Now that the dust has settled...

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

Now that the draft has come and gone I feel like some things have been abundantly clear by this staff and they are on the right track on rebuilding this team into a contender in the next season or two.

 

1. Nix - I loved the hire when it happned, and thus far he hasn't dissapointed. Presented an opportunity to get a top 10 QB in McNabb, he went after him. Ultimately, Washington had better picks to offer, but the fact he went after and was willing to pony up to get him says volumes to me. I loved what he has done in the draft and made some good FA signings as well...thus far, he gets an A

 

2. Gailey - I originally was puzzled by the hire, but I have to say him and this FO have changed my mind thus far. Its early and no games have been played yet, but I like what he is doing, what he brings to the table, and the direction he is steering us in. At this point, I really do feel like he was a good hire for this team and that Nix knew what he was doing when they hired him.

 

3. The draft - I love the draft. It isnt sexy from a name perspective, but who cares. We got a lot of value in most of our picks and picked up some hard nosed ball players. I think this draft was a great start for this FO.

 

4. The QB's - As I said all along, we were not going to use a high pick on another unproven rookie QB when we already have one in Brohm on our team that we have yet to see what he can do. I think this draft proved the interest they have in giving Brohm a chance to win this job and to see if Gailey can salvage Trent at all. Next year is a much better QB draft class, so this was the year to give Brohm a shot to show us what he can do or see if Trent can finally put it together in Gaileys offense. Taking a QB high this year just didnt make any sense. Trading for McNabb is another story, as he instantly makes us a contender. But they didnt try and trade for or sign other teams castoffs like Campbell, Delhomme, etc either, again showing me that they feel there is enough potential in our guys to see what they can do first.

 

5. CJ Spiller - I love this pick. I told people not to under estimate our interest in him and that if the top 2 or 3 OT were gone he could very likely be this pick. I wasn't to big on taking a RB this high originally, that was until the draft got close and I started watching his highlight videos because I had this feeling he was going to be our pick. I can honestly say now that I couldn't be happier about this signing. This team needs some excitement, someone to energize this offense, and someone who is a dual threat like him.

 

6. OT - I think the FO would have prefered to pick up an OT if the right one was there a little earlier than they did, but the fact they didn't reach for one also tells me that they have confidence in Bell improving this year and other guys contributing. Nix said we were trying to move up and back into the first round, but it wasn't for Tebow. I think the guy was likely Bulaga or could have been Dan Williams, but he said the player they wanted was gone by the spot they were trading into so they didnt pull the trigger. That being said, I think Nix and Gailey are both still looking in the FA market to get more help on the OL, but I like that they didnt reach for someone in the draft and instead took players who can be impact guys at other positions. I think Adams and Gaither are still real possibilities to land on this roster.

 

7. WR - Clearly they know we need someone to step up and take over the #2 spot, and I love that we are allowing our 2 young guys and a rookie the opportunity to do that rather than bringing in an aging vet. Its about time we saw what some of these guys can do so we know whether or not we got a player here or if we need to address that in next years draft.

 

8. Lynch - Clearly if we would have gotten an offer for him that was acceptable to us I think he would have been easily moved. However, I love that they just didnt dump him for nothing for the sake of dumping him. He has more value to this team than say a 6th round pick likely would. If injuries occur this offseason to other RB's around the league, I would expect the trade talk to heat up again, but unless that happens or someone ponies up at least a 3rd or a 4th and some change, then I think he will be on this roster this year and hopefully he uses it as motivation to step up.

 

9. Maybin - Last years draft class already is an A- in my book, but this year Maybin can turn that into an A+. I think this new D suits him greatly, and with the bodies we have added he will have a real shot to really excel in it. I have high expectations for Maybin this year and I think he will do well.

 

10. Our D - If Troup can man the middle with Kyle, then I think this D has a a chance to be really good this year. We have a great secondary, added 2 really good players in our front 7 (Dwan and A. Davis), and we are switching to a scheme that plays to the strengths of guys like A. Davis, Schobel, Maybin, Stroud, and our young guys. For the first time in a long time I feel like we have much needed depth on this D, something that has killed us consistently for a while now.

 

All in all, 2010 is not a quest to return to glory, but a year to get our youth on the field, develop them, give this new staff a chance to install new schemes and build the foundations for those schemes. I think 6 to 9 wins is probably our expected range, and I am ok with that, because this year isnt about that, its laying the foundation to become a winning football team again and become a contender in 2011 or 2012.

You are really not worried about our LT slot or Guard slot if Wood is unable to start immediately? No worry with Hartencrappen at center??? My 2 main worrieds are OL and QB as it was in January.

[EastRochBillsfan]

I basically agree with everything.....

 

The only thing I wished that they would do is add a little more free agency to go in with setting in the foundation of the team like they did this year.....we need to finalize that foundation on BOTH sides of the ball and as Nix said "they only give us 1 pick per round and we need about 3"

 

Well if we need 3 per round then supplant that with some free agents? It isn't like we dont have the cap to do it.

 

There ARE some guys out there that can help us

It IS possible we still add a player or two in free agency. Its not like we can't still sign anyone or make a trade. I vote for waiting till camp starts and then we'll know what we have to work with.

 

There is not a single person in the front office or on the coaching staff that is worth a DAMN.

 

These clowns could never run a respectable organization.

 

Buddy had himself an alright career, but he was also alive during World War II.

 

Chan Gailey is a washed up has been that never even was.

 

It only takes ONE to ruin a perfectly good thread. And you sir, are the ONE.(but there's more of your kind to follow, of this I am sure.)

 

Good post

 

I agree with everything you said, especially the sentiment that this year is not a quest to return to glory but to develop the youth and give the new staff a chance to implement their schemes. I think that is a big point a lot of fans may be missing. I am really excited to see how Gailey runs the offense, how Edwards runs the 3-4 and how our young guys play. I think this year will be more fun to watch if anything.

 

+1

 

Sure. I agree

 

But i think we are all sorrily mistaken if you think Buffalo's approach to the QB situation was lets wait until next year and hope we pick low enough to get a good QB? cmon now.

He never said that. as he defended well with his response.

[tennesseeboy]

I think a D grade would be generous. The crying need was offensive line and there were very very good linemen available in the first and second round. The decision to go 3-4 which resulted in a commitment to so many defensive linemen being drafted wasn't necessary or appropriate given the condition of the team and the quality of personnel. The existing defense needed some personnel changes to get better agains the run, not a completely new front 7. Spiller is a quality pick, maybe on the of best in the draft, but he wasn't a very big need for a team with two quality rushers. Maybe I'm wrong and when Wang goes to the probowl next year I'll be eating crow. Long as I'm eating crow in the playoffs I'll be a happy camper.

[dollars 2 donuts]

 

Very nicely done, AD7!

[John Cocktosten]

So let me get this straight Adawg, everything the Bills have done since the hiring of Nix has been great? And all of your assumptions like a trade for a legit OT, the Bills being in position to grab a top QB next year (If that group doesn't go Jevon Snead), Maybin magically working out and Shobel coming back, comes to fruition?

The truth is, the Bills have no LT and left a ton of question marks on the O line even after the draft! Wasn't their downfall the O line last year?Guess what, nothing has changed. Wood is still rehabbing, Bell is rehabbing from a torn ACL? No Butler. That leaves Levitre and Hangartner. Again I ask you, what has changed....Wang?

Secondly, who the hell is going to rush the passer on this team? You assume that Schobel is coming back but using your QB logic, it looked like the Bills are planning on moving on without him by drafting a D2 all star team at OLB.

That leaves Maybin. Someone said it a couple of weeks ago on this board, does the switch to a 34 make Maybin a better player? The truth is, Maybin will still have to be stout at the POA and will be rushing the passer from the same open side of the offense. Here is a guy who is stiff as a board and now he's going to have to drop into space and make plays in the open field?

Their is no legit pass rusher on this team and last time I checked the Pats spread out the field and the Bills are going to be left with the same group of sorry pass rushers that the Bills have had the last couple of years.

Optimism is one thing but this uber-enthusiam over what amounts to a questionalbale draft and 3 mid level free agents is unreal. It's actually led to the resurection of the idea that Trent's problems were all of the last regimes fault which is insane. I'm not saying there isn't hope but I just don't see this fantasy land mentality that has so many thinking Buddy Nix is this amazing southern football wizard either. I mean this is the Bills we"re talking about right? I know talking heads can be wrong but when they are all laughing in unison there has to be some truth to it right?

Time will tell but this team doesn't look much different at THE most important positions to me.

[BillsWearPajamas]

1. Nix - I loved the hire when it happned.... I loved what he has done in the draft.....

 

3. The draft - I love the draft.

 

5. CJ Spiller - I love this pick.

 

7. WR - ...I love that we are allowing...

 

8. Lynch - However, I love that they...

 

Sounds like someone is in love....Russ, is that you?

[Alphadawg7]

So let me get this straight Adawg, everything the Bills have done since the hiring of Nix has been great? And all of your assumptions like a trade for a legit OT, the Bills being in position to grab a top QB next year (If that group doesn't go Jevon Snead), Maybin magically working out and Shobel coming back, comes to fruition?

The truth is, the Bills have no LT and left a ton of question marks on the O line even after the draft! Wasn't their downfall the O line last year?Guess what, nothing has changed. Wood is still rehabbing, Bell is rehabbing from a torn ACL? No Butler. That leaves Levitre and Hangartner. Again I ask you, what has changed....Wang?

Secondly, who the hell is going to rush the passer on this team? You assume that Schobel is coming back but using your QB logic, it looked like the Bills are planning on moving on without him by drafting a D2 all star team at OLB.

That leaves Maybin. Someone said it a couple of weeks ago on this board, does the switch to a 34 make Maybin a better player? The truth is, Maybin will still have to be stout at the POA and will be rushing the passer from the same open side of the offense. Here is a guy who is stiff as a board and now he's going to have to drop into space and make plays in the open field?

Their is no legit pass rusher on this team and last time I checked the Pats spread out the field and the Bills are going to be left with the same group of sorry pass rushers that the Bills have had the last couple of years.

Optimism is one thing but this uber-enthusiam over what amounts to a questionalbale draft and 3 mid level free agents is unreal. It's actually led to the resurection of the idea that Trent's problems were all of the last regimes fault which is insane. I'm not saying there isn't hope but I just don't see this fantasy land mentality that has so many thinking Buddy Nix is this amazing southern football wizard either. I mean this is the Bills we"re talking about right? I know talking heads can be wrong but when they are all laughing in unison there has to be some truth to it right?

Time will tell but this team doesn't look much different at THE most important positions to me.

 

Are you under some delusion that every problem we have can be fixed in one offseason? I didnt say all our problems are solved...this was an assesment of the moves and picks we did make and how I felt about the direction of this team.

 

First off, the pass rush has lots of potential. We have vets and young guys in our new system that have the ability to get to the QB, and yes, I believe Maybin to be one of them. Only time will tell, but I see a lot of potential in this new D. One thing most casual fans don't realize is how valuable a high end secondary is to the pass rush. Our secondary will allow us to be very aggressive upfront and bring a lot of pressure, especially in this new 3-4.

 

Secondly, whats the deal with assumptions? I didn't assume anything. I just gave my opinnion how I see some things potentially working out and how things have been going.

 

Thirdly...I love how you started your comments on Maybin with "the truth is" then follow it up with your assumptions on how bad of a player he is...The REAL "truth is" about Maybin is that we dont have a clue to what we really have in him or what he can do. And, whether you want to acknowledge it or not, the switch to 3-4 definitely plays better to his strengths than the old system. Add into the fact he seems to have been working hard to add more strength in the offseason and you have a guy who could potentially become a good player on this team. Will he? Who knows...but until he gets out there on the field we wont know.

[Alphadawg7]

Sounds like someone is in love....Russ, is that you?

 

Thanks for such a substantial contribution to the thread...