SBNation.com User Blog: BuffaloWhiner

Doubts about draft and Bills organization!

BuffaloWhiner — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:24:16 -0000

First of all, I think Manuel can be a good QB in this league and I do like the pick. But until he steps onto the field, who knows. Bill Polian had Landry Jones as his #1. And for all of the prognosticator's out there, can you say Russell Wilson or Kaepernick!!!

I am somewhat confused that they didn't take a guard, since they did lose Andy Levitre. The way I see the Bills draft, they could have draft a stud guard in Cooper or Warmack at #8 and had a Pro Bowler and 10 year veteran. They were the best players to fit a need as the Bills like to say. They then could have taken Woods in round 2 or Manuel, then taken a QB or WR in round-3.

Baffled to say the least!

For years, I have been listening to the Bills having to draft a "need" or a player that fits into their scheme. I still don't understand their draft philosophy and for a team that has not made the playoffs for 13 years, until they prove me differently and start winning, I am going to continue to doubt them and their drafts! Small market teams like the Bills have to depend upon the draft even more than a winning team or larger market, to turn around a losing season(s). First of all, I think Manuel can be a good QB in this league and I do like the pick. But until he steps onto the field, who knows. Bill Polian had Landry Jones as his #1. And for all of the prognosticator's out there, can you say Russell Wilson or Kaepernick!!! I am somewhat confused that they didn't take a guard, since they did lose Andy Levitre. The way I see the Bills draft, they could have draft a stud guard in Cooper or Warmack at #8 and had a Pro Bowler and 10 year veteran. They were the best players to fit a need as the Bills like to say. They then could have taken Woods in round 2 or Manuel, then taken a QB or WR in round-3. Baffled to say the least!

Why Bills should take Guard at #8

BuffaloWhiner — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:33:58 -0000

They lost Andy Levitre and have not replaced him yet! That is a huge loss, especially when one of the bright spots on the offense was the offensive line and running game. Okay, the only bright spot. Chance Warmack is the type of guard that you could put in there and he could play for at least 10 years! And is possibly a Pro Bowler. Bills should draft the best player available and take a QB in rounds 2 or 3.

If the Bills take a QB at #8, it could turn out to be a waisted pick. First of all, there is no sure thing at QB this year. But then again, can you say "Russell Wilson". Bill Polian stated that he thought Landry Jones was better than Ryan Nassib. I do like Nassib, as I do Barkley, Manuel, and Landy Jones. But I don't like them as the 8th best player in the draft. The Bills have way too many holes on this team to think drafting a QB will suddenly make them a playoff team. They lost Andy Levitre and have not replaced him yet! That is a huge loss, especially when one of the bright spots on the offense was the offensive line and running game. Okay, the only bright spot. Chance Warmack is the type of guard that you could put in there and he could play for at least 10 years! And is possibly a Pro Bowler. Bills should draft the best player available and take a QB in rounds 2 or 3.

Fire Russ Brandon!

BuffaloWhiner — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:23:58 -0000

I don't live in Buffalo anymore, but have often wondered why the Bills have Russ Brandon as CEO and what is his background. It seems that as long as he has been with the Bills administration, the Bills have been terrible! I did some research and sure enough, Brandon was hired in 1997, which is right about the same time that the Bills started their playoff drought! He attended St. John Fisher, were he played baseball. Oh, and he did work for the Florida Marlins organization. That explains it basically....The Bills have been drafting excellent baseball players who claim to play football!
Get rid of Brandon!

Bills might have worst scout in NFL!

BuffaloWhiner — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:24:40 -0000

Every year it seems that the Bills draft rookies that never pan out for the most part! I watched New England and Chandler Jones and Donte Hightower are making an impact, while JJ Watts at Houston, who is replacing Mario Williams, had 1-1/2 sacks. For years we have watched the Bills pass up on Orakpo for Maybin, etc. Does out current scouting department even know anything about football! Gilmore got torched yesterday and I always question drafting a DB that high. Bills might have been smarter to draft Melvin Ingram, who is lighting it up in San Diego. It just seems that they draft a bunch of average players, while the rest of the league is way ahead of them in determining talent!

Senior Bowl summary on players of note.

BuffaloWhiner — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:47:41 -0000

Now that the Senior Bowl is over with, I decided to do read some summaries of what players stock rose and which one's dropped, in regards to players mentioned that the Bills might draft in 1st round. A name that most people have not mentioned, probably because you can't spell it,

is Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington, really rose - The following was written about his performance in practices, etc.

If scouts were hoping to be wowed by Ta'amu, all they need to due is watch the Senior Bowl game film. The big defensive tackle was dominant every time he lined up and was a constant nuisance for opponents. He collapsed the pocket on several occasions, overpowering opponents to make plays behind the line of scrimmage or force the action. His quarterback pressure at the end of the first half ended what looked to be a potential scoring drive for the South. In the second half the South was forced to double team Ta'amu in the attempt to slow him down.

When the Bills missed passed on Ngata for Whitner years ago, I have envisioned the Bills drafting a large Defensive Tackle to stop the run, ala Ted Washington. I just wonder if the Bills would take him in the 2nd round if he is there, with Kyle Williams and Dareus as starters. Would it be worth it?

Most mock drafts have had Bills taking Coples or Upshaw, of which the following was written about Coples Senior Bowl experience:

Quinton Coples/DL/North Carolina: Coples flashed brilliance during the game, looking like a man among boys at times. His athleticism is incredible, as Coples beat opponents with quickness, speed and power. On several occasions he had Kelechi Osemele flailing in an attempt to slow him down. When he could not get to the quarterback, Coples got his long arms up to swat away passes. When he's on his game Coples is a difference-maker up front. The problem for scouts is determining how often Coples is willing to play at his highest level.

Vinny Curry/DE/Marshall: Curry continues to impress scouts with his ability to get penetration across the line of scrimmage. He was constantly in the backfield and his quarterback pressures in the first quarter caused a lot of problems for the South. On one occasion Curry bull rushed the much larger Zebrie Sanders into the pocket which resulted in a loss of yardage. Curry has significantly improved his draft stock this week and a good combine workout could secure him a spot in the late part of Round 1.

Nigel Bradham/OLB/Florida State: Bradham was fast and athletic all game long, running down opponents from all directions of the field. He was terrific in pursuit and Bradham made several outstanding plays in open space. Bradham showed skill in pass defense and was on top of his game covering tight ends and running backs.

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, 6’2, 273, Alabama

Upshaw spent part of the week at defensive end where he showed a number of teams he has the tools to make the transition at the NFL level. Upshaw’s versatility will present teams with a number of options, lets him play in a number of schemes and in a league where the hybrid defense is becoming the norm, allows him to stay on the field for more downs.

Part of Upshaw’s problem coming into Senior Bowl week was that he was a player who had been used primarily as an edge rusher at Alabama. He was asked to pin his ears back and attack more so than to read and react so questions about his football IQ needed to be answered. What coaches and scouts got to see was an intelligent, instinctual linebacker who has the versatility to play down on the line if need be. He lacks the football IQ of Luke Kuechly and as such will require more coaching but his athleticism is better. He probably made his way up into the top half of the first round last week.

Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, 6’2, 276, South Carolina

Ingram and Upshaw have a lot in common in terms of skill-sets and versatility, but unlike Upshaw who played linebacker in college and is looking at playing some defensive end in the pros, Ingram was recruited as a linebacker, played end in college and now he’s making the switch back the other way. Headed into the Senior Bowl teams wanted to see how the Gamecock defensive end could make the transition and were pleasantly surprised.

Ingram would have work to do in order to make it happen correctly, he’d have to work on changing his body type a little and he needs to work on technique quite a bit, but you can’t teach athleticism. That’s what coaches and scouts saw in Mobile, he has the tools, he just needs the coaching. He also brings the versatility to be able to play a few different positions in a number of different schemes. That versatility, like with Upshaw, should help raise his stock on its own, but coupled with the week Ingram had in Mobile, he’s really helped himself.

Stock has dropped:

Russell Wilson/QB/Wisconsin: Wilson was terrific when he lined up in the shotgun and was able to move outside the pocket and throw on the move. When he was asked to play in an NFL style offense it was a completely different story. From the pocket Wilson sprayed his passes around the field and missed an easy scoring opportunity early in the game when his throw was wide of the mark. He showed little in the way of pocket presence or the ability to sense the rush. Wilson is a tremendous athlete, but he needs a lot of work before he'll be an NFL-ready passer.

is Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington, really rose - The following was written about his performance in practices, etc.

Most mock drafts have had Bills taking Coples or Upshaw, of which the following was written about Coples Senior Bowl experience:

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, 6’2, 273, Alabama

Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, 6’2, 276, South Carolina

Stock has dropped:

Article on Quinton Coples - Charlotte Newspaper

BuffaloWhiner — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:05:44 -0000

Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/26/2959305/spotlight-gives-uncs-coples-a.html

MOBILE, Ala. As a tall, athletic defensive end from North Carolina, the comparisons to Julius Peppers were unavoidable for Quinton Coples.

Actually, Coples could have avoided this comparison: the tendency to go less than 100 percent every snap.

But where critics claimed Peppers would take plays off when he was with the Carolina Panthers, Coples has been blasted for taking the first three-quarters of the season off during his final year with the Tar Heels.

Coples, a 6-6, 280-pound native of Kinston, began last season as the top-rated senior prospect and a projected top-5 pick. But after a slow start that raised questions about his drive, Coples' draft stock slipped.

Coples had 2.5 sacks in the Tar Heels' first eight games against FBS schools, then had three in the final two regular-season games against Virginia Tech and Duke.

While some top seniors, such as Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, skip the Senior Bowl for fear it will hurt their prospects, Coples had no choice but to come to Mobile.

Tony Pauline, draft expert for SI.com, said UNC coaches have been telling scouts Coples played cautiously his senior season to avoid getting hurt - a charge Coples denies. Coples said his production fell off initially because of his move to the right side, where he faced better offensive tackles, many of whom had help blocking Coples.

"I was in a situation most people wouldn't understand. I experienced double teams, triple teams, like I've never experienced before in my career," Coples said. "It was a big adjustment. I learned a lot and it helped me mature and become more of a professional as a man on and off the field."

Coples has had a good week at the Senior Bowl practices, beating blockers during 1-on-1 drills and looking like the kind of impact pass-rusher that draws big contracts in the quarterback-centric NFL. Peppers received a $90 million deal from Chicago as a free agent after the 2009 season. During his last fall in Charlotte, Peppers returned to Chapel Hill for the Florida State game and met Coples on the sideline at Kenan Stadium.

Coples said he respects Peppers as a player and person, but wants to establish his own identity. Pauline said he must first convince scouts he has the will.

"He looks the part. Occasionally he plays to it," Pauline said. "He shows some Julius Peppers in his game at times. But the problem is he did it for two games this year. The first three-quarters of the season he took off."

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper ranks Coples as the top defensive end and projected him to go seventh in his first mock draft - just ahead of the Panthers, who could have an interest in bringing in a pass-rushing end to line up opposite Charles Johnson.

"That would be unbelievable," Coples said. "Playing in my home state."

One of Coples' college rivals believes Coples will be a big addition for whichever team drafts him.

"He's a very explosive player. He's got a lot of talent," said former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, who played his first three seasons at N.C. State.

"He's a great kid, first of all. And you definitely see it on the field. Me and him are buddies. Whenever I see him, we joke around a little bit. ... I've seen a lot of great players, and he's definitely one of them."

Then after praising Coples, Wilson couldn't resist taking a shot at him.

"It was exciting to play against him," Wilson said. "The good thing is we beat 'em three times."

Coples' stop-and-start senior season has not prompted him to re-adjust his goals. Never mind the defensive ends; Coples said he's competing with quarterbacks, running backs and receivers for one of the top picks in the draft.

"My goal is to be the best defensive lineman that ever came through at the size of 280 and 6-6," he said.

There's another one from Coples' old school who can make a pretty strong argument. But Coples is ready to be his own man.