We are not taking a CB in round one

[ICE74129]

Fans better understand that. Marv knows Line and Linebackers are the key to this defense. Look at the teams in the superbowl. Chicago is starting 2nd and 5th round picks at CB. David for indy was the 29th pick I think and Nick Harris was a CFL guy I think?

Bottom line nate isn't a need, period. BOTH teams have better overall lines than us and MUCH Better linebacker play period. We need a much younger and more versitile ILB and more athleticism than TKO has at OLB. Crowell is fine.

We need better run stuffing and MUCH more pass rush from the DL.

If we improve that, then we can get by with average to decent corners esp with the talent we have at Safety.

My guess is we will sign an OLB, RG, and DT in Free agency. Maybe a CB like harper to compete with Yobotay till he is ready to take over. We will go ILB in round 1, RB in round 2 and BPA for our system rounds 3-7

Again thats my opinion and thoughts on this issue

[RedEyE]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

Right, and I agree, but it's obvious that what this staff should do and what they will do are two different things. I too feel they need a fat ass run stuffer on the line, but it's obvious from last year, the Bills staff is looking for a leaner front. They could have had Bunkley or Ngata easily last draft.

Nate's out the door and won't be staying unless he suddenly finds it in his heart to lower his price tag - doubtful. With 6 prolific corners flooding the 1st round, I think they find Nate's replacement there.

Let's look at the Bill's past 1st round picks:

Interesting fun facts. In 46 drafts the Bills have drafted 9 secondary picks in the 1st round. 4 of those 9 came during the Levy Super Bowl era and last year Marv and company took Whitner, another 1st rounder. Let us not forget Simpson (I think in the 4th).

Marv doesn't like wasting picks on non impact players and is none to fond of having rookies mentored into playing a position over a course of two years. He's openly stated all of this. There is hardly a position out there that includes a cast of impact players, but I think that if you had to label a position in which there was a dominate impact player position, that position would be found in the secondary.

Now, the Bills staff uses a democratic approach to their draft board, and if last year was any indication, they strongly prefer drafting "NEED" players rather then increasing the talent pool (like Donahoe). Something that worked fairley well last year. Offensive and defensive line woes can be easily filled in free agency this year. Fewell is losing probably the biggest playmaker on his defense. I can guarantee that he's all gung ho for a more than adequate replacement. We all know Dick Juaron is defensive guy and he's well aware of the amount of talent the Bills have currently on offense. He's going to also be leaning towards filling his defensive gaps as well. Kelsay will probably return for a song (see last weeks article). Fairchild and Mouse will get the Bills first big FA signing this off season as I'm pretty sure the Bills will go after a better interior lineman. Afterall, strengthen your OL, and your running game and your passing game alike should increase in positive performance.

Now the Bills may get lucky and a big draftee lineman might fall to them out of the top 10, but again, from last year, the Bills are going to grab who they want rather then who's available (see Donte Whitner).

The only other thing that I can think of is that the Bills might go after a LB if Fletch flys the coupe, and they feel Spikes is on a serious downslide. But as I stated in the OTHER thread, the Bills will more than likely use the cast of players already in place on the roster to fill Fletch's place.

Corner are also very versatile players. They retreive kicks and make excellent open field takcles. We all know how much the Bills love their ST players. They can't stay away from them.

No Pick	--	--
Lee Evans	WR	Wisconsin
J.P. Losman	QB	Tulane
Willis McGahee	RB	Miami (Fla.)
Mike Williams	OT	Texas
Nate Clements	CB	Ohio State
Erik Flowers	DE	Arizona State
Antoine Winfield	CB	Ohio State
No Pick	--	--
Antowain Smith	RB	Houston
Eric Moulds	WR	Mississippi State
Reuben Brown	G	Pittsburgh
Jeff Burris	DB	Notre Dame
Thomas Smith	DB	North Carolina
John Fina	OL	Arizona
Henry Jones	DB	Illinois
James Williams	CB	Fresno State
No Pick	--	--
No Pick	--	--
Shane Conlan	LB	Penn State
Ronnie Harmon	RB	Iowa
Will Wolford	G	Vanderbilt
Bruce Smith	DE	Virginia Tech
Derrick Burroughs	CB	Memphis State
Greg Bell	RB	Notre Dame
Tony Hunter	TE	Notre Dame
Jim Kelly	QB	Miami
Perry Tuttle	WR	Clemson
Booker Moore	RB	Penn State
Jim Ritcher	C	North Carolina State
Tom Cousineau	LB	Ohio State
Jerry Butler	WR	Clemson
Terry Miller	RB	Oklahoma State
Phil Dokes	DT	Oklahoma State
Mario Clark	DB	Oregon
Tom Rudd	LB	Nebraska
Rueben Gant	TE	Oklahoma State
Paul Seymour	T	Michigan
Joe DeLamielleure	G	Michigan State
Walt Patulski	DE	Notre Dame
J.D. Hill	WR	Arizona State
Al Cowlings	DE	Southern California
O.J. Simpson	RB	Southern California
Haven Moses	WR	San Diego State
Mike Dennis	HB	Mississippi
Jim Davidson	T	Ohio State
Carl Eller	T	Minnesota
Dave Behrman	C	Michigan State
Ernie Davis	HB	Syracuse
Ken Rice	T	Auburn
Richie Lucas	QB	Penn State

[ICE74129]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

Red I fully understand your thinking, and you may be right, BUT a couple of notes..

1) Marv said he doesn't have time to rebuild the goal is to WIN NOW. That is why I see DT, LB and RG and maybe CB taken with FA's.

2) NEED = Linebackers. Fletcher will be gone. TKO isn't going to make it back, but I see OLB possibly in FA as well.

That leaves draft for ILB. Remember shane Conlan? That is what leads me to believe that Marv will go ILB with #12 considering the outstanding talent there.

[Saratoga Slim]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

Fans better understand that. Marv knows Line and Linebackers are the key to this defense. Look at the teams in the superbowl. Chicago is starting 2nd and 5th round picks at CB. David for indy was the 29th pick I think and Nick Harris was a CFL guy I think?

Bottom line nate isn't a need, period. BOTH teams have better overall lines than us and MUCH Better linebacker play period. We need a much younger and more versitile ILB and more athleticism than TKO has at OLB. Crowell is fine.

We need better run stuffing and MUCH more pass rush from the DL.

If we improve that, then we can get by with average to decent corners esp with the talent we have at Safety.

My guess is we will sign an OLB, RG, and DT in Free agency. Maybe a CB like harper to compete with Yobotay till he is ready to take over. We will go ILB in round 1, RB in round 2 and BPA for our system rounds 3-7

Again thats my opinion and thoughts on this issue

Good thoughts.

1. I agree that its unlikely we spend a 1st (or even 2nd) rounder on CB. I expect to see Nate's replacement come from signing an upper mid-range free agent (i.e. someone somewhat less $$ than Clements or Samuel).

2. I think we'll also deal with RG in FA.

3. I think we'll resign Kelsey at DE. If we do I think we're unlikely to invest a 1st or 2nd rounder on DE.

I think that LB, RB, and DT are the biggest strategy calls this offseason, and that one of the three positions will be our first rounder, depending on what FA yields.

1. LB. Whether FA offers any help depends on whether we think Crowell can move to MLB, as the only real attractive FAs are likely to be OLBs. If we do move Crowell inside, we'll only get a significant FA upgrade at OLB if Marv and co want to spend some relatively big $$ on Briggs or Thomas (assuming either makes it to FA). I don't see June being that much of an upgrade for the money he'll cost, but I would not be suprised to see OBD make a serious run for Briggs, even if he is expensive. I'd like to see this addressed in FA, but its a possible 1st round pick--ESPECIALLY if OBD determines that Crowell can't move inside.

2. DT. I'm not enamored with the DT options in FA, but a guy like Robaire Smith or Ian Scott would be an upgrade from Anderson. Whether or not we sign a FA DT depends on how much hope OBD has for improvement from Kyle Williams. If they think he's on his way up, I see help coming by way of a rotational FA like Smith or Scott. If OBD thinks a true star is needed at that DT spot, I think that's where we go first round.

3. RB. Total strategy call, can't wait to see how this shakes out and can't even predict it. Seems fairly obvious to me that McGahee is not really propelling the offense as a feature back, and that we either need to upgrade him or add a 2nd RB with some serious speed and big play skills. I would not be that surprised to see a first round pick at RB depending on who's available.

As of January 25, 2007, my guess is therefore that in rounds one and two we grab some combination of LB, DT and RB. But obviously FA is going to have a major impact on these guesses.

[BillsFever21]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

I'm sure ICE will change his mind about 10 times until the draft starts and another 20 times after the draft until the season starts.

[ICE74129]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

I'm sure ICE will change his mind about 10 times until the draft starts and another 20 times after the draft until the season starts.

So a person is to sit on an opinion regardless of the change of facts surrounding the issue? That would be stupid.

As of right now we would go DT or LB in the draft. I am 100% certain of that. Now what will we do in FA? If we sign scott and two LB's along with a RG then CB is a possibility.

What I feel is going to happen is DT, RG, OLB and a mid tier CB will be signed. We will go with that mid tier CB and Yobotay fighting it out in camp while we draft our ILB that will anchor the middle for the next 10 years

[Michael82]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

It all depends on what we do in free agency. The most talented player at the 12th pick will most likely be a CB. If thats the case and we didn't address the need before hand, I have no doubts that Marv will draft one with that pick.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

We drafted Ernie Davis?

[ICE74129]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

It all depends on what we do in free agency. The most talented player at the 12th pick will most likely be a CB. If thats the case and we didn't address the need before hand, I have no doubts that Marv will draft one with that pick.

I have to say I fully believe we will sign an OLB to replace spikes, RG, and a mid tier CB along with a DT in FA. We will draft an ILB. Shane Conlan rings home with this pick esp with the talent at LB in the draft this year

[BillsFever21]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

So a person is to sit on an opinion regardless of the change of facts surrounding the issue? That would be stupid.

As of right now we would go DT or LB in the draft. I am 100% certain of that. Now what will we do in FA? If we sign scott and two LB's along with a RG then CB is a possibility.

What I feel is going to happen is DT, RG, OLB and a mid tier CB will be signed. We will go with that mid tier CB and Yobotay fighting it out in camp while we draft our ILB that will anchor the middle for the next 10 years

No. People's opinions change depending on certain circumstances. They usually only change once and maybe a year or so down the road and usually don't flop back and forth between opinions.

Most people don't change their opinion on a weekly basis depending on how good or bad somebody played that given week. :LOL:

[ICE74129]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

No. People's opinions change depending on certain circumstances. They usually only change once and maybe a year or so down the road and usually don't flop back and forth between opinions.

Most people don't change their opinion on a weekly basis depending on how good or bad somebody played that given week. :LOL:

And I feel ILB is the pick unless FA moves are made

[eyedog]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

They damn well better not take a cb with the 12th pick if they feel Nate is expendable. Also I don't see any lb worth taking at #12, thus they will go d-tackle or maybe even d-end if one falls. I also wouldn't be suprised if they try to trade down in the draft.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

by the way Ice we are taking a CB in round 1.

[Don't Panic]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

Good thoughts.

1. I agree that its unlikely we spend a 1st (or even 2nd) rounder on CB. I expect to see Nate's replacement come from signing an upper mid-range free agent (i.e. someone somewhat less $$ than Clements or Samuel).

2. I think we'll also deal with RG in FA.

3. I think we'll resign Kelsey at DE. If we do I think we're unlikely to invest a 1st or 2nd rounder on DE.

I think that LB, RB, and DT are the biggest strategy calls this offseason, and that one of the three positions will be our first rounder, depending on what FA yields.

1. LB. Whether FA offers any help depends on whether we think Crowell can move to MLB, as the only real attractive FAs are likely to be OLBs. If we do move Crowell inside, we'll only get a significant FA upgrade at OLB if Marv and co want to spend some relatively big $$ on Briggs or Thomas (assuming either makes it to FA). I don't see June being that much of an upgrade for the money he'll cost, but I would not be suprised to see OBD make a serious run for Briggs, even if he is expensive. I'd like to see this addressed in FA, but its a possible 1st round pick--ESPECIALLY if OBD determines that Crowell can't move inside.

2. DT. I'm not enamored with the DT options in FA, but a guy like Robaire Smith or Ian Scott would be an upgrade from Anderson. Whether or not we sign a FA DT depends on how much hope OBD has for improvement from Kyle Williams. If they think he's on his way up, I see help coming by way of a rotational FA like Smith or Scott. If OBD thinks a true star is needed at that DT spot, I think that's where we go first round.

3. RB. Total strategy call, can't wait to see how this shakes out and can't even predict it. Seems fairly obvious to me that McGahee is not really propelling the offense as a feature back, and that we either need to upgrade him or add a 2nd RB with some serious speed and big play skills. I would not be that surprised to see a first round pick at RB depending on who's available.

As of January 25, 2007, my guess is therefore that in rounds one and two we grab some combination of LB, DT and RB. But obviously FA is going to have a major impact on these guesses.

Great post... I agree with everything you said. The one thing I would add is that we may take Jarrett if he interviews/combines well (and he falls to us). I can't see passing up on him. Assuming he and Branch are gone, I would say it'll either be a LB or a RB, depending on free agency and the McGahee situation, respectively.

[Mr. Pink]

Re: We are not taking a CB in round one

We drafted Ernie Davis?

Yes back in the AFL days, NFL teams and AFL teams would end up drafting the same player. For the AFL it was in hopes of getting a star player to decide he wanted to play for what was known and thought of as "the lesser league."

Davis was drafted Number 1 overall in the 1962 NFL draft by the Redskins, then traded away to Cleveland for Bobby Mitchell. And then in the AFL draft 4th overall by the Bills. Obviously playing for the Browns in the NFL with Jim Brown was more enticing than for the Bills because....

Also drafted by the AFL's Buffalo Bills, Davis signed with the Cleveland Browns for less money than what the Bill offered. In Buffalo in July after his senior year, he was booed when introduced in a college all-star game.

http://espn.go.com/classic/s/000801erniedavisadd.html

About the topic, I'd be highly surprised if we took anyone in the secondary on day 1 of the draft.