My Last Mack Draft for the 2012 NFL Draft

Round 1 - Stephon Gilmore - CB - South Carolina - We know what he can do

Round 2 - Bobby Massie - OT - Ole Miss - Will Push Hairston

Round 3 - Brian Quick - WR - Applalachian State - Possible #2 and he will push Jones and Easley to step up

Round 4 - Russell Wilson - QB - Wisconson - Our future QB

Round 4 - Vontaze Burfict - ILB - Arizona State - Has potential with mentoring to be a solid starter

Round 5 - DeQuan Menzie - CB - Alabama - You can never have enough CB

Round 5 - Taylor Thompson - TE - SMU - Size and speed to be our #2 TE

Round 6 - Marquis Maize - WR - Alabama - The new Parrish

Round 7 - Kentrell Lockett - OLB - Ole Miss - Special teamer and depth

Round 7 - T-Bob Hebert - C/G - LSU - Solid backup can play both guard and center and played against NFLers in the SEC (his first name is T-Bob)

Your thoughts!!!

Soon the draft will be upon us so here is a ROUGH breakdown of round value to the prospects that have passed through One Bills Drive.

Round 1
Tannehill - QB
Richardson - RB
Blackmon - WR
Kalil - OT
Martin - OT
Glenn - OL
Mercilus - DE
Ingram - DE/OLB
Kuechly - LB
Claiborne - CB
Gilmore - CB
Kirkpatrick - CB
Barron - S

Round 2
Adams - OT
Curry - DE
Hightower - LB

Round 3
Osweiler - QB
Quick - WR
McChellin - DE/OLB
Robinson - CB

Round 4
Cousins - QB
Jones - DE
Irvin - DE/OLB
Fleming - CB

Round 5
Wilson - QB
Carder - LB
Menzie - CB

Round 6
Brown - OT

My thoughts after the jump

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The new and revised mock draft. I am trying to take into account the mindset of Nix/Gailey, Nix’s draft habits, and who we have and will not sign in free agency.

Round 1 - Michael Floyd - Notre Dame - WR - I have seen OT and CB addressed here but Floyd would stretch the field and be able to go after the ball in traffic. I will agree that this a bit of a reach but he does fill a need.

Round 2 - Andre Branch - Clemson - DE - He is a solid performer and he will help keep pressure ofn the quarterback.

Round 3 - Chase Minnifield - Virginia - CB - He is a solid cover corner who will help or aging defensive backfield

Round 4a - Matt McCants - UAB - OT - He has the size and experience to make an impact as a back up this season and possible starter next.

Round 4b - Kirk Cousins - Michigan State - QB - Here ios the QB of the future. He has all the intangibles but just needs a couple seasons to learn the Gailey system.

Round 5a - Terrell Manning - North Carolina State - OLB - Solid vs. Pass and run and works well space. Potential starter.

Round 5b - Vontaze Burfict - Arizona State - ILB - Has pontential if he can keep his emotions in check.

Round 6 - Marquis Maze - Alabama - WR - If he is available here it would be awesome. He has all the talent to make sure Roscoe Parrish is a distant memory. Will be a starter on special teams from day 1.

Round 7a - Levy Adcock - Oklahoma State - OT - Protected Weeden’s backside and would seem to be a fit in Gailey’s system.

Round 7b - Josh Chichester - Louisville - TE - Former basketball player now tight end. Has potential and could do well with a season on the practice squad.

This my draft and if it happens we would actually have depth and scare other teams on all three facets of the game. Thoughts?

After the free agent frenzy it is now time to focus on the draft. This is a mind dump of ideas that will improve the team and give it more solid talent.

Round 1 - Jonathan Martin - OT - Stanford - He has played in a apro style system for a while and will be a day 1 starter.

Round 2 - Stephen Gilmore - CB - South Carolina - Yes a Corner in the second round. The Patriots just signed Anthony Gonzalez and Brandon Lloyd and we need to be able to cover them well. Stephen has 4.3 speed and the talent to be a nickel and eventual starter.

Round 3 - Chandler Jones - DE - Syracuse - He could work in our rotation to get after the quarterback.

Round 4 - Michael McNutt - WR - Iowa - He is tall and can run solid routes. he also makes a point to go after the ball. Could be a steal #2 for us.

Round 4 - Keenan Robinson - OLB - Texas - This is a guy who has the ability to cover tight ends and get after the passer. Is overshadowed by Acho. Will give us depth.

Round 5 - Nick Foles - QB - Arizona - He can be our quarterback of the future. He comes in with no pressure on him to start. He has three seasons (hopefully) to learn Gailey’s system. Great Value for this pick. Osweiler, which alot of people like, will be taken too early and I cannot see Buddy going that early for a QB.

Round 5 - Vontasze Burfict - ILB - Arizona State - This is the pick I will get stuff for. Yes he is a head case. Put his locker next to Nick Barnett’s. He will learn to control his emotions from the veterans of our team. Will help on special teams.

Round 6 - Chase Ford - TE - Miami - Honestly do not know alot about him except that any TE from Miami can play on the next level. See Jimmy Graham, Jermey Schokey.

Round 7 - Nicolas Jean-Baptiste - Taking a flyer on a fat guy for the middle of the defensive line.

Draft Free Agents -

Alex Tanney - QB - Monmouth - Like this guy and I hope we keep him on the team. Bye, bye Thigpen.

Josh Chichester - TE - Louisville - a converted basketball player and he is 6’ 8”. Has potential.

Matthew Masifilo - DE - Stanford - has a give it all attitude and will claw his way onto a team on heart.

Moses Jenkins - CB - Florida - a corner that is 6’3” and played in the SEC. Gotta give him a shot.

Greg Childs - WR - Arkansas - I doubt he does not get drafted but it could happen. Nice depth player.


I also still think that we should go after Braylon Edwards for our #2 WR. I will keep typing this until he signs somewhere. He is a talent to get on the cheap. It would give Easley a challenge in training camp.

The NFL is always different week to week. Some random thoughts to have the bloggers chew on.

Would you give Randy Moss a chance? If he still has the 4.3 speed I say yes for a 3 year deal for about 12 million. This would be broken down to 1 million in base salaries and 3 million in incentives each season. One Million signing bonus. The last year of the deal would be 500K in salary and 1.5 in incentives.

Would you go after Mario Williams? I say no because he just would cost too much. He is an amazing talent but we cannot afford him.

Would you go after Desean Jackson, Vincent Jackson, or Dwayne Bowe? My gut feeling is go after Vincent and Dwayne. We need at least one of them or both depending on if we get Stevie signed. I could also see us drafting a burner in the draft to develop.

Who would you go after for an offensive tackle? The top ones that I have read about are not to unfamiliar. Jared Gaither and our very own Demetrius Bell. I say we sign Bell before Stevie. Gaither is a only a desperate fall back. The draft is always on option.

In looking at the draft I have looked at the Drafttek online simulator and the laid out an awesome draft for us.
1st - Zach Brown - OLB - UNC
2nd - Andre Branch - DE - Clemson
3rd - A.J. Jenkins - WR - Illinois
4th a - Ladarius Green - TE - Louisiana- Lafayette
4th b - Brock Osweiler - QB - ASU
5th - Omar Bolden - CB - ASU
6th - James Cameron - OT - Mississippi State
7th - DeAngelo Tyson - DT - Georgia

This draft would be great. I do not think Osweiler will go that late but if he did he would be a steal.

Let me know your thoughts.

The Super Bowl is over so let the other season begin.....

In free agency I can see the Bills eying up a few different free agents.
In no real order.

Defensive Ends - ones who can pressure and get to the quarterback and can control the edge
Mario Williams - Houston
Anthony Spencer - Dallas

Wide Receivers - ones who can stretch the field and catch the ball. There is a couple here who can also take the position of Stevie Johnson if he runs for greener pastures.
Dwayne Bowe - KC
Vincent Jackson - SD
Braylon Edwards - SF
Eddie Royal - Denver
Jerome Simpson - Cincinnati
DeSean Jackson - Philadelphia

Outside Linebackers - ones who can get to the quarterback and handle run duties
Ahmad Brooks - SF
Leroy Hill - Seatle
Manny Lawson - Cincinnati

Tight Ends - Bigger bodies than the new style tight end but can block and catch the ball
Martellus Bennett - Dallas
Leonard Pope - KC
Joel Dressen - Houston

I could try to type a note on each of these players but it is too much. I see these players as ones who would best fit into what OBD is looking for.

For the Draft I see these as the “wish” list of OBD:

1. Quinton Coples or Courtney Upshaw - either will fit the system will be a day one starter at DE
2. Ronnell Lewis - OLB from Oklahoma who loves getting after anyone who has the ball. High motor
3. Bruce Irvin - OLB from West Virginia and can simply get after the quarterback
4a. Nate Potter - Solid OT who will be a solid back up and potential starter
4b. Brock Osweiler - Came out a year early and needs to sit and learn the Gailey system. Has the arm to handle the Buffalo winds.
5. Ladarius Green - TE from a small school who is making a name for himself with his abilities as shown at the senior bowl.
6. Brian Quick - Tall, big receiver from a small school. Will play with a chip on his shoulder
7. Hebron Fangupo - a DT from BYU who just intrigues me

Ideas and thoughts would be great!!!

My mock draft looks to simply address what we need:
a. pass rush
b. depth

Round 1 - Quinton Coples - DE - UNC - Some people on this site think he is an underachiever and I have seen him take off plays. The chaos in UNC did not lead to stability and push that he needed. He will make an impact and that is what we need. When he is on his game he can get after the quarterback.

Round 2 - Bruce Irvin - OLB - West Virginia - He has been productive at getting to the quarterback and that is what we need. His stats do not lie.

Round 3 - Frank Alexander - DE/OLB - Oklahoma - He played in a high profile program and pressured the quarterback. He has the size to be an OLB or DE which is what we need.

Round 4a - Nate Potter - OT - Boise State - This is a solid player with experience and high character. He may eventually become a starter but for now he add to our depth at the position.

Round 4b (Evans Trade) - Brian Quick - WR - Appalachian State - This is a tall and speedy WR from a small school and could make an impact from day 1. This is the prototypical WR that Nix is looking for and if Easley works out Quick will give us help on special teams.

Round 5 - Quinton Pointer - CB - UNLV -He has good timed speed and if he comes back from his injury he can be a steal.

Round 6 - Russell Wilson - QB - Wisconsin - This kid is going to be told he is “too small” to play in this league. He has been productive at two different programs. He has the “it” factor. He just needs time to develop. He is a solid fit for Gailey’s system.

Round 6 - (Lynch Trade) - Nicolas Jean-Baptiste - NT - Baylor - Fat guy for the middle of our line. He is simply more depth at a position of need.

Round 7 - Garrett Celek - TE - Michigan State - I do not know how he is related to Brent Celek but that can be a bad thing. Blocker with a upside.

I know it is really too early to do this be I think this draft would be a home run for the Bills. Your Thoughts would be great.

After watching this season slip away here is what would help next season better.

1. Fire George Edwards. He had two seasons to put into place a defense that can handle the AFC East. He did not so give Wannstedt the chance. He is proven and we would be better.

2. Let Roscoe Parrish, Donald Jones, Chris Kelsey, Tyler Thigpen, and Terrance Mcgee go. Later will explain Parrish and Jones. Kelsey has a big heart but no sacks. the OLB in our system has to hit the quarterbacks and get sacks. He does not he is gone. Mcgee cannot stay healthy nuff said. Thigpen will be explained later.

3. Sign Vincent Jackson to #1 WR money. Sign Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson. This can be done. Stevie is a solid #2 WR and would be a compliment to Jackson. Fred just needs to get a front loaded 5 year/25 million deal paying him 18 over the first 3 years. With the Vincent Jackson signing it makes Parrish and Jones expendable.

4. Make Brad Smith the #2 QB. I know this sounds radical but think about it. He can really learn to throw during the preseason and can still come in and run the wildcat but he could throw out of it. Scary thing to think about for opposing defenses. Thigpen is just holding a clipboard and getting hit in the head with the football (see Washington tape).

5. Draft the best available pass rushing OLB's in the first two rounds of the draft. I want players who have done this more than one season. Maybin should not have been a Buffalo Bill. We need that more than anything. We have a defensive line when healthy. We have a solid secondary but we cannot get after the passer. The rest of the draft can go after the best CB, QB, and OL and DL available. Speed and experience being a priority.

6. Keep Bell and Merriman. Bell maybe a better bet to start on the right side of the line. Merriman, if the price is right, can help with a pass rush.

If the Bills front office did this we would be in the playoffs next year.

Since we just got our butts handed to us. Here is some crazy predictions for the next season!!

1.  George Edwards will not be the defensive coordinator.  Enter Dave Wannstedt.  Do you really think he was hired to just be a linebackers coach?

2.  Fred Jackson and Stevie Johnson will get paid.  Now that Fitz is done they will be next.

3.  Demetrius Bell will not be on the team next year.  Someone will overpay for him.  (see Jason Peters)

4.  The Bills’ draft will be all defense.

5.  Finally the grandest prediction (sure to be wrong) is that Michael Jasper will be the starting Right Guard.  Rinehart and Urbick are solid players but Gailey’s thought of a 350 pound road grader will win out and maybe able to be more mobile than both of them.  there has been no news on him all season so he may be progressing well and could be ready to go next year.

Your thoughts would be great.

These are the best possibilities that I think the Bills will pursue this free agency period. This is based on the knowledge that the Bills are frugal and will not go crazy picking up a  huge name.  Most guys I choose are under 30 and are able to help the Bills now and for a couple years down the line.

QB - 

Tyler Thigpen - Miami - He does have a great knowledge of the Gailey’s offensive system and could come in a win a couple games.  He could also be a potential future starter.

Bruce Gradkowski - Oakland - He does have starting experience and seems to get along with everyone in whatever locker room he is in.  Has a good head on his shoulders to understand Gailey’s system.

Travis Jackson - Minnesota - He does have talent.  He would be a huge work in progress and would be the highest risk of the three.  Potential is there to be a serviceable back up.


TE -

Zach Miller - Oakland - He is the best available and would be a huge weapon addition.  He can block for the run and has great hands.   This would be a splash pick up.

Kevin Boss - New York Giants - He is known for being more of a blocking tight end and then a  receiver.  Has proven to be a good red zone target.  Blue collar worker.  just what the Bills need.

OT -

Ryan O’Calloghan - Kansas City - He is a solid right tackle when he is healthy.  That might make him available on the cheap to the Bills.

Ryan Harris - Denver - He is a solid right tackle and would be an upgrade to the players currently on the roster.

Doug Free - Dallas - He is a solid left tackle and would cost the Bills alot.  He would be a solid upgrade on the left side to make Bell move to the right. 

DT/DE -

Brandon Mebane - Seattle - He signed a huge deal with Seattle and is an every down player and solid against the run.  The deal would have to be right to bring him in.

Shaun Smith - Kansas City -  He would be a solid two down DE.

OLB -

James Anderson - Carolina - He Is a solid tackler and could maintain the edge

Stephen Nicholas - Atlanta - Young guy who would be solid on the outside.

ILB -

Poz - He is solid in the middle and knows the Bills System

Kevin Burnett - San Diego - Good Middle linebacker for a long time.  Solid tackler.

Stephen Cooper - San Diego - Solid worker and would work well in the system.

Brandon Siler - San Diego - This is a young player who could be brought along to be a good player.  This would be a flyer for the potential play.

Buddy Nix knows these players and since the team is getting a new defensive coordinator may be a better fit in Buffalo than with the chargers.

S -

Dwan Landry - Baltimore - Solid player against the run and is improving his cover skills.
 
Michael Huff - Oakland - Came on last season and would cost less than Whitner and would do well with a change of scenery.

DeAndre McDaniel - Clemson - This is one of the top rated safeties coming out of college BUT he has character issues.  Buffalo may be the place he could put those behind him.



These players would make the team better and give the drat picks we have a chance to learn the system.

Here is my draft in looking through Buddy and Chan's eyes:

1st round - Patrick Peterson - CB - LSU - This will allow the defense to convert McGee to Safety and let Whitner fly like the wind.  We would have a defensive backfield that would keep them in games and actually make our run defense better.

2nd round - Christian Ponder - FSU - This is a no brainer Chan loves him and we can bring him along slowly.

3rd round - Jabaal Sheard - OLB - Pitt - four year starter for Pitt.  No scouting report needed.  His former coach can get him to perform.

4th round -Kevin Sheppard - ILB - LSU - I think he will fall this far and the Bills will scoop him up to

4th round -Sione Fua - NT - Stanford - This guy is strong and can be flexible in the many schemes the Bills will run.

5th round - Andre Smith - TE - Virginia Tech - Big tight end who could block and did a lot at Virginia Tech.

6th round - DeMarcus Love - OT - Arkansas -  Pass blocking for Ryan Mallet's back side means he would work   out as our starting RT

7th round -Lazarius Levingston - DE - LSU - playing in the pros (SEC) makes him able to make a contribution on the next level

7th round - Steven Friday - OLB - Virginia Tech - He could be a solid special teams contributor.

All these players played four years of school.  They all played in top level schools and all played against real talent.  No on year wonders or they looked good in shorts players.  They all could contribute now to the Bills.  Let me know what you think.

In looking at Draftek , ( a great site for the draft), I could put in a trade down scenario with the Bills and the Dallas Cowboys.  Dallas has already met with Patrick Peterson and to land him they would have to move into the top five picks.  The trade would be Bills #3 for Dallas #9, 40, and 139.  Essentially Dallas would give their 1st, 2nd, and 5th to move to #3.  They would take Peterson and our draft would be (as told by Draftek)

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These are some of my curious questions that hopefully will be answered this offseason. 

10.              Who should be our starting TE in 2011?

9.                  What should we do with Whitner and Wilson at the safety position?

8.                  Where do we find our starting RT on the roster, another teams’, or the draft?

7.                  Is One Bills Drive set on the WR situation they have?

6.                  What position should be the highest priority in the draft?

5.                  What should be our priorities in Free Agency?

4.                  Who should we keep of our free agents – Stroud, Florence, Poz, and/or Whitner?

3.                  If you were Buddy Nix, which quarterback would you pick, in which round and why?

2.                    Should we stick with Edwards as our defensive coordinator or look to someone more

             experienced at that position?

And the number on question is …………

1.                    The Buffalo Bills pick ___________________ with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

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     In watching the Bills this season I have optimism for the future.  We did find a solid starting quarterback.  We have receivers who are young and hungry to play.  We finally have a coach who is willing to get our offense going a good direction with a plan to try and win now.  The team has played its heart out and have seemed to make that one play to have defeat grabbed from the jaws of victory.  Our defense is awful, there is no other way to put it.  This team finally has a heart.

     In looking to next season I see a couple good things and have some ideas that the people who read this website need to comment on.  Could Levi Brown be the quarterback of the future or is Brian Brohm being groomed for that or is the quarterback of the future coming out in the draft this year?  Is Shawn Merriman going to be a starter for the Bills this next season?  He is getting paid to be injured right now.  Should the Bills trade Lee Evans?  Getting something for him maybe a good thing or are we ruining a good offensive scheme by getting rid of him.  Who will be our free agent pick ups this offseason.  We need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball can we land a couple of the potential FA available.  Do we resign Whitner? Poz? Do we give an extension to Fitz?  These are all random thoughts I have.  What do you think?

I hate the Pats, Brady, and Belichick.  We need to beat them Sunday. period.

     I have been looking at all sorts of mock drafts and all I see is the Bills taking Andrew Luck or someone on the defensive line.  In seeing how the Bills have played over the last month do we need to look at the option that we will not land Luck in the draft and if that happens what is the true position of need.  Our defense will make any runner look like Walter Payton right now so if Luck is out of our reach should the Bills go defense with the first 3 to 4 picks in this draft?  I see Gailey and Nix look towards that area and hopefully land some starters.

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     Since Fitzpatrick seems to be doing really well in the Gailey offense the idea of passing on Andrew Luck come to mind.  I know that the quarterback position on the Bills has been in flux since Jim Kelly and I think Luck would help us but the Bills have more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.

     I think we should draft Adrian Clayborn from Iowa.  He is the highest rated DE in this draft and we could be justified in picking him #1 overall.  In looking at various mock draft sites it looks like Ryan Mallet could be available in the beginning of the 2nd round.  Clayborn and Mallet would be two solid picks to start 2011.  If OBD did go this way I would use the Carson Palmer plan with Mallet.  Keep Mallet on the bench for the season so he can really get a grasp of the offense.  Let Fitz run the show for 2011 and have Mallet ready to go in 2012.  I know we are in a "win now"  league and I do not see Mallet as totally NFL ready.  I do not see Luck coming in a lighting things up his first year in the league either.

The rest of our draft I see us getting as many player with "big hearts and high motors" as possible ( See Kyle Williams).  Your thoughts

     I am already trolling the mock drafts for 2011.  One draft site (drafttek) lets you prioritize what you think your team needs and then projects the draft.  In putting a priority on a stud DE and a franchise QB this site had the Bills picking the following:

1st round - 1st overall - Robert Quinn - DE - North Carolina

2nd round - Jake Locker - QB - Washington

3rd round - Olrando Franklin - OT - Miami

4th round - Joseph Barksdale - OT - LSU

4th round - Lynch trade - Lance Kendricks - TE - Wisconson

5th round - Chris Galippo - ILB - USC

6th round - Titus Young - WR - Boise State

7th round - Ryan Van Bergen - DE - Michigan

In my opinion the first four picks are what we need bad.  If we are able to pick up some talent through free agency on the defensive side of the ball we would be a better team.  Your thoughts.

     I have followed the Bills since O. J. Simpson to us losing to the Dolphins for a decade to us getting our hearts ripped out in four super bowls but now I have to look past this season.   The Bills lack the talent on both sides of the ball to be a winning team.  It is that simple. The offense cannot stop the pass rush or create a consistant running game.  The defense is not good enough to stop the run or get off the field on third downs.  It is not the coach's fault it is simply a lack of talent.  Ralph Wilson has to spend some money to put a better product on the field.  He also has to allow his staff to get players in who may be a risk .   Ten years is way too long to wait for the playoffs.

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As it has been stated on this site many times the Bills front office likes a certain quarterback from Florida.  This is how I see them getting them and not missing out on some potential talent for the rest of the roster.

Round One - Draft a LT  - Bulaga, Davis, or Williams.  Our line is better and we can actually block and pass protect.

Round Two - We trade Marshawn Lynch and our 2010 5th round pick to the Detroit Lions for their second round pick 34th overall.  Maybe the 5th round maybe too little and this may have to be a 4th rounder or a 5th and conditional 6th or 7th in 2011 depending on Lynch's production.  Any how we pick Tebow here and the hype is over for the draft. 

Round Two - With this pick I see the Bills taking  Terrance Cody or Cam Thomas or depending on grades an OLB such as Spikes or Norwood.  I would prefer the loveable fat guy Cody but Thomas or OLB would fit the bill.

Round Three - Round Seven - BPA - We have way too many holes on both sides of the ball to fill and get some depth at get the player who can contribute with no more PROJECTS. 

I know Tebow maybe a project and I am okay with that.  He could play as early as week seven depending on how well he is grasping the offensive system Gailey puts in place to use his talents.  Gailey seems to do that well. (see Tyler Thigpen)  Tebow could have a limited role from the beginning of the season to give a Wildcat feel to the Bills but we could do more than just run.  That is an idea that actually excites me about getting Tebow.  Excitement on the field for once.  We need that around Western New York after a decade of crappy teams and poor management decisions.

Is this a good idea or a load of crap?  you will let me know.

1.     Will the Bills draft a QB or LT in the first round?

2.     Will the Bills draft Tebow if he is available in the second round?

3.     Will the Bills trade Marshawn Lynch and what will they get for him?

4.     Is Schobel going to be traded or is he coming back or is he retiring?

5.     Are the Bills trading Whitner?

6.     Are they going to make any trades in the draft to move up or down?

Here is the kicker of all questions........

Will the Bills be a winning team in 2010 because of these draft decisions?

I have been reading everyone's mock draft ideas and I thought I would throw mine into the mix.  Here we go:

1st round - Anthony Davis - OT - Rutgers - He is a reach but he did visit OBD and seemed to get a warm receiption.  I think Clausen will be on the board at this time and we will pass because of how he handles himself.  Bulaga in my opinion will be off the board and Trent Williams is a RT for three years and played LT for one season and his QB got hurt.  His fault or not he is a RT.

2nd Round - Tim Tebow - QB - Florida - I do not think we will have to trade up to get him and he has the ability to learn a new system and if given some time to just watch the game can be a solid quarterback for us.

3rd Round - Torrell Troup - NT - Central Florida - This is a reach and because the rest of the available NTs in this draft are gone we need a solid NT who can play now.

4th Round - Jason Worilds - OLB - Virginia Tech -  He is a solid player who could be an asset on special teams to begin with and be a solid backup.

5th Round -Deji Karim - RB - Southern Illinois  -  He is the "scat" back Gailey wants and can return kicks and punts.

6th Round (first one)- Traded to the Miami Dolphins for Tyler Thigpen.  It is a no-brainer here.  Gailey would get somone who knows his system and could start for a season until Tebow is ready.

6th Round (second one) - Vince Oghobaase  - DT - Duke - He has talent and could make us able to move Kyle Williams to DE.

7th round (first one) - Brandon James - WR - Florida - Watched him alot and he always seemed to make plays.  He is short with a big heart.

7th Round (second one) - John Estes - C -Hawaii - He is a solid starter with a loads of shot gun experience with the June Jones system.  May be a steal but would make a solid back up.

This would be a great draft for the Bills. Hope it happens.  Thoughts.

I know I am writing again about trades and the draft but as I have read what people have written it has come to me that there is a simple solution to the whole situation or our LT, franchise QB, and finding other quality players to make the Bills actually good.

Here it goes......

1.   We trade our 2nd round for Gaither.  LT problem solved.

2.   We trade our 9th overall to the Giants for their 1st ( 15th overall) and 3rd and 2011 5th round pick.  We draft      Tebow  at 15.  Since Gailey and Nix are high on him it would be looked at as a reach but would he be there in the 2nd round if we waited for him.   I think not.

3.  We have two 3rd round picks for NT and OLB and the rest of the draft to pick up the Best Players Available. 

What do you think?  Or am I just NUTS!!!!

I have been reading all the posts about Buffalo getting Gaither from Baltimore for the swap of our 1st rounders.  9 for 25. or a straight up trade of our 2nd round pick for him. 

Here is a scenario that might work and get us everything hopefully with some luck from the football gods.

Buffalo trades our 2nd round pick for Gaither.  Then we trade our 1st and 3rd to the giants for their 1st and 2nd.  The Giants get Mclain.  Buffalo has the 15th overall pick for Dan Williams or Clausen and use the Giants 2nd round pick for either Tebow or Cody.  

This solves a lot of our issues and we are much, much better for it.  Wheel and Deal Buddy and Chan.

The offseason… a time when us Bills fans dream that we can make our team better. 

Here are my ideas on it.

Free Agent Pickups

Michael Vick - QB

Leon Washington - RB

Brandon Marshall - WR

Vince Wolfork - NT

Keith Bulluck – ILB

All the players above would make an immediate impact on the Bills.  Could they sign them all?  It is possible if the player we think we are going to cut get cut and their salary is off the books.

The Draft

My Dream Draft would be

1st  - Anthony Davis  - OT Rutgers

2nd – Terrence Cody – NT  Alabama

3rd – A project QB – Either Pike, LeFevour, or Tebow (Doubtful)

4th – LB

5th – DE

6th and 6th– NT and small school kick returner

7th- Someone who can be a depth player

I think our starting roster would be

QB – Vick

RB – Jackson

FB – Mcintire

WR – Evans, Marshall, and Hardy

TE – Nelson

OT – Davis, Bell

OG – Butler, Levitre

C – Wood

NT – Wolfork

DE – Stroud, Schobel

OLB – Mitchell, Maybin

ILB – Poz, Bulluck

S – Byrd, Whitner

CB – McGee, McKelvin

This is my thoughts on what would make the Bills a better team for 2010.  Playoffs are possible

The Bills finally have a head coach and are looking to rebuild.

Here is the best available that I think they should target to pick up

QB - Campbell - will be let go by the Redskins

     Vick - could be had via trade (Lynch) or hopefully a 2011 draft pick

RB - If Lynch is gone

     Jerious Norwood - He could be the odd man out in Atlanta

     Leon Washington - His injury could be our benefit if he comes back to form

WR - Brandon Marshall - Long term solution to the WR to play opposite Evans

     Lance Moore - catches balls but there are too many WRs in New Orleans

     Kevin Walter - Solid number 2 WR when healthy

OL - Donald Penn - an little known LT with talent and he is hitting the market at age 27.  He could be a steal.

NT - Vincent Wilfolk - I hate this guy but he is a space heater and if we are going to a 3-4 he is the best available

DL - Ray Edwards - Solid DE who actually gets sacks.  Would be an awesome pick up

     Marcus Spears - Has made the most of his limelight in Dallas

LB - DeMaco Ryans - All he does is makes plays in Houston and Poz could move to the outside

     Kirk Morrison - solid tackler who plays the MLB position  - Poz to the outside

S - DB  - If we pick up anyone with the depth we have at this position the people at OBD are nuts. 

So Who is your top FA to pick up?

Well I have finished watching Buffalo grab defeat from the jaws of victory against the Pats and it is time to look to 2010.

First we need a GM and picking from the tree of Polian or AJ Smith would work.  Just get someone in here with Good Football Knowledge. 

Second we need a new coaching staff.  Head Coach we need experience.  I doubt Shanahan is coming here so who is left is someone who is going to be let go at the end of the year.   Two come to mind - John Fox and Wade Phillips.

Of these two, John Fox is my choice.  He is a winner.  He can get player to raise their level of play. 

My OC, there is three choices - Charlie Weis, Mike Martz, and Curtis Johnson

Currently , Weis and Martz are available.  Curtis Johnson is the WR coach for the Saints and if he can bring any of the knowledge of the offense he is working in to Orchard Park that would be awesome.

My DC I would leave up to HC Fox to work out.

keep Bobby April as Special Teams Coach.

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Well we are all talking about next year and what could happen to the Bills in terms of staff and personnel.  Here is an off the wall thought, since Charlie Weis is going to get fired from Notre Dame and he can coach why not pick him up.  We could trade for Brady Quinn from the Browns and would have a coach and quarterback which know each other and the offensive system.  We would be ahead of the game there.  I think that we could get Quinn for a 3rd in 2010 and a 5th in 2011.  We could also pick up a solid free agent off the street who could actually win us some games id Quinn goes down.  I think this person would be Sage Rossenfels.  I know some of you are saying “why him”, and it is simple he can come in and win a game or two.  He is not to be our starter, period.  Minnesota will think he is expendable and we could pick him up on the cheap.  We could use our 1st round pick and 2nd round pick on simply one of each- OT and LB.  We do not need anymore safeties, corners, wide receivers, or running backs since the last four years has given us way too many of those.  We really need to invest in our line and a stud linebacker.  Our d-line is not bad but our linebackers are just not cutting it. 

I know we need a GM and I think that if he would want to go to Buffalo, Mike Holmgren would do nicely.  He has an eye for talent and would give us a football guy in the front office.

Another thought would be to pick up Romeo Crenell (SP) as our Defensive Coordinator.  He is innovative and can put guys in the right places to actually stop other teams.  He could modify Defense to work in a 3-4 or a 4-3 depending on personnel.  We would be better.

These are my thoughts and my pipe dream.  What do you think?

If things keep going as they are for the Bills they will have a new coaching staff and new personnel coming in.  Here are my ideas of who we should hire and what free agents we should pick up and why.

General Manager – Yes a new GM.  Two Choices I see are – Kevin Abrams , Assistant GM with the Giants, he know talent and can keep players here and Ed McGuire, Assistant GM with the Chargers, Ralph would love to stick it to A.J. Smith just once. 

Head Coach - Two Choices – Jon Gruden or Mike Shanahan.  Both of these guys have experience coaching at a high level and they will fire up a team who really needs it.

Offensive Coordinator – This is one that one of the other blogger suggested – Curtis Johnson.  He is presently the Wide Receiver coach in New Orleans but if he has any knowledge of the system that Sean Peyton has set up in the Bayou and the mind of Gruden and Shanahan to tweak it, it can make us explosive.  I also think he would use a zone blocking scheme that would fit the offensive line people we have now.

Defensive Coordinator – I have three choices and they all are off of teams with the idea of pressuring the quarterback instead of bend do not break systems.  Bob Sutton, the Senior Defensive Assistant with the Jets, a Rex Ryan system would help us.  Lou Spanos, Defensive Quality Control with the Steelers, he has to know the zone blitz and how to make our guys work in it.  Ray Rhodes, Senior Defensive Assistant for the Texans, he has always been a good DC and will make the team better.

Next is our Free Agent Moves:

Quarterback – Joey Harrington – I know this sounds scary but he will know the system coming from New Orleans and will play only a few games until our new rookie quarterback is ready to take over.

Wide Receiver – Lance Moore – I know TO is going to go and Hardy will not be ready and Moore also knows the NO system.

Offensive Tackle – Marcus McNeil – He is a stud from San Diego and if he hits the market he is worth the investment for RT or LT

Linebacker – Demeco Ryans – He is a stud and he would be a great addition and finally we have someone to replace Ellison who does not make enough dynamic plays.

In the draft I can see the Bills drafting in the top ten and picking:

1st round- QB, DT, or LB – best player available

2nd round – QB, DE, or LB

3rd round – DT, or LB

4th round – DE – from small school, OL – for depth

5th round, 6th round, 7th round – anything but CB or S

If this were to happen I would have renewed optimism for the Bills and the direction they are heading.

     The Bills have made some interesting choices over the last couple days, months, years.  Now it is put up or shut up time for this group of coaches.  If Bills fail, this is my suggestion for a solution.

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