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Let's point out a decade long obvious... the o-line sucks! Outside of Glenn and Wood our best player is Urbik who is really nothing more than a interior rotational sub. Enough is enough.
Please Lord of all that is holy and holds dominion over the inebriated, ice-clad parking lot roamers... please let this weakness be addressed once and for all.
Amen.
Now that prayer time is over, let's get down to work on this year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs. For those who have been around for awhile, know I advocate in building strengths on a team. On the offensive side of the ball it can be argued safely and without impunity that FJax and CJ account for this team's offensive strength. One problem though... we don't have an offensive line that can consistently and on-demand help to take advantage of this strength. In fact, on many occasions our lack of talent on the offensive line has contributed to turning our strength into a weakness.
Also, a team with strengths is bound to have weaknesses. Its the job of management and coaching to minimize or hide that weakness. Right now, quarterback is considered a weakness. For all intents and purposes, EJ is entering this year as a glorified rookie given his injury issues last year. He needs to be protected this year and allowed to grow into his role as much as possible. I'm not dismissing his responsibility for producing this year, but the best way to give him that chance is to give him a league best running game.
I'm sick of taking everything but offensive linemen in the top part of the draft. We scored with Wood and then Glenn... and need to continue with that process.
This year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs is created wit hthe idea of another 1st round trade down scenario. Ideally, I'm hoping the Bills are able to trade down into the mid 20's and in the process pick up an extra 2nd round pick or better.
Lastly, thanks to you all for continuing to make this fun for me and fun for everyone else! It has been a labor of enjoyment on my part.
So without further fanfare... here is this year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs!!!
1.) Morgan Moses, OT Virginia - What? This sucks! Coastal... this is boring and not what we want! So. Look... Morgan is a bit of a risk. He's a guy that played RT for 3 years before switching to LT this year. He performed very well and shows the length and footwork for the position. What he lacks can be coached and although not overly decorated in the season ending awards arena... he did perform extremely well in the Senior Bowl in multiple positions. He's a starting RT from day 1 and this year's Ace of Diamonds!
2.) Gabe Jackson, G Mississippi State University - Do you all remember way back when when the Dolphins picked Richmond Webb and Keith Sims in the first two rounds. In doing so, they soldified one entire side of their offensive line in one draft. That side happened to play against the great Bruce Smith. From that point forward, Bruce did not have an easy time of getting to Dan. Selecting Gabe represents that same kind of thinking. Gabe is a Second Team All-American, All SEC, and Kent Hull Award recipient. This year's King of Diamonds is pushing Urbik to the bench... where he belongs.
3.) Marcus Smith, DE Louisville - Death to Fool's Gold! Just kidding... this defense needs a LEO type attacker. Jerry Hughes performed well last year, but I'm not sure he sets an edge in anyway whatsoever or is a long-term answer for the direction this defense happens to heading this year. Mario performed best lined up on the strongside. We need a weakside presence besides Hughes, thus the need to look to the draft for help and to look early. Smith has length, speed and was used in multiple ways this past year. He also was a 3rd team All-American and the 3rd selection from this year's Five Card Studs!
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4.) Kelcy Quarles, DT South Carolina - My all-time favorite and best Five Card Stud Selection is and always will be Kyle Williams. One problem... he's got Achilles issues and is pushing the wrong side of what has been a very impressive DT career for the Buffalo Bills. Also, Marcel Dareus just had his option picked up, but outside of that... this is the Buffalo Bills and there is no guarantee he will be here long-term. The process needs to being in earnest of building depth all across this team. Its a big reason I am fully advocating another year of trading down. As far as Kelcy... put it this way... I see a lot of Kyle Williams in his game except their may be some more core power to his game than what Kyle has shown. Regardless of whether the Bills are able to land him, I'm looking forward to watching his career.
5.) Aaron Murray, QB Georgia - The QB pool needs constant refreshment. EJ very well may not be the answer. Thad... a gamer but looks like a good solid back-up. Aaron Murray on the other hand... one of the more accurate passers in this year's stable and coming off of an ACL injury. Some have said he may very well be the best QB in this year's draft class. I'm more than willing to make that gamble if he's sitting there with the fourth overall pick. Also, I am hoping OBD mgmt communication about EJ being the only guy this year is just mgmt speak. EJ also needs to know there are expectations on him and if he doesn't perform... that the organization is willing to look elsewhere every year to ensure we find someone that will. QB is too important of a position not to make that commitment each and every year.
Please Lord of all that is holy and holds dominion over the inebriated, ice-clad parking lot roamers... please let this weakness be addressed once and for all.
Amen.
Now that prayer time is over, let's get down to work on this year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs. For those who have been around for awhile, know I advocate in building strengths on a team. On the offensive side of the ball it can be argued safely and without impunity that FJax and CJ account for this team's offensive strength. One problem though... we don't have an offensive line that can consistently and on-demand help to take advantage of this strength. In fact, on many occasions our lack of talent on the offensive line has contributed to turning our strength into a weakness.
Also, a team with strengths is bound to have weaknesses. Its the job of management and coaching to minimize or hide that weakness. Right now, quarterback is considered a weakness. For all intents and purposes, EJ is entering this year as a glorified rookie given his injury issues last year. He needs to be protected this year and allowed to grow into his role as much as possible. I'm not dismissing his responsibility for producing this year, but the best way to give him that chance is to give him a league best running game.
I'm sick of taking everything but offensive linemen in the top part of the draft. We scored with Wood and then Glenn... and need to continue with that process.
This year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs is created wit hthe idea of another 1st round trade down scenario. Ideally, I'm hoping the Bills are able to trade down into the mid 20's and in the process pick up an extra 2nd round pick or better.
Lastly, thanks to you all for continuing to make this fun for me and fun for everyone else! It has been a labor of enjoyment on my part.
So without further fanfare... here is this year's version of coastal's Five Card Studs!!!
1.) Morgan Moses, OT Virginia - What? This sucks! Coastal... this is boring and not what we want! So. Look... Morgan is a bit of a risk. He's a guy that played RT for 3 years before switching to LT this year. He performed very well and shows the length and footwork for the position. What he lacks can be coached and although not overly decorated in the season ending awards arena... he did perform extremely well in the Senior Bowl in multiple positions. He's a starting RT from day 1 and this year's Ace of Diamonds!
2.) Gabe Jackson, G Mississippi State University - Do you all remember way back when when the Dolphins picked Richmond Webb and Keith Sims in the first two rounds. In doing so, they soldified one entire side of their offensive line in one draft. That side happened to play against the great Bruce Smith. From that point forward, Bruce did not have an easy time of getting to Dan. Selecting Gabe represents that same kind of thinking. Gabe is a Second Team All-American, All SEC, and Kent Hull Award recipient. This year's King of Diamonds is pushing Urbik to the bench... where he belongs.
3.) Marcus Smith, DE Louisville - Death to Fool's Gold! Just kidding... this defense needs a LEO type attacker. Jerry Hughes performed well last year, but I'm not sure he sets an edge in anyway whatsoever or is a long-term answer for the direction this defense happens to heading this year. Mario performed best lined up on the strongside. We need a weakside presence besides Hughes, thus the need to look to the draft for help and to look early. Smith has length, speed and was used in multiple ways this past year. He also was a 3rd team All-American and the 3rd selection from this year's Five Card Studs!
- - - Updated - - -
4.) Kelcy Quarles, DT South Carolina - My all-time favorite and best Five Card Stud Selection is and always will be Kyle Williams. One problem... he's got Achilles issues and is pushing the wrong side of what has been a very impressive DT career for the Buffalo Bills. Also, Marcel Dareus just had his option picked up, but outside of that... this is the Buffalo Bills and there is no guarantee he will be here long-term. The process needs to being in earnest of building depth all across this team. Its a big reason I am fully advocating another year of trading down. As far as Kelcy... put it this way... I see a lot of Kyle Williams in his game except their may be some more core power to his game than what Kyle has shown. Regardless of whether the Bills are able to land him, I'm looking forward to watching his career.
5.) Aaron Murray, QB Georgia - The QB pool needs constant refreshment. EJ very well may not be the answer. Thad... a gamer but looks like a good solid back-up. Aaron Murray on the other hand... one of the more accurate passers in this year's stable and coming off of an ACL injury. Some have said he may very well be the best QB in this year's draft class. I'm more than willing to make that gamble if he's sitting there with the fourth overall pick. Also, I am hoping OBD mgmt communication about EJ being the only guy this year is just mgmt speak. EJ also needs to know there are expectations on him and if he doesn't perform... that the organization is willing to look elsewhere every year to ensure we find someone that will. QB is too important of a position not to make that commitment each and every year.
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