BillsVet
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This team has been below average for a long time. Aren't you ready for something better?
I'd hope we get better sometime soon, because we are perilously thin at a host of positions. To get back to 7-9 requires impact players who will play for less money. It's looking like 2008 will be the year, though it's too soon to write off 2007. If we had 1 or 2 positions that needed help on draft day I'd be a little more comfortable. But we're required at this point to get 2-3 instant starters from this draft. 2 at LB, a RB who gets considerable time, and a DT. And they need to play well now not next year.
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They really don't need to replace two, it's really one. They obviously think Ellison is starter material. Crowell is pretty decent and could be pretty good. They now need a starter though for Spikes.
Well, I'm not going to put too much faith into a former 6th round pick with size concerns. He's going to be the starter based on the lack of talent at the position. If he fits the bill, fine. But I'm not going to place all my chips on the Keith Ellison table just because the team likes him. Of course that's what they're going to say, he's the only conceivable option left at this point. Buffalo will not go shopping anymore with the cap concerns and Spikes being moved for partially that reason.
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Letting London walk already did that...
Needing one LB is certainly not hard to overcome. But replacing 2 in one off-season demonstrates to me a desperate need. Believe what you want, replacing starters and the turnover experienced this off-season will require some shifty moves on draft day. Using your first pick for a desperate need is very probable considering last year's moves.
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With ongoing discussions and the likelihood of a trade of Spiikes, I am afraid that the Bills, whom if last year is any indication will take a player who hasn't been on the fans' radar or not as substantially so, will draft Pos; Posluszny is considered a good fit at strong-side linebacker, which would be his position on the Bills and the position from which Spikes would be departing.
I'm not a crackpot and I REALLY, genuinely fear this. The reason that I am afraid has less to do with Posluszny's value as a prospective NFL linebacker (I think he could be pretty good; at least solid) as it does at his value as a draft pick at pick #12. The justification for Posluszny at #12 is already partially being articulated- for what it's worth, there have been more and more suggestions around the league that have him going fourteenth to Carolina (serious linebacker needs before they lost SLB, Chris Draft), and fifteenth to Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, Posluszny would be a replacement for Porter but not the pass-rushing threat that Joey was; they're slowly transitioning to a more Mike Tomlin-favored Cover 2 scheme- that's why I'm surprised many believe, mistakenly so, IMO, that pass-rushing threats like Jarvis Moss will go to the Steelers at #15. I doubt they're looking for a prototype of the player they released (if was about more than money or decreasing production out of Porter that they released him). If the Steelers go linebacker, I think that a player like Pos, a better run-stuffer than pass-rusher, will be the sort of player they seek.
Jacksonville at seventeenth is also mentioned as a possible destination for Pos, and I could see that happening as well. If not them, then perhaps #20 to the Giants. Then he'd fall to New England at #24, likely. Of course, Posluszny looks better and better the further and further you go down the 1st-round because the Scouts' grades for him (which are not at all identical to individual teams' grades for anyone) suggest that he would be a very significant reach at #12, even with the Whitner-esque rationale provided that the teams not far below us may want him, too. And keep in mind that there is a VERY good chance that Okoye and Willis will not be options; they're two of the hottest and expotential risers in the draft. No, players more likely to fall include someone like Jamaal Anderson, whose combine didn't enhance his status (Levi Brown won't fall out of the top-ten because of he's a projected left tackle- a greater priority usually).
I could see this scenario playing out (negating trade possibilities or roster additions- like Carr to Oakland):
1. Oakland- QB JaMarcus Russell
2. Detroit- OT Joe Thomas
3. Cleveland- QB Brady Quinn
4. Tampa Bay- WR Calvin Johnson
5. Arizona- DE Gaines Adams
6. Washington- DT Amobi Okoye
7. Minnesota- RB Adrian Peterson
8. Atlanta- FS Laron Landry
9. Miami- OT Levi Brown
10. Houston- DT Alan Branch
11. San Francisco- MLB Patrick Willis
12. Buffalo- OLB Paul Posluszny
I take it you're concerned Buffalo's need will outweigh their draft position and necessitate a reach for a player that is ranked the highest at their respective position? If so, I'd agree.
I think this is a realistic scenario. Undoubtedly, BUffalo's hand has been forced with even the proposed shopping of Spikes. I know they couldn't hide it forever, but dealing him alerts everyone that Buffalo has a significant need at LB. And if they get blinders on like they did last season, I can see this happening.
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i don't think we really disagree too much. We NEED 2-3 starters out of the draft (just like last year). My take is, so far so good. I understand t seems, on the surface, we have lost many core players, and that can be disturbing. But, when you are trying to transition a losing organization into a winning one, there HAVE to be big changes.
Until his judgment proves to be poor and his changes prove detrimental to the team, I will cotinue to "trust in Marv". That doesn't mean that I won't occasionally question some of the decisions.
BTW, Since when has Spikes EVER been a negative influence on this team? That's news to me,
I don't think the front office was happy with Spikes when he publicly complained about Vincent's release. I didn't think that was a good move by Spikes and never should have been in the public realm. That's stuff that needs to be kept in the locker room. But I've read that Spikes wasn't too enthusiastic about Losman starting either. Forgive me for not providing direct links to the latter, but here's an example of his displeasure with the front office:
I can understand wanting to shed him from the team for multiple reasons. I'm merely concerned with the replacement. I personally like Okoye and Posulszny. Both would seem to be excellent on this team. Same for Willis, they are all character people. Plain and simple, I think the front office would deal Spikes to prevent the younger players from buying into a guy with great playing credentials who is bad-mouthing the transactions the team makes. Not a good thing.
I'd like to see Buffalo grab another DT, a starting LB, and a RB. Those are my three distinct areas of need.
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Good questions.
Regarding play-offs, here are some words from Rick McKay, co-chairman of the NFL Competition Committee:
"In opening his teleconference Wednesday to discuss proposed rules changes, committee co-chair Rich McKay pointed out some key statistics that speak to the league's competitive balance.
In referencing re-alignment into eight, four-team divisions for the 2002 season, McKay, the Atlanta Falcons president and general manager, pointed out that 27 of 32 teams have qualified for the playoffs in those five seasons.
"We've also had 22 different divisional title winners," McKay said. "So we feel very good about where the game is from the standpoint of competitiveness top to bottom.' ."
Sobering...
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../703250420/1066
An excellent point. Surely 5 years of TD greatly contributed to Buffalo not being post-season bound. But Buffalo is part of some infamous company with regard to playoffs. Detroit and Arizona are the only other teams (excluding Houston) who have failed to make the post-season for 7 or more seasons.
You can't blame the current regime for this because they've been on-board for a short time. But I'm still not convinced this team can be a playoff team. Granted, it's March, but the chances of adding players after draft day who can make your team instantly better are few and far between. I'm not talking about spending crazy cash in free agency, but adding the guys who can fill a position and be reliable without needing to be spectacular. Cato June wasn't had for all that much in TB. But if the cash to the cap method is studied, Buffalo is at about 105M of their 112M maximum. Getting rid of Spikes saves some money, but basically eliminates the Bills from almost all the decent free agents. That money will go toward their draft picks.
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Not a devils advocate thing and not trying to intimidate.
Marv has ALWAYS been a D-first guy...that's one of the reasons he choose Dick. HE choose Dick (not in a gay way, of course)...HE made that call. And Marv has ALWAYS been a CEO-type (even when he was Head Coach). He let the OC call the O and the DC call the D. But he CHOOSE (with input, of course) and managed them. He runs a collaborative team and always has. There is no shame in letting people with experience in particular areas do their jobs. Nothing has changed as far as that's concerned.
Other than point to the fact that he was out of football for 10 years, you have done nothing to support your claim (well, at least your claim a few posts ago) that the game has passed him by. He has done nothing...NOTHING, IMO., to indicate that the game has, indeed, passed him by. In fact, in the short time he's been here, he has improved the W-L record of the team, establish a #1 QB. put the team in terrific cap and draft position and made one of the best all-around drafts the team has had in years. But, the game has passed him by?
I think the PR aspect was clearly one of the reasons he was chosen. And, had he been a bust, you would have a point. There is nothing to indicate that he has been or will be a bust. All I'm asking for is for you to point to a few instances where Marv's age and/or time away from the NFL has become apparent in a poor decision.
As for cap knowledge, many teams have cap experts. Marv has always been straight up about what he knows well and what he doesn't. Intimate knowledge of the cap and scouting details are not his direct strengths. He has people for that and I'm sure he manages them closely. There are people he trusts and believes in to run the various aspects of the team. So far the results have been very good-to-excellent. With the draft choices and cap room we have, I expect the team will continue to improve.
You are right about one thing...This is Marv's first shot at being an NFL GM...so a wait-and-see attitude is warranted. But, the results so far point to a guy who has everything under control. (I'm still BEGGING you to point out some areas that display Marv's incompetence. And if you can't, and you REALLY are a Bills fan, why not give the guy the benefit of the doubt. After all he DID bring the team to 4 straight SBs.)
Perhaps you just don't understand the importance of, or don't have a healthy respect for, a person who successfully manages to turn around the entire culture of an organization. What's happened with the Bills in one year is VERY impressive, IMO. Marv is the guy RUNNING the show and, so far, it's turning out to be one hell of a performance.
If that PC was any indication, Marv is not your classic Polian, Newsome, Pioli, insert GM here, type of General Manager. I got that. I'm just not comfortable with a triumvirate of people making decisisons. I have no definitive smoking gun truth, but I think it's safe to say they make decisions by committee up there at OBD. But I'll say one thing, micromanaging a team or an organization is doomed to fail. Individuals don't care for someone looking over their shoulder. At the same time, you must exercise some level of control. Hopefully Marv is in the middle of those two areas. If anything, he's closer to the latter.
The season itself will point out mistakes and good decisions. Hindsight is 20/20. But it's my take that they're stripping away too much of the team at once, and while some people like to rationalize every move and question nothing, I don't see it that way. You can talk about Spikes being a negative influence, his cap hit, whatever. But you don't have a better option. If he departs for draft picks, you're leaving the team extremely thin at LB. And CB doesn't look much better. We're hoping and praying that the guys who've been career backups and our 1st and 2nd year guys can perform at a certain level. To believe that is nonsense. You can get picks for experienced veterans, but doing that too often is such a long-term and risky investment. Let's see what Spikes goes for first, because it seems like a foregone conclusion. We all agree draft picks are not a sure thing, no matter who is doing the selecting. In Buffalo, having 2-3 starters come from each draft will be required, not optional. Marv and DJ need immediate impact players each season.
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Not sure if someone kicked your dog today, but that's funny stuff. Troll? Nah, wouldn't have joined in the dead of January when nothing was going on. I enjoy talking about moves and seeing what other teams do. While there are exceptions, I like what people bring to the table here with news and opinions. And that's all they are...opinions. If you don't like mine, so what.
Listen, I'm not a DJ fan after what happened in Chicago. Sure, there's the career record, not to mention an 0-1 playoff record and one good season to show for five seasons total. And yes, he has immense impact on Marv's personnel decisions. Ever wonder why we went defense with 6 of 9 picks last draft? It's because Jauron is a defense first and second coach. His Bears teams recorded 4 30+ point games. That's fine if you've got the defense to stop the other team, but if you don't you're in for a long day. Kinda like this last season.
As for Marv, he was out of football for 10 years. Have you ever asked yourself why we hired him? How many guys come back into the league as a GM with no NFL GM experience? Only teams in need of a face-lift and a better rep do something like that. And did you watch or listen to the press conference back in February? Marv spoke about running down the hall to Overdorf about cap issues and just now getting deeper into scouting and personnel issues. And did you even think he didn't know what Willis said? Come on, that's more wishful thinking. Do you think Marv didn't know or was feigning cap knowledge? He's too honest for that.
And one more thing-I don't care what a newbie said about your tone. At the end of the day your opinion and mine make no difference, so shelve the intimidation thing. Who cares? Then again, this could all be a devil's advocate thing.
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There certainly aren't many free agents left who could be counted on as quality free agents. In fact I think we can all agree it wasn't a real strong class after about 5 players who commanded immense cash for their services. Still not sure about Chris Brown, but he's been rumored to go to Buffalo for about 2 weeks now. I have a feeling it's not happening.
To say we've got to wait some more ignores the players we have on the roster from the TD regime. There are some remnants from TD's five poor seasons who make contributions to this team. You know the names, but if we need 3 full drafts in addition to what was here before Marv arrived you're looking at 2008 to compete. That's a long time.
I guess the sum of this topic is this: Do you want to have 8-9 years between playoff appearances? The salary cap was designed to get more teams into the playoffs rather than a select few who had the best personnel departments. 7 years is already an eternity. But if that doesn't bother people, I guess it shouldn't bother everyone.
And for the character who wondered if I was TD...nice. But unless TD was running the show from Iraq, then I'm not him.
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Marv and DJ are confident. In what we're not sure. But if last season's, "we're going to be quicker" mentality remains, it's going to be a long season. Of course it's not for another 5 months until opening day, but some people haven't figured out the people who may stop the run are assembled in March and April.
Without DT's in the middle, your "attacking" LB's will quickly become "pursuers." Trust in Marv?
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So what exactly is it you suggest? Bring in as many high prices FA's as we can and pray that it's enough to make us win this year, while screwing ourselves down the line? Even if that was your plan, it doesn't work. It never works.
How do you suggest the team "wins now"? If you're willing to sacrifice the future, what moves would you make to guarantee a Super Bowl?
What facts have you used? "Marv bad"? Excellent analysis.
I'm merely suggesting that you can win more than 2 games over the previous season. And you don't have to acquire big name talent to do that. I think this board has agreed the path to success begins on draft day. But free agency is there to fill in for those times you can't stock a position through the draft or need help right away. The draft takes 2-3 years normally.
Listen, I'm not advocating getting name free agents every year. We can agree that's not the solution. But a little spending goes a long way to enhancing the draft. Dockery, Langston, and Whittle have been signed to improve the OL and I believe they'll do just that. But did any other area improve? The answer is decidedly no. We're wishing and hoping that what we had last season combined with improvement in now 2nd year and drafted players will provide the difference. Plain and simple, it seems to me that expectations are modest for the 2007 season.
As for Levy, still a great guy. He's not bad as a person or coach. But GM remains to be seen. Unless that press conference was a complete and purposely misrepresentation of his knowledge, I'm not really confident of his abilities to be an NFL GM. HOF coach...newcomer to GM. We want to give Marv credit for everything, but how much did Polian, Butler, Smith, and Adams contribute to those late eighties and early nineties teams? In their sted we have Tom Modrak and Jim Overdorf. Just because Marv believes in character players doesn't mean that's a dynamic or new-wave approach. That's been going on now a few years. The Dockery signing was huge and I'm glad for it. It will come off like a kid not getting enough on Christmas, but I was expecting more beyond that.
Not once did I insinuate being a Super Bowl team. There's 32 teams in this league and that's not going to happen. But 12 teams get into the playoffs. And just once I'd like to be one of those 12.
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You're welcome.
Take a deep breath. You're thinking too deeply, and your premise is shallow. The season is 160 or more days away at this point in time. You seem to be crawling out of your skin because all the puzzle pieces aren't put together yet. Marv's job is to assemble a squad that will be competitive this year. It doesn't have to happen in one fell swoop - in spite of your or my most fervent desires.
What makes you think they're not working the phones, pressing the flesh, and making those inquiries that the likes of you and I don't hear about till days after the news breaks. Besides, the offseason isn't one pell-mell free for all of activity. People have to eat too you know.
Who says Marv doesn't have a plan to fill in the holes that he's so keenly aware that he has in his roster? You thinking they have to be filled with former ProBowlers on the cheap, or some other up-and-coming "name" player that we've "heard of"?
"X is available? Marv, I've heard of him. Sign him. Get'r done!" is one of the biggest jokes running here since Tommy Donna-the-ho left with his tail between his legs.By the way, TD had 5 years to get it done and didn't. In case you haven't noticed lately, about 50% of his players are now tail lights.
"This team has more young (read >3 years in the league) starters it's unbelievable."
Actually it's <3 years if you're trying to make a point about youth, and yes it's a pretty young team. That's (obviously) the direction Marv's headed the team. It's a principle of his team building philosophy. I'll take that on the short term and for the long haul vs. Tommy Bustaho's flashy wheeling and dealing which got us exactly strunes for five years. Sure, it sold a lot of jerseys. But who's proudly strutting around Upstate NY in their Bledsoe/McGahee/Malloy/Robinson/Clements/Vincent/Williams colors lately?
One thing I do know is that I don't rely on my favorite sports teams to feel good about myself. I'm not looking for bragging rights at the water cooler for actions on the field that are out of my control or that I have nothing to do with.
Remember, patience is a virtue. I'll give you credit for caring though. But don't care too much, for therein lies madness.
As a fan, if you're not looking to make the playoffs and win each season, you may as well not even follow the sport. That's my point. There are a host of teams last season that made huge strides from one year to the next. New Orleans, the Jets, Baltimore, Philly, and San Diego all improved their win total by 4 from 2005 to 2006. Seems like we're taking baby steps toward respectability. Then again, we're not giving our front office enough time. So other teams can become successful (see playoff appearances) from one season to the next and yet we somehow don't have to be because we're building up to it.
Marv's a great guy, but the league passed him by. He relies considerably on Dick Jauron, whose 43-58 career record doesn't really make me feel better. Face it, Marv was hired to provide gravitas and a nice popular face after the departure of the universally hated TD. Other peole do the heavy lifting. He provides the image and character.
This team's struggles have a huge effect on WNY. There are varying levels of Bills fans throughout the region, but the fans I can't stand are the ones who see Buffalo lose and don't care by Tuesday. In comparison, the people who carry it around for months are also out there. The team's PR people get you all excited season after season and we end up on the outside looking when the playoffs roll around.
Yeah, patience is a virute. Most Bills fans have had 7 years worth. I guess it's OK to give another year.
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Of course not. What foolishness is this? Marv and Ralph know they're going to live forever.
They have the luxury of building the team the way they want it built - economically and following Marv's unproven Offensive, Defensive and ST coaching philosophy. If it doesn't happen now, well there's always 2030.
Don't rob yourself of an unsubstantiated notion that they're twiddling their thumbs during their (very few) waking hours and allowing all the best names in the league to be snatched out from under our noses. They're obviously doing nothing more to improve this year's squad. Afterall who won't be surprised if they don't show up in NYC for the first day of the Draft. First day picks cost too much don't ya know. Conventional wisdom is we won't sign anyone unless it's on the cheap.
So sit back, take a chill pill and relax. It's not going to get any better.
There's nothing like a sarcastic response to brighten your day. Thanks for the new perspective.
Seriously, please give me something more than that. When someone starts using facts to back a perceived "negative" (see realisitc) opinion we get sarcasm in return. It's so predictable and usually comes from those who want to feel good about their team without much beyond wishful thinking to back themselves up. Asking the tough questions doesn't go over well with them.
Already this off-season we've shed some players that needed to go and didn't replace them all that well. I'm happy they addressed the offensive line, but if you target one area in free agency, you're never going to cover all your bases.
This team has more young (read >3 years in the league) starters it's unbelievable. Some of them will be good, others won't. Youth doesn't usually lend itself to success. But you know sarcasm, it's what you fall back on when you've got nothing.
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If you look and see how much the increased spending has affected every team in the league, you will realize why Marv and Co. arean't giving up alot now, because it will benefit this team in the long run. We are going to ahve to use some of the remainder cap space of ~$20M to sign a couple of core leaders on this team in a few years: Losman and Evans.
I also think that this front office is not going to mortgage the future with draft picks to move up in the draft to select AP this year. I think the Bills brass are looking down the road to next year where you will se an abundance of very talented RBs eligible for the draft.
Ray Rice
Steve Slaton
Darren McFadden
Mike Hart
All these guys are first round talent so I think that the Bills will be looking forward to the future to select their new franchise guy, and for this year, rely on a RBBC and a servicable mid round flyer at RB.
I'd agree with you on this one. Usually there isn't one year where RB is stocked. This season there are 2 clear #1's and a host of 2nd-3rd round talents. Even if you don't get the guy you want this season and have something serviceable, there's next year's draft. But for this year, we need to get a guy who can carry the load at about 4 ypc. Two guys who can't are 3.5 ypc isn't going to do it.
McFadden made Arkansas run with one of the most highly recruited HS QB's in 06 on the team. Hart is a local guy from Syracuse area and Slaton has done some amazing things at WVU. So there's going to be talent there in 2008.
As for that 20 million in cap room-I'm fine with using it to keep Losman and Evans. I personally think Evans is a more sure thing by virtue of his performance last season. Losman still has further strides to make. If he can make them, then yeah lock him up. But I do expect us to get close to the salary cap limit at some point. Spending less from season to season (i.e. the minumum) isn't an encouraging sign.
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Every time someone like a new GM and/or coach arrives, we've got to give them a few years. At least that's what many on this board say. Well, we've done that a few times now. At which point do we say, "Win Now" to the new guy.
Frankly I don't want to hear about 2008. It's too far off and the 07 season is still more than 5 months away.
We had to play those five rooks last season because there was nothing else in the talent/warm body department. Having five rookies play doesn't mean you had a solid draft, it means your team had no depth. I'm concerned about a team that continually gets younger every season. You could potentially have starting on defense this season 7 guys who were drafted in 2004-2007. (CB Youboty, SS Whitner, FS Simpson, CB McGee, MLB/OLB Crowell, OLB Ellison, DT Williams/McCargo) Don't confuse youth with talent and it's not always a good thing.
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Build a winner the right way and for the long term. I want to win in 2007, but expect 2008 to be even better, and don't want the team to make decisions that will mortgage 2008+ for a slightly better chance to win this year. Would you give next year's #1 and #2 for Michael Turner? Nope, because we care about 2007, but we also care about 2008 and beyond. We want to build a team that can compete year in year out, and that is done with smart choices and not a sense of urgency.
Sure, I'd want the team on solid footing for the long haul. But give me something this season like a playoff appearance and it'll make 2008 even more anticipated. But to a certain level you've got to spend money to remain successful.
IMO, this whole cash to the cap thing comes not from "amortizing" the future but from an unwillingness to spend. Now some smart person out there will cite the Dockery and Walker signings, but with roughly 20 million left in free agency, are we going to be that one team with room to spare and an unwillingness to spend it? I think the answer is yes and that's why I'm questioning where this team is going. If we're not using the resources we're alloted, are we putting our best effort forward?
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My point is you have to let things play out, there is nothing else to do, you have to give the new "regime" a reasonable amount of time to get things in order. I expect them to fill some the holes with guys that will be cut, kinda like Spikes, a guy who maybe past his prime and too makes too much money.
I expect them to make the playoffs.
The reason I want to know what team you think will win the Super Bowl is that I want to check that team's boards out and see how it's fans are bitching and moaning like the sky is falling. Every team has problem areas at coaching, management and/ or player levels. The BIlls are on the right path.
Just as you want me to expect a reasonable amount of time for the Bills to develop, I need a reasonable amount of time to make Super Bowl predictions. That's too far off at this point. Indy, SD, NE certainly appear the front-runners in the AFC. The NFC is a little less clear, CHI still has excellent talent, but PHI and NO will be there with them.
If Spikes is let go, I need to know it was for salary cap reasons. Just saying the guy isn't performing is an insult to my intelligence. The guy looked to be coming on last season and the key question here is: Do we have an alternative to Spikes? Or is there a guy on the free agent market who can play to position like a veteran with talent? The answer is no, not at this point. You're not going to get a Merriman in the draft most likely and without a veteran with talent, you're turning the reigns at WLB over to a 2nd year former 6th round pick, the MLB most likely to a converted OLB, and then whomever they draft at SLB. That's playing with fire.
The Bills aren't on the right path if we get into the endless cycle of simply looking to the draft and rookies each season to replace veterans. I've said it before that I completely understand letting NC and LFB go. But you don't put rookies in their place or career backups and expect me to say nothing is wrong.
And again, I think I have the right to voice concern because this team is 0-7 in making the playoffs the last 7 years. Of course Marv wasn't here, but then they'd better understand most fans want to win. Just telling me to patient isn't something I'm going to buy. They've got to win now.
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I think JP will continue to develop. The effect of having a better offensive line should help him grow. I wish he had some more weapons, but there's still draft day. The danger is saying the team is one way or another based on what they have on paper. I don't want to do that, but it just seemed like 07 was going to be the bridge to a successful 2008. I'd rather not wait that long, but it is what it is.
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Knowing (what little) I know, I'd do the same. I REALLY like Lynch, but my gut is to NOT pick a RB in the 1st round. I think trading to move to a second 1st round pick is a real option, though.
For all we know, John McCargo will be the man this season at DT. We don't know. The reason guys go in the first is because they've got more upside and better physical skills. We had 2 firsts in 06, two in 04 under TD and I wouldn't rule it out. I like having an extra 3rd to play with. Looking down the 06 DT draft class, there wasn't much after Ngata and the underachieving Bunkley.
I like Okoye because he's got tremendous talent and physical skills. And I think he's going to get better. Combine that with great character and he's my wish for Buffalo. If you trade down in the first, you should get another second, but of course whomever you trade with may not have that high 2nd pick you'd typically like. Even so, having 2 seconds is a nice addition to having a low first rounder.
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I'm looking for more than simply trusting in Marv. We won't fully be able to have ultimate confidence in Marv's drafting ability for another 1-2 years. It will take some time to evaluate Marv's decisions.
Character players are good for the organization. Won't argue there because they're the face of the franchise and get people in the seats. Of course winning doesn't hurt either.
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I keep hearing about pursuing versus attacking LB's. My question is, how much of the LB's success depends on the DT's holding O lineman at the LOS? If they can't do that, LB's will be making a lot of tackles down-field. Ergo, attacking LB's become the pursuing version after the snap.
You take away Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson and Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs don't seem as great as they are.
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With free agency 3 weeks old and the draft still a long month away, I get the feeling Buffalo is looking further down the road than 2007. Although the season is still almost half a year away, it appears the Bills will not acquire any starting caliber free agents the rest of the way. There may be some players available later in the off-season, but I rarely hear Buffalo is interested like we heard when Dockery visited OBD on opening day of free agency.
The question is this: do Bills fans think Buffalo looks toward 2008 or will they go out of their way to win in 2007?
And what qualifies for success in 2007? Is it merely being .500, making the playoffs, or winning a post-season game?
Do they have a sense of urgency for 2007 with the franchise missing the playoffs each season since 2000?
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We don't need a SLB. We also don't need a MLB. We're going to go with the Crowell and Ellison as the two backers in the 5-2 defense.
Nah, seriously. They'll draft a LB and expect him to step into start if Spikes is cut. If Spikes goes, you're top LB's are:
Crowell
Ellison or
Rookie
Haggan/Wire/Stamer/Later picks or UDFA's
Not something that gets me excited when we go up against NE, NYJ, et al. Teams will be circling Buffalo on the schedules, especially the RB's.
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If Amobi Okoye is gone at #12, drop down, pick up Posluszny and grab another pick or two. Minimum should be a second rounder if not another 4th or 5th for dropping down.
I don't see Buffalo trading up, they're trying to acquire as many picks as possible. #12 is kinda in no-man's land, but certainly carries the potential of getting a solid player. Extra picks equal a less chance of missing on the second or third players. For this team to succeed, they need to have as many chances to get hits and replace the players they can't afford to re-sign.
A Sense of Urgency
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
I'll agree you can't get an educated opinion until we play the games. For all we know Youboty and Ellison will be big time players at a future point. With Youboty, I realized he missed significant time due to a death in the family over the summer. But I didn't understand that as a projected first round talent who went in the third why he didn't get more PT at CB? The coaches must have known something that we didn't. I think an excellent college player should have had the time and intelligence to learn the system by November.
But we're quibbling over stupid points. I do hope for the best, but there's no point in having unsubstantiated optimism. More rookies and 2nd year players are generally not going to get you to the promised land. And we're making a habit of doing that far too often. Getting younger might be good 2 years from now, but this coming season is an entirely different matter. And that's why I started this topic.
Rome was not built in a day. But NFL franchises aren't built over 3-5 years either anymore. The playing field has been leveled and parity is the way of pro football.