The reason we did not draft a LT early.

[acehole]

http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/06/24/1093706/bills-meredith-ready-to-tackle.html

Just as good as any #2 pick we could have picked up this year.

[ddaryl]

we still could use the competition and depth... but I'm glad someone is stepping up some...

that being said If brohm starts at QB and Medredith starts at LT and we have moderate success this year... boy did we rape some of GB's future

[trapezeus]

the last line where he says he relies on his skill over technique is where the growing pains are going to be. good that he acknowledged that, but let's hopethe new coaches can get him sound technique.

Players at this level can't solely rely on being an athelete. Everyone is an athlete at the NFL level.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

Meredith is getting a good chance to show coaches his answer. He has worked at left tackle with the Bills' starting offense all spring because prospective starter Demetrius Bell is on the sidelines rehabilitating his injured knee. He can't even beat out an injured player, who was a penalty machine last year, on the depth chart? Sorry, but they're screwed.

[ddaryl]

He can't even beat out an injured player, who was a penalty machine last year, on the depth chart? Sorry, but they're screwed.




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Main Entry: pro·spec·tive <INPUT class=au title="Listen to the pronunciation of prospective" onclick="return au('prospe04', 'prospective');" type=button itxtvisited="1">
Pronunciation: \prə-ˈspek-tiv also ˈprä-ˌ, prō-ˈ, prä-ˈ\
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1699
1 : relating to or effective in the future
2 a : likely to come about : expected (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expected) <THE href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%20prospective%20#" target="_blank" benefits (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/) of this law> b : likely to be or become
— pro·spec·tive·ly adverb



Likely to be.... god your reply was pathetic





(http://www.moron.com)

[acehole]

we still could use the competition and depth... but I'm glad someone is stepping up some...

that being said If brohm starts at QB and Medredith starts at LT and we have moderate success this year... boy did we rape some of GB's future

Didnt think of that. Good point.

What we have to take into account is the zone blocking system.
In a zone blocking scheme, fleet-footedness and athletic ability trump size as desirable qualities in offensive linemen. Coordination and technique matter more than muscle in implementing a successful scheme because defensive linemen are often double-teamed at the point of attack. Creating movement on the defensive line is more important than opening a specific hole in the defense. Jackson and spiller are masters in finding the seam. A good running game will open up a good passing game...is the hope.

[HHURRICANE]

He can't even beat out an injured player, who was a penalty machine last year, on the depth chart? Sorry, but they're screwed.

Yeah, all that talk and he acknowledges that Bell will be the starter. Bell, the worst lineman on the team last year.

[madness]

Here's another reason:

Are left tackles overvalued by the NFL? (http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/14677/are-left-tackles-overvalued-by-the-nfl)

When it comes to the high value placed on left tackles, KC Joyner has a loud response.

"O-ver-rated!"

Clap! Clap! Clap, clap, clap!

"O-ver-rated!"

Clap! Clap! Clap, clap, clap!

In a column for ESPN Insider, Joyner (aka the Football Scientist) presents as myth the importance for a great left tackle (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=5318996) to make an offense work.

Joyner's opinion might buoy Buffalo Bills (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf) fans' expectations of their offensive line. The Bills refused to pay two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=6012) last year and for the past two offseasons declined to address the void through free agency. They didn't draft a tackle last spring and waited until the fifth round to take Ed Wang (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=13480) this year.

The other AFC East clubs have a left tackle who has been to at least one Pro Bowl in the past four seasons. Jake Long (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11234) of the Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia) and Matt Light (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2596) of the New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe) have been to two apiece.

Joyner wrote the book "Blindsided: Why the Left Tackle is Overrated and Other Contrarian Football Thoughts" in response to Michael Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3586)' book "The Blind Side," which chronicled the rise of the NFL left tackle juxtaposed with the inspirational story of Michael Oher (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12621), a Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal) first-round pick last year.

Dolphins football operations boss Bill Parcells and general manager Jeff Ireland based their organizations future on the more traditional theory, taking Long first overall ahead of quarterback Matt Ryan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11237).

Joyner states his case by taking a look at how few championship teams have had an elite left tackle. Of the past nine Super Bowl winners, only one featured a first-round pick at left tackle.
There could be many explanations for these incidents, but the Occam's Razor version is that teams are examining the evidence and realizing they don't need an elite left tackle to win. ...

Overall, four of the last nine Super Bowl winners had a left tackle who was drafted in the third round or later. It's not as if these players were lower-round selections who built themselves into elite starters, either, as they had only seven Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro pick in a combined 56 seasons between them. The Patriots won all three Super Bowls with Light at left tackle. They drafted him 48th overall in 2001. His heir apparent, Sebastian Vollmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12626), was considered a reach at 58th overall last year but has proved quality tackles can be found deeper in the draft.

[THATHURMANATOR]

He can't even beat out an injured player, who was a penalty machine last year, on the depth chart? Sorry, but they're screwed.
Probably but this is the optimistic time of the year. We haven't seen them sucking YET!!!

[justasportsfan]

Chances are, he's going to go through growing pains . BUt to say we're screwed is like saying we were screwed the minute we switched an undrafted rookie free agent TE to LT.

[billz83]

The reason we didnt get a LT is because this organization is ******ed! one of the WORST OLINEz in the NFL and this team completely ignored it..thank god my bulls are actually making MOVES..they are showing they actually wanna win unlike the bills.

[JCBills]

Good to see he's at 311 lbs.

[jimbledsoe]

Its a complete dream, but imagine if Meredith can take the starting LT spot this year and we can move Bell to Right, or even vise versa, and they actually play decent. Then we would have a very young line that all have a long time left on there contracts.

That would be fun

[Mr. Pink]

So we didn't draft a LT to start a scrub who was terrible when on the field last year?

Interesting logic.

[mayotm]

So we didn't draft a LT to start a scrub who was terrible when on the field last year?

Interesting logic.About as logical as having multiple favorite NFL teams.

[Goobylal]

Since when was Bell EVER a "prospective starter at LT?" He was handed the starting job days before last season started. He played poorly and then suffered an ACL tear (which takes a year to return to 100% from). Then the coaching staff changed. Does anyone believe that the new coaching staff looked at Bell's performances last year, his injury, and said "he's our starter!" Yeah, not likely.

As for Meredith, he should be a solid LT for the Bills. He's got natural ability and the technique will come.

[BillsWin]

I like Meredith. I thought he'd go second round when he came out for the draft.

[YardRat]

I don't mind not drafting an LT early, especially considering the other spots we were able to fill, but I have to admit I'm a little bit disappointed that we haven't been able to acquire one through FA or trade. I don't have as much faith in Meredith and Bell as some, but if either one end up manning the position I'll be rooting like hell for them to succeed.

[ServoBillieves]

"Last year I came in and I had to learn on the run. This year I get to learn at the same rate as everybody else, so it's a lot easier to adjust to the playbook and learn the calls and get familiar with my teammates."

So we have a "rookie" LT who has the time to learn a playbook and has a "training year" under his belt to acclimate to the NFL.

Quick, throw him under the bus parade.

[acehole]

The reason we didnt get a LT is because this organization is ******ed! one of the WORST OLINEz in the NFL and this team completely ignored it..thank god my bulls are actually making MOVES..they are showing they actually wanna win unlike the bills.

I disagree.

that interior is sick

we got two steals at tackle this year

this scheme is forgiving

we have multiple skill players that will back the blitz off a bit

we are not contending with the qb's we have so this is learning new scheme year.

but to early to tell on the line yet/....eitherway.

[jamze132]

I highly doubt Meredith is the reason we didn't pick a LT early.

[acehole]

I highly doubt Meredith is the reason we didn't pick a LT early.

I am saying he probably grades out close which is why they didnt pick a qb high either.

[acehole]

So we didn't draft a LT to start a scrub who was terrible when on the field last year?

Interesting logic.


No because anything we would have drafted would not have been a leap of an upgrade.

that is very logical.

[Goobylal]

Did anyone see the performances of the 1st round LT's from last year's draft class? It wasn't pretty. And the only guy from it who they talked-up, Vollmer from the Pats, got a lot of help from the TE's and backs.

[jamze132]

I am saying he probably grades out close which is why they didnt pick a qb high either.
Explain how he grades out closely.

[theanswer74]

Buddy Nix told us why we didnt draft a tackle earlier.

“If we take another guy that cant play, now you got 2 that cant play”

[cookie G]

Here's another reason:

Are left tackles overvalued by the NFL? (http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/14677/are-left-tackles-overvalued-by-the-nfl)

When it comes to the high value placed on left tackles, KC Joyner has a loud response.

"O-ver-rated!"

Clap! Clap! Clap, clap, clap!

"O-ver-rated!"

Clap! Clap! Clap, clap, clap!

In a column for ESPN Insider, Joyner (aka the Football Scientist) presents as myth the importance for a great left tackle (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=5318996) to make an offense work.

Joyner's opinion might buoy Buffalo Bills (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf) fans' expectations of their offensive line. The Bills refused to pay two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=6012) last year and for the past two offseasons declined to address the void through free agency. They didn't draft a tackle last spring and waited until the fifth round to take Ed Wang (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=13480) this year.

The other AFC East clubs have a left tackle who has been to at least one Pro Bowl in the past four seasons. Jake Long (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11234) of the Miami Dolphins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia) and Matt Light (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2596) of the New England Patriots (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe) have been to two apiece.

Joyner wrote the book "Blindsided: Why the Left Tackle is Overrated and Other Contrarian Football Thoughts" in response to Michael Lewis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=3586)' book "The Blind Side," which chronicled the rise of the NFL left tackle juxtaposed with the inspirational story of Michael Oher (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12621), a Baltimore Ravens (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal) first-round pick last year.

Dolphins football operations boss Bill Parcells and general manager Jeff Ireland based their organizations future on the more traditional theory, taking Long first overall ahead of quarterback Matt Ryan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11237).

Joyner states his case by taking a look at how few championship teams have had an elite left tackle. Of the past nine Super Bowl winners, only one featured a first-round pick at left tackle.
There could be many explanations for these incidents, but the Occam's Razor version is that teams are examining the evidence and realizing they don't need an elite left tackle to win. ...

Overall, four of the last nine Super Bowl winners had a left tackle who was drafted in the third round or later. It's not as if these players were lower-round selections who built themselves into elite starters, either, as they had only seven Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro pick in a combined 56 seasons between them.

They at least had competent tackles, we don't.




The Patriots won all three Super Bowls with Light at left tackle. They drafted him 48th overall in 2001. His heir apparent, Sebastian Vollmer (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=12626), was considered a reach at 58th overall last year but has proved quality tackles can be found deeper in the draft.

There's a slight difference between drafting a tackle in the 2nd round and drafting in the 5th round...or the 7th round. Vollmer was the 7th tackle drafted in his draft year, Light the 4th. Ours were the 17th (both Bell and JM). That's a slight difference.

In the last ten years the Bills' strategy of relying on the late round diamond in the rough has worked once....Jason Peters, and we got rid of him. They get partial credit for Butler. Along the line, the Dylan McFarland's, Justin Geisinger's, Ben Sobieski's, Aaron Merz' and Terrance Pennington's are now in different occupations.

The problem isn't so much drafting Olinemen in the later rounds, it is using that plan as your Plan A, your Plan B AND your Plan C.

When that strategy has not worked for ten years, I'll repeat that...ten freaking years, it is time to change your strategy.

~~stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

Albert Einstein

[JCBills]

Explain how he grades out closely.

A guy with exceptional athleticism, a year in an NFL weight room, and starting experience in the NFL vs. a guy with exceptional athleticism, no starting experience, and the cost of a pick. Meredith is comparable to some of the top athletic OTs from this past year's class in terms of combine numbers, and his college performance is on par with the majority of them if not all. Still young and able to be coached, that's how.

[acehole]

Explain how he grades out closely.

P r o b a b l y

[acehole]

A guy with exceptional athleticism, a year in an NFL weight room, and starting experience in the NFL vs. a guy with exceptional athleticism, no starting experience, and the cost of a pick. Meredith is comparable to some of the top athletic OTs from this past year's class in terms of combine numbers, and his college performance is on par with the majority of them if not all. Still young and able to be coached, that's how.

God thank you....I thought it was this simple also.

[jamze132]

You guys are hilarious.

[SABURZFAN]

You guys are idiots.



fixed

[Eventually]

I actually like Meredith alot. I think he has the skill set to be a steady Tackle for years to come. He's more left than right, but I think he can easily handle the right side as well, but obviously they are looking at him for the left.

I remember him getting a 2nd grade when he came out, and thought GB got a steal in him.

Thought he played well considering his experience and coming in during the season.

That all said, I would have loved to see him have an opportunity to groom a bit, same goes for bell. This statement is why I am glad we didn't take a tackle early in this draft. But I do wish they would have got somebody who could play 1-2 years while he or bell develops more, don't know who that could've been though.

The "talent' at LT is probably why we didn't go after Brown or Gaither, which could be a mistake but at least we'll give these guys a chance to develop with in game experience.

That all said if there was someway OBD could swing a deal for Mcneil I'd be all for it, then swing bell or meredith our just let them develop behind green, probably taking over for him later on in the year.

[JCBills]

You guys are hilarious.
That's some weak sauce. You asked how they grade closely, I explained fairly simply, then you turn to being dismissive. Bringin a whole lot to the plate there.

[X-Era]

Id be happier if he was the one 2nd year guy starting on our line. But with 3, 2nd year guys starting, we should expect erratic play.

I like the article Madness. I think it points out that you can win with an inexperienced guy or two, but not as many as we have... I think thats a whole different story. The Pats got away with it, with Light, because of the supporting cast and fellow lineman.

Maybe that why we were able to develop Peters... because when he started we had vets starting pretty much across the rest of the line.

[X-Era]

A guy with exceptional athleticism, a year in an NFL weight room, and starting experience in the NFL vs. a guy with exceptional athleticism, no starting experience, and the cost of a pick.
Hes a guy who's developing. I don't think it would have been wrong to draft a highly touted T this past draft. We need the best we can get as soon as possible. Since we wont trade for a stud, that leaves the draft as your only source.


Meredith is comparable to some of the top athletic OTs from this past year's class in terms of combine numbers, and his college performance is on par with the majority of them if not all. Still young and able to be coached, that's how.
I wouldn't go that far.

I assume by saying "college performance", you mean stats.

How many sacks you gave up in college, or how many penalties you had isn't the complete story on how good you are. To me, that why its so hard to judge offensive lineman. You look at feet, ability to kick slide, how they apply leverage, ability to pull, the way they block, can they wall off... None of that shows up in stats directly. Combine numbers can show whether they are athletic or not, speed, size (sometimes exaggerated in Bio's), and strength. But again, that not the full story on a guy either. See Leif Larsen... or dare I say it, Bruce Campbell.

For those reasons, I cant say Meredith ranks as high as say Okung, Williams, or Bulaga. In the games, these guys were better, IMO.

But, Meredith is a decent prospect who should be kept and developed. I don't look at Cornell Green as our long term answer... maybe he can become our RT.

[jamze132]

That's some weak sauce. You asked how they grade closely, I explained fairly simply, then you turn to being dismissive. Bringin a whole lot to the plate there.
Yeah, I totally agree. it's just that the Taliban doesn't allow me too much time to argue ridiculous points right now. Give me another month and I'll be home and will be abale to argue with all you rose-colored glasses wearing homers.

[SABURZFAN]

No because anything we would have drafted would not have been a leap of an upgrade.

that is very logical.


and this is what some people said right after the draft, not two months later. :rolleyes:

[JCBills]

Hes a guy who's developing. I don't think it would have been wrong to draft a highly touted T this past draft. We need the best we can get as soon as possible. Since we wont trade for a stud, that leaves the draft as your only source.


I wouldn't go that far.

I assume by saying "college performance", you mean stats.

How many sacks you gave up in college, or how many penalties you had isn't the complete story on how good you are. To me, that why its so hard to judge offensive lineman. You look at feet, ability to kick slide, how they apply leverage, ability to pull, the way they block, can they wall off... None of that shows up in stats directly. Combine numbers can show whether they are athletic or not, speed, size (sometimes exaggerated in Bio's), and strength. But again, that not the full story on a guy either. See Leif Larsen... or dare I say it, Bruce Campbell.

For those reasons, I cant say Meredith ranks as high as say Okung, Williams, or Bulaga. In the games, these guys were better, IMO.

But, Meredith is a decent prospect who should be kept and developed. I don't look at Cornell Green as our long term answer... maybe he can become our RT.

Not a very good assumption, not sure where you can get college metrics, but those would be nice.

I didn't need an intro course on what to look for in a player, but thanks. Okung, Williams, and Bulaga all had games where they got absolutely rocked. It happens. Some experience + top notch athleticism + doesn't cost a draft pick, to me, weighs out about even with having to spend a pick and groom a rookie, and actually could go smoother with less of an adjustment and less pressure on the player.

[X-Era]

Not a very good assumption, not sure where you can get college metrics, but those would be nice.

I didn't need an intro course on what to look for in a player, but thanks. Okung, Williams, and Bulaga all had games where they got absolutely rocked. It happens. Some experience + top notch athleticism + doesn't cost a draft pick, to me, weighs out about even with having to spend a pick and groom a rookie, and actually could go smoother with less of an adjustment and less pressure on the player.
Unless that player doesn't have the upside that a higher draftee could have.

Maybe Meredith can max out at being a solid starter in the NFL in a few years. Id agree that that may be adequate.

But maybe a guy with more upside maxes out as a Pro-Bowler. On a team that doesn't want to spend a fortune to have a stellar OL, having a player like that could be a very good thing.

As far as metrics, you were the one that claimed Meredith rated so high. I'm just trying to figure out how you came to that conclusion.


Meredith is comparable to some of the top athletic OTs from this past year's class in terms of combine numbers, and his college performance is on par with the majority of them if not all.

[paranoid]

Yeah, I totally agree. it's just that the Taliban doesn't allow me too much time to argue ridiculous points right now. Give me another month and I'll be home and will be abale to argue with all you rose-colored glasses wearing homers.

Stay safe and thanks for your service.

[JCBills]

Unless that player doesn't have the upside that a higher draftee could have.

Maybe Meredith can max out at being a solid starter in the NFL in a few years. Id agree that that may be adequate.

But maybe a guy with more upside maxes out as a Pro-Bowler. On a team that doesn't want to spend a fortune to have a stellar OL, having a player like that could be a very good thing.

As far as metrics, you were the one that claimed Meredith rated so high. I'm just trying to figure out how you came to that conclusion.

Yeah, but no mention of "this guy allowed this many sacks" etc...lol.

From the 2 games I saw him play at guard at SC, he played and moved well. From what I saw him do at tackle in the NFL, he played and moved well. I'm sure he had his struggles in games in college, like I said those top tackle prospects you mentioned had as well. Who's to say Meredith's upside maxes out where? It was hard to grade Meredith coming out because of the move to guard. We're basically arguing opinions, and though those are supposed to be ever-changing, that doesn't look like it's going to happen today.

[Mad Max]

We have garbagemen manning the QB slot, ie noone the Franchise is riding on. So I'm perfectly fine with letting Meredith and Bell get quality OJT this season...regardless of how disagreeable this training will be with the aforementioned scrubbly dubblys calling the signals.

Let's get them ready to protect Locker/Luck,_____ ,down the road.

[X-Era]

Yeah, but no mention of "this guy allowed this many sacks" etc...lol.

From the 2 games I saw him play at guard at SC, he played and moved well. From what I saw him do at tackle in the NFL, he played and moved well. I'm sure he had his struggles in games in college, like I said those top tackle prospects you mentioned had as well. Who's to say Meredith's upside maxes out where? It was hard to grade Meredith coming out because of the move to guard. We're basically arguing opinions, and though those are supposed to be ever-changing, that doesn't look like it's going to happen today.

I totally agree that its often opinion on a player that gets argued, not fact. Its a crapshoot and one teams perception on a player can be multiple rounds different than another. I think its even more difficult when its lineman. I just cant say with certainty that some guy in this years draft is way better than Meredith or vice versa... they are both unproven. To me, though, I think you go after the best possible prospect you can with hopes that it pays off and you get what you thought you were getting when you drafted him.

I'm also not willing to say Meredith is all we need at anything yet. And until he proves otherwise, the search should still be on IMO. Play him, develop him, but keep searching in the meantime... And as I said, the only route we really ever seem to take is the draft... and even then we skip the line usually.

[X-Era]

We have garbagemen manning the QB slot, ie noone the Franchise is riding on. So I'm perfectly fine with letting Meredith and Bell get quality OJT this season...regardless of how disagreeable this training will be with the aforementioned scrubbly dubblys calling the signals.

Let's get them ready to protect Locker/Luck,_____ ,down the road.

Since we did little to address the line in this years draft or free agency, you can bet there will be a significant contingent going into next years draft arguing against Locker or Luck.

[Mad Max]

Since we did little to address the line in this years draft or free agency, you can bet there will be a significant contingent going into next years draft arguing against Locker or Luck.

No doubt. They'll be in for some disappointment though, because as clueless as Wilson and his band of merry morons have been even they wouldn't be stupid enough to pass on a top shelf QB in favor of a LT. LTs don't fill seats, gunslinging QBs do.

Let's just hope Bell or Meredith works out so that the QB doesn't join the fans in taking a seat.

[X-Era]

No doubt. They'll be in for some disappointment though, because as clueless as Wilson and his band of merry morons have been even they wouldn't be stupid enough to pass on a top shelf QB in favor of a LT. LTs don't fill seats, gunslinging QBs do.

Let's just hope Bell or Meredith works out so that the QB doesn't join the fans in taking a seat.
The needs for next years draft will become more apparent as the year goes on. But here's my early take:

OT- I expect to see up and down play from either Bell or Meredith. That will leave this spot in question IMO.

OLB- Probably wont see enough from Torbor or Batten to be convinced were set opposite Maybin, guys like Bruce Carter may be top 10 picks and we could be up there.

QB- I think we are likely to see up and down play no matter who we start. This may be priority #1.

WR- Evans is in a contract year (I think). Update: I checked this and hes signed through 2012.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3622918