Archives for April 2006

‘Top choice: DT Haloti Ngata – Oregon.’

‘Last October, McGahee reportedly told reporters, “I’m the best back in the league. Case closed.” Then he finished 10th in the league with 1,247 yards with only 3.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns. Even the league’s best back cannot thrive behind arguably the league’s worst offensive line.’

There are bound to be some misses with the draft and free agency, but Levy and company need to hit on the vast majority of moves to give this team a solid foundation for the future. That is why quantity is huge in this draft. The Bills enter the draft with 10 picks, the most since 2002 when they also had 10.

‘The Bills reached a one-year deal with running back Anthony Thomas after agreeing to terms with former Panthers guard Tutan Reyes.’

‘The Panthers drafted guard Evan Mathis in the third round of last year’s draft and believe he’s ready to take over as a starter, so they did not pursue re-signing Reyes. Carolina thinks Mathis has more potential than Reyes. “He’s a young yet experienced offensive lineman who functioned in an offense that worked well last year,” Bills General Manager Marv Levy said.’

‘Bills fans should hang onto their hats because they could be looking at their team’s most compelling draft in years. Trading down is a possibility, so don’t necessarily expect the Buffalo Bills to stay at No. 8. However, one thing’s for sure, they need some major defensive assistance.’

‘With the No. 8 pick, the Bills merely have to select one of the top two defensive tackles available, Haloti Nagata or Brodrick Bunkley, to potentially be better.’

‘But the Panthers didn’t show a lot of interest in retaining him. They used draft picks on interior linemen Evan Mathis and Geoff Hangartner last year and believe that one of them will take Reyes’ spot in the starting lineup.’

‘The early ’90s should’ve been Mardi Gras four years straight. The combination of such glorious talents as Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed formed a monster more fierce than the Power Rangers’ collective robot and stronger than the force of Captain Planet when those wussy kids put their rings together. These men were like gods among Mount Olympus: They could do nothing wrong, and they enlightened us to the true virtues of life, otherwise known as winning and throwing around an oblong ball.’

‘The 28-year-old Reyes has 28 career starts over his six-year career, including all 16 games last year for Carolina.’

‘At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, the Bills could consider switching the six-year veteran to tackle, where they have needs on both the left and right side.’

‘"I’m happy that I finally have this process behind me. I’m looking forward to being back in New York and becoming a Buffalo Bill," said Reyes a Queens, New York native. "I feel great."’

‘Today, offensive lineman Tutan Reyes signed with Buffalo. Reyes started all 16 games at guard for the Panthers last season.’

Maybe you trade down. That is boring. That is ok. Find some team that has fallen in love with Jay Cutler (The Rams?) and see what you can steal from them. As long as you get productive players who will be ready to go THIS season, I am all for it.’

‘Left guard: This is among the Buffalo Bills’ biggest areas of concern right now. Veteran Bennie Anderson is the starter, but he was absolutely awful last season. The organization hasn’t shown a ton of faith in second-year man Duke Preston, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he won the job. The Bills’ best bets are Charles Spencer from Pittsburgh, Davin Joseph from Oklahoma and Deuce Lutui from USC in Rounds Two or Three.’