Still have lots of holes to fill.

[OpIv37]

I know people aren't going to like this post because they're going to say "Cutting Stevie/Graham/Chandler/Moorman/Dareus will just create another hole," but it's time to face reality that we have holes at these positions even with these guys.

Let's start with Dareus. The guy can play- no doubt. Two major problems, though: even with Dareus playing well, our run D still sucks. And now he keeps getting himself benched for violating team rules. If he's not playing, and the run D sucks when he does play, what good is he?

Next, LB. Kiko slowed down at the end of the year, but I don't see that as a big deal because it happens to a lot of rookies. The NFL season is longer than the college season and they hit a wall. He'll be fine with a full off-season of NFL conditioning. Hughes isn't much against the pass but I do like him as a situational pass rusher. The rest of our Lb's- not so much. Lawson is average, Bradham hasn't really shown me anything. I think this unit is a big reason why our run D sucks so bad.

At DB, well, it kinda depends on what happens with the Byrd situation. I'm not thrilled with Gilmore but I can live with him. McKelvin has stepped up big time and Robey was a nice find. Another shut down corner would be nice but it's a luxury we can't afford at the moment. A Williams has been a nice surprise at S. Leonard and Searcy are solid back-ups but I don't like them as starters. If we keep Byrd, I think this unit is solid.

The OL needs work- that much is obvious. But the WR situation is my biggest concern. Robert Woods looks great. Stevie Johnson will NEVER be reliable enough to be a true number #1 WR. TJ Graham is useless. I haven't been impressed with Goodwin, but unlike Graham, he contributes on ST so I'm ok giving him another shot. I just don't see any way this team succeeds without adding a big target at WR.

TE is a mess. Chandler doesn't pull the antics that Stevie does but he's no more reliable on the field. Lee Smith is a back-up at best and I don't know what to think of Gragg.

QB- I'm giving EJ a rookie pass.

On ST, well, Moorman needs to go. I have all the respect in the world for the guy because he was the only consistently good player for a decade of god-awful Bills football, but time has caught up with him. And we need a real returner. McKelvin makes too many mistakes, and I don't want to risk him on punts as long as he is our number 1 CB (and he is #1, not Gilmore).

I realize this is a long winded post. Here's what I'm trying to say: anyone who pays attention to this team knows we have holes on the OL and at LB. But we also have holes at WR, TE, punter, returner, and on the DL despite having some name players at those positions. This team has a LOT of work to do.

[OpIv37]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

And just to clear one thing up: no, I don't actually expect us to get rid of Dareus, Stevie and Chandler. I'm just saying that those positions are holes even with those guys and this team won't succeed until we improve.

I do expect Moorman to be cut and I want Graham cut- that one could go either way.

[superbills]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

so, reading into this...receiver in Rd 1?

[OpIv37]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

so, reading into this...receiver in Rd 1?

Something has to be done.

And it's frustrating because it shows the incompetence of this FO. In the last two years, we re-signed Stevie, drafted Graham, drafted Woods and Goodwin, and took a flyer on DaRick Rogers, and yet we still suck. It's not lack of effort- it's lack of ability to judge talent.

[superbills]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

Totally with you on this. I think Pettine can find ways to fix the defensive side of the ball, but the lack of talent at WR and the O-line makes the offensive side of things a more pressing need, IMHO.

[YardRat]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

Can't really argue with any of that, all valid points, but...as much as I like Kyle Williams, and as long as this Dareus thing straightens out, it's KW's spot that needs to be upgraded and Kyle needs to relegated to spot/situational duty. Kiko is too light in the ass to man the middle...get a real MLB and kick Alonso outside, and you fix two problems with one move. Hughes has been a tremendous surprise, and Lawson may have been the best LBer on the team...I think he played better than average and is the only guy on the unit that appears to be able to set the edge.

McKelvin played huge at CB, but agree it's time to remove him from punt return duties. I like this unit a lot, but wouldn't mind a vet FA to add to the mix. Screw Byrd, his attitude sucks and he just isn't a good fit for this defense. I don't think he ever really bought into the philosophy completely and spent the season looking for the big-money plays to leverage a bigger contract. You want culture change? Start with him.

Need a G and a T, I like Chandler but as you pointed out he just fubars too many opportunities at the worst times. He has made big plays also, maybe enough to give him another season at least.

I agree on Moorman, too bad, but everybody's time comes eventually. I hope they make a concerted effort to re-sign Carpenter.

[The King]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I don't know what kind of money Golden Tate is going to be after but I'd like the Bills to take a good look at him. Not as a number 1, but he would allow the Bills to spread this offense out.

[The Beef]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I don't know what kind of money Golden Tate is going to be after but I'd like the Bills to take a good look at him. Not as a number 1, but he would allow the Bills to spread this offense out.

Exactly the type of wide out we don't need.

We have the guys in place to spread it out.

We don't have a guy that demands double teams or is just plain out bigger and nastier vs the opposing CB.

[Mace]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

Can't really argue with any of that, all valid points, but...as much as I like Kyle Williams, and as long as this Dareus thing straightens out, it's KW's spot that needs to be upgraded and Kyle needs to relegated to spot/situational duty. Kiko is too light in the ass to man the middle...get a real MLB and kick Alonso outside, and you fix two problems with one move. Hughes has been a tremendous surprise, and Lawson may have been the best LBer on the team...I think he played better than average and is the only guy on the unit that appears to be able to set the edge.

McKelvin played huge at CB, but agree it's time to remove him from punt return duties. I like this unit a lot, but wouldn't mind a vet FA to add to the mix. Screw Byrd, his attitude sucks and he just isn't a good fit for this defense. I don't think he ever really bought into the philosophy completely and spent the season looking for the big-money plays to leverage a bigger contract. You want culture change? Start with him.

Need a G and a T, I like Chandler but as you pointed out he just fubars too many opportunities at the worst times. He has made big plays also, maybe enough to give him another season at least.

I agree on Moorman, too bad, but everybody's time comes eventually. I hope they make a concerted effort to re-sign Carpenter.

Also valid points, but Alonso is going to get bigger from 238 from a pro weight training offseason and they've said he's a workout fiend. I'd look for him to beef up another 10 lbs without losing speed, not exactly a tank size but he's bigger than the anointed Kuechly, same size as Poz though Poz's neck throws you off, close to Fletcher weight, DeMeco Ryans is 248, Patrick Willis 240 and Ray Lewis played at 240. The tanklike Urlacher couldn't keep up with the passing game evolution at 258, and Vontaze Burfict at 255 just doesn't count because he's a specimen.

I think Alonso is right where he belongs.

[OpIv37]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

Exactly the type of wide out we don't need.

We have the guys in place to spread it out.

We don't have a guy that demands double teams or is just plain out bigger and nastier vs the opposing CB.

I'll take Tate as a replacement for Graham but we would still need that big possession WR. Realistically it's not gonna happen because, with Stevie that's too much money tied up in the position.

If there are any takers, I'd trade Stevie, sign Tate then try to find that big WR. But that's wishful thinking- it'll never happen.

[The Jokeman]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

Exactly the type of wide out we don't need.

We have the guys in place to spread it out.

We don't have a guy that demands double teams or is just plain out bigger and nastier vs the opposing CB.

I just think we need a guy who can play on the outside and contribute. Easier said then done but the UFA I like filling this role would be James Jones of the Packers. He's not great but think he'd be easily in the discussion as a top 2 WR here and allow us to keep Graham/Goodwin to be return men that we need since McKelvin is starting at CB.

I'll take Tate as a replacement for Graham but we would still need that big possession WR. Realistically it's not gonna happen because, with Stevie that's too much money tied up in the position.

If there are any takers, I'd trade Stevie, sign Tate then try to find that big WR. But that's wishful thinking- it'll never happen.

I just think we need a legitimate starting WR that can play on the outside. Sure it help if he be a true #1 but outside of trading for Larry Fitzgerald I'm not sure where we're going to find one.

[jimmifli]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I'm still not convinced our problems against the run are due to Dline play. It's not like we are getting pushed off the ball and allowing our opponents to grind out 5 or 6 yards play after play. It's more like we stuff them for 2/3 plays and then get gashed for 15+ yards.

That sounds more like a LB problem. Ultimately, we've got our big guys outside and our little guy inside and that still seems weird to me. Fortunately for us speed is the rarest commodity rather than size, so I think we can find a playmaking LB in the middle rounds that is productive, sure tackling, big and strong but falls in the draft because he "doesn't have the speed" needed for the NFL. Kiko's fastest enough to protect a slower MLB and the added heft in the middle would help the run.

That'd let us go Oline and WR early. I like Chandler, but I'd like him a lot more as the second guy (rookies are dirt cheap) and there are usually great prospects in the second. I'd be happy if the first 4 rounds went something like this: WR/TE/G/MLB.

[better days]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I know people aren't going to like this post because they're going to say "Cutting Stevie/Graham/Chandler/Moorman/Dareus will just create another hole," but it's time to face reality that we have holes at these positions even with these guys.

Let's start with Dareus. The guy can play- no doubt. Two major problems, though: even with Dareus playing well, our run D still sucks. And now he keeps getting himself benched for violating team rules. If he's not playing, and the run D sucks when he does play, what good is he?

Next, LB. Kiko slowed down at the end of the year, but I don't see that as a big deal because it happens to a lot of rookies. The NFL season is longer than the college season and they hit a wall. He'll be fine with a full off-season of NFL conditioning. Hughes isn't much against the pass but I do like him as a situational pass rusher. The rest of our Lb's- not so much. Lawson is average, Bradham hasn't really shown me anything. I think this unit is a big reason why our run D sucks so bad.

At DB, well, it kinda depends on what happens with the Byrd situation. I'm not thrilled with Gilmore but I can live with him. McKelvin has stepped up big time and Robey was a nice find. Another shut down corner would be nice but it's a luxury we can't afford at the moment. A Williams has been a nice surprise at S. Leonard and Searcy are solid back-ups but I don't like them as starters. If we keep Byrd, I think this unit is solid.

The OL needs work- that much is obvious. But the WR situation is my biggest concern. Robert Woods looks great. Stevie Johnson will NEVER be reliable enough to be a true number #1 WR. TJ Graham is useless. I haven't been impressed with Goodwin, but unlike Graham, he contributes on ST so I'm ok giving him another shot. I just don't see any way this team succeeds without adding a big target at WR.

TE is a mess. Chandler doesn't pull the antics that Stevie does but he's no more reliable on the field. Lee Smith is a back-up at best and I don't know what to think of Gragg.

QB- I'm giving EJ a rookie pass.

On ST, well, Moorman needs to go. I have all the respect in the world for the guy because he was the only consistently good player for a decade of god-awful Bills football, but time has caught up with him. And we need a real returner. McKelvin makes too many mistakes, and I don't want to risk him on punts as long as he is our number 1 CB (and he is #1, not Gilmore).

I realize this is a long winded post. Here's what I'm trying to say: anyone who pays attention to this team knows we have holes on the OL and at LB. But we also have holes at WR, TE, punter, returner, and on the DL despite having some name players at those positions. This team has a LOT of work to do.

If the Bills get rid of productive players like Dareus, Stevie & Chandler......................who led the team in receptions, THEN there will be holes to fill.

KEEP the players we have & the number of holes is SMALL. SMALLER than in YEARS.

[Skooby]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I know people aren't going to like this post because they're going to say "Cutting Stevie/Graham/Chandler/Moorman/Dareus will just create another hole," but it's time to face reality that we have holes at these positions even with these guys.

Let's start with Dareus. The guy can play- no doubt. Two major problems, though: even with Dareus playing well, our run D still sucks. And now he keeps getting himself benched for violating team rules. If he's not playing, and the run D sucks when he does play, what good is he?

Next, LB. Kiko slowed down at the end of the year, but I don't see that as a big deal because it happens to a lot of rookies. The NFL season is longer than the college season and they hit a wall. He'll be fine with a full off-season of NFL conditioning. Hughes isn't much against the pass but I do like him as a situational pass rusher. The rest of our Lb's- not so much. Lawson is average, Bradham hasn't really shown me anything. I think this unit is a big reason why our run D sucks so bad.

At DB, well, it kinda depends on what happens with the Byrd situation. I'm not thrilled with Gilmore but I can live with him. McKelvin has stepped up big time and Robey was a nice find. Another shut down corner would be nice but it's a luxury we can't afford at the moment. A Williams has been a nice surprise at S. Leonard and Searcy are solid back-ups but I don't like them as starters. If we keep Byrd, I think this unit is solid.

The OL needs work- that much is obvious. But the WR situation is my biggest concern. Robert Woods looks great. Stevie Johnson will NEVER be reliable enough to be a true number #1 WR. TJ Graham is useless. I haven't been impressed with Goodwin, but unlike Graham, he contributes on ST so I'm ok giving him another shot. I just don't see any way this team succeeds without adding a big target at WR.

TE is a mess. Chandler doesn't pull the antics that Stevie does but he's no more reliable on the field. Lee Smith is a back-up at best and I don't know what to think of Gragg.

QB- I'm giving EJ a rookie pass.

On ST, well, Moorman needs to go. I have all the respect in the world for the guy because he was the only consistently good player for a decade of god-awful Bills football, but time has caught up with him. And we need a real returner. McKelvin makes too many mistakes, and I don't want to risk him on punts as long as he is our number 1 CB (and he is #1, not Gilmore).

I realize this is a long winded post. Here's what I'm trying to say: anyone who pays attention to this team knows we have holes on the OL and at LB. But we also have holes at WR, TE, punter, returner, and on the DL despite having some name players at those positions. This team has a LOT of work to do.

So we're just about there.

[The Jokeman]

Re: Still have lots of holes to fill.

I'm still not convinced our problems against the run are due to Dline play. It's not like we are getting pushed off the ball and allowing our opponents to grind out 5 or 6 yards play after play. It's more like we stuff them for 2/3 plays and then get gashed for 15+ yards.

That sounds more like a LB problem. Ultimately, we've got our big guys outside and our little guy inside and that still seems weird to me. Fortunately for us speed is the rarest commodity rather than size, so I think we can find a playmaking LB in the middle rounds that is productive, sure tackling, big and strong but falls in the draft because he "doesn't have the speed" needed for the NFL. Kiko's fastest enough to protect a slower MLB and the added heft in the middle would help the run.

That'd let us go Oline and WR early. I like Chandler, but I'd like him a lot more as the second guy (rookies are dirt cheap) and there are usually great prospects in the second. I'd be happy if the first 4 rounds went something like this: WR/TE/G/MLB.

39 catches 445 yards 2 TDs
36 catches 469 yards 4 TDs

Those were the stats for the two top drafted TEs in this past NFL draft. Remember to have realistic expectations for rookies.