We will NOT take a WR

[twist_to_open]

And here is several reason (I feel) why:

[KOKBILLS]

And here is several reason (I feel) why:

 

Well said...

 

When you put it that way it's tough to argue the contrary...

[Draft Maniac]

[twist_to_open]

O.K. maybe I had a wine cooler tonite......my fault.

[ajzepp]

Mods: can we pin this?

[BADOLBILZ]

And here is several reason (I feel) why:

 

If they don't take a wr it will because they decided against making that desperate move. None of the wr in this draft are polished enough or have enough upside to draft that high when the first and second rounds are loaded with quality lineman.

 

Coming into this offseason, the top priority IMO was to get a #2 WR and starting TE. Nothing else was even close to those 2 needs, not even DT. Didn't have to be Reggie Wayne and Antonio Gates, but someone Trent Edwards could count on to be there and be open over the middle(his comfort zone). Reason being that an NFL franchise without a QB is dead in the water, and a QB without targets is set up for failure. They didn't get it done, instead taking the Donahoe like approach of neglecting the offense in favor of getting a new LB, DT and trying to get a safety(remember Spikes, Adams and Milloy?).

 

That said, Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed aren't going to help matters this year. Even great wr prospects like Calvin Johnson struggle as rookies, so what are a couple of "good" prospects going to do to help Trent Edwards? Nothing. And when they do come around in a year or 2, are they going to be All Pros? Highly doubt it. To me, they both would be reaches in round 1, period.

 

IMO, barring a trade for established help, the horse is out of the barn as far as truly helping Edwards this season.

 

Take the good lineman while they are there in rounds 1 and 2. Then take your shots at TE and WR later, where less heralded prospects with simialar potential to Kelly and Sweed will still be available. Pass rushers and blockers won't be there much past round 2, wr and TE will be.

 

If you reach for Kelly or Sweed early, you could wind up with a second day like last year where you are trying to fill crucial depth needs at positions that have already been sucked dry on day one. This team is very thin on the OL and has no young DE's in a defense that is predicated on pass rush. Long term those are harder positions to fill than #2 WR's and solid TE's. This year, the draft has obvious depth at OL and DL and they would be wise to get it while they can.

 

Take last year as the example. Having already drafted positions in rounds 1&2 that are traditionally pretty deep on draft day(rb/lb), the Bills found themselves grasping to fill reserve positons on day 2. With needs at many positons, the Bills ended up taking another RB, a reserve safety and a DE with no chance whatsoever to make the team on day 2. Trent Edwards made that draft, but day 2 was not well played at all, and day 2 is what separates the best drafting organizations from the rest.

[BillsVet]

It seems like most Bills fans have forgotten this team was ranked at or near the bottom in most offensive statistical categories. As a result, we get subjects like this to post about. For the record, Buffalo was 30th in total offense, 15th in rushing yards, 30th in passing yards, and 30th in points scored in 2007.

 

Every year Bills fans count on the improvement of younger players. As Badol mentioned, they're counting on the QB (the most important position) to improve, but without the benefit of giving him legitimate options. No #2 WR, little if anything at TE, mean problems for Edwards.

 

For this team to be a legitimate playoff team, they'll need to score more than 16ppg like they did in 2007. Unfortunately, Buffalo has taken on the look of their HC. Hope to win with defense, and maybe the offense scores 20 to win. It didn't work in Chicago for DJ, and it won't work now.

[1billsfan]

If they don't take a wr it will because they decided against making that desperate move. None of the wr in this draft are polished enough or have enough upside to draft that high when the first and second rounds are loaded with quality lineman.

 

Coming into this offseason, the top priority IMO was to get a #2 WR and starting TE. Nothing else was even close to those 2 needs, not even DT. Didn't have to be Reggie Wayne and Antonio Gates, but someone Trent Edwards could count on to be there and be open over the middle(his comfort zone). Reason being that an NFL franchise without a QB is dead in the water, and a QB without targets is set up for failure. They didn't get it done, instead taking the Donahoe like approach of neglecting the offense in favor of getting a new LB, DT and trying to get a safety(remember Spikes, Adams and Milloy?).

 

That said, Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed aren't going to help matters this year. Even great wr prospects like Calvin Johnson struggle as rookies, so what are a couple of "good" prospects going to do to help Trent Edwards? Nothing. And when they do come around in a year or 2, are they going to be All Pros? Highly doubt it. To me, they both would be reaches in round 1, period.

 

IMO, barring a trade for established help, the horse is out of the barn as far as truly helping Edwards this season.

 

Take the good lineman while they are there in rounds 1 and 2. Then take your shots at TE and WR later, where less heralded prospects with simialar potential to Kelly and Sweed will still be available. Pass rushers and blockers won't be there much past round 2, wr and TE will be.

 

If you reach for Kelly or Sweed early, you could wind up with a second day like last year where you are trying to fill crucial depth needs at positions that have already been sucked dry on day one. This team is very thin on the OL and has no young DE's in a defense that is predicated on pass rush. Long term those are harder positions to fill than #2 WR's and solid TE's. This year, the draft has obvious depth at OL and DL and they would be wise to get it while they can.

 

Take last year as the example. Having already drafted positions in rounds 1&2 that are traditionally pretty deep on draft day(rb/lb), the Bills found themselves grasping to fill reserve positons on day 2. With needs at many positons, the Bills ended up taking another RB, a reserve safety and a DE with no chance whatsoever to make the team on day 2. Trent Edwards made that draft, but day 2 was not well played at all, and day 2 is what separates the best drafting organizations from the rest.

 

I don't know if you happened to watch the Bills offense circa 2007 but if you did you would find that Kelly or Sweed are EXACTLY what this team needs. You're flat out wrong in your analysis that both would be reaches in round one. That's laughable. The Bills already have their #1 receiver which makes the success of either of these players that much easier. You act as if this draft is loaded with "can't miss" players in round one. Nothing could be further from the truth. After the first eight players, the prospect potential levels out dramatically the rest of the round. Kelly and Sweed have every bit the potential on the pro level as whoever you would suggest the Bills pick in their place. You obviously don't recognize that these two WRs are lock first round picks that teams like the Titans and Eagles would be absolutely giddy to have the opportunity to pick. It would be boneheaded move if the Bills do not pick up one of these players with their first round pick. The Titans and Eagles will be sending the Bills gift baskets and thank you notes if that turns out to be the case. The Bills are drafting one of these guys and while you'll be upset when it happens, do not worry. You'll be very happy about when the Bills start scoring some long awaited touchdowns in '08.

[BuffOrange]

I don't know if you happened to watch the Bills offense circa 2007 but if you did you would find that Kelly or Sweed are EXACTLY what this team needs. You're flat out wrong in your analysis that both would be reaches in round one. That's laughable.

 

It really sounds like you're just hoping Swede/Kelly are that good because that's what the Bills need....

He was pretty clear in saying that WR/TE is our biggest need. A lot of non-Bills fans agree #11 is too high for those guys.

[ax4782]

It seems like most Bills fans have forgotten this team was ranked at or near the bottom in most offensive statistical categories. As a result, we get subjects like this to post about. For the record, Buffalo was 30th in total offense, 15th in rushing yards, 30th in passing yards, and 30th in points scored in 2007.

 

Every year Bills fans count on the improvement of younger players. As Badol mentioned, they're counting on the QB (the most important position) to improve, but without the benefit of giving him legitimate options. No #2 WR, little if anything at TE, mean problems for Edwards.

 

For this team to be a legitimate playoff team, they'll need to score more than 16ppg like they did in 2007. Unfortunately, Buffalo has taken on the look of their HC. Hope to win with defense, and maybe the offense scores 20 to win. It didn't work in Chicago for DJ, and it won't work now.

 

Yes, we were 30th overall in total offense, but the defense wasn't much better. I believe we finished the season 30th there as well, and were were 25th against the run and 30th against the pass. We had NEEDS on both sides of the ball. Buffalo chose to address the defense immediately, because there were actually star caliber players in FA that could have an immediate impact. Sorry, but Bernard Berrian or Bryant Johnson were not going to have the offensive impact at WR that we need. Berrian wanted too much money, and he got it from a desperate team who overpaid. Praise to the FO for not wasting money on that guy. Johnson wanted a one year contract so that when he did have upgraded numbers not playing behind LF and AB in Arizona, he could bolt for mucho bucks somewhere else. Buffalo wanted to sign him to a longer term. When he wouldn't, they saw he was just another overrated premadonna that would be bad for the team. Signing a guy for one year would only have put us in the same position next year that we are in now. Looking for a starting veteran WR in the offseason. And next year it might be worse if they can't get LE to agree to an extension.

 

Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and James Hardy are all first round talents. Anyone who thinks they aren't is smoking something that is currently illegal in the United States. People said the same type of things in the 96 draft when Owens and Johnson were taken in the first round. They had great numbers but would never be great receivers. Oh, well. The fact is Buffalo is not going to take a WR at #11. They are like to do it at #14 or #22. I believe Buffalo will do the following.

 

Trade #11 to Dallas for #22 and #28 so that Dallas can draft RB Mendenhall who they REALLY like and who will be there at 11.

 

Then:

 

1a. Malcolm Kelly WR or Devin Thomas WR

1b. Fred Davis TE

2. Brandon Flowers CB

3. Mike Pollack C

4. Owen Schmidt FB

5. Jordy Nelson WR

6. Roach FS

7a. Matt Spanos C/G

7b. D-Line for Depth

 

Offense and DB are the top priority. Buffalo needs to draft two WRs, one who has the potential to be a #1 if LE is not resigned next year, and another guy who can play the slot and potentially be a #2 if need be. Jordy Nelson fits that bill. No pun intended. Kelly, Thomas, or Hardy will be very good on the other side of LE this year. And frankly they don't need to have "spectacular" numbers. They need to be better than Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish were last year. That should be the case. Even if Kelly or Thomas come in and have Calvin Johnson type numbers, 50 receps and 800 yards, that takes a lot of pressure off LE. Not to mention that moves JR into his best role as a slot guy, which should pick up his numbers, and allows us to utilize RP and our TEs to stretch the opposing Ds in the middle and deep. All in all, the response suggesting that the FO doesn't know what they are doing is flat wrong. They have made very good decisions to help this franchise and were smart to wait until the draft to sign WR rather than throwing good money after bad at the position.

[2020 Our Year For Sure]

While I would much rather have Keith Rivers or Derek Harvey who are much worthier of #11 and would really help down rhe road, I think at this point it will be Limas Sweed due to need.

[KOKBILLS]

Until I can be swayed to believe otherwise I still think the Bills are in love with Devin Thomas, have a MUCH higher Grade on him than most Teams, and will be more than happy to sit tight at #11 and take him there...

 

I'm not saying that's what they should do...I'm just saying that is what My gut is telling Me...

 

The good news is, if in fact you're against The Bills taking a Wide Out at #11, I'm almost never right about these things...

[Oneonta Buffalo Fan]

We probably won't take a WR with the 11th pick because we will likely trade down. BUT, we will get a WR in the first round.

[BillsVet]

Yes, we were 30th overall in total offense, but the defense wasn't much better. I believe we finished the season 30th there as well, and were were 25th against the run and 30th against the pass. We had NEEDS on both sides of the ball. Buffalo chose to address the defense immediately, because there were actually star caliber players in FA that could have an immediate impact. Sorry, but Bernard Berrian or Bryant Johnson were not going to have the offensive impact at WR that we need. Berrian wanted too much money, and he got it from a desperate team who overpaid. Praise to the FO for not wasting money on that guy. Johnson wanted a one year contract so that when he did have upgraded numbers not playing behind LF and AB in Arizona, he could bolt for mucho bucks somewhere else. Buffalo wanted to sign him to a longer term. When he wouldn't, they saw he was just another overrated premadonna that would be bad for the team. Signing a guy for one year would only have put us in the same position next year that we are in now. Looking for a starting veteran WR in the offseason. And next year it might be worse if they can't get LE to agree to an extension.

 

Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed, Devin Thomas, and James Hardy are all first round talents. Anyone who thinks they aren't is smoking something that is currently illegal in the United States. People said the same type of things in the 96 draft when Owens and Johnson were taken in the first round. They had great numbers but would never be great receivers. Oh, well. The fact is Buffalo is not going to take a WR at #11. They are like to do it at #14 or #22. I believe Buffalo will do the following.

 

Trade #11 to Dallas for #22 and #28 so that Dallas can draft RB Mendenhall who they REALLY like and who will be there at 11.

 

Mike Mayock says there's not one first round caliber WR. Mel Kiper isn't far behind, primarily because there's no Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson type talent this year. Kelly, Sweed, and Thomas are all fine players, but not elite talent.

 

And this just in: Dallas will not trade their two firsts (22 & 28) for our first or anyone's outside the top 10. Jerry Jones may be a jerk and below average personnel man, but he's not making that deal. That is, unless McFadden's available, and he won't be at 11.

 

Also, no player named Johnson or Owens went in the first round in 1996. If you're referring to Terrell Owens, he went in the third, due to his small school background.

 

The Bills have backed themselves into a corner at WR. Bryant Johnson wanted a long term deal, as all free agents do. Only when he realized he wasn't going to get it for Stallworth money, he went the one year contract route in an attempt to set himself up for FA 09. B. Johnson and his agent failed to read the market correctly, though he would have given the Bills greater flexibility on draft day. A one year deal for a 26 yr old receiver wasn't in accordance with the Bills plans to build a team nucleus. I have no problem with that, provided the Bills know who's going to be their #2 receiver and know that player can complement Evans.

 

So again this year, the Bills have gaping holes on offense. They've failed to give their young QB options to improve his growth and if they can't trade out of the 11th pick, their options are few. They could reach for a WR, or take best available, which leaves them hoping a second round WR can step in immediately and contribute. This rationale has been used for two years already, and we've seen what happens when you depend on rookies to make the difference.

[BillsCelticsAngelsBama]

If Sweed or Kelly are the choice of the Bills and they are the #2 receiver by game 8 (which I suspect they will), nobody is going to care if they were a "reach" or not;

It;s tough because the team has so many needs. I believe Keith Rivers, Derrick Harvey, Leodis McKelvin (must admit.. only have seen highlights of him), Mike Jenkins Or Philip Merling would all contribute, if not start very soon.

On offense, Sweed, Fred Davis, Kelly, or Devin Thomas could probably come in and contribute right away.

It may boil down to what position will still have top-notch players in round 2. If they are high on Rivers, a DE or a CB and think that the talent drop-off is such that they are forced to take that position then a WR/TE may have to wait.

Unfortunately, they are not two or three players away, and are going to need to hit on their later choices to realistically do some damage next year and more likely in 2009.

[John from Riverside]

If they don't take a wr it will because they decided against making that desperate move. None of the wr in this draft are polished enough or have enough upside to draft that high when the first and second rounds are loaded with quality lineman.

 

Coming into this offseason, the top priority IMO was to get a #2 WR and starting TE. Nothing else was even close to those 2 needs, not even DT. Didn't have to be Reggie Wayne and Antonio Gates, but someone Trent Edwards could count on to be there and be open over the middle(his comfort zone). Reason being that an NFL franchise without a QB is dead in the water, and a QB without targets is set up for failure. They didn't get it done, instead taking the Donahoe like approach of neglecting the offense in favor of getting a new LB, DT and trying to get a safety(remember Spikes, Adams and Milloy?).

 

That said, Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed aren't going to help matters this year. Even great wr prospects like Calvin Johnson struggle as rookies, so what are a couple of "good" prospects going to do to help Trent Edwards? Nothing. And when they do come around in a year or 2, are they going to be All Pros? Highly doubt it. To me, they both would be reaches in round 1, period.

 

IMO, barring a trade for established help, the horse is out of the barn as far as truly helping Edwards this season.

 

Take the good lineman while they are there in rounds 1 and 2. Then take your shots at TE and WR later, where less heralded prospects with simialar potential to Kelly and Sweed will still be available. Pass rushers and blockers won't be there much past round 2, wr and TE will be.

 

If you reach for Kelly or Sweed early, you could wind up with a second day like last year where you are trying to fill crucial depth needs at positions that have already been sucked dry on day one. This team is very thin on the OL and has no young DE's in a defense that is predicated on pass rush. Long term those are harder positions to fill than #2 WR's and solid TE's. This year, the draft has obvious depth at OL and DL and they would be wise to get it while they can.

 

Take last year as the example. Having already drafted positions in rounds 1&2 that are traditionally pretty deep on draft day(rb/lb), the Bills found themselves grasping to fill reserve positons on day 2. With needs at many positons, the Bills ended up taking another RB, a reserve safety and a DE with no chance whatsoever to make the team on day 2. Trent Edwards made that draft, but day 2 was not well played at all, and day 2 is what separates the best drafting organizations from the rest.

 

 

Bado...

 

That is one of the best explanations I have seen for not taking a WR early that I have seen this year....it really is. I dont agree but I understand your point.

 

In my opinion you make your team better by picking up the quality players you can in free agency to fill holes AND so that you dont have to reach with your first pick in the draft. That is why:

 

- I truly hope that the draft plays out where we can trade down and out of that 11th pick......I dont want to take a linemen at 11 because I think we have solidified the DT position in FA and I dont think a quality DE will be there at that point.

 

- I truly do hope that we use that first trade down pick on a wideout....and I hope our 2nd pick is a tight end.........there are several players that HAVe been productive in their first year and the guy we are going to pick will not be the number one option.......

[Tim Anderson's Lunch Pail]

O.K. maybe I had a wine cooler tonite......my fault.

 

Were you watching Sex in the City DVDs, too?

[TDRupp]

And here is several reason (I feel) why:

 

Exactlty. They will take a WR at #11 UNLESS:

 

1. They trade down to later in the 1st and grab a WR.

2. Take something other than WR at #11 and trade back up to grab a WR.

3. Take something other than WR at #11 and take a WR with our 2nd.

 

They will not wait unitl the 3rd to go WR. I like Jordy Nelson unless reports are true that he does not go over the middle much. If they target Nelson the only other option would be to trade their 3rd and another pick to move to the bottom of the second to get him. They can't afford to NOT get a productive WR #2 for this year....same as last year when we HAD to get a starting RB and LB. It was a must so that is were we went in round 1 and 2.

 

If we go with a DE to help with the pass rush to help our secondary (especially CB's), that is fine. But we will get a WR in our next pick. We have to.

[Sisyphean Bills]

At #11 in the draft, the Bills should be selecting the new #1 WR to pair with Edwards for the foreseeable future. The trouble is that the top talent hasn't demonstrated the consistent total domination of the college game that one would really like to see. For example, Thomas has soared up the board, but some are calling him a "one year wonder".

 

Now, if the Bills still believe in Evans -- this is debatable, because like Losman, he's the last regime's leftovers and may be seen as scraps -- then they don't need a #1 WR; they need someone to pair up with Evans. Looking through the telescope through the small end then, it is highly likely that Doucet, Hardy, Manningham, or Caldwell will still be on the board in the 2nd round. If the Bills think any of these guys could fill the #2 roll and that there is not a precipitous drop off from, say, Thomas to one of these others, then they'd be making a poor move to pass up the best player on the board to reach for a WR that isn't head, shoulders, torso, and thighs above and beyond what they can haul in the 2nd.

 

Personally, I'm not sure there is that much difference between Thomas and Caldwell at this point. But, if a blue chipper fell out of the top 10 into the Bills lap, I'd be very content to have the lineman anchoring either side of the ball and Early Doucet, who's got some wheels, size, and is not a puss and will go over the middle. He could be the Andre Reed while Evans runs the James Lofton fly routes down after down.

[bschmoove]

Defense in the first please.