Bills notes on GBN REPORT.com

[PIZ]

Buffalo Bills Team Needs:

 

Defensive Tackle (5/5): Sam Adams is a stud, but his equally talented former partner, Pat Williams, departed to Minnesota in free agency. Wave players Ron Edwards and Tim Anderson are next in line to replace him. Both players lack the experience, size, tenacity, and ability to engulf blockers that Williams had. Reserve tackle Justin Bannan is not starting tackle material and can only be counted on for a very limited number of snaps per game. Rarely utilized Lauvale Sape completes the unit. The Bills were within breathing distance for the top in terms of total defense last season. And given the fact that they will be breaking in J.P. Losman as a full-time starter, they can be expected to rely even more heavily on this unit in 2005. As such, the team cannot afford a letdown at the defensive tackle position, and thus it is important that they draft a player with dominant potential to pair-up with Adams as a rock-solid interior force.

Left Tackle (5/5): A need that may be filled very shortly if the Bills decide to pull the trigger on the long-rumoured L.J. Shelton for Travis Henry deal. Jonas Jennings, last season’s starter, left in free agency for San Francisco. Again, it must be mentioned that with the Bills breaking-in a young quarterback, they cannot afford a significant letdown such a critical offensive line position. Former Bear Mike Gandy and Dylan McFarland are the only true left tackle options on the roster if none is added by trade or in the draft. While it is true that centre Trey Teague can play tackle in an emergency, this would create a vacancy in the interior. The Bills cannot risk slowing down Losman’s development because of inconsistency at the blind-side tackle position.

Wide Receiver (4/5): The Bills struck gold with the selection of Lee Evans in the first round last year. Evans looks like he will give the Bills not only a complement to Eric Moulds, but a big-play, gamebreaking threat who can stretch secondaries to the point of vulnerability. Moulds is still a consistent threat that defensives have to plan for, and the emergence of Evans only heightens his effectiveness. The Bills passing offence should be more dynamic with Losman at he controls, and each receiver’s productivity can be expected to benefit from this. But an upgrade will be required at the slot position. Josh Reed has been mediocre in his three seasons in the league, and has not asserted himself as a playmaker in the way the Bills expected him to. Barring injury, he will likely remain a backup for a long as he lasts with the Bills. Behind Reed are unproven Sam Aiken, Drew Haddad, and Jonathan Smith--raw, developmental types with limited upside.

Other needs: Tight end, strong safety, guard.

 

 

Trades that could affect the draft:

 

The Bills’ have put runner Travis Henry on the trading blocking after he stated that he will not return to Buffalo after losing his starting job to emerging young runner Willis McGahee last fall. He has been rumored in a trade for the Cardinals’ OT L.J. Shelton that appears to be a natural deal for both clubs, but one that is contingent on the players selected in the top ten in April’s NFL Draft ’05. The deal allows each team to address a major need area without surrendering any of this years selections, though the Bills reportedly want to flip second round picks with the Cardinals to completed the transaction. Arizona’s second round pick is currently the 44th overall, while the Bills who pick 55th overall and they do not have a #1 pick this year as a result of the draft day deal with the Cowboys that gave them current starting QB J.P. Losman. Arizona wants the Henry deal completed in principal, but not announced until the club is on the clock that would allow them to select one of the premier defensive prospects on the board at the 8th overall position. Otherwise, the Cardinals will look to address their running back problem with either Ronnie Brown or Cedric Benson expected to be available. Henry will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason and a player who most likely sees very limited action in Buffalo next fall. Shelton is ready to move on after an inconsistent performance with the Cards and a new start in Buffalo would be ideal for both him and the Bills with his acquisition addressing a major need at left tackle.

 

 

 

 

 

GBN REPORT

 

 

 

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[Kelly the Dog]

That is the first time I have seen the reasoning in print why the Cards have agreed on the trade but don't want it announced. Just in case something bizarre happens and trades are made in front of them preventing the top defensive players they want from being available. That makes sense for the Cards, not known for having a lot of sense.

[Beerball]

Great, more press for Lauvale. His fan club will be whooping and hollering about this for two friggin weeks.

 

 

I do think we have enough beef to replace Phat. Edwards was impressive last year, we just have to hope that Anderson can make a significant contribution.

[Mark VI]

While the Bills could still draft a DT, they could get by with Anderson on running downs and Edwards on passing downs. I liked Pat Williams but the better tackle by far is Sam Adams.

[TigerJ]

Ron Edwards at 325 lbs (the same LISTED weight as Williams) has plenty of size for the position. He also has starting experience. He was not stellar as a starter, but now with two more years under his belt, he may be ready. Pat Williams was not a great tackle when he signed as an unddrafted free agent. I do think with Williams gone and Bannan apparently shifting to guard, Buffalo is a little thin at DT.

[Rubes]

That is the first time I have seen the reasoning in print why the Cards have agreed on the trade but don't want it announced. Just in case something bizarre happens and trades are made in front of them preventing the top defensive players they want from being available. That makes sense for the Cards, not known for having a lot of sense.

298354[/snapback]

 

I've actually thought that myself, as well. Since they have such a good draft position in round 1, I was wondering if they just didn't want the trade announced until draft day so that other teams still don't know what position they might select.

[Kelly the Dog]

I've actually thought that myself, as well. Since they have such a good draft position in round 1, I was wondering if they just didn't want the trade announced until draft day so that other teams still don't know what position they might select.

298608[/snapback]

It actually makes sense for both teams, and answers a lot of questions as to what the heck the two teams have been saying in the press. The Cards want to make sure the CB they want is still there. He is almost certain to be still there. But if they make the trade for Henry, and then something happens and defensive guys go before the running backs expected, they are left with Henry and having to trade down because they're not going to trade for Henry and draft a RB at #8.

 

This way, they make sure they get a good RB (either through draft or trade). The Bills don't have a lot of other options with Henry to get what he is worth, and would trade him elsewhere if something comes up, but can almost count on the Henry trade happening just before the Cards pick because there is a 95% chance (roughly) that one of the guys the Cards are targeting will still be there.

[Realist]

It actually makes sense for both teams, and answers a lot of questions as to what the heck the two teams have been saying in the press. The Cards want to make sure the CB they want is still there. He is almost certain to be still there. But if they make the trade for Henry, and then something happens and defensive guys go before the running backs expected, they are left with Henry and having to trade down because they're not going to trade for Henry and draft a RB at #8.

 

This way, they make sure they get a good RB (either through draft or trade). The Bills don't have a lot of other options with Henry to get what he is worth, and would trade him elsewhere if something comes up, but can almost count on the Henry trade happening just before the Cards pick because there is a 95% chance (roughly) that one of the guys the Cards are targeting will still be there.

298629[/snapback]

 

It really doesn't have to be announced at that point either, if there is a swap of second round picks. If the Cards take a CB with #8 the trade wouldn't be announced until their pick in Round 2.

[Kelly the Dog]

It really doesn't have to be announced at that point either, if there is a swap of second round picks.  If the Cards take a CB with #8 the trade wouldn't be announced until their pick in Round 2.

298665[/snapback]

Good point. Or rather "our" pick at #44.

[R. Rich]

While the Bills could still draft a DT, they could get by with Anderson on running downs and Edwards on passing downs. I liked Pat Williams but the better tackle by far is Sam Adams.

298371[/snapback]

 

 

And Pat Williams is nowhere near as good as Mike Nugent.