Archives for May 2011

‘PLAYERS LOST — DT Marcus Stroud (released, failed physical).’

‘The Bills took CB Aaron Williams, one of the top-rated corners in the draft, with the second overall pick in Round 2 (34th overall), passing on DE Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson, one of the draft’s more intriguing players. Bowers, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, at one point was talked about being the No. 1 overall pick until serious concerns about his knee began to surface. The Bills looked at Bowers hard, general manager Buddy Nix said. "We (were) concerned about the injury to be honest," Nix said. "But I guess, maybe, the fit wasn’t real good for us either." Nix went on to say that the Bills viewed Bowers as a true 4-3 defensive end who would be underutilized in Buffalo’s scheme that also uses 3-4 looks. Bowers went to Tampa Bay at No. 51.’

‘Whitner was Buffalo’s 2006 first-round draft pick and completed his five-year contract last season. Whitner was unhappy with the Bills final contract offer in December, and said he expected to test free agency.’

‘”I saw him when I went to Bethel to look at a different kid,” said Hand now a regional scout for Buffalo. “At practice I saw this monster out there and he didn’t have any pads on. He was running around and he was really athletic, and I asked the coach I said, ‘Who is that kid?’ And he said, ‘Oh that’s Mike Jasper, he just got here a couple of weeks ago.’ And so I asked where his pads were and the coach said, ‘We don’t have any pads to fit him. We’re getting custom pads for him, but they’re not in yet.'”‘

‘Of the 16 national publications and websites surveyed, 11 gave the Bills at least a "B" grade. Five handed them a grade of "C" or lower.’

‘What caught his attention was the fact Jasper was practising without pads, mainly because the school hadn’t been able to find any that fit him.’

‘”My mother she always told me that,” said Dareus. “My big brother Pierson, my godfather. They said, ‘Don’t take a handout. Nothing is going to be given to you.'”‘

‘In the race to end their NFL-worst 11-year non-playoff streaks, the Detroit Lions appear to have a significant lead over Buffalo. The Lions have their franchise quarterback (if Matthew Stafford can get and stay healthy), a top-notch receiver in Calvin Johnson, two promising young running backs (Jahvid Best and No. 57 overall pick Mikel LeShoure) and can build their defense around possibly the NFL’s best and deepest defensive line. With Ndamukong Suh and bargain No. 13 overall pick Nick Fairley, the Lions will be very tough to run against. The secondary is the only glaring weakness.’

‘"We went for where we thought we needed players, and the best players on the board that we needed to improve our football team," he said at the end of the three-day draft. "We’re always just looking to improve our football team, whatever it takes. We sit and talk about every pick. I don’t think we go overboard one way or another. If a guy’s there, and he’s a good player, and we need him, we’ll select him. We needed help on defense a little bit more this year in some spots so we went there."’

‘The Bills’ draft haul, headed by Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus at No. 3 overall, demonstrates the flexibility of offensive-minded head coach Chan Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix’s focus on improving the defense.’

‘We Question Why: Nix passed on taking a quarterback in the second round with Colin Kaepernick, Andy Dalton and Ryan Mallett on the board in favor of Williams, whom some scouts feel may be better suited to safety but isn’t a great tackler. Though the Bills have an opening at right tackle, Hairston may have been a reach and isn’t ready to contribute right away.’

‘Even though cornerback wasn’t considered a priority need, the Bills believe Williams can help. Some scouts gave him first-round grades and with veteran Terrence McGee battling injuries in recent seasons and Drayton Florence a potential unrestricted free agent pending the league’s labor dispute, there could be a glaring need for a starter.’

‘”I do think that’s where you find the most of them,” he said. “Guys that play in big games, they don’t get shook when they have to [play].”‘

‘The problem was Searcy’s professor was studying aboard in Africa when questions were raised about a Carolina tutor who, according to Searcy, was accused of doing some of the player’s work. He was accused of receiving help on an outline in preparation for a final exam.’

Tar Heels at top of NFL draft in picks (Raleigh News and Observer)

Onward, upward (Durham Herald Sun)

School record nine Tar Heels drafted (Fayetteville Observer)

Bills select S Searcy with first 4th-round pick (AP)