Lothar

While I like our draft, this looks like a Bills fan (look at the other reviews of our picks by the "author") played the role of "retired NFL scout" to drive visitors to his site. Not buying it.

Go read some of the scouting reports by real nfl scouts. He gave up 1.5 sacks this whole year, had 17 touchdown producing roadgrader blocks. He was reportedly not fully healthy at the combine. I believe that's why the Bill s waited till very late before having him visit. But in the actual Alabama games I saw, he wore down whoever was opposite him. He's not perfect. He's got heavy legs but his wingspan is huge. And he will be dominant in the run game.

Cyrus Kouandjio from Alabama. I think he was a top 10 selection before reports of an arthritic knee dropped his stock all the way down to maybe the 3rd round. But after his pro day and private workouts and this ... "Famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews has personally cleared Kouandjio’s knee as healthy even though he did not perform the surgery. He sent letters to all 32 teams to deliver this information. Alabama team doctor Lyle Cain, who did perform the procedure, said not only did Kouandjio not miss a game following surgery, he did not miss a practice and that there were no lingering issues with his knee like pain or swelling." and the fact that the Bills waited to bring him in as late as possible before the draft makes me think this was the mauler they wanted all along at 9. I think he would be available somewhere in the mid to late first so unless we have an ideal scenario where 3 or 4 QBs are chosen and Robinson or Mathews or Evans falls to us, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bills dropping back a few spots if they can swing a deal for an extra 2nd or 3rd even to select Kouandjio over Ebron and Mosely. Especially because he is thought of as a better prospect than his former 'Bama linemate DJ Fluker (who a certain member of this board deifies but Fluker was certainly not all that in the few games I watched - including the playoff loss.) http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Alabama-OT-Cyrus-Kouandjio-visits-Bills/ab4a328f-a670-4dac-a8fd-20ce6e7082fb

I think the problem with trying to draft a QB every year is you never find out whether the QB you just drafted is good enough. If EJ was horrendous - or showed no potential whatsoever - then, cut your losses and pick another one this year. But he shows flashes - and he generally seems to have poise so another year with first team reps and another year playing with starters is not asking too much. Otherwise, you'll constantly be in a state of disappointment. As Bills fans, I guess we're constantly in a state of disappointment so maybe that's not the right wording .... Let's see where we stand at the end of the year.

Not sure if this has been posted yet ... I see that they have OT, S and QB as top 3 needs and they give options for each day. Can't say I'm a big fan of their options besides Matthews. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/46580/71/nfl-draft-needs-bills

From the guys who covered him on the Bears and Rams ... this just feels like a "meh" signing. http://espn.go.com/b...-chris-williams Rodak: Nick, what was your sense on how the Rams valued Williams? Do you think they wanted to bring him back as a starter? Wagoner: They had interest in bringing him back, though I think it's likely if he'd come back he would have either been a backup or, more likely, in a competition for the starting job like he was in 2013. To me, it made sense if they could get him back to serve as a swing man simply because he could play anywhere on the line except center. Having a player like that at a cheap price is pretty much ideal for a backup. But I don't think they were going to extend themselves too far to bring him back. Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has a great reputation for taking reclamation projects and getting something out of them. Although this is another starter subtracted from the line, I believe the Rams feel they can upgrade the starter at this spot and develop someone else to fill a backup swing role he could have had.

That wasn't the point I intended and I'm sorry if it came off as being crabby - I really do appreciate your inputs on most topics. I listened to Peyton's post game conference and he was complaining about the substitution issues on his side. And THAT - like you said - is an experienced, veteran team. While our mistakes are no less egregious, I'd rather focus on some of the bigger details like playcalling and getting our injured secondary back in the right roles and to me, this is a subset of the 'penalty issue'. Yes, it needs to be fixed. No, it's not unforgivable for a young team with lots of injuries trying to find their way.

In New Orleans, they're not bashing the head coach for having only 10 men on the field on two different occasions. Haters gonna hate.

This is what you call cutting your nose off to spite your face. I'm not sure why people can't separate their fandom from reality in these discussions.. Eugene Parker is a fair but tough negotiaitor according to pretty much every source out there. What happened to Byrd is just 2 sides simply not agreeing to the value of his skills. I think - if I look at it objectively like Joe B discussed ad nauseum on WGR - the Bills made a mistake. But punishing an agent and lowering a player's value also does a couple other things: it spoils the water in future negotiations and, even if it lower's the player's value, it also lowers his trade value. That's lose-lose. Something good NFL teams try to avoid. I have no ill will toward Byrd. As a fan, I'm disappointed at the apparent lack of negotiations.

I don't think it's black and white based on this mostly-numerical analysis, But the 8-8.5 mil per range (with the difference being front-load vs back-load) seems like a worthwhile risk for the Bills. http://www.wgr550.co...Bills-/16784046

Ugh. This is searching for conspiracies alright. Byrd played for Belotti, not Kelly. To me these are just tough negotiations. Let 'em play out.

Wait, what? I guess you can read this in one of two ways but I'm not quite sure what this says about our new offense ... http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/19/manuel-says-buffalos-offense-is-easier-that-florida-states/

Mostly fluff. What did it feel like to be the first QB drafted - blah blah blah Asked about his experience thus far in OTAs, he mentioned the emphasis on footwork and wanting to improve a little bit every day "Did CJ warn you about the cold and lake effect snows in December? Seeing as you played in the warm climate of the ACC" No, but he's a football player and will do fine. I think these interviews are as revealing as poop until people have something real to talk about.

oops sorry, my bad. Mods please delete.

I'll start this off ... it looks like the Rams will need to leapfrog the Jets to get Austin and may be willing to do so. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000163312/article/teams-think-leapfrogging-jets-only-way-to-land-austin

Again, if there are other teams thinking of using a draft pick on a LB some time in the first 3 rounds, taking the best available free agent off the market, can tip the scales for a team.

I think just the opposite. Take him of the market and other teams are Moe likely to grab a LB. If they have a deal, announce it asap!

Good for George. Tweeted this morning ... JasonLaCanfora Titans announced a deal with free agent S George Wilson, formerly of the Bills. They showed immediate interest, as did Detroit 4 hours ago

More about our new coach's philosophy than it is the search for Fitz's replacement, but pretty positive! http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000123802/article/doug-marrone-can-solve-buffalo-bills-ryan-fitzpatrick-problem oops, sorry - it looks like this is being discussed - my bad!

As someone who lives in Oregon, I'm pretty sure Kelly could have the pick of any NFL opening. I doubt he leaves the college ranks unless he gets EVERYthing he wants: total power over personnel, a ready QB that fits his mold and gobs of money ... think more than Sean Peyton just got. I actually think Kelly's potential for success is higher than any college coach because of his offensive acumen - but the pro game is so different, it may take a second go-around as a NFL head coach before he truly achieves success. And sadly, it's a nice dream but Lovey is a much more reasonable expectation at this point.

In a News chat Saturday, one of the other writers mentioned he has been away dealing with a family illness.

From twitter feeds ... on Yahoo's NFL page RT @buffalobills: Jackson: will wear a custom brace upon his return. Says return is 70-75% likely RT @buffalobills: Fred Jackson on if Spiller's absence puts pressure on him to return: "New England has always been the goal"

I'm sorry if this has already been discussed and I know it's still early but wow! these guys have only 1 sure fire healthy starter, possibly 2 - at the moment. Kinda wish we played 'em in week 1 http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=afceast&id=45634

We must have different memories. I thought he was a great guard and a decent fill-in left tackle but an awful Center.

That's because Massie is strictly a right tackle according to most scouts. Martin has solid potential to play left tackle. I think Jeff Allen from Illinois in the 3rd would be an alternate pick, especially if Randle or Hill fell to our pick in the 2nd.