BigBuff423

He remains an arrogant and self-absorbed nimrod....I have no ill will toward him personally, it just sucks the way everything happened and the way he walked out. However, despite two years of Sexy Rexy, I like where this team is with McD and Beane. And no, it isn't just the playoffs, as I mentioned several times in several threads, I like the way McD thinks and I agree with what they've done with Watkins, Dareus and others...although I still didn't get the Darby trade, I'll give them a pass on that one and wait to see where the roster is come September 2018.

If they're trading for Smith and West, and presumably giving up a pick and a player (ala Hughes), and also trading UP to get Roquan Smith, it would seem that 1. the traded pick would need to be mid rounds, 4th? and that 2. they still plan to Draft a QB who will be tutored and given time to develop while Alex is taking the snaps...correct? One more thought about this, but if the Bills truly love Alex Smith for his "game manager" ability, then the QB coming into the Draft for 2018 who might best represent the accuracy is Luke Falk...but the Pro Style Offense is as you mentioned Josh Allen. However, Ryan Finley is a bit of both of those guys in one QB...something the Bills might consider in the mid Rounds like 3rd for a guy like Finley.

You've always been a class act when you come on here and kept it generally positive and absent the childish b.s. we get around here from time to time (ok, near daily basis) and that fact alone is worth a pass for nearly invisible ornery moment....honestly, I can understand your frustration in terms of having one of the best QBs of any generation on your team for a long time and not truly seeing the gains for it and knowing somebody has to be accountable for it...I, of course, also understand the poster who basically said, "Hey man, that's like the U.S. complaining to Nigeria about the lunch lines"....see both sides. But thanks for coming here periodically and saying nice things and essentially demonstrating a gentleman like attitude....well done Sir. Best of luck to Green Bay next year....until the Bills, then - well, you know....enjoy the playoffs regardless. Take care.

Because they need bodies on the field to be able to catch and run. I'm not negating McCoy's influence or saying that his absence isn't catastrophic to the Offense, but what I AM saying is that trotting a half-broken Shady is NOT the answer either. The Bills need to get another RB, like today, or they need to be ready to activate another WR so that the game plan allows for more spread options for passing the ball in short yardage because having McCoy when he can't run and be as shifty as he needs to be to do his best, is waste of a spot and someone who could potentially have an impact on the game, even in special teams.

The problem with the notion, "If he can play at all, he'll play...." is that while of course a healthy or 90% Shady is far superior than anything else the Bills can do at this moment, if he basically is a "decoy" or unable to truly run, then his roster spot is wasted on someone who "MIGHT" be able to do something more....even the Murphy kid showed some nice gains and putting someone else on the roster who can actually run is pretty important given the Offensive approach. Really, at this point, even activating another WR to allow some more spread options to reduce the number of guys in the box would be a legitimate plan if Shady is unable to play at near Shady level....the Bills only had 4 active WRs for the Miami game, if Shady can't play - well, even if he can - it does not seem prudent to put just 4 WRs on the active list...JMO

And I think I get your overall point, but Falk is making hay with little this year, has a 70% completion rate - for the 2nd year I believe - and you can’t teach accuracy.

It really depends on who is left....if Rosen, Darnold, Allen, are all gone for one reason or another but Rudolph is still there, to me you take Rudolph over Mayfield. But if Rudolph is gone then maybe, but I still think I’d rather take Luke Falk and stay at 20 something and keep the picks, or another QB in 2nd. There are always good and talented QBs to be taken in every Draft throughout the Draft, it’s up to FO to unearth them and know value. Then it’s up to coaches to coach them into great players.

Nope, no way, hell no - nope, nuh-uh for reals...get a true QB!

The thing is, the ‘83 Draft class is considered to be one of the best ever, and 2004 is in believed to be of similar value and each had 3 high quality QBs. But every year there are QBs believed to be “can’t miss” and franchise caliber, but wind up being a bust. And then there are the Daks, Russell Wilsons and Kirk Cousins or Tony Romos and Kurt Warners in almost every Draft (notice I didn’t mention Brady).... My point is that to me, is just as much about coaching the young man as it is about identifying the raw potential of any of these QBs. So, yes the Bills need to identify and be able to Draft the right QB, but just as much - they need to be able to develop him and coach him and give him an honest opportunity to grow and make Rookie type mistakes so he CAN get better. With th all of the top billing guys there are also guys like Ryan Finley and Luke Falk who probably have the basic tools to be a good NFL QB, but need to be coached and trained properly to mature into their QB of the future.

It’s not all bad ideas, but Thornton has been one of the players who’ve done much better than noteriety would give him credit for, so I’d re-sign him. Kyle Williams should probably retire, second I don’t there there’s enough FAs signed and I do think a good ILB is on the list if they plan to Draft a QB. Also need another OLB and DT, WR in FA. As as for Draft, Orlando Brown doesn’t last to 2nd round he’s arguably the best or second best OT in the Draft, also (JMO) we don’t need WR so much to Draft one in 1st round, Jewell and Michel both go earlier than you’ve projected to the Bills.

Just food for thought, here is Matt Miller's synopsis regarding Rudolph: Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State Senior | 6'4", 235 lbs | No. 41 overall prospect "The lone senior on this list, Mason Rudolph has incredible numbers operating in Mike Gundy's wide-open Oklahoma State scheme. He carried a Day 3 grade into the season but has shown improved accuracy, decision-making and pocket presence. He also has the most experience of all the quarterbacks listed here. If you follow Bill Parcells' quarterback rules, you'll love Mason Rudolph. Of Parcells' four rules, Rudolph checks the box on all of them. You know who follows Parcells' rules? Tom Coughlin. Rudolph is the type of smart, accurate quarterback the Jaguars need to balance out a great run game and dominant defense." Also consider, as someone mentioned his lack of accuracy, he has completion % of 62.3% as a Sophmore, 63.4% as a Junior, and 65% as a Senior. He's gone up each year by a percentage point while throwing 21, 28, and 35 TDs respectively. Also his INTs have virtually remained unchanged, at 9,4, & 9... while his yards have also gone up, from 3,770 to 4,091, and this year as a Senior 4,553. He's improved over 800 yards in three seasons, kept his INTs the same, while increasing his TDs by 14. I don't know what kind of NFL Rudolph will be, but IMHO, in a WCO that has a lot to do with timing and giving receivers ability to do YAC, he seems like a good prospect. Edit: He also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

This is the only scenario that makes sense because while the other 31 teams can call Buffalo's bluff, there is that one team who believes it's better to give up a mid to late round pick and secure his rights than to true and lure him to their team only to have to pay a high premium contract right at the start. The receiving team could still have him at a reasonable contract for a year and essentially say what the Bills did, "Go prove you're worth the money". For a team like Denver or even the Browns as a QB to compete with their new, shiny QB or simply to hold the spot, or even a team like the Cards depending on what happens with Arians, could make some sense for the reasons I just mentioned. For the Bills, at WORST they would have to eat his contract and let him be the #2 guy and as injuries happen, for them it would be a security blanket and of course at best they get a pick for him. Hopefully, this is the kind of smart, shrewd type of business we'll be seeing from now on...

I agree Locke is not a 1st round QB based on issues, but he had 41 TDs in the SEC...his main issue is "gunslinger mentality" which coincides with his 58% completion rate, not great...but, his arm is full 1st round capable, and he's done it against truly great talent...so he wasn't facing sub-par Defenses and he has the other tangibles and intangibles you're looking for what it comes to competitive edge, height, etc. So, if the Bills use their second 2nd round pick on him, it's in line with the fact that QBs always go at least one round early. Hell, Mahomes was given a 2nd round value by the Draft Advisory Board and we know what happened there....so, Bills go DT / LB in 1st, and DE or Offensive line in 2nd with their first 2nd round pick, it's good and if Locke is there with their next pick, it's decent value. Also, this presumes a guy like A. Smith or Bradford or whomever is a Vet to come in and take the team through Locke's first season as he works on those polish and development issues.

Can you imagine the Giants' fans distress if they were to take Roquan Smith (phenomenal LB) instead of a QB?? Also, somewhat to our benefit, the list of potential FA ILB is much better than OLB...so there's that.

Ronald Jones has some real nice runs....he runs between the tackles, but has that step, plant and run to the outside speed. Also, Sony Michel, shows good promise as a 3 down RB since he can catch and does a decent job of pass blocking...i'll take either of those guys in the 2nd or 3rd round over a 1st round pick, simply because of the cost.

Fair point...and, agreed.

I mentioned earlier in the thread I like Bromley, and he doesn't have the stats to put him in the elite tier, but I think he would be a nice "get" as well....probably a mid-tier market value DT. He and Ellis could pair nicely. Which also bolsters the argument for Drafting a QB instead of trying to sign Cousins or whomever...and I for one am in favor of that...I think a Paul Richardson would compliment the WR corp if they bring back Thompson. Also, they need value Offensive linemen and list of potential ILB is better than OLBs this year, which might impact their Draft plans.

And to that, I also agree....he (as we all should) should just handle himself like an adult and let his information stand alone...he has to know that if you're going to put this info out there, it will be challenged. You have to rise above it, acknowledge those who have a reasoned and intelligent response and ignore those who use juvenile tactics to try and discredit you or simply use vulgarities and insults to cover their own inability to have such reasoned arguments. So, how he's handling it, I don't agree with....but, I think every one of us could also just let it be...debate his "information" as to why you don't believe him - and there are several that have done that well, the usual players that kept their head calm and gave facts or persuasive arguments and then there's others who use the aforementioned responses...those aren't productive either.

Speaking only for myself, it's not that I support him or that I don't....I continue to simply think that if it isn't "inside information" it's at least worth debating the "what ifs" because this board is for fans to discuss their opinions and somewhat their knowledge...if he is legit (which I agree is doubtful) then time will prove it and there's no need to get all bothered by it or even to be disparaging....time bares all things. So, it is what it is...good way to discuss possibilities for the Bills and their fans.

Kid from Missouri is Drew Lock, I posted something about him in another thread talking about what QB a person would take....as of yesterday, and that could have changed, but if he does declare, he's the kind of kid the Bills could Draft in the 20's and let him sit behind A. Smith or Bradford or whomever for a year or two while he develops some footwork and polish as an NFL QB, but the kid has the "it" factor...the first throw after the half in last night's Texas Bowl game was a thing of beauty. He throws into tight windows and at times is careless with the ball which is why his accuracy percentage is 58% but throwing 41 TDs in the SEC ain't nothin' to sneeze at....he did not receive a 1st/2nd round grade from the Draft Advisory Board, but Mahomes was given a 2nd round grande and we know what happened there....so, it's worth considering if he declares.

What continuously frustrates me about the national media, is they highlight that one play, but leave out the analysis of ALLLLLLLLL the other throws that a typical NFL QB *should* make...Taylor makes these incredible throws, no doubt...but he HAS to because he doesn't make the throws on time, holds the ball too long, and fails to read a Defense quick enough for the timing to be there (in general). Also, while NO QB is perfect, too many of this throws to truly NFL open receivers are low / high / behind / or too far beyond the grasp of the receiver while also waiting too long, which compounds the problem. Timing, anticipation, and pre-reading a Defense have always been his deficiencies, not his athleticism or his ability to escape which are both elite. He's made great plays, but usually those are when he puts himself in those positions to need to make those plays.

Thank you....it's just so easy to gloss over the wins and losses through the course of the season and forget some of the finer points about how we got to this point...

I like Bromley as a rotational guy or someone to start opposite another real stout Dlineman...and he's only 25. I also think like others have said, it's a real chance to get a couple of guys on that list AND Draft their true star DT IF they don't move up for a QB....

Couldn't agree more about the potential risk....unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to identify those "busts"...take RGIII as an example - consider what the Skins gave up for him and then Drafted Cousins in the 4th, only to have Cousins be the guy after RGIII's Rookie season....imagine had the Skins NOT done that...where would they be? Probably somewhere like the Buffalo Bills....and yet, if the Bills do that, there will be a meltdown. Not advocating for it, just expressing how difficult it is to obtain that franchise caliber QB, but the Bills can't do what they've done either....

Yeah, I read that....and I don't blame him if he stays or comes out, but it seems (and I certainly could be wrong) most of that was based on accuracy and development....which is NOT to say that shouldn't factor in, but if the Bills were serious about Alex Smith, then he's a guy you could take in the 2nd round and give him a year or two and still have a tremendous opportunity to get your guy of the future without leveraging Draft capital. Now, if the Bills are serious about getting their guy this year, I defer to my original post of Darnold. They would need to and should go all out.