My Offseason Plan for the Bills

[JDG]

For what it is worth, here is my current thinking on how the Bills should tackle their offseason. I've based this plan on thinking about the 46 players who are on the typical active roster for gamedays (counting the special 3rd QB rule). I know its a little unusual to think about a roster in terms of the active players, rather than the full 53, but I think that its a more useful approach. I'll first list this year's 45 for each position, and then give my recommendations.

 

QB (3) - Losman, Holcomb, Nall

 

Recommendation: Losman is clearly the starter. Unless Levy and Jauron think that Nall is a total bust, now that Nall has had one year in our system, they can hopefully elevate him to #2, bid farewell to Holcomb, and draft a #3 on the second day of the draft.

 

RB (2) - McGahee, Thomas

 

Recommendation: I only give McGahee an extension if the price is right, he just hasn't shown enough as a complete back (pass catching and pass blocking). Even as a runner, he's disappear for far too long stretches for my taste. With that much talent, it wouldn't hurt to get an extension for the right price, but you can't break the bank for that kind of production either. Thomas is unrestricted, but the Bills should have no trouble resigning him. The Bills also may need to seriously consider reducing a player at another position in order to add a 3rd RB who plays special teams to the gameday roster for next season. If so, that could be a 2nd day pick, or perhaps even a 3rd rounder if the player was right.

 

FB (1) - Shelton

 

Recommendation: Daimon Shelton is 35 years old and a free agent; the Bills could tender him an offer to bring him back to camp, but this will be a priority for replacement. Ideally, I'd like to see the Bills use their 3rd round pick on a FB who would hopefully beat Shelton out in camp this year. Otherwise, the new guy may spend most of next year on the inactive list while Shelton plays one last year, or a different veteran is brought in to hold the fort.

 

WR (6) - Evans, Price, Reed, Parrish, Davis, Aiken

 

Recommendation: Davis is a free agent, who will certainly be resigned and at least brought into training camp. I was very impressed with him on special teams this year, and would like to see him back on the gameday rosters next year. If so, that would mean another year with 6 WR's on our gameday rosters - which I suspect that both Bobby April and our Mike Martz alumni offensive coordinator would both be more than happy with. The places to make a cut would be to drop either Reed or Price, but both received signing bonuses last year, and Price seems entrenched as a starter, and Reed seems to be finally emerging as the "3rd Down guy." That leaves three special teamers, Parrish as the returner and occasional "secret weapon" on offense, and Davis and Aiken as the gunners. I'd tag Aiken to possibly be a late cut and replaced by a 3rd RB or a backup FB (particularly if we project a first-day drafted rookie as our eventual starter, but just not on opening day.) On the other hand, I thought the same thing about Aiken this year, and he made the active roster anyways.

 

TE (3) - Royal, Cieslak, Everett

 

Recommendation: Royal is a coaches favorite, and I like Cieslak a lot, especially since he can be a backup FB. I suspect that Everett will be cut in training camp next season. Ideally, I would hope that the Bills use a 1st Day pick on a TE who will beat him out for the spot. Its conceivable that Neufeld could come back and take the spot too. We could bring in Eric Johnson from the 49ers or Reggie Kelly of the Bengals. Johnson graduated from Yale, so you've got to think that he might get a look from this staff....

 

OT (3) - Peters, Pennington, Butler

 

Recommendation: This young trio appears to be set. Butler should see some competition, from a mid-round draft pick or a lower-tier free agent, with Butler being demoted to the inactive list for one more year of development in that situation if he should lose out.

 

OG/C (4) - Gandy, Fowler, Vilarrial, Preston

 

Recommendation: Gandy is a free agent, whom I don't expect to resign. Or if we do, to be cut in camp. Vilarrial could retire with injuries, and Reyes, who began the year on the above list, I would expect to be cut. Preston is a restricted free agent who should be brought back. I'd then look to sign free agent at the interior of the line. One place I'd start would be David Diehl of the Giants, whom I believe is a free agent. McNally drafted him in his last year in New York, and while he's not great, he would probably be an instant starter for us. Next year's four at this position would then likely be:

Diehl, Fowler, Preston, Merz - although Merz should face competition for an active roster spot.

 

DE (4) - Schobel, Kelsay, Denney, Hargrove

 

Recommendation: Kelsay is a free agent, and I'd put signing him only behind Clements. If there is a pass rusher available in the first round, I'd probably take him though, which would complicate this scenario - but otherwise I'd plan on resigning Kelsay and standing pat.

 

DT (3) - Triplett, Williams, Anderson

 

I expect Anderson to be cut and replaced by McCargo in the rotation. Jason Jefferson might come back on the inactive list, or a late-round draft pick could take his spot.

 

LB (7) - Crowell, Fletcher, Spikes, Ellison, Haggan, DiGiorgio, Stamer

 

Fletcher is a free agent, and its open secret that he won't be resigned. Its time to get younger and bigger in the middle, and with the need to resign Clements (or else sign his replacement), as well as Kelsay, there simply isn't money to go around. Spikes was a shadow of his former self this season, but I bring him back for another year to try and fully recover from his injuries and retgain his former glory. Coy Wire is a free agent, but I think we should be able to bring him back cheaply, and I expect will take either Haggan's or Stamer's roster spot as a special teams linebacker. DiGiorgio seems to have earned an active roster spot as a special teamer as well, and Ellison will remain the top backup. With our first round pick, I would draft Paul Posluszny of Penn State. With Fletcher moving on, we'll have a glaring need for a middle linebacker, and Posluszny would seem to be the sort of high character, big time player who could fit right in.

 

CB (4) - Clements, McGee, Thomas, Greer

 

This is where Marv will earn his bucks the big season. I advocate making Clements the highest paid CB in football after the season that he just had - he's that valuable to us. If we let Clements walk, then we need to sign Asante Samuel - otherwise we'll be in trouble and things will start falling apart. Kiwaukee Thomas is unrestricted and Greer is restricted. Greer will be tendered, and Thomas could probably be brought back for camp. Ideally, Yobouty will claim the nickel CB slot this year in camp, and then a second day pick or UDFA could beat out Greer for the gameday roster spot.

 

S (3) - Whitner, Simpson, Leonhard

 

Whitner and Simpson ain't going anywhere next year. I'd love to see Leonhard continue to defy the odds and keep earning his active roster spot with special teams play and an awful lot of heart.

 

Specialists (3) - Moorman, Lindell, Schenk

 

With Lindell resigned, there's no worries here.

 

 

Summary:

 

Free Agency -

Resign Clements, Kelsay, Thomas, and Davis. Bring in an interior offensive lineman, ala David Diehl. Look for lower-tier help at FB, TE, and backup offensive line.

 

Draft -

First Day - LB, TE, FB

Second Day - RB, CB, OL, CB

[justnzane]

Wow this is very well detailed and more rational than most other things on this board. Who are you and what did you do to JDG?

[Simon]

I gotta say I'm a little surprised John.

You want to make no upgrades to a DLine that got the ball jammed down its craw last year.

You only want to make 1 upgrade to an OLine that could use 3 new starters.

You want to spend a Day1 pick on a FB that hardly ever sees the field in this offense.

And you want to draft two Corners which is arguably the Bills strongest position.

 

That looks to me like the Bills taking a step sideways at best, and more likely backwards.

Cya

[Bob in STL]

For what it is worth, here is my current thinking on how the Bills should tackle their offseason. I've based this plan on thinking about the 46 players who are on the typical active roster for gamedays (counting the special 3rd QB rule). I know its a little unusual to think about a roster in terms of the active players, rather than the full 53, but I think that its a more useful approach. I'll first list this year's 45 for each position, and then give my recommendations.

 

QB (3) - Losman, Holcomb, Nall

 

Recommendation: Losman is clearly the starter. Unless Levy and Jauron think that Nall is a total bust, now that Nall has had one year in our system, they can hopefully elevate him to #2, bid farewell to Holcomb, and draft a #3 on the second day of the draft.

 

RB (2) - McGahee, Thomas

 

Recommendation: I only give McGahee an extension if the price is right, he just hasn't shown enough as a complete back (pass catching and pass blocking). Even as a runner, he's disappear for far too long stretches for my taste. With that much talent, it wouldn't hurt to get an extension for the right price, but you can't break the bank for that kind of production either. Thomas is unrestricted, but the Bills should have no trouble resigning him. The Bills also may need to seriously consider reducing a player at another position in order to add a 3rd RB who plays special teams to the gameday roster for next season. If so, that could be a 2nd day pick, or perhaps even a 3rd rounder if the player was right.

 

FB (1) - Shelton

 

Recommendation: Daimon Shelton is 35 years old and a free agent; the Bills could tender him an offer to bring him back to camp, but this will be a priority for replacement. Ideally, I'd like to see the Bills use their 3rd round pick on a FB who would hopefully beat Shelton out in camp this year. Otherwise, the new guy may spend most of next year on the inactive list while Shelton plays one last year, or a different veteran is brought in to hold the fort.

 

WR (6) - Evans, Price, Reed, Parrish, Davis, Aiken

 

Recommendation: Davis is a free agent, who will certainly be resigned and at least brought into training camp. I was very impressed with him on special teams this year, and would like to see him back on the gameday rosters next year. If so, that would mean another year with 6 WR's on our gameday rosters - which I suspect that both Bobby April and our Mike Martz alumni offensive coordinator would both be more than happy with. The places to make a cut would be to drop either Reed or Price, but both received signing bonuses last year, and Price seems entrenched as a starter, and Reed seems to be finally emerging as the "3rd Down guy." That leaves three special teamers, Parrish as the returner and occasional "secret weapon" on offense, and Davis and Aiken as the gunners. I'd tag Aiken to possibly be a late cut and replaced by a 3rd RB or a backup FB (particularly if we project a first-day drafted rookie as our eventual starter, but just not on opening day.) On the other hand, I thought the same thing about Aiken this year, and he made the active roster anyways.

 

TE (3) - Royal, Cieslak, Everett

 

Recommendation: Royal is a coaches favorite, and I like Cieslak a lot, especially since he can be a backup FB. I suspect that Everett will be cut in training camp next season. Ideally, I would hope that the Bills use a 1st Day pick on a TE who will beat him out for the spot. Its conceivable that Neufeld could come back and take the spot too. We could bring in Eric Johnson from the 49ers or Reggie Kelly of the Bengals. Johnson graduated from Yale, so you've got to think that he might get a look from this staff....

 

OT (3) - Peters, Pennington, Butler

 

Recommendation: This young trio appears to be set. Butler should see some competition, from a mid-round draft pick or a lower-tier free agent, with Butler being demoted to the inactive list for one more year of development in that situation if he should lose out.

 

OG/C (4) - Gandy, Fowler, Vilarrial, Preston

 

Recommendation: Gandy is a free agent, whom I don't expect to resign. Or if we do, to be cut in camp. Vilarrial could retire with injuries, and Reyes, who began the year on the above list, I would expect to be cut. Preston is a restricted free agent who should be brought back. I'd then look to sign free agent at the interior of the line. One place I'd start would be David Diehl of the Giants, whom I believe is a free agent. McNally drafted him in his last year in New York, and while he's not great, he would probably be an instant starter for us. Next year's four at this position would then likely be:

Diehl, Fowler, Preston, Merz - although Merz should face competition for an active roster spot.

 

DE (4) - Schobel, Kelsay, Denney, Hargrove

 

Recommendation: Kelsay is a free agent, and I'd put signing him only behind Clements. If there is a pass rusher available in the first round, I'd probably take him though, which would complicate this scenario - but otherwise I'd plan on resigning Kelsay and standing pat.

 

DT (3) - Triplett, Williams, Anderson

 

I expect Anderson to be cut and replaced by McCargo in the rotation. Jason Jefferson might come back on the inactive list, or a late-round draft pick could take his spot.

 

LB (7) - Crowell, Fletcher, Spikes, Ellison, Haggan, DiGiorgio, Stamer

 

Fletcher is a free agent, and its open secret that he won't be resigned. Its time to get younger and bigger in the middle, and with the need to resign Clements (or else sign his replacement), as well as Kelsay, there simply isn't money to go around. Spikes was a shadow of his former self this season, but I bring him back for another year to try and fully recover from his injuries and retgain his former glory. Coy Wire is a free agent, but I think we should be able to bring him back cheaply, and I expect will take either Haggan's or Stamer's roster spot as a special teams linebacker. DiGiorgio seems to have earned an active roster spot as a special teamer as well, and Ellison will remain the top backup. With our first round pick, I would draft Paul Posluszny of Penn State. With Fletcher moving on, we'll have a glaring need for a middle linebacker, and Posluszny would seem to be the sort of high character, big time player who could fit right in.

 

CB (4) - Clements, McGee, Thomas, Greer

 

This is where Marv will earn his bucks the big season. I advocate making Clements the highest paid CB in football after the season that he just had - he's that valuable to us. If we let Clements walk, then we need to sign Asante Samuel - otherwise we'll be in trouble and things will start falling apart. Kiwaukee Thomas is unrestricted and Greer is restricted. Greer will be tendered, and Thomas could probably be brought back for camp. Ideally, Yobouty will claim the nickel CB slot this year in camp, and then a second day pick or UDFA could beat out Greer for the gameday roster spot.

 

S (3) - Whitner, Simpson, Leonhard

 

Whitner and Simpson ain't going anywhere next year. I'd love to see Leonhard continue to defy the odds and keep earning his active roster spot with special teams play and an awful lot of heart.

 

Specialists (3) - Moorman, Lindell, Schenk

 

With Lindell resigned, there's no worries here.

Summary:

 

Free Agency -

Resign Clements, Kelsay, Thomas, and Davis. Bring in an interior offensive lineman, ala David Diehl. Look for lower-tier help at FB, TE, and backup offensive line.

 

Draft -

First Day - LB, TE, FB

Second Day - RB, CB, OL, CB

 

I can't say I completely agree.

 

I think we have to improve our ability to run and stop the run. We need to make a splash in free aganecy and get a help at DT and at OG. After that a LB to replace Fletcher would be very nice. If we lose Clements then a CB is needed. Lower Tier FA help should be looked at for FB. Obviously we cannot and will not get a top free agent player in all postions so that is where the draft will come in to supplement. It best to draft by talent and not solely by position. The more we can fill needs with free agancy the better I will feel about the draft.

[Pyrite Gal]

It also seems rational, thought out and nicely detailed (particularly compared to the typical post which combine the oddity of even more outlandish claims with far less detailed information).

 

General comments:

 

1. The whole piece seems pretty incremental in the changes suggested which if true certainly will not excite the fan base at all. Thus will not be a problem if this team wins as winning trumps the lack of glitz everytime.

 

However, I do not think that this incremental approach is going to result in much more than an incremental improvement and the fate of this team is likely gonna be determined by random events like injury and how the oddly shaped ball bounces if this approach is taken.

 

2. It would not surprise me if this team actually goes after some its own potential FA losses in a big way and many folks that the fans consider to be goners (I yhink your thoughts about NC may be correct) actually remain Bills because we show them the money. I also think you are correct that the Bills likely value Peerless more than many fans who were disappointed in his play not because of his achievements (he actually did what we asked him to do coming up with just short of 50 catches and did solid work as a possession WR. He did not have the amazing ypc he had when he was playing off of Moulds lead, but if folks were disappointed I think it says more about their inability to look beyond the past than a bad effort on PPs part.

 

Fletcher though is the big deal in terms of our decision to sign or not to resign him, The problem is the only real answer to equal his output of last year on our roster would be moving Crowell to MLB but given the injury recovery issue lies over both other LBs resigning F-B even if folks do not like his play may be the best football solution, Signing an FA like Briggs is probably the best off team answer and the idea of drafting his replacement in someone like Patrick Willis looks like it may be a good idea for 2008 or 09 but our defense likely will step back in production if we have a rookie (even a very talented one) man the critical MLB spot in our Tampa 2 style of the cover 2.

 

I hope you see Poluszny if we draft him as an OLB replacing Crowell moving inside since if he is our starter at MLB then get ready to watch a talented gifted player drafted in the 1st go through a season of mistakes and growing pains as he learns to do the pro reads and control the team as JP had to do for a couple of years on O. MLB requires a bit less skull work than QB, but still it will simply take any rookie a while of learning by his mistakes as he sometimes reads run when its a pass and sometimes pass when it is a run and is a step late with diverse skills called for of our MLB in our D.

[reddogblitz]

Draft -

First Day - LB, TE, FB

Second Day - RB, CB, OL, CB

 

I don't think you should go in the draft with a list of positions to fill. Pick the best athlete at your spot. Fill all open gaps with Free Agency.

 

As someone else said, I think your plan is to keep too many guys. Especially at Offensive Line, Defensive Line, and Linebackers.

[Orton's Arm]

Here are a few possible scenarios for the Bills' draft:

 

Option 1: build a killer defense

- Round 1: MLB

- Round 2: DT

- Round 3: CB (if Clements walks), otherwise DE

- Rounds 4 - 7 offense & defensive depth

 

Option 2: build a killer offense

- Round 1: TE or #2 WR

- Round 2: RB

- Round 3: OG

- Rounds 4 - 7 defense & offensive depth

 

Option 3: build the trenches

- Round 1: DT

- Round 2: OG

- Round 3: OG

- Rounds 4 - 7: offensive skill positions and defensive back 7

 

Option 4: Hybrid of the above

- Round 1: MLB

- Round 2: #2 WR or TE

- Round 3: OG

- Rounds 4 - 7 everything else

 

Just about any of these scenarios would be a perfectly legitimate way to approach the draft. The Bills have so many needs, they're free to take the best player available at very many positions.

[JDG]

I gotta say I'm a little surprised John.

You want to make no upgrades to a DLine that got the ball jammed down its craw last year.

You only want to make 1 upgrade to an OLine that could use 3 new starters.

You want to spend a Day1 pick on a FB that hardly ever sees the field in this offense.

And you want to draft two Corners which is arguably the Bills strongest position.

 

That looks to me like the Bills taking a step sideways at best, and more likely backwards.

Cya

 

Well, I used a number of principles in developing this plan.

 

1) The first decision was to one to resign Clements. Based on Clements having been franchised last year, Clements having inexplicably received a promise to not be franchised this year, and based on Clements' play this year - I project Clements as receiving a contract equal or greater than the highest-paid CB in the League. That's a tough decision to make, but I think that the Bills are better off for it, rather than going with an inconsistent McGee, a completely untested Yobouty, and some other young guy at CB.

 

2) The next decision is to resign Kelsay. Kelsay won't demand top-of-the-line money, but he might still be paid like a starter. Kelsay's not great, but I think that he's better than the alternatives.

 

3) Once you sign Clements and Kelsay, there are limited financial resources available for free agency. Remember, its not just about the salary cap, but the liquidity to give a huge signing bonus to Clements, and a typical signing bonus to Kelsay. In my mind, that leaves room for one more outside free agent that would be receiving a signing bonus - which in this case, I project to the offensive line. This is especially true once you consider that given the salary cap surplus out there this year, this is looking to be one of the weakest free agent classes ever. I expect the Bills to sign a couple other bargain-basement free agents, and one of them probably makes the 45-man active roster (heck, I can't imagine that I got all 45 spots right back in January - that's hard enough to do in training camp), but that would be about it. In short, based on available talent in free agency, and Buffalo's limited financial resources, its hard to see us bringing in a large number of impact free agents. We may want to get better at more positions - but I'm trying to be realistic about what we can really accomplish.

 

4) This was year 1 of a new system, and we already had a very young defense with Whitner, Simpson, Williams, and Ellision, plus with McCargo and Yobouty waiting in the wings. I think that they might decide to try and get better through continuity, experience in the system, and natural player development. After all, Levy and Jauron showed a great deal of patience with a certain 3rd-year player this past season, (but let's not go there so I would expect them to similarly show patience with many of the first-year players who they hand selected. In the case of the DT position, they just brought in Triplett as a free agent, used a 1st round pick on McCargo, and almost certainly still see Kevin Williams as one of the three DT's you bring on game day. Given the needs at other positions, I simply don't see the Bills bringing in a defensive tackle to instantly replace one of these three starters. Far more likely would be a low-end free agent, 2nd day pick, or UDFA who could compete with Jason Jefferson for a spot on the inactive list to fill in if one the three guys got hurt. As for the LB position, I think they could assign much of the "assignment calling" duties to Whitner, to relieve that pressure on a rookie - if indeed it does pan out that way....

 

5) On the offensive line, I think there is consensus that Peters is a lock. So, the plan is really contingent upon whether or not you are happy with Fowler at Center, and whether you think that Pennington will solidify as a starter for next year, or whether he should be moved to the 3rd Tackle spot at best. Oh yes, and then there is keeping Preston as a starter. I'll admit that people could disagree here - and I think the most likely scenario would be using a first day pick on a Guard instead of a TE or FB, and making Preston the 3rd Guard again with Merz back on the inactive list (if even on the roster.)

 

JDG

[1billsfan]

For what it is worth, here is my current thinking on how the Bills should tackle their offseason. I've based this plan on thinking about the 46 players who are on the typical active roster for gamedays (counting the special 3rd QB rule). I know its a little unusual to think about a roster in terms of the active players, rather than the full 53, but I think that its a more useful approach. I'll first list this year's 45 for each position, and then give my recommendations.

Summary:

 

Free Agency -

Resign Clements, Kelsay, Thomas, and Davis. Bring in an interior offensive lineman, ala David Diehl. Look for lower-tier help at FB, TE, and backup offensive line.

 

Draft -

First Day - LB, TE, FB

Second Day - RB, CB, OL, CB

 

 

Did you not watch our D line get blown off the ball with regularity last season? Yet there are no pickups in FA, and no DTs or DEs drafted?

 

David Deihl of the Giants is the answer to our pathetic running game?

 

You advise they shouldn't draft any defensive lineman and then only draft at offensive line with their 6th round pick?

 

This has to be a joke.

[RuntheDamnBall]

Minor quibble, JDG -- but the Denney that we are sending to NFL Europe is Chris Denney, the small UDFA receiver from camp last year, not Ryan the five-year vet DE. He is certainly in the Bills' plans.

[apuszczalowski]

5) On the offensive line, I think there is consensus that Peters is a lock. So, the plan is really contingent upon whether or not you are happy with Fowler at Center, and whether you think that Pennington will solidify as a starter for next year, or whether he should be moved to the 3rd Tackle spot at best. Oh yes, and then there is keeping Preston as a starter. I'll admit that people could disagree here - and I think the most likely scenario would be using a first day pick on a Guard instead of a TE or FB, and making Preston the 3rd Guard again with Merz back on the inactive list (if even on the roster.)

 

JDG

I will definitly give you credit for taking the time to write out such a detailed plan, but there are something I can't see happening and it revolves around your lines.

 

Ralph was not happy with our ability to stop the run, and neither was Marv and the coaching staff, soi you have to figure that is the top priority this year, I can see alot of reshuffling of the DT's and atleast one low budget FA pickup and a 1 draft pick being brought in. (if you re-sign Kelsay and hargrove, I think the DE's will remain as they were)

 

As for the O-line, There is no way it stays as is, and the first player that gets replaced is Preston. Peters is pretty much a lock so LT is fine. JP has already said Gandy is the leader of the o-line and he played much better at Guard, so if peters is happy with him there and JP is happy, I think he gets re-signed. Fowler was not a Pro Bowler, but he is smart and played well, and I don't see the Bills replacing him if it is not absolutly necessary. Preston was mediocre for a first year starter at guard and is probably the first choice for an upgrade. He would provide depth at the o-line position (RG and C) but nothing more. The coaching staff seem to think they have something in Pennington at RT and I think a Vet RG next to him could help him develop into the RT we all want. I think a OG in the Draft and a FA OG are probably the most we get this year (one starter, one for depth) as they hope to develop the young players they have and hope a little more time together will help them Gel into a great o-line.

 

The only way I see McGahee getting an extension is if he agrees to an incentive laden deal that gives him a mil or 2 base and big money if he reaches personnal goals (like 1000+ yards, little fumbles, 100+ yard games, etc.) Something I think would be a great deal for him and the Bills. He seems to lack motivation and this would give him motivation to play every down. Each year the Base goes up and he has to earn his extra money. Although I see the Bills playing out his contract and drafting his replacement in this years draft. marv and Ralph have both seen him as disapointing so far so I don't see them giving into Rosenhaus and awarding him big money.

[obie_wan]

I think the Bills need Clements.

 

However, I don't think the Bills agree.

 

The philosphy of the cover-2 is for the CBs to play soft zone. Actually, more skill is needed by the safeties because they must react more to offensive keys and must be able to cover better than traditional safeties.

 

Based on that premise, it's hard to believe the Bills will mega-bucks to a CB to play 10 yards off WRs.

 

sad - but true.

 

 

The MLB is also key to this defense. So it would be highly unlikely that the Bills spend a #1 pick on someone that needs to convert to a complicated position. If they spend a high pick on a LB to play the middle, it will be one with extensive experience there. They may draft an OLB to rush the pasher, but it won't be to convert him. Don;t be surprised if Jamaal Anderson is the pick to bolster the pass rush.

[Ozymandius]

If nothing else, the plan is realistic. The Bills probably only have enough money for ONE big name free agent signing, and if it's Nate with a $20 million dollar bonus, then the rest of team will be filled like that.

 

BUT, it is rumored that Ralph really wants to address the o-line, and we know for a fact that Marv wants to address the d-line from his show, so I doubt they are going to splurge on Nate.

[richNjoisy]

Maybe some of you oldtimers (like me) can chime in on this - but some of the objections to the original premise of this thread

was the "need" for the Bills to sign or draft another DT (preferably - big run stuffer in the ilk of Sam Adams or Ted Washington).

 

I do not dispute the obvious assertio that the Bills run defense was terrible last year. It does sound reasonable to state that

we need new (better) players inserted into the middle of the defense.

 

But I cannot recall any 1st year DT ever making an impact. This position really seems to stand out as quite a jump from college - DT/NT play at that level is often best desribed as men against boys - the type

of player who can succeed at the NFL level is usually playing against much smaller linemen at the college level. Thus, they usually have their way against all opponents or face triple teams - which sometimes can't stop them either. But in the pros - they are immediately up against behemoths as big as they are. The transition means they actually have to (egad!) WORK OUT and bulk up even more.

 

Looking at the stats of two former Bills (Ted and Big Sam) nither did much until their 3rd or 4th year (Ted was hurt quite bit - which is why Wade had to practically BEG Marv and Jerry to sign him). Big Sam had less than 30 tackles for both of his first 2 seasons.

 

Kyle Williams had 53 tackles in 2006. At his young age and having now an entire year to bulk up this offseason and having a full year's experience, is it unreasonable to think we might LAREADY HAVE ON THE TEAM the player we all are longing for? And what about McCargo? Do we expend another draft pick or Cap Cash (which could/should be spent on Nate) to add another player on the defensive line?

 

So my question is this: Is it unreasonable to think that Kyle Williams can bulk up AND play at the kind of level to stuff the run? Is it too risky to assume McCargo will pick his game up enough to also be an asset ? Can these two players free up the Bills to focus on WR/OT/OG and LB while signing Nate and Kelsay?

 

That is what I would do.

 

-RnJ

[apuszczalowski]

The problem is, for Corporate NYers, coming to Buffalo is the equivelant to slumming. To them, going to the Ralph is like visiting the Ghetto. They are used to Luxury boxes. The Jets and Giants are also closer to them then Buffalo therefore they still consider them the NY Jets and Giants.

 

As for the comparison with the Sabres, its true, this could be the best chance for the Sabres dominating the league and making a run for the cup because they could lose both Drury and Briere because they are both pricing their way out of Buffalo even though the arena sells itself out because the cap won't allow it. There may be other casualties too if Golisano decides that he has to lower the budget again because he took too much of a loss going for it all this year. The team didn't make a huge profit last year with its extended run, and their budget was not supposed to be this high but TG decided to splurge and knew this could be his best chance for a while to go for it all.

[hootie1]

Ok, how about a break on NY state taxes for NY based corporations that buy a luxury box at RWS? Problay sopme reason it can't ne done!

 

The problem is, for Corporate NYers, coming to Buffalo is the equivelant to slumming. To them, going to the Ralph is like visiting the Ghetto. They are used to Luxury boxes. The Jets and Giants are also closer to them then Buffalo therefore they still consider them the NY Jets and Giants.

 

As for the comparison with the Sabres, its true, this could be the best chance for the Sabres dominating the league and making a run for the cup because they could lose both Drury and Briere because they are both pricing their way out of Buffalo even though the arena sells itself out because the cap won't allow it. There may be other casualties too if Golisano decides that he has to lower the budget again because he took too much of a loss going for it all this year. The team didn't make a huge profit last year with its extended run, and their budget was not supposed to be this high but TG decided to splurge and knew this could be his best chance for a while to go for it all.

[apuszczalowski]

Ok, how about a break on NY state taxes for NY based corporations that buy a luxury box at RWS? Problay sopme reason it can't ne done!

thats more like it, give them a break on taxes, or consider it charity work. Big NY buisness helping out the Struggling Buffalo economy. Now that could work

[obie_wan]

Maybe some of you oldtimers (like me) can chime in on this - but some of the objections to the original premise of this thread

was the "need" for the Bills to sign or draft another DT (preferably - big run stuffer in the ilk of Sam Adams or Ted Washington).

 

I do not dispute the obvious assertio that the Bills run defense was terrible last year. It does sound reasonable to state that

we need new (better) players inserted into the middle of the defense.

 

But I cannot recall any 1st year DT ever making an impact. This position really seems to stand out as quite a jump from college - DT/NT play at that level is often best desribed as men against boys - the type

of player who can succeed at the NFL level is usually playing against much smaller linemen at the college level. Thus, they usually have their way against all opponents or face triple teams - which sometimes can't stop them either. But in the pros - they are immediately up against behemoths as big as they are. The transition means they actually have to (egad!) WORK OUT and bulk up even more.

 

Looking at the stats of two former Bills (Ted and Big Sam) nither did much until their 3rd or 4th year (Ted was hurt quite bit - which is why Wade had to practically BEG Marv and Jerry to sign him). Big Sam had less than 30 tackles for both of his first 2 seasons.

 

Kyle Williams had 53 tackles in 2006. At his young age and having now an entire year to bulk up this offseason and having a full year's experience, is it unreasonable to think we might LAREADY HAVE ON THE TEAM the player we all are longing for? And what about McCargo? Do we expend another draft pick or Cap Cash (which could/should be spent on Nate) to add another player on the defensive line?

 

So my question is this: Is it unreasonable to think that Kyle Williams can bulk up AND play at the kind of level to stuff the run? Is it too risky to assume McCargo will pick his game up enough to also be an asset ? Can these two players free up the Bills to focus on WR/OT/OG and LB while signing Nate and Kelsay?

 

That is what I would do.

 

-RnJ

 

Kyle Williams will improve in 2007. Howver, they still need to add at least DT. maybe its Jason Jefferson or maybe a first day pick if one is available, but probably not a high priced guy.

 

The improvement will be made in better LB play against the run.

 

Look for the Bills to add several LBs.

[1billsfan]

Kyle Williams will improve in 2007. Howver, they still need to add at least DT. maybe its Jason Jefferson or maybe a first day pick if one is available, but probably not a high priced guy.

 

The improvement will be made in better LB play against the run.

 

Look for the Bills to add several LBs.

 

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-...&_1:col_2=6

 

Take a look at the top rushing defenses in the league (yards per game). With the exception of Pittsburgh, they all have the cream of the crop of run stuffing defensive tackles. That's not to say I don't want us to get Patrick Willis (who would no doubt help us), but if there's a top notch run stuffer sitting there at 12 the Bills might be foolish to pass one up again. Did you notice where the Bills are on that list?

[RuntheDamnBall]

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-...&_1:col_2=6

 

Take a look at the top rushing defenses in the league (yards per game). With the exception of Pittsburgh, they all have the cream of the crop of run stuffing defensive tackles. That's not to say I don't want us to get Patrick Willis (who would no doubt help us), but if there's a top notch run stuffer sitting there at 12 the Bills might be foolish to pass one up again. Did you notice where the Bills are on that list?

Three of the top seven teams run 3-4 defenses too, and they attack the run differently. If we should look to emulate anyone on the list it's the Bears, who run a very similar defense. Tank Johnson and Tommie Harris are not gi-normous beefy guys compared to many others. Whom do you suggest to fit the kind of run-stuffer we need? Ngata is nothing like those guys.