2021 Buffalo Bills - Same as it ever was*** (9 Viewers)

[Mr. Peterson]

And if we're trying to trade him, does that mean we're calling it quits on the season? Or do we think we're ok without him? Cause we can franchise him again next year, right?

 

[Gottabesweet]

Byrd will probably net a 4th that maybe turns into a three depending how far that team gets in the post season.

Moorman back in the building today along with Dennis Dixon. New reports have Manuel out 4-6 weeks.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Moorman officially signed. welcome back.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I missed Moorman. Glad to have him back.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Moorman officially signed. welcome back.

yeah. I hope he has some leg left.

 

[OC Zed]

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier but typical Bills luck right? Building yr, start the rookie ad get him prepared for yr2. Instead gets injured, suck so bad we get high pick Ina QB heavy draft but since we don't know about Manuel we pass on the QBs and pick another supposed great CB.

I've been fearing this since April. I'm not convinced Manuel is the guy... I just don't know of any other QBs that were inaccurate at the college level and then grew into being accurate passers at the pro level. Completing 50% of you passes isn't going to cut it in the NFL.

Jake Locker?

He proves my point.

 

[OC Zed]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

 

[OC Zed]

And if we're trying to trade him, does that mean we're calling it quits on the season? Or do we think we're ok without him? Cause we can franchise him again next year, right?

I think it's dumb to try trading Byrd now. His value is at a low given that he hasn't played at all this season. Let him play through the season and then trade him in the off-season. They still hold leverage over him by being able to tag him one more year, if necessary.

ETA: This makes even less sense trading him mid-season given that the acquiring team cannot sign him to a new deal until the off-season.

 

[The Duff Man]

The only real shot at a trade is one of the top 10 teams looking to upgrade and win it all this year.

But the Bills have no leverage and if they can get a 5th I would think they did well.

 

[humpback]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

 

[OC Zed]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

 

[OC Zed]

The only real shot at a trade is one of the top 10 teams looking to upgrade and win it all this year.

But the Bills have no leverage and if they can get a 5th I would think they did well.

That would be a bigger waste of a trade than letting Lynch go for a 3rd round pick.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

They did in each of the past 4 drafts.

 

[flysack]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Fat chance of that.

 

[Biabreakable]

Byrd on the block. Let's hope we can get more than a mid round pick for the guy. Will be disappointed if it's anything less than a 3rd.

I don't like the issues with Byrd but the Vikings could sure use him to pair with Harrison Smith. If healthy that could be a pretty outstanding safety pair worth that price I think. Maybe even a bargain.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

The only real shot at a trade is one of the top 10 teams looking to upgrade and win it all this year.

But the Bills have no leverage and if they can get a 5th I would think they did well.

That would be a bigger waste of a trade than letting Lynch go for a 3rd round pick.

Agreed. 4th or 5th is not worth giving the baby what he wants. I'd make him keep pretending he's hurt so he costs himself millions on that next deal.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Doug Marrone was just on the WGR morning show and says Thad Lewis will start on Sunday. He also says the Bills are looking for a QB for the practice squad (Pat White is not practice squad eligible), and he hinted at a change from Brown to Legursky at LG.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

Why announce it now? Not that it matters a ton (cause they are both terrible) but let the Bengals plan for both Tuel and Lewis. Even if it helps a little, why not?

 

[GroveDiesel]

I hate trading Byrd too, but they're paying him a lot of money to pretend he's hurt.

And trading him in the off season won't really be all that viable. They'd have to tag him, he'd have to sign the franchise tag, then they could trade him. Then the new team would have to complete their new deal with him. With all that, it likely wouldn't happen until after the draft which means not only would the Bills get less for Byrd, but the contract offers would be smaller for Byrd most likely as well.

The whole thing is a crappy situation thanks to Byrd and his slimeball agent.

In the end, I'd rather they not pay him $9M a year because they're going to need that money for Gilmore and Glenn in a couple of years. And I'd frankly rather spend that money at LT and CB than at Safety. Byrd is a great safety, but with the position he plays, his contract demands and his attitude, I think the Bills are ultimately going to be right on this.

And that's not even bringing into play what it means if he truly does have cronic foot issues.

 

[humpback]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

 

[Steve Tasker]

Why announce it now? Not that it matters a ton (cause they are both terrible) but let the Bengals plan for both Tuel and Lewis. Even if it helps a little, why not?

They tried to figure this out on the radio too. One speculation they had is that this shields Tuel from the media spotlight....their theory was that Lewis will presumably be getting the majority of reps in practices this week, and Tuel will know (or have inferred from the reps in practice) that Lewis will be starting. But practices are closed to the media, and media would assume incorrectly that Tuel is starter and bombard him - and the rest of the offense - with questions about it. They also felt it could be a divisive locker room issue if everyone on the team knows Tuel isn't starting, yet the coaching staff would be making him deal with a media circus. Rather than having their players hide it from the media, they just came out with the info.

Just a random speculation. I can kinda see where they're coming from, I guess.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

seems like the coaching staff didn't feel the short week of practice with limited reps was a good enough excuse for how poorly Tuel played last week. they made the same conclusion that Tuel just isn't ready and are going with plan B it seems. maybe Thad has looked good in practice, but things are about to get ugly out there.

 

[OC Zed]

Why announce it now? Not that it matters a ton (cause they are both terrible) but let the Bengals plan for both Tuel and Lewis. Even if it helps a little, why not?

 

[OC Zed]

I hate trading Byrd too, but they're paying him a lot of money to pretend he's hurt.

And trading him in the off season won't really be all that viable. They'd have to tag him, he'd have to sign the franchise tag, then they could trade him. Then the new team would have to complete their new deal with him. With all that, it likely wouldn't happen until after the draft which means not only would the Bills get less for Byrd, but the contract offers would be smaller for Byrd most likely as well.

The whole thing is a crappy situation thanks to Byrd and his slimeball agent.

In the end, I'd rather they not pay him $9M a year because they're going to need that money for Gilmore and Glenn in a couple of years. And I'd frankly rather spend that money at LT and CB than at Safety. Byrd is a great safety, but with the position he plays, his contract demands and his attitude, I think the Bills are ultimately going to be right on this.

And that's not even bringing into play what it means if he truly does have cronic foot issues.

Franchise tagging him in the off-season in order to complete a trade isn't a big obstacle. The Bills did this extremely well with Peerless Price 10 years ago and swindled a first round pick out of Atlanta. I'd rather have a first to third round pick in 2015 than a fourth or fifth round pick in 2014.

 

[OC Zed]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

 

[humpback]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

Yes, really. First you said teams don't spend first round picks on guards, which couldn't be more wrong. Then you said they don't spend upper half of first round picks on guards, which again is clearly wrong since 2 teams did last year. Doesn't matter if it's an aberration or not.

If the Bills are drafting in the teens next year and the bpa is a guard, it wouldn't be either shocking or unheard of for them to take him.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Sorry that EJ got injured. He looks like he will be a good QB and a long-term answer.

Just saw that practice squad QB Thadeous Lewis was called up to the active roster and that he will be the Bills starter.

I don't know what sort of matchups he faces but don't be shocked if he plays well and is able to move the offense some. He was on the Browns roster last year and got a start on the road against Pittsburgh after the Browns starter and backup got injured in Denver.

Thad flashed a lil-bit and has the ability to make athletic plays. His arm is decent and he can move. Probably not a starter but I think he will make some plays for the Bills.

We saw him in preseason with Detroit and once again he flashed his ability.

As far as backups and practice squad QBs go, I like Thad.

I won't overhype the kid but he has more ability than I ever would have imagined so I'm rooting for him.

 

[GroveDiesel]

seems like the coaching staff didn't feel the short week of practice with limited reps was a good enough excuse for how poorly Tuel played last week. they made the same conclusion that Tuel just isn't ready and are going with plan B it seems. maybe Thad has looked good in practice, but things are about to get ugly out there.

What aggravated me the most about him was that he's make a horrible throw and them throw his hands up in frustration like it was someone else's fault. It was tantrum after tantrum. I really thought it showed a lack of leadership, awareness and self control.

 

[OC Zed]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

Yes, really. First you said teams don't spend first round picks on guards, which couldn't be more wrong. Then you said they don't spend upper half of first round picks on guards, which again is clearly wrong since 2 teams did last year. Doesn't matter if it's an aberration or not.

If the Bills are drafting in the teens next year and the bpa is a guard, it wouldn't be either shocking or unheard of for them to take him.

TWO guards getting picked in spots 1-16 in the last seven drafts proves my point. If you want to stand on technicalities, then yes, you are correct - there were TWO guards taken in the last 7 drafts in the top half (go back further and I'm sure it only bolsters my point more). But come on. Let's see the forest through the trees here, people.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

there's no reason to draft a guard in the top half of the first round. the Bills, and most teams in general, don't need a dominant guy in that spot. they just need someone who is maybe slightly above average. the overall impact of a dominant guard just doesn't seem that significant as it does at other positions. kind of like why Byrd is not worth his asking price simply because of the position he plays.

regardless, the team can certainly look to fill their need at OG with picks later in round 1 or in rounds 2 and later...or even in free agency.

It's great they hit on Alonso, but they still need another pass rusher/OLB type to bring pressure. Mario Williams can't do it all himself but if you have him plus our DTs, plus another guy, then it becomes really scary for other teams to deal with. that makes the secondary look better and helps your defense get off the field on 3rd downs, creates more turnovers, etc.

 

[humpback]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

Yes, really. First you said teams don't spend first round picks on guards, which couldn't be more wrong. Then you said they don't spend upper half of first round picks on guards, which again is clearly wrong since 2 teams did last year. Doesn't matter if it's an aberration or not.

If the Bills are drafting in the teens next year and the bpa is a guard, it wouldn't be either shocking or unheard of for them to take him.

TWO guards getting picked in spots 1-16 in the last seven drafts proves my point. If you want to stand on technicalities, then yes, you are correct - there were TWO guards taken in the last 7 drafts in the top half (go back further and I'm sure it only bolsters my point more). But come on. Let's see the forest through the trees here, people.

Technicalities? It's what you wrote (two different times). Keep moving the goalposts though, eventually you'll be right.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Matt Flynn released by Oakland. Will the Bills pursue him?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bills claimed Antoine McClain, OG, off waivers from the Raiders

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

PK Dustin Hopkins placed on IR. Surprised it took so long with the way Carpenter has been playing.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bills' Marrone thoroughly explains QB decisions

Lewis still had practice squad eligibility remaining and the Bills made the move to sneak him -- and not their developmental undrafted rookie -- to their practice squad."In a perfect world, it would have been EJ, a veteran and Jeff Tuel was a perfect practice squad candidate, until he started so well in the preseason that, in our opinion right, wrong or different we thought we needed to protect him," Marrone said.

Fast forward five weeks to this past weekend, and Buffalo was faced with another decision that had three options. Facing an extended EJ Manuel absence, they could either start Tuel, a free agent player that had yet to pick up the team's playbook, or they could elevate Lewis off the practice squad and start him.

They chose option three, and it's a scenario that isn't foreign to Lewis. Just last season he was Cleveland's practice squad quarterback until the Browns suffered injuries to both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy in the same week. That forced the franchise to not only elevate Lewis, but start him as well.

He played the following weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 24-10 loss on the road in the final week of the season.

"He's shown, and granted it's one game, a 66-percent completion, one touchdown, one interception -- so he's been in there," Marrone said. "He can run, he can extend plays, he can run the read-option, he can throw the ball extremely well."

Basically the Bills wanted to put Tuel on the practice squad but thought another team would sign him b/c he played well in the preseason. So, they stashed Lewis there instead.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

I don't even understand what that means. Can you elaborate?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

I don't even understand what that means. Can you elaborate?

I think it's a direct quote from the WGR article I just posted

 

[Steve Tasker]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

I don't even understand what that means. Can you elaborate?

I don't really know....I assume it means he's still struggling to get the plays and reads down. Like Aaron said, it was a copy/paste from the article he posted.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Alonso is PFF's #2 overall ILB after 5 weeks. He's been getting a LOT better against the run. Great job by the rook.

 

[flysack]

there's no reason to draft a guard in the top half of the first round. the Bills, and most teams in general, don't need a dominant guy in that spot. they just need someone who is maybe slightly above average. the overall impact of a dominant guard just doesn't seem that significant as it does at other positions. kind of like why Byrd is not worth his asking price simply because of the position he plays.

regardless, the team can certainly look to fill their need at OG with picks later in round 1 or in rounds 2 and later...or even in free agency.

It's great they hit on Alonso, but they still need another pass rusher/OLB type to bring pressure. Mario Williams can't do it all himself but if you have him plus our DTs, plus another guy, then it becomes really scary for other teams to deal with. that makes the secondary look better and helps your defense get off the field on 3rd downs, creates more turnovers, etc.

The silver lining on EJ's injury is we may end up tanking and wind up with a high draft pick in a draft loaded with great QBs - and we won't be drafting one. Seems to me that's a great trade situation to pick up a couple extra second day picks. The only problem is the Giants will be in the same situation, only with a likely #2 or 3 overall pick (unless something drastic happens in NY).

 

[OC Zed]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

Yes, really. First you said teams don't spend first round picks on guards, which couldn't be more wrong. Then you said they don't spend upper half of first round picks on guards, which again is clearly wrong since 2 teams did last year. Doesn't matter if it's an aberration or not.

If the Bills are drafting in the teens next year and the bpa is a guard, it wouldn't be either shocking or unheard of for them to take him.

TWO guards getting picked in spots 1-16 in the last seven drafts proves my point. If you want to stand on technicalities, then yes, you are correct - there were TWO guards taken in the last 7 drafts in the top half (go back further and I'm sure it only bolsters my point more). But come on. Let's see the forest through the trees here, people.

Technicalities? It's what you wrote (two different times). Keep moving the goalposts though, eventually you'll be right.

 

[OC Zed]

Bills' Marrone thoroughly explains QB decisions

Lewis still had practice squad eligibility remaining and the Bills made the move to sneak him -- and not their developmental undrafted rookie -- to their practice squad."In a perfect world, it would have been EJ, a veteran and Jeff Tuel was a perfect practice squad candidate, until he started so well in the preseason that, in our opinion right, wrong or different we thought we needed to protect him," Marrone said.

Fast forward five weeks to this past weekend, and Buffalo was faced with another decision that had three options. Facing an extended EJ Manuel absence, they could either start Tuel, a free agent player that had yet to pick up the team's playbook, or they could elevate Lewis off the practice squad and start him.

They chose option three, and it's a scenario that isn't foreign to Lewis. Just last season he was Cleveland's practice squad quarterback until the Browns suffered injuries to both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy in the same week. That forced the franchise to not only elevate Lewis, but start him as well.

He played the following weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 24-10 loss on the road in the final week of the season.

"He's shown, and granted it's one game, a 66-percent completion, one touchdown, one interception -- so he's been in there," Marrone said. "He can run, he can extend plays, he can run the read-option, he can throw the ball extremely well."

Basically the Bills wanted to put Tuel on the practice squad but thought another team would sign him b/c he played well in the preseason. So, they stashed Lewis there instead.

Sigh.

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

You're reading the quote wrong. The three options were:

1. Start Tuel
2. Start a free agent (off the street) who hasn't picked up the Bill playbook
3. Elevate Lewis

That said, Tuel looked like a disaster.

 

[OC Zed]

Dennis Dixon has been added to the practice squad.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/10/8/4815612/dennis-dixon-joining-buffalo-bills-practice-squad-per-report

 

[humpback]

While the Manuel injury sucks, I'm not worried about picking in the middle of the first. Let's face it, unless EJ pulled a Ryan Leaf, we were wedded to him for at least two years. He's shown enough to merit that, IMO. So we weren't picking a QB in the first anyway.

I'd say their most pressing need is a starting LG, then depth everywhere. They can get the #1 G in the draft at spots 10 to 20. After that, I trust this regime to draft quality depth in the later rounds. Their last two drafts earned them that trust.

Teams don't spend first round picks on guards.

Of course they do.

Clarification: teams in the upper half of the first round (where the Bills will be picking) do not spend those picks on guards. The 2013 draft (2 guards taken) was a clear aberration from the last 7 drafts (I didn't bother looking beyond 2007)...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft

And only five guards went in the second half of those first rounds as well.

That's not a clarification, that's a different statement (which is also incorrect based on last year, but oh, well).

Not really. Between 2007 through 2012, there were no guards taken in the top half of the first round. Of the 96 picks of the second half of those first rounds, only five were guards. It's a position that front offices do not place that high of importance. 2013 was a clear outlier and if you go back and read all of the commentary leading up to the draft regarding Cooper and Warmack, it basically said the same.

Yes, really. First you said teams don't spend first round picks on guards, which couldn't be more wrong. Then you said they don't spend upper half of first round picks on guards, which again is clearly wrong since 2 teams did last year. Doesn't matter if it's an aberration or not.

If the Bills are drafting in the teens next year and the bpa is a guard, it wouldn't be either shocking or unheard of for them to take him.

TWO guards getting picked in spots 1-16 in the last seven drafts proves my point. If you want to stand on technicalities, then yes, you are correct - there were TWO guards taken in the last 7 drafts in the top half (go back further and I'm sure it only bolsters my point more). But come on. Let's see the forest through the trees here, people.

Technicalities? It's what you wrote (two different times). Keep moving the goalposts though, eventually you'll be right.

Keep doubling down on the nonsense.

 

[OC Zed]

Keep doubling down on the nonsense.

Yes, nonsense.

 

[Joe Summer]

Dennis Dixon has been added to the practice squad.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/10/8/4815612/dennis-dixon-joining-buffalo-bills-practice-squad-per-report

I'm surprised that he's still eligible for the Practice Squad. He's been in the league for 6 seasons now. That's gotta be a record of some kind.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Interesting that WGR says Tuel has "yet to pick up the team's playbook". I hadn't heard anything about that....that's pretty worrisome for a guy who has been in the system for like 6 months now.

You're reading the quote wrong. The three options were:

1. Start Tuel
2. Start a free agent (off the street) who hasn't picked up the Bill playbook
3. Elevate Lewis

That said, Tuel looked like a disaster.

total reading comprehension fail. Nice catch.

 

[crowe1130]

Bills homers - Can you give me a little help on attending a game ? I'm going to be in town tonight through Monday.

Looking for suggestions on where to go for pre-game (parking lot? any bars close to stadium?). Same/different suggestions for a place to watch the 4:00 and/or night game?

Will of course plan to visit the Anchor Bar tonight. Where to go after that for a night out, though? Is there a bar strip in the city?

Thanks for any help!