Blokestradamus

The offseason is my Super Bowl. I'm very lucky to have that kind of platform to write for and Rob leaves big shoes to fill.

Okay, boys and girls. Since Rob Quinn is primarily working on his new site @BuildingHerd, I've taken over as the lead draft writer for the BillsMafia site for this year. My first piece is on Clemson EDGE Shaq Lawson - http://buffalofambase.org/2016/01/04/2016-nfl-draft-potential-bills-target-clemson-edge-shaq-lawson/ Enjoy and feel free to give any feedback or criticism.

Me and Rich have been talking about the end of season excuse machine for a few weeks now. I love what he came up with.

I haven't seen a lot of his play this year but I'm still scarred for life by his play at Iowa. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. This was my favourite target of his (sorry if the expletive in the tweet offends) - https://twitter.com/StephenCulley/status/589116267564560385

Don't forget to play along with the Bills press conference bingo card brought to you by @RDotDeuce https://twitter.com/RDotDeuce/status/683810904077500416

Really hope he invests time in the offseason finding better footwear. I know a lot of guys slip at the Ralph (that needs addressing at an organisational level) but he seems to be the most prevalent. He was tagged as the most 'pro-ready' WR in his class for a reason. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses and he does a lot of fundamental things well. Developing into a nice blocker which is integral in this scheme. His position should be safe for now but there does need to be variety added to the passing attack, he's not the #2 for every situation.

Ha. Hahaha. Hahaha. No.

Yeah, became quickly apparent that he would be wasted 2-gapping. Love his effort, ridiculous length, got some pass rush moves, not overly flexible. With the age thing, probably a mid round type. Really curious what his true height/weight is at the Combine, listings are all over the place.

Sports rivalry is a fickle thing and it's bound to be a forever changing landscape. We all pick and choose when an allegience matters depending on the circumstances of the moment. The Bills can gain nothing out of the game and the opposition makes the playoffs if they win. They are led by a coach I have a lot of respect for and a QB/OC combination that gave their all for this team when they were here. I'm not going to actively root for the Jets and against the Bills but I have no burning desire to see the Jets fail given the circumstances. If this was a 'win and you're in' game for both teams, I wouldn't give a second thought to crushing them all like bugs. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to look at this. We are all shaped by our own values.

I'd happily give you $10, small price to pay for annoying someone on the internet. You're spot on though. People don't seem to grasp that Rex is the DC, not Thurman. The placeholder might change but the scheme won't. It'll merely be another puppet for the illusion of change.

Taking a look at Bronson Kaufusi today. Seems like a decent 5-tech candidate with his sheer size and length. Can't find a date of birth but 2 year Mormon mission to Auckland and 4 years of football. Common sense suggests he'll turn 25 during his rookie year. Could be a steal, 4 years on a late round contract.

Jeff Overbaugh - San Diego State. /End theoretical thread.

A link to my Germain Ifedi scout report - https://twitter.com/Tanner_ASU/status/660143251005898753 I kid, I kid. He is though.

And, as expected, Hackenberg has declared. https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/683395370408218624

To a certain degree, I think he's the victim of the hype and circumstances not created by him. He's very clearly not as good as people said but he was supposedly "the next Andrew Luck" before he took a college snap. I'm sure he's a really good kid and he hasn't deserved being built up and knocked down by the same people that put him on said pedestal. I hope he turns it around but watching his sophomore games was heartbreaking. He looked broken.

I'm not entirely sure Chad has been "fine" for 2 years.

My favourite tweet on this debate - https://twitter.com/Dan_Hatman/status/683337715786596353 If you don't already, you really should follow Dan Hatman. Former NFL scout, director of The Scouting Academy.

If you take him in the first, you are more than likely mortgaging your job on his success. He's not completely responsible for his regression but to pretend that it's 100% on Franklin is a bit fanciful. The tape says UDFA, my heart says take him Day 3 and try to salvage him.

Quite possibly the scariest draft tweet of the process so far. https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/683334861319499776

I think a lot of playing quarterback, regardless of the level of competition, is learning by doing. With limited experience, he's a little behind your typical QB prospect in some areas. Sat for 2 years and got injured half way into his senior year, it's far from ideal. He's had less time to have teachable moments and learning to correct when he screws up. He's got a steeper learning curve than most but I think Greg Roman's scheme would give him a level of familiarity that would ease the transition. He's used to that kind of system and having to absorb a lot of information. In 3 weeks time, he gets the chance to practice/play with some elite competition in Mobile and that will provide a better idea of where he's at in his progression.

The thing with the lower body mechanics is something that needs major work, digs his feet in and won't reset them. It's almost like he makes progressions with his knees/hips than his eyes/feet. A decent QB coach should be able to get him out of the habit. Only started 22 games so body of work isn't ideal, doesn't meet some of the Parcells QB formula. There isn't a perfect QB in the class and there might not be one for a very long time, all about investing in the traits you like and the flaws you can live with. Carson Wentz is that guy for me.

Not really paid much attention to him this year (or Ohio State in general). Listed at 235, is he physical enough to match up to the typical 'Rex types' at LB?

Have to give a shoutout to @JonahTulsNFL for this one but y'all need to watch Boston College safety Justin Simmons. The hype is real. Also, follow Jonah. He's a draft machine.

I've not watched Doughty yet, need to watch him before the Shrine Game. I'll be honest, I'm almost always turned off to gaudy numbers in college when it comes to quarterbacks. 71.9% completion rate, 48 TD's, 5000 yards and nobody talks about him as a franchise QB? My guy Matt Johnson at Bowling Green is the next guy behind him in terms of yardage and I wouldn't waste a pick on him. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised by Brandon. Also need to watch his TE/WR combo. Tyler Higbee and Jared Dangerfield (younger brother of former Bills safety Jordan).

Yes please. After watching him over the summer, I kinda called my shot with him. Big arm, accurate passer, understands his place in the offense. Has the mobility, can boot both ways comfortably, accurate on the move. Needs to speed up his mental processes a bit and be smarter as a runner (some fumbles looking for extra yardage). Watch him in the FCS championship game last year vs Illinois State, couple of great throws on the last drive to win the game. Drive started 1st & 15 at his own 17 with 1:35 left on the clock, down by 4. I don't buy the American idiom of the 'Clutch Gene' but if it exists, he has it.