DisplacedBillsFan

Recently put this in the QB in 1st round draft thread, but figured I would put it here as well. I enjoy reading thoughts from others on who they may want, especially guys after the first round, so figured I would add my thoughts to the conversation. One area we need to improve next year is our group of WRs as a whole. Yes, we have some talent, but we are not nearly talented enough after Sammy and Woods (I know some debate Woods' talent, I feel he is a solid 2 or 3 who should be on the field a lot and utilized more). Anyway, we should take a WR in the draft, and I think it should be Rashard Higgins from CSU. Last year, with an experienced QB he had 17 TD grabs and led the nation with 1,750 receiving yard. Entering this year, he was considered by some to be the best WR in the nation, and was a consensus first round selection. Unfortunately for him, he had a few injury issues early in the season (which are now in the past and he finished the season strong) and played with a QB who was making his first college starts. Despite missing some time he still finished with 75 catches for over 1000 yards and 8 TDs. He had 9 catches for 129 yards in the Rams bowl game last night. Higgins is listed at 6-2, 190 and has had his 40 time clocked at 4.4. Because of his down year, draft predictions now have him in the 3rd or 4th round. I feel as this would be an exception pick in the 3rd, and an even better value in the 4th, especially since he has 1st round talent. Imagine a guy like this playing opposite Sammy. Our offense would automatically become more dangerous.

I didn't find a more recent draft thread, so figured this was as good a place as any to post my thoughts. One area we need to improve next year is our group of WRs as a whole. Yes, we have some talent, but we are not nearly talented enough after Sammy and Woods (I know some debate Woods' talent, I feel he is a solid 2 or 3 who should be on the field a lot and utilized more). Anyway, we should take a WR in the draft, and I think it should be Rashard Higgins from CSU. Last year, with an experienced QB he had 17 TD grabs and led the nation with 1,750 receiving yard. Entering this year, he was considered by some to be the best WR in the nation, and was a consensus first round selection. Unfortunately for him, he had a few injury issues early in the season (which are now in the past and he finished the season strong) and played with a QB who was making his first college starts. Despite missing some time he still finished with 75 catches for over 1000 yards and 8 TDs. He had 9 catches for 129 yards in the Rams bowl game last night. Higgins is listed at 6-2, 190 and has had his 40 time clocked at 4.4. Because of his down year, draft predictions now have him in the 3rd or 4th round. I feel as this would be an exception pick in the 3rd, and an even better value in the 4th, especially since he has 1st round talent. Imagine a guy like this playing opposite Sammy. Our offense would automatically become more dangerous.

Very thoughtful post. I agree it is always a huge risk and rarely works out. However, it seems when it does work it it works out big time for the NFL club. So well it may be a 1 in 100 type scenario, that 1 is out there somewhere. Agreed that Kelly will be coaching in the NFL next year, and I also believe he can be successful in the NFL if he focuses more on coaching and less on shipping all the good players out of town. With a talented roster (assembled by someone else) he used his scheme while implementing his culture on his way to back-to-back 10 win seasons. It was after he got full control over personnel that he screwed things up.

With the news of Chip Kelly being fired, I started to think about which current college HC could have long term success in the NFL. Jim Harbaugh is an obvious choice, should he ever choose to return to the NFL/have the opportunity to do so. That said, Dabo Swinney would be my choice. I have wanted Buffalo to make a run at him each of the last two coaching searches, but it has not happened. Perhaps if he gets a national title this year he'll be ready to listen to NFL offers, should there be any.

Just trying to steer the conversation away from becoming a Tyrod thread since that wasn't the intent.

This isn't really about Tyrod. You can pretend it is for a different team if you'd like. Say you're Houston or say Tyrod dies. I'm not suggesting I want either for the Bills, just interested in opinions on the two in Cincy if the above plays out.

Just having fun here with not much left of substantial importance this year for us, so try not to get too out of shape if you think this thread is nonsense. Say AJ McCarron plays really well with his opportunity these next couple games (looking good against a good Denver D) and Bengals have a QB controversy forcing them to feel as though they have to trade one of them. Regardless of who you think they would keep, who would you rather have the chance or trading for? The older guy who seems to have finally elevated his game to the upper tier but can't win a playoff game or the young guy who played awesome and has a ton of upside? For the sake of this thread say AJ finishes with 250 ypg passing and 25 rushing along with a 3:1 TD to INT ratio, and Dalton doesn't get back quickly enough and AJ wins a playoff game. Dalton was a little over 3200 yards through 13 games with a 66% completion percentage with 25 TDS and 7 picks. Let's say Dalton comes back and loses his only playoff game. Who would you rather have?

Looking fairly determined not to get beat by screens

Bring in Schwartz as HC, let him hire who he wants to run his defense, offer to let Roman stay on as OC, and hire the best special teams coach available

Seems Rex gets GMs fired at a higher rate than Cutler has OCs shown the door.

Not sure I understand the multiple messages (not just in this thread) about Leodis needing to go. If I recall correctly, he was playing at a very high level last year when he got injured, and it was a major loss. This year so far, there has been a bit of rust, as expected after his extended leave, but it appears the guy can still contribute, and after a few more games in this system, likely at a very high level again. Someone please explain to me why we want to give away good players? Who would have filled in last weekend for Gilmore without Leodis around? What is wrong with having three high quality CBs on the roster?

Johnny Manziel is our savior as he leads the Browns to week 17 win over Pittsburgh!

Hey now, I said unlikely. I meant easy to determine, not easy to accomplish.

So I'm thinking the Johnny Manziel era is starting exactly at the right time, as he brings a little late season magic to that team. Our path to the playoffs is still quite easy, even if it is unlikely. If nothing else, a loss by Pittsburgh to the Broncos next weeks keeps us one game and an exciting week 17 away from the playoffs. Pittsburgh loses to Denver week 15 Bills win week 15 and 16 Jets lose to Patriots (as they should) If these three scenarios happen, we are playing Jets week 17 with playoffs on the line, rooting for Johnny to upset the Steelers, and we're in!

Well that didn't quite work out. I still believe we would be a team nobody would want to face in the playoffs, but that doesn't really matter now since we'll never know. Another disappointing season effectively ended today. Here's looking forward to April even I will once again start to believe we have what it takes to win it all.

Bills 423, Eagles 267 = 690

I appreciate the support! And, some of these responses have been hilarious, so thanks for the laughs. That said, and with a night to think this over... I'm even more confident in my prediction and buy-in. Super Bowl here we come!

Glad we're on the same page!

If we make it to the playoffs, we'll make it to the Super Bowl. The only reason playoffs are in doubt is because we do not control other teams' performances. But, make no mistake, we will win out. Why do I believe this? The defense is slowly but surely getting Rex's scheme, terminology, assignments ,etc. It has taken time, but this group should be clicking the rest of the year, even with the injuries factoring in. The performance against NE*, sacks against Houston, and holding a receiver like Hopkins to a below average day are just some of the signs of where this defense is headed. What about the offense? Well, they've already been pretty decent all year. The X factor now though is that TT is really stepping up, and is exactly what this team needs. Telling Hughes to get his head in the game after KC, making sure Carpenter was supported, and my favorite, telling, no yelling at, a veteran to hurry up and get on the line are just a few examples of the leadership characteristic TT has to offer. His play on the field has been better than anyone expected. Now, he's about to take that next step and nobody will mistake the Bills for anything other than Tyrod Taylor's team. It's about to get fun ladies and gemtlemen. Enjoy the ride.

Agreed. This was the point. Whether someone is in a position to where they could contribute or not, they are not even going to get a look unless they have previous experience with a Rex Ryan defense.

I would love to see Spikes back. However, if Rex's defense is as complex as reported, and confirmed by ex players, we likely are not getting anyone who hasn't been exposed to it before. This means we are limited to practice squad guys, guys we had in camp, or Rex's former players. This means a guy like Tarpley, who has been nothing but horrible so far, is in, and a guy like Spikes who can likely still contribute at least at a decent level, stays at home on the couch.

271 passing + 237 punting = 508

You would think Jets fans would love IK. A 5-4 team with Fitz is 3-6 at best with Geno starting.

Do we want ball first?