Dozerdog
12-04-2003, 07:59 AM
By MARK GAUGHAN
12/4/2003
Q: Although much has been made about the drafting of Willis McGahee and his potential impact in the future for the Bills, what rookies from this past year's draft have made the biggest impact on their present teams and who could have been drafted by the Bills instead of McGahee, thus impacting the Bills this season? - Mark DiPirro, Lancaster
A: In my opinion the most legitimate second-guess of the McGahee pick at the time of the draft was William Joseph, the defensive tackle from the University of Miami. The New York Giants picked him two spots later, at 25th overall. The Bills needed defensive line help entering the draft. Nine defensive linemen were taken in the first 18 picks. There was concern in Buffalo about depth behind Sam Adams and Pat Williams. A run-plugging first-round pick might have looked good as part of a three-man rotation at defensive tackle. However, Joseph probably would not have helped the Bills' defense this year. Joseph was inactive for a second straight game last Sunday against the Bills. He held out in a contract dispute much of preseason and has had little impact for the Giants. He has only four tackles all season.
"William has to show me that he can play better," Giants coach Jim Fassel said before last week's game. "He came into camp very late, and when you miss that kind of work it's very hard to make up. You get behind. . . . He just hasn't had the production in the game."
The Bills were not considering Joseph at No. 23. They weren't keen on him as a first-round pick. As we have written before, they were considering Chris Kelsay and Tennessee tight end Jason Witten in addition to McGahee. Of course, the Bills got Kelsay at No. 48 in the second round. Most draftniks had Witten going in the first round. He wound up going to Dallas in the third round, lasting that long in part because not many teams were in the market for tight ends (three went before Witten). Witten has 26 catches for the Cowboys. Drew Bledsoe sure could use a premier tight end. However, in the current offense, the Bills don't use the tight ends a ton as receiving targets. (Mark Campbell has 25 catches.)
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20031204/3058959.asp
12/4/2003
Q: Although much has been made about the drafting of Willis McGahee and his potential impact in the future for the Bills, what rookies from this past year's draft have made the biggest impact on their present teams and who could have been drafted by the Bills instead of McGahee, thus impacting the Bills this season? - Mark DiPirro, Lancaster
A: In my opinion the most legitimate second-guess of the McGahee pick at the time of the draft was William Joseph, the defensive tackle from the University of Miami. The New York Giants picked him two spots later, at 25th overall. The Bills needed defensive line help entering the draft. Nine defensive linemen were taken in the first 18 picks. There was concern in Buffalo about depth behind Sam Adams and Pat Williams. A run-plugging first-round pick might have looked good as part of a three-man rotation at defensive tackle. However, Joseph probably would not have helped the Bills' defense this year. Joseph was inactive for a second straight game last Sunday against the Bills. He held out in a contract dispute much of preseason and has had little impact for the Giants. He has only four tackles all season.
"William has to show me that he can play better," Giants coach Jim Fassel said before last week's game. "He came into camp very late, and when you miss that kind of work it's very hard to make up. You get behind. . . . He just hasn't had the production in the game."
The Bills were not considering Joseph at No. 23. They weren't keen on him as a first-round pick. As we have written before, they were considering Chris Kelsay and Tennessee tight end Jason Witten in addition to McGahee. Of course, the Bills got Kelsay at No. 48 in the second round. Most draftniks had Witten going in the first round. He wound up going to Dallas in the third round, lasting that long in part because not many teams were in the market for tight ends (three went before Witten). Witten has 26 catches for the Cowboys. Drew Bledsoe sure could use a premier tight end. However, in the current offense, the Bills don't use the tight ends a ton as receiving targets. (Mark Campbell has 25 catches.)
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20031204/3058959.asp