1billsfan Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) I'm not debating that he is a solid prospect. My point is that people overstate the connection for Ga Tech. They also do it with San Diego. Every player that leaves SD is rumored to come here because of Buddy. Maybe we should start perusing the Pitt players available in the draft since Wanny coached there a while back. Perhaps, but there is a connection and the Bills are sitting in no mans land at #10. They probably won't have a blue chip player (other than Kuechly ILB or DeCastro OG who play positions that are not thought of as high first rd positions) to pick at that spot and the other potential prospects are all over the place. Hill's playing at GT and the Chan connection could very well be the deciding factor. If you look at his pro day you will see Buddy Nix and Lovie Smith in almost every frame in the background. I think he's a serious contender even if they don't trade down. Edited March 23, 2012 by 1billsfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Perhaps, but there is a connection and the Bills are sitting in no mans land at #10. They probably won't have a blue chip player (other than Kuechly ILB or DeCastro OG who play positions that are not thought of as high first rd positions) to pick at that spot and the other potential prospects are all over the place. Hill's playing at GT and the Chan connection could very well be the deciding factor. If you look at his pro day you will see Buddy Nix and Lovie Smith in almost every frame in the background. I think he's a serious contender even if they don't trade down. I wouldn't be pissed if we got Hill but it would be out of character for Buddy I would say. He could be the best of them all in 3 years. Depending on how we brought him along maybe even year 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I wouldn't be pissed if we got Hill but it would be out of character for Buddy I would say. He could be the best of them all in 3 years. Depending on how we brought him along maybe even year 1. The problem is that according to the "Buddy" rules, there's no one that will be at #10 that he could draft. He's going to have to backtrack on his rules no matter who they take... ILB or OG? Those aren't top 10 draftable positions in 1st rd. Martin or Reiff? One isn't strong and the other is a RT. Floyd? Bad character guy, again that's not Buddy. Poe, Cox, Brockers? No way he drafts the same position in consecutive 1st rounds. Ingram or Upshaw? He just gave a ton of money to the DE position. Kirkpatrick? Buddy probably sees him as a safety. 4.5 is too slow for Buddy at CB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 The problem is that according to the "Buddy" rules, there's no one that will be at #10 that he could draft. He's going to have to backtrack on his rules no matter who they take... ILB or OG? Those aren't top 10 draftable positions in 1st rd. Martin or Reiff? One isn't strong and the other is a RT. Floyd? Bad character guy, again that's not Buddy. Poe, Cox, Brockers? No way he drafts the same position in consecutive 1st rounds. Ingram or Upshaw? He just gave a ton of money to the DE position. Kirkpatrick? Buddy probably sees him as a safety. 4.5 is too slow for Buddy at CB. There are no steadfast "Buddy rules". He will almost always say things like, "We like a guy who has put up numbers rather than a one year wonder". That doesn't automatically rule out any one year wonder guy, especially if he fits most or all of the other Buddy "likes". At various times, he has said... He likes big guys. He likes fast guys. He likes smart players. He likes players from big schools who played against top competition. He likes guys that have produced a few years rather than one year wonders He likes guys that had production on the field rather than in their underwear at the combine. He likes tough guys. He doesn't like to trade up or trade down. If a player does not fit one or two of those criterion but fits the other 6-7 of them, he would be all over that player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 There are no steadfast "Buddy rules". He will almost always say things like, "We like a guy who has put up numbers rather than a one year wonder". That doesn't automatically rule out any one year wonder guy, especially if he fits most or all of the other Buddy "likes". At various times, he has said... He likes big guys. He likes fast guys. He likes smart players. He likes players from big schools who played against top competition. He likes guys that have produced a few years rather than one year wonders He likes guys that had production on the field rather than in their underwear at the combine. He likes tough guys. He doesn't like to trade up or trade down. If a player does not fit one or two of those criterion but fits the other 6-7 of them, he would be all over that player. It seems the less holes this team has to fill, the more Buddy will have to "modify" his rules to get the guy he wants while still fitting the BPA mold. Very interesting trying to predict this pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Awesome problem to have. We filled some big holes in FA. We have the draft and more FA when people get cut due to how a teams draft went or salary cap issues to save money. We do know we went after CB and WR in FA. Those are likely top of the list. Buddy was looking for starters in FA. Maybe he will look for starters in the draft instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLawless Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 We draft him in round 3, after taking DeCastro in round 1 and Hightower in round 2. That'd be sooooo nice! Id celebrate those 3 rounds pretty hard although I'd rather have kalil lol while were dreaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Awesome problem to have. We filled some big holes in FA. We have the draft and more FA when people get cut due to how a teams draft went or salary cap issues to save money. We do know we went after CB and WR in FA. Those are likely top of the list. Buddy was looking for starters in FA. Maybe he will look for starters in the draft instead? This draft is tough to figure out. We need an LT and I think everyone here almost agrees that the talent available doesn't generate a consensus LT candidate. In fact they look like should should slide down the first round, imo. Floyd seems to be the consensus choice at #10 if he is there. I feel that the Jags and Phins could look to him to fill there holes at WR. If Floyd is gone, BPAs are Kuechy & DeCastro. CB warrants a mention as well. When was the last time McGee finished a season, Ledois was benched for putrid play last year and is a FA. We brought in Stanford Routt earlier as well although he didn't sign. Kirkpatrick is coming in for visit and Stephon Gilmore who I liked at #41 seems to be hitting the first round in some mocks and has even moved above Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick isn't great at man coverage, which Wanny said we won't play much of. He has also been mentioned as a safety prospect. Chan & Buddy love players that can play multiple positions. Is the top LB or G worth taking over a CB? Also, I am not saying we have to take into account what other teams in our division are doing, but the Jets have a glaring need at WR. If we don't take Floyd, is he a player you want to face twice a year with the Jets? If Floyd is gone before us, Do we reach for Hill? Good chance the Jets grab him if we don't and he won't be there at #41. Last season in a pre-draft interview Buddy indicated they were drafting for depth last year and to stop the run. We grabbed starters in FA this season, who fix the pass rush. Buddy expects the playoffs and thought we had a 10 win team last season without the injuries. Gailey says we should compete for the division. It seems like this draft we may indeed be looking for immediate starters in the first few rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 This guy could be in the same group as Jason Pierre Paul - a guy with embarrassing low production for his draft position who could excel as a pro - or he could be a highly over-drafted bust. I think the Bills have made significant strides in FA and the last 2 years' drafts. I'd hate to gamble on this guy in round 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just read about him today. Looks like he is going to make it to the 1st rd and may shake up the order. He has everything we need IMO, but if we select him we will be accused of reaching. Maybe Buffalo could draft a LT at 10 then trade back into the back end of the 1st to get Hill and solve their WR issue. But it seems like WR's are in high demand so a guy like Hill will likely see him self go in the late teens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 If Floyd is gone before us, Do we reach for Hill? Good chance the Jets grab him if we don't and he won't be there at #41. Last season in a pre-draft interview Buddy indicated they were drafting for depth last year and to stop the run. We grabbed starters in FA this season, who fix the pass rush. Buddy expects the playoffs and thought we had a 10 win team last season without the injuries. Gailey says we should compete for the division. It seems like this draft we may indeed be looking for immediate starters in the first few rounds. There is no way on earth that Hill's college production warrants even a 4th round pick. Given his incredible athletic ability, he might be worth a LATE 2nd or early 3rd round pick. I don't think you can reasonably spend the 10th pick in the draft on a guy with that little production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 There is no way on earth that Hill's college production warrants even a 4th round pick. Given his incredible athletic ability, he might be worth a LATE 2nd or early 3rd round pick. I don't think you can reasonably spend the 10th pick in the draft on a guy with that little production. I wasn't advocating that...was just laying options out there for discussion I think at 10 it is an incredible reach, but he is rated as of now as the 3rd best WR... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I wasn't advocating that...was just laying options out there for discussion I think at 10 it is an incredible reach, but he is rated as of now as the 3rd best WR... I didn't mean to come across so strongly. I think Hill has talent, but his production in the same GT offense does not even register in comparison to Calvin Johnson and it is barely a blip compared to Demarius Thomas who wasn't elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I didn't mean to come across so strongly. I think Hill has talent, but his production in the same GT offense does not even register in comparison to Calvin Johnson and it is barely a blip compared to Demarius Thomas who wasn't elite. You're okay...it didn't Just thought I should qualify my post...lots of questions are out there. We need to look at all the options and shoot them down...I think we can get the first 3 picks figured out if we really try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDaDdy Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Maybe Buffalo could draft a LT at 10 then trade back into the back end of the 1st to get Hill and solve their WR issue. But it seems like WR's are in high demand so a guy like Hill will likely see him self go in the late teens. If the rash of FA WR signings in the first week said anything it said that WRs are in high demand. Some of these guys could go early to teams that wanted a WR in FA and missed out. We are one of those teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Linen Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 As I said in another thread, Buddy Nix was front and center at Stephen Hill's pro day and Chan has obvious connections to GT that gives them an almost lock solid evaluation on this guy. The people talking up Floyd might as while forget him ever being picked by the Bills. Hill has no character concerns that I've heard about. He seems like the player Lee Evans would be if he were 6'4". WR is clearly the Bills #1 need and if Buddy feels that Hill is a top 10 talent then he will no doubt be the pick at #10 baring someone huge dropping like Claiborne. I don't think you can say WR is clearly our "#1 need" with our Left Tackle situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 There are no steadfast "Buddy rules". He will almost always say things like, "We like a guy who has put up numbers rather than a one year wonder". That doesn't automatically rule out any one year wonder guy, especially if he fits most or all of the other Buddy "likes". At various times, he has said... He likes big guys. He likes fast guys. He likes smart players. He likes players from big schools who played against top competition. He likes guys that have produced a few years rather than one year wonders He likes guys that had production on the field rather than in their underwear at the combine. He likes tough guys. He doesn't like to trade up or trade down. If a player does not fit one or two of those criterion but fits the other 6-7 of them, he would be all over that player. He also likes guys from the South. For obvious reasons...and no not talking about his accent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 (edited) If the rash of FA WR signings in the first week said anything it said that WRs are in high demand. Some of these guys could go early to teams that wanted a WR in FA and missed out. We are one of those teams. Manningham makes more than SJ...edit(not true - didn't read the entire article) WRs on FA are way expensive. The market snapped them up quick this year and not everyone filled their holes... Edited March 24, 2012 by reed83 4th Rounder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Manningham makes more than SJ... WRs on FA are way expensive. The market snapped them up quick this year and not everyone filled their holes... Turns out he was plucked off the bargain rack… looks to me like his agent planted those Manningham to Buffalo rumors. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/mario-manningham-got-7-375-million-from-the-49ers/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1billsfan Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 (edited) I don't think you can say WR is clearly our "#1 need" with our Left Tackle situation. It really is. We either have Hairston or Bell this year as our starting LT. We have ????? as or starting #2 WR. The NFL is a passing league and if you don't have one of the major pieces in place to make it work you are in a sense, doomed. Running game is less effective, passing game is less effective. They can't do Fitzpatrick like that. They have to get someone opposite SJ and the plan can't be counting on Marcus Easley. I'm starting to believe that Stephen Hill will our pick. Guys with his size and speed are gold in this league. Will it be seen as a reach/risk pick? Yes, but Buddy has serious cache now. If they don't draft a 1st rd WR then they almost have to sign TO to a one year contract. Edited March 24, 2012 by 1billsfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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