BigBuff423

Your pessimism is astounding. In a year where the Bills overachieved, ended the drought, have Draft capital unlike we've seen in many years, and one of the most accomplished Front Offices in all of the NFL, you seem to want to dump all over the parade. Why? No, seriously...why? Do you feel smarter for insinuating that McD and his staff are unable to coach a cerebral QB? If you're suggesting that last year's Offense is somehow indicative of what is projected to be this year's Offense, did you miss the dismissal of their Offensive Coordinator? Did you understand that Dabol runs a similar system to the Patriots and Louisville? Do you understand philosophies can change based on the talent and players they have on their team? McD played a conservative Offense mainly because he was forced to and of course, yeah the QB couldn't well, you know...QB. So, running and keeping the score low so his Defense could try and create turnovers and play the field position game was the best chance at winning. Presuming the Bills take any of the top 5 QBs, and they're able to help their QB with a better outside WR, and get a good MLB, there's no reason to think the Bills can't be good next year. Will they be? Who knows...but presuming McD is fine with running the ball and playing Defense, is a huge stretch of logic that buys you a bridge to nowhere.

I'm not a huge fan of this Draft mainly b/c of Hughes and Gesicki.....as others have said, CB depth is an issue, but a starter is not since Beane said they brought Davis in to play opposite White. So, a 3rd or 4th round CB to be a slot guy or Dime package, sure...for Gesicki, as others have also said, Drafting a TE early does not make sense for this team. Smith at 12 would be a real value for the Bills, trade 22 back to pick up an extra 3rd or 4th if possible, take Rudolph if it's somewhere plausible, Harrison Phillips in top of the 2nd, WR in 2nd, CB 3rd, LB again in 3rd, Offensive line 4th, RB 5th, and BPA in 6th....and if you picked up an extra 3rd or 4th, take the Offensive line in the 3rd or another WR in the 4th.... Additionally, while EVERYONE seems to think the Bills acquired Draft capital to trade up, I'm not so convinced just yet....the truth is McD and Beane knew this roster was going to take an overhaul and I'm pretty sure Beane knew the Seniors coming out were going to be a plenty, so he didn't necessarily think trading up would be necessary - so keep in mind, all signs pointed to the team being a top 10 pick when they made those trades. So while I'm SURE they're considering trading up and calling around to find out the price tag to know the market, I'm not convinced it's been the plan "all along"...I think they got those picks to rebuild the roster and get better and deeper quickly.

It always seems to drag, but this year because of the Bills' draft picks and the obvious tension around the most important position in all of sports, this one seems like Christmas Eve when you were 5 and kept waking up hoping Santa had delivered your gifts and you could wake everyone up.....(hopefully for us, not to find a huge box.....of socks).

Well, for one I'm hoping QB isn't anywhere near a concern or in the discussion of a position to spend big FA money on, as I think we're all hoping the Bills Draft their QB of the future in less than a month. So to the Rodgers question, let's hope it's not even a blip on the Bills' radar....as for others, only to go by position: LB (again), CB, WR, DT, Offensive line, TE, and RB depth

No doubt about the young man's potential....it really is about coaching for him at the NFL level and if those coaches will be able to adjust his mechanics to make him more accurate. And despite what some believe, having NFL quality Offensive line and receivers will help a bit also....it won't change everything, but it will help him along.

Look, Jackson is not my first choice and I'm one who has admittedly come around on Jackson after reading and watching and listening to a lot more than the usual tired narratives regarding his play, so I put that out there to keep in mind when I say this next statement: the bolded portion of your comment is borderline racist. There have been others who have come close to insinuating such a thing and I've said nothing, because a comment without context can be taken many ways and I would not want someone to jump to conclusions about me, so I try to give the benefit of the doubt. But you sir, came to the line and stepped right over it. By making this comment you clearly are taking race into the equation and then insinuating he lacks the mental acumen to achieve in the NFL (fine) but that is somehow with affirmative action his score would be adjusted making race the issue (not fine, IMO). As for Rudolph, I've also been on record - and to the point in the eating crow thread done a while back - that if he isn't successful in 2 full years of playing in the NFL, meaning not sitting for a year because I think he needs that, I will be happily coming back here to eat my crow pie because I think he will be quite good. And this statement reveals your ignorance of his game as much as your previous statement reveals your ignorance toward people in general. He did not run at the "first sign of trouble", and in fact there are many videos doing a good breakdown - see Cover1 - that show him scrambling within the pocket to pass the ball. Coach Petrino coached him specifically for that purpose this year. The two years prior and I agree, but development is a key component of any NFL player, especially QB, so being coachable and seeing progress or development is key. This kid will play QB in the NFL and if he goes to a team that will work on his footwork mechanics, he will be a good to great QB at some point.

I did too....I wish people, some people of course, would just evaluate him with an open mind....don't take the tired, dead-horse narrative, that he's a runner first....and learn to see and hear new things and don't be ready to jump into a bias....I am one who has come full circle on Jackson since September. Wanted no part of him on the Bills, but he showed incredible growth this year. And he needs to keep growing, but with a guy like AJ for the Bills, it does buy him a year to grow and every...single....thing, you read about Jackson is just how coachable he is, which means some of the footwork stuff can be taught...he has shown growth passing from the pocket, he can do the same with his footwork.

So, basically just another game week for him.... Also, I noticed Mike Mayock made mention of the fact that Jackson intentionally had an actual Center to snap him balls, taking the snap from under Center as opposed to a lot of guys on their Pro Days do so against "air"....I think he was trying to make a point.

I've said in other places, much of this depends on how much you take at face value Beane's comments as far back as May when he discussed what he wanted in a QB. Another, more thorough OP created a thread with those linked articles. But some takeaways: 1. Tall / Big 2. Strong Arm 3. Accurate 4. Pocket Passer / Pocket Awareness 5. Good Intangibles / Character / Leadership 6. Played in a Pro Style Offense Now, looking at all of those qualities, NONE of the "major 6" fit the mold of all of these traits, so it becomes about which traits Beane and his team believe can either be overcome or compensated for by doing well in other things....one thing you can't change no matter how much work or time you put in: height. I'm not crapping on Mayfield, I'm just reminding people before they go punching the clown to the notion of having Mayfield in a Bills uniform, that these were Beane's words and he did say there are some things that can be improved in very small amounts, arm strength being one of them and accuracy to a similar extent. But height and intangibles are two things he omitted by lacking discussion on what can be improved or enhanced. Just food for thought.....

Fair enough - and all well-reasoned responses, which I appreciate. Also, appreciate the tone and willingness to have a discussion. You're right, I think we agree to disagree, but that's what makes this a wonderful world, as you said, "to each their own"...cool. And as always, regardless of which QB is leading the team - Go Bills!

Lamar Jackson detractors should read this, put it up on the fridge and remind themselves they do not know everything....and to read and listen more to those who do true evaluations and not just talking heads who continue to advance silly, petty ideas about what they "think" Jackson is or can become.

Again...why? What is it specifically that indicates he's the same type of player? RGIII ran a spread Offense at Baylor, what kind of Offense has Jackson run at Louisville??? Oh yeah, an NFL Offense...mmmkay....so if it's not the type of Offense, please elaborate on how they're the same type of player....just spitting out names doesn't do squat for your argument.... Lamar Jackson talking audibles with Mike Mayock today after his Pro Day, you should listen:

And hey, I appreciate the honesty - and that's fair. But my question would be, and it's a sincere one - not snarky, not sarcasm or any other b.s. - but what about the "game style" do you refer to? And I'm just asking because Louisville's Offense will be pretty similar to Buffalo's given they both run the Erhardt-Perkins Offense and Jackson primarily passed from the pocket. A very, very small percentage of runs for him this year were not "designed" runs, as in he took off when he couldn't find a receiver. So, I'm just following up for clarification. Thanks. I'm sure there are those people where you're right...but, I think that's a pretty dangerous road to go down....

You may be right about most people....but I will speak only for myself and say, I've been converted. At the start of the college football season, i wanted no part of him and even going into December I thought I had all the information I needed. But, I tend to read and view things with an open mind, even when I truly think I have good reason to view things on a particular subject the way I do. So, once I started reading various articles, watching more of his games, and listening to those who know far more about football than I do, I started to come off the ledge a bit and finally, much more of the same information and evaluating for myself, I've come around to believing what I've already written. Some people won't change their mind, and I don't think it's my or anyone else's job to try and do that, but I do think we should all hold each other accountable when it comes to simply lying or misinterpreting information to feed their bias....I truly did not like Jackson for a QB in September and even into the end of November, but by the end of December I started to realize I was wrong....and I'm ok admitting that...

You're simply wrong....that is not even close to what he's done at Louisville, ESPECIALLY in 2017....this is just a bold-faced lie.

And by that standard Tim Tebow would be on his way to the NFL HOF...really? The idea of a team concept escapes you that much? Except for when you're Josh Allen....then, we look at the team around him, but Jackson who was essentially the entirety of Offense, then he can't win in big games....ok, got it. Real question: have you even watched all of his games? Have you taken the time to read through real film breakdowns of his career? If so...please link here. Otherwise, you've formed an opinion by looking at a single stat sheet, without taking into consideration a myriad of other factors, failed to do any real history checking on his game or character, and taken the tired, old cliches and put them as your own. As you said....I'm waiting....?

Disagree entirely....as for win now, I didn't say the Steelers "would" Draft him, I said if he were in their system, he would do very well. As for Pats*, you seem to miss what Pats value: accuracy - which Rudolph has in spades - ability to move in pocket - which Rudolph does almost better than any other QB in this Draft - ability to allow receivers to get YAC - that's nearly all of Rudolph's game - and a tall QB who can throw the ball to all levels of the field - also, much of Rudolph's game.

I'm not sure what that's intended to imply, but if you've read up on Lamar, he has very good football IQ. He ran Petrino's Offense which is one of the most complicated in college football, mostly from the pocket - as Petrino and his son coached him up to stay in the pocket. Cover1 does a nice job of breaking it down and giving you some back story to how he earned his way into starting and how he got his scholarship. Talent? You question his talent? Dude might have the strongest arm behind Allen in this Draft and he is absolutely much, much closer to Michael Vick than anyone else in a long time. Leadership? Do you understand the principle? Because this young man overcame adversity and challenges at nearly every level and demonstrated - quietly I might add, without off-field issues or distractions - on how you lead by example. And I do trust Beane and his team, a lot...so much so that even if / when they make a selection I don't understand or agree with, I'm going to roll with it because I do believe they're very good at what they're doing...that's the first time I can say that in a long time.

I've been saying it for months, put Rudolph in the right system, and he will be a very good to great QB. Honestly, Steelers and Patriots make the most sense, that's where I think he would do best.

Jackson is a very far cry from Tyrod...the fact that you compare the two to be part 1 and part 2, only shows what you are ignoring about Jackson's game....not to mention the little thing of Jackson winning the Heisman in his second season. Add to the fact of what he's done to drastically improve his pocket presence, downfield awareness, and that he was operating one of the more complicated college Offenses, shows a bias without objectively looking at the facts. As noted above, there are pieces to work on in his game, but he is not a Tyrod part 2 and he is much more developed than many people give him credit for...he's going to be a great QB. He will need a year to mature his footwork, but once he corrects that aspect of it, he's as good a QB as you'll find.

Mead, you may be right....but I don't see it. To me, it takes his whole body to get the kind of torque needed to complete even the mos basic NFL passes. He seems like a fine young man, but I don't "hope" for him for the Bills. If they Draft him, of course I'll support him, but I'm hoping they do a bit better. Doesn't have to be 1st round for me since IMHO this team could use great players all over....but I don't think the Bills fail to address QB before the end of the 3rd round and I find it hard to believe Riley gets Drafted before the 5th. Could be wrong....but that's just my .02....

For those who are saying "He's not a pocket passer", you're essentially wrong. Because, in his first two years he did run way too often, but as Cover1 and others did a fabulous breakdown on his game, this last year he was in the pocket far, far more than ever before and that was due to coaching. I won't rip off the article but I linked it in the other thread and it is well worth your time, especially if you're going to spit out tired narratives that are misleading. Now, as to accuracy, he absolutely does need to improve a bit, but keep in mind his completion percentage for this last year was 59.1%....just .9 shy of the standard 60% for projecting college QBs AND keep in mind, of all the other "major 6" QBs in this Draft, he lead them all in dropped passes.....this is a relevant statistic. He still needs to improve, but not as much as everyone on this broken bandwagon seems to think. Do more research, with people who have really done the work to look at many games and done hours of video study. It will help.

At this point who the hell knows.....but I'll say this, while I'm not a big Mayfield fan because I think his stupid antics are childish behavior are causes for concern - in that can he mature and grow into a true NFL leader of men on and off the field - and I'm concerned even more about his ability to pass from a collapsing pocket that doesn't have a 3 yard circumference to pass from, you can't ignore that he has good arm strength, good accuracy, and real tenacity to compete. Those are things I can support. As for the rest, I have to hope he can be smarter, mature, and of course that he'll be able to pass from a dirty pocket (ooooooh, that sounded like a Vegas strip club )..... And in the end, I don't understand people who say, "If the Bills Draft ______, I'm so done with this team!".....the Bills Draft him, I will support him until he proves he doesn't deserve it. Whether I agree, like or dislike the selection, because at the end of the day, he hasn't even worn the jersey on the field yet, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. This also goes for if the Bills stand pat at 12 and take a MLB like Smith and keep all their picks....either way, Beane and company have my vote of confidence...IMHO, they've earned it.

As usual, Cover1 did a really nice job of breaking down Lamar Jackson's positives and negatives, indicating what he believes he needs to work on once he's in the NFL. Erik also does a nice job of providing a back-story and how Lamar Jackson has evolved to this point. If you're indicating Lamar is currently a run first QB, you don't know what you're talking about, or if you're saying he's too inaccurate, then you need to put that statement into context - because while he is too inaccurate, there requires more explanation, i.e. Josh Allen as well....simply put, Lamar Jackson IMHO, has similar upside that Josh Allen has, but a bit more of a known commodity because of where he played, the coach and the Offense. Before you come to too many conclusions, read something like this: https://www.cover1.net/scouting-report-qb-lamar-jackson-louisville/

In all due respect to the OP, this poll is a bit premature. I would suggest adding this after the Draft, since we don't know who the Drafted QB will be....so for example, if for some reason the Bills waited until the 3rd round to Draft a guy like Mike White or Kyle Lauletta, I have a feeling the poll would turn out quite differently than if the Bills trade up into the top 5 and get Rosen or Mayfield....just a thought. And with that in mind, it nullifies the other two options because the Rookie QB is everything to the future of this organization at this point. If for example they were to wait, and keep all the Draft capital to Draft starters at LB / WR / DT / and say another DB, then I'd say AJ, because that means they have pieces to win again this year...but if they trade way up and basically come away with their franchise QB for the next 12 years, but didn't Draft a starting WR and LB due to loss of picks, then I'd say it doesn't matter whether it's Peterman or AJ, but I would hope it is NOT the QB for the future because he won't learn much other than how tough the NFL is, and even more so with a weaker team around you.