KeisterHollow

I think it all depends on what type of defense the Bills want to run. I'm actually frustrated, at times, trying to put the pieces together in our front seven - especially on the d-line - when I don't know what Pettine wants to put together. Traditionally, I see the value of a 3-4 defense when the front 3 linemen can just about handle the run on their own. It frees up the other 8 players for blitzing and coverage. In that type of 3-4, I usually see a big, massive bodied nose tackle, as ideal. He's gonna clog up the middle of the offensive line. The DE's are big and athletic enough to both stop the run and get penetration. I would actually, traditionally, put Mario Williams in that role, or Carrington - he's got an ideal body type for that role. But, when you swith Buffalo to a 3-4 you have Kyle Williams as either an undersized NT or a mis-fit DE. My questions are: What position will Mario Williams be playing? Where will Dareus and Kyle be lining up? Are we going to go for a big, true NT and split Dareus and Kyle out to End, and push Mario to OLB? I don't know - I think I'd rather see Klye, Dareus, and Mario lining up. Can Dareus hold his own in the middle in the run game? We'll see, I guess. I think there's enough talent already to think if they play hard for Pettine they'll probably be a decent defense no matter where exactly they're lining up.

I've been calling for Barkley for months now. Thats not to say I'd be disappointed if the Bills ended up with another QB. If they think someone else fits their system better, or even if they want to put off getting a QB until next year, and go other directions, I'd have to trust they know what they're doing. I just believe they'll go QB, though, and to me, Barkley is the best option. I just saw an interview yesterday with a good CB coming out this year, who played against Luck and Barkley, and this kid says both are similar in defending against, both are excellent QB's, and in this kids opinion, Barkley will make an excellent NFL QB. I fear, however, other NFL clubs are also equally high on him, and quietly hoping the rest of the clubs are buying into this 2nd, 3rd round talent talk. If he's there at 8 I don't think the Bills can pass him up.

True enough - yet, QB's can often be described by certain dominant features; Bledsoe was strong armed, accurate. Favre was wild, but strong armed and fast. I could go on, but one feature that almost always has to be present when discussing a good QB is Accuracy. How many inaccurate QB's end up good? All the other features - toughness, speed, athleticism, leadership, intelligence - are all secondary. Therefore, you start at accurate, and from there its a matter of preference and luck.

Jones is no doubt talented - but I think we've seen his ceiling, and with the spinal condition, you're one hit away from losing him. Now, I know that is the case with all players (you never know when they might have bad luck and take a bad hit), but Jordan and Anzah have NOT reached their ceilings, and they are physical freaks. Jordan is not too light already - he's at 250 ish - and he can put on another 10 lbs no problem, after surgery. At 260 he'd be average for an OLB. Even at 250 he's still 20+ lbs heavier than Maybin was. You watch film of Jordan, and he's so fluid, so smooth, so fast, so natural. You can tell when watching him that he'll be that player regardless of environment, and for me, he just have a lot more upside. With Anzah, you have a guy who is already at 270 lbs, who is as fast as a lot of RB's, and who only has 2 or 3 years of football. And, with Anzah, you have the intelligence factor. This kid is so smart - you teach him stuff, and he has no preconceptions or ideas about what he can or should be doing - he just goes out and does what he's coached, and, like with Jordan, but perhaps far more so, he's got such a high ceiling. Already he'd be a good OLB/DE at where he's at now - but you add growth, experience, coaching, and you have a scarry good prospect who might have skills like you see only once in a generation. It's the upside that I like with these guys, not to mention I'm a huge fan of BIG and FAST on defense - I'd rather have a Big fast guy than a small fast guy.

Ziggy Ansah and Dion Jordan are my top 2 talents for Buffalo - I know, the DT's and OL-men in this draft are extraordinary, but Buffalo is pretty set there, so these 2 are atop my list, because I think both will be amazing pro-bowlers for a long time, and both would give Buffalo the kind of versatility on defense to be dangerous. Ogletree and Milliner are my next 2 - they both are talented, and the drop off after the top guys at their respective positions is pretty noticeable. Barkley and Smith are the best 2 QB's on the board, and Buffalo needs a QB, although, like WR, I think they could get a good starter in round 2. Warmack and any one of the top 3 LT's would be on my list, too - because, if they're that good, you don't regret having amazing O-line play - it benefits the RB's, QB's, and WR's.

I think a big problem for these Bills has been the reluctance to admit when they'll be out of contention from the start. Indy is a good example of this - that team, losing Manning, was okay with letting the team lose for a year - not losing deliberately, but letting the team "rebuild" so to speak, by playing young guys, by letting aged vets go. They're rewarded for that all out calamity of a season by getting their second straight perennial pro-bowl QB. The Bills - even when they've had the new coaching staffs - never seem capable of planning for a losing year. Take this season, for instance. If Nix and Marone thought they'd need 2 years, at least, to field a really good team, they'd look at this draft in a 2 year light. Which means, if they thought they might be drafting high next year, maybe they'd forgo the QB pick until there is a guy they have real faith in next year. Instead, if they have way too many holes to fill this offseason, as many here suggest, they might still fall prey to drafting a QB in the first - one they might not have total faith in - and then end up missing out on better prospects at positions of need (LB, WR) for instance, and then next year finding themselves in position to draft someone at QB who grades MUCH higher, but they've already drafted a QB the previous year, and then, to make it worse, they go for a LB or WR, when this year's group would have been better. It's just that lack of forsight, the way Buddy seems to go all in every year, without admitting they don't have the pieces, and without planning far enough down the road to really take advantage of their perpetually good draft status. All that is to say - if they aren't going to really turn it around this year, PLEASE don't draft a QB in the first just to say you finally did so! If he's good enough to take in ANY draft high, then do it - otherwise, get the BPA and wait for value!

Ellerbe should be one of a handful of FA's the Bills target. They've got to find at least 2 LB's to START this year, at least one WR, a TE, and probably a Safety - maybe also a CB. That's 5 or 6 guys the Bills need to find to START. Now, we can probably find 3 starters in the draft. That will leave us needing to pick up 3 or so FA STARTERS. Ellerbe would give Buffalo a young, legitimate ILB to pair with Bradham, and would allow us to concentrate on QB, OLB, or WR with our 1st pick in the draft. I love the idea!

I've proposed this for months - and Fred Davis was brought up, as well, who I think would be terrific for this offense, too. Finley has exactly what I want in a TE: he's really fast, and he's big, and he can catch. He is a TE who can make big differences in a game, and for Buffalo, coupled with a second, big, fast WR, could be an enormous positive. Fred Davis wouldn't be a bad alternative.

Watch the video on Barkley before you repeat things like, "noodle arm". Before I'd gone and done my own research I thought only what I'd been reading - that Barkley had a weak arm. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched him hit WR's IN STRIDE with passes that sailed 40 yards or more IN THE AIR! He was making every throw an NFL QB would need to make. Fitz can't make some of these throws - Barkley CAN. This kid is not limited by his arm strength. And, he's used to a pro style offense, he's a leader, a winner, and he's amazingly accurate. If Buffalo has a shot at Barkley I just cannot imagine them passing him up - he'd be a GODSEND to a franchise in need of a QB. Bills fans should wake up to this - he'd be the answer we've all been looking for.

I can see Buffalo going after Barkley before they do Geno Smith - and I'm all for it! I think Barkley is going to be, without a doubt, the best QB taken in this draft (at least, until guys with ''potential'', like Bray, have time to develop). I also agree with the posts that suggest Buffalo needs to just take the chance and draft a QB high (so long as Smith or Barkley are there), because we've seen what the past 20 years have been like without a good QB; with the drop in rookie salaries, a team in need of a QB should be drafting one high every year until it works, and even the teams with good QB's should be bringing in young prospects regularly.

I don't think they'll break the bank for anyone - but they'll definitely be getting a WR, and a LB in FA. Probably a CB, too. In fact, if the Bills do lay down a big FA contract, I'd expect it to be on a CB. I also think there's good value at the TE position for Buffalo in FA. You have to figure they like Chandler and would be content to get a pass catching TE like Cook, maybe, for a very reasonable salary. Or, better still, Walker from San Fran, or Findley from Green Bay, if they release him. At WR I'd like them to get a guy like Jerome Simpson, Louis Murphy, or Henderson - considering I expect them to get their ''tall, open when he's not'' WR in the draft - so, they should get a 3rd WR that will offer some upside. I could see them going after an Ellerbe, Jones, or Scott for ILB help. Some of FA will depend on whether the Bills are determined to draft, and hopefully start, a rookie QB. If they are, they'll want to be sure they have veteran talent at WR and TE to help him, and in that case I could definitely see them bringing in a 3rd WR and a TE via FA. Frankly, with all the talk Russ Brandon has been doing, it seems very clear the Bills are planning on adding GOOD - i.e., starting quality - FA's. Because the draft is so loaded on defense I think we'll draft for most of our defense's needs (except a CB). There looks to be a bunch of intruiging safeties to couple with Byrd (I really like that Syracuse Safety - I hope the Bills grab him. He reminds me of an Ed Reed type).

As far as I'm concerned, Williams was projected by some to be a safety in the NFL - and, until we give him a clear shot, if not at CB again, at least at safety - I'm not willing to make a judgement on him. What if he's the next terrific safety? I'm guessing that is what the Bills staff wants to talk to him about more than anything else - get the safety situation figured out before draft and FA.

I'm always tempted - with this team - to look at the draft and say, "we could really attack one unit (offense or defense) and fix it with this draft. I think the same this year. If we wanted we could use the draft to find 2 LB's and a Corner. We could also use this draft to get a WR, QB, and TE - all starting material. However, I get uneasy, for some reason, thinking of how we'll mix and match, and not fixing either. I know, there is also FA - and I suspect we'll get 1-2 starting LB's in FA, a starting caliber TE to play along with Scott Chandler (I see someone like Cook a real possibility) and there are definitely starting caliber CB's and WR's in FA, too. So - it is possible that the Bills could come away from the offseason with potential answers for all our holes (I know, it isn't going to be fixed in one offseason, but we could be a lot closer after this year - playoff caliber - if the right moves are made). I can say I like that they're cleaning house of the average starters - because it seemed like Buffalo made average their standard for so long. They should be keeping only the really good players, the guys who can hold their own and not leave us needing more out of the position.

Barkley being doomed in the NFL because he went to California has no statistical validity. Every player is a unique set of talent, and will succeed or fail in the NFL with as much of a statistical chance as any other QB. It's all about the individual. I say Barkley should be Buffalo's #1 target in the draft. After him I'd wait till the second, or trade back up to get a guy like Wilson.

I agree - Jordan really impressed me at the combine. I watched video of him and was really impressed by his consistency and his smoothness. He looks so fluid on tape - which can't be taught. Couple that with his now proven speed, and this kid is going to be getting lots of sacks every year. Now, if he can add 20 lbs of muscle after the shoulder surgery, he could become a total package and be a monster for a long time. If I were Buffalo I would seriously consider adding him if available. It'd be our version of Miller or Ware. And, a SIGNIFICANT difference between Maybin and Jordan - Maybin came out of college around 230lbs. Jordan is 250lbs. There are guys in the league at his weight, at OLB, who are successful. Adding weight - which he'll naturally do - will only make him better.

I agree. And I think that is a good thing. Some very good players are going to be sitting there at 8.

The same thing occured to me: Coughlin. I like the similarities, and I like the differences, too.

There are 4 QB's in this draft I'm psyched about - all at different places. Barkley in round 1, Wilson in round 2, Bray in round 3 or after, and Marquis Gray in round 5 or after. At those places I think those QB's would be excellent value for Buffalo. Thats not to say I'd be disappointed if we got Manuel in the 2nd, or Nassib in the 3rd - I'm not going to question our coaches decision making, but those first 4 guys I mentioned seem to have the most potential at their respected rounds.

I'd rather have Barkley - and I think some NFL teams feel that way, too. You just can't dismiss his success - more or less consistent for years - in a PRO style system. I think he's middle of the NFL in QB ranking year one, and instantly much better than anything we've seen in a LONG time.

I have to agree with NOT going O-line early. Glenn didn't just play decent last year; he was considered by most to be a Guard, and he comes in and starts at LT and has a very good year. Give him another year or two of training, learning, experience, and he might be a pro-bowl Tackle for years to come. Hairston and Sanders are also quite talented. The WR and LB corps are SOOOO thin, comparatively speaking. We simply have to add at least 2 starting caliber LB's and at least one - but probably 2 - starting caliber WR's. We could really use another good TE. And of course, QB!!! If we cannot fill all our needs in this draft, at least we can load up on players where there is depth AND need - and that is defensive front seven and WR; both those groups are deep.

I am on board with the idea of "system" which I loosely equate with Identity. I think Buffalo has lacked an Identity since the early 90's. I'm always harping on how important it is to find and maintain an identity - think of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Jets defenses, or Patriots, New Orleans, Shanahan offenses - these "systems" or Identities allow the staff to isolate players who have the perfect or most desirable characteristics for success. Buffalo has switched coaches and systems and players so much over the last 2 decades we have no identity. That identity not only helps in the drafting and aquiring of talent, but it guides the players on the field. How many Baltimore defenders are going to give it anything but 100% on any given play, or hit with anything less than ferocity (San Fran defense comes to mind) - and THAT is what Buffalo needs, desperately. Fortunately, I believe we've found the men to give this team an identity. I think Marone/Hackett will have a speedy, dangerous offense and I think Pettine will have us playing nasty, aggressive, tough defense. Any fan knows exactly what I'm talking about here - finally having a team that we can count on on Sundays, when we're watching them play, knowing that we're going to get the same standard week in and out.

I wondered, these past few months, if Nix was going to call it quits after this year. No one in the organization said anything definitive on the subject, but these recent reports of Whaley's extension make it appear to me that Nix wants to remain GM until the Bills are either a playoff team, or maybe his sights are higher yet - so it will be clear, now, that if Nix "retires" or steps down, after this season, it isn't gladly or willingly. He wants to see this thing through - and, so long as he gets us a QB, I'd like it to go down that way.

It's too bad the Bills have so many needs, otherwise one could just say, "take a QB in round 1 NO MATTER WHAT!". That's just not happening, though, unless the QB in round 1 merits being taken - which is to say, looks like a Franchise QB for 10 years. Round 2 QB's are QB's who look like they could start, and be good, but might not have enough skill to be great, or maybe they just need time to develop. Round 3-4 QB's are guys who would probably not start right away, but have "Potential" to be anywhere from great to a good, solid starter. Round 5 on is usually where a GM would expect to find backups, or "Prospects with unique potential" - a guy in this year's draft who could be considered such is Marqueis Gray, a QB who was once a WR/TE, who has real speed, a big body, and a cannon for an arm. He just needs to learn the mechanics and touch, and how to read defenses, etc. That, above, is just a sort of grouping of where QB's generally will go, and why, as I see it. Now, this year, I think there are 2 QB's who fit into round 1, because of talent and their body of work: Geno Smith and Matt Barkley. Round 2 would include Mike Glennon and Tyler Wilson. Somewhere in the late 2 to end of round 3 would include Nassib, Bray, and EJ Manuel. I expect Dysert to go between 5 and 6. I could be wrong, as far as how the NFL views these guys, but I believe they'll fall in that range - because of their talent, body of work, and the strengths of other positions in this draft. So, as far as I'm concerned, if Buffalo gets Barkley in round 1, or Tyler Wilson in round 2, or Nassib/Manuel in round 3, or Dysert in round 5 - I would think they got good value. However, if Buffalo really wants to have a solid QB and compete for a Championship, I think they have to get Barkley, Wilson, Smith, Bray, or Manuel. I'm leary of Glennon (and Smith, for that matter), and Nassib's arm reminds me a lot of Fitz's, but we'll see how they do.

I've got real talent at reading people - and one of the BIGGEST factors for success in the NFL, especially now, is INTELLIGENCE. Why has N.E. beaten the snot out of Buffalo for so many years? Yes - they have Brady. But far more importantly, they have Bellicheck. The guy is so smart. He knows what other teams are likely to do, and he always throws things at a team they aren't expecting. Most anyone who has watched NE play as much as Bills fans have been forced to would admit as much. YET - how many coaches has Buffalo had who were even remotely close enough to outsmart, or out game plan, or out prepare the Pats? In the last 15 years - just about never. Other things are important - like San Fran's Harbaugh brother and his "Passion" - that is contagious. Discipline, accountability, daring. Those qualities are good and essential. The need to contend, not just for a playoff spot, or for an "improved" record, but the need to be great, to be the best - that, too, is a critical characteristic. Anyway, Marrone has smarts - the guy is very intelligent. That gives me a TON of hope for us. Follow that up with he's also been a player, and can relate to these guys first hand. Then you've got his awesome handling of the Defensive Coordinator spot. So far he's done everything we could hope. Sure, his handling of the Qb position is going to matter a lot, but so far, he's as good as advertised.

He wont look so fast in the NFL - still, my guess would be New England watches Welker walk this year, and perhaps no less than a month later lucks out with their 1st rounder and grabs his replacement in: Tavan Austin. The Pat's need that type of ability in a player - they need a Welker. How many of them are there in the NFL? Not too many. So, I predict he ends up with the Pats. Of course, any talent like that would look good in Buffalo. However, we've got so many other pressing needs this year, not to mention, we already have good return guys, and a little fast guy in Graham. It's just not the year for Buffalo to be taking "luxury" picks early.