A Two Year Plan (2010 and 2011)

[Wizard]

Our Quarterback Situation

 

Most of us agree that there is a mixed bag on Clausen and any other quarterback not named Bradford in this draft. Tebow is a project. Campbell is a retread and not worth a pick in Rounds 1-3. Colt McCoy will be gone before our #41 pick. And, do we really want to put our future in the hands of a guy named Skeleton or Lefevour? If Buffalo really thinks Clausen is the guy, and he's there, then go for it. Otherwise, I really don't see a need to get a quarterback this year.

 

Ending 2010, here is our likely quarterback situation: Fitzpatrick is gone. Edwards gets this year to prove whether he is worth keeping around in a new system or not. If Edwards fails, then Brohm is likely are new backup and has a year in the new system. No matter who we have a quarterback, this team won't be better than 8-8. An 8-8 record nets us a pick between #10-#15 in most years for 2011.

 

4 Talented Quarterbacks in 2011

There are four (4) talented quarterbacks available in 2011 that will likely go in the first round. There is Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Andrew Luck, and Pat Devlin. Locker, the stud from the state of Washington, and Mallett (Arkansas) (by scouting accounts) were considered to be Top 15 talent had they come out in this draft. Luck (Stanford) and Devlin (Delaware) appear to be first round players at the QB position.

 

With these two premises in mind, hear me out. Buffalo can still get its future quarterback while also building its offensive and defensive lines.

 

Two Year Plan (2010 & 2011)

2010 Draft

#9 Pick (Buffalo trades its #9 pick (valued at 1,350) for San Francisco's #17 pick (valued at 950) and its second round pick #45 (valued at 450).

 

Buffalo trades this #17 pick for a 1st rounder from a team in 2011. (If it the team is perenially crappy, then the trade is straight-up.) If it is generally a playoff team, then a 1st and 3rd rounder in 2011 works.

 

#41 Pick Buffalo trades it's second round pick #41 and one of its 6th round picks for Jared Gaither (OT).

#45 Pick Buffalo get Cam Thomas (NT)

 

Buffalo now has its starting NT and a starting OT on the left side. The rest of the 2010 draft is spent filling holes at OLB/RT/DE.

 

2010 Season Buffalo finishes the season at 7-9 or 8-8 giving them a 1st round pick between #10-#15.

 

2011 Draft For Bills (Two Options)

 

1. Buffalo can use its two 1st Round Picks (between #10-#15) and either a top (15 1st round pick from a crappy team) or a (Bottom 1st round pick between #20-#32 and a 3rd from a playoff caliber team to draft to use to acquire Locker or Mallett. Buffalo then has a 2nd round pick and its 3rd round pick to fill needs.

 

2. Buffalo can get Luck or Devlin as its starting QB in 2011 in the 1st round. Then, the team

has the flexibility of filling holes at WR, RT, DE, or LB with its other 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, and two 3rd Round Picks

 

Conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 Two Year Plan

Give Edwards and Brohm a chance to earn the 2010 spot. Don't go after a project in LeFeveour, Brown, or Skeleton. Don't go after a retread in Bulger or Campbell.

 

If Edwards or Brohm succeed, great! If not, either one is a serviceable backup. The Bills will then have two 1st round picks going into a deep 2011 quarterback class. LT and NT have already been filled in 2010 with Gaither and Thomas. The Bills still have a core group of DB's in McGee, McKelvin, Florence, Byrd, Scott, and Wilson. The Bills still have Evans. The Bills have a better line with Levitre's growth and a healthier Eric Wood. The Bills have a good running back group with Jackson and Lynch. The Bills have a decent linebacker group with POZ, Davis, Maybin, and Mitchell.

 

The major needs in 2011 are probably quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker, and right tackle. With two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, and the possibility of two 3rd round picks, Buffalo fills the gaps in the 2011 draft with young talent in those areas.

 

Gailey fills in other holes with mid-level free agents in the 2011 offseason.

 

The Bills become a playoff contending team again in 2012 by following a similiar plan!

Go Bills!

[Got_Wood]

Our Quarterback Situation

 

Most of us agree that there is a mixed bag on Clausen and any other quarterback not named Bradford in this draft. Tebow is a project. Campbell is a retread and not worth a pick in Rounds 1-3. Colt McCoy will be gone before our #41 pick. And, do we really want to put our future in the hands of a guy named Skeleton or Lefevour? If Buffalo really thinks Clausen is the guy, and he's there, then go for it. Otherwise, I really don't see a need to get a quarterback this year.

 

Ending 2010, here is our likely quarterback situation: Fitzpatrick is gone. Edwards gets this year to prove whether he is worth keeping around in a new system or not. If Edwards fails, then Brohm is likely are new backup and has a year in the new system. No matter who we have a quarterback, this team won't be better than 8-8. An 8-8 record nets us a pick between #10-#15 in most years for 2011.

 

4 Talented Quarterbacks in 2011

There are four (4) talented quarterbacks available in 2011 that will likely go in the first round. There is Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Andrew Luck, and Pat Devlin. Locker, the stud from the state of Washington, and Mallett (Arkansas) (by scouting accounts) were considered to be Top 15 talent had they come out in this draft. Luck (Stanford) and Devlin (Delaware) appear to be first round players at the QB position.

 

With these two premises in mind, hear me out. Buffalo can still get its future quarterback while also building its offensive and defensive lines.

 

Two Year Plan (2010 & 2011)

2010 Draft

#9 Pick (Buffalo trades its #9 pick (valued at 1,350) for San Francisco's #17 pick (valued at 950) and its second round pick #45 (valued at 450).

 

Buffalo trades this #17 pick for a 1st rounder from a team in 2011. (If it the team is perenially crappy, then the trade is straight-up.) If it is generally a playoff team, then a 1st and 3rd rounder in 2011 works.

 

#41 Pick Buffalo trades it's second round pick #41 and one of its 6th round picks for Jared Gaither (OT).

#45 Pick Buffalo get Cam Thomas (NT)

 

Buffalo now has its starting NT and a starting OT on the left side. The rest of the 2010 draft is spent filling holes at OLB/RT/DE.

 

2010 Season Buffalo finishes the season at 7-9 or 8-8 giving them a 1st round pick between #10-#15.

 

2011 Draft For Bills (Two Options)

 

1. Buffalo can use its two 1st Round Picks (between #10-#15) and either a top (15 1st round pick from a crappy team) or a (Bottom 1st round pick between #20-#32 and a 3rd from a playoff caliber team to draft to use to acquire Locker or Mallett. Buffalo then has a 2nd round pick and its 3rd round pick to fill needs.

 

2. Buffalo can get Luck or Devlin as its starting QB in 2011 in the 1st round. Then, the team

has the flexibility of filling holes at WR, RT, DE, or LB with its other 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, and two 3rd Round Picks

 

Conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 Two Year Plan

Give Edwards and Brohm a chance to earn the 2010 spot. Don't go after a project in LeFeveour, Brown, or Skeleton. Don't go after a retread in Bulger or Campbell.

 

If Edwards or Brohm succeed, great! If not, either one is a serviceable backup. The Bills will then have two 1st round picks going into a deep 2011 quarterback class. LT and NT have already been filled in 2010 with Gaither and Thomas. The Bills still have a core group of DB's in McGee, McKelvin, Florence, Byrd, Scott, and Wilson. The Bills still have Evans. The Bills have a better line with Levitre's growth and a healthier Eric Wood. The Bills have a good running back group with Jackson and Lynch. The Bills have a decent linebacker group with POZ, Davis, Maybin, and Mitchell.

 

The major needs in 2011 are probably quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker, and right tackle. With two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, and the possibility of two 3rd round picks, Buffalo fills the gaps in the 2011 draft with young talent in those areas.

 

Gailey fills in other holes with mid-level free agents in the 2011 offseason.

 

The Bills become a playoff contending team again in 2012 by following a similiar plan!

Go Bills!

 

So basically trade like hell to avoid all talent this draft, and any chance of winning in the near future.

 

Get real man. You can't get much better than the #9 pick. We need to use that position to bring in a star player. Something we're lacking on this team.

 

There will be a 2 year plan. But it involves taking every opportunity to bring in the best players available.

[stuckincincy]

Go Bills!

 

Good post - I can quibble with it, but I appreciate the thought and work you put into it.

[Homer]

I agree this is a 2 year project and I agree there will be good QB's next year. I dont doubt that there may be some trading but i think it will all be geared to this years draft.

[billsfan89]

Well I say just get the lines in order this draft. LT, NT, and RT/OLB in the first three picks. As far as QB goes start Fitz or Trent should start the season out and just have Brohm start once the season gets ugly. Let this season be a breeding ground for our new O-Line and New 3-4.

 

Then next season go with a franchise QB with the first pick in round 2 just take some talent where ever we need it. Next year is a lost season just get some O-Line help and a NT so that our new D has a center piece and so that our QB has a better line in front of him.

[WordByrd]

Gathier isn't being traded! Jeesh

[PeteBills4ever]

Gathier isn't being traded! Jeesh

WordByrd if you would be willing to give away your avatar, maybe you could get Gaither, then sell Gaither to the Bills...Combining your avatar with Ray Finkle's avatar might be the only way I can get my eyes off those wonderful funbags for a millisecond...:-)

[BillsVet]

Gathier isn't being traded! Jeesh

 

He was mentioned in trade talks to get him in for off-season workouts. With one example, OLT's aren't traded for picks just before the NFL Draft.

 

When people talk of _year plans, it's kind of funny. There may be a lockout in 2011, and the owner's age impacts anything the Bills do. Buffalo hasn't picked a long term GM in forever, and Nix hasn't changed that. That's not a coincidence.

[uncle flap]

He was mentioned in trade talks to get him in for off-season workouts. With one example, OLT's aren't traded for picks just before the NFL Draft.

 

When people talk of _year plans, it's kind of funny. There may be a lockout in 2011, and the owner's age impacts anything the Bills do. Buffalo hasn't picked a long term GM in forever, and Nix hasn't changed that. That's not a coincidence.

 

As far as I can tell, all signs point to Gaither staying put, and I think the rumors to the contrary are a product of writers/bloggers manufacturing off-season news.

 

I agree it's kinda funny to talk about X year's plans with so many unknowns now, but it's also fun to speculate.

 

I think Buffalo has picked a long-term GM- Doug Whaley. I have a feeling he might have a lot more sway in the organization than you would think an Asst GM would have normally. Why bring him in if you aren't grooming him to take over in a couple of years?

[BillsVet]

I think Buffalo has picked a long-term GM- Doug Whaley. I have a feeling he might have a lot more sway in the organization than you would think an Asst GM would have normally. Why bring him in if you aren't grooming him to take over in a couple of years?

 

I don't think there's a question why Whaley was brought on board. The question remains, how many years will the Bills be in Buffalo? Their stadium lease expires after the 2012 season, and RW is 91. Talking 2+ years down the road is conveniently forgetting there may not be a team, as no one can give insight into what happens when the owner passes away.

[JohnC]

Our Quarterback Situation

 

Most of us agree that there is a mixed bag on Clausen and any other quarterback not named Bradford in this draft. Tebow is a project. Campbell is a retread and not worth a pick in Rounds 1-3. Colt McCoy will be gone before our #41 pick. And, do we really want to put our future in the hands of a guy named Skeleton or Lefevour? If Buffalo really thinks Clausen is the guy, and he's there, then go for it. Otherwise, I really don't see a need to get a quarterback this year.

 

Ending 2010, here is our likely quarterback situation: Fitzpatrick is gone. Edwards gets this year to prove whether he is worth keeping around in a new system or not. If Edwards fails, then Brohm is likely are new backup and has a year in the new system. No matter who we have a quarterback, this team won't be better than 8-8. An 8-8 record nets us a pick between #10-#15 in most years for 2011.

 

4 Talented Quarterbacks in 2011

There are four (4) talented quarterbacks available in 2011 that will likely go in the first round. There is Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Andrew Luck, and Pat Devlin. Locker, the stud from the state of Washington, and Mallett (Arkansas) (by scouting accounts) were considered to be Top 15 talent had they come out in this draft. Luck (Stanford) and Devlin (Delaware) appear to be first round players at the QB position.

 

With these two premises in mind, hear me out. Buffalo can still get its future quarterback while also building its offensive and defensive lines.

 

Two Year Plan (2010 & 2011)

2010 Draft

#9 Pick (Buffalo trades its #9 pick (valued at 1,350) for San Francisco's #17 pick (valued at 950) and its second round pick #45 (valued at 450).

 

Buffalo trades this #17 pick for a 1st rounder from a team in 2011. (If it the team is perenially crappy, then the trade is straight-up.) If it is generally a playoff team, then a 1st and 3rd rounder in 2011 works.

 

#41 Pick Buffalo trades it's second round pick #41 and one of its 6th round picks for Jared Gaither (OT).

#45 Pick Buffalo get Cam Thomas (NT)

 

Buffalo now has its starting NT and a starting OT on the left side. The rest of the 2010 draft is spent filling holes at OLB/RT/DE.

 

2010 Season Buffalo finishes the season at 7-9 or 8-8 giving them a 1st round pick between #10-#15.

 

2011 Draft For Bills (Two Options)

 

1. Buffalo can use its two 1st Round Picks (between #10-#15) and either a top (15 1st round pick from a crappy team) or a (Bottom 1st round pick between #20-#32 and a 3rd from a playoff caliber team to draft to use to acquire Locker or Mallett. Buffalo then has a 2nd round pick and its 3rd round pick to fill needs.

 

2. Buffalo can get Luck or Devlin as its starting QB in 2011 in the 1st round. Then, the team

has the flexibility of filling holes at WR, RT, DE, or LB with its other 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, and two 3rd Round Picks

 

Conclusion of the 2010 and 2011 Two Year Plan

Give Edwards and Brohm a chance to earn the 2010 spot. Don't go after a project in LeFeveour, Brown, or Skeleton. Don't go after a retread in Bulger or Campbell.

 

If Edwards or Brohm succeed, great! If not, either one is a serviceable backup. The Bills will then have two 1st round picks going into a deep 2011 quarterback class. LT and NT have already been filled in 2010 with Gaither and Thomas. The Bills still have a core group of DB's in McGee, McKelvin, Florence, Byrd, Scott, and Wilson. The Bills still have Evans. The Bills have a better line with Levitre's growth and a healthier Eric Wood. The Bills have a good running back group with Jackson and Lynch. The Bills have a decent linebacker group with POZ, Davis, Maybin, and Mitchell.

 

The major needs in 2011 are probably quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker, and right tackle. With two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, and the possibility of two 3rd round picks, Buffalo fills the gaps in the 2011 draft with young talent in those areas.

 

Gailey fills in other holes with mid-level free agents in the 2011 offseason.

 

The Bills become a playoff contending team again in 2012 by following a similiar plan!

Go Bills!

 

Talking about next year's qb prospects doesn't make much sense to me. Your point about it taking a number of years to get the talent level up is on the mark. But banking on getting your franchise qb next year is problematic. Who is to say that the Bills will be in a draft position to secure a franchise qb prospect? What if we are again medicore (probably) and are drafting at a low mid-level range?

 

If a dismal team like the Bills is in position to get a franchise qb then you have to seize the opportunity. Detroit did last year with Stafford, and now they are in position to address other needs. They got their franchise qb sooner, he was quickly thrown onto the field, and he gained some valuable experience. A couple of years ago Atlanta drafted Matt Ryan very early in the draft and he has demonstrated that he is an upper tier qb.

 

Jimmy Clausen played with a very debilitating foot injury last year. From a physical standpoint his upside hasn't been realized. If he can play at a high level while injured then his potential is even greater than assumed. Do the Bills have other major needs? Of course. The Bills are border-line expansion caliber team. If the Bills wait another year to get their qb then the timetable for that qb to develop will be an additional few years.

 

Because of Clausen's experience working under Charlie Weis and his pro style offense there is no qb prospect in this year's draft more prepared to run a pro offense. No one can doubt that the qb position is the most important position on a team. If you can secure that required caliber of qb then you go ahead and do it.

 

For almost a generation the Bills have been one of the worst and most irrelevant teams in the NFL. Now is the time to be bold and creative and step outside of the limited and boring Buffalo box. No matter how the the Bills handle this draft they have a long way to get back to respectability. The franchise got stuck in the mud of mediocrity through its own incompetence and foolishness. It is time for a change.

[uncle flap]

I don't think there's a question why Whaley was brought on board. The question remains, how many years will the Bills be in Buffalo? Their stadium lease expires after the 2012 season, and RW is 91. Talking 2+ years down the road is conveniently forgetting there may not be a team, as no one can give insight into what happens when the owner passes away.

 

good point- i conveniently overlooked that because I'm in denial

[Thurman#1]

#41 Pick Buffalo trades it's second round pick #41 and one of its 6th round picks for Jared Gaither (OT).

 

 

Gaither isn't available. The Ravens simply never wanted to get rid of the guy. They want to keep him at LT and Oher at RT. Give up on this already.

 

Also, any plan which depends on about five different trades being made is a plan based on vapor, on dreams and cotton candy. What if teams don't want to make those trades. What if many or all of those four QBs either have rotten years or horrible career-threatening injuries. There's no way to know what will happen to QBs in a year. Last year, everyone thought Jevan Snead was going to be a top-five pick this year. Whooooooooooops.

[dpberr]

The talk about "lost" seasons makes me laugh. Obviously comes from people who never played competitive sports in their entire life. There is no such thing as a "lost" season before it even starts.

[Rob's House]

The talk about "lost" seasons makes me laugh. Obviously comes from people who never played competitive sports in their entire life. There is no such thing as a "lost" season before it even starts.

 

That's an excellent point. Nobody thought Atlanta was going to make any noise Matt Ryan's rookie season, and yr before last most people I heard predicted the Dolphins to win 4-5 games and they won the division.