Yet another why we'll take an OT over Jimmy Clausen thread

[The Jokeman]

I've seen numerous and participated in many of the numerous threads that debate whether we should take an OT over Jimmy Clausen threads so I thought I'd start my own. I'm sure much of what I have to say will be a rehash of some of the other threads but hopefully because it's concise and all inclusive it might put an end to the final debate.

 

First and foremost, let's look at Gailey's history shall we? His QBs in Pittsburgh, Miami and KC were Kordell Stewart, Jay Fielder and Tyler Thigpen respectively. Notice something? Yeah none of them were 1st Round draft picks and were more athletic vs a drop back passer. I know someone's about to say yeah what about Dallas and Troy Aikman, True but he didn't have a choice with Aikman he had to take him and also believed to be a big reason he got fired because Aikman didn't like the offense that Gailey employed. So would Gailey be foolish enough to let his new team take a drop back QB like Clausen? Also Claussen would be another golden child in that if he fails what is Ralph more apt to do? Fire his HC or QB? Looking back at recent history guys like RJ and Trent Edwards seemed to stick around wheras Wade Phillips and Dick Jauron didn't. If Gailey's wise, which I think he is, he'd do his best to convince Wilson he think that an OT is a better pick then Clausen. Secondly, when Gailey named his OC, he named a guy who has a history as a RB coach which seems to indicate that again running is more important to him then passing. So what's the easiest way to fix a running attack that already has two RBs on the roster who've put up 1,000 seasons? A rookie QB you say or an OT? Thirdly, let's say we do take Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams, and he struggles at LT where can we stick him? While some might not like the answer but it be at RT since we still have a long term hole there since Cornell Green is 34 years old. In comparison where does Clausen go if he faulters? the bench which isn't a good thing. Fourthly many reports have come out with us meeting with Clausen and Tebow but does anyone remember us meeting with Maybin last year? or Lynch prior to being drafted? All food for thought but me I'm in the belief we'll take an OT first and a QB sometime later.

[CosmicBills]

I've seen numerous and participated in many of the numerous threads that debate whether we should take an OT over Jimmy Clausen threads so I thought I'd start my own. I'm sure much of what I have to say will be a rehash of some of the other threads but hopefully because it's concise and all inclusive it might put an end to the final debate.

 

First and foremost, let's look at Gailey's history shall we? His QBs in Pittsburgh, Miami and KC were Kordell Stewart, Jay Fielder and Tyler Thigpen respectively. Notice something? Yeah none of them were 1st Round draft picks and were more athletic vs a drop back passer. I know someone's about to say yeah what about Dallas and Troy Aikman, True but he didn't have a choice with Aikman he had to take him and also believed to be a big reason he got fired because Aikman didn't like the offense that Gailey employed. So would Gailey be foolish enough to let his new team take a drop back QB like Claussen? Also Claussen would be another golden child in that if he fails what is Ralph more apt to do? Fire his HC or QB? Looking back at recent history guys like RJ and Trent Edwards seemed to stick around wheras Wade Phillips and Dick Jauron didn't. If Gailey's wise, which I think he is, he'd do his best to convince Wilson he think that an OT is a better pick then Claussen. Secondly, when Gailey named his OC, he named a guy who has a history as a RB coach which seems to indicate that again running is more important to him then passing. So what's the easiest way to fix a running attack that already has two RBs on the roster who've put up 1,000 seasons? A rookie QB you say or an OT? Thirdly, let's say we do take Bryan Bulaga or Trent Williams, and he struggles at LT where can we stick him? While some might not like the answer but it be at RT since we still have a long term hole there since Cornell Green is 34 years old. In comparison where does Claussen go if he faulters? the bench which isn't a good thing. Fourthly many reports have come out with us meeting with Claussen and Tebow but does anyone remember us meeting with Maybin last year? or Lynch prior to being drafted? All food for thought but me I'm in the belief we'll take an OT first and a QB sometime later.

If he believes this, we're in a lot of trouble. A lot of trouble.

 

Note: I don't care if they take an OT or a QB at 9. We need both. But this is a passing league now. Not a running league. So I hope our coach understands this.

[The Jokeman]

If he believes this, we're in a lot of trouble. A lot of trouble.

 

Note: I don't care if they take an OT or a QB at 9. We need both. But this is a passing league now. Not a running league. So I hope our coach understands this.

I hate to show you this then but it's worth reading. http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/1/17/113839/145

[CosmicBills]

I hate to show you this then but it's worth reading. http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/1/17/113839/145

Yeah, that's a good article. I think you linked me to it when he was first hired? (or maybe it was someone else).

 

I'm going into the draft, and the season, with high hopes that the Bills finally have their act together as far as philosophies go in the front office and on the sideline. So, I'm trying not to think about that too much (or hope to be proven wrong).

 

But it makes the draft painless for me because I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they pass on Clausen, I'll be fine with it, assuming they know what they're doing. If they take him, I'll feel the same. The only pick that will drive me nuts is Spiller (it would be a waste of a pick).

 

I just want the draft to get here already:)

[The Jokeman]

Yeah, that's a good article. I think you linked me to it when he was first hired? (or maybe it was someone else).

 

I'm going into the draft, and the season, with high hopes that the Bills finally have their act together as far as philosophies go in the front office and on the sideline. So, I'm trying not to think about that too much (or hope to be proven wrong).

 

But it makes the draft painless for me because I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they pass on Clausen, I'll be fine with it, assuming they know what they're doing. If they take him, I'll feel the same. The only pick that will drive me nuts is Spiller (it would be a waste of a pick).

 

I just want the draft to get here already:)

I'm sure someone might have linked but it wasn't me. My biggest issue is I've been crying for an OT every year in the draft and every year we don't take one. This year it finally looks like we might be in the spot to get one and might not take one again which will lead me to argue in 2011 we need to take an OT again.

[CosmicBills]

I'm sure someone might have linked but it wasn't me. My biggest issue is I've been crying for an OT every year in the draft and every year we don't take one. This year it finally looks like we might be in the spot to get one and might not take one again which will lead me to argue in 2011 we need to take an OT again.

You're of course 100000% right that OT is a huge hole. But so too is QB. It's a cliched argument now, but franchise QBs are much more important and much more difficult to find than good OTs.

 

That's how you should look at the 9 pick. If Clausen is there and they pass on him for an OT then that means they must not like Clausen too much. But if they take Clausen over an OT, you should just have some faith that they found their franchise QB and can find OL help in round 2 ... unless you're convinced Clausen is a bum.

 

I personally can't judge QB's potential so I have no idea.

[H2o]

I hate to show you this then but it's worth reading. http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/1/17/113839/145

So you'd take the apparent 4th best OT in the draft over Clausen? The only two OT's that I take over Clausen would be Okung and Bulaga because I feel like they are the only two viable immediate starters at the position. I wouldn't even take Trent Williams over Clausen. Clausen would start day 1 at QB here and I have no doubt that he would be more effective than anyone we currently have on the roster. The guy has a great arm, is an accurate passer, and is elusive enough in the pocket to be effective in any offense.

[BillsVet]

What Gailey likes or dislikes is a mystery. His last two NFL jobs (00-01 MIA OC, 08 KC OC) did not put him into a position to have much input for personnel. I would argue his HC stint in DAL in 98-99 didn't either; everyone knows Jerrah Jones has final say on everything including jock straps.

 

The only window is perhaps his recruiting at the college level. But there, he found players and could not win with them. At GT, he favored athletic type players, but that doesn't mean much considering the Bills don't play in the ACC.

 

Maybe because it's down to about 10 days left to draft day that we're having this discussion. But I don't think his time in college will give away what he'll do. After all, Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer, Morgan Burnett, and Demaryius Thomas do not fit their primary needs.

[The Jokeman]

So you'd take the apparent 4th best OT in the draft over Clausen? The only two OT's that I take over Clausen would be Okung and Bulaga because I feel like they are the only two viable immediate starters at the position. I wouldn't even take Trent Williams over Clausen. Clausen would start day 1 at QB here and I have no doubt that he would be more effective than anyone we currently have on the roster. The guy has a great arm, is an accurate passer, and is elusive enough in the pocket to be effective in any offense.

I would only take one of the top 3 OTs. Okung, Buluga or Trent Williams over Clausen. If we're at 9 and Clausen's on the board but so is someone like Dez Bryant it be a difficult decision but be more apt to take Bryant. As Clausen might be better than any QB we have on the roster but again Gailey's found ways to take teams with lesser QBs and still find ways to win. As again the draft getting the best collection of players. Not to mention I've always been in the belief that a QB benefits more from the talent around him then vice versa.

[H2o]

I would only take one of the top 3 OTs. Okung, Buluga or Trent Williams over Clausen. If we're at 9 and Clausen's on the board but so is someone like Dez Bryant it be a difficult decision but be more apt to take Bryant. As Clausen might be better than any QB we have on the roster but again Gailey's found ways to take teams with lesser QBs and still find ways to win. As again the draft getting the best collection of players. Not to mention I've always been in the belief that a QB benefits more from the talent around him then vice versa.

What about the sub-superstar talent that has flourished with a great QB. Look how good Manning, Brady, Brees, Warner, Marino, and others have made the people around them look like more than they are. In Brady's instance look at Patten, Branch, and Givens. In Manning's case look at Garcon and Collie this past season. In Brees' case looke at Lance Moore and Devery Henderson. In Warner's case look at Bryant Johnson, Steve Breaston, and every other WR that stepped in as Boldin was often injured. In Marino's case look at all of them. Bryant is of no help to us at all without a QB who can get the ball to him downfield when he's open. Did Gailey win a SB or a NC with any of those 2nd rate QB's? No. You need a top notch QB to win in this league and a timely defense. Like I said before, I'm sure that Nix and Gailey have a list of OT's they believe in if we don't go that way in the 1st and either trade back into the first or select a guy in the 2nd. I don't see how you pass up one of the top two QB's, a potential franchise QB, for the 3rd or 4th best OT in the draft. Bulaga or Okung? Yes. Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bruce Campbell? No.

[The Jokeman]

What about the sub-superstar talent that has flourished with a great QB. Look how good Manning, Brady, Brees, Warner, Marino, and others have made the people around them look like more than they are. In Brady's instance look at Patten, Branch, and Givens. In Manning's case look at Garcon and Collie this past season. In Brees' case looke at Lance Moore and Devery Henderson. In Warner's case look at Bryant Johnson, Steve Breaston, and every other WR that stepped in as Boldin was often injured. In Marino's case look at all of them. Bryant is of no help to us at all without a QB who can get the ball to him downfield when he's open. Did Gailey win a SB or a NC with any of those 2nd rate QB's? No. You need a top notch QB to win in this league and a timely defense. Like I said before, I'm sure that Nix and Gailey have a list of OT's they believe in if we don't go that way in the 1st and either trade back into the first or select a guy in the 2nd. I don't see how you pass up one of the top two QB's, a potential franchise QB, for the 3rd or 4th best OT in the draft. Bulaga or Okung? Yes. Trent Williams, Anthony Davis, Bruce Campbell? No.

and of those QBs you mentioned only two were drafted in the 1st Round. Again you comment how Clausen couldn't win at Notre Dame because a lack of surrounding talent, is the talent here in Buffalo that much better? I guess what I'm saying I'm more anti-Clausen because I don't see us having the talent around him that will allow him to flourish. Also let's look at Manning, his LT for the longest time was Tarik Glenn (1st Rounder who was there before him), BRady, I"ll admit I don't know off top of my head, Brees LT is Jamaal Brown and pretty sure was before him. Warner had Orlando Pace in St Louis, Marino had Richmond Webb in the 90s. In other words all of them except Brady had 1st Round LTs to play with.

[John from Riverside]

I have always been under the impression tha Gailey takes the lemons he is given and makes lemonade

 

He doesnt have a lemon pick a 9 so I dont expect him to pick one

 

OT is a definate need.....and I wont throw my TV in the pool if we take one.......but in my mind as long as some team ahead of us doesn't take Clausen and he is there we will take him.....and he will start from day 1

[Geno Smith's Arm]

I've seen numerous and participated in many of the numerous threads that debate whether we should take an OT over Jimmy Clausen threads so I thought I'd start my own. I'm sure much of what I have to say will be a rehash of some of the other threads but hopefully because it's concise and all inclusive it might put an end to the final debate.

 

First and foremost, let's look at Gailey's history shall we? His QBs in Pittsburgh, Miami and KC were Kordell Stewart, Jay Fielder and Tyler Thigpen respectively. Notice something? Yeah none of them were 1st Round draft picks and were more athletic vs a drop back passer.

 

 

Yeah, he PREFERS crappy quarterbacks! He was really disappointed to have to put up with Troy Aikman, probably wanted to run him out of Dallas.

 

Maybe that's why Jerry Jones fired Chan. Chan said "Jerry, it's him or me. I need Kordell to implement my schemes."