Gil Brandt: Bills targeting a DE other than Ayers at #11

[Ickybaluky]

The Giants Blog in the NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/first-round-tips-from-gil-bran.html) has some draft info from Gil Brandt, the longtime Cowboys front-office man who still has pretty good connections in the NFL. He lists 10 tips Brandt has about the upcoming NFL draft, including a note about Buffalo.

Apparently, this pre-dates the Peters deal so it could have changed, but apparently Brand thinks:


The Buffalo Bills are targeting a DE with the 11th pick (and not Tennessee DE Robert Ayers, by the way). They are also pretty high on Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew, but aren’t likely to take him unless they trade down a few spots. (Important note: Things have obviously changed a little since then, since the Bills acquired a second first-round pick from Philadelphia in the Jason Peters trade. Now the Bills have both the 11th and 28th pick. Of course, they also have an obvious need for a tackle).

[The Spaz]

Everette Brown.

[Mitchell55]

Trade down to 18 and get the Broncos Sheffler and a 4th/5th

[Slim]

I'm going to spam the his inbox until he tells me who.

[Commissioner]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.

[EDS]

If that is true, my guess is Maybin. May(bin) the front office realizes they need a pass rush?

[Mitchell55]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.


Maybin is better

[EDS]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.

I think he is the opposite of a Kelsay type due to his superior quickness and athletic ability.

[Nighthawk]

I think it will be Brown...he's the best pass rusher in the draft and is a very high character guy.

[Philagape]

Let it be Brown

[baalworship]

Robert Ayers > Everette Brown and Maybin

[Dr. Lecter]

Brown or Orakpo please. Not Maybin.

[Nighthawk]

Robert Ayers > Everette Brown and Maybin

No, no he isn't. Just because Mike Mayock says it doesn't make it true. He also had Whitner rated high when he came out...how's that turned out???

[Mahdi]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.
Maybin is an athletic freak. Nothing like Kelsay. He has the fastest first step of all the DEs, fastest 10 yard split of all the DEs and he gets to the QB very well.

12 sacks and 4 FF.

[Big Frank]

Tyson Jackson, LSU

[psubills62]

Maybin is an athletic freak. Nothing like Kelsay. He has the fastest first step of all the DEs, fastest 10 yard split of all the DEs and he gets to the QB very well.

12 sacks and 4 FF.

I don't like Maybin as a fit for us at all, but there's no way he's another Kelsay. The guy is quick as anything. Honestly, the guy has deceptive speed as there were times where I thought he was taken out of a play completely, but suddenly he's sacking the QB...just a great athlete all-around.

[justasportsfan]

THe bills in recent years haven't drafted OLmen high in the draft and I expect them to continue with that mentallity. With all the talk about trading away another mistake in Kelsay, I now think we're going DE with our first pick.

[THATHURMANATOR]

We have pick 11 by the way

[kernowboy]

I hope its Everette Brown as I think he is the kind of fireplug this team and this fan base need.

[bigbub2352]

Tyson Jackson, LSU

i got a bad feeling ur right

[yordad]

Yeah, they don't have #13.

[Mahdi]

Tyson Jackson, LSU
He would be a DT in our scheme. He doesn't get to the QB enough to be a DE in a cover 2. He is a DE in a 3-4 though easily.

[soapman]

Maybin is an athletic freak. Nothing like Kelsay. He has the fastest first step of all the DEs, fastest 10 yard split of all the DEs and he gets to the QB very well.

12 sacks and 4 FF.

And he's black...

[T-Long]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.
Have you ever seen Maybin play before? I am a big Nittany Lion fan and this guy is a BEAST at rushing the passer. He can be a 4-3 DE or an Sam Linebacker. Just because he only had one year of production, that was based on Maurice Evans suspension. The guy never got the chance beside this past season. So, is Mark Sanchez going to be a top 10 pick? Yes. But he only has 16 starts under his belt. Who gives a ****. These guys have been playing football their entire lives. If Maybin is the pick, I will be very happy. You will all jump aboard the Maybin train once he is sacking Brady like he's his *****. Hopefully, there will still be room for you.

[Raptor]

Maybin all the way

[PromoTheRobot]

The Giants Blog in the NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/first-round-tips-from-gil-bran.html) has some draft info from Gil Brandt, the longtime Cowboys front-office man who still has pretty good connections in the NFL. He lists 10 tips Brandt has about the upcoming NFL draft, including a note about Buffalo.

Apparently, this pre-dates the Peters deal so it could have changed, but apparently Brand thinks:

And in other news...The sky is blue...water is wet...film at 11.

PTR

[circlethewagons]

I just read that article and I find this the most interesting:


• LSU DE Tyson Jackson will go in the Top 5. Not might. Will. This qualified as the biggest shocker, to me, since almost every mock draft I looked at pegged Jackson to be a mid- to late first-rounder at best. I thought the Top 5 was pretty locked in, too. But, of course, I shouldn’t have doubted Mr. Brandt. I asked around after the show to see if I could confirm it, and sure enough one NFL source I know did tell me he’s heard the Kansas City Chiefs might take Jackson at No. 3, or trade down and take him a few picks later.

That would be a shock to me, isn't he considered a mid to late 1st rounder? Probly just a smoke screen

[Mike]

Trade down to 18 and get the Broncos Sheffler and a 4th/5th

That would be the smart thing to do...

[blackonyx89]

Maybin is better

Maybin he is, Maybin he's not. Bad joke, but I had to say it!
:biggrin:

[Michael82]

I hope to God that it's Everette Brown! He'd be the best pass rusher that the team has had since Bruce Smith. :drool:

:pray:

[baalworship]

No, no he isn't. Just because Mike Mayock says it doesn't make it true. He also had Whitner rated high when he came out...how's that turned out???


Everette Brown has a lot of red flags for me. I don't want a 6'1" DE who can't get any bigger and who many people are saying could be available at 20 or later picked by the Bills at 11.

Also the record of Florida State DEs in the NFL sucks.

No give me the guy over 270 lbs who came on strong against the best competition and whose fast rise reminds me of Kevin Williams when he came out.

[TigerJ]

If it's not Ayers, then I don't think it's Jackson. Ayers can play on either end of the line, Jackson is locked into the left side. I think Ayers has more pass rush ability. If it's not Ayers, then I think it mus be a pass rushing specialist. Since most think Orakpo will be gone and Chris Brown has steered fans away from Orakpo, I'm guessing it's either Everett Brown or Aaron Maybin I have no feeling about which one the Bills might prefer. Brown is shorter, but has ample production in college and is more developed than Maybin. Maybin has a little better height and maybe some growth potential. He's got that terrific first step but has a very short college resume, is consequently less polished. Both are brimming with confidence, both have a good reputation regarding character and work ethic.

[Tatonka]

Robert Ayers > Everette Brown and Maybin

based on the 3 sacks he got last year?

by the way, all three of his sacks last year came when he was playing DT, not DE, per gill brandt.

[baalworship]

based on the 3 sacks he got last year?

by the way, all three of his sacks last year came when he was playing DT, not DE, per gill brandt.


Gil Brandt has Ayers, Maybin, and Brown all ranked in the 11-20 range in this draft so which one you want the Bills to take is personal preference. I prefer Ayers because the other players are too small for my liking.

Brown is 6'1'' and it is said his frame cannot put on any weight and he could struggle in the NFL against the run. Maybin's playing weight was around 230 lbs! I am sorry but that scares the hell out of me.

Mayock might be his most vocal supporter but there are many NFL GM's that have Ayers ranked really high. When I hear that this guy reminds people of Justin Tuck and has gone up against the best competition and looked the part then I am all about it.

[Slim]

I'm having a very hard time getting excited about Ayers or Jackson. I'd hate the Tyson Jackson pick.

[Nighthawk]

I know I stated that I thought it would be Brown earlier in the thread, but like I posted a few weeks ago, I think it's definitely between Maybin and Brown and my gut tells me it's Maybin. I'd prefer Brown who has a little better resume at this point. However, I think it's Maybin because you've heard nothing related to the Bills about this guy except Mock Drafts. That is usually a really good sign this team is interested in that player.

[Nighthawk]

I'm having a very hard time getting excited about Ayers or Jackson. I'd hate the Tyson Jackson pick.

If they pick either of those players, it would be as stupid as picking Pettigrew at that position.

[X-Era]

I know I stated that I thought it would be Brown earlier in the thread, but like I posted a few weeks ago, I think it's definitely between Maybin and Brown and my gut tells me it's Maybin. I'd prefer Brown who has a little better resume at this point. I think it's Maybin because you've heard nothing related to the Bills about this guy except Mock Drafts. That is usually a really good sign this team is interested in that player.

Why do you say that?

We telegraphed liking Losman, Winfield, Clements, Evans, and Lynch I think.

[Nighthawk]

Why do you say that?

We telegraphed liking Losman, Winfield, Clements, Evans, and Lynch I think.

No, they didn't. Nobody expected them to trade back for Losman and nobody knew they'd pick Lynch, in fact there was plenty of doubt they'd take a RB in the 1st round that year. Nobody ever linked this team to Whitner...or McCargo. It's a pattern...

[X-Era]

No, they didn't. Nobody expected them to trade back for Losman and nobody knew they'd pick Lynch, in fact there was plenty of doubt they'd take a RB in the 1st round that year. Nobody ever linked this team to Whitner...or McCargo. It's a pattern...

Pretty sure your wrong on Losman... Im pretty sure they made comments about how much they liked him, Lynch as well.

[Mad Bomber]

Trade down to 18 and get the Broncos Sheffler and a 4th/5th
As nice as that sounds, it's tough to trade down in the VERY few minutes they give you on draft day.

I'd love to see it though.

Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen.

[yordad]

No, no he isn't. Just because Mike Mayock says it doesn't make it true. He also had Whitner rated high when he came out...how's that turned out???What safety in that draft came out better?

[Nighthawk]

What safety in that draft came out better?

That's not the point and neither turned out...if you want the truth.

[Nighthawk]

Pretty sure your wrong on Losman... Im pretty sure they made comments about how much they liked him, Lynch as well.

Trust me, I live for draft day and there was zero indication that the Bills would trade back into the 1st for Losman...nobody thought they'd do that. Of course many on this board expected the Bills to draft Lynch, but they did not give much indication that they would do it...especially because of his character issues. How funny is that...there were worries about character with Lynch...go figure!

[Mad Bomber]

We have pick 11 by the way
C'mon, Thurm, stop making sense. 11, 13 , what's the difference?

[yordad]

I agree with Nighthawk about the Bills predraft MISinformation. But, I believe it was said the Bills scheduled a private workout with Maybin. That is what makes me think it might be Brown (if it is a DE).

[Nighthawk]

I agree with Nighthawk about the Bills predraft MISinformation. But, I believe it was said the Bills scheduled a private workout with Maybin. That is what makes me think it might be Brown (if it is a DE).

I hope you're right.

[BillsWin]

It is Brown, Maybin or Tyson Jackson. I know for a fact they are high on Brown.

[Nighthawk]

It is Brown, Maybin or Tyson Jackson. I know for a fact they are high on Brown.

I hate to make comparisons because every player is his own player, but he sure reminds me of Dwight Freeney. Just watch him rush the passer and he has the same characteristics. I'd love to have him in a Bills uniform.

Now shhhhhhhhh...stop talking about him or another team might pick him before the Bills!

[kid mickey]

No I am taking a stand and saying Gil Brandt doesn't know squat. You all are in denial of the truth and the truth is Michael Oher will be a Buffalo Bill in about 5 days. Bam. You heard it here first.

[yordad]

No I am taking a stand and saying Gil Brandt doesn't know squat. You all are in denial of the truth and the truth is Michael Oher will be a Buffalo Bill in about 5 days. Bam. You heard it here first.I am pretty sure that wasn't the first time I heard that.

[acehole]

The Giants Blog in the NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/first-round-tips-from-gil-bran.html) has some draft info from Gil Brandt, the longtime Cowboys front-office man who still has pretty good connections in the NFL. He lists 10 tips Brandt has about the upcoming NFL draft, including a note about Buffalo.

Apparently, this pre-dates the Peters deal so it could have changed, but apparently Brand thinks:

Brown = freeny = Bills pick
I like Ayers.

[Nighthawk]

I just read on another board that Gil Brandt was on Sirius Radio tonight and his words were that the Bills want Maybin at #11. Now, I didn't hear this directly, so if anybody else heard this, please confirm. If true, it pretty much confirms my suspicions...

[thenry20]

Has Gil updated his recent remarks yet? I think it'll be OL in the 1st now. It is such a glaring hole now.

[kernowboy]

As I and many have mentioned, I think the first pick will be DE simply because there are some guys who are in the top rank who won't slide.

They will look for OL slightly lower at #28 or #42 because there is so much depth at OT, there could be 8 genuine LT starters who could dress and start on Day1 - J Smith, Monroe, A Smith, Oher, Beatty, Britton, Meredith, and Cadogan.

With such depth, the team will start looking at anything that might make a player a potential bust or underachiever and unfortunately Oher and A Smith have character flags. If they didn't they wouldn't fall out of the Top10. After the problems with Peters, and the ongoing problems with Lynch, Whitner and Simpson, I think the team will go for low maintenance guys with no flags at all.

Reading BuffaloRumblings, Everette Brown is as close to a saint as can be for a defensive end, whilst Cadogan's flag is that he loves music and singing. And that comes from their own coaches and the bloggers who follow their college teams.

What we do need is DE, TE, WLB and OL help but I think fans are focusing so much on one area, that they forget that there are four need areas for upgrading. As I have put in a mock, if we were to draft -

#11 Everette Brown
#28 James Laurinaitis
#42 Gerald Cadogan

and trade a fourth for Tony Scheffler

We have draft four low maintenance, high effort guys with immediate starting skills. For example, fans say Laurinaitis has never taken a single play off in his entire college career.

Fans have concerns about Laurinaitis but I have read a Buckeye scouting report where they think he would be a better WLB in the league and in fact be a great complimenting linebacker to Poslusny. I would not be unhappy at all about drafting 'Little Animal' as I think he, Pos and Mitchell, would soon be known as the 'Legion of Doom' around the league.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

I would not be unhappy with Brown or Maybin, although I have a slight preference for Maybin. I have more serious reservations about Ayers.

I know Maybin is a "one year wonder" and not as polished as Brown, but I give him a slight edge for three reasons: 1.) you can't teach quickness--Maybin has a quicker first step and, if he puts on weight the right way, he will still be able to maintain it; 2.) neither has ideal size, but it is easier to put on weight than to add height--Maybin will never play at 270, but can get to 255-260 without losing quickness and be a force; Brown will never be 6'4"; 3.) I saw how Maybin continued to play hard against USC right to the end and was able to put pressure on Sanchez against a good O-line. Brown is very good, though.

I know that the Bills like SEC players and saw Ayers' coming out party at the Senior Bowl, but I have to question why we didn't see any of that when he was with Tennessee. OK, so he was double-teamed. But, if he is going to be an impact player in the NFL, he is going to run into even better double-teams. He may have more size than Brown or Maybin, but I don't see the quickness to make him any better than what the Bills already have.

Because it is harder to find a top pass rusher than it is to even find a top LT, I think the Bills will go for the pass rusher first at # 11. Sure, English or Barwin may be an option at # 28, but I just think that this draft class is deeper at OT than DE. With Bell and the Bills' having been burnt by M.Williams, etc., I think that they will feel that they can pass on a LT at # 11 unless a guy that they love falls into their lap (and I'm not sure that they are in love with one of the guys who is likely to still be on the board there).

I won't be surprised if the Bills take a LT at # 11, but I won't be shocked if they don't, either. I think I will be more surprised if they pass on the DE for an offensive lineman. And, I won't be shocked at all if they trade down a couple of spots. In fact, I would probably be very happy if they could do so, depending on how far they move down.

With Scheffler on the block and Waters asking to be traded or released, I am hoping to see the Bills make at least one draft day trade now that they have the extra 4th round pick to manoever with.

[Night Train]

I just hope it's not Maybin.... i may break my tv if that happens.

He seems like another high motor Chris Kelsay type that won't be able to get to the QB.

When did Kelsay ever have any pass rush ability even remotely close to Maybin ?

2 completely different animals. That statement makes no sense at all.

[kernowboy]

What does it for me, is I think Brown has experience playning LE in much the same way as Jevon Kearse did despite not being the a typical sized LE. VandenBosch has put on some weight but has often been only 270lbs

Neither Umenyiora nor Kiwanuka tip the scales at over 265lbs whilst while the Feeney/Mathis pairing is also very light.

I can easily see a Schobel/Brown pairing with a bigger WLB also being drafted to help deal with any fall off they might create against the run.

A LB like Cushing or Laurinaitis lining up to help out Brown in run defence solves that issues.

[Mahdi]

No, they didn't. Nobody expected them to trade back for Losman and nobody knew they'd pick Lynch, in fact there was plenty of doubt they'd take a RB in the 1st round that year. Nobody ever linked this team to Whitner...or McCargo. It's a pattern...
I called the Lynch and McCargo picks actually and although I didnt call Whitner I had the Bills taking Huff. Others did as well.

Bills aren't that hard to figure.

[Mahdi]

I would not be unhappy with Brown or Maybin, although I have a slight preference for Maybin. I have more serious reservations about Ayers.

I know Maybin is a "one year wonder" and not as polished as Brown, but I give him a slight edge for three reasons: 1.) you can't teach quickness--Maybin has a quicker first step and, if he puts on weight the right way, he will still be able to maintain it; 2.) neither has ideal size, but it is easier to put on weight than to add height--Maybin will never play at 270, but can get to 255-260 without losing quickness and be a force; Brown will never be 6'4"; 3.) I saw how Maybin continued to play hard against USC right to the end and was able to put pressure on Sanchez against a good O-line. Brown is very good, though.

I know that the Bills like SEC players and saw Ayers' coming out party at the Senior Bowl, but I have to question why we didn't see any of that when he was with Tennessee. OK, so he was double-teamed. But, if he is going to be an impact player in the NFL, he is going to run into even better double-teams. He may have more size than Brown or Maybin, but I don't see the quickness to make him any better than what the Bills already have.

Because it is harder to find a top pass rusher than it is to even find a top LT, I think the Bills will go for the pass rusher first at # 11. Sure, English or Barwin may be an option at # 28, but I just think that this draft class is deeper at OT than DE. With Bell and the Bills' having been burnt by M.Williams, etc., I think that they will feel that they can pass on a LT at # 11 unless a guy that they love falls into their lap (and I'm not sure that they are in love with one of the guys who is likely to still be on the board there).

I won't be surprised if the Bills take a LT at # 11, but I won't be shocked if they don't, either. I think I will be more surprised if they pass on the DE for an offensive lineman. And, I won't be shocked at all if they trade down a couple of spots. In fact, I would probably be very happy if they could do so, depending on how far they move down.

With Scheffler on the block and Waters asking to be traded or released, I am hoping to see the Bills make at least one draft day trade now that they have the extra 4th round pick to manoever with.
Agree with pretty much everything.

I really think unless Andre Smith is available they will hold out on LT till round 3 or 4.

My hope for this draft is that the Bills draft 2 DL with their first 2 picks. Then go TE in the second round. Interior OL in the 3rd and OT and OLB prospects in the 4th.

If the Bills go with Ayers or Tyson Jackson with their #11 then go English or Sidbury at #28 it would be their best draft since 85.

Imagine this DL on first down... Jackson (Ayers) - Stroud - Williams - Schobel

Passing downs --- Sidbury(English) - Stroud - Jackson - Schobel

[Bert102176]

Maybin is better

a tick or flea are better, let's go to the buffalo zoo get some guerillas train them to block and rush the QB Dress them up in Bills Unis and we would be set

[Nighthawk]

I called the Lynch and McCargo picks actually and although I didnt call Whitner I had the Bills taking Huff. Others did as well.

Bills aren't that hard to figure.

You did not call the Bills trading in to the first to get McCargo...get real.