Bill Polian's last four drafts

[DanInUticaTampa]

What a BLEEP you are. I don't like to go out and call people names, but come on man. Really? The guy builds winning teams. Not everyone is gonna be a sure pick. But as others have already posted, look at what he finds in the later rounds. He finds solid players for his team to be competitive. And seriously when was the last time the Colts didn't make it to the playoffs????? I'd take Bill Polian back in a heartbeat.

 

The bills get all their best talent in the later rounds as well.... the drafting that hurts us most is the players we draft high.

[gobillsinytown]

The key to success in the draft isn't in the first round, it's in round 2 to 6. That's where the bulk of successful players are found. Polian and his staff here in Buffalo always had a knack for finding quality starters in the lower rounds, especially at linebacker. He seems to have continuted that trend with the Colts. To me that was the real blow to the Bills when he left, since we lost that ability to consistently find quality starters in the lower rounds.

This year might be different though, because I think the Colts have lost way too many players to injury to seriously compete in the playoffs.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

The key to success in the draft isn't in the first round, it's in round 2 to 6. That's where the bulk of successful players are found. Polian and his staff here in Buffalo always had a knack for finding quality starters in the lower rounds, especially at linebacker. He seems to have continuted that trend with the Colts. To me that was the real blow to the Bills when he left, since we lost that ability to consistently find quality starters in the lower rounds.

This year might be different though, because I think the Colts have lost way too many players to injury to seriously compete in the playoffs.

 

 

But yet they will still be competative and still be a playoff contender.

[robertpaul49]

I wish someone in buffalo's org was this overrated at drafting first round talent.

 

1998 1 * Peyton Manning QB Tennessee --> HOF

1999 4 Edgerrin James RB Miami (FL) -->Probowler

2000 28 Rob Morris LB Brigham Young --> 5 year MLB starter

2001 30 Reggie Wayne WR Miami (FL) --> Probowler

2002 11 Dwight Freeney DE Syracuse --> Probowler

2003 24 Dallas Clark TE Iowa --> Probowler

2004 — — No Pick — — [17]

2005 29 Marlin Jackson CB Michigan --> AVERAGE STARTER

2006 30 Joseph Addai RB Louisiana State --> Probowler

2007 32 Anthony Gonzalez WR Ohio State --> AVERAGE STARTER

2008 — — No Pick — — [18]

2009 27 Donald Brown RB Connecticut --> Could be bust TBD

2010 31 Jerry Hughes DE Texas Christian --> TBD

 

1998 - - No Pick - - [9] --> RJ trade (fred taylor)

1999 23 Antoine Winfield CB Ohio State --> Probowler

2000 26 Erik Flowers DE Arizona State --> Bust

2001 21 Nate Clements CB Ohio State --> Probowler

2002 4 Mike Williams OT Texas --> Bust

2003 23 Willis McGahee RB U. Miami --> Probowler

2004 13 Lee Evans WR Wisconsin --> Solid Starter

2004 22 JP Losman QB Tulane --> Bust

2005 — — No Pick — — [20]

2006 8 Donte Whitner SS Ohio State --> Average Starter

2006 26 John McCargo DT NC State --> Backup

2007 12 Marshawn Lynch RB California --> Probowler

2008 11 Leodis McKelvin CB Troy --> Average Starter

2009 11 Aaron Maybin DE Penn State --> Could be bust TBD

2009 28 Eric Wood C Louisville --> Starter

2010 9 C. J. Spiller RB Clemson --> TBD

 

I would have to say the Bill Polian seems to be doing just fine comparatively. It is very normal to have a couple of busts or players, but his ten year track record is getting more talent at lower draft positions. Wow, it's been a while since the Bills drafted a pro-bowler in the first round, especially one that doesn't have character issues.

[JohnC]

Just focusing on the top of the draft:

 

2007 - Anthony Gonzalez, WR, RD1; Tony Ugoh, OT, RD2

 

2008 - traded away first round pick to 49ers.

 

2009 - Donald Brown, RB, RD1

 

2010 - Jerry Hughes, DE, RD1

 

All of these players are underperformers. Gonzalez is injury-prone and has been passed on the depth chart by Collie and Garcon. Ugho was drafted as the LT of the future and was released this year. Donald Brown was a total waste of a pick and has been supplanted on the depth chart by Mike Hart. Jerry Hughes is having a rookie year much like Maybin's 2009 - he is weak at the POA and cannot get on the field (and when he does, he isn't making a difference).

 

Just saying, with all of the Polian talk around here, it's worth bearing in mind that he has his share of misses. Perhaps having the best QB ever to play the game can make up for lots of bad personnel decisions.

 

Bill Polian's team consistently wins. Ralph Wilson's team consistently loses. The firing of Bill Polian by the moronic owner of the Bills goes down as one of the worst decisions in the history of the modern NFL. You can make whatever judgment you want about his draft success or not. What you can't dispute is that the record of his team is stellar. The record of Ralph's team is an embarrassment.

[Big Turk]

He is talking about PAt TeaBag Manning

 

Edited November 2, 2010 by matter2003

[DreReed83]

Just focusing on the top of the draft:

 

2007 - Anthony Gonzalez, WR, RD1; Tony Ugoh, OT, RD2

 

2008 - traded away first round pick to 49ers.

 

2009 - Donald Brown, RB, RD1

 

2010 - Jerry Hughes, DE, RD1

 

All of these players are underperformers. Gonzalez is injury-prone and has been passed on the depth chart by Collie and Garcon. Ugho was drafted as the LT of the future and was released this year. Donald Brown was a total waste of a pick and has been supplanted on the depth chart by Mike Hart. Jerry Hughes is having a rookie year much like Maybin's 2009 - he is weak at the POA and cannot get on the field (and when he does, he isn't making a difference).

 

Just saying, with all of the Polian talk around here, it's worth bearing in mind that he has his share of misses. Perhaps having the best QB ever to play the game can make up for lots of bad personnel decisions.

 

 

Look at what Polian's done for the Bills, Panthers and Colts. ALL PLAYOFF TEAMS. All successful organizations. He built the expansion Panthers and almost built a super bowl team within their 2nd year of existance!!!! And you're sitting here and picking apart his last couple drafts? Get real dude.

 

Mike Hart didnt supplant Donald on the depth chart. Donald's HURT.

 

Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Nate Odomes, Shane Conlan, Frank Reich, acquiring Bennett in a trade, were all brilliant moves for us. Drafting Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Ryan Diem, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, and signing FAs like Jeff Saturday, Gary Brackett, Mike Vanderjagt?

 

 

Polian could spot talent from miles away and is by far the best GM and football mind in the game. It's not even close so i wouldn't go picking apart his draft picks. He has NOTHING to prove anymore.

 

6 Super Bowl teams and an NFC Championship appearance for an expansion franchise? PLEASE DUDE. im just shocked

Edited November 2, 2010 by DreReed83

[BillsVet]

This thread is proof too many Gomer Pyle's have invaded TBD.

 

And good thing we didn't get Mike Shanahan while we're at it.

[JohnC]

This thread is proof too many Gomer Pyle's have invaded TBD.

 

 

You got it backwards. There are not enough Gomer Pyle's in this room. He was a man of wisdom. He and Forrest Gump could run the Bills better than some of the clowns picked by the baron owner to manage this lackluster franchise. I'm sure neither of the brilliant duo would have drafted Whitner or Maybin with their first picks.

[BillsVet]

You got it backwards. There are not enough Gomer Pyle's in this room. He was a man of wisdom. He and Forrest Gump could run the Bills better than some of the clowns picked by the baron owner to manage this lackluster franchise. I'm sure neither of the brilliant duo would have drafted Whitner or Maybin with their first picks.

 

Sometimes I think they are running OBD.

[apuszczalowski]

You are right. Instead of lamenting how monumentally stupid letting Polian walk was we should try to convince ourselves he "isn't that good" instead. Denial can provide a comforting escape from reality.

 

His brief resume:

Over .650 winning percentage for two decades with three teams. All were losers when he came and winners while he was there, Carolina and buffalo have been losers since he left. He built 3 different teams into contenders (conference championship appearance or better), 2 perennial contenders for years and years and the third is unknown as he left after 2 seasons.

 

Come on man, does it really matter what you think of his last few drafts?

And you forgot to add that his teams were so great that in over his career he has 1 Super Bowl ring on his finger.

 

All hail the almighty Lord Polian, King of the NFL Bridesmaids!

Edited November 3, 2010 by apuszczalowski

[CardinalScotts]

I wish someone in buffalo's org was this overrated at drafting first round talent.

 

1998 1 * Peyton Manning QB Tennessee --> HOF

1999 4 Edgerrin James RB Miami (FL) -->Probowler

2000 28 Rob Morris LB Brigham Young --> 5 year MLB starter

2001 30 Reggie Wayne WR Miami (FL) --> Probowler

2002 11 Dwight Freeney DE Syracuse --> Probowler

2003 24 Dallas Clark TE Iowa --> Probowler

2004 — — No Pick — — [17]

2005 29 Marlin Jackson CB Michigan --> AVERAGE STARTER

2006 30 Joseph Addai RB Louisiana State --> Probowler

2007 32 Anthony Gonzalez WR Ohio State --> AVERAGE STARTER

2008 — — No Pick — — [18]

2009 27 Donald Brown RB Connecticut --> Could be bust TBD

2010 31 Jerry Hughes DE Texas Christian --> TBD

 

so in 13 years you get 5 very good players with your top pick ?

Manning anyone would have taken given the chance- Clark, Freeney Wayne good picks

James was descent for a #4 overall. The last 7 years however ? A foul ball with Gonzalez they rest a swing and a miss but you can over come that when you have a good football team already. He did this with the Bills as well. Horrible picks early in the draft.

[Malazan]

I'm not arguing against Polian, but Manning would make any team as successful as the Colts have been.

[buffaloaggie]

so in 13 years you get 5 very good players with your top pick ?

Manning anyone would have taken given the chance- Clark, Freeney Wayne good picks

James was descent for a #4 overall. The last 7 years however ? A foul ball with Gonzalez they rest a swing and a miss but you can over come that when you have a good football team already. He did this with the Bills as well. Horrible picks early in the draft.

He's drafting at the bottom of the 1st round almost all the time, both with the Bills and Colts. It tends to be a little hit or miss compared to a top ten pick. His highest picks, #1, #4 and #11, he knocked out of the park.

[RayFinkle]

Just focusing on the top of the draft:

 

2007 - Anthony Gonzalez, WR, RD1; Tony Ugoh, OT, RD2

 

2008 - traded away first round pick to 49ers.

 

2009 - Donald Brown, RB, RD1

 

2010 - Jerry Hughes, DE, RD1

 

All of these players are underperformers. Gonzalez is injury-prone and has been passed on the depth chart by Collie and Garcon. Ugho was drafted as the LT of the future and was released this year. Donald Brown was a total waste of a pick and has been supplanted on the depth chart by Mike Hart. Jerry Hughes is having a rookie year much like Maybin's 2009 - he is weak at the POA and cannot get on the field (and when he does, he isn't making a difference).

 

Just saying, with all of the Polian talk around here, it's worth bearing in mind that he has his share of misses. Perhaps having the best QB ever to play the game can make up for lots of bad personnel decisions.

 

Is this thread for real? Brown got hurt, so Hart is in. As for Gonzo, he also got hurt and was replaced by two other Polian draft picks who were absolute diamond in the rough studs.

[Coach Tuesday]

Is this thread for real? Brown got hurt, so Hart is in. As for Gonzo, he also got hurt and was replaced by two other Polian draft picks who were absolute diamond in the rough studs.

 

Brown has been a colassal disappointment, ask any Colts fan. Gonzo has been injured off and on for his entire career.

 

I can't believe how dense some of you are. The Colts are a team with an undersized, oft-injured defense, a weak offensive line, and a slew of early-round draft misses. Do those things sound familiar? Yet they win. Why? A constant, coherent system, good leadership in the locker room, and an incredible QB. The point is that there are different ways of building successful teams.

[auburnbillsbacker]

Just focusing on the top of the draft:

 

2007 - Anthony Gonzalez, WR, RD1; Tony Ugoh, OT, RD2

 

2008 - traded away first round pick to 49ers.

 

2009 - Donald Brown, RB, RD1

 

2010 - Jerry Hughes, DE, RD1

 

All of these players are underperformers. Gonzalez is injury-prone and has been passed on the depth chart by Collie and Garcon. Ugho was drafted as the LT of the future and was released this year. Donald Brown was a total waste of a pick and has been supplanted on the depth chart by Mike Hart. Jerry Hughes is having a rookie year much like Maybin's 2009 - he is weak at the POA and cannot get on the field (and when he does, he isn't making a difference).

 

Just saying, with all of the Polian talk around here, it's worth bearing in mind that he has his share of misses. Perhaps having the best QB ever to play the game can make up for lots of bad personnel decisions.

I think the reality is that having players like Manning and Brady allow general managers to make mistakes in the draft and still seem brilliant. The patriots draft record recently has not been very good despite having an abundance of picks.

[Travis]

Brown has been a colassal disappointment, ask any Colts fan. Gonzo has been injured off and on for his entire career.

 

I can't believe how dense some of you are. The Colts are a team with an undersized, oft-injured defense, a weak offensive line, and a slew of early-round draft misses. Do those things sound familiar? Yet they win. Why? A constant, coherent system, good leadership in the locker room, and an incredible QB. The point is that there are different ways of building successful teams.

There are a lot of different ways to build a successful team, you are correct. The problem is, we fired our architect who knows how to do it over and over a decade ago, and since then we haven’t done squat. You wanted to dissect him in this thread. So what is dense, this post or the people responding that its only because of Manning, and Polian only has one ring….

 

Your comment “Yet they win. Why? A constant, coherent system, good leadership in the locker room, and an incredible QB” makes no sense. Are you stating that a constant coherent system of good leadership isn’t the result of Polian drafting the right people? I am confused with the point you are trying to make here.

 

I would rather have a chance every year at the playoff’s as opposed to starting to discuss next year’s draft by week 6 and how we are going to F it up by picking a Maybin, or Williams or Whitner…. period, so give me Polian and an undersized, oft-injured defense, a weak offensive line, and a slew of early-round draft misses everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.

[buffaloaggie]

Brown has been a colassal disappointment, ask any Colts fan. Gonzo has been injured off and on for his entire career.

 

I can't believe how dense some of you are. The Colts are a team with an undersized, oft-injured defense, a weak offensive line, and a slew of early-round draft misses. Do those things sound familiar? Yet they win. Why? A constant, coherent system, good leadership in the locker room, and an incredible QB. The point is that there are different ways of building successful teams.

A weak offensive line? They've allowed the LEAST number of sacks in the NFL. NFL Passing Stats

 

A slew of early round misses? I think many folks have pointed out that Polian's drafts, from top to bottom, are pretty solid. Apparently nothing sinks in to your thick head.

 

Oft-injured defense...ah, we can point to Bob Sanders. Yes, he has had major injury problems. Injuries do happen in the NFL. That is totally Polian's fault and a direct result of his poor drafting. Undersized defense...that is by design with the Tampa-2 defense. I do not like the defense, but I look at Dungy's influence for that. Polian drafted to fit Dungy's needs and continues with the Tampa influence with Larry Coyer.

 

BTW, there are other ways of acquiring players besides the draft, through free agency, by signing UDFAs, trades...Polian manages a roster built around a franchise QB who occupies quite a bit of space under the salary cap. He does this very effectively. He had an easy choice between Manning and Leaf, he had a more difficult choice between James and Ricky Williams, and made the right choice in both of those circumstances. He drafted Freeney, another great pick who also happens to tie up a lot of cap space. He still manages to win year after year. Eight straight years of double digit wins. He found his franchise DE, franchise QB, a solid O-Line and rotates players around them (similar to Kelly, Bruce, Kent Hull and co.). Sounds like he has a good formula for winning. Much better than anything that the Bills have had since letting him and Butler go.

[JohnC]

I would rather have a chance every year at the playoff’s as opposed to starting to discuss next year’s draft by week 6 and how we are going to F it up by picking a Maybin, or Williams or Whitner….

 

For the sake of accuracy the discussion of the draft began after the first week of the season. It was obvious right from the start that most people knew what the outcome was going to be from this misfit organization.