Mikie2times

1. Shaq Lawson- One of if not the best edge run setter in the draft at DE/OLB. Plants and anchors in, doesn't give ground. Has enough athleticism to play 4-3 DE. 3-4 OLB, even 3-4 DE in isolated circumstances. Not fast off the edge or developed in pass rushing moves. Sort of the anti Von Miller. Could play 4-3 DE with minimal transition. Can collapse a pocket with a good bull rush, will occasionally show an effective spin move, struggles to separate against the OT once driven back. Will need to develop this at the next level. Shaq is an NFL ready man that has positional flexibility and provides a lot of value on first down and short yardage situations. He would transition fluidly to a 4-3 scheme if we ever transition away from Rex while still fitting the mold of the larger more multiple OLB's Rex seems to prefer (Calvin Pace). He will need to develop his pass rushing skills if he's to develop into an upper level OLB or DE in the future. Hard not to see his value. I said the anti Von Miller, that's what I prefer in my 3-4 OLB, but that type of player wouldn't fit anywhere in a 4-3. In Shaq we get a guy that is elite in the run game, could develop his pass rush, but fit's both defensive systems. I would say that's a win for us. Shoulder injury might have dropped him a bit, but that doesn't seem like it will be an issue. 2. Reggie Ragland- Natural football player. Great size and strength. Very good instincts. Some question his speed. Ragland makes up for any deficiencies with instincts and he's not slow for a guy his size. Massive, physical MLB, who even played some DT in pass situations at Alabama. Size allows him to be multiple even if it's for just a couple plays. Very Large and strong players who run as fast as Ragland can be multiple. Buffalo's defense is designed for MLB's to do the dirty work so I expect Ragland will lead the team in tackles this year. Might never be an perfect Dime or Nickle LB but not a liability either. Ragland is a great fit for Rex and once again can play MLB in 4-3 or a 3-4, so safe pick for any coach or system. Diagnosed with enlarged Aorta which caused him to slip down draft boards. Is not expected to have further complications. 3. Adolphus Washington- Incredible hands. You can't lift your hands without them getting an instantaneous slap. Big player but seems more finesses vs power at this point. Incredible pass rushing moves. Washingon has great balance for a man his size and will create moments leaving the OL grabbing at nothing. He has multiple move progressions, combining 3 to 4 moves in one rush. This isn't the type of technique you typically see from a college player. Has potential to provide immediate impact in all pass rushing situations. Ability to anchor needs to improve. Would be a liability against the run at NT, but not so much at DE. Likely a better fit long term as 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. I don't see him starting year one as he needs to find balance between run and pass, but we will see him in just about all pass rushing downs. In that situation he can play anywhere on the line. This will be a third straight pick that is capable of playing in either scheme and multiple positions. 4.Cardale Jones- One of, if not the most physically gifted QB;s in the draft. Large QB that has a rocket and can make any throw on the field. Has ability to absorb hits with his large frame. Can run but not a running QB. Jones skill set and body type is meant for a natural pocket passer but Jones is capable of running either in improvisation or pre-designed plays if asked to do so. Jones needs to improve accuracy and RZ touch. He can display great touch at times but the next minute throw a rocket into the end zone from five yards out. Development, reading, timing, that will decide things, but that's what decides all QB's. Having Jones skills to start out with aren't a luxury many people have and something rarely seen in the 4th round. 5. Jonathan Williams- Williams was the work horse running back for the most run lopsided team in the SEC and he did a very good job at it. As NFL tested as any player in the draft. Williams is an all around back. He can catch, block, run, power, speed, not breakaway or corner turning, but he will bust the seam if an opening shows up. Good power, usually falls forward. Tries to get the corner at times when he shouldn't and won't be able to at the NFL level, but also doesn't have any issue staying between the tackles. This can be coached. Would have been one of the better backs in the class if he didn't get injured. Will see reps in 2016 and with K. Williams concussion issues, could see Williams rise to the primary #2/spot starter very quickly. Sustained season ending injury which hurt value but is expected to make a full recovery. 6. Kolby Listenbee- Agree with OBD, not a track star. Listenbee runs over the middle. He fights for the ball in the air. He finds the ball and tracks it. Doesn't use his hands that well catching the ball, more of a body catcher. Some injury concerns. Nothing lingering, but frame and size have question marks to if he can hold up. His speed is lethal, very few people will press him. Who is our #3 again? I would say this could be him. Listenbee could see serous playing time. At the least he provides a great deep threat opposite Watkins. We can only hope to have either Listenbee or Goodwin healthy each week. If we go 3 wide, Sammy/Goodwin/Listenbee, we might have the fastest 3 WR's on the field at one time in NFL history. Bold statement, but those are 3 players that can flirt with a 10 second 100. 7. Kevon Seymour- Highly recruited player, blazing speed, had some injury issues but seems to have recovered. Rex said something to the effect of if you're going to draft a guy in the 7th round he might as well be really fast. I don't disagree with that thought process. What's interesting in this draft is the similarities. All 3 of our top defensive picks are multiple position players and all 3 are not 3-4 specific. You also have as many as 5 players that might have had injuries lower draft status but appear healthy now. I like the diversity as one of my fears was getting pigeon holed into a 3-4 by a high draft pick in case we ever showed Rex the door. That didn't happen. In fact we managed the coup in the form of grabbing 3 players that are great fits for Rex, a 4-3, and are all talented. 5 players could start games for us next year. Barring setbacks, I expect Shaq, Reggie, and potentially Listenbee to start. Then we will see a lot of time from Washington and Williams with a potential spot start.

I would say this is the happiest I've been with a draft we had in the first four rounds since I can remember. 3 need positions, all projected to go higher, all can play multiple positions especially in Rex's scheme. Now we get the most physically gifted QB in the draft who showed 2 years ago he has the ability to dominate the best college competition in the land. He will take some time, but great fit for Roman, lot's of potential upside and no need to rush. This draft is lights out.

Some employers might enforce if they legalize at the FED level. I suspect that would be more an exception than the rule, but it will happen, no different than some employers not employing smokers. Having said that, if the FED does legalize, I think the NFL will end testing for this substance. Just my opinion.

I'm dumb right now. Agree completely.

I don't know if this post was aimed more at me or just your general thoughts. He needs to hold himself accountable for his actions. It really doesn't matter how people feel about the laws or the rules. They're in place, he agreed to them, he didn't follow them. Same consequence many normal people find themselves in with random drug testing every day.

Josh probably is......Heyo!

Weed is not physically addictive, psychology, sure. If somebody feels better when they do something and they keep repeating it over and over, try stopping. Not so easy on the mind. I don't agree with the NFL or the FEDS position on MJ. It benefits symptoms many NFL players experience and is much better than pain killers (which are physically addictive). Having said all this, no different than Joe Schmo, if your employer drug tests and you fail, you stand a very good chance of losing your job. Those are the outlines the civilian world has to adhere too and the NFL will not deviate. IF the FED legalizes, at that point, we will see many employers and likely the NFL be ok with MJ. On a state level it does nothing for employee benefits. In fact drug testing has actually increased in states that have it legalized, not decreased, and even with a medical prescription you still can't use it and be employed at a job with a drug free work place.

Kap also didnt have the stat numbers that TT has.....if your basing everything on Kap when it comes to TT.........I dont think that is a good comparison. And even if you did that lets keep in mind that offense went to the Super Bowl. COMP-243, ATT 416, COMP% 58.4%, YARDS 3197, TD 21, INT 8, RUSH YDS 524, RUSH TD 4 COMP-242, ATT 380, COMP% 63.7%, YARDS 3035, TD 20, INT 6, RUSH YDS 568, RUSH TD 4 Look's pretty similar to me. I also agree that Taylor can get us to the Super Bowl with an elite defense which is why I wanted him to start last year. I said as much from the moment we signed him. I just don't want to pay him 15 million+. Romans offense specializes in making QB's efficiency gods. We sink franchise money into Taylor and he busts in a normal system, what happens then? What I'm saying is exactly what happened to SF and one of ten million reasons that franchise so jacked up. I really dont think your giving credit to the NFL defenses he is facing.....if he truly was so simple minded dont you think opposing defenses would take that away from him? Its chess out there not checkers. The guy wears a fricken shaded visor you have no idea where his eyes are even going. And a LOT of Tyrod's big plays ARE off breakdowns. What are you watching? His eyes are going where his head is pointing, that would be my guess. I don't think he is simple minded either, he has a lot of guts and seems to have above average intelligence. Defenses gave him most the short stuff. They didn't try and take it away. No point, it wasn't hurting them. That's how he built his comp%, he is not as accurate as the stats indicate. He built his inflated YPA by being a very good deep ball thrower and yes, to your point, his ability to do some great things with broken plays. None of these characteristics in modern football have been cornerstones of guys you pay 15 million+ to at the QB position. Some guys have those traits, Wilson/Young for example, but what I'm looking for is signs that he can develop into a franchise QB. I never saw those. Those signs, for me, are throwing covered receivers open prior to the break. Hitting small windows in the intermediate passing game, specifically over the middle. Moving off reads and delivering the ball with timing and being decisive. I saw none of that in his game. I saw a very athletic guy with a heck of a deep ball partnered with Trent Edwards. That is not somebody I want us breaking the bank for. Im sorry Kazoo....I have no idea of what the point here is.....are you saying that he is holding onto the ball and running after he gets away? You do realize that is one of the things that makes him dangerous.......he is the fastest QB in the league. I'm saying he is indecisive, holds the ball too long, and often faces unnecessary pressure that he would not have to face had he delivered the ball with timing. What I'm saying is not an opinion, he led the league by a comfortable margin in how long it takes for him to gt rid of the ball. Which I imagine you will say is a result of his scramblin Fran ways, but the reality is those plays just make up a fraction of the data.

Limiting turnovers is much easier when you never are asked to throw the ball in tight windows. Kap limited turnovers in Romans offense. Same things..... I can tell what progressions he's going threw because many of the plays he's running are one read throws. Timing routes are very easy to see, you don't need to be in a huddle to see a timing route. You also don't need to be in a huddle to see what happens when the first guy he stairs at is covered. What happens is ball pat, ball pat, ball pat, sack/run/ maybe something ok if he can break lose....He doesn't know what to do when the designed play isn't there. He does avoid sacks, he's one of the most elusive QB's I've ever seen, but many of those avoided sacks are happening 6+ seconds after the snap (see above) I also agree he does avoid big hits and does a good job doing it. Which makes it even scarier when you think about how many times he got crushed last year.

Ok, well that's dumb, but I think Taylor could net a first. If that is the case, I don't think it's dumb.

Surprised at the slaughtering the OP is taking. Taylor was asked to hit timing routes, throw the deep ball, limit turnovers, and then he added his own splash of improve. He performed very well statistically and at times he did the same with the eye test within this scheme. He was never asked to throw to win, take chances, make multiple progressions. He never showed he could hit anything he wasn't staring at, consistently throw from the pocket, avoid sacks, sometimes he took as much as 7-8 seconds to just find something he could see. His height is an issue and so is his propensity to take hits. This is like the opposite drama of Rex. The fan base went from no to a resounding yes with TT. This time last year very few people thought he could start, now people would refuse to trade him for a first rounder when he's in a contract year at peak value?

2014 Kaep,while highly ridiculed, still had a + year for QB's on the stat side while playing hurt. But you're right, his play did regress for some of the reasons mentioned. I think consensus opinion is Tyrod should improve based on experience. What's lost is that experience also pits him against the increased knowledge defenses have in playing him. DC's will do the same thing with Taylor in 16 as Kaep got in 14. Taylors athleticism is elite, so that's not easy, but I really do think his height hurts him. He doesn't find windows of vision, he tries longer to find wide open vision. Everything gets delayed, play breaks down, sometimes good things happen, but it's inconsistent. On timing routes/first reads, deep balls, he has timing and accuracy. He also seems to care about the mental part. So hopefully he avoids Kaeps progression. He's an easy guy to root for and I really hope he proves my concerns wrong.

Lot of haters toward Parker over his career. All that tells me is he was really damn good at what he did. We only knew of him professionally and knew very little outside of that. Sounds like a very successful business man and hopefully just as successful outside of work. 60 is too young. I hope his family can find peace in time.

For sure, it's a money thing for me. I would like to accentuate the first portion of the first post a bit more. I really like Taylor. It doesn't sound like this type of thread would be started by somebody who really likes Taylor. I've liked him since day one and always thought he would start. I also think he has the talent to lead a talented team into the playoffs and beyond. Good guy, fun to watch, seems like a winner. What I worry about is a massive investment in him if we don't see that next step. A lot of people feel 2015 numbers in 2016 could equal 15 million or more. I expect 2016 production to be very similar. Maybe something more in the 20 TD/10 INT range, but still good. It will be what I see with my eyes that will tell me if he is worth the money. Roman can make QB's stat gods. Taylor is the guy right now and I'm fine with him being the guy, happy, unless that price tag goes way up with the same questions we currently have.

Obviously you can't take anything I'm saying past conjecture. What's not conjecture is Kubiak wants Kaep right now. So that stamp of confidence doesn't do a lot for me.

Difference in YPA is Taylor being able to throw a predetermined route with more accuracy. It's no small difference, it is part of the game. Taylors ability to be a threat in the deep passing game is certainly a big part of his game. I just don't see any of that YPA coming from the sources I would like. His COMP % and YPA is established on timing routes and deep balls which he throws a very high % of his plays. Again, sort the box I've described that Roman created for him. His first year without Roman, he was forced to operate as something other than a system QB. This is my contention. Take Roman away, strip the system, make Tyrod play in a standard offense, it will get ugly. Obviously can't disagree with a lack of talent last year for Kaep but I don't see his future getting much better regardless of where he goes.

I was part of the Tyrod will start when we signed him group. I like watching him play. In this system he can be very efficient. Having said all this, like many have discussed, if he has the same season in 2016 as he did in 2015, he could exceed 15 million a year. Please compare the two stat lines..... COMP-243, ATT 416, COMP% 58.4%, YARDS 3197, TD 21, INT 8, RUSH YDS 524, RUSH TD 4 COMP-242, ATT 380, COMP% 63.7%, YARDS 3035, TD 20, INT 6, RUSH YDS 568, RUSH TD 4 One of those is Tyrod and the other is Kaep's first season as a full time starter, virtually indistinguishable of each other. As players, not the same. Kaep more physical talent, Taylor more mental talent. Comparing Taylor Kaep might upset some, but the reality is this type of production is plenty out of the position. SF made multiple deep runs with him and Roman at the helm. Prior to the season I said I hope Taylor can give us Kaep like production and that's what he did. At the same time, I can't imagine any Bills fan being happy about paying Kaep over 15 million dollars. We probably have the most QB friendly OC in the league right now. Paying a system QB franchise money would be a death blow. I'll stay open minded but I just feel Taylor is playing in a box and that works, but if he was asked to step outside it he would struggle mightily.

Mr. Jauronimo, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Norman deserves top 5 corner money as does Gilmore for those that are comparing the two. Both are young and in the top 5, at the least, top 10 at what they do. Funny how Norman instantly has the feel that he will get a bigger deal than Gilmore. That's what being a "pro" gets you nowadays.

Hard to disagree but can't be applied across the board. Seattle is the best defense of 2010's and registers in a top 10 discussion all time when looking at defensive performance over a couple years when factoring in scoring/yard differences in eras. One thing Seattle defenders discuss across the board is just how straight forward the scheme is. I thought that was illustrated well in the Super Bowl against the Pats. They play man on just about everything and want to force teams to drive 3-4 yards downfield per play with no big plays and emphasis punishing eliminating YAC and hitting WR's. They had a pretty good degree of success against Brady even in allowing 300 yards passing. You could just see how much it took to beat them in that game with one of the games all time best QB's forced to execute on 50 pass attempts as Seattle defenders just pummeled New England's WR's all game. We also saw Buffalo do it's thing with Schwartz in a different scheme than Seattle but similar in it's approach to players not thinking. On the flip side you have the Broncos defense this year. Wade might not run something as complex as Rex but his defense isn't exactly run of mill. Personally, that Denver defense is the kind I love seeing with pressure being it's hallmark. Common theme in all situations is good players in good scheme fits. Seattle has a roster which is very unique as far as how physical it's DB's are. Denver had great edge rushing LB's, outstanding corners. Just a great all around defense. We still have a very good DL, bordering on great if Kyle returns to form. Marcell and Kyle should be at DE, and we need to add a true NT. Hughes is a very solid edge guy who should be a primary rusher, but can drop. We have outstanding corners which is mandatory.I think Lawson is a wild card. Very talented? No, but one thing a Rex defense can do when it clicks is make average players look very talented, specifically at LB. Lawson was moving around a lot at the end of the year and it seemed to work. He played a lot of MLB against the Jets. We can have a good scheme fit with this defense and this roster in 2016 with a couple additions, players buying in, and simplification.

I just watched the 30 for 30 on the 85 Bears. Found it interesting that the Bears defense came to Buddy a couple years prior to the 85 season and asked him to shrink the playbook. Most players commented that they knew this wasn't what Buddy wanted, but the next day they came to practice the playbook was more than cut in half. It becomes very interesting to now see Rex facing a what would appear to be a similar situation his father did. In his dads situation the players unified and requested that the playbook be reduced with the expectations that it would allow them to play faster and improve as a team. The defense was united and wrote a letter to Buddy and Buddy was smart enough to listen. I don't know if a modern NFL team has the stones or ability to be unified like teams did of that era. I wouldn't expect Bills players to ask Rex to change, it will come more in the form of what we have already seen. Player complaints in the media, etc. His father was smart enough to listen to his players and it eventually led to the greatest defensive season in NFL history. It gives me hope for next season that Rex has seen what simplification can provide. Perhaps we just didn't see it on a wide scale level last year as we already found ourselves too invested in the initial strategy.

Rex has never required elite talent outside of the DB's which we have. I feel as if we have reasons to think Rex has lost it, I also feel like we have reasons to give him the benefit of the doubt. 2015 was clearly a dreadful performance with very few players buying in, confusion, and poor execution. If those things don't happen in 2016, even with less talent than 2015, yes, the defense can have a massive turnaround. I don't think it's even fair to say we will have less talent in 2016 either. We lost Mario who brought little to the team in 2015. Our DB play which was already strong should get even better. Kyle should be back, if not, he didn't play most of 2015 anyway. The LB's should absolutely play better as I'm certain we will look to upgrade that position. Dooming 2016 before it happens is just as stupid as anointing Rex in 2015 before it happened.

It is silly to think the Pegulas, Russ, Whaley, or anybody at One Bills Drive ever thought Rex/Schwartz could work. The statements made about retaining Schwartz was PR mumbo, nothing more. If it wasn't I have larger concerns about our front office and it's ability to judge situations and understand the game. Why the delay? People prioritize tasks in new roles. Letting go a coach was not a priority. It was something he had to deal with and when he had some time after his initial tasks that's exactly what he did. Some guys would make the wheel square if for no other reason just so they can make their mark. You see it in business all the time. You see it in the NFL all the time. Rex is one of the biggest examples of this in the NFL. He is married to the 3-4. He will never change. He is also married to running the show. It has to be a "Rex Ryan" defense as we heard so many times this year (Imagine being a player and having your squad labeled by the HC and not it's players, it would bother me). On our end we didn't riot when this was all playing out because most people looked at 2013's defense also being good and now we would have the master and not the apprentice. It just didn't go that way so people are forcing the Schwartz/Ryan debate as if one could even exist. It was never possible. It's also likely the apprentice was more successful than the master because the apprentice had less you needed to know. All we discussed this year about Rex and what happened to our defense has been discussed and verified by multiple people/players/writers. We played slow, confused, and uninspired. One more season for Rex and given recent history, if we do dump him, the Bills will be switching back to a 4-3 just prior to it's 3-4 roster taking shape.

Both 3-4 legends with lots of defensive coordinator experience and fathers who coached in football. Excluding interim coaching, Wade has a career 79-57 record, Ryan has a career 58-60 record. It's interesting how Ryan was a guy the Bills targeted but nobody touches Wade. All he seems to do is win wherever he is. He's fallen short in the playoffs over and over, but it's not as if Rex has a ring. I know his Bills squads had great records but were somewhat overshadowed following the Kelly years. We were a spoiled fan base during those times. I don't recall what actually severed our relationship with Wade. I'm 34 and those were some memorable years, I just remember the players and games more than situational things like why we lost a player or coach. Anybody recall? Anybody rather have Wade vs Rex? Anybody think it's shocking the guy isn't a HC? He seems to fall victim to high expectations getting fired his first down year everywhere he goes despite success in previous seasons.