hondo in seattle

Only about 50% of 1st round QBs become solid starters in the NFL. I would guess that this year the odds are longer. None of these guys seems like a sure-fire hit. Do we really want to spend #3 on a 3 to 1 long shot? And then spend 3-4 years fooling around with the guy because we want to give him every chance in the world because he's a #3? I realize most franchise QBs are picked early but this is not the year to go QB at #3.

Why do you say he's two years away? Poor footwork? Bad mechanics? Can't read defenses? Immature? Unless you defend your opinion, it's meaningless.

Obviously any coach - or fan - wants accuracy and good decision making. I think the news here is that Chan did not say anything about mobility. Some coaches are thinking the Vick model is the wave of the future. Chan's apparently not on that bandwagon - if we can believe what he's currently saying and this isn't just part of the Bills deception plan.

Just a little fun On April One Should have disguised it better

I think there have been some interesting hints from Nix-Gailey regards draft philosophy. First of all, they talk about “risk-reward.” Obviously someone like Cam Newton offers a big reward but at a big risk. Unfortunately, there are no “can’t-miss” QBs in this draft. As Nix says, this might be his only chance to draft as high as Number 3. I don’t think he’s going to gamble on a QB when there are some “can’t miss” defensive linemen available. Nix-Gailey also talk about evaluating how much the draft pick would be an upgrade over the current starter. We know that Gailey thinks Fitz is a serviceable QB. Our defensive line is abysmal. Again, it seems that they would lean toward a defensive pick at #3 because we'd achieve greater upgrade there. I think the Bills will take a QB in this draft, but in the later rounds. And I have a preference. A little-heralded kid named Brady Thomas who didn’t put up amazing numbers but has a lot of upside I think. As a late rounder, he’s low risk. Here’s the scouting report: Positives: Good height to see the field. Very poised and composed. Smart and alert. Can read coverages. Good accuracy and touch. Produces in big spots and in big games. Has some Brian Griese in him and is a gamer. Generally plays within himself. Team leader. Negatives: Poor build. Very skinny and narrow. Ended the season weighing 195 pounds and still looks like a rail at 211. Looks a little frail and lacks great physical stature and strength. Can get pushed down more easily than you'd like. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm. Can't drive the ball down the field and does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if he must ad-lib and do things on his own. Summary: Is not what you're looking for in terms of physical stature, strength, arm strength and mobility, but he has the intangibles and production and showed great Griese-like improvement as a senior. Could make it in the right system but will not be for everyone. The negatives sound a little worrisome but nothing a year in the weight room as a back-up wouldn’t cure. I’ve seen the guy play and would love him in a Bills uniform.

Three out of four simulations have us taking K.J. Wright in the 3rd. Two out of four have us nabbing Mallet in the 2nd. My grandmother's maiden name was McElroy. Wonder if I'm related to the "smart, midround QB" in simulation #2. ????

So you wouldn't want Brady or Manning as our QB? They signed the filing. Just asking.

5.4 is inebriated 3-legged hippo slow. Not only do I wonder about his ability to escape the rush, but how hard he prepared for the combine. If he just jogged three times per week, he'd be faster than 5.4. What kind of work ethic does he have???

I'm sure I couldn't come up with a projected draft as probable as this one. Yet, I can't help but comment that I think it's unlikely that the Bills will wait until the 5th Round to draft a defensive lineman. This is a good year for DEs and there will be good options available in Rds 2-4. Considering the Bills poor run defense and lack of pass rush, I got to imagine they'll take a DE earlier than Rd 5.

Hard to consider Cousineau a draft bust when we traded him and ended up with Kelly. And Terry Miller wasn't a traditional draft bust. We didn't do a poor job evaluating this guy's pro potential. He was a beast in college and looked like he'd become a star in the NFL when he rushed for 1000+ yards at 4.5 ypc his rookie year with the Bills. But as I recall, he then developed some wierd disease and lost his peripheral vision. Still a great athlete, he couldn't see his way around the field and his career was pretty much done.

I'm not sad to see Brohm go. But I do think it's curious we once cut Brown and kept Brohm. Now we cut Brohm and keep Brown. What changed?

I guess better than football. He's 12-0, winning most by KO/TKO - though he's never fought anyone any good. All but one of his opponents have losing records. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=215380&cat=boxer

As I recall, Larsen did 45 reps at the combine and maybe 50/51 once in college... Then became a boxer after failing with the Bills.

I've never bought the old saw that Defense wins games. Let's make it into a logical argument: Defense wins games. My Offense will overpower your Defense so your defense won't win the game. Therefore Offense wins games. It's best to see a game as three battles: Our O against their D. Our D against their O. Our ST versus their ST. Ideally we need to win all three contests. If we win but two, we probably win the game.

According to STATS Inc's "New York Life Protection Index," the Bills are the 20th best at protecting the QB. This is a new stat so we can't compare our showing to last year but clearly an improvement. http://newyorklife.stats.com/fb/protection.asp?type=overall

If we had a good O Line, Trent would be my choice at QB. He's accurate and plays well when he has time and can get into a rhythm. But we all know our line sucks. Given this, Fitz may indeed be the better option. But he's no savior. Dree Brees would have trouble producing many points behind this line. The only thing that can save this season is the O Line starting to mature and gel.

I realize that Donte isn't as good as we would hope from his draft position. But he plays hard and is loyal to the Bills organization. This guy isn't just a Bills player, he's a Bills fan. And I'm glad he's confident and willing to show it. If Donte came in as an undrafted FA, I think he'd more popular here.

Webster, I'm with you brother 100%! Couldn't be more pumped. New offensive scheme. New defensive scheme. New coaches (love Chan so far). A new TE??? I'm super excited. Go Bills! Squish the fish!

I think 9 or 10 wins are possible if the stars all align, but I'm predicting 7. I do think the Bills will be much better than last year. But the schedule works against a much better record. I'm also especially worried about the O Line. The starting 5 aren't impressive, I expect Gailey to scheme and play-call in a way to hide some of their deficiencies. O Line injuries, however, could put us in world of hurt.

John, I will grant you "expert" status IF you change this to, say, 11-5. (I want to someone, anyone, from the media to show the Bills some love).

Die Hard, Sorry to see you go. And thanks for the blood, sweat and tears you gave to the Bills. Although there are good people, players and fans elsewhere, I have no trouble talking trash about Miami, NY, or NE. Football is war, after all. But I don't understand us attacking our own Bills players or fans. The only justification for attacking a Bills player is that he quit in his heart but still suits up. We may wish TE, Maybin, Whitner or whoever were more talented, but they aren't. I wish I was as talented as them and could contribute to the Bills organization in whatever humble capacity. But since I'm not good enough and too old to play, I'll root for anyone who wears a Buffalo on his helmet. I'm a Bills fan through and through and wish well for anyone who has ever fought on the gridiron for a Bills victory. So good luck to you, Die Hard. Hope you change your mind.

Not sure why you respond to optimism with hostility. While I understand your pessimism, I politely disagree. First there is the empirical evidence. Last year, the first string offense produced just 3 points in 4 preseason games with TE at the helm. This year the first string offense has been scoring and moving the ball down the field with some proficiency. Then there is the coaching. Last season, AVP tried to perform the duties of Off Coordinator and QB Coach. He was clearly under-prepared and over-whelmed by the challenge. Gailey and his staff will give TE a far better game plan and have him far better prepared. Finally there is the O Line. Your concerns are warranted. But the line should at least be better than last year. Bell, Wood and Levitre will all likely be better in their 2nd year as starters. And, at least for now, the O Line is healthy. (Cross my fingers). Even a child can find good reason to be hopeful for an improved TE and Bills offense.

Just speculation... but I wouldn't envision Edwards being on the field. Just as the QB is usually off the field in the Wildcat, I imagine Chan putting the three RBs on the field without a traditional QB. Maybe Freddie under center or CJ in the shotgun. People didn't think the Wildcat would work in the NFL because it makes the intention to run too obvious. Yet it has had some success, partly because teams didn't practice or scheme for it. And it gives the offense an extra blocker (QBs are useless on running plays). The triple option also provides an extra blocker as well as opportunities for misdirection. I'm not actually saying it's a good idea. I do think the possibilities are intriguing and some of Chan's comments make me wonder what his intentions are.

Chan says he may put Freddie, Marshawn and CJ in the backfield at the same time. "We don't know how that's going to shake out yet. We've got the luxury of three pretty good backs. They may all be in there at the same time, you never know." Is Chan just toying with us? Or will the Bills occassionally run some variation of the triple option? Can you imagine CJ in the QB position in the shotgun formation with Jackson and Lynch to hand off to? A creative mind like Gailey's might love to play around with something like this. Having three legit running threats to simultaneously worry about could give a defense fits... if the plays are designed and executed right. After Miami's success with the Wildcat, Chan must be tempted with the possibilities.