Archives for April 2008

’15. Buffalo WR, CB, TE Top choice: WR Devin Thomas – Michigan State

CB Mike Jenkins. Bills move down to get a better value in Thomas and pick up an extra third in the process..

‘"He’s very, very athletic," Bills scout Matt Hand told Buffalobills.com. "He’s got a huge body. He’s only been playing football for a little while. He was a basketball kid. He was a guard (at Virginia), but has the ability to play tackle as well."’

‘First round (11th overall): WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State. Thomas should still be on the board when the Bills pick, and it could come down to him or Texas’ Limas Sweed, a similarly fast, big-bodied target.’

‘The campaign is slugged "My Bills. My Story" and was created by the Rochester advertising and marketing firm of Martino Flynn LLC.’

‘Notice a pattern here, folks? Of the nine new players added via this draft — Sheppard included — six are on the offensive side of the ball. The Bills were smart to address some major defensive need areas during the high point of free agency, and they know this draft is a chance for them to really improve an offense that has ranked 30th out of 32 the last two seasons. If the Bills can add a few impact players this weekend, the gap on a wild-card spot in the AFC might officially close. After eight years without the postseason, Buffalo is on the cusp, that’s for sure.’

‘”At tight end, there’s probably not the top-of-the-first-round kind of guy that you could easily point to and say, ‘There he is,’ ” said Tom Modrak, the Bills’ vice president of college scouting. “I think there’s some quality, though. . . . I think there’s some quality players.”‘

‘While Brandon has had his credentials questioned by some among impatient Bills fans, it’s not as if he’s just wandering over from the executive suite to the war room. He has been involved in the past several drafts, learning how to evaluate talent from the experts. And he isn’t pretending to be someone he is not. “I approach it like I’ve approached everything in my time here — as a team concept,” Brandon said. “We want debate, we want discussion, we want cohesiveness and that’s what we’ll have. Ultimately it will be my responsibility, but I’m looking forward to it.”‘

‘If Buffalo doesn’t make a trade and the second pick remains No. 41, there is a chance that Kelly or Sweed might still be there. If the Bills select Thomas No. 11, a decent cornerback might be left for the No. 41 pick (perhaps Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers, Arizona’s Antoine Cason or Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith).’

‘1. 1985 – WR Andre Reed.’

‘Entering this weekend, the Bills are in a fortuitous position: With a whopping 10 picks, they should be able to fill the remaining holes on what seems like a much-improved roster since the sun set on last season. This time, Modrak won’t be in the background of someone who proved himself as an ego-driven incompetent (Donahoe) or a Canton-enshrined coach who halfheartedly joined what was an organization in desperate need of a public-relations boost (Levy) at the time. Instead, these two days in New York City, without question, will be Modrak’s.’

‘The first draft being run by new Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon is a crucial one if the Bills are to end the worst playoff drought in club history. This team has improved the talent level dramatically under the tutelage of Marv Levy and now stand on the brink of a playoff spot according to many observers. Offseason moves made the holes to fill fewer but obvious.’

‘Federal prosecutors said Darick Holmes, 36, a former National Football League player now living in Pasadena, Calif., and Darryle Buckner, 42, of Buffalo, were indicted earlier this month by a federal grand jury.’

‘Posluszny, a two-time All-America linebacker at Penn State, waited into the second round last April, the 34th pick overall, before the Bills selected him. "They called a couple of picks before I was picked, and they said ‘We’re going to trade up to get you, so you’re ready,’ " Posluszny said.’

‘"We have a lot in common in our game and our competitive nature. We’re both quiet guys and hard workers. So I think there’s a lot that we share in common."’

‘The next step is the draft and Brandon sees his role as similar to Levy’s: a consensus-builder, relying on the input of Wilson, chief scout Tom Modrak and coach Dick Jauron. “We’ll do what’s in the best interest of the organization and, ultimately, it will be my responsibility,” Brandon said.’