Brandon

I think there are still some areas that need to be addressed, but I agree, there are few gaping holes. TE appears to be the only one, really, while C and perhaps FS could also use upgrades. QB and WR are probably both still 'wait-and-see' and we may need another DE if Schobel didn't simply have an off-year, but has hit the wall (and I think he probably still has 2-3 good years left). So the situation is getting better, but there are still quite a few areas of concern, I think.

I hope its just a case where they really did think that most of the guys available on offense this year sucked, both in the draft and FA. I've never been a big fan of building a team that is strong on one side of the ball, weak as a kitten on the other. Hopefully, its just the intense frustration and skepticism I've developed for this Bills offense over the last 4-5 years talking, but I see a team that's weak right up the middle, both in the passing game and running game (lack of a quality C and TE), and I think its going to haunt them until they fix it.

Yeah, when I heard that comment, it definitely made me think they had a TE targeted higher than they actually picked one. You certainly can't complain with how they filled the other three major needs.

Taken alone, maybe, but don't forget that they still have the boat anchor on the other side of the ball to deal with. If the offense doesn't show significant improvement this year, this defense is going to look an awful lot worse than it really is because they'll be on the field the whole game. Hopefully Hardy will hit the ground running, but they've given themselves no plan B this offseason and if he struggles as a rookie, there's not much reason for optimism about this Bills offense, at least IMO, and its going to translate into problems for the defense as well.

Trust me, you don't want to know what I think of the overall direction of this offseason with so much concentration on one phase of a team that was hideous in two. While I really like the guys they added in the draft as individual players, as well as those they picked up last month, I'm far from convinced that the sum of these additions is going to make a significant difference in terms of wins and losses in '08. I hope I'm wrong about that.

I never got the whole Schmitt thing, either. Not only do I just not like the idea of taking a FB until the last couple of rounds (and I have no idea where he actually went), we've yet to see exactly how the Bills intend to use a FB in this offense. They may not use one enough to even warrant a draft pick at the position.

I don't know about an 'impact' player, but I think you can definitely find contributors throughout the draft. I think you also have to consider their impact on the team 2-3 years down the road and when you don't even bother trying, its a guarantee that you won't find a quality player on offense in those spots, whether they make their impact immediately or a few years down the road. My preference would have been to trade up from that #114 spot to pick Jermichael Finley, who went to Green Bay late in R3. And maybe Derek Fine is better than I think, but I'd just like to see them try a quality prospect in the first couple of rounds at that position for a change.

They went into the draft with four major needs and filled three of them with very good prospects in the first three rounds. McKelvin and Hardy obviously should start soon, but I feel Ellis also has the talent to develop into a quality starter as well. Unfortunately, I think that the fourth major need, a quality receiving TE who could provide Edwards with a target deep over the middle, was the biggest need on the team and I'm skeptical of the player drafted. They also failed to acquire a secondary need, that of a replacement for Fowler. I like the remaining day 2 picks quite a bit. Failing to fill the biggest need this offseason cuts them down quite a bit. I give them a C for addressing need, A for acquiring talent. Overall, its a B/B+ kind of draft, at least on paper.

Then why call out only one side of the issue?

They were both drafted in the 4th round.

Those definitely aren't practice squad type workout numbers for a guy 6'1 195lbs...

At a glance (these are off NFL.com's lists; I think a few actually got drafted and its just not up to date) WRs Todd Blythe Adarius Bowman Edward Williams TE Mike Peterson OLs Franklin Dunbar Robert Felton Eric Young Fernando Velasco DT Henry Smith LB Gary Guyton Vince Hall (I thought he was picked?) Erin Henderson J Leman Steve Octavien Wesley Woodyard CB Darnell Terrell Jonathan Zenon

Note to Dick Jauron... WE GET IT. YOU LOVE CBs! ENOUGH ALREADY. Seriously, though, seems like another solid pick this late in the draft. But exactly how many DBs do they plan to keep this year?

I like this draft, with some disagreements on the overall direction of it, but those disagreements are just part of it. This would be an awfully boring place if we all nodded our heads in agreement with everything the Bills do. And should those who like everything about this draft also post their 'resume' as proof that their opinion is valid as well? It cuts both ways.

Reed is probably the guy who should be a little worried about this pick (as well as that of James Hardy). This will be Reed's 7th season. He appears to have reached his potential and it doesn't seem to be too high. Both of these guys, while having good speed, profile more as possession receivers, putting them in direct competition with Reed on the depth chart. I think all three will ultimately make the roster, but if anyone is being pushed out the door, its Reed, not Roscoe.

60 catches 1000+ yards and 13 TDs in the SEC this year. Did I mention that he's 6'2 215lbs and runs in the 4.5s? I think he has a very good chance to make the roster and is a solid pick this late.

I wouldn't worry about that too much. The Bills can work on his strength. His athleticism at that size is something that can't be coached or trained.

1st 7th round pick: Demetrius Bell, OT. I definitely like that one. I haven't seen him play, but from what I've read, he has a lot of potential.

Possibly. There are still some halfway decent prospects on the board. Paul Smith Matt Flynn Sam Keller I'm sure there's still a no-name out there that's a decent prospect as well.

As much as I've bitched about the offense being ignored, I can't really argue with the players themselves and even though it may surprise some people, I'm going to give them a good grade for it. I think I know what their plan is with this offseason, I just completely disagree with it. In the context of what they're trying to do, which is ride the defense for a year until they can invest offensively, I think they've nailed it in terms of talent.

You can find his combine numbers here: http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/...ayers/7653.html 4.60 40...not blazing speed, but hardly slow for a RB. I especially like the 38.5" vertical and 6.71 cone drill. Says the guy is explosive and quick.

I like the pick just based on the stats, but before seeing the clips, I was kind of expecting a fat boy who plows straight ahead based on the scouting reports. Not even close. The guy has some moves and some speed to go along with power. I like it even more now.

Perhaps because they didn't like him? I admit, I'm disappointed that they didn't add a top TE prospect in this draft, but its obvious they liked the guy they picked more than the one they passed on. On that move, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Look at the stats. 37 TDs...this year. Given that the Bills seem to be planning on running the ball 40 times per game this year, why not draft another RB?

2,300 yards and 37 Tds this season? Yeah, I can live with that pick.