BillsVet

I like that they've selected a player for the long term and not to help DJ to hopefully make the playoffs. This pick is not about next year, but 2-3 years down the road, although he may help in 2009. I still maintain that fans who wanted Orakpo felt he was a more "finished" product, yet he too had issues against the run and is far from a complete DE despite being stronger. His performance in Texas' bowl game left a lot to be desired. Maybin played in the Rose Bowl at roughly 230. He's gained 20 pounds, and most certainly increased his strength. I'm sure he'll add more weight, but I could see him playing at 250-260 for his entire career. Jason Taylor at two inches taller played with less weight on him. Having the speed to dip under OT's will be essential to his success. I'm confident he'll be able to get around those guys with more work on hand use and pass rush moves. I see AM playing on obvious passing downs from the LDE spot. He's going up against some RT's, particularly in the AFCE, who aren't much. Damien Woody, Nick Kaczur, and Vernon Carey aren't the types who handle speed well. He could be solid in this type of role initially.

I forgot to add this: I don't expect him to do anything out of his normal self this year. I do recall hearing about opening up the offense in 07 and 08. Not sure if that was Losman in 07 and Turk in 08 with their bluster, but I've got to go doubting Thomas here and believe it when I see it. Besides, DJ has a method, which I disagree with, that has got him this far. I don't see him changing his stripes anytime soon.

Melvin Fowler was a fine chess player and smart guy. It didn't make him a solid NFL center. Intelligence without physical ability isn't enough. Certainly not saying GH isn't talented, but he's an unproven no matter what happened in CAR. He and Turk are not what I'd call innovative, nor do they make in-game adjustments when the situation calls for it. Seeing all those 3-4 teams dropping 6 or 7 into coverage was maddening. Only during the Cleveland game did they run it effectively when that happened. The Dick and Turk (plus Perry) Show have a lot to prove after three years. Not sure if after a combined 50 years in the NFL they'll ever be great gameday coaches.

Maybe this is a marketing ploy from Brandon to make it easier to do commercials next year: K-Gun 1990 versus K-Gun 2009. Show some Kelly and then Edwards. Those commercials showing highlights from the glory years will never run out. They must need new material for 2010.

The difference between Walker and Peters settles down to a few things: 1. Walker has played his entire career at RT or G. He has never played LT for more than a handful of games. How he holds up is a complete mystery, but... 2. Walker's physical make-up is more suited to play RT. He may have long arms (he's 6'8 for goodness sake) but his agility and lateral movement to handle edge rushers will make fans wince. If people thought Peters was slow to handle the Jets rush when Losman fumbled, wait'll they see Walker. 3. If Walker had the ability to play LT, he would have done so in Oakland. He played the entire 2006 ar RT, even when Gallery was moved. Peters has clearly shown, save for people's last memory of him, that he's more than capable of playing the position. It's not if, but how much of a downgrade this move was. Playing to potential will be Peters' issue. With Walker, he doesn't have the potential at all to handle the most demanding OL position.

I'd also add that after Hangartner's 2 seasons in the league, Carolina drafted Ryan Kalil in the second out of USC in 07. Teams don't use top picks on centers they don't intend to play. Hangartner may be a fine backup, but he's not proven he can start long term. It's not like Hangartner received big money, reportedly 4 yrs and 10M. Additionally, drafting Wood makes me wonder if he's the fall-back should GH struggle. It's pure speculation, but it's not outside the of the question to say the front office wants options on the OL. I don't trust the front office, despite the new players who entered this off-season. They need to prove something before receiving credit for anything.

Certainly there are some poor GM's. Millen wielded almost unlimited power for about 5 years longer than he should have. Then again, when owners run the show and make money, they don't change much. It took WC Ford's son to say something publicly to effect change. Good GM's are hard to find, and there are some bad ones. I know you disagree with me, but I believe a GM should run the football side of the house without interference. Unless of course there is some major money being thrown around in UFA. Then, I can see an owner asking some questions. I don't think more teams are going to the consensus approach. I can name plenty of teams who have a GM or have a oligarchial form: Belichick, Parcells/Ireland, Ozzie Newsome, Kevin Colbert, Polian, AJ Smith, Pioli, Reinfeldt (TEN), Reese, Reid/Heckert, Ted Thompson, Dimitroff, Hurney, Rod Graves, and Tim Ruskell. That's pretty much half the league with a above average to excellent decision maker in the front office. There are guys out there right now who can be GM's, but with only 32 of those jobs, it takes time. Not many people probably heard of Tom Dimitroff 18 months ago, but he's constructed a fine team that appears ready to be successful long term.

Tim-Much effort has been spent breaking down the front office hierarchy. I won't waste your time here, but does Brandon view himself, in your opinion, as a GM with functions similar to a Jerry Reese or Scott Pioli? This whole front office set up sounds like something Greg Marmalard and Dean Wormer are involved with. Too bad we don't have Bluto Blutarsky and Otter running the show.

Couldn't agree more. Why Kelsay's starting last season was beyond me. At least Denney batted down some passes when he couldn't get to the QB. This isn't a situation where it's calling people out to the press. All the coach has to do is bench unproductive players to remind them not to get complacent. Buffalo rarely does that with any player. Frankly, I think it's due to a lack of depth at key positions. They'd rather go with the veteran who's not producing that trust an untested rookie. Sometimes I wonder if it's a money thing with these high priced veterans. Counter that with a guy like Parcells who signed Ernest Wilford and then promptly kept him on the incactive list week after week. That takes guts, to admit you've signed a flop of a UFA.

He does. IIRC, Keiaho noted upon visiting OBD that Buffalo runs their LB's in opposite positions. Mitchell is the Will and whomever happens to be opposite is the Sam. I know Mitchell has pretty good straight speed for a 250 pound guy, though isn't as good laterally. But I would think they need someone to play the strong side bigger than the other sub 240 pounders Ellison, Bowen, Buggs, Corto, N. Harris and Costanzo.

How about some other games from years past: DET 06-Kitna finds Roy Williams all day before DJ finally put Clements on him late in the third. Buffalo loses to the hapless Lions. IND 06-negative yardage in the RZ. How does a team do that? Answer-by not throwing the ball downfield. Only score came on a McGee returned fumble. The final score was closer than it really was. NE 06-Got an early gift with Spikes' sack on Brady which was returned by Fletcher. Had a halftime lead, but a safety when Losman is called to pass from his goal-line has the comeback at Gilette. DEN 07-Remember that circus at the end. Buffalo really did lose that game. DAL (MNF) 07-Oh this game. Not playing M2M at the end and allowing a catch to set up the kicker from 55. DJ calls TO, and afterward the kicker does it again. How many examples of winnable games do you want in three seasons? I get it, this is a 180 post joke, right. You're not serious about DJ, his likability, or his yet to be discovered talent after more than 30 years in the NFL as a player or coach.

Nope, you can't split hairs over those. It was DJ and his staff that blew those games. CLE (MNF) After seeing multiple 3-4 defenses, Buffalo finally figured out to run when Crennel put 6-7 into coverage. But alas, we ran three times to settle for a FG which the kicker missed from about 47. Great odds there. SF Another game I was personally at. Trent goes down and the Bills muster 3 points against ROOKIE HC Mike Singletary and a mediocre SF team starting Shaun Hill at QB. Lynch ran well, but not putting it into the EZ hurts. MIA DJ decides to start a wounded McGee, who is torched by Ted Ginn. A certain first rounder is healthy, but does not play. ROOKIE HC Tony Sparano outcoached the more experienced DJ all day. NYJ (Away) Nice call on the Losman roll-out. The old FB pass, fools em every time. Brilliance. Marcus Stroud was allegedly heard after the game saying, "run the damn ball." But he's a nice coach, and Marcus was probably not upset long after. A common theme was the rookie OC with more than 10 years as a QB coach. After 10 years in the NFL as a position coach, guys usually aren't cut out to be promoted. Not Turk(ey), he's just what the DJ ordered. Another one of the great hires DJ made, among Steve Fairchild, Gary Crowton, and John Shoop. Those are some talents there.

Has he mentioned yet that he knew Bill Walsh and burning first half TO's is no big deal? I think they had the talent to win 10 games last season. That would not have been good enough for a post-season appearance, but it'd be a step in the right direction. Jauron is part of the problem. He partners with an inept front office which usually makes the wrong move and is constantly in a state of flux. Combined with a HC who is a career 57-76 and winless in 8 seasons of HC'ing, it makes for the scenario we have now: unending mediocrity.

My deepest sympathies go out to the Wilson family.

And yet, DJ had plenty of personnel control in four drafts and free agency periods, but Buffalo still doesn't have enough talent. Go ahead and say DJ doesn't have some sway over the GM-less front office. The cloudiness of their management structure isn't enough to justify he lacks some degree of control over team makeup. Just for craps and giggles, what would have to happen fo you throw up the white flag and admit DJ is a mediocre coach? You can't have it both ways. If there isn't talent presnet, there's a reason. Besides, DJ should be able to coach these guys up anyway, right?

I love it when, if a person has nothing left, they resort to saying you don't know what it's like in the NFL to suppress any and all arguments. TBC- There's no other way to quantify a NFL HC than by wins and losses. This isn't HS football where the coach may be the likable teacher or an administrator. When a team's payroll is in the nine figures, likability isn't a job requirement, it's optional. Wins and playoff appearances are mandatory however. It's why Gruden and Shanahan lost their jobs, despite success a few years ago. DJ doesn't have that either. Winning above all else is what matters. Sure, I don't want a Brad Childress throwing the coaches under the bus when Reggie Bush returns 2 punts for TD's against me. I would hope your assertion that wins and losses aren't as important as other intangibles is merely a ruse. You can't be serious, although I've see worse on TBD. To quote Leo Durocher, "Nice guys finish last." EDIT: BTW, Bob Dole wants his third person references back.

The military example carries a lot of weight in this case. I think the best run franchises delegate all football decisions to football people. New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, San Diego, and the NY Giants all have de facto GM's who make moves. I'm sure on big dollar moves the owner is involved, but on draft day it's the GM who has all the say. The thing I hate about consensus is that it involves compromising. There's simply no reason why an experienced personnel man should compromise his mindset opinion with someone else. I know people like Polian and Belichick aren't establishing consensus and trying to accommodate everyone. They listen and make the decision, and are confident because they've been right so often. Because we do not know who has final say, I can't call any draft "Brandon's draft." For all we know, Modrak has one take, Jauron another, and Brandon yet another. You cannot learn how to handle NFL personnel in two seasons as a quasi-GM. It takes years of working either as a scout, in pro personnel, or amateur scouting. Just like no one commands an Army or Marine Division. The skills necessary to lead and prepare take many years to learn. Awesome post KFBD.

Playing hard without as much talent will only get you so far. IIRC, when this discussion started last year, people said DJ was good because his guys played hard for him. They probably did, but average players with below average to average coaching produces mediocrity. You could field a team of UDFA's who play hard, but they'll probably not win many games. It takes more than playing hard to win in the NFL. And that's where my issues with DJ begin: his teams, beginning with Chicago in 99, didn't draft well. I'm referring to 99 and 00 when he had personnel control before Jerry Angelo arrived.

Rams GM Billy Devaney made the decision to draft OT Jason Smith over the fans' choice of Mark Sanchez. Here are his comments in Peter King's column today: "How many times are you in position to get an elite quarterback' They're right. But how many times are you in position to get an elite left tackle? You can't get one down the line in the draft. You can't get one in free-agency; they're never available. Plus, I really believe, like our coach [steve Spagnuolo], that the personality of your team revolves around a big, tough, physical offensive line.'' Devaney probably had few options of trading out of the #2 pick. But they'll most likely pay the unproven Smith similar money as Peters received to play the OL's most demanding position. I'm glad Buffalo has attempted to fill the voids on the line with a UFA and two first day picks. Building the OL is done best through the draft, and good franchises don't buy OL's as Buffalo tried to do in 06-07.

In a nut-shell, yes. The issue is whether players can overcome coaching, or coaching can make players better. In any environment, leadership must provide a plan so those doing the work can succeed. When things go right, it's the players. When they go wrong, it's generally management. In the case of the Bills, a glut of bad decisions has made it difficult for players to perform. I was high on TO coming in, so we could see if Edwards was the real deal. Not long afterward, management saw fit to revamp a bad OL. Then they dealt Peters for rookies. So the line remains in a state of flux, same as it was going into 2007. Difference is, this year it'll be rookies and untested UFA's doing the work. Edwards has his work cut out from him. Potential only means one thing: ain't done nothin yet. Everyone mentions the Bills have potential, but fans were saying this after 2007.

Levy and his front office made the call to re-sign Kelsay on the fringe of UFA starting in 07. Looking back, I'd rather have spent Kelsay and Dockery's money on keeping Clements. The total money doesn't add up, but the guaranteed funds do. IIRC, Kelsay got 12M guaranteed and Dockery received 20M or thereabouts. Imagine giving NC a deal for this guaranteed money, as he'll never receive 80M out of his SF deal signed during March 07. Mistakes made in 06 and 07 will hurt for awhile. It's why saying what's "good" in 09, let alone 08 is a bit premature.

Taking Nelson still is my favorite pick after round 1. People were harping for Maualuga to Buffalo late in the first, but he's not as stout as some think. Nelson actually put his rear end on the ground at the Senior Bowl practices. The game is changing rapidly. Finding a guy who can adequately block and run the seam are few and far betweeen on draft day. Nelson has the potential to become a fine blocker who currently has the skills to exploit the middle of the field. Many sources have said Nelson can add weight to his frame, which will certainly help to block opposing OLB's.

Big difference is coaching and game day preparation. Belichick and his OL coach Dante Scarnecchia both excel at in-game changes and staying ahead of their opponent. I have no doubt that Levitre and Wood are solid prospects and perhaps the best in this draft class. They'll need to be prepared correctly, and I'm not sure Jauron and to a lesser degree Kugler are at the level where they can match the quality of in-game changes.

I judge a leader on a few things, namely who they surround themselves as subordinates. If assistants aren't producing, changing them is necessary. If that person gets the changes wrong, they should be gone. Jauron's also had personnel control for two franchises. Chicago from 99-00 and Buffalo at least to some extent from 06, owing to a lack of managerial experience in that area. The results are not very good, and I'm not clear why anyone delegates this responsibility to him. It's fair to judge a coach after 8 complete seasons in the league, regardless of the circumstances. No manager walks into a perfect situation, but it's up to them to make it as solid as possible. Jauron hasn't done that.

It's got a lot to do with more passing as opposed to running the ball. That, and have more speed in their front 7 to handle running backs. IIRC, only three pure strong safeties were taken in the entire draft. Them and players like former Cowboy Roy Williams simply don't have the coverage skills to play every down.