simpleman

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/2/25/4029272/nfl-combine-results-2013-wr-40-yard-dash-bench

I guess this meant something different to me. I thought he meant that he was especially good at that part of the game, but it was his other issues that would doom his success. Like another QB he mentioned, Fitz, who has the smarts, but his other glaring weaknesses can not be overcome by his smarts.

I admit I don't know the trade value charts for next year's pick. You are probably right. Even giving up this year's 1st round for their next year's 1st and an extra 2nd this year probably would realistically and intellectually a better thing for the Bills. But, emotionally as a fan I have a hard time giving up the whole season before it even starts. Emotionally I need to feel there is still some kind of hope for a decent season this year, and giving up this year's first completely pretty much says you give up on this year already.

QB Report from the Combine http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/combine-2013-qb-class-continues-iffy-narrative-throwing-110226263--nfl.html A couple of quotes Nassib: “I think that he will struggle to make those longer stick throws at the NFL level at times. He may wind up being a fringe starter or career backup. I really question whether Nassib will be a top-of-the-line starter. He will max out in most aspects of the game, especially the mental aspects of the position, but I wonder about the complete skill set. His ultimate upside might be somewhere between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton.” Not very comforting at all. Smith: “I don't know, however, whether he always has the kind of velocity you'd want on certain throws, and I sometimes wonder if Smith's ceiling isn't a bit lower than some might think.” Glennon: “ When he's got pressure in his face and is asked to re-set and adjust to a muddy pocket, that's where things get a little rougher, and that's a question he'll have to overcome if he ever wants to be a starter in the NFL” Jones: “Overall, Jones is a better than average passer on short and intermediate routes, but today's drills added to the perception that he will struggle at times to make deep throws into tight windows.” Manuel: “Overall, I thought Manuel's throwing session mirrored his college career -- some impressive moments interspersed with bouts of frustrating inconsistency.” Bray: “Basically Mike Glennon Lite -- he will impress in throwing drills, but he will also display some howling inaccuracies on his game tape. If he's an NFL quarterback at all, and I'm really not sure if he is, it will be as a developmental guy with a coach who's patient enough to smooth out all the wrinkles” Others: “Southern Utah's Brad Sorensen helped himself as much as anyone in this environment by matching some of the more well-known quarterbacks with his own performance. He was generally accurate and showed a really nice touch on some of the passes in which he was asked to sail the ball deep.” “Minnesota's MarQueis Gray surprised some people who thought he should switch to receiver at the NFL level. He was more accurate on his intermediate and deep throws than some of the more "elite" prospects.” None of this is comforting. It does not sound like any of them are even worth a gamble on a 2nd round pick, much less a 1st. I’m beginning to think we should be planning on getting our “Franchise” QB next year and using a later round pick on one of the others like Sorensen or Gray. Does anyone know much about either of them? If it is such a gamble on all of them, why not gamble on the lower stakes choices and hope to win. Why waste good picks on such huge gambles when there are so many high odds players at other positions in this years draft. I still think the best hope for the Bill’s this year is to be able to trade down, if they get the opportunity, to the mid 1st and get at least an extra 2nd round pick. Get our LB/WR and use the year to prepare to challenge next year with a top QB pick with a supporting cast already in place to help him actually succeed.

For what it's worth here is one. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfp-breaks-down-players-shined-010000486--nfl.html

If you think he is number two, read this analysis on him by a sportswriter for a Dallas newspaper. Then reconsider just how much he would cost and how much he would be worth. Not saying he "might" be good if healthy, but that he will cost way too much for his benefit to the team. http://cowboysblog.d...nal-grade.html/

He is definitely on the decline even though he is the right side of 30. Probably the number 3 receiver on the Dallas team. Good hands but losing a step daily. Not sure he would be worth the 4-5 Million he might get if he renegotiates with Dallas. Not sure he would be worth the minimum 4 million he would want if he is released, probably looking for more in the 5 million range. Would be nice for a quick fix while a new future #2 receiver taken later in the draft is given time to develop. But I don't think he would be worth even 4 million a year. Especially without a decent QB throwing to him this year.

Remind me never to let you set me up on a blind date with a "great" very pretty girl. You have rock bottom standards for greatness!

And your point? If you are saying that if in pure desperation you take obvious 3rd round talent with your top 10 1st round pick that it will magically turn that 3rd round talent into 1st round talent, I think you are definitely smoking some very bad weed. Now if you are saying don't waste a 1st round pick on talent that is not actually 1st round talent, I agree totally. We will all see after this weekend's Combine. If by looking not at any draft mocks, but at the ratings of players by overall skills and talent there is not a QB available listed in the top 36 players overall, then Buffalo should pass on selecting them with an early pick. Especially with a top 10 1st round pick.

Thanks for the post with actual facts and figures instead of just opinions. It helps me see more clearly now. Hate to see Lev go, but the way you break it down it sounds like the best for the team as a whole. Too many needs and not enough money to be overpaying for solid but not stellar results.

I don't see the left side of the OL as the problem, I see the right side as a problem. The right side needs to be improved. The left is good for another year if we can keep Lev. You did nothing to improve the weak right side, which IS a problem.

thanks for the tv schedule Nanker Nanker a question maybe you or someone can answer, why does the schedule call it the 2012 Combine instead of the 2013 Combine. was that just a misprint on the TV providers part or is it actually called the 2012 Combine?

The big week we all are anticipating has arrived. Thought I would share these links for those that would like to be in the know. http://www.nflcombine.net/players/schedule http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list

Now I'm confused. I thought we gave up the 7th last year for TJ, did we give up the 7th in 2012 and the 7th 2013 for TJ?

No, too old, rapidly declining skills because of age and mileage, too expensive, too risky. He Deserves to be on a contender, as this is probably his final year. I hope the Bill's are finally competitive and fun to watch this year, but a Superbowl appearance, not even on the radar this year.

I stand corrected " very few knowledgeable people believe CJ is an every-down back", better? BTW don't get me wrong, I think CJ is a great RB, with tons of potential, but most of it is when he is "in space". He is a "finesse" type player, not a pound it out, plow em down type runner. And I don't want him, or expect him to be one. Let him do what he is good at. Use an Grunt type RB in situations where you need a pound it out, plow em down RB.

I won't disagree with you that cj is not good in pass protection. But he is absolutely amazing in space. A good coach understands that and knows that he is a threat in space either running or catching the ball. They should be able to design plays to maximize his talents and use other players in combination with him to complement and fill in for his weaknesses. I don't think anyone thinks he is a every down back, but a coach needs to understand how to assemble the talent he has available and put it on the field in such a manner that everyone complements each other. There are no perfect players or complete players, that is why football is a team sport, not an individual sport. Truly great coaches are the coaches that can complete the puzzle of a perfect team out of a number of imperfect pieces/players. That's what I see in the original quote.

A real soldier who gave his best for a lot of really bad teams in Buffalo. He gave his all every year on the field and his injuries were the result of his giving his all.Good luck to him in the future

I find it hard to comprehend this statement. I guess we will find out this year. I think he totally misused CJ and the whole run game in particular. His selections from among our receivers was atrocious. Granted the talent was not great there beyond Stevie, but who and how he used them was very open for debate. And his unwavering support for two years of Fitz was the height of incompetency. As HEAD (not offensive) coach he should have been kicking and screaming for help at the QB position, instead he was all snug and comfy about not getting any real help at QB from upper level management. I still believe a good HEAD coach would have found a way to get McKelvin some real coaching, I still believe his potential was so huge and untapped, but I guess we will see how another coaching staff can deal with him (ours or most likely another team's). And his use of the long spent gimmicky wildcat and building it around a mediocre at everything, good at nothing Smith were a detriment to the team. Gailey is the opposite of every quality I would consider contributing to being a good Head Coach.

I read this quote on ESPN and wanted to share it. Olson said. "So, our job as a coaching staff will be to identify the skill set of the players, who are our best players, what do they do best, and how can we put them in position to be successful and do what they do best." To me that is the sign of a good coaching staff. I hope the new Bill's staff feels the same. Let the scouts and upper level management identify additions and subtractions, concentrate on making the best with the talent you have to work with right NOW. No more constantly trying to fit square pegs in round holes. Otherwise, we are subjected to another 3 year plan of "rebuilding" from scratch again, and another 3 years of mediocrity at best. Use what you have, putting them in a position to succeed. NO more wholesale rebuilding. Please!

Geno Smith RD1-------Tavon Austin RD2, West Virginia. Mission accomplished on offense

Gotta keep up, triple was used up so long ago, I had to quadruple it and add multiple upchucks long before you posted!

Nassib with a top 10 pick in the NFL. I would feel much more comfortable that the Bill's coaching staff is not THAT incompetent, but past history and the recent offensive caching staff picks tell me otherwise. Quadruple uggh! Triple upchuck! Please not 3 more years of wasted opportunities yet again!