Estro

I know he's an outlier, but Drew Brees at 6'0" has proven that shorter QB's can get it done. Wilson is an inch shorter than Drew, but there is hope. In the 4th-5th round range though I'd be happy if Russell turned into a quality backup. This team sorely needs a backup QB. The positives on Russell that jump out to me are: 1. athleticism 2. ability to move around in the pocket 3. nice over the top delivery (looks like a ptcher delivering the ball downfield) 4. ability to throw on the move 5. intangibles, seems like a hardworker and good guy Would love to see this guy in Bills Camp come summertime.

I'm a fan of Wilson's. He wasn't on my radar a month or 2 ago, but the more I looked into him, the more I liked. His height (under 6') is clearly a big negative, but he has a lot of traits that make you think he's got a shot to be a player. With D Lineman only getting bigger and taller, his height should be a pretty big concern, but once you get into Round 4 or 5 I really like the idea of taking Wilson. Tyler Thigpen is far from a solid backup, so I can see why the Bills would be taking a look at Wilson.

I'm not sure Chandler Jones is an ideal fit for our new 4-3 defense. He's 6'5" - around 270 lbs., but looks like he could stack on another 20 or so lbs. as hes a pretty lean looking guy now. I've seen him projected ideally as a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense. My final point is Chandler Jones doesn't have good speed coming off the edge. He clocked in around 4.83 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine. With the signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, I think the Bills have shown they covet speed at the DE position. Both Anderson and Williams were 4.6 ish 40 yard guys in the Combine, so quite a bit speedier compared to chandler Jones. Chandler Jones had 10 sacks in 3 years at Syracuse, which isn't very many. I think 3-4 teams will take a good look at him in the 50-100 range, but I just don't see where he fits in our D.

The overtime rules SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN changed in the first place, for postseason or regular season. The sudden death overtime rules were fine. I think it was very close to 50/50 on who won the game, receiving team or kicking team. Plus defense is just as important as offense, so if your defense can't stop the offense from getting in field goal range, then you should lose the game. My final point on this is (and tell me if you agree: Under the new rules....say TEAM A (the receiving team) goes down and kicks a FG. TEAM B (the kicking team), with a chance to tie or win, gets into FG range and kicks a FG tying the game. TEAM A gets the ball again, and drives and kicks a FG. Game over. Now TEAM B will still complain they had 1 less possession than TEAM A, so nothing is really resolved through the rule change. On top of that, TEAM B will effectively be playing with 4 downs to get into scoring position, because punting would end the game. TEAM A, on the other hand is effectively playing with 3 downs, because they start with the ball. This gives team B an unfair advantage IMO. I have one of those BIlls fan sickening feelings that the Bills will be the first teams to lose a game under these new rules, in a game where we would have won under the previous rules.

Doc I heard the same interview, I think you may have misheard what Nix said. Here's what he said in a nutshell: 1- Bell was offered a contract prior to the start of FA. Still haven't heard anything from Bell or his agent and thinks they are probably looking for something else. 2- Said they have to come away with a "top" tackle. (This was a huge tell to me) 3- They think there is "2 to 3 tackles that can come into the league and start right away". (Would indicate a 1st round draft choice IMO) 4- They view some of the OL a little differently than the rest of the league, and think theres guys that can man the tackle position that people arent really aware of (A huge tell that they are very high on Cordy Glenn IMO. Glenn has often been talked baout as a G prospect, but I've seen plenty of chatter that he could stay at LT in the NFL). I actually thought the interview with Nix on Sirius was so telling I thought about making a seperate post about it entirely.

I'm with you on that: If Buddy liked him, that's good enough for me. Meachem isn't a guy that was on my radar prior to FA, but when I heard the bills were bringing him in, I liked the idea a lot. I think he would've been a very effective #2, and the Bills sorely need that. The Bills seemed pretty confident they'd sign Meach, so I think they were certainly dissapointed to lose him to the Chargers. All things equal I'd prefer Meach over Anderson. I also believe it was going to be one or the other, I couldn't envision the bills spending for Mario, Meach and Anderson. My thinking is perhaps Anderson was the plan B for Mario. We happened to get Mario, but missed out on Meach. There wasn't really a plan B or another FA WR they liked so they thought, hell even though we got plan A at DE lets use that Meachem money to go get plan B too. That's absolute speculation on my part, but sometimes it's fun to guess. Also I think it's funny everybody says the Chargers overpaid for Meach, but that our signing of Mark Anderson was awesome. I'm not doggin either player, I think they both have a shot to be real good on theri new teams, but both teams overpaid. Anderson at $5.25-$7 millin per year w/ incentives, is clearly more than he's worth. I actually still like the signing, sometimes you have to overpay, but I'm objective enough to admit it. I just hope the money spent on Anderson doesn't hurt our chances of resigning Byrd or LeVitre this next year. They're much more valuale IMO than Mark Anderson.

Mark Anderson's contract specifics: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/mark-anderson/ How it looks from the cash to cap perspective: 2012: $6 million (signing bonus) + $2 million (base salary + workout bonus) = $8 million 2013: $1.5 million (option bonus) + $2.5 million (base salary + workout bonus) = $4 million 2014: $4 million (base salary + workout bonus) = $4 million 2015: $5 million (base salary + workout bonus) = $5 million The deal was reported as a 4 year, $27.5 million, but if you look at the above it actually appears to be 4 years for $21 million. The $6.5 million unccounted for is probably incentive based stipulations. This deal makes me feel a bit btter than the original numbers reported. $5.25 million per is still too much, but it's a hell of a lot better than over $7 million per. If he's a producer his cash to cap doesn't look to bad in years 2-4 and the cap will be much higher in those years, thus further softening the blow of his numbers.

I've read a lot about Joel Buchsbaum, guy really sounded like a one of a kind. Bill Bellechick tried hiring him on numerous occasions, but Joel never wanted to work with 1 team. With that said you have to give some credit to Nolan Nawrocki. He's as good as they come when it comes to accurately predicting the NFL draft. His mocks have consistently graded out as being the most accurate, and as popular as the draft and mock drafts have become that's important. One last thing about Nawrocki: He has accurately predicted the player the Bills will take with their 1st selection the last 6 years. Think about that. In his final mock draft which comes out the day of the draft he has accurately predicted....Donte Whitner, Marshwan Lynch, Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Maybin, CJ Spiller and Marcell Dareus all becoming Bills. I don't think theres one other person that can claim they've been 6 for 6 on the Bills 1st round picks. That's crazy. To me, it indicates the guys got an amazing source with the Bills, so draft morning the first thing I do is check his final mock draft when it comes out.......because for the last 6 years he's told me who it is well befre the Bills made their selection. could be luck but.......

Nolan nawrocki has martin rated as a 3rd round prospect. Wes bunting another draft guru has him rated somewhere in the late 2nd round. I think a lot of people already knew martin wasn't good enough to be the pick at 10. Cordy glenn is the guy the bills like

I think me general feeling that the Bills overpaid for Mark Anderson is legit. Keep in mind this guy has never made more than 1.75 million in a given season and hes been with 3 teams prior to the Bills. A little silver lining though: The salary cap is supposedly going to spike starting in 2013. I don't know exactly what they mean by spike, but I'm thinking it could be in the neighborhood of a 15-20% jump in salary cap space starting next year. This year is a little over $120 million, and I'm guessing next year is going to be at least in the $135-$140 million in 2013. Throw in the fact that teams are going to have to spend close to the cap every year and cash, and these contract signed today may look like bargains in a year or two. Not total justification for overpaying for a guy, but a big jump in cap may make it easier to handle the Byrd and LeVitre resignings. The contract numbers on the FA signing next year will be downright silly if the cap does indeed jump up to the $140 million level. This also means there will be teans that will be willing to bid up the prices of LeVitre and Byrd, so the bills better play their cards right. Resigning them now or during the season is important because the closer they get to FA the more theyll realize how freely teams will spend. I'm still a little concerned that signing Anderson today may have cost us from investing in Byrd or Levitre during the 2012 offseason or season.

The signing of Mark Anderson has me excited today, but the numbers of his deal have me a little concerned. 4 years $27.5 million is a lot of money for Anderson, no way around it. I thought this guy would be looking for $5 mill a year max, so to see it closer to $7 mill a year was a shock. I understand he had a good season last year, but guys who's numbers spike in a contract year is a bit worrisome. I really wonder if any of the other teams were offering anything close to what he just signed for. The main reason for my concern is this: I don not want the signing of Mark anderson to cost us a shot at resigning Byrd or LeVitre next season. I hope it doesn't, but it could. I was holding out hope Bell would be a late resign, but with the signing of anderson I'm not sure the Bills have any resources left for Bell. i know he's had injury problems, and that is a legit concern, but I think he's a valuable asset to the team and being we only spent a 7th round pick on him, I was rooting for him. I wonder if the bills would even resign him at this point if he agreed to the numbers the Bills have on the table. Let's hope Mark Anderson proves to be a nice signing, but theres no doubting the Bills overpaid.

Kelsay is going no where, you can bank on that. He's not great, but he's okay and he played better later in the season when they were back to playing a lot of 4-3. Kelsay will never be good, but hes okay and you just don't cut servicable veterans when you have no one to replace them. Dwan Edwards, I agree with you though. You'd have to think he's a goner if Anderson is added. A lot of teams have sniffed around Mark Anderson, so I'm not sure this visit precludes his signing. There a few other teams in the mix according to multiple reports. I do like the fact he's spending the night though, and meeting with everyone tomorrow. The extended visit seemed to work wonders with Mario, maybe the same will be true again.

I'd take this: Over this: Luke Kuechly to me, compares very favorably to Paul Posluszny. Decent in run support, not so great in coverage, and a little tight in the hips. I don't understand all the hype as far as a top 10 talent. I see him as more of a top 40 prospect to a team looking for a strong MLB. There no way Kuechly would survive as an OLB in the NFL, IMO. Like I said, just doesn't look fluid when he drops into coverage.

Our pick #10 is worth 1300 pts according to the draft trade value chart. The Bengals 2 #1's = 1750 pts. So you can forget about the idea of that trade happening, it'd be an absolute coup for the Bills. Realistically, you'd be looking at the Bengals giving up the #17 pick along with their 2nd round pick to get up to our spot, which would still be a nice deal for the Bills

Yes, agreed Astro, I too think he'll be long gone by our 3rd round pick. I actually think theres a 50/50 chance he doesn't make it to pick #42. What say you? I'd be thrilled with him at #42. Guys a baller, and would be a tremendous get for the Bills D. I'm a big fan of the Bills trading down from #10 and picking up an additional 2nd or 3rd rounder (depending how far we go back). After listening to Jim Kelly's interview on BB.com I think the Bills are giddy to trade down too. This would enable us to still pluck an OT (Cordy Glenn) and have two 2nd round picks, a 3rd, two 4ths, and two 5ths. That'd be a ton of ammo to move around in the draft and get the guys you covet. I love Lavonte David. I'm high on Rueben Randle, WR from LSU. I'm high on both Josh Robinson, CB from UCF, and Josh Norman, CB from Coastal Carolina. With the additional picks acquired in a trade down it'd be possible tp pick up 1-Cordy Glenn, 2-Rueben Randle, 3-Lavonte David and 4-Josh Robinson or Josh Norman with our first 4 picks. That's be a tremendous draft.

Pretty sure David Nelson and Donald Jones will both be RFA next offseason, meaning the Bills will be able to protect them from other teams.

Well said. The comparison between the top 2 or 3 safeties in the game versus the top few G's is an excellent point. And now that a few have chimed in I'll give my opinion: I'd take Byrd over LeVitre. I believe G's are easier to replace than S's. That's not to discount LeVitre's importance to the team, but just take a look at our other contributing G's, Urbik and Rhinehart, both were plucked off the FA wires by Nix and company. Byrd is really coming into his own, and with the addition of Mario, I think things will only get better for Byrd back there in centerfield. With all that said, I have a ton of faith in Nix and company that both will be resigned.

The Bills 2 most important free agents next offseason will be Jairus Byrd and Andy LeVitre. I think it's very important that both get resigned, as they're both very good and young. With that said if the Bills can only afford one of them, who would you rather have? It's a tough call, and while I'm optimistic Buddy will re-up both of them I'm curious what you guys would prefer if we only resigned one. Ben Grubbs, a very similar player to LeVitre, just got 5 years $36 million, with $16 million guarenteed. Antrel Rolle, similar to Byrd, inked a 5 year $37 million deal in 2010, with $15 million guarenteed. This gives you a ball park range of how much these 2 will cost to retain. I'll give my answer and reasoning after some responses come in because I don't want to influence any of the thinking. P.S.- If not throwing money at a FA WR this year, just for the sake of plugging a hole, allows us the opportunity to re-sign both Byrd and LeVitre than it's a great move. LeVitre and Byrd are much more valuable to this team than a Manningham, or Lloyd would ever be.

Hightower is decent but he's an ILB, IMO. He may have run an impressive 40, but there's no doubt he's much stiffer and much less agile than LaVonte David. When it comes to staying on the field in passing situations theres no doubt David is far superior to Hightower. I like hightower, I just think a guy like David fits our defense better than Hightower at this moment.

Imo Lavonne David is a top 40 prospect.....especially considering the need for LB's to be good in coverage in todays NFL. So I think there's a 50/50 shot he'll be on the board when we pick at #42, my gut is telling me he'll be picked before then though. If you believe all the mock drafts though, they typically have him going mid 2ndround round to mid 3rd round. The more I look into him, they more I want him to be a Buffalo Bill

Which is why we need to draft a LB who excels in nickel/passing situations, ala, Lavonte David. He can contribute immediately, and Nick Barnett is getting older. so he'll eventually take over his spot.

Lavonte David, from Nebraska, is the best pure 4-3 OLB in this draft, for my money. Don't know why he's not rated higher amongst the draft pundits. BTW, the biggest knock on David is his size. He's 6'1" - 233lbs. For comparisons sake, Jon Beason is 6'0" -237 lbs. So I don't see his size has a hige problem.

Big, big fan of Lavonte David. Just started my own post about him. I think he'd be a great fit in our defense, even moreso with the addition of Mario Williams. Also a fan of Rueben Randle, WR, LSU, think he could be the size/speed combo we're looking for at the flanker postion (Z receiver) on offense. Didn't see him on the list, so I'm assuming he's already off the board?

This guy hasn't gotten as ton of attention from the national pundits, but for my money he's the best pure OLB in this years draft. The biggest knock on him is he's undersized, at a little under 6'1" and 233 lbs. Certainly it's smaller than your prototypical LB, but Nick Barnett is 6'2", 230 lbs, and no one complains that he's too small. Lavonte David has great speed, change of direction, and instincts. He's good in coverage and is also solid in run support. He'll never be a LB that's going to bull rush a 300 lb OL, but I'm not sure there are a ton of cover LB's that will ever be able to do that. In a league where defenses seem to be in their nickel packages just as much as their base defenses, the importance of cover (nickel) LB's is all the more important. Couple that with the fact that we play in a division with some pretty good TE's (Gronkowski, Hernandez, Keller, Fasano) and I think David would be a great asset for the Bills. On obvious passing situations we'd have the ability to keep David and Barnett on the field and I think we'd be able to match up well in that package. Bo Pelini, head coach of Nebraska, was quoted last season saying there wasn't a LB in the nation he'd trade for Lavonte David, a lot of praise coming from a defensive minded coach. With the Bills having a beefier more talented DL upfront I really like the idea of getting these fast flowing playmaking LB's on the Bills. Guy can tackle, blitz, and cover, what's not to like? I think David would be dynamite on the Bills, what say you? If you have time, check out the two clips of Lavonte David below: and if anyone has a comment or opinion on David please add, I'd like to know more about him. (vs. Michigan) (vs. South Carolina - Bowl Game) http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/lavonte-david-1.html (2 years statisitcs at Nebraska)