guides from last years's draft...and all the conversations we were all having...Bowers was mentioned as a candidate for this years potential #1 pick in the draft...A year ago Fairley's and Dareus's name never were even in the first round let alone mentioned as a potential first pick in the draft.. Bowers has done nothing to change that potential as he's still given consideration for that honor. Unfortunately for Dareus, but his life has had many difficulties that inspired him to make a sudden change and perform much better...sometimes those things are a thing of the moment and cannot be sustained. He really only has one year of top-flight performance as does Fairley to show for their efforts. Fairley also takes plays off and tends to perform down to the level of the competition instead of being a man among boys when giving the opportunity to shine. Of the 3 players..Fairley has the biggest boom/bust potential and can become the best of the 3 players, but also has potential to be the next Albert Haynesworth! For my money, even though DT seems to be a safer pick in some respects than a DE, Of the 3 players my selection leans in favor of Da'Quan Bowers with Marcell Dareus trailing only slightly. I wouldn't take Fairley with your pick if you were next up to bat! I think Fairley could actually slide down to the #7-10 range as Peterson, AJ, and possibly V. Miller may all be too good to pass up on!

I third that! lol....yeah, I'm thinking that Dareus is a much safer pick than Fairley! I do think that Fairly has a tad more Superstar potential, but I think he has more bust potential than anyone else in the top 10 picks except for maybe Cam Newton. I know the NFL is a big step up from College ball, but when Dareus faced tough competition he was not pushed around at all. I don't put too much stock in the combine workouts, I think the interviews can be more useful if approached in the right manner by a NFL Team.

Well it looks like it's between Newton and Fairley for Buffalo...Probably the two highest risk/reward players in the draft that could both be high impact players! Interesting, but I'd prefer Bowers if he were still on the big board! Seeing that it's down to these two players, I guess I'd have to go with Cam Newton..only because if I'm going to risk the #3 pick, it might as well be with at a huge impact position like QB! I am surprised more people have not selected Da'Quan Bowers for the Bills as I feel as though he is the most consistent of the top tier players who was projected a whole year ago as this year's #1 pick in the draft, when Cam Newton and Nick Fairley weren't even in the discussion or a first round consideration a year in advance! Well we're getting down to the wire...so who is it going to be Buffalo? Cam Newton, Nick Fairley or is someone else going to make a last minute push to #3??? Yeah, but everything I have read say's that Quinn is a one trick pony who does not defend well against the rush or pass...besides missing an entire year of college experience for improper dealings with his agent. We really need someone that holds up well against the run since that was our biggest weakness on defense, and handling the run is also Quinn's biggest weakness. Just curious why you want to spend the #3 pick on him??

Yeah, and I don't know if mighty taco is really considered a big expense! lol

sounds like he could sit right next to Aaron Maybin on the bench! Especially if they have the same personal trainer..lol