Lofton80

1gap2gap has it spot on. We are talking about 2 players realistically. Marv is tipping very little. Hopefully Young stays in top 5. Wonderlic score worries me.

I have read the team most interested in Brees are the Dolphins. Bush may very well not be the first pick as he weighed 201 at the combine when reports had he coming in at the 210 range. Durabilityis a concern. Even Norm Chow, his college OC remarked that Bush will find out in the NFL, everyone is fast. I also think running backs are not the once in a lifetime type of player they were 10 years ago. See Shaun Alexander, Edge, Droughns looking for contracts. Further, look at the struggles Cedic Benson had as top 5 pick. If Houston could take Brick and sign the Edge isn't that better than picking Bush. I think Houston badly wants a package.

Coyle looked good in the skills competition. Tom Brady was built like that as well and he added 25 lbs after college. Coyle is worth a shot.

First off, Brick's stock is going up not down so there is no chance he is there at 8. Comparing Benny to Runyan is not worth the keystrokes to type it. What about busted plays because Benny's guy created chaos in the backfield, hurries, etc. I read somewhere that the Bills set a NFL record for the fewest yards gained in a 16 game season. Runyan is a battler who hates to lose. As far as I am concerned a huge problem with this offense is we have too many soft, finnesse type guys. Give me Runyan in a heartbeat. Add C Mangold from OSU and we improve the groundgame on day 1.

Interview on TFY Draft seems to indicate they want him back Buffalo Bills General Manager Marv Levy - Levy stated that getting CB Nate Clements tied down with the franchise tag was key to rebuilding the defense in Buffalo. He noted that Clements is a young player with a lot of talent, but the club feels he has room to get even better, and Clements does too. Levy said they will continue to work on reaching a long term deal with him and he left Clements a voice mail this week to get dialogue going for a long-term deal. - Levy noted that the Bills, much like many other teams in the NFL have a “quarterback situation” heading into the 2006 season. He noted that last season was truly J.P. Losman’s rookie year due to his injuries the previous season. But Levy noted that he is a skilled quarterback with a strong arm and good mobility -- he just has a lot more to learn. But Levy said, “Show me a rookie quarterback who didn’t. We’re standing here in Indianapolis where Peyton Manning went 3-13 as a rookie.” Levy stated that in regards to the quarterback position, they will likely bring another one in during the offseason. “Is it likely that he’s going to be a top-of-the-line first or second rounder? Not likely.” Levy said a mid-round pick of someone that they are surprised or pleased to see on the board at that time would be possible. He also said that the team would consider a free agent if he’s relatively young and the kind of talent who clearly has the talent level to become a starter, such as a Brett Favre when he was with Atlanta or Steve Young when he was with Tampa." - Levy mentioned that he hasn’t been able to get in touch with wide receiver Eric Moulds regarding restructuring his contract. But he said that they feel he still has a lot to offer and they are hopeful they can get a new deal worked out that would keep him in Buffalo. Head coach Dick Jauron said the coaching staff is proceeding under the assumption that Moulds will be back.

Per TFY Draft, Ngata apparantly has weight down to 340 lbs under 11% body fat and hopes to break 40 reps at 225 lbs. AJ Hawk is 248 LBS with 7.8% body fat, runs a 4.6. Either one would be a welcome addition in my opinion. http://nfldraft.scout.com

Mawae is apparently interested in playing for Parcells again. Let's hope Tuna overpays for him.

Jurivicuos would be an intriguing pickup. Rumor is NE wants him and I am sure Seattle would want him back. An overpaid Juro is cheaper than Moulds. My hunch is though Marv will want to keep Moulds.

Bentley expects to test free agency By SHELDON MICKLES Advocate Sports Writer Published: Feb 2, 2006 DETROIT — New Orleans Saints center LeCharles Bentley, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month, said Wednesday the team has indicated it will allow him to test the open market. Bentley, in town to participate in a clinic held in association with a Kids’ Day event at the NFL Experience, said Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis told him he would get a chance to see what free agency holds. “Mickey told me he was going to let me test the market,” Bentley said. Loomis, however, said the organization hasn’t made any personnel decisions because new coach Sean Payton has been on the job less than two weeks and is still working on putting together a coaching staff. Bentley, a four-year veteran, is headed to the Pro Bowl on Monday for the second time in three seasons although he didn’t participate in the 2004 game after having knee surgery. The Saints could place the franchise or transition tag on him since he will likely be a hot commodity on the open market. “We have not made a decision yet on the franchise or transition tag,” Loomis said Wednesday. “We have not made that decision because we want to get our new staff in place and get all of our (player) evaluations done.” As the anchor of the offensive line, Bentley could be the No. 1 re-signing priority for the football operations staff among the 15 players who could become unrestricted free agents in early March. Loomis said he told Bentley after the season the team would have an opportunity to possibly name him as its franchise or transition player. “At the time, I told him we didn’t know if we would do that,” Loomis said. “I said there was a good chance he could test the market.” A second-round draft pick in 2002, Bentley was also named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad in 2003 as a guard before being switched to center in 2004. He was a first alternate to the all-star game last season after not playing two years ago because of a knee injury. If the Saints were to franchise Bentley, he would receive the average salary of the top 10 offensive linemen in the league. That number is expected to be $6.983 million for a one-year deal in 2006, which is a number the Saints may find hard to swallow. Loomis said the issue is complicated by the fact that all linemen (tackles, guards and centers) are lumped together under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which means that higher-paid tackles drive up the cost for a center if he’s franchised. “It’s a bigger number than you would like,” Loomis said. Loomis said the first thing Payton’s staff will do is complete player evaluations. Payton has hired four of his assistants, including offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Doug Marrone, and Loomis said the team hopes to announce more hires soon. Bentley said he sold his home in the Chateau Estates subdivision in Kenner about two months ago, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s ready to leave the Saints. “The time was right,” he said, “the market was good.” Bentley also severed ties with agent Peter Schaffer and hired New York-based agent Neil Schwartz, who represents Saints left tackle Wayne Gandy. Schwartz said he has not had any conversations with Loomis or the Saints since becoming Bentley’s agent in early January.

Not sure they can afford both Backus and Bentley. Bentley is not going to come cheap if he comes to Buffalo. Based on McNally's waffling about what position Duke Preston will play, it appears a guard or a center is who they are targeting.

See you in August , Nate.

Spot on Rubes. LT money is absurd. I think Peters has the feet to make the move. As for Big Mike, I imagine if he restructures, they give him one more try. Even as a rookie, he could run block. As a pass protector, he shows no ability to pick up a stunt or a blitzer. He is very dependable to reach for the wrong guy.

Important factor is toughness which is what our line lacks as well as talent. Get Bentley in here and add Pitt Guard Charles Spencer in round 2 and we are a lot tougher already. Peters showed he is tough as nails on special teams. If Bentley is gone, draft Mangold and sign Runyan. LT- Marvel Smith Tough LG- Alan Faneca Tough/Talented C - Jeff Hartings Tough/Talented RG- Kendall Simmons Tough/Talented RT- Max Starks Tough Seahawks line: LT- Walter Jones Stud LG- Steve Hutchinson Tough C - Robbie Tobeck Tough RG- Chris Gray Tough RT- Sean Locklear Tough Marv's best line: Howard Ballard Big not sure on toughness John Davis Tough Kent Hull Tough/Talented Jim Ritcher Tough Will Wolford Tough/Talented TD's 2005 Line Mike Williams Soft Chris V Tough Trey Teague Tough but a finesse blocker Benny Slow untalented Blob Gandy Finesse

Leonard Smith was a favorite during his short tenure.

Moulds would want to restructure because a restructured deal may be a more handsome paycheck than he will receive on the open market.

Mark Bramer? Rod Trafford?

The biggest impact is a defensive player so I go Ngata, Hali or Huff. Hali is prob not going to be the pick as we have Schobel as a lighter rush end. Ngata plugs that middle. See Casey Hampton in Super Bowl if any doubts about that kind of impact. I think the B-listers like Bannan and Tim Anderson are good for a few snaps but they do not force the other team to double team them. I read where before the knee injury, Ngata was top 5 pick material. Huff i like because I believe safety is a weak spot on the D. We led the league in plays over 20 yards so I think that is partially Jerry Gray's all out blitzes and partially some poor safety play.

Moorman was fabulous. Hopefully he has company next year.

Marv is a smart guy, will make educated decisions. He will look for leaders, team captains and hard workers.

I thought he was terrible as a run defender. He looked pathetic versus Caddilac Williams in Tampa. We have gotten so few interceptions the last few years I will applaud the 4 int's.

Sam Wyche has a long standing friendship with Mike Malarkey. I would imagine Malarkey spoke to him before he left and Sam might even of advised him to leave. Once Malarkey left, why does anyone think Sam would stay with Buffalo? I do not think he was let go do to JP 's performance.

I do not see Marv as a make a splash kind of guy. He will look for "B" level free agents like NE does for depth, hard working, leadership types like he did with Bill Brooks or Leonard Smith. I do not recall him ever using rookies on the offensive line so I expect if he signs anyone expensive it will be an offensive lineman. I can see him trading back in the first for an extra pick but that is not easy to do unless some team desperate for a particular player targeted by a team picking immediately behind the Bills. I would enjoy this scenario as the top 100 players are highly rated and getting as many as 5 would be a nice talent infusion.

JP did pretty well when he came in against KC at home, he gave the team a lift and we beat a good team. He looked fabulous in the first quarter of the Miami debacle throwing some of the nicest passes seen by this Bills fan in a long time. He is not without talent. He needs to make better decisions and have a little poise in the pocket; not uncommon for limited playing time. With a run game and a TE who actually is involved in the passing game and the kid may be all right. Not long ago, Brees was called a bust. JP may surprise under Fairchild's guidance.

Now this is John McClain's article from the day before the voting. Tell me King who quotes it verbatim did not buy into his buddy's argument. I imagine if Dan Fouts played in the passing era and played into his 40's like Moon did the numbers would not be even close. Voters split on whether ex-Oiler should get a spot in Hall of Fame By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle DETROIT - Former Oilers quarterback Warren Moon, a member of Seattle's radio broadcast crew, is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time. When the 39-member Hall of Fame selection committee meets Saturday morning, it will determine the Class of 2006 — a class that could have as many as six and as few as three. It'll be the toughest vote in history. Like Moon, Troy Aikman, Reggie White and Thurman Thomas — who starred at Willowridge High School — are eligible for the first time. Although Moon also played for the Vikings, Seahawks and Chiefs during a 17-year NFL career, no one is more qualified to judge him than Oilers' fans who celebrated and suffered with him during his 10 years in Houston. Moon is very deserving of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot, but it's going to be difficult. A survey of voters shows that Moon has backers and detractors. Hopefully, the voters will listen carefully to Saturday morning's presentation that will show — beyond a shadow of a doubt — that Moon should be part of this year's class that will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, in August. The two biggest obstacles in Moon's path to Canton are voters who say he compiled phenomenal statistics in the run-and-shoot, and he couldn't win the big playoff game to reach the Super Bowl. Let's examine each. First, Moon was a starter for 15 of his 17 seasons. He only played in the run-and-shoot for four seasons (1990-93). Second, Moon didn't play in a Super Bowl. Dan Fouts never played in one, either, and he was a first-ballot inductee. Comparable to Fouts Check out how Moon compares to Fouts: Both had 15 seasons as a starter. Moon had more yards (49,325 to 43,040), more touchdown passes (291 to 254), more regular-season victories (102 to 85), more playoff seasons (nine to four), more 3,000-yard seasons (nine to six), more Pro Bowls (nine to six) and the same number of playoff victories (three). Fouts was deserving, and Moon should be, too. But some voters just can't get beyond the fact that Moon didn't win more playoff games. Here's something they should consider: In playoff losses to Pittsburgh (26-23 in overtime) after the 1989 season, Denver (26-24) after the 1991 season, Buffalo (41-38 in overtime) after the 1992 season and Kansas City (28-20) after the 1993 season, Moon was remarkable. In those four games, the Oilers averaged 25 points. Moon completed 124 of 177 for 1,317 yards and 10 TDs with four interceptions. That's a 330-yard average despite trips to Denver and Buffalo. In each of those four games, the defense blew fourth-quarter leads. And you don't need to be reminded, of course, that the Oilers led Buffalo 35-3 midway through the third quarter. Here is more evidence that will be presented Saturday: Only three quarterbacks in history have led their teams to eight consecutive playoff appearances: Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Moon. In 15 seasons as a starter, Moon's teams made the playoffs nine times. As a starter, Moon had 12 straight seasons in which his teams didn't have a losing record. The only quarterbacks selected to play in nine Pro Bowls are John Elway, Dan Marino and Moon. During a 10-year stretch from 1986-1995, only Marino threw for more yards than Moon (37,410 to 36,130). During that period, Marino (254) and Jim Kelly (223) are the only ones with more touchdown passes than Moon (220). Moon had more playoff seasons (nine) than Kelly (six), Elway (five) and Marino (four). A worthy role model Also, when Moon was 39 years old, he threw for 4,228 yards and 33 touchdowns with Minnesota. When he was 41, he threw for 3,678 yards and 25 touchdowns with Seattle. Even though it's the Pro Football Hall of Fame, achievements in the Canadian Football League don't carry weight with the committee, so Moon's five Grey Cups in the CFL won't merit consideration. Quarterbacks like Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb said this week that Moon influenced their careers and opened doors for them. Moon showed coaches, general managers and owners that an African-American could excel at the most important position on the team, which made him a trailblazer for a generation of young black quarterbacks. Trailblazers, especially those who overcame so many obstacles to post some of the most impressive numbers in history, deserve to be immortalized in Canton.

I read Whipple the former UMass coach would succedd Whisenhut.