BillsVet

FWIW, the combine acknowledged their vertical leap test was incorrectly giving players less than anticipated results Vertical Leap Problems It's apparent Rivers is benefitting from a weak LB class, though some guys like Jarrod Mayo and Curtis Lofton are getting more attention. Thomas' lack of consistent production is something to consider, especially with such a high pick. Either way, I don't see the Bills going WR in the first, especially considering the value isn't there. It's either CB (ugghhh) or perhaps DE if the front office wants to plan for the future. (Schobel and Denney both over 30)

The NFL, like most professional leagues, is a copy-cat league. The Giants had their three premier pass rushers in Strahan, Umenyiora, and Tuck. A productive pass rushers always is worth more than a good CB. We'll see how Kelsay and Schobel do with a better middle featuring Stroud and McCargo. But having another pass rushing option would exponentially make the secondary look so much better. A solid DL in theory makes a mediocre LB corps and secondary (not saying our LB's or DB's are bad) look like gold. It would give the team some more depth, especially with Schobel and Denney being over 30. Besides, this team's strength going into the season was DE, and that quickly broke down. Gil Brandt knows his stuff, and if he says Harvey is a solid Cover 2 LDE, he's probably right. For the record, LDE is what Kelsay plays, and if the Bills aren't thrilled with Kelsay after this season (the second season of his 4 year deal) Buffalo has a replacement in Harvey.

Looking back at the 2006 draft, I had issues with the Bills' strategy. This has been discussed ad infinitum, but for the sake of this post, I decided to avoid any Whitner versus Ngata debate in my recap. Fact is, the Bills wanted a safety, and only Whitner's play has been close or at respectable. Jason Allen and Michael Huff have disappointed thus far, though both played on very poor defenses as well.

Despite my personal feelings about the Whitner pick, I wanted to be neutral in assessing the 06 draft for this post. Sometimes it's lost just who is selected on draft day, and how they pan out. Ngata is a fine player, certainly the type of DT many teams want. Whitner was the Bills guy in 06, and it's not going to change.

The 2006 NFL Draft was a heralded class comprising several college stars. A few surprises took place, though the first pick was not as simple as some made it. 1. Mario Williams DE HOU Williams' play was not at the level most fans thought he should have been at in 06. In 2007, he erased their doubts and collected 14.5 sacks but received a snub to the Pro Bowl. Appears to be another cornerstone for a Houston defense which is improving with Ryans and Okoye currently on-board. 2. Reggie Bush RB NO Bush received more acclaim than any other college player in recent memory. His transition to the NFL hasn't been as smooth and despite his 88 receptions and long TD in the NFC Title game last year, his ability to run between the tackles leaves many wondering whether he can be an every down back. Has 161 catches for 1159 yards and 4 TD's while rushing for 1146 yards on 312 carries with 10 TD's. 3. Vince Young QB TEN While many Houston fans were upset with not selecting Young, his play has been up and down. Though Tennessee went to the post-season this year, Young's passing abilities appear limited. A career 57% passer with 21 TD tosses against 30 picks. Interesting to see how he develops without Norm Chow as OC. 4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson OLT NYJ Athletic tackle who began 06 as the starting LT. Showed potential, but has issues keeping on weight. Regressed slightly in 2007, and must improve his play on fortified Jests line. 5. A.J. Hawk LB GB Led Packers in tackles his rookie season by recording 122. Followed it with another 105 stops in 2007 and has started all 32 games he's played in. Will remain a big part of their defense for a long time with sideline to sideline abilities. 6. Vernon Davis TE SF Athletic and fast player who was thought to be the perfect complement to QB Alex Smith. Was injured for much of 2006, and has yet to live up to his draft position. 72 receptions for 774 yards and 7 TD's. 7. Michael Huff S OAK Texas product has underachieved in first two seasons. Has made 138 tackles and one pick in 32 career starts. Reportedly was on the trade block by Oakland, but at this point will team with Gibril Wilson in Raiders secondary. 8. Donte Whitner S BUF Did not begin season as starter, but entered early and made 14 starts with 15 appearances total. Has 2 career interceptions and will most likely be used differently this season with Bills' free agent pickups. 195 career tackles and played every defensive snap of 2007 season until missing the finale at Philadelphia with an illness. 9. Ernie Sims LB DET Small but very quick and instinctive defender immediately improved Lions backers. Has started all 32 games he's appeared in, collecting 259 tackles and 1 INT. Also forced 3 fumbles in 2007 and will team with Cory Redding and Leigh Bodden to potentially turn around the Detroit defense under HC Rod Marinelli. 10. Matt Leinart QB AZ Struggled, like most rookie signal callers do, in rookie season. Has a career 56% completion percentage and only thrown for 3194 yards with 13 TD's and 16 INT's. Injured in 2007, and will need to fight off Kurt Warner for starting nod. Recently surfaced pictures have forced many to question his dedication, including HC Ken Whisenhunt. 11. Jay Cutler QB DEN Replaced Jake Plummer late in 2006 to mixed reviews. Big arm has completed 62.6% of his passes with 29 TD's against 19 interceptions. Criticized teammate Brandon Marshall for becoming injured and will be vocal when necessary. Broncos will live and die with Cutler under center. Broncos aging OL may become an issue real soon for his development. 12. Haloti Ngata DT BAL 340 pound athletic DT has played exceptionally well for aging Ravens defense. Started each game since rookie season, and commands double teams on nearly every down. Has 94 career tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 interception. 13. Kamerion Wimbley LB CLE Rush linebacker had 11 sacks in 06, but declined to 5 in 2007. Will receive help with Browns' addition of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Started 31 of 32 career games. 14. Brodrick Bunkley DT PHI Very disappointing rookie campaign followed with much better 2007 season. Started 15 games and collected 3 sacks. Eagles purged other DT's to allow Bunkley to start and is showing improvement, particularly after a lackluster effort in 2006. 15. Tye Hill CB STL Speedster has started 17 of career 24 games with 4 total interceptions in those contests. Missed 8 games in 2007, and durability is an issue. 16. Jason Allen S MIA Has started only 9 of 32 games. Played at SS in 07, and made 3 picks along with one forced fumble. Has been disappointing, considering his first round status and may need to make leaps and bounds with new regime entrenched. 17. Chad Greenaway LB MIN Missed entire 06 season with injury. Returned in 2007 to start all 16 games and make 105 stops. Also took an INT back for a TD and recoverd 4 fumbles. Will most likely be Vikings starter at WLB in 2008. 18. Bobby Carpenter LB DAL Reportedly picked by then coach Bill Parcells as a favor to a friend. Has had significant issues moving from outside to the inside in Cowboys 3-4 scheme. Has only 1 start in 29 career games and was shopped by Cowboys this offseason. Moving quickly toward bust status. 19. Antonio Cromartie CB SD Big corner played outstanding football in 2007 with 10 picks and a TD. Made Pro Bowl and started only 8 of 16 games. Took over for the injured Quentin Jammer and showed no sign of a knee injury that caused him to drop in the draft. 1st team All Pro last year as well. 20. Tamba Hali DE KC Started 32 consecutive games for Chiefs. Has 15.5 sacks and teams with Jared Allen to make for a very good pass rushing combination. Needs interior help with KC so weak at DT, but is becoming a good DE. 21. Laurence Maroney RB NE Shared time with Corey Dillon in 2006, but became starter in 07. Oft-injured back has excellent power, but started only 6 of 13 games last year. Carried the ball 185 times for 835 yards and 6 TD's, but gave way to NE's pass happy attack for much of the season. Ran for 745 yards in 06. 22. Manny Lawson LB SF Edge rusher with 49ers, after playing DE at NC State. Started all 16 games in rookie season, though only 2 in 07. Tore his ACL in practice after showing good improvement early in the season. Good coverage skills, and athleticism will help make SF defense better in 08. 23. Davin Joseph G TB Starter in 28 of 29 career games, who figures to be a long term player at RG for Buccaneers OL. Along with 07 second rounder Arron Sears, should help TB be better offensively. 24. Jonathan Joseph CB CIN 23 starts in 31 career games. Recorded 4 picks in 07 with 1 returned for a TD. Teams with 07 first round pick Leon Hall to give Cincy good help on the fringe of the field. May not have it so easy in 08 with safety Madieu Williams gone in FA. 25. Santonio Holmes WR PIT Only wideout taken in first round of 06. Got onto then-HC Bill Cowher's doghouse with bad plays. Caught 52 passes for 942 yards and 8 TD's in 07. Has fumbled 7 times in two seasons, but also contributes as a PR, having returned one punt for a TD. 26. John McCargo DT BUF Bills traded back into 1st to grab 3 technique DT. Played in only five games in 06, and went on IR with broken bone in his foot. Came back in 07 to play in all 16 games and had 2.5 sacks, including big play against Giants. Should become starter in his third season with the departure of Larry Tripplett. New Acquisiton Marcus Stroud will make life much easier for McCargo and Bills expect big things in 08. 27. Deangelo Williams RB CAR In 29 career games, has started only twice with Deshaun Foster getting more PT. Has not established himself as every down back, but has the ability. Averaged 5.0 ypc with 717 yards on 144 carries despite sharing time with Foster. KR as well, but may not be in team's plans as a starter now that Foster is gone. 28. Marcedes Lewis TE JAC Started all 16 games in 07 after doing so three times in 06. Caught 37 balls for 391 yards in Jags run first offense. Sizable target who isn't quite the same caliber blocker as he is a receiver. 29. Nick Mangold C NYJ Jets went OL for second time in Round 1 with Ohio State product. Drew praise and more than held his own in rookie season. Played extemely well in 06, allowing only 0.5 sacks. Will be Jets C for many years. 30. Joseph Addai RB IND After splitting time with Dominic Rhodes in the Colts backfield, became the starter in 2007. Started 15 games last year and ran for 1072 yards with 12 TD's. More than replaced Edgerrin James, who left in FA two years ago. Has 81 catches in those two seasons, with perhaps the biggest against NE last November. 31. Kelly Jennings CB SEA Started 15 of 16 games in 2007 aftter only 2 starts the previous year. Had no interceptions this past season, with one in 2006. Behind Marcus Trufant and others on the depth chart. Played key role in 2006 playoff game versus Dallas when he held Terry Glenn to 4 catches for 41 yards 32. Mathias Kiwanuka DE/OLB NYG Has 18 career starts, though was injured in November 07. 8.5 career sacks. Gives Giants flexibility should Michael Strahan retire, and can play DE and LB effectively. 2 INT's in 2006. Several up and coming players went in 2006's first round. Some (Cromartie, Mario Williams, Mangold) are already excellent players. Still need another season to properly evaluate these picks, but many are sure to improve in 2008.

Thanks for the correction. Johnson did indeed have 4 TD receptions. Thomas I believe was an alternate who went to Hawaii when Peters wasn't able to participate, IIRC. I think it'd be good to do an 2006 version as well.

Last year, very few surprises occurred on draft day. Trades were few and far between, and the top pick was a mystery to no one. I figured it'd be interesting to see what the first rounders did in Year 1. 1. JaMarcus Russell QB OAK Lone start was final game of season; 36-66 with 373 yards passing, 2TD's and 4 INT's. The future of the franchise. (assuming Davis doesn't take McFadden) 2. Calvin Johnson WR DET 48 receptions for 756 yards and 1 TD. 4 carries for 52 yards. Detroit's 4th WR selected since 2003 has the skills and size to dominate. Should improve in 2008. 3. Joe Thomas OLT CLE Perhaps the best of the entire draft, Thomas allowed one sack on opening day and did not yield one the rest of the season. Consensus all rookie team, probably should have been a Pro Bowler. 4. Gaines Adams DE TB Finished season with 6 sacks and 27 tackles. Started 8 games, played in all 16. 5. Levi Brown OT AZ Started 11 games, played 13. Came on toward end of season and will protect Leinart's blindside by playing RT. 6. Laron Landry S WAS Initially teamed with Sean Taylor, took over for the late star. Has great range and started all 16 games. 2 picks in Redskins' first round playoff loss. 7. Adrian Peterson RB MIN Despite a passing game scaring no one, Peterson led the NFL in rushing, with a single game record of 296 yards versus San Diego. Great combination of size and speed, though runs upright. Gamebreaker. 8. Jamaal Anderson DE ATL Recorded no sacks, but started all 16 games. Played tough against the run. Figures to be more active in 08, especially with help on the DL. 9. Ted Ginn WR/KR MIA 34 catches for 420 yards and 2 TD's. Returned 1 punt for TD. Will be counted on heavily this season for woeful Dolphins team. 10. Amobi Okoye DT HOU Started 14 games, but tailed by the end of the season. 23 tackles with 5.5 sacks, he will be (along with DeMeco Ryans) the heart of Houston's defense for many years. 11. Patrick Willis LB SF Defensive Rookie of the Year. 137 tackles and 4 sacks. Started all 16 games and will in all probability become SF's defensive leader. 12. Marshawn Lynch RB BUF Need we say more? No one leaves it on the field as much as Lynch. Signature play occurred versus Cincinnati when he eluded tacklers in backfield and turned it into long TD run. 280 carries, 1115 yards and 7 TD's. 13. Adam Carriker DL STL Recorded 21 tackles with 2 sacks and started all 16 games. Scary to think of him paired with Glenn Dorsey. 14. Darrelle Revis CB NYJ Jests traded up to get Revis, who started all 16 games. Picked off 3 passes along with making 74 tackles. 15. Lawrence Timmons LB PIT Played in all 16 games, but started none. Could not supplant veterans ahead of him, but will be featured as rush backer in Steeler scheme. 11 tackles. 16. Justin Harrell DT GB Started 2 games and played in 7. Was injured much of the year. Probably most maligned pick of first round, will be counted on more with the departure of Corey Williams. 10 tackles total. 17. Jarvis Moss DE DEN Went on IR middle of season. Started 1 game, played in 6. 9 tackles and 1 sack. 18. Leon Hall CB CIN Started 10 games and led team in INT's with 5. Added 55 tackles. 19. Michael Griffin S-CB TEN Moved to safety and excelled with 10 starts. Intercepted 3 passes and made 41 tackles. 20. Aaron Ross CB NYG Made 9 starts and played in 15 games. Hurt in NFC Title Game, picked 3 passes, with 35 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 21. Reggie Nelson S JAC Started 15 games at FS. Made 5 INT's and 58 tackles. 22. Brady Quinn QB CLE Freefalling at draft, was not able to take starting job from Derek Anderson. Will most likely remain in backup role. 3-8 for 45 yards in entire season. 23. Dwayne Bowe WR KC Fine freshman season with 70 catches for 995 yards and 5 TD's on a horrendous offense. Only limitation will be the QB. 24. Brandon Meriweather S NE Played in all 16 games, started none. Disappointing season with only 18 tackles. NE's draft record may take a hit with this one. 25. Jon Beason LB CAR Next to Willis, the best rookie defensive player. Started all 16 games, making 106 tackles. Play improved when he moved to the inside when oft-injured Dan Morgan was out. Team MVP. 26. Anthony Spencer DE DAL Played well when playing for Greg Ellis. Started 6 games and made 3 sacks. 27. Robert Meachem WR NO Perhaps the worst season a rookie could have, short of injury. Meachem did not see the field, and was not physically in shape to handle the NFL. 28. Joe Staley OLT SF Staley started all 16 games out of Central Michigan. Pick acquired when SF traded their 08 1st (7th overall) to NE. Very athletic, will man the blindside this year. 29. Ben Grubbs G BAL Started 12 games and played in all 16. Is entrenched as a started on Baltimore's OL for awhile. 30. Craig Davis WR SD Another LSU wideout (along with Bowe) Davis started only one game and was replaced when Chris Chambers was acquired. 20 receptions for 188 yards and 1 TD. 31. Greg Olsen TE CHI Caught 39 passes for 391 yards and 2 scores. Started 4 games and played in 14. Will be counted on more heavily, especially with Grossman at QB. 32. Anthony Gonzalez WR IND Defending champs selected a WR to many prognosticator's surprise. Played the slot and before injury, had 37 receptions for 376 yards and 3 TD's All in all, the 07 first rounders made contributions to their teams. Half the picks made significant contributions or were outstanding.

Love the Python reference. He was perhaps the blandest pxp guy I've ever heard. He'd be better describing paint dry.

Guy is VP of Pro Personnel Modrak is VP of College Scouting. There is no one overseeing All Personnel, aside from perhaps Brandon, who is nominally in command of the entire front office. All NFL teams, aside from the Bills have a GM or VP or Personnel. We do not know who has final say on draft day. I think it'd be safe to say it's Ralph, and that's downright scary.

If only he could play center for us. We need one.

To me, the article went too easy on the staff, which in itself is eerily similar to what it was when Donahoe was around. When good decisions were made beginning in 2006, everyone credited the front office, although that same front office was given a pass whenever something or someone didn't pan out. Examples are the free agent class of 2006 with Larry Tripplett, Peerless Price, Matt Bowen, Tutan Reyes, Anthony Thomas, Kiwaukee Thomas, Melvin Fowler, Robert Royal, Craig Nall, and Andre Davis. Only two of those guys are with the team two years after, and neither is much of a starter. Some fans will attempt to minimize those signings because of the moderate costs, but the drafts haven't been stellar either. Try drafting a SS with a premier DT in Ngata on the board. Buffalo's been trying to find a DT since 2006, and I give them credit for acquring Stroud, but it should never have taken 2 full seasons to realize they didn't have the personnel to stop opposing RB's from running wild. In essence, this is the fault of management for going along with Jauron's failed scheme of smaller and quicker. I'm not a fan of micromanagement, but if ever there is a coach who needs some, it's DJ. Only 10 coaches in NFL history have a worse winning percentage that have coached 100+ games. Additionally, only one franchise in the league has neither a GM or VP of Player Personnel. That team is the Buffalo Bills, a franchise that cannot miss on draft day in the first 2-3 rounds. With that in mind, I'd like to know who has final say on draft picks. With teams like Indy, GB, the Giants, SD, and most others, it's evident who that person is. If anyone's read The GM, it's a great insight on how another front office works.

Front Office Workings After reading the article, it seemed the Bills have their strategy mapped out, as all teams should. It would be nice to see someone in the official role as General Manager or Player Personnel Czar, but that's been covered ad infinitum. It's JMO, but John Guy is portrayed to be something of a FA guru, which as we all know, ain't exactly the case. His track record (or lack thereof) is only eclipsed by Larry Quinn's. Of course it could all be untrue, and I'm sure no one wants to do a Marinelli and show their hand for no particular reason. Especially when they don't have to. I'll maintain that savvy front offices are the deciding factor in a franchise's succcess. They find the players who ultimately get on the field. Although the coaches have their role, they can't do a thing until having the right personnel. These last two years, Buffalo's personnel has been severely lacking, and probably only the beginning of a rebuild plan that no one wanted to admit.

This is the point exactly. The morning show format is more about entertainment and perhaps shock value than anything else. It's JMO, but listeners respond (i.e. give high ratings) to stations which have the Schopp/White personality who rips everyone and barely allows them a sentence before throwing them off-air. Locally, the sports world is the Bills and Sabres. Nothing else really figures into the picture and it's what we've got to live with. I honestly believe Schopp knows nothing about football and his tendency to find minutiae about the Sabres becomes tired real fast. At the same time, if I put myself into Schopp's shoes, I'd struggle to find topics for the day simply because the sports universe locally is quite limited.

It's a fallacy to believe an agent would allow a team to short both he and his player millions of dollars just because they were late in getting their pick to the podium. Case in point: Minnesota was set to select 7th in 2003 but failed to get their pick delivered on time. (EDIT: MIN selected DT Kevin Williams) Two teams (Jacksonville and Carolina) rushed their picks up and ended up getting to pick before the Vikings got their sh** together. At contract negotiation time, Williams' agent demanded 7th overall pick money, and ended up getting it. The strategy didn't work then, and it's probably not going to work now for any team.

It's called: 1) A union (NFLPA) 2) Player Agents

WR Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina LB Phillip Wheeler Georgia Tech G Mike McGlynn Pittsburgh DE/LB Jason Jones Eastern Michigan S Tyrell Johnson Arkansas State

Perhaps one of the most inane posts I've seen on this board. The cap structure isn't kind to teams that are bad and it's no surprise GM's are attempting in vain to deal out of the top 10. They can't, primarily because paying unproven talent that much is on the risky side. Why not take someone projected for the 3rd round and offer them normal money (3M guaranteed) At least your team wouldn't take a huge cap hit if the player fails to produce. Then again, not paying 35M to a player with zero professional experience is cheap.

Kiper made the point that 11 is too early to draft Kelly, and that a better value would be DRC at CB. Hoge loves Lynch and believes he's the power back a team loves to have. Now if only Schonert can get him involved in the passing game.

I seem to recall Jerry Rice turned out fairly well despite a "sub-par" 40 time in the neighborhood of 4.7. Anquan Boldin ran a poor 40 a few years back and he's been pretty darn good. Speed is nice, but I'd take a guy who finds ways to separate from coverage first. Ask Troy Williamson how his size equates to success in the NFL.

Is that you Tom Donahoe?

Yes, GB's entire success can be attributed to Favre. No one takes the time to point out that GB's failures in 2005 and 06 could be, in large part, attributed to Favre's gunslinger type QB play. Did you watch the home game Buffalo played against GB in 2006? I was there, and Favre made several mistakes, namely a returned INT that effectively ended the game. Before concluding that GB relied completely on Favre for success, remember his best season came last year, when GB could look to Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and a certain RB in Ryan Grant to diversify their offense. That, and a solid defense which relied a great deal on homegrown talent. A QB alone cannot win games over the long term. Having good talent spread evenly on offense and defense does win. IMO, GB has done a fine job of assembling talent from the draft. BTW, who says Rodgers isn't good? How does one know this? He performed well in Dallas on TV this year, and has the benefit of learning under Favre for 3 complete seasons. If the criteria is being Favre, of course he won't be.

Hitting the jackpot at QB is what good teams do on draft day. Thompson's built a fine defense, and aside from Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett, hasn't used FA all that much. I just like the idea of having a GM or Personnel VP who has final say on personnel matters. Teams that draft well generally win on Sunday. Teams that don't are back in the top 10.

Free Agency is designed to fill holes and augment the draft. This principle was lost on Danny Snyder until this season, when he saw teams like the Giants not spend in FA, only to advance to and win the SB. It took him awhile, but teams are learning the way to win in the 21st century NFL. The notion of a window of opportunity is no longer what it was in the mid to late nineties. Teams have adjusted and beter handled personnel to the point of knowing who is replaceable and who is not. Teams like GB just replace players with solid drafting. Teams such as NE, IND, PHI, SD, PIT, JAC, NYG, and now GB will have a down season from time to time, but never go into the doldrums and be bad for a length. It's because they know who to rid themselves of and how to draft.

I can hear Mort right now: "Buffalo's biggest mistake was firing the genius Tom Donahoe. They've gone downhill ever since then." I'd like to see anyone out-do Marshall Faulk, and his assessment of the Bills (particularly their "need" for a OLT). I'll watch to see if they know who the starting QB is.

I don't think taking BPA is always the strategy, but it's the better strategy most of the time. Buffalo won't be in the market for a top tier OLT, RB, or QB with their top pick, regardless of who's available. And both we and the front office know it. OTOH, positions which aren't ever completely filled, like DE, should enter into the equation, especially if a Derrick Harvey is available. IMO, top DE prospects tend to go off the board quicker and aren't as likely to be found in later rounds. The physical requirements for a dominating DE, especially for edge rushing RDE's, aren't found in abundance. WR is deep this season, with guys like Earl Bennett, Jordy Nelson, Andre Caldwell, and Jerome Simpson likely to be available in the second round. Conversely, DE's will be long gone in the second round this year. I'm fairly certain C. Long, Gholston, Harvey, Merling, C. Campbell, and perhaps Lawrence Jackson will be gone by pick 41. Either way, it's about the front office using an "economy of force" and using the absolute minimum of resouces to achieve their goal.