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*No im not saying this season is over or that we wont make the playoffs, just simply some thoughts about the direction of the team.
I dont think anyone will argue the importance of this offseason. Going into year 3 this is easily our most crucial offseason and draft if we are to turn the corner. And I will say that generally apart from the 1st round I think Levy has done a great job putting young talent on this team. I liked the Dockery signing and while I am sure there are a bunch of "Well id have liked it better if we signed......." But the past is the past and im not gonna dwell on it.
This year id really like for us to sign really only 3-4 guys via FA. We dont need to go on a shopping spree, and a WR, maybe a DLman and a few depth guys id be happy with. To me signing a #2 WR via FA has to be a priority.
Id like Marv to focus more heavily on signing our guys to extensions. Evans, parrish, Hargrove, Jackson maybe Greer....etc. Keeping the team together and the core group of youngsters for the long term has got to be a primary focus.
Offensivley I feel like building a potent attack really isnt that far off. Yes yes I know we need this and that and everything in between to some people. What the Bills need depends almost solely on which fan you ask. Im actually in favor of keeping the line together with a small exception stolen from Draftboy. I think we are set in most place and feel we can upgrade TE in the draft. Part of our problem has always been size. Bryant johnson is 6-3 and Rucker is 6-7. We give TE two very big targets in the redzone with those two perhaps winning some of those jump balls teams always seem to catch on us. And apart maybe signing a depth player or two we havent gone overboard for anyone player. Most importantly we are young, most everyone is signed, and we have a shot at furthur developing team chemistry.
2008 Offense:
OT: Langston Walker
OG: Jordan Grimes *rookie 2nd
C: Melvin Fowler
OG: Derrick Dockery
OT: Jason Peters
TE: Martin Rucker *rookie 2nd/3rd
WR: Bryant Johnson *FA
WR: Lee Evans
WR: Reed/Parrish
QB: Trent Edwards
RB: Marshawn Lynch/Fred Jackson
The sad reality is I dont believe we will be signing a DE obviously with the contracts our DE's have. And if we draft a guy id say there is a better then average chance its round 3 or later unless someone fell. That said I dont think its unreasonable to think we could sign a 2nd tier DT who wont necessarily be a game changer but certainly an upgrade (and yes Op I know that isnt saying much). Again not a terrible amount of movement and we rely on some draft picks but again I think we improve on this side of the ball without breaking the bank this year or for the future. Drafting a guy like Connor not only gives us a pretty sick young LB corps but doesnt force us to break the bank on Briggs. Williams is a solid DT but his specialty is the pass rush, and assuming McCargo continues his progression it would be a solid compliment.
As far as Williams vs. Starks at DT
**My logic here is Williams is more of a pass rusher. Ten has more cap room then we do and im sure will try and keep the youngster Starks. Starks if im not mistaken plays the same spot as McCargo, and while similar in size Williams is more of a pass rusher. Greenbay seems to be happy with Harrell and Williams ive heard is likely to hit the open market.**
2008 Defense:
DE: Aaron Schobel
DT: John McCargo
DT: Corey Williams *FA
DE: Chris Kelsay
OLB: Angello Crowell
MLB: Paul Posluzny
OLB: Dan Connor *rookie 1st
CB: Terrence McGee
CB: Antoine Cason *rookie (trade up in the 1st or early 2nd) / Greer
SS: Donte Whitner
FS: Ko Simpson/George Wilson
To me the draft is something there is zero room for error. Its clear we have built this team through it the past few years and with the amount of picks we have we have to make them count. Unfortunatley this isnt a terribly deep year at DT and we simply arent in a position to get Ellis or Dorsey. And for where we would be drafting and/or trading up I feel like these are reachable targets. And in the event we gain as high as a 2nd or 3rd as Ingtar mentioned for Losman we obviously are sitting even better.
At the end of the day as I mentioned I dont envision us spending a ton of money, not because ralph is cheap. Because I dont think he is. But more so because I think we are drafting well for the most part and starting to keep a lot of our guys. And god willing Trent works out we all know what franchise QB's cost.
I went the FA route for positions I simply didnt wish to chance to a rookie. Lineman and WR. Grimes being the exception. You cant fix it all in one year but we are getting there in my opinion, and given how young this team is with a good draft this year and a couple signings in FA we are in good shape going forward.
As always thoughts welcome.
I dont think anyone will argue the importance of this offseason. Going into year 3 this is easily our most crucial offseason and draft if we are to turn the corner. And I will say that generally apart from the 1st round I think Levy has done a great job putting young talent on this team. I liked the Dockery signing and while I am sure there are a bunch of "Well id have liked it better if we signed......." But the past is the past and im not gonna dwell on it.
This year id really like for us to sign really only 3-4 guys via FA. We dont need to go on a shopping spree, and a WR, maybe a DLman and a few depth guys id be happy with. To me signing a #2 WR via FA has to be a priority.
Id like Marv to focus more heavily on signing our guys to extensions. Evans, parrish, Hargrove, Jackson maybe Greer....etc. Keeping the team together and the core group of youngsters for the long term has got to be a primary focus.
Offensivley I feel like building a potent attack really isnt that far off. Yes yes I know we need this and that and everything in between to some people. What the Bills need depends almost solely on which fan you ask. Im actually in favor of keeping the line together with a small exception stolen from Draftboy. I think we are set in most place and feel we can upgrade TE in the draft. Part of our problem has always been size. Bryant johnson is 6-3 and Rucker is 6-7. We give TE two very big targets in the redzone with those two perhaps winning some of those jump balls teams always seem to catch on us. And apart maybe signing a depth player or two we havent gone overboard for anyone player. Most importantly we are young, most everyone is signed, and we have a shot at furthur developing team chemistry.
2008 Offense:
OT: Langston Walker
OG: Jordan Grimes *rookie 2nd
C: Melvin Fowler
OG: Derrick Dockery
OT: Jason Peters
TE: Martin Rucker *rookie 2nd/3rd
WR: Bryant Johnson *FA
WR: Lee Evans
WR: Reed/Parrish
QB: Trent Edwards
RB: Marshawn Lynch/Fred Jackson
The sad reality is I dont believe we will be signing a DE obviously with the contracts our DE's have. And if we draft a guy id say there is a better then average chance its round 3 or later unless someone fell. That said I dont think its unreasonable to think we could sign a 2nd tier DT who wont necessarily be a game changer but certainly an upgrade (and yes Op I know that isnt saying much). Again not a terrible amount of movement and we rely on some draft picks but again I think we improve on this side of the ball without breaking the bank this year or for the future. Drafting a guy like Connor not only gives us a pretty sick young LB corps but doesnt force us to break the bank on Briggs. Williams is a solid DT but his specialty is the pass rush, and assuming McCargo continues his progression it would be a solid compliment.
As far as Williams vs. Starks at DT
**My logic here is Williams is more of a pass rusher. Ten has more cap room then we do and im sure will try and keep the youngster Starks. Starks if im not mistaken plays the same spot as McCargo, and while similar in size Williams is more of a pass rusher. Greenbay seems to be happy with Harrell and Williams ive heard is likely to hit the open market.**
2008 Defense:
DE: Aaron Schobel
DT: John McCargo
DT: Corey Williams *FA
DE: Chris Kelsay
OLB: Angello Crowell
MLB: Paul Posluzny
OLB: Dan Connor *rookie 1st
CB: Terrence McGee
CB: Antoine Cason *rookie (trade up in the 1st or early 2nd) / Greer
SS: Donte Whitner
FS: Ko Simpson/George Wilson
To me the draft is something there is zero room for error. Its clear we have built this team through it the past few years and with the amount of picks we have we have to make them count. Unfortunatley this isnt a terribly deep year at DT and we simply arent in a position to get Ellis or Dorsey. And for where we would be drafting and/or trading up I feel like these are reachable targets. And in the event we gain as high as a 2nd or 3rd as Ingtar mentioned for Losman we obviously are sitting even better.
At the end of the day as I mentioned I dont envision us spending a ton of money, not because ralph is cheap. Because I dont think he is. But more so because I think we are drafting well for the most part and starting to keep a lot of our guys. And god willing Trent works out we all know what franchise QB's cost.
I went the FA route for positions I simply didnt wish to chance to a rookie. Lineman and WR. Grimes being the exception. You cant fix it all in one year but we are getting there in my opinion, and given how young this team is with a good draft this year and a couple signings in FA we are in good shape going forward.
As always thoughts welcome.
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