I've written on previous articles that I wouldn't be harsh on the Buffalo Bills for not being active during free agency. Now, there are some free agents that I wouldn't have minded the Bills going after. However, like I've said all along, you have to build your team from within the draft.
Besides the draft, my biggest goal for the Buffalo Bills off-season was to see what they would do with some of their current veterans. I've made no bones about wanting this team to do a complete makeover. I'm not trying to be negative. I'm only asking for the Bills to do what other franchises have done after hiring a new GM and coach.
It's common knowledge that whenever you have a new regime take over a franchise, they are going to cut the team inside and out. Bill Parcells did it when he took over the Dolphins. Mike Holmgren is in the process of doing that in Cleveland as we speak. Jimmy Johnson did that with the Cowboys and Dolphins. You always hear media members say, "A new GM or coach wants to choose their own players." Well, I haven't exactly seen that yet.
Now, getting rid of veterans isn't about just killing off the team because I'm being irrational about the Bills failure to make the playoffs for the last 10 years. It's about knowing that change is on the horizon and that the organization realizes that they've been doing it wrong for years. That's all I've been asking from the Bills.
Core guys like Aaron Schobel, Marcus Stroud, Marshawn Lynch and Donte Whitner (to name a few) have failed to get the Bills over the hump. The Bills are acting as if their the Indianapolis Colts and are on the cusp of accomplishing something special. Sorry, but that ship sank two years ago.
Now, I haven't been asking for Julius Peppers or Anquan Bolden. All you have to do is go back and read my GM series to see what I wanted the team to do. I know that Rome wasn't built in a day, but the Romans sure as hell started building a pillar or two after Julius Caesar took over.
There are a number of vets on this team that make too much money, who haven't been able to give an adequate return on the investment. I know free agency isn't even a week old and things can change. Unfortunately, all of my gripes have been manifested by the recent news about a Bills player who looks to be staying put.
Does anyone want to tell me why Chris Kelsay is returning to the Bills? In case you didn't know, on March 5th, the Bills paid a roster bonus of $500,000 that was due to Kelsay. Why in the world are the Bills interested in a player whose never played a down as an outside linebacker and is going to be 31 in October? Makes absolutely no sense. I don't want to hear how guys like Kelsay are bridge-gaps to younger talent.
The problem with that assertion is that Kelsay's bridge has collapsed. You want veterans who can teach a young player what it takes to be a pro at their position. What's Kelsay going to teach Aaron Maybin? How not to jump up and down when you make a tackle? Hell, they are both going to learn how to be outside linebackers this offseason. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Bills need to blow up their roster.
There's only two reasons I can think of for why Kelsay is coming back.
1) He's only going to cost the Bills 3.7 million dollars this season.
2) The Bills are still being run by the same people.
As for reason one, everyone knows that even though there isn't a cap anymore, the Bills are still operating with their cash to the cap philosophy. Kelsay was never worth the 6 million dollars a year that the Bills paid him in 2007, but luckily for the Bills, his salary goes down this year.
As for reason two, I said it when the Bills went in house to hire their GM. The move reeked of damage control in showing the general public that change was happening. It was obvious to me that the Bills just rearranged a couple of office titles and just gave Buddy Nix a sexy secretary and a key to the executive bathroom. I know fans and media members were even naive to think that Brandon and Wilson wouldn't have a big say in the team's personnel because they weren't at Chan Gailey's introduction press conference. Please...
Like I said earlier, when you have a new regime in charge they normally rip the roster apart. Something tells me that guys like Brandon and Modrak are putting in their two cents that Aaron Schobel and Kelsay can still play. Maybe their trying to justify giving those players their long term deals by keeping them around. The same can be said for a number of other players on the Bills roster.
I know it has only been two months into the Nix/Gailey partnership, and maybe I should give them more time to operate. I assure you, I'm looking for any sort of reason to think that the Bills are changing. Hell, it could be something as minuet as the Bills changing uniforms or flying in a free agent that hasn't played for the Chiefs. Instead, the only news the Bills are making is signing retread offensive lineman from the Oakland Raiders.
Besides wanting change, I wanted the Bills to stop trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by making players play out of position or bringing in players that don't fit the new scheme.
Kelsay and Schobel at OLB? Kyle Williams at NT? I haven't even gotten to Trent Edwards possibly starting next year. Again, wouldn't a new GM/Coach combo want a new quarterback? New regimes should bring in change; not follow the game plan of their predecessors.
The more things change the more they say the same with the Buffalo Bills. All I have to say is the Bills draft better be as good as the early Bill Polian years or this isn't going to change. Better yet, maybe we should start Googling mock drafts for top 5 picks for 2011 through 2014.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Friday, March 12. 2010
Status Quo So Far For the Buffalo Bills This Offseason
Posted by Joe Pinzone
in NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone
at
13:09
| Comments (4)
| Trackbacks (0)
Tuesday, March 9. 2010
Buffalo Bills free agent tackle Cornell Green assaulted woman
By: Joe Pinzone
Meet your new Buffalo Bills right tackle. According to USA Today, Green assaulted the mother of his children in March of 2009.
Tampa police say Green became violent during an argument at his home with the mother of his two children. Police say Green slammed 30-year-old Teriyonal Ebony Flowers into a wall, then struck her right arm with an aluminum mop handle.
Judging by his salary (9 million over 3 years), Green looks to be taking over for Brad Butler. Of course, there are a couple of red flags around this guy, other than beating women of course. For one, he's played on six NFL teams in 10 years. The last team he played for was the Raiders, which may make fans flashback to the Langston Walker signing. He also didn't exactly have an all-pro season last year, giving up 6.5 sacks and 12 penalties in 12 starts.
Marv Levy must be rolling over his eyes over this move. So much for the Buffalo Bills valuing character. Kind of ironic that the guy had to use a mop handle to beat up his wife, since it seems like he was getting mopped up all over the field by defensive players.
Look, I get that this guy isn't going to be the cornerstone on the Bills line for the next 5 years (turns 34 in August). I totally agree that the Bills needed to address the offensive right tackle position at some point. However, couldn't they find a better stop-gap offensive right tackle that wasn't arrested and had the exact same number of penalties as starts? I don't know, maybe the guy will play like Geoff Hangartner. Hey, at least the Bills signed someone!...and he wasn't even from KC.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Meet your new Buffalo Bills right tackle. According to USA Today, Green assaulted the mother of his children in March of 2009.
Tampa police say Green became violent during an argument at his home with the mother of his two children. Police say Green slammed 30-year-old Teriyonal Ebony Flowers into a wall, then struck her right arm with an aluminum mop handle.
Judging by his salary (9 million over 3 years), Green looks to be taking over for Brad Butler. Of course, there are a couple of red flags around this guy, other than beating women of course. For one, he's played on six NFL teams in 10 years. The last team he played for was the Raiders, which may make fans flashback to the Langston Walker signing. He also didn't exactly have an all-pro season last year, giving up 6.5 sacks and 12 penalties in 12 starts.
Marv Levy must be rolling over his eyes over this move. So much for the Buffalo Bills valuing character. Kind of ironic that the guy had to use a mop handle to beat up his wife, since it seems like he was getting mopped up all over the field by defensive players.
Look, I get that this guy isn't going to be the cornerstone on the Bills line for the next 5 years (turns 34 in August). I totally agree that the Bills needed to address the offensive right tackle position at some point. However, couldn't they find a better stop-gap offensive right tackle that wasn't arrested and had the exact same number of penalties as starts? I don't know, maybe the guy will play like Geoff Hangartner. Hey, at least the Bills signed someone!...and he wasn't even from KC.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Posted by Joe Pinzone
in NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone
at
12:43
| Comments (4)
| Trackbacks (0)
Kelly Likes Tim Tebow & Joey Porter on the Buffalo Bills Radar
By Joe Pinzone
I know it's only March, but it looks as if the Buffalo Bills may have a tentative plan in finding a quarterback. NFL.com is reporting that the Bills (along with the Seahawks) want to have a private workout with Tim Tebow after his pro day on March 17th. I wrote a long blog over a month ago stating that I wasn't exactly thrilled about Tim Tebow coming to Buffalo. I think he has too many throwing issues, plus working in the shotgun exclusively at Florida worries me. However, my disdain towards the possibility of Trent Edwards starting in 2010 has soften my stance. Hell, at this juncture, I'd take JP Losman back over Captain Checkdown
Now, from a marketing stand point, it wouldn't shock me if the Bills drafted Tebow in the 2nd or 3rd round. I didn't think much of Tebow's popularity after his college career ended. However, after seeing all the hoopla over him changing his throwing motion and being surrounded by 100's of reporters at the NFL Combine, I knew that Tebow's fame had become a monster. Hell, he may be the reason the NFL decided to go prime time for the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the Draft. If the Bills drafted him, ESPN would be all over this story from mini-camp to the regular season. We'd get Erin Andrews camping out at One Bills Drive. College football fans from throughout the land who've adored Tebow would tune into games. Not to mention, you can probably put him up there as the #1 selling jersey for the Bills.
Mark my words, the national hoopla would be a lot BIGGER if Tebow was drafted by the Bills than T.O. coming to Buffalo. Plus, there's already strong support for Tebow to play from fans and members of the media in Buffalo. Lets not forget he has the backing of Jim Kelly, which is like being blessed by the pope around here. I'm not saying that I believe in Tebow. Quite honestly, I don't. But, from a marketing stand point, selling merchandise, luxury boxes, and team endorsements it's a gold mine.
================================================
There was a rumor that made its way across the web this weekend about the Bills bringing in Joey Porter for a workout on Tuesday. The rumor was reported by Buffalorumblings.com, but soon after was retracted. Anyways, we can still talk about it because it would make total sense for the Bills to sign Porter. I know, I've been saying to get younger, but this 3-4 experiment has me worried.
Look, there's no way Chris Kelsay or Aaron Schobel should be allowed to play outside linebacker for this team or any other. The team needs to bring in someone who knows how to be the quarterback of a 3-4 defense. Porter is that guy. He's been in the 3-4 for the majority of his career and has thrived in it. I know some may think he's washed up, but he did have 26.5 sacks over the last two years. Yes, it should be noted that he only had 9 sacks in 14 games last year, but even that sack total would have counted for 2nd most by a Bills player.
Now, I know what some people are thinking: "Porter is an old-washed up, arrogant punk who wouldn't mesh with Buffalo's blue-collar work ethic." Yes, Porter is in the twilight of his career. However, if Aaron Maybin is suppose to thrive the most in a 3-4 defense, it would be nice if he could have an all-pro tutoring him at a position he's never played at before.
As for Porter's personality issues, you know how I feel about spitfires. I love them! You need guys with attitude in professional sports. If there's one thing I was hoping that Terrell Owens could bring to the Bills last season, it was someone who would hold the team's feet to the fire if they played poorly. Unfortunately, T.O. didn't care about setting a precedent with the team because he was more interested in where he would end up playing in 2010 and didn't want to jeopardize that (You could probably put in cereal, modeling and a reality show in activities that peaked his interest more so than playing for the Bills).
Something tells me that Porter doesn't give a crap about reality shows and being a model. He's the type of player that's going to say what's on his mind and talk trash to the opposition. That's something the Bills haven't had in a long time. In the beginning of free agency, I wanted the Bills to make a run at Larry Foote to help with the 3-4 defense. Now, I wouldn't mind substituting Porter for that spot
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
I know it's only March, but it looks as if the Buffalo Bills may have a tentative plan in finding a quarterback. NFL.com is reporting that the Bills (along with the Seahawks) want to have a private workout with Tim Tebow after his pro day on March 17th. I wrote a long blog over a month ago stating that I wasn't exactly thrilled about Tim Tebow coming to Buffalo. I think he has too many throwing issues, plus working in the shotgun exclusively at Florida worries me. However, my disdain towards the possibility of Trent Edwards starting in 2010 has soften my stance. Hell, at this juncture, I'd take JP Losman back over Captain Checkdown
Now, from a marketing stand point, it wouldn't shock me if the Bills drafted Tebow in the 2nd or 3rd round. I didn't think much of Tebow's popularity after his college career ended. However, after seeing all the hoopla over him changing his throwing motion and being surrounded by 100's of reporters at the NFL Combine, I knew that Tebow's fame had become a monster. Hell, he may be the reason the NFL decided to go prime time for the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the Draft. If the Bills drafted him, ESPN would be all over this story from mini-camp to the regular season. We'd get Erin Andrews camping out at One Bills Drive. College football fans from throughout the land who've adored Tebow would tune into games. Not to mention, you can probably put him up there as the #1 selling jersey for the Bills.
Mark my words, the national hoopla would be a lot BIGGER if Tebow was drafted by the Bills than T.O. coming to Buffalo. Plus, there's already strong support for Tebow to play from fans and members of the media in Buffalo. Lets not forget he has the backing of Jim Kelly, which is like being blessed by the pope around here. I'm not saying that I believe in Tebow. Quite honestly, I don't. But, from a marketing stand point, selling merchandise, luxury boxes, and team endorsements it's a gold mine.
================================================
There was a rumor that made its way across the web this weekend about the Bills bringing in Joey Porter for a workout on Tuesday. The rumor was reported by Buffalorumblings.com, but soon after was retracted. Anyways, we can still talk about it because it would make total sense for the Bills to sign Porter. I know, I've been saying to get younger, but this 3-4 experiment has me worried.
Look, there's no way Chris Kelsay or Aaron Schobel should be allowed to play outside linebacker for this team or any other. The team needs to bring in someone who knows how to be the quarterback of a 3-4 defense. Porter is that guy. He's been in the 3-4 for the majority of his career and has thrived in it. I know some may think he's washed up, but he did have 26.5 sacks over the last two years. Yes, it should be noted that he only had 9 sacks in 14 games last year, but even that sack total would have counted for 2nd most by a Bills player.
Now, I know what some people are thinking: "Porter is an old-washed up, arrogant punk who wouldn't mesh with Buffalo's blue-collar work ethic." Yes, Porter is in the twilight of his career. However, if Aaron Maybin is suppose to thrive the most in a 3-4 defense, it would be nice if he could have an all-pro tutoring him at a position he's never played at before.
As for Porter's personality issues, you know how I feel about spitfires. I love them! You need guys with attitude in professional sports. If there's one thing I was hoping that Terrell Owens could bring to the Bills last season, it was someone who would hold the team's feet to the fire if they played poorly. Unfortunately, T.O. didn't care about setting a precedent with the team because he was more interested in where he would end up playing in 2010 and didn't want to jeopardize that (You could probably put in cereal, modeling and a reality show in activities that peaked his interest more so than playing for the Bills).
Something tells me that Porter doesn't give a crap about reality shows and being a model. He's the type of player that's going to say what's on his mind and talk trash to the opposition. That's something the Bills haven't had in a long time. In the beginning of free agency, I wanted the Bills to make a run at Larry Foote to help with the 3-4 defense. Now, I wouldn't mind substituting Porter for that spot
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Posted by Joe Pinzone
in NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone
at
12:31
| Comments (17)
| Trackbacks (0)
Monday, March 8. 2010
Buffalo Sabres: What To Love & What To Hate About This Team
By Joe Pinzone
I'm not exactly going to say "what a relief" when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres recent two game winning streak. But hey...two points are two points, and you can't award style points in the NHL. It's funny though, I don't know what's more shocking, the Sabres giving up a 13-point division lead to the Senators or the team somehow finding its way back into sole position of first place? It's not exactly breaking news to figure out what's right or wrong with the Sabres. But, in case you're too wrapped up in Ryan Miller being on the Today Show, here are some reasons to love and hate the Buffalo Sabres.
Showing the Love
1) It doesn't take a genius to figure out what the reason for the Sabres success is. It all starts with the NHL's top goaltender, Ryan Miller. Honestly, I don't know what to write about the guy that hasn't already been written. He's the real deal and is proving that the Olympics haven't effected his recent play. You can tell he's playing with the most confidence he has ever had in his career and he should be. Think about this, including the Olympics and the four games after the break - Miller has allowed 14 goals in his last 10 games. I don't care if it's against the Swiss or the Rochester Americans, that's a sick stat line. The guy's the MVP of the team and is their biggest star attraction since Dominik Hasek.
2) Even though the Sabres let in the game tying goal on the power play against the Rangers, they are still among the lead leaders in penalty killing (Ranking 4th as of today). I don't know how much that's going to help in the playoffs though. It seems more often than not, referees elect to swallow their whistles during the playoffs. But, it's always good to see what makes Lindy Ruff one of the best defensive minded coaches in hockey. His penalty killing units have always been..well..killer. Over the last 10 years the average Sabres PK unit has ranked 9th in the NHL. From Stu Barnes to Mike Grier to Paul Gaustad, it doesn't matter who Ruff puts out there because he teaches his players how to play defense on the penalty kill (Power Play? We will get to that in a bit).
Showing the hate:
1) Hate doesn't describe my attitude towards the top six forwards of this team. Hell, they aren't even considered top six in my book...more like four through 10. Tell me if you haven't heard this one before - "Where was Jason Pominville last night" or "Thomas Vanek should have had a hat trick." It's either the guys show up and can't put the puck in the back of the net or their still on Olympic Break...or summer break for that matter. All you had to do was look at Derek Roy's scoring chance in OT against the Rangers. He was fed a great pass in front of Lundqvist and fired the backhand about three feet wide (almost taking out the stupid "Subway eat fresh" logo). That's the epitome of the Sabres offense this season...they just can't finish.
I know it's taboo to mention Chris Drury or Daniel Briere (Eye roll, I know), but one of these current Sabres needs to look in the mirror and say, "Hey, I'm going to carry this team on my back tonight. I'm NOT going to look for someone else to make a play. I'm the top forward on this team!" When someone can do that, then I'll shut-up about the ex co-captains.
2) Man, for the Sabres sake, they better hope that the referees in the playoffs decide to swallow their whistles, because the power play has been a disaster. Is it too much to ask for the team to just set-up the power play? Hell, it's becoming a moral victory if the team can get three passes off in a row inside the offensive zone. Honestly, maybe the Sabres should consider putting Vanek on the point. Seriously, they've tried everything else and nothing seems to work.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
I'm not exactly going to say "what a relief" when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres recent two game winning streak. But hey...two points are two points, and you can't award style points in the NHL. It's funny though, I don't know what's more shocking, the Sabres giving up a 13-point division lead to the Senators or the team somehow finding its way back into sole position of first place? It's not exactly breaking news to figure out what's right or wrong with the Sabres. But, in case you're too wrapped up in Ryan Miller being on the Today Show, here are some reasons to love and hate the Buffalo Sabres.
Showing the Love
1) It doesn't take a genius to figure out what the reason for the Sabres success is. It all starts with the NHL's top goaltender, Ryan Miller. Honestly, I don't know what to write about the guy that hasn't already been written. He's the real deal and is proving that the Olympics haven't effected his recent play. You can tell he's playing with the most confidence he has ever had in his career and he should be. Think about this, including the Olympics and the four games after the break - Miller has allowed 14 goals in his last 10 games. I don't care if it's against the Swiss or the Rochester Americans, that's a sick stat line. The guy's the MVP of the team and is their biggest star attraction since Dominik Hasek.
2) Even though the Sabres let in the game tying goal on the power play against the Rangers, they are still among the lead leaders in penalty killing (Ranking 4th as of today). I don't know how much that's going to help in the playoffs though. It seems more often than not, referees elect to swallow their whistles during the playoffs. But, it's always good to see what makes Lindy Ruff one of the best defensive minded coaches in hockey. His penalty killing units have always been..well..killer. Over the last 10 years the average Sabres PK unit has ranked 9th in the NHL. From Stu Barnes to Mike Grier to Paul Gaustad, it doesn't matter who Ruff puts out there because he teaches his players how to play defense on the penalty kill (Power Play? We will get to that in a bit).
Showing the hate:
1) Hate doesn't describe my attitude towards the top six forwards of this team. Hell, they aren't even considered top six in my book...more like four through 10. Tell me if you haven't heard this one before - "Where was Jason Pominville last night" or "Thomas Vanek should have had a hat trick." It's either the guys show up and can't put the puck in the back of the net or their still on Olympic Break...or summer break for that matter. All you had to do was look at Derek Roy's scoring chance in OT against the Rangers. He was fed a great pass in front of Lundqvist and fired the backhand about three feet wide (almost taking out the stupid "Subway eat fresh" logo). That's the epitome of the Sabres offense this season...they just can't finish.
I know it's taboo to mention Chris Drury or Daniel Briere (Eye roll, I know), but one of these current Sabres needs to look in the mirror and say, "Hey, I'm going to carry this team on my back tonight. I'm NOT going to look for someone else to make a play. I'm the top forward on this team!" When someone can do that, then I'll shut-up about the ex co-captains.
2) Man, for the Sabres sake, they better hope that the referees in the playoffs decide to swallow their whistles, because the power play has been a disaster. Is it too much to ask for the team to just set-up the power play? Hell, it's becoming a moral victory if the team can get three passes off in a row inside the offensive zone. Honestly, maybe the Sabres should consider putting Vanek on the point. Seriously, they've tried everything else and nothing seems to work.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Terrell Owens & Ochocinco = Bad For Palmer; Patriots & Reed talk
By: Joe Pinzone
I know the big talk is that the Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco combination may end up becoming a reality with the news that the Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the former Buffalo Bills wide receiver. I know some fans will think that Owens and Ochocinco would be dominant on the field and in media sessions. I'm more than willing to say it's going to be the latter that results in domination. This isn't a knock against Owens, it's actually a knock against Carson Palmer.
The Bengals franchise quarterback hasn't been the same since 2007. In 2008, Palmer was mired in injuries and only played four games because of a partially torn ligament and tendon in his elbow. Palmer decided to elect NOT to have Tommy John surgery (Which ISN'T a good surgery for a quarterback to have), instead, he choose to rest the injury to allow it to heal.
Last year, Palmer played OK, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Yes, those numbers seem fine, but considering the three years prior to his injury plagued 2008 season, Palmer regressed (Palmer had 86 touchdown passes from 2005-2007). He also barley got over the 3,000 yard mark after playing all 16 games last year. I know all of this because he was on my fantasy football team and cost me major dough!
Palmer really struggled down the stretch with the Bengals and had a very poor playoff showing against the Jets. If Palmer gets Owens and Ochocinco on his team together, you can definitely put the quarterback in the same discussion as one of the players with the most pressure going into next season. All I'm saying is that this move would have been a slam dunk if it took place three years ago. Now...It's going to be a very contested lay-up. I hope for Palmer's sake he gets back to his previous numbers or Owens and Ochocinco will eat him alive.
=====================================================
Profootballtalk is reporting that Josh Reed is set to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. Josh Reed signing with the Patriots would be like peanut butter and jelly. I use to always tell my friends that Reed reminded me of Wes Welker with his size and route running ability. Say what you will about Reed, but if he's in an offense that relies on the slot position, he can be a huge asset.
Mark my words, if Wes Welker isn't 100% from his torn ACL and MCL injury, Josh Reed will catch 10 balls a game. Reed fits in perfectly with what the Patriots offense needs out of their slot receiver. Even when Welker went down, unknown wide receiver Julian Edelman was able to pick up where Welker left off. The rookie wide receiver caught 16 passes for three touchdowns in just two games. If I'm Josh, I would jump at the opportunity to sign a 1-year deal with the Patriots for whatever amount of money they'd pay him. If he catches 10 balls a game, he'll more than likely double his status as a free agent in 2011.
Read more of Joe at >Joe in NYC
I know the big talk is that the Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco combination may end up becoming a reality with the news that the Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the former Buffalo Bills wide receiver. I know some fans will think that Owens and Ochocinco would be dominant on the field and in media sessions. I'm more than willing to say it's going to be the latter that results in domination. This isn't a knock against Owens, it's actually a knock against Carson Palmer.
The Bengals franchise quarterback hasn't been the same since 2007. In 2008, Palmer was mired in injuries and only played four games because of a partially torn ligament and tendon in his elbow. Palmer decided to elect NOT to have Tommy John surgery (Which ISN'T a good surgery for a quarterback to have), instead, he choose to rest the injury to allow it to heal.
Last year, Palmer played OK, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Yes, those numbers seem fine, but considering the three years prior to his injury plagued 2008 season, Palmer regressed (Palmer had 86 touchdown passes from 2005-2007). He also barley got over the 3,000 yard mark after playing all 16 games last year. I know all of this because he was on my fantasy football team and cost me major dough!
Palmer really struggled down the stretch with the Bengals and had a very poor playoff showing against the Jets. If Palmer gets Owens and Ochocinco on his team together, you can definitely put the quarterback in the same discussion as one of the players with the most pressure going into next season. All I'm saying is that this move would have been a slam dunk if it took place three years ago. Now...It's going to be a very contested lay-up. I hope for Palmer's sake he gets back to his previous numbers or Owens and Ochocinco will eat him alive.
=====================================================
Profootballtalk is reporting that Josh Reed is set to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. Josh Reed signing with the Patriots would be like peanut butter and jelly. I use to always tell my friends that Reed reminded me of Wes Welker with his size and route running ability. Say what you will about Reed, but if he's in an offense that relies on the slot position, he can be a huge asset.
Mark my words, if Wes Welker isn't 100% from his torn ACL and MCL injury, Josh Reed will catch 10 balls a game. Reed fits in perfectly with what the Patriots offense needs out of their slot receiver. Even when Welker went down, unknown wide receiver Julian Edelman was able to pick up where Welker left off. The rookie wide receiver caught 16 passes for three touchdowns in just two games. If I'm Josh, I would jump at the opportunity to sign a 1-year deal with the Patriots for whatever amount of money they'd pay him. If he catches 10 balls a game, he'll more than likely double his status as a free agent in 2011.
Read more of Joe at >Joe in NYC
Posted by Joe Pinzone
in NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone
at
12:09
| Comments (0)
| Trackbacks (0)
Saturday, March 6. 2010
If I Were Buffalo Bills GM Part VI: The Draft
Well, we are coming down the stretch for reshaping the Buffalo Bills roster. Free agency is over and done with. The undersized defensive players are in different uniforms. Trent Edwards is flipping burgers or playing in the CFL. The waste has been wasted. In the process, I've been able to bring in some new blood to the team via free agency. I have to say, it has really been fun being the Buffalo Bills GM for the last two weeks.
But now we are at the crown jewel of my rebuilding project...The NFL Draft. Everyone knows the back stories of how important the NFL Draft has become. It's without question more important today than what it was 25 years ago. We all know the history of Tom Brady and Mike Williams. We know the history of Whitner over Ngata. We know the history of Bruce Smith over Doug Flute. Yada, yada, yada. We all know that in order to make NFL history it has to start at the draft.
However, I have a little confession to make; I hate the NFL Draft. I just can't stand how everyone grades a team's picks even before they sign their contracts. I also think it's the most over hyped TV event in sports history. For the most part, the majority of your draft picks aren't going to put you over the following year.
I could never understand the need for the combine or measuring your verticals. Hell, I think the combine was invented so the NFL Network could have programming in February. Then to top it off, you have all these draft prognosticators, who for the most part have never had a scouting job in NFL. And if you want to see some of their draft boards, you are going to have to pay to read it (ESPN Insider).
OK, that concludes my rant of the day.
Now, even though the draft can be a little bit of overkill for the build-up, I'm in total agreement that it sets the foundation for your team. I'm not here to tell you whether I think Jimmy Clausen or Bryan Buluga are going to be busts or not. No one really knows, which makes the draft nothing more than a crap shoot. However, the way I'm going to draft players is by finding the best player available. Not exactly Brain surgery, right?
Here's a quick recap about the picks I have: (If your wondering where I got all these picks please read my past articles in this series)
1.) 9th Pick (Bills first round pick)
2.) 25th Pick (Ravens first round pick from the Lee Evans Trade)
3.) 41st Pick (Bills 2nd round pick)
4.) 51st Pick (Texans 2nd round pick from the Aaron Schobel Trade)
5.) 72nd Pick (Bills 3rd round pick)
6.) 91st Pick (Chargers 3rd round pick from the Marshawn Lynch Trade)
7.) 94th Pick (Colts 3rd round pick from the Kyle Williams Trade)
8.) 100th Pick (Redskins 4th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
9.) 135th Pick (Bills 5th round pick)
10.) 167th Pick (Bills 6th round pick
11.) 181st Pick (Eagles 6th round pick from the Jason Peters Trade)
12.) 192nd Pick (Lions 7th round pick from the Ko Simpson Trade)
13.) 194th Pick (Redskins 7th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
14.) 199th Pick (Bills 7th round pick)
DAM! 14 picks!? I have my work cutout. Maybe I should outsource these picks to the draft experts that I just bad mouthed. Now
In the past, I would normally grade drafts on how the team fills their needs with the mindset that all the players picked would eventually contribute to the team. So, I would hope when you grade my draft, you can use that rhetoric when judging it.
Now, I don't know what's going to happen with prospects between now and April. Tim Tebow's new throwing release could make him into a 1st ballot HOF. Dez Bryant could run 4.99 in the 40 and blame it on the turf (like Malcom Kelly did 2 years ago). Terrence Cody could pull a Pizza the Hut and eat himself alive.
I'm sure by the time the draft comes around the corner, the big board will be totally different. So for now, I'm going to pretend the draft is happening today.
So without further adieu. Welcome to the 2010 NFL Draft... Buffalo Bills edition.
With the 9th pick in the first round, the Buffalo Bills select Anthony Davis, Left tackle from Rutgers.
Look, I could have easily given the card to the commissioner that read "The Bills select the best tackle available." It's a forgone conclusion that the Bills are desperate for a tackle.
Davis is a beast at 6'5 and 325lbs. He's a tremendous pass blocking left tackle with outstanding size and growth potential. He Possesses great footwork and the ability to slide laterally off the edge. He also covers a lot of area on the field and effective blocking in motion. (CBS Sports)
Remember all those games we saw last year, where a running back would get hit by two defenders a second after the hand-off? I'm done with seeing that sort of non-sense. Davis has massive wingspan, and his lower body is built for leverage. That sounds like the type of guy who can pave the way for my 1,400 yard rusher.
Now, Davis does have some issues. In 2008, Davis violated team policy and was suspended for one game. This past season, Davis was benched for the first quarter against Army after reporting late to a team function earlier that week. His weight has also been scrutinized after he was demoted for the first six days of training camp this past summer for reporting overweight.
Now, before you all go out and scream, "You idiot! Don't you remember Mike Williams?" Realize that I'm not drafting with the memories of the Bills crappy draft picks. I don't care if there's a good player out there whose from the University of Texas and his initials are T.O.-If he can play, he's coming here. Davis by all accounts can play and there have been players who have been able to grow up after college.
Now if Davis is drafted by the time the Bills pick, I'd select Bryan Buluga or Trent Williams.
With the 25th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jared Odrik, Defensive end from Penn State.
Odrik is an explosive interior blocker that's constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage. More importantly, he can play defensive end in a 3-4. He has the quickness that demands immediate attention from blockers, and he can follow up with a persistent bull rush. He is not agile but used his big, strong hands to control blockers but might need to learn more tricks to remain consistently successful. (CBS Sports)
Look, if nose tackle Dan Williams is available at this spot, I'm running up to the commissioner with his name. But more than likely, Williams is going to be gone by the 25th pick. Now, I definitely would love to add a legit 3-4 nose tackle here. However, Terrence Cody, who many feel is someone the Bills should make a run at in the second round; is a bit of a reach at the 25th pick.
As for Odrik, I think it would be an ideal situation for the Bills to have him play spot duty behind Marcus Stroud and Marcus Spears. Stroud is in the twilight of his career, and probably won't be living up to his high salary after next year. Odrik would be a legit player to come in and be the heir apparent to Stroud. Since Schobel and Kelsay are gone, the Bills need players that are going to be able to rush the passer. My hope is that Odrik can be that pass rusher the Bills can count on for the next ten years.
The Buffalo Bills have traded the rights of their 51st and 94th picks to the New York Jets for the rights to the 29h pick. The Bills select Golden Tate, Wide receiver, Notre Dame
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Joe, why on earth would you trade Lee Evans only to draft a wide receiver in the first round." It's because I firmly believe in trying to build the Bills offense around a younger core. Like I've said before, the Bills are 3-4 years away from doing serious damage and by that time, Evans will more than likely be gone. I happen to really like Golden Tate because he's a diverse talent that can play in the slot or on the outside. He's a good route runner and from what I've heard, an even better team leader.
He's played in a pro style offense, and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver after covering 1,496 yards and scoring 15 times on his 93 receptions. He also carried the ball 25 times for 186 yards and two scores; and returned 12 punts for 171 yards and another score.
The best part about Tate is that he can break tackles and isn't afraid to go over the middle. I think the Bills have missed that dynamic over the last couple of years. I firmly believe if Hardy can meet his expectations, he and Tate could make a very complimentary receiving pair for the next 10 years. Plus, don't forget that I still have Chris Chambers and Benjamin Watson to throw the ball to.
As for why the Jets would want to trade for additional picks, the Jets have only four picks for the entire draft, none from rounds 3-5. (Yes, you may not like the reason, but deals like those have worked)
With the 41st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, Terrence Cody, Nose Tackle, University of Alabama.
Cody is one of the few highly touted legit nose tackles in the draft. Cody is massive at 6'5, 360lbs. His stats aren't going to overwhelm you, but his massive size should result in constant double teams that will only make his fellow lineman and linebackers play much better.
Now, there are some issues about Cody. For one, he's um... kind of big boned, which has a lot of the scouts in the NFL nervous. He doesn't penetrate really well and isn't the type of player whose going to be chasing down Mike Vick, let alone Tom Brady. Now, it should be noted that he lost 16lbs between the Senior Bowl and the Combine, which proves that he's willing to do his best to lose weight. I desperately need a NT and Cody is the best available option at this point.
With the the 72nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Dan LeFevour, Quarterback, University of Central Michigan
Dan LeFevour has all the tools to be a very effective NFL quarterback. He has size at 6'3 and 229lbs. But don't let his size fool you, because he's a quarterback that can run. During his career at Central Michigan, LeFevour put up some mind-numbing numbers. He is the all-time NCAA leader with 149 touchdowns in his career. He's also second in all-time career yardage leader with 15,898 yards. Besides the stats, LeFouver is a pure athlete. Prior to becoming a quarterback, he was actually a tailback his freshman year of high school, but injuries forced him to take a crack at being a quarterback. Smart move.
With the 91st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jason Fox, Tackle, University of Miami
Pass blocking: At least moderate initial quickness, but is inconsistent with his depth on his initial kick-step. May lack the elite lateral quickness and balance to remain at left tackle in the pros. Appears to have the agility to beat the defender to the edge, but too often stops moving his feet and is susceptible to pass-rushers with a second move. Quick, active hands that he uses well to control the defender when he keeps his feet moving.
Run blocking: More consistent with his quickness as a run blocker. Can get out and hook the defensive end to seal the edge. Strong enough to turn his opponent, but isn't a road grader that can consistently drive his opponent off the ball. Quick hands, but has only marginal upper-body strength and hand placement to sustain. (CBSSports.com)
As of now, I'm penciling in Demetrius Bell as my starting right tackle (Yes, I'm moving him from LT), but would be open to Fox having a legit shot at the job in camp.
With the 100th pick in 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sean Lee, Inside linebacker, Penn State.
Lee was at one time a dominant linebacker for Penn State. It was only two years ago that he was being touted as the best linebacker the university had produced in the last five years. Unfortunately for Lee, he tore his knee ligament in the summer of 2008 and was out for the season.
Upon returning, Lee didn't play as well as he did in 2007, when he finished 2nd team all Big Ten, and second on the team with 138 tackles. Lee also has an Outback Bowl MVP on his resume from 2007. Lee has to convince scouts he has NFL-caliber speed and strength. However, the scouts do love his toughness and intelligence.
If Lee can return to what he was prior to his injury, I think he and Paul Posluzny could make for a decent inside linebacker pairing for the years to come. Plus, he'll be able to learn behind Larry Foote his first season, so there won't be a rush to get him on the field.
With the 135th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sam Young, Left Tackle, Notre Dame.
Great things were expected from the Parade All-American from Florida when he came to South Bend, but being the first true freshman ever to start on Notre Dame's offensive line opening weekend was truly a fine accomplishment (first-year players were eligible to play immediately starting in 1972).
All Young has done since is start every game for the Irish. He lined up at right tackle for the first 16 games, then moved to left tackle for 10 contests in 2007 before moving back to the right side for the last two seasons. In 2009, Young helped the Irish become one of the most prolific offenses in the country, rolling up more than 450 yards per game. Though not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the 2010 draft, Young's size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career. (CBSSports.com)
As you can tell, I'm not messing around with the offensive line when it comes to the draft. Young could be a diamond in the rough because the entire offensive line for the Irish was a disaster the last couple of years. Plus, he's use to playing in a pro style offense, which should help his transition to the NFL. My plan is to have either Young or Fox compete for the starting right tackle job with Bell.
With the 167th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Adrian Tracey, Outside linebacker, William & Mary
Honored by five organizations as an All-American in 2009, Tracy established himself as one of the nation's top defensive players and recently competed in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. A With 12 sacks, he equaled the single-season school record established by Luke Cullinane in 1996. Additionally, Tracy ranked sixth in the conference in tackles among defensive linemen with 5.6 per game. His 62.5 tackles for a loss led the nation among all active players, while he ranked third with 31 career sacks - a W&M record. He also started every game of his career (47) en route to establishing a school record. (CBSsports.com)
Tracey played defensive end in college, but his size and shape would be more ideal as an outside linebacker in the pros. He had a pretty good workout at the combine, running in the 4.6-second range in the 40. More importantly, Tracey looked terrific in coverage when working on linebacker drills especially in pass coverage.
Tracey would be the back-up to outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell (Yes, I know..the Bills said he may play inside). If Poz or Foote go down with an injury, I'd be able to move Mitchell to the inside and have Coleman play on the outside.
With the 181st pick of the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Brown, Wide receiver, Central Michigan
Brown finished his career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns and returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. Brown is CMU's all-time leader in receptions and ranks second in Mid-American Conference history.
He is third in school history in receiving yards and second in touchdown receptions. Brown was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2007. Brown caught 102 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2007. In 2008, he caught 93 passes for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown finished 2009 with a school-record 110 receptions for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns.
(CBSSports.com)
In keeping up with selecting duos from the same college, Brown presents a valuable option on special teams for returning kicks for the Bills. Plus, he and LeFevour had great chemistry in college, which should only help the duo develop in the pros. He would be my 5th wide receiver going into training camp.
With the 192nd pick in the NFL Draft, The Buffalo Bills select Al Woods, NT, LSU.
Woods is a hard-working player who should be able to make the transition to NT in the NFL. Woods is blessed with great size and he can also run under 5.1 in the 40-yard dash, a pretty decent clip for a man of his physical stature. He can be effective against both the run and the pass. However, Woods has been battling injuries and is coming off a not so hot year at LSU.
With the 194th pick, the Buffalo Bills select Dedrick Epps, Tight end, University of Miami
Athletic tight end that flashes skills in blocking and catching. Needs to play at a consistently high level but has an upside. Epps plays with a nasty edge and should be a decent third tight end behind Nelson and Watson. The biggest concern is that Epps is coming a ACL injury, but should be good to go by the summer.
And finally, with the 199th pick the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Coleman, OLB, Auburn.
After serving in a backup role in 2006, Coleman developed into one of the SEC's most feared pass-rushers in '07 and '08, earning all-conference accolades both seasons and posting a combined 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Coleman started off slow as a senior, partially tearing a ligament in his wrist that required a cast on his right hand and made it difficult for him to fight through blocks. Once the cast was removed, however, Coleman was a terror -- posting 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final seven games, including the Outback Bowl victory over Northwestern. Despite his slow start, Coleman led the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (10) in 2009 (CBSSports.com)
Size is the biggest question mark for Coleman, as some scouts see him as a tweener. He definitely has a good motor and athletic skills, which should be good for special teams. He's also one tough SOB, as he played part of his senior year with torn ligaments in his wrist.
Lets recap the draft:
1.) 9th Pick- Anthony Davis (Left Tackle)
2.) 25th Pick-Jared Odrik (Defensive End)
3.) 28th Pick-Golden Tate (Wide Receiver)
4.) 41st Pick- Terrence Cody (Nose Tackle)
5.) 72nd Pick-Dan LeFevour** (Quarterback)
6.) 91st Pick-Jason Fox** (Tackle)
7.) 100th Pick-Sean Lee** (Inside Linebacker)
8.) 135th Pick-Sam Young (Tackle)
9.) 167th Pick-Adrian Tracey (Outside Linebacker)
11.) 181st Pick-Antonio Brown (Wide Receiver)
12.) 192nd Pick-Al Woods (Nose Tackle)
13.) 194th Pick-Dedrick Epps** (Tight End)
14.) 199th Pick-Antonio Coleman (Outside Linebacker)
**Picks wouldn't take place if Kevin Kolb is on the team** (read previous articles)
That's it for the draft!!! Wow, that was a lot tougher than I thought. I'll come back with an updated post on what My version of the 2010 Buffalo Bills will look like...It will be a quick post.
Feel free to comment on my picks.
But now we are at the crown jewel of my rebuilding project...The NFL Draft. Everyone knows the back stories of how important the NFL Draft has become. It's without question more important today than what it was 25 years ago. We all know the history of Tom Brady and Mike Williams. We know the history of Whitner over Ngata. We know the history of Bruce Smith over Doug Flute. Yada, yada, yada. We all know that in order to make NFL history it has to start at the draft.
However, I have a little confession to make; I hate the NFL Draft. I just can't stand how everyone grades a team's picks even before they sign their contracts. I also think it's the most over hyped TV event in sports history. For the most part, the majority of your draft picks aren't going to put you over the following year.
I could never understand the need for the combine or measuring your verticals. Hell, I think the combine was invented so the NFL Network could have programming in February. Then to top it off, you have all these draft prognosticators, who for the most part have never had a scouting job in NFL. And if you want to see some of their draft boards, you are going to have to pay to read it (ESPN Insider).
OK, that concludes my rant of the day.
Now, even though the draft can be a little bit of overkill for the build-up, I'm in total agreement that it sets the foundation for your team. I'm not here to tell you whether I think Jimmy Clausen or Bryan Buluga are going to be busts or not. No one really knows, which makes the draft nothing more than a crap shoot. However, the way I'm going to draft players is by finding the best player available. Not exactly Brain surgery, right?
Here's a quick recap about the picks I have: (If your wondering where I got all these picks please read my past articles in this series)
1.) 9th Pick (Bills first round pick)
2.) 25th Pick (Ravens first round pick from the Lee Evans Trade)
3.) 41st Pick (Bills 2nd round pick)
4.) 51st Pick (Texans 2nd round pick from the Aaron Schobel Trade)
5.) 72nd Pick (Bills 3rd round pick)
6.) 91st Pick (Chargers 3rd round pick from the Marshawn Lynch Trade)
7.) 94th Pick (Colts 3rd round pick from the Kyle Williams Trade)
8.) 100th Pick (Redskins 4th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
9.) 135th Pick (Bills 5th round pick)
10.) 167th Pick (Bills 6th round pick
11.) 181st Pick (Eagles 6th round pick from the Jason Peters Trade)
12.) 192nd Pick (Lions 7th round pick from the Ko Simpson Trade)
13.) 194th Pick (Redskins 7th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
14.) 199th Pick (Bills 7th round pick)
DAM! 14 picks!? I have my work cutout. Maybe I should outsource these picks to the draft experts that I just bad mouthed. Now
In the past, I would normally grade drafts on how the team fills their needs with the mindset that all the players picked would eventually contribute to the team. So, I would hope when you grade my draft, you can use that rhetoric when judging it.
Now, I don't know what's going to happen with prospects between now and April. Tim Tebow's new throwing release could make him into a 1st ballot HOF. Dez Bryant could run 4.99 in the 40 and blame it on the turf (like Malcom Kelly did 2 years ago). Terrence Cody could pull a Pizza the Hut and eat himself alive.
I'm sure by the time the draft comes around the corner, the big board will be totally different. So for now, I'm going to pretend the draft is happening today.
So without further adieu. Welcome to the 2010 NFL Draft... Buffalo Bills edition.
With the 9th pick in the first round, the Buffalo Bills select Anthony Davis, Left tackle from Rutgers.
Look, I could have easily given the card to the commissioner that read "The Bills select the best tackle available." It's a forgone conclusion that the Bills are desperate for a tackle.
Davis is a beast at 6'5 and 325lbs. He's a tremendous pass blocking left tackle with outstanding size and growth potential. He Possesses great footwork and the ability to slide laterally off the edge. He also covers a lot of area on the field and effective blocking in motion. (CBS Sports)
Remember all those games we saw last year, where a running back would get hit by two defenders a second after the hand-off? I'm done with seeing that sort of non-sense. Davis has massive wingspan, and his lower body is built for leverage. That sounds like the type of guy who can pave the way for my 1,400 yard rusher.
Now, Davis does have some issues. In 2008, Davis violated team policy and was suspended for one game. This past season, Davis was benched for the first quarter against Army after reporting late to a team function earlier that week. His weight has also been scrutinized after he was demoted for the first six days of training camp this past summer for reporting overweight.
Now, before you all go out and scream, "You idiot! Don't you remember Mike Williams?" Realize that I'm not drafting with the memories of the Bills crappy draft picks. I don't care if there's a good player out there whose from the University of Texas and his initials are T.O.-If he can play, he's coming here. Davis by all accounts can play and there have been players who have been able to grow up after college.
Now if Davis is drafted by the time the Bills pick, I'd select Bryan Buluga or Trent Williams.
With the 25th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jared Odrik, Defensive end from Penn State.
Odrik is an explosive interior blocker that's constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage. More importantly, he can play defensive end in a 3-4. He has the quickness that demands immediate attention from blockers, and he can follow up with a persistent bull rush. He is not agile but used his big, strong hands to control blockers but might need to learn more tricks to remain consistently successful. (CBS Sports)
Look, if nose tackle Dan Williams is available at this spot, I'm running up to the commissioner with his name. But more than likely, Williams is going to be gone by the 25th pick. Now, I definitely would love to add a legit 3-4 nose tackle here. However, Terrence Cody, who many feel is someone the Bills should make a run at in the second round; is a bit of a reach at the 25th pick.
As for Odrik, I think it would be an ideal situation for the Bills to have him play spot duty behind Marcus Stroud and Marcus Spears. Stroud is in the twilight of his career, and probably won't be living up to his high salary after next year. Odrik would be a legit player to come in and be the heir apparent to Stroud. Since Schobel and Kelsay are gone, the Bills need players that are going to be able to rush the passer. My hope is that Odrik can be that pass rusher the Bills can count on for the next ten years.
The Buffalo Bills have traded the rights of their 51st and 94th picks to the New York Jets for the rights to the 29h pick. The Bills select Golden Tate, Wide receiver, Notre Dame
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Joe, why on earth would you trade Lee Evans only to draft a wide receiver in the first round." It's because I firmly believe in trying to build the Bills offense around a younger core. Like I've said before, the Bills are 3-4 years away from doing serious damage and by that time, Evans will more than likely be gone. I happen to really like Golden Tate because he's a diverse talent that can play in the slot or on the outside. He's a good route runner and from what I've heard, an even better team leader.
He's played in a pro style offense, and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver after covering 1,496 yards and scoring 15 times on his 93 receptions. He also carried the ball 25 times for 186 yards and two scores; and returned 12 punts for 171 yards and another score.
The best part about Tate is that he can break tackles and isn't afraid to go over the middle. I think the Bills have missed that dynamic over the last couple of years. I firmly believe if Hardy can meet his expectations, he and Tate could make a very complimentary receiving pair for the next 10 years. Plus, don't forget that I still have Chris Chambers and Benjamin Watson to throw the ball to.
As for why the Jets would want to trade for additional picks, the Jets have only four picks for the entire draft, none from rounds 3-5. (Yes, you may not like the reason, but deals like those have worked)
With the 41st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, Terrence Cody, Nose Tackle, University of Alabama.
Cody is one of the few highly touted legit nose tackles in the draft. Cody is massive at 6'5, 360lbs. His stats aren't going to overwhelm you, but his massive size should result in constant double teams that will only make his fellow lineman and linebackers play much better.
Now, there are some issues about Cody. For one, he's um... kind of big boned, which has a lot of the scouts in the NFL nervous. He doesn't penetrate really well and isn't the type of player whose going to be chasing down Mike Vick, let alone Tom Brady. Now, it should be noted that he lost 16lbs between the Senior Bowl and the Combine, which proves that he's willing to do his best to lose weight. I desperately need a NT and Cody is the best available option at this point.
With the the 72nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Dan LeFevour, Quarterback, University of Central Michigan
Dan LeFevour has all the tools to be a very effective NFL quarterback. He has size at 6'3 and 229lbs. But don't let his size fool you, because he's a quarterback that can run. During his career at Central Michigan, LeFevour put up some mind-numbing numbers. He is the all-time NCAA leader with 149 touchdowns in his career. He's also second in all-time career yardage leader with 15,898 yards. Besides the stats, LeFouver is a pure athlete. Prior to becoming a quarterback, he was actually a tailback his freshman year of high school, but injuries forced him to take a crack at being a quarterback. Smart move.
With the 91st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jason Fox, Tackle, University of Miami
Pass blocking: At least moderate initial quickness, but is inconsistent with his depth on his initial kick-step. May lack the elite lateral quickness and balance to remain at left tackle in the pros. Appears to have the agility to beat the defender to the edge, but too often stops moving his feet and is susceptible to pass-rushers with a second move. Quick, active hands that he uses well to control the defender when he keeps his feet moving.
Run blocking: More consistent with his quickness as a run blocker. Can get out and hook the defensive end to seal the edge. Strong enough to turn his opponent, but isn't a road grader that can consistently drive his opponent off the ball. Quick hands, but has only marginal upper-body strength and hand placement to sustain. (CBSSports.com)
As of now, I'm penciling in Demetrius Bell as my starting right tackle (Yes, I'm moving him from LT), but would be open to Fox having a legit shot at the job in camp.
With the 100th pick in 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sean Lee, Inside linebacker, Penn State.
Lee was at one time a dominant linebacker for Penn State. It was only two years ago that he was being touted as the best linebacker the university had produced in the last five years. Unfortunately for Lee, he tore his knee ligament in the summer of 2008 and was out for the season.
Upon returning, Lee didn't play as well as he did in 2007, when he finished 2nd team all Big Ten, and second on the team with 138 tackles. Lee also has an Outback Bowl MVP on his resume from 2007. Lee has to convince scouts he has NFL-caliber speed and strength. However, the scouts do love his toughness and intelligence.
If Lee can return to what he was prior to his injury, I think he and Paul Posluzny could make for a decent inside linebacker pairing for the years to come. Plus, he'll be able to learn behind Larry Foote his first season, so there won't be a rush to get him on the field.
With the 135th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sam Young, Left Tackle, Notre Dame.
Great things were expected from the Parade All-American from Florida when he came to South Bend, but being the first true freshman ever to start on Notre Dame's offensive line opening weekend was truly a fine accomplishment (first-year players were eligible to play immediately starting in 1972).
All Young has done since is start every game for the Irish. He lined up at right tackle for the first 16 games, then moved to left tackle for 10 contests in 2007 before moving back to the right side for the last two seasons. In 2009, Young helped the Irish become one of the most prolific offenses in the country, rolling up more than 450 yards per game. Though not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the 2010 draft, Young's size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career. (CBSSports.com)
As you can tell, I'm not messing around with the offensive line when it comes to the draft. Young could be a diamond in the rough because the entire offensive line for the Irish was a disaster the last couple of years. Plus, he's use to playing in a pro style offense, which should help his transition to the NFL. My plan is to have either Young or Fox compete for the starting right tackle job with Bell.
With the 167th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Adrian Tracey, Outside linebacker, William & Mary
Honored by five organizations as an All-American in 2009, Tracy established himself as one of the nation's top defensive players and recently competed in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. A With 12 sacks, he equaled the single-season school record established by Luke Cullinane in 1996. Additionally, Tracy ranked sixth in the conference in tackles among defensive linemen with 5.6 per game. His 62.5 tackles for a loss led the nation among all active players, while he ranked third with 31 career sacks - a W&M record. He also started every game of his career (47) en route to establishing a school record. (CBSsports.com)
Tracey played defensive end in college, but his size and shape would be more ideal as an outside linebacker in the pros. He had a pretty good workout at the combine, running in the 4.6-second range in the 40. More importantly, Tracey looked terrific in coverage when working on linebacker drills especially in pass coverage.
Tracey would be the back-up to outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell (Yes, I know..the Bills said he may play inside). If Poz or Foote go down with an injury, I'd be able to move Mitchell to the inside and have Coleman play on the outside.
With the 181st pick of the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Brown, Wide receiver, Central Michigan
Brown finished his career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns and returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. Brown is CMU's all-time leader in receptions and ranks second in Mid-American Conference history.
He is third in school history in receiving yards and second in touchdown receptions. Brown was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2007. Brown caught 102 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2007. In 2008, he caught 93 passes for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown finished 2009 with a school-record 110 receptions for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns.
(CBSSports.com)
In keeping up with selecting duos from the same college, Brown presents a valuable option on special teams for returning kicks for the Bills. Plus, he and LeFevour had great chemistry in college, which should only help the duo develop in the pros. He would be my 5th wide receiver going into training camp.
With the 192nd pick in the NFL Draft, The Buffalo Bills select Al Woods, NT, LSU.
Woods is a hard-working player who should be able to make the transition to NT in the NFL. Woods is blessed with great size and he can also run under 5.1 in the 40-yard dash, a pretty decent clip for a man of his physical stature. He can be effective against both the run and the pass. However, Woods has been battling injuries and is coming off a not so hot year at LSU.
With the 194th pick, the Buffalo Bills select Dedrick Epps, Tight end, University of Miami
Athletic tight end that flashes skills in blocking and catching. Needs to play at a consistently high level but has an upside. Epps plays with a nasty edge and should be a decent third tight end behind Nelson and Watson. The biggest concern is that Epps is coming a ACL injury, but should be good to go by the summer.
And finally, with the 199th pick the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Coleman, OLB, Auburn.
After serving in a backup role in 2006, Coleman developed into one of the SEC's most feared pass-rushers in '07 and '08, earning all-conference accolades both seasons and posting a combined 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Coleman started off slow as a senior, partially tearing a ligament in his wrist that required a cast on his right hand and made it difficult for him to fight through blocks. Once the cast was removed, however, Coleman was a terror -- posting 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final seven games, including the Outback Bowl victory over Northwestern. Despite his slow start, Coleman led the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (10) in 2009 (CBSSports.com)
Size is the biggest question mark for Coleman, as some scouts see him as a tweener. He definitely has a good motor and athletic skills, which should be good for special teams. He's also one tough SOB, as he played part of his senior year with torn ligaments in his wrist.
Lets recap the draft:
1.) 9th Pick- Anthony Davis (Left Tackle)
2.) 25th Pick-Jared Odrik (Defensive End)
3.) 28th Pick-Golden Tate (Wide Receiver)
4.) 41st Pick- Terrence Cody (Nose Tackle)
5.) 72nd Pick-Dan LeFevour** (Quarterback)
6.) 91st Pick-Jason Fox** (Tackle)
7.) 100th Pick-Sean Lee** (Inside Linebacker)
8.) 135th Pick-Sam Young (Tackle)
9.) 167th Pick-Adrian Tracey (Outside Linebacker)
11.) 181st Pick-Antonio Brown (Wide Receiver)
12.) 192nd Pick-Al Woods (Nose Tackle)
13.) 194th Pick-Dedrick Epps** (Tight End)
14.) 199th Pick-Antonio Coleman (Outside Linebacker)
**Picks wouldn't take place if Kevin Kolb is on the team** (read previous articles)
That's it for the draft!!! Wow, that was a lot tougher than I thought. I'll come back with an updated post on what My version of the 2010 Buffalo Bills will look like...It will be a quick post.
Feel free to comment on my picks.
Posted by Joe Pinzone
in NFL Blog: The view from the End Zone
at
11:34
| Comments (0)
| Trackbacks (0)
Thursday, March 4. 2010
Buffalo Sabres Trades: Will Raffi Torres Make A Difference?
By Joe Pinzone
Well, Darcy Regier has done the unthinkable. He's actually improved the Buffalo Sabres via the trade deadline...and he did it with a rental. Torres automatically becomes the Sabres top scorer on the stats sheet, and gives the team some muscle with a little bit of a scoring touch. As for sending Nathan Paetsch and a 2nd rounder, it doesn't seem that much to give up.
To be frank, I don't know what the Blue Jackets were thinking in giving up Raffi Torres for garbage like Paetsch and a 2nd rounder. Now Torres is a good player, not a great one, but he's definitely an upgrade over MacArthur. I just wrote the longest blog ever and boasted about Darcy's greatest accomplishments have been his deadline deals. Lets hope that Torres works out like Steve Heinze did. That's all I've been asking for.
As for MacArthur, I actually didn't hate him as much as everybody else did. But this move was long overdue. The guy took too many nights off and he had obviously run his course with Ruff. You know Lindy, you better play both ways or not at all. Clarke didn't get that.
Now, I still think Regier could have been more active. Sorry, but I don't want to hear about the state of the market. You can only get away with the market excuse once in a while. Darcy has overused the excuse way too many times over the years.
I don't get why Toni Lydman is still on the team because he's going to be good as gone for next year. I don't know about you, but I don't think Ryan Miller is going to run into Darcy's office and beg for Lydman to stay on the team. Since Darcy loves the draft more than Corporal Klinger, I would have thought they could have gotten at least a draft pick for him.
The biggest thing that I don't understand from Regier is that he keeps talking about how all these kids from Portland are NHL ready. Then why on earth is Adam Mair still playing and not Tyler Ennis? Forget guys like Ellis and Mair that play five minutes a game. Why not get some of those kids (That you've been praising) actual NHL playing time. Oh, and Darcy, if you're going to say that it's going to be the summer of changes with the Sabres, it better not consist of signing Steve Montador-version 2.0. I'm marking those words down, my friend.
As for keeping the top 6 forwards in tap...Eh. I still think before next season the Sabres have to address a guy like Roy or Stafford. I know they act as if their top 6 forwards are their version of the Edmonton Oilers of the 80's. However, like MaCarthur, these guys just haven't come around to play effective for all 82 games. Plus, the passivity of the top 6 forwards just irks the hell out of me. I don't know what makes the Sabres front office think that Roy is all of a sudden going to see the light and stop being a freelancer on the ice. He hasn't proven he can play in Ruff's system and he's not going to change.
As for Darcy...still not a fan. I think he completely overvalues his top 6 forwards. He has built a mostly soft team through his vision, without consulting Lindy Ruff's system of rugged forechecking. I also don't like the fact that the teams around the Sabres have gotten extremely better. Hell, the Caps who are light years away from the competition in the East aren't satisfied. Makes me think back to the 05-07 years, when Darcy didn't really feel fit to make the team better. Yeah, I know...get over it, and Hossa never guided the Penguins to the Cup.
Even still, I'd like to think that with Ryan Miller in net, Regier could have at least given up youth for effective players. Miller is your wild card here. As long as he plays like this the Sabres shouldn't be on the outside looking in for the next 7 years. BTW- I'm still waiting for that email about a deadline deal where the seller ripped off the buyer.
But, I do understand what Darcy is trying to build. He's building the team through youth and drafting. "His" way is extremely boring and makes me want to punch a wall. I guess you have to admire his moxie for sticking to his plan when everyone else questions it. I still think the general public has overrated his ability to scout talent. There have been times when I think Darcy uses his prospects as a crutch to not make moves. I'll say this, those guys he's been touting in Portland better be as good as they have been advertised. If one or two of them become Tyler Myers types I'll be eating crow. However, if Ennis becomes Derek Roy...not even the biggest Regier apologist will have a leg to stand on.
All in all, it wasn't a great deadline day, but it was a lot better than what I had envisioned in the morning. Still, the Sabres will lose in the first round if they play the Penguins regardless of this trade.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
Well, Darcy Regier has done the unthinkable. He's actually improved the Buffalo Sabres via the trade deadline...and he did it with a rental. Torres automatically becomes the Sabres top scorer on the stats sheet, and gives the team some muscle with a little bit of a scoring touch. As for sending Nathan Paetsch and a 2nd rounder, it doesn't seem that much to give up.
To be frank, I don't know what the Blue Jackets were thinking in giving up Raffi Torres for garbage like Paetsch and a 2nd rounder. Now Torres is a good player, not a great one, but he's definitely an upgrade over MacArthur. I just wrote the longest blog ever and boasted about Darcy's greatest accomplishments have been his deadline deals. Lets hope that Torres works out like Steve Heinze did. That's all I've been asking for.
As for MacArthur, I actually didn't hate him as much as everybody else did. But this move was long overdue. The guy took too many nights off and he had obviously run his course with Ruff. You know Lindy, you better play both ways or not at all. Clarke didn't get that.
Now, I still think Regier could have been more active. Sorry, but I don't want to hear about the state of the market. You can only get away with the market excuse once in a while. Darcy has overused the excuse way too many times over the years.
I don't get why Toni Lydman is still on the team because he's going to be good as gone for next year. I don't know about you, but I don't think Ryan Miller is going to run into Darcy's office and beg for Lydman to stay on the team. Since Darcy loves the draft more than Corporal Klinger, I would have thought they could have gotten at least a draft pick for him.
The biggest thing that I don't understand from Regier is that he keeps talking about how all these kids from Portland are NHL ready. Then why on earth is Adam Mair still playing and not Tyler Ennis? Forget guys like Ellis and Mair that play five minutes a game. Why not get some of those kids (That you've been praising) actual NHL playing time. Oh, and Darcy, if you're going to say that it's going to be the summer of changes with the Sabres, it better not consist of signing Steve Montador-version 2.0. I'm marking those words down, my friend.
As for keeping the top 6 forwards in tap...Eh. I still think before next season the Sabres have to address a guy like Roy or Stafford. I know they act as if their top 6 forwards are their version of the Edmonton Oilers of the 80's. However, like MaCarthur, these guys just haven't come around to play effective for all 82 games. Plus, the passivity of the top 6 forwards just irks the hell out of me. I don't know what makes the Sabres front office think that Roy is all of a sudden going to see the light and stop being a freelancer on the ice. He hasn't proven he can play in Ruff's system and he's not going to change.
As for Darcy...still not a fan. I think he completely overvalues his top 6 forwards. He has built a mostly soft team through his vision, without consulting Lindy Ruff's system of rugged forechecking. I also don't like the fact that the teams around the Sabres have gotten extremely better. Hell, the Caps who are light years away from the competition in the East aren't satisfied. Makes me think back to the 05-07 years, when Darcy didn't really feel fit to make the team better. Yeah, I know...get over it, and Hossa never guided the Penguins to the Cup.
Even still, I'd like to think that with Ryan Miller in net, Regier could have at least given up youth for effective players. Miller is your wild card here. As long as he plays like this the Sabres shouldn't be on the outside looking in for the next 7 years. BTW- I'm still waiting for that email about a deadline deal where the seller ripped off the buyer.
But, I do understand what Darcy is trying to build. He's building the team through youth and drafting. "His" way is extremely boring and makes me want to punch a wall. I guess you have to admire his moxie for sticking to his plan when everyone else questions it. I still think the general public has overrated his ability to scout talent. There have been times when I think Darcy uses his prospects as a crutch to not make moves. I'll say this, those guys he's been touting in Portland better be as good as they have been advertised. If one or two of them become Tyler Myers types I'll be eating crow. However, if Ennis becomes Derek Roy...not even the biggest Regier apologist will have a leg to stand on.
All in all, it wasn't a great deadline day, but it was a lot better than what I had envisioned in the morning. Still, the Sabres will lose in the first round if they play the Penguins regardless of this trade.
Read more of Joe at Joe in NYC
