peterpan Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I can't for the life of me understand the obsession by some with a TE when it's pretty much obvious that the O line needs at least two new starters. Chandler is a perfectly fine, middle of the pack TE and Gragg I believe is going to be a good one. Sure, if the next Gronk or Gonzalez would be available, then okay. But the problem with the TE position AND with WR has more to do with the QB. Even on that slant reception by Gragg last Sunday -- about as easy a pass as Manuel could have hoped for -- he threw behind him. And ILB is now a top priority? More important than RT, RG, LG? Seriously? How many teams currently slated to make the playoffs have a 'perfectly fine, middle of the pack TE" starting for them right now? 1? Maybe 2? Out of 12!!! All 8 teams in the last 4 super bowls had above average TEs, most had stud TEs. This isn't 1984. TE is one of the most productive positions for an offense. If you looked at team results, you could easily make an argument that TE is the 2nd most important offensive position in the modern NFL, short of only QB. Edited December 18, 2013 by peterpan
swnybillsfan Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Great TE's with hall of fame QB's throwing to them who are playing on teams that have won a SB and been contenders year in and year out. I am all for a great TE but I don't see a Gonzalez in this draft and this team has a lot of other holes to fill. all very true, i've just gotten really good at playing the "what if" game over the last decade or so. i find the hypothetical bright spot in just about everything.
sodbuster Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 If not Evans then Mack then best OL available. Wouldn't be surprised if Whaley does some jockeying for more picks before we're on the clock.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I would trade down again. I would do this every year. Seems like its always a win for the trade down teams. Last two times we did it were successes too (Kiko and Clements).
yungmack Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 How many teams currently slated to make the playoffs have a 'perfectly fine, middle of the pack TE" starting for them right now? 1? Maybe 2? Out of 12!!! All 8 teams in the last 4 super bowls had above average TEs, most had stud TEs. This isn't 1984. TE is one of the most productive positions for an offense. If you looked at team results, you could easily make an argument that TE is the 2nd most important offensive position in the modern NFL, short of only QB. The bolded part of your statement is the key. The Bills are far, far, far from being a playoff team and the addition of a TE is not in the top three needs for the team. Further, one of the reasons those TEs seem to be above average comes down to having a solid QB. Take any one of them and put them on this Bills team, and then see just how above average they are.
Prickly Pete Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I can't for the life of me understand the obsession by some with a TE when it's pretty much obvious that the O line needs at least two new starters. Chandler is a perfectly fine, middle of the pack TE and Gragg I believe is going to be a good one. Sure, if the next Gronk or Gonzalez would be available, then okay. But the problem with the TE position AND with WR has more to do with the QB. Even on that slant reception by Gragg last Sunday -- about as easy a pass as Manuel could have hoped for -- he threw behind him. And ILB is now a top priority? More important than RT, RG, LG? Seriously? They aren't going to waste a top 10 pick on a guard. Put it this way, almost any team would trade you their starting guard for that pick. Maybe every team. Edited December 18, 2013 by Marauder'sMicro
1billsfan Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 The bolded part of your statement is the key. The Bills are far, far, far from being a playoff team and the addition of a TE is not in the top three needs for the team. Further, one of the reasons those TEs seem to be above average comes down to having a solid QB. Take any one of them and put them on this Bills team, and then see just how above average they are. I strongly disagree with this. The NFL is awash with inferior teams, even the playoff teams are inferior. Look at how bad the AFC playoff teams are looking! Look at how quickly the "good" teams fell and "bad" teams got good in just one year. The Bills just need another player or two, get luckier with avoiding injuries and gain a little confidence in themselves to propel them into the 2014 playoffs. This is a much different league than it was even five years ago. IMO the Bills are right there at the door even if their record doesn't show it this year.
bisonbrigade Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) The best thing is to build as much depth as possible on the offense line. Trade down and fill the roster with talent. With so many injuries in today's game the teams with best depth have the best chance to win. Edited December 18, 2013 by bisonbrigade
bobobonators Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I cant understand how anyone who has been watching the NFL for the past 7 yrs or so can disregard the importance/evolution of the TE position in the NFL. The good ones are arguably the best athletes on the field. They can make an offense dynamic much the same way an elite WR can, except that a good TE wont cost you a top 5 pick ala calvin, green, johnson, etc. A playmaking TE is the best bang for your buck in todays NFL (IMO). This offense needs one.
Rockinon Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I can't for the life of me understand the obsession by some with a TE when it's pretty much obvious that the O line needs at least two new starters. Chandler is a perfectly fine, middle of the pack TE and Gragg I believe is going to be a good one. Sure, if the next Gronk or Gonzalez would be available, then okay. But the problem with the TE position AND with WR has more to do with the QB. Even on that slant reception by Gragg last Sunday -- about as easy a pass as Manuel could have hoped for -- he threw behind him. And ILB is now a top priority? More important than RT, RG, LG? Seriously? I think you nailed it. Our OL is pitiful. With all of the fire power we all ready have in skill positions, we really need to fix the trenches. Not only do we have Chandler and Gragg, we also just picked up a promising 6'3" 254lb TE(Moeaki). People just don't see the break downs of the OL. Why is Manual getting sacked 4 times a game? Why can't CJ find a hole to run through? How can people not see this? Having a good center and a good LT is nice, but they can't do everything. The other three players on that line need to produce too. Edited December 18, 2013 by Rockinon
jjmac Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 I took a slightly different approach. I looked on the Draft Tek Board, and they have Mariota at #10. Since the Bills won't take a QB in round 1, I went down the board. Evans was at #11. Now, I really don't think we'll take him in the first, but I won't complain if I'm wrong.
DC Grid Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Obviously last year wasn't the greatest year to need a QB, but despite that, the Bills had a solid draft, which could turn into a great one if EJ develops. This year however supply and demand seem to align almost perfectly for Buffalo. If it isn't their top need, LB has to be very high on the list for the Bills and the top of this year's draft is STOCKED with elite LB talent. It's hard to imagine a scenario where the Bills won't have one of, if not two of the LBs listed below to choose from when they pick. All of these guys paired with Kiko could help turn perhaps the weakest unit on the Bills to the strongest in a single offseason. Anthony Barr - UCLA - 6'4" 244 - 63 Tackles, 10 Sacks (Might be best defensive player in the draft) Khalil Mack - UB - 6'3" 248 - 94 Tackles, 11 Sacks, 3 INTS (Plays inferior talent but just looks like a machine on the field) CJ Mosely - Alabama - 6'2" 232 - 100 Tackles (Cornerstone of an incerdible Bama defense) Add this to the fact that finding an good LG in the second round isn't impossible (got Cordy Glenn there) and the Bills could be filing the few remaining BIG holes pretty quickly. (I just hope they don't create more by letting Byrd go.)
yungmack Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I strongly disagree with this. The NFL is awash with inferior teams, even the playoff teams are inferior. Look at how bad the AFC playoff teams are looking! Look at how quickly the "good" teams fell and "bad" teams got good in just one year. The Bills just need another player or two, get luckier with avoiding injuries and gain a little confidence in themselves to propel them into the 2014 playoffs. This is a much different league than it was even five years ago. IMO the Bills are right there at the door even if their record doesn't show it this year. I think it's more like 5 players: LB, LG, RG, LT and QB.
Rockinon Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I think it's more like 5 players: LB, LG, RG, LT and QB. You don't think Cordy is a good LT?
mrags Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 I'm guessing OLB, LG, TE And a big tall WR are going to be out first 4 picks. If they are very high on Mack, he's who will be lining up alongside Kiko and Manny next season.
Baba Booey Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Mike Evans, we need dominant number 1 WR. We also need a linebacker, and a stud a TE. Love the kid at Washington, but all in all should trade dow and get another 2nd rounder.
RealityCheck Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 According to my calculations, the Bills are due to draft Spiller's replacement in the first round this April. Who is considered the best runner this year? They need more runners.
Dibs Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) .... All 8 teams in the last 4 super bowls had above average TEs, most had stud TEs. ... Not quite.... Ravens 2012: Ed Dickson NYG 2011: Jake Ballard Packer 2010: Donald Lee Edit: Don't get me wrong though......your point is still very valid with 5 out of 8 having stud TEs. Seems like a stud TE is a star QBs best friend. Edited December 19, 2013 by Dibs
Baba Booey Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 Barr won't be there when we drat and Mack scares me because of who he plays against. I love Mosely because of who he plays. I believe you move him to middle linebacker and Kiko to outside and let him roam(Von Miller). I do think we go Big reciver first though, hopefully Evans.
section122 Posted December 19, 2013 Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) Barr won't be there when we drat and Mack scares me because of who he plays against. I love Mosely because of who he plays. I believe you move him to middle linebacker and Kiko to outside and let him roam(Von Miller). I do think we go Big reciver first though, hopefully Evans. Mosley scares me bc of the lack of succes for Bama linebackers in the nfl. I really hate that logic and won't guarantee him to be a bust bc of it but it does concern me. Edited December 19, 2013 by section122
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