OldTimer1960

Why not? Because at 34, McNabb does not have "3-5 years left". McNabb has at most 1 or 2 years left in his tank and he won't be as effective behind a swiss-cheese OL in Buffalo as he's been in Philly. "Outside of a 1st round pick for a LT, what do we really need?" How about NT, a couple LBs, a WR or two, a young QB and maybe some DEs and a TE. This team is not 1 player away from the playoffs and even if they were, I wouldn't be excited to part with high draft choices for an old QB that might have 1 more run in him.

While NT is a very big need for the Bills, I haven't read enough consistently good things about Dan Williams to think he is worth a pick that high. I am not impressed with somebody's mock draft projecting him to the top 15, I want to see scouting reports that really suggest that he is worth that high a pick. What I've seen is that even though he is big and strong with pretty good athleticism, he can consistently be pushed back by OL due to not getting good leverage. This team CAN NOT afford to draft a gimmick player like McCluster in round 2. They need big men at OT, NT, DE and LB way before a part-time RB. Brandon Spikes has slipped because he isn't the athlete that many thought he was. I read somewhere that he recently ran a 5.0 40 time. That is very slow for an ILB - you'd hope that he'd be around 4.8 or better. Still, he'd seem to be an intersting pick in the 3rd round.

I am not a big Clausen fan, so it won't bother me if he isn't available. I really don't like any of the QBs in this draft as I am not sure any are much of an upgrade over JP Losman/Trent Edwards/Fitzpatrick... Regarding trading down, so many on this board seem to think it's as simple as saying, "right, we want an extra 2nd round pick - get in line to give us your 2nd in order to swap 1st round picks." A team needs a motivated trading partner - a team that is desperate enough to give up a valuable pick or picks to move up and grab somebody. If both QBs are gone and the OTs are gone (and assuming Sue and McCoy are gone), who would a team be willing to pay a high price to move up for? I guess if Derrick Morgan were available, some team might want him. *Maybe* WR Dez Bryant might draw interest, but WR isn't a "premium" position. Same with RB CJ Spiller... I guess, I'd like it if they could trade back and pick up an extra second, but I think it is a lot harder to do than most think.

He was still 370 at the combine. That isn't any significant progress in 3 or 4 years! Now, I know he is supposedly down to about 354 or so. I say, too late buddy. I imagine his agent has locked him in the sauna and is feeding him 1 cracker a day to get him to lose the weight. Once he gets paid, the weight will likely be back on. I get that Bruce Smith got "fitness religion", but he is a rare example. More often than not, fat guys in college are fat guys in the NFL (and then they are fat guys NOT in the NFL).

I guess I could be persuaded that taking a great QB over fixing the OL would make sense IF there were going to be a great QB prospect available. I don't know if Bradford is a great prospect, but he'll be gone before their pick anyway. I DO NOT think that Clausen or Tebow or Lefevour or any of the other QBs in this draft are great prospects. Hence my opinion is that while it is clear that the Bills need a much better QB, there isn't one available so do what you can to shore up the rest of the team so that you can maximize the effectiveness of the QBs that you have. Wishing and hoping that Clausen is the answer will likely lead to more pain and years of losses.

Man, I can't imagine gambling a #1 pick on a guy that is SOOOO out of shape. That's a BAD idea in my opinion. He couldn't get motivated enough to get in shape with TONS of $ on the line, how fat do you think he'll get once they hand him enough money to be set for life? I just don't think Cody in the first (or second) round is a good idea - too unmotivated - talented yes, but too big of a risk.

Yes, I agree that they are hard to find. But, why would you want an average one? I can't think of any very good 3-4 defenses with average NTs. Round one is too high (IMHO) to take an average player whom you will be trying to replace shortly after drafting him. I'd just as soon they backtrack on their decision to go 3-4 and stay with the 4-3. Seems there are more good 4-3 DTs and ends this year than 3-4 NTs or ends. Why fight what's available? I thought this coaching staff's claim to fame was not being married to a particular scheme. Doesn't seem to be the case on defense as they seem committed to changing to 3-4 regardless of whether they have the personnel to make it work.

If there were a dominant NT available to the Bills in the first, I would support taking him. However, I don't see one in the draft worth taking in the first, let alone as high as 9th. Too many varied opinions on Dan Williams, but NONE of them say he is a dominating run-stuffing machine who will really set the line in an NFL 3-4. They read more like "he has power and will do the dirty work in the trenches". That doesn't scream 9th overall pick to me. Beyond Williams, there are few true NT candidates that I'd even want in the 2nd. Scouts don't agree on Cam Thomas from NC - some rate him highly, others think little of him. I am not a big Terrence Cody fan - anyone who can't be bothered to get in shape for a job interview that could land him $Millions has to scare you. From what I've read, the remaining candidates are more 3rd-4th round guys: Torell Troup, Linval Joseph and maybe Al Woods. While I think that NT is a very key position for a team that aspires to run a 3-4, I do not advocate reaching for one in the 1st or 2nd "just to get one".

Draft two OTs early? They'll be lucky to find one that can play LT let alone a Left and Right Tackle. For all of the talk of how "deep" the draft is at OT, I don't see it for LTs. There seems to be Russell Okung and then a bunch of questions: Trent William's work ethic and effort have been questioned. Anthony Davis' ability to stay in shape and his judgement have been questioned (didn't even show for his pro-day and then when called refused to work out or be weighed). Bryan Bulaga has everything you want in terms of effort and attitude, but some question his strength and whether he is an elite-enough athlete to pick in the top 10 Bruce Campbell - is supposed to be a tremendous athlete, but supposedly lacks aggressiveness and lacks experience (having started only 17 games in college). I don't like any of the guys whose work ethic and effort are concerns - especially Davis. Bulaga seems to be the safest pick of the bunch (that has a chance to be available) - he seems to have the "highest floor", but maybe the "lowest ceiling" of the group. Campbell probably would be my next choice in that there are no real knocks on his effort and he has super athletic ability. I could live with the concern about being a "finesse" blocker as LT is more about pass protection than being a powerful run blocker. As far as OTs after the first round, I think many here are over-rating them. Saffold might be interesting in the 2nd with eventual starting-LT potential, but is the 9th pick in the 2nd round too high for him? I guess if the Bills want more power and less pass blocking ability at LT, they could consider Vlad Ducasse in the 2nd - if he's still available. Beyond him, I think the pickings are slim and they'd be getting a guy that they'd be trying to replace again soon. I guess they could maybe consider Charles Brown in the 2nd, too, but for a guy who was at a very top level program, it concerns me that he isn't more physically developed and didn't play better since his team was usually much better than the opposition. So, what do they do? I could easily see them going with another position in the first because they don't like the guys that are left when their pick is up. If they do, that will leave them with the potential of not filling the LT position in the draft, but I'd rather they do that than reach for someone that they aren't sold on at LT. As for RT, I guess I agree with the thread's poster that they may be able to find a future starting RT in the 2nd or 3rd round.

What do you propose to give up for a 34 year old QB who has relied in the past at least as much on his athletic ability as his passing ability? You want to spend the Bills' 2nd pick on Tebow, right? So, then what would you give Philly to acquire McNabb? I would not even consider giving up their first for McNabb and I don't think the Eagles would take a 3rd this year (and I'd be reluctant to part with that, too).

Boy, FAT Cody in the first round is a BIG BIG gamble. The guy hasn't bothered to get into decent shape when $MILLIONS are on the line - enough to set himself and his family for life. How on earth will he be able to be motivated once he HAS that money? In my opinion, he would be THE biggest risk in round 1 and maybe even in round 2. Yeah, I know he's lost a few pounds since the Senior Bowl and I know that there have been some HUGE FAT DTs that have been pretty good, but I'd be very leery of spending a high pick on that guy.

I could be wrong, but I don't like Clausen. I don't know how you can call fat Anthony Davis a "workout warrior". Workout warrior refers to a player who performs better in combine-like drills than he does in actual games. If anything, Davis is more of an ugly guy who has gotten good results - but don't read me wrong, I don't want hm because of the negative things I've read about his work ethic. Now, Bruce Campbell might be described as a "workout warrior". I don't know if that is true or if he is just young and inexperienced. He is only a Junior coming out and is a phenomenal athlete. Question is whether he will blossom with more coaching and experience or is he a very athletic guy who isn't a great football player?

I am not arguing that the Bills should draft Tebow, but why do you think "Pike or Skelton are the best options for us"? Pike is a guy who showed nothing until someone ahead of him got hurt and he is very skinny (injury prone) and didn't play against a very high level of competition at Cinci. Skelton is a big-arm who didn't dominate against an even lower level of competition. Granted, these guys both have good arms, but why is that enough - especially if they'd need to be taken within a round or two of Tebow? College play and level of competition should have a lot to do with evaluation and Tebow was much more productive over a longer period of time at a higher level of competition. If having the raw arm-strength is enough, then most pitching starved MLB teams should only have to turn to a couple of their outfielders who have great arms. Clearly that isn't enough. There is more to playing QB (or pitcher) in the majors than just arm strength.

You can do the same exercise for each round of the draft for any team. Have the Bills missed more than their share of 1st round picks? Maybe, but they aren't that far off from most other teams. As you said, the draft is a crap-shoot and the Bills biggest problem has been a lack of decent QB play. Where would NE be if they hadn't gotten stupid lucky on Tom Brady in round 6? Yeah, they did pick him, but there is no way they expected anything like what they got from their 6th round pick. Take Brady away and the Pats are probably much like the Bills have been for some time. Now, I am not saying that I think the Bills should draft a QB this year. I don't like what I've read about any of them other than Bradford who won't be available. I am just arguing that sometimes its when you get lucky that you are the smartest (like SF was with Joe Montana in round 3).

It isn't just about "practice and learning", a player also has to have enough size and athletic ability to play a position. By that logic, Demetrius Bell and Jamon Meredith should also be fine at LT because they too have all offseason to practice and learn. Now, maybe Levitre is an exception and he can overcome his relative lack of height and shorter arms to be a good NFL LT. I don't know that. But, I do know that most or all of the starting LTs in the NFL are taller and have longer arms than he does.

I respectfully disagree that Jackson is an "excellent" #1 RB. Jackson had a very nice season last year, but he did not have to carry the full load and he is closing in on 30 y.o. when many RBs fall off a cliff. Jackson is not a top 15 RB in the league. Note that I am not saying he is bad or disrespecting him, I just think that calling him "excellent" is over-estimating his ability. That being said, I still don't like the idea of the Bills' first pick being spent on a RB. However, with the way that mock draft is laid out, there isn't a LT left worth taking at 9, I don't like everything that I've read about Clausen (especially that he is rumored to not be well-liked by his teammates) and there isn't a NT worth the 9th pick. So, where do you go with that pick? If it were me, I'd look at helping the D at either DE or LB, but I'd still have to consider Spiller as he would likely be rated much higher than any of the DEs or LBs left at that point.

Why do you think Quinn is any better than Edwards, Fitz, Brohm? What has he done? Better yet, look at what Cleveland got for him: a fullback and a 6th round pick. If any team thought he was any good, Cleveland could have gotten more for him. Just because there are QBs that play for other teams, it doesn't necessarily make them any better than what the Bills already have. I am not saying that I am satisfied with the Bills' QB situation, only that adding another mediocre QB to the bunch wouldn't help much.

Not really a lot available at LT after round 1 this year. I guess the best of the bunch that might be around after the first are: Vlad Ducasse U Mass - Now, some questioning if he is good enough to play LT, more a RT or G Roger Saffold - Indiana - Played LT in the East-West Shrine game and was reportedly very athletic - finesse guy Charles Brown - USC - Finesse LT, think he is a converted TE Beyond these guys I think you are wishing and hoping rather than finding a good prospect to play LT.

Judging by the lack of information about the visit coming from the Bills, I'd assume that Kennedy is leaving and won't be returning. I am not saying that it is good or bad, only that it doesn't look like they will be signing him.

No problem with taking this guy in the 5th or later, but he is a long-shot. Really, beyond Bradford and Clausen, the other QBs in this draft are much closer to long-shots than sure-things. Even Bradford and Clausen are not sure-things, but they are head and shoulders above the other QB prospects. I'd go so far as to say, I wouldn't consider any of the other QBs in the draft before round 3 and even there I'd hesitate. I'd rather see them get a guy at another position that has a good chance of developing into a starter or at least strong backup than to spend a 2nd or 3rd rounder on a QB who likely will never be more than an NFL backup.

No. I am just a draft fanatic who has purchased and read lots of draft publications over the last 25 years including Kiper's, Draft Scrapbook, Ourlads, Pro Football Weekly, Draft Insiders and Lande's GMJr. I am sure that I forgot a few, but I think that is most of them. I just appreciate the product and thought that I'd mention it on here as (obviously) there are a lot of folks on here who are very into the draft.

I know that I am not a big optimist, but to get upset that the 3rd string QB of the Chargers may sign with another team and the Bills will "miss out" is way past me. Why would anyone think that Whitehurst is any better than Ed FitzBrohm?

Why do you say that? Is it just because it doesn't line up with other mock drafts that you've seen? How do you know which one is "right" or if ANY of them are close? I applaud them for going with their opinions on the players and team needs instead of just going with the popular "flow" from other prognosticators. Realistically, most of the mock drafts will be wrong A LOT, even in round 1.

He may get stronger, but I doubt that his arms will get any longer. Again, that doesn't mean that he can't be a good NFL LT, it just means that he will have to find a way to overcome not having ideal arm length.

I am a long-time draft fanatic and I find SportingNews' WarRoom to be one of the most credible scouting services around (I also like Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki). WarRoom is run by Russ Lande who actually worked in the NFL as a scout for the Rams (and I think the Browns, too). Now, I know that there are good and bad scouts in the NFL, but Lande at least knows how to study tape, knows what NFL types are looking for in players and likely has some contacts in the league also. He also isn't afraid to express a bold opinion. For instance, he isn't down on board-favorite Rolando McClain, but he does go against the "common opinion" in thinking that he isn't a high number 1 pick. FWIW, Lande was not that high on Aaron Maybin last year when many others were touting him as the best pass rusher in the draft. To be fair, we can't write Maybin off after one year that would have been his Junior season in college, but so far Lande looks to have been spot-on. Another fwiw, Lande publishes his own draft guide (GMJr) in addition to working for SportingNews. Lande's guide is BY FAR the most detailed of any that I've seen over the past 25 years of following the draft. For $20 it is really worth-while if you are into the draft.