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Monday, September 29, 2014

Bills Should Bench E.J. Manuel After 23-17 Loss To Texans


It wasn’t merely a play that lost a game. This was the kind that costs a season, both current and long-term.
What the Bills’ 23-17 loss to the Texans did, on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium, was quiet the last few defenders of E.J. Manuel ... including yours truly.
Those of us who maintained that he still might be Buffalo’s franchise quarterback, only 14 games into his NFL career, were shown otherwise in dramatic fashion at Houston.
Coach Doug Marrone’s post-game contention that “it wasn’t just a one player thing” aside ... it was.
Oh, there were some drops and even the offensive coaches — especially play-calling — were also part of it.
But, ultimately, this loss was on Manuel, first, last and always.
It’s not as if the Bills were playing Seattle, or Denver, or New England.
This was an eminently winnable game against a now 3-1 team whose record was forged against not a single team with a winning record after the first quarter of the season.
If you’re wondering how Buffalo beat the Bears in Chicago to open the season ... me too.
To this point in the season, with the Bills heading into Texas with an encouraging 2-1 record, Manuel’s numbers were a bit of a siren song.
In the first three games he was completing 63 percent of his passes with three touchdowns an interception and a solid 90.8 passer rating.
But that was also fool’s gold.
Over half of his 55 completions were checkdowns to running backs (21) or underneath routes to the tight ends (8).
Winning the first two games, he was a functional game manager. But, a week ago, when the Bills needed him to step up, Manuel came up small at home in a loss to San Diego.
And against the Texans ... ugh!
That game-changing, season-changing, potential job-changing play?
As anybody who watched the game knows, it was J.J. Watt’s 80-yard interception return for a score.
At the time, Buffalo was up 10-7 and facing a  3rd-and-3 at the Houston 12-yard line. A touchdown was a possibility ... a field goal a virtual certainty.
In any case, the Bills would be up by either six or 10 points, except...
On the fateful play, Manuel looked right and floated a pass toward running back Fred Jackson, who seemed set to at least get the first down.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, Watt was running up between the passer and receiver, caught the ball in stride and, as the cliche goes, “took it to the house.”
That swing of either 10 or 14 points ultimately decided the game, and probably the season, for the Bills, now 1-2 in the conference.
Oh, Buffalo had one final possession with a chance to win.
Taking over at its own 29 with 1:42 to play and no timeouts, it drove to the Texans’ 41 when, on first down, Manuel overthrew Robert Woods and was intercepted by reserve cornerback Darryl Morris.
And so it ended with more than a little irony.
Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the former Bill, was admittedly unspectacular.
He played a game Buffalo fans saw often during his 4-year Western New York career: 25-of-37 for 268 yards with a touchdown, a pair of interceptions and a 75.0 passer rating while running for a couple of first downs.
Fitzpatrick also didn’t do anything to lose the game.
Manuel, meanwhile, was 21-of-44 passing for 225 yards with two TD passes, those two fateful picks and a 59.0 passer rating.
And while, statistically, his 80-yard touchdown connection with Mike Williams offset Watt’s heroics, realistically, it didn’t.
That interception was demoralizing, no matter what his teammates said in the post-game lockerroom. The difference between a 6-, or 10-point lead and a 4-point deficit is devastating,
But it wasn’t that one play.
The game-deciding interception came as a forced throw ... on first down with over a minute to go.
Manuel also wasted all three first-half timeouts, which might well have helped produce at least a field goal, to clear up play calls, though one or more of those might have been on coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
However, what’s totally on Manuel is his inaccuracy. Some passes, to open receivers, he just missed. Others, as they say in baseball, were “wild in the strike zone,” in other words on some catches the ball wasn’t thrown in the right place for the receiver to maximize yardage.
In all added up to a loss in a game against a pedestrian foe that was there for the taking ... especially on a day the defense gave up fewer yards that the Bills gained and surrendered only one touchdown.
Afterward, Marrone was asked whether he considered replacing Manuel with high-priced reserve Kyle Orton.
He emphatically said, “No ... not at all.”
Maybe Marrone should have. And with the specter of new ownership in the offing, he might very well do it this week, even if it means benching a first-round draft choice on which the Bills’ front office had staked its future.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

NFL Will Help Support Domestic Violence Victims Nationwide

If not for the video of running back Ray Rice punching his fiancĂ©e, the National Football League would have moved on. Most of us already had.
In fact, this editorial wouldn’t have been written.
But the visual evidence galvanized the nation. It wasn’t the first incidence of domestic violence involving an NFL player. It wasn’t even the most violent.
Two years ago, Jovan Belcher of the Kansas City Chiefs murdered his girlfriend and committed suicide, leaving behind a 3-month-old baby. But there was no video of the nine bullets pumped into Kasandra Perkins. No video of Belcher shooting himself.
The day after this tragedy, the Chiefs played a home game. The public address announcer didn’t mention the incident, except to call for a moment of silence. The Chiefs vanquished their foe, and the issue of domestic violence receded.
On Friday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league intends to stop fumbling this issue. In football parlance, his back was against the wall. Nevertheless, the league has a loud megaphone, so it has the opportunity to do a lot of good.
Sports fans are moved by statistics, so here are some related to domestic violence, courtesy of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence website: From 1997 to 2013, 710 people died in domestic violence-related incidents in the state, 46 of them in Spokane County.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence conducted a one-day survey of domestic violence program providers Sept. 17, 2013. On that day, 1,649 respondents from across the country reported serving 66,581 people. More than half of the domestic violence victims and their children found safety in shelters and other temporary housing. A total of 9,641 requests for services were not met. The biggest hole in the safety net is affordable housing.
Behind the numbers are fear, hopelessness and shattered lives. To make matters worse, some people feel compelled to blame the victims: “If only they would leave.”
That’s more difficult than it sounds. Victims face substantial economic barriers. Many have children to feed, clothe and house, often with the only breadwinner being the abuser. Rather than blame the victim, we need to establish a stronger support network to make it easier to leave.
For now, a good place for victims to start is the YWCA. Regina Malveaux, the director of the Spokane chapter, is a passionate advocate for domestic violence victims. The YWCA has an Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program and safe shelter. A shelter recently opened in Spokane Valley, too. The Y also has services to help women enter or re-enter the workforce.
The issue of domestic violence is no longer on the sidelines, so let’s shift the focus from the athletes to the victims. We can all do our part to carry the banner and restore hope.

Bills VS.Chargers Preview

Few teams in the NFL are as hot as the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, who will meet Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Bills are off to a surprising 2-0 start and sit alone atop the AFC East. They've turned the ball over just once and have limited opposing offenses to less than 16 points per game. Add in strong special-teams contributions -- Buffalo players won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after both games this season -- and the Bills have found a recipe for winning.

Meanwhile, the Chargers (1-1) are hanging tough in the AFC West. With their 30-21 victory last week, they became one of just four teams to take down the Seattle Seahawks since the start of last season. Quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates are still the centerpiece of a dangerous offensive attack.

ESPN Bills reporter Mike Rodak and ESPN Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams preview the game:

Rodak: The Chargers seem to be riding high after knocking off the defending Super Bowl champions. What was the key to their victory and how do you see their performance carrying forward?
Williams:Ccoach Mike McCoy devised an excellent game plan for defeating Seattle. Rivers used the short passing game to control the tempo, and in the red zone, the Chargers got one-on-one matchups with Gates against linebackers or strong safety Kam Chancellor. And for the most part, Gates won. Defensively, the Chargers did a nice job of swarm-tackling Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin in the run game, and they forced Russell Wilson to make plays from inside the pocket. Lastly, San Diego won the turnover battle. It’s a good recipe for winning games on a weekly basis in the NFL, but in order to win on the road, the Chargers will need to run the ball more consistently.

The Bills are 2-0 at the start of the season for the first time since 2011. Can this team break the NFL’s longest playoff drought by making the postseason for the first time since 1999?

Rodak: They have the potential to do it. The Bills might have the AFC East's most talented roster. There are 12 first-round picks and five second-round picks, part of an overall mixture of homegrown talent and pieces added from the outside. The Bills have arguably the NFL's best defensive line -- three players went to the Pro Bowl last season -- and a strong group of offensive weapons surrounding EJ Manuel.

The question has always been about the quarterback, and through two weeks, I'm not sure the concerns about Manuel have been alleviated. The Bills have limited Manuel's pass attempts; he has 48 through two games, the second-fewest in the NFL. They're also 29th in red zone touchdown efficiency, a problem that has been masked by strong defense and special-teams play. The Bills have proven they can win games with that approach, but I still think we'll need to see more out of Manuel before the Bills are considered a strong playoff contender.

The Chargers have no shortage of weapons on offense, yet they often don't get the same attention as some of the NFL's better offenses. Where would you place Rivers among his peers at quarterback and how would you rate his receivers?

Williams: Rivers is a top-five quarterback in the NFL, in my opinion. He is accurate, smart and still possesses plenty of zip in his arm to make every throw on the field. And at 32 years old, he's in his prime. Last season, Rivers led the league in completion percentage (69.5 percent) and finished fourth in passing touchdowns (32) and passer rating (105.5). However, he does not get as much attention as some of the other elite quarterbacks because he doesn't have a Super Bowl ring, and that's how we judge the best quarterbacks in the game.

I also believe San Diego has an above-average group of receivers, led by Keenan Allen, and perhaps the best tight end tandem in the NFL in Gates and Ladarius Green. Add Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown at running back, and Rivers has plenty of playmakers at his disposal to take advantage of specific matchups each week.

Manuel struggled during exhibition play but has been a steady performer during the first two games of the regular season. Manuel has completed 67 percent of his passes, has been sacked only once and has a 95.4 passer rating in helping lead the Bills to two victories. What has been the difference?

Rodak: There is a marked difference at wide receiver that has helped boost Manuel's play this season. Last season, Manuel and top wideout Stevie Johnson never seemed to be on the same page, plus Johnson had some lingering injury problems. Second-round pick Robert Woods was a rookie and third receiver T.J. Graham had a limited skill set that didn't do Manuel many favors. Manuel's leading receiver was tight end Scott Chandler (53 catches, 655 yards), but Chandler has just two catches in two games this season.

Instead, Manuel has fired away at top pick Sammy Watkins. Watkins has 15 targets, the most on the team. In addition, Woods came up with a pair of impressive catches in Week 1 that bailed out Manuel on some less-than-accurate throws. Manuel certainly deserves credit for better decision-making in his second season, but the Bills wanted to improve his group of receivers, and the difference has been noticeable.

The Chargers' defense ranks 30th in yards allowed per play (6.58) and opponent yards per rush (5.56) but has allowed only 19.5 points per game, which is 12th-best in the NFL. Is run defense a problem for San Diego and if so, how have they covered it up?

Williams: The Chargers struggled against the run last season but did a better job against a pretty good running offense (Seattle) Sunday. The key for San Diego's defense is actually how much the offense controls tempo. The Chargers are No. 2 on offense in the NFL in time of possession (35:13), so the defense isn't on the field for long periods of time. San Diego also forced three turnovers in two games -- along with a blocked punt -- and only has one turnover on offense. So the Chargers do a good job of stealing a few possessions each game. Those things help hide other deficiencies San Diego has on defense.

Watkins had a breakout performance against Miami, finishing with eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. We know that Buffalo leans on the run game with C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson and Anthony Dixon, but how has Watkins added another dimension to the offense?

Rodak: We didn't see too much of Watkins in the season opener; he had three catches in the first half and Manuel overthrew Watkins on his only target in the second half. Things changed in Week 2. He brings a clear advantage over most other receivers: Watkins has speed that allows him to be a deep threat, sure hands and a large catch radius that allows him to haul in off-target passes, and some shiftiness that makes him dangerous after the catch. The Bills had speed at receiver last season but lacked the route-running and pass-catching ability that Watkins brings to the table. Chargers 27-Bills 20

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

NFL PLAYERS DON'T WANT TO PLAY FOR THE BUFFALO BILLS


Cary Edmondson / USA TODAY Sports
The Raiders received 23 percent of the vote.
Most NFL players apparently want nothing to do with the Silver and Black.
ESPN polled 82 current NFLers on which team they would least like to play for, posing the question as: "The only way I'd play for (team name) is if they doubled my salary."
The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills each pulled in more than 15 percent of the vote, but the team receiving more thumbs down (23 percent) than any other was the Oakland Raiders -- a fact that isn't particularly surprising.
The once-dominant Raiders have been AFC West doormats for more than a decade now, going without a playoff appearance or winning record since losing the Super Bowl after the 2002 season. It also doesn't help that they play in what's widely regarded as one of the worst stadiums in American professional sports, or that they've had 16 different quarterbacks start at least one game over the last 10 seasons -- a number that will grow to 17 when new acquisition Matt Schaub makes his regular-season Raiders debut.
Current Oakland players don't necessarily agree with the rest of the league's assessment, though.
"I've never heard anybody that said they didn't want to play for the Raiders, so that's pretty shocking," cornerback Charles Woodson said. "I think you've got to take the attitude that if you didn't want to come here, it doesn't matter anyway. Over the years, I've known and talked to countless players that said, 'Man, I would love to come play in the Silver and Black.' So I think that poll might be kind of skewed."
The Bills ranked second in the poll with 19 percent of the vote, followed by the Browns (16 percent), Jacksonville Jaguars (9 percent) and Green Bay Packers (6 percent).

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Biils WR Sammy Watkins best Player in Training Camp

Sammy Watkins came to Buffalo with high expectations padded by the usual understanding that rookie wide receivers take a little while to mature. Few first year receivers establish themselves as their team’s top option right from the get-go. Then again, few receivers possess the talent and temerity of Sammy Watkins.
“I told Andre Reed, ‘You’re going in (the Hall of Fame), so just pass the torch to Sammy before you do,’” Bills general manager Doug Whaley told FOX Sports after another training camp practice in which Watkins took veteran cornerback Leodis McKelvin to school. Per the article:
During Monday’s practice, Watkins showed that ability to grow bigger than his frame when he went up to grab a pass between three defenders. They all pinballed off him and fell to the ground. Watkins did as well, but only because he’d been poked in the eye. He staggered off to the cheers and then returned to practice, intent on further honing his route-running on this muggy, mid-June day.
“I’ve got the playbook down already,” Watkins said. “It’s just being consistent, knowing the little details to things and just really working against the defense, seeing things faster and doing the right things when you’re tired. When you get tired, that’s when you stop thinking, but once I get in shape, really know defenses and really start watching film, it’ll be better for me.”
Watkins entered the 2014 NFL draft as the top skill player available and the top player overall on Buffalo’s board. They put their money where their mouth was when they traded two picks in the 2015 draft and their own top pick in the 2014 draft for the right to draft Sammy Watkins. Many panned the move as a desperate overpayment by a club 14 years removed from the playoffs. Early results have indicated that GM Doug Whaley may have been onto something.
“We firmly believe he plays bigger than his size,” Whaley concluded. “We’re comfortable with that and we think he’ll steadily improve and by Day 1 will be ‘The Guy’.”
Expect Watkins to slot in as the first wide receiver on the team by Week 1 of the NFL season. From there, it’s up to him and EJ Manuel to lead this offense back to prominence.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Marcell Dareus Enters NFL Substance Abuse Program

Pittsford, N.Y. — Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus agreed to enter an NFL substance abuse program in a bid to have felony drug charges in Alabama dismissed, his attorney said on Monday.
Rod Giddens wrote in an email to The Associated Press that Dareus was allowed to enter the program during a hearing at Calhoun County Court in Alabama earlier in the day. Dareus attended the hearing while being excused from training camp in suburban Rochester.
Buffalo's WKBW-TV first reported the agreement.
Dareus, who is from Alabama and played for the Crimson Tide, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after being stopped by a state trooper on May 5.
The charges will be dismissed and potentially expunged should the 2011 first-round draft pick successfully complete the program.
Giddens referred to Dareus as "a humble, gentle giant of a young man, who needs some mentors."
This marks the first positive step during what's been a troubled offseason for Dareus.
Four weeks after being arrested in Alabama, Dareus was allegedly racing teammate Jerry Hughes when he crashed his 2012 Jaguar into a tree near a busy intersection not far from Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Dareus was charged with reckless endangerment and ticketed for several traffic violations, including drag racing.
Dareus is still attempting to resolve those charges after failing to accept a plea deal earlier this month. He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.
The NFL could potentially discipline Dareus with a fine or suspension.
» Photos from Monday's practice
Dareus also faces an immediate on-field challenge.
After reporting to camp on Friday, Dareus was placed on the active/non-football injury list after failing a conditioning test on Saturday. Dareus must pass the test before he can be cleared for practice.
Coach Doug Marrone said Dareus was scheduled to return to camp on Monday night, and was expected to be working out on the sideline during practice Tuesday morning.
Marrone didn't provide a timetable of how long it might take Dareus to be tested again, except to say "when our weight coaches feel that he's ready."
Dareus has already missed the first two days of practice.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

The Buffalo Bills Will Finish Last In AFC East And Reasons Why!

I love reading the comments on Buffalo websites as optimism reigns supreme at this time of year.  Every football team is 0-0 and the atmosphere, even in Buffalo, smells of playoff football.
That is just it. Every year we have done the same thing for well over ten years.  The people of Western New York are tough.  We do not have time for thinking the worst is about to happen or maybe the economy is so bad; we have to think positive thoughts about our beloved sports teams.
I know I sit on the other side of the pond and do not have an “insider’s look” at what is happening in the NFL, but everything points to a rough season in Buffalo.   Last week’s news of Kiko Alonso did not help the situation, but even before his injury the Buffalo Bills were not going to be any better than a .500 team.
Not only do they have to attempt to fill Kiko’s shoes, but they never filled Jairus Byrd’s shoes, never addressed the back-up QB position (we need to pray for a healthy Manuel), they are banking on a resurgence at tight end, and what is going to happen with Marcell Dareus? But it is not just what the Bills didn’t address; it is what the other division teams did to get better that keeps me in a realistic mindset.
I do not want to be a Buzz Killington on the season and I certainly hope that I am wrong, but there are good men in Vegas putting their livelihood on the line that the Buffalo Bills are not going to win seven games.  I will wait until this team is sold and see the new owner.  Will he keep Doug Marrone and Doug Whaley?  Will a new owner bring the stability to the franchise to lure top-tier free agents?  Once things settle in ownership and the front office, maybe then my lack of optimism will be justified.
What do you think Buffalo? Am I way off base?  Prove to me that we are better than the Jets or even the Dolphins?  Show me that we didn’t trade away a top ten pick in the 2015 draft.   Please give me some hope!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Buffalo Bills Have Ownership Canidates Ready To Move The Bills

Mike Florio - Even before word emerged that former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer intends to buy the L.A. Clippers for $2 billion, interest had been expressed by potential buyers of the Bills who would acquire the asset with the intent of relocating.
“Truthfully, there are parties that are interested in buying the team and moving it,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told WGR 550 on Thursday, via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “We are trying to do what we can on our part to show that this community is moving forward to at least explore everything and all the options that are necessary, in the case the situation comes that we have a new owner that says, ‘I own the Bills. I’m fine with Ralph Wilson Stadium for the next five or six years, but I want out and I want to be somewhere different then.’”
That could be the clearest acknowledgement yet that the current lease for the Bills to play at the stadium named for the team’s late owner buys only time.  Specifically, the lease provides a minimum of six seasons (when a limited window opens to bolt) and a maximum of nine seasons (when the lease expires).
Ballmer’s bid for the Clippers could be the clearest reminder that, if the family of Ralph Wilson chooses to sell to the highest bidder, the highest bid may have gotten a lot higher.  And if the Wilson family opts to maximize the return without regard for whether the Bills may leave and never return, a bid that reflects the team’s value not in Buffalo but in Los Angeles could be the easy winner.
“I’ve spoken to [Bills CEO Russ] Brandon, I’ve spoken to [Bills CFO Jeffrey Littmann],” Poloncarz separately told WBEN in Buffalo.  “They know my request, which is to pick the owner that’s going to keep the team in Buffalo. But I don’t know if that’s going to be the decision that the trustees will end up doing.  If they end up getting a bid that’s so much higher than anybody else, I don’t know if they can turn it down.  They may have the fiduciary duty to accept it.”
And there it is.  The specific recognition that has long been suspected to be true.  If the mandate for the “trustees” (a vague group of no-names who give plausible deniability to current owner Mary Wilson) is to find the highest bidder, it won’t matter if that bidder wants to move the team.
So is that the standard?
“That’s a good question,” Russ Brandon recently told WGR 550, via Rodak.  “I’m not at liberty to talk about those things. I can’t talk about that.”
Which brings us back to Ballmer’s $2 billion.  If the NBA’s B-team in the L.A. market has that value, how much value would an NFL team in Los Angeles instantly acquire?
“We were expecting the Bills would sell somewhere in the vicinity of $800 million to potentially a billion dollars. Maybe it will go higher now,” Poloncarz told WBEN on Friday, via Rodak. “I don’t think it will go for $2 billion because this is not the Los Angeles media market, but it certainly could go above a billion dollars if this precedent in regards to recent NBA sales is any indication.  We’ll just have to keep an eye on it.”
It may not go for $2 billion in Buffalo, but it could go for $2 billion or more if the buyer is intent on dog-paddling through six seasons in Buffalo before moving to the Los Angeles media market.
While the other 31 owners would want a hefty relocation fee if they approve the purchase and eventual move (there’s a chance that, for political reasons, they won’t), an owner who believes that the Bills would be worth $3 billion or $4 billion in L.A. could be willing to outbid the other potential buyers and then further line the pockets of the 31 partners for the privilege of ultimately buying low, if the Clippers are indeed worth $2 billion.
Then again, any asset ultimately is worth what someone will pay for it.  And it would be a surprise if someone with an eye on the L.A. market isn’t willing to pay at least as much as Ballmer is paying for the Clippers in order to buy the Bills.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NFL Mock Draft 2014: Buffalo Bills Blitz First Round

Jadeveon-Clowney.jpg
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is considered the best player in this year's NFL Draft.








1. Houston Texans
DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
The Texans need a quarterback, having traded Matt Schaub to the Raiders. But Clowney is a once-in-a-generation player, and Houston would be wise to not pass on him. He has a chance to be special.
2. St. Louis Rams
OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
He is not a completely polished player, and there is still a chance the Rams go with Sammy Watkins. But the Rams need help protecting quarterback Sam Bradford, and Robinson could be a big part of that effort.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Justin Blackmon, the receiver the Jaguars picked fifth overall in 2012, is indefinitely suspended (substance abuse policy violation). Quarterback is an option for the Jaguars, but no quarterback in this draft class is a sure thing. Watkins could be a star immediately.
4. Cleveland Browns
QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
It’s tough to project what kind of NFL player Manziel will be. Can he stay healthy and learn to avoid contact? How will he handle being the face of a franchise? Lots of questions here, but the Browns, long a dumpster fire, need to take this risk.
5. Oakland Raiders
LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
The Raiders would love if Watkins is available at No. 5, but presuming he isn’t, they can upgrade their pass rush by drafting Mack. Last season, the Raiders ranked 19th in the NFL with 38 sacks. They bolstered their pass rush during free agency, and bringing in Mack would continue to move that mission in a positive direction.
6. Atlanta Falcons
OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Michigan’s Taylor Lewan is also an option for the Falcons, who desperately need to give Matt Ryan better protection. The Falcons allowed 44 sacks last year – 10th most in the NFL. Before last year, Ryan hadn’t been sacked more than 28 times in his career. Matthews has good football DNA. His dad, Bruce, was a Hall of Fame offensive guard.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay already has a big-bodied receiver in Vincent Jackson (6-5, 230 pounds), but he is 31. Evans is not a fast receiver like Watkins, but has a tremendous ability to battle for balls in the air. Jackson isn’t fading. He had 1,224 yards last year. Evans is an important piece for the future.
8. Minnesota Vikings
QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
The important thing for Bortles, if the Vikings pick him, is that the presence of Matt Cassel would enable Bortles to be a backup and learn as a rookie. Unless Cassel struggles, of course. Sitting back and learning certainly benefited Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Bortles’ prototypical size gives him some serious upside.
9. Buffalo Bills
OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
If Lewan gets picked by the Falcons and Matthews is still available, then Matthews will probably be heading to Buffalo. The Bills did rookie quarterback EJ Manuel no favors last season, as they allowed 48 sacks – the fourth-most in the league. Buffalo needs to give Manuel a fair shot to show he can be the guy.
10. Detroit Lions
CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
Don’t be surprised if the Lions grab tight end Eric Ebron, if he is available. But they did rank 23rd in the NFL last season in passing yards allowed. Gilbert is not a lock as the top cornerback in this draft. A corner like Darqueze Dennard could be a fit, as well.
11. Tennessee Titans
CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
Presuming Gilbert is gone, the Titans will attempt to help their pass defense by adding Dennard. Tennessee lost Alterraun Verner to Tampa Bay during free agency. Will Dennard be Verner immediately? Probably not, since rookie corners often struggle. But this is an important need pick for the Titans.
12. New York Giants
TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
The Giants would be overjoyed if Ebron falls to them at No. 12. Ebron split out wide and played like a receiver fairly often in college, so that could be an asset for quarterback Eli Manning in his first year with offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system. Ebron is unquestionably the top tight end in this draft.
13. St. Louis Rams
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
Gregg Williams, the Rams’ new defensive coordinator, is a respected defensive mind, and he could mold Clinton-Dix into a very productive player. Clinton-Dix’s range is an attractive asset in coverage. He and second-year pro T.J. McDonald could form a successful safety duo.
14. Chicago Bears
DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
He is absolutely the best defensive tackle available. Donald is a quicker tackle, rather than a space-clogging behemoth. The Bears’ front needs help. Chicago ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed in 2013.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
OT/OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame
He is a tough player who will fit in well with the Steelers’ culture, though there is uncertainty about whether he will be able to play tackle in the NFL, because he isn’t a particularly long player. The Steelers could also opt for a cornerback, if Gilbert and/or Dennard happen to fall.
16. Dallas Cowboys
OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
The Cowboys ranked 27th in the league last year with 34 sacks, so they could use an edge rusher. Barr gives them that. This is a bit higher than some analysts project Barr to get picked, but he can only get better, having played just two seasons at linebacker, after switching from running back/fullback.
17. Baltimore Ravens
FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
There is a chance the Cowboys snatch him up, but if he’s around, Pryor would make a solid pairing with strong safety Matt Elam, who was the 32nd overall pick in 2013. Pryor is a classic hard-hitting safety and plays aggressively with his 5-11, 207-pound frame.
18. New York Jets
WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
Even with the free agency signing of Eric Decker, receiver remains a big position of need for the Jets. Cooks gives the Jets a legit deep threat. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the NFL Combine – the second-fastest time at the entire combine. He is a confident guy who will fit in well in New York.
19. Miami Dolphins
ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
A very good coverage linebacker, Mosley would be a strong addition to a Miami pass defense that ranked right in the middle of the league last year – 16th. Perhaps the Dolphins go with an offensive lineman in this spot, but with solid options already gone at that position, Mosley would not be a bad pickup at all.

20. Arizona Cardinals
QB Derek Carr, Fresno State
There has been lots of debate about where the younger brother of David Carr fits in. Carson Palmer isn’t getting any younger. He’ll be 35 in December. Derek Carr gives the Cardinals a backup option should Palmer get hurt. But Arizona doesn’t need Carr to be the starter immediately, of course.
21. Green Bay Packers
OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
Shazier would have some good role models in the Packers’ linebacker group, including Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk, a fellow Ohio State product. Shazier is a rangy linebacker. In today’s NFL, linebackers have to cover, and Shazier can do that well.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
You don’t see many receivers who look like Benjamin – 6-5 and 240 pounds. He is a matchup issue for many defenders, and he could thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense, even if he doesn’t have elite speed. But put the ball up, and Benjamin will go get it.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
There’s a chance the Jets will draft Beckham, particularly since the Jets’ new special teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey, previously held that role at LSU. Marqise Lee of Southern California would also be an option for the Chiefs, who need receivers. But Beckham is a bit faster.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jason Verrett, Texas Christian
Here is a very fast corner (4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash) who could be another important piece for a passing defense that was fifth-best in the NFL last year. He is not a big guy, at 5-10, but is flexible and has very good hips.
25. San Diego Chargers
CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
Judging by ability alone, Roby is the top cornerback available this year. He can be a bit rough around the edges with his technique. San Diego has to improve its pass defense, 29th in the league last year, so the Chargers need to hope Roby can hone his skills quickly at the next level.
26. Cleveland Browns
WR Cody Latimer, Indiana
You probably haven’t heard much about him, but he is projected as a late first-round pick. The Browns need all the offensive help they can get. Latimer isn’t a sure thing, just like Manziel isn’t. But Cleveland at least needs to try to upgrade its offense, which was 27th in the NFL last year in yards.
27. New Orleans Saints
DE Dee Ford, Auburn
There’s a big drop-off from the best defensive end available, Clowney, to the second-best. Ford isn’t a huge guy (6-2, 252 pounds), but he uses his quick burst to get past offensive linemen, and he could be a versatile part of Rob Ryan’s defense. His coverage skills remain a question.
28. Carolina Panthers
OT Morgan Moses, Virginia
The Panthers need a tackle, and Joel Bitonio could be an option here. Moses has the size to play in the NFL – 6-6 and 314 pounds – but what about his ability to block in open spaces? That’s an issue for him.
29. New England Patriots
DT Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
He isn’t guaranteed to be the next Vince Wilfork by any means, but Wilfork is aging and coming off an injury. Ditto for Tommy Kelly. Hageman is 6-5 and 310 pounds now, but he is a former tight end, so he is quite athletic.
30. San Francisco 49ers
DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
The Bengals might snatch him up at No. 24, but if he’s still around, he would be a good get for Jim Harbaugh. Ealy is a big guy (6-4, 273 pounds) who can get after the quarterback.
31. Denver Broncos
OT/OG Joel Bitonio, Nevada
Zane Beadles, who can play both guard and tackle, left for Jacksonville in free agency. Beadles’ departure left a hole at left guard. Like Beadles, Bitonio can play both guard and tackle.
32. Seattle Seahawks
WR Marqise Lee, Southern California
The defending Super Bowl champions go, at least in our projection, with a player from coach Pete Carroll’s former employer. Lee has nice straight-line speed, even though his 40 time isn’t great. If he can iron out drop issues that might cause him to fall this far, he could be a good asset.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Buffalo Bills 2014 NFL Mock Draft


  • Houston - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
    QB has to be the way the Texans go here. They'll listen to trade offers but finding the right partner will be difficult. In the end, Bortles brings a great blend of talent, upside, and work ethic.
  • St Louis(Was) - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas AM
    The Rams could be on their way to building a dominant offensive line. There is some question about Jake Long's health, however. Matthews provides a body to man the LT position if Long is not ready, or he can line up on the right side, giving them a great set of bookends.
  • Jacksonville - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
    A stud pass rusher is as big of a need as QB, so the Jags opt for the player with the most upside and ability in this draft.
  • Cleveland - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
    The Browns won't get caught waiting to draft a QB in the 20's of the first round again. The need for a starter is obvious, and Bridgewater is the draft's most NFL ready signal caller.
  • Oakland - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
    The Rodger Saffold deal falling apart for a failed physical may be a blessing in disguise for the Raiders. He was going to be terribly overpaid to play a position he is not suited to play. Donald Penn was signed to man the LT position in 2014, but he's a short term solution; very short term. Robinson could play any position up front initially, besides center, and eventually take over at left tackle.
  • Atlanta - Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
    Upgrading the pass rush is a need for the Falcons, and landing a player like Mack would qualify as one of the best possible scenarios for them.
  • Tampa Bay - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
    Mike Williams act is getting old, and there is an obvious need for a playmaker alongside Vincent Jackson. Watkins is a dynamic weapon in the passing game, and would really help open up the offense for Doug Martin, and whoever lines up under center.
  • Minnesota - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas AM
    There are legitimate questions surrounding Manziel but there is also obvious upside. The Vikings are in dire need of a standout QB and they need to make a move now. Adrian Peterson isn't getting any younger, so the time is now to take the gamble and hope it pays off.
  • Buffalo - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
    Ebron is a big play threat at the TE position, which will be a welcomed addition to the Bills passing game. But hes also a big target that EJ Manuel will look to a ton on third downs.
  • Detroit - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St
    The corner position continues to be an issue for the Lions. They hope they landed themselves a shut down corner, and Gilbert has that type of playmaking ability. Consistency is an issue, but he could be a better pro than college player and the Lions are banking on it.
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  • Tennessee - Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
    The Titans pass rush was a problem area last year, so it will look for a boost off the edge. Barr has the ability to provide a boost off the edge initially, even though it might take a little time to develop the rest of his game.
  • NY Giants - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
    For a team looking to upgrade its line, it would be very difficult to pass on one of the draft's more talented tackles. Lewan would step in at left tackle and be an upgrade right away.
  • St. Louis - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
    The safety position is a bit thin this year, so you're going to see the top couple guys come off the board a bit earlier than they should. The Rams wont want to take the chance on missing on landing one, so they get their guy here. Clinton-Dix brings the range and awareness in coverage to pair well with 2nd year strong safety, TJ McDonald.
  • Chicago - Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
    The loss of Henry Melton destroyed the Bears front last year. His departure for Chicago leaves a hole on the interior line, despite the addition of Lamarr Houston. Donald wreaks havoc on the interior line, and he will play a big role in the revamped Bears defensive line.
  • Pittsburgh - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
    Dennard may not be quite as athletically gifted as Gilbert, but his aggressiveness and all around game will fit very well in Pittsburgh.
  • Dallas - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
    The addition of Henry Melton helps shore up the front, although they could still go in that direction here. The need at safety, and lack of depth at the position, pushes the Cowboys in Pryor's direction. His physical nature and aggressiveness at the safety position will add a much needed presence at the position.
  • Baltimore - Mike Evans, WR, Texas AM
    Joe Flacco needs weapon, and adding a 35 year old Steve Smith isn't enough. Evans brings the toughness and physical style of play that the team missed when Anquan Boldin was traded. Torrey Smith can take the top off the defense, while Evans and Smith work underneath and over the middle of the field.
  • NY Jets - Marqise Lee, WR, USC
    Adding Eric Decker was a nice start for the Jets, but the offense needs a lot more help. Lee is an all around playmaker that can take short plays to the house, or get down the field vertically.
  • Miami - Zach Martin, OL, Notre Dame
    Martin has been a standout at left tackle but his frame may push him to another position. His skills could allow him to play all five spots up front. The signing of Branden Albert at left tackle isn't enough to fix the problems on the OL. Martin could step in at right tackle or either guard spot.
  • Arizona - Dee Ford, LB, Auburn
    The Cards have done a good job in free agency, adding a left tackle and another corner already. The team does still lack an explosive edge rusher, which is where Ford comes in. He is a bit small for a DE in a 43 scheme, so he projects better to 34 defenses. He could be a force off the edge in Arizona, especially with the talent on the back end in coverage.
  • Green Bay - CJ Moseley, LB, Alabama
    Addressing the defensive line will be under consideration but Moseley is simply too good to pass up here. He would look good alongside AJ Hawk inside and brings an all around game and leadership the Pack would love to add to the defense.
  • Philadelphia - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
    The release of DeSean Jackson leaves the Eagles very thin at wide receiver. Jeremy Maclin is back after missing the entire year, and Riley Cooper is back after a breakout season. But the team needs a player capable of scaring defenses like Jackson, and Cooks can do exactly that. He is electric with the ball in his hands but isn't just a situational receiver. He can play outside and in the slot, and is built for a lot more use than Jackson was.
  • Kansas City - Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
    The Chiefs are looking to add some playmaking ability in the passing game this off season. They snuck up on some teams last year, but must add some speed and talent for Alex Smith if they want to be legitimate contenders.
  • Cincinnati - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
    The loss of Michael Johnson leaves the Bengals with a need for someone to rush the passer off the edge. Ealy is an excellent athlete with very good size. He has the skills to be an all around end, but the agility from a 275lber is what makes him standout.
  • San Diego - Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame
    Nix was born to be a nose tackle, and at this point of the draft, he's a steal. He has the ability to really anchor a defensive line with his ability to hold his ground and shut down the running game.
  • Cleveland(Indy) - Courtney Roby, CB, Ohio St.
    Roby needs a little work, but he's as physically gifted as any corner in this draft. He'd team with Joe Haden, giving the Browns a tremendously gifted pair of corners.
  • New Orleans - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
    The Saints would love to find a 34 pass rusher here, but the value just isn't there. They settle for Fuller, an instinctive corner whose ability in run support and as an open field tackler are important in today's NFL.
  • Carolina - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St
    Cam Newton needs weapons, plain and simple. The Panthers will probably select multiple receivers on draft weekend, the situation is so dire. Benjamin will provide Newton a huge target that can make plays vertically and in the red zone.
  • New England - Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame
    The Patriots have aggressively addressed the defense this off season, and it is expected to continue during the draft. They have had a major upgrade in the secondary and now it's time to add some more talent up front. Tuitt gives the team some versatility, as he can play inside in a 43 or as an end in a three man front.
  • San Francisco - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
    Verett has all the skills you want in a corner, he's just a couple inches short. He's big enough to be a standout, just short enough to keep him from being a top ten pick. The aggressiveness and attitude he plays with will fit right in with the 9er defense.
  • Denver - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St
    The Broncos are loading up on defense in free agency, because the offense should still be explosive, despite a couple departures. Jernigan is strong against the run, and has a lot of potential as a pass rusher.
  • Seattle - Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
    The Super Bowl Champs are poised for a run at a repeat, but they could definitely use some help. If a WR were to fall, they might be inclined to find snag one, but value lies at DT, with Hageman. Pete Carroll loves athletic guys who are physical, and Hageman fits that perfectly. He's a physical specimen that could give the Seahawks a difference maker inside.