Preseason - Around the League

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Dolac:

 

1) Played in Buffalo... meaning the Bills had access and exposure to him greater than any other NFL team

2) Has a RAS in the 90th percentile

3) Was twice All-MAC First Team

4) Was MAC DPOTY last year

5) Was a consensus All-American last year

 

If any team should have known he was a player, it was the Bills.

 

The MAC and UB is looked at as basically a Division II school and conference. Ever taken a look at the list for MAC DPOTY? Outside of Khalil Mack, it's filled with Undrafted players. Dolac was a prospect that didn't get a Senior Bowl invite. He wasn't invited to the Combine.

 

And how many Undrafted Pre-Season Warriors have gone on to become Superstars in this league?

 

I'm not saying it can't happen for Shaun Dolac. He may very well become a star. He could just as easily, if not more likely, become a depth player who eventually bounces around the league.

 

But he's obsessed over by Buffalo fans like he's being sized as we speak for his Gold jacket. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a Dolac tweet condemning Beane for missing out.

 

He's an Undrafted Rookie who hasn't played a down of NFL football that matters. Again, let's wait to see what he does when it matters before we lead him to the gallows over not taking him when neither did anyone else.

Edited Monday at 04:22 AM by BillsFanForever19

[Sojourner]

4 hours ago, Orlando Buffalo said:

I think Milton is better than our backups but I don't think he would matter because he would never understand Josh and I prefer harmony in our QB room

[Sierra Foothills]

48 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

The MAC and UB is looked at as basically a Division II school and conference. Ever taken a look at the list for MAC DPOTY? Outside of Khalil Mack, it's filled with Undrafted players. Dolac was a prospect that didn't get a Senior Bowl invite. He wasn't invited to the Combine.

 

And how many Undrafted Pre-Season Warriors have gone on to become Superstars in this league?

 

I'm not saying it can't happen for Shaun Dolac. He may very well become a star. He could just as easily, if not more likely, become a depth player who eventually bounces around the league.

 

But he's obsessed over by Buffalo fans like he's being sized as we speak for his Gold jacket. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a Dolac tweet condemning Beane for missing out.

 

He's an Undrafted Rookie who hasn't played a down of NFL football that matters. Again, let's wait to see what he does when it matters before we lead him to the gallows over not taking him when neither did anyone else.

 

Dolac was in the Bills backyard.

 

The Bills had a need for depth at linebacker.

 

Dolac had a decorated career and excellent measurables.

 

Dolac's current trajectory (being held out of the Rams final preseason game) is minimally very good.

 

It's absolutely fair to question why the Bills didn't secure his services.

 

Based on my track record here I'm obviously a big supporter of the McBeane Era but I reserve the right to not agree with everything they do.

 

The last word is yours.

 

[RoscoeParrish]

47 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

The Bills had a need for depth at linebacker.

Isn’t that what last years backyard LB was for?

[Pete]

12 hours ago, rusty shackleford said:

Really wish the Bills would have taken a shot with Milton in last year’s draft. He’s been looking pretty good so far in this Cowboys game.

Reason the Pats gave him away is he is supposed to be a cocky jerk.  Not Bills material, and not what Josh needs as a backup

[JerseyBills]

9 hours ago, Sojourner said:

😂😂

Ya , how would this guy know Josh and Milton wouldn't get along 🤔

Well I have an idea smh

[boyst]

9 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

The MAC and UB is looked at as basically a Division II school and conference. Ever taken a look at the list for MAC DPOTY? Outside of Khalil Mack, it's filled with Undrafted players. Dolac was a prospect that didn't get a Senior Bowl invite. He wasn't invited to the Combine.

 

And how many Undrafted Pre-Season Warriors have gone on to become Superstars in this league?

 

I'm not saying it can't happen for Shaun Dolac. He may very well become a star. He could just as easily, if not more likely, become a depth player who eventually bounces around the league.

 

But he's obsessed over by Buffalo fans like he's being sized as we speak for his Gold jacket. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see a Dolac tweet condemning Beane for missing out.

 

He's an Undrafted Rookie who hasn't played a down of NFL football that matters. Again, let's wait to see what he does when it matters before we lead him to the gallows over not taking him when neither did anyone else.

MAC Defensive Players of the Year (2005-2024)

2024: Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo

2023: Matthew Salopek, LB, Miami (OH)

2022: Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan

2021: Ali Fayad, DL, Western Michigan

2020: Troy Hairston, DE, Central Michigan & Brandon Martin, LB, Ball State (tie)

2019: Treshaun Hayward, LB, Western Michigan

2018: Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois

2017: Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois

2016: Tarell Basham, DL, Ohio

2015: Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron

2014: Quinten Rollins, DB, Miami (OH)

2013: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

2012: Chris Jones, DL, Bowling Green

2011: Drew Nowak, DL, Western Michigan

2010: Roosevelt Nix, DL, Kent State

2009: Adrian Robinson, DL, Temple

2008: Larry English, DL, Northern Illinois

2007: Clayton Mullins, LB, Miami (OH)

2006: Ameer Ismail, LB, Western Michigan

2005: Dan Bazuin, DL, Central Michigan

 

 

And I greatly respect the MAC, having played (well, ran) briefly in the conference.

 

But this is 100% true. Only one of them in the first round had a big career, Mack. English went in the first round but only 5-6 years in the league. 

 

Beyond Mack, Jason Taylor and James Harrison (walk on at Kent no less) are the 3 biggest MAC defenders in the NFL of all time 

Edited Monday at 01:23 PM by boyst

[Matt_In_NH]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Dolac was in the Bills backyard.

 

The Bills had a need for depth at linebacker.

 

Dolac had a decorated career and excellent measurables.

 

Dolac's current trajectory (being held out of the Rams final preseason game) is minimally very good.

 

It's absolutely fair to question why the Bills didn't secure his services.

 

Based on my track record here I'm obviously a big supporter of the McBeane Era but I reserve the right to not agree with everything they do.

 

The last word is yours.

 

You seem to think the the fact he was in the Bills backyard as a reason the Bills had some kind of scouting advantage is not that significant IMO with the resources NFL teams have, every team tries to turn over every stone.  The Bills sign more UB players as UDFA's than other teams and it is possible they tried to sign Dolac but he thought he had a better shot elsewhere?  The Bills brought back all their backers from last year, not saying there were set but it would be easy to judge their might be a better opportunity elsewhere.   The guy was undrafted and to date has not done anything in the league yet. Maybe he will work out for the Rams but it feels like you are jumping to conlclusions.

[Cray51]

I have a cousin who scouts for an NFL team - they don't focus on their local area any more than any other area in the US.  Video scouting reigns supreme for these lower level conferences and programs, and the organization will use the Senior Bowl or bowl games to try to get some in person viewings.

 

Dolac being in the Bills backyard doesn't matter.  Scouting isn't focused on geography as much as people think it is.

[DapperCam]

9 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Dolac was in the Bills backyard.

 

The Bills had a need for depth at linebacker.

 

Dolac had a decorated career and excellent measurables.

 

Dolac's current trajectory (being held out of the Rams final preseason game) is minimally very good.

 

It's absolutely fair to question why the Bills didn't secure his services.

 

Based on my track record here I'm obviously a big supporter of the McBeane Era but I reserve the right to not agree with everything they do.

 

The last word is yours.

 

It is very curious and if Beane gave an answer in an interview I’d be interested in hearing it.

 

It does take 2 to tango though. Maybe Dolac felt he had a better chance of cracking the Rams’ 53 man roster. He got to pick his destination as a FA.

[SoTier]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Dolac was in the Bills backyard.

 

The Bills had a need for depth at linebacker.

 

Dolac had a decorated career and excellent measurables.

 

Dolac's current trajectory (being held out of the Rams final preseason game) is minimally very good.

 

It's absolutely fair to question why the Bills didn't secure his services.

 

Based on my track record here I'm obviously a big supporter of the McBeane Era but I reserve the right to not agree with everything they do.

 

The last word is yours.

 

 

Is there evidence that the Bills never made an offer to Dolac?  He was an UDFA, so he could go to any team.  Maybe he always dreamed of living in LA.  Young people in their twenties frequently want to move elsewhere, especially if they've gone to college in their home towns.  I went to Nebraska for graduate school for that very reason.

 

8 hours ago, RoscoeParrish said:

Isn’t that what last years backyard LB was for?

 

I remember the "bad old days" when the Bills rosters were sprinkled with numerous undrafted players.  Rarely they hit the jackpot -- OLer Jason Peters is a future HOFer -- and occasionally some became pretty good NFL players like DB Jabari Greer and RB Fred Jackson, but most never became more than backups.   I think the currrent Bills simply don't have room on their roster for many UDFAs.  

 

 

11 minutes ago, boyst said:

MAC Defensive Players of the Year (2005-2024)

2024: Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo

2023: Matthew Salopek, LB, Miami (OH)

2022: Jose Ramirez, DL, Eastern Michigan

2021: Ali Fayad, DL, Western Michigan

2020: Troy Hairston, DE, Central Michigan & Brandon Martin, LB, Ball State (tie)

2019: Treshaun Hayward, LB, Western Michigan

2018: Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois

2017: Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois

2016: Tarell Basham, DL, Ohio

2015: Jatavis Brown, LB, Akron

2014: Quinten Rollins, DB, Miami (OH)

2013: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

2012: Chris Jones, DL, Bowling Green

2011: Drew Nowak, DL, Western Michigan

2010: Roosevelt Nix, DL, Kent State

2009: Adrian Robinson, DL, Temple

2008: Larry English, DL, Northern Illinois

2007: Clayton Mullins, LB, Miami (OH)

2006: Ameer Ismail, LB, Western Michigan

2005: Dan Bazuin, DL, Central Michigan

 

 

And I greatly respect the MAC, having played (well, ran) briefly in the conference.

 

But this is 100% true. Only one of them in the first round had a big career, Mack. English went in the first round but only 5-6 years in the league. 

 

Beyond Mack, Jason Taylor and James Harrison (walk on at Kent no less) are the 3 biggest MAC defenders in the NFL of all time 

 

IIRC, the MAC was more highly considered by NFLers 20 plus years ago than it is today.  Pittsburgh took Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft.

[Low Positive]

6 minutes ago, SoTier said:

 

Is there evidence that the Bills never made an offer to Dolac?  He was an UDFA, so he could go to any team.  Maybe he always dreamed of living in LA.  Young people in their twenties frequently want to move elsewhere, especially if they've gone to college in their home towns.  I went to Nebraska for graduate school for that very reason.

 

 

I remember the "bad old days" when the Bills rosters were sprinkled with numerous undrafted players.  Rarely they hit the jackpot -- OLer Jason Peters is a future HOFer -- and occasionally some became pretty good NFL players like DB Jabari Greer and RB Fred Jackson, but most never became more than backups.   I think the currrent Bills simply don't have room on their roster for many UDFAs.  

 

 

 

IIRC, the MAC was more highly considered by NFLers 20 plus years ago than it is today.  Pittsburgh took Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft.

In modern CFB with NIL and free transfers, most highly-rated players will transfer out of a MAC school for better exposure just like midling players will transfer down for playing time. So, in 2025 Roethlisberger doesn't finish at Miami. He transfers to Cincinnati or Indiana.

[RichRiderBills]

Bills have historically really had a knack to scout UB and go for players. They scouted Dolac and like him. 

 

Bills also ran the combine / pro day for Dolac as he was not invited to Combine. 

 

No evidence Bills did not try to bring Dolac in for UDFA or try out. 

 

That being said, no evidence they did. Sad thing is if Ciarlo makes it there really was a path for him. 

 

Maybe he just wanted to go to Rams or saw a better path Forward there. 

[boyst]

20 minutes ago, SoTier said:

 

Is there evidence that the Bills never made an offer to Dolac?  He was an UDFA, so he could go to any team.  Maybe he always dreamed of living in LA.  Young people in their twenties frequently want to move elsewhere, especially if they've gone to college in their home towns.  I went to Nebraska for graduate school for that very reason.

 

 

I remember the "bad old days" when the Bills rosters were sprinkled with numerous undrafted players.  Rarely they hit the jackpot -- OLer Jason Peters is a future HOFer -- and occasionally some became pretty good NFL players like DB Jabari Greer and RB Fred Jackson, but most never became more than backups.   I think the currrent Bills simply don't have room on their roster for many UDFAs.  

 

 

 

IIRC, the MAC was more highly considered by NFLers 20 plus years ago than it is today.  Pittsburgh took Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft.

that's offense. the MAC has produced many quality offensive nfl players.

Since 2000, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Offensive Player of the Year award has been given to a wide range of talented players, including quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Notable past winners who went on to have successful NFL careers include Ben Roethlisberger and Randy Moss.

Here is a list of the MAC Offensive Player of the Year winners from 2000 to the present:

Offensive Players of the Year (2000-Present)

2024: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

2023: Peny Boone, RB, Toledo

2022: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio

2021: Lew Nichols, RB, Central Michigan

2020: Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo

2019: LeVante Bellamy, RB, Western Michigan

2018: Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo

2017: Logan Woodside, QB, Toledo

2016: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

2015: Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green State

2014: Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan

2013: Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois

2012: Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois

2011: Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

2010: Chad Spann, RB, Northern Illinois

2009: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

2008: Nate Davis, QB, Ball State

2007: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

2006: Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois

2005: Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan

2004: Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green State

2003: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (OH)

2002: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

2001: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

2000: Robert Sanford, RB, Western Michigan

In that time there were several that are not listed.

Roethlisberger, randy Moss, Antonion Brown, Joe Staley, Julian Edelman, Eric Fisher, Greg Jennings, Michael Turner, Kareem Hunt, Leftwihch, Pennington, Lance Moore, Josh Cribbs, Corey Davis, Chester Taylor, Travis Prentice, Reggie Gilliam, quinton morris, josh harris, Diontae Johnson.

The MAC is a powerful force on offense.

[dave mcbride]

40 minutes ago, boyst said:

that's offense. the MAC has produced many quality offensive nfl players.

Since 2000, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Offensive Player of the Year award has been given to a wide range of talented players, including quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Notable past winners who went on to have successful NFL careers include Ben Roethlisberger and Randy Moss.

Here is a list of the MAC Offensive Player of the Year winners from 2000 to the present:

Offensive Players of the Year (2000-Present)

2024: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

2023: Peny Boone, RB, Toledo

2022: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Ohio

2021: Lew Nichols, RB, Central Michigan

2020: Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo

2019: LeVante Bellamy, RB, Western Michigan

2018: Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo

2017: Logan Woodside, QB, Toledo

2016: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

2015: Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green State

2014: Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan

2013: Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois

2012: Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois

2011: Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois

2010: Chad Spann, RB, Northern Illinois

2009: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

2008: Nate Davis, QB, Ball State

2007: Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

2006: Garrett Wolfe, RB, Northern Illinois

2005: Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan

2004: Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green State

2003: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (OH)

2002: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

2001: Byron Leftwich, QB, Marshall

2000: Robert Sanford, RB, Western Michigan

In that time there were several that are not listed.

Roethlisberger, randy Moss, Antonion Brown, Joe Staley, Julian Edelman, Eric Fisher, Greg Jennings, Michael Turner, Kareem Hunt, Leftwihch, Pennington, Lance Moore, Josh Cribbs, Corey Davis, Chester Taylor, Travis Prentice, Reggie Gilliam, quinton morris, josh harris, Diontae Johnson.

The MAC is a powerful force on offense.

Now that it’s so easy to transfer, I expect most of the excellent players to move to bigger schools midway through.

[boyst]

10 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Now that it’s so easy to transfer, I expect most of the excellent players to move to bigger schools midway through.

that is going to be the downfall of the whole NCAA. I hope.

 

the NIL is disgusting.

[Paup 1995MVP]

1 hour ago, SoTier said:

 

Is there evidence that the Bills never made an offer to Dolac?  He was an UDFA, so he could go to any team.  Maybe he always dreamed of living in LA.  Young people in their twenties frequently want to move elsewhere, especially if they've gone to college in their home towns.  I went to Nebraska for graduate school for that very reason.

 

 

I remember the "bad old days" when the Bills rosters were sprinkled with numerous undrafted players.  Rarely they hit the jackpot -- OLer Jason Peters is a future HOFer -- and occasionally some became pretty good NFL players like DB Jabari Greer and RB Fred Jackson, but most never became more than backups.   I think the currrent Bills simply don't have room on their roster for many UDFAs.  

 

 

 

IIRC, the MAC was more highly considered by NFLers 20 plus years ago than it is today.  Pittsburgh took Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 draft.

All real good points.  The MAC is not big time college football.  My son played high school ball in the Atlanta area 8-10 years ago.  He played w X McKinney on the Packers and their back up QB from Liberty-name escapes me at the moment.  Their team was loaded as any HS team was back in 2016.  He was recruited hard by Bowling Green and W Michigan. Chose Syracuse and then transferred to Georgia Southern.  Had a good career.  But played a little out of position as a 4-3 DE versus LB.  The level of play in the Sun Belt was better than the MAC.  But not exponentially.  (My son should have transferred before his last year to a mid level Big 10 or ACC program and would have had a better shot at the pros- but he always did his own thing w/o asking his parents for advice)

 

My point is not a lot of stud players are coming out of either conference.  We got Leodis McKelvin from Troy.  (Da Marcus aware played there also).  I know nothing about this kid Dolac.  But it’s a big step up to the NFL from Group of 5 schools is all.  Does Dolac look like the next LT?
 

And you are also right about living in a big time city when you are in your 20’s.  I moved to Atlanta after college when I graduated in 1987. My two boys live in Miami.  And my daughter lives in LA.  
 

But we have Cialo.  I think he could really be a baller in the NFL.  I sure hope McBeane feel the same way!’

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, Cray51 said:

I have a cousin who scouts for an NFL team - they don't focus on their local area any more than any other area in the US.  Video scouting reigns supreme for these lower level conferences and programs, and the organization will use the Senior Bowl or bowl games to try to get some in person viewings.

 

Dolac being in the Bills backyard doesn't matter.  Scouting isn't focused on geography as much as people think it is.

Then why have the Bills signed so many UB UFA's over the years?

[Cray51]

9 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Then why have the Bills signed so many UB UFA's over the years?

How many have they signed since Beane came in?  4 in 8 years?

[mannc]

3 hours ago, Low Positive said:

In modern CFB with NIL and free transfers, most highly-rated players will transfer out of a MAC school for better exposure just like midling players will transfer down for playing time. So, in 2025 Roethlisberger doesn't finish at Miami. He transfers to Cincinnati or Indiana.

I was just going say this…it seems like we aren’t seeing nearly as many small school guys coming into the league these days.