For many years the Bills have been guilty of drafting flashy skills players and forgetting the basics. In the period 2003-05, we drafted McGahee, Losman, Evans and Parrish, didn't even start two of these guys in their rookie seasons, yet felt that as a team we were good enough to have the likes of Mike Gandy start.
Yet the moment we get a new GM and Head Coach, the call goes out to draft a QB despite the awful difficulties we have on both lines.
Clausen and Bradford are very good players but are not the guarantees the likes of Stafford and Ryan were. Clausen really only turned it on in his last season and even then couldn't win in the big games, whilst Bradford missed his junior season so all we have is his sophmore production is a system which will require him to transition to the pro game.
We also have a QB on are roster in Brian Brohm who was as heralded in college yet has had a tough ride since being drafted. He is criticised for being beaten out by a lower drafted QB to be a backup but now we are placing him in a situation where he has a Head Coach with a track record of developing QBs, giving him a better line than the one he faced in Atlanta where he had Aaron Ramsey and Kirk Chambers defending his edges and are calling to give up on him immediately? No wonder this team hasn't gotten anywhere.
I also think trading a high pick for McNabb would be a bad idea. He may have a couple of years in the tank, but recently he has suffered numerous injuries despite having decent OTs and if traded to someone who won't be an immediate contender he may well just retire. There are young QBs available like Jackson, Croyle and Clemons who Gailey might also enjoy success with and who could compete with Brohm
Fans should consider that Nix/Gailey will almost certainly get at least two years. The Bills will remain uncompetitive in Free Agency if there is one and have not suffered well here before so Nix will focus on the draft. Nix is right in saying teams do not really go BPA but actually focus on acute need. And as Nix has eloquently stated
This draft should start at Left Tackle, and then go for the rest of the draft on the DL, LB, and then maybe later on some skills players. Once the team have got the meat and potatoes in place this year, then 2011 can be used on a QB but ONLY IF our QBs fail this year. Fans will point out that the SuperBowl QBs this year are guarded by lower drafted LTs but there are two key differences
1) The QBs combined have 20years+ experience with quick releases and are able to read defences quickly. A rookie does not have these skills yet. He needs 5secs to get rid of the ball, an experienced guy 3secs. Those 2secs are all the time it takes to get flattened
2) Those LTs aren't first year starters. Neither flunked the way Bell has in their first year of starting. You occasionally find a lower round gem but to rely on that is insane
I understand the clamour for a QB but its like wanting to buy a brilliant engine and then put it in a rubbish car. No matter how good it is it won't work. Our QB will be our most important player but it is absolutely ESSENTIAL we place him in an environment where he will have time to succeed rather than throw him to the Wolves.
Yet the moment we get a new GM and Head Coach, the call goes out to draft a QB despite the awful difficulties we have on both lines.
Clausen and Bradford are very good players but are not the guarantees the likes of Stafford and Ryan were. Clausen really only turned it on in his last season and even then couldn't win in the big games, whilst Bradford missed his junior season so all we have is his sophmore production is a system which will require him to transition to the pro game.
We also have a QB on are roster in Brian Brohm who was as heralded in college yet has had a tough ride since being drafted. He is criticised for being beaten out by a lower drafted QB to be a backup but now we are placing him in a situation where he has a Head Coach with a track record of developing QBs, giving him a better line than the one he faced in Atlanta where he had Aaron Ramsey and Kirk Chambers defending his edges and are calling to give up on him immediately? No wonder this team hasn't gotten anywhere.
I also think trading a high pick for McNabb would be a bad idea. He may have a couple of years in the tank, but recently he has suffered numerous injuries despite having decent OTs and if traded to someone who won't be an immediate contender he may well just retire. There are young QBs available like Jackson, Croyle and Clemons who Gailey might also enjoy success with and who could compete with Brohm
Fans should consider that Nix/Gailey will almost certainly get at least two years. The Bills will remain uncompetitive in Free Agency if there is one and have not suffered well here before so Nix will focus on the draft. Nix is right in saying teams do not really go BPA but actually focus on acute need. And as Nix has eloquently stated
"It's hard to throw when you're lying on your back."
This draft should start at Left Tackle, and then go for the rest of the draft on the DL, LB, and then maybe later on some skills players. Once the team have got the meat and potatoes in place this year, then 2011 can be used on a QB but ONLY IF our QBs fail this year. Fans will point out that the SuperBowl QBs this year are guarded by lower drafted LTs but there are two key differences
1) The QBs combined have 20years+ experience with quick releases and are able to read defences quickly. A rookie does not have these skills yet. He needs 5secs to get rid of the ball, an experienced guy 3secs. Those 2secs are all the time it takes to get flattened
2) Those LTs aren't first year starters. Neither flunked the way Bell has in their first year of starting. You occasionally find a lower round gem but to rely on that is insane
I understand the clamour for a QB but its like wanting to buy a brilliant engine and then put it in a rubbish car. No matter how good it is it won't work. Our QB will be our most important player but it is absolutely ESSENTIAL we place him in an environment where he will have time to succeed rather than throw him to the Wolves.
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