LABills08

For all of these people who are against Bradford, please tell me what changed your opinion from last season (when he would have likely been taken 1st or 5th in the draft) to this season? He had a shoulder injury and all of a sudden he is the most likely player to bust out of the 2010 draft class? Give me a break. If Bradford falls to us it would be a steal.

Williams would be undersized as a DE in a 3-4 b/c of his height disadvantage, not his weight. Stroud is a big guy, but has had 0 experience at DE in his entire career. I guess size was the wrong word. My point was that its not a solid 3-4, its a lot of guys playing outside of their natural positions.

I don't have any links on his status as a draft prospect, but there is this discussion in a forum: Ellis as NT? I'm almost positive he was seen as being capable of NT.

I think you are getting ahead of yourself. Poz isn't big enough for middle linebacker in a 3-4, at least IMO. If you think he is getting destroyed in the middle now, just think of how it will work with a small front 3. Cody wouldn't be bad, but remember how awful he looked during the senior bowl weigh in. Williams is too small for a DE and Stroud himself believes that he wouldn't fit well as a DE. Maybin SOUNDS like a great idea at 3-4 given his strengths, but no one is asking how he will do in passing situations or how he will handle stopping the run. Rushing the QB will not be his sole job. And Schobel has never played 3-4 either. That will be akin to the shift to OLB Jason Taylor made last year....and it was obvious he wasn't as effective. I think this will take a year or two to get right. It will start with this year's draft, where I imagine getting a lot of these players will be the goal.

For whatever reason, Kyle Williams has always reminded me as a poor man's Sedrick Ellis. I just looked up their respective sizes and they literally measure the same according to yahoo sports. Obviously, these numbers can't be trusted, but its still interesting to see how similar they are. If I remember correctly, Sedrick Ellis was supposed to be destined for a spot as a NT when he was drafted. I think it was Dorsey who was only considered to be a DT. So I take back what I said about Kyle Williams playing NT.

I see no reason to think that Harris won't be on the team unless you think that a 3-4 leaves no room for undersized linebackers. Bc, he still appears to be a strong talent w/ a nose for the ball. I'd take him over Ellison. I think Ellison is the odd man out.

Thank god. We should also note that this could easily change our drafting. I imagine they are going to try and acquire a nose tackle. Johnson is good for a 3-4, Stroud not so much. Williams....I'm not sure where you play this guy. This also might have interesting implications on Schobel. In short, this might be the most significant thing to happen to the Bills...personnel-wise....in a few years.

This has prob said 10 times, but New England is exactly where they want to be. They are famous for trading back in the draft and amassing a bunch of draft picks.

I don't think Claussen will slip that far. After combines and what not, I suspect he'll make a Mark Sanchez type jump up the boards. And I can't imagine Gailey passing on him for an OT, unless that OT grades out higher than Claussen in terms of long term potential. I think the Bills will take the best player available to them at a position of need. Everyone thinks they are going to take a rookie LT right off the bat, just because they have a hole to fill. I'm not sure that is the best strategy, they should take whatever top talent is available to them. Something they haven't done in the past and they have paid the price for it.

In an uncapped year, the Bills have 0 shot.

People are stating that bc we kept our D-line coach, it means no 3-4. But, Gaughan and others have stated that because we hired an OLB coach, we are going 3-4.....bc very few (if any) 4-3 teams hire an OLB coach. That, combined with Gailey's public statements, makes me think that we are going 3-4. But, who on the Colts/Saints would be hired for that transition? Neither team runs a 4-3. The Saints probably could if they wanted to..but don't. So, I'm not sure how the Colts and Saints have any implications on this. I think the FO might be concerned about how they can get the personnel to run a 3-4...and that is the snag.

Is no one talking about this? I mean, if we are indeed switching to a 3-4, which signs were pointing to for a little while, they better get someone in soon so the Bills can figure out how to make that happen. Out of all the teams in the NFL running 4-3'sm the Bills might have some of the least flexible personnel available in terms of switching to a 3-4. They are going to need to totally revamp their defensive personnel if they want to do this. Otherwise our 3-4 is going to look like our no huddle offense.

That doesn't mean we are running the 4-3. Very few teams hire an outside linebacker coach unless they run a 3-4. And guess what? We hired an OLB coach.

If you can give Bradford protection, I think he could pick apart a defense. I think Claussen is a poor man's Jay Cutler. Or maybe a poor man's Philip Rivers if you want to be really kind to him. I would take him, but he doesn't necessarily blow me away. The plus is that he is pro ready and I think he is a gamer. The negatives are his attitude. I wouldn't be unhappy with taking a QB. We need to take care of that issue at some point and while people are constantly saying we need a left tackle (an idea I clearly agree with), we need a QB just as badly. I understand that a rookie QB who has 0 protection can be a disaster. But, its not easy to find a top QB after the 1st round. You can find a OT in the later rounds. The OT class this year seems to be high risk high reward. A lot of guys who could potentially be monsters, but no one who is a "sure thing". That scares me a bit.

5. I think Jabari Greer is the poor man's Darrelle Revis. I will guarantee you that one of the first things Peyton Manning will do this week as he gathers video to watch to prep for the Super Bowl is study Greer, who he hasn't seen very much as a Buffalo corner before leaving for the Saints in free-agency. Way to go Bills.

I have a feeling that one of the top 2 QBs will slip out of the top 10. I don't think many draft experts will see that happening come April, but, historically that tends to happen. Plus, w/ Mcnabb/Vick/Kolb possibly moving, someone will fill a QB hole before draft day. Regardless, I'm not sure Gailey takes a QB, he is very confident with developing offenses around the personnel he has. If they choose to run a 3-4, I imagine they will draft McClain or Derrick Morgan. Or they will strongly consider it (this of course is if they can find a Nose Tackle. They can always trade back into the 1st for an OT. If they run a 4-3, I think they could be tempted by McClain, but will go with OL.

link? Ugh.

Yes.

Right on. RT @mortreport: So after what Leslie Frazier's Vikes defense did to Jason Garrett's offense, the Bills better stop playing around. Yes.

Didn't watch the Vikings game, but I saw the score. Seriously, I hope we wrap this guy up. Because the minute a HC job opens up, he is going to be a top contender (right next to Cowher).

The only reason you move up in the NFL draft when you are picking in the top 10 is if you want to find your franchise QB. NO WAY we move up for an LT in what is a weak OT class.

Appreciate the quote. That being said, are people really surprised at this? Or upset that Mort said this? Make no sense.

I would argue they screwed it up. The firing of the entire team using that strange language like 'You are free to pursue other opportunities" was more of a way to show the fans that the Bills were cleaning house than it was a practical decision. It was also out of fairness to the coaches, who it was assumed would be out of jobs. Essentially, its the problem with the plan of action the Bills developed. Aka, taking a LONG time to find a coach. I can't imagine many coaches would have wanted Alex Van Pelt as OC, and Fewell was going to be out regardless (unless he was hired as HC). But, Kugler and April are very strong. I imagine the new HC would at least give each of them a fair look.

Well done by the Chiefs.

That is a very fair point. My worry is that the Bills will draft the next Alex Smith, Russell, or Quinn....instead of the next Aaron Rodgers. The top 2 QBs will be gone by the 9th pick I'm afraid. And unless someone like McCoy blows away the combine, the Bills would be best advised to take the best lineman available (whether it be o-line, d-line, or linebacker).