Ozymandius

Good posts. I'll personally have my eye on OG Justin Blalock, OG Manuel Ramirez, and DT Brandon Mebane Not that one game should sway anyone's opinion of a player very much. Just more data/observations to add to the stack. If you want to check out CBs, add Fred Bennett from South Carolina to your list.

Emerald Bowl: FSU +3.5

Good points, Dibs.

Notice that the Colts game and Chargers game are also at 4:15 pm. Those two teams and Ravens are competing for seeding and first round byes. The NFL scheduled it that way so that all three teams have to play their starters not knowing the outcomes of their competitors' games.

It would be great to have all of that. But I think the Bills get accomplished only #2, #6, and possibly #5.

If Okam comes out, he'll be a second-rounder at best, imo. And I don't think he will because of that. I like Okoye, too. It's possible the Bills could pick him. He's shaved about 15-20 pounds off his frame and has become more of a knifer this season than a stacker. I swear, dude was like 295 lbs last I saw him. I'd prefer no Hollis Thomas. He'd be an okay stopgap but he's so old. I want to continue the trend of young players to build with.

My preferred first round pick is probably OG Justin Blalock and I don't think that will change between now and April. I'd love to have a dominant runblocker at RG.

I'm not really advocating Pittcock. Just pointing out that he has had success rushing the passer this season. Also, Frank Okam should stay in school. He's been just so-so this season instead of dominant. The two best tackles this season have been Dorsey and Branch, neither of which are traditional stay-at-home runstuffers.

For what it's worth, Pittcock has had a GREAT season sacking the passer. I think he has 9 sacks so far. But I think scouts will remain skeptical about his agility until they see him up close in the Senior Bowl and workouts. And the reason I think the Bills are still looking for an interior pass rusher is because we didn't get much of it this season, at least not to the standards of a Tampa-2.

He IS white and high-motor :-) I think his agility numbers will determine his draft position. If he's athletic enough, I could see the Bills drafting him because the tenacity and leadership are there with him, and he's had a monster senior season. If the agility isn't there, the Bills will probably pass because I think they're looking for someone who can get after the passer from the interior.

That's a spurious point. How many of those were 45 yard kicks into the wind? And 5 of those 8 field goals were 30 yards or less. C'mon now.

That's a good point about Pickett if we were really interested in him. Still, he's a one-gap type who hasn't improved either the Packers or Rams in run defense. I also wonder if we would've asked him to lose the weight had he signed.

Good post, tgreg. I agree and I think the Bills put up a good fight in Baltimore.

Baltimore is giving only 9.5 points next week. I think you should bet the mortgage on it. No way they don't kill us, right? :-)

I've mentioned Dockery before as a possible FA signing. But the more I think about it, the more I doubt he will be a consistent player in a non-contract year. He's a bit tall so he has to work really hard to keep leverage, and I just don't believe the motivation will be there after he signs his next contract.

I agree and have been complaining about Preston for awhile now. The easiest way for this team to start running the ball consistently is to acquire a mauler at RG.

No, if "a Ngata" means a highly projected classic nose tackle. If Alan Branch declares, he's espected to be the first DT taken but he's more of a penetrator in a big body than a classic nose guard type. Tampa-2 teams aren't usually interested in Ngatas, anyway. The Bills so far have show that they prefer small at that position. I don't necessarily agree with that philosophy but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the Bills to draft a big guy.

Realistically, Ralph either can't afford or will refuse to afford the signing bonuses and salaries that will be doled out this offseason. At the very least, all his complaints about money have painted him into a corner. He's not going to spend because that would undermine his stance. --Clements will be scooped up by another team within two days of free agency opening, probably for a $20 million bonus. --We will re-sign Fletcher, Kelsay, and Gandy, for a bit of a home team discount. These are all high-motor "character" guys that Marv loves, as well as leaders in the locker room that enjoy playing for Jauron. They're Buffalo-types that don't mind playing here. --That leaves us with DT, OG, and CB as the three biggest needs. Looking over free agent lists, there aren't any good DTs available that can improve us. There are also no good CBs that will be within our price range (Clements or Samuel too much $$$). Likewise with guards, as Steinbach and Dielman will be paid like kings. You COULD overpay an inconsistent, talented guy like Derrick Dockery to come, but the more I think about it, the more I'd rather just draft an OG. --Drew Bennett will be our big free agent acquisition. He's white, high-motor, and high-character, and he fits the need of a receiving target with size. That'll pretty much be it in free agency, as the bonuses/contracts paid out to Fletcher, Kelsay, and Bennett will sap our small budget. --The Bills are too married to small-and-quick on the d-line to acquire a big runstuffer. Look at the Colts. They've been getting gashed by the run for years but have they changed a thing? Nope. Tampa-2 enthusiasts don't tend to be flexible about their philosophy. We're going to end up drafting an athletic 295-lber like Glenn Dorsey or Brandon Mebane. It won't help the run defense much but it'll make us even more dangerous on passing attempts. --Draft predictions: Round 1: DT... example, Glenn Dorsey (athletic, would re-unite him with Kyle Williams) Round 2: OG... example, Manuel Ramirez (excellent runblocker) Round 3: CB... example, Eric Weddle (white, high-character, leader)

Yes, they had plenty of them. It's called humans with brains. I agree with you that the playcalling sucked. But THAT should be your beef, not the decision to go for it.

You're basically leaning towards the kick because, you know, a Christmas miracle could happen. The gusts could die down for 5 seconds while Lindell kicked. LOL.

I agree with you that McGahee is good, not great. However, he's going to have a great 2007 because it's a contract year, BUT we'd be foolish to re-sign him because his play in post-2007 seasons will not match the contract he will sign. He's not someone I consider a cornerstone of the franchise.

8-7-1 still beats 8-8, I'm afraid.

Oh wait, I forgot Jax and KC are playing each other. One would have to finish 9-7. Yep, we're toast.

Are you guys sure? I think we're technically still in it but we would need the Jets to lose twice, including at home to Oakland, among many, many other things. I mean, we're not making the playoffs, but we're also not mathematically eliminated yet, I think.

I believe the Bills are too married to small-and-quick to get a big runstuffer in there. Look at the Colts. They've been getting gashed by the run for years but have they changed a thing? Nope. Tampa-2 enthusiasts don't tend to be flexible about their philosophy. We're going to end up drafting an athletic 295-lber like Glenn Dorsey or Brandon Mebane. It won't help the run defense much but it'll make us even more dangerous on passing attempts.