jri111

ALOT can happen before the draft, but put yourself in the Browns shoes. Right now you're a young teams with a lot of holes. Your starting QB is Charlie Fry and your starting tailback is a 27-year old has been named Jamaal Lewis. When the 3rd pick comes up you're faced with taking a potential franchise QB or a game changing RB. What do you do? (assuming Quinn or Russell are still there, specifically Quinn) Personally, I would take the QB. 1. Franchise QB's are EXPOTENTIALLY harder to get then good running backs. 2. Runningbacks are a dime a dozon (with the exception of LT, LJ, and Alexandar), especially compared to QBs. If you doubt this, ask yourself how many potential first year starting RBs are in the draft compared to QBs? Lets see, QB, Well there's Russell, Quinn, and, well thats about it. Running backs: Petterson, Lynch, Bush, Hunt, Pittman, irons, Leonard, etc... I mean look it, we're calling Lewis washed up and he's 27 years old?! Personally I was SHOCKED to discover his age earlier this offseason. I would have put good money on the fact that he was in his 30's! That's because he looks like he's 30 and plays like he's 30. Thats becuase RBs have such a short shelf life (average is around 3 years). With that in mind, why would you get a 3-5 year RB when you could get a 10-12 year franchise QB. All that said, it's simple, ask yourself this.... would you rather have QB: Quinn RB: Lewis ( plus an early 2nd round pick (alla Bush, Hunt, Pittman, etc..) or QB: Charlie Fry RB: Petterson, Lewis (for one year) To me, it's no brainer. Take Quinn and your future RB early in the second round (which is essentially a late first rounder) and have Lewis and the young guy split the carries this year and then he's ready for the full load come 2008. Lastly, i just think all of the discussion on this board alone is evidence to back this up. Most people on this board think that taking a first round RB would be stupid and would rather see us take a RB in rounds 2 or 3 (I am one of those people by the way... with the exception of Petterson at 12, that's just too much value to pass up at that position). So if we're so high on the Hunts and Irons of the world, which i think we should be, why wouldnt cleveland be? If you were a browns fan, wouldn't you want your team to get your QB AND RB of the future in this draft or just your RB of the future with charlie as your QB? thoughts?

http://rotoworld.com/Content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL The Boston Herald's Michael Felger reports that the Packers and Raiders are "on the verge" of announcing a trade that will send Randy Moss to the Packers. It's odd a Boston writer is breaking the story, but he's also an ESPN radio host and from Wisconsin. We heard rumblings Wednesday night it was close and profootballtalk.com pegged most of these details days go. The deal will reportedly include Aaron Rodgers, Raiders TE Courtney Anderson, and a conditional Oakland pick in 2009 based on Rodgers' production. Moss will reportedly restructure his deal to catch passes from Brett Favre. While this will help Moss' numbers, don't assume either Favre or he will be elite fantasy starters. Rodgers' presence makes it more likely, though far from certain, that Oakland will draft Calvin Johnson with the first overall pick. In the end, this is a salary dump. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings owners can't be happy. Source: Boston Herald Related: Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Walter, Greg Jennings ------------ If this is true that could mean the Raiders go after calvin johnson and would ensure that Cleveland woud have a choice at one of the top 2 QBs... If Det has both QB options would they take Russel? or pass up and take Joe Thomas? What does this do to the buc? probably a Defensive guy. What's the biggest effect this could have on the Petterson situation? I think it would look something like this: 1. Oak - Calvin Johnson 2. Det - Thomas 3. Clev. - Quinn/Russel 4. TB - Def? 5. Arizona - Def/trade down this could entice a lot of movement at the top of the draft. would vikes or houston move up to try to get one of them. very interesting. Draft day is going to be awesome!!

haha, actually I love it! although ESPN doesn't give much love to the Bills and I find it as obnoxious and annoying as the next guy, Insider has its perks, ESPECIALLY leading up to the draft. I usually don't use it for the analysis/opinions, as much as the content/information aspect of it. It's also good for college sports and weekly scouting reports leading up to NFL sundays. anyways, happy i can provide an article that doesn't say much!

Levy, Bills still have work to doposted: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 | Feedback | Print Entry filed under: Buffalo Bills Although the Bills finished the 2006 season with a 7-9 record, there were high expectations for 2007 heading into the offseason. However, in looking at what the Bills have accomplished so far there should be concerns about second-year general manager Marv Levy as the organization's main decision maker. Levy has a strong relationship with head coach Dick Jauron, who has a strong say when determining the Bills' 53-man roster. Levy will take certain input from his personnel people but will usually follow the recommendations that come from Jauron and his coaching staff. Since determining quarterback J.P. Losman is the future of this organization and a solid fit in offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild's system, the Bills were very aggressive in their spending that revolved around the offensive line that protects Losman. The Bills have struggled over the last few seasons in both the run and pass game as the line has failed to consistently protect the quarterback or create effective inside running lanes. With the development of LT Jason Peters, who is the team's best offensive lineman, the Bills targeted both inside guard positions and right tackle as positions that needed to be upgraded. They were very active in the early stages with the additions of RT Langston Walker, guard Derrick Dockery and versatile backup Jason Whittle. Although the Bills overpaid dearly for Dockery, he still made sense based on the going market and need for the position. The Bills will field a solid tandem on the left side of their offensive line to hopefully run behind effectively. However, Walker played on one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the NFL last season in Oakland. He is a massive offensive tackle with above-average athletic skills who has struggled in his development and with consistent performance throughout his career. Offensive line coach Jim McNally will have his work cut out for him with a high-dollar player that may be best suited in a backup role. On top of that, the Bills traded away RB Willis McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens for multiple draft picks due to a lack of consistency since 2004 season and his future salary demands. The Bills did re-sign Anthony Thomas this week, but he is a substantial drop-off in talent from McGahee. One of the main areas the Bills will need to address in the draft is the running back position. Defensively, the Bills still have a lot of work to do in replacing RC Nate Clements and MLB London Fletcher-Baker. Baker was a highly productive inside player, while Clements was the Bills' No. 1 shut-down corner. Also, the Bills are quietly shopping starting LB Takeo Spikes, who struggled to play at a Pro Bowl level last season after overcoming a torn Achilles tendon suffered in 2005. However, the Bills will need to continue to beef up the interior to try and improve a run defense that finished 28th in the league in 2006, allowing 140.9 yards a game. The Bills have been very aggressive in their spending when acquiring and re-signing players. But has Levy made the right moves when investing money in future players who can get this franchise back on track and contending for the AFC East title? Only time will tell if the Bills made the right decisions, and next month's NFL draft will be critical to the Bills success in 2007.

Have you ever heard the poker term of "playing your cards close to your chest?" I meant exactly what i said. You can infer from his conduct, words, and actions, but that's only an inference. Unless he comes out and said "were not taking a DT in round 1" then you really don't know. Maybe they like Okoye but don't think he's going to be there. Maybe they think LB is a bigger need but they have Okoye ranked higher on their draft board then any LB.

Did you happen to miss my reply to your prior post? If so, you should go back and read it. It provides logic, analysis, and sound arguments on how its possible. Instead your response to someone you don't agree with is an insult? Not very convincing. If you don't agree, that's fine, but back it up. Why don't you agree? Merely insulting others is tacky an unintelligable. Not to mention it decreases the quality of conversations on these boards.

http://rotoworld.com/Content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL Amobi Okoye-DL- Player Mar. 13 - 11:16 am et The Redskins will host a visit with Louisville DT Amobi Okoye this week. Washington may be looking for defensive linemen at No. 6 overall. Okoye has added 15 pounds since the Senior Bowl and now weighs in at 302. Man i really think this guy would be the perfect fit for use, the Warren Sapp type guy who would really make a dominante cover 2 defense(pretty much the guy that EVERY cover two team lacks right now to be good agaisnt the RUN and the Pass). It looks more and more like its becoming less likely though. He's either going to be taken before we pick at 12 or we may even pass on him if he is there. I think Levy wants to give the young guys from last year a chance. It seems like he sees LB and CB as larger needs than DT. I think this would be a mistake though... a guy like this, if he fulfills his potential, is something that doesn't come along every day. Kyle Williams and McCargo could become good, even great, but as long as we stick with the Cover 2 Def. I don't see either of them filling in that cog you need at the Nose that can both be an anchor agasint the run, but still enough pressure up the middle against the pass. I hope i'm wrong!

although it's highly unlikly that Peterson would fall to number 12, ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE! Only one team REALLY needs a starting RB in the first 11 picks and that's Cleveland. The only other teams that would even consider taking Peterson are Vikings and Texans. Now lets look at those three teams. Clevalnd just signed Jamaal Lewis (abeit a 1 year deal) and trade Droughns, so they could definitely use an upgrade. The texans would be the next most likely team, but just signed Green to a very large contract. The Vikings have chester taylor and Mewelde Moore as a back up. Here's some info on Moore from their website: The Vikings are 4-0 in games when Moore runs for 100+ yards...Proved to be a playmaker in 2005 as he accounted for 1,246 combined yards with 662 rushing, 339 receiving, 245 on punt returns and 72 on kickoff returns... Enjoyed a breakout year of production as a rusher, receiver and return man...He's entering his third year in the NFL. All three teams, Cleveland, Vikings and Texans covet Brady Quinn. Now, although I think the chances that Cleveland takes Petterson are at about 85% here's some new interesting news: http://rotoworld.com/Content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL Brady Quinn-QB- Player Mar. 13 - 12:04 am et Brady Quinn is expected to meet with the Cleveland Browns this week. Two league sources told Yahoo Sports that rumors of Quinn's draft stock falling are false. "The kid did his part," one source said in response to the idea that Quinn didn't win big games in college. "He played very well. Was he great every time? No, but nobody is. The fact is that Notre Dame didn't have nearly the talent that a bunch of other teams had." So it IS possible for Peterson to start falling. Now some people keep saying that if Peterson DOES start falling, then he'll never make it to 12 because someone would trade up to get him. But they fail to state who that someone would be. Green Bay is the only team picking between 13 and 19 that would desperatly need a RB enough to trade up for him. But if you think about it rationally it wouldn't make much sense for them to trade up to get peterson unless they had him rated lightyears ahead of lynch and REALLY wanted him. That's because there are only three teams right now that really need starting Rb's: Clevland (3), Buffalo (12) and GB (15). Peterson is a 5 star talent which is why there's a possibility other teams would take him even though RB isn't priority one. Lynch is not that though so you can eliminate the vikes and texans. Therefore, if Peterson gets passed Cleveland, until some other team makes a surprise move and take Peterson, they have to believe that lynch would fall to them, becuase there's only one team (buffalo) standing between them and two players still on the board (peterson and lynch). The next team would be Tennesssee at 19. But to trade from 19 to even 11 would cost a lot and they just spent a high pick on white last year. Following that they're the giants at 20 who just added bell to go along with jacobs, the broncos at 21 who just added henry, the cowboys who have jones and barber, the chiefs with LJ, the pats with Maroney, the jets with jones, the eagles with westbrook, the saints with bush and mccalister, pats again, ravens with mcgahee and then finally the bears with benson and the colts with addai. Most of these teams could use another back, you can never have too many backs in the NFL, but any trade from the 20's into the singles would cost a boat load and as you can see, do any of them need a RB THAT bad? nope. So it is possible, Not probable Petterson could fall, but it COULD happen. AND ITS NOT JUST A MADDEN FANTASY! I HIGHLY doubt anyone would trade above the Bills to get him though unless GB really really really liked him enough to pull the trigger, or if they felt as though niether lynch or peterson would be there when they picked at 15. Right now i would put the chances like this from most probable to least probable of where he ends up: 1. Cleveland - 3rd overall 2. Houston - 8th overall 3. Vikings - 7th overall 4. Bills - 12th overall 5. GB - trade above buffalo to get him

i was thinking pretty much the same thing. IF and that's a BIG if, you can get Briggs for Spikes and a 2nd (the fact is, who knows what is value is right now, it could be driven down if he buckles down and really is content sitting out or be much higher if Chicago plays hard ball- who knows, it depends on who blinks first), then I would trade down in the first, use that pick on Willis or Puz (whoever is there) or even Timmons (although I'm not sold on him even though Mel "know it all" Kiper has him rated higher than both willis and puz) and then use the second on RB (If i were the GM that'd be Hunt, but it could be any of those backs) then use the two third round picks on CB/DT/FB best availables.... something to this extent: trade 2nd rounder (43rd overall) and Spikes to Chicago for Briggs trade down from 12 to high teens/low twenties (Giants at 20 overall?) for teams 2nd round pick. 1st Round: Puz (OLB) 2nd Round: Hunt (RB) or (irons, pittman, etc...) 3rd Round: Damian Hughyes (CB) 3rd Round: Brian Leonard (FB) LB's would look something like this: Briggs Crowell Puz or Briggs Willis Crowell resign Kiwaukee Thomas and let him, Youboty and Hughyes compete for the 2nd CB. that gives you veteran insurance but also two promising young guys pushing each other. The only spot that wouldn't really be addressed would be DT, but my suspicion is that the coaching staff and levy want to see what last year's guys can do (mcCargo and Williams) with another year in the system. Although personally, i think we need a bigger DT to help against the run, i have a feeling LB is priority 1 on Def. followed by CB and THEN DT for this coaching staff. ohhh, i can dream can't I?!

I like Peterson in Round 1 if he fell, even with his injuries concerns. He has the chance to be real special in this league, you can't pass up on him. I like lynch, but not as a first round talent. I would love him in the early second, but theres no way he gets out of the first round, and that that price, no thanks. Peterson is the only back worth getting in the first round, and that's only because he's too good to pass up at 12. TOO many other needs on Defense. I don't like Bush either. He's too big and all he's been going is sitting on his butt for 6 months. He's nearly 250 pounds right now. I didn't like him before the injury too. He's not explosive enough to be a good NFL back. . I really like Hunt and think you need to take him in round 2 if you really wanted him. I like both irons and Pittman in round 3, either one may be the best complement to A-train. I like Leonard, but not before the 4th. Booker is good in the 4th and I don't know enough about Wynn to have an opinion about him. Overall then: 1. Petterson 2. Hunt 3. Irons, Pittman 4. Leonard (as a FB), booker or jackson ...i don't know enough about other FB's to have an educated opinion on them...

Contrary to popular opinion on this board, i agree 100% It seems like many people want us to get Chris Brown so that he, Thomas and a 1st day draft pick could share carries. To me this is stupid for multiple reasons: 1st and foremost: money. why spend the money on another back now that you have a capable back-up or 1a back. I doubt chris brown will come cheap. He won't come expensive, but not cheap either. Use the money on a vertern DB (i.e. resigning Kawaikee Thomas) instead. 2nd. Logistics. Teams generally only have 3 RB's on a 52-man roster (not including FB's). If the Bills were really planning on bringing in two vets AND a rookie, that leaves Shaud Williams and Fred Jackson without roster spots. Though they are not studs, recent events (i.e. Shaud's two year deal) and comments (Levy mentioning how high the coaching staff is about jackson) suggest that the want to keep the two, or atleast give them a chance to compete for a roster spot. A-train's and Browns contracts would definitley be higher than either one and most likely would be more expansive to cut this year than keep (probably- almost all contracts now aday have SOME guranantee money) In addition, both Williams and Jackson are small and fast and would fit well in the third-down/passing down RB. A-train is a between the tackle pounder, he would not be a good fit here. 3rd. Restricts draft flexibility. If the Bills sign brown to a multi-year/mid $ contract they're pretty much conceding the fact that they're not going to take a RB in round one. That's fine, i personally don't want them to. BUT IF Peterson drops for some reason (either to 12 or to a position the Bills can reach him by jumping a few spots), then they'll be in a predictament. If they take him that'll ensure that they have three RB's on the roster making over $1 million this year. That's alot of money for one positions, especially since money was one of the reasons for getting Willis out of here. By getting Brown you take away some of your flexibility. IF you don't get him and just commit yourself to getting a RB on day one, then you can afford to be flexible. If something surprising happens, you'll be ready for it. All-n-all I'm glad we got A-train back. He's a good worker who understands his role on the team and will always give you 100%. I cant wait for the draft to see who we will add to the backfield with him!

http://wgr550.com/bills/fullstory.php?id=2237 Bills Sign Running Back WGR Newsroom - Monday, March 12, 2007 - 1:50 PM The Bills running back situation is starting to sort itself out. The club has signed unrestricted free agent back Anthony Thomas. Thomas joined the Bills last year after starting his career in Chicago where he played for current Bills coach Dick Jauron. He appeared in all 16 games last season and made two starts. Thomas replaced Willis McGahee in week nine after McGahee suffered an injury. He ran for a game-high 109 yards on 28 carries against the Indianapolis Colts. Thomas, right now, would be the starter at running back. But the Bills continue to talk with the agent for running back Chris Brown, who visited with the team last week. But why?! IF we got chris brown too, would we seriously be content with brown/thomas/willaims/jackson backfied?! i still think we would draft a RB, but adding brown just makes the RB position crowded with a bunch of backups IMO. Not to mention the waste of money that'd be! I'd much rather see a backfield with Irons/A-train/Williams and or Jackson and use the money you'd give Brown on someone/something else (i.e. CB or LB) Granted this is just WGR and who knows if we're seriously pursuing him or not, but here's hoping that it doesn't work out!

two things: 1. I didn't mean to imply that i would take it. I was thinking as i was writing and must have thought it a good idea when i wrote "i think the answer is yes..." Must have been a spur of the moment thing that i didn't realize i was doing. From my other posts on this board and even within the text of this post, I've made it pretty clear that i'm all for going strong on defense on day one and that taking a RB first round would be ridiculous, especially Lynch. That said, If Peterson, who IMO, is a step above Lynch and two steps above everyone else, fell to us at 12 I don't think you could pass him up. AND this thread was just to throw the idea out, would be try to move up a few spots if he started to fall... I think it's an intersting question and one that you have to think about.... But indeed, it was my mistake to say that I would. My intention was to leave my opinion out of it and just pose the question to everyone, so my bad... 2. You wouldn't be giving up 3 first day picks for a RB, you'd be giving up two. Where it's true that you'd trade your 1st and two thirds to get someone elses first, in reality, simple math says you're giving up two picks (3-1=2). Essentailly you're swapping firsts and giving up two thrids. So it's not Dicta-like becuase you're giving up only two picks w/ realtively low value. Put it another way our second round pick is worth 470 points and our two thrids together are worth 352 (220 +132). So really you'd be giving up less then a second in value. So, even though i wouldn't do it... it's not impossible or crazy as some would suggest...

OK i just want to start this thread with a pretext: I am RARELY for trading up. We have mulitple holes on our team and having four first day picks is a good way to start filling them. But here's what are REASONABLE senarios for trading up to get Petterson. First, Peterson would have to slip passed Clevland at number 4 (Which means they probablly would take Quinn)... In this senario, he would most likely fall to Houston at 8, who would be foolish to pass on him (UNLESS the falcons at 7 thinks he's too good to pass up or GB trades up to get him - no other team would be in reach to trade that high up to get him). But assuming this, we would probably have to trade up to 7 (w/ the falcons) or 6 (with the skins) to jump ahead of Houston to get Peterson. According to an NFL trade value chart (http://www.theredzone.org/2006/draft/draftvaluechart.asp), the number 12 pick is worth 1200 points. The number 7 pick is worth 1500 points and the number 6 is worth 1600. So we would have to give Atlanta about 300 more points to get him (obviously give or take), or the skins 400 more points. The three most likely way to package those points are these: 1. Trade our 1st (12th overall) and 2nd (47th overall): That's 1200 +470 = 1670 - that's overpaying Atlanta, but to give up that spot to a team like Atlanta probably would want a deal like that (that COULD get use to the skin's 6th overall pick which is valued at 1600) 2. Trade our 1st (12th overall) and two thrids (74th overall and 92nd overall): That's 1200 + 220 + 132 = 1550 - This would not be enough for the Skins, but would be the most likely senario for the Falcons... it overpays a little but that's to be expected to entice another team to trade down. 3. Trade our 1st (12th overall) and 3rd (74th overall) and 4th (right now 108th overall): That's 1200 + 220 + 78 = 1498 (notice though that our 4th would probably be worth less because of compensatory picks at the end of round 3) - Because of this, it would be a good deal for Buffalo. Highly unlikely though. Might have to add in another late round pick to compensate. Personally, I don't know how I feel about this. BUT if Peterson does get past Clevland would you trade the two thrids to get him? I would definitley trade our 3rd and 4th, but I don't see that happening. Two threes though? I think my answer is yes. The second third rounder is an "extra" pick from Willis anyways, so it would be essentailly trading only our original third to move up 5 spots. At the same time that's two thrid round, first day talents you're giving up for him. 3 players compared to one. Also, i'm not a proponent of taking a RB in round 1, our defense has too many holes. Okoye, Willis, Puz, Hall all could be guys that step in right away to help the defense. That said, Losman-Evans-Peterson has a nice ring to it! There's the trade off.... So what do you think? Would you trade away our two thrids to get Petterson If you were presented the chance on draft day (of course this makes some assumptins including that Petterson gets passed Clevland, the Packers don't make a HUGE move to try to get him, and you can find a willing trading partner)...

Wow, yeah talk about childish! BUT just to prove you wrong here... http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=60895 not that it matters though, because i'm SURE someone posted it or thought about it before me. the real point is...not who thought it first but that you know, it could be a distinctive posibility. Petersoncould fall, and that could be exciting! So instaed of saying "me first! me first!"...say "hey, yea i had the same idea!" and lets hope the football gods are thinking of us on draft day!

OK i don't usually attack other people's opinions because everyone is entitled to their own opinion... but this is the least thought out and useless post i have EVER seen! Where i agree that RB is one of the most important positions on a team, it is also...BY FAR, the easiest position to replace. The average career of an NFL back is 2.6 years and falling, according to the National Football League Players' Association. That is why free agent RB's have had such a hard time to find a home...Rhodes left indy to try to become a featured back, instead he found a backup role behind Lemont Jordon. Jamaal lewis left the revans only to get a one year deal from Clevland who is likley to draft the dynamic petterson in round 1 to complement/replace him. On the other hand, good LB's are hard to come by. In this year's draft there are a number of RB's that can make an immediate contribution: Petterson, Lynch, Bush, Hunt, Irons, A-train, etc. on the other side of the ball there are only three first round talent LB's, Willis, Puz, and Shaw. It might be too little too late though, only time wiill tell....

Thanks, didn't think about restricted free agents...

Personally I like: Peterson lynch Irons Hunt Henry but i wouldn't trade up for peterson, so he's gone I like lynch, but not in the first round, so he's gone Personally I would like to see Irons or Hunt in the second or third round (depending on what we do in round 1) If i had to predict though i think the Bills probably like: Pittman the best, then Irons or Bush

My thoughts almost exactly. If you look at our needs RB and LB's are obviously 1 with CB and DT a close 1a. Although i would love the Bills to take Okoye at number 12, i just don't see it happening. The DT's right now are McCargo (last years 1st round pick), Williams (last year 3rd Round pick), Tripplett (last year FA) and Anderson (bum)... I don't know, all signs point Levy's content with seeing what these guys can do at DT. It seems like he thinks attacking LB's would solve the poor run defense. I don't know if i agree with that, i think it's both, but it is what it is. Same with CB, although i think it's much more likely that we address it in Day 1, that's another position that may not be as big as a priority to the organization as some think. I actually agree with that. Clements was good, Top 10 CB in the league good, but in the cover 2 you don't need that. There are definitley cover two corners out there who excel in the system, but would never be considered shut down corners (two examples: FA: Harper and Draft: Damyeon Hyughes (spellings?)). We need 4 new starters then and two may be on the roster (Youboyte at CB and McCargo at DT). With that in mind who are the 1st round talents that can step in right away: At DT that's Branch and Okoye. At RB there's Peterson and Lynch in the first round (along with Pittman, Hunt, Irons, Bush, and leonard in the 2nd and 3rd). At LB there's Willis, Puz and Timmons. At CB there's Hall and Revis and a number of other guys that could push for a starting spot bewtween mid-first and thrid... So in round 1 are viable options are (guys that COULD be there at 12): Okoye, Branch, Lynch, Willis and Puz. The closer and closer we get to the draft the more it seems like we're headed in the LB direction. (Cato june is still out there and there has been absoultely zero interest in him- even if they don't like his character, you'd think they'd at least bring him in for a visit and talk to him face to face) Therefore if we go LB in round 1, I think we address CB And RB with our three picks in rounds 2 and 3. it's just not worth adding a DT on the first day if it's not Branch or Okoye, imo. So i think it will look something like this: 1. Willis/Puz 2. Hughyes/Bush/Hunt/Pittman 3. Hunt/Pittman/Irons/CB if not addressed in Rd 2 3. ?? (maybe we use the extra pick someway to move up a little to get one of the guys we want in the 2nd or 3rd rounds??) The other way I see it would be taking Lynch first. As stated in the above post though, that just doesn't seem like a good option. If we do that we either have to get REAL lucky and hope one of the LB's fall to use or make a serious move to get back into Round 1. So that would look something like this: 1. Lynch 1a. Puz/Timmons/Willis 3. CB I just don't think that's wise. I like lynch and have nothing against him, but with all the needs we have on defense and the number of good RB's that will be availabe to be picked up later, I just think it makes so much more sense.

Exactly, very very exciting!

I started thinking about who we had coming up in FA next year. It's always good to think ahead, especially for longevity sake. Although I would love nothing more for the Bills to win the Super Bowl, I always hope that if they ever did it they wouldn't be just a "flash in the pan" type thing (i.e. one and done). I would hope that they remain competitive. With that in mind I look at which player we have coming up in FA the next two years. The numbers are both encouraging and worrisome, Although I do think i'ts more encouraging then not. Here's a list of 2007 free agents complied from http://www.billszone.com/mtlog/archives/20...ry_cap_page.php , so if they're wrong, i'm wrong, but i think it's a pretty accurate site. Craig Ochs (QB) Troy Woodbury (QB) Sam Aiken (WR) Daunta Peterson (WR) Brad Cieslak (TE) Matt Murphy (TE) Ryan Neufeld (TE) Eric Powell (DE) Jason Jefferson (DT) Mario Haggen (LB) Roy Manning (LB) Josh Stamer (LB) Jim Leonhard (S) There is not one starter in that group!! most of these guys are practice squad or wavier wire warriors too. The biggest back-ups we have hitting the open market are Cieslak, Haggen and Stamer! You have to believe that they would either come really cheap to re-sign if we wanted to or easily replaceable via the draft or free agency. That means if we can fill the majority of our holes this off-season, which I think we will, we'll be in excellent shape next year to both 1) fill the remaining needs we need and 2) extend other players that will become free agents the following year. This is good, especially when you look at the list for 2008 free agents: Kelly Holcomb (QB) JP Losman (QB) Craig Nall (QB) Fred Jackson (RB) Shaud Williams (RB) Roscoe Parrish (WR) George Wilson (WR) Kever Everett (TE) Kirk Chambers (OL) Aaron Merz (OL) Duke Preston (OL) Walter Stith (OL) Ryan Niell (DE) Angelo Crowell (LB) John DiGirogio (LB) Kevin Harrison (LB) Takeo Spikes (LB) Eric Bassey (CB) granted it's 2 years away and the majority of these guys will probably be replaced or let go by then, just a few names are enough to worry though: Losman, Parrish, Crowell (and some key backups: Nall, Preston, Merz). Also I "THINK" Evans has an option year or something which would make him a 2009 free agent, but i'm not sure on that. If not he'd also be on this list... Overall though, I really think the future looks bright. We have a core of very young but talented players and Marv is making all the right moves to fill in the vacancies. It's apperant that he's building a team that can endure for the long run and that, more than anything, makes me excited for 2007 and beyond!

I'll level with you, Penn State Players don't make the best pro prospects, but that doesn't mean when a good one comes along you pass on him. You look at every player individually. I think both Hunt and Puz have chances to be GREAT players in the NFL. Hunt has everything you look for in an everydown back in the NFL. He has the size to be a bruiser, but the vison and quickness to hit the holes hard and fast. notice i said quickness, not breakaway speed... no one is going to confuse him with reggie bush, but when you can consistantly break tackles, and push piles foward you'll do just fine for yourself. It's funny if you go to youtube and look at the vidoes that are up for Hunt and say, someone like Lynch, you would think Lynch is the second coming of Walter Petyon. NOt all college RB's can convert that greatness in the college game to the pros though. Whereas, some of lynch's runs were ridiculous, you have to take into consideration that he played in the pac 10, which has some of the worst defenses and tacklers in the college game. He can rip off some of those crazy runs, becuase guys that should have made the tackle with ease near the line of scrimmage don't. Now you look at Hunt in the Big 10 - which has much better defenses -he still impresses. He doesn't have the crazy highlights as lynch, but he's also playing against much better competition. Don't get me wrong, i'm not a lynch hater, i really like the guy and would be happy to see him as a Bill, but i think Hunt flies under the radar much of the time becasue he doesn't have the flashness of some other players. All he does is grab his lunchpal, goes to work every day, and rips off 5- 8- 12- yard runs while tacklers are being dragged behind him. Whoever gets him will be very happy with their pick.

haha, as a Penn State alumus I wholeheartly agree. I do feel bias when i mention them, but they really would be the perfect fit for our needs, especially Puz on our defense. Penn State runs the closest thing to a cover 2 defense in the college game. whether they align in a 3-4 (as they did more this past season) or their normal 4-3, they're always in a 1- or 2- deep saftey zone. Puz played like a beast in 2005 when he was playing OLB in the 4-3 alignment. He was great last year too playing in the middle, but i def. think his natural and best postion is the WLB in the 4-3 zone defense. I don't think you can find a better fit for use in the draft! I think the biggest problem right now though is that he's projected as a mid to late first rouner. Many people think 12th is too early to take him. I'm afraid we're going to pass up on him and he won't be there in the second. Even if we trade up to move back into the first that doesn't even ensure we get him. On the otherside of the argument though, a lot of mock drafts have him going to St. Louis at 13 who needs LB's more than we do (if you could believe that). I think there's a good chance that he goes there. With all that said, Marv takes the guy he wants, wherever he is. He's not interested in where they're "projected" to go. If he wants Puz, don't be too surprise to see him taken at 12.... and i'll be smiling the whole time! As for Tony Hunt, I love him too, he's an absolute beast! He NEVER goes down on the first hit. Knowing what marv likes in RB's though and if we re-sign A-train I can see marv going with Pittman or Irons (who are more elusive with break away speed) to complement Thomas. I really like irons and would still be happy if we got him.... That said, if Hunt and Puz were in Bills jerseys at the end of the first day in the draft, i'd be one VERY happy Bills fan!

man, i really wanted the second this year.... they draft so close to bottom of the round! oh well still good value, hopefully next year's number 3 will be high! i'm anxious to see the contract they signed...