ny33

Buffalo needs to be extremely careful with the numbers if they plan to re-sign Bell. I agree that we should not just offer him a take-it-or-leave-it deal giving the maximum the team is willing to pay. Given the fact that we have some good, young players like Levitre and Byrd coming off of their contracts next year, saving a few extra hundred thousand on contracts like Bell's is critical.

No running back is worth the first overall pick.

Trading up for a LT is idiotic, especially with the value placed on top-five picks these days. It's not a "safe" pick- Kalil could easily bust- just look at some of the recent top-ten picks at the position. Guys like Andre Smith, Jason Smith, and Anthony Davis are cautionary examples. That's not to mention the fact that most playoff teams didn't get their LT early on, but instead later in the draft (often mid-to-late first round picks). How are Joe Thomas of the Browns and Jake Long of the Dolphins- often considered to be the best at their positions- doing these days? Drafting an LT early is a mistake; trading up for one is even more foolish.

36.

He's not on the Saints' roster. Wikipedia isn't always up to date. Nice try, though.

"My hotel" doesn't mean she owns it. She was there, for one reason or another, but she doesn't own it.

Uhh, he's been out of the league for years. Google is your friend.

No.

Assuming Williams doesn't sign, I think Buffalo should go after one of the premier linebackers: David Hawthorne, Curtis Lofton, or Erin Henderson. All three will receive reasonable contracts, and, I think, would be an upgrade opposite Nick Barnett. If Sheppard can slide to OLB effectively (and I don't think he can), then these guys can play MLB, too. All three are experienced vets who should be versatile on our defense. As for WRs: Laurent Robinson is going to get a huge contract from Miami, Jacksonville, or other teams like Houston (I expect him to receive 6-7m/year). Buffalo shouldn't pay that for a WR. Of course it would be ideal to grab a premier pass rusher like Mario Williams but, if that doesn't happen, we could certainly use another quality OLB. I'm a big fan of Brandon Carr, and think we could use another CB in the mix, but he's going to get a huge contract. Grab a veteran OLB and nail the draft, and we'll be in decent shape next year.

How are you so gullible?

If they have quality mock drafts and commentary, that's great. That doesn't mean there is any indication that the site has some inside edge for scoops.

No, he wouldn't.

The guy didn't even spell "Meachem" correctly. Please stop using random "sources."

Your English skills need some work, too.

It's worth nothing. The page was reverted to the previous version, too. Edit: The person who edited the page to say that Meachem is a Bill had an I.P. address from the Buffalo area. Who's to say the O.P. didn't edit the Wikipedia page himself?

Nowhere does this confirm that Meachem is signing with Buffalo, only that he is at least visiting the team.

ESPN just confirmed he is coming to Buffalo tonight

Signed with whom?

This idea is complete hubris from Bills fans. Would I be happy to see us trade down for two first round picks? Of course. You're crazy, though, if you assume, just because the numbers work, that Cincinnati would make this trade. Most significantly, I doubt they'd trade two first round picks for a running back, even one as potentially good as Trent Richardson. Secondly, they have no reason to trade up with us; given that they have the most ammunition of teams looking to move up to the 10th-15th spot, it's unlikely that anyone else is competing with them. They could trade up to, say, the Cowboys' spot and give up their second rounder to pick one spot ahead of the Jets, and I doubt any team would be willing to trade the 10th-15th pick to the Jets for the Jets 16th and 48th overall picks. This is almost as ridiculous as the idea that we have a shot at Mario Williams (who will either re-sign with Houston or go to a winning team with cap room like Cincy or Atlanta).

He reminds me of Alex Smith, but in a good way: they're both smart, athletic players.

I'm shocked that C.J. Spiller was an honors student. I follow him on Twitter; the guy can't spell well and capitalizes random words. This is ironic.

I'm not saying they suck; I'm saying they aren't the elite tackles of the league. Bell is as good as some of the players on that list, and, like Duane Brown and others, is injury-prone. My point is that using our first pick on a LT would be a waste.

I disagree completely. For one, Bell has actually proven himself to be a very good lineman, though his injury history is problematic. Let's take a look at a few of the current playoff teams and their left tackles: New York Giants: Will Beatty. Late second-round pick. New England Patriots: Matt Light. Late second-round pick. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Staley. Late first-round pick. Baltimore Ravens: Bryant McKinnie. Early first-round pick. Green Bay Packers: Chad Clifton. Mid second-round pick. Houston Texans: Duane Brown. Late first-round pick. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady. Mid first-round pick. New Orleans Saints: Jermon Bushrod. Mid fourth-round pick. For one, most of these tackles are not particularly good, though Clady and Bushrod are top-ten at the position; it is worth noting that Bushrod was a fourth-round pick. Guys like Jake Long and Joe Thomas, considered the best tackles in the league, play for losing teams. Recently, high picks like Jason Smith, Trent Williams, Russell Okung, Anthony Davis, and others have proven to either be busts or ineffective. With the exception of Davis, who is a weak right tackle for the 49ers, none of these players are on winning teams. Left tackle is the most overrated position in the game.

Why are people still replying to this ridiculous thread? FJ would not equal a first rounder. Even a guy like MJD, Forte, or Chris Johnson would barely warrant one. FJ is a high third rounder at best, especially coming off an injury. This is as stupid as the clamoring for Mario Williams (who will re-sign with Houston or go to a winning team with cap room, like Atlanta or Cincy).

Dude, chill out. I'm not trashing Buffalo; I'm pointing out why Buffalo has trouble attracting free agents, and you attack me personally? My point is that, unless you're too blind to see it, Buffalo isn't exactly a prime destination for pro athletes. Let's hope the team can build through the draft and develop a winning foundation that attracts top players eventually. But again, I'm sorry you chose to attack me for pointing out differences between Detroit and Buffalo that matter in free agents' decision process.