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Early this week, Tom Donahoe began the Buffalo Bills' predraft luncheon by reminding a roomful of reporters they were all about to be lied to.
"Nobody tells the truth," he said.
Really, NFL personnel men are fountains of deceit at this time of year. The idea is to plant misinformation, to inflate the perception of players they have no interest in taking while hiding their true intentions until draft day.
So it was odd to hear Donahoe make one clear assertion: The Bills intend to draft a quarterback this year, someone to groom as Drew Bledsoe's successor.
"We have one franchise quarterback," Donahoe said, "and we're looking for another one."
They're not talking about the next Alex Van Pelt. They want a guy who can take them to the Super Bowl. You don't plan on getting that player in the late rounds. There aren't many Tom Bradys.
It could all be a masterly deception. But after listening to Donahoe and Tom Modrak, I'm convinced the Bills want a franchise QB with their first pick. And Philip Rivers, the former North Carolina State star, seems to be the guy.
It's the wise thing to do. The Bills can prop up Bledsoe with new coaches and a simplified offense. He is no longer an elite NFL quarterback, or close to it. The Bills have to prepare for his eventual departure, perhaps after one more season.
"Nobody tells the truth," he said.
Really, NFL personnel men are fountains of deceit at this time of year. The idea is to plant misinformation, to inflate the perception of players they have no interest in taking while hiding their true intentions until draft day.
So it was odd to hear Donahoe make one clear assertion: The Bills intend to draft a quarterback this year, someone to groom as Drew Bledsoe's successor.
"We have one franchise quarterback," Donahoe said, "and we're looking for another one."
They're not talking about the next Alex Van Pelt. They want a guy who can take them to the Super Bowl. You don't plan on getting that player in the late rounds. There aren't many Tom Bradys.
It could all be a masterly deception. But after listening to Donahoe and Tom Modrak, I'm convinced the Bills want a franchise QB with their first pick. And Philip Rivers, the former North Carolina State star, seems to be the guy.
It's the wise thing to do. The Bills can prop up Bledsoe with new coaches and a simplified offense. He is no longer an elite NFL quarterback, or close to it. The Bills have to prepare for his eventual departure, perhaps after one more season.
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