SB Nation User Blog: WABillsfan

Wonderful article about Jack Kemp from the perspective of his son Jeff

WABillsfan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:37:33 -0000

Wonderful article about Jack Kemp from the perspective of his son Jeff

I get the Seattle Times on Sunday and found this article while I was wandering through the sports section. A nice read about Jack Kemp and the person he was beyond just being a NFL QB and a Congressman.

Leroy Hill now a FA, possible SLB target for the Bills?

WABillsfan — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:33:35 -0000

Leroy Hill now a FA, possible SLB target for the Bills?

Additional info can be found at these links:
http://www.fieldgulls.com/2009/4/25/853903/leroy-hill-now-a-free-agent
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=3304&line=142952&spln=1

This blog has the actual clip copied from the NFLN broadcast with the info here:
http://www.seahawkaddicts.com/2009/04/hawks-remove-tag-from-leroy-hill.html

Stafford signs deal with Lions, officially the No. 1 pick of the draft

WABillsfan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:48:55 -0000

Stafford signs deal with Lions, officially the No. 1 pick of the draft

According to the report, the Lions will pay Stafford $41.7 million in guarantees and as much as $78 million.

OW. Especially if he pulls a Joey Harrington.

Dr. Z update from Peter King, Mr. Wilson gives a large donation to help the Z man out

WABillsfan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:26:10 -0000

Dr. Z update from Peter King, Mr. Wilson gives a large donation to help the Z man out

Say what you want about Mr. Wilson's choices for how to run a front office, but never, ever, question his empathy for his fellow man, and the people who in and outside the NFL have shaped it into what it is today.

Dr. Z is one of those people, and I know I will be attempting to bid on some of the items in the online auction, but I have a feeling I'm going to lose on them all. But it all goes to a good cause, I have really really really missed reading Dr. Z's columns the past 5 months, and I hope we get him back some day.

How I would handle the draft and Jason Peters Revised

WABillsfan — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:21:15 -0000

As we all know, alot is going on with our Bills right now: Are we going to get Fred signed soon? What is going on in Peters head? Who will play LG? Who will play RG? Why won't the team just admit that you, me, they, we, are all correct in what we want done by the team? We just resigned Stroud to some decent amounts of cashola, why?

Anyhow, as it stands, if, and I really wish this was true, if I was running the Bills for Mr. Wilson right now, this is how I would approach the next month.

Note- results I think will occur happen in italics.

Step 1- Get Fred signed tomorrow, no more BS with him, just get him to sign a new deal paying him an average of 1.5-2 million a season for 4-5 years with a pile of incentives based on carries, receptions, yardage and TDs. Deal gets done, Freddy is now back in the fold.

Step 2- Call Jason up, get him and Parker to fly into Buffalo and meet me at OBD. Sit them down and lay it on the line: You have two choices here Jason, negotiate with us in good faith, or I ship your ass to the most wretched team in the NFL tomorrow. If you want to make a new deal with us, we'll talk, but your going to have to get it through you and your agents thick skulls that your *NOT* going to get to be the best paid LT in the NFL, but you will get top 5 money IF you toe the line with us. Peters decides to NOT toe the line and dares me to deal him, I do.

Step 3- I call Detroit up and make them a deal they can't refuse: Peters, and Roscoe Parrish, for their #20, #82 (3rd round) this year, along with a 3rd next year. I explain they need someone who can protect Staffords back for the next 5-8 years, and Peters can do it. And Peters is a proven commodity, unlike any of the tackles coming out this season. Detroit haggles with me a bit, then takes the deal as they need a LT for QB protection AND they have only Megatron as their WR corps and have NO return game to speak of.

Step 4- I call up the KC Chiefs and make them a deal as well they can't refuse. I offer them Detroits #82 pick along with my own 6th (183) for Brian Waters who asked to be traded. We fight a bit and let Pioli pick my pocket for the 3rd and a 5th (#147) instead of the 6th.

At this point I take a step back and review what I have accomplished and what must be done come draft day. I break my list down into 2 categories, things to accomplish, things accomplished. I always like to see what I did first..

Things Accomplished:

We have a new C
We have a new backup QB
We have resigned Fred Jackon
We have filled the hole at LG by getting Waters
We have replaced Jabari with Florence and lit another fire under Youbuty, and that worked out well last year before injury hit him again.
We have stockpiled an additional pick in next years draft and made use of the one from this year for Waters.

Things to be Accomplished:

Find a new LT
Upgrade at SLB
Upgrade at TE
Upgrade at Rush DE
Depth at several positions, especially C

Draft Day- At this point, I now control the following picks: #11, #20 #42, #75, #110, #183, and #220. I then begin to build my board and plan to draft in the following order unless someone unexpectedly falls into my lap. LT, TE, OG, DE, OLB, depth at various positions. I am an advocate of looking at all positions of need, and then taking the best player from ANY of those spots to fill the holes on the roster.

I think the draft will fall out like this come draft day as it stands today, post my moves made prior to this day, I think Round 1 could shake out this way:

Detroit- Matthew Stafford QB
St. Louis- Jason Smith OT
KC- Aaron Curry OLB
Seattle- Mark Sanchez QB
Cleveland- Everette Brown DE
Cincinnati- Eugene Monroe OT
Oakland- Michael Crabtree WR
Jacksonville- B.J. Raji DT
Tampa Bay- Josh Freeman (trade with GB swapping their 1st rounders and tossing in their 2nd next year along with a 6th this season, they do this to keep him away from Denver, NYJ, and San Fran.)
San Francisco- Jeremy Maclin WR
Buffalo- Andre Smith OT (Somehow the guy OBD is hoping to be here, ends up here, Modrak runs up to the Comish with a huge smile on his face.)
Denver- Tyson Jackson DE (due to upcoming switch to 3-4)
Washington- Micheal Oher OT
New Orleans- Chris Wells RB
Houston- Sean Smith CB
San Diego- Rey Maualuga LB
NY Jets- Brian Orakpo DE
Denver- Clay Matthews OLB
Green Bay- Aaron Maybin DE
Buffalo- Robert Ayers DE (Bills now have a new DE who is in the style of Schobel, but younger)
Philidelphia- William Beatty OT
Minnesota- Eben Britton OT
New England- Connor Barwin DE/OLB
Atlanta- Brandon Pettigrew TE
Miami- Brian Cushing OLB
Baltimore- Kenny Britt WR
Indianapolis- Perry Jeria DT
Philidelphia- Donald Brown RB
NY Giants- Percy Harvin WR
Tennessee- Hakeem Nicks WR
Arizona- Knowshon Moreno RB
Pittsburgh- Max Unger C/G

Wow, thats an interesting 1st round isn't it? Anyhow, with the surprising move by Tampa Bay everyone else sits on their hands hoping for falling players and it pays off for several teams. As of right now, I have fixed the LT spot, and upgraded our DE position just fine. We still need an OLB, TE, and oline backup though to make this day complete. Due to Cushings injury history, I bypass him, I need someone who will be in for at 15 games a season. Round 2 follows:

Detroit- Malcolm Jenkins CB
New England- James Laurinaitis ILB
St. Louis- Darius Heyward-Bey WR
Cleveland- Vontae Davis CB
Seattle- Phil Loadholt OT
Cincinnati- Micheal Johnson DE
Jacksonville- Alex Mack C
Oakland- Jarron GIlbert DE/DT
Green Bay- Ron Brace DT
Buffalo- Clint Simtim OLB (I now have the man who can force Ellison to the bench except passing downs. He is by far a superior pass rusher, and can put his hand down on pass plays, and Ellison can go into coverage expanding our DE rotation to 6 guys on passing downs.)

After this point, I just wait to see who falls to me at #75, IF things go that way I want them too, I can get Chase Coffman. With his sick hands and massive frame and some training from Kugler and learning from Fine, he could become an all around beast, and he gives Trent a sick safety blanket in the passing game. I base this on many teams making noise about Casey and Cook, and I think we might sneak Chase in the 3rd.

With my 4th round pick (110) I select TJ Lang OT/G from Eastern Michigan U. He played LT there for three straight seasons never missing a game due to injury. He should be able to play G and RT in the pros according to most draft "experts" so he sounds like a Butler clone to me, just without the brittleness. If you want more info NFL Draft Scout has some on him here.

In the 6th round and 7th round I take whatever warms bodies I think are the most use to me depth wise taking a DT project and speedy scat back with sick return skills to round out my draft. In the end, after the draft these are the additions I have made to the team.

Andre Smith as my new starting LT
Robert Ayers as my new DE who will be my Schobel replacement when retirement or injury pushes him off the field, will also push Ellis
Clint Simtim as my new SLB, and can be a pass rush specialist on passing downs from the DE position as well
Brian Waters as my new LG
Chase Coffman as my new security blanket for Trent in the passing game, will also make the loss of Owens next season very neglible if we don't chose to resign him
A swing G/RT who can fill in on the interior for us, and perhaps we can teach him to snap as well giving us our backup and future C
With the last two picks I get McCargo insurance AND a guy to give me Parrish's production without the price tag and an edge turner in the run game

With those moves, I feel the Bills would be a stronger team all around with the possible exception of LT, and thats just because were replacing Peters with a rookie, but a rookie with two guys to lean on in Fine and Waters who can make his job a lot easier. So I will now open it up for the ridicule I know will be coming, bring it on fellow Rumblers!

Poll

How would you grade out this draft and offseason if this happened?

A- I would love to see the Bills have the balls to do this!

79 votes

B- Not bad, I could live with this and would be willing to see what happens, BUT here is what I would change

41 votes

C- Ugh, there are so many things I would change, here let me post them, be ready for a long read pal

5 votes

D- Wow, were you drinking when you came up with this? Because if you weren't you should take it up, because this stinks worse than 3 day old wet dog

9 votes

F- I will now hunt you down and will break your knee caps for this atrocity being posted

1 votes

Other- I just wanted to vote, but didn't read the post, I just like polls, who doesn't like polls?

1 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

NFP discusses potential Freeman derby if Sanchez and Stafford go in top 10

WABillsfan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:23:32 -0000

NFP discusses potential Freeman derby if Sanchez and Stafford go in top 10

Lombardi feels that if Sanchez and Stafford go in the top 10, that the Bills had better get ready to field a ton of calls on draft day from teams looking to get Freeman. He also feels Freeman may eventually be a good QB, but that he needs a couple of seasons of work in the NFL before it bears out.

For anyone who leans towards "trade down" scenarios, start praying that Dirty Sanchez and Stafford go early.

Chip Vaughn Wake Forest #9 Defensive back. Kid shows some wheels, a willingness to stick his nose...

WABillsfan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:46:16 -0000

Chip Vaughn Wake Forest #9 Defensive back. Kid shows some wheels, a willingness to stick his nose up in run support. Can seperate pass catchers from the ball upon impact. And some really good instincts as far as INTs, and following the play and knowing what to do.

Managed by Goal Line Management firm.

Birk visiting with the Ravens

WABillsfan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:37:57 -0000

Birk visiting with the Ravens

Per PFT, it appears that Birk is leaning between the Ravens and the Vikings for his spot.

Brandon Marshall arrested again, could Broncos become new Cole suitor?

WABillsfan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:33:25 -0000

Brandon Marshall arrested again, could Broncos become new Cole suitor?

Marshall just got busted again this time for a disorderly conduct charge. Details of the events leading to Marshall's arrest are not known at this time. A supervisor at the jail would only tell ESPN's John Barr that Marshall was involved in a fight.

If he is headed to court, I got a feeling Goddell will land on him this time. He already missed a game last season after pleading down, and has 2 run ins with the law, he could be looking at 8 games this time. We might need to bump up the Coles offer a tad to get him.

Bucs are showing strong interest in Crowell

WABillsfan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:26:13 -0000

Bucs are showing strong interest in Crowell

If we want to get a decent LBer we gotta move soon, Crowell is getting sniffs now, and June and Winborn won't remain free for long.....

BUCS INTERESTED IN CROWELL
Posted by Mike Florio: Sunday, March 1, 2009 7:32 PM
With veteran linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June jettisoned last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need more guys to play the position.

According to Pewter Report, they might get started by kicking the tires on Angelo Crowell, who has spent his six-year career with the Bills.

The Bucs reportedly are interested in Crowell, but a visit has not been scheduled yet.

Crowell unexpectedly landed on injured reserve prior to the 2008 season after word broke that he needed knee surgery. It prevented him from making a strong showing in the hopes of cashing in.

Quincy Black, Geno Hayes, and Adam Hayward are expected to compete for playing time at the outside linebacker positions in Tampa; Crowell would give the group a veteran flavor.

SB Nation User Blog: WABillsfan

Wonderful article about Jack Kemp from the perspective of his son Jeff

Leroy Hill now a FA, possible SLB target for the Bills?

Stafford signs deal with Lions, officially the No. 1 pick of the draft

Dr. Z update from Peter King, Mr. Wilson gives a large donation to help the Z man out

How I would handle the draft and Jason Peters *Revised*

How would you grade out this draft and offseason if this happened?

A- I would love to see the Bills have the balls to do this!

B- Not bad, I could live with this and would be willing to see what happens, BUT here is what I would change

C- Ugh, there are so many things I would change, here let me post them, be ready for a long read pal

D- Wow, were you drinking when you came up with this? Because if you weren't you should take it up, because this stinks worse than 3 day old wet dog

F- I will now hunt you down and will break your knee caps for this atrocity being posted

Other- I just wanted to vote, but didn't read the post, I just like polls, who doesn't like polls?

NFP discusses potential Freeman derby if Sanchez and Stafford go in top 10

Chip Vaughn Wake Forest #9 Defensive back. Kid shows some wheels, a willingness to stick his nose...

Birk visiting with the Ravens

Brandon Marshall arrested again, could Broncos become new Cole suitor?

Bucs are showing strong interest in Crowell

How I would handle the draft and Jason Peters Revised