dpberr

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.

I really liked Bowers early on, but his knee trouble (and failing at least two physicals at the combine) has scared me away. His bust quotient is high due to medical concerns. As another poster astutely pointed out, he has similarities with Andre Wadsworth's injury bug and that can't be overlooked.

Tolzien or Dalton. Dalton is a true QB. Not the greatest athlete. He's no Newton. I like Dalton's TD/INT ratio (71 versus 30) and his completion rate. Completed 49/52 at the Combine.

Run defense. Any which way. Blue chip TE.

This list is too short. I picked Gabbert because I really don't like Newton at #3, but I would have picked Dalton (take him in a later round) if he were in the poll.

Hate that second pick.

I don't think he's done a very good job. I think he was the lesser of two evils in the Commissioner vote. Gregg Levy would have been even worse. I thought Fred Nance was the best candidate of the pool at the time. The personal conduct policy is only good if its consistently enforced. It hasn't been. No one cares about games played in London. Not sure why the NFL bothers. I think that Goodell missed an opportunity to get in front of this labor dispute. There seems to be a considerable lack of communication and trust between the two sides and I feel Goodell should have attempted to bridge that gap and establish a working relationship with some modicum of trust as soon as DeMaurice Smith was elected by the players. I don't think he's got the diplomatic chops of Tagliabue, and that matters right now.

If you are in a bidding war with the Vikings and/or Redskins, nothing short of the king's ransom. It especially works in the Bills favor if both Newton and Gabbert are available, and not just one of them, at #3.

According to published reports, the Vikings have an interest in selecting a QB in this year's draft. My question to you: Would you trade with the Vikings if they came calling? If so, who would you select at #12?

Wouldn't hurt to try.

PDaddy, I second that opinion. Maybin at least "looked" bigger earlier in his career. He may be working out a ton, but he's certainly not packing on any additional muscle. It has to be the diet. Gym time isn't obviously lacking.

x3

I like Quinn, but that entire year off scares me away from picking him at #3. I think not playing football for an entire season was worse than any combine numbers he had. I think about Mike Williams (WR out of USC, taken 10th overall in the 05 draft), and how a year away cost him.

I'll borrow from Mike Mayock in his description of Gabe Carimi as being a plug and play right tackle. Same label for Dareus. Starter from Game #1 on the defensive line. You don't take QB projects or guys with questionable work ethic at #3. You take the real deal if we're lucky enough for him to get past Denver.

Nick Fairley? Eh. A is the best, but I'm so/so on Fairley and don't like that the choices do not prioritize obtaining a TE.

I like the local arena football.

Yeah, I'd like him back in a Bills uniform. He brings veteran leadership and depth. I don't think he's starter material, but valuable in a backup or situational role. The 49ers have drafted his replacement. Thing is, he didn't want to be part of a rebuilding Bills team before and doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding 49ers team. Not sure if he'd even entertain coming back to Buffalo. That being said, I feel the 49ers are in more of a rebuilding phase than we are with new coach, new coordinators, no answer at QB. But yeah, I think it'd be money well spent.

The NFL is destined for its apocalyptic moment. It *will* have the moment that MLB had with the strike that set the game back a decade because the NFL learned nothing from that event as they have made the same mistakes. Fans will declare war on the sport. Be at ease folks who want to show up at halftime. Your day of fury is approaching. It won't happen this time around, however. With everything around us in the tank or getting there, we collectively *need* football in our lives and will anxiously wait for the outcome of the talks. Sadly, we need it in our lives. For most of us, watching and talking about football down to the minute detail makes us feel good.

I don't think it's a big deal. I'd be more interested in who gets the dinner visit last.