Trading Up for Watkins Was Folly -- Jerry Sullivan

[WagonCircler]

• Trading next year’s No. 1 draft pick for Sammy Watkins was a reckless move by Bills general manager Doug Whaley, a desperate attempt to prop up a shaky franchise quarterback and win games in a hurry to impress the next owner.

It was a bad idea on a number of levels. Whaley said the pick would be low in the first round, essentially guaranteeing his team would make the playoffs. Now the Bills are fading fast. If they don’t snap out of it, the first-round pick that Whaley gave the Browns might be in the top 10.

Do you know what makes Whaley’s Folly even worse? The NFL’s current crop of first-year wideouts is one of the best in history. This rookie class continues to validate the judgment of scouts who said last year’s draft would produce a bounty of gifted receivers.

In a draft filled with top wideouts, the Bills felt Watkins was a cut above the rest, a generational talent they simply had to have. So what if a bunch of other guys had rare ability and upside? They traded up for Watkins at No. 4 overall, forfeiting a chance to take a quarterback high in 2015.

This isn’t about Watkins’ talent. He’s a special player. For the most part, he has justified expectations. He might prove to be the best receiver in the 2014 draft. The issue is whether Watkins was so clearly superior to the rest of a great receiving class that it warranted the cost. When you see how the other rookies are doing, you have to wonder.

More...

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/tr...folly-20141117

[Cali512]

Worst part is there is a good 3-5 rookies who have done as much or more than Sammy without the attitude. With QBs like Derek Anderson, Henne/Bortles

[jamze132]

Yeah it sucks being a Bills fan. I don't get to have much fun in the office since I NEVER have ground to stand on in any conversation. GO BILLS!

[Meathead]

i love sammy and hes the best wr of that class but im starting to think he was a mistake. if one of the two current qbs ends up starting long term then its fine but if we are back in qb purgatory then not having that pick is going to be monumentally expensive in terms of years wasted and/or what they will have to give up to get somebody good behind center

[Novacane]

Worst part is there is a good 3-5 rookies who have done as much or more than Sammy without the attitude. With QBs like Derek Anderson, Henne/Bortles

Sammy has a bad attitude?

[coastal]

Ralph is cheap

[DesertFox24]

There are no QBs in this draft either. We do not have a shot at MAriotta or Winston, and to be honest I am not sure either of them is better than what we have. In other words I don't think they will be any good either.

[X-Era]

• Trading next year’s No. 1 draft pick for Sammy Watkins was a reckless move by Bills general manager Doug Whaley, a desperate attempt to prop up a shaky franchise quarterback and win games in a hurry to impress the next owner.

It was a bad idea on a number of levels. Whaley said the pick would be low in the first round, essentially guaranteeing his team would make the playoffs. Now the Bills are fading fast. If they don’t snap out of it, the first-round pick that Whaley gave the Browns might be in the top 10.

Do you know what makes Whaley’s Folly even worse? The NFL’s current crop of first-year wideouts is one of the best in history. This rookie class continues to validate the judgment of scouts who said last year’s draft would produce a bounty of gifted receivers.

In a draft filled with top wideouts, the Bills felt Watkins was a cut above the rest, a generational talent they simply had to have. So what if a bunch of other guys had rare ability and upside? They traded up for Watkins at No. 4 overall, forfeiting a chance to take a quarterback high in 2015.

This isn’t about Watkins’ talent. He’s a special player. For the most part, he has justified expectations. He might prove to be the best receiver in the 2014 draft. The issue is whether Watkins was so clearly superior to the rest of a great receiving class that it warranted the cost. When you see how the other rookies are doing, you have to wonder.

More...

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/tr...folly-20141117

Paying attention to a single word Jerry Sullivan spews is folly

[X-Era]

i love sammy and hes the best wr of that class but im starting to think he was a mistake. if one of the two current qbs ends up starting long term then its fine but if we are back in qb purgatory then not having that pick is going to be monumentally expensive in terms of years wasted and/or what they will have to give up to get somebody good behind center

That decision isn't made now it was made when EJ had a total of 8 starts under his belt.

I have no issue with the Watkins move.

[trapezeus]

everyone knew that the trade was a bad choice. but watkins isn't an attitude problem like someone alluded to and the point is that in 3 years he will look dramatically different.

it is on the FO thinking that a WR would aid manuel.

Whaley tried to take credit for Manuel when they picked him, he now says the plan was to sit him all along, and now he says buddy was the guy responsible for Manuel.

the front office is broken. Last year probably would have been best to move back if anything and find a way to get more DB's and a TE, but they went up for a WR.

based on how poorly the bills have drafted, watkins is the least of their worries. the lost pick adn the fact they may have the same baffoons picking again is the issue.

[Cali512]

Sammy has thrown EJ under the bus a bunch and has the same body language the Woods or TO have. Hes not this nice perfect guy everyone acts like. I dont hate him but hes going down as a whitner so far

[YardRat]

Sully's happy again, the team is on a losing streak and the rest of the season looks bleak. When there is something to imply any hint of optimism going on, he kind of stays below the radar, but he loves when the **** hits the fan and he can pounce. I think he posts here, the fingerprints are remarkably similar.

[kingJofNYC]

Everyone keeps talking about the other WRs, but what if they took Ebron?

Bottom line, the front office can't build a winner. You don't have to sit here and scrutinize every move, proof is there for everyone to see. They haven't made the right moves for over a decade.

[Thurmal]

When he's healthy and the QB isn't playing terribly, he is a HUGE asset. What's done is done. Whaley made the trade and also built some great depth on defense. I would hope his job is safe. When looking at the state of this team, the obvious problems lie in the offensive line (sketchy as hell) and the play-calling (an abomination).

[DraftBoy]

Sammy has thrown EJ under the bus a bunch and has the same body language the Woods or TO have. Hes not this nice perfect guy everyone acts like. I dont hate him but hes going down as a whitner so far

What are you talking about?

[Mace]

Sammy has a bad attitude?

I guess I'll jump in and be unpopular here. I wouldn't say he has an attiutude, but he's been less than enthusiastic on some routes, with some QB's and has said so. Yes I know he's battled nagging injuries, but you still see him do it. But he's hurt ! Might mean he's frail.

I agree with Sullivan though, to my aggravation. You don't frost a freaking cake before you make one.

Here we go again but so. Two words, "Julio Jones" and they had a QB.

Real bad time to blow a number 1 in 2015 for less than dominating player, imho.

[BuffaloRedleg]

The thing I hate the most about it is just if you are going to go for it then ****ing go for it. I was hoping that the trade symbolized a must win attitude going forward that would translate to performance on the field. I didn't like the move but I loved the attitude. Whatever, go big. Be ambitious. But once you commit to that path you need to follow through and that just isn't the case.

About 50 punts inside the other teams side of the field later I'm pretty sure that this was all just smoke being blown up our asses.

[pmoon6]

Sully's happy again, the team is on a losing streak and the rest of the season looks bleak. When there is something to imply any hint of optimism going on, he kind of stays below the radar, but he loves when the **** hits the fan and he can pounce. I think he posts here, the fingerprints are remarkably similar.

Sullivan is a self aggrandizing moron who actually thinks he knows something.

Kinda like all the self aggrandizing morons on this board, but with a byline.

[WagonCircler]

Sullivan is a self aggrandizing moron who actually thinks he knows something.

Kinda like all the self aggrandizing morons on this board, but with a byline.

But the truth is the truth, even if it comes from a moron.

And he's not the only one saying this.

I love Sammy's talent, but he's not twice the player that the other receivers taken in the first two rounds are, and he would need to be in order to justify paying double for him.

And when you add in the double whammy that A) There's no QB to take advantage of Watkins' value, and B) Spending so much on him dramatically decreases the possibility that he will have a real QB in the near future.

It was a big splashy expenditure made with one of those credit cards with a 35% interest rate. The shiny new toy looks great, but then the bill comes due. And next year, on draft day, and next season, that cost is going to be painful.

Sammy is a great talent, but he was a sucker's bet, and the guy who made that bet needs to go away.

[TacklingDummy]

Watkins might not even be the best rookie WR that came from Clemson this year.

I'd rather have a different WR from this years draft and our 1st/4th rounders in next years draft.