thewildrabbit

Like others have stated I don't see a RB in the 2nd unless the Bills want to trade Spiller. Which is a strong possibility if they think they won't be able to resign him. I'm hoping for an OT at #9-OG in the 2nd with the first two picks, or a trade back to get Martin, and an extra #2 to pick up a TE & OG. That line needs some serious upgrading.

You and me both brother. all we can do is hope they do something in the draft

If that were the case then why wouldn't they make a deal with the Eagles who clearly wanted him. The Bills refused to even converse on the subject. I think Spiller could still be a dominate primary back if utilized properly...a bulldozer he ain't! For who? If it isn't for an Andrew Luck type QB then its 3 wasted first round picks....and a 2nd. Since there is no Andy Luck in this draft, Whaley couldn't be this lame.

I don't think it is at all considering Knox saw the value of the player in that pick, and still drafted him perhaps knowing he might not start his first year. Maybe the guy simply wasn't ready to start right away. To me, drafting a RB when the position is already filled with a talented 1st round pick, a player with 1000k yard seasons behind him, and then having a very solid backup who could easily be the starter...when the team was desperate for a LT is flawed thinking. I get all this. Then again, not every first round pick enters the league and makes an immediate impact, and they shouldn't be considered a bust because they didn't. Some players need time to learn their jobs and get better the more they learn. Look at #9 pick CJ Spiller who rode the bench most of his first year, starting in only one game back in 2010. A point being that not every player drafted in the first round must come out and have an instant impact, now or then, or he is a bust. Then there are the Patriots who drafted Ryan Mallett in the 3rd round knowing that he wasn't going to replace Brady anytime soon. Just sayin.

The point I was making was that usually first round picks start, as some Bills fans here label a player as a bust if he doesn't show immediate impact. What position Ritcher played in college makes no difference as so many linemen are moved, as with the case with Eric Wood who was a center in college, and the Bills started him at OG, and then later on moved him to center. That 1980 Bills line was already solid, and Ritcher didn't need to start right away, so he cut his teeth on special teams, and as a backup. To me this is a perfect example on how one HC views adding the proper depth for his O line, rather then scrubs from other teams dumpsters. I have never advocated drafting an OG at #9 in this draft simply because there is no top OG talent anywhere near the #9 position. The only guy close is Zack Martin who could play any position on that line. So if the Bills are targeting an OT, and the top three are gone. Then a trade back to tab Martin might be on order.

In 1980 Chuck Knox drafted an OG with his first pick in the draft at #16 overall, and the guy didn't even start his first year. He played mostly special teams and backup. What a waste for a first round pick huh? After reading some of the posts in this thread some of this board would already label him a huge bust after his first year. Let me tell you that OG played in the NFL for 16 years, and played for both Knox, and Levy. He went to the SB all four times, and was instrumental in protecting Jim Kelly, and helped build one of the very best road grading O lines in the league for Thurman Thomas. Lets face some facts here, there are some fans who just don't comprehend the difference between what a "get by" player, and a top player can make on that O line. Teams can get by with 6'3'' 350 pound unmovable slugs at DT to clog the running, and passing lanes. Refrigerator Perry couldn't make a play outside a five yard radius, and yet was a successful DT. His counterpart on the other hand must be a top athlete to be able to properly protect the QB, pull, trap and drive his opponent off the ball. Then make plays down field blocking 5-10 yards. In the late 80's, early 90's the Bills offense used to dictate to the opposing defense, and that defense was on their heels all game long. Trying in vein to catch their breath to cope with that fierce, fast paced passing / running attack of the Buffalo Bills, and when those defenders moved up a few yards to try and contain Thurman... well, then Jim Kelly would hit Reed or Lofton for a big play and crush their hopes of containing that offense. Most of you just don't get the fact that this team hasn't even fielded a team with a winning record but once since 2000, and that was in 2004 at 9-7. 10 years man, 10 years. The last time they were in the playoffs was 1999. During all that time the one thing the Bills haven't had is a top O line with FIVE good players. The Bills had a #1 overall pick at QB in Drew Bledsoe in 2004 to get that one winning year. The problem was the same old story in that they couldn't protect him very well, and rather then building a better O line. Instead they wanted him to change his style of play to get the ball out quicker. How did that work out? Clearly so many, many Bills fans don't see things the same way that I see things, and that's OK. I'm just trying to explain my passion here. New ownership should bring enough change so that the team hires some coaches who actually know how to win more then 6-7 games during an NFL season....hopefully.

When I pointed to who was drafted, and where, I was merely stating that those teams tried to build the O line with very valuable early first round picks. The Bills also wasted an early first rounder on Aaron Maybin While this draft class might be different, and a 3rd or 4th rounder might become a valued starter on the line. I just don't trust this FO to get it right. I mean c'mon, Colin Brown, Sam Young, Doug Legursky, Chris Williams. In my view its far easier to get it right with a Robinson, Matthews, Lewan then it is with 3rd or 4th round maybes.

I'm saying go back and look at whats been drafted by this team after the second round the last 10 years. Two, or even three solid starters doesn't make a good O line, you need five. They don't all need to be first round picks either, as they could all be walk on's like Peters if they all had anyway near his talent level. I admit the Bills were close in 2012 with Glenn, Levitre, Wood, all solid starters and only really needed two more solid players at RT, RG. A lot of fans might like Urbik at RG, and at times he plays well. But when a player grades in the red against the teams biggest rival...well then he is not conducive to building a winning team IMHO.

C'mon Kirby, a scrub who graded as the very worst player on the Rams last year. Who really cares where he was drafted or obtained ...if he sucks. Like I stated above "So, while I may want to see this team draft an OT-OG with the first two picks. Its because I feel its the only way this ball club will find the talent necessary to get the job done properly." I wholeheartedly agree Plus, I'm not thrilled with the depth for the O line on the roster either. Do any other positions have players right off the waiver wire as backups?

Yea, there are a few here who relentlessly follow others around criticizing their opinions. Its really sad that it gets to that. Honestly tho, I would be actually excited about the upcoming season should the Bills draft an OT-OG with the first two picks. Otherwise, i don't see them fielding a winning team...again...for the 14th year. I'm not #9 or bust for an OT. I just think that somehow, someway the line needs to be addressed better then it has so far.

I'm explaining that teams draft O linemen early because they have a great desire to protect their QB. I highly doubt if they care how they look to anyone. This team has usually drafted most O linemen in later rounds, and also pulled them off the waiver wire. so, have they won many games the last 15 years doing things this way? I keep reading that good players can be found in the later rounds. Lets go back 10 years and find some players that this team drafted after the second round that made any kind of impact. I mean besides the once in a great while finds like Kyle Williams in the 5th. Finding standout starters simply doesn't happen often after the second round with this team. I still question this teams ability to evaluate players to be obtained after the second round. Particularly O line players because none have made the team for more then a year or two. What O line players have recently been drafted by the Bills, and have become solid starters? A #1 pick in Eric Wood, A #2 pick in Andy Levitre, A #2 in pick Cordy Glenn. All good solid starters. So, while I may want to see this team draft an OT-OG with the first two picks. Its because I feel its the only way this ball club will find the talent necessary to get the job done properly. It doesn't matter tho, In all reality drafting an O lineman at #9 is not going to happen, as none of the top three will be there at #9. P.S. Last time I looked the Bills don't have an Arron Rodgers, Big Ben or Russell Wilson at QB. Plus they seem intent on calling pocket passing plays rather then read-options. So, It really would be in their best interest to upgrade that line properly. Like I said, perhaps new ownership will see things differently then this regime.

Its cool, tho I have no idea who it is directed at or why. All I know is you must be one tough as nails son to keep coming back at all, and am just glad you do.

He may be a moron, a super rich moron. 3.8 billion to be exact. A man who has wanted to own an NFL team for years, and his desire to win is paramount. I don't care if the guy is green underneath makeup, has plastic hair, is from Mars, and loves Putin. If he will keep the team in Buffalo, and turn them into a winning football team ...then I'm 100% all for him.

Its a moot point from my view as those top three OT's will be long gone by the #9 pick. This year there are less elite O line players then were in last years. Some team will trade up to grab them before #7 IMO

JBJ stated his favorite football play is wide right.... He is the very last person on earth I want to see win the bid.

How would you know if the QB is worth protecting if he is constantly running for his life. I really don't expect EJ to develop properly with this coaching staff, and GM. Hopefully he might with new ownership, if he survives

It could also go a long way into the thinking that teams want to find ways to better protect the most important position on the field. Now If you would only think like Chip Kelly when he already had All Pro Jason Peters at LT, and still drafted an OT with the #4 The Chiefs selected an OT #1 overall The Jags selected an OT at #2 The Cards selected an OG at #7 ...wow, an OG really? The Titans selected an OG at #10...wow, an OG really? The Chargers selected an RT at #11, and he played RT all year The Giants selected a OT at #19 The Bears selected an OG at #20...made the pro bowl. This years top three OT's are graded even better then last years top three OT's who went #1, #2, & #4. While seven O linemen went in the first round last year it looks like only four or five might make the first round this year. Probably why there might be more demand for those top linemen. I can see teams trading up just to grab one of those elite 3, or even 4, as I like Zack Martin in the top 15. It is irrelevant on how many games a player played or what position they ended up playing, or even how they graded. What matters is that some teams made the effort to upgrade their offensive lines with some very valuable first round draft picks

I'd say when the team can run up the middle behind the center 70% of the time, and each of the rest of the line doesn't even get 10% production each... I'd say that player is a stud in my book. Albeit, an overlooked stud as the guy would make the pro bowl on a winning team IMO. The #2 rushing team in the league, and four of the line graded poorly at run blocking. I notice you didn't mention John Butler drafting an OG in first half of the first round at #14, and it paid off big time. 13 years in the league, 9 pro bowls. This generally happens when you know what you are doing as a GM, and can properly evaluate players at all positions. Have the Bills found another Butler, Polian, AJ Smith, in Doug Whaley? I look at Whaley and give the guy a very good grade of "B" for upgrading the defense in the draft, and in free agency last year, or was that Nix? Anyway, I give whomever the very poor grade of "Z" for OG Colin Brown, Sam Young, and Doug Legursky. Bringing in players from other teams dumpsters is unconscionable to me, and with three rookie QB's no less. I have the suspicion that it was Whaley because of this years Chris Williams signing. Like I've said many times. No worries, as this team isn't going to waste the #9 on an O linemen this draft. Hopefully the new regime that comes with new ownership will think differently...hopefully.

Thanks, glad to see someone else feels the way I do. You can't really fault the way the fans here think, simply because every regime since the Jim Kelly days have thought the same way. New coaches look at the draft like its Christmas time. Its like a little kid walking up on their birthday, as they want cool, flashy toys to play when they open their presents. Rather then utilitarian things like snow boots, or a new coat, and no matter how much they need them they just can't get excited over those things. Same with the big uglies, as its tough to get excited about a draft when you go OT-OG with the first two picks. But ya know what, those picks would make more then a few super excited about the up coming season. Guys like me, EJ, Spiller, FredEx, and perhaps even Nate Hackett because now he could start running the ball somewhere besides up the middle.

Over the last 15 years this team has used all those early first round picks on RB's, DB's, WR's, DT's, DE's and yet couldn't even field a freaking team with a winning record during all that time. How much did all those defensive players or supposed playmakers help the team win? DE Erik Flowers 26, CB Nate Clements 21, OT Mike Williams 4, RB Willis McGahee 23, WR Lee Evans 13, QB JP Losman 22, DB Donte Whitner 8, DT John McCargo 26, RB Marshawn Lynch 12 , DB Leodis McKelvin 11, DE Aaron Maybin 11, C Eric Wood 28, RB CJ Spiller, 9 DT Marcell Dareus, 3, DB Stephon Gilmore, 10. QB EJ Manuel 16 2 DE's both busts 4 DB's all decent, nothing great 3 RB's all decent, one pro bowler for the Bills 2 DT's one bust, the other decent 2 QB's one bust, the other only played in 10 games 1 OT bust 1 OG / C stud 1 WR decent How many pro bowl players drafted with the first pick in all that time Spiller in 2012, and Dareus in 2013. Has either player ever taken over a game, and won it by himself? How many winning teams fielded? How many playoffs games? While everyone clamoring for a *playmaker* in this draft, and yet they don't care that EJ will be running for his life again this year if that O line isn't upgraded. 108 hits, 48 sacks last year is unacceptable The late GM John Butler thought enough of the O line to draft OG Ruben Brown with the 14th pick in the first round on him. Brown played 13 years in the NFL, and made the pro bowl 9 times. So, don't tell me that any O linemen drafted in the first round is wasted. The 64-65 AFL Championship Buffalo Bills had a pro bowler at every position on that O line. Every position on that O line is as equally important as every position on the defensive line.

Well, the Seahawks did draft a OT with the 6th pick in 2010, a player who ended up starting at LT that year. Then the very next year they drafted two more O linemen in an OT with their first two picks in the 2011 draft. The first rounder was an OT, and the next pick was an OG. So, I'd have to say that Pete Carroll with the Seahawks tried to build that O line first thing with two OT's taken in the first round in consecutive years 2010, 2011. Then Andy Reid is another HC who wants to build a top O line, as they had two #1's at both RT & LT. The Eagles with Chip Kelly have all pro Jason Peters at LT, and then drafted the #4 pick on a LT in the draft last year in Lane Johnson, and he played RT all 16 games. ' I think the trend is changing to two top OT's if you don't have a Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Big Ben.

Most fans here don't want to see Trump own the Bills. Yet with a worth of 3.8 billion he isn't a beggar, and he stated he will keep the team in Buffalo. If Jim Kellly and his group owning the Bills means keeping the same FO to make a profit.... well then I'd rather see Trump win the bid. Should Kelly, and Trump be in the same group then it would be a win, win as I don't see Trump putting up with Brandon's losing for very long

RT, LT it doesn't matter as most of the fans here don't want the team to waste a #9 on the O line. No worries either, as this team just doesn't put as much value on O linemen as other teams, or like they do for the D line. Which makes no sense to me because the O line protects the most important player on the field. This team has had so many chances to build a top O line the last fifteen years, and they just can't stop drafting for the defense or RB's. Anyway, I'm hoping new ownership changes this moronic philosophy that you can get by with one or two good players, and the rest waiver wire scrubs.

"Without providing names, Erie County deputy executive Richard Tobe said he has been approached by as many as 10 prospective ownership groups, which he has told to contact the team." http://sports.yahoo....58866--nfl.html EDIT: I'd rather see someone who is super rich and isn't solely buying the team to make a profit, and wants the team to win above all else. Russ Brandon and his team of fools have had a stranglehold on the team for eight long years, and the only thing he proved is he knows how to lose. Time for more changes.

Its not up to me. This same thinking that the O line doesn't need upgrading is what has been plaguing this team for 15 years. Anyway, I highly doubt this team drafts an OT with the #9 pick as they have had a tendency to avoid drafting O linemen in the first round, Wood being the exception since 2002. Even C Eric Wood wasn't the first, first rounder that year as they selected Maybin with the #11 pick. I simply feel that the Bills will fail to provide adequate protection to any Bills QB this season, and the result will be another lost year. You can then figure out what new owners will want to do with this staff, and FO. NFN, but seriously throwing up names of scrubs claimed off the waiver wire like they will ever accomplish anything in the league...to me is like saying the name Colin Brown in 2013.