OldTimer1960

While I agree on the premise that a dominant NT would be a very big help, I haven't read ANY reviews that suggest that Dan Williams is one. Based on what I've read, he is maybe a mid-to-late 1st rounder, and then only because of the low supply of NTs in this year's draft not because he is that good.

I acknowledge that young QBs need some "development" (coaching, experience, etc). However, these kinds of posts make it seem like you can just take your pick of QBs in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round and just "develop" them. The QB has to have significant talent and aptitude in order to be developed. It is just like saying, "hey, let's take a NT in the 6th round and "develop" him - only it is probably even more unlikely to occur at QB than most other positions. Few QBs in any draft after the 1st round really "develop" because they lack important skills to begin with. Sure, there are a few examples, but they are few. This draft is even more devoid of "developmental" QBs than other years - at least based on what I've read.

No, you don't HAVE to take him. Clausen is definitely not an elite QB prospect. I'll grant that he is an OK to good QB prospect, but comparing him to Kelly coming out of school is off the mark (IMHO).

I think it is a big assumption that there is ANYONE in the draft (aside from Bradford) who Gailey wants to "groom". There is a difference between coaching up someone with talent and trying to take a no-talent and make them acceptable with a ton of coaching. Other than Bradford, there are only 2 QBs that seem like they *might* have enough skill/talent to be "groomed" into a starting NFL QB. Clausen with the questions about his arrogance/leadership and Tebow with the questions about his ability to develop a NFL-calibre release and to learn to read complex defenses in a NFL offense. The rest of the QBs are such long-shots to ever amount to anything in the NFL, that I'd just as soon pass on them all. The Bills already have a cast of 3 mediocre QBs, why add more like that?

??? Where's the "first round talend in 2 and 3"? Cody will be lucky to be picked in the second, but MAYBE could slide into the late first, but no way the 5'8" 165 lb-ish McCluster is a 1st round talent (or even 2nd). Really don't like that as a dream draft because there is no OL help and they already have McCluster on the roster (Roscoe Parrish). Not a big fan of Cody's, either, but he is probably the 2nd best NT prospect in a draft that is weak at NT (good at 4-3 DTs, but not NTs).

I don't know whether Tebow will ever be a successful QB in the NFL, but everything I've read suggests it will be a struggle for him to get to that level. All of his leadership and intangibles will evaporate quickly if he has to sit for a year or two while he changes his delivery and learns to read an NFL defense. Likewise, nobody will be following him if he is throwing ducks and getting picked off by NFL defensive backs due to his slow delivery. Just my opinion, but I'd not even consider Tebow (or any QB besides Bradford) in round 1 this year. I could be OK with Tebow in the 2nd, but I thik there will be better players available at other positions of need. I hope that I am wrong about Tebow, someone who is willing to work as hard as he reportedly does is hard to root against, but I just don't feel comfortable betting a high #1 pick on a gamble like him.

I'd agree, but I am not a big Dan Williams fan and I don't think he will be a major impact player at NT in the NFL. He was really only good for 1 year in college. His own coach said he'd be lucky to get drafted prior to last season. Big risk on a guy who is mainly a run-plugger and not dominant at that. NT is definitely a need, I just don't see the value of reaching for someone like Williams. Other's may disagree and think Williams is worthy of such a high pick. If the Bills' scouts view him that highly, then it could be the pick.

No disagreement on the importance of QB vs. LT, but I don't see a QB worth picking that high (ie, one that will solve the QB problems the Bills have). Some like Clausen, I don't like what I've read about him and I think it would be a big big gamble to pick him at 9. QBs must have leadership/intangibles in addition to being physically good passers. From what I've read, there is at least a significant question about Clausen's leadership and intangibles. Too much risk for me, but that's just my opinion.

I haven't seen Morgan described as an elite pass rusher. The impression I get from the reports that I've read is that he is a good all-around DE, capable of playing the run very well and not a bad pass rusher - just not elite. I do know that he had a fair number of sacks last year, but those numbers can be deceiving.

Why is that your fear? It isn't like the defense wasn't AWFUL against the run last year. The defense needs significant upgrade, too.

I agree that there are major weaknesses at other positions, but really, the Bills have only 1 #1, 2 and 3 WR and his name is Lee Evans. NOBODY else on the roster has caught more than a handful of passes in their NFL careers. I am not advocating taking a WR in the 1st 2 rounds, BUT, it is probably as big of a need as any other position on the roster. That being said, it is probably easier to find an older FA that can be at least moderately servicable at WR than at LT and NT.

Why all the excitement about getting Jared Gaither and why does anyone think he is worth a 2nd, let alone more? He is a big tall OT (note I didn't say good LT) and he is young, but he was also noted for not working very hard just a few years ago coming out of college and I don't think he has proven that he is a special tackle in the NFL. If he had shown that he'd be a really good LT or even RT for that matter, I can't imagine why the Ravens (one of the most astute personell managing teams in the league) would be considering trading him. Buyer beware.

"2 cody althought looks like he is rising again maybe reach for thomas here we have to get a 3/4 n.t " I think he's rising from all the yeast in the doughnuts that he's eating :-)

If it were, he most likely wouldn't have been in the CFL. Note, the statistics say in "15 career starts", they don't say how many games he also played in but didn't start. Still, I am glad that they are doing their due diligence on everyone.

It takes waaay more than a strong arm to be a successful NFL QB. 5th round or later, I have no problem with taking a wild shot on either of these QBs, but before that I'd prefer spending picks on players at other positions who have a chance to contribute as starters, solid backups and/or special teams players. Nothing is much more useless than a 3rd string developmental QB who is a very long-shot to amount to anything.

I like Iupati, but I don't see where his selection solves any problems. He is a very good OG prospect, but only a so-so RT prospect. The Bills don't really have a need for another G, unless they plan to move Wood or Levitre to C, but even if that is the case they still don't have a good player at either T position. Taking a good G and moving him to T where he might be OK isn't a good plan for a #1 pick, IMHO. I don't like Tebow in the second round - I just think he has too much work to change to think he could play this year or even next. A couple of years on the bench will also significantly diminish his vaunted intangibles/leadership skills. Who is going to listen to a bench warmer? I do think that you have the NT candidates at about the right spot for their value, but I am afraid that since there are so very few NT prospects this year, that they'll go about a round earlier than they should. I don't hate the picks, I just don't agree with them.

Agreed, you can't pin any one loss on any one player. I guess my point was that I wouldn't want to compare NT candidates using Jeff Wright as an example of a good NT. IMHO, he was definitely not one of the strengths of that defense.

The Bills lost to the Giants because they could not stop the run. Wright was a very undersized NT who could penetrate on occasion, but was not stout against the run. You certainly can't blame him alone for the loss, but with a big time NT instead of Wright, I think the Bills would have beaten the Giants. You can disagree if you like.

I don't like the idea of a QB in this class in rounds 1-3. I don't really think it is worth wasting a 4th or 5th on "whoever is left over at QB" either. If they aren't going big with a round 1 QB (and I hope that they don't), then spend the picks on better players at other positions. Almost none of these 3rd, 4th, 5th round QBs ever amount to anything and some players picked at other positions in those rounds do pan out to be contributors - at least on special teams. Please spare me the "what about 6th round Tom Brady and 3rd round Joe Montana" comments. Those guys are very very rare.

We have to disagree on this one. Terrence Cody is a very risky pick in even the 2nd round, let alone trading up into the 1st round for a fat out-of-shape part-time player. Of course, that is just my opinion and I'd not be shocked if some team took him in the late first, but I'd just as soon it not be the Bills. Really, how much can you spend on a player who might only be capable of 20 snaps a game and won't ever play on 3rd downs because he has ZERO pass rush ability. He is so slow he couldn't get a sack even if nobody blocked him at all.

I agree with the general premise of this post. If the Bills don't think that any of the remaining OTs are legitimate very good LT candidates, then they should pass and pick a better player at another position (Unless they really want a RT, too - they have to know that Cornell Green is not a long-term answer). Players that I'd consider at other positions include: LB Sergio Kindle - top pass rushing 3-4 OLB candidate, no questions about effort, intensity, instincts or production DE Derrick Morgan - Good effort, solid all around DE - only if Bills think he fits their 3-4 scheme Brandon Grahm DE/OLB - Good effort and pass rushing ability, brings size to LB corp Rolando McClain - I don't like him as much as others here, but there could be much worse choice than him. Mike Iupati - G/RT - Love the nastiness, size, strength, but only a viable choice if they think he can play RT - know he isn't a good LT candidate. Outside candidates for me would be: Bruce Campbell - no knocks on effort, attitude or athletic ability. Concerned that he has only a year and a bit of starting experience in college. DE Jason Pierre-Paul - freak athlete, same concerns as with Campbell. Don't like Clausen or any of the other QBs, I think they are a waste of a draft choice this year as we'll be looking to replace them again in a few years. Not a big fan of picking CJ Spiller - nothing against him, but he's a bit undersized and will likely need to be platooned to be effective. Compared to Reggie Bush and I wouldn't spend the #9 pick this year to get a Reggie Bush clone. I'd love them to get a good NT, but the only 1st round guy is Dan Williams and I think #9 is at least 10-15 spots too high for Williams.

Jeff Wright was one of the reasons that the Bills didn't win one of the Super Bowls they were in. All good 3-4 defenses have a very good NT and while I like Kyle Williams very much as a player, I don't think he is going to be an outstanding NT to anchor a good 3-4 defense. Unfortunately, there aren't very many real 3-4 NT candidates in this years draft (at least good ones) and due to the shortage they will all likely be picked higher than their ability warrants. I am especially afraid of Terrence Cody and his lack of work ethic/effort. I think Dan Williams will be taken almost a full round ahead of where he should be and I don't think any of the rest of the NT candidates are worth more than a 3rd/4th round pick (all based on the reports I've read). So, they may be forced to play Kyle Williams at NT this year and he'll probably be "OK" there, but he would be better (I think) at DE or as a backup/change of pace NT behind a big NT.

Vick is 32 and is not the same level athlete he was "back when". He never was a good passer and I think his running will be significantly less effective now that he is older. What's to like?

Well thought out, but neither Iupati nor Ducasse are likely to play LT well and I am not even sure they are RT material. So (based on what I've read), you'd have an OL of a C and 4 Gs. I know that some have speculated that Iupati and Ducasse might be able to move to T, but man I'd hate to see those early picks spent on hoping that these guys from lower level colleges could move from G to T ( especially finding a LT from them). Just my opinion. By the way, I'd have no serious problem if they think Iupati is the best player available and want to try him at RT and if he wasn't good enough, put him back at G and move Wood or Levitre to C. BUT, that still leave the team without a legitimate LT.

McNabb is an old-man QB. Yes, he was good in his prime and yeah he's still better than Trent, Fitz or Brohm. BUT, I would not even remotely consider trading the Bills' 2nd for a 34 y.o. QB. IF this team was just a QB away from being a serious playoff contender (like the Jets were before last year), then I'd consider it. The reality is that this is a very young team that is completely changing their defensive scheme and has MANY personnel holes to fill with an all new coaching staff to boot. They need to fill OLT, ORT (I know Green is the stop-gap), NT, at least one LB position, a WR, hope that Wood comes back 100% and also find a QB. Trading a high draft pick for an old QB means not addressing one of those need positions early in the draft and also, by the time the Bills are able to fill in those gaps, McNabb will be retiring (or at least way on the downside of his career). If the Bills make a trade like that, who would McNabb throw to? They have Lee Evans and who else? How would McNabb look throwing behind the seive-like OL that the Bills have? I don't like the idea. Now, if they'd take Whitner and a late pick for McNabb, I'd consider it.