Breaking It All Down.....

[Bill from NYC]

1) The Bills have a good OL that lacks a credible Center and is dangerously thin. As soon as Duke Preston trots out to the field, it's all over. Teams can exploit bad players.

 

2) Improved? Yes, but the Bills are not strong enough at DT.

 

3) The Bills DEs as a unit are better than average, but there is plenty of room for more pass rush and depth.

 

4) Gush over Ko Simpson as you choose, but I am not crazy about him. I truly hope that he improves, but imo he looks slow. So, even after a #8, safety is not a strength of this team.

 

5) The corners are far from great, but we play in a cover-2. We addressed this need to an extent in free agency. I am happy about this.

 

6) Our wide receivers really do suck, and to this team, a good tight end is an afterthought since Pete Metz.

 

7) Like it or not, JP will be gone so we need a backup qb with some experience. It is too bad JP has very little worth, at least to this point.

 

Where does this leave us?

 

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs. Good blockers and guys who can rush the passer are very hard to get. Therefore, I am hoping that the Bills go with a blocker or a DL in rounds 1 and 2. Good lineman will always make a football team better. This is what football is about. The Bills play in the elements. We need to kick ass. "Finesse" teams will not cut it at RWS, or so I think. Have we not proven this?

After this imo, we should focus on someone who can catch the football. Maybe a buckshot approach would work. They can draft numerous WRs/TEs, and hope for one who stands out ala Kevin Boss, etc.

 

We need to sign a backup qb with experience.

 

In summary, let's make the team a stronger one in 08! WNY is a kickass, blue collar place. We need and deserve a team that can physically dominate others, especially at home. I mean, how long has it been? At the same time, we need someone who can catch. At the other positions, we should simply do the best we can and hope to get lucky in the later rounds.

 

This is my rant for the day.

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adam]

I think you overstate our offensive line. Your are right about Fowler being subpar, but I think Walker is servicable at best. Not enough push out of the RT position. I think Lynch made them look better than they are. I wouldn't say they are a liability for the most part.

 

Point taken on TE, but I do think Jay Riemersma was pretty good. I wouldn't waste a first-day pick on any of the TE's.

 

JP has a lot of worth to us as a backup. He is at the very least a competent QB that you can give the ball to when you need to.

 

I really agree with you about the DT position. Adding Stroud and swapping Tripplet for Johnson does a little, but not much. Stroud isn't going to change everything. If we could get Balmer, I would be happy with the position.

 

I think this is the year to fix WR, but if we went all DL/OL it wouldn't bother me- you don't fix everything in one year.

[Chilly]

2) Improved? Yes, but the Bills are not strong enough at DT.

 

Really, what would be "strong enough" for you at DT? Do you expect 4 all-star players? We've got one top DT, a first round pick, a very solid #3 who has been a starter in the league, and a #4 who played pretty well last year as a starter.

 

3) The Bills DEs as a unit are better than average, but there is plenty of room for more pass rush and depth.

 

We'll see how much the DT additions help the DEs. A lot, I would imagine. Stroud taking up 2 players by himself will be a huge improvement, and I think that with Stroud next to him, McCargo will become a force. This should help free up Schobel and Kelsay in pass rushing. I think Denney is a good #3 DE, but we do have room for more depth.

 

If the DEs don't perform well this year, with the added help at DT, I'll agree with you. Right now, however, I'm happy with the position (outside of adding another DE for depth).

 

4) Gush over Ko Simpson as you choose, but I am not crazy about him. I truly hope that he improves, but imo he looks slow. So, even after a #8, safety is not a strength of this team.

 

I agree that Ko Simpson isn't great at the moment, but I have to laugh that you included a comment about Whitner in a point about Simpson. Whitner can't play both positions, lol.

 

5) The corners are far from great, but we play in a cover-2. We addressed this need to an extent in free agency. I am happy about this.

 

The real issue with our corners is run support. McGee was improved in run support last year, but I'm not sure that either he or Greer are great in run support - one of the main functions of our CBs.

 

6) Our wide receivers really do suck, and to this team, a good tight end is an afterthought since Pete Metz.

 

This is likely the biggest area of need, getting more weapons for the offense. I would think that the front office realizes this too...

 

7) Like it or not, JP will be gone so we need a backup qb with some experience. It is too bad JP has very little worth, at least to this point.

 

Yeah, JP will be gone at some point, just not sure WHEN yet.

 

Where does this leave us?

 

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs.

 

Says who? This draft has tons of good TEs, and a lot of pretty decent WRs too. There might not be many stand-out names right at the top, but I think that there are lots of solid players at these two positions.

[DreamOnDan]

love a good rant

[Adam]

Really, what would be "strong enough" for you at DT? Do you expect 4 all-star players? We've got one top DT, a first round pick, a very solid #3 who has been a starter in the league, and a #4 who played pretty well last year as a starter.

 

We'll see how much the DT additions help the DEs. A lot, I would imagine. Stroud taking up 2 players by himself will be a huge improvement, and I think that with Stroud next to him, McCargo will become a force. This should help free up Schobel and Kelsay in pass rushing. I think Denney is a good #3 DE, but we do have room for more depth.

 

If the DEs don't perform well this year, with the added help at DT, I'll agree with you. Right now, however, I'm happy with the position (outside of adding another DE for depth).

Stroud played really well next to John Henderson. Unfortunately, we don't have a John Henderson caliber DT to put next to him. You need four DT's. You build at the line of scrimmage if you want to win ballgames.

[Mark Long Beach]

1) The Bills have a good OL that lacks a credible Center and is dangerously thin. As soon as Duke Preston trots out to the field, it's all over. Teams can exploit bad players.

 

2) Improved? Yes, but the Bills are not strong enough at DT.

 

3) The Bills DEs as a unit are better than average, but there is plenty of room for more pass rush and depth.

 

4) Gush over Ko Simpson as you choose, but I am not crazy about him. I truly hope that he improves, but imo he looks slow. So, even after a #8, safety is not a strength of this team.

 

5) The corners are far from great, but we play in a cover-2. We addressed this need to an extent in free agency. I am happy about this.

 

6) Our wide receivers really do suck, and to this team, a good tight end is an afterthought since Pete Metz.

 

7) Like it or not, JP will be gone so we need a backup qb with some experience. It is too bad JP has very little worth, at least to this point.

 

Where does this leave us?

 

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs. Good blockers and guys who can rush the passer are very hard to get. Therefore, I am hoping that the Bills go with a blocker or a DL in rounds 1 and 2. Good lineman will always make a football team better. This is what football is about. The Bills play in the elements. We need to kick ass. "Finesse" teams will not cut it at RWS, or so I think. Have we not proven this?

After this imo, we should focus on someone who can catch the football. Maybe a buckshot approach would work. They can draft numerous WRs/TEs, and hope for one who stands out ala Kevin Boss, etc.

 

We need to sign a backup qb with experience.

 

In summary, let's make the team a stronger one in 08! WNY is a kickass, blue collar place. We need and deserve a team that can physically dominate others, especially at home. I mean, how long has it been? At the same time, we need someone who can catch. At the other positions, we should simply do the best we can and hope to get lucky in the later rounds.

 

This is my rant for the day.

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Good stuff Bill. I pretty much agree with you 1-7, although I rank Ko is a little better than you, but we'll see. I do draw a little different conclusions from you about how we should solve our weaknesses. (I think our need for WR is so strong that we need to draft one in round 1 unless a stellar talent drops to us - see stats for WR success rates here: http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?s=&am...t&p=986122)

 

I like you think we should definitely skip CB as our early priorities. Improvements in our secondary health and an improved pass rush (especially from DT position) will do wonders for our pass defense.

 

I won't complain about any OL or DL picks in the early 4. I view rounds 5-7 as long shots and specialists, so I don't care who gets drafted there, although we need a fullback, and a TE wouldn't hurt.

[B Rob]

Stroud played really well next to John Henderson. Unfortunately, we don't have a John Henderson caliber DT to put next to him. You need four DT's. You build at the line of scrimmage if you want to win ballgames.

 

 

So was it Stroud playing well next to Henderson or was it Henderson playing well next to Stroud.I love how we have to down play any and all players that put on a Bills uni.

[AKC]

Good stuff Bill. I pretty much agree with you 1-7, although I rank Ko is a little better than you, but we'll see. I do draw a little different conclusions from you about how we should solve our weaknesses. (I think our need for WR is so strong that we need to draft one in round 1 unless a stellar talent drops to us - see stats for WR success rates here: http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?s=&am...t&p=986122)

 

I like you think we should definitely skip CB as our early priorities. Improvements in our secondary health and an improved pass rush (especially from DT position) will do wonders for our pass defense.

 

I won't complain about any OL or DL picks in the early 4. I view rounds 5-7 as long shots and specialists, so I don't care who gets drafted there, although we need a fullback, and a TE wouldn't hurt.

 

If our draft board for our second pick is topped by a Corner who could play now in a starting role, I'd be ecstatic to see us improve our coverage ability on third downs. I realize it's an egg and chicken argument between pressure and coverage, but our 2007 coverage was far too easy to beat on third and 5+ even with the limited push. It's not like we had QBs dropping back and waiting for coverage to break down; we simply had QBs dropping back and throwing right to open receivers in step at the chains. Scheme is only part to blame- we have a talent issue there too. Not one deserving of that 11 pick, but there's a need.

 

Badolbilz had what I hope turns out to be a prophetic statement about our 08 draft when he said "Round one should be for explosive, dominant athletes, not posession wr's". He's always had the tightest grip on talent entering the league among the body of contributors here, and I'm hoping our team is seeing the same thing. I think he's also the same one who pointed out that there might not be a good enough WR in this draft to push Josh Reed to the bench this year. And if that thought doesn't send shivers dwon the spine of anyone who would like to improve the team THIS season, nothing will. There is still play at the WR level around the league- we should expect to see at least 2 more trades of better to best WRs in the near future. Bottom line is, if we get help at WR this season, it's almost sure to come from somewhere other than with throwing a #11 pick at a guy who would be projected to #45 in a string WR class. Get someone with the 11 pick who will make a difference for us THIS season and beyond, not a project.

 

In our division the Super Bowl should have finally made it clear that we won't be competitive until we have one of the best DLines in the game. We have taken moves in the right direction. Based upon the rosters of the best NFL teams, we're pretty clearly a full "move" away from that goal there though.

 

We have holes to fill. It doesn't mean that the "holes" are all best addresses at the 11 pick. Much to the contrary, good teams work on their roster weaknesses with llower draft picks and save the top pick for the best player. I hope we're feeling like the Bills did that come pick 12 of the upcoming draft.

[VABills]

We ned to trade up and get 2 first rounder and then draft a FS and a CB. Preferably out of Ohio State, then all will be right at OBD.

[Tipster19]

1) The Bills have a good OL that lacks a credible Center and is dangerously thin. As soon as Duke Preston trots out to the field, it's all over. Teams can exploit bad players.

 

2) Improved? Yes, but the Bills are not strong enough at DT.

 

3) The Bills DEs as a unit are better than average, but there is plenty of room for more pass rush and depth.

 

4) Gush over Ko Simpson as you choose, but I am not crazy about him. I truly hope that he improves, but imo he looks slow. So, even after a #8, safety is not a strength of this team.

 

5) The corners are far from great, but we play in a cover-2. We addressed this need to an extent in free agency. I am happy about this.

 

6) Our wide receivers really do suck, and to this team, a good tight end is an afterthought since Pete Metz.

 

7) Like it or not, JP will be gone so we need a backup qb with some experience. It is too bad JP has very little worth, at least to this point.

 

Where does this leave us?

 

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs. Good blockers and guys who can rush the passer are very hard to get. Therefore, I am hoping that the Bills go with a blocker or a DL in rounds 1 and 2. Good lineman will always make a football team better. This is what football is about. The Bills play in the elements. We need to kick ass. "Finesse" teams will not cut it at RWS, or so I think. Have we not proven this?

After this imo, we should focus on someone who can catch the football. Maybe a buckshot approach would work. They can draft numerous WRs/TEs, and hope for one who stands out ala Kevin Boss, etc.

 

We need to sign a backup qb with experience.

 

In summary, let's make the team a stronger one in 08! WNY is a kickass, blue collar place. We need and deserve a team that can physically dominate others, especially at home. I mean, how long has it been? At the same time, we need someone who can catch. At the other positions, we should simply do the best we can and hope to get lucky in the later rounds.

 

This is my rant for the day.

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Bravo, but you're preaching to the choir, I'm pretty much in agreement with your post. This draft is thin at the TE, OG and S positions, not WR. The knock on the WRs is that people are pushing them up in the draft a little too early but there is plenty to be taken.

[BillsVet]

Bill, thanks again for insightful and concise post.

 

You can't break it down much simpler than protecting your QB and getting to opposing QB's. Do those things and the chances of winning become much better.

 

As glaring a need as WR is, if there's a fine pass rusher available, it should be hard for OBD to pass him up. Schobel and Denney are both over 30, and the draft is all about helping tomorrow, not this coming year. That fact may be hard for some to accept, but we've been used to having our top picks step in and start because we had no one else. When your draft picks are starting, it's not necessarily because they're that good. In Buffalo's case, it was because they had so little on the roster. There are still too many issues to address, given that the team has been in rebuild mode for 2+ seasons now.

 

E.G.: The offensive line is perilously thin, and quickly becomes an issue when one player is injured. We know that quite well after Peters was out in the Philly game. While we were hit hard with injuries, our OL remained intact almost the entire season. It was pure luck nothing further happened, and the same can't be expected in 2008.

 

Building a franchise is all about winning on draft day. We won't know it for a 2-3 years, but the good teams draft well every year.

[Pete]

1) The Bills have a good OL that lacks a credible Center and is dangerously thin. As soon as Duke Preston trots out to the field, it's all over. Teams can exploit bad players.

 

2) Improved? Yes, but the Bills are not strong enough at DT.

 

3) The Bills DEs as a unit are better than average, but there is plenty of room for more pass rush and depth.

 

4) Gush over Ko Simpson as you choose, but I am not crazy about him. I truly hope that he improves, but imo he looks slow. So, even after a #8, safety is not a strength of this team.

 

5) The corners are far from great, but we play in a cover-2. We addressed this need to an extent in free agency. I am happy about this.

 

6) Our wide receivers really do suck, and to this team, a good tight end is an afterthought since Pete Metz.

 

7) Like it or not, JP will be gone so we need a backup qb with some experience. It is too bad JP has very little worth, at least to this point.

 

Where does this leave us?

 

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs. Good blockers and guys who can rush the passer are very hard to get. Therefore, I am hoping that the Bills go with a blocker or a DL in rounds 1 and 2. Good lineman will always make a football team better. This is what football is about. The Bills play in the elements. We need to kick ass. "Finesse" teams will not cut it at RWS, or so I think. Have we not proven this?

After this imo, we should focus on someone who can catch the football. Maybe a buckshot approach would work. They can draft numerous WRs/TEs, and hope for one who stands out ala Kevin Boss, etc.

 

We need to sign a backup qb with experience.

 

In summary, let's make the team a stronger one in 08! WNY is a kickass, blue collar place. We need and deserve a team that can physically dominate others, especially at home. I mean, how long has it been? At the same time, we need someone who can catch. At the other positions, we should simply do the best we can and hope to get lucky in the later rounds.

 

This is my rant for the day.

 

GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post. I agree with most of what you say. I think we draft a DT in round 2 and a WR with our first pick. I think we have enough holes that we are gonna try and attempt to trade down. Playmakers(TE and WR) on offense should be our number 1 priority IMO. We should be able to draft a good center in the mid rounds. And Peterson is a nice pickup for us. He is aggressive and solid in run support. So I beleive that CB is not as high as a need as others. I hope JP sticks around this year- who know's what is gonna happen with that? And I agree with you that games are won on the line. You can never have too many lineman on either side of scrimmage

[Bflojohn]

I take a totally different view of the WR and TE depth in this draft. I actually believe that it is pretty deep at both positions which is a boon for the Bills. They could get a TE in round two and a WR in round three that could start this year, IMO. The DT position is still in need of an upgrade and I personally like Ahytba Rubin out of Iowa State. The Bills are an injury to Stroud away from EXACTLY what they had last year for a run defense. The O-line is in need of bolstering, and I'd draft a Center and Guard in this draft around the fourth or fifth rounds.

[Fingon]

We will not draft a DT. We have Stroud, McCargo, Johnson, and Williams.

[Chilly]

Stroud played really well next to John Henderson. Unfortunately, we don't have a John Henderson caliber DT to put next to him. You need four DT's. You build at the line of scrimmage if you want to win ballgames.

 

Guess you didn't see Stroud's rookie year, or how Henderson played this past year when Stroud went down...

 

And we do have 4 DTs, just fyi.

[Adam]

So was it Stroud playing well next to Henderson or was it Henderson playing well next to Stroud.I love how we have to down play any and all players that put on a Bills uni.

I'd say it was both. Thats why you want a bunch of studs on your line at the same time, not just Stroud and a bunch of role players

[Chilly]

I'd say it was both. Thats why you want a bunch of studs on your line at the same time, not just Stroud and a bunch of role players

 

Guess you didn't see Stroud's rookie year, or how Henderson played this past year when Stroud went down...

[ganesh]

This is said to be a deep draft for linemen, and a poor one for WRs and TEs. Good blockers and guys who can rush the passer are very hard to get. Therefore, I am hoping that the Bills go with a blocker or a DL in rounds 1 and 2. Good lineman will always make a football team better. This is what football is about. The Bills play in the elements. We need to kick ass. "Finesse" teams will not cut it at RWS, or so I think. Have we not proven this?

After this imo, we should focus on someone who can catch the football. Maybe a buckshot approach would work. They can draft numerous WRs/TEs, and hope for one who stands out ala Kevin Boss, etc.

 

Bill,

 

We do have linemen drafted in the 1st and 2nd rounds with pretty mixed success, Schobel, Denney, Kelsay are all 2nd round picks and we are yet to see a superstar from that bunch.

We have also spent on McCargo and as of now the jury is still out on him....

 

Unfortunately for the Bills, they have unearthed some good players in the 1st and 2nd round including Evans, but have yet to get that Superstar player.....May be Lynch will turn that trend down.

 

And I think we did let a bunch of TEs slip away in free agency including one of our own....I thought Edwards liked going to him late in the season.