True cost of Bills' Watkins trade

[1B4IDie]

If the Bills had honest to God targeted Beckham for the 9th pick, then it's a dumb - even bizarre - trade. I simply don't believe that's true.

Stop being logical!

 

You need to Cherry pick random rookies that did better than expected, then bast the Front Office for not knowing the future with 100% certainty.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Why So Serious?

[GaryPinC]

I honestly think part of the reason we traded up for Watkins is because of his work ethic, attitude, and passion he brings to the field. As a coach, I can say you covet those rare players who elevate their focus and effort and put it all on the line when the game's outcome is in doubt. Sammy seems like he's one of those types of people, and we should see that once he settles in and gets a decent QB. I think that's part of Whaley's gamble and I respect him for it. Hopefully being around Heinz Ward, Polamalu, and Rothelisberger taught him that appreciation.

[1billsfan]

I think two things Marrone knows, and is right about, is that A) EJ Manual has no business starting in this league and B) trading up for Watkins was stupid when you dont have the required skill at QB to use his talents.

 

Marrone was right about those things and it seems Whaley still hasn't come around. I do believe EJ was the main disagreement point between the Dougs (what else could they really argue about?) and that is why Marrone left. I also would bet that EJ is a huge wrench in our finding a new coach. Not having a 1st round pick is also a huge negative I'm sure, because new coaches know we need a new QB, but that would be moot if EJ was any good.

 

The biggest defenders of Sammy say "Put him on the GIants, with Eli Manning, and Sammy would have 12 catches and 150 yards and 2 tds a game too!!!!" We are in agreement! We dont have a QB and look what kind a production you get from a stud like Sammy!!!!

 

Marrone would love for everyone like you to believe this bs. However, it's clear as day that Manuel's biggest problem was Marrone. If you couldn't see that our offense was horrific because it was so "high school" in it's predictability and safeness, then I don't think there's any need to continue debating the issue with you.

[Rob's House]

The revisionist thinking on this board is astounding. If Cleveland had made the trade and then used the 9th pick on OBJ (besides blowing the minds of everyone who posts on this board from now to doomsday) then you'd have to give Cleveland credit for making the trade and being able to spot an enormous talent. But they didn't. They picked a CB who looks to be as big a bust as anyone picked in the first round. Why didn't Minnesota, Detroit or Tennessee pick OBJ? The reason is NO ONE projected OBJ as a top ten pick and it's foolish to project backward that he was. Give the Giants credit. They spotted a unique talent and made a hell of a pick. I wasn't a fan of the trade when it was made (because of nightmares that Cleveland would wind up with #1 overall pick) but I can certainly live with it now. We got a true #1 receiver. We have specific needs that can be addressed in free agency and the draft. Yes, it will come down to QB play but I defy anyone from making an argument that the Watkins trade prevented us from obtaining a franchise QB. Be happy with the trade and move on!

What difference does it make what Cleveland did or does with the picks?

 

Plus, it's not just about Beckham. The point is that there were so many good WR options available that it seems the cost to move up may have outweighed the upgrade in talent.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Rob's House

[GG]

 

Isn't that convenient. Please show me where all these insightful soles were prior to the draft. Or even prior to Beckham's starting his first game. Nobody in their right mind had anybody but Sammy Watkins at the top of the receiver board. Period. End of story. Anything else is pure, revisionist, 20/20 hindsight crap.

 

GO BILLS!!!

 

There was only one story that maybe perhaps Chip Kelly had OBD as his No. 1 guy.

[dave mcbride]

 

Isn't that convenient. Please show me where all these insightful soles were prior to the draft. Or even prior to Beckham's starting his first game. Nobody in their right mind had anybody but Sammy Watkins at the top of the receiver board. Period. End of story. Anything else is pure, revisionist, 20/20 hindsight crap.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Here's the Chip Kelly story: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000449005/article/chip-kelly-eagles-had-odell-beckham-as-drafts-top-wr

[K-9]

 

There was only one story that maybe perhaps Chip Kelly had OBD as his No. 1 guy.

 

 

Here's the Chip Kelly story: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000449005/article/chip-kelly-eagles-had-odell-beckham-as-drafts-top-wr

I saw that back in December, too.

 

My question remains: where are all these "team executives" or even Chip Kelly himself saying this BEFORE the draft? How about even BEFORE the season started? It's one thing to have courage of conviction before the fact and quite another to have it seven months after.

 

I doubt a single scout on the Eagles' staff had anybody but Sammy Watkins as their #1 receiver. Hell, he was crowding Clowney for #1 on everybody's big board, let alone the receiver boards.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[dave mcbride]

 

 

I saw that back in December, too.

 

My question remains: where are all these "team executives" or even Chip Kelly himself saying this BEFORE the draft? How about even BEFORE the season started? It's one thing to have courage of conviction before the fact and quite another to have it seven months after.

 

I doubt a single scout on the Eagles' staff had anybody but Sammy Watkins as their #1 receiver. Hell, he was crowding Clowney for #1 on everybody's big board, let alone the receiver boards.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Oh, I don't know about that. Kelly marches to a different beat. He may have seen something that others didn't.

[playoffman]

Let's get a coach and new OC settled in first.

 

Once things get sorted out regarding the Bills coaching position, all of the discussion about Watkins replacing "prima donna" Stevie Johnson might be fun... especially to people like me who love Sammy.

The Pagula's are engaged to RUNNING the team. We didn't have that during the last draft... As of last May, who'd have thunk that Bon Jovi's - Toronto bid for the Bills would be dead. Ownership was VERY stressful, especially for the whole Bills organization including the BILLS NATION of fans inside and outside of WNY.

Go Bills!

Edited January 9, 2015 by playoffman

[Billsfan1972]

BTW JTSP you started the thread yet have not even posted the article, which you references (ESPN Insider), so few can even critique what was written..... Smooth move.....

Edited January 9, 2015 by Billsfan1972

[K-9]

Oh, I don't know about that. Kelly marches to a different beat. He may have seen something that others didn't.

I don't doubt Kelly is unique and sees talent in a different light given his schematic philosophy. But his praise for OBJ is too much, too late for me to believe that what he said in December, long after OBJ had started setting the league on fire, was anything more than high praise at the time.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[Leroi]

The cost of Watkins was too much when there is no established QB.

 

A terrible decision.

 

Watkins was just average when the ball went his way; drops, injuries, trips over his big feet. He is nothing special.

 

 

Imo

The Trade wasn't worh it. PERIOD

 

 

JMO

[bobblehead]

I think the trade was worth it.

[FitzShowUsYourTitz]

The draft is like the carnival game where you throw the rings at the beer bottles. We traded a handful of rings for the opportunity to hop over the counter and cram a ring over the neck of the bottle.

 

We got our giant stuffed dog. Time to go wolf down a funnel cake.

 

Nice! Love it. See you in the beer tent!!

[Wayne Cubed]

I don't doubt Kelly is unique and sees talent in a different light given his schematic philosophy. But his praise for OBJ is too much, too late for me to believe that what he said in December, long after OBJ had started setting the league on fire, was anything more than high praise at the time.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Convenient that the quote came right before the Eagles played the Giants as well. I'll also add, why didn't he say it the first time the Eagles played the Giants in week 6. Oh that's right because OBJ only had about 60 yards in 2 games at that point.

 

It's a hindsight compliment and I agree, I doubt the Eagles had him #1 WR.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Wayne Cubed

[Bash_Gash]

As many have said hindsight is a easy thing to do. bills could have easily drafted Ebron or someone else that would nit have worked out. Watkins was a great pick at that time and many football analysts said as much. He had two pylon qb' throwing to him and the offence was vanilla thanks to marrone. I would love to see Watkins with a quality oc and qb. There were many times he was open by 5 strides and they never gave him the ball or over threw him. Time will tell how he pans out.

[Mickey]

 

Anyone that agrees with what Doug Marrone thinks regarding NFL football decisions is an idiot.

 

Marrone had no clue what to do with Sammy Watkins. Whoever wrote this did not watch the Buffalo Bills play this season. They do not know that Doug Marrone refused to feature Sammy Watkins. They do not know that if Doug Marrone was the head coach of the Giants that Odell Beckham Jr. would have had a rather ordinary rookie season for a WR than become the superstar he became under Ben McAdoo.

Sammy had the best year of any rookie WR in the history of a 54 year old franchise. Pretty good for not being "featured" on a team with horrific OL and QB problems. If the OC calls a play where Sammy is the primary target and Orton decides that he is covered and goes to another guy or if Orton doesn't have time for Sammy to finish his route and has to dump it off, how would we know that Sammy wasn't "targeted" or "featured" on that play? Should the coaches have instructed Orton to throw it to Sammy no matter what the defense is, regardless of the pass protection situation and even if someone else is wide open?

[Reed83HOF]

We are still on this huh?

 

It's never going to end is it?

[K-9]

Convenient that the quote came right before the Eagles played the Giants as well. I'll also add, why didn't he say it the first time the Eagles played the Giants in week 6. Oh that's right because OBJ only had about 60 yards in 2 games at that point.

 

It's a hindsight compliment and I agree, I doubt the Eagles had him #1 WR.

Good catch. Sounds more like typical pre-game compliments from the opposing coach more than anything.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[Bill from NYC]

It was a dumb move and Marrone was right. We keep the pick the Bills then could have bolstered the O line and then drafted a viable QB option like Carr. A much better scenario for the Bills. Tack on what we now seem to know that Marrone didn't want EJ and you realize the no win catch 22 predicament he was in. He's tasked to build an offense then is totally hamsrtinged by Whaley about personnel decisions. You can't hire somebody to do a job then put roadblocks in his way. And he still got the team to 9-7 with a cowardly sloth as the best option at QB. I would have opted out too once I learned that it wasn't going to change.

I understand what you are saying Coach Marrone. BUT, you were dead last in scoring inside the halftime deuce, and you truly did botch things on the OL which was supposed to be your area of expertise. That said, I for one appreciated the way you stood up to your dumb bosses.

 

It's going to be tough for you to get a job. You are not a true offensive mind and you might not even be hired as an OL coach due to your lousy results with the Bills. Then again with 4 mil. in ones pocket, who really does need a job? If you do feel like working, I suggest that you apply to some second rate colleges. Your record suggests that you will raise their level of play to mediocre.

 

Be well Coach.