mjt328

If we go WR at #8, it better be Tavon Austin. Patterson's best attribute is his gamebreaking ability after the catch, and I would venture to say that Austin is better in that area. Not to mention that Austin is a better route runner, has better hands and he has more than a season worth of production. In my opinion, the WR class is loaded with Day 2 talent that may also be better than Patterson. There is a great chance that guys like Robert Woods, DeAndre Hopkins or Justin Hunter (who was the #1 receiver at Tennessee, not Patterson) will be available.

If you count the top 3 rounds, Nix has used 3 of his 9 draft picks on cornerbacks (Williams, Gilmore, Brooks). On top of that, our roster still has a former first rounder from the last regime (McKelvin). We've used plenty of resources on that position. Time to focus our attention to some areas.

Your memory on Brees is terrible. He was drafted in 2001 and barely took a snap his rookie season. Doug Flutie was the starter all year. His first full year starting was 2002, and by most accounts he was very solid. His only bad season was in 2003, and San Diego decided that quick it was time to move on. They drafted Rivers. The next year he made the Pro Bowl, and he's been amazing ever since.

I agree with this. It's one thing to make the mistake of drafting/signing the wrong player in the first place. But if a guy doesn't look like the answer immediately (especially at quarterback), it certainly can't hurt adding some competition to the mix.

If we EVER want to compete for a Super Bowl, our expectations need to be much higher than this. Enough with the excuses. Either a guy has an eye for talent, or he's throwing darts at a wall. Over the last 3 years, Nix has bypassed (several times) Pro Bowl talent at need positions. He's bypassed (several times) solid starters at need positions. And almost every player he's taken has either underperformed badly or been a complete and utter bust. It's not just that he passed on Dalton and Kaepernick, when we desperately needed a quarterback. It's that he pounced on Aaron Williams instead, then boasted that he was a guy who "fell" out of the first round. Nix thought he got a steal. But the majority of reports I read that day said that Williams dropped because MOST teams saw him as a safety in the pros. Nix thought he knew better. But after two horrible seasons at cornerback, Williams looks like a player better suited for...(drum roll)...safety. Same thing last year. Passing on Wilson was one thing. But passing on him for TJ Graham was quite another. Most of the experts said we reached for a speed guy with poor route running skills and bad hands - who may have still been available 1-2 rounds later. Nix thought he knew better. After an unimpressive rookie season, Graham looks EXACTLY like how the rest of the league had him pegged. Bottom line, the GM's job duties include: 1) Hiring Head Coaches 2) Adding Talent 3) Managing the Salary Cap >> Nix's first head coaching choice was a complete bust. >> When Nix arrived, we had major holes at roughly 11 of 22 starting spots (QB, WR2, TE, LT, RT, C, LE, RE, DT, SLB, CB). Now entering his fourth draft, we still have holes at roughly 8 of 22 starting spots (QB, WR2, LG, RE, MLB, WLB, CB, SS). At that rate, we may be competitive by 2017 or 2018. >> Even after cutting 4 veteran starters (Fitz, Barnett, McGee, Wilson), watching a couple retire (Kelsay, Merriman) and letting Levitre walk, we still don't have enough money to be players in free agency. He's done a terrible job of managing the cap.

Most of the qualities that QBs are judged on (arm strength, accuracy, athletic ability, pocket presence, field vision, decision making) take place before the receiver actually catches the ball. Having a spectacular receiver may slant statistics - but it's a lot harder to fool game film.

Exactly. We lose on the salary cap this year, but it helps us out tremendously for next year. This team is clearly rebuilding and we've already seen over the last 3-4 years exactly what Fitz is capable of. It's not good enough.

Actually, I think it's a pretty good argument. The main reason people are saying NOT to draft Smith, is because they claim he is a "poor prospect" compared to other draft classes. They keep saying "wait until next year and we can draft somebody better." But that's a load of bull. As a quarterback prospect, we aren't going to have a better player fall into our laps, UNLESS we bottom out and end up with the #1 pick during the right season (like the Colts last year) or trade our whole franchise to move up (like the Skins last year). In my opinion, this is the PERFECT year to draft a quarterback high - because we really aren't missing out on any elite prospects at other positions by doing so. Patterson isn't in the same ballpark as AJ Green, Julio Jones or even Justin Blackmon. If we pass on him, we can probably still get a player like Justin Hunter, De'Andre Hopkins, Da'Rick Rogers or Robert Woods in the second. Your argument about Geno Smith "making the team a contender almost by himself" is laughable. Do you feel like Patterson, Lane Johnson, Warmack or one of the other prospects getting thrown around here - would be able to make the team contenders by themselves? Obviously not. There are only a few players in the league like that (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees) and they are ALL quarterbacks.

Why does everyone think it's a good thing for us to get the HC, OC and QB all from the same college squad?

All of the quarterbacks are not equally bad. Geno Smith would be a Top 10 pick in most years. > Last year he would have gone after RGIII, but likely before Tannehill > In 2011, he would have probably gone after Cam Newton, but before Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder > In 2010, he would have gone after Sam Bradford, but before Tim Tebow or Jimmy Clausen > In 2009, he would have gone after Stafford and probably would have pushed Sanchez for the next QB off the board. > In 2008, he probably would be taken after Matt Ryan, but before Joe Flacco. Unless we completely bottom out (less than 3 wins) or trade up one of these years, drafting a quarterback rated as high as Geno Smith is the best we can EVER hope for.

The crazy numbers slot receivers are currently putting up is a relatively new phenomenon in the NFL. In my opinion, players like Welker, Amendola and Cruz are not worth anywhere near the money they are going to be asking for. Statistically speaking, Cruz may be the number one receiver on the Giants. But the real difference maker is Hakeem Nicks. He draws the double coverage downfield, while Cruz takes advantage of mismatches (against linebackers and safeties) underneath. We would be better off spending big money on a top outside receiver - maybe Greg Jennings or Dwayne Bowe.

This is what I keep saying. Just because this year's group doesn't have a "can't miss" prospect (like Luck or RGIII), doesn't mean that we can't get a very good quarterback that sets this franchise on the right path. Recent first round draftees like Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco had big question marks coming out of college. There were lots of experts that felt those guys shouldn't be Top 10 picks. But they have all worked out pretty good. Guys like Luck and RGIII come around every 10-15 years. And the chances of being in the position to draft one - that's almost like winning the lottery. We can't keep waiting around for the right QB to fall in our lap.

Studies on the NFL draft have proven that scouts and media experts actually do a pretty good job of identifying talent. Of course, we always hear stories about guys like Tom Brady, Arian Foster and James Harrison (players who were bypassed and became big stars) - but those guys are very rare. Make a list of the all-stars and impact players of the league. The vast majority of them were taken in the top half of the first round. I read that something like 75-80 percent of NFL starters are drafted before the 5th Round.

I doubt very highly that Buffalo will be able to re-sign Levitre. The franchise tag is going to Byrd and we don't have the cap room to pay a lot for a guard. So... Don't be surprised if we grab a mid-level guy in free agency or draft somebody in the mid-rounds to take his place.

This is a dumb post. Since free agency/draft haven't EVEN STARTED yet - there is no way to determine what our roster will look like in September.

I agree completely. Based on physical talent, I think Randy Moss had the potential to be THE greatest receiver that ever played - and yes - that includes Jerry Rice. I don't think there has ever been an NFL player with that combination of speed, hands, height and jumping ability. It's a real shame that he was such a selfish and lazy player on the field. He was always known for taking plays off (and when in Oakland and Tennessee, full seasons off) and pouting when he didn't get the ball. He was also a wuss going over the middle and could be taken out of games by hitting him early. Imagine what he could have accomplished with a better attitude...

Don't forget the two Washington Redskins at the top of that list. Chris Samuels was a 6-time Pro Bowler, and LaVar Arrington was one of the best linebackers in football (until injuries ruined his career of course). Corey Simon was a pretty solid tackle for the Eagles, and Thomas Jones was an effective starter for quite a few years in the NFL.

Jesus told his followers to tell everyone about him and God's plan for salvation. A Christian that keeps their faith "personal" is basically ignoring this command. Tebow and Lewis are simply following one of the basic principles of the Christian faith. On a side note.... as a Christian myself, I know how God has changed my life for the better. I can't help but look around at the world and not be reminded of how awesome he is, and how much he did for me. When a person comes to that realization, they can't help but get excited and passionate about God. I mean, we all get excited when the Bills score a touchdown - and they've never a done thing for me except steal my time and money. With that said... anybody who believes God decides the winner and loser of football games is nuts.

If I recall correctly, most Bills fans were very disappointed with the Chan Gailey hire. I know that I was. Especially with all the talk about Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Mary Schottenheimer, and Buffalo going all out on $$$$$ for a coach. I think expectations were a lot more realistic this time around. I mean, the biggest complaints are currently coming from people who wanted Lovie Smith instead. The only time I was truly upset and just KNEW the coach was going to fail, was when he hired Dick Jauron. He had already gotten quite some time to prove himself in the NFL and was a proven failure. His biggest supporters could only point to ONE successful season during his stint with the Lions. Gregg Williams and Mike Mularkey were up-and-coming coordinators who were likely to get a chance with someone.

Going into the 2012 season, I was convinced our personnel was a better fit for the 4-3. However in retrospect: > Mario Williams was having his best season in 2011 as a 3-4 OLB before injury. > Marcel Dareus played MUCH better as a rookie in 2011 in the 3-4. This year he digressed. > Kyle Williams had his best year in 2010 - as the nose tackle in our 3-4. As far as the linebackers, they all played TERRIBLE this season in the 4-3. On top of that, both Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard are typical as 3-4 linebackers, and were really playing out of position this year.

Doug Marrone When I first heard him announced as coach, I'll admit that I was a little disappointed. But then again, I'm not exactly familiar with Syracuse's football program... so it's really not fair to criticize. As the days have gone by, I've gotten more excited about the hire. Marrone was a top candidate for most of the teams searching for a head coach. He's got glowing recommendations from his former co-workers, bosses and players. On top of that, his style is just what I would look for in a coach. He's aggressive and apparently a tireless worker. He pays attention to details and is willing to delegate responsiblity to his staff. He's inexperienced, but so what? Our choices were either hiring someone who hadn't been a head coach before, or hiring someone that failed and was fired from his previous HC job. Nathanial Hackett This one concerns me. With a first time head coach on the sidelines, I was really hoping for some experience at the coordinator positions - especially in his first year. I'm even more worried that Hackett comes from Syracuse too - and that people are now talking about us taking Ryan Nassib in the draft. What happens when an NFL defense throws something at us that they didn't see in the Big East? There is nobody to consult. Getting a college coach from Syracuse to work out is one thing. But expecting (basically) the entire Syracuse offense to be successful in the NFL... that's quite another. If they liked Hackett that much, I think they should have nabbed him as a position coach and groomed him to take over the job from someone with more experience. Mike Pettine Wow. You can't get a much better resume than this. Over the last decade, he's been a defensive coach for the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets. Very few people doubt the talent and potential of our defense. Mario Williams, Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams, Stephon Gilmore, Jairus Byrd. We all know that Wannstedt wasted that potential with his laid back scheme, which exposed our weakness at linebacker. Pettine has recent success and should have no problem getting the most out of our defensive players with his aggressive blitzing.

Exactly. Guys like Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck are mobile and extremely dangerous on the ground, but they are smart enough to get out of bounds or slide instead of fighting for yards. I hope Griffin wisens up, because if he doesn't - he may jeopardize a promising future.

Every time another team's quarterback plays bad on network television, we have to hear how that quarterback is no better than Fitz. Dalton is far more accurate and makes way less mistakes than Fitzpatrick. And being only in his 2nd year, he's clearly got a bright future. We've already seen the ceiling for Fitz.

I have no problem hiring a retread (somebody that was fired by another team), as long as they haven't already proven to be a failure as an NFL Head Coach. Otherwise I want to give somebody new a shot. For example: > Ken Whisenhunt has been a head coach 6 years. His overall record is 45-51 and the best regular season his team had was 10-6. He's had plenty of time to assert himself as a good coach and those results just aren't good enough. People point out that he brought Arizona to the Super Bowl, but (like Jauron's one good season with the Bears) that seems to be more of an abberation. > Lovie Smith has been a head coach for 9 years. His overall record is 81-63. Playing in a much tougher division, the Bears have been in double digit wins 4 times during his run there. And outside of his first year with Chicago, he's never dropped below 7 wins. Smith isn't in ideal choice, but he's clearly a better option than Whisenhunt.

I was thinking about starting a thread on the same topic. It's very interesting. Years ago, college style offenses would have never worked in the NFL. Today, you have the spread having huge success with most of the league's high powered offenses. This year, the read-option started taking off with Washington and Seattle. Even the wild cat seems to be sticking around. Players without much experience under center or in traditional pro-style offenses - Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, RGIII, Russell Wilson - are having quick transitions to the NFL and are proving to be successful. It definitely makes me more optimistic about the idea of landing someone like Chip Kelly. In the past it would have been a terrible idea to consider someone without ANY experience on an NFL sideline. With the changes mentioned above, this might actually put Buffalo at the forefront of a new movement in the NFL.