uncle flap

Hahaha that was my initial reaction when the thought first crossed my mind! I'd rather they didn't but I can't help but connect dots when I see them.

I'm not exactly advocating for this but I could see bringing in Pepper Johnson and signing Brandon Spikes. Spikes is a scumbag and I pretty much hate him but I think he'd be a good fit in the middle - he's a prototypical MLB and would free up Kiko to play wlb where I think he'd be even better than he was this year.

I too doubt he's coming back, but he definitely wants to. From his twitter (with another impressive stat): @sonofbum Wade Phillips ‏@sonofbumJan 15 Disappointed not even an interview after 7 straight full seasons of top 10 D with 3 different teams. Last 5 times as D C= playoffs1st yr Wade Phillips ‏@sonofbumJan 22 Yes I would go back to where I have been before.I enjoyed and was treated well at all my stops. I just want to help a team win this year. Wade Phillips ‏@sonofbumJan 22 Only 32 DC jobs and 31 are taken

PFCentral is basically an Incarcerated Bob wannabe. The guy has some contacts but no one is breaking news to him. He just throws a bunch of speculation out and is right once in a while. FWIW The frightened lemur shot down any possibility of Wade or Greggggggggggo. I know he's a paid mouthpiece but he's a hell of a lot more credible than a basement blogger. I would like to see Wade back, especially to add some veteran savvy to the coaching staff. I like Marrone and Hackett but I think the old dog can still teach the young guns some tricks. But I'm certainly not gonna hold my breath. I think we'll probably see either Henderson promoted, or some protege from an established coaching tree a la Pettine. EDIT: Maybe Pepper Johnson would fit the "Bill?"

http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/20/richard-sherman-interview-michael-crabtree/ 5 mins ago ‘To Those Who Would Call Me a Thug or Worse …’ I show passion on the football field—but that’s only a small part of who I am. If you want to judge me, I can handle it.

OP:

Dr. StrangeTrooth or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Steelers

IMO, he's too talented to pass up, especially as a player that can pick up big chunks of yards and TDs. However, I could understand why someone would think to pass on him since the Bills have recently drafted Woods, Goodwin, and Graham. I do agree that it's foolish to simply discount his ability based on his height. He seems to be far and away the most explosive offensive player in the draft (I don't really consider QBs "explosive," but that's another conversation), and having him on the field will open up opportunities for everyone else as well. I don't think he'll be on the board at #9, and like Kirby said, I'd be tempted to sprint to the podium. The only reason I'd wait is to see if another team makes the Bills an offer that they can't refuse. As seemingly deep as this draft is in positions the Bills "need," they could stand to do well by picking up another pick or two.

Don't like that his shirt says "RECKLESS." Better be careful with those knees, dude!

I wasn't trying to be snarky. My point was that it isn't as if Watkins is unable to make the contested catches that are required in the red zone. Clemson struggled in the red zone all around, however 4 of his 12 TDs came from inside the 20. Might Evans or Benjamin or another taller target be better strictly in those red zone situations? Sure. But I'd say because Watkins is so much better all around he'd still be a better pick. It doesn't matter though, since he almost certainly won't be available at #9.

You didn't watch the Orange Bowl?

Well, I see you guys got this taken care of. For those that are high on Evans, I suggest you check out Kelvin Benjamin. Look for him to leapfrog Evans in the projections as the draft grows closer.

Also wonder if he is here to learn from Pettine so that the "system" more or less remains intact upon Pettine's inevitable ascension to HC somewhere.

FROM THE WANNY TREE? NO THANKS BRUH

IIRC, Chris Brown, Mark Kelso, and Tim Graham all alluded to the Bills offering around $7M/per and Byrd/Parker asking for around$9M/per

There's a few scenarios that can unfold during the year wrt to EJ: 1. He plays well, and we are reasonably confident barring some regression that the Bills have found their QB of the future. 2. He has another up and down year, and we can't say one way or the other whether or not he's the QB of the future. 3. He gets injured again, and we can't say one way or the other whether or not he's the QB of the future. 4. He sucks, and we are reasonably confident he isn't going to become the QB of the future. Of course things might not be so cut and dry, but I think we can agree we should be able to more or less categorize whatever happens as one of those scenarios. So, imagine if they do draft a QB that they like in the first round this year. If scenario #1 happens, well, they "wasted" a 1st round pick, but at least they have their franchise QB and some decent trade bait. If #2 happens, they can either give EJ another year, or have an open competition at QB with a guy they like. At least they have a Plan B in the wings if EJ doesn't progress. If #3 happens, they can start the other QB and see what he's got while EJ gets healthy. If the other QB looks better than EJ, he can keep the job. If #4 happens, they can start the other QB from the jump. This other QB will have had a year in the system and the Bills won't be forced to pick a QB high next year that they might not like as much as the guy that people are asking them to pass on this year. Again, I'm not saying that they need to draft a QB this year, but I think it's a good idea, if there is a guy they like, since the jury is out on EJ. I think it's short sighted to say they'd be wasting the pick for the season. If EJ winds up sucking (and I'm not saying he will, I'm optimistic about his development), then what good is having another player at another position? QBs win championships and when a team doesn't have one they shouldn't be dismissing opportunities to find one. I'm not advocating drafting a QB every year until one has a phenomenal rookie season. I'm advocating not passing up drafting a QB that they would otherwise like just because "we think EJ can develop." Mack lined up primarily on the outside but there's no reason to think he couldn't handle ILB responsibilities. He's more than solid in every aspect in his game. If Whaley said that, I would agree. I'd target someone like Skov in the 3rd, depending on whom they draft in the first two.

Re: The QB question, I think those that are advocating considering taking a QB are advocating just that, and nothing more. Drafting another Qb doesn't mean that you automatically bench EJ. It just means that you didn't pass on a Plan B in case EJ doesn't work out. I like EJ, but everyone here has to acknowledge that last year the Bills had to take a QB high, as it was their only reasonable shot at acquiring a franchise QB. So, say we give EJ another year or two, and he doesn't work out; Then what? They are again forced to take a QB in the first. I can only speak for myself, but I think most of those in the "draft a QB" camp agree with this: We aren't saying that they have to draft a QB in the first (or 2nd or 3rd), just that they shouldn't unilaterally dismiss the idea because they've got EJ who could still develop into a bona fide franchise QB. If there's a QB that they like and is the BPA in the sense that they could see him becoming a franchise QB, then I'm all for taking that QB and letting him ride the pine while they find out about EJ. Re the LBs, you might be right about Mosely being the better fit, but I wouldn't be so quick to peg Mack as a slouch in coverage. He's very, very good all around, and I think he could excel at any LB position. I think Mosely can too, but my gut tells me Mack is the superior football player. However, like I said upthread my judgment could be clouded by my UB homerism.

I've seen the least out of Barr, but he didn't really make those awesome "splash" plays that jump off the screen like Kirby alluded to Mack doing. He's certainly good, but like KOK said, I don't think it's a god idea to spend that high of a pick on a guy that IMO doesn't bring much more than Jerry Hughes does. I noticed a Barr looking lost in space the few times I watched the Bruins as well. Mosely is pretty much always where you'd expect him to be and seems to cover as well as he attacks the run or the QB. He seems to be fairly decent at diagnosing plays but sometimes lets blockers come to him on run plays instead of running more downhill, but overall I'd still say he's pretty good against the run. I've watched almost every UB game, only 2 or 3 UCLA games, and maybe 7 or 8 Bama games. A good portion of my opinion however comes from re-watching Mack and Mosely on those YouTube scouting reports, which I know make some people groan, but the ones that show every player's snap in a particular game I think paint a reasonably accurate portrayal of a player's strength AND weaknesses, as opposed to the pure "highlight" reels. By no means do I want to make myself out to be an expert, I just enjoy taking extra looks at top prospects and especially guys who might become Bills.

Barr is more of a pure edge rusher. Mosely and Mack are far more versatile IMO. Mosely has the size edge over Mack and has played against stiffer competition, but also has injury concerns. I'd take Mack but that might be the homer in me as I'm a UB grad.

I included Bridgewater and Manziel - not that they'd be there - but if they were I think there's too much potential too pass on. I don't have a strong opinion on Bortles and Carr so I'd leave that up to the Bills' brass.

Yeah, I didn't mean to suggest my opinion represented all Bills fans' nor that those players are undraftable. I agree, can we come up with a more or less consensus Top 9 and then take the 9th best prospect in our collective opinion? 1. Bridgewater 2. Manziel 3. Clowney 4. Watkins 5. Mack 6. Mosely 7. Barr 8. Bortles 9. Carr 10. Dennard 11. Benjamin 12. Matthews 13. Robinson 14. Kouandjio 15. Martin 16. Lee 17. Ebron 18. Amaro 19. Lewan 20. Evans That's my quick and dirty top 20 board FOR THE BILLS. By no means is that a mock and I wouldn't argue with anyone bumping up or knocking down any player by a few slots.

I'd take Evans, Robinson, Ebron, Amaro, and Yankey off the list (or move them to the end). I think #9 is too high for any of those guys since they could probably swing a trade and pick one of them up later in the first. I don't know if DraftTek takes those types of scenarios into consideration, and I'm not saying those players suck or will be busts, etc. I just think it doesn't make sense to take any of them at #9.

LOL Apparently! http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Manuels-play-late-in-halves--games-shows-clutch-factor/66a3a7e3-7255-4f67-b9d6-55698bc27688

I wanted to expand on my reply to this earlier but got busy at work... I think although probably unlikely, it's possible Marrone and Whaley knew that they had to draft a QB last year and decided to swing for the fences, and in doing so also knew that they'd have another "at bat," the following year if they struck out (or were perhaps looking a strike or two, to continue the baseball metaphor). So, it could be that as far back as last year they had considered the possibility of drafting QBs back to back, even before they knew that they'd get Manuel. If that were the case, I don't think they would necessarily bow to the public perception that they are in love with Manuel just bc he was their first pick. I mean, I'm just spitballing here, but I think we all agree that they basically were forced to take a QB high in a class that was widely regarded as mediocre at best. I don't think they can be knocked for trying, so I don't know if they feel as married to Manuel as they would've been if Manuel had not been such a great need at the time. You're probably right. When considering BPA, QB is one of the few positions that deserve an asterisk and some weight attached to their evaluation. I guess not everyone does this, but when I think of "BPA," I'm really thinking of "Player Who Would Help a Team the Most." Not "my" team, in particular, but any team in general. So obviously QB resides on it's own plateau, followed by some of the other premier positions. I guess it also boils down to what one's definition of "Best" is, and to whom or what one is comparing that player.

I think you're on to something here. I think you're on to something here, as well. Agree. This is where I stand. I REALLY want EJ to be the answer, but until he does a little bit more to show that he is THE guy, I'm fine with them trying to upgrade their "backup plan" at the very least. I've been caught in a few debates here but my position is not that they MUST draft a QB with an early pick, just that they shouldn't unilaterally dismiss it because they have EJ. I'm pretty much hoping for BPA, and if the BPA is a QB, then go for it. If there is a run on QBs in the picks before the Bills', however, it probably isn't that likely the BPA is a QB.