dpberr

Right now, it's between Dareus and Jordan for me. However, Jordan's versatility and experience in the 3-4 and his intangibles (smarts, work ethic especially) edge out over Dareus. I like that he has a year of 3-4 under his belt under Pendergast, formerly of the Cardinals, where he ran their pretty effective 3-4. Mix all that together, and Jordan starts Day #1.

Quinn hasn't played in a year and that's too much of a risk. Like his size and quickness, but a year of rust, especially in learning the game, is a big liability. Von Miller played on a bad defense, and I think that helped elevate his numbers. He's a system linebacker like his A&M alum Coryatt. Miller's a good player, IMO, not a great player, and he's a project. He'll learn other moves and he'll work. You hope he'll add weight. He may be great three years from now. I just don't think he's worthy of the #3 pick for the Bills. You want immediate impact, plug and play, at #3. When talking about Miller, I think folks underestimate just how good offensive tackles in the NFL are, and how they eat up the lighter guys, regardless of how fast they may be.

"(Georgia OLB) Justin Houston is very talented, but he could be the next Vernon Gholston. It's scary, but he shuts it down way too much. He's one of the draft's great magicians. He can disappear with the best of them. Love that term: "Draft magician"

I separate out work ethic from the broader discussion about "character" and I think Nawrocki confuses the two when trying to explain both. Are Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, Lawrence Taylor high character guys? Probably not, but they've never been accused of taking plays off or disappearing in games. Harvin, Raji, Oher and Maualuga all have top shelf work ethics. They work constantly to get better, and that's what's important, and that's what the Bills need. Guys that not only possess rare talent, but also have the inner motivation and drive to persistently hone it. That's the knock on Fairley and sadly, Dareus. These guys don't have that level of self motivation that's a big factor in their future NFL careers. I think Jamarcus Russell could have been half decent if he worked on his career. That's why even though I'm a Dareus fan, guys like Miller, Jordan, Kerrigan, Watt etc. are attractive for the Bills. You know that you don't have to rely on money and coaching to motivate them on a daily basis. I agree in the surprise in J.P. Losman. I didn't think he was a character or had a work ethic problem at Tulane or in Buffalo.

Panthers, Broncos and Bills all trade out of 1st, 2nd and 3rd spots. New slotting: Cincinnati, Arizona, Philadelphia

Tell that to the Washington Redskins.

You can't coach work ethic. You either have that or you don't. That's what makes Fairley radioactive. How many times has "lack of work ethic" doomed otherwise talented football players in the NFL?

In a year with no organized team activities until the CBA is settled maybe in June, July, or August. There is no question that Cam Jordan will show up on time, in shape, and ready to go. The same can't be said for Fairley or Dareus. Outstanding point. I've been a Dareus fan for a while, but lately, I've been leaning towards Cam Jordan, partly due to the above statement. As time has gone on, Jordan at #3 is not as big of a reach as I thought it once was. I agree on Von Miller. Much like robo-tackler Mason Foster, I think he benefited from being a good player on a really bad defense.

That's a nightmare.

I lived in Denver and Boulder for a few years in the early 90s. I disagree that Denver is a citadel of conservatism. When did Denver last elect a Republican congressman? Back when McKevitt was around in the early 70s. In the last election, DeGette won in a near 70/30 blowout. The City is decidedly liberal. However, Colorado on a whole leans conservatively. Lots of big churches out there, FotF is based in CO and Bill McCartney (Promise Keepers) had a great run as Buffs coach, especially in the late 80s through 91. Stanford was a liberal school when John Elway attended, but hey, don't let that fact nor that he lived in SoCal get in your way.

I'm middle of the road on Tebow. I don't really care either way. I'd argue that Denver is an elitist, liberal city, and they see guys like Tebow as some sort of bible thumping conservative from the hillbilly regions of Florida and that's stuck. It doesn't matter if Tebow ends up being the second coming of Joe Montana, they just don't like Tim Tebow the man and they don't let actual football performance get in the way of it. There's no way he survives Elway, Mr. So Cal, Stanford guy.

The thing about Orakpo was the dismal reputation of Texas players in the NFL and the ghost of Mike Williams. While in hindsight it looks horrible, the jury was out on Orakpo before the draft.

I wanted Ryan Clady in 2008 and Brandon Pettigrew in 2009.

This round looks to be all but complete. Question, however, for those who voted for him: What's the deal with Greg Romeus? On a sidenote, you wonder how great UNC would have been if they had all their players on the field.

Come on PTR, that just means it's time for the Epic Three Team Trade Scenario, ala Bennett in 87.:-) The Wash/Phi/Buff trade or Minn/Phi/Buff trade or Ari/Phi/Buff trade. Philly would have to throw in more picks to Buffalo, and somebody else would get Kolb.

In this deal, I'd flip Kolb to another team for more picks. Whoever's got the third chair in the Newton/Gabbert dance, perhaps. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it. All in all, I want a barge filled with so many draft picks to the point there's 4 inches of water on the deck from the weight.

I like Andy Dalton. I think he'll be a good QB in the NFL. I don't see QB as being as big of a need as the other positions. For that reason, I'd be horrified at taking a QB at all before the 4th round in this draft.

+1 Besides I think it's more of a message to any interested trade partners (for the spot) and less of an indication on how they feel about their current QBs.

I like this game. It's a challenge because there's anything but an easy choice with the options provided. I went with Moch. Like Moffit, but I like having plenty of pass rushing linebackers more. While raw, he has what Maybin does not. More than a year of experience, work ethic and ability to bulk up.

Bowers' pro day was a harbinger. Thoner, you have a point, but while the surgery will fix the problem, it's always a loaded gun and are you ever really the same? I'd also say that when it comes to spines and knees, those are difficult injuries to fully recover from 100% and stay recovered. One bad move and Marcus McNeil's neck becomes a career-ending injury. With Bowers, the torn meniscus is the first stop in the unlucky triad. He might play a half season, full season or just one game before the ACL or MCL blows out. A gimpy knee on a pass rusher counters his immense talent. I can't see Buffalo investing a #3 and a ton of money and hope (of the team and the fans) into a gamble like that. It's too much risk when there are other equally talented players available without the serious injury concerns.

In a deep defense talent rich draft, you can't ignore it at #3. I like the Rudolph pick, however.

I like Dalton over Ponder or Kaepernick, but in the 3rd or 4th round. He's got a good TD/INT ratio, completion percentage, won a lot of games in his career, works hard, and most importantly, is coachable. He's the type of QB with good QB talent that could benefit from a year or two learning the game, behind Fitz. I've seen mocks however, that have teams going for him in the 2nd.

I picked Ponder because I'd hate picking Gabbert at #3. I don't think QB is a crisis position of need this year. It's a pick for the later rounds, if at all, really. I want players on defense that start on opening day from Rounds 1 and 2.

I love the work you put into it Astro and look forward to your posts. However, while I like the focus on defense, I'm not a fan of this draft specifically, especially the Fairley and Reed picks. I'm with Mayock that Fairley has bust potential. Reed is yet another "high motor" guy, PP 2.0.

A tear of the medial meniscus is a shot across the bow for ACL and MCL damage. They call it the "unhappy" triad for a reason. If you draft Bowers, you are drafting a player that if lucky will give you a season without a torn ACL or MCL. You are also drafting a player that may be rushing the recovery of the meniscus tear and that gives you a gimpy football player as he gets older. At #3, you, at minimum,do not take a guy with those medical concerns. You err on the side of caution. It's like the deal with Marcus McNeil and spinal stenosis....it's a total crap shoot when it comes to certain sport injuries to parts of the body.