R. Rich

Third down has become almost painful to watch w/ the Bills. If they can get someone to help provide a consistent pass rush w/ the 11th pick, even if the person is not an every down player, I'd be for it. They need more substance (center who can control the A gap and make good calls, linebacker that can wreak havoc, pass rushing DEs) than style (DBs, WRs, RBs, QBs).

They should have.

Remains to be seen, as it appears he's putting on weight now. Going by his measurables, you'd say 3-4 OLB, but Maybin has very little experience in the responsibilities of the OLB position. Both are being scouted as OLB prospects. What Maybin has going for him is an incredible first step. That is a special trait for a pass rusher. The size thing may hinder him or it may not, as DEs are now getting lighter in order to be quicker off the edge.

I hear ya. I get so tired of the almighty 40 times. The cone drills and short shuttle give you a better read on these guys, but the best way is still to see the guys in action. Game film is a great way to evaluate talent, which is why I try to watch as much college football as I can during the season so that I have some frame of reference 'round this time of year.

He's generally considered the 2nd best DT prospect in the draft. My guess is that he'll go somewhere in that vicinity. The Bucs have the 19th pick, and may be looking for a big guy like Jerry to bolster their front line. Then again, if Tampa looks for a DE instead of a DT, they may select LSU's Tyson Jackson and that could mean Jerry could fall to a team like New England @ 23, Atlanta @ 24, or even Indy @ 27.

They have Monroe tagged as the best LT prospect and have Smith going 10th to San Fran???? I like both, but esepcially after the combine, I'd have to say that not only does Smith have a slight edge, but also there's a very slight chance he'll be on the board that late.

You can't beat his post season production that's for sure.

It's all realitve though. I've heard that same argument in regard to guys like Jim Brown ("he'd never be that good today 'cause today's athletes are bigger and stronger"). The same way those big and strong guys train, so would Jim Brown. Or do you think that everything concerning him would be exactly the same yet everyone else would be "bigger and stronger"?

We'll discuss those first two......again........in a couple months.

Okoye had a nice rookie campaign, but struggled a bit last year. If the Texans do something 'bout their opposite DE (Weaver ain't the answer) and if they could ever get any decent play out of their other first round DT Travis Johnson, he may fare better. Ngata had a solid rookie year, but did come on afterward. Ellis didn't have a bad year. He started off slow, but by the end of the year, he justified 'Nawlins taking him so high. He definitely had a better season overall than did Mr Dorsey. Then again, Dorsey is in KC, which is a mess right now.

What's the difference?

I spoke w/ my niece the other day. She lives in the Clearwater Fla area, and she said that down there, the scientologists have their own bus system.

Anchor Bar has good wings, but I prefer Duff's (all flats). My wife loves their sweet potato fries, and I really like their beef on weck.

Interesting. The guy who just picked up a Super Bowl ring as a backup and has expressed a desire to go somewhere to compete for a starting job, will instead come to Buffalo to be a backup for a team that clearly is nowhere near as championship ready as the team he's currently on.

That's putting a lot of faith in the Bills' scouting department's ability to get the most value out of each and every draft pick. I wish I was as faithful. Really? He did pick three secondary players that year........out of nine picks. Since when is one third "virtually the entire draft"? It wasn't my draft, but it's a bit of hyperbole (shocking to come from you, William) to say it was a D back driven draft. To give a smidge of credit to the Bills (just a smidge), they did pick 2 D linemen (one who starts) and 3 O linemen (one starter) in that draft, plus one linebacker (a former starter). Hmmm........ten picks: 3 D backs. So, 30% of the draft (down 3% from Levy's "debacle" of a draft you spoke of earlier) is "the same"? I will grant you this: they only drafted one O lineman and one D lineman in '08. I'd rather the team hit the mark w/ their selections instead of making excuses as to why they aren't playing up to snuff, including Trent Edwards. I honestly hope, for your piece of mind, William, that they do not select a first round DB. It's tough to see one of my good friends suffering like this.

I have that also. A good friend of mine gave it to me as a Christmas gift. There's a small plaque underneath the piece of turf that reads, "A Piece Of History".

Those Boosters sound like a fun group. Maybe I'll check 'em out some day.

I made my reservations, @ Motel 6 in North Canton, weeks ago.

You're right; a first and third sound reasonable. We don't want to sound too ridiculous, huh?

Well, yeah. I mean, we have Fred Jackson. He's just 'bout as good as the 2nd best RB in football. We should be able to get @ least one first round pick for Marshawn, maybe even an additional 2nd round pick too.

That looked more like man w/ 2 safeties deep. Everyone was up in the box to rush, and Arizona wisely threw right over 'em to where the safeties were out of position to recover.

The personal foul for the helmet WAS called, and it (the non-call on Holmes' celebration) would've made a difference in field position, sure. But, how did that possession end for the Cards?

I just can't find the time to watch much football these days.

I think we've had this discussion before, William. He was an undersized DE, which means he was tailor made for a 3-4 team as an edge rusher. I told my brother when I watched Woodley return a Brady Quinn fumble for a score as his Michgan team beat Quinn's "that school" team in college, "he's a future Steeler: a smallish DE w/ tons of athleticism". BTW, I still have that play from the Michigan-"that school" game on my tivo. I love Tom Hammonds' call afterward: "As we say in the South....this is a whoopin'!" It sure was.

Akron wasn't bad. We stayed there when we went for Thurm's enshrinement. Short driving distance and we got a good rate for our room. I wish I knew where you guys were getting a rate cheaper than the $51.99 I got for the first couple nights. I got a $45.99 rate for Sunday, but just for Sunday.