Matt in KC

Can you give me any more hints? I watched a lot of PBS in the late 70s, early 80's (I was born in '69.... At first I thought you were talking about Zoom.

I think Mike Shneck makes the roster again, and is worth it. I think Posey stick and Mario Haggan is cut. Yes, he just re-signed, but it's all salary, no signing bonus (no penalty to cut). I think the Bills continue their tradition of putting a draftee from last year on the PS while putting this year's selections on the 53 man roster to protect them, at least initially. Could we end up going with 2 QBs? I normally wouldn't think so, but that roster spot is valuable, and I have a hard time picturing Holcomb being okay with being the 3rd QB. (I suspect they'll want Losman to start and Holcome as backup, but if Losman is hurt or pulled, Nall gets the next start, with Holcomb still the backup).

Great first post. Welcome aboard! I like that you added a bit more analysis. Assessing only whether players are still with the team from a draft four or five years ago is of limited value. How long is each player's rookie contract? Also, if TD decided to keep (and start) Mike Williams or Jonus Jennings, this would mean his performance was better? TD's job was selecting players and choosing who to retain. "Still in the league," and "starer on any team" sound like the best proxies for finding talent, but starting on another team is a negative for retaining talent. Obviously it's not this simple. Chosing a better, cheaper FA over someone you drafted is clearly the best choice, and means you're doing your job as GM, doing what needs to be done, even though people will look up your old drafts and conclude you must have missed something. How could he have let Keion Carpenter slip away? TD apparently looked smart in 2004 (When Keion was on IR with a torn ACL) for letting Keion go after the 2001 season, but now looks like he can't retain talent since Keion is a starter on another team. (Yes I know Keion wasn't drafted by TD in 1999). At a macro level it's more valid, but without looking at FA's, I think you have to throw this out the window.

I rewatched each game last season (TiVo) with the express purpose of trying to learn more about O-Line play. I am convinced Peters was our best O-lineman last year. My criticism of Peters is definitely NOT his strength - - this guy is a monster. But he does need more coaching on technique and positioning. I am no guru, but I'd say he plays with his arms too far extended. He should engage his man head-on with both arms in tight, but instead hits them at arms length and loses his power. Peters is definitely quick enough. His pass blocking is good because the defender has to come to him and he can react quickly. For run-blocking he isn't awful, but sometimes gets caught trying to choose and lock onto a defender to block. He's not very good "in space."

I'd love to see a team-by-team breakdown of 4th down attempts, success / failure, and average gain in comperable (3rd down?) distance scenarios compared to what they actually chose.

I agree. If NFL coaches know that too, this paper can be interpretted as coaches on average underestimating their team's ability (assuming all coaches want to win).

I'm not sure Belichick is just commenting on whether you should take the a need player (a position weak on your team) versus the best player available (ignoring your strength at each position). I think he is primarily talking about whether you draft someone who is ready to play, or will need to grow into their position (i.e. you cannot select a player that plays one position in college to play another in the pro's). I think his main message is to draft players to play where you know they could help your team (they have the skill, they have performed in that role in college). Bellicheck's preference: 1) Draft a player that could fulfill a role that is a need on your team immediately. 2) Draft a player that could fulfill a role that is NOT a need on your team immediately. 3) Decide to grow (manufacture) a player by training them to fulfill a role. Since he says role and not position, I think this also means how the position is played (e.g. a pass-catching TE being used primarily as a blocking TE).

Eastern Conference 1 Ottawa vs 4 Buffalo Ottawa in 6 (sorry!) 2 Carolina vs 3 New Jersey New Jersey in 5 Western Conference 5 San Jose vs 8 Edmonton Edmonton in 6 6 Anaheim vs 7 Colorado Colorado in 7

Well, Roscoe wears #11 because the other numbers are so wide they wrap around his back when he wears his jersey. ...I know some of you out there think I'm kidding.... http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums...rish%207-31.jpg

Well, this topic is taking a left turn. Forget about Ko for a minute............ I was suprised to see that the Bills took only 42 sack last season after allowing 39 the year before with Bledsoe. And that was with Mike Williams and Chris Villarial hurt, and Jonus Jennings gone. I'd say there was "too much" pressure on the QBs and not enough space opened for Willis, whether because of the O-Line and FB, or the play design/calls. The QBs did a decent job settling for something (Losman's scrambles and Holcomb's short-yardage dump-offs) where DB took a sack and numbed the team with his glazed-eyed leadership. The team seems to be banking on the fact that the play design / play calls were largely to blame. I'm eager to see a slightly bolstered O-line try more stretch runs without Shelton blocking McGahee (notice I didn't say blocking for MGahee) and instead more speed at WR and a blocking TE to back off the safeties and open space for the run game.

Something was reset on the board, perhaps a new server brought in for the surge in hits for the draft. If you go to My Controls | Board settings and check the box for "Is daylight saving time in effect?" you will activate a time machine that will propel the entire board back to the present from one hour ago.

Actually. there are 8 on the list, but you're right, (at least) one will still be undrafted at our pick. I'd take Gilles, Scott or Watson as my top picks.

So long as he can get up in time for the next play. I would have taken Gilles if I was a GM (and I have no illusions that I'd be very good). It just seems like you can find DBs (outside the draft) if you're willing to train them, but you can't find quality linemen, even if you're willing to patiently invest in their growth....

I hope so! No one left in front of the Bills, and he's still out there!

There we go.... Claude Wroten, taken (by St. Louis) at 68, 42 spots after McCargo.

There are only 9 picks left before the Bills 3rd round selection. Maybe they get Max Jean-Gilles?

So, it sounds like many in the media judged McCargo to be the 3rd best DT, and most people are critical of the Bills for not waiting nearly 30 picks from when Bunkley was taken (#14) until their pick at #42 because the same media thought McCargo would probably still be there before draft day.... In this light, trading up was not insane. If the Bills knew they were going to take a DT, then waiting 28 picks is a looong time for no one to take a DT. Does anyone else notice that no other DT has been taken since McCargo (they're up to pick 60 now)? Either teams are picking based on their needs and the Bills were crazy to think McCargo would be gone (because no one needs a DT), or the DTs after McCargo are clearly lesser players.

Well, add center to that list and you're only adding one more name (Fowler) to cover three positions. If the Bills draft two guards and a center, you could be right. But, I'm not convinced that will happen (I wish it would). I know we have a lot of bodies, but BA started last year and is healthy. I'm not convinced he'll be the odd man out. (I'd guess Geisenger to PS.) Also, I'm not convinced Villareal is 100% or ever will be. I think this may be a key determinant of our success this year.

There's a big difference between not starting and not being on the roster. Since he's already under contract and we'd only only save about 30% of his cap hit by cutting him (and we're not cap-constrained). Why wouldn't we want to keep him as a backup? At this point, I don't see any indication that Duke is more prepared to step in at LG. Per Clumping Platelet's Cap Page: Salary $1.5 Mil Cap Hit $2.0 Mil Est Savings (if cut) $0.68 Mil

I am going to be tied up most of the day on Saturday taking a class with my wife, preparing for our first child. Does anyone know a site where I can either get each day 1 draft transaction, or just the bills picks, sent to my pager?

Crud, I didn't even see D'Brick listed - - It is apparently not even enough of a possibility to perceive him as a choice.

Maybe the Bills scouts agreed to only talk about QBs on camera to help heat up a draft day trade to grab the remaining QB. While I'd love to hear what they're really thinking, why on Earth would they go on air with anything honest the week before the draft?

Maybe the Bills scouts agreed to only talk about QBs on camera to help heat up a draft day trade to grab the remaining QB.

Is it too late to revive the "Cutler is great" rumors to try to help push Ferguson down to us?

I definitely agree. Daimon Shelton was one of the biggest disappointments for me last year. He finished 2004 strong, and while displaying tough running on a few times last year, proved to be ineffective blocking for McGahee. I thought several times we'd be in better shape just having a track star sprint down field to draw coverage. When Shelton hit the line, he either was let through ("Toro!") or was tripped up, becoming another bodt Willis had to avoid to gain yardage. I guess what I'm saying is that Wilis is good at being patient and finding an opening. If our fullback actually created more space, I think he'd run behind a FB very well. Unless we get a major upgrade at this position, however, we're better off with another player on the field.