Buffalo Rb Situation (1 Viewer)

[finito]

1)Congrats to Resident A!! You completely OWNED about half a dozen guys in this post! Way to look at things logically. Grovedelusional and sugarnut (singular) should buy you a round.

2)Admittedly, I was one that said it would be silly for the Bills to draft a RB in light of other needs but I forgot my own lesson that I like to recite every now and then: A few years ago, I was screaming at the TV when the Cardinals used their first round pick to pick a tackle, and in the process of doing so, passed on drafting Adrian Peterson. I didn't care that they had Edge and a couple of others. I wanted them to get the guy with the talent...but they didn't. I have wondered several times since then if they would have been more successful had they drafted ADP instead of going with the need. IMO, I think they may have been devastating to try to stop with ADP. Moral of the story: I can't bash the Bills for taking BPA instead of a need pick because I have seen how you lose opportunity when you do that...sometimes.

Unless he turns in to Chris Johnson v2.0 I'm afraid there wasn't anything logical about drafting Spiller. He must really outshine Jackson and Lynch to offset the fact that they had much bigger needs in other areas and were relatively well set in that area.Just because it happened doesn't mean it was a good move. Every draft is riddled with mistakes. Chances are that this is one of them, even if Spiller is pretty good. Both Jackson and Lynch have looked pretty good in the past...

Jackson is 29 and not a long term solution. Lynch is one misstep away from a long vacation from the sport, and seems to be on his way out.

So RB is a need for them IMO, or would be in the very near future. No matter who the team drafted they would still struggle this year - too many holes. If that was the best player available on their board, I like the pick.

 

[jacobo_moses]

The fact is Buffalo is in rebuild mode. And if your Offense Line sucks. Why would you draft a good RB to run behind a crappy OL with no respectable QB to keep the defenses honest. This pick just doesn't make sense. I mean Lynch had over 1,000 yards in year 1 and year 2. So the RB spot is not a spot of NEED. I mean even if Fred J is 29. You can still use him for a year or 2 while Lynch pulls his head out of his #%#$ and starts to get his act together. RB was not a priority. Buddy Nix did it because he knows Spiller is an exciting player and he is hoping te sell tickets by bringing in a V2 of Chris Johnson. This team is just a mess.

 

[gianmarco]

The fact is Buffalo is in rebuild mode. And if your Offense Line sucks. Why would you draft a good RB to run behind a crappy OL with no respectable QB to keep the defenses honest. This pick just doesn't make sense. I mean Lynch had over 1,000 yards in year 1 and year 2. So the RB spot is not a spot of NEED. I mean even if Fred J is 29. You can still use him for a year or 2 while Lynch pulls his head out of his #%#$ and starts to get his act together. RB was not a priority. Buddy Nix did it because he knows Spiller is an exciting player and he is hoping te sell tickets by bringing in a V2 of Chris Johnson. This team is just a mess.

Why does everyone keep saying this? What is it about their offensive line that "sucks"?Football Outsiders rankings

Buffalo had the 12th best offensive line last year per their metrics. In 2008, they had the 13th best offensive line. And this isn't an O-line getting bailed out by elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

This keeps getting stated in multiple threads when talking about Buffalo. Is there any evidence that they actually suck or does everyone simply assume that because Buffalo isn't a good team that the O-line must be terrible too?

 

[Bob Magaw]

there are some interesting parallels with chris johnson... of course even if he isn't as good, he could still be really good... i think johnson runs stronger, and probably has more natural run vision & instincts, but one of the main thing that separates him from other RBs (& defenders in the open field ) is his long speed... spiller has among the most explosive speed for a front line RB prospect that i have ever seen...

another similarity... my recollection is that a lot of TEN homers HATED the chris johnson pick at the time... they also had multiple needs elsewhere (seems like they were in the throes of a cap purge-related down cycle at the time), if not as many as the bills, and were coming off drafts in which they took lendale white and chris henry (2nd & 3rd?)...

in retrospect, henry was a bust (white rendered expendable)... it would have been a catastrophic mistake to pass on johnson, because... "they had just drafted two RBs"...

in some cases, though, it must have been hard to see lions taking high 1st round WRs in rogers, williams & williams (no longer on team, at least roy fetched a 1st & 3rd), before finally hitting on calvin johnson (they got that right)...

 

[Resident A]

Even though I predicted Spiller would be the pick, I didn't think they'd do it UNLESS the OTs were gone. I'm pretty sure the Bills would've taken Trent Williams or Okung if they'd been available. OT was/is their biggest need, but I totally agree with taking BPA when the guys you wanted are gone. The Jauron-era Bills would've reached for Bulaga, Clausen, or somebody.

Obviously Buffalo believed if they passed on Spiller, it'd be like the teams who passed on ADP for "need" picks. When a dynamic talent is available, you don't pass on it for a lesser guy that fills a need. The Buffalo franchise would be crucified if they took a guy who'll likely be a Right Tackle at #9 when the next superstar RB was available. Only time will tell if they were right.

Spiller will be the RB to own for FF purposes. He should see minimum 50% of the RB carries & probably line up in the slot several plays per game. Jackson & Lynch will battle it for #2 in the RBBC. The odd man out will get only scraps barring injury. If another team loses their RB1 in camp, Lynch could be on the move... if he nets a 3rd Rd pick or better.

 

[Nagle2998]

I could be wrong but didnt the coach come out and rip the Oline this offseason.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Why does everyone keep saying this? What is it about their offensive line that "sucks"?

Football Outsiders rankings

Buffalo had the 12th best offensive line last year per their metrics. In 2008, they had the 13th best offensive line. And this isn't an O-line getting bailed out by elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

This keeps getting stated in multiple threads when talking about Buffalo. Is there any evidence that they actually suck or does everyone simply assume that because Buffalo isn't a good team that the O-line must be terrible too?

I realize this thread is about RBs, but according to that chart Buffalo was dead last in pass protection.Combine that with "12th best" run blocking (middle of the pack) and yeah I'd say they're pretty awful.

 

[Fiddles]

The bills oline coach went to the steelers this offseason. Not sure who the new one is.

 

[finito]

Why does everyone keep saying this? What is it about their offensive line that "sucks"?

Football Outsiders rankings

Buffalo had the 12th best offensive line last year per their metrics. In 2008, they had the 13th best offensive line. And this isn't an O-line getting bailed out by elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

This keeps getting stated in multiple threads when talking about Buffalo. Is there any evidence that they actually suck or does everyone simply assume that because Buffalo isn't a good team that the O-line must be terrible too?

I realize this thread is about RBs, but according to that chart Buffalo was dead last in pass protection.Combine that with "12th best" run blocking (middle of the pack) and yeah I'd say they're pretty awful.

So they were an above average run blocking line? Things are looking up!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The fact is Buffalo is in rebuild mode. And if your Offense Line sucks. Why would you draft a good RB to run behind a crappy OL with no respectable QB to keep the defenses honest. This pick just doesn't make sense. I mean Lynch had over 1,000 yards in year 1 and year 2. So the RB spot is not a spot of NEED. I mean even if Fred J is 29. You can still use him for a year or 2 while Lynch pulls his head out of his #%#$ and starts to get his act together. RB was not a priority. Buddy Nix did it because he knows Spiller is an exciting player and he is hoping te sell tickets by bringing in a V2 of Chris Johnson. This team is just a mess.

Why does everyone keep saying this? What is it about their offensive line that "sucks"?Football Outsiders rankings

Buffalo had the 12th best offensive line last year per their metrics. In 2008, they had the 13th best offensive line. And this isn't an O-line getting bailed out by elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

This keeps getting stated in multiple threads when talking about Buffalo. Is there any evidence that they actually suck or does everyone simply assume that because Buffalo isn't a good team that the O-line must be terrible too?

Chambers, Scott, and Bell were one of the worst trios to play OT in the entire NFL. They combined for almost 20 sacks allowed and 23 penalties called amongst them. The Tackles have an even bigger impact on the passing game. Let's check the interior. Eric Wood and Andy Levitre at RG/LG, again this a fairly weak duo compared to the rest of the league. Hangartner is a pretty solid run blocking Center but he still pales in comparison to any real top end talent in the NFL.

Please be careful what you read out there in cyberworld. Just because it's in print doesn't make it fact. I would rate Buffalo' OL as pretty weak, bottom 5 for sure right now.

 

[alg]

The ROOKIES Eric Wood and Andy Levitre represent a possibly fantastic interior. And I think the coaches, for whatever reason, may not be as concerned about the tackles as us FFB guys. This is a wait and see, unless you are convinced Gaily is a terrible offensive mind - which does not seem to be the consensus.

 

[gheemony]

The fact is Buffalo is in rebuild mode. And if your Offense Line sucks. Why would you draft a good RB to run behind a crappy OL with no respectable QB to keep the defenses honest. This pick just doesn't make sense. I mean Lynch had over 1,000 yards in year 1 and year 2. So the RB spot is not a spot of NEED. I mean even if Fred J is 29. You can still use him for a year or 2 while Lynch pulls his head out of his #%#$ and starts to get his act together. RB was not a priority. Buddy Nix did it because he knows Spiller is an exciting player and he is hoping te sell tickets by bringing in a V2 of Chris Johnson. This team is just a mess.

Why does everyone keep saying this? What is it about their offensive line that "sucks"?Football Outsiders rankings

Buffalo had the 12th best offensive line last year per their metrics. In 2008, they had the 13th best offensive line. And this isn't an O-line getting bailed out by elite talent on the offensive side of the ball.

This keeps getting stated in multiple threads when talking about Buffalo. Is there any evidence that they actually suck or does everyone simply assume that because Buffalo isn't a good team that the O-line must be terrible too?

Chambers, Scott, and Bell were one of the worst trios to play OT in the entire NFL. They combined for almost 20 sacks allowed and 23 penalties called amongst them. The Tackles have an even bigger impact on the passing game. Let's check the interior. Eric Wood and Andy Levitre at RG/LG, again this a fairly weak duo compared to the rest of the league. Hangartner is a pretty solid run blocking Center but he still pales in comparison to any real top end talent in the NFL.

Please be careful what you read out there in cyberworld. Just because it's in print doesn't make it fact. I would rate Buffalo' OL as pretty weak, bottom 5 for sure right now.

To evaluate Spiller's prospects, I think we have to separate the OL's pass-blocking and run-blocking abilities. FO's stats suggest that the OL can run-block - they're better than average. So they can't protect the passer? That is a lot less important to me when evaluating Spiller. If they can just bust open one hole, he can take it to the house. Or at least put them within range of smelling the house, which they haven't done well in the past.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

They're ranked 12th in that chart but calling them "better than average" is kind of a stretch.

BUF per carry avg - 4.29

league avg - 4.29

BUF power success - below avg

BUF stuff % - above avg

BUF 2nd level yards - avg

BUF open field yards - below avg

 

[gheemony]

They're ranked 12th in that chart but calling them "better than average" is kind of a stretch.BUF per carry avg - 4.29league avg - 4.29BUF power success - below avgBUF stuff % - above avgBUF 2nd level yards - avgBUF open field yards - below avg

For the sake of argument, let's call it average. Still better than how most perceive the situation.

 

[gianmarco]

They're ranked 12th in that chart but calling them "better than average" is kind of a stretch.BUF per carry avg - 4.29league avg - 4.29BUF power success - below avgBUF stuff % - above avgBUF 2nd level yards - avgBUF open field yards - below avg

For the sake of argument, let's call it average. Still better than how most perceive the situation.

No one's calling them elite. But this all started with how it relates to the Buffalo RBs and whether or not they can be successful. Whether or not Spiller is a wasted draft pick based on the current state of the line. And based on the last couple of years, RB's haven't had much difficulty running behind that line and putting up decent #'s.

 

[fsufan]

heard Gailey last week or two on NFL radio. he said something to the effect about lynch/Jackson being the between the lines RBs and CJ being the outside the line/play maker RB. who knows that this point. RBBC

 

[Bradford4Prez]

I could see Joique Bell taking over Lynch's niche role after he's forced out of town.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Surprisingly they got 250+ against the Jets in 2 games last year.

(Of course they allowed 500...)

 

[trader jake]

The best way to build a team through the draft is to select a player in the top ten at one of the few positions that you do not need a major upgrade. It also helps if that position is historically one where talent can be found in later rounds. It really helps if that position has a shorter shelf life than most, so that player can be banged up by the time the team may actually be competitive.

Um, go Bills?

I really like everything C.J. Spiller represents but his selection made little sense for the Bills at this stage of their rebuild.