OldTimer1960

Agreed

Cowherd is a know-nothing TV dweeb. Now, I don't know which QB will be better over the next 7 years, but I think I'd take Aaron Rodgers OR Andrew Luck ANY day.

Do you suppose that some of that rushing had to do with a marginal OL and mostly rookie/first year WRs?

In my very humble opinion, it is very risky to evaluate rookie QBs, no matter their stats. Smith and Manual suffered from a lack of experienced playmakers at TE and WR. How will they develop? I certainly don't know, but I still like everything that I've read about EJ Manual's work-ethic and intelligence.

I think that (as of now with possibly much to change), that they have to look at: WR: Watkins & Benjamin (Benjamin will go much higher than many anticipate based on size, athleticism and the p-word potential) OT: Mathews and Robinson or bust. I don't *think* that Lewan will be in the discussion at 9. LB: Mack or Barr(possibly). I think those are the main targets, with Ebron on the outside. If 2-3 QBs go early, they should have a shot at one or more of these guys.

We are on the same page. Some here who expect immediate success spawned by a rookie or two are ignoring the odds. I'll grant that Andrew Luck got his team to the playoffs in just his 2nd year - but there are VERY few players as impactful as Andrew Luck. I think the Bills have built a good foundation on Defense and put some parts in place on O last year. Best hope for significant improvement this year is growth from young players from the last 2 drafts. Yes, we hope that we'll find more good rookies this year, but likely it will take them a bit of time to hit their stride in the NFL. As an example: Cleveland's Josh Gordon had a good rookie year w 50 receptions for about 800 yards. In his second year he caught 87 passes for 1600+ yards - nearly 80% more catches and over 100% more yards in year 2! Of course that is exceptional, but it illustrates the point that a rookie year doesn't define a player often.

In my opinion, Johnson is a good player who would be even better if he had a truly dominant Wr to play with so that he wasn't getting the defense's top attention. That being said, they have to weigh whether he is worth the salary he is receiving. I am not positive of his salary or Byrd's demands, but if it came down to Byrd at $8.5M/yr or SJ13 for $7M/yr - I would think that Byrd would be the better investment. I am not dissing SJ, but Byrd is clutch.

I think that it is risky to judge players after only their rookie year. Nearly all rookies have some trouble adjusting to the NFL. Chances are good that some of the OL that struggled last season will go on to have good careers and a few will continue to struggle - but the same can be said for players at every position.

I think that Watkins is more than a little more athletic than SJ , we'll see at the combine. Further, Watkins has been extremely productive. I am not yet saying that Watkins should be their choice, but I think he should be a candidate.

Or you could get nothing from a 3rd and 4th round pick. The draft is iffy after the first round. You hope to find good players in the mid to late rounds, but there are a lot of 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks that don't ever pan out - and that isn't limited to just the Bills. I'd rather keep Hughes than trade him for a couple of mid round picks

At this point, I am with you - though I am rarely against drafting OL and DL

In concept, I agree, but my opinion is that the picks that could be received from SF are later than I'd want to trade back to. Two late 2nd rd picks aren't enough to entice me to drop 21 spots in round 1. That is just my view

You HAVE to have a great QB like Peyton Manning to have a chance - keep drafting QBs in round 1! Maybe, just maybe defense and an adequate QB might win.

For the "it's only the QB crowd - one of the top 5 QBs of all time is getting b-slapped by a dominant D.

Looking like a Bills' Super Bowl game for Denver...

It would have been disrespectful if he asked anyone that question in any line of business. There is no good answer to the question and he was just baiting Manuel. Can you imagine a reporter asking the President after his first term if he thinks he should be replaced? Should someone ask Graham if he thinks that the News should get some good reporters to cover the Bills?

And DTs must by 15' 690+ lbs or they can't stop the run. To the person reminiscing about "fat" Pat Williams, I am almost certain that he was a 285lb undrafted free agent who grew to who knows what size. Stength, power, quickness and technique are as important or more so than just weight (IMHO)

+100 "Reporters" like this are digging their own grave.

No wonder he ended the interview early. Where do these never-done-anything-athletic reporters get off being so negative to the face of a pro athlete? It is flat out disrespectful and arrogant. They could have phrased questions like: "are you concerned about rehab time with your surgery?", "are you planning to work with your wide receivers this offseason?" I completely disagree. I think he was sensing the flabby out-of-shape, low-GPA media guy was "calling him out". This is SO ridiculous. Why do reporters have to be so disrespectful? There is no need at all to "go there". EJ Manuel is an intelligent, hard-working young man. Will he be a great QB? I don't know for sure, but I think he is working hard to be one, so (to me) it is more than ridiculous for these reporters to "grill" him like that.

If you are basing your view on Alonzo's size, then consider that CJ Mosley is not taller or heavier (by what I've seen published). Beyond that, I am not sure that the 250lb MLB isn't a dinosaur now - pass defense is all the rage and most of these whomping big LBs can't cover anyone...

Regarding O'Neil, do the Browns want him enough to send the Bills a 4th or 5th round pick to let him out of his contract? Doesn't seem too unreasonable if he will be their DC

In terms of receptions, Pettigrew has 3 seasons better than Chandler's career best season. Pettigrew is also regarded as a good blocker. In fairness to chandler, Pettigrew was helped playing with the best WR in the league drawing lots of coverage.

I liked what I read and heard about Pettigrew coming out of college. Looks like he has been productive in the NFL. If he makes it to FA, I think tree will be a good market for him.

I am very sorry to see Mike Pettine leave, but I never expected the Bills to pull off what looks like a very strong hire. Schwartz' track record on D is extremely impressive. I feel almost bi-polar from being very down about losing Pettine to being back to very optimistic with this hire.

If I were in Marrone's position, I'd be hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of "perceived" threat, because without success he will be gone I. 1-2 years