biggerdaddynj

Looking forward to seeing Kiko and Brown together next year! Thanks, Whaley.

Gotta measure the move by whether or not it improves the team. And, I think we can all agree that it does improve the roster and it thereby improves the team. We're all disappointed with EJ's progress to date--even the most patient of us is not satisfied. EJ is injury free and he's also had the complete off-season to get ready. If he is "the man", we should have seen an indication of that by now. Sure, the second year of a QB's career consists of more bad moments than good ones but along the way there should be some flashes of that first round talent (albeit fleeting). Unfortunately, although it's still very early, I just haven't seen any "flashes" or a sign that EJ has that intangible "it" (like obscenity, I know it when I see it) and that's starting to worry me a lot. The QB situation has been the only blemish on Whaley's otherwise very nicely developed resume (there are a lot of good moves--trading back and getting Kiko and then R. Woods; signing Lawson, trading for Hughes; moving Aaron Williams over; this year some more good picks ((Henderson in the 7th might be a starting OT!)) and then the trades for Bryce Brown (who will step in for Freddy next year and not miss a beat); Dixon for more depth at RB (we can't throw so we need four RBs!!!!) and Graham a nice DB; you get the idea. If not for EJ, imagine how Whaley would be viewed???? For me, the Orton move takes us back to where we should have been with Kolb (if Kolb was healthy I really think last year would have been fun--a capable veteran backing up EJ, imagine that--no deer in the headlights vs. The Browns--I'm still embarrassed for Tuel when I think back to that game). Orton and Kolb have similar value--both are competent starting QBs who can win games when thrust into the starter's spot. However, they are QBs who seem to be better suited to the veteran backup role than they are to the starter's role. In a perfect world, after Orton gets back into game shape and acquires a working knowledge of the offense, the team would be turned over to him so EJ can step back, study, watch and learn (there's no shame in that--it makes perfect sense to try to win while grooming your future QB especially with the talent we have on this team). Being on the sidelines and studying the game with the coaching staff around him would surely help EJ develop in every facet of the game. That said, I don't see the keys being given to Orton (it's gonna take him time to get up to speed and even then we'll need EJ to really stink up the joint for a bit before we can turn to Orton without hurting EJ's feelings too much). I think when Orton does eventually get his opportunity he'll make the most of it and he'll will win us enough games to get us all worked up (we'll have a QB controversy, be competitive enough to almost be on the playoff bubble, etc....). Whaley's failure to shore up the QB position and Orton falling into his lap might have bought him some extra time. And regardless of the fact that Whaley will be run out of town when EJ fails, it's really going to be too bad because if you go over his moves they're very good (drafts, FA signings, trades, contract extensions and those he didn't extend and those he cut). In my book, Whaley's a B or B+ even with EJ and also not knowing how Sammy will play out. I think Whaley will have a long and successful career as a GM but it won't be in Buffalo he'll be run out of town for one reason, EJ.

Thanks--I thought nfl.com would be reliable!

Since there is a consensus on TBD that our QB situation is, well, downright pathetic, I thought it would be safe to list the FA QBs left at this late in the game (it's scary): David Garrard, Jim Kitna, Seneca Wallace, Kevin Kolb, Nick Stephens, Josh Freeman. Looks like this was one failure by Whaley and company.

Of course, it would be a little more reassuring if we had a capable seasoned veteran QB as our backup (really too bad about Kolb, he would have fit the backup role perfectly). However, I was pleasantly surprised with Thad. He's not going to light the world on fire but he did a decent job (he was at least average, a C or maybe even a C+,on the other hand, poor Jeff Tuel was an F but that's not surprising for a UDFA--not many Tony Romo stories out there). As we all know, every team in the NFL will be in trouble if their starter goes down. Found this take on Thad and the Bills' decision to ride with Thad, it seems to make sense: http://buffalowins.com/buffalo-bills/articles-buffalo-bills/beyond-the-stats-where-does-thad-rank-among-backup-qbs.html Available FA QBs: 1. Josh Freeman 2. Kevin Kolb 3. David Garrard 4. Rex Grossman 5. David Carr 6. John Skelton 7. Brett Smith 8. Seneca Wallace 9. Tim Tebow 10. Vince Young http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/47305/309/2014-nfl-free-agents

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for him after watching him (implode) against the Browns. Almost as painful as watching a Donald Sterling interview!

I agree with our anonymous retired NFL scout. You have to analyze our draft based on the PLAYERS WE PICKED NOT BASED ON WHAT WE TRADED TO MAKE THE PICKS. That's called grading the TRADE which is what all of the so-called experts are doing. They're mixing the draft and the trade together. Though I don't think the trade was bad (I learned my lesson with the Julio Jones trade!), I would have no problem with someone grading the trade a C- as long as they went on to separately grade the players we drafted (and if they did that I think the lowest we get is a B). As for me, I give the trade a C because I think in car buying terms we paid MSRP (not invoice which would have been an A- and not $200 above invoice which would have been a B) but I give the draft a B+ (I think Sammy is clearly the real deal and I think the OL picks might turn out to be great, sounds like "Cockring" is gonna be a nice addition and I understand the Brown pick but I really don't like passing on a DE and TE). Whaley and company have really turned the culture of this franchise around and I think the old ways were what was holding us back. If you don't agree think about all of the moves made--draft picks, UDFAs (Robey!), FAs (Branch, Lawson and the guys this year), the trades (Hughes) and resigning the guys we need. This is the year we see some improvement in the win column and next year is the year we get back to the playoffs! Try to be patient folks, they're building us a team that will contend for years to come (not four Super Bowl appearances in a row but that really wore me down!).

We need an experienced backup (like Kolb was supposed to be). We already have QBs with little experience (though Lewis was OK, I still feel sorry for Tuel). It seems logical to think that a healthy Manuel with a full off season to prepare and with an improved OL and more weapons would put us in a better position to win now than a rookie QB (regardless of where he was drafted). As others have said, give the kid a chance to succeed before you run him out of town. Just saying...

Why not give Colt Lyerlaa chance? He's got the talent (but his brain is apparently "abby normal"). Here's an interesting take on the kid from Rotoworld.com: There are a ton of reasons not to trust Oregon TE Colt Lyerla, but on talent alone he may be the best tight end in this draft. Lyerla is on par with anyone in this class in terms of athleticism. He has excellent speed for the tight end position and great agility and burst for his size. Lyerla does not have a ton of experience running routes, but he is smooth and quick enough to gain separation. He has all the speed necessary to threaten the seam and has the body control and ball skills to be a threat in the red zone. Lyerla played running back in high school, and you can see that in his game as he is the best of this tight end group after the catch. Lyerla obviously has the size to run over people, but he also flashes some lateral agility you would not expect from a big man. He used these skills to average 5.8 yards per carry at Oregon. All of these impressive skills come with the huge caveat that he may never actually see an NFL field. He missed a game in 2013 due to what his coach called “circumstances,” missed another for violation of team rules, quit on his team halfway through the season, and was convicted of cocaine possession in December of 2013. That is a bucket full of issues and may be enough for him to slide out of the draft all together. If he can clean up his act, however, Lyerla has the talent to be an impact weapon in the passing game and an impact player in fantasy football.

Here's how the trade pans out (right now): Bills receive: » Bryce Brown » Seventh-round pick (No. 237):Seantrel Henderson Eagles receive: » Seventh-round pick (No. 224):Beau Allen » 2015 fourth-round pick

Wanted a LDE but I trust Whaley and we do need someone to take over for Spikes (but we needed a LDE now also could have used Nix at DT so if Dareus is suspended we'd be covered). Regardless, here are some scouting reports on Preston Brown: Nat'l Football Post: Preston Brown – Linebacker Brown is a fourth-year senior and a three-year starter. He has excellent size, speed, and athleticism. I estimate his size at 6’2 – 255 and he runs in the 4.75-4.80 range. He is a good athlete to go along with good strength and explosion. He flashes being a playmaker and can be physically tough at the point of attack. Sportsline: STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS: He's a stoutly-built athlete but possesses a dynamic first-step for his size, and displays explosiveness downhill when closing on the line of scrimmage. He's an extremely physical but fundamentally-sound tackler who prides himself on tackling hard and violent. He recognizes and anticipates the run well, particularly between the tackles, and is an effective angler when pursuing the run to the outside.

Reckless was the late Al Davis taking Heyward-Bey with the 7th pick in '09. Gutsy is putting your reputation on the line in both drafts you headed--Manuel last year and Watkins this year. You have to give Whaley some credit taking Kiko last year despite alleged "character issues", signing Branch and Lawson, trading for Hughes, etc...

We were able to trade back, get an extra pick in a deep draft and still got a Tackle with 1st round talent who has been medically cleared by Dr. James Andrews. When Bellicheat did that in round #1 with Dominique Easley, the pundits noted how smart he was. We do an even better (because we got a 1st rounder in the 2nd) and we get no love!!! I call BS!!! Sammy Watkins and Cyrus Kouandjio--sweet!!!! Next pick, LDE ... After that BPA!!!

RBs have been devalued (as free agent RBs learned this off season--one of them, Ben Tate, said he would be a safety if he could do it all over!). Seems like a RB won't even be selected until the 2nd round this year. So, I would expect some good ones to be there for us in the 4th round or even later (think about all of the good RBs who were drafted late and then there are even some who went undrafted like ... Fred Jackson!). Though I think we could "use" a RB, we "need" a RT and LDE (we could also use a TE, S and DT ((with Dareus' recent run-in with the law)) but I hope we wait to draft them). As others have stated, whether or not you like the pick, you gotta give Whaley and company credit for pulling the trigger and making a deal to get Watkins (and their track record is pretty good so maybe this deal will pan out). We're getting better every year, maybe this is the year we get back to the playoffs!

RBs have been devalued (recent FA Ben Tate said he would be a safety if he could do it over!)--there might not even be a RB taken in the 1st round this year. I think we can grab one later (for example check out http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2014/RB or http://www.drafttek.com/2014-NFL-Draft-Prospect-Rankings/Top-College-RBs-2014-Draft.asp ). That said, we could definitely use a RB (as well as a TE, S or even a DT with Dareus' potential suspension) but I think we need a Right Tackle and and I think we need a Left Defensive End (of course, I'm no expert just a guy who wasted a lot of time reading mock drafts and watching Mayock on TV ... I don't care for Kiper or McShay!). I hope Sammy is the real deal!!

If you don't like this move you should thank God we didn't give a king's ransom to Houston to draft Clowney!!! Hate losing next year's #1 pick but if we were going to do it Watkins and Mack were the guys to target. Now we can go OT in the 2nd and then DE in the 3rd (or vice versa!).

I can't believe we didn't trade down. We could have used an extra second round pick! And taking Ebron was a big mistake.

Here's an interesting article based on the alleged opinions of three of the NFL's top talent evaluators who believe that this year's TE class is weak (the top two TEs, Ebron and ASJ, are overrated pains in the ass and number three, Amaro, is nothing more than a "glorified possession slot receiver"). The sources claim that the WR class is deep and consequently would be the better value--didn't see the link in this thread but I do think it was elsewhere on TSW--should be here too. http://www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2014/03/eckel_three_men_love_nfl_draft.html Makes me wonder if we might not want to go OL in the first, take a WR in the second from that deep talent pool and pass on the TEs altogether. Worst case scenario for the TE position next year is that Moeaki and Gragg don't pan out and we "only" have a "serviceable" TE in Chandler who should have a better year with SJ, Woods and Goodwin improving and our newly drafted WR providing some occasional contributions (historically speaking most 1st year WRs are not impact players). And for the record, I was preciously gung-ho for a trade-down and taking Ebron. This article makes me wonder (if the article's sources are indeed top personnel folks it has more credibility than some blog from a nobody or an article from a wannabe NFL exec).

I would LOVE a trade down to nab more picks and to draft Ebron! Our pick has a value of 1350. See: http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/games/draft-pick-value.php. I've checked a bunch of mock drafts and the earliest anyone projects Ebron going is to the NYG at 12. However, I think they have a much, much greater need at OL so I'm not worried about them stealing Ebron. I think the Cowboys would be a good trade partner with their 16th pick which is valued at 1000. They are projected to select either a S or DT and if they don't move up they probably won't have the opportunity to take the top S or DT--STL is projected to take a S at 13 (Ha Ha Clinton-Dix) and CHI is projected to take the first DT at 14 (Timmy Jernigan). So, if the. Cowboys want to have first choice of S and DT, we would be the perfect team to trade with. They could also give us their 2nd round pick--47th which is valued at 430--and we could give them our 4th round pick--which is valued at 84. The value of our picks in this mix is 1434 and the Cowboys picks are valued at 1430. So it's essentially a wash. Jerry Jones loves to wheel and deal so anything is possible. Most importantly, it appears to be very unlikely that any of the teams selecting between 10th and 15th would go with Ebron (DET Gilbert-CB, TENN Barr-LB, NYG Lewan-OT, STL Pryor ((2nd ranked S)), CHI Donald ((2nd ranked DT)), PIT. ((Secondary and WR are bigger needs than TE--Dennard at CB or Evans at WR). We would then have two 2nd round picks to use for the BPA at OT and WR. Probably just.a dream....

Sad but true! Think people are missing that point. And comparing him to Da'RIck Rogers?

Worth a flier on a reasonable, short term deal (however, I'm not sure how reasonable his idea of reasonable is--he hasn't signed at any of the many places he's visited). He is a legit #1 when his head is in the game rather than stuck up his ass. He wants a short term deal because his stock is as low as it should ever be and a short term deal will enable thim to prove that he's got his head back in the game and he can parlay a good year in a short term deal into bigger bucks next year on a long term bigger money contract. So, this is a very important year in this young man's career--defines his legacy as a player in this league. After watching him play at Rutgers where he had no apparent problems with Schiano, I think he's capable of settling down and giving us a good year. That would enable us to use our first round pick on an OT, trade back for Ebron, etc... It opens up other doors for us by not requiring us to take a risk on Evans (who I agree with others is a gamble). If Watkins is there I would go for it even with Britt (he's an electric talent and Britt would probably be a one and done player and we would be able to get rid of some dead weight this year, i.e., TJ). Just my uninformed, opinion....

Hope you're right. Deep draft + more picks = good draft. Keep building for the future.

That's exactly who he is (as many others have aptly noted). That said, I don't think he'd make the move. He'll surely have other options that won't have any attached "baggage". It would be like dating an ex-wife (in order to avoid any potential libel suits, I will not ask any of you out there to comment). Rather, I will refer you to an article in "Psychology Today" that addresses the subject. When reading the article, in this instance, I believe it would be appropriate to substitute "former team" for "sweetheart" because I believe Fitz was the jilted party: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/getting-laid-over-60/201101/should-you-date-your-ex-spouse

Agree with you 100%!

Versatile and the FO thinks they can get more out of him. Only time will tell... Until then, let's see if we can sign a TE while there are still some quality ones out there (unlike the pool of Gs available when we signed Williams).