obie_wan

you are correct- just like they did with Lawyer Milloy.

you are correct. Price's lack of production has nothing to do with his quitting on patterns and not fighting for the ball. The fact that he bombed on 2 different teams prior to rejoining the Bills definitely is no indication that you may be over estimating his talent.

Meachum will go in the 1st round.

The NFL pension plan is a real joke. A few years back, the players were entitled to a few hundred dollars a year on an annuity that would kick in at 55. absolute travesty since most did not expecct to live that long and lived their lives accordingly.

not to nitpick- But you have been saying in those long drawn out posts that the Bills will not draft Willis because he couldn't possibly produce at a Fletcher level immediately.

If you skimp anywhere on the cover-2 , it's at the CBs. The emphasis is on a strong front 4 who can generate pressure from all postions on all downs- this reduces the reliance on top flight CBs. You also need a stud MLB - which you will have to draft and live with the learning curve. Just like Whitner was a deemed a necessity last year, Willis may be deemed a critical component to builidng a dominate D. He may not be dominant early in 2007- but you need to stock the cupboards when the talent is available.

The Cover-2 requires that the front 4 be able to generate pressure on run and pass plays without blitzing from LBs and CBs. That is why they can go with lesser talent at CB. With Kelsay, the Bills are functional at DE. If he leaves, then a DE becomes more of a priority. They still need 4 players to rotate at DT in order to keep the pressure on. With McCargo, they only have 3 so there is an opening is a group that clearly couldn't control the run. Willis, though is a strong possibility, since MLB is critical to the cover-2. Unlikely they are able to land Briggs in FA, so the only way to get a stud is to draft one. They could take their chances in round 2 with a player like Brandon Siler- but they may deem the position to be as important as SS like was last year.

if the Bills don't spend big money on the known quantity in Nate, they sure aren't going to spend it on another CB. Agree or not, but it seems to be the Bills philosophy that they don't need a high paid CB to make the Cover-2 work.

I see the the order or priority as Branch (not likely) Okoye, Willis, Revis of the likely candidates available.

I would like a trade down since most of teh talent is interchangeable in teh mid fist. Which is the point- who is the can't miss, gotta have player that a team will want to move up for?

For what its worth, this is from everyone's favorite football site (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm) "With Colts quarterback Peyton Manning possibly pulling out of the game due to the thumb injury he suffered in the AFC Championship, there could be two spots that need to be filled. Possible replacements include J.P. Losman, Uncle Rico, Chad Pennington, and Steve McNair. " It's good to see someone outside of Buffalo recognize the progress JP made this year.

so who will be the hot commodity that will entice a team to give us a 2nd round pick to move up? most players available in the mid to late 1st round are interchangeable. why will someone move up?

First- under the Bills version of the cover-2, CBs are expected to play soft zone coverage and don't need the skills to play press coverage. So it seems the cover -2 defense as designed for Buffalo does not need to have a CB as the most highly paid player on the team. Thus, the Bills knew last year that they would not be able to afford Nate. (Bill Parcells also devalued CBs in his system) Second, although TD did use the tag to get a pick for Price, the NFLPA was not happy about using the tag with no intention of negotiating with the player. As part of the new CBA negotiations, it is just possible that the NFLPA and NFL have told teams that they will frown on using the cap strictly as a trade tool when there is no intention of negotiating in good faith. Just a thought

that's how they sell out now Buffalonians can't be bothered to make the trek to the stadium way out in Orchard Park. They're too busy patting themselves on the back as the self-professed best fans in the World to waste time actually attending a game.

NO - he is highly overhyped. Revis would be a better pick.

that would be the anti-Patriot move. they do not keep their own high priced FAs. They sure don't overpay for someone else's castoff- no matter how good they may be. PAts will find a OG in the 3rd round that will make the Pro Bowl. Pioli knows how to evaluate talent.

Hall sucks It will be Revis if they take a CB.

too bad we played a 3-4 and Jeff Wright was THE NT. Walt Corey was the problem. He was a complete buffoon -and Marv did not deal with it.

North Dakota State

not true most teams have starters from day 2. Jimmy Johnson built the Dolphins D on day 2. Andre Reed & Howard Ballard were late round finds. Donahue wasted 5 years of picks always trying to hit the homerun. Some singles and doubles would have gone a long way to building depth.

that must be why he held a few Super Bowl records until Jerry rice broke them.

what has crippled this team is Teflon Tom's total futility on day 2 of the draft over his 5 years. He produced 1 starter (McGhee) and little else out of close to 25 selections. That is why the team has no depth and has been lving and dying with its day 1 selections.

it may be weak overall for LBs, but Patrick Willis is the real deal. The cover-2 will not work with a schlep in the middle. Revis is a better pick than Hall if they decide to go CB.

Manny Ramirez as a ROG has been showing good agility to go with his impressive power. He is a better run blocker than pass protector which may be what we need. Manuel Ramirez OG 6'4 335 Texas Tech By: Robert Davis Ramirez earned a starting job as a freshman in 2003 and has not looked back since. He has been the key member of a Tech offensive line that has routinely been one of the most explosive units in the country. As a junior last season, Ramirez earned 2nd Team All Big 12 honors. One word to describe Ramirez is power. He plays with amazing strength and power on the football field. He can flat out dominate a defensive lineman at the point of attack and drive him to the ground. Ramirez is one of the best one on one run blockers in the draft because of his raw power. Playing OL for a Red Raider offense means you have to be able to pass block as well. He sets up quickly and keeps himself between the defender and quarterback. While he is a solid pass blocker at the college level, he may lack the athleticism and mobility to do the same in the NFL. He is not going to get out and block on the move and needs to be in an offense that keeps him in a short area. Ramirez is a very good right guard prospect and should be a very good run blocker in the NFL. Even though he lacks the ideal athleticism to be a great pass protector, he knows how to pass block. For a team looking to upgrade its ability in a power running game, Ramirez is an excellent fit.

Any rookie will have a learning curve. This being your main point does not support your conclusion to strictly oppose drafting a MLB in the early rounds. You get the studs when they are available and train them to play - even if takes a few games to get up to speed.