thewildrabbit

Glad to see this baloney over with

hate to say I told you so to the kool-aid drinkers ....

The thing is, they won't! I'll have to see it to believe it. This team has been a 20 year odyssey to not build a top O line. There is a direct correlation between so many bad QB's, bad teams, and bad O lines. Despite all the early draft picks spent on DB's, DE's, RB's. Can you blame him? He went to a perennial playoff contender and I salute him for his desire to play for a top team.

This IS Buffalo you are talking about.... Rodger Saffold signed with the Raiders...5 year 42.5 mill Geoff Schwartz signed with the NY Giants Zane Beadles signed with the Jags...5 year 30 mill The Jags traded Blane Gabbert to the 49ers for a 6th Mike Vick to the Jets....maybe

What? No Super Mario type signing to get all hyped over? relax guys, the Bills know what holes they need to fill and will go about it as cost effectively as possible....as usual

again, what don't you get about being proactive and signing him to a better, long term deal once you see the kid can play? If he is under contract he can't just walk away or sign somewhere else. In the end he wanted to leave just the same way Levitre wanted to leave. I'm thinking because this franchise in all its glorious stupidity doesn't think very highly of offensive linemen. Doug Legurski graded in the red as the worst back up player on a bad Steelers O line in 2012. As a backup in some games he graded (-6.4), and finished 2012 with a neg (24.6) So they knew he wasn't a very good player and still brought him in as back up center. I just don't get how this team can be so unbelievably stupid when it entails one of the most important areas of building a solid team.

The Bills initially signed him to their practice squad in 2010, and then promoted him to starting guard after Urbik was injured. He also subbed in at center. He played in 4 games and had 3 game starts in 2010. Played in 16 games with 12 games starts in 2011. Played in 7 games with 2 game starts in 2012. Again, being proactive once they saw the kid could play they should have signed him to a better deal, they didn't and he walked. Therein lies the entire problem!! Once they knew that they weren't going to sign Levitre they should have made more of an effort to keep the guy. The Bills screwed themselves in 2011 when they cut G/C Geoff Hangartner in pre season (who went on to play all 16 games that year for the Panthers). The Bills started that season 5-2, had a bye week and then starting center Eric Wood went on IR after the Jets game in week 9. Because they they had no viable back up center (as the one good one they had is now a Panther). The Bills O line went into complete chaos after that, and ended the season on a 7 game losing streak to finish the year 6-10. Someday, someone in this franchise will wake up and realize they need a solid O line, and solid O line depth to help win games...until then, expect the same outcomes!

When the Jets had a solid O line, a good WR corps, and made the run game the primary offensive weapon... then Mr Butt Fumble wasn't so bad. Then the Jets wanted Mr Butt to be the focal point of the offense and he stunk it up. If they had stayed the same course for a few more years the Jets might have eventually developed a decent QB. Butt now, all they have is

No they are not, at least not in my view. How do you become the #2 team in the entire NFL in rushing yards with the most rushing attempts, and yet grade #16th to 28th in run blocking? Because the RB's are making plays on their own rather then the O line doing their jobs properly. The offense was entirely predictable at running 71% at mid guard. So, it was basically easy to stuff the run, and force the rookie QB's to throw. Thus putting entirely to much pressure on those rookie QB's to make plays on their own. When the run game was effective from the start of the game the QB's had a much easier time in making plays. How often did this start happen, what was their W/L record again, oh yea 6-10! Usually a team that runs the ball as much as the Buffalo Bills did last year have some semblance of ball control, and they couldn't control the LoS or clock by running. The Bills were 25th in three and out drives, and they were 29th in third down efficiency. All the Bills did by being #2 in the NFL in rushing yards is prove that stats are meaningless if you have no ball control. The Bills played three different rookie QB's last season and all three usually showed the same results. 108 hits on the QB, 48 sacks along with numerous pressures because the O line was bad. The stats for the O linemen themselves also showed this as three of the five linemen usually graded in the red most every game. Pears-Legurski-were the worst and Urbik also graded in the red against the Patriots. Now, would the O line look better with Fitz behind center? Who was a QB that could get the ball to the open receiver in 2 seconds or under. Who was a QB that could set line protections properly, and read where the pressure was coming from. Probably, but then consider how young that receiving corps was with two rookies, and a second year WR. Then the vet Stevie Johnson suffering from various injuries a bad hamstring, a bad back, a bad hip, groin pull, and a family member passing. a guy who only played in 12 games because of so many injuries. So, it wasn't just the QB that was the problem! Ya know what! Give the young QB's a better O line, some experienced, healthy receivers, and I'll bet the Bills win more then 6 games.

They haven't done a very good job of keeping some talented players... probably because they couldn't tell the difference between a decent player, and a bad player. Jabari Greer has a super bowl ring. Chad Rinhart already saw the playoffs with the Chargers. Chad Rinehart would have been a far superior upgrade to replace Levitre for certain, and some people, somewhere decided that he wasn't better then Colin Brown or Sam Young. This type of talent evaluation has plagued the Buffalo Bills for more then a decade, and looks like it is still happening. Until this owner hires a HC that knows player talent (like Pete Carroll) then you can expect this to continue. Marrone - Hackett proved they have very little clue as to what they are looking at, and especially Marrone who is a supposed O line guru was "hands-on" the O linemen in the off season & preseason. Out there on the field watching those players practice against some of the very best D linemen in the league in Dareus, Kyle Williams, Super Mario. Speaking of Super Mario I suppose they only way this team finds talent is to either draft it in the first two rounds or pay out the wazoo for a free agent. Nothing changes....

The never-ending off season of eternal optimism ...SSDY

From what I remember is, the guy had a 2-3 second window to get the ball out or he was under pressure. The kid had a hurt knee so running wasn't an option very often. Then he was playing with a bad surrounding cast of players, a bad O line, banged up WR corps with 2 rookies and a 2nd year who can't catch a cold. The leading receiver on the team was Scott Chandler who falls down when he see a tackler. Nate Hackett's offense the Bills were a run first offense, and were stuffed quite often running it. Spiller tackled behind the line of scrimmage very often. Then when they found they couldn't run the ball, the onus to make plays went right on the rookie QB's shoulders. #2 in the NFL in rushing, #1 in attempts, and yet 16th in run blocking, and that was football outsiders. PFF ranks the Bills 28th at run blocking. Which is pretty pathetic one way or the other. The 2013 Bills were a very dysfunctional offensive unit, so predictable as they ran up the middle 71% of the time. Then running a fast-paced, hurry up / no huddle, quick strike passing offense with a cast of very young WR's Once the opposing defense stacked the box to stop the run.... the Bills offense was like an toothless lion. 25th in 3 downs and out, couldn't control the clock or the LoS. Give the kid a team around him, and if he stinks it up... then talk about replacing him. Kolb or any vet would have looked like crap in that offense too.

FJ no question about it!

I was referring to Kelly who had a separated shoulder his senior year at Miami. It was so bad that he needed rods inserted in it to hold it in place, also doctors told him he may never regain full motion. If not for the injury Kelly was a strong candidate for the Heisman trophy, and probably would have been drafted before Todd Blackledge http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19820920&id=gs5YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2ukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4338,6622262

well, Mettenberger has a cannon for an arm, and is about on par with Mallett as being very immobile in my view. The kid cleaned up his act his last two years in college, and shown some maturity at LSU. This kid could be a real steal in the 4th or 5th. http://www.nfl.com/n...y-in-knee-rehab From what this article stated that Murray should be ready to throw at his Georgia pro day. The Bills took a chance on a kid in the 80's that also suffered an injury his senior season, just sayin. Yea, I'd love to see Mettenberger drafted to replace Tuel, as I have no idea what the bills see in that kid. The only question I have with EJ is durability, and looking at his college history I think last year was just fluke with bad luck all around. Should the Bills finally upgrade that O line properly, and the receivers stay healthy this year I think you will quickly change your opinion on EJ. Like I've stated in other posts, Joe M, Troy A, Peyton M all had much worse rookie seasons. Give the kid a chance.

Astrobot, are you sure they don't want a FART? I really like Zach Martin, and he won't get out of the first round, much less #48. I see the NY Giants at #12 or Dolphins at #19 taking him. I could see the bills trading back for Martin... and that would screw the Dolphins. "Martin lined up at both guard and tackle at the Senior Bowl and routinely stymied the competition with quickness, power and overall technique." "He's instinctive, tough and technically sound despite lacking elite athleticism, and his biggest appeal to NFL scouts may be his versatility as many believe he could step in and succeed either at tackle or guard, as a pro." http://www.cbssports...509/zack-martin Tiny Richardson in round two ,as I think all the O linemen will move up as we get closer to draft day.

You have to consider a few things here. Even if he really is any good as a starter, then why on earth would the Patriots want to trade him away to a division rival? Then you need to think about giving up draft picks that the Patriots could utilize against the Bills, a 3rd or 4th? That last years Bills O line couldn't protect some mobile young QB's last season. What would an immobile stump look like in that pocket when the pressure hits after two seconds? Mallet threw only one regular season pass in his entire NFL career so far, Thad Lewis & Jeff Tuel have thrown more. If the bills are going to invest a 3rd or 4th round pick for a player with no NFL experience. I'd rather see them draft AJ McCarron in the 3rd or Zach Mettenberger in the 4th, or Aaron Murry. Then mold those QB's to the system they want to develop them in, JMO

JaMarcus says HI. There was a report that the Texans were interested in Mallett. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/09/texans-interest-in-ryan-mallett-appears-minimal-to-nonexistent/ SB Nation gave a look at Malllet last year for Cleveland. http://www.dawgsbynature.com/2013/2/27/4034030/what-is-ryan-mallet-actually-worth-and-should-the-browns-be-interested Scouting reports and draft analysis reveal a similar trend. When Mallett faces heavy pressure, one of two things happens frequently: he throws picks, or he drifts in the pocket and throws without putting his body into the throw, resulting in inaccurate passes.

Well, it certainly was confusing to me to see those different grades, and with the better player getting the far worse grade. Anyway, many fans need to remember that not only was the QB, and the best of the Bills WR corps injured a lot last year EJ 10 game starts- SJ played 12 games- Woods played 14 games. Plus, a rookie head coach, rookie play caller, and a WR coach was replaced for whatever reason. So, I'm not entirely convinced that the Bills are even that interested in another WR considering they drafted a #3 in 2012, and a #2 & #3 in 2013 on wide receivers. Then you would need to think about what the Bills would need to give up in order to trade up. The #9 is worth 1,350, and some mock drafts have Watkins going as early as the #2 to St Louis 2,600, and as late as the #5 to Oakland 1,700, or #7 to Tampa Bay 1,500. Then the Buffalo 2nd round pick is worth 490, and the 3rd pick 225. You do the math, as I just don't see a trade up. Especially considering that Whaley might actually prefer the taller WR in Evans or TE in Ebron. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/draft/draft-trade-chart/

Zack Martin is the pic who i recently changed from Mack. The wow, just wow goes back to 2012 when I had the three stooges for Nix, Gailey, and Wannstedt. Then had an EJ pic with Jim Kelly were EJ kinda towers over jimbo, and it still kinda fit because i think EJ could be really good. Martin could be the next wow, just wow guy at OT-OG, and could move up to the top 12 by draft day. Could be the next Cordy Glenn. "Martin lined up at both guard and tackle at the Senior Bowl and routinely stymied the competition with quickness, power and overall technique. Though Martin lacks the prototypical size of a modern NFL tackle, he has exhibited impressive technique and better-than-average strength, and after a strong Senior Bowl showing, many scouts believe he could not only play on the outside at the next level, but could do so very well." http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664509/zack-martin 2-4 mill for a top OG would be a good deal IMO, and I would prefer one of the top three OT's too with that #9.

While this has something to do with the problem. It seemed to me that teams were able to have their O linemen get past the D line to the second level where they out matched the LBers. 28th against the run was more then just gap control, as the defensive players did wear out as the game went on. I think it has more to do with the fact that the DC was more concerned with sacks, and getting pressure on the QB. That the D front line didn't always worry about the run as much as they should. It was more slip a block while trying to get to the QB then holding their gaps to contain the runners. The Bills led the NFL in tackles, were #2 in sacks, were #2 in interceptions, were #10 against the pass, were #5 in receiving yards allowed. My take is Schwartz should be able to correct the porous run defense without to much trouble. The bigger problem in my view is building up that O line properly to allow the offense to control the line of scrimmage and clock. #2 in the NFL in rushing and yet #16 in run blocking, #28 in pass blocking. More importantly 25th in three downs and out percentage. They were 31st in first down statistics. 22nd in scoring efficiency. They didn't have more then 10 drives that lasted more then 5 min, out of 214 drives. They had 22 ten play drives ....says it all. Depending on what the team does in free agency, and unless they snag some real top talent at OG & OT. I'd rather see them trade back if all three top OT's are gone to get Zack Martin. Watkins, Evens, Ebron won't be that much help to the offense if the QB's don't have the time in the pocket to get them the ball.

OK Kirby, I went to the NFL site and read what Mayock said about him ...NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock said Clemson star Sammy Watkins is one of the best wide receivers he has seen on tape in the past decade. If he really is that good why the disparity in grades between the two with the better player getting the worse grade? 7.0 vs 9.1? check the links in my first post. I've seen grades from other sites that compared Austin to a Percy Harvin type. Watkins with a drug arrest, and a down year with many nagging injuries, thus missed games in 2012. He is also being compared to a Percy Harvin type. From what I'm reading Watkins lacks the elite size that helped Julio Jones 6'3 220 & AJ Green 6'4'' 207 I dunno, my take from what Whaley is saying is he will go for the taller of the WR's in this years class. That is, "IF" they even go WR, as I'm hearing they are fine with SJ, Woods, Goodwin, and Graham. Plus they have a total of 9 WR's on the current roster. Barden Ramses 6'6'' 224-Marcus Easley 6'2'' 216- Kevin Elliot 6'3'' 205- Brandon Kaufman 6'5'' 215-Cordell Roberson 6'4'' 205 To the OP, I highly doubt they will trade up. If anything I think they will trade back unless Mack, Watkins, Robinson, Matthews, Clowney are there. I just don't see them going for a WR (Evans) or a TE ( Ebron) as they signed Moeaki, unless they let Chandler walk. Even then they could draft a TE in the second and still get a decent player.

Correct me if I'm wrong here...but the Bills could have drafted Tavon Austin at #9 last year and instead they chose to trade back for a QB. Austin graded by the NFL with a 91.4 grade, and while only 5'8''175 slot receiver he had elite speed at 4.34-40. The Bills purposely chose to go a different route last draft when they had the opportunity to draft a #1 elite WR. Also, Watkins ran a 4.43 caught almost 60% of his passes from screen plays. Now, mind you that circumstances are certainly different this year. But from everything I've read that Whaley says about the type of players he is looking for, the bigger the better. If anything the Bills might just trade back this year and still draft Mike Evans 6'5'' 231 ran a 4.53 or even trade back further and then draft Kelvin Benjamin who is also 6'5'' 235 ran a 4.61 http://www.nfl.com/d...=2539336 Tavon Austin http://www.nfl.com/d...kins?id=2543457 Sammy Watkins Watkins grades at a mere 7.0 which is still a pro bowl type player rated as a top ten. Austin with a rating of 91.4 is rated as a once in a lifetime player.

Me either, as all he did was make the many tackles that the players in front of him whiffed on....

My take is if all the Bills draft choices boil down to Evans, Ebron, Mosley that they trade back to pick up extra picks, as this draft is so deep in tackles, WR's. They could still get their TE-RT-OG with the first three picks, and get top quality with all three. Mid to late first, and two #2's