thewildrabbit

and they traded away Lynch for a 4th. Good thing the Bills turned that player they drafted in the 1st round into a 4th that really helped them... At least they got something for that first round pick, as they got nothing for Levitre who was a 2nd rounder. The Bills finally find,and develop a top player for that O line, and then let him leave. On top of that, in their ineptitude, they try and replace him with a utter garbage players. I have no idea why this FO can properly judge top (free agent & draft), defensive talent, like last years acquisitions in Lawson, Branch, Hughes, Kiko. Then fail so miserably with O line talent, and with a corps of rookie QB's on the roster no less.

Lewan's stock really went up with that 4.87 40, and he moved up into the top ten in NFLDRAFTSCOUT.com's rankings http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings I can't wait for Mike Mayock to post his mock draft, and top 32 players.

17 years man, 17 years

Can you honestly blame players like Peters for wanting out of Buffalo, especially when the Bills haven't been to the playoffs for 14 years. Who in their right mind wants to play for a perennial loser? Players want to win as much as the fans want to win. They want that ring, they want to hold up that trophy. Besides, the Bills created the animosity between Peters, and the FO by bringing in high priced free agents in Dockery, Walker who had no where near the talent Peters had. Them paid far more then all pro Peters was making. 2015 Byrd will be gone, just like Andy levitre. Poz, Whitner, Pat Williams, Antoine Winfield, Nate Clements

Sorry to the OP for sidetracking this thread about TE Eric Ebron It didn't matter that the Seahawks had the 26th ranked offensive line. Because they possess a read option QB in Russell Wilson who is not only very mobile. but adds an extra dimension to the offense when he runs the read option. Opposing defenses needed to try and contain him, and they didn't do a very good job of it. Like I said earlier 31 other NFL teams are kicking themselves for passing on Wilson. OTOH the Bills stated they would run the read option and because of EJ's multiple injuries they never even tried. You seem to be missing the fact that the Bills found several very good starting DEFENSIVE players in free agency, the draft, and in a trade. Yet, had some of the very worst players in the NFL for the O line. Stating that, it should be far easier for the team to find one or two LBers the very same way they did last off season. Thus allowing them to draft for the O line, and offense.

While Glenn had a very good year, and looked to be a force at LT. His skill set at LT is not where his strength is at, and that could be a factor in the future. Allow me to explain. Glenn was a force at LT, and looks like a lock to keep his job. He isn't yet up to elite LT status tho. With such a weak link next to him at LG all year defenses focused on that position, and against RT Pears who they knew is not all that good. 108 hits, 48 sacks. for the season. With a top LG next to him ( like Yanky, Su'a-Fulio, Jackson) then that position won't be the weak link and Glenn could see a whole lot more pressure on that edge. The Bills fielded a very mediocre O line in 2013. they graded (-12.5) overall, which is not very good! Center Eric Wood had a down year mostly because he missed his support on the left side in Andy Levitre. He still brings it every game and is a solid starter. Not elite. Right guard Kraig Urbik played outstanding in a lot of games last season. But there were also games where he fell on his face. This type of thing can't happen every road game, or against a playoff team. Now, his play could get better once there is a solid RT next to him, or not. average starter that needs upgrading. graded in the red against the Patriots (-2.1) Left guard Colin Brown graded (-30.1),and his back up Sam Young were both disasters. Both were cut after week 6, and replaced by the backup center. Doug Legursky finished that Patriot game (-2.1), and graded (-8.1) for the year. This position needs a serious upgrade! Right Tackle Erik Pears graded (-2.5) against the Patriots. Like Urbik played well in some games, and in others fell on his face. This type of play can't be happening with a good team. needs a replacement. If you look at the stats for all those running plays they ran 70% of the time at mid guard. Meaning that even as good as Glenn was at pass blocking, his run blocking left much to be desired. Should the Bills draft an OT at the #9 spot. I would think that they would start him at RT, and see how he develops. Taylor Lewan would be a perfect replacement for Pears at RT. Greg Robinson, and Jake Matthews who are both slated to start at LT might fall to Buffalo too. Wouldn't it be nice to have solid starters, and some decent depth?

My point was last year the Bills were able to find star talent in the draft, in free agency, and in a trade for the defense. Kiko, Manny Lawson, Alan Branch, and Jerry Hughes. OTOH, look what happened with the O line last year. They regressed under a supposed O line guru in Doug Marrone. 16th in run blocking, 28th in pass blocking! The Bills need an elite RT, they need an elite LG. That is, if they ever want to become a viable playoff team that can contend with the (always in the playoffs) NE Patriots. Another point I made was that Seattle secondary is elite because of their HC Pete Carroll!! Who is an ex-defensive backs coach who got his first pro job with the Buffalo Bills in 1984 as such, and since has been a DC with the Jets & niners. A head coach with the Jets & Patriots before he became the HC at USC. Did you notice a drop off in the play of that Seattle defense this year under new DC Dan Quinn, compared to 2012 when Gus Bradly was the DC. Bradly was the HC of the Jags last year. Like I posted in an earlier post that you must have missed, "One of the distinguishing characteristics of Seattle’s defense is the supersized secondary, one that features plenty of taller and heavier defensive backs. But Carroll said it’s difficult to replicate that group. “Everybody would like to longer, taller guys that run 4.4,Carroll said. “But there just aren’t many humans like that in the world. It’s rare when you find them. Then you have to develop them." We’ve been doing it for a long time and always been looking for longer guys because we have such a commitment to bump-and-run press corners. " http://itiswhatitis....t-to-replicate/ The Seahawks didn't need to select DB's with #1 picks, as they looked for a certain height, weight, speed, and then developed them. The fact is the Buffalo Bills don't possess a coach anywhere near as good as Carroll. The Buffalo Bills currently have two #1's draft picks at CB, two #2's draft picks at Safety. A top ten defense, a #5 against the pass. The #2 pass rush in the NFL. Yet, are no where near as dominate as the Seahawks on defense.

Mike Evans 4.50-4.47-4.52 40 times. http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2014-02-23/2014-nfl-combine-results-wrs-40-yard-dash-40yd-times-scores-bench-press-reps-225-lee-watkins-evans-cooks-benjamin-landry "Let's not forget who his competition is. Evans plays in the SEC and goes up against some of the best defenses in the league. When facing Alabama, Mike was able put up 279 yards and a TD." "Even when Evans is covered, he is open. He uses his giant size to almost always come down with the ball when the ball is up for grabs. http://www.ganggreennation.com/2014/1/2/5264772/scouting-the-draft-mike-evans-wr-texas-a-m almost 44% of his catches were from coming back to the QB, as Manziel scrambles

Sammy Watkins is currently graded as a top 5 pick, and although he is only 6'1'' 205. He currently is considered the premier WR play maker in this years draft class. Plus, 57% of his catches were screens, and 70% of his catches were within 5 yards of the LoS. He did average the highest YAC between Watkins, Evans, Benjamin, Lee. Watkins is also considered to have the best hands of that bunch. If he is there at the #9 spot the Bills have to take him, no question. He won't be there tho. Whats crazy about this years draft is the top three QB's are dropping and the top three O linemen are moving up. Anyway, I've seen several scouting reports that grade both Evans, and Ebron as mid round picks. Kinda why I'm waiting for Mike Mayock to post his mock draft and updated top 32 players. On another note, I find it humorous that some want an elite O line, and yet don't want to use elite picks on them

NFLdraftscout.com lists the top 50, here are the top ten. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24457334/nfl-draft-top-50-draft-board-20 Bridgewater Clowney Robinson Mack Matthews Barr Watkins Ebron Bortles Evans So, two new to the top ten look to be WR Mike Evans & TE Eric Ebron. Both should be available when the Bills pick. A lot of teams are talking about OT Taylor Lewan, and Mayock stated he is a top ten pick http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2014/1/24/5339316/2014-nfl-draft-top-200-big-board has a different outlook

Some fans just don't understand that elite talent on the O line is just as important as other positions, and perhaps even more so with a young developing QB behind center. I'm from a current school of thought in Andy Reid, and like him, I love me some big uglies. The Seahawks currently have a very special mobile QB who can run the read option, and when his pocket breaks down he can make plays on his own by moving around until his receivers break open or make first downs on his own. Thus driving defenses crazy trying to contain him. There are other QB's similar to this style of play in pocket passers who can make plays with an average O line, i.e. Big Ben, Aaron Rodgers. But aren't so mobile as Wilson. Those QB's have been taking quite a bit of punishment for that style of play, as both have recently missed considerable time. Both have also missed the playoffs due to injuries. Rodgers missed seven games last season, and the playoffs. Although Ben Rothlisberger played in all 16 games last season, the last time he played in all 16 games was 2008. Now that he is older, and less mobile he is more reliant on having a solid pocket to float around in. That Steeler O line, as bad as it was last year, was far better then the Bills O line in pass blocking. The Bills don't have an Aaron Rodgers, or a Big Ben at QB. What they do have is several rookies at QB who struggled last season due to an inferior O line. The Bills started the year with a left guard who graded as the very worst player in the NFL last year at any position. Then they outright cut him and and his backup after six weeks. They replaced him with a player who graded as the worst player on a bad Steeler O line in 2012. The Mere fact that the Bills finished the season being swept by their biggest division rival in the New England Patriots. The very team they need to beat in order to win the division. Three of the five players on that Bills O line graded in the red!! The Bills ranked 28th in pass protection!! If the Bills don't fix that line...then nothing else they do matters!!

C'mon KJ, please don't equate EJ to Russell Wilson, every team in the NFL besides the Seahawks is kicking themselves for passing on him. You think its OK to draft nothing but #1s & #2's to build a secondary like the Seahawks have, yet they didn't do that at all. Pete Carroll discussed how he built that secondary.. http://blog.masslive...ried_about.html "Everybody would like to longer, taller guys that run 4.4," Carroll said. "But there just aren't many humans like that in the world. It's rare when you find them. Then you have to develop them. There has been a world of difference between the talent elevators on the Patriots vs Buffalo Bills the last 17 years is the reason the Patriots don't need to spend #9's on the O line. Besides, they haven't drafted that early for as long as the Bills have been bad. Logan Mankins was a 1st round pick by the Patriots, an OG too. Nate Solder was a 1st round pick OT. I now realize there is no getting thru to you on this subject. You think that its perfectly fine to draft anyone but an O lineman that early in the draft. Yet every year teams draft them that early, and mostly playoff teams. Kinda surprises me that you simply fail to understand the correlation between an average player and an elite player on the O line. Oh, well... You can't get a young QB to develop properly getting sacked and hit so often. Is that really so difficult to understand?

No WR, TE is going to have 70 catches if the QB can't get the ball to him. Why doesn't most of this board understand this concept? No offense, but you simply fail to comprehend the difference between an average O linemen and an elite one. With the average you get what we saw last season. With an elite line you get Tom Brady like time in the pocket with any QB back there, even rookies. Three to five seconds covers 90% of the playbook, and it allows for the deep passes. Which makes more use of TJ Graham, and Marquise Goodwins speed. BTW, Goodwin ran a blistering 4.27 at the combine! The Bills tried to run a hurry up, fast paced WC type of offense that got the ball out in a hurry. Did you see the previous stats for that failure? 108 hits, 48 sacks. The Bills don't have an elite QB, and may never have one, or develop one if they constantly fail to protect them.

Thanks, The draft is certainly deep for the O line, just not for elite O line players. The Bills brought in TO thinking it would help them open up the offense, and what they found out is no QB had the time to get him the ball on a consistent basis. A #1 pick on WR Lee Evans...did that pick get them to the playoffs? You can have five all pro receivers on the team, and if the QB doesn't have the time to get the ball to those players.... nothing else matters!!! Anyway, i don't care if this team goes Evans, Watkins, or Ebron. If they don't find some elite players for that O line like they have all over the defense, it really won't matter what receiver, LBer or skill player they draft.

We honestly don't know if Stevie, or any of the current receives can get to an elite status because the surrounding cast is do bad. If the QB doesn't have time to throw, nothing else on offense matters!!! Last season 108 hits on the QB, and 48 sacks! The starting defense is already comprised 9 of 11 players as #1 & #2 picks in the draft. Plus the fact that Whaley was able to pull 4 defensive star starters out of the draft, free agency, and a trade last year. LBer Jerry Hughes 10 sacks- LBer Manny Lawson, Alan Branch, and Kiko!! The defense should be fine with a different scheme that doesn't focus 100% of rushing the passer, and allows some leeway in stopping the run. OTOH, look what happened with the O line last season. They let the best graded player on that line leave, and tried to replace him with utter garbage players that were both cut by week six. The NY Jets did a study of all the OT's drafted over a ten year period, and discovered that after the 10th pick in the first round the bust rate goes up considerably. I really don't care anymore who the Bills select with that 9th overall, as it really depends on who is still available. TE, WR, OT, LBer, OG trade back for more picks. What I do care about is fixing that O line once and for all, and better then the band-aids they tried to apply last season. The team needs a better RT, a better LG, and better depth then some "maybes" / scrubs right off the waiver wire!! What gets me about this organization and most of the fans here that have so little regard for building a superior offensive line. I guess fans forget The great lines of the AFL championship teams Billy Shaw*, Stew Barber*, Dave Behrman*, Al Bemiller*, Dick Hudson*. all five starters were all pro! The great lines of the Kelly era, Will Wolford* , Jim Ritchter*, Kent Hull*, Howard Ballard, John Davis. That OJ had the electric Co. O line. Like Reggie McKenzie, Joe DeLamielleure*, Dave Foley. There is a world of difference between a waiver wire pickup, and a top draft choice, and that applies to EVERY position on the team.Not just the defense and skill players. Somehow this franchise keeps thinking they can get by with scrubs on the O line. * = all pro

2014 NFL combine: Value of QBs in question as OTs are climbing 3. Predictable rise of offensive tackles:"There's just less questions about these guys than some of the other talent." http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pat-kirwan/24455753/nfl-combine-value-of-qbs-in-question-as-ots-are-climbing

I'm reading so many conflicting stories about what happened with this issue. From what I gathered is that the 49ers had struck a deal with Cleveland to trade Harbough for multiple draft picks, and he stopped it in its tracks by stating he wouldn't go to Cleveland! This entire fiasco came about because Harbough wants the type of money his brother John is making as the Ravens HC, 7+ mill per. The 49ers offered an extension and he didn't accept it. Probably not enough money offered is the reason, as he currently only makes 5 mill per. With just two years remaining on his five year contract with the 49ers, the Niners FO probably wanted to try and get something for Harbough before he bolts to a different team. The Miami Dolphins already offered Harbough the HCing job when Tony Sparano was the HC, and it has been rumored that several college teams have recently offered Harbough 7 mill plus to coach their teams (USC-Texas). http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jim-harbaugh-49ers-gm-reportedly-182200482.html;_ylt=AwrBEiIx8AxTkxYAKBTQtDMD http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/24/ifwhen-harbaugh-wants-out-49ers-likely-wont-stop-him/ What I know for an absolute fact is that Harbough won't be unemployed for long if he leaves San Francisco. Good Lord, I would hate to see Harbough as the new Miami Dolphins head coach next year.

The drop off in the O line performance between 2012 under Gailey (#7 in run blocking & # 10 in pass blocking), and 2013 (# 16 in run blocking & #28 in pass blocking) was startling to say the least, considering that Marrone is a supposed O line guru. After last years debacle with the O line I'm highly skeptical of Marrone, and his ability to properly evaluate O line talent. He seemed to think he could get by with some really, really bad players last season. Those players were outright cut after week six, and the backup players were directly off the waiver wire. When you look at those numbers, and think that the Bills were the #2 rushing team in the NFL last year. Along with being the #1 team in rushing attempts. While the teams offensive time of possession was one of the very worst in the NFL, as they were 25th in in three and out percentage. They were also 29th in yards per play, and only had 10 drives of more the 5 min the entire year. So much for ball control, and controlling the LoS & clock to keep the defense fresh. I know what my draft strategy would be for this draft, and I think it will be far different then what will actually happen. Even tho the FO proved they could acquire decent talent in a trade and free agency last off season AKA, Lawson, Hughes, Branch. Don't be shocked if the Bills go defense again this year.

NFN, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to find that the Bills FO has some people posting in this forum just to tow the company line. The local media, and its current reporting is nothing like it used to be. A lot of you think some of the Buffalo sports reporters recently have been down on the team. Trust me, its nothing like it was back in the Jim Kelly era. The national & local media used to crucify head coaches like Kay Stephenson, and Hack Bullough for their ineptitude. Nowadays you have guys like JW shedding tears over losers like Chan Gailey when they get fired, and even some fans here seem to still love the guy. Seven head coaches since 1998... aside from the latest hire, the list of bums hired is Johnson-esque.

haha, good point! Does anything this team does really matter until ownership changes hands? I can recall Wilson complaining to the media how much it cost him to send his employees to the super bowl. I get the impression that he would rather avoid the playoffs because of all the costs that would incur. Like everyone wants a raise for success, more players in the pro bowl that will want more money. (What was someone else's comment... success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.) Fans getting jaded after they get used to winning and stop attending games. Which is what happened in Indy this year. Look how long it took for this franchise to utilize the first #1 pick in the draft for a QB, and that was out of desperation. It might not even work out considering the disinterest in building a superior offensive line. #1 & #2 picks all day long in the defense, secondary, LBers, and D line. But forget about getting the rookie QB better protection.

Gonna be interesting.... ....only in Buffalo

Let me know when Dee Ford is 6'5, 266, and runs a freaking 4.56 40 yard dash. How often do Lawrence Taylor type players enter the draft...exactly! The kid faced constant triple teams in college and still was a factor in many games. Sorta easy to get frustrated facing that sort of game planning towards you I'll wager. In the NFL teams can't triple team any D linemen, and if there is a decent pass rusher on the other side they can't double team him very effectively either. Should the Texans select him #1 overall, i suspect that he and JJ Watt will create great havoc in the NFL next year.

Now you know why people like Bill Cowher didn't want the Bills HCing job, as it is an effort in futility until ownership passes. Wilson is dedicated to his three headed monster... While I wouldn't be that upset if Marrone and his staff were canned after this season. You have to wonder how long a talent like Whaley will stay knowing he is hamstrung by others incompetent decisions. In my view Whaley did a very Bill Polian-esque like job as GM last season. Jerry Hughes, Manny Lawson, Alan Branch. Kiko. The very first QB taken with the first pick in the first round in franchise history. We will find out if all that success was Nix / Whaley or just Whaley this off season. Although, someone needs to take the fall for last seasons O line debacle, and it fits Nix like a glove. Him and is inept ideas that OG's are a dime a dozen and any big body can play OT, the bigger the better. Last years O line moves with Colin Brown in replacing Levitre are reminiscent of 2010, and Nix bringing in Cornell Green for 2 mill per, and with the same results....cut after 6 weeks!

Yea, but they are fighting the status quo. This owner admires loyalty, so as long as they show up...then its good enough for him! What freaking team would keep head scout Tom Modrak with a draft history like he had for a over a decade. So many, many questionable hires over the years... Kay Stephenson anyone? By the same token he also holds a grudge, and is notoriously cantankerous. i.e, John Butler, Bill Polian. When I read the ESPN report that Buddy Nix wanted to hire Marty Schottenheimer for his first choice as his HC, and the owner stated he didn't "feel comfortable" with that choice. (Probably because he knew Marty wouldn't allow him himself to be micromanaged over the phone every day for hours) I knew the Bills were done until the team gets new ownership, sadly. Unless of course Marrone wants to hire another good bud, like Crossman. Mike Mularkey screwed the team when he brought in his friend as the trainer and let Rusty Jones go. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-07/sports/ct-spt-0208-bears-pompei-rusty-jones-chicago--20130208_1_rusty-jones-strength-coach-phil-emery My take is Marrone is on borrowed time if the team loses so many games again this year.

Mayock: Khalil Mack would be my No. 1 overall pick "You talk about a kid like [Jadeveon] Clowney, who's just got superhuman abilities, versus this kid, and if I had a choice between the two, I think I'm taking Mack," Mayock said. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000327619/article/mayock-khalil-mack-would-be-my-no-1-overall-pick