OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

[BuffaloRanger]

Seriously. All you guys that think the Bills should focus on Defense in the draft first are crazy.

Who are the Bills OTs?

Bell? 7th rd project coming off an up and down year. Oh and rehabbing a torn knee.

Meredith? Former Green Bay Practice Squad player. Showed "some" potential.

Chambers? Journeyman backup at best.

Scott? Cut by the Lions after 0-16 season. Played decent last year.


I realize we are shifting to a 3-4 and need additional personnel. But look at that list above? Those are all depth guys. There's no way a mid round OT could come in and be anything more then the a project in his first season.

The Oline has to be fixed with legitimate starters. Not much there in FA. it has to be early in the draft. If the Bills don't go OT at #9 - becuase the top guys are gone - they have to go OT, OT in the 2nd and 3rd.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

... Duh? It was also priority last year... Do we need Defense early? Yes, but not first round early. If Suh falls by some grace of God? Then it's a no brainer. If Bell is healthy? Pick up an OT anyways, and Chambers isn't a halfbad RT if you don't remember.

Also, what good would it be to have an offensive line that is 2 sophomores, two rookies on the outsides and the only solid piece of the puzzle stuck in the middle fighting single coverage with elite NT's? I say we make a strong case for McNeill out of San Diego, at least giving us some solid tackle play, whereas the RT can be a project as opposed to the entire damn line. 2 OT's in the first three rounds is asinine.

[SABURZFAN]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

this team has more holes than just the OL. i wouldn't be surprised if they go after a T before the draft rolls around.

[JCBills]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

To say Scott played decent shows me you don't know what you're talking about on this one, he was flat out terrible.

[BuffaloRanger]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

I am all for going after a RFA OT. But two early round picks at OTs would be better then what we currently have.

And Hargrove, what's your point about starting rookies at OT? The rookie OGs outplayed Hangartner last year.

Just imagine for a minute a team who's strength was it's Offensive Line. Now imagine it was Buffalo. Wow. Avearge QBs play better with more time. RBs run better with more holes. WRs have more time to break free.

A dominant OL equals a Top 15 offensive for sure.

[BuffaloRanger]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

To say Scott played decent shows me you don't know what you're talking about on this one, he was flat out terrible.

I was being "kind". Point is none of them should be penciled in as starters going into the season.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

I am all for going after a RFA OT. But two early round picks at OTs would be better then what we currently have.

And Hargrove, what's your point about starting rookies at OT? The rookie OGs outplayed Hangartner last year.

Just imagine for a minute a team who's strength was it's Offensive Line. Now imagine it was Buffalo. Wow. Avearge QBs play better with more time. RBs run better with more holes. WRs have more time to break free.

A dominant OL equals a Top 15 offensive for sure.

In no way do I disagree with you that a top 15 offensive line. I'm just a little skeptic and nervous of having a mediocre QB with two rookies protecting his blind side/front side. To be completely honest I think that Freddy and Marshawn could be put behind 16 year olds and still come up with yards, but with receivers that can't get open and a QB that can't make up his mind in allotted time... I dunno, just gets to me.

I think you would agree that a solid vet on a very young line would be a big plus for this team.

[Oaf]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

To say Scott played decent shows me you don't know what you're talking about on this one, he was flat out terrible.

Indeed. Meredith >= Chambers > Ramsey > future UDRFA-turned-starting-LT > Scott

[JCBills]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

Here's a look at last year's OTs:

OT:

Demetrius Bell:

8 GP
8 GS
Snaps: 472

8 Penalties
5 Sacks Allowed
7 QB Hits Allowed
18 QB Pressures Allowed

Jonathan Scott:

10 GP
8 GS
Snaps: 489

6 Penalties
10 Sacks Allowed
1 QB Hit Allowed
13 QB Pressures Allowed

Kirk Chambers:

14 GP
9 GS
Snaps: 588

5 Penalties
7 Sacks Allowed
4 QB Hits Allowed
11 QB Pressures Allowed

Jamon Meredith:

8 GP
4 GS
Snaps: 251

0 Penalties
1.5 Sacks Allowed
4 QB Hits Allowed
1 QB Pressure Allowed

Brad Butler:

2 GP
2 GS
Snaps: 84

0 Penalties
1 Sack Allowed
1 QB Hit Allowed
1 QB Pressure Allowed

Andre Ramsey:

2 GP
0 GS
Snaps: 43

2 Penalties
0 Sacks Allowed
0 QB Hits Allowed
1 QB Pressure Allowed

[ServoBillieves]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

Sooo Meredith and Bell are apparently the only 2 worthy of starting with what's on the team right now...

[TacklingDummy]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

Many elite linemen are found in the later rounds of the draft, not so much for QB's.

[SABURZFAN]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

Sooo Meredith and Bell are apparently the only 2 worthy of starting with what's on the team right now...

which is why they'll get somebody from FA, at a small cost, and call it upgrading the position.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

which is why they'll get somebody from FA, at a small cost, and call it upgrading the position.

Langston Walker here we come!

[tampabay25690]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

To say Scott played decent shows me you don't know what you're talking about on this one, he was flat out terrible.

Now you dont know what you are talking about.
Scott was not the weakest player on our line more of a RT then LT but he was asked to do alot last year.....
I like him at RT.......

[JCBills]

Re: OLINE has to be the #1 Draft Priority

Now you dont know what you are talking about.
Scott was not the weakest player on our line more of a RT then LT but he was asked to do alot last year.....
I like him at RT.......

Just because you like him doesn't change the fact that he's a backup at best.