hondo in seattle

Exactly, it was a nice analysis but didn't come up with any real conclusions. Without comparative data, you can't.

I don't know how anyone - Bills coaches included - could have an accurate read on EJ's future just yet. He's had streaks when he played well. He had streaks when he played poorly. Fortunately, his attitude and work ethic are both good which gives me hope. I remember a scout once explained why NFL teams - despite the big scouting departments and enormous resources - miss so often when drafting college QBs. He said that you have to make predictions because no college QB has the skills yet to excel at the NFL level. So scouts make educated guesses on which QBs will develop those skills and which won't. You never really know. Will EJ develop his missing skills? Only time will tell. But if he - and young WRs around him - live up to their potential it could be a fun few years.

Although I also worry about the high price paid for Sammy, I disagree with this. It might be unreasonable to expect a rookie to be a team's dominant WR right away. I think we need to wait a few years to rate this - or any - draft.

I actually think the OP's question is an interesting one. We have a lot of guys who supposedly have "potential." Williams is the only guy who has a decent number of NFL receptions but those are all with another team. I think it will be interesting to see who lives up to his potential and who develops some chemistry with EJ. EJ is young. The WR corps is young. If this all comes together, the Bills could have a potent passing attack for years to come.

I think this is it exactly. I don't think OBD was happy with our guard play last year. And I don't think at this moment Whaley knows who will start at guard, or who will be cut. He does know that more competition at the position is likely to make the team better.

If Rod Stewart bought the Bills, I'd worry he'd relocate the franchise to a warmer place: "Oh the snow fell without a break Buffalo died in the frozen fields you know Through the coldest winter in almost fourteen years..."

Billy Sheehan of Talas for his Buffalo roots. Or Jimmy Page for the off chance he'd reunite Zeppelin for a halftime show.

After being disappointed by the OL play last season, I'm really hoping this draft produces 2 starters. All three of the OL draftees seem to have starter potential if they discipline themselves and learn what they need to learn.

I get that there's a lot of tradition behind the Redskins name and it was never meant to be pejorative in the first place. However, the National Council of American Indians, the Oneida Nation, the Navajo Nation, the Heart of America Indian Center, and other Indian organizations have condemned the name as offensive. Even Merriam-Webster defines "redskin" as a "usually offensive" word for an American Indian. If you were talking with a group of full-blooded American Indians would you say, "I think American Indians should..." or, "I think Redskins should..." Personally, I wouldn't refer to Indians as "Redskins" for fear of offending them. It's time for the name to be changed.

Even if the allegations were true, why would the court issue a restraining order? This makes no sense.

Thanks for the info about Jeffrey Miller's book. I'll have to check it out. There's something fascinating about the early, cowboy days of pro football.

Ken, good luck and have fun on Murph's show. Sadly, I haven't read your book yet though it is on my Amazon Wish List. As a pro football researcher, I think it would be cool if you expanded the topic and wrote a book on the history of professional football in Buffalo prior to Ralph Wilson. I'd buy that right away. For anyone wondering about KRC's book, you can learn more and order it here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Original-Buffalo-Bills-All-America/dp/0786446196/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400785096&sr=8-1&keywords=%22Original+Buffalo+Bills%22

The analysis provided in the article also shows that: "Historically quarterbacks start to hit their stride at 25..." EJ turned 24 in March.

I'd say it was the 1920s when the NFL was new and exciting - and players played for the love the game and not for riches - except I'm still upset about the Staley Swindle when the Buffalo All-Americans were cheated out of the NFL title. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1921_NFL_Championship_controversy

You're right. That's why Steve Largent never played in the NFL or was inducted in the Hall of Fame. Oh, wait... Largent was also clocked at 4.6 coming out of college and was once called "The Caucasian Clydesdale" be Lester "They Call Me Assassin" Hayes. Curiously, despite being slower than a 3 legged hippo, Largent averaged 23.5 yards on his 100 TD receptions. Holley's vertical, 3 cone drill and broad jump are all better than most the numbers posted by the WRs invited to the combine. He might not be fast but he is an athlete. http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2014/05/20/a-bit-more-on-wr-holley/ http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft/combine/_/id/1/sort/broad/order/true

I think the Bills have had a good draft and off-season in general. I was really glad we selected 3 OL in the draft - all with potential to be starters. Our offensive line needs to get better. The talents of good skill position players can be negated by bad line play. While I'm excited about Sammy Watkins, I do wonder if the price was too high. Using two first-round draft picks to acquire one first-round talent isn't a sound draft strategy. Apparently, though, Whaley thinks Watkins will be special as a pro. I hope he's right. A lot, obviously, is riding on EJ. If EJ plays well, our draft will look better because we'll earn some wins. I think the opinion that Whaley wants to win now is both right and wrong. Of course he wants to win this season. He should be fired if he doesn't. But Whaley is clearly thinking long term, surrounding EJ with a lot of young talent. Pollock is simply writing about his experience receiving a lot of negative commentary. None of it really matters. We fans typically don't know jack about the quality of a draft. Let's see what happens in the fall.

If the Fountain of Youth was relocated to Niagara Square, I'd choose Manning, Brady or Brees. But given their ages, I chose Andrew Luck though I was sorely tempted to go with Rodgers.

I voted that it's too soon to tell. Every year the pundits rate everyone's draft. And often even the most knowledgeable draft gurus will give out some low grades to what turns out to be great drafts and high grades to what turns out to be poor drafts. If the smartest draft gurus don't actually know, I won't pretend to know how Whaley did on this - his only - draft. But if I had to take a stand, I'd say I like that Whaley went out and aggressively pursued some good FAs who didn't break the bank. And while the trade for Watkins was awfully expensive, I like a GM who believes in his evaluations and will do what it takes to acquire difference makers. But I really need to see the product on the field before judging Whaley.

A nice article for a 22 year old college kid. OTAs and preseason will be interesting this year. A lot of guys are in tough competitions for starting positions and roster slots.

I know it's a highlight reel but, man, he looks like a starter.

This is a curious evaluation. I notice that they have Thad Lewis is rated over EJ. And Tony Moeaki is rated as an "Average Starter" same as Eric Wood. Also, we have 31 players that are average or better. Wouldn't that make the Bills a winning team?

I'll be a homer... OROY: Watkins DROY: Mack

I thought his illustrator career was just beginning.

I still think that only if Watkins turns into a perennial Pro Bowler, the trade was worth it. Otherwise, we spent two first round picks to acquire one first round talent. Very high price, indeed. But it's also obvious what Whaley is up to - build a team around EJ. Stevie is an odd talent who doesn't always run routes as designed. EJ didn't exhibit any chemistry with SJ while Watkins - with his RAC ability - is someone who will make EJ look good. If EJ, Watkins, Woods, Goodwin, etc all live up to their potential - and if Hackett can figure out how to use CJ correctly - this could be a very potent offense for years to come. I don't see Whaley working on a WIN NOW solution (perhaps worried about the ownership change). I see him collect a bunch of young guys who can, cross our fingers, win for several years. Welcome to the club!

Yep. Heard mixed things about him. I hope Pettine succeeds as HC but not sure he picked the right OC.