richNjoisy

Late December, 2004, Cincinnati. A close game becomes a blowout largely due to the play of an undrafted rookie tight end from the Buffalo Bills His name? Jason Peters. 6 ft 4½ 328 lb 4.93 40 time, 29 inch Vertical, 9 ft 7 in Broad Jump, 21 rep 225 bench Press On Special teams he first made his mark - blocking punts and blowing apart opposing team wedges. Eventually he became a pro bowl offensive tackle. Enter, stage left, Nose Tackle/Offensive Tackle Michael Jasper. 6 ft 4½ 373 lb 5.38 40 time, 32 inch Vertical, 9 ft 5 in Broad Jump, 34 rep 225 Bench Press The similarities are in height and broad jump. Peters was faster but Jasper is much stronger, heavier, and can leap a lot higher and is a lot smarter. Now picture Jasper lining up as the lead man in the new two man wedge on kickoff returns. Pain. Put him over the long snapper on punts and field goals - push forward and jump high and extend. Hmmmmmmmm Oh God - let him make the team.....please.

I agree - this type of story always gets me really pumped. The last time I felt like this was when the Bills signed an undrafted free agent tight end named Jason Peters. Jason's story was different in that: 1.) He had been scouted (and was even listed as high as a 3rd rounder on some team's draft boards but went undrafted) 2.) Had scored a 7 on the wonderlic and was deemed unteachable at the pro level 3.) Had some off-the field baggage (I do not remember what) Bills signed Peters the day after the draft. Jasper, apparently, is smart and has no off the field baggage. The major issues are inexperience and weight problems. The latter seems remarkably fixable especially when you see that the kid lost the weight basically on his own. Think about how much easier it will be to keep off the weight with a nutrition coach, working out with a personal Pro trainer all the time, and with teammates around him to encourage him? That simply leaves the question (albeit BIG) about being able to play in the world of the NFL - against huge, strong men rather than boys waaaaay smaller than him. Michael is used to hurting everyone around him sometimes, undoubtedly, by accident. Now he will be getting hit and hurt by others. It will be a big transition for him. I absolutely love this kind of story. Kudos to the Bills and their scout (Hand) -RichNJoisy

This post is correct - I would add that his second mock is the one I personally ignore. Gosselin, himself, always stresses that the second mock always ignores value and goes strictly for need. The third mock combines need with value and is the one that is "counted" (for what that is worth). Hos third should come out tomorrow or early Thursday

That is my "gang of three" as well. I also have Fairley as a close 4th. I also see Gabbert and Quinn as possibilities.

note update

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/04/sportsdays-rick-gosselin-predicts-texas.html Unfortunately, I can't get access to it (yet). Eventually, someone will post it for free and I will see it As a reminder, Rick TENDS to be the most accurate in a very inaccurate (but profitable for some) game of predicting the NFL draft This link show you some statistics. : http://www.thehuddlereport.com/Free/mockdraftscoring.shtml Rick was only 45% last year (a low score for him). Anyway - drumroll - the tiny free piece of the link actually tells me what I wanted to know, he has the Bills selecting Von Miller. For those that don't giveadamn, no need to care...... Update: As promised, I now have his picks (note he will do two more mocks in the next 10 days. The final one is his "real" one that "counts") In his draft both Locker and Mallett make it out of round 1. ****************************************Gosselin's 1st Mock Draft of 2011 ********************* 1. Carolina: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn 2. Denver: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama 3. Buffalo: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M 4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia 5. Arizona: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri 6. Cleveland: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU 7. San Francisco: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina 8. Tennessee: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 9. Dallas: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern Cal 10. Washington: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama 11. Houston: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska 12. Minnesota: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College 13. Detroit: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado 14. St. Louis: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson 15. Miami: Mark Ingram, HB, Alabama 16. Jacksonville: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin 17. New England: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal 18. San Diego: Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue 19. NY Giants: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida 20. Tampa Bay: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri 21. Kansas City: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin 22. Indianapolis: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois 23. Philadelphia: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple 24. New Orleans: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina 25. Seattle: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor 26. Baltimore: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado 27. Atlanta: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor 28. New England: Ryan Williams, HB, Virginia Tech 29. Chicago: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pitt 30. NY Jets: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas 31. Pittsburgh: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State 32. Green Bay: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona -RichNJoisy

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/04/06/lockout-court.ap/index.html This story (see what the judge asked the NFL lawyer) also suggests strongly that the judge is leaning towards the players side. Let's all hope when the players win the case that they still make a deal that involves a salary cap and (I hope too) a rookie salary cap.

MIAMI (AP) -- Quarterback Chad Pennington has a torn knee ligament and will undergo surgery next week. Pennington tore the anterior cruciate ligament while playing basketball, according to Creative Artists, his representation agency. CAA's release did not say which knee he hurt. The 34-year-old Pennington will have surgery performed on April 7 by noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. A two-time AP Comeback Player of the Year, Pennington's season was shortened in 2010 when he underwent his fourth right shoulder surgery. He is a free agent.

Perhaps but that simply means people are being ridiculous. A lock down corner is a big deal.

I do not expect Heyward to make it out of round 1.

As Aaron's stepmom, Violette, it truly is touching to see you speak so highly about your son. You must love him very much.

for the umpteenth time Kelly has stated numerous times emphatically that money is not the issue. And, if money is not the issue, and Kelly is putting the group together, IS there an issue? Now, if one wants to disbelieve Jimbo - one can. But if you believe him, then one has to think about under what circumstances that Jim would head up a group of investors that would allow for the team to leave Buffalo. I, myself, cannot think of the circumstances. So, I conclude the Bills are not going anywhere.

I can only find the paraphrases as of this afternoon so maybe that was all I ever saw.

Generally, I agree. One COULD ask why he has not taken them to a Cup in his tenure however. The obvious reply is, "how often has he been given the weapons"? So, I would like to see him be given a chance to lead a team with a very good squad (at least 2 or 3 major stars), along with decent defensemen. Here's hoping...... Actually, I think he HAS spoken about the team - how it has been managed in particular. Most of those quotes, I believe, came out in early December when the rumors first floated about him possibly purchasing the team. I don't think Golisano ever made comments about spending money to win a Cup (and in the case of Pegula I KNOW he said "Cups"). Golisano spoke mostly about his determination to keep the team in Buffalo which was met with well to say the least!!

I do not know the link, but there were even BETTER articles on Pegula written about a month ago. What I really loved was where he was describing his love for the Sabres (and the Bills, too, how he had season tickets for years, and went on to how, if HE owned the team, his goal would be to win CUPS (plural). made me woozy thinking about it.

just another story update again from ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6080304

worst set of calls ever. good old Sid Luckett was the ref that day

http://www.wgr550.com/sabrespace/9086770 and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6071370

I agree - this is why I loved this mock draft. Fairley at pick 3 and Mallett in the 2nd round. I say, put it in the books!

yes, Mallett declared http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/06/ryan-mallett-declares-for-nfl-draft/ (one week ago)

I liked what I saw in the Bowl game. I know there are questions particularly about throwing under pressure but he appears to have a solid and accurate arm.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/571326-2011-nfl-mock-draft-first-second-round-predictions#page/34 Fairley AND Mallett? sigh

This is only a little thing, but I have noticed how the Bills offensive line the past several games has (apparently been taught by the coaching staff) pointed at (and touched when possible) any defensive player who crosses into the neutral zone before the snap of the ball. It is a RELATIVELY new rule where a defensive player can be called for "imitating the start of a play" where the old rule was the the defense could do basically anything and the offensive player could not even flinch. (neutral zone infraction) So, what the Bills linemen are doing is reacting to the encroachment and moving "in response" (oh my!) thus forcing the referees to huddle and then accurately rule that the defensive player caused the flinch EVEN THOUGH THE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN KNOWS THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER IS TRYING TO GET BACK ONSIDE BEFORE THE BALL IS SNAPPED. Now that the Bills are doing this, it is obvious. Smart training by the coaching staff -RnJ

http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=685416-chargers-moving-to-los-angeles-in-2012?

I know that blitzing Golden Boy is risky but only rushing 3 is the kiss of death. How was it that he could sit back there for up to 5-6 even 7 seconds waiting for receivers to come open? THAT was the "brilliant" defensive scheme the Jets DC came up with?? Can you imagine a Bills QB having that much time? sigh I hate the Cheatriots.