Rank the Bills first round picks

[Delete This Account]

Did anyone claim that Modrak made the picks?

 

...

 

Anyway, I'm not convinced the Modrak era in Buffalo showed that the Bills did a better than typical job than any other NFL teams in the later rounds and certainly not when one considers that the bar was lower in Buffalo -- finding a starting job on a bad team that has struck out on most of its first round picks is arguably an easier task than to do the same on a team that is in the playoffs every season and drafts excellent starters with its 1st round picks.

 

Now to be totally balanced, this does show that the Modrak era wasn't worse than other teams using this data. So, neither worse nor better.

 

This last draft, with every player taken from the southeast without exception, pretty much summed it up as far as Modrak's influence.

the OP made that claim by virtue of the title of this thread.

 

as for your extensive post, there's not much there i could argue with.

one thing that does need to be factored in is how the constant upheaval messed with the draft and the types of players the team chose. different coaches coming in wanting different types of players, with different coordinators, especially on the offensive side of the ball, certainly didn't lead to much stability or continuity.

 

jw

Edited May 7, 2011 by john wawrow

[Orton's Arm]

i have personal knowledge, otherwise i wouldn't have written what i've written here.

i hope you're not asking me to reveal sources.

 

jw

I would never ask anyone to make public something which had been said in confidence. I would certainly not ask a reporter to reveal his or her sources, unless those sources had given prior permission to have their identities revealed. A statement from you that "I have personal knowledge that X is true" is good enough for me.

 

Now that that's out of the way, I'd like to ask you a question. If you don't know the answer, or don't feel comfortable revealing the answer, that's fine. My question is this: what opinion did Modrak have of the Bills' first round busts? Did he approve or disapprove of players like McCargo, Losman, Mike Williams, etc.? I realize he wasn't the final decision-maker, and that the ultimate responsibility for these picks was not his. But was he reasonably comfortable with those and the other first round picks when they were made; or did he strongly warn the Bills against making them?

 

Edit: in response to your more recent post, I probably could have picked a better title for the thread. The meaning I'd wanted to convey was, "please rank the first round picks the Bills made while Modrak was director of college scouting; while acknowledging that we as fans cannot know how much influence Modrak had regarding those picks." But that seemed a little wordy for a thread title. I regret that the thread title I chose created the impression that Modrak was personally responsible for the Bills' first round picks during his time here.

Edited May 8, 2011 by Edwards' Arm

[billsfan89]

I've complied a ranking of the Bills' first round picks in the Modrak era, from best to worst. Feel free to comment, or contribute your own rankings of the Bills' first round picks.

 

1) Eric Wood. He shows signs of living up to his draft position. That makes him the best first round selection of the Modrak era.

 

2) Lee Evans. While he never lived up to the expectations associated with the 13th overall pick, he has been a solid contributor for the Bills.

 

3) Willis McGahee. Picked late in the first round, McGahee was traded away a few years later for a couple of third round picks. This draft pick was only partially wasted!

 

4) Donte Whitner. Chosen eighth overall, Whitner has played about as well as you might expect from someone in the late second or early third round. The eighth overall pick is worth 1400 points, while the 15th pick of the second round is worth 430 points. The Bills received about one fourth of what this pick was worth.

 

5) Leodis McKelvin. While it is a little early to rank this pick, McKelvin looks to be a player who plays very well in stretches, only to get beat through mental errors. Using the 11th overall pick on a guy who should probably be your #3 CB isn't exactly the pinnacle of success, but it's better than anything below.

 

6) Marshawn Lynch. Taken 12th overall, he was traded for a 4th rounder (plus change) just a few years later. Turning the 12th overall pick into a fourth rounder isn't the kind of alchemy you hope to see from your front office, but the fact the Bills got some value from him makes him the 6th-best selection.

 

7) J.P. Losman. He had a decent year in 2006; but was otherwise useless to the team. He ranks lower than Lynch because the Bills could get nothing for him in a trade; and because of his subsequent difficulty finding a roster spot in the NFL.

 

8) Mike Williams. The Mike Williams of 2004 would have represented an upgrade at RT for the 2010 Bills. You hope to get more than just one somewhat decent season out of a RT chosen fourth overall. But as a Bills fan, you don't always get everything you want.

 

9) John McCargo. There'd been discussion of trading him away for a fifth rounder--at least until he failed the Colts' physical. While a fifth rounder isn't a great return from a first rounder, it's better than nothing. Which is exactly what the Bills would get if they tried to trade away . . .

 

10) Aaron Maybin. Chosen 11th overall, this player has done nothing for the team.

 

Unranked: Spiller. (Too early to make an assessment.)

 

Mike Williams was the worst pick. 1 decent year for a 3rd overall pick is much worse than nothing from the 11th overall pick. 3rd overall picks are suppose to be game changers for your franchise. While 11th overall picks are suppose to make an impact.

 

Fat Mike not being the anchor to the line he was suppose to be set this franchise back much more than Maybin the 11th overall pick being a complete zero.

 

I can't justify anyone but Fat Mike being the worst pick by Modrak and company.

[thewildrabbit]

Mike Williams was the worst pick. 1 decent year for a 3rd overall pick is much worse than nothing from the 11th overall pick. 3rd overall picks are suppose to be game changers for your franchise. While 11th overall picks are suppose to make an impact.

 

Fat Mike not being the anchor to the line he was suppose to be set this franchise back much more than Maybin the 11th overall pick being a complete zero.

 

I can't justify anyone but Fat Mike being the worst pick by Modrak and company.

He was the 4th overall in 2002 and played for the Bills for 4 years, 51 games http://www.pro-footb.../W/WillMi22.htm

 

Now I'd like to contend that the Bills could have moved the guy inside at guard if he was failing at tackle, he might have be an expensive guard but if he is contributing at you at least recoup some of that guaranteed contract, The Raiders did something like that with LT Robert Gallery who is now a guard.

 

At least they got a 4 years out of Williams, Maybin held out for more money and got it to the tune of 25 million over 5 years, and that's not the guaranteed part. ZERO SACKS in his 2 year career so far. In 2009 he had 18 tackles, in 2010 he had just 5 tackles in 66 plays

 

McCargo 5 year 8,600.000 drafted in 2006 and in his 5 year career with the Buffalo Bills he has had 46 tackles & 2.5 sacks in his career total... yea TOTAL for 5 years! ....dunno perhaps I'm reading it wrong but it says McCargo has started only one game in his 5 years

 

CJ Spiller 5 year 25 million-20.8 guaranteed- 26 carries 122 yds- 3 passes for 35 yds 3 TD's

 

Pathetic really, is it any wonder why this team stinks ...

[ganesh]

I've complied a ranking of the Bills' first round picks in the Modrak era, from best to worst. Feel free to comment, or contribute your own rankings of the Bills' first round picks.

 

2) Lee Evans. While he never lived up to the expectations associated with the 13th overall pick, he has been a solid contributor for the Bills.

 

 

Lee Evans has been a one trick pony that enjoyed a initial jump briefly with Drew Bledsoe and then had a short resurgence with Losman. Evans hardly ever fights for the ball and disappears for a long time in a game. I have also not seen him make great blocks like a Hines Ward.

 

Evans is another wasted pick @ #13. At #13, I expect the player to have made multiple pro-bowls. Evans is not the best WR even within the division.

 

He was the 4th overall in 2002 and played for the Bills for 4 years, 51 games http://www.pro-footb.../W/WillMi22.htm

 

Now I'd like to contend that the Bills could have moved the guy inside at guard if he was failing at tackle, he might have be an expensive guard but if he is contributing at you at least recoup some of that guaranteed contract, The Raiders did something like that with LT Robert Gallery who is now a guard.

 

At least they got a 4 years out of Williams, Maybin held out for more money and got it to the tune of 25 million over 5 years, and that's not the guaranteed part. ZERO SACKS in his 2 year career so far. In 2009 he had 18 tackles, in 2010 he had just 5 tackles in 66 plays

 

McCargo 5 year 8,600.000 drafted in 2006 and in his 5 year career with the Buffalo Bills he has had 46 tackles & 2.5 sacks in his career total... yea TOTAL for 5 years! ....dunno perhaps I'm reading it wrong but it says McCargo has started only one game in his 5 years

 

CJ Spiller 5 year 25 million-20.8 guaranteed- 26 carries 122 yds- 3 passes for 35 yds 3 TD's

 

Pathetic really, is it any wonder why this team stinks ...

 

And don't forget the money they gave to Chris Kelsay (5Y/25M), Derrick Dockery (7Y/49M), Langston Walker (5Year/25M). This front office has blown that cash on all second stringers.

[Delete This Account]

I would never ask anyone to make public something which had been said in confidence. I would certainly not ask a reporter to reveal his or her sources, unless those sources had given prior permission to have their identities revealed. A statement from you that "I have personal knowledge that X is true" is good enough for me.

 

Now that that's out of the way, I'd like to ask you a question. If you don't know the answer, or don't feel comfortable revealing the answer, that's fine. My question is this: what opinion did Modrak have of the Bills' first round busts? Did he approve or disapprove of players like McCargo, Losman, Mike Williams, etc.? I realize he wasn't the final decision-maker, and that the ultimate responsibility for these picks was not his. But was he reasonably comfortable with those and the other first round picks when they were made; or did he strongly warn the Bills against making them?

 

Edit: in response to your more recent post, I probably could have picked a better title for the thread. The meaning I'd wanted to convey was, "please rank the first round picks the Bills made while Modrak was director of college scouting; while acknowledging that we as fans cannot know how much influence Modrak had regarding those picks." But that seemed a little wordy for a thread title. I regret that the thread title I chose created the impression that Modrak was personally responsible for the Bills' first round picks during his time here.

no problem.

as for Modrak's thoughts on the Bills picks: he was a team player and always talked up the selections. though he'd occasionally express disappointment of the team's record, he was always positive and upbeat.

i don't know what was said behind closed doors. Tom always played his cards close to the vest. but he would never rock the boat publicly, while accepting whatever blame was placed on him. again, a team player.

 

jw

[Orton's Arm]

no problem.

as for Modrak's thoughts on the Bills picks: he was a team player and always talked up the selections. though he'd occasionally express disappointment of the team's record, he was always positive and upbeat.

i don't know what was said behind closed doors. Tom always played his cards close to the vest. but he would never rock the boat publicly, while accepting whatever blame was placed on him. again, a team player.

 

jw

Thanks for the info. I certainly respect Modrak's willingness to publicly praise the picks, regardless of whatever he had said behind closed doors. It would have undercut Donahoe's authority if, the day after the Mike Williams pick (for example), Modrak had publicly said, "I think Williams will be a bust and that we're fools for taking him." I realize the rules of the game are such that Modrak can't say that--at least not publicly--even if that's what he had been thinking.

 

It's unfortunate that more isn't known about what Modrak had said behind closed doors about the players the Bills drafted, before those players had been drafted.

[thewildrabbit]

Ya know, we fans can point the finger at scouts, coaches, GM's and FO exec's that would rather sell seats then win games... it seems like everybody gets the blame but the guy who hired them all. We must have had dozens of Modrak threads already this off season, I can only wonder who is next to get them blame when this team doesn't win, Nix perhaps?

 

Until this franchise owner decides he wants to win, and steps down from the president job, then hires a top man to replace him to run the whole show, this franchise will continue to on its everlasting trek from losing to mediocrity and back.