OldTimer1960

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.

Whatever caused Foster to drop was significant enough for many teams to pass on him. I don't know if it was solely character or if their might have been an injury concern as well. There were also some suggestions that he struggled learning the play book

I don't think that they are specifically looking for Boy Scouts and valedictorians, but rather players who are dedicated to being their best and are at least smart enough to learn the play book. I don't think that rules out too many guys. As someone else suggested, they want professionals, not guys who need to be babysat. They are trying to take a step towards the "Patriot way" and I think it makes sense. They got reasonably smart versatile players who have "want to".

Because he played LT for 3 years in college and he has 35" arms. The main reason many project him to OG is that he is 6'4" not 6'6".

Well, That is for SURE! Look how long Shoop has been on the radio here. He is an absolutely obnoxious jerk on the radio and he talks like he is smarter than those he criticizes, yet he really knows very little about football for a sports talk host in A NFL city. Some of his "analytics" disciples are here spouting how every NFL coach is an idiot for punting on 4th down and talking about late round draft picks as "draft capital" as if they are more valuable than gold. "Hey, Bellichick has sometimes traded back in the draft, so it is stupid to do otherwise." Yet if pressed to identify any significant wonder of a player that he acquired by doing that. Schoop used to be here in Rochester and he called his show "Sports Talk For Smart People".

Agreed: Manning, Brady and Brees never had really great arm strength, but they somehow were OK.

Sullivan is STEALING money getting paid for his mindless negative drivel. I won't even click his links anymore. Every article is: "this team <select Bills or Sabres> is hopeless. <GM or Coach> should be fired. Everything just sucks and nobody is competent. I don't need to research the situation to understand why certain decisions were made. My superior powers of extreme negativism will carry me over. My analysis is that they suck, but don't ask me to analyze why or how to improve the situation beyond firing whomever is currently in charge."

Taking a shot on him getting healthy and hoping for what he flashed two years ago. This is the kind of pick that happens this late in the draft - players with some redeemable quality and hope they can be good special teamers and decent depth.

Moving him to OL - has a great hand punch

OK, kind of like the pick. I don't hold out a lot of hope for Cardale Jones, would not at all be surprised if Peterman beats him out.

Is Hodges still around? Athletic for sure!