dezertbill

They were in the market for a veteran receiver anyways. This just cements it. Kerley is at best a slot. Holmes and co. weren't good enough last year and not expecting them to be different. Need a solid 2nd guy to come in and start.

Yes you are the only one. This is what happens when you post drunk

Crazy how fans wouldn't trade a 27th pick in the first round last year for a 4th overall this year when the QB class pushed some elite talent beyond their normal draft spot. Kudos to McD for that.

Looking at his stats stats. WHAT a train wreck. Makes EJ Manuel look like Joe Montana.

When starting the thread you probably should have mentioned your uncle working in FO. and the two profiles... strange.

Yeah. The Janet Snyder thing wasn't exactly a well kept secret. The relationship with the Bills Reporter was something a friend of mine said was well known amongst his circle. Apparently according to Graham and others it was well known to more than that. He got sloppy, plan and simple. It might be just me, but I sensed a change in Russ over the last few years. He used to be a clean cut, sharp looking exec. Now he looks like a guy who just came from the bar down the street. It doesn't surprise me in the BN piece that he began spending more time on the social scene and less in the office. The "other work performance issues" doesn't bode well either. This was a guy who used to overwork, not underperform. When your someone who is well revered in many circles, has done so many great marketing feats for the Bills in the past and are well respected by ownership, one may allow that to go to their head. I just feel really bad for his family, especially his kids. If things were rocky with his wife before, they are certainly rocky now. But You sleep in the bed you make.

Watching games back then was so different. The games seemed so much bigger. Listening to Van was also a trip. You could hear the AM radio buzz.

I see this as a temporary situation since the resignation was abrupt. I'm sure in time they will announce a new President. But it's something they will have to spend a good amount of time interviewing for.

This^^^ A managing partner/president dating an employee whom on paper he can have influence over her employment is playing with fire and not tolerated in most/if not all corporate settings. That has huge liability and potential lawsuit written all over it.

Russ was a dynamic marketing mind that kept this team's season ticket and marketing afloat for decades longer than it should have. And having hung out with him once upon a time, he was a really good dude. Isn't a guy on this board that wouldn't enjoy having a beer with him. Sad day. But today we live in a world (especially with a female owner) where we no longer tolerates extra marital affairs or unwelcome work misconduct.

Doug Whaley be like...

Good watch. Made some great points.

Sal Maiorana must have been sipping the bottle upon the draft's conclusion Saturday evening. I heard the question he asked Brandon Beane about the Bills only pulling one opening day starter out of this draft class due to trading away all of the picks, and if that was a concern considering this team's needs at various positions? Beane answered perfectly, saying first of all that everyone competes for a starting job, and anyone who plays well enough can earn one regardless of their tenure with the franchise. He also pointed out it' still APRIL and we still have FA available, guys that may be cut post June 1st that we can acquire, and potential trades (see Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby). So Sal decides to pen an article on the subject in the D&C, which on one hand supports and agrees with Beane making the move to trade up and take the franchise QB, yet complains how we have gapping holes at OLB and WR that we couldn't fill because of the big trade up that put the team behind schedule on building it's roster. Huh??? So which is it Sal? You can't have it both ways. This team has been toiling in QB mediocrity for two decades. We finally have a GM who had the gumption to ACT and spent 10 months acquiring assets, trading away players that either didn't fit our system or had injury issues, in order to do so. When the draft arrived, many "talking heads" had the Bills trading away both first round picks, possibly adding 2nd and 3rd round selections also, in order to trade up for their franchise QB. Yet when it was time to pull the trigger, Beane only had to give up 1 first rounder and two second-rounders. That allowed them to trade up again in the first round to pick a player many thought was a top 10 selection to plug a glaring need at MLB. Now, safe to say when analyzing a draft class, most picks in rounds 1-3 are guys that are either franchise players or potential starters in their rookie years. After that, your taking guys who need time to groom and provide depth in the hopes they become future starters. Buffalo's first pick was Josh Allen. Yes, Sal, Josh may not be the starting QB September 9th. Honestly I hope to God he isn't. He needs time to grow and mature. We all know what happens when we rush QB's onto the field their rookie season (EJ Manuel). In due time he will be dependent on leading our franchise for the next 10-15 years. Because he isn't starting Sept 9th is a ridiculous point to make. Buffalo's second pick was Edmunds, who looks like a beast. Even though Sal has him penciled in as a start already, there are still players currently on the team that may be better than a 20 year old rookie. I am hoping as well that Edmunds isn't rushed onto the field and is allowed to learn and grow this season. He, too, will be a player (at only 20 years old) who this team will be counting on as a leader of this franchise's defense for the next 10-12 years. Whether he starts September 9th as well doesn't quell my excitement for drafting him. Buffalo's 3rd pick was Harrison Phillips. Although Star and Kyle are two players that will be heavily counted on, it's no secret that having a solid rotation at that spot is key for a team's success against the run. Not only does Phillips provide them that, but he also is the heir apparent for K Williams spot. Although he may not be an "opening day starter" he will probably get as many reps during the game as Kyle does (if not more) due to the rotation and Kyle's age. Whether he is a starter September 9th is moot. Buffalo took Taron Johnson in the fourth round, which is normally a round you don't see players coming in an expecting to start. Yet McD made it clear Taron will be pegged as a nickel guy, which Beane stated plays 65% of the snaps, which are more than most DT's. Thus, the position is considered a starter. With Leonard Johnson gone and coaches and "talking heads" raving about he is a film junky that loves to learn and is all football, it's not crazy to think that Johnson can earn solid snaps this season, or even a majority of them at nickel. September 9th starter? C'mon! Many feel that Neal and Teller are guys that can provide solid depth until they learn the game, which would be shockingly surprising if it came this year. Until then we won't know how good they will be. As for McCloud and Proehl, they don't seem as "long shots" despite their draft position. McCloud could have a significant role as a returner ALA Tate, and Proehl's tireless work ethic that he learned from his father might earn him solid snaps his rookie season as well. I even heard a Wes Welker comparison. Regardless, these two guys making the team would be deemed a success for Beane considering the round they were chosen in, much less starting. Until the season unfolds, no one is to know the significance this draft class will have on our starting line up. Yet to write an article that bemoans trading draft capital in order to acquire two potential cornerstones for your franchise (one being a franchise QB that some would trade their whole draft to obtain), yet in the next breath cascade accolades for making the moves; makes zero sense coming from a veteran writer who has covered this team for decades. I pose this question to Sal: Would you make the following trade: 2004 Houston Texans 2004- 1st round- 10th Pick (ability to draft Ben Roethlisberger ahead of Pittsburgh) for Buffalo Bills 2004- 1st round- 13th Pick (Lee Evans) 2004- 1st round- 26th Pick (JP Losman) 2004- 3rd round- 74th pick (Tim Anderson) 2005- 2nd round- 55th pick (Roscoe Parrish) Do you think anyone would remember all of the "draft capital" we would have given up to draft Big Ben to move up 3 simple spots instead of 5??? I'd make that deal all day. Big Ben was 1 of only 2 starters the Steelers drafted that day, w/ Max Starks coming in the 3rd round. All others were busts. How many first and second round picks around the league have busted??? It's the quality of the picks, not the round they were drafted in, that makes a successful draft. It's apparent that Maiorana was attempting to create a story that no one else would.....and for good reason. I would expect something more credible from a writer with his experience and not words that merely fill up his paper.

Kiper has been doing this long enough we’re he doesn’t get influenced by anyone. I call BS even when Bills picked Allen, Kiper applauded the move. That’s not cuz if Dorsey

I've seen this guy criticize our franchise soo often. So this was a bit of a surprise. He LOVES Allen and felt the Bills hit it out of the park moving up for him, and then Crushed it again with Edmunds. Wentz and Kuechly comparisons. I'll take it.

Class act. Like McD says, you have to earn it. He sees it. This is why he fits our "culture" perfectly.

Mo Hurst is an episode away from being asked to retire due to his heart ailment. Rap sheet reported that some teams fear it will only get worse. You don't put down a 3rd round pick on someone like that. It's too valuable. I see a team taking him (maybe) in the 5th. But most likely late draft when they have nothing to lose if he has to retire early. I believe Phillips is as good a player with intangibles similar to Kyle Williams. He also has a personality like Tre White on the field when in the videos he likes to have fun. Many thought Phillips was a late first round/2nd round value. To get him at the end of the 3rd and have it be a need position is outstanding work by Beane. This will allow Phillips to spend a year with Kyle Williams soaking up his knowledge and learning from a true pro so he can take over. I love it.

Great piece on Phillips as a player and man. I can tell why McD loved him. Great ready for Horrible Harry!!! Another great piece!

This. Love it some mocks having his going 1st/2nd round to Buffalo. Solid value

Nfl network still shows philly

Gave that up for Edmunds

Derwin James

Allen pick is growing on me. Rosen’s fragility is scary

Unfrickenbelievable

I bet Mayfield was their guy they would trade two firsts for