Cheddar's Dad

Up until recent years, there has been a theory prevalent among those who stock talent for NFL teams, that you don't need to draft guards high. The Redskins, years ago, drafted tackles and converted them to guards. San Jose has been one of those who have hung on to that theory even though that theory seems to be held by fewer GMs. For example; in 2007, only 1 guard was taken in the first round. No guards were taken in 08 and 09. In 2010, one guard, Mike Iupati was selected with the 17th pick. In 2012, two guards were selected, Kevin zeitler (#27) and David deCastro (#24). Last year three guards were selected, Johnathon Cooper (#7), Chance warmack (#10), and Kyle long (25). Note that last year, not only were three guards selected, they were selected earlier in the first round. It is for that reason that this year's pro bowl guards feature only one first rounder, a statistical quirk that will change in future years, in my opinion, as more GMs select more first round guards. There is a difference between guard and tackle. GMs look for tackles that are tall players with long arms and good footwork, not necessarily brutishly strong, except perhaps at the RT position where 1st. rd. rookie Fluker is getting a lot of attention. Guards need to be strong, shorter for drive blocking, quick and fast. Those types are hard to find and need to be selected early in my opinion. Now for the Bills. The OP asks for a great deal and I cannot provide details for all that he asks. I have no stats on the current 40 yard sprints, upper and lower body strengths etc. of Buffalo's guards. I do watch the Bills and read as much as I can about the team. One of the sites that I visit is WGR55.COM where Joe Buscaglia posts articles after each game. Buscaglia has referred to Legurski, Urbik, and Pears, in post game player comments, as his LVP (least valuable player) on a number of occasions. In a recent article, Five Bills Under Contract To Keep An Eye On, Buscaglia refers to Pears as "an aging and declining player that the Bills are likely to replace". Regarding guards, "the Bills are looking to upgrade at guard quite possibly at both the left and right side". I recall Marrone saying that the Bills need more push from their guards and that neither Legursky or Urbik is capable of pulling. If you have watched the Bills' O-line play, you're likely thinking that the above descriptions are about what you've been seeing. There has been a lot of talk since the playoffs started that a team in the playoffs needs to elevate it's intensity and toughness. The 49er O-line is the one that I like as a playoff line to duplicate. They are intense and they are tough. It is a line featuring a first round selected OT and first round selected guard.

So, lets get EJ a big target because he can't hit small targets? An interesting theory. But what if EJ's accuracy improves as does most every QB in his 2nd and 3rd year, and Watkins turns out to be so much better than that tall smuck that Johnny Football made famous. Could happen. 2nd and 3rd year improvements by players is something a lot of fans fail to anticipate and having Watkins, Marquise Goodwin, and T.J. Graham lose in an opponant's secondary is a delightful thought. Speed does kill. We can always draft a basket ball center in the 7th. Still, I want those O-line holes filled.

Just watched Donnie Avery score a 79 yd TD for K.C. Watkins is 2 inches taller and 5 lbs. heavier than Avery.

Just watched T.Y. Hilton score a red zone TD. Watkins is 4 inches taller and 27 lbs heavier than Hilton. Just curious, that tall kid that playes with Johnny Football; is it possible that he gets open more so because Johnny brings DBs up and off of coverage, rather than his own skill level????

Keep watching all of the pre draft chatter. Watkins has been considered the best WR in the 2014 class for some time and that is not likely to change. You are so transfixed on that big guy as the guy you absolutely want that you are unable to see that Watkins is the best. Part of the problem is that so much has been said about needing that big guy in the red zone that some people forget that there are more than a few ways to score in the red zone. Give the Bills that dominant 0-line and watch them power-drive the ball in. That is something the Bills haven't been able to do in years and that ability is way overdue.

I don't hate Antonio Richardson. I just don't thing he should be ranked with the best O-linemen in the upcoming draft. As a point of reference, NFL Draft Scout ranks Richardson as the 51st player which puts him at the bottom of round two. I think chances are good he goes in the 3rd. Who are O-linemen that should be there late in the 1st or early in the 2nd? Travis Swanson, Arkansas, Gabe Jackson, Miss. St., Yankey, Stanford.

I have an idea. Lets put talk about drafting Clinton-Dix on the shelf until we know that we can't resign Byrd.

Would Khalil Mack be the "off the wall" selection you speak of? Amazing how soon some have forgotten about him. Good morning San Jose. I see you're up early pumping your smaller is better theory.

Watkins is 6'1", 205 LBS., not exactly small. He could fall to #9 just like Tavon Austin fell to us at #8 last year. Someone may want to trade up to 9 and get him just like last year with Austin. Good for us. We make that trade and get more picks.

Cyril Richardson will not make it to round two. I have nightmares that a number of really dumb GMs pass on him and he falls to Beilcheat near the end of rd.1 Have you ever seem Antonio Richardson play or is he a name you plucked off of some draftnick's board. You may not want to pick OTs early but several GMs in the league always do in every draft. That's the difference between a guy who is paid to select players, in fact, his job depends on selecting good players, and the guy who watches TV from his easy chair while snacking on beer and chips.

Before you start scheming, remember; 1. Haiston has been out a whole year with an undisclosed illness. We have no indication that he's coming back. 2. Manzel is likely gone to Cleveland who has scouted him extensively. 3. Lewan has short arms but could make a nice RT in the pros. I like his meaness. 4. You need a trading partner to make a trade. One player that could be there at 9, and lusted after by some team that picks after us is WR Sammy Watkins from Clemson. Watch him tonight. 5. I live in Tennessee, have watched a lot of Vols games, and Antonio Richardson has never stood out to me. I have no idea why some think he's a high draft pick. Is it possible you're thinking of Cyril Richardson, the 340 LB guard from Baylor?? That Richardson has been called the best offensive lineman in the country. Although Baylor lost to Central Florida, I watched Richardson and was impressed by his stength and quickness. In my dreams I see him along side 345 LB Cordy Glenn mauling defensive lines. Another player that has impressed me is Zack Martin, the LT from Notre Dame. Martin would make an excellent RT for us.

It's just a hypothetical, Chris, intended to show that size is a factor to be considered when drafting players.

You want the best linebacker? Can't argue with that. But I'll bet size in and of itself does mean something to you if I express it this way; lets assume there are two linebackers out there with the exact same abilities and instincts. One is 6'2", 233lbs. The other is 6'3", 245. Which one would you take??? Would'nt you agree that size, in this case, makes the bigger LB the better LB for your team?

If you watch the Patriots, you'll see that they use mobile linemen, those that can trap and pull, to get 3 linemen at the point of attack against two defenders and they teach those linemen to keep their legs moving after contact. They also teach their backs to keep driving. It looks like a mauling and it is. Pittsburg, in fact, did the same to Buffalo. Buffalo, on the other hand employed guards that do not have the quickness or speed to pull and trap. Our LG didn't even have the ability to anchor against a bull rush. Both must be replaced. Regarding defending against the Patriot's tactics, Buffalo's D-linemen must do a better job of disengaging so that they can get to the point of attack to even the body count and stiffen against the Patriots drive tactics.. They must play the run first on first and second instead of always trying to get the sack. It's really not a case of Buffalo not having run stuffers as much as a case of tactics, scheme, and attitude.

Where have you been San Jose? Out drinking with that Bandit fellow?? Regarding player weights, many sites still carry college or rookie stats even though a player may be a thrid year pro.. You really need to search to find current weights. Mosely is an exceptional player and maybe he can gain some weight without losing speed and agility. Or maybe he can't and a few extra pounds can help a LB fend off interference and get to that RB or QB. Additionally, a big, hard hitting ILB can intimidate and it's hard to place a value on that. I recall O.J. being scared $higbless when facing Chicago and Butkis. Excuse me.

As you said, Bowman is 6'0" and weighs 240. He is a thick bodied specimen that packs a whollop. Mosely is 6'2" and weighs 232; not nearly as thick and powerful. That's a big difference. You look at Kiko and he, at 6'3" and 237, looks thin. I hope to see him back next year weighing at least 245. David, at 6'1", 233 is an weak side OLB and shouldn't be included in this discussion of inside backers. Keuchley currently weighs 245. Compare his arms to Kiko's. You'll see the difference. You use the examples of McClain and Sheppard to bolster your argument???? Is McClain even playing any more?? Sheppard may have one foot out the door. This is an example of stacking an argument using examples to fit what you say hoping no one will notice that you're intentionally comparing good to bad. Why didn't you use an example like 6'1", 255 lb Vontaze Burfect, or 6'1" 245 lb Patrick Willis??? Think those two might weaken your argument???

The free agent guards are either two expensive for the skill level they provide (Levitre) or, simply, not good enough. That's why they're out there. Marrone said that he thought Unga, Asper, and McClain might be able to be developed into a starter. Problem is there are many "starting" guards in the league with coaches that want to replace them including two that occupy positions on our team. What concerns me about Marrone is that he thought he had starters at LG in Brown and Legursky and he could not have been more wrong about that. Because you have a starter at guard doesn't mean you have a guard that is consistant in his pass blocking, has the skill, quickness, and speed to pull, and can knock his opponent off the line of scrimmage. Those types are hard to find and the reason more and more teams are selecting guards in the first and second round of the draft.

Hate your draft. 1. No guards or tackles early; nothing to patch our biggest holes = another year of futility. 2. You want another 235 lb inside LB to stop the run? This needs more thought. 3. Carlos Hyde is reportedly lazy; needed a kick in the hinnie to get him started this year. This guy is no Fred Jackson. jjmac; did you watch Evans throw a tantrum early last night, then disappear???

I think you're missing the point. Wood could have spoken about almost anything; eg., he likes Kyle Williams Marcell Darius, and other obvious things that we all like. But he specifically mentioned Marrone and Tuel. Marrone is a very very hot topic with many fans against him. Wood gave him a public vote of confidence. He didn't have to do that. Regarding Tuel, most here have forgotten him. Woods mentioned him. I think that speaks volumns. Since Wood is one of the leaders of this team, his opinion is much more important to me than any that I read here, except mine, of course.

Two more things about the Wood interview; Wood thinks that Cordy Glenn is approaching elite status and has enoumous talent. He also thinks Jeff Tuel has shown himself to be a good game manager and feels he was doing well vs. Kansas City and the goal line interception he threw was unfortunate in as much as it causes fans to view him badly. My take; he likes Tuel.

I've listened to WGR all day yesterday and came away with this; 1. Marrone said E.J. performs better when no one is at his feet or threatening to sack him. This is not a great revelation but it does show that Marrone views his O-line performance as unsatisfactory. He said that Unga, Asper, and McClain show some ability to be a starter but need development. My take? all three are guards. Buffalo needs replacements at LG, RG, and RT. Of the three, Unga got the most exposure this year but at RG. This may mean that Buffalo will need to draft a LG and a RT. 2. Marrone said that Chandler had a fine year and was uncommittal when asked if the team needed an upgrade at the TE position. He did say that the team had players with developing talent at the position. My take; he likes Gregg. 3. Eric Wood was interviewed. Wood likes E.J. Wood thinks he's a hard worker and thinks we will see a "jump" in his performance next year. Wood also likes the coaching staff and Marrone. He thinks Marrone has a good grasp on what this team needs to do to improve. He also said that the talent level of the team was improved this year and is looking forward to a better 2014. There is a lot of negativity expressed here but I came away from yesterday's conference and interviews with a good feeling about next year's team.

I don't know what they will do about Byrd. If it were me, I'd sign him. You don't build winners by parting with your best players. Darius? I have an idea. Lets train him. I'm sure I read that somewhere. We need to train the young man (love Jack Nicholson). Spiller? He gets the blame for a bad O-line. Get him a LG, RT and maybe a RG, players that don't get blown up, that can actually maul defensive lineman, and watch Spiller run. We should not cut Graham. He is young and has potential to be very good. He just needs a little time. Stevie? I don't know. I think he can play a good role in the offense. I do agree about the need to get a big feature back, but first we must get three good O-linemen. I keep hearing that Whaley will build this team to resenble the Steelers. The Steelers had a big tough Offensive line and ran the bus behind that line to the Super Bowl. So. Mr Whaley, the ball is now in your court. Let's see what you do with it.

Why is it that you think of offensive linemen as unskilled? What is the difference between Ligursky and Logan Mankins? Simple; Mankins has a greater skill level. I'm certain that Marrone will replace both Ligursky and Pears next year but I'm very concerned that he might replace those two with Ligursky's of another name. He, after all, did sign free agent Ligursky to compete at LG and that was a bad signing.

Do you ever read what some evaluators say about Buffalo's O-line performers? Do you ever wonder why Buffalo's runners have tough going against the better D-lines like the Patriots, Jets, Tampa Bay, San Francisco and others? Do you ever visit WGR55.COM and read Joe Buscaglia's weekly analysis of how Buffalo's starters performed the preceding Sunday? My guess is that your answers to the above questions are No, No, and No. Buscaglia usually concludes with his evaluation of Sunday's game MVP and LVP and Ligurski and Pears have been deemed LVPs by Buscaglia on several occasions. That is why drafting a RT and LG early in the coming draft make a great deal of sense.

Why would Buffalo not resign Chandler. Letting him go would leave a hole and a priority which Buffalo then would have to fill and I'm not sure there's is a first round quality TE in this draft. (The cited article talks about Ebron as Gates-like. Ebron is 6'4", Gates is 6'6". Ebron and Amaro are not blockers.) Mack worries me. He had a signature game vs. Ohio State but he hasn't looked that good since. Mosely is very good and very instinctive. But I've noticed that Bradham has been very good on special teams for Buffalo and has been getting more snaps with the starting D. I think he is developing. Bottom line is I would like Buffalo's O-line to be just as dominant as it's D-line. If that happens, all WRs, TEs, RBs and QBs on our roster become better players.