Archives for April 30, 2006

The fact that several other teams were clamoring for Whitner illustrates that the Bills were on the right path in taking him. And his character and passion for the game fit the recent pattern of player acquisitions under GM Marv Levy and coach Dick Jauron. The Bills’ brain trust is set on making the roster younger and hungrier, picking up high-character guys who care about the game of football and are willing to do their best at all times. Whitner is a promising start to a very important draft for the rebuilding Bills.

Simpson waits one more day (Columbia State)

Waiting game continues for ex-‘Cats star Simpson (Rock Hill Herald)

Simpson awaits his NFL fate (Charlotte Observer)

“Whitner going No. 8 is a real surprise,” Cleveland GM Phil Savage said, “but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and everybody sees things differently.”

‘Both players were taken at least a little higher than projected. Whitner was rated about 15th by most draft services. McCargo was rated by draft gurus anywhere from the early second round to the fourth round (by ESPN’s Mel Kiper). Many teams, however, had McCargo third among defensive tackles.’

‘The Bills added Matt Bowen in free agency to help make up for the loss of Lawyer Milloy, who was released. But Whitner expects to be the opening-day starter. “I’m going to come in and compete for the job from Day One,” he said. “I want to get in the defense and learn the defense as soon as possible so I can go out there and play fast. I know that if they drafted me for that position, they obviously need some help there.”‘

‘Even though he missed several games, the Bills believe he was worth trading up to get. “Does he need to continue to get better and grow? Of course,” said Bills Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak. “Probably everyone in the draft to some degree or another is in that case. He’s an underclassman, so he’s young. He’s going to continue to get stronger. We think he will work at everything he has to do, which will help him get to that glass half full on some things.”‘

‘It takes years to judge a draft. Levy says he’s impatient and wants to win now. He has to sell tickets, after all. But the Bills drafted a 20-year-old (Whitner) and two 21-year-olds (McCargo and Youboty), all of them juniors. Yes, they want to win now, but they’re also looking two or three years down the road. Donahoe spent five years creating this mess. It’s not going to turn around overnight, or with a single draft. My eyebrows are properly elevated, but for now, Levy and Modrak get the benefit of the doubt.’

‘Since Kelly Holcomb will be 33 by the time he is welcomed to the leafy campus of St. John Fisher, the quarterback battle will essentially be a two-man show – J.P. Losman vs. Craig Nall. My guess is that the quarterback contest will extend into the preseason schedule and sometimes the pretend games aren’t much of a true indicator either.’

‘…Reputation for dedication, toughness and playmaking.’

‘Ten years ago, taking a safety eighth overall was unheard of, but not lately. A safety has gone in the top ten three of the last five years, including two this year. Why? The strong safties for the last six Super Bowl champs–Rod Woodson, Lawyer Milloy, John Lynch, Rodney Harrison and Troy Polumalu—all are Pro Bowlers or close to it.’

‘Whitner is a promising start to a very important draft for the rebuilding Bills.’

‘The move left the Bears without a first-round pick in this draft.’

‘Whitner’s decision to give up his senior year and enter the draft was questioned. He was viewed as a second- or third round pick.’

‘Forgoing a chance to acquire USC star quarterback Matt Leinart with the No. 8 overall pick in today’s NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills went for defense as expected. Just not the kind of defense fans and draft analysts expected.’

‘”It was critical for us,” said Jauron about upgrading his defense with rookies who have the potential of making an immediate impact. “Of course, coaching-staff-wise, we’re really excited about these two guys. They’re both young, coming out early, but both are high-energy guys. We like their athletic ability and they fit us well. You only draft guys you like and we feel we’ve done that.”‘