2003Contenders

Pass on Huard. The last time he started a game in Buffalo, it led to his coach, Jimmy Johnson, afterward crying, "They kicked our ass!"

In the old days, I think it was Butler, largely because Berman was always such a friend to the Bills. TD was less inclined to share his thoughts with Berman -- but occasionally would throw his buddy Mort a bone. It was, in fact, Mort who reported the McGahee surprise pick. You are right that Berman did refer to the Whitner pick as a curveball -- but he failed to actually identify the pick ahead of time. Looking back, predicting a curveball wasn't such a huge prediction. The first 6-7 picks that year pretty well went true to form. There was no consensus pick at 8, although many pundits had us taking Ngata.

Agreed. We have to trust the powers that be at OBD -- and the information that they have taken in from the scouts. They have already gone on the record saying that they will not reach for a player at #11. Thus, if they take a receiver (Thomas or whomever) we have to take it on good faith that they had him rated higher than some of the other players we have all been clamoring for in that spot. Based on what Modrak said last week (and he usually is NOT one to spread misinformation), and assuming no one like Gholston unexpectedly drops, I suspect that the Bills will take McKelvin if he is there at 11. If he's not there, who knows? Of course, Modrak's saying that McKelvin was a top 10 player probably is an indication that he expects him to be drafted before 11.

It does remind me a bit of what happened last year. Remember that Lych was ranked by most as, like, the #17 or so pick overall -- and some pundits (like McShay) mocked the Bills for "reaching" for him at 12. If the Bills really do like Thomas that much, even if he is ranked #16-20 by the "experts" -- I REALLY do not see taking him at #11 as that much of a reach.

Interesting that he ranks Harvey so highly.

Even if OBD were serious about trading for Chad, I seriously doubt that it would take more than a 2nd rounder to get him -- and maybe not even that much, given the bridges he is starting to burn.

Your memory serves you correctly, Simon. It was indeed the elder Boston who refused to throw the flag on that infamous play. Say, we're looking for a big, physical WR... LOL... Just kidding.

The way I see it, barring something really crazy happening, the following 7 players are definitely coming off the board before our pick (in whatever order): J Long, G Dorsey, V Gholston, C Long, S Ellis, D McFadden, M Ryan. That would mean that only 3 other players will come off the board, meaning that the Bills probably have their next 4 rated to ensure that they don't reach at that position. Of course, none of us know what kind of draft grades they have assigned to players, so it is only our own best guess how they have them ranked. Modrak admitted that McKelvin was a top 10 player, so he obviously would appear on that last of 4. The question is: who are the other 3? I would submit, perhaps Rivers, Albert, and Harvey are the other three.

I believe that Trent's mature demeanor would allow for him to handle a competition (granted, one tilted in his own favor) from JP for the starting job. So I wish people would stop whining about how a competition somehow compromises his position as a leader for this team. The Brady/Manning argument is just silly. Of course, these guys also have to play at their peak level to fend off competitors for their starting job. It's just that they are so good that no other competitor ever gets close. JP has skills, but I just don't believe that he is ever going to be consistent enough over the long haul to be a good starting QB in the NFL. Obviously, there isn't a high demand for him around the league, and if he does leave, he won't be finding a starting gig elsewhere either. The sooner he comes to peace with his destiny, the sooner he will realize that there is a place for him with the Bills -- and that he can make plenty of money (some of the top backups are making $3 M per year now), keep his nice house -- and even become a fan favorite. After all, Frank Reich (and to a certain extent AVP) remain beloved figures in Buffalo.

The problem is that we have enough needs where we really can't afford to be giving 2nd round picks away.

'Tis true. The slow 40 time is actually good news, as it means that it will cost less to get him. The funny thing is that it is probably his childish outburst that cost him more than the slow 40 time. And that may even knock him off the Bills' radar altogether.

All four of the SBs hurt, but (for me) the one that hurt the most was XXVII (the first one against Dallas). I really thought we were a team of destiny that year after The Comeback and cleaning up on the road against the Steelers and Dolphins. The game itself was unwatchable with all of the turnovers, Kelly getting hurt -- and the ridiculous final score. That game was really an embarrassment.

Here's a funny thought. What if Kelly does actually run a superb 40 time, like, say, in the 4.4 range. He MAY not even be there at #11 in that scenario. Not saying I would panic about that, though. If he goes before #11 then someone else will fall to us at 11.

Agreed. He seems to fit the Bills MO: good character, highly productive college player and a not-so-flashy sort. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised if they took him EVEN if Harvey were still on the board.

Picking DRC at #11 does not fit the Bills' recent MO, given his relative lack of production. This regime seems to be more impressed with players who have produced quite a bit at the college level. DRC's stock didn't shine until the week of the Senior Bowl.

Actually, that does not appear to be the way it down. According to Marv, the Bills had both Poz and David Harris ranked ahead of Willis. Marv can be coy, but it isn't like him to outright lie. Also, Chris Brown, who was in the war room, said that the 49ers tried to talk the Bills into moving up one spot if they were interested in Willis. The Bills said thanks but no thanks and chuckled when the 49ers drafted Willis themselves. Now, we can argue all we want about whether or not the front office was correct in their assessments. After all, Willis was indeed a beast as a rookie last season. However, based on what we have heard from reliable sources, it does not appear that the Bills would have drafted Patrick Willis at #12 if he has still been there.

The Bills were right to look elsewhere. The bottom line is that a 1-year deal means exactly that -- a 1-year deal. Either Johnson sucks and we don't want him back for a longer term -- or he plays well, becomes a free agent again -- and signs to the highest bidder. The team is looking for continuity.

Well, he did have to pee the first time, you know.

Maybe he saw "The Comeback Game" on the NFL Network last night and realized that being Frank Reich isn't such a bad thing.

Can he play Center?

Actually that is who PFW compared him to in their Pre-Draft write-up last year. They had him rated the highest of any of the publications (3rd behind Russell and Quinn) and suggested that he could be a fantastic pro QB in a Mike Martz-type offense.

Actually with Manningham's improved 40-time, he could go in the 1st as well.

Or, they could just do as they have done in the past two years. Assuming they do not have a WR ranked as high as #11, draft the player at a different position that they like there -- and then trade up from 41 to get one of the WRs. As a matter of fact, unless they REALLY, REALLY love one of the WRs enough to take him at 11 that is what I expect them to do.

According to this report Hackett should be deciding between the Panthers and Seahawks today. I guess the Bills FO had no interest in him...

Interesting... Somehow I just have a feeling that Marv and the gang are not focusing much on AP anyway.