Cap'nCrunch

Chip Kelly said he recruited Manuel but he went to Fla. State and it seemed Kelly still had an avid interest in Manuel, though this time as a draftee. If his interest was real, just wondering how high Philly might be willing to draft him.

An important question at the most important position. Looking to do something about it in the 1st round.

All the more reason to accept the possibility that drafting a QB at #8 could result in a record better than 6 and 10 in 2013.

The moves so far are 1. Creating cap space 2. Preparing for a new QB by getting the playbook into Tjax's and Corp's hands now. Begin coaching ASAP.

What would be scary is to take a non-QB at 8 and someone else take Manuel before we could make a deal for a trade up and watch him become a star in this league. I don't like to draft out of fear, but 2nd and 3rd round QB prospects are the new 1st rounders. As they say, don't let chasing perfection get in the way of doing good.

This thread teaches from experience that college QB potential can be identified by those of us who are amateur scouts doing this for fun (if only the higher profile players). The Bills are in a good position to get a top 3 QB this year. Even though the experts say this is a down year for drafting a QB, we may never see an Andrew Luck or RGIII type of draft for another generation. Most college QBs, on the other hand, have more training and better coaching than ever. For the Bills, this is the year for re-booting the QB position. Add me to the the list of EJ Manuel believers, and if he is taken by the Bills at #8, the rest of the draft will fall into place, ie MLB, WR, OLB and whatever other BPA we can find. In Buddy We Trust.

It's the guy who throws the pass and the guy who defends it that make all the difference in the passing game, IMHO. The guy who catches it at this level should have speed and hands as a prerequisite.

It seems as though some of the luster has been taken off Te'o since the hoax story broke. Questions rising whether he is fast enough to cover the slot receiver and TE? A lot of his game was leadership and inspiring a will to win. We need 1 or 2 LBs and a big WR who fit our needs, but more than anything a QB (or 2) who can start day 1 in 2013. It would be surprising if a QB isn't picked at #8, just don't know which one yet. Then address the other needs. In Buddy We Trust.

Agreed. It's just disappointing. When Thigpen played for KC he lit up the stat sheet, but just didn't win (1 - 10 I believe). He's a Gailey Guy too. Apparently, Gailey and Fitz thought Fitz w/cracked ribs was better than a healthy Thigpen last year. If so, that says a lot.

Unfortunately, the whole youtube thing makes Tanney out to be just "halftime entertainment". He said he brought it on himself just fooling around with friends. But, reviewing his credentials from college and growing up as a football coach's kid, even though he went to Division III, this kid could be for real. If he makes the Bills' 3rd string or practice squad, maybe he could be that developmental project people like to talk about. QB coach Lee said accuracy is #1 in what he thinks makes a genuine NFL QB. If it were to work out, Tanney could take over for Fitz in a couple or so years. Maybe the future of the team just came out of nowhere. In Buddy We Trust

Sitting Stevie might have led some players to think they were not in it to win it at that point in the game, but in any event, the wheels came off the bus. Maybe, the 2012 edition of the Bills won't let that happen this year.

Thanks. You are right. Referencing Sal Maiorana's Relentless - the Hard Hitting History of Buffalo Bills Football, p. 228, "The Bills were the victims of a poor official's call. Trailing 24-21, the Bills' John Skorupan appeared to recover a Mercury Morris fumble at the Miami 28 with nine minutes remaining, but referee Gene Barth ruled it wasn't a fumble. The Bills argued vehemently and Pat Toomay was penalized 15 yards for brushing an official. On the next play, Don Nottingham broke a 56-yard run to the 1 and on the next play, Norm Bulaich scored the clinching TD." I even seem to recall Curt Gowdy called the game. He liked to call Don Nottingham a "human bowling ball" because of his short, stocky build. Seems like just yesterday, for sure.

Agreed. Doug Whaley seems like a straight-shooter like Nix and Gailey. One great thing about Buddy and Chan is that when they say something, they follow through and do it. Examples: Buddy said he wanted to draft 2 OTs and 2 CBs and did it. He said he would extend Freddy and did it. Chan said any player who celebrated in the end zone and drew a penalty would sit the rest of the game, and he sat Stevie. In Buddy We Trust

Was that the game when, as the Bills were just getting settled into their defensive set after arguing that call and were still distracted, Don Nottingham took a handoff and went up the middle for a long TD run, sealing the game for the 'phins?

Alex Carrington will be a strong contender at DE also, giving Kelsay a run for his money, literally.

I gave them an A for effort (even though effort begins with an e). Do un-drafted free agents count toward the draft? What do you think, if they sign someone who really blows the doors off the team, would you consider raising their grade to an A-?

In addition to filling LB, WR, C, OT needs as previously posted, Buddy has gone on record as wanting to draft a QB every year - you may just find the next Brady. With just scouting reports to go on, BJ Coleman, QB, 6' 3", 234 lbs, Tennessee-Chattanooga, in the 4th or 5th would make day 3 more interesting. Any information would be welcome.

1. Luke Kuechly - LB - Boston College 2. Chase Minnifield - CB - Virginia 3. Brandon Mosely - OT - Auburn Bonus round: 4a. Russell Wilson - QB - Wisconsin 4b. Marvin McNutt - WR - Iowa In Buddy We Trust

The more I hear, the more I think the Bills will go CB 1st. Now worried that Jax might like Gilmore at 7. What a rising star - from mid-2nd in January to top 10 now. The depth at OT will allow them to take one in the 2nd, and an OLB in the 3rd without giving up much value. I love this list (BillsGuyBackInMalta's) for 2 additional reasons. One, the focus is more on quality, athletic guys who can perform at what could be termed "Olympic levels". Second, McNutt and Wilson are intriguing based on the excitement level they would bring, especially Wilson. It is intriguing just to see what he might do.

Yes, this is a tough year, but every year players surprise you. All-pros from the 2nd to 7th rounds to the undrafteds. Sure, looking at the situation now looks questionable, but we absolutely need to have another LT according to Nix. We lost the starter from last year(D. Bell), and if Hairston gets injured, do we really want to move Levitre back to LOT like last year? Other injuries occurred and the offensive production dropped something like 33%. So, don't make it too complicated. Take the best player of need (OT) at that position. If someone says he's a reach, so be it. My personal favorite is Jonathan Martin - 3 years effectively protecting the best college QB since Peyton Manning (Luck) and a quality person with intelligence to boot sounds good to me. If Cordy Glenn is there at 41, maybe I take him then too. In Buddy We Trust

KABOOM!!! KABOOM!!! Reading this draft stuff is like eating candy - too much and you have to put it down, but you keep thinking about it and have some more as soon as you can.

In game planning against the Bills' 2012 defense, I'd expect less time to drop back to pass. The tendency would be to call more short passes to WRs, screens, draws and passes to running backs, or the things Brady and Co. have been doing for years. This would put more pressure on the OLBs to chase, cover and make plays. From the reports, Kuechly may be the best at doing that from the LB position in this draft.

This would be a great draft. It helps to target specific players to add to the intrigue. Thanks for the informative post. May I add that BJ Coleman is another interesting mid-round QB prospect. Last year Buddy said he wanted a QB (Cam Newton). Coleman, Russell Wilson in spite of height, Foles and Thomas could be on the radar. In Buddy We Trust.

If Buddy likes Glenn at #10 I'm all in but Mayock said yesterday on Path to the Draft that he thinks Glenn is a mid-second round value. Just saying. In Buddy We Trust.

Sheppard is a thumper. He is ready for 2012. He will be our starter at MLB next year.