WhitewalkerInPhilly

Personally, I agree. I would argue that the Jets are in an even worse position when it comes to QB than we are. The Bills wanted Kolb to come in, while the Jets benched Sanchez and bypassed Tebow for their third stringer. Will they go for a QB in the first round...I don't know. While I do think that Smith vs. Barkley vs. Nassib debate can rage on in Buffalo, I have a hard time believing that if the Jets have the chance to get a QB that they would have a hard time passing up on the opportunity. Plus, as previously mentioned this gives them three chances to snag a QB before we do. In the end, I say that if we like a guy, we take him at #8 and don't look back.

Not if the Bills trade back and get Nassib in the late first round, and get another pick to play with...I assume he means.

You know...I've been resisting it for a long time but I think I've finally come around to the idea. Is Nassib perfect? No. He doesn't have to be. Drew Brees isn't perfect, Russell Wilson isn't perfect, Colin Kaepernick isn't perfect. No QB in this draft is perfect. In the end, Nassib took the system which the Bills are going to be running and thrived in it. He did it with a team that didn't have the talent that flocks to the big name programs, and he did it in WNY weather. He'd be coming into a team with an decent to good offensive line and two incredible running backs. Marrone and Hackett know Nassib better than anyone. The people who have been watching tape instead of Bowl Games or the Combine say Nassib is a solid bet. If anyone is going to get the maximum usage out of him, it's them. I would not be dissapointed

Fair point, though I would argue that a true nose tackle has more effect than an OG, but even in that case I can at least see the reasoning behind it. Of course I would prefer a QB (Manuel or Smith) or a WR (Austin or Patterson), but to me it has some logic. Filling in a spot behind probably the most talented player on the team, whose backup is already an overpaid veteran...that would cause me to lose my **** more.

Love it. Manuel is a bit of a reach at #8, but he's now projected for the end of the first round, and people are talking about him getting picked up as at low as #4 with the Eagles but the good news is that Kolb can play...maybe he's not amazing, but I feel he can hold things down for a year while we get someone unpolished with a high upside a chance to get ready. Maybe that's Manuel...maybe that's Matt Scott, but I would be cheering with this choice.

I agree. I think that if Pettine doesn't believe that either Dareus or Branch can be a true NT (I'm hoping one of them can do it), I would be delighted if Star Lotulelei dropped into our laps. Seriously, we would have a scary front 7. +1. Thank you!

Oh God no...people mocking him to Buffalo was the reason for my recent "Why the hell are we talking about taking a pass rusher OLB at 8?" rant. I'd rather see us take Milliner, take Warmack or Cooper before him...and I *really* don't want us to take them.

There seems to be some confusion. What I said was "Edge Rushers" People who play DE in the 4-3 and OLB in a 3-4. Importantly, all signs indicated that we are CHANGING SYSTEMS!!!!! In the 3-4, typically only one LB is consistently used for edge rushing, which is the Jack LB. Assuming that we use a system very similar to the Ravens (which Pettine coached), we can assume Mario being in a Ray Lewis type usage on the weak side. Meanwhile, we've brought in Manny Lawson, who thrives as being on the Strong Side, which typically is a mixture of coverage and stopping the running back, as opposed to tackling. This is what the depth chart looks looks like for our front seven at present: D-line starters: Dareus, K Williams, Branch D-line backups: Carrington, Troup, Rushing LB/DE Hybrid: Mario Williams, Mark Anderson Outside LB: Lawson, B Scott, Moats ILB: Sheppard, Bradham, Dowtin If anything, where we're weak in the front seven is in the ILB.

Now, I'm not going to sit here and say that having edge rushers aren't important. QB's make the flashy plays, but championships are won with stout D. I think there's a reason why three out of the last four Super Bowl teams have been touted as having defensive models work emulating (2011 Giants, 2012 Ravens and 49'ers) and some people may recognize that I've been trying to mock out defensive schemes since Pettine was hired. That said...what the hell is up with a third of the people picking for an edge rusher for the Bills at #8 in the draft? Now, at this point almost all mocks and predictions I see go one of three ways: Quarterback, Guard, and Edge Rusher (OLB or DE/OLB hybrid) Quarterback is obvious. We need a franchise QB. Buddy knows it. We know it. The whole league knows it. If the Bills think they have a guy, I won't object even if I think they drafted too high. Guard...I disagree with the idea, but I understand the logic. If the Bills want to break in a 2nd round rookie QB who is raw but has potential and needs time to adjust (Matt Scott, Bray or less likely EJ Manuel), it would make Kolb/the rookie's job easier if they have a solid O-line to work with, so that they have time and can open up the running game for CJ and Freddy. A solid O-line and run game might help counteract our deficiencies. Personally, I think it's something we can do with our current backups coupled with a midround pick, but I can see the debate. Edge rusher...I don't see it. I really don't see it. Maybe before free agency began, but with the acquisition of Branch, Lawson and Dotwin and what we've seen in mini-camp, it appears that we are primarily playing out of the 3-4. Branch is there to act as a gap stuffer, Dareus and Williams are best at interior penetration, which means that the role of rusher falls to the OLB. Well, it's not like we signed a $100M contract to get a premier outside pass rusher...wait, I'm being told that we signed Mario Williams for that amount. Well, Lawson isn't much of a blitzer, maybe we want someone on the outside who can do the hybrid OLB/DE role...no, wait, I'm being reminded that we overpaid Mark Anderson to do that. Considering that we already have Moats for depth, and Lawson likely taking all non-blitz snaps at SLB I'm mystified why people keep saying over, and over and over that the Bills need another pass rusher. How about our non-existent receiver corps? Buddy ignored every entreaty to pick up a cheap WR in FA. How about CB, as now that Aaron Williams at safety our #2 and 3 and Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks? This is not confidence inspiring. How about tight end, where our only quality starter is coming off an ACL injury. How about someone who projects to be an every down, pure Nose Tackle? It just...shocks me that in the face of all these problems, people seem intent on trying to add more to the one position where the Bills have thrown every resource.

Sounds great! I don't have any plans next Friday, and that sounds perfect! I just need to find a place to watch the first round, since I don't have cable anymore. TO THE CORNER BAR!!!

Wow, it's out early this year! Usually it only comes out in preseason.

"Seriously, when are we letting Eric out of Time Out?"

Have you seen anything about where Mario would line up? I know there's been speculation, but with picking up Branch I assumed that he would be a 3-4 designated rushing linebacker. What would you think about Dareus at NT? If I had to pick someone, it would be between him and Branch.

I'm sorry. You see, apparently when I went mentioning that Dickerson seems to be placed at WR, and remarked that he might, just might be able to step up to the lofty bar set by superstars Donald Jones and David Nelson and may be an effective #2 receiver, I also simultaneously whistled at your mother and insulted your manhood. Well, at least you bring actual evidence and fair points in your argument. Honestly, I don't know. We saw so little of him that I have no way of knowing whether his absence was due to Chan or Fitz. I seem to remember him having a few decent catches when Chandler was out, but he's not a sure thing. Fortunately, I don't think anyone is relying on him to be a superstar.

The end of the article. The author found out about the change after the interview and when asked (apparently via text) Dickerson replied: "Yup, I'm a WR now " Maybe it's not a slam dunk like I first thought, but it seems like a decent indicator. Admittedly there's cause for skepticism but 1) Up until now, we had zero depth at WR, and 2) FB and TE are two position Chan Gailey seemingly forgot are allowed to touch the ball. I'd like to see what he can do when given the chance. Fair point. It would be really nice if they used the chance to mix things up coming out of the huddle, and if Dickerson can go out wide (we know Spiller can), I can see creating a lot of confusion for the defense.

No. Let me think about that...no. The Bills put the tag on with such speed that I have to assume they want a little more than simply trading him away for...two second round picks? Really? They think that a two time Pro Bowl player is worth two second round picks? I wouldn't do it for a 1st and third either, I'd say at least two first round picks. Also, as pointed out before, the Bills have a BIG hole at safety already. Whether or not Seacry is ready to take over is a big question mark. To me, this would be like saying "Yeah, I know that we let go most of the receiving corps...I think we should trade Stevie Johnson."

I was cruising BillsMafia for stuff on Pettine when I found that Dickerson's been moved from HB to WR. http://billsmafia.co...orin-dickerson/ I thought it was a mistake st first, but apparently he's now #82. I thought it was crazy until I looked at his measurables from when he was drafted: Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP 6 ft 2 in 226 lb 34 in 9¾ in 4.40 s 4.30 s 6.96 s 43 in 10 ft 5 in 24 reps Those...aren't bad. I didn't know it at first, but the man put up freakish combine numbers. We've been talking about getting a big, fast receiver. Did we have him all along, and were just keeping him at the wrong spot?

Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...you're not Joe B? That explains some awkward emails... On a more serious note, my head would not explode if the Bills took him, with the caveat that if a QB they *really* like is there at 8, and have any doubts that he wouldn't be there at 41. Joe B's reasoning seems fairly sound: Patterson seemed to be an afterthought on the invites, no one except Milliner is worth that high at CB, and there already is competition, our free agent additions and scheme shift mean that our front seven will be in completely different (and hopefully better) roles and my head WILL explode if we take a guard when there's so much else we can do. I do think 8 is slightly high to take him, but with all the "trade back" talk I'm hearing I would love it.

You know, I hadn't even thought of that. Whether or not we like Bryan Scott, I think we all like the idea of what he was supposed to play: the tweener LB who plays in nickel formations, and is tasked with marking the TE. This is especially important since Pettine seem to be talking about playing a lot of nickel.

I wonder if those were part of the terms? "Ok, you can have Revis, but you need to take Sanchez with you."

Says the agent of the guy we signed. Granted, I'm likely thinking the same thing, but the man played 3 games last season for the Jets and is the Will (weak side, coverage) LB. It could be a sign that the Bills didn't want to use a pick in later rounds for depth. Of course, I don't think we're taking Ogletree at all. Ogletree is an OLB. Between the Lawson acquisition, and the move to 3-4 likely putting Mario as the JLB our greatest weakness is inside.

Per Buffalo Rumblings http://http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/4/12/4218242/nfl-free-agents-2013-marcus-dowtin-signed-by-buffalo-bills I think I speak for most of us in joining the chorus of "Who?", but I think it does give maybe a little insight about how we feel about where we are are LB.

Punter. Kicker.

I love the thinking, especially if the Bills aren't sold on Geno.

I don't think anyone was expecting Kolb to come in and be a superstar. Of course, I think the article does in fact omit few things. First, how about Kolb's sack % massively spiking as he went from the Eagles to the Cardinals. It's not just the other players, it's the system. Kolb seemed to be pretty good when in a up-tempo Andy Reid offense. He was less good when expected to drop back, wait, and make things happen...with the worst O-line in the league. The other QB's mentioned weren't the most sackable, but they were pretty close. Second, today we have Marrone saying point blank: