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View Full Version : Sporting News: 2008 Draft preview: Bills' game plan


pabillsfan
March 18th, 2008, 12:25:29 PM
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=386168

An in-depth analysis of the Buffalo Bills' plan for the 2008 NFL Draft:


NEEDS

1. Wide receiver. It was way too easy for defenses to neutralize top receiver Lee Evans last season, because opponents didn't fear the Bills' No. 2 wideout. They could use a big, physical target who can win jump balls and make catches in traffic. LSU's Early Doucet (6-0, 205) or Texas' Limas Sweed (6-5, 219) would be ideal if the Bills address the position in the first round. Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman (6-4, 220) may slip on draft day because of a knee injury, but he's a first-round talent who could be a steal in the second or third round.

2. Tight end. The lack of production at this position has been a problem for the Bills for the past six years. A good receiving tight end who can stretch the middle of the field would help quarterback Trent Edwards immensely next season. USC's Fred Davis, Missouri's Martin Rucker, Notre Dame's John Carlson, Purdue's Dustin Keller, Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett and Texas' Jermichael Finley all have outstanding skills as receivers and can run after the catch.

3. Cornerback. Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer seem set as starters, while Ashton Youboty is the top backup. But Kiwaukee Thomas was released, Jason Webster left as a free agent, and Greer is entering the final year of his contract, so the Bills must prepare for the future. Buffalo could use a corner with some size who can excel in man and zone coverage. South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Troy's Leodis McKelvin, USC's Terrell Thomas, LSU's Chevis Jackson, Kansas' Aqib Talib and Virginia Tech's Victor Harris are among the many possibilities.

JayHall93
March 18th, 2008, 12:28:09 PM
Spot on with needs. The big question is will we reach to fill those needs, or take the best player available?

TigerJ
March 18th, 2008, 1:38:57 PM
Spot on with needs. The big question is will we reach to fill those needs, or take the best player available?

But then anyone who even casually follows the Bills knows that already.

admarc
March 18th, 2008, 1:54:27 PM
But then anyone who even casually follows the Bills knows that already.

Yes and yet 90% of the publications and 95% of the "experts" still usually get it wrong.

I think SN did a good job here, which makes me trust them more when it comes to info they report on, that I am not as familiar with.

NJBillsFan
March 18th, 2008, 4:49:27 PM
They did better than marshall faulk. of course, thats not saying much

Sledgecammer
March 18th, 2008, 5:25:29 PM
Has anyone here noticed that the Bills usually don't do what the "experts" think they will? Case in point was the year they drafted Donte Whitner .. We were all convinced they would take Haloit Ngata or Broderick Bunkley. It wouldn't shock me if they took a DE, even though they desperately need another CB, TE, and WR.

kdhammond
March 18th, 2008, 5:30:54 PM
I like Sporting News' War Room. The majority of their scouting opinions come from former NFL scout Russ Lande (Cleveland and St. Louis). Lande also publishes his own very very in-depth guide "GM Jr".

I have followed the draft fervently for over 20 years and I've subscribed to many draft-specific publications including Kiper, Draft Insiders, Ourlads, Drug Store List, Pro Football Weekly (Joel Buschbaum) and others. Lande's GM Jr is BY FAR the most thorough guide I have ever seen. He has extremely detailed full page write ups on hundreds of players. He also isn't afraid to go out on a limb and rate players the way he sees them rather than go along with other pub's ratings. For instance, he rated Tom Brady and Marc Bulger much much higher than other pub's did. Last year, he rated Paul Posluszny as one of the very top players even though he recognized that he could easily slide in the draft.

I am not a representative of GM Jr, but I am a long-time satisfied customer. This year, he is releasing his guide on DVD rather than as a printed copy and has reduced the price to a very inexpensive $10. I HIGHLY recommend you check out his guide at this price (GMjr.com).

Just my $.02 worth...

FknGvna
March 18th, 2008, 6:13:34 PM
3
1
then 2

Callaway
March 18th, 2008, 7:01:46 PM
The sporting news sucks. For example at this point in the game I would hope they would know Victor Harris isnt even in this draft

Buffalo1
March 19th, 2008, 7:40:32 PM
I made the mistake of buying one of those $9 draft guides, big mistake, we got better insight and info right here on the range.