thewildrabbit

Great pic Well done Russ, and Bills.

No offense to you either, but I didn't see where Lewan admitted to anything involving the alleged rape threatening, as no charges were ever filed. While heinous if true, I didn't read where he admitted it. Inn regards to the assault, "But the case has since been reopened and transferred to a senior detective at the accuser’s request." "Video acquired by the Ann Arbor police after the case reportedly confirms the initial account described by Curtis, Marcus and Warren: an individual trips on the fence. The ensuing activity makes the remaining video difficult to decipher." I get the concern over these issues, and all I was trying to convey is that so many players have skeletons in their closets. These charges are his first arrest, and first involvement with the police besides parking tickets. My take is If the scouts, analysts thought there were long term serious issues with this player, that he simply wouldn't be graded as high as he currently is. A lot of sites now have Lewan going before the Bills pick because Bridgewater has dropped out of the top 10.

watch this http://sports.yahoo.com/video/judy-battista-ralph-wilson-jr-200737425.html

same praying for Jimbo

Indeed. A deep, profound sadness has taken hold of me.

R.I.P Mr Wilson Jeez, first Jim Kelly, and now this...wow, sad news indeed!

While I agree with the first need at OT, as the most important need I see is to give the young QB's all the protection they can get. However, I'm not very keen on wasting a 3rd rounder on another developmental QB when there are already three on the roster. Nor am I keen on drafting a defensive player with that #9 as the defense has been loaded with first, and second round picks, and still 6-10 with a top DC. http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/8019/analyzing-kiper-3-0-bills Mel Kiper's mock drafts: March 13 (3.0) -- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan Feb. 6 (2.0) -- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M Jan. 16 (1.0) -- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn Todd McShay's mock drafts: March 6 (3.0) -- Matthews Feb. 6 (2.0) -- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson Jan. 16 (1.0) -- Lewan

Yea well, how many 3rd rounders have become studs for the Bills? I keep reading that, and have to think not many. Actually going back 14 years I can't think of one, at any position. So they had better get it right for those first two picks.

While I do share yours and other Bills fans concerns about player character, and don't want players who are criminals. This kid is only facing allegations, and hasn't been convicted of anything! This isn't like Cam Newton who was actually expelled and kicked out of one college for cheating on exams. Was arrested for stealing another students laptop, and actually committed this crime. He was subsequently suspended from the team over this issue. Newton went first overall that year, and should he have been there when the Bills selected, both Gailey & Nix said they would have drafted him. "He has been charged with felony counts of burglary, larceny and obstructing justice. According to the University Police Department, Newton stole the laptop worth $1,700 and threw it out his dormitory window Friday when officers arrived to investigate the theft." http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3718266 & http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5783051 I look at it this way, those Ohio fans hate the Michigan players, and would love to bring a lawsuit against a Wolverine player. Should they win, they will then bring a civil suit to make some money. There are two sides to every story, and Lewan stated he didn't hit anyone. If you think that Lewan should have had more impact as a LT for his team. Just think about all pro Jason Peters, and how it doesn't matter if only one player on that line is the best at what he does. After all, It is a team sport. Don't forget that Lewan didn't give up a sack against Clowney. For the fans who don't want a RT at #9. From the Bills own website. "The development of more and more complex defensive systems has also forced offenses to improve protection on both edges. "There are some really good defensive coordinators in this league and if you have a right tackle that struggles in pass protection, teams are going to put their best pass rusher on the left side,” said Jaguars GM David Caldwell. “So you better have somebody who can protect the passer over there.” http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/ON-THE-CLOCK-Rise-of-the-right-tackle/30cbf54d-12e1-46b7-9ae7-7115c5066dea

Great player for Buffalo, and great to see him so happy and successful after football.

Just like the Bills already had Freddy, and Lynch when they drafted Spiller. This owner knows what sells tickets.

I wouldn't mind this at all, and Lewan is probably the only one of the top three to be there at #9. I also think the Bills will trade back and get two #2's like last year. The Bills could gamble a bit and trade back hoping that Zack Martin doesn't get grabbed by the Giants at 12, or see the Dolphins trade up to get him. that is, if they actually want an OT. Taylor Lewan http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664410/taylor-lewan :compares to Jake Long. A Seferian-Jenkins http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2028290/austin-seferian-jenkins :compares to Marcedes Lewis Zack Martin http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664509/zack-martin :compares to Logan Mankins

Probably because those two teams haven't got a shot at drafting Watkins I'm thinking Rams @ #13, and Jets @ #18, as most draft sites have him ranked right around those numbers. I've seen him ranked as high as #7 and as low as #20. But no where near the #2 overall I've seen Watkins slotted in. Anyway, it will be interesting to see who the Bills think is worthy of that #9, Evans, Ebron or an OT / FS / LBer

Me personally, I think it was the owner, as Wilson loves him some RB's. OJ, TT, Henry, McGahee, Lynch, Spiller. Don't forget that like Nix, Donahoe was saddled with the Bills scouting dept, and Tom Modrak. I know I have these zany conspiracy theories, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to find that Belicheat / Kraft were bribing Modrak to get it wrong on purpose. Mostly because I just can't fathom a scouting dept missing so badly on so many players for so many years.

BB my point was confidence comes with success, no matter how small the success is that first year. I have seen flashes of great in EJ last year, and how far / fast he develops in the future will depend on the team around him. Let's face it, that team around EJ was pretty bad last year. Rookie coaches, lousy O line, rookie receivers, injured veteran WR's, new scheme, some questionable play calling, and when you run up the middle 71% of the time you become predictable. Jim Kelly didn't step into stardom his first years because he had to wait for Polian / Levy / to build a team around him, and for Ted Marchibroda to work his magic with the offensive scheme. The spread offense with the old Redskin "counter trey" running scheme allowing Thurman Thomas to make his famous cutbacks. Then running the hurry up / no huddle K-gun offense to perfection. We all knew how good Kelly was because of his play at the "U", and with "mouse" Davis in the USFL, and that didn't translate into wins in the NFL right away. 4-12, 7-8 his first two years.

It is disheartening to think that it all starts at the top, and since Brandon is Wilson's man, I doubt the O line ever gets properly addressed the way it should be. In the end most of the fans here will say EJ always sucked, and just draft another QB already. Seattle drafted an OT in 2010 in Russell Okung with the 6th overall pick, and then drafted another two O linemen in 2012 with their first two picks #25 OT James Carpenter& #75 OG John Moffitt with their first, and third picks. They didn't have a second rounder that year. So, I'd say the very first thing Pete Carroll did to build that SB team was to address the O line!! Then he drafted Russell Wilson, as his starting SB QB in 2012, and after he built up that line. Just because players get injured and don't play a full 16 games doesn't take away the fact that the team addressed the line with first round picks. I'd say its more a testament to those SB teams actually having something called "quality depth" on the O line to still manage to win a SB despite all the injuries. The Buffalo Bills don't even have more then two quality starters, much less quality depth.

Peters was a special story, as the Bills themselves created their own turmoil with him. Long story short, the Bills brought in two high priced free agents in Derrick Dockery, and Langston Walker, and both sucked big time while Peters kept making the pro bowl and was league renowned for being the very best LT, as he was highly praised by almost every football analyst at that time. Dockery got a 7-year deal, $49 million contract with $18 million signing bonus. Walker got a 5-year, $25 million contract with a $10 million bonus. Thus making Peters the third highest paid player on that line, and he didn't like it. So, he held out of all off season activities and even pre season games, and came in out of shape for the 08 season. In the off season the Bills eventually traded him to the Eagles because they refused to pay him what he wanted. As long as the Bills are proactive like they were with Eric Wood, and don't allow Glenn to reach free agency then things should be fine. Provided of course that the Bills offer him a fair contract.

FIXED, and much easier on the eyes While the OP is concerned about drafting a LT at #9 this draft. That every OT taken in last years draft within the first 4 picks played RT last year for their respective teams, and the player who graded as the best was drafted at #11 DJ Fluker who actually was regarded as a RT. Heck, there was even a OG taken at #7, and another OG taken with the #10 pick. (god forbid, because some Bills fans think that OG's should be drafted in the 3rd round or later) Now that Teddy Bridgewater stunk it up throwing in his pro day, and he didn't throw at the combine. His draft stock has fallen quite a bit, and now he has dropped out of the top ten on many boards. Stating that, I highly doubt that any of those top three tackles will be there at #9. So, if the bills have a desire to draft an OT they will then need to consider Zack Martin (who I like a lot), and he won't make it past the #12 of the NY Giants, or at the latest #19, of the Dolphins, who are desperate for O line help.

Lets talk some 1st round WR's Desmond Howard #4-Charles Rodgers #2- Roy Williams #7- Mike Williams #10- -David Boston #8-Troy Williamson #7- Keyshawn Johnson #1 overall ( 2 WRs drafted that year are better) R. Jay Soward #29- David Terrell #8- Yatil Green #15- Ted Ginn Jr #9- Darius Heyward-Bey #7- Braylon Edwards #3- Koren Robinson #9- Peter Warrick #4 - Jonathan Baldwin #26- Justin Blackmon #5- Robert Meachem #27- Craig 'Buster" Davis #30 I suppose its a matter of opinion as to what position is more important to the team. Anyway, I'd still like to see what can become of Woods & Goodwin if EJ is given ample time to throw.

I've asked this many times before. What playmakers that the Bills have brought in as free agents or have drafted over the last 14 years have made a difference? Lee Evans, CJ Spiller, Marshawn Lynch, Terrell Owens, Kevin Everett, Roscoe Parrish, Willis McGahee, Josh Reed, James Hardy, Robert Woods. Have they made the playoffs with any of those playmakers? Its all about the QB... its always been about the QB, and he can't have success unless he is properly protected. I don't know about you, but I'm rather sick of the Bills trying to institute these quick, short, passing schemes because they refuse to properly upgrade the line. I'm all for giving EJ Tom Brady / Peyton Manning like time in the pocket to throw those 3-5 second developing deep throws to the speed receivers in Marquise Goodwin, TJ Graham. Lastly, I don't think most fans realize just how incredibly lucky the bills were to obtain a LT talent like Cordy Glenn in the second round. Thinking that the Bills can do that at will is wishful thinking IMHO

This~ I wouldn't be upset if the bills went O line with the first 3 picks. To stabilize RT, LG, and depth. Jeez, the depth...Legursky is the backup center and lord only knows who will be the backup LT.

Exactly, and finally some sound reasoning. but alas, as so many other fans here simply don't see things this way. We will need to wait and see this years draft. But I'm not anticipating them drafting an OT at any point because of the past history, as I mentioned earlier. I was hoping Whaley was different from Nix in regards to the line. but Colin Brown, Sam Young, and more importantly when he actually had full power to change things, and didn't with the Legursky signing. Now, that signing might not be that big a deal to others as he is only slated to be a backup. But then realize what could happen should Eric Wood suffer an early season ending injury, as Legursky grades as a really bad blocker in every facet. Thank you, more sound reasoning, and better then I've explained. All we fans can do is wait for the draft, and hope.

From what I recall is that a young Kelly was so brash, cocky that he rubbed many folks the wrong way. Is that swagger? Kelly went 4-12 his first year with Buffalo, then 6-6, then 12-4 in 88. Marino was the last QB drafted in 83, and mostly because he had a bad senior season 17 TD's, 23 INT's, and that there were rumors of drug use (smoking pot) Marino didn't start that 83 season, and didn't play until week 6 against Buffalo in which the Dolphins lost in OT. Marino did make the pro bowl as a rookie, and was so unique back then for a QB to emerge as good so quickly. Marino went 7-2, next year SB Brady looked like a scrawny punk in his combine pic, and he did have some confidence because he went up to owner Robert Kraft in his first training camp and told him that he would be glad that the Patriots drafted him. Brady was another fast starter as in his first full year took his team 11-3. SB Montana went 0-1 in 79, and went 2-5 in 1980 while subbing for Steve DeBurg. Montana went 13-3 the next year as the Niners won the SB. Manning went 3-13 his first year. Steve Young went 1-4 at Tampa, and then 2-12. Then sat on the bench behind Montana for 5 years Brees went 1-0 his first year, 8-8 his second year, 2-9 his third year. Favre was drafted by the Falcons in the second round, and then traded to GB. went 8-5 his first game Elway went 4-6 his first year, and Dan Reeves benched him several times. The point here is that many super star QB's did't make a big impact their first season, Montana, Young, Elway, Kelly. So let's give EJ another season behind center to see if he develops that "swagger". Although I'm not overly confidant he will succeed considering the current state of the O line, coaching.

here is the Bills chance to sign Josh Freeman....hey, they wanted him last year.

Pete Carroll tried to warn Sanchez that he should have stayed in school. Although, I can't fault the guy for cashing in with the Jets tho, and then a 5 year extension at 13.5 per. What morons...