Another Donahoe Mistake?

[DraftBoy]

Completely agree with you here. Evans will probably be a good WR (although Im not sure if he'll amount to anything more than a great #2). I was a little upset when we drafted him, I mean do you guys really think he's worth a #11?

The thing I really dont get with the whole draft... Is if we were willing to really give up alot of picks for a QB, why not just (as Sippio said) just draft a WR in the second or thrid round (we could of got Colbert or Jenkins), and really make a push for Ben Roethlishberger?

Though I dont think we did 'that' bad in the draft, I do think it could of been much better done.

Our offense has been horrendous since the loss of Peerless and still has been at times this season but yet at other times we have been successfully able to spread the D's deep allowing for McGahee to run wild and Moulds to work underneath. Evans has been our homerun threat and has produced wonderfully in those situations, I love this pick bc this offense now has a capable #2. Who was gonna play this posistion next season??? Aiken? I think we may have had the slowest WR core in the NFL if you think that. This is a weak draft class overall. Lots of projects and possible late round gems but not much upfront to offer, if some of you think by losing a pick in this draft it at all hinders us your wrong. The only posistions that are deep are DE and DT. There is really only one true OT worth a top pick in Alex Barron and I doubt we will see many teams earger to drop picks to move up in this week class. As for Losman Id take him over any QB in the entire draft right now. He was well worth our pick (10-15). Also if your reffering to Micheal Jenkins he went in round 1 not 2 or 3. I believe we tried to move up for Big Ben but Pitt wasnt budging. Who in last years draft would you of rather of had based purerly on what we had known at #11 pick?? Im just wondering? Dont base this on what the player has done this season but take the mindset of what we had known.

[Kenny]

Our offense has been horrendous since the loss of Peerless and still has been at times this season but yet at other times we have been successfully able to spread the D's deep allowing for McGahee to run wild and Moulds to work underneath. Evans has been our homerun threat and has produced wonderfully in those situations, I love this pick bc this offense now has a capable #2. Who was gonna play this posistion next season??? Aiken? I think we may have had the slowest WR core in the NFL if you think that. This is a weak draft class overall. Lots of projects and possible late round gems but not much upfront to offer, if some of you think by losing a pick in this draft it at all hinders us your wrong. The only posistions that are deep are DE and DT. There is really only one true OT worth a top pick in Alex Barron and I doubt we will see many teams earger to drop picks to move up in this week class. As for Losman Id take him over any QB in the entire draft right now. He was well worth our pick (10-15). Also if your reffering to Micheal Jenkins he went in round 1 not 2 or 3. I believe we tried to move up for Big Ben but Pitt wasnt budging. Who in last years draft would you of rather of had based purerly on what we had known at #11 pick?? Im just wondering? Dont base this on what the player has done this season but take the mindset of what we had known.

It's definately a weak QB class, but to say that the entire draft class is weak is wrong. There's alot of depth in this draft, whether it be RB, to linebackers, to even defensive backs.
As for the OT, I doubt Barron is going to be top OT picked... IMO it'll definately be Jamaal Brown from the Sooners. Either way, those two will be first round picks (Marcus McNeil has a pretty good chance at being drafted in the first too).

As for the QB position, Im not too sold on Losman... yet. But to say that he's better than every single QB that might be coming out next year isnt right. Perhaps you forgot about Aaron Rodgers?
Honestly, I just dont see what the big 'hype' about Losman is from some of you guys. To me he just looks like a guy with a good arm, who likes to run alot.
Now I understand that my post here might sound like I dont like our guys... that's not the case. Im just not a homer.

As for Evans, I just dont see him as our homerun threat this year. He's been pretty inconsistent so far, and I dont think he's made much of a difference. IMO, our offense has been all McGahee... His ability to bounce to the outside, break tackles, and make yards out of nothing, has been our only real threat on offense this year.
That, and our line has started to show up. We're nowhere near the leagues best, but we're nowhere near the worst either (I mean other than the Raiders and Ravens games, can you honestly say that our line played that bad?)

BTW, you said our offense has been horrendous since PP left. Guess what? Our offense was horrendous when PP was still here. Remember the second half of the 2002 season? Now that Evans is here, there really hasnt been much difference, other than (I'll mention it again) McGahee being able to move our offense.

A bit off topic, but I dont think our WRs were ever the problem... At the risk of sounding like a DB basher, I've always felt the root of our problems have always been at the QB position.

Now Im not going to judge Evans solely on his performance this year, but I just didnt and still dont see the need for spending our 11th pick on a WR of Evan's size and talent. Roy and Reggie who IMO were the only WRs worthy of a pick that high, were both long gone, and if Donohoe was already set at getting a QB in the first round, why not try harder to pick ahead of the Steelers? Possibly two first rounders? and then go for a WR in the second round?

[Billsouth]

josh reed, Eric Moulds, Clayton, sounds like the slowest WR core in the NFL to me.

BINGO!! that is the exact reason why we did not choose clayton. also, the numbers are skewed because clayton was basically tb's only receiver for a significant portion of the season so far, whereas evans did not even start until after the season already started.

i think evans has had a very good year. he looks fast, runs good routes and has great hands.

quite frankly, aiken is just as good as clayton and is of a similar mold (i.e. possession receiver)

[justasportsfan]

Moulds was a mistake too. He didn't develop until his 3rd season. We should've cut him after his 2nd year.


Lee is playing opposite Moulds. He won't be the first option to throw too most of the time until he's had a few years under his belt and time to develop. Cmon guys, if teams decide their picks are busts after the middle of the season, they should close shop.

[DraftBoy]

It's definately a weak QB class, but to say that the entire draft class is weak is wrong. There's alot of depth in this draft, whether it be RB, to linebackers, to even defensive backs.
As for the OT, I doubt Barron is going to be top OT picked... IMO it'll definately be Jamaal Brown from the Sooners. Either way, those two will be first round picks (Marcus McNeil has a pretty good chance at being drafted in the first too).

As for the QB position, Im not too sold on Losman... yet. But to say that he's better than every single QB that might be coming out next year isnt right. Perhaps you forgot about Aaron Rodgers?
Honestly, I just dont see what the big 'hype' about Losman is from some of you guys. To me he just looks like a guy with a good arm, who likes to run alot.
Now I understand that my post here might sound like I dont like our guys... that's not the case. Im just not a homer.

As for Evans, I just dont see him as our homerun threat this year. He's been pretty inconsistent so far, and I dont think he's made much of a difference. IMO, our offense has been all McGahee... His ability to bounce to the outside, break tackles, and make yards out of nothing, has been our only real threat on offense this year.
That, and our line has started to show up. We're nowhere near the leagues best, but we're nowhere near the worst either (I mean other than the Raiders and Ravens games, can you honestly say that our line played that bad?)

BTW, you said our offense has been horrendous since PP left. Guess what? Our offense was horrendous when PP was still here. Remember the second half of the 2002 season? Now that Evans is here, there really hasnt been much difference, other than (I'll mention it again) McGahee being able to move our offense.

A bit off topic, but I dont think our WRs were ever the problem... At the risk of sounding like a DB basher, I've always felt the root of our problems have always been at the QB position.

Now Im not going to judge Evans solely on his performance this year, but I just didnt and still dont see the need for spending our 11th pick on a WR of Evan's size and talent. Roy and Reggie who IMO were the only WRs worthy of a pick that high, were both long gone, and if Donohoe was already set at getting a QB in the first round, why not try harder to pick ahead of the Steelers? Possibly two first rounders? and then go for a WR in the second round?

Alex Barron is by far the top OT in this class and will be the 1st selected. Aaron Rodgers is like alot of other Pac-10 QB's a product of the system. Kyle Boller, Carson Palmer, Ryan Leif. Not dont get my wrong he's better than all those players but He's also alot like them with having one really strong year. Rodgers is about Losman level type play with better accuracy and pocket poise but less mobility and arm strength. The only posistions with good depth are: RB, DL, LB and DB....that does not constitute a strong draft hell the fact thats its depth heavy makes it a bad draft, and this is the type of draft where you know who is a good and bad gm. When you gotta take a 3rd round guy and know he's a starter. This draft lacks the sure shot superstar players you wanna see in the draft class, plenty of depth but lacks top notch players. When the top pick may be a guy who hasnt played football (not due to injury) in nearly a year thats saying something about the class (Mike Williams). The hype about Losman is this....He was a 3 or 4 year starter at Tulane (cant remeber exactly so please forgive me), he got the crap kicked out of him every single year, so he knows how to take a hit and succeeded behind a bad line (which we have), he is mobile (some say happy feet, but that will come with maturity and trust in his OL), he has a cannon, he can throw on the run either way, he can move the pocket, he got nothing but rave reviews from his coaches and former teamates, he's a leader, he has a swagger about him you cant teach, his confidence is sky high, and he has a great teacher in Drew Bledsoe. Im not gonna sit here and tell you he's the savior of this team, but I will say the skills are there.....As for Evans I can prove to you that he's a homerun threat, or anything like that all I can say is that in many games (dont know exact amount) he has had a catch or 2 over 20 yards, hell in some cases he's had some 30 and 40 yard catches, he was a homerun threat at Wisconsin, and runs near a 4.2 40, has soft hands, and is nearly, if not, fully recovered from a knee injury. I see alot in the kid, who is intelligent, a good route runner, fast as can be, and has soft hands.....Lastly in your question about why not try and get Big Ben, it was my understanding that we did attempt to move up but Pitt was budging, so if we dont take Lee Evans at #11, who do we take? Btw great points, and a good discussion, pos rep for you.

[Jeff1220]

After Evans' performance today, I figured this needed a bump.

[Michael82]

After Evans' performance today, I figured this needed a bump.

I agree!

[Kenny]

Alex Barron is by far the top OT in this class and will be the 1st selected. Aaron Rodgers is like alot of other Pac-10 QB's a product of the system. Kyle Boller, Carson Palmer, Ryan Leif. Not dont get my wrong he's better than all those players but He's also alot like them with having one really strong year. Rodgers is about Losman level type play with better accuracy and pocket poise but less mobility and arm strength. The only posistions with good depth are: RB, DL, LB and DB....that does not constitute a strong draft hell the fact thats its depth heavy makes it a bad draft, and this is the type of draft where you know who is a good and bad gm. When you gotta take a 3rd round guy and know he's a starter. This draft lacks the sure shot superstar players you wanna see in the draft class, plenty of depth but lacks top notch players. When the top pick may be a guy who hasnt played football (not due to injury) in nearly a year thats saying something about the class (Mike Williams). The hype about Losman is this....He was a 3 or 4 year starter at Tulane (cant remeber exactly so please forgive me), he got the crap kicked out of him every single year, so he knows how to take a hit and succeeded behind a bad line (which we have), he is mobile (some say happy feet, but that will come with maturity and trust in his OL), he has a cannon, he can throw on the run either way, he can move the pocket, he got nothing but rave reviews from his coaches and former teamates, he's a leader, he has a swagger about him you cant teach, his confidence is sky high, and he has a great teacher in Drew Bledsoe. Im not gonna sit here and tell you he's the savior of this team, but I will say the skills are there.....As for Evans I can prove to you that he's a homerun threat, or anything like that all I can say is that in many games (dont know exact amount) he has had a catch or 2 over 20 yards, hell in some cases he's had some 30 and 40 yard catches, he was a homerun threat at Wisconsin, and runs near a 4.2 40, has soft hands, and is nearly, if not, fully recovered from a knee injury. I see alot in the kid, who is intelligent, a good route runner, fast as can be, and has soft hands.....Lastly in your question about why not try and get Big Ben, it was my understanding that we did attempt to move up but Pitt was budging, so if we dont take Lee Evans at #11, who do we take? Btw great points, and a good discussion, pos rep for you.

I guess we disagree with the top OT then.

But about the draft, let's take a closer look. This time last year, other than Eli Manning and Roy Williams, were there really any big names? Wait until next year, particulary during and right after the bowl games until you start hearing about all the players being hyped up (as it was before last draft).

I mean take a look at the QBs. Ben and Rivers (and Losman) were not considered 'big' name QBs this time last year. Rivers in particular wasnt even slated to be a first rounder by most 'draft experts' until AFTER the Senior Bowl (I still dont understand how one man's stock can rise so much after just one game). I actually remember Losman was actually considered the 2nd best QB after Manning this time last year.
As for Rodgers being part of a system, I guess we disagree with each other again here. I mean if you were talking about Leinhart, I'd agree with you 100%, but not about Rodgers.

If you want to talk about superstars (I wont even go to the RBs cause it's going to be one of the richest RB classes in a while), people who already have pretty big names:
- Aaron Rodgers (he'll most likely declare)
- Derrick Johnson (LB) arguably more talented than any of LBs that came out last year
- Antrell Rolle (CB)
- Mike Williams (knock him all you want, but even with his current status, I'd take him over any of the WRs last year other than Roy) & Braylon Edwards
I'd be willing to bet that after the bowl games this list will easily triple.

That being said (and getting back to the original topic), Im not against the players we got. Im pretty happy with how things turned out, I just wished that things turned out better (which I know is much easier to say now that it's in the past).

[DraftBoy]

I guess we disagree with the top OT then.

But about the draft, let's take a closer look. This time last year, other than Eli Manning and Roy Williams, were there really any big names? Wait until next year, particulary during and right after the bowl games until you start hearing about all the players being hyped up (as it was before last draft).

I mean take a look at the QBs. Ben and Rivers (and Losman) were not considered 'big' name QBs this time last year. Rivers in particular wasnt even slated to be a first rounder by most 'draft experts' until AFTER the Senior Bowl (I still dont understand how one man's stock can rise so much after just one game). I actually remember Losman was actually considered the 2nd best QB after Manning this time last year.
As for Rodgers being part of a system, I guess we disagree with each other again here. I mean if you were talking about Leinhart, I'd agree with you 100%, but not about Rodgers.

If you want to talk about superstars (I wont even go to the RBs cause it's going to be one of the richest RB classes in a while), people who already have pretty big names:
- Aaron Rodgers (he'll most likely declare)
- Derrick Johnson (LB) arguably more talented than any of LBs that came out last year
- Antrell Rolle (CB)
- Mike Williams (knock him all you want, but even with his current status, I'd take him over any of the WRs last year other than Roy) & Braylon Edwards
I'd be willing to bet that after the bowl games this list will easily triple.

That being said (and getting back to the original topic), Im not against the players we got. Im pretty happy with how things turned out, I just wished that things turned out better (which I know is much easier to say now that it's in the past).

I said that I thought Rodgers was the real deal just making the comparison that is there, as for Eli being the only top QB, Rivers from midseason on was considered a 1st round pick, it was the senior bowl that moved him to the top 10. Antrell Rolle is the only sure shot player to be huge that you listed everyone else has questions with the least being Williams. RB's have alot of good ones but aside from that what other position has a ton of top echelon players? None, its all good-decent depth. Mike Williams is still a lil slow, and hasnt played in a year, Rodgers could be the next Boller. I studied the last draft very closely as I do with every draft (SHAMELESS SELF PROMO: Pay attention for my top 5 senior prospect list at each posistion, COMING SOON!) and Ill study this one, and this is a weak class no way around it.

[SABURZFAN]

This post is a WASTE OF TIME!

i agree.

[SABURZFAN]

Billsfever,Do you think that Evans is good but we shoulda went a different direction in the draft?

i think we should have.this past draft was strong enough where we could have strengthen both the OL and DL.instead,we get a schmoe out of Montana.

[SABURZFAN]

We got an extra pick in a strong draft and gave away one in a weak draft. Not too bad imo.

donahoe gave up too much.

[SABURZFAN]

I believe we tried to move up for Big Ben but Pitt wasnt budging.

i don't understand why we didn't deal with houston because houston could have gotten robinson at our pick.

[Jan Reimers]

After Evans' performance today, I figured this needed a bump.

With regard to Lee Evans, Toby Keith said it best: "How do you like me now?"

Some of you need to sit back and watch our young talent develop. This just might turn out to be a very good team.

[TigerJ]

Donahoe was very interested in Clayton. They brought him in for a visit and talked with him for a while. Lee Evans was picked because he was what they were missing. He's just not getting used properly. I haven't seen him drop any(many) passes at all. Bledsoe just isn't finding him open downfield. I believe he will be a big part of the offense next year and he was the receiver trhe Bills needed. They needed speed, not a possession receiver, a speed receiver to compliment Moulds. I also feel that we might have Moulds' replacement on the team. I know people are going to laugh, but Sam Aiken looks huge. He's been working out with Moulds and once they get him more involved in the offense, you will see it. Evans is a great deep threat to match the posession receiver in Moulds or aiken.

Mikey's right. Eric Moulds needs a speed receiver on the other side to be most effective. Evans was brought along slowly at the start of the season in part because as a smaller receiver he had a little trouble learning how to fight through the contact within five yards of the line of scrimmage. The lower numbers also reflect the fact that Buffalo's making a concerted effort to focus on power running and not becoming "Air Mularkey." He's doing just fine now.