Norfan

I hear you PIZ. Guess one never really knows who will be able to continue excelling after the jump from college to the NFL. So i guess as a fan when it come to players one prefer seeing drafted, it is a lot just gut feeling and having a "crush" on a certain player. Impossible to keep up with all the possibilities and to compare them, when one gets past the first round or two.

Would be delighted if the Bills pick up this guy. Would gladly spent a 4th round pick on him, and would not be totally against spending a 3rd either, altough using one of only 2 first day picks on a back up player may be a little extravagant. But pluses like a very good punt returner and a good receiver, in addition to the obvious way above average balance and elusiveness, would be fun to watch in a Bills uniform.

It is a good question, and i don't think i would have minded the investment of trading up for Jones one bit. If you had asked me some weeks ago, i think i would have said no i wouldn't have done it, but i have to admit that Jones has won me over. The arguement of work out warrior and player without a position is of course valid, but from the little i have seen on video clips of him and from what i have read, i think he is worth the gamble. The possibilites of a Antonio Gates (limited WR/TE experience, but with basketball hands. Not exactly sure how much basketball Jones has actually played, but understand it is some), with more speed, a few extra inches of height, and with seemingly at least as good hands and vertical leap, is very tempting indeed. If he was limited his first season to only jumping high in the air pulling down TD jumpballs in the endzone, i think i could live with that . In addition to being a potential great reciever, he fits the bill of a hybrid player at the QB position that MM and TC seem to like for trick plays. So imagining TD and the rest of the staff looking long and hard at Jones is not very far fetched at all. And i agree with your assesment of Pitt and Phil, we probably would have to get above those teams to be in a position to draft Jones. Think with his work outs and potential he could very well have moved himself into the first round. Think the only thing that scares me a little about Jones, is his laid back attitude. Need heart and desire to succseed and to last in the NFL, not enough with athletesism and skills. But being laid back as Jones apparently is, of course doesn't automatically mean you don't want to put in the extra effort or that you don't want to fight through the inevitable injuries, so would gladly take him with our first draft pick. Think this link was posted here a day or two ago, but don't hurt to post it again. It has some video of different draft prospects, including some nice pieces on Jones. Jones and others video

You are probably right Rich, late second is too far no matter where he meassures in. But there are a couple of wild cards at WR in Troy Williamson and Chris Henry, that might push Clayton down to #5 WR, if team are insistent in going for height. Still, he probably would be gone by our pick at 48. But if he should fall to the 2nd round, we might be able to trade up for him (Henry). But i guess if we were to trade up, it doesn't make much sense to do it for a WR in our case.

I was thinking about WRs. We do have young players in Evans, Reed and Aiken that has already shown some to a lot, and it may be prematurely to spend a high draft pick on another WR (at least if Moulds restructures like he has indicated, and stays on for a few years still). But what if this scenario happened. Mark Clayton meassures in at the combine at 5-9 170 or 180 something. I know he looks to be listed at 5-11 on most sites, but i think i read somewhere with regards to the senior bowl that he meassured only 5-9. If that height drops him to our 2nd round pick, do we pick him ?. He is compared to Steve Smith at on site, and if he turns out like him (with Smith showing last year capabilities of being a #1 WR), he would be worth spending a 2nd rounder on even though we have other higher needs. With Clayton being described as a very good after the catch guy, and an excellent in traffic, he could see some time as our #3 WR already next season. Probably a long shot him being available in the 2nd, but who knows. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another guy that seems intruiging as a WR is Reggie Harrell of TCU. Not listed very high, and should be around in the 5-7th round, but an interesting sounding guy. Here is some bio on him from another site: " Harrell has very good hands and is capable of making tough grabs as well as the easy ones. He's also tough and will go over the middle and take hits. He displays good leaping ability and athleticism in going up for passes in traffic. He also shows a great work ethic and attitude on the field and is a positive locker room presence. " He is listed as 6-3 210, and could be a nice 3rd down and red zone target. I think i posted this link on the TSW also, but looks nice and can handle a second posting . The 2nd catch is a really nice one. Reggie Harrell

You are very welcome about the link Astrobot. It is one of the better ones, especially with more and more of the draft links seemingly turning into pay or semi pay sites (like for instance Huddlereport regretfully). It is Allen Trieu's own draft page, and has some very nice looking and sounding profiles. And the video bits are a nice addition as well. He had those last year too, and probably will keep adding more this year as well. The WR Harell teammate (the other video) actually doesn't look bad at all either, LT Alabli at 6-6, 325. Trieu has him ranked as the 9th best OT, at 3rd round level. Not sure who i would pick if the draft turned out like that though, but don't think it would have been Everett. Maybe FS Butler, think he could turn out to be a good one.

I very much agree with frogger, i think CB is a very likely option for our 1st pick. Not so much as for Clements being a FA in the near future, but for needing more and possibly better options than Thomas and Greer as nickle and dime. And if we should get another 2nd round pick, i would love to use it on either Jackson or Corey Webster. Both seem to have their draft stock slip a little, but both having shown big time ability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As for our needs on the interior OL, i have a feeling that will be taken care of early in the FAs. Would not be surprised if TD added our starting LG as this year's midnight signing. Many good could / will be available. (Also have to admit that i haven't given up compltely on Sobieski yet. Thought this year could be his big chance to gain the LG spot, but unfortuneatly got injured, again. But when healthy a very athletic G.) LT might be a bigger problem if Jennings should leave. Don't think i would slide MW over, when he is starting to really get control of the RT position. As for other option from within, there are 2 i guess. Either moving Teague to LT or starting Price. Not sure if i would be comfortable with either. McFarland is too raw to be an option. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As for our WR "needs" i found one guy that sounds very interesting as a early second day option for a big, tough slot reciever with good hands. Reggie Harell out of TCU. 6-3, 210, listed with 4.6 40 time. His Profile : A highly recruited athlete and track star, Harrell has won championships in hurdles in addition to his stellar play on the football field. He redshirted his initial season with TCU and took a few season to really establish himself, but he enjoyed a breakout year as a junior setting the school record for yards in a season. Harrell has very good size for the position. He's tall and has a good build and uses that size to play the game in a physical way. He also does a lot of position specific skills well. He runs very nice, discipline routes. He doesn't show great quickness or an outstanding burst in his breaks, but he cuts sharply and always seems to be on the same page as the quarterback. He does a nice job of coming back for the ball and will continue to move with the quarterback when he breaks the pocket. Harrell has very good hands and is capable of making tough grabs as well as the easy ones. He's also tough and will go over the middle and take hits. He displays good leaping ability and athleticism in going up for passes in traffic. He also shows a great work ethic and attitude on the field and is a positive locker room presence. However, he lacks grat speed and his game overall lacks explosion. He also needs to improve as a blocker. He has the size and strength to be a better blocker, but does a lot more running off of DBs than blocking. Harrell has the intangible qualities to play at the next level. Combine some of that toughness and football savvy with excellent size and hands and you have the prototypical possession receiver. If he runs at least reasonable times pre-draft, Harrell will be a solid 4th/5th Round selection. Some video on Harell Harell video

Not exactly sure what Indy's full strength OL would look like, but it makes for an interesting read looking up where his current OL got picked. Manning is playing behind: 1 1st rounder, 1 4th rounder, 2 7th rounders and an UDFA. I guess it kind of has to be like this with the number of cap dollars Indy has invested in some offensive players, like Manning. But it doesn't exactly put Manning performance in a worse light, even though he does have very good offensive targets to play with and plays in a dome. Credit to coaching and schemes as well.

I know one shouldn't put too much emphasize on any single stat, but just wanted to add one more thing about Ben. Before this game he was ranked 6th in NFL overall in QB rating with 97.6. (Number 5 was quite a surprise to me, being Brian Griese) I don't know exactly how the formula goes, but 97.6 in your first year is not bad. But having said this i don't go around crying because TD was not able to trade up for Roethlisberger. With the very impressive showings from Evans lately, i am more than pleased with our catch this year of him and Losman. Losman have several things going for him, with his athletesism and confidence/cockiness, and am exciting to see what he can turn into with a little more mental (game controlling and reading) seasoning.

That is very true Daquixers, it is way to early to pencil Ben into the HOF yet. But still one can not help to be impressed by the fact that even though he has been rattled at times, he doesn't seem to go to pieces. I am sure it does help tremendously to have the running game and defense that Pitts have to help one out (and the fact that their OL has started the same 5 players for every game), but one would think that being a rookie one would still find a way to loose at least one game. As for Montana, that might not be such a bad comparison. I will admit that i have never actually seen Roeth play, but he does seem to have a little of the x-factor or the so called intangibles that good quaterback need to have. The self-belief, confidence and respect of your teammates and coolness with the game on the line. Montana was not the physically most gifted of quarterbacks, with his arm or legs, but he got it done more times then not when he had to. And for Roethlisberger to show a little of this as a rookie, one can not help to think of what might be ahead when he get a little more experience.

Roethlisberger probably do get a little too much credit at times, with the media being blinded a little by the team's win-loss record. He doesn't have the big numbers every week, but do somehow seem to help the team / avoid loosing games for his team, with his play in the 4th quarter of games. Pretty good for a rookie i should say. And i think if Losman had been starting this year, and played like Roethlisberger has been, i don't think i would have complained one bit.

Wouldn't mind signing Ben Hamilton as LG, or maybe Marco Rivera.

First mock draft attempt, couldn't wait any longer . Probably a little optimistic for most pics, maybe 1/2 - 1 round lower than they might go. But not completely far fetched, depending on which underclassmen end up entering, the combine, etc. Anyway here goes: (Am assuming Henry gets traded, and staying with the optimistic state of mind hoping for a 2nd rounder for him) 2) CB Corey Webster, LSU. A star as a junior, his stats and production slipped a little this year. Size and ability will probably make him go higher than our first pick, but he might be there at the top half of the 2nd round. CB may not be the biggest need, but if Vincent turn FS full time, our corner back depth for nickle and dime is Thomas and Greer, then nobody. Could go S as well, but assuming Milloy and Vincent will last a couple of more years or so at the top level (same goes for Adams and Williams i guess), a very good 3rd CB is more important than a back-up S in trying to win now. 2) C/G Vince Carter, Oklahoma 3) C/G Ben Wilkerson, LSU Both Wilkerson and Carter were Cs through college, but looking at the inside OL listed as of now i would rather have both these guys, than one of them + a G. Shouldn't be impossible to make one or both if needed into Gs, and would give us some quality inside help, and some competition for the starting LG spot. 4) K Nugent, Ohio State Will maybe go 3rd round as Keading last year, but as stated at the top, this is somewhat optimistic mock draft. 5) RB A. Davis, Wisconsin Durability and size issues which keeps him from going higher, but very good production and speed. Quality back up competition material. 6-7) Best athlete.

I agree Andy, Pollack would be another very nice option, but think as you do that he will be gone by our pick. About Clarette, i must admit that i have some reservations on him as well. But if he should pass the interview with Bills scouts/recuiters/TD at the combine or elsewhere i would give him the benefit of the doubt.

I don't have much overview as to what is available yet, who is coming out early and even rankings except for maybe 1st round players, but like your list of options and thoughts Astrobot. 1) TE: From the little i know so far i agree with JP-era, there doesn't seem to be any TEs out there like Winslow, Watson and Troupe from last year, with the exception maybe of H. Miller if he comes out. If he does he migt be out of our reach in the second round, and i am not sure if i would want him anyway. Campell is steady, and from what i have seen/read about Euhus this year i am excited to see what he can do next year with one year under his belt. Too bad he looses the chance in the last few games to get some #1 TE option experience, but he looks like a very nice pass catching TE. Would like one more TE to compete with Neufield (assuming Peters is a OT), but would not spend a high draft pick on it. An intruiging option is North Colorado's WR Vincent Jackson. The guy is 6-6, 235, with a listed 40 time of 4.53. Even described as a good punt returner which should mean he has some open field moves, and played basketball. 2) DE or DT: Depends on who is available in the second round. If we resign Williams, i am very comfortable with our DL as it is. Knowing Kelsay hopefully will continue to improve, and the other 3 staying where they are. But if like JP-era points out E. James should be available for us in the 2nd, i would be tempted to pick him as well. He would add an element of pure pass rusher that we don't really have in Kelsay, Denney or maybe even Schobel. All 3 being more all rounders. Having James as an option on 3rd and longs, would be another nice weapon for Mr. Gray. Another guy i would look long and hard at is Oregon's DT Ngata. If he is close to healthy after his knee injury, his numbers sound very intruiging as an eventual replacement for Adams or Williams. Needs some seasoning, but with numbers like 6-5, 345 and a listed 40 time of 4.87 it is very tempting indeed. 3) OL: Think we are in a very good position with our 2nd round pick to get an excellent inside OL player, a top G or C. Wouldn't mind seeing Brooks as JP-era mention, or one of the 2 centers Wilkerson or Carter which seem to have dropped a bit after both being mentioned as 1st rounders earlier. Another intruiging guy is Texas LT John Scott. Might not come out early, but could slip to mid-late 2nd round if he does. Described as very athletic, excellent footwork and quick and agile. An insurance if Jennings leaves, or maybe use him as a pulling LG to being with. 4) CB: I would be surprised if we don't spend a relatively high pick on a CB next year. Both with TD's habit of picking up potential replacements early, and if Vincent is moving to FS full time we are a little thin at CB. Would be very happy to see Thomas and Greer step up enough to make this pick not a need, but think it might be asking too much. So if someone like LSU's Corey Webster who has had a little let down this year compared to his junior season was available in the late 1st or early 2nd, i might have traded up for him. Another option a little later , especially if one look for someone as a KR too, is Oklahoma's A. Perkins. May not be a starter at CB, but a nice nickle and dime option, and described as one of the best returners in NCAA history. 7) RB: Assuming Henry gets traded, i would try to pick one up early 2nd day to compete with Shaud Williams and Burns for the back up role. Never quite been sold on Burns, and would like a better option as a back up. Maybe Williams can fill that role, but a 3rd dependable RB would be nice. Don't know anyone specific i would go after, but there seem to be quite a few good ones this year, and someone will be there in the 4th or 5th. 8) WR: Not the biggest need, but if Reed doesn't show signs of getting out of his 1.5 year slump and/or Aiken not being able to step up, i might spend another pick on a wideout. Depends on who is available where, if someohow C. Henry should be available in the 2nd (don't think he will) it would be hard to resist the temptation of possibly getting a Moss light type of guy. Or maybe another speed guy with A. Currie or C. Thorpe in the 3rd or 4th round. Too many options , and i guess one should enjoy the ride this year before thinking about next year. But it is difficult being a draftaholic .