Bill from NYC

Excellent post. I suppose we can easily agree to disagree wrt Levitre, especially on the specific issue of pass protection. AL has the feet and balance of a left tackle, which he played in college. Many times defenders must have been sure that they had a play on the qb and AL would knock him away from an angle. And while he isn't a hall of fame run blocker, I have zero issues with his performance in this area either. Remember, they were both drafted in the same year. Wood was a late first rounder (AL was a 2nd) so he got a longer deal. It is pure speculation but imo if their draft slots had been reversed, we would be waving goodbye to Wood.

26% does seem high. Wasn't Dareus signed under the new CBA where draft picks are WAY less costly? Troup and Carington cost pennies. But I for one am glad that they signed Mario. As for Levitre, his contract, while admittedly big for a guard, only contains 10.5 million in guarnteed money, or so it would seem to me.... http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/andy-levitre/ This really isn't a lot, and would not be such a huge hit unless of course he was to be cut, making the bonus accelerate. But he is a very good player and he's in his prime. Wood has been hurt so many times that imo it is unreasonable to think that he will remain healthy for any length of time. I probably won't be so angry if they let him play out his option. Now, a hole was created. How does it get fixed? Yes, we got Levitre in round 2 but remember, they traded up for him. I don't recall what the other pick was. Trust me, they are NOT going to draft Warmack. They need a QB and WR to compete, and of course sell tickets. My prediction is that they will take Nassib, the local kid, to reunite with Marrone, the local coach. Throw in a wideout, and there are your first 2 rounds. If they can find a top guard in round 3 or 4, God bless them but remember, they desperately need linebackers and a tight end (hopefully Michael Williams). I just cannot understand how a team in this position would let one of their best players, as well as his backup walk.

Nice thread. My only issue is that Levitre is a better blocker than Wood, who I hope can make it out of training camp without a major injury. You just shouldn't give up your best blocker when you have the cap room to keep him. Do you think that a well run franchise would do this?

You seem to have great consensus building and leadership skills. My problem is that I think a lot. So if I, or other Bills fans get skeptical and start thinking that we are looking at a 4 win season, is it ok for us to e-mail you so you can straighten us out?

Fantastic post.

He isn't, but I wish that he was on this team in lieu of A. Williams and Sheppard. How about you?

One thing that I can tell you with 100% certainty is that when police departments are depleted, people die. Camden, NJ is one example, and cities in crisis are popping up across America. Mario cared enough about human life to take this action, and he deserves mega kudos. And I couldn't care less if it is a tax deduction, other than the fact that I hope it is. He is now my favorite player and person in the NFL.

is a good man. He didn't have to do this, but he cares enough about his community and those who reside there to want it to be more safe. I salute him, and I'm glad that a person like this signed for the big bucks. Way to go Mario!!!!! I hope you get 20 sacks next season!!!!! And thank you. http://www.policemag.com/channel/vehicles/news/2013/03/22/nfl-star-gives-houston-pd-dodge-chargers.aspx

We don't know what Mallett will turn out to be, and we do know that Dalton is at minimum, a competent QB. One with room to grow.

And his arm is no great shakes either. I will be surprised if he is drafted at all.

Actually, the Colts drafted LT Takik Glenn and RT Adam Meadows in rounds 1 and 2 the year prior to selecting Peyton Manning. The year before that, they took Marvin Harrison in round 1. Setting up an offense before drafting a qb is possible and can work. The problem is that Buddy passed over QBs to draft Aaron Williams. This was simply a replay of long term stupidity, and it may happen again. They might draft Milliner at #8, but I doubt it. If Vegas was giving odds, I would bet on Nassib going to the Bills, whether or not he is any good, And btw I have no idea if he can or cannot play well in the NFL, but he will sell some tickets.

So he would get revenge against NE by signing with the Bills? OK, gotcha.

No? Gotta disagree SJB. In fact, it looks as if it already has. Levitre was a top guard, and we lost a decent backup. Now is the time to sell tickets. When they hired Marrone, I posted my fear of cronyism (Brandon and Marrone are connected). Watch and see what happens in this draft. Nassib, good or bad, would sell more tickets than any other college player because he played at Syracuse. This is simply my opinion. And he MIGHT be good. But my fear is that this offseason has been, and will be more about profit than team building. They might as well start getting Nassib's jersey ready.

Happy Birthday Brother!!!!!

In the past I would have agreed with you but not today. The prototype OG used to be a total mauler. Now it's a passing league, and Levitre has that left tackle footing. He doesn't pancake his opponents so much, but he gets good angles on the run. This will not help Glenn in terms of his development.

I disagree. Levitre was absolutely in the same class as Ruben Brown. In fact, Levitre was a much better player than Brown on the year that RB left Buffalo.

I might have heard the above somewhere.

How true!!!! People act as if it is just so easy to grab a quality guard. Bill Parcells once said that it's easier to find wide reveivers in the dradt than guards, and no, I do not have a link.

I doubt it. Now it's time to sell tickets. They will HAVE to draft a qb in round 1 imo. And please don't take this post the wrong way KD. I am 100% aware that QB is our biggest need. But now they are backed into a corner where they might very well have to reach for one. JMO!!!!!!

Yes. Do you think that a team such as the Titans signed him because they are stupid? The Bills ran well last season with a qb who wasn't much of a threat. And Levitre was there in every game.

This is horrible news. The Titans got him for a fair price too. He was easily one of our 5 best players. And he was durable and young. This should never have happened.

Thanks. I suppose he feel that he can get a deal which including the bonus, pays more than this in year 1.

Was 7.5 his salary or cap figure?

In another thread, a poster put up highlights of Trent Edwards. A few of the plays were passes to Fred. I can tell you that he has lost a full step. Seriously, he might not be what we expect/hope for next season.

2 is low but after free agency and the draft, let's talk about how many games they will win, ok?