Red

Cool. A LT going for his Masters. Nice. Guy's got brains as well as brawns. This is one true sign that I think the tide is starting to turn at OBD. There are tons of talented players from small schools that only need a chance to catch on somewhere. The Super Bowl Bills mined the depths of the college ranks and consistently came away with "hidden" gems. Nix coming back is a great sign. I like all of these undrafted signings, and the Buffalo connection with Roosevelt. If nothing else, it certainly brings back a solid fan base as we see if Naaman can make the team. GO BILLS!

Nice article, but I gotta say... ...I love the name 'Haugabook'. Is it pronounced Hooga-book?

I'm not worried. I like Nix's comments on why they did not draft a QB until the 7th round this year that are posted on BB.com. Basically, athletically speaking there is nothing Tebow, Clausen, or McCoy offered that was different from Edwards, Fitz, or Brohm. And I agree. The clincher for the Bills brass was that they DO know how Edwards, Fitz, etc handle pressure in the NFL. They do NOT know how this years rookies will handle it, so why not coach up what you have rather than grab something that you don't. Makes perfect sense to me and I am now more at ease and confident that a plan is in place to build the QB position. Its similar to what Lindy Ruff and Regier said at the end of the year conference on Thursday when speaking about the futures of Tim Connolly and Derek Roy with the Sabres. After a playoff series where it was obvious Connolly atleast is much too tentative to be a successful contributor for us anymore, the team would like to get better at the Center position. That is providing, however, that better talent will be available and can be had at the position that would provoke action for change. Same thing for our QB's. This years draft class did not offer anything better than what we already have on the roster. But, BUT, should something better come along I think the Bills will move quickly to obtain that player. Look at McNabb. Ultimately, it was McNabb's wishes being accomodated that led to him going to Washington. The Bills reportedly offered more both to the Eagles and contractually to McNabb. We will get our QB. It may be a year or two, but we will get him. And in the meantime, maybe one of our guys already on the roster will step up and provide some stability at the position until then.

I could not agree more. The wanna-be Kiper's of the world don't know a thing. You can't grade a draft before atleast 3 seasons. And just as a side note....is anyone else as happy as I am to find that the Bills did not actually waste a high round draft pick on the defensive secondary as had been the norm this past decade?

You have to take it easy on Brown. He is not a reporter. He is a Bills voice box. He is a fan representative on the inner workins at OBD, but not a reporter. He collects his paycheck from the team. He is never going to say anything outright negative, or create discord amongst fans questioning a decision. You know, alot like the sporting media before the steroid scandal in baseball. Andro what? They all had priveledges that included club house access. Those writers were not going to lose those perks by actually doing their jobs.

This is not even worthy of a post. Jamarcus Russell is JP Losman to the 10th degree of suckitude.

Guy taunting Blunt looks like a complete dufus/ douche. I like the way he fell like a ton of bricks from a sucker punch. Serves him right.

Good post. I agree that the Jets are built to win now, and it will be interesting to see how they fare. I think that they have surpassed New England in terms of overall talent. New England, it must be remembered, was able to pick up through this years trades 2 1st rounders for next year along w/2 2nd rounders for next year. They are on the downward slope of greatness, but these kind of picks that high look promising for them. Very shrewd. The 'Fins are ahead of us, but I would not say by 2 seasons. Maybe 1. They lost Ginn Jr. , and are still working on some improvement on that team. They will be competitive, but they are not dominating. I like the Bills draft, and think we finally got the front office and coaching staff right to build this thing! in 2-3 seasons, I think we will all be happy.

Who knows how these rookies, or any potential future free agent signings will pan out? Who knows? Maybe Bell could step up and really start to dominate as a LT. Anything can happen. The NFL every year has a team(s) that surprise people. Was pre-Bronco Brandon Marshall a much-hyped college WR, destined to go in the first round? Tom Brady? Andre Reed? Steve Tasker? Howard Ballard? Nate Odomes? How about Terrell Davis. Wasn't he drafted in something like the 6th round by Denver? Joe Montana was drafted in the 3rd. It's a crap shoot. But this Bills front office has it right that these guys, once drafted have to then be developed by a competent staff. They have to be conditioned to compete, and mentally coached and prepared, and they have to have the athletic ability. They would not have gotten drafted if they could not play. I believe that we finally are putting the pieces in place to win. I don't think it will happen overnight, nor should anyone. But I think with 2-3 more drafts like this one, the Bills will not only be in the playoffs, but starting to assemble a core of players that will begin to march towards the Championship. As far as your arguments about free agents, there are so many variables going into that, too. Contracts being a big one. Bringing in somebody else's goods will offset your salary structure if your goal is to build through the draft and then reward your own. I think the way the Super Bowls built through the old Plan B is a perfect example of how we should acquire free agents. Players like Leonard Smith, James Lofton, Kenneth Davis, and John Davis are perfect examples of how free agency should go. I don't think that anyone can criticize any of those players, and they all added tremendous value to the franchise. They were hardly big names when they were brought in, but supported the team that the front office had already assembled through the draft. Free agents should be looked at as compliments to your team, not remedies.

Yeah, because Geico sucks anyway, man. I wish him the best! GO BILLS!

I'm with you for the most part. Sadly, the one critical area of the football team that I feel we needed the biggest help with was on the offensive line. I like the picks, I like the free agent RT we signed from Oakland. I hope Chambers does not make the final cut. But I still see the offensive line as in need of some established help. Perhaps 1 key free agent signing on the offensive line will make me as optimistic as anyone could be.

I don't think so. IMO, McIntyre has been worthless since we signed him. Not knowing how many backs Gailey will keep in the game, for the sake of argument let's presume that we will have a standard, 2-back FB/RB combo in the backfield. That would give us 6 now, no? Lynch, Jackson, Spiller, Bell, and then the 2 free agents Mendenhall and co. What's wrong with carrying 6 backs on your roster?

So? Who cares what a bunch of has-been's or nobodies thinks? The true measure of a draft will be 3-5 years from now. Then we will know how many of these guys produced, have a stellar career, etc. You have got to realize that this is all about sizzle. Everyone wants to write about the big name player this, the big name school that. It's all hogwash designed to sell shirts, magazines, tickets, etc, and it has NOTHING to do with reality. Let me ask you: when the Bills drafted a receiver out of tiny Kutztown State named Andre Reed, were you thrilled? How about a defensive lineman in the 2nd round from North Dakota State named Phil Hansen? Howard Ballard in the 7th? Steve Tasker? It might just be me, but I seem to recall all of those guys going on to have standout careers with the Buffalo Bills for several years. Am I saying that all of these guys drafted this year will turn out to have those kinds of legacies? I would hope so, but it's not likely. My point though is that it takes time for these guys to develop, and we have to be patient enough to see the development of these players come to fruition. And that is the real test. We're all exhausted from this past decade. I get that. I'm with you. But to fall for the gimmicks of big school this, and Mel Kiper's grade that...let me put it this way: Mel Kiper's job is not on the line if an NFL GM follows his "advice" and that advice falls flat on its face. Would you want a GM and a scouting department to rely upon and follow where Todd McShay or Mike Mayock have them guided? Think about that for a moment. If your real gripe is having no patience, I can't agree more. Take a step back, and don't buy any gear this year. Sit back and observe. And if you see something you like, then come on back. But if you're are completely sold that Mayock/ Kiper/ McShay/ any other wanna-be knows more than the GM/ head coach/ scouts/ owner of an actual NFL team and its needs, goals, etc....then quit yer bitchin', cause you are not grounded in reality!

I agree with all who have enough sense to realize that to truly be able to assess the success of failure of a draft it will take 3-5 seasons. That being said, I am excited about these picks. We grabbed a sensational, game-breaking threat for the offense, beefed up our D-line, grabbed a big, sure-handed WR with a good burst off of the line, and we just drafted a Tackle for the O-line. I read a report that Jeff Garcia is a possibility at QB and he IS interested in coming to Buffalo. I've always loved Garcia, and feel that he got a raw deal in San Fran. With the exception of the hiccup in Cleveland, he has lit it up wherever he has played. As of 12:32pm this afternoon, both LeFevour and Pike are available. I'm not worried. I think we could use a C or another G, and then maybe a LB and I'll be happy. And don't forget, our scouts have not amounted to much this past decade, but Nix and Whaley are now running the show, and one place we do seem to find success is in the undrafted college free agents every year. If we can pluck 1 or 2 studs out of that pool, along w/our picks and maybe a Garcia signing at QB, I think we will be improved.

Funny, ESPN said he is an extemely sure-handed WR in this draft...

Impossible. There was no team named the Ravens when Goodell was a kid. Perhaps he meant the Baltimore Colts....

Well, like Nix said...which guy is going to come in NOW and help turn it around? No knock on Mr. Cody, but Spiller is a dynamite pick and we grabbed a spectacular NT with our second pick. Troup is no slouch.

Bills website is posting that the Spiller drafting changes nothing with Lynch. Nix is quoted as saying that Spiller will be more of a change of pace back.

I heard about this at work today, and my first reaction was: "YES! Let's go get Rothlesberger!" Then, about 1 minute later I said waitamminit...this is arguably THE most important position on a football team. This is supposed to be the leader of the team. I'm not sure if he's received his suspension yet, but I would imagine that he will be out for some time. For all of the reasons I would not want Vick, I have to then be consistent and state that I would also not want a loose cannon like Rothlesberger running the Bills. Like Nix has said, grabbing other teams free agents may help us get better quick and in the short run, but to build a real winner that has staying power, it will take time to build. I say let's take the time and pass on other people's trash.

Rams.

Great, so we lose Marshawn and get a roided out Merriman? No thanks!

I love Berman, too. There was a poll here yesterday about "which do you prefer? ESPN or NFL Network"? I say no contest. As much as Rich Eisen can be entertaining, his style wears quickly and even after an hour I get tired of his routine. I can (and have) watched Berman for many drafts and for many hours and think he rocks! The chemistry he has with Tom Jackson is also awesome! Love those guys...

And you need Cerrato to tell you Maybin is a douche? I coulda told you that just by looking at his haircut from last year...

I haven't seen pics of Mr. Holt. Normally I would be the first to call a snake a snake, but I don't believe Holt's physique is anything on the HGH range. Joey Galloway, certainly. But not Holt. I think you are making the mistake of looking at a player, his age, and simply assuming that if he is still playing then he must be on something. The thing to keep in mind, is that if he is IMPROVING as he ages, then THAT is a telltale sign of HGH. Mr. Barry Bonds could write a book on that one.

ESPN. Rich Eisen is funny, but he only holds my interest for so long. After awhile, he bores me. I can't stand Deion Sanders and his culture of 'Me', Mayock strikes me as an exteme wanna-be Kiper (they both are hanger-on's that know ultimately nothing), and Mooch was never much of a coach and is an even worse commentator. Not to mention that Marshall Faulk is neither insightful nor interesting. Chris Berman, on the other hand, I could watch all day (and have for many years on draft day). Steve Young has always been a close favorite all-time QB of mine, so I like him too. And Tom Jackson is one cool dude. ESPN, hands down.