Rockinon

Say things? Seriously? Show me the quote. The guy went out and played a completely different role in the offense than what he was used to and did quite well....even hurt. Ever have a groin injury while still playing? It ain't much fun, but he did it. His role was not to be the pass catching, 1200yd/yr receiver last year, but because he wasn't, let's all throw him under the bus. And as for whether defensive coordinators are scared, maybe not until Wood lays out a defender to break free a team mate so he can score. That gets their attention in a hurry. I still stand by my assessment that Wood is more valuable than most #2 receivers. The very fact that he is out there blocking actually increases his value, but because he hasn't put up Sammy Watkins like numbers that automatically makes him a scrub or something. Mybe I should chip in in the "Nattering Nabobs" thread

Taylor says Woods came back explosive from the off season on BB.com. I also am in the party that thinks Woods is definitely a good #2 WR. He is not just another guy. That's just crazy talk. Dude played all season last year with a groin injury. Couldn't go full speed but still contributed in a big way as a blocking WR. This guy when healthy is also a great receiver. Maybe not a #1 but he is not far from it. I love how people assume a WR is no good just because they aren't putting up big numbers. Keep in mind that our offense does not rely as heavily on the passing attack as other teams. And with Sammy in there, of course he is going to be the go to receiver. Woods will get more opportunities with a healthier body and I am sure he will take advantage. This is one tough SOB and people should be glad to have him on our team.

Isn't that the year the world was supposed to come to an end?

Roman's offense does not rely on the quick passing game. They run early and often to get the defense to creep up. Then when the safeties move up enough they send receivers deep. They did this a lot. You can tell by the very high yards per catch numbers. The dink, dunk 4500yds per year QB is not going to be found here. The run will be the focus and when opposing defenses try to send everyone to stop it, the pass will open up. At least this is what they did last year. This year maybe they allow Taylor to pass more on 1st & 2nd down. I really don't see this happening much though if the run game keeps on clicking like it has been. I believe the Bills are intentionally building a bully of an offense and daring teams to try and stop the run. It's a good plan because the deep passing game was also clicking last year. The TEs and RBs can also come out of the backfield for passes, but again those types of plays cannot be run too often. Taylor has been doing a great job not making too many mistakes. Why set him up to fail by making him try to be Tom Brady. That just isn't his game. I see a run first team like last year and if the defense can get back on track, I think it will work surprisingly well. A dominant defense will keep the offense on the field more.

True, but I am trying to prevent people from pigeon-holing our new recruits. We need to give them an opportunity to grow and not just say this is what he does and leave it at that. I'm also trying to get people to think of other possibilities. Gotta keep it interesting. Can't have the board turning dull, unimaginative and boring.

I don't believe this at all. While it is true that he needs to work on stopping the run, it has been repeated over and over that the defense is predicated on keeping guys on the field and making them play multiple roles. When you rotate guys that have just one skill set, you are literally telling the offense exactly what you want to do on defense. Washington will play multiple downs and not just passing downs. Not doing that is a terrible idea. He may rotate with Kyle in order to stay fresh, but Ryan's defense does not give away where the pass rush is going to come from by rotating a guy in that specializes in that very role. Unless of course he rotates in as a decoy and an overload blitz comes from the other side of the defense. Remember that the Ryan defense is designed to keep the offense guessing. Washington will be required to play multiple roles. You can bank on that. That being said though, yes he will also be given opportunities to rush the passer. Just not as a situational(3rd down) rusher.

I think there is more to it than that. People like to say that his scheme was the problem but in an effort not to screw up a good thing, Rex tried to keep many aspects of the scheme the same and marry the prior year's scheme with his own. You have to be willing to try new things in this league, but obviously it didn't work. There are other things besides scheme too....like a player's willingness to buy in. I don't really think the problems the defense had last year will be repeated. I think the biggest challenge is getting the whole defense on the same page so they can begin to play without that little voice of doubt in the back of their minds. They have to trust the scheme and simply play fast and loose. The defense couldn't quite put it together last year but from day 1 this year, they have a clean slate....and a challenge to face.

Do some reading up on some of the talent Buffalo has brought in. Nearly every defensive player drafted and undrafted has a knack for getting to the QB. But there is a trend I am seeing. Until today, I mostly ignored Justin Zimmer but this kid is an athletic freak who lives in the opponents backfield. When I read some info about him lining up all over the DLine at Ferris State, I remembered reading the same thing about others doing the same. Striker also lined up at multiple spots and was productive getting to the QB from different angels as well. And talk about getting there quick, this kid puts a QB on his back before he can even finish a 3 step drop. Ragland also plays multiple LB positions and often rushed the passer on 3rd down rather than drop into coverage. He often did cover too and for the most part was successful doing that too. What is sticking out though, is that all of these guys can rush the passer from multiple positions. Ragland is special because he can be the guy calling the plays for the defense. Shaq is another one who is versatile enough to line up in different positions. He racked up a lot of sacks but his real strength is setting the edge and then working his way to the QB from there. This guy is special in that regard, but I don't see him getting to the QB as quickly as others. Washington is another penetrating DLineman that has experience playing 0-tech, 1-tech, 3-tech and 5-tech positions and in both a 3-4 and 4-3 alignments. This guy can shoot the gap and get in the backfield quick too. Many people have been bashing Rex Ryan for the way the defense struggled last year and certainly much of the blame falls on his shoulders. He is the so-called defensive guru. But when you start looking at who the Bills have added and pair them up with who was all ready here, things really start to look interesting. We know that Jerry Hughes, Marcel Darius and Kyle Williams have all had 10+ sack seasons. And these guys can also play multiple roles. There is no doubt in my mind that the Bills will be making life miserable for opposing QBs this year. The pressure can come from any number of directions on any given play. The talent brought in is not just special because of their productivity in college but because they have multiple talents and are versatile enough to do different things. Count me in on what the Bills are building on defense. You can blather on about Rex's scheme being too old for today's NFL. I get it. Rex gets on my nerves too, but don't forget to look around and see for yourself what is being done. This is going to be a fun season to watch. When these guys are all on the same page and begin playing fast, they are going to be extremely dominant.

The land they purchased is what some of us tailgaters affectionately call the "Mud Lot". Been going there for years. Now I have to find a new place.....damn.

Apparently pass rushers are supposed to be bigger. This guy made plays by never letting the OT lay a hand on him. He ran right around them and got to the QB. Did it a lot too. Did it in like 2 seconds too. No wonder a tackle couldn't get a hand on him. Interesting pick for sure.

We have a QB with a very high rating and the Bills led the league in rushing last year. Yep, power of prayer.....

Cowboys still have a good OL. Elliot will go on a tear. I also think Lawson has a chance to blossom, though I'll admit to being a bit apprehensive with what Rex does with him.

I see some people were scratching their heads with this pick. I went back a ways to look at another DT that really didn't grade out very well. Funny thing is, that same player has been to the pro bowl and played at an extremely high level for ten years. I'm sure some of you know just who I am talking about but in case you don't check this. Draft Profile

I've been watching yahoo sports live stream. Been fun.

Two 6th round picks. Kicker?

Nice combination of speed and power. Not afraid to hit the hole. Sounds like a Roman guy.

I've been saying this all along. The big nose tackle is not used much these days. Every single guy in our front four can get after the passer. That is exactly what we want. Not just some guy who can withstand a double team. When you have this many guys getting after the QB, the offense has to pick and chose who to double. Add in Rex's propensity for blitzing LBs,safeties and CB's. The offense will never know where the overloaded blitz is coming from. This is a good pick. The guy just needs to get better at stopping the run. However, we did just get a thumper at MLB.

I'm really enjoying the coverage by yahoo sports live stream. BTW, I like the Ragland pick. Defense is going to be beating people down.

I keep hearing people say "opposite Jerry Hughes", but Shaq lined up all over the place at Clemson. I have a hunch he will do the same for Buffalo.

Don't see this happening. Moving a nose tackle on and off the field shows your hand. The DLinemen need to be able to play multiple positions. I tend to think that Dareus will still be a nose and a DE. Shaq will be a DE/LB. Kyle could even play nose occasionally.

Wow, another CB.

Can't believe no DTs yet.

Eli Apple?

Giants praying for a trade down

Seriously? They still think football is played with a round ball.