It's a week before the draft and was challenged by one of my customers to do a mock draft.  We have moderate wager Mock v. Mock.  I'm feeling pretty good about my choices.  I haven't submitted it yet.  Anyone diametrically opposed?

1.       CAR, Marcel Dareus, DT

Dareus is just the best sure thing for a good defensive coach’s bad team.

2.       DEN, Patrick Peterson, CB

Even though Champ Bailey re-signed, Peterson is the best player in the draft and instantly makes Denver’s bad defense better.

3.       BUF, Von Miller, LB

This guy was a beast at 238lbs and now he’s a monster at 252lbs.  If Merriman returns to form, QBs will pee their pants the night before getting sacked by the Bills outside Lbs.   The whole defense looks better with better penetration.

4.       CIN, Cam Newton, QB

Maybe I’m the only one thinking Cam will drop out of top 3, but he fits the ex-con Bengals to a T.

5.       ARI, Blaine Gabbert, QB

Who is the QB in Arizona???? Exactly.

6.       CLE, AJ Green, WR

A no brainer, really.  Green is the best playmaker in this draft.  Cleveland has none.  They are pumped with this pick.

7.       SF, Nick Fairly, DT

The Niners need offensive help (QB), but this is a defensively rich draft.  Once upon a time, Fairly was most prognosticators number 1 overall pick.

8.       TEN, Prince Amakamura, CB

Titans are pissed.  They wanted Fairly or a top QB.  Now what?  Prince is a potential star.  Can’t pass him up.

9.       DAL, Tyron Smith, OT

I really think Jerry wanted one of the top CBs, a trade up is not only possible, but likely.  IMO they need O-line help.  Smith is not a flashy pick, but it makes Romo happy and hopefully off his back.

10.   WAS, Da’Quan Bowers, DE

Washington’s offense is horrible.  If McNabless, even worse.  Bowers is a steal at 10 though IMO.

11.   HOU, Robert Quinn, DE

Great value for the guy who may end up being the best of the DEs in this draft.  Houston needs secondary help, but a pass rush makes the secondary better.  Williams and Quinn would give P. Manning fits. 

12.   MIN, Corey Liuget, DT

It’s time to replace the Williams Wall.  Thought about the idea of a QB here.  Vikes think they are a QB away from the Super Bowl.  They’re wrong.

13.   DET, Mike Pouncey, OG

Might be a little high for an interior lineman, but the Lion’s only chance at the playoffs is if Stafford can make it to the playoffs.

14.   STL, Julio Jones, WR

Rams fans are stoked.  This is guy they wanted and they get him.

15.   MIA, Jake Locker, QB

What? No.  Yup.  The fish need a QB and the top five or six will be gone by the time they have their next pick(72).  Gotta pull the trigger now.  Was thinking Mallet because he looks like Marino, but I think Mallet is a basket-case after his Carolina hangover blow off.

16.   JAC, Muhammad Wilkerson, DE

Jags score with Wilks (or stops the scoring).  He’s a beast.  Good value.

17.   NE, Aldon Smith, LB

The Pat’s D was full of inexperience in 2010.  Outside LB is a need and they fill it with the versatile, Smith.

18.   SD,  J.J. Watt, DE

Charges are small in their front seven.  Merriman was missed last year.  Larry English is small and mediocre.  Watt’s versatility fits the Charges scheme well.

19.   NYG, Anthony Costanzo, OT

Giants were another team that had a tough time keeping their star QB on his feet.  Manning took a beating last year and his stats showed just that.  Plus, the name “Costanzo” just sounds like he belongs on a NYC sitcom (ref Seinfeld).

20.   TAM, Adrian Clayborn, DE

Clayborn has some non-football health issues, but he is a formidable talent.  This team is getting better.

21.   KC, Phil Taylor, DT

Chiefs reach for a need with this pick.  Taylor is no slouch.  He can be an immediate starter even though this is too high to take him.

22.   IND, Gabe Carimi, OT

P. Manning will be the highest paid NFL player in history when the season starts.  Better get him a body guard.

23.   PHI, Derek Sherrod, OT

The Bills essentially received Eric Woods and Andy Levitre for Jason Peters in 2009.  So…the Eagles select…an OT in 2011.

24.   NO, Ryan Kerrigan, DE

Great pick for the Saints who lost to the worst team in playoff history last year.  This guy has the high motor that Greg Williams loves.

25.   SEA, Nate Solder, OT

I really think Hawks would’ve taken Locker here if available.  Bottom line is they could not run last year.  I know they took Bulaga last year, but he is better suited inside.

26.   BAL, Brooks Reed, LB/DE

Raven’s D is looking old.  Ray Lewis may retire before the season starts.  Baltimore likes the name Reed.

27.   ATL, Kyle Rudolph, TE

I just have a feeling Rudolph will find his way into the 1st round.  Tony Gonzales is collecting Social Security during the lock-out.

28.   NE, Ryan Mallett, QB

What? No.  Yup.  Pats will have time to sober this guy up until Brady gracefully goes into that goodnight.

29.   CHI, Brandon Harris, CB

Bears need some D-linemen but Harris is too good of a value to pass up at 29.

30.   NYJ, Danny Watkins, OG

Jets were sweating it out that Harris dropped to them.  Too bad.  Jets need help on the interior and get it.

31.   PIT, Aaron Williams, CB

Steelers would’ve taken Harris too.  A lot of upside with Jimmy Smith, but his character issues might be poison coming off the big Ben issues.

32.   Mark Ingram, RB

The rich get richer.  This is a big bad team.

FYI - The Bills take Colin Kaepernick, QB in the 2nd round

This is getting rediculous folks.  It's funny how the Bills have made the most obvious improvment over the rest of the division yet gets no notice.  The media is still sticking to the moves made on the paper during the off season and disregarding what is seen on the field so far.  Is there no one in the media that can draw any positives on what the Bills are doing?  Did anyone read John Clayton's QB analysis???  Here'a link to Tim Grahams recent regurgitation.  He knows where his bread is buttered.  The Jets are a media cash cow right now.  Ethical journalism vs. commericial media.  Was there even a fight?
http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast

After the jump is my response to Tim.

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I am not the eternal optimist, and I don't subscribe to doom and gloom.  I am a fan.  I root for my team.  Why is it that our local media is so jaded?  Listening to Jerry Sullivan on GR with Schoppe and Bulldog yesterday I wanted to scream.  That group with the microphone does not represent any fan base I know.  Participating in and reading  Buffalo Rumblings over the past few months tells me I'm not alone.  Intelligent, level-headed fans exist and they are not pissed off beyond hope.  The local media can't understand how the Bills sell out games.  Dillusional and naive Bills fans are called for supporting their team so diligently.  Is anyone else tired of the arrogance in the local media markets speaking for us?  Having a microphone, soap box, simply speaking louder or more articulately doesn't make you more intelligent about the game and it's fans.  And it certainly doesn't make you more right in your opinion.

The season is about to begin, it seems the media wants to get across that it's already over.

I emailed Sullivan just to gauge the reality and sincerity of his regurgitation from the other day.  Here is the text and his response:

Sully-
 
I have to admit you were on a roll the other day.  Even Schoppe, the eternal pessimist, said he felt down and discouraged.  Even I felt, well, sullied.  You are obviously passionate about your job and the sports teams here in WNY, as am I, but you've got to relax.  The Bills feel like they are better off without Turk and Langston.  I don't see how losing those two dooms the season.  What if by some miracle the Bills show up Monday Night, make a game of it or even steal the game?  For crying out loud that haven't played a game yet.
 
I enjoy your opinions, Sully, they are intelligent, well thought-out and articulate.  But I think you need to challenge yourself and try to find a positive angle so that you don't completely slip to dark side.  You know, like the chick who talks about death at a party.  Lighten up.  It's football season.  Big screen TVs.  Sunday ticket.  Beer.  Nachos.  Leave the drama upstairs on the little TV for our wives to watch.
 
Luv ya,
 
Scotty

Sullivan's response:

OK, but your team is a dysfunctional mess and a national joke. =======

Maybe I'm way off and more of you agree with the media.  But I just have to know how alone I am.

It's raining.  Golf game cancelled.  US Opened postponed.  I decided to learn about the Tampa 2.  Why do the Bills use it?  Are the weaknesses really what we all think? 

The Tampa 2 is a direct relative of the Steel Curtain with very little variance.  It relies not necessarily on featuring players big on skill and bulk, but on an all-out attacking style, hive mentality.  It relies on the players' speed and attitude.  The tackles must be run stuffers and sure tacklers. The ends must be quick and agile and pressure the quarterback without the use of a blitz from a corner or linebacker .  The safties' skills are less about coverage and tackling more about doling out big punishing hits that intimidate receivers going over the middle.  The corners cover the sides from about 15 to 20 yards out.  They don't have to be great cover guys just great tacklers.  The outside linebackers cover the short passes and fill their gaps on runs. 

I think we have players that represent this attitude, intelligence, discipline and speed, however there is one position, the most important position of the T2, that IMO is lacking: The middle linebacker.  We love Poz for his lunch pail work ethic and attitude, but does he fit this description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_2 ?: "The middle linebacker must have better-than-average speed, and additional skills to be able to read the play and either maintain his central position to help the outside linebackers cover short passes, drop behind the linebackers in coverage and protect the zone of the field behind the outside linebackers from 11-20 yards out, or run up to the line of scrimmage to help assist in stopping the runs. “It takes a special linebacker to do that, a guy with speed,” says Pete Prisco, senior NFL writer for CBSSports.com. 

Granted, the ends do not hold up their end of their bargain.  It seems the best pressure comes from linebacker and safety blitzes.  However, from reading the wikipedia Tampa 2 description, a crazy, wildcat speed freak at MLB is the fire that makes the water boil.  Without it, the T2 is too cold for tea..

Does Poz have the speed and relentless motor to be a middle linebacker in the Tampa 2 defense?

Even after the Bills signed Owens, I still wanted the Bills to trade for Boldin.  Did the one year deal signed by Owens prevent the Bills from going after another high profile receiver who could be around longer term?  Did they sign him too soon?  At one time or another since the Owens signing, the following receivers were at least rumored to be available: Anquan Boldin, Plaxico Burress(FA), Braylon Edwards, Brandon Marshall, Marvin Harrison (FA), Ochocinco.  If we could go back in time, would the Bills still pick Owens?  Maybe Peters becomes a Cardinal, Bronco or Brown in a trade.  A five year deal with Boldin sounds a lot better to me.

If the Bills do sign these two, is there another starting position that needs to be addressed/upgraded?  I'm usually a cynical homer, but I think I like every starter.  That said, rookies aside, who is the weakest starter?  Kelsay might be the obvious choice, but the pass rush was addressed in the draft.  If all holes have been filled with above average talent, then playoffs should be a no brainer?  Am I missing something?