Last Guy on the Bench

Thanks, everyone. To me, this just reinforces the idea that his best position might be LT. Maybe even this year? I would assume that the technique things people are pointing out can and will improve, given that he is so inexperienced as an offensive lineman. He is fun to watch, at any rate, because he moves so well for such a huge guy.

I definitely don't know a whole lot about techincal offensive line play. I'm one of the guys who usually just follows the ball. However, because of that, I do occasionally force myself to concentrate on things like the OL for several plays, just to try and learn something and see the game from a different angle. When I did that last year, it always seemed to me that Jason Peters' pass blocking was excellent, but that he didn't do much in the run game. He looked awkward, didn't seem to move his guy, would often end up in a bit of a mess around the ball carrier. Does anyone who watches the line more frequently or with more knowledge have an opinion on this? I know the generally accepted info nugget is that Peters is a better pass blocker than run blocker, but is his run blocking really as big a liability as it looked like to my uneducated eyes? (Mike Williams, on the other hand, always looked pretty sweet run blocking to me.) Can anyone break him down in more detail? (Specific strengths and weaknesses, places he is likely to improve vs. things he will probably always struggle with, etc.) Thanks.

I doubt we'll be very active this year. Counting draft picks and NFLE we have like 84 guys on the roster already, surprisingly.

Marv's comments on the run of great safeties in the last several Super Bowls echoed something I've been thinking about a lot about the last few weeks. I don't really understand why safety is so often seen as just an afterthought. I think Polamalu really upgraded Pitt's defense. I think Sanders took Indy's D to another level. One of the biggest dfferences between the Pats in 2002 (out of the playoffs) and the Pats in 2003/4 (Super Bowls) was Rodney Harrison taking over for a fading Milloy. And when Harrison got hurt last year, the Pats D was never the same, despite all of the other great, experienced players they have. I thnk about Reed and Brown and Lynch (a few of years ago). Seems like most of the great defenses have extremely smart and active safeties who hit the snot out of people. They DON't all have great DEs or CBs, though they do tend to be stout in the middle of the D line. I think the Whitner pick could be brilliant. We'll see.

One interesting thing about both picks to me: their write-ups on NFL.com in the draft profiles section are very good. And if you read through those profiles in general, they tend to be MUCH more conservative (even negative) than the vast majority of the draft mags. That's why I like them. They seem realistic and don't claim everyone is going to be a pro-bowler. They liked both Whitner and McCargo a lot, however, and said that they were likely to be drafted much lower than they should be for various reasons (e.g., size). I guess the Bills saw things the way they did and moved accordingly. http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/whitner_donte http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/mccargo_john

I agree as well. Our LBs could hit the wall really quickly, if Spikes can't come back and Fletch shows some age. I don't think we'll reach for one, but if there is good value (Hawk in the 1st or someone like D'Qwell Jackson in the 2nd), I could see us grabbing one. Certainly the 3rd round would not surprise me. I love 2nd and 3rd round linebackers. Seems llike you can get some great players in those rounds, particularly when you pick a guy whose measurables are slightly lower than you'd like. I think LB might be the position where speed/size are least important (they're always pretty important of course). Suppose one guy has a .3 second advantage in the 40, but another guy reads and reacts to plays a half second quicker. You do the math. LB is the position where football instincts - the ability to read and diagnose a play almost unconsciously - matter the most. Instincts = playing speed.

I think I remember reading that Joseph is actually a big Bills fan, now that you mention it. I also like Boothe and Smith. As far as I'm concerned, Joseph could be our 2nd round pick and they could be our two thirds, and I'd be happy with almost any of the top names for Round 1.

Maybe so, but I thought his impressions of conversational style and temperament were a nice addition to all the other info out there. These certainly aren't scouting reports. But I've read a dozen of those on most of these players. It was nice hearing from someone who actually talked to them. Rounds out the picture a bit. I'm not saying anyone should draft a particular player because Pat Kirwan liked talking to him on the phone. It was just some different info.

Link I'm praying that Joseph will be there at our second pick. Seems like the kind of guard just destined to be solid for 10-12 years. I feel like we could pop him in at LG and forget about it.

I believe that was Kelsay's 3rd year, not his 2nd. He was drafted in the 2nd round, after Willis, in 2003. So let's hope it was a Junior slump.

How about "Eli Pole"?

I think you're wrong about what the Bills need (not a fan of the Military General type) - but even if you're right I can almost guarantee that Marv Levy is not going to be attracted to "a real SOB." I wouldn't hold out much hope for that if I were you.

I confess I don't know much about the guy, so I've been looking for info. Here's an older one (2003) that talks about his history, family, and general take on the world: http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/sep03/167321.asp

Yeah, he's so innacurate and inconsistent that he was third in the country in passing efficiency (QB rating) and completed 65% of his passes. I don't get these comparisons with Vick (who BTW I think is way above average as a pro in terms of his overall impact on his team's ability to win - though he's being mismanaged right now). Vick has a stronger arm, is much smaller, is quicker, etc. - he plays a different game. Young has much greater accuracy than Vick, he's got the ability to glide around and keep seeing what's going on around him and downfield, he's ridiculous under pressure and in big games. I can't really think of a QB he reminds me of. Just the way he moves alone - that rangy shiftiness that is deceptively fast - is unlike any QB I've seen. None of this means he'll definitely be a good pro, but I think many of you are way underestimating his chances.

Looked like he could throw to me. Just throws weird. Didn't he lead the nation in passing efficiency? Anyway, guess we'll see in a few years.

I disagree. What impressed me most was his ability to stay calm and take in the way each play was unfolding. He made a LOT of good decisions last night (and of course a few bad ones, but not many). With a head like that plus a "comeback" temperament, I'd be surprised if he didn't figure out a way to adapt himself to the pro game. His style of play might change somewhat, of course, and he won't be racking up 500 yard games, but I bet he's gonna be a fine and interesting player to watch for a long time. Keep him out of the AFC East.

I couldn't be more impressed with Young. His physical gifts are obvious, but it was his mental approach that really stood out. He is one cool and collected MFer. I would be stunned if he didn't turn out to be a highly successful pro, just based on his attitude and his calm in the pocket. The one thing I'd worry about is not his throwing motion (seems to work) but the fact that he runs that O out of the shotgun. BTW, I think Pete Carroll was absolutely right to go for it on fourth down. You just had the feeling that if they gave the ball back to Young he was gonna score, whether he had to go 50 yards or 80. USC's best chance at the end was to pick up that 4th with White - game over. I think Carroll's call was ballsy and correct. It just didn't work out. It wasn't arrogance; it was an entirely appropriate fear of Young. What a game.

Not really. Watch someone like Freeney for a while. There are tons of plays where he doesn't seem to be much of a factor (though, in reality, he is a factor because the offense has to focus on him) and then WHAM, he makes a big play. I'm not saying Schobel is as good as Freeney. (I don't think he is.) But I agree with Kelly. He's much closer to being a topnotch DE this year than previously. There aren't too many guys in the league I would trade him for - maybe 6 or 7.

I think he and Herm just had different philosophies, so they never really put together a coherent defense. It's taken him a little time with the Vikes, but he's got that D playing really well now. Of course there's no way to know if he'll be a good HC. (By the same token it's pretty silly to be so sure that he "simply isn't head coach material.") But players like him, he makes good in-game adjustments, and he develops young players very well. I think he's got a great shot to be an excellent HC. We'll see.

I'd be happy for him. San Fran screwed up when they chose Erickson over him, even though they really liked TC. (For that matter, we screwed up too.) http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2278255

Why is he a POS?

BTW, if anyone wants the NYT article on Leach, PM me and I'll email it to you. One of the most interesting football articles I've read in a long time. Leach's offensive approach is radical, his training methods are interesting, and his (current) obsession with Pirates is hilarious. The article is a pdf so it's 5mb. Make sure your email provider can handle it.

Yeah, I think he'd be an amazing choice, but I agree that he's the least likely to want to come here (or anywhere in the NFL). I think he's a UMD alum too. You never know, though. Maybe he's getting bored and wants a new challenge. It would cost a lot of money. I think Leach is a lot more innovative than Spurrier and also less of a dick. He's rethinking the nature of the game. Spurrier had great players. Leach definitely does not. The NYT article quoted one NFL team official as saying, "I'm not sure that his offensive approach would work in the NFL. But I'm not sure that it wouldn't." (Or words to that effect.) Big gamble, but man would it be interesting. What's the deal with TC and Ralph? I don't remember any problems there. TD did interview him after all, though it may have just been a courtesy interview. I think he would come back if Ralph made him an offer.

Ralph Friedgen - Maryland Pro coordinator experience (OC for Bobby Ross's SB team) and a fabulous job turning Mayland around almost instantaneously. http://umterps.collegesports.com/sports/m-...en_ralph00.html Mike Leach - Texas Tech Offensive and possibly motivational genius - absolutely fascinating story on him in the New York Times Magazine (Dec. 4th) by Michael Lewis. Get your hands on it if you can. Teddy Cottrell Didn't see eye to eye with Herm, but that may have just been a philosophy conflict. Tactically sound, great at developing young players, good motivator, guys are always prepared. Seems to be bringing things around in Minny. I don't know if either college guy is interested in jumping to the pros. Cottrell would jump at a job offer for sure. I think the Fridge is a can't miss guy. No way he busts, though you never know if he'll be great. Leach is a complete crapshoot with a great upside. Very strange guy. I'm sure some will make the June Jones run and shoot comparisons. But I think he's different - much more innovative. Could be a huge failure, but could also revolutionize the NFL. Ted is somwhere in between to me. He knows the league, is starting to get out of Wade's shadow (don't think Tice is responsible for that D). I haven't seen tons of Vikings games this year, though, so those of you who have might have a more up to date opinion on him. I would be excited about any of these three. Thoughts?

Not to quibble, but isn't this only McGee's third season (meaning he's played 2+ not 3+)? Right now, he's my favorite player on the team (not saying he's the best - though he's getting closer).