tonyjustbcuz

I second that! I was going to comment that Ralph may not be cheap but he overpays players like Chris Kelsay and others who are less deserving, and doesn't like to spend money in key areas that need to be addressed so he hires coaches on the cheap who were out of the leaugue playing Madden for a couple of years on their couch. He then ensures that they hire a bunch of never beens like Modkins who is technically our offensive coordinator, but has 0% experience in that position, so essentially Modkins is a paperweight and Gailey runs the offense during the game as well. Most everyone on his staff that came from Georgia Tech all were bumped up to the next elevated position on his staff with little or no experience in their current positions! So, for Ralph it was an Ultra cheap hire of a coaching staff with moderate name recognition regarding Chan Gailey! Essentially though it is poor management on Ralph's part for hiring that staff as they are overwhelmed at least defensively, and had to hire Dave Wannstendt and give him a lesser position on the defensive staff than he will be really performing. So, because Ralph didn't hire appropriately from the onset, he now has to throw additional money out there now to enhance the coaching positions on the team instead of getting it right, and making the right hire at the position. Another problem with the Bills Organization which begins with Ralph is that he has been hanging onto Tom Modrak for over a decade with next to nothing to show for it! Why? The drafting has been at the bottom of the barrel the past decade, and I would say the past two drafts have been marginal at best. In today's NFL if you draft poorly you still are spending big money on players that perform poorly. Has Aaron Maybin been worth even $100,000 a year to stand on the sidelines and watch the games? No! But, he makes far more than that and has not earned it! Butd due to our organizations ineptness we hang on to Aaron Maybin because we hold this illusion that he is going to suddenly see the light go on, but unknown to the coaching staff the bulb isn't even screwed in all the way! So they continue to pay Maybin anyways..yawn! That is just a microcosm of what Ralph has been doing with his money! So you hire Buddy Nix who is supposedly a scouting guru in the Southeast! He only believes in bringing in the player who is the highest rated "regardless of position" on his draft board...The Bills needs were screaming out last year! (This year!!) etc...Yet you draft a scatback, and even hint around and say that your looking for a scatback before the draft! That's not too intelligent...You don't see Bill Polian doing that stuff! (Mum's the word!) I'll know after this draft if Buddy Nix is the real deal or inept! I know...us Bills fans should stay within our ranks...know our place...refrain from playing GM etc...but if I'd been drafting the past few years we would've had H. Ngata (Baltimore)...Bryan Orakapo (Redskins)..(we got Maybin instead! yuck)..and Clay Matthews!!! We definitely would be a much greater defense! Okay so I would've taken Claussen in the 2nd round! I guess I occasionally miss on a player.. But the Bills miss on players more than they hit...and I'm not that confident that Wang Chung, Spiller, and the rest of our draft class last year will ever be considered a successful draft for us! So in essence, I feel we overpayed for pursuing and drafting the wrong players! Paying to keep the wrong players of marginal talent as well! I mean if you are going to overpay for players...then you should've kept at least some of the following at free agency time: Leonhard, Antwoine Winfield, Nate Clements, Pat Williams, Jabari Greer, etc....but instead we keep the Kelsay's and Whitners. It all starts at the top! Spending money in the right places! Getting the best GM (with experience! that isn't old and nearly washed up..) You may not believe all that now...give it two more years and you may feel differently! Remember the Bills liked Jauron initially and even extended his contract! (again, spending money in the WRONG places)! Okay, Nix prove your worth....draft me Bowers or Dareus with pick #3...stay away from Newton or Gabbert at pick 3.. Give me someone with a very strong arm that can handle the elements like Colin Kapernick or Jake Lockner in the 2nd round if they are there... Follow it up with a OT or DT/DE in the 3rd depending on what we selected in the 1st round and you will have me believing a bit more! Just don't draft a RB, or WR with our first pick or I just might have to give up on the Bills after 46 yrs and root for an upcoming team like the Lions!

Well overall I'm hoping to take a QB in the second round because I just don't believe in Gabbert and Newton enough to want to use our #3 pick, but since the pick isn't up to me to make I guess I will be excited about the potential and overlook the risks initailly..especially with Newton as our QB. I much prefer we take Marcell Dareus, or Da'Quan Bowers with that first pick or trade down with S.F. at #7 as their new coach may want to pursue Gabbert as he wanted Gabbert over Luck at Stanford, but it didn't work out back then. I think at #7 we can still pickup one of the drafts best players and probably have an extra 2nd rounder and possibly a extra 4th or 5th rounder to boot! So I'm hoping we swap picks with S.Fran, that either Dareus, Fairley, Bowers, or Von Miller slide down to us at #7. Then in the 2nd round we benefit from whichever QB falls to us ie: Jake Lockner, Colin Kapernick, maybe Mallet..but there are red flags on him so I don't know about him....Then go right back to defense with pick #45 from S.Fran! Anyways, I'd be excited for Cam Newton as our QB, but I'd much rather see us go a different direction....which means that we will draft Cam Newton as the Bills never do what I want them to do!!!!! If they did...we would have B. Orakapo, Clay Matthews, H. Ngata on our team right now! Okay, we'd also have Claussen too..so I'm not perfect! hahaha

You know a lot of things look better when a team is a winner! I think the Bills organization as a whole should spend every last second at making a concerted effort to improve their team, and worry less about uniform changes. Maybe changing the culture of the Bills organiation is more important than looking like champions in pictures! I think the New England uniforms are kidn of ugly, and the version of the Jets uniform that looks like a Steelers uniforms. There are some ugly uniforms out there, but I bet the New England fans see right past that flaw when they look at team pictures of the Patriots holding the Lombardi trophy! I've said my piece, and maybe it is an unpopular opinion. But, I think the organization tries to appease the Bills fans with little changes that add up to more of the same. If I was the Owner, despite past differences. I would give every effort to bring Bill Polian back as our GM. If Mr. Wilson was humble enough to ask Bill Polian in the right manner, I bet Polian would be more than interested in the challenge of restoring the glory days of the Buffalo Bills. After accomplishing this long awaited feat of making the Bills a champion once again, this would further enhance and reinforce the reputation of Bill Polian as a unparraleled francise builder. Just my opinion like I said...but it's all about spending the money in the right places, focusing attention on actual needs of a franchise, and winning. Our lack of direction just reinforces why we remain what we are as good organizations repeatedly excell and bad organizations stay bad! So where do we fit in the equation are we a good organization? or are we consistently bad? Where in parralel motion! 7-9 baby! I know it's early...but it's more of the same..where's r next CJ Spiller this year? lol

Yeah, I have some similar ideas, and think that the idea of trading down some is an astute idea, as long as their is a willing trade partner that will properly compensate us to exchange first round picks. In my topic last week I did "Tony's one and only mock draft" as my Topic and I included a trade with the 49'ers at I believe #7. In return we picked up an extra 2nd round pick which is #45 pick in the draft and a 3rd rounder for the 2012 draft. In that Mock I had us picking Von Miller, and picked up mixed reviews on my first pick. I like everything he has shown, but some feel he is undersized and after reading up more..that may be true. One thing is for sure in this draft though and opinions vary of course, but there is no consensus #1 pick like there was in Andrew Luck. If you look at it realistically there are many potential superstars picked to be in the top 5, but only 5 of them are selected which means somebody's getting value at picks #6-10 or further! I've seen Patrick Peterson, AJ Green, Nick Fairley, DA'Quan Bowers, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Von Miller, Marcell Dareus, and possibly a few other...So we should be able to get someone fantastic at #7 or even possibly #9 or more! So I agree with you that if we can get an additional 2nd rounder and still have someone like Dareus, or Von Miller fall to us would leave me a smile like the Cat that ate the Canary! The reason I think San Francisco could be a trade partner in the first is San Fran's new coach also being the former coach of Stanford tried hard to recruit Blaine Gabbert prior to getting Andrew Luck to sign up with Stanford. I think the first year 49er coach is going to want to have his (QB) guy as the 49ers franchise QB, and I believe if someone else looks like they will possibly draft Blaine Gabbert, that S.Fran will be desperate to trade-up and get the guy that they want in a QB. So in the big picture, I think your right...making a trade within the top 10 picks is a very good idea to consider unless the Bills clear-cut guy whomever that is..is there at #3 (which is good odds that he is! being the third pick..lol).

Short, Simple, and so good! I am good with either Dareus or Bowers and QB "K" seems like a good choice to me as well! I'd be happy with that draft after just two picks! Thanks for your reply.. Yes, and how did those reaches turn out?? lol...Thanks for your reply.

at #3 that would be a reach....He isn't even the highest rated player at his position!

Yes and I have him in my mock in the 4th round...and everyone keeps telling me he is way to undersized! So I don't know it's just an opinion, and I liked him enough to have him as our choice in my previous mock...So he's worth consideration, but in the end I probably will lean elsewhere. Thanks for your reply! Well your right Peterson is worth consideration and is a rare player, except that it's not a sexy pick...lol...I mean how nice would it be to get that DE that can get to the QB ten times or having that defensive end who can clog up the middle and stop the RB in his tracks! Well supposedly they talked to Kapernick (maybe interviewed..) in the Combine and supposedly they only talked to 4 QB's, at least officially..who knows? and there is still Pro days for some players....Kapernick could be a possiblity, but I do feel that this is not the year to pursue a QB in the top 10 picks... My feelings at the moment lean toward Marcell Dareus and quite honestly may change this week with more research changing my mind once again...lol Thanks for your reply!

I agree with you on all that....and there are individual pro days as well that a scout may attend. Also, I forget when or what player, but I believe the Bills drafted someone high the one year that the scouts never even talked to that player at all, which threw off a few teams as they never expected us to draft him based on who we did talk to. So you just never know..and as one recent NFL Story mentioned that it is too early to smoke screen anyone at this stage as you could never sustain it for 2 months. If you do try to smoke screen and throw other teams off it's better to wait within 2 weeks of the draft to do that!

I was sold on Von Miller being our 1st round selection after trading down a few spots, but I don't feel as strongly about that anymore! I think defensively there are 3 players (4 if you want a CB which I don't) worthwhile of drafting at #3 Marcell Dareus, Da'Quan Bowers, & Nick Fairley. I personally feel that it is not smart to take any QB in this draft at #3. I've been doing extensive research and feel like I'm on track even though the draft to some extent has unknowns and is a crap shoot! I don't think there is one sure thing at QB..Either they have poor to mediocre stats, but great intangibles, or great stats, but red flags like previous injuries or there may be moral issues, suspensions, and accusations of theft etc...There is no Peyton Manning in this draft! One of the projected QB's to be selected first generally had a poor to fair combine which left several question marks about accuracy. I think the riskiest of the 3 Defensive lineman I mentioned would be Nick Fairley with possibly the biggest potential to boom or bust. Here are some quotes from Lindy's Pro Football Draft magazine which is consistent w/most everything I'm reading on other sources and publications: Failey is relatively thin limbed for the position and can be knocked off the ball due to his lack of an ideal anchor........Good but not elite strength, especially in his lower body. Has a tendancy to come up at the snap and can be pushed back because of it....He is labeled as a player with some true bust potential, as there are concerns about his work ethic. Carries a little bit of extra weight around the middle and is more "Country" strong than weight-room defined. Has developed a reputation as a dirty player, repeatedly flagged for late hitsand there have been occasions when he speared ball carriers with his helmet etc......There are enough red flags surrounding him-work ethic discipline on and off the field etc....... To his credit of course their were many positive comments as well....He is listed at 6-4 298, but it has been reported that he was in the mid 260's at the combine which is light for the position. He performed okay at the combine, but he didn't tear it up neither and his time was only okay. Also I was reviewing my draft manuals from last year....and they didn't even talk about Nick Fairley at all and he wasn't in the conversation as a candidate in the first round of this year. He is essentially a one year wonder and a high risk/high reward player in my opinion. Marcell Dareus, Now I couldn't find anything derrogatory about him at all accept for receiving inappropriate benefits from a agent last year resulting in a 2 game suspension. The only other negative at all was that he is not consistent defeating cut blocks with his hands. That's it! He is a true 6-3 309 lb. player and Lindy's view is that Dareus' size and strength stood out as a five technique in Alabama coach Nick Saban's preferred 3-4 scheme. He cleared the way for Alabama's linebackers to flow to the ball and could play a similar role in the NFL. Dareus' short stocky frame might be more conducive to playing inside defensive tackle in the 4-3 alignment. The ability to play either role should make him one of the first defensive lineman selected in the 2011 draft. Da'Quan bowers is a good read! I didn't even find anything negative on him and last years issues had him projected as this years #1 pick, and he has sustained an explosive consistency to actually be considered for the #1 pick! Enough said here..... Just want to mention before closing that Robert Quinn was not a good read, missed all of last year on his suspension, and is not good handling the run! Lindy's said... Too light to hold up at the point of attack on rushing plays designed to go directly at him. Can be engulfed and driven off the ball..Regularly fails to keep contain, too often slicing inside and losing his gap integrity when he incorrectly judges the speed of the ballcarrier. Lacks the sand in his pants to hold up against the run consistently....Just not what we are looking for!!!!!!!!! So in my opinion it's down to two players if we are really looking for a more sure-thing without drafting the next Maybin, or Albert Haynesworth who they compare Fairley to! #1 Marcell Dareus DT or #1 Da'Quan Bowers !!! Who do you think would be the better selection? Which one fills a more critical need..(I have an opinion on all that, but I care more about yours!) If that plan fails and we end up with Fairley I still will have a smile though, because his potential is on the 80th floor of a 80 story building! I'd be excited with Cam Newton as well, but scared as heck that he could be a bust! As far as Von Miller goes...well after researching further, I don't like that he is a little undersized, and we've travelled that road with Mr. Maybe Maybin who isn't even close!!! So what are your views on all of this??????????

ohhh he was on the Bills? lol.. Hope he bought stock on pine trees!

I have to say that I like the info you just put out and your mock as well....I am the owner of (Tony's one and only mock draft on this site and posted last night...) I'm not as developed in doing mocks for other to see..but some of the picks we share were Ricky Stanzi, but I admittedly picked him to soon as I really like what I've researched about him. I also picked Luke Stocker (probably in the wrong spot..but he's on my mock..) I mention how I would love to get Fairley, but didn't think the opportunity will be there (hope I'm wrong!)I also predicted a trade-down with S.Fran because I think Harbaugh would like to get Gabbert as I heard he was actually the initial QB he was pursuing prior to getting A. Luck at Stanford. (Don't know if that's true for sure though..)..In my trade we would swap spots with the 49'ers at #7 and pickup their 45th pick in the 2nd round and next years 3rd round pick. So we're close on that one I believe..I can envision us possibly trading with Cleve, Arizona, or S.F. I also liked Orlando Franklin a lot but there are only so many slots to fill and I didn't select him, but strongly considered him. I may have goofed by selecting both S. Acho and Von Miller, but I got caught up in what I read and went in that direction. Well again I like your post, I can fine tune my mock skills with info like this and will be looking for your posts in the future! Thanks!

First of all..I like the creativity of your post and some of your ideas have entered into my mind a few times...but here's the thing, to some extent your putting off or some would say sacrificing a year to "only possibly" get a player you desire who is an unproven commodity at the NFL level, and by no means a sure thing! When I'm playing monopoly and there is any opportunity to expand the properties I do when given the opportunity. I don't wait around in the hopes that I land on Park Place or Boardwalk and not take Pennsylvania Avenue when it's available. The other night nobody landed on park place nor boardwalk until the game was almost over, and by the time (and a big "if")..the Bills do get Luck in the 2012 and he is developed by either 2013 or 2014 into a starter, the Bills may be at their 14th straight year without the playoffs and starting from scratch with a new GM and Coach. I don't think the Bills have that luxury of waiting by the year for a specific player that they may not even get.. I like the scenario(s) if it were to go exactly as you say, but here is a big question..................... How much time would the GM Buddy Nix have left in Buffalo if we did as you suggest, and during the 2011 College football season Stanford QB Andrew Luck has a major tear in his ACL like McGahee did? What if the next best QB is not of 1st round quality? Do you prolong things until 2013? I just don't think you can mortgage your future on possibly having a shot at one specific player a year down the road. If you find a QB in this draft that you think is your Illinois Avenue, St. Chales Place, or Pennsylvania Ave. you take him because everybody wants Boardwalk, and 31 teams can't have him!

That's easy to understand....It's almost like an abused spouse ever trusting another person into their lives...It kind of ruins your outlook based on a prior relationship. In that respect I definitely can identify with the fear of both Matthews and Miller. At some point people usually take another chance, but seeing that Maybin is still in the house, and the Bills haven't filed for seperation yet..lol...it makes sense not to invite someone else with similar characteristics. I will also give that strong consideration, as I tweak and continue to update my draft...your input is appreciated!! Thanks for the reply! I agree with you and that is why I selected him with my 5th selection in the 4th round (and not as my 3rd pick..), as I addressed my most pressing needs first and am taking a chance on a hard working (undersized) achiever with a good NFL family pedigree! But, it is noted as I get your point even if you misquoted me. That's the nice thing about Mock Drafts, everyone has one, and I'm looking forward to reading everyones, and will adjust mine after further analyzing all the data and considering feedback. Thank You for your reply!

Exactly...We wouldn't have this conversation if the Bills took Gabbert at #3, but personally I don't think they will..and that's just based on my opinion and not fact as none of us know for sure like you said until the 28th of April. I think that with Harbaugh trying to recruit Gabbert preceding Luck's committment at Stanford..that itspeaks volumes as to what will be dancing in Harbaugh's (therefore also S.Frans..) head on draft (night) day! I think regardless if Newton goes at #1 pick or not S.Fran is not going to wait around for another team to scoop up Gabbert either as the first or second QB drafted! But, if Newton goes first, watch out because I personally feel the Bills are the door to S.Fran being assured of Gabbert. Well..One thing for sure is that the excitement is building...and as long as the Bills don't do something totally off the wall like drafting the next Maybin...Well they have a great chance at picking up a great player at #3 or hopefully in the top 7 or so picks! They really need a great impact pick..and it all starts here!!! Thanks for your reply! Enjoyed it..

I appreciate your feelings on Matthews and I can understand your thinking. I'm still debating in my head about that selection and even though a lot of other people are saying take him in the 2nd or 3rd round, that is the very reason why if I take him I waited until the 4th round...I do love his intangibles, his motor, and you gotta love his NFL Family pedigree as well. I figured that he is worth a shot with a 4th rounder only because we have two opportunites/two picks in that round. I would not take a chance on him if we didn't have 2 picks there. I understand the Maybin thought..but then we can't refer to Maybin each time we see an overachiever in college that is slightly undersized. For every Maybin there are probably several success stories if you believe the cup is half full. Anyways, this is my rough version of my final mock which is a ways off...there are several other players I am considering for several selections and your opinion helps me to consider (as well with other feedback) my final stance when I tweek things as I already know I will be making adjustments...So thank you for your input as that is something to consider, and it may have a strong impact on my final picks! Thanks for your Reply!

Last I knew I am just one! lol... .....I usually avoid adding a trade up or down in the mix, but being the Buffalo Bills and realizing that we often spend our money in the wrong places it makes sense to me. I mistakenly made Ralph Wilson look cheap in one of my previous posts which wasn't really my intention and I got lambasted on that one (deservedly so probably..), but what we do seem to do in my opinion is spend our money in the wrong places. I really think we try to avoid spending a lot on head coaches and try to make the appearance that the sky is the limit and even though many had hopes of landing Gruden, Cowher, Billick, Shottenheimer(s), etc...I really never was sold on that hype! well okay..a little excited by the prospect, but I really felt that we would go to a more "marginal" approach, and save some money while we are at it. I think we do the same thing with GM's as well...no sense and going through that scenario as well...but you probably understand what I'm conveying to you. I think we overpay marginal talent like Chris Kelsay as one of many examples...But then when it comes time to pay the big bucks to talent that has developed into a desired commodity we refrain from competing with other franchises for continued service of that player to the Bills..ie: Pat Williams, Antwoine Winfield, Jabari Greer, Leonhard, Nate Clements, etc....All good players that required a lofty investment. So whats the point of me (us guys..) making a trade down? The point is that I don't see the Bills wanting to invest the resources into a QB at #3 when they feel that they can probably get a marginal QB in the 2nd or 3rd round. I am not defending that position, but that is the position that I see them taking. I also don't think that they will have the opportunity at Nick Fairley at #3 as he will be gone! So, in the essence of saving a few bucks, and also getting a player that should fall to #7 at a desired position of need. It seems to make sense that we would try to trade down. Not only will the Bills (Ralph) save some money buy moving down, but the Bills will be able to pick up an extra pick or two which will help restock their roster. Another reason is that the Bills are normally not a huge player in freeagency as it goes against their basic philosophy as a organization who believes in building through the draft and mostly looking for marginal free agents to fill holes at a cost effective basis. Sure, they have violated their own philosophy when it meets their needs, but overall the draft is the only way this team feels they will be able to become a good team in the future. All this being said, the Bills have so many needs on their roster that they are not much better than that of a expansion club in their 2nd year and really need all the draft picks they can gather. So don't be shocked if the Bills don't trade down with either Arizona, Cleveland, or S.Francisco... You can say you heard it right here from all of these guys! Thanks for your reply!

Seems like we agree on at least a few of the other players and I have to look closer at your other picks to give you an honest opinion on them...I remember thinking about Kendrick Ellis...but don't remember much about Colin McCarthy..I have been becoming a bigger fan of Dareus with each passing day and have him as my alternate at #7..but I wouldn't go as far as taking him at #3.. Thanks for giving me something to sink my teeth into and compare, as I like your input and will be excited to analyze it. Thanks for your reply!

Yeah, you may be right about not drafting both players...I was impressed at what one of the 2011 NFL Draft guides was saying about Acho's upside: Plays very hard, good effort in pursuit, good burst to close, has lined up inside and outside, STERLING CHARACTER-Campbell Award Winner...who is a try-hard overachiever with the work ethic, intelligence and terrific intagibles to overachieve! You read that stuff and it's enough to grab him as you can't have too much depth at DE or LB (we've proved that the past few years..).. But, maybe until we fill our glaring needs it's worth reconsidering before worrying about creating depth at the position...I do know that I would like to see a heavy committment to defense by the Bills and I'm not impressed at all with their marginal talent base on the current roster. Appreciate the reply, Thanks!

There is a lot of speculation that Carolina is leaning towards picking Cam Newton. Now at this time of the year of course there is a lot of speculation, but judging by some of the comments that the Panthers have made at the combine and during press conferences it seems like it's a strong possiblity they will select Newton. This could all be for posturing purposes, but why would Carolina have to throw teams off when they select #1 in the entire draft? Sometimes, teams actually sign the #1 pick before the draft itself. Historically, it would not be a surprise if two QB's go in the top 5 or 10 picks, and besides Buffalo, Cincinnati's QB is demanding to be released/traded...which could influence their #4 pick immensely. Arizona may also consider a QB as well at #5. But at #3 Buffalo holds the key if two scenarios that are likely to unfold. The first scenario has Carolina selecting a QB at #1 or possibly another team trading up to #1 to draft a QB which I don't see the latter as a strong possiblity. The second scenario is that Carolina selects either DA'QUAN Bowers or Nick Fairley which is a strong possibility as well. I don't see Denver selecting a QB at #2 though, and that I feel confident of (as sure as one could be, barring a trade).. So, based on the above, I think that the #3 spot in the draft is the key entry point to get either the 1st or 2nd QB in the draft. If Newton is gone by #3 and someone really wants Gabbert this is the spot you take'em. If all QB's are on the board at #3, I believe someone (if not the Bills)..takes Newton at #3. I can almost guarantee though with little doubt that a QB will be selected in the first 3 picks of the draft. What does this all mean to the 49'ers? Well they missed on Alex Smith and don't have that franchise QB. You flat out said it as well "SF is just as bad as the Bills." Why move up 4 spots? For the reasons above...S.Fran has a strong tradition of finding that QB and they don't have'em on their roster right now. I don't see San Fran as a team that is afraid to invest a lot of money in a QB at #3, and I see the Bills as the reverse who would rather trade down a few spots, save a few bucks and pick up an extra player or two to boot! Also, if the 49'ers were really just as bad as us they would be picking at #3 wouldn't they, but they are at #7 and were 6-10. They also have a new coach, Jim Harbaugh who excelled at Stanford who will want to find his guy, rather that will be Newton, or Gabbert. I can't see Harbaugh waiting till next year just to have a shot at getting Andrew Luck which I'm sure he'd love if time wasn't so critical like you mentined. The 49'ers coach and management get a 3 yr pass to try to turn things around. Most scouting/draft guides have the 49'ers #1 need listed as QB by the way! So why again does this concept of us trading with S.F. sound so ridiculous to you? I do appreciate your difference in opinion, as there are many angles to consider. Thanks for your reply!

Thanks! I have to admit that I'm not pulling for us to select B. Gabbert I would quickly be excited at his potential having the physical tools and unrefined skillset that could make him develop into the next who knows? But, he does have a lot of upside! I guess when you are picking high in the first round you wish there was that Peyton Manning (almost can't miss QB)...With each QB in this draft class there is some unknown. I guess that is why they have the Scouting Combine. I guess more is known of Cam Newton probably by the typical sports fan than any other QB. That being said, there has to be some concern about his past indiscretions. In the Navy, one thing that never did sit well with us sailors was a thief! I know that allegedly they say that Cam Newton may have stole a computer (and that worries me)..and I don't know the entire story...but I know that shows a lack of moral character if true, and hopefully it's not...I know young people make mistakes, but combined with his dad's questionable dealings, and one or two other alledged items and I see a "Caution Flag", at the very least. I just could never envision Peyton Manning ever having those type of character concerns, as he is already a future Hall of Famer and has an impeccable career. That is why I put as much weight on Moral Character as talent, and weigh-in the type of exposure to NFL similar offenses when it comes to QB's. I do think I mocked Ricky Stanzi 2 rounds to high probably, and may have to make an adjustment, but I like his 64.1 % completion percentage his 25 TD's to 6 INT'S, being a 3 yr starter that continually improved, with impeccable character, playing in a ProStyle offense. I also like Colin Kap..'ick (spelling?)..I guess only time will tell. Yeah, I don't know that Von Miller would be there, but I think if he's not that then probably M. Dareus would be..I think that P. Peterson, D. Bowers, N. Fairley, AJ Green, and either Gabbert or Newton are all gone by the #7 pick of the draft. So, in my mind one of the two will be there and I see Cleveland grabbing a DT like Dareus before taking Miller...but what do I know, it's a crapshoot.. Hey, I appreciate your reply..It made for some creative thinking and good conversation. Thanks!

Well..yeah well I'll have to fix that teammate issue after filling up on a little crow myself..lol..Yeah..I know Taylor may go earlier...but from what I read he's more about size than past performance and I could see a slide..but yeah, maybe not that far...too me that's where I'd take'em, but that's me... Yeah, I kind of thought the same about Matthews going higher because of his last name more than anything else..I guess again..I'm looking more at the value to where I'd pick them..vice the reality of where they may get choosen.. It's definitely harder than I thought...especially not fully depending on Mel Kiper and all the other experts and trying to form an opinion of your own. I guess it just seems so robotic on some of the mock draft sites that users make their mocks..it's like they all become carbons of each other and convince each other that generally this is where the players are slotted, but if I've learned one thing about the Bills...they kind of waiver from the popular rankings and take a different path sometimes..(unfortunately it hasn't panned out well)... I've been convinced about the things I've read on Miller as well that he would be a good choice...I wasn't inclined to select him until I read too much!...lol..It's hard being so many college teams and even with effort keeping up on each and every player. Well it's late so I will further tweak and adjust my mock at another time...I will fix the teammate issue as I never thought of it when I typed out Texas and Texas...I just pooped on that one! Well too me it would be a much funner draft if we stayed at #3 and were able to get Nick Fairley, D. Bowers, or Cam Newton...but I'm scared as heck to select Newton.. Thanks for your reply! Thanks, I appreciate your positive feedback! Sometimes it's hard putting yourself out there in front of the chopping block and hoping that what you say makes sense to at least someone! Thanks for your reply!!

Like I mentioned in the mock..He's not talked about as much as Christian Ponder, Mallet, Locker, Newton, Gabbert etc..but Pro Football Weekly actually has him projected as their 3rd best QB behind Gabbert and Locker. They have him projected between the 2 to 3 rd round. His stats are very impressive and he plays in a Pro Style offense which is a definite plus. He's 6'4 1/2, 221 lbs,..Ricky is a 3 yr starter at QB and his stats improved each year... in 2010 started all 13 games just like the season before.. completed 221 passes had 345 attempts 64.1% comp rate 3,004 yds 25 TD's and 6 INT Pro Football Weekly states the way they see it... A Pro-Style passer in a similar mold as Matt Schaub with a good frame for the position. Stanzi possesses the requisite leadership traits, toughness, and arm strength to develop into a solid NFL Starter with continued development. I like the fact that he plays in bad weather in IOWA, That he plays in a pro style offense, that he is a 3 year starter that has improved each year, and that he has strong leadership traits and has the arm strenth to handle the elements at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Andrew Luck was the only QB in this draft that I am completely sold on! I think both Newton and Gabbert our fun, popular picks that everyone is projecting high now, and that they will probably even move up the draft boards further until they are #1 and #2-5 range, but I think they are overhyped and that both have a lot to learn at the next level and will not walk in the door and become the next Peyton Manning. I can't say that Ricky Stanzi will neither, I just like what I see on a few video clips, team sites, and NFL Draft Guide magazines like Pro Football Weekly, Athlons, and The Sporting News. Well if nothing else hopefully I answered your question mark satisfactorily. I'm not trying to change your opinion, but then again besides second guessing my opinion which all a mock really is I'd like to know who you would take at QB if you did? Where in the draft you would select him? and Why you would select him...Thanks for your reply!

B U F F A L O B I L L S M O C K D R A F T 2011 B U F F A L O B I L L S M O C K D R A F T ** My Mock is includes a Trade-down of our 1st round #3 selection to the S.Fran 49'ers. Buffalo receives the 49'ers 1st round #7 selection, 2nd round #45 selection, and a 2012 3rd round selection.** Round #1 Selection #7 VON MILLER OLB TEXAS alternate: (Marcell Dareus DT Alabama) Round #2 #34 SAM ACHO DE TEXAS alternate: (Stephen Paea DT Oregon St.) Round #2(From 49'ers)#45 RICKY STANZI QB IOWA alternate: (Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada) Round #3 PHIL TAYLOR DT BAYLOR alternate: (Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy) Round #4 CASEY MATTHEWS ILB OREGON alternate: (Tyler Sash CB Iowa) Round #4 (From Seattle LUKE STOCKER TE TENNESEE for M.Lynch) alternate: (Delone Carter RB Syracuse) Round #5 BYRON BELL OLT/OLG N.MEXICO alternate: (Stefen Wisniewski C Penn State) Round #6 CEDRICK THORNTON DT Southern Arkansas alternate: (Jake Kirkpatrick C TCU) Round #7 LEE SMITH TE/OT MARSHALL alternate: Josh Thomas CB Buffalo So what are your thoughts? I know opinions will vary drastically, and you may have different ideas..and that's why I would love to hear them. Although limited in resources, I've looked at a lot of video online, game highlights, your average user mocks, the so-called experts mocks and analysis, and this is what I've initially come up with for a Bills Mock. I know I will be doing some tweaking, and probably making some changes dependent on many factors ie: the combine, updates on Bills players current roster..Shawn Merriman, Signings ie: Pozluszny, possible releases ie: Maybin? Whitner etc...Sensing a change in the Bills draft philosophy or hints from comments Nix or Gailey give in press conferences (but may be worth a grain of salt and purposely misleading)..etc... Now, if you still are with me...there is a reason for each player selected in my mock and that reason varies from Great Stats to a Great motor and high character guy. Some picks are also given more favor due to NFL Blood lines etc...So here is a brief description of just a few of the reasons I selected who I did: 1st round I selected Von Miller, because I really like EVERYTHING I did up on him and he is a player that should make a impact from game 1 IMO...I have grown to really appreciate Marcell Dareus over the past two weeks as he was not a player that I wanted to take a chance on initially, but he as well as Miller both seem like safe, impact players if there is such a thing! I think taking either one at #3 is a slight reach as I would slightly prefer Fairley, which is a slight risk, but high reward player who I think will probably be a future hall of famer. I don't think Fairley will be there at #3, and I do like Bowers as well. I think that San Fran wants a QB even though they botched up by selecting Alex Smith. I think the 49'ers or possibly Cleveland, or Arizona may all strongly consider trading up in the top 3 to select a player they covet. 2nd round..From what I understand the Bills really like Sam Acho and he performed superbly in the Senior Bowl. I believe the Bills will covet this outstanding DE as they have a need and should be in the positon to draft Acho. I don't think that it will hurt that Acho was a teammate of Von Miller as well. I think this may be my most likely pick as let's face it this is a crapshoot! I like Stephen Paea here, but not nearly as much as Acho. 2nd round..I really like the trade down as this is an opportunity to take a QB who played in a Pro Style offense. I think that is important to some extent and probably lessens the learning curve transistion that many college QB's will have to make. Ricky Stanzi has outstanding stat's at IOWA and seems to be flying a bit under the radar! I also like Colin Kaepernick of Nevada as well, but I like Stanzi better! Everything I see on Stanzi makes me think he's a no-brainer if we're in that positon, and don't select a QB in the first round! 3rd round.. Phil Taylor...well I'm not completely sold on him yet, but he was the next best DT on my list. I still need to research him a little more. It may have been his size that caught my interest at over 330 lbs and that he really takes up space! I remember Nix saying something about size being an important factor in this draft? So maybe that's whats in the back of his mind! Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy just seems like a nice fit and the Bills seem to like drafting players from Troy recently. It's also good to get a WR that is used to playing in the cold and windy conditions of Buffalo. 4th round.. Casey Matthews has great NFL bloodlines as we already know..and the recent addittion of his brother has not dispelled this trait. Casey has a high motor and is productive, but may never reach the stature of Clay. He may be a little undersized as well, but with his high motor, and good pedigree he's worth taking a chance on! Tyler Sash just seems like such a good character, and has good talent as well...I know the Bills are always high on selecting CB's in the draft, so after fulfilling some more pressing needs this is a good spot to consider a CB. 4th round...the M. Lynch trade pick! This is one that would feel great if we hit on especially!! I really like Luke Stocker and it would be great to find that TE that is both productive in the passing game while still having the ability to block as needed. Delone Carter being from Syracuse did influence my pick some, but I think the 4th round is a pretty nice spot to further build on our receiving corps without sacrificing to properly address our dire needs at defense first. 5th round...Byron Bell is a good read..I really thought a lot of him after learning a bit about him. I like that he is versatile and he may end up projecting to a ORT at some point. Lord knows that ORT was a mess last year, and we need to continue to solidify the positon in both the draft and freeagency. Stefen Wisniewski influenced my pick mostly because of his NFL Bloodlines, but nothing wrong with grabbing another Center. I also like that he played in a cold weather climate as a Penn State player. Some people have him projected much higher, but I think he was an underperformer with potential who will slide in this draft. 6th round..Cedrick Thornton DT Southern Arkansas was an outstanding DT at this level. I would like him higher in the draft if he would have performed against tougher competition, but he dominated at his level and that's all you can ask of a player. Jake Kirkpatrick is a big body that performed his duties well at TCU. 7th round..Lee Smith is a smart player with good character, but the attractive thing about this tight end is that he is a big guy that could become a future OT ie: Jason Peters project...Definitely worth a shot in the 7th round if he's still there. Josh Thomas honestly is a feel good pick in the mode of other Buffalo Bulls that have been recently selected in the NFL or brought in through Free agency. If we don't select him in the draft I'd like to see the Bills try him out as a freeagent. So, That's about it...It amazes me that one pick by another team or a trade can influence another teams draft by such a degree. It is amazing also when you select one pick how it can alter ever succeeding pick you have as well. I am amazed by the degree of knowledge of the players each NFL Team's war room really needs to have to do an adequate job of drafting! I still have a lot of research to do and feel like I've only grasped the tip of the iceberg, and I don't have the luxury of watching the draftees workout, or interview them. I really can't wait to the draft and look forward to sitting in my Bills War room analyzing my countless lists, graphs, and charts, and second guessing the experts! I am not an expert, but I do know for sure that we would have: H. Hgnata, B. Orakapo, (yeah..Jimmy Claussen..I goofed!), and Clay Matthews on our Roster right now if they would've just read my rather long Mock in past years!!! And we wouldn't have Aaron Maybin which is addittion by subtraction!!!

Some really great informative statistical data that I didn't totally realize even though I am obsessed with the draft and everything NFL! That was great, and that may actually lead to me reevaluating my personal outlook on the upcoming draft and I may actually change my latest mock draft that I'm about to post, once I read this again and look at the QB's that will be available in the draft one more time...I was leaning towards trading down with S.Fran and selecting OLB Von Miller, but now I'm not so sure! Excellent Post...

Yeah, I agree with you..DT/DE/LB/OT all needs..but, if we can trade down to #5-9 pick and pick up at least an extra 2nd rounder then I would be fine with picking B. Gabbert, and then having #34 and #36-40th pick in the draft to select a DT & either a DE or OT. I think if Fairley and Bowers are both gone by our pick we should strongly consider trading down slightly. I think if they moved down to #5 though that they would select Von Miller,(Or M.Dareus).. but that perspective could change if they feel positive about S. Merriman's recovery.....What do you guys think???