BillsVet

Perhaps, but getting toughness out of DB's and WR's is a lot different than where it matters most-in the trenches. It's cliche, but the idea that they've finally decided to go OL can't be underestimated after not having the horses on OL. Or maybe clydesdales I'm not keen on starting 2 rookie OG's, but I like that both players are smart and study film. They've got plenty of time played in college, (Wood has 49 starts) and Levitre has played all over. What does this say about Butler? Not sure if he's a RT candidate, but it's early.

Check out Bill Walsh's draft with the 49ers in 86. He made a whole bunch of trades, and ended up getting a lot of guys like Tim McKyer, Tom Rathman, Charles Haley, John Taylor, OT Steve Wallace, Don Griffin. I think this draft will be more remembered for the 2nd through 4th rounders than the top picks. JMO, but this draft seems reminiscent of the 86 draft.

I don't care what anyone says, Bill Cosby is a great man. His stuff about feeding his kids cake for breakfast is one funny bit.

Russ Brandon claimed they went with the best player and didn't alter their draft strategy. I fail to see the logic in his statement, although I completely understand he won't tell the whole truth. They must have known there was a serious lack of toughness on the interior OL. It's been a long darn time since Buffalo walked on the field and intimidated other teams. At guard, the draft was weak at the top, and Buffalo needed immediate starters. Those two guys need to be immediate starters to justify their draft position.

DJ doesn't make the picks. And I'm sure he got his bone is getting a DB on day 1. But the reality is, what DJ does on the field will always be his most important contribution to this team. And after 8 seasons as a HC, he's made his share of blunders. MNF 07 and 08. DEN WK 1 07. Failure to find quality coordinators. The list goes on and on and his rear end should be on the line this year.

I love it. Finally a receiving TE who can block. Pancaked Maualuga at the Senior Bowl workouts.

DJ teams take guys who block first and may or may not be able to catch. I think they'll feature more 3 WR sets, and feature Fine underneath. But yeah, I can't see them taking a receiving TE like Nelson. I'd be happy if they did though.

Knowing how DJ absolutely refuses to play rookies, it'll be interesting to see where Maybin fits in. I'd like to see him featured on passing downs as well. I can't help but think DJ has to change things he'll prefer not to, i.e. playing rookies over experienced vets who aren't as talented. I like Maybin's explosiveness off the edge, his 10 yard split was impressive. I really don't care who's getting to QB, as long as the Bills DL can do it. Whether DJ is willing to take a risk and play rookies is another matter.

The SAM is supposed to shed blocks and take on the TE or lead blocker. Ellison will never be a sizable LB, and hasn't put on much weight since his rookie season. Strength alone isn't sufficient. I think they switch Mitchell from WILL to SAM, and Bowen or Ellison compete for the WILL. DiGiorgio is their depth at MLB. The other LB's all weigh in the 225 to 235 range, which will get you eaten up on the strong side.

I would still like to know, after playing for CAR for two seasons, why the Panthers felt the need to spend a 2nd on Ryan Kalil. And Hangartner didn't sign a massive contract, reportedly only 4 yrs and roughly 10M. That doesn't mean he's a guaranteed starter. That's Tutan Reyes 06 money.

We love you Bill. I get the feeling the Bills felt the need to throw DJ a bone, with him probably locked out of room for the first round. Going DL and OL in the first is a step in the right direction, albeit something they shoulda done a long time ago. Byrd ran a 4.69 at the combine and represents the 8th DB selected out of 31 picks by DJ's Bills. They've also signed numerous UFA's, yet we needed another DB. Funny how the secondary never gets enough attention.

At this point I've got to think they'll move K. Mitchell to SAM and move Ellison/Bowen/Keiaho/other 225 pound LB into the WILL. The idea that Ellison will be a starter, or perhaps the super rookie Bowen is downright scary, espeically at SAM where shedding blocks is essential. Those two guys are undersized. At TE, they're basically saying they need a blocker and not a receiver. NE does this, with 3 WR sets but I'd still like to see a TE who can stretch the seam.

Derek Fine is your starting TE. Before getting cute in the secondary, address a position which has been a wasteland for 15 years. And BTW, Buffalo has signed 4 UFA's and drafted 8 DB's since 2006 out of 30 picks. What if we'd done that on the OL and DL combined?

Really like the three line picks. Not high on Byrd, but it's nit-picking and I'd like a TE who can run the seam and make opposing LB's keep up with them.

Totally agree. I don't think Buffalo takes anyone who is even somewhat developmental. They need instant starters with their top 2, maybe 3 picks, because the entire organization should be riding on this draft. They're going to take a guy with less upside but the ability to start as opposed to selecting someone with lots of potential who might not be ready to go from Day 1. That's not the way to build a team, but if you're desperate like Buffalo, you've got to win now. What irks me is they had chances in UFA to sign players and didn't for money reasons. Now they've put so much pressure on drafting immediate starters who of course will make less.

Where's the official game day mini-camp, training camp, and opening day thread?

With the Bills, it's realistic they go OL. Buffalo, as many others have noted, hasn't used a first rounder on an OL since 1995, and know full well their line is in trouble. I could see them bowing to pressure and going for straight need with their top pick. Every year, the Bills have at least two huge needs. And this year they'll go for need both times in Round 1. I'll disagree and say they could go OL, despite trading Peters. Just once I'd like the Bills to have a team that can go anywhere with a first rounder. But I don't have confidence in a marketing guy running the show. He's not trained in personnel, no matter what.

What if we drafted Cornelius Ingram in the first? And what if you stopped posting every single draft thought you have?

I still do not understand what makes this a difficult concept to TSW'ers. Find guys to play these positions at an above average or high level and it makes a lot, but not everything, fall into place. Personally, I think it centers around defending Levy and not so much on defending Whitner. Someone will come along and say multiple other positions are drafted top 10 or 15, but if you find a solid QB, LT, or DE at the top, that team has a much better change at avoiding another top 10 pick and the cap ramifications in future seasons. A poster has a signature from something Tim Graham said about safeties. I'll paraphrase, but it's that they depend so heavily on the front 7. Ed Reed wouldn't have nearly the success in Buffalo's defense. If that's the case, there's no reason to take a safety high (without the DL), because they don't have the opportunity to show their stuff.

Certainly, lineman who aren't reliant on speed can be productive into their later years. The position doesn't call for them to out-run anyone, but rather to get through or around an OL. Schobel's coming off an injury that prevented him from playing most of the season. If these guys stay relatively healthy (in NFL terms) they can be good into their thirties. I remember jokingly hearing that some Bills thought Schobel was the laziest DL, again strictly in jest. I think he'll come back, but banking on getting production from him isn't enough, IMO. Stroud I think will play OK, especially with new cash coming in. The other DL are essentially backups masquerading as NFL starters. Kyle Williams works hard, but he's got short arms and isn't the prototypical 3 tech DT. I don't think anyone needs me to elaborate on Kelsay on Denney, especially from the pass rushing perspective. The team needs an infusion of talent at DE. Ellis is a hope and a prayer at this point. They need talent on DL, regardless of age.

They need help at RT. No doubt about it, and after last year when OT's were highly valued, I could see it happening. I don't think Britton is a 1st rounder, but he'll go there. He seems like a finesse OT, not someone who'd be at prime RT. Then again, I'm not Rick Spielman.

IMO, Minnesota needs a TE in the worst way. When Visanthe Shiancoe or whatever his name is on your team, it's not good. The horned ones need other things, namely DB's, but the draft isn't rich there for them. Unless Jenkins falls or they like Davis from Illinois. I only think MIN needs a TE for their QB. Rosenfels and Jackson will need all the help they can get.

One of the reasons I'm down on the front office (aside from not having a GM) is their inability to develop a vision and stick with it. In 06 it was all about drafting defense, which wasn't as successful as it should have been. Later rounds were okay with Williams and Butler. Ellison is a ST'er. In 07, they filled needs with their top 2 picks, with Edwards the lone instance where they went BPA in Marv's top 3 rounds of either draft. The others are ST'ers or have been released. In 08, they went with what could be a gamebreaking CB/RS. Hardy still has a long way to go, both on and off the field. The others were either injured or didn't see the field. For all the talk about Steve Johnson, Bowen, and Bell, none of them played important minutes last season. Banking on them this season is an extremely risky proposition. All in all, the attempt at rebuilding the OL via UFA was unsuccessful. Now they're going at it with more UFA's, albeit cheaper ones. The DL is rapidly aging, as BADOL pointed out and the LB's include two starters and plenty of ST'ers. In the fourth off-season since Marv was hired, I'm not sure what the priority is in building this team. I would hope they've admitted that OL and DL will be early and often in 09. It's something many on this board have been talking about for longer than I've been here.

Russ has a long way to go with me to prove he's got the savvy to handle the GM role. I will enjoy the draft, because it promises to be a great day (league-wide) of surprises. For Buffalo fans like us, preferably good ones.

Apology accepted. Fandom is a serious subject, but I'd be naive to think there aren't some people who walk away after a loss and it doesn't bother them as much. Other people let it burn them until the next game or, in the case of bad losses, for a long time. I expect results and I'm not seeing it. Every off-season we're hoping and wishing that the team wins. And every season many people are let down when it doesn't happen enough to make the playoffs. Frankly, I'm sick of believing in something that isn't delivering. You can disagree, and that's your right. I've just got to see something before I am willing to have any faith in the front office and coaching. Call me a doubting Thomas, whatever, but the moves this off-season, aside from a one year deal for TO, leaves a lot to be desired. The draft isn't going to answer all the issues they have either.