Why the Bills should go for Reggie Bush.....

[BillsFanForever19]

Yes, I admit it. I've been bitten by the Reggie Bush bug. Before everyone goes nuts with "Shutup", "I've heard of 'em", and "Simply put: no." posts; hear me out:

 

We have needs all over this team. Mainly in the O-Line and D-Line department. It has been reported that we have a substantial amount of spending money after this season. So a lot of these needs can be filled in free agency. I think we'll see Nate returning in a Bills uniform next season. With the way he's been playing combined with the fact that the going rate for top corners is expected to go down, we should be able to get him back. So now we have to deal with the losses of the following men:

 

Eric Moulds

Sam Adams

Mike Williams

 

Honestly, I don't want to see a single one of them leave. But Moulds is going to cost WAY too much money and after the crap that went down this season, he won't want to take a pay cut let alone return to the team. Sam Adams is guaranteed to go if Mary Mularkey stays on. Even if he doesn't, he probably won't want to come back and/or the organization will feel he's "detrimental" to the team. Mike Williams has been a bust. I don't think anyone can argue that fact anymore. You can come up with excuses, but even those (such as injuries that have become more and more frequent) excuses still point to "bust". I'd like to see us bring him back for one more year. He may be a "bust". But when he's on and healthy, he's our top lineman. Unfortunately, his cost is obscene. I read somewhere as well that we would not be able to restructure him. So out the door he goes

 

So now with our John Clayton reported cap figure (in which he states we should be able to re-sign Clements and still land 1-2 TOP lineman) along with cuts to free up more space, you go after an O-Lineman and a D-Lineman. And here's the name's we go after:

 

Grady Jackson, DT Green Bay

Tra Thomas, OT Philidelphia

 

Grady Jackson is an unrestricted free agent after this season. He's easily one of the top DL available. He's a mountain of a man that just clogs the middle and is quicker than Sam and just as big.

 

Tra Thomas is expected to be cut after this season by Philidelphia. Having strained relationships and costing more money than they'd like to pay, he should be available. He is one of the premier left tackles in the league and would solidify that side of the line while moving Mike Gandy over to Guard; a position he played most in Chicago.

 

So how and why does Reggie Bush fall into this equation? Well with the acquisition of veteran upgrades at both the O and D lines, we could afford to use a high pick on him. But why the hell would we do that when we already have a RB?

 

As I sit here in my Willis McGahee throwback, it pains me to admit that he is NOT a Buffalo Bill. In 2003, he worked himself into the ground getting ready. In 2004, he proved that he was the best RB on the Bills and that he had completely bounced back from his injury. He played with passion and heart to prove to everyone, all of his doubters; that he was back and was one of the top RB's in the NFL. But now that Travis is gone and Willis was handed the team, that passion is gone. Last year when he hit that hole it didn't matter how many men were in it, he would always somehow come out the other side? Do you guys remember that? This year if he gets looked at the wrong way, he's down. And why? Because he has no heart anymore.

 

He's proven this year with his attitude, his words, and his play that he doesn't care. He doesn't care if the Buffalo Bills are winning or losing. All Willis McGahee cares about now is his paycheck and his own personal accolades. Halfway through the season I started wondering when he would start saying he doesn't like it in Buffalo. When he would start saying he wants out. Because even though he hasn't said it, he's proving it to be true. Just recently, I read it on profootballweekly.com under the rumors that Willis wants to go to a warm weather team. Even though it's just a rumor, I buy it.

 

For everyone who is reading this and saying, "he can't run because the line is atrocious" (sp?) know that this line is just as bad as last year's line. And the WR's are the same as last year's. He only plays well this year when he's challenged by coaches. The difference is with Willis. He's not a guy to build J.P. and this team around and quite frankly, I question his talent now as well. So before everything whirls out of control and before he pulls a Travis and EVERYONE knows he wants to be traded (thus, decreasing leverage and trade value); you move him for a late-1st rounder. I think he could get that.

 

The 1st pick in the draft is neccessary if you want Bush. The Texans aren't drafting him. No matter what anyone says, they can't and won't do it. They have a quality QB and a quality RB who just this year signed a 21.1 million dollar extension. He's been putting up solid numbers and Davis is one of the few solid players on the team. They are going to pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson. But they aren't stupid. They'll trade their pick for more picks so that they can get that O-Line help that they need more than ANYONE else in the league (even us) and pick up more picks to get more help. Even if someone wants the 1st pick to take Leinart, Bush will be gone in the 2nd pick to San Fran. So you have to get that 1st. Here's how I see our draft filling out:

 

1.) (#3-5 pick)

1.) (For Willis)

2.)

3.)

3.) (For Travis)

3.) (Supplemental for Pat)

4.)

4.) (Supplemental for Jonas and Drew)

5.)

6.)

7.)

 

Now before anyone starts argueing with me about the Compensatory picks, take a look at the three 3rd rounders Denver got in 2005 for the crap they lost last year and try telling me that losing Pat, Jonas, and Drew (without signing anyone to replace them) isn't worth one 3rd and one 4th! If we end up with the 3rd or 4th pick overall, we could trade that along with our 2nd, one of our 3rd's, and a 1st (or a 2nd if plausible) next year to move up 2-3 spots. This would leave us with our extra 1st rounder for Willis and two 3rd round picks still.

 

With our second 1st, you draft a DT to go alongside Grady Jackson. Someone like Gabe Watson who should still be available after Ngata, Claude Wroten, and others. With the rest of the draft still looking a little something like this:

 

1.) Reggie Bush

1.) Gabe Watson (or other DT)

3.)

3.)

4.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

 

Why would we draft Reggie Bush? There's a number of reasons why. First off, he's an incredible talent. The closest thing to a can't-miss i've ever seen. He can do it all and HE is the type of guy to mold your entire offense around and help out J.P. more than Willis. But even more than that, Buffalo would do it to please the fans. After this season, Ralph knows that the fans will be disenchanted by the product. Disenchanted by the talent (or lackthereof) and how they were treated by the organization (RE: Mularkey and Donahoe). The Bills will need to do something to get the fans excited. To get them some exposure and attention. Drafting Reggie Bush would put all eyes on Buffalo. You'd see people all over america in Buffalo Bills' jerseys. It would be a PR dream and something that would put asses in the seats. After what we were put through, that's something I could see Ralph trying to do. Especially if a new hot shot GM and/or coach like (keyword being LIKE) Jimmy Johnson comes in. They'll look to make a splash immediately.

 

....... and that's why you draft Reggie Bush.

[ASCI]

I see you subscribe to the TD “best talent available” approach instead of the “needs” approach

[BillsFanForever19]

I see you subscribe to the TD “best talent available” approach instead of the “needs” approach

532240[/snapback]

 

I see you didn't read the whole thing.

[MartyBall4Buffalo]

While I thnk you did a good job filling needs in your proposed scenairo of drafting reggie bush, although I believe we need interior linemen more then we need a lt. With that said I don't think this years line is nearly as good as last years unit.

 

 

Mike Gandy imo has been a little better then advertised, but he's not better then a healthy jonas jennings. Who imo is/was a better run blocker then gandy. Remember Willis got a good chunk of his yardage last season and bounced runs outside with jennings at lt. Ross Tucker looks like an all pro compared to bennie anderson. Tucker was able to pull on traps and sweeps and had a nice nasty streak all around better then bennie anderson. Chris Villiarrial didn't suffer the nagging injuries he has this year last season in turn making center trey teague able to concentrate on just doing his job instead of worrying about inadequate guards making him better as well. Mike Williams was healthy......

 

 

I also don't buy this Willis Mcgahee has no heart stuff. It might sound over simplistic but I believe our line is this bad and this is why we're seeing no offensive production. Willis was ripping off the yards earlier in the year with a healthy Mike Williams and Villarrial, but due to the removal of williams and the nagging injures of Chris V. and an anemic passing game our run game has been attrocious.

 

 

What I'd do is pick up lecharles bentley in free agency, draft max jean giles out of georgia in the 2nd rd, Franchise and trade nate for a late 1st. You wont get a late 1st for a rb. No one did it for edge or alexander, they wont do it for willis. and draft Gabe Watson and Marcus Mcneil with our pick and the pick we get for Mcgahee. I'd also hold onto sam adams and pick up raheem brock in free agency. This way we're looking at a dline and oline of

 

 

Schobel/Adams/Watson/Brock

 

and an oline of

 

Marcus McNeil/Max Jean Giles/Lecharles Bentley/Chris Villarial/Jason Peters

 

with backups of Mike Gandy/Bennie Anderson/Duke Preston etc etc.

 

 

I also think Reggie Bush is a can't miss prospect but that's a luxury pick we just can't afford.

[tennesseeboy]

Do you think anyone would give a number 1 pick for Willis?

[MartyBall4Buffalo]

Do you think anyone would give a number 1 pick for Willis?

532273[/snapback]

 

 

no rb is going to get traded for a 1st rd pick. If you can't get a 1st for the likes of edge and alexander it's not gonna happen.

[dave mcbride]

While I thnk you did a good job filling needs in your proposed  scenairo of drafting reggie bush, although  I believe we need interior linemen more then we need a lt.  With that said  I don't think this years line is  nearly as good as last years unit.

Mike Gandy imo has been a little better then advertised, but he's not better then a healthy jonas jennings.  Who imo is/was a better run blocker then gandy. Remember Willis got a good chunk of his yardage last season and bounced runs outside with jennings at lt.  Ross Tucker looks like an all pro compared to bennie anderson. Tucker was able to pull on traps and sweeps and had a nice nasty streak all around better then bennie anderson.  Chris Villiarrial didn't suffer the nagging injuries he has this year last season in turn making center trey teague able to concentrate on just doing his job instead of worrying about inadequate guards making him better as well.  Mike Williams was healthy......

I also don't buy this Willis Mcgahee has no heart stuff. It might sound over simplistic but I believe our line is this bad and this is why we're seeing no offensive production.  Willis was ripping off the yards earlier in the year with a healthy Mike Williams and Villarrial, but due to the removal of williams and the nagging injures of Chris V. and an anemic passing game our run game has been attrocious.

What I'd do  is pick up lecharles bentley in free agency, draft max jean giles out of georgia in the 2nd rd, Franchise and trade nate for a late 1st.  You wont get a late 1st for a rb. No one did it for edge or alexander, they wont do it for willis.  and draft Gabe Watson and Marcus Mcneil with our pick and the pick we get for Mcgahee.  I'd also hold onto sam adams and pick up raheem brock in free agency. This way we're looking at a dline and oline of

Schobel/Adams/Watson/Brock 

 

and an oline of

 

Marcus McNeil/Max Jean Giles/Lecharles Bentley/Chris Villarial/Jason Peters

 

with backups of Mike Gandy/Bennie Anderson/Duke Preston etc etc.

I also think Reggie Bush is a can't miss prospect  but that's a luxury pick we just can't afford.

532264[/snapback]

 

agreed that you can't get a 1st for mcgahee, but a second maybe. re bush, you can't possibly be serious in suggesting that he's a "luxury pick." the guy is amazing, and will make any team he plays on a lot better regardless of the quality of their o-line. he does it all -- runs and catches well, and is fantastic on the blitz pick up. to get him under the scenario posed above, the bills would have to trade 2 firsts at least. he's worth it, of course, but all the same the bills will have no chance of getting him. too many teams want him. the texans will take him, by the way. of that you can be assured. barring injury, he is going to be a superstar.

 

everyone needs to remember that there will be a large number of good interior offensive linemen free agents this year. you can also trust that guys like hutchison and bentley will perform better than rookies. as well, the OT pickings are deep this year, and good ones will be there in round. you can easily get a good interior lineman in rd 3 too.

[Johnny Coli]

Why would we draft Reggie Bush? There's a number of reasons why. First off, he's an incredible talent. The closest thing to a can't-miss i've ever seen. He can do it all and HE is the type of guy to mold your entire offense around and help out J.P. more than Willis. But even more than that, Buffalo would do it to please the fans. After this season, Ralph knows that the fans will be disenchanted by the product. Disenchanted by the talent (or lackthereof) and how they were treated by the organization (RE: Mularkey and Donahoe). The Bills will need to do something to get the fans excited. To get them some exposure and attention. Drafting Reggie Bush would put all eyes on Buffalo. You'd see people all over america in Buffalo Bills' jerseys. It would be a PR dream and something that would put asses in the seats. After what we were put through, that's something I could see Ralph trying to do. Especially if a new hot shot GM and/or coach like (keyword being LIKE) Jimmy Johnson comes in. They'll look to make a splash immediately.

 

....... and that's why you draft Reggie Bush.

532237[/snapback]

What will excite the fans is the removal of TD and MM. I think most fans would be pretty unhappy with the new Bills braintrust moving UP in the draft when most know there are far too many holes that can be filled by moving DOWN in the draft and getting extra picks. Winning sells tickets, too, and if the fans feel that the new braintrust knows what it's doing, they will fill the seats. Trying to hit a homerun by drafting Bush would seem like a desperation PR move.

 

The Pats trade down all the time, stockpile draft picks for the current draft, and future drafts, and never draft for PR. Every freaking year I see the Pats have what seems like 4 or 5 extra picks that they picked up by trading during the previous draft. They draft to fill holes, and needs, and depth, and they are always picking late in the rounds.

 

I liked your well-thought-out post, but I would prefer to see the new GM and coach make well-though-out picks, not "merchandise" picks.

[BillsFanForever19]

no rb is going to get traded for a 1st rd pick.  If you can't get a 1st for the likes of edge and alexander it's not gonna happen.

532274[/snapback]

 

I both agree and disagree with this statement.

 

I agree that if you can't get a 1st for Alexander or Edge, you won't get a 1st for Willis.

 

But I disagree because it all depends on time and situation. No one could get a 1st for those guys because the 2005 draft was RICH at RB. With Ronnie, Benson, Cadillac, and J.J. just to name a few; they were just going to pick them.

 

Also, Alexander and Edge aren't as young as Willis. I feel as if you can get a late-1st for TE Doug Jolley, you can get a late-1st for Willis. The situation just needs to be right.

[JDG]

Ugh.

 

1) This reminds me of the "we should trade whatever it takes to land Peter Warrick - he's the closest thing to a can't miss that I've ever seen, and he's so exciting he will put fans in the seats" threads of a few years back.

 

2) Before projecting a trade up to the #1 overall pick with a measely 2nd and 3rd rounder, how about looking at what ammunication it took to make similar trades in the past. You can start with the Eli Manning trade.

 

3) Before projecting Willis McGahee for a 1st-rounder, how about looking at what similar trades have produced in the past. You can start with the Marshall Faulk trade.

 

4) The Bills cut Drew Bledsoe, and so will not receive any compensatory picks for him.

 

And as a final rule to the 10,000 other posters who want to post trade ideas.... always start with this rule of thumb - if you were a fan of the other team in the party to the trade you are proposing, would you be happy with the deal? If your answer is "no", then please fuhgeddaboutit.

 

JDG

[dave mcbride]

What will excite the fans is the removal of TD and MM.  I think most fans would be pretty unhappy with the new Bills braintrust moving UP in the draft when most know there are far too many holes that can be filled by moving DOWN in the draft and getting extra picks.  Winning sells tickets, too, and if the fans feel that the new braintrust knows what it's doing, they will fill the seats.  Trying to hit a homerun by drafting Bush would seem like a desperation PR move.

 

The Pats trade down all the time, stockpile draft picks for the current draft, and future drafts, and never draft for PR.  Every freaking year I see the Pats have what seems like 4 or 5 extra picks that they picked up by trading during the previous draft.  They draft to fill holes, and needs, and depth, and they are always picking late in the rounds.

 

I liked your well-thought-out post, but I would prefer to see the new GM and coach make well-though-out picks, not "merchandise" picks.

532284[/snapback]

the pats also ply the free agent market pretty well -- rodney harrison, corey dillon, roosevelt colvin, ted washington, keith traylor. i'm sorry if i sound like a broken record, but free agents are equally as important as draft picks. the best player on the current bills team is a free agent -- spikes. fletcher is probably the best player on the defense this year, and he's a free agent. finally -- and i realize i may be refuting my argument in saying this -- but not one starting offensive lineman right now was drafted by the bills. this is despite the fact that the bills have drafted jennings, pucillo, mike williams, geisinger, the guard from iowa, duke preston, and at least one other stiff in the past five years.

[tennesseeboy]

agreed that you can't get a 1st for mcgahee, but a second maybe.  re bush, you can't possibly be serious in suggesting that he's a "luxury pick." the guy is amazing, and will make any team he plays on a lot better regardless of the quality of their o-line. he does it all -- runs and catches well, and is fantastic on the blitz pick up.  to get him under the scenario posed above, the bills would have to trade 2 firsts at least.  he's worth it, of course, but all the same the bills will have no chance of getting him. too many teams want him. the texans will take him, by the way. of that you can be assured. barring injury, he is going to be a superstar.

 

everyone needs to remember that there will be a large number of good interior offensive linemen free agents this year. you can also trust that guys like hutchison and bentley will perform better than rookies.  as well, the OT pickings are deep this year, and good ones will be there in round. you can easily get a good interior lineman in rd 3 too.

532282[/snapback]

There will be a remarkable number of offensive and defensive linemen this year. I think if we don't get a lineman who is one of the top 10 players in the draft, then we should trade down and go for some of the others, but I think that we can get a real blue chip offensive tackle with our first pick which should be about fourth or fifth. I hate to say this, but our team is not very good to start with. Couple that nothing in particular to play for against teams still in the hunt, and a internal dissention that would cripple even a talented team. The upside is that we will probably be the team with the first choice of a quality offensive or defensive lineman. Houston may beat us to it...but that's show business. In the best of all worlds we walk away with a stud Offensive or Defensive Tackle in Round 1, another Defensive Tackle, A tight end, and a gaurd. Let's put it this way...We shouldn't draft anyone under 250 pounds in the first five rounds.

[Johnny Coli]

the pats also ply the free agent market pretty well -- rodney harrison, corey dillon, roosevelt colvin, ted washington, keith traylor. i'm sorry if i sound like a broken record, but free agents are equally as important as draft picks.  the best player on the current bills team is a free agent -- spikes.  fletcher is probably the best player on the defense this year, and he's a free agent. finally -- and i realize i may be refuting my argument in saying this -- but not one starting offensive lineman right now was drafted by the bills. this is despite the fact that the bills have drafted jennings, pucillo, mike williams, geisinger, the guard from iowa, duke preston, and at least one other stiff in the past five years.

532295[/snapback]

I completely agree. I was responding to the original posters premise that the new GM/HC need to get a big name draft pick in here to placate the surley Bills fans. I don't think that's the case as the majority of Bills fans aren't that stupid (well....) and will see it for the PR move it is. A good, sensible draft, and an intelligent aqusition of veteran FAs will do the same thing.

[dave mcbride]

There will be a remarkable number of offensive and defensive linemen this year.  I think if we don't get a lineman who is one of the top 10 players in the draft, then we should trade down and go for some of the others, but I think that we can get a real blue chip offensive tackle with our first pick which should be about fourth or fifth.  I hate to say this, but our team is not very good to start with. Couple that nothing in particular to play for against teams still in the hunt, and a internal dissention that would cripple even a talented team. The upside is that we will probably be the team with the first choice of a quality offensive or defensive lineman.  Houston may beat us to it...but that's show business. In the best of all worlds we walk away with a stud Offensive or Defensive Tackle in Round 1, another Defensive Tackle, A tight end, and a gaurd.  Let's put it this way...We shouldn't draft anyone under 250 pounds in the first five rounds.

532298[/snapback]

houston will take bush. take it to the bank. the names bush and houston go together, you know ...

[Albany,n.y.]

Willis will be fine once a new coach comes in and gives him a good kick in the @ss. He's just demoralized as is 1/2 the team.

[stuckincincy]

Do you think anyone would give a number 1 pick for Willis?

532273[/snapback]

 

That's a class A rhetorical question!

 

You ham...

[macaroni]

The problem I see is that the draft IS a big crap shoot ....... if you strain your memory, it really wasn't that long ago that quite a few people were saying the same type of things about Willis.

 

I know I know ...... Bush looks great .... man amoung boys ...... yada yada yada ... the fact is he hasn't done a single thing in the NFL ...... or behind a piss poor line for that matter .... Bush will NOT save this team ...... what we need is the same thing you have prescribed for the Texans ....... we need to upgrade our lines first and formost ....... and to replace our departing starters ..... who at this point looks like Adams and Moulds for sure, and possibily Clements, Williams, Anderson, Teague.

 

Secondly we need to replace our entire line depth ...... pause for a moment and realize our "backups" aren't as good as the people we are screaming to get rid of. If I can't stomach Anderson, Teague, and Williams pass or run blocking .... I sure don't want the guys almost as good as them in there either.

 

I say trade down ....... collect a metric butt ton of draft pics and replenish the lines, pick up a late round rb and QB to "groom" and let McNally (or who ever is the next line coach) start with a clean slate.

[tennesseeboy]

houston will take bush. take it to the bank. the names bush and houston go together, you know ...

532304[/snapback]

Houston SHOULD pick the best offensive lineman..but I am convinced you are right. Bush is too good a name to pass up. It would be like not picking OJ. My worse nightmare is they don't pick him and take the best offensive lineman and he slips to us. If so I would take a deep breath and trade away the pick (it should be a VERY lucrative trade if the rights to Bush are on the line) and still go for the porkers. Maybe Jason Allan of Tennessee as a cornerback who might slip to late second or early third round because of his injury this year...but that would be a stretch and he's kind of a homer choice.

[BillsFanForever19]

2) Before projecting a trade up to the #1 overall pick with a measely 2nd and 3rd rounder, how about looking at what ammunication it took to make similar trades in the past.  You can start with the Eli Manning trade.

 

And as a final rule to the 10,000 other posters who want to post trade ideas.... always start with this rule of thumb - if you were a fan of the other team in the party to the trade you are proposing, would you be happy with the deal?  If your answer is "no", then please fuhgeddaboutit.

 

JDG

532294[/snapback]

 

Um....

 

Eli Manning was traded to the Chargers for Philip Rivers (essentially the 4th pick), their 3rd rounder, and a 1st and a 5th in 2005.

 

The trade I proposed is even stronger than that: the #1 pick for the #3-4 pick (what we should get when err... if we lose out), our 2nd, a 3rd, and a 1st in 2007.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Um....

 

Eli Manning was traded to the Chargers for Philip Rivers (essentially the 4th pick), their 3rd rounder, and a 1st and a 5th in 2005.

 

The trade I proposed is even stronger than that: the #1 pick for the #3-4 pick (what we should get when err... if we lose out), our 2nd, a 3rd, and a 1st in 2007.

532414[/snapback]

 

If you do that, you will have HAMSTRUNG the organization for years to come.

 

Sorry, no deal. use the picks now to build an OL.

 

RBs are a dime a dozen, especially when your line is dominant.