CBD

One knock on Mercilus will be that he's only had one year as a starter, this past season, at a pretty weak football program.

Except for that not being true. Troup had no back injury/issues during his college career or leading up to the draft. Troup's issues have all been after becoming a pro. Unfortunately they can't see into the future. Search for a poor medical evaluation on Troup leading up to the draft, it doesn't exist. Wouldn't he have missed a game at some point during his college career? Here's an example of a write up on Troup: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/1621669 If he had such chronic injuries wouldn't it be mentioned? It certainly is for Gronkowski: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/1244303

Prevents teams from throwing games for draft position.

Miami has a top 3 rush D in the NFL.

"Did you eat alot of paint chips as a kid?" "Hahaha...Why?"

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/21/bills-could-avoid-most-of-fitzpatricks-new-deal/

He'd have to move to OLB to fit the defense they've been bringing in players for.

Didn't someone compare RG3 to Andre Ware? It happens with White WRs also. Any White WR is either Wes Welker or Ed McCaffrey. Dwan Edwards, Nick Barnett, Kirk Morrison all were brought in by this front office. Drayton Florence was also resigned. Also Doug Whaley, a high ranking member in the Bills front office, is black. 13 of 18 draft choices by the current front office have been black, and also the first Chinese player drafted into the NFL was selected by them.

The Dad from Roseanne

Kelsay's missed 5 games due to injury. I know some comment about how bad he is is coming, but he was sorely missed in those games as there was a large dropoff between him and the Batten/Moats who replaced him.

Your most recent comparables for free agent WRs are Santonio Holmes (5 yrs $45.25M) or Sidney Rice (5 yrs $41M) from last offseason. I think on the open market he'll get 5 years at somewhere between $7M to $8.5M per year. So to pay an extra $1M-$2M for one season to retain him I think it's worth it.

Gaither got cut by the Chiefs after starting zero games for them. He was claimed on waivers by the Chargers, passed over by the Bills. I am unsure of his position on SDs depth chart, regardless he's never healthy and has had past attitude issues leading to his release in Baltimore. Urbik is an RFA, he'll be back on either the one year tender or resigned. He's been solid at RG and has shown an ability to play center in a pinch. I can't see them letting him go for awhile. At this point it is probably the only way you're keeping him, there's no way he doesn't test the open market and if he does that he's as good as gone. The way the tag is calculated has changed for next season and will be around $9.4M. Not terrible money for him on a one year contract.

Per Bills text http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/RT-Pears-signs-contract-extension/2d6c7088-35f1-4878-9a17-5d35a20e646b Video interview: http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Bills-Focus-Erik-Pears-1-on-1-on-New-Contract/b8dbb5f3-4310-475b-817a-89790cdd4a73

I believe the first tiebreaker is strength of schedule, the Bills tough division usually kills them in that regard.

Da Buffalo Beelz

there was an extra http on the links in the OP

I like Nolan, he's worked with Chan before and they can continue to grow into the 3-4.

Agreed, Troup didn't have the back issues until he was here, someone stated it on this board awhile ago and now it's become truth. There were no reports of any back issues prior to the draft. Gronkowski on the other hand had missed the entire 2009 season with back surgery and hadn't started working out until the January prior to the draft. There were also rumors of nerve damage that could affect his career. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/1244303 Obviously I'd look like a dummy trying to claim Troup as a better pick than Gronkowski, but Troup had been a fast rising player as the draft approached and had a 2nd to 3rd round grade according to some publications (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2010_DT).

I believe he's been starting at DE since Dareus moved inside to NT.

The contract only averages out to $8.8M per, which doesn't mean that he necessarily makes that much each year. Assuming this is right: http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3240/ryan-fitzpatrick He's only due $7.8M next year.

Moats has been out there on most pass rush situations and has provided jack squat.

There's no reason you can't keep Fitz and draft a QB. Allow them to compete in camp, if Fitz wins the job he can start as long as he deserves to. His contract isn't so huge to keep them from getting someone else, it's pretty average for a QB.

I don't mind small school guys so long as it's in the end rounds (6-7), which all three of those you listed were taken.

It's only 89% and it doesn't apply until 2013: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/30/per-team-spending-minimum-doesnt-apply-until-2013/ Even then, it's on a cash basis, not cap basis.

It's tough to tell if you're still tounge in cheek on this, but what do you consider a "big contract extension?" Kelsay's 5 year $28M contract, that he likely will never see the end of, pales in comparison to actual elite players such as Demarcus Ware (7 years $79M) or James Harrison (6 yrs $52M). So no, Kelsay is not elite (despite my vote to the contrary), nor is he being paid like an elite player (only $2M this season). http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/2278/player?r=1