Bill from NYC

No, I get it, but isn't Fitz going to cost 7 million in dead cap space in 2014? I'm puzzled as to why they didn't either keep him, or absorb the hit this year.

This is why I cannot jude this acquisition just yet. One would think that this signing would put the Bills in a position to trade down and get at least another seond round pick. They need to draft starters in order to be even competetive, let alone win enough games to finish at .500. And, Gil Brandt loves this draft between 11 and 50. He isn't crazy about the top 10. I would love to see them take a chance on Bray with a second rounder they could pick up in a trade, and draft players early who can help us, other than defensive backs or running backs. If the Bills run up to the podium and draft Nassib, did they really need to take the cap hit and release Fitz? The dead cap space could hurt them next year big time. One would think that a rookie coach would have not wanted to approach year 2 with a ton of dead cap space. This team really is frustrating, but look who is running it. Brandon and Nix are proven incompetents. It really is sad.

I hope to be wrong, but I view it as a done deal.

Do you see them possibly drafting Nassib at #8?

I can't see why not. It's not as if we have much to lose.

Matt Moore? http://www.spotrac.c...ins/matt-moore/ As you can see, he cost a lot less, especially in year one, or at least so it seems. I have no idea which one is better either because I haven't seen enough of them. Wrt Kolb, his highlight video is interesting. He was getting the snot beat out of him even on plays that were successful. The Cards OL, from what I saw, looked about as bad as the Bills "Ostroski" OL, which is saying a lot. Kolb has a stronger arm than Fitz in terms of not having to step into throws as much. In other words, if Graham can get open, Kolb can get him the football. I like the signing as a stop gap measure. Kolb has more upside than Fitz (imo), and this does give the Bills more flexibility in the draft. Teams will move up for a LT. Or, the Bills could draft one if they think he is a star, and this is only one option. Look at the situation at TE. Chandler's health is a mystery and this draft appears to be very deep at that position. They could probably trade down and get a very good one, and more picks. Now, let's just hope that Nix doesn't draft Milliner, or some other corner in round 1. In all, it was a sound move imo.

I disagree with this. Marcel does look like a nose tackle, but imo he is at his best as a penetrating DT, one who can push back centers and guards on running plays and even rush the passer. Kids from Bama are generally very good against the run. Big Sam Adams and Pat Williams were bigger than Marcel, and neither of them was sutied for the nose. Marcel needs to be focused and in shape. After suffering such losses, it won't be easy, but this is one player who is potentially VERY good, and VERY easy to like.

No, the Syracuse connection. http://en.wikipedia....iki/Adam_Schein Nassib is going to be drafted by the Bills imo. Brandon too has huge Syracuse roots and is on some sort of committee with Marrone. I have no idea at all if Nassib is any good. NONE, and I cannot stress this enough. But imo, he would be more likely to sell tickets than any other player the Bills could draft. There is little to no doubt that the Bills will suck this season. Nix is a proven failure, Marrone is an unproven coach, and Brandon is a marketing specialist, who is capable of banning cigarette smoking in designated areas, but hasn't a clue about football. Of the three, only Marrone has a chance to be good, but I wouldn't bet on it. I hold out against hope that Nassib can play. If it works, it will be what this franchise needs.

It's one of those things that we will never know. Why did they not suit up T Jax at times after trading for him. I always suspected that there were issues, but who knows?

Davin Joseph and Nick Mangold went later in the round. Keep in mind that Levy said he had numerous trade down offers, and that some teams ere offering more than just a second. They also had an extra early 3rd round pick, which they tossed away along with their second for McCargo. That draft hurt this franchise for many years.

Whitner. They passed on very good players to take him at #8.

Excellent post. I suppose we can easily agree to disagree wrt Levitre, especially on the specific issue of pass protection. AL has the feet and balance of a left tackle, which he played in college. Many times defenders must have been sure that they had a play on the qb and AL would knock him away from an angle. And while he isn't a hall of fame run blocker, I have zero issues with his performance in this area either. Remember, they were both drafted in the same year. Wood was a late first rounder (AL was a 2nd) so he got a longer deal. It is pure speculation but imo if their draft slots had been reversed, we would be waving goodbye to Wood.

26% does seem high. Wasn't Dareus signed under the new CBA where draft picks are WAY less costly? Troup and Carington cost pennies. But I for one am glad that they signed Mario. As for Levitre, his contract, while admittedly big for a guard, only contains 10.5 million in guarnteed money, or so it would seem to me.... http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/andy-levitre/ This really isn't a lot, and would not be such a huge hit unless of course he was to be cut, making the bonus accelerate. But he is a very good player and he's in his prime. Wood has been hurt so many times that imo it is unreasonable to think that he will remain healthy for any length of time. I probably won't be so angry if they let him play out his option. Now, a hole was created. How does it get fixed? Yes, we got Levitre in round 2 but remember, they traded up for him. I don't recall what the other pick was. Trust me, they are NOT going to draft Warmack. They need a QB and WR to compete, and of course sell tickets. My prediction is that they will take Nassib, the local kid, to reunite with Marrone, the local coach. Throw in a wideout, and there are your first 2 rounds. If they can find a top guard in round 3 or 4, God bless them but remember, they desperately need linebackers and a tight end (hopefully Michael Williams). I just cannot understand how a team in this position would let one of their best players, as well as his backup walk.

Nice thread. My only issue is that Levitre is a better blocker than Wood, who I hope can make it out of training camp without a major injury. You just shouldn't give up your best blocker when you have the cap room to keep him. Do you think that a well run franchise would do this?

You seem to have great consensus building and leadership skills. My problem is that I think a lot. So if I, or other Bills fans get skeptical and start thinking that we are looking at a 4 win season, is it ok for us to e-mail you so you can straighten us out?

Fantastic post.

He isn't, but I wish that he was on this team in lieu of A. Williams and Sheppard. How about you?

One thing that I can tell you with 100% certainty is that when police departments are depleted, people die. Camden, NJ is one example, and cities in crisis are popping up across America. Mario cared enough about human life to take this action, and he deserves mega kudos. And I couldn't care less if it is a tax deduction, other than the fact that I hope it is. He is now my favorite player and person in the NFL.

is a good man. He didn't have to do this, but he cares enough about his community and those who reside there to want it to be more safe. I salute him, and I'm glad that a person like this signed for the big bucks. Way to go Mario!!!!! I hope you get 20 sacks next season!!!!! And thank you. http://www.policemag.com/channel/vehicles/news/2013/03/22/nfl-star-gives-houston-pd-dodge-chargers.aspx

We don't know what Mallett will turn out to be, and we do know that Dalton is at minimum, a competent QB. One with room to grow.

And his arm is no great shakes either. I will be surprised if he is drafted at all.

Actually, the Colts drafted LT Takik Glenn and RT Adam Meadows in rounds 1 and 2 the year prior to selecting Peyton Manning. The year before that, they took Marvin Harrison in round 1. Setting up an offense before drafting a qb is possible and can work. The problem is that Buddy passed over QBs to draft Aaron Williams. This was simply a replay of long term stupidity, and it may happen again. They might draft Milliner at #8, but I doubt it. If Vegas was giving odds, I would bet on Nassib going to the Bills, whether or not he is any good, And btw I have no idea if he can or cannot play well in the NFL, but he will sell some tickets.

So he would get revenge against NE by signing with the Bills? OK, gotcha.

No? Gotta disagree SJB. In fact, it looks as if it already has. Levitre was a top guard, and we lost a decent backup. Now is the time to sell tickets. When they hired Marrone, I posted my fear of cronyism (Brandon and Marrone are connected). Watch and see what happens in this draft. Nassib, good or bad, would sell more tickets than any other college player because he played at Syracuse. This is simply my opinion. And he MIGHT be good. But my fear is that this offseason has been, and will be more about profit than team building. They might as well start getting Nassib's jersey ready.

Happy Birthday Brother!!!!!