ax4782

The point about Fletcher is well taken, but there is nothing wrong with rotating linebackers. On obvious passing situations you can rotate in a faster MLB with better coverage skills, and in situations where the play isn't obvious pass and he is out there, he can do a good enough job against most tight ends. If not, put one of the other backers, like Spikes who is faster and better in coverage, on him or drop one of the safeties from the strong side. The coaches can figure this one out, but there are options. That's what training camp and preseason are for.

Agreed. Kiper doesn't know anything. Predicting draft talent and where players should go is like picking the lottery. No one ever gets it right and Kiper is usually the furthest from it. I don't care what any of the experts think. The way the new players perform on the field in the next few years will dictate whether this was a successful draft or not. If the Bills are making the playoffs in three to five years and these players are part of it, we'll know for sure. Until then, ignore the "experts." They don't really know any more than we do what is going to happen.

Vincent is sticking around. He would count too much against the cap to release and with Clements still unsigned they need veteran leadership in the secondary to help the new picks along. Vincent is likely to spend another year or two with the Bills before he retires.

The line could be better and it could be worse. Reyes and Fowler are upgrades at G and C from last year. Reyes played every game last year for a Carolina team that was very effective running and passing the ball. I think he will start at right guard where the talent level for the Bills last season was relatively skimpy. And on Jason Peters, dude can play. He shut down people last season on that side of the line and was far better than he who shall not be named ever was over there. Villarial's health will be a key, but if the Bills can keep him healthy the line will be better and that will make the team better. I say 8-8 this year, and maybe better if they can get some confidence in the beginning by winning some of those early conference games. Go Sabres!!!!!

Gadfly hit the nail on the head. This was a good draft for the Bills. They may not have drafted flash, but they have a bunch of guys who will contribute immediately. Butler played in an NFL style offense under Al Groh at UVa and his play on the same line as the Brick can only benefit him. A guy with a bit of attitude blocking for McGahee is what we were missing last year, though how far his nastiness goes has to be a concern. But knowing the emphasis that Marv and the scouts put on character, they would not have drafted him if they did not feel he was generally a good guy. Go Sabres!!!!

I went to NC State and watched McCargo play against top competition in the ACC. In three games against Florida State, his numbers were better in terms of tackles and overall play. buffaloaggie is just plain wrong. He seems upset that we didn't draft Lienart or some other glitz and glamour pick, when we had needs to fill. McCargo would not have been there at our pick in the second round, and giving up a third round pick to move up is nothing. The second rounder is what we would have spent anyway, so we really only gave up a third. There were other teams that needed a DT on the first day between 26 and 42 and he was clearly the best remaining guy. McCargo did not take plays off in college and he played at three different positions and did so very well. We need to see how they perform on the field before we start the blame and whine game again. Go Sabres!!

This was not a huge tactical mistake. The Bills lost one pick, as they wanted to use the second rounder to get McCargo anyway. They essentially gave up a third round pick to get a very solid player at position of need. I went to NC State and saw McCargo play. This was not a mistake, this is a guy who was undervalued on a lot of boards and the Bills were smart to take him. Whitner would have been taken by Detroit. They were looking to take Huff or Whitner in the first round and only took Simms because their top two choices were off the board. The Bills would not have done better with any other players. Ngata is too slow and takes plays off, and Bunkley's PQs and stats at Florida State were good, but McCargo's would have been similar if he had not been injured. Also, McCargo played at three positions for three seasons on the NC State defense which moved Williams, Lawson and McCargo around during different situations. With a need at all places on the DL, McCargo will likely start somewhere on the line this season and his speed and size will make him an immediate impact player. This has been a good draft. Marv know how to win and I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, until circumstances tell us otherwise.

I think the last post was right. There is a lot of whining and complaining, but what else could the Bills have done. Clearly they had multiple needs and they addressed them, just not with the "glamour" picks people wanted. Ngata played well, but not superbly against equivalent or better competition in the PAC-10. I went to NC State and watched both Bunkley and McCargo in games where they played against each other. If you look at their statistics they are not that far apart, and McCargo is versatile. He played nose, end and three which is what the Bills need: help all across the line. He can play where they need him. He would have been gone, and the Bills had a glaring need there, which they filled. Whitner is an excellent prospect and we have a need at both strong and free safety, where he can step in. With Clements probably not playing in Buffalo for much longer, and the need for coverage guys in the new scheme, the picks today were good news. Lineman can be picked in the mid and late rounds and still be performers. Preston was a third round pick in '05 and he played big role. Don't be surprised if Derek Morris from NC State is picked in the fifth or sixth round by the Bills tomorrow. Instead of going glamour, Levy picked smart. For that he should be commended.

I actually went to NC State and watched McCargo play. He NEVER takes a down off, unlike Ngata, who couldn't even beat guards in the upper levels of the PAC-10. McCargo was consistently good against teams like Florida State, Virginia Tech, Miami, and against Virginia's Ferguson who was taken 4th. It cost us almost nothing to move up and get him (the second rounder we would have used on him anywayand a third rounder) and he would have been gone. Futhermore, Safety and CB were positions the Bills needed to draft. Clements is probably not going to sign a long term deal, and we lost Milloy to FA. This is a GOOD draft. McCargo will start this year and I guarantee he'll be better than Ngata over the long haul. Go Sabres!!