Why can't TD do this?

[Mr. Cynical]

From PFW:

We hear that Patriots first-round pick Logan Mankins has made a smooth transition to the NFL level and appears to have solidified his starting OLG spot. In fact, Patrick Pass ran behind him for New England's first touchdown vs. the Saints in the second preseason game.

TD needed to do this years ago and we still don't have a top flight oline. But as you can see, it looks like BB is once again quietly building a line that will continue to protect Brady, making him look like Montana. It's no wonder they keep on winning.

I wish TD and Co. could get it right. Until our oline is fixed, we're not going anywhere.

Also MM seems to recognize our offensive offensive line:

The Bills went into the game intending to run the ball, but were ineffective with the Bears putting "eight men in the box."

Normally that dictates passing and Losman admitted he had open receivers but failed to connect (9-of-18 for 82 yards).

But Mularkey felt that was oversimplifying.

"We had eight blockers there too," he said of the running game. "But we didn't do a good job on 3rd-and-1 and 3rd-and-2 and we should have been able to get that."

[clumping platelets]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

In regular season, maybe they try to pass

[Mr. Cynical]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

In regular season, maybe they try to pass

Not sure what that has to do with my point....

[Dozerdog]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

I can hear the outrage on these boards if TD drafted Logan Mankins- somebody no one ever heard of. Or Matt Cassell, that backup QB Bill Bellichick draftred in Rd 7, a guy who never started a college game. Mankins would have been there a few rounds later, and Cassell would have been easily an UDFA.

But then again, you guys ***** and moan when we draft good players. Grass is always greener in the other guy's yard I guess.

[X-Era]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

TD needed to do this years ago and we still don't have a top flight oline. But as you can see, it looks like BB is once again quietly building a line that will continue to protect Brady, making him look like Montana. It's no wonder they keep on winning.

I wish TD and Co. could get it right. Until our oline is fixed, we're not going anywhere.

Also MM seems to recognize our offensive offensive line:

Absolutely right, They have alot of 1st round O-lineman after all...well...they have 1...and we have 1...ohh forget it.


Gorin-7th round, Neal-undrafted, Hochstein-5th round, Light- 2nd round, Mankins-1st round

Gandy- 3rd round, Anderson- undrafted, Teague-7th round, Villarial-5th round, Williams-1st round

Well the DO have that 2nd rounder over our 3rd rounder. Feel ridiculous yet?

Dont even try, it doesnt work. Where's Kenyatta Walker? Its a crap shoot and the leagues best teams as far as OL goes have starters that are mostly undrafted or later rounders. Look at Den and NE.

[X-Era]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

TD needed to do this years ago and we still don't have a top flight oline. But as you can see, it looks like BB is once again quietly building a line that will continue to protect Brady, making him look like Montana. It's no wonder they keep on winning.

I wish TD and Co. could get it right. Until our oline is fixed, we're not going anywhere.

Also MM seems to recognize our offensive offensive line:

Sorry, didnt actually answer your question. The answer is: drafting 1st round o-lineman is no guarantee of having a stellar o-line. Facts seem to point to simply plug guys in undrafted, late rounders, etc... like NE and then scheme and coach them well. Hmmmm, thats what were doing, only youhavent seen it yet becaseu its pre-season. Throw a timer on this thread, plug it back in in about 5 weeks. Chances are good it will look silly then.

[Dozerdog]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

The other side of the coin is that you will hear guys ***** and moan about a Mike Williams' contract- "how can you pay a guy like that?????"


Well duhhhh...the higher you draft a guy, the more money he will soak up under the cap. You can't draft OL high and then decide you're not going to pay them 1st round money.


Many teams have the philosophy of drafting OL later because the talent drop off isn't that great. 300 pound guys are a dime a dozen, and it's technique you teach them that makes them servicable.

Some teams do build from the inside out- and spend a lot of high picks up front. But those teams many times wind up without high priced talent at the skill positions- and they grind it out every game.

[X-Era]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

The other side of the coin is that you will hear guys ***** and moan about a Mike Williams' contract- "how can you pay a guy like that?????"


Well duhhhh...the higher you draft a guy, the more money he will soak up under the cap. You can't draft OL high and then decide you're not going to pay them 1st round money.


Many teams have the philosophy of drafting OL later because the talent drop off isn't that great. 300 pound guys are a dime a dozen, and it's technique you teach them that makes them servicable.

Some teams do build from the inside out- and spend a lot of high picks up front. But those teams many times wind up without high priced talent at the skill positions- and they grind it out every game.

EXACTLY right! NE, DE prove that point. The only exception is at LT and even then its a crap shoot. You look at Pace, Glenn, Jones and you could argue that a high round LT makes a difference. But Logan Mankins? for NE it makes sens I suppose,they lost 2 G's and Woody the year before. At some point you have to try to get good replacements. Personally I would have signed FA or kept Andruzzi, who by the way was NOT a 1st rounder.

Our O-line TALENT is fine. Its all in technique and scheme. NFL network did a whole thing on Denvers zone blocking and why that makes them so potent. Im not sure if we do it, but why the hell not.

[mayotm]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

Great posts by Dozerdog and jp-era. I'm not sure how anybody can criticize how the Bills have drafted during the TD era. In addition to that, they have done a great job signing some talented undrafted free agents. All the complainers on this board will be right back on the bandwagon when the Bills are winning this year.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

I can hear the outrage on these boards if TD drafted Logan Mankins- somebody no one ever heard of. Or Matt Cassell, that backup QB Bill Bellichick draftred in Rd 7, a guy who never started a college game. Mankins would have been there a few rounds later, and Cassell would have been easily an UDFA.

But then again, you guys ***** and moan when we draft good players. Grass is always greener in the other guy's yard I guess.

Dozer, you are absolutely right. They really reached for both of those guys.

[Meathead]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

The Bills' strategy regarding their OL is crystal clear - they are watching closely for cast-offs from other teams for guys they think they can work with and then leaving it up to the best OL coach in the league to make them overachieve. It saves them big money on their cap yet gets them a quality line. Then they can spend those savings on skill players elsewhere.

Sounds great to me.

[Mr. Cynical]

Re: Why can't TD do this?

Say whatever you want about 1st round busts, FAs, etc, etc, etc. That's not my point. Tell me the last time our oline was very good. How many more years do you want to wait?

"All that matters is the result on the field."