OldTimer1960

Gaines is 5'9" and isn't a starting caliber CB - he started on an awful Rams team as a rookie, missed all of 2015 and was a backup last year playing in only 11 games

I think they are CLEARLY building draft picks for next year in order to take a good QB prospect. It is risky business because there a lot of draft "misses" even among very highly drafted QBs. Still, they now own 2 1sts, 2 2nds and 2 3rds. The Bills' own picks look to be almost sure to be top 10, maybe top 5. These trades weakend both the offense and defense, in my opinion. Mathews is an OK starting WR, but he doesn't provide the threat that Watkins (when healthy) does. The trade of Darby means that Seymour will likely be starting at CB and there is now practically NO depth at CB, S and LB on defense. I will not be surprised if another trade is made for more picks. Also, watch for some of the FAs signed this year to be cut in order to try to get an additional comp pick - maybe at the end of round 3. No way to spin it other than they are looking to the future.

That was one of his skills, but not the only one. Cribbs was a very good RB, in my opinion.

Thank you for the detailed reports! I am looking forward to the next.

The next post said he just missed making a diving reception. One person sees the guy make a bad drop and the other sees a great attempt at a bad throw

I had the honor of watching OJ Simpson's full career and he was incredible. Still, I think that some of the things that Barry Sanders did were even more amazing. Both were essentially the only offensive threat on their team and, as such, defenses knew what was coming and still couldn't stop it. THAT is true dominance.

I am excited to see how he does in the NFL. He certainly had a very good college career and I think that those who question his speed are a bit off base. As someone up thread said, he isn't Von Miller fast, but he has similar speed to some very good NFL LBs. I think getting him and Lawson back this year is a lot like having and extra 1st and 2nd round picks this year. Main fear with Ragland is him being over his best playing weight. Hope he is in great shape.

I think that Lawson will be a good-very good all-around DE, but don't expect a lot of sacks. 7-8 sacks a year and very good run defense is what I hope for from him. If he is able to do that for several years, he will have been well worth the draft selection. I think his game is similar to the inexplicably much maligned Chris Kelsay, whom I always thought was a very good player. I'd hope for a bit better pass rush from Lawson, though.

Yet, every year several CBs are drafted in the first round. Those NFL teams still think it is a premium position.

And they are both considerably lighter than Ragland.

He ran 4.72 at the combine - that is not really that slow - especially for close to 250 lbs.

I don't know why some think this is such an important issue. I think that it is MUCH better for the members of an organization to work together collaboratively than to have a strict hierarchy where one person makes "final calls". It should be very rare where Beane and McDermott, who seem to have a shared vision, can't come to an agreement after discussion. Yes, it certainly is tiresome. Who has final say isn't an issue that keeps me up at night, but for sure it will be something that gets a lot of attention at the press conference.

Completely agree!

I WANT to work in a very collaborative organization. Many minds > 1 mind.

Well, I'd like some power distribution, but a common vision is more important, imho.

I don't care who gets final say - I want a cooperative organization. I am a little disappointed that they selected the guy with the least scouting background, but if they hire a stellar scouting staff, then I'm not concerned.

So what? He is human and had worked with Whaley. Maybe he liked Whaley even though he felt he had to let him go.

I agree with this. I thought that Whaley was pretty good at talent evaluation - but it was clear that he had to go. He would have had no chance to succeed if he had stayed.

How about after the season?

He didn't say mid-week during the season.

I suppose it is possible, though unlikely, that some of the scouts could be rehired by the new GM. They did seem pretty good at finding some gems on the pro scouting side and I think the drafts have been pretty reasonable. I think the angst over last year's picks is way overblown. Shaquille Lawso should be healthy now and he was highly regarded - also sounds like he is ready to get to work. Ragland should be healthy as well and has a good chance to help a lot. I know some think he is way too slow, but it isn't like he was running 4.9 forties. Add those two to this year's draft - almost like getting an extra 1st and 2nd this year.

I don't think that there is anything the league could do, even if true. It would be AWFULLY hard to prove that the Bills stole Carolina's draft info - it isn't like Jones and Dawkins weren't expected to be picked about where they went in the draft. Could Carolina pursue tampering charges if they could prove that someone was leaking info to McDermott? Maybe, but why would a guy in a high level position in Carolina's FO risk undermining his own team by sharing info with McDermott? That would be suicide unless he had a guarantee that he would be hired as Bills' GM - which I doubt Pegula would have allowed. "Hey Terry, Coach McDermott here. Say, I know Doug is getting canned right after the draft - is it OK if I guarantee my buddy from Carolina the job in exchange for information about their draft plans? Trust me, you don't have to meet him or interview anyone else."

Thank you. The Buffalo reporters (and the Rochester ones) are for the most part dirt balls. As you said, asking dumb questions that he can't answer and for the most part are irrelevant.

I am not trolling Tyrod. Did you even read the part where I said he was the best QB they have had in a long while? I don't hate Taylor, but I don't see him as an upper 1/2 of the league starter either. If you call that "trolling" then I don't know how to respond to you.

Well, then those scouts that loved TT should watch some NFL games where teams have QBs that throw with timing and anticipation and use the full field. I appreciate Taylor's effort and that he is the best QB that the Bills have had in a long while, but that doesn't mean that he is even in the top 1/2 of the league as a passer. MAYBE he can improve his passing - if so then you have something, but if this report is accurate, Whaley was not wrong in his lack of belief in Taylor.