starrymessenger

And few of those teams have O-Lines as suspect as ours. Maybe we could have brought him in for a cup of coffee and a quick physical? Obviously he passed the Chiefs physical. I'll bet Pioli signed him to an incentive laden contract. He did build the Patriots and is successfully rebuilding the Chiefs after all. Hes not so dumb.

Rinse and repeat. Hope you are right about our O-Line being just fine. We were 20th in pass pro last year even using a blocking TE exclusively and schemes designed to get the ball out of Fitz hands quickly. Not good, at least based on last years results. BTW the Chiefs, who also have O-Line issues, just signed Jared Gaither. Guess Scott Pioli didn't hear he was a headcase and couldn't pass a physical (ergo he passed the Chiefs physical).

Don't worry about the Phins getting a high draft choice next year. Jeff Ireland will screw it up, trust me.

KS is a football player. I think Nix made the right decision as between the two.

Not sure you have been reading my posts. Either that or you have comprehension problems. I have been saying that IMO Ryan Mallett has a chance to be a very good pro QB, and an absolute steal as a third round pick. Given what I see as huge natural ability, I think its really all up to him. All he needs to do is find the same work ethic that make Peyton and Brady megastars, because he may well have comparable ability. He needs to be the first guy in the team facility in the morning and he needs to be the last guy out the door at the end of the day. He has such an "unconventional" personality that pro talent evaluators didn't think he could develop that kind of dedication and maturity. I think they were wrong and that when he was sitting there in the third he was money for the Bills and just about every other team. On the other hand, the fact that so many had the "wrong" impression is partly on Mallett and his agents/handlers. For example, he didn't have to run a fast 40, but he needed to show up at the combine & proday in good physical condition, not a sloppy 257lbs (I'd like to see him at fit 260-265, which is doable given his frame). Like I said, I think us passing on him in the third was a monumental error. Time will tell. BTW Hoyer is a free agent next year and there is no way the Pats are going to franchise him. Mallett was drafted as TBs potential replacement (if he pans out). When TBs current contract expires he will be 37 years old and that time frame corresponds with the end of Mallett's rookie contract. Brady's great but will he stay healthy and will his skills remain at this level by then? Not likely IMO. He will probably still have good trade value in two or three years so I would not rule out his being traded and RM taking over. Like I said, a lot of this depends entirely on Mallett and his development.

Everybody, including BB, passed on him at least twice. So nothing specific about a particular offensive scheme or philosophy. He was not chosen because he was not seen as generally fitting the mould, insofar as expectations and conventional wisdom was concerned. Hear what you are saying about Gailey and don't disagree. It was clear from a comment Chris Brown made during the draft when Mallett was still out there that the Bills had decided not to touch him with a bargepole regardless of the round. Just didn't want him at all. I think it was Buddy, who I suspect has some preconceived notions about people. Hes not different from a lot of FO types in that regard. BB does have the ability to think outside the box and is not above taking a chance. I think he will be rewarded.

Except that Bucky Brooks was saying this in January and continuously since then. Ryan Mallett's case is fascinating. The talent is clearly there but everybody passes on him at least twice. It wasn't really about the drugs, of which there was not enuf to really get excited about. Its that conventional front office wisdom just could not see him ever leading a group of grown men. Meanwhile they all pretty much were blown away by Cam and Blaine Gabbert's "intangibles" in this regard. But they are all pretty much a bunch of middle to later age men who could not get their heads around his wigger personality. I include Nix and Gailey in this. I think they would have stupidly picked Cam Newton ahead of Dareus if by some fluke they both were there at #3, and I think Buddy did try to nab Tebow (now on his way to being a 3rd stringer) the year before. I think Shep would probably have been there for us at the top of the fourth or we could have traded up so that I saw it as Searcy instead of Mallett. Nothing against Searcy but that was a monumental error IMO. Ryan Mallett will be as good as he wants to be, and I think he wants to be really good.

Starting to look that Gaither may be done, at least for this year. Whats the rule on passing physicals? Does failing in Oak mean he can't pass anywhere else? McCargo failed in Indy but was back on the roster in Buffalo. Are there legal lability issues for the teams that might be scaring them off?

Not to beat a dead horse, especially since it is now academic, but Atlanta allowed only 27 sacks last year and that line has done a great job of protecting Ryan since he came into the league. Teamwise rated 5th in the league in pass pro. Clabo was rated in 2010 the 6th best RT in the league in pass blocking efficiency. And yes, he is a great run blocker. Also doesn't matter that he was a UDFA or that early in his career he bounced around. Its where hes at today thats important. He has been their starting RT for three years now and has started every game since being named the starter. Durability is a cardinal virtue in this game. He is in his prime now and we should reasonably expect additional probowls. Clabo was the real deal and the Bills best option in FA. Not even close. I understand that Nix cannot fix every problem in one or two years. Fact remains that our O-line play is the one thing that is most likely to destroy our season.

Ocho, Mason and Ellis are guys who know how to play at a high level. I don't care how old they are. They can still render very useful service. If BB can get Albert to play to his ability he will be a bargain basement superstar. What I like about BB is that he is able to think outside the box and is not afflicted in the least by conventional notions, of which there are plenty in pro football. Having said that I wonder if BB has perhaps not bitten off more than even he can chew this time. My guess is that their record will deteriorate this year. And, like the dream team Eagles, they are always only one injury to that all important player away from disaster (not that I am hoping for this). I think we split the season series with the Pats this year.

I'm not saying the Bills necessarily mishandled this. Without actually knowing of course, I tend to think that if Atlanta had not caved and offered him the 5 years he wanted he would have come here. I don't blame the Bills for avoiding a bidding war. I don't think I am overrating Clabo. Hes a legitimate probowl RT in the prime of his career (meaning I expect him to be a multiple probowler before he is done) as well as an outstanding individual and teammate. He is absolutely a top run blocking tackle and he is above average in pass pro. He has started every game since being designated the starter three years ago. Unlike you, when I look around I don't see anything remotely resembling this on the horizon here. Given the talent in our interior O-line it would have instantly gone from a weakness to a strength, or at the very least bona fide respectability by NFL standards. Would have done wonders for our O overall IMO.

Clabo, IMO is the real deal. And if you consider what he might have done for our O thats what I thought made "overpaying" a rational decision in this case. But who knows. Had we upped the ante Atlanta might well have followed suit and he did want to stay there. I can't blame the Bills for not getting into an ugly bidding war, especially when given the player's sentiments, we were at a disadvantage. Buddy is not the kind of gut who would do that and neither is Ralph. Arguably Clabo is more valuable to Atlanta in keeping Matty Ice upright and road grading for Turner.

Of course the terms of the offer are unknown and Clabo is a Falcon so agree by definition you might say its moot. Except we stil have a glaring hole at RT. No question Clabo wanted to stay in Atlanta and we would have had to "overpay" to secure his services. One report that makes sense to me is that the money was not far apart. The issue was duration of the contract. Falcons initially offered three, Clabo wanted five, which we were prepared to do. Eventually Atlanta chined up and that was the end of it. Our interior O line, even after Woods injury and rehab, should start coming together this year. With a very nasty 6'6" 330 lb probowler anchoring the right side my expectation would have been that by mid season (barring injury) we would probably have had a good O-line by NFL standards. I can't see that happening now. Means, amongst other bad things (including to the running game), that we can't open up the playbook as much for plays that take more time to develop and makes us more predictable. After Fitz took over from Edwards last year and had some success NFL defences started to adjust to him with greater success. Thats what NFL defences do and thats why rookie QBs who have some success initially tend to struggle as sophomores. Even when Chan went to schemes that enabled Fitz to get rid of the ball quickly, we still ranked 20th in pass pro - not great. We gave Walker 25MM. Clabo is twice the tackle Walker was, so we could have offered him half again as much money, which we could afford besides. They must think the world of Hairston. Hope they are right.

Funny name, Le Batard, means That Bastard in French. However they got there the Phins will have the worst O in the Division this year. IMO JI really droped the ball not getting throatbeard.

I still expect him to be a playmaker, but the lack of a RT will detract from our O in many ways. Still think they should have made Clabo an offer harder for him to refuse.

Correct. They just signed Vickers when many thought the FB job was Casey's. Worth keeping an eye on. Even though they sometimes use 2 TE sets I can't see them keeping four on the roster either.

So because the previous Bills administrations did not know how to draft or find those hidden gems on other teams practice squads, the current administration shouldn't go about it the way Green Bay and Pittsburg did? Whats wrong with you?

Its you and that clown Weo who will be laughed at when Chandler pans out. You are not giving this guy enuf credit. He is a very good prospect.

Chandler has excellent hands, as his career as a Hawkeye demonstrates. He was actually a WR before becoming a TE. He was definitely not outclassed by Miller or Boss at the combine. He has been buried in the depth chart behind probowl type guys in SD and in Dallas. He is certainly big enuf to be an effective blocker, and has athleticism. He is a very good prospect. Good job Buddy!

Maybe the greatest vertical threat WR to ever play, but still not a "complete package WR" the way Rice was, even if we are talking just physical skills (and not attitude). I expect him to wind up with the Giants - and he can still play IMO.

Thanks, I guess. No, seriously thanks.

I say we offer two. How could they refuse.

Its not just make or break for Fitz but also for the Bills. If they sign him they will have to pay starter's money. Thats a lot. Six years maybe 45-55 big ones. For that to happen Fitz needs to prove that he is a franchise guy. That is a tall order for him (not saying it impossible, just that its unlikely). If he doesn't prove that, then the Bills are without a QB. Even if they get to draft a promising prospect at the position in 2012, he will be prematurely thrown into action. We have all seen what that can do to a young QB. Right now I don't feel good about this situation.

Not to mention the reward to him. Premier NFL NT vs just another fatboy who used to play football.

Frankly I am inclined to believe it. I don't think the Bill's are risk averse if they see a reasonable reward. Clearly Cam was in Buddy's gunsights and Cam at or near the top of the first is an extremely risky pick. Chan and Ponder go back a long ways, Chan having attempted to recruit him for GT and made no secret of his liking him (and with justification in my opinion). Ponder played in a pro type offence at FS and he's another guy who had a strong Senior Bowl week and game.