The equally annoying "Obnoxiously Obtuse Optimists"

[Fan in Chicago]

So you think Rex and Whaley are BFFs now, with both reporting directly to Pegula? I don't know who was pulling what strings at the draft, but it had Rex's greasy fingerprints all over it.

 

Which, in and of itself, does not prove any disagreement between the two. It could be spun as a GM giving the coach everything he needs to succeed. For all his faults, Ryan did preside over drafting some pretty good D players while in NY. I dont know the power structure with that organization at the time, but we can speculate that Ryan had a hand in those drafts as well.

 

But, the issue is that we went too much in favor of the D leaving the O largely unattended (unless one is expecting a 6th round WR to magically take over the #2 spot in his rookie season). Before anyone asks, the Bills should have 'over paid' for Slauson and drafted a WR no later than the 3rd round. Lest anyone missed the obvious point, the receving threats are woefully thin. Not much depth after Clay and heck we dont even know if there is a legitimate #3 or #4 WR on the roster. I realize that Roman is run-heavy and thats not necessrily a bad thing even on a 'pass happy league'. But that doesnt mean that the starting receiving corps should be as badly ignored as it has been. And no, I am not expecting some good fortune to drop a good WR in our laps post-June 1. That is hope, not a strategy.

Edited May 22, 2016 by Fan in Chicago

[mannc]

 

OMG! How could they address areas of need with highly rated players? WTH were they thinking getting a guy from a great Clemson program who was rated as a top 15 prospect? Fire everyone!

In your zeal to defend the administration, you are projecting. All I said was that it appears that Rex had a huge influence on the top of the draft; I didn't say they were bad picks, although they were not the ones I would have made. Time will tell. If it doesn't pan out, fingers will be pointed between the new BFFs, that I guarantee.

[26CornerBlitz]

In your zeal to defend the administration, you are projecting. All I said was that it appears that Rex had a huge influence on the top of the draft; I didn't say they were bad picks, although they were not the ones I would have made. Time will tell. If it doesn't pan out, fingers will be pointed between the new BFFs, that I guarantee.

 

I'm not projecting anything. Based on the needs the Bills had, they selected players to fill those needs although I wouldn't have drafted Adolphus Washington if it were up to me. You're are providing a guarantee, but I'm the one projecting? OK, if you say so.

[mannc]

 

I'm not projecting anything. Based on the needs the Bills had, they selected players to fill those needs although I wouldn't have drafted Adolphus Washington if it were up to me. You're are providing a guarantee, but I'm the one projecting? OK, if you say so.

You're projecting words that I never said. Drafting to fill perceived needs is not a great strategy, so that's a weak defense of these picks. If all three (or even two of them) turn into impact starters, then it was a good draft. On the other hand, if a couple of them bust, Rex/Whaley's got a problem, especially if Lee or a couple of the receivers they passed up become stars, not to mention if Paxton Lynch lights it up. We'll see. Maybe for the first time in 20 years, the Bills are smarter than the rest of the league.

[26CornerBlitz]

You're projecting words that I never said. Drafting to fill perceived needs is not a great strategy, so that's a weak defense of these picks. If all three (or even two of them) turn into impact starters, then it was a good draft. On the other hand, if a couple of them bust, Rex/Whaley's got a problem, especially if Lee or a couple of the receivers they passed up become stars, not to mention if Paxton Lynch lights it up. We'll see. Maybe for the first time in 20 years, the Bills are smarter than the rest of the league.

 

If you are reaching to draft players for need then that is absolutely a poor strategy. Is that what the Bills did? With their 1st two picks, I would say no. I liked Lee and would have been fine with the Bills taking him, but Shaq was rated higher. Paxton Lynch? No! Since Whaley has been the GM calling the shots in three drafts, they have done pretty well. Who cares about 20 years because that has zero to do with what's happening now.

[mannc]

 

If you are reaching to draft players for need then that is absolutely a poor strategy. Is that what the Bills did? With their 1st two picks, I would say no. I liked Lee and would have been fine with the Bills taking him, but Shaq was rated higher. Paxton Lynch? No! Since Whaley has been the GM calling the shots in three drafts, they have done pretty well. Who cares about 20 years because that has zero to do with what's happening now.

Some people think drafting Shaq at 19 with his medical issue was reaching to fill a perceived need, and that giving up two mid-round picks to move up to take a throwback ILB in the second round was another example of reaching to fill a perceived need. Same with Washington in the third. Now if these guys play really well, it's all good, but if they don't, I think someone is going to take the fall, and rightly so. Edited May 22, 2016 by mannc

[26CornerBlitz]

Some people think drafting Shaq at 19 with his medical issue was reaching to fill a perceived need, and that giving up two mid-round picks to move up to take a throwback ILB in the second round was another example of reaching to fill a perceived need. Same with Washington in the third. Now if these guys play really well, it's all good, but if they don't, I think someone is going to take the fall, and rightly so.

 

I'll take Whaley with his track record over some people. The medical issue is a short term setback that is simply not a reach in any rational way. Reaching is drafting a less talented player too high. Same thing with regard to Ragland who most considered a 1st round pick. I fail to see how getting a guy valued as a 1st rounder in the 2nd is a reach.

[mannc]

 

I'll take Whaley with his track record over some people. The medical issue is a short term setback that is simply not a reach in any rational way. Reaching is drafting a less talented player too high. Same thing with regard to Ragland who most considered a 1st round pick. I fail to see how getting a guy valued as a 1st rounder in the 2nd is a reach.

We'll see. And let me remind you that RR was not "valued as a first rounder" by anyone who mattered, otherwise, he would not have lasted to 41. He plays a low impact, relatively easy to replace position. The Bills gave up a lot for such a player.

[26CornerBlitz]

We'll see. And let me remind you that RR was not "valued as a first rounder" by anyone who mattered, otherwise, he would not have lasted to 41. He plays a low impact, relatively easy to replace position. The Bills gave up a lot for such a player.

 

There are lots of reasons why players last longer than they may be projected. Just ask Robert Nkemdiche, Myles Jack, and Jaylon Smith. With regard to low impact position, LB is an important position in the RR defense and two 4th round picks is a price that isn't woth making too much of IMO.

[John from Riverside]

You're projecting words that I never said. Drafting to fill perceived needs is not a great strategy, so that's a weak defense of these picks. If all three (or even two of them) turn into impact starters, then it was a good draft. On the other hand, if a couple of them bust, Rex/Whaley's got a problem, especially if Lee or a couple of the receivers they passed up become stars, not to mention if Paxton Lynch lights it up. We'll see. Maybe for the first time in 20 years, the Bills are smarter than the rest of the league.

Maybe those Lee, Lynch, and those WRs were simply not the right value on their board?

 

It really could be that simple

[Maury Ballstein]

That seems about right, but an ugly 8-8, where the team is eliminated early and then wins a couple glorified exhibition games (kinda like last year) would probably spell curtains for Rex and maybe Whaley, but the details will matter. Rex and Whaley seem to have forged a mutual non-aggression pact for now, but if the losses start to mount, that will blow apart in a very ugly way.

Sounds like Doom.

[John from Riverside]

In your zeal to defend the administration, you are projecting. All I said was that it appears that Rex had a huge influence on the top of the draft; I didn't say they were bad picks, although they were not the ones I would have made. Time will tell. If it doesn't pan out, fingers will be pointed between the new BFFs, that I guarantee.

So you are NOT saying that Rex had influence over the picks?

We'll see. And let me remind you that RR was not "valued as a first rounder" by anyone who mattered, otherwise, he would not have lasted to 41. He plays a low impact, relatively easy to replace position. The Bills gave up a lot for such a player.

Christ

[mannc]

Maybe those Lee, Lynch, and those WRs were simply not the right value on their board?

 

It really could be that simple

Maybe so, but if those guys become stars and Shaq doesn't, does the fact that they were "not the right value on their board" exonerate OBD?

So you are NOT saying that Rex had influence over the picks?

 

I'm saying that I suspect Rex had a great deal of influence over the picks at the top of the Bills' draft.

[GunnerBill]

Some people think drafting Shaq at 19 with his medical issue was reaching to fill a perceived need, and that giving up two mid-round picks to move up to take a throwback ILB in the second round was another example of reaching to fill a perceived need. Same with Washington in the third. Now if these guys play really well, it's all good, but if they don't, I think someone is going to take the fall, and rightly so.

For every person who thinks those picks were reaching for need there is another who vehemently disagrees.

 

Look, if draft picks don't work out the GM carries the can. If talented teams don't win games coaches carry the can. If the Bills have a losing season it is hard to see them sticking with both Rex and Whaley (one might survive and the other be sacrificed). Another 8-8 or better and I think they both make 2017.

[John from Riverside]

Maybe so, but if those guys become stars and Shaq doesn't, does the fact that they were "not the right value on their board" exonerate OBD?

I'm saying that I suspect Rex had a great deal of influence over the picks at the top of the Bills' draft.

No....it does not ...if they dont pan out then it comes down on the head of Whaley and everyone in that front office

 

but

 

Lets wait for that to happen? Because with most of Whaley's picks it has NOT happened.

[Nihilarian]

Russ Brandon made a big impression on the Pegulas when the team was sold. They were repeatedly praising him before, during, and after the sale to the media. Not really sure what aspects of his job performance you would take issue with. He's managed to keep a bad football team with an aging stadium and one of the less wealthy fan bases extremely profitable. He's done this while keeping in mind the needs of the community and setting season ticket sales records. He sounds like a rockstar! No wonder he's pres of the Sabres now too.

 

I don't want to argue about Whaley, but I'm a fan.

What front office personal do you want to replace and with whom?

The thing is, this is a new owner who is so wealthy he doesn't need the team to make a healthy profit to support himself. He doesn't need to be the team president to get a paycheck. Plus, I'm not advocating replacing or firing anyone in the Bills FO.

 

About the only time this franchise has had winning seasons in it's fifty plus year history under the late owner was when he stepped back and let Chuck Knox take over control of the team and let Knox build up the team his way despite a bad GM. The next time was when Bill Polian was GM making the important football decisions.

 

 

What I'm against is this team going forward with the old model of running the team under the first owner. The point here is that the current flow chart has both the head coach and GM reporting to an owner who really has no NFL football experience in running an NFL team.Just as that first owner was an insurance man and not a football man. Then, as current team president and managing partner of the Buffalo Bills, Russ Brandon is still in position to influence these new owners on the football side of operations.

 

These new owners have no experience running the football operations of an NFL team and they really shouldn't be choosing the head coach. But that is exactly what happened in the hire of Rex Ryan. Brandon was so impressed by Ryan that he told the Pegula's to not let him leave the building and so they didn't. People at the top of the org chart making football choices that they shouldn't be making.

 

The hiring of a team president of football operations would give Doug Whaley some help in building the team properly while making the right choices in the hiring of a good head coach. Someone to set the idea of what wins in today's league in terms of offense, defense and then stay on course instead of changing schemes every few years. All the team has done over the last sixteen years is keep changing directions because there has been no distinct NFL knowledgeable leader at the top and there still isn't one today!

 

Bottom line is, this team is in desperate, desperate need of hiring a president of football operations to make those intelligent football choices on how to make this franchise competitive against the New England Patriots.

[Tenhigh]

Bottom line is, this team is in desperate, desperate need of hiring a president of football operations to make those intelligent football choices on how to make this franchise competitive against the New England Patriots.

Or Brady could just retire.

[What a Tuel]

I didn't say that, did I? Again, I don't know what went down in the draft room but it looks like Rex had an inordinate amount of influence. First four picks used on defense, including a Clemson guy at 1?

 

So when Whaley used 14 1st round picks to get Sammy Watkins, Rex Ryan was whispering in his ear from NY? Or is it just a good football program? I have no doubt that move would have been attributed to Rex if he was here at the time which is hilarious to me, and revealing of the people who think they know what is going on behind the scenes from a few random statements and a lot of conjecture.

 

edit: 4 of 6 picks in 2015 were offense. Is Rex on a delay or something? Or only influencing his defensive focus on the even years? Or does the 2nd round pick of Darby satisfy Rex's demands for defensive players? What is the method to this madness! I must know!

Edited May 24, 2016 by What a Tuel

[Nihilarian]

Or Brady could just retire.

I said Patriots, simply because they have basically owned the AFC East division for the last 14 years and have only missed the playoffs twice in all that time. They have been to six super bowls and won four of them. I for one don't ever want to see Tom Brady in another super bowl!

 

If you think waiting for Brady to retire is the answer then there really is no hope for this team, ever! The Patriots lost Brady for the entire year in the first game of the season in 2008 and still went 11-5. Last year they lost so many starters that only 3 of 22 starters played in a full 16 games and yet were only one game away from going to the super bowl again.

 

It isn't about waiting for Brady, Belichick or anyone else to retire. It's about building a great team that can contend with the best in the league and right now Buffalo isn't even close, IMO.

[BADOLBILZ]

For every person who thinks those picks were reaching for need there is another who vehemently disagrees.

 

Look, if draft picks don't work out the GM carries the can. If talented teams don't win games coaches carry the can. If the Bills have a losing season it is hard to see them sticking with both Rex and Whaley (one might survive and the other be sacrificed). Another 8-8 or better and I think they both make 2017.

 

Consensus "OMG that was a reach" picks are scarce.

 

Cyrus Kouandjio was considered a first round talent by MANY.......and the Bills thought they got themselves a steal........but it's pretty obvious now that he is Frankenstein-esque at OT.

 

Another bolt-neck who many thought was an early round talent was James Hardy.

 

I think what you have to be aware of as an organization is that NEED clouds your vision.

 

I think one of the things that Shaq and Ragnuts have in common with Kouandjio is that they were both easy, lazy evaluations.........I don't see either of these guys as real impact players......better college players than pros........but they essentially become *filler* early picks in draft evaluation........as in "well there has to be a true ILB somewhere in the top 50 and Ragnuts is a high profile ILB for the top program in the SEC".

 

It's been brought up before but the reason that Seattle has such a talented roster is that they have a system of relatively efficient evaluation for pro potential that allows them to find overlooked talent all thru the draft. I think the Bills CLEARLY are on a completely different evaluation path. They draft a lot of big name, big program, former elite HS recruits and perhaps over-decorated-as-a-result players and the reality is that those things don't mean much on the next level and probably should carry less weight at OBD than they appear to.

Edited May 25, 2016 by #BADOL

[Coach Tuesday]

 

Consensus "OMG that was a reach" picks are scarce.

 

Cyrus Kouandjio was considered a first round talent by MANY.......and the Bills thought they got themselves a steal........but it's pretty obvious now that he is Frankenstein-esque at OT.

 

Another bolt-neck who many thought was an early round talent was James Hardy.

 

I think what you have to be aware of as an organization is that NEED clouds your vision.

 

I think one of the things that Shaq and Ragnuts have in common with Kouandjio is that they were both easy, lazy evaluations.........I don't see either of these guys as real impact players......better college players than pros........but they essentially become *filler* early picks in draft evaluation........as in "well there has to be a true ILB somewhere in the top 50 and Ragnuts is a high profile ILB for the top program in the SEC".

 

It's been brought up before but the reason that Seattle has such a talented roster is that they have a system of relatively efficient evaluation for pro potential that allows them to find overlooked talent all thru the draft. I think the Bills CLEARLY are on a completely different evaluation path. They draft a lot of big name, big program, former elite HS recruits and perhaps over-decorated-as-a-result players and the reality is that those things don't mean much on the next level and probably should carry less weight at OBD than they appear to.

 

Ironically Tim Ruskel, the previous GM of the Seahawks, had a similar approach to Whaley - he preferred prospects from established programs. Didn't work too well. It's a lazy draft/scouting strategy to be sure.

[BADOLBILZ]

 

Ironically Tim Ruskel, the previous GM of the Seahawks, had a similar approach to Whaley - he preferred prospects from established programs. Didn't work too well. It's a lazy draft/scouting strategy to be sure.

 

I think part of the issue is that we like the things we choose to acquire to have nice back stories.........that's marketing 101.......a good story sells the product as much....or more......than the inherent quality.

 

Doug Whaley has a tendency to collect players that other people had deemed high pedigree long before.

 

It becomes part of the evaluation........when it really has no bearing on whether they can play at the NFL level or not.

 

As a scout you have to know that the Tom Lemming's of the world that evaluate HS talent do as much guessing and evaluation by suggestion as they do actual evaluation...........it's just too hard to narrow that field down.

 

They use the same flawed methods as DW appears to.........if Cyrus Kouandjio hadn't been an imposing specimen at the famed DeMatha High School would he have been considered the top recruit in the nation by TSN going into his senior year?

 

And beside the pitfall of being influenced by the back story.......even if the accolades were deserving then........you have to understand that players change a lot physically from 17-22.

 

They separate from each other.......see Khalil Mack for an example.

 

And as for the injuries go........I know it's his job to downplay Sammy's injuries........but some guys actually aren't hampered by injury all the time.

 

The proper response to Sammy-is-inury-prone criticism is something like "we know he has to be healthy for us to play to our potential and we think that as he gains experience he will have less injuries going forward."

 

Rex said exactly what I figured might be the main problem with Sammy..........that Watkins works too hard physically in his training. He needs to learn to work smarter and preserve his body so he isn't on the shelf unable to practice etc...

[What a Tuel]

 

And as for the injuries go........I know it's his job to downplay Sammy's injuries........but some guys actually aren't hampered by injury all the time.

 

The proper response to Sammy-is-inury-prone criticism is something like "we know he has to be healthy for us to play to our potential and we think that as he gains experience he will have less injuries going forward."

 

Rex said exactly what I figured might be the main problem with Sammy..........that Watkins works too hard physically in his training. He needs to learn to work smarter and preserve his body so he isn't on the shelf unable to practice etc...

 

Top WR's that have missed more or the same amount of games as Sammy (3 games) while he was in the league:

 

DeSean Jackson (7 games)

Odell Beckham (4 games)

Dez Bryant (7 games)

AJ Green (3 games)

Brandin Cooks (6 games)

Kelvin Benjamin (16 games)

Alshon Jeffery (7 games)

Jordy Nelson (16 games)

Keenan Allen (10 games)

Steve Smith (9 games)

Brandon Marshall (3 games)

Julian Edelman (9 games)

 

 

Top WR's who haven't:

Mike Evans (2 games)

Calvin Johnson (1 game)

Doug Baldwin (0 games)

Larry Fitzgerald (2 games)

Demaryius Thomas (0 games)

TY Hilton (1 game)

DeAndre Hopkins (0 games)

Antonio Brown (0 games)

 

Remember this is only for the 2014/15 seasons and of course excludes the nagging injuries that they play through. Sammy seems on the good side of average, don't you think?

[FireChan]

 

Top WR's that have missed more or the same amount of games as Sammy (3 games) while he was in the league:

 

DeSean Jackson (7 games)

Odell Beckham (4 games)

Dez Bryant (7 games)

AJ Green (3 games)

Brandin Cooks (6 games)

Kelvin Benjamin (16 games)

Alshon Jeffery (7 games)

Jordy Nelson (16 games)

Keenan Allen (10 games)

Steve Smith (9 games)

Brandon Marshall (3 games)

Julian Edelman (9 games)

 

 

Top WR's who haven't:

Mike Evans (2 games)

Calvin Johnson (1 game)

Doug Baldwin (0 games)

Larry Fitzgerald (2 games)

Demaryius Thomas (0 games)

TY Hilton (1 game)

DeAndre Hopkins (0 games)

Antonio Brown (0 games)

 

Remember this is only for the 2014/15 seasons and of course excludes the nagging injuries that they play through. Sammy seems on the good side of average, don't you think?

Not all injuries are created equal.

[What a Tuel]

Not all injuries are created equal.

 

No, but the end result is the same. Despite being "injury prone" he has missed less games than most.

[FireChan]

 

No, but the end result is the same. Despite being "injury prone" he has missed less games than most.

There's a vast difference between a freak one-time ACL tear, and several "nagging" injuries. Mainly that one of them is more easily preventable.

 

The end result being the same is irrelevant.

[What a Tuel]

There's a vast difference between a freak one-time ACL tear, and several "nagging" injuries. Mainly that one of them is more easily preventable.

 

The end result being the same is irrelevant.

 

A lot of those WR's have been limited with nagging injuries, not just ACL tears. Just like Sammy. Sammy played through them, just like they did. This does not take into account those injuries.

[GunnerBill]

I think what you have to be aware of as an organization is that NEED clouds your vision.

I watched an evaluated Lawson and graded him extremely highly. I simply cannot agree with him as a reach for need. He was one of the top 12 players in the class for me without a single doubt.

[BADOLBILZ]

I watched an evaluated Lawson and graded him extremely highly. I simply cannot agree with him as a reach for need. He was one of the top 12 players in the class for me without a single doubt.

 

 

Like I said.......a lot of people thought Kouandjio was a first round talent.

 

What I saw in Shaq was a guy who was often slow off the ball and leaned on OT's far too much and in the NFL those are lost opportunities for production.

 

But let me ask you this.........do you see Lawson as an every year 8-12 sack guy who gets lot's of pressures and TFL's also?

 

I think one of the disconnects I have with some fans here is that they think it's ok if he is a 4-6 sack guy who does a decent job of setting the edge...........which is an EXTREMELY low bar to set for a first round 260-270# DE/OLB.

 

I mean, GM's are paid to find that kind of talent later in the draft..........the early rounds are for finding high ceiling players that raise the overall talent level of your franchise.

Edited May 25, 2016 by #BADOL

[GunnerBill]

 

But let me ask you this.........do you see Lawson as an every year 8-12 sack guy who gets lot's of pressures and TFL's also?

 

 

Yes, I do. I think he is an outstanding player.

[BADOLBILZ]

 

Yes, I do. I think he is an outstanding player.

 

I hope you are right.

 

It takes an explosive player to put up those kind of numbers regularly.

[GunnerBill]

 

I hope you are right.

 

It takes an explosive player to put up those kind of numbers regularly.

 

I don't think his first step explosion is there but I really like how he converts power to speed as he gets off blocks and he has outstanding hands.

[John from Riverside]

 

 

Like I said.......a lot of people thought Kouandjio was a first round talent.

 

What I saw in Shaq was a guy who was often slow off the ball and leaned on OT's far too much and in the NFL those are lost opportunities for production.

 

But let me ask you this.........do you see Lawson as an every year 8-12 sack guy who gets lot's of pressures and TFL's also?

 

I think one of the disconnects I have with some fans here is that they think it's ok if he is a 4-6 sack guy who does a decent job of setting the edge...........which is an EXTREMELY low bar to set for a first round 260-270# DE/OLB.

 

I mean, GM's are paid to find that kind of talent later in the draft..........the early rounds are for finding high ceiling players that raise the overall talent level of your franchise.

I think Lawson is a fully capable 10 sack a year guy WHILE also doing the other things needed to set the edge of a defense......

 

To me that is why I really liked Mario Williams when we got him....he was not just a "how many sacks can he get" player.....you literally had a hard time running to that side of the formation.

 

Last years Mario Williams was just not the same guy.....

[Tenhigh]

I said Patriots, simply because they have basically owned the AFC East division for the last 14 years and have only missed the playoffs twice in all that time. They have been to six super bowls and won four of them. I for one don't ever want to see Tom Brady in another super bowl!

 

If you think waiting for Brady to retire is the answer then there really is no hope for this team, ever! The Patriots lost Brady for the entire year in the first game of the season in 2008 and still went 11-5. Last year they lost so many starters that only 3 of 22 starters played in a full 16 games and yet were only one game away from going to the super bowl again.

 

It isn't about waiting for Brady, Belichick or anyone else to retire. It's about building a great team that can contend with the best in the league and right now Buffalo isn't even close, IMO.

You say potato, I say potato. Of course we need to build a great team. But my point is that unless we draft a magic bullet of a QB, or Brady retires or his level of play drops off severely, we're going to have a hard time getting past the Pats, who happen to have one of the best QBs to ever play the game.

[John from Riverside]

You say potato, I say potato. Of course we need to build a great team. But my point is that unless we draft a magic bullet of a QB, or Brady retires or his level of play drops off severely, we're going to have a hard time getting past the Pats, who happen to have one of the best QBs to ever play the game.

I feel that the Pats are the gatekeeper in all of this

 

We have to find a way to beat them WITH Brady......then we are on the inside instead of the outside

[Nihilarian]

 

 

Like I said.......a lot of people thought Kouandjio was a first round talent.

 

What I saw in Shaq was a guy who was often slow off the ball and leaned on OT's far too much and in the NFL those are lost opportunities for production.

 

But let me ask you this.........do you see Lawson as an every year 8-12 sack guy who gets lot's of pressures and TFL's also?

 

I think one of the disconnects I have with some fans here is that they think it's ok if he is a 4-6 sack guy who does a decent job of setting the edge...........which is an EXTREMELY low bar to set for a first round 260-270# DE/OLB.

 

I mean, GM's are paid to find that kind of talent later in the draft..........the early rounds are for finding high ceiling players that raise the overall talent level of your franchise.

I think Doug Whaley drafted a guy who Ryan wanted to fit his 3-4 scheme. What I see is a guy who will be a strong player in Ryan's two-gap run-stopping scheme but in terms of sacks I just don't even see a 4-6 sack guy unless Ryan changes up his priorities and starts calling a whole lot more blitzes than he did last year.

 

Jerry Hughes was a full-time pass rusher when the QB dropped back to pass in Schwartz's scheme and he only saw 10 sacks in 2014. Then he only saw five last year and that was with Mario on the other side in Ryan's scheme. On another note teams are not gonna want to run at whatever side Lawson is on. JMO.

[Tenhigh]

I feel that the Pats are the gatekeeper in all of this

 

We have to find a way to beat them WITH Brady......then we are on the inside instead of the outside

Agreed. But it usually feels like we're bringing a paring knife to a sword fight when we play the Pats. With TT, it's more like a large dagger, but still....

[John from Riverside]

I think Doug Whaley drafted a guy who Ryan wanted to fit his 3-4 scheme. What I see is a guy who will be a strong player in Ryan's two-gap run-stopping scheme but in terms of sacks I just don't even see a 4-6 sack guy unless Ryan changes up his priorities and starts calling a whole lot more blitzes than he did last year.

 

Jerry Hughes was a full-time pass rusher when the QB dropped back to pass in Schwartz's scheme and he only saw 10 sacks in 2014. Then he only saw five last year and that was with Mario on the other side in Ryan's scheme. On another note teams are not gonna want to run at whatever side Lawson is on. JMO.

and what if he runs a 5-2? Rex has also used this scheme. That is why he keeps saying "multiple"

[thebandit27]

 

I hope you are right.

 

It takes an explosive player to put up those kind of numbers regularly.

 

 

 

I don't think his first step explosion is there but I really like how he converts power to speed as he gets off blocks and he has outstanding hands.

 

I'm with Gunner on Shaq--I had him as a top-15 talent.

 

He's not a quick-twitch guy, but I actually think he'll be a very good pass rusher/EDGE guy in the NFL. I think he compares well with Terrell Suggs actually. Both were 20+ TFL guys as Seniors, both are in the 270-lb range, both played up/down/in/out, etc. They also had very similar combine numbers: both had 33" vertical and 120-inch broad. Suggs pressed 19 reps; Shaq didn't press because of the shoulder, but it would shock me if he weren't in the same realm. Suggs had a slower 40, but that's useless when evaluating front-7 guys (just ask Clowney).

[John from Riverside]

Agreed. But it usually feels like we're bringing a paring knife to a sword fight when we play the Pats. With TT, it's more like a large dagger, but still....

I know it sure feels that way!

 

I still think that the best way to beat Brady and patriots

 

- Run the ball.....chew up clock....score points at the end

- Play keep a way from the Pats offense

- Then in the 4th quarter....when Brady is making our lives miserable......make enough defensive plays to win

- Brady does not do well with up the middle pressure......so early and often with that.....and put Brady on the ground EVERY time he drops back

- Dont allow the pats running game to convert 1st downs