The Senator

Dunno for sure but, from my previous debates with Albany regarding the Bills QB situation, I'd have to guess the conversation went something like this... (Warning - NSFW)

I would imagine trying to get an answer out of Buddy Nix on what he's thinking about the draft would go something like this...

If he comes out early... Link - Landry Jones (Oklahoma) Landry Jones threw for a school bowl-record 429 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 9 Oklahoma ended a five-game BCS bowl losing streak with a 48-20 win over Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday night...Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is the latest to try and rewrite the Sooner record book. Some might not think the sophomore is as hot an NFL prospect as his predecessor, Sam Bradford, but at least one man might disagree. "He's really come a long way. He's a hard worker, he's talented, he's got a great arm," Stoops said. "He's already shown he's an excellent quarterback, but he has a chance to be one of those elite guys." Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer seems to agree with Stoops' assessment. "I was sitting with Switzer watching a two-a-day practice and he, you know, evaluates talent pretty well," Stoops said. "We're sitting there for about a half an hour on a cooler watching and he says -- I won't use the two words he starts off with because they're cuss words -- but he says, `Bob, this guy is going to be a first-round draft pick.' That was his assessment of watching a second-year guy, watching his ability and talent." Also a possibility, and also if he comes out after his junior season... Link - Darron Thomas (Oregon) Thomas was not named the starter over Nate Costa until the final week of fall camp, but he has become one of the nation's top signal-callers. He has thrown for [edit] 2,881 yards and 30 touchdowns and run for 486 yards and five touchdowns while being named a finalist for the Manning Award, which is given to the nation's top quarterback...Thomas, a sophomore from Houston, has played an integral role in helping the undefeated Ducks to their first-ever No. 1 ranking in his first season as a starter.

Hope you're right, Fig

Could be my overactive paranoia, but this seems like a bit of 'gamesmanship' to me - I'm thinking Carolina may be wanting to trade down, and is trying to bait a partner. (Personally, I don't think Newton will go in the top 5 - but that's JMO.)

Just had an EKG and treadmill stress-test myself, this past Tuesday, and am hoping the doc says I'm ready for what the Bills will do in this draft! (I'm at serious risk of acute myocardial infarction if they draft Kim Newton or Gabe Blabbert at #3 - will be at ease if it's Von Miller.)

Interesting cross-polls would be - 1) Of those who selected Newton, how many also thought we should lose every game so we could draft Andy Luck? and 2) Of those who selected Newton, how many also pined for Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, Brady Quinn, etc., etc.?

Von Miller

While he, OTOH, is such a handsome fellow...

I think you'll be pleased with Von Miller - maybe not right away, when you hear his name called by the Bills on April 28th, but shortly thereafter and for years to come... GO BILLSSS!!!! Fear the 'stache!!!!!

Interestingly... Most top-end quarterbacks in recent years have taken a pass on passing at the Combine. Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, to name three, all waited for their pro days, choosing to throw to familiar receivers instead of the masses at the Combine. On the other hand, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler all chose to throw at the Combine -- and none of them wound up with any reason to regret it. (Link - Sporting News)

Gabbert...grounded... 2011 NFL Combine: Blaine Gabbert Won't Throw Until Missouri Pro Day Gabbert Gabbert Gabbert...

Actually, 'Team Gabbert' announced it 2 days ago... According to Sporting News, Gabbert's agent has confirmed that he will not throw at the Combine instead waiting for Mizzou's March 17th pro day...This doesn't come as a complete shock because a lot of top quarterbacks don't throw at the Combine...Working out at a pro day makes the most sense. At the Combine, you're likely going to be throwing to receivers you're not familiar with, on a field you're not familiar with and in an environment you're not familiar with...On the other hand, a pro day is done with receivers you've been working with and usually at your home field in a comfortable (or familiar) environment. Link - 2011 NFL Combine: Blaine Gabbert Won't Throw Until Missouri Pro Day Never thought about it before but, if you read the article, it seems like a smart decision...sound reasoning...nothing unusual...blah...blah...Gabbert...Gabbert... .

Agree wholeheartedly - but I'd absolutely LOVE the guy at the #68-pick! .

But were you unhappy with the Williams choice on draft day? I wasn't - but I nearly puked when we took Maybin over Pettigrew and Oher, both of whom were huge positional needs at the time.

See that's where the 94 kids & 33 grandkids come in handy...

"Variety is the spice of life..."

Frank & Estelle Costanza

Don't know if there's any truth to it but some are suggesting that Mallett will be given a hair-follicle test, in addition to the standard urine screening. Interesting that you discount Ponder so strongly - Gailey & Modkins have watched him since H.S., recruited him hard for Georgia Tech, and - supposedly - loved him at the Senior Bowl.

Only 200 days? I guess it's time, then.... 19 and 0 baby!!! GO BILLSSS!!!! Reverse the Curse!!!!!

The Bills will take Texas A&M OLB Von Miller, the most dominant pass-rusher in this year's draft, at #3 - as Miller's stock soars following up his impressive Senior Bowl week and an outstanding performance at the NFL Scouting Combine (which starts today). It's always fun, but - in reality - ridiculous to try predicting what will happen after that, as it'll be contingent upon what 30 other teams do before we pick again. That said, what I think will happen is Mallett will slip to round 2 - whether Buddy takes him at the #34-spot will hinge on Mallett's interviews and performance at the combine. If Buddy's comfortable, Mallett could be 'warming the pine' for the next 2 seasons as Fitzpatrick's backup - but, again, that depends on what 30 other teams do before we pick again and who else has 'slipped' out of round one as we're on the clock in round 2. If Gabe Carimi is still there at the 34th pick, he'll be our next great LT. If we don't take Mallett and Christian Ponder's still there in round 3, Ponder will be our developmental QB for the next 2-3 years. With two picks in round four, the possibilities are myriad - guys I personally like include FB/ILB/ST Owen Marecic, OL John Moffitt, DE Greg Romeus, OLB Dontay Moch, and DT Sione Fua. In the later rounds Nix will go BPA (I hope), with an eye on positional needs governing his choices - one guy that I do hope we have a shot at in maybe round 6 or 7 is Nebraska kicker Alex Henery, who can also punt and is a decent scrambler on 'trick' plays as well. (Lindell and Moorman are 34 and 35 years old, respectively, and - hate to say - beginning to show it.) April 28-30 can't get here soon enough - also can't wait to hear some news from the combine this week... GO BILLSSS!!!! 19 and 0 baby!!!!!

I'd feel much better if he had said something more like, " I want to be the best NFL quarterback I can possibly be and help whichever team selects me in any way I can to achieve every football player's ultimate goal - winning a Superbowl. "

I want to know the results of Mallett's hair-follicle test.

Yes, I think you have....finally (Only thing GH is missing now, before his ascendancy to greatness and Canton, is maybe a short stint as a bag-boy at a HYVEE grocery store )

You mean other than drafting Lance Kendricks? No, I seriously think the Bills should sign Shockey - I'm good with that. (Besides, we'd never be able to convince Harrell to leave the Superbowl champion Packers to come to Buffalo, or switch to TE for that matter!)