OldTimer1960

In spite of all the bashing that he took on this board, Buddy Nix had a hand in improving this roster, too. I believe that the overall talent on the Bills' roster is far greater than when Nix first arrived. Still, if the idea for THIS year was to compete with a dominant defense while developing the young offensive talent (Manuel, Watkins, Woods, and the young OL, etc), then from my vantage point they have taken multiple significant unplanned hits (Byrd, Dareus, Pettine and now Alonzo) that will very likely weaken the defense that they were counting on and put more pressure on a very young offense.

Did you even read my post? Nowhere in there did I say that there was no young talent or that the entire foundation of the team was gone. Nor did I say that EJ Manuel was bad. I described Manuel as a young inexperienced QB whom I think can develop into a good game manager - and that isn't a criticism, teams can win with strong defense and a solid QB that manages the game. Further, I said that the team was built counting on a very strong defense to carry them while they assembled and developed the young talent on offense. The point of my post was that the defense (that they were counting on to be very strong) has taken several unplanned big hits this offseason and doesn't look like it will be a big strength - at least it doesn't to me. My post was lamenting the Bills' bad luck. I happened to agree with their strategy. So, for everyone that tried to simplify my post into "one player's injury doomed the season" or worse inserted things that I specifically did not say - chill and learn to read.

Also lost the Defensive Coordinator who manufactured a lot of pressure with his blitzes.

This team was attempting to build a very strong defense to keep it in contention while they added young talent to the offense. The team was intended to win with defense and not lose the game on offense. This is illustrated by the selection of EJ Manuel as it's QB. I think that Manuel can be a competent starter with a very good defense to take pressure off of him and significant talent around him on offense. However, I don't see Manuel as a top 5 QB. Who can carry a team on his back. I felt that the Bills' strategy of building a very strong D and adding offensive talent around Manuel was a good one. Unfortunately, the defense that was the foundation of the team has crumbled this offseason - mostly through no fault of the organization. Byrd didn't want to be here, so one Pro Bowl defender gone. Then the Browns hired DC Mike Pettiness away leaving Jim Schwartz and his whack wide-9 scheme in its place. Next, talented but under-achieving Marcell Dareus put himself in position to be suspended. Finally (hopefully), the Bills lost their only starting caliber LB. (Alonzo). The team is now left with 3-4 personnel trying to play a 4-3- likely missing Dareus for a chunk ofmthenseason. I would venture to say that the defense went from potentially very good to a liability with perhaps a bottom 10 defense. The offense now has some young talent at WR and OL, with an inexperienced QB who has shown enough to be hopeful that he could become an effective game manager. Unfortunately, they really needed to focus on winning 14-10, but now they'll be lucky to hold many opponents below 25-30 points - that is a pace that this young O could not sustain for an entire half

That is how I remember it and Wikipedia says so - Williams was the 4th pick

FAIL

I would like for them to get Brandon Oliver today. I know he would be a long shot to make the team, but he was very good for UB and I think he'd have a chance.

She is correct. Mr. Oldtimer, esq

I like the gamble on a 1st round talent with a question on health. Certain that the Bills' Doctors were comfortable with him.

I don't see it this way at all. A good backup QB is worth a 4th or 5th round pick, especially if you have a better grade on him than other positions.

Don't really like giving up next year's #1, but Watkins is a great prospect.

They now have 2 very good corners and didn't give up much to move 1 spot

Usually next year's picks are devalued by a round in this year's draft. So consider it a 2nd and 5th to move up this year.

Ugh next year's 1 is gone... But Watkins IS a great prospect. Suspicious arm? I am not saying that Manuel is a sure thing, but his arm strength is not a question in my mind.

Not liking this move no matter who they pick

NO!!!!

Good news that Bortles has gone. Let this start a run on QBs...

No trade up Any of the top four OTs or Beckham, Donald or Mosley

There is this bridge in Brooklyn that I'll sell you cheap. You don't need to see it or the deed... I am in agreement with John from Hemet - who are these decent starting OTs that can be had in even the 2nd round, much less the third round????

Im not seeing the comparison to Robert Woods at all. Woods is (IMHO) going to be a very good #2 WR. Beckham is faster and quicker than Woods. I'd rather have a great normal size talent than reach for a "size" WR/TE-masquerding as a WR. I have become comfortable with Odell Beckham and Zack Martin at 9. I am not in favor of trading more than this year's 3rd to move up and I'd only do that for OT Mathews, WR Evans/Watkins. My view is: don't give up the farm for Evans, Watkins, Mathews or Lewan. Stay put or trade down to get extra picks. I'd be OK to trade down for an extra 3rd if they combined the two 3rd or extra 3rd and 4th to move back up into the 2nd.

Only true if you let gravity drop the bar without controlling it. If you lower it slowly under control "lifting down" can be a struggle.

I am not a legal expert, so I don't know, but the report above and on Profootballtalk both said the arrest was on a felony charge related to drugs. If convicted of a felony, it usually means prison time (I think). Now, maybe good lawyers can get the charges reduced or dismissed, but if not, I think Dareus could be in a heap of trouble.

May increase probability of selecting Aaron Donald in round 1. Losing Dareus will be a major blow to the one strength of this team. If I understand it right, this is a felony charge - much different than a minor marijuana possession charge. I wouldn't count on having Dareus this year or in the future.

I think we are in agreement on this point. I was simply saying that it might be possible that the 4th OT is still BPA on Bills' board when pick 9 comes.

I am struggling with the "nth" player at a particular position argument. Isn't it possible that the 4th rated OT is better than the 1st rated player at other positions? Particularly if you consider talent, attitude, work ethic and the importance of a position. OT (even RT) is an important position and Martin has been considered no worse than a mid first round pick by most as far back as I can remember. Another poster elsewhere pointed out that Jim Kelly was the 3rd QB taken in that draft (behind Elway and Todd Blackledge). Dan Marino was the 6th QB taken (Tony Eason and Ken O'Brien ahead of him).