bartshan-83

I'm not a Willis hater, nor do I think it is impossible that he may develop into a premier back with the Ravens. But...I can just picture him right now on the couch reading those quotes, hair braided, wearing his Cosby sweater puffin a blunt with this big grin on his face like: "Sht...am I really that great? Yeah....yeaaaaaaaah I guess I am. Everyone loves you Willis...everyone loves you."

I like it...assuming we bring in a FA CB. Jonathan Wade might have more fluid hips than Elvis, but unless he or someone else on the roster is ready to cover #1/#2 WRs, I think we need additional help in that department. I'm not the biggest fan of drafting a RB #1 this year, but I could be on board with Lynch. LOVE the Blaylock pick.

I don't see how CB is NOT our biggest hole. Our CB corps is comprised of a decent #2 (McGee), a complete unknown (Youboty) and a nickel/dime back (Greer). That is beyond lacking. What's worse is that it will be impossible to find a #1 CB and even a highly drafted rookie will most likely only contribute as a nickel. I feel like we either must draft a CB #1 or get a decent veteran in here AND take a CB on the first day. I mean this is pretty ugly, IMO: CB1: McGee CB2: Youboty N: Greer D: ??? 6: ??? I think RB is the next biggest, but the easiest to fill. A-Train, Dillon and Brown are all basically starting quality RBs I think. And a combination of any of them plus a 1st day rookie could provide a lot of success. LB is a funny one because I believe Crowell could adequately fill the MLB role and I think Spikes will be even better as he gets healthy. I like Ellison a lot, but I wonder about his ability as a full-time starter. I would like a first day pick here too. DT is a complete enigma to me. I love what I hear about Okoye and wouldn't mind snatching him up at 12. But I'm also very anxious to see what McCargo has. He looked like he was starting to get going when he broke his foot and I think it would be foolish to replace an unknown. I think both Williams and Tripplet are decent.

That game...and drop...is actually my first, solid memory of the Buffalo Bills. I should have known what was to come...

Yeah, no doubt...and I think AP will be one of the best RBs in the league within a few years, but what are we going to trade to get into that #3 slot? People keep saying over and over how we should "trade up" and get Peterson? Trade what? 1st and 2nd? 1st, 2nd 3rd? 1st, 3rd, 3rd? I don't think we have the ammo.

I'm not one to say that money is the only motivator for pro athletes, but I think the last serious effort we will ever see Willis McGahee make is getting to the bank by 5 to cash that bonus.

No technical? Um...this better not come down to a point. sorry mead...76-70 ND

No technical? Um...this better not come down to a point.

Hmmm....not looking so hot.

I'd say he is. But time will tell...

I think the definition of "bust" varies person to person. I think a bust is someone that pretty much brings nothing to the table and is never considered to remain on the team for more than a few years. Plus, few "busts" are traded for with multiple 1st day picks, IMO. But I will say this, the ultimate question is: Are you happy we drafted Willis? I'm not. I wasn't when we did it...but I grew to love that he was here. But 4 years later, I believe, ultimately, it was a mistake. I'm not saying that whoever we would have gotten instead of him would have been better. But if I could go back and change the 23rd pick of the 2003 draft, I would.

I know we got a lot of Orange fans around here. I almost went there so I have love for them. This should be a good game...loved the earlier matchup this year where ND scored 100 at the Carrier Dome. Cuse seems to have hit a good stride in the second half of the season. *10-7 ND Sure wouldn't mind if ND stopped taking NBA threes....step to the college line boys!!

SUMMARY Trade: - were in negotiations with multiple teams - thinks both teams got good a good trade - did player evaluations at the end of the season and there was a consensus (coaches to management) that they wanted to make a change at RB but only if they could get good value for Willis - Thinks 4 picks in top 100 gives the team great flexibility to move up or down...haven't zeroed in on any one player RB situation: - Hopeful of getting A-Train back - Shaud can do spot duty - Fred Jackson (practice squad) who led NFL-E in total yds. will be in the mix - "Certainly" not opposed to bringing in a FA running back - Running by committee vs. feature back will be a decision for Jauron and coaches

I was pretty sure A-Train was a FA as he only signed a 1-year deal.

You nailed it Kelly. I think we are going to go for Chris Brown. Not sure how I feel about it, but I think it will be the play. I love A-Train to spell and possibly replace him if injuries occur. I love Michael Bush and wouldn't be against grabbing him at #2 one bit. He was a monster in the few games I saw of him in 2005 (two of my roommates are from Louisville) and he was projected to be a top-10 (top-5 in some mocks) draft pick this year before the season/injury. 1a. Chris Brown 1b. Anthony Thomas 2. Michael Bush

Or, like you said, we have lots of needs and we are going to use all FOUR first day picks to fill them. Hmm?

I firmly believe that we will be signing one of those veteran RBs "of interest" (Brown, Rhodes, Dillon) and I think we can do a RB by committe fairly well with A-Train (assuming he is back). If there is an early run on defensive players before we pick, then I'm not saying skip Lynch for no reason. But here is my thinking: This is not an especially strong year for top talent RBs. While I think AP is going to be an absolute monster, his combine all but assured him a top 4 selection. I'm not in love with Lynch, but I wouldn't be upset to have him. I think that we could take a RB in the first round of NEXT year's draft and not lose out on too much production. A few teams proved this year that rookie RBs can contribute very well when used in tandem with a veteran. I think I would rather pickup a Leon Hall or Okoye, etc. and let them learn the ropes this year. I think they would have a longer learning curve than a RB and would not be of significant value until 2008 anyway. I'd say grab one of them this year and a RB next year and far better team value than a RB this year and a defender (if necessary) next year. JMO....

Thanks for cursing him! Seriously though, every time I hear the phrase "Master Poker Player" I can feel the chunks starting to rise in my throat.

Nice work, Jim! I like the assessment and it puts the situation into a good visual form which helps my ADD brain see it clearly. So thank you... I agree with your outlook that it is a buyers market for RBs. This just furthers my belief that moving Willis is not in our best interest. If there is one thing I have learned about McGahee in his 4 years here, it's that when properly motivated, he can do great things. He came back from a horrific knee injury when he had a huge chip on his shoulder, and when challenged publicly in the past, he has responded well. Plus, the way he carves up Vilma and the Jets can't be completely coincidence. I believe he can turn it up a few notches when he wants to and when he does, he is a top 10 RB easily. That being said, I'd love to ride him out this year and see where he takes us. I think worst case, he gets us another 1100-1200 yards and does his usual dancing and a couple of bone headed plays. Best case, this new OL opens up serious holes, JP and Evans force defenses to respect the pass and Willis plays his ass off for a new contract. That combination (or any of those factors coming to fruition) could be damn scary. So, if it is scenario A...then we can either re-sign him for way cheaper than he thinks he is worth...or let him go because we don't want him. Scenario B we either think he is the real deal and open the bank, decide we can't afford him and tag him to try to get something out of him, or let him go with no compensation. Worst case, it would seem that all we would be missing is a 3rd round draft pick for this year. I'd definitely say that the risk is way worth it and that a 3rd rounder is no where near the potential value we could reap from a healthy, well-blocked for, highly motivated Willis McGahee in 2007. KEEP Willis and ride that horse hard.

Oh yeah....forgot about that last year.

The joke wasn't that bad, but watching you get upset at people commenting on it is even funnier. Relax, guy...

I'd do 1st rd + late round (4th-7th) + Spikes...but only because it seems that Levy & Co. are looking to move Spikes anyway. I personally would love to see Takeo now that he will be almost two years removed from injury on opening day. But if they want to get rid of him, then I'd be all for unloading him and getting a great replacement. But I'll just drive it home one last time that I would HATE to see Spikes moved before the season. But then again, I know as much about his ankle as the Bills staff know about my knee. So, if they see something they don't like...

Michael Turner's tender requires a 1st and 3rd. So even if we were to trade for him, I'd think it would be higher than a 3rd or 4th. I like the idea of Starks for a 3rd. Very much opposed to Willis for anything less than mid-high 2nd.

I was talking about Darius Walker. Buffaloed, if you were asking about Booker when you quoted my post, then I apologize. Didn't mean to sidetrack the thread.

Vision wise, catching ability...YES. Athletic ability...NO. Seriously, the guy will probably have a career more like another Faulk...Kevin. His lack of speed (which was apparent even in the college game) will never allow him to become a feature back (IMO). But the guy just always seemed to know exactly what seam to hit or when to cut to maximize his yards per play. He knew (completely unlike Willis recently) when falling forward for 2 yards was the right move over dancing. He knew when to drop down and dive forward for an extra few and he was an artist on screen passes. Dude caught 100 passes over the past two years in addition to running for almost 2500. I'd love to see him in a Bills jersey.