BillsVet

Just how long should I give the organization to win? 12 years? 15 years? 20 years? And do you know why they've lost the past few years? Hmm? It's because they drafted poorly, struck out in free agency, and were poorly coached. But there you were rubber-stamping all of these things, and with Lil' Donte, you're still doing it. Whitner is non-essential to this team with the new coaching staff and GM in place. His salary is too high to be the backup he is. I know discussing rational points is out the window with you, but save me the drama. This is the last I'll respond to you, because my brain cells are dying just reading your re-hashed rhetoric.

And you're calling people names for not agreeing with your version of diplomacy. Honestly, you've been wrong on this board the majority of time, and a respected poster not long ago outlined this for you. Don't take the self-righteous path and declare yourself above it all, but resort to insults when you're backed into a corner.

No, Berry is touted as the top safety because he has the skills reportedly commensurate with playing at a high level in the NFL. Players are drafted based on their potential, not college numbers. I don't care what Whitner was on pace to do in 2009. He has been increasingly nicked up, the result of being too small to play SS, and does not possess the instincts (as Berry evidently does) to create turnovers. He struggles in coverage against TE's (see TB game) which is a prime responsibility of SS's. You, once again, are hyping a player who lost his starting spot to 1) a rookie 2nd rounder 2) a street free agent (Scott) and 3) converted UDFA WR. If a top 10 pick is playing different positions, it's never a good thing. Never. Robert Gallery may be a decent G, but he's a huge disappointment because he was drafted to be a lock down LT. Guards, like safeties, are easier to find than top CB's and OT's.

When you trade (and it hasn't happened yet) an 8th pick four seasons after taking him, that's an indication the guy was a disappointment. Depth wouldn't matter because the guy would be your top player at their position. Whitner isn't, and it's why he'll get cut, dealt for picks, or take a seat on the bench. College production doesn't mean much when considering what kind of pro career they'll have. There's a laundry list of top QB's who were drafted for their numbers, and it didn't work out. Ware, Klingler, Detmer, Couch, Torretta. RB's as well, to include several Heisman winners. Even guys like USF DE George Selvie, who was talked about as a first rounder last year for their production, were shown that it wouldn't transition to the pros. Now he's probably a mid rounder.

Excellent read from a blogger. I particularly liked this quote: "However, tackles picked in later rounds simply do not have the physical tools to play LT at the highest level. Not a single third-to seventh-round tackle, left or right, has made the Pro Bowl in the past ten years." Sure, Peters, Gaither, and Donald Penn came from those late round or the UDFA ranks, but in 10 years that's all there is to show for all those OT's. Not very good odds, but some will cling to the notion that Demetrius Bell or Jamon Meredith will suffice. They can't and they won't.

It's ironic how much this point was argued from 06 to 08. This past year showed it wasn't scheme, injury, or anything else why DW wasn't a good pick. Have good QB play, protect the QB, and rush your opponent's QB and that's a great start. Taking safeties top 10 isn't the thing for rebuilding teams. With Buffalo desperate for help at LT, QB, RT, NT, and OLB, I could see them trading down. But they'd better hope to get an OT, because after the top 4, it's straight downhill. They'll need that first rounder to start right away.

"Buying Time" should be the team's motto. Nearly every move they've made from a front office and coaching perspective is a temporary move which they hope works out. Luck seems to be what they're depending on. Levy, Brandon, Nix, Jauron, Gailey et al. Eventually, it's realized that those moves don't work, so they make another change in hopes it'll work out too. Commitment to no commitment.

I don't know how they'll address the massive needs at OT, NT, and their OLB pass rushers. Those are three major components of successful teams, and Buffalo has nothing proven at any of those positions. I really don't see how they can go without a NT or OT with their first and perhaps second picks. At LB, I've got a feeling they'll hope Maybin turns out, rotate in Schobel if he doesn't retire, and pick up a vet to play FT at the other OLB position. Porter seemed to regress mightily last year, so anything more than 2M per would be a lot.

Ralph's health is a huge issue, so FWIW, thanks for passing along if accurate. When someone erroneously reported his demise about a year ago, it sent shockwaves through the entire Bills fandom. You gotta hope the guy lives to 110, but he didn't look all that good at the Nix hiring PC. Perhaps it's the Detroit winter taking a toll, but then again he lives in FLA I believe part of the year.

Forget it, he's rolling. The choices are a guy coming off shoulder surgery or someone who allegedly alienated his teammates. Maybe a late first, but definitely not top 10 material for either of them. Then again, QB's are always overdrafted.

Consolation prizes is all Bills fans have to look forward to these days.

Buffalo will have a myriad of options at 9, if they choose to remain there. With huge needs at LT, NT, RT, OLB, and QB they can go a variety of different directions. It's kinda like 2006 redux; a rebuilding team with needs all over the field provides them with plenty of options. QB's are overdrafted each year, so it wouldn't surprise me to see someone bite on Bradford and Clausen before Buffalo picks. That just provides them another option to draft for one of their needs.

If they're going to make a move, it'll be this year. That's not to say Buffalo won't show some 4-3 looks, but Edwards and Gailey seem committed to a 3-4. But in order to do this, they'll need a NT, another OLB, ILB depth, and DE depth. And that's assuming Schobel makes the transition to OLB. Either way, the team once again goes into the offseason with more needs than resources to address them. I not convinced they'll make any noteworthy trades, unless it's a pick for someone like Pickett.

Two years ago, Ted Thompson franchised a much desired player, DL Corey Williams, only to trade him to Cleveland for a second rounder. I don't doubt for a moment that GB's plan is do the same with Pickett, a player who'll get significant attention on the open market. And that's even with a player who'll start at NT next season in Raji. Good front offices know the market and get a return on something. Thompson did it two years ago, and if he's serious about starting Raji, he'll deal Pickett for a 1st or 2nd now that NT's are in serious demand.

There have been 77 drafted QB's from 2000-2007 in rounds 3-7. Only Tom Brady and Matt Schaub are the type of signal callers I'd call good to excellent who came of that group. Franchise QB's are found in the first and occasionally in the second rounds. But despite overwhelming evidence demonstrating that solid QB's are found in the first or second, some continue to believe the Bills will luck (there's that word again) into a top QB.

Game, set, and match. Buffalo will not yield a 1st-3rd round pick for any RFA in 2010. EDIT: Exclusive rights free agents cannot sign with other teams unless they are non-tendered. I'd say Carolina will retain him like Buffalo did last year with Fred Jackson.

There's a run on OT's each year. And remember, this team needs two starters with very little available in free agency. I would bet that both OT's next season will be rookies, much like last year was a G. Ergo, take the best available OT at a position of dire need. If that's Okung, Bulaga, whomever.

USA answered every time Canada threatened. Need to keep it going, it's the prelims but goodness gracious.

I would think there'd be more of a sense of urgency at OBD re: on-field product. But as we'll discover, the owners are positioning themselves for the likelihood there's a lockout in 2011. Good QB's are not found in UFA anyway. The likelihood of finding the next Drew Brees is minimal, nor do teams generally find QB's in the 3rd-7th rounds or UDFA. It takes a big move to acquire a good QB.

The subterfuge emanating from OBD will only increase leading up to free agency and the draft. It happens for 32 franchises each and every off-season and to on March 5th, they'll have ample opportunity to begin filling the numerous holes on their roster. Still, it's clear there's not a whole lot available in the way of QB's. McNabb won't be going to Buffalo, and Vick is not a full time answer. What's also evident is that the QB solution isn't on the roster. The options are a guy who isn't consistent (Fitz) a guy who lost the locker room and is mentally weak (Edwards) and a guy who's not ready to play after two season in the NFL (Brohm). The front office wants a new QB, because new regimes typically mean new players at the position. But with few market options, a looming lockout, and owners sure to shed payroll, I don't see Buffalo making a huge move.

50 years of Bills history say RW doesn't give the reigns to anyone. How's this for experience: Graham: Bills Staff Inexperience The coverage scheme will change drastically. Now, the CB's won't be responsible for the short zone, and safeties won't be playing CF like they did in DJ's C2 scheme. CB's will have more M2M responsibility, and LB's won't be asked to take the middle of the field on passing plays. This board ceases to amaze.

Go back and do the research in the 98 Draft because it wasn't the slam dunk you make it out to be. Sure, it's simple to look back now and conclude lazily that Manning was much better than Leaf. But peel back a few layers, and you'll find that Manning had his weaknesses as well. Polian is the greatest NFL GM of the past 25 years hands down and there is no one better. He was let go by the Bills and that era is over, but taking him down a notch in self-righteous rants is the result of Bills fans being bitter they're team isn't half as good as the team BP has had since leaving.

Big difference busting on a second round pick versus a first rounder. And Polian hasn't done in that in, oh, forever. One can continue attempting to conflate the argument between an outstanding GM and people the Bills hire, but it's useless. The draft is not a crap shoot, some have more talent picking players than others. It may not be as scientific as some want, but the fact is teams like IND, SD, BAL, NE, NYG, PHI, GB, and PIT have a much better record at drafting than most of the other 24 teams.

But, but, but...we had a regime change doggonit! Nix, as General Manager of Football will be making those decisions I thought.

30 other NFL teams have had coaching vacancies and neglected to consider Marty Schottenheimer? 200 career coaching wins in the regular season seems to show Martyball works. Then again, Chanman has 18 with a fading Dallas dynasty and wasn't rehired in a decade.