Search the Community

Like Nate Clements and Antoine Winfield did. I was hoping he'd sit out the season. Major confidence boost for the Jets and they didn't really need one.

All the TE's that were cut and available. Robbie Agnone Keith Zinger Davon Drew Riar Geer Marquez Branson Tyler Lorenzen Lee Vickers Carson Butler John Owens David Martin Nick Arnett Ernest Wilford Mike Caussin Garrett Mills Richie Brockel Dedrick Epps Steve Ryan Steve Pfhaler (No kidding? Last name pronounced "Failer") Jamie Petrowski Jason Pocaisk DajLeon Farr Ryan Purvis Jeron Mastrud Darius Hill Derek Fine Dennis Morris Scott Chandler Corneilus Ingram Colin Cloherty Anthony Becht Sean McHugh Eugene Bright Leroy Banks Joe Jon Finley (Two first names. Count as two players?) Darcy Johnson Tony Curtis Nate Lawrie Joel Gamble Kory Sperry Andrew George (Bills cut) Derek Schouman (Bills injured/waived)

I agree with everything you say except that I am saying we should go out and get Housurmama..lol...Seriously, why not? We need an experienced WR opposite of Lee Evans and there he is. The benefit would not only include the catches that Houshmanzadeh would make, but also open up Lee Evans some as well, and make us even a more legitimate multi-faceted offense. Then again we had T.O. and Evans last year, but Captain Checkdown refused to throw the ball their way much! I think another thing this would do is eliminate a built-in excuse that Trent Edwards would have in blaming the WR's for not being open after the season is over. He won't directly make that statement, but he will elude to it in some fashion. With Housh here and having burners on each side (once again) it further proves if we are once again Offensively challenged that (besides) OLT, the QB is a position of primary concern when it comes to the 2011 NFL Draft and Free Agency. I think Housh is a no-brainer and that is why I doubt seriously that the Bills will pursue such a transaction. Almost every move that I think is wise the Bills seem to avoid. Normally, I would say "They are the professionals, that's what they get paid to do. So they must know what's best," but in the past several years it hasn't worked out that way ie: Drafting Maybin instead of Bryan Orakapo who fell right into their laps as the highest rated DE in the draft!! Not finding a way to keep some of their better players that are up for a contract ie: Antwoine Winfield, Pat Williams, Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Leonhard, etc........This creates holes in their roster and your drafting to patch holes created from within, instead of drafting to strengthen the talent level on hand while creating adequate positional depth. I mentioned on another topic earlier about drafting James Hardy at WR. He wasn't even the best rated WR on the board when we drafted him. Malcom Kelly and Limas Sweed were both ahead of him...and I think there was one more WR ahead of him as well..so he was the 4th best WR remaining on the board. Hardy has had legal problems as well and his character had some question marks. All the signs were there to read and I knew that from reading 3 or 4 draft guides! So, what is a staff of clods that get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars each or more doing when they overlook the obvious and draft someone just because he's a 6'5 or 6'6 receiver? Why would you take an undersized tweener that's the 3rd or 4th best available de left on the board when it's your turn for your selection? They even knew that they may have to shift Maybin to OLB, but they took the project player anyways, probably at the prompting of the injury prone Pozluszny who put in good words for Maybin who came from Poz's Alma Mater. Even though I am off-topic some I'll backtrack momentarily. If it makes sense for the Buffalo Bills to do something, then that is the very reason why they won't! When have the Bills done the expected in the past decade (well except for having a losing record..)? It comes down to the organization, the owner, the GM, and his staff. I was glad that Doug Whaley joined the "management team", but I am just as surprised that Tom Modrak is still here! He's had more than ample opportunity to begin to build something here, and he should be gone! But, I'm not surprised as I know there is a connection between Tom Modrak and Doug Whaley and believe they are part of that good 'ole boy network that will overlook continued past failures in the essence of friendship. That is why this is the Bills and not the Colts! Remember if you can..it's been a while...when we were good and I used to hear people talk about the "Dolts" also known as the Colts! They were a joke, we were awesome. It comes down to leadership from top, and the knowhow that Polian has to properly assemble a staff. Bill Polian knew what he was doing, and has a recipe for success. When he left, so did the soundness of our organization. Yeah, Butler wasn't bad either..but we were in a slow downward spiral as Polian was the mastermind of the 90's Bills. When Bill Polian built the Colts he built them in the image of the 1990 Bills team. He found players who mirrored the talent that the Bills had during their Superbowl run. They found their Kelly in Manning, their Reed, etc...Same principles were applied. Polian has a recipe card and follows it closely. That is why Indy is a continuation of what we once proudly had here in Buffalo ! It all starts at the top! You've heard that before, and there is merit to the little saying. Quickly now, after the owner R.W. whom we all know, who is next in line? Is their a clear line? Is it really Buddy Nix? or is it really Russ Brandon? Hmmm...yeah, I know their team positions are different, but don't kid yourself to whom R.W. is more loyal to. With Indy it's Bill Polian (NO Question!) Who is the owner??? After several minutes I believe it's Irsay? I can't remember...Who is under Bill Polian?? (I don't know...his son is somewhere in the equation I think) and that's the point!! It all starts at the top! It all should be crystal clear! There should be a recipe for success that the team follows! In Indy Bill Polian is the man..cut and dry! This creates team identity which the Bills have been lacking for several years! For instance: You know Indy is a passing team! No question! What are we? Passing? No not really! Running? mmmmmm to an extent? But are we rushing for more yards than our opponents? No not really, not the way we give up rushing yards! Pretty much, we lack identity as well. Oh yeah, it's before the season...I know the Bills are improved! 10-6 you say? well even the optimists might say 8-8 with our schedule. Think again! I love'em Bills too, but I think it's more like 5-11 or 6-10 at the most! I think the more things change around here the more they stay the same! I will bet you at the end of the year these things will be talked about by the fans: #1 We need to find a franchise QB #2 We need to draft a OLT #3 We need to find a compliment to Lee Evans at WR #4 We need to find a player that can help stop the run #5 We need to trade Marshawn Lynch Doesn't all that sound familiar???? All that being said, after over analyzing the spectrum of the Bills organization, and it's structure as well, already answers my question as to whether the Buffalo Bills will pursue T.J. Housh. or other desirable players available. Not even a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are thinking of the scenario where the Bills didn't match the offer sheet Bruce Smith signed with the Broncos when he was a RFA. That was about the time Say Anything came out. Fortunately they did the right thing that time, even though he was a cocaine using , selfish, money grubbing SOB to most Bills fans at the time. Peters will never be back. Neither will Pat Williams, Nate Clements, London Fletcher or any of the other key players the Bills let walk in recent years and then replaced with a disappointing first day pick. Penny wise, victory foolish. Talented players come with all types of personalities. Being able to deal with difficult types like Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and Thurman Thomas was critical to the Bills SB years. The current regime prefers Chris Kelsay's to Bruce Smith's.

Jonathan Stupar being the starting tight end is not only an indictment of the previous coaching staff in terms of talent evaluation, but a hidden truth of roster development in the NFL. This guys bio is interesting. Stupar is the nephew of Jeff Hostetler and the brother of current Penn State (linebacker U) linebacker Nate Stupar. His father was also a lineman at Penn State from 1976-79. Stupar is from State College, PA. This kid is from a genetic pool hotbed and a regional hotbed of high school football. Other notable undrafteds: Kurt Warner - Arizona Willie Parker - Skins (Pittsburgh) Wes Welker - N.E. Antonio Gates - San Diego Jeff Saturday - Indy Pat Williams - Vikings James Harrison - Pittsburgh Bart Scott - NYJ Antonio Pierce - Giants Look at all the teams. They have all been successful, granted some of these teams did not originally draft these players, still very interesting. Pittsburgh had 2. Maybe Doug Whaley can bring that to Buffalo. Maybe he already has one if David Nelson becomes a stud.

the massachusettes unit boy's club? where joe b., nick and nate worked? i went there also all of the time from around 63 to 70. please pm me if it's the same club and same time frame.

I took him in round 6 1. (10) Ryan Mathews RB 2. (15) Ryan Grant RB 3. (34) Chad Ochocinco WR 4. (39) Jermichael Finley TE 5. (58) Matt Ryan QB 6. (63) C.J. Spiller RB 7. (82) San Francisco DEF 8. (87) Lee Evans WR 9. (106) Jerome Harrison RB 10. (111) Devery Henderson WR 11. (130) Nate Washington WR 12. (135) Mike Williams WR 13. (154) Louis Murphy WR 14. (159) Rashad Jennings RB 15. (178) Todd Heap TE 16. (183) Trent Edwards QB 17. (202) Ryan Succop K

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2010/08/29/tony-sparano-dolphins-have-big-decisions-coming-up-about-will-allen-nate-garner/ It looks as if Miami has a tough choice to make on this guy given that he won't be available until October. If they let him go we might want to grab him up. Can't ever have enough good offensive lineman and I don't think anyone is very impressed with the offensive tackles we have starting, let alone the backups. Face it, in the course of a season there are injuries and you have to have 7 to ten quality O-linemen to get through a season (and perhaps playoffs).

Ok, so I had pick #6 in a 12-team league, which runs 3 starting WR's. I think this is my weak area though and am looking for suggestions for my starters vs my reserves. Also, I posted this best available FA's if you think there is a better option in that bunch. Of note, I accidently clicked on auto-draft without realizing it at one point and the computer picked Bernard Berrian over Pierre Garccon! Dammit. My WR's (need 3 starters): Berrian, Bernard WR MIN - Evans, Lee WR BUF - Ochocinco, Chad WR CIN - Floyd, Malcom WR SD - Washington, Nate WR TEN Top FA's: Manningham, Mario WR NYG - Henderson, Devery WR NO - Crayton, Patrick WR DAL - Bennett, Earl WR CHI - Jenkins, Michael WR ATL - Clayton, Mark WR BAL - Camarillo, Greg WR MIA - Thomas, Mike WR JAC

Oh come on, Porcelain Rob should be #2, then Nate.

I have said it so many times its like an echo. Over rated, overpaid, and he rates 2nd to Nate Clemments in players who left and won't be missed.

When Bill Polian was hired as GM he stated "we were 2-14 on merit because we have the worst personnel in the NFL" . Polian built most of that O line in Buffalo just like he has built a solid O line for the Colts, last time I looked he was still in Indy. I would say there is no way that Eric Wood is anywhere near equal to a 6 year vet Jim Ritcher at this point in his career, Andy Levitre and Wood are about the only bright spots on the line right now and both still have a long way to go before they are considered top players at their positions, a long way.This team still needs two new tackles and a center, I don't see anyone at those positions on the current roster that can ever play up to the level of the late 80's early 90's Bills linemen. The "Bickering Bills" got their nickname from 1989 from infighting among the players, an incident that occurred in a 1990 Miami game caused all the bickering to stop, In week 2 Buffalo traveled to the new home of the Miami Dolphins- Joe Robbie stadium. Buffalo's 6 game winning streak against the Dolphins came to a thundering halt. Miami ran off 30 consecutive points in 30 minutes. Midway through the 4th quarter, Levy pulled his starters when the game was out of hand, but many on the defense refused to come out of the game. Those defensive players knocked over the Gatorade table and were talking trash and throwing things around, The result were fines to Bruce Smith, and DB's Leonard Smith, Kirby Jackson, and Nate Odomes.Marv stated that kind of behavior would not be tolerated. Ralph Wilson came out and also stated that any player who didn't want to play for Marv would be removed from the team. The result of Wilson backing up Marv was to unify the team and they went on a tear, only losing one more game on MNF while on their way to the SB. Currently the Bills have 2 decent guards and one of those could be moved to center... from my view the Bills still need 2 tackles,and another center / guard plus a blocking TE like Pete M who was considered an O linemen who could catch.Then they might someday have an O line equal to those amazing Bills of the late 80's early 90's

Only 11 attempts in the whole game. Neither Faulk nor Taylor, nor even Maroney got even one carry, it was only Green-Ellis and Morris. And they're averaging 3.5 YPC this preseason, which sure isn't good but isn't absolutely horrible either. Not a big deal yet. Decent, but nothing more. But in their Super Bowl-winning years, they were a good running team. That's actually been part of their downfall, IMHO, is that they aren't balanced, so the really good rushing teams can batter Brady, ala the Giants in the SB. Why would you believe that? We haven't stifled Moss since Nate Clements left. Now, he stifled Moss every time. Just him him in the face a lot till he started pouting. None of our other guys seem able to stop him consistently.

I'll begin by responding to your bolded statement. Peyton Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 draft. If you look at the Bills' draft picks from 1998 through 2006, and determine which ones are still with the team, you have the following: Chris Kelsay (2nd round, 2003) Terrence McGee (4th round, 2003) Lee Evans (1st round, 2004) Roscoe Parrish (2nd round, 2005) Donte Whitner (1st round, 2006) John McCargo (1st round, 2006) Ashton Youboty (3rd round, 2006) Kyle Williams (5th round, 2006) Keith Ellison (6th round, 2006) One could argue that over the next few years, Manning will be worth more than all the players on that list put together. That is largely because the Bills have been bad at drafting. It's also because some players drafted during that span (such as Schobel) contributed at a high level for a long time, and then retired. Other drafted players, like Nate Clements, were allowed to leave via free agency. But the point remains that the value of a Manning-scale draft-day success story is stupendous, and is difficult to overstate. One of the reasons why some people (including me) wouldn't mind seeing the Bills go 1-15 for the 2010 season is because getting that first overall pick (as the Colts did for Manning) can be monumental in determining the direction of the franchise for the next ten or more years. The objective with all this should be to find the right quarterback, and then to do whatever you have to do to get him on your roster. That might mean trading up (as TD unsuccessfully tried to do with Roethlisberger), it might mean passing up a franchise player at some other position (as Parcells should have done when he had to choose between Long and Ryan), and it might mean going 1-15 or 2-14. A note on that last point: you obviously don't want your players playing to loose. Football is a tough sport, and playing to loose just breeds mental softness. It's hard to come back from that. But if the general manager decides to go 1-15 during his first year, there are things he can do to prevent the team from having the short-term stopgaps it would need to increase its win total. You wouldn't sign a Chad Pennington, for example, because a player like that will dramatically increase your win total in year 1 and maybe even year 2 of the rebuilding program; while doing nothing to help your team long-term. (Too close to retirement.) Focusing your team's resources, with laser-like precision, on the right quarterback, requires a talented, disciplined, wise front office and scouting staff. The teams that tend to pick the best QBs de-emphasize physical traits, while emphasizing accuracy, ability to see the field/multiple reads quickly, and other mental traits. One quarterback in that category is Ponder. If I were the Bills, I'd make it my #1 goal to acquire him in the 2011 draft.

Sal at Gulf Coast Oil Spill fundraiser Sal got to meet ex-Bills Andre Reed and Nate Odoms, among others, at a fund raising event in Biloxi MS. No doubt he will talk about it and what was discussed on his show Tuesday night at 9:30pm. Coach Sal link PTR

Dwayne Wright is one of those guys (Nate Turner is another) who I thought were going to be huge pick-ups for the Bills. I even toyed with the idea of ordering a Wright jersey during his rookie season...what a chump! I have about 200 Dwayne Wright rookie cards if anyone is interested!!!

I thought it was clear what you were getting at (after the clarification) but I KNEW someone wouldn't be able to put 2 + 2 together (and get to 4, that is). Here's the thing. Sometimes that biggest contract ever is only the biggest for a year, or so. So Nate Clements might qualify in this category. He isn't the best CB in football, but he is now nowhere near the highest paid, either. Winfield is clearly a guy who delivered on his big contract (don't know if it was the biggest at the time). The problem is some people think if you get the biggest contract, you should have to be the best at that position. That simply doesn't jive with the reality of the NFL. As already mentioned, one year's huge contract is merely large a couple of years later. Or, a very good FA might be worth more to a team desperate for a player at that position than to the team he was with, or a team who already has a "better" player under contract. Actually Clements is the perfect example for my previous point. He wasn't worth that kind of $$ to the Bills, as the Bills had very capable DBs to take over. OTOH, Clements is still a fine CB, and isn't anywhere near the highest paid CB in the league (at least I don't think he is anymore). To a young D, desperate for a veteran quality CB, Nate might have been worth that kind of investment. One can't judge these things in a vacuum and w/o CONTEXT.

There are lots of them. The Bills hit big twice in one year back in 1995 with Paup and Ted Washington. A lot of teams acquire good players. But don't let reality get in the way of your story. That's not the Bills problem though. Their problem is not retaining their own talent. By letting guys like Pat Williams, Nate Clements, London Fletcher and Lawyer Milloy go they sacrificed seasons of good play by experienced veterans and ended up having to draft and "develop" guys like John McCargo, Leodis McKelvin, Poz and Donte Whitner to replace them. That's a lot of not-so-high impact first day picks and only an idiot would suggest that the current group of Bills has played anywhere near the level of the others since their departure. By not "overpaying" those veteran players the Bills ended up with a bunch of early round reaches for need at positions that should have already been filled. How bad at drafting would the Bills have to be to not be a better team the past few seasons with those veterans in place and those draft picks used to address other positions? That is cheapness, Buffalo Bills style. Not passing on a $100M FA DT.

Friscos 3rd stringer Nate Davis impressed me much more than Clausen. He launched an absolute Rocket to ted Ginn. http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010082251/2010/PRE2/vikings@49ers#tab:watch looks like he played well in preseason last year.... You look at this guy and think man, he might be really good in a season or two... Nice smooth toss effortless 25 yard strikes. It's nice to see.

Unfortunately, being from Pittsburgh, these are both of my favorite teams. The Pirates are absolutely miserable and they are the joke of the league and the city of Pittsburgh. They have the nicest stadium in Major League Baseball and supposedly that would generate revenue to raise their payroll. Since PNC was built the payroll has shrunk yearly, and is now the lowest in Major League Baseball. Much like the Bills, the Pirates let go of every good player they have instead of adding to a "Core" group of guys when it's time to pay them. AKA, Jason Bay, Freddie Sanchez, Aramis Ramirez, Jose Bautista, Jack Wilson just to name a few. The Bills with Pat Williams, Antoine WInfield, Nate Clements, Jason Peters, etc.... It goes on year after year after year. Neither franchise ever hires a coaching staff worth damn. The Pirates have sunk into absolute apathy. To go to a Pirate game, one must endure countless circus type promotions to get anyone there. The fact that Bob Nutting has a a failing newspaper and resort (Seven Springs) to support, he does by taking money from the Pirates. The Pirates are a miserable franchise. Period. And unfortunately, and I've said this many times, the Bills are headed the same way. It's funny that the very very very very, few apoogists the Pirates have, they sound the same way that the less number of apologists the Bills are having defend them. Most of which are on this board. Lastly, now the Pirates, after sucking for 18 years and counting, are blaming attendance revenue as to why they can't raise payroll. Soon, the Bills will say the same thing, because you can bet your ass that the Ralph won't be filled at the end of the year if the Bills start slow, which the most certainly will. The Pirates are a joke. The Bills are pretty much almost a complete joke as well.

This example only solidifies PtR's stance, IMO. Manning is the lone exception, not the rule. He is a very unique player. Manning truly is the best at his position, and probably the best player in the entire league. To expect that anyone else would be as good, even only at their own position, is ridiculous. To throw $100mil contracts at players like Nate Clements and Albert Haynesworth is foolish. No one else in the league (that I know of) has the work ethic, dedication, and talent to go with it, that Peyton has.

Yes, perhaps. McGee has never seemed like a natural star CB to me. But he is so fast and steady he really gets the job done. McKelvin has the goods to be a superstar at CB if he gets it together. I think Youboty is also a great natural athlete who learned to play CB at Ohio State like Winfield and Nate. This boy covers, tackles and is pretty fast.

The Pitzzberg Stealers: Kevin Colbert, Director of Football Operations Ron Hughes, College Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt, Pro Scouting Coordinator Joe Greene, Special Assistant Mark Gorscak, College Scout Phil Kreidler, Pro/College Scout Kelvin Fisher, College Scout Bruce McNorton, College Scout Dan Rooney, College Scout Dave Petett , Blesto Scout Bill Nunn, College Personnel Rob McCartney, Player Personnel Intern The Iggles: Ryan Grigson Director of Player Personnel Louis Riddick Director of Pro Personnel Anthony Patch Assistant Director of College Scouting Keith Fischer National Scout, Combine Andy Speyer Southwest Regional Scout Brett Veach Pro and College Scout Ahmad Russell College Scout Sean Gustus College Scout Daniel Jeremiah College Area Scout Charles London Pro Scout Bradford Obee Pro Scout Mike Miller College Scout Michael Bradway College Scouting Coordinator Fudge Packers: Reggie McKenzie, Director - Football Operations John Dorsey, Director of College Scouting Shaun Herock, Assistant Director of College Scouting (Midwest) Lee Gissendaner, College Scout (Northeast) Brian Gutekunst, College Scout (Southeast) Alonzo Highsmith, College Scout (Southwest) Sam Seale, College Scout (West Coast) Jon-Eric Sullivan, College Scout (Midlands) Richmond Williams, College Scouting (National Football Scouting) Tim Terry, Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Eliot Wolf, Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Chad Brinker, Scouting Assistant Danny Mock, College Scouting Coordinator Autumn Thomas-Beenenga, Pro Personnel Coordinator The Dolphags: Assistant Director of Player Personnel Brian Gaine Director of College Scouting Chris Grier Player Personnel AdministratorChris Shea Football Administration CoordinatorRyan Herman College Scouts Ron Brockington Chuck Cook Adam Engroff Anthony Hunt Ron Labadie Mike Murphy Joe Schoen Pro Scouts Dwayne Joseph Nate Sullivan Matt Winston Scouting Assistant Adam Howe Executive Assistant/Football OperationsAnnie Berger Irma Gonzalez Thuh Jints: Jerry Reese Senior Vice President and General Manager Kevin Abrams Assistant General Manager Marc Ross Director of College Scouting Joe Collins Executive Scout Jeremiah Davis Executive Scout Jerry Shay Executive Scout Steve Verderosa Executive Scout Steve Devine Scout Donnie Etheridge Scout Ryan Jones Scout Steve Malin Scout Chris Pettit Scout Raymond J. Walsh, Jr. Director of Research and Development Chris Watts BLESTO Scout Harry Hulmes Scout Emeritus David Gettleman Director of Pro Personnel Ken Sternfeld Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Matt Shauger Pro Scout Jeremy Breit Pro Scout Rita Giordanetti Assistant to GM/Scouting Matt Harriss Football Operations Coordinator Andrea Wagner Assistant, Pro Personnel I'd say The Bills are pretty much on a par with the rest of the NFL when it comes to scouting staff numbers.

Thank you! We finally shed ourselves of major dead weight in John Guy, who was responsible for such debacles as Robert Royal, Larry Tripplett, Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker, the (thankfully) failed trade for Darwin Walker (he's doing well in the league now, too), and others. I don't know what Guy's role may have been in the dismissals of Pat Williams, Antoine Winfield, and London Fletcher, but I would not be surprised if he had input. Do we even need to get started on the track record of Tom Modrak? I really don't know how this guy continues to be employed. This week, one of the few gems drafted that actually blossomed in the desert that is Modrak's tenure at OBD, retired in Aaron Schobel. The draft is where you get fresh infusions of talent. That is where the core of your team comes from. You build from the draft. That is why a 'rebuilding' takes time. It's a good 3-5 years before those draft picks start to develop to see the field. The issue with the Bills is that Modrak is so bad at his job, that over his time we have had how many 1st round draft picks deliver that are still with the team? 3? 3 in 10 years? Wood, Lynch, and Evans. Lynch may not last too much longer with the emergence of Simpson and Bell. That would be 2 in 10 years. Nate Clements is no longer with the team, and Schobel retired. The Patriots, Colts, etc would NOT be successful if this is how they drafted every year. Look at our draft picks between the years 2000-2005. We had something like 50 picks. Now with the retirement of Schobel, something like 4 of those players are still w/the team. 4. Maybe its me, but out of 50 picks, only 4 are still with you 5 years later? Those are the role players, depth players, and rugged starters that should be leading the team right now. So, yes, John Guy sucked. But Modrak is even worse. We have struck out on free agents, and have really been terrible in terms of infusing this team w/talented youth that will eventually lead the team in the future. Modrak must go. How many drafts will we have to go through before this is done? With the exception of E. Wood, last years draft is not looking any better.

I'm not one of the "ralph is cheap blah blah blah" guys. If what you think happens, I still am not sold on Locker being a Buffalo Bill. First, I dont think he is the best QB in this draft. I think he is a very good prospect, but I am not sold on his ability to read defenses, or his accuracy. When I see Locker i see a young steve young, which is great if we're the 49ers, but we're not, we are in the bucs position, and thats not good. Personally, I think that Ponder my be better, and I'm very interested in keeping track of Nate Enderle from Idaho this Season. Enderle has drawn comparisons to Jay Cutler, which is fine by me. Second, Im not convinced we will go QB first next April, although we are in desperate need of a QB, we may elect to go LT, if one is available. I am not well versed on the LT prospects for this season yet, but what I do know is that there are more than 2 really good QBs in this draft, and we dont absolutely have to go QB in rd 1. Buddy Nix doesnt seem inclined to trade picks so far, so I doubt we will see a big trade for 2 #1's next april. IMO, we may be better served to go LT first and QB second. But we shall see how this college season turns out. I do not think money will affect who we pick, but I do think that Locker has leverage being already drafted in MLB.