Should we draft a QB this year?

[JayHall93]

I think that Bledsoe has a couple of throws left. The questions becomes, do the Bills draft a QB to groom, or ignore the need, or do they go after a young QB in FA?

Eli Manning, and Ben R-burger are not going to be an option at #13.

J.P. Losman may be an option as a late 1st or early 2nd.

Rivers/Harris may be round 2 possiblities.

I think that we should pursue a young QB.

I am a big Shaun King guy. This dude really deserves a chance.

[billpa]

TD said he'll take a QB in the draft, probably on day 1. But with Mularkey coming in, I think he can turn Bledsoe around so QB won't be a big priority, at least not big enough for a 1st round pick.

[shiva2999]

If Tom Clements can ratchet up Drew's game, I'm sure he'd be able to do the same thing with Travis Brown.

I'd like to see Mularkey name AVP qb coach, make TB the second stringer and then take a qb no higher than 5th or 6th round as a project to compete with Fasani or a FA like Nick Rolovich.

Spend the money and picks on guys who might actually see the field.

[TigerJ]

I agree that a late day one, early day two selection of a QB is at least a possibility. Mularkey may be able to resurrect DBs career, but he still is in his early 30s and won't be around forever. Next year the Bills will have to make a decision on whether to give Bledsoe the second installment of the bonus on that infamous 100 million dollar contract the Patriots signed him to a few years back. They might try to renegotiate, but if negotiations don't work out, the Bills may decide to just let Bledsoe go after next season. The Bills at the very least need to hedge their bet on Bledsoe and find a viable backup. AVP is probably done in Buffalo and Travis Brown remains an enigma. As you mention, jayhall, a free agent is always a possibility too. I've never followed Shaun King to know much about him except he's somewhat undersized. Ricky Ray, the young CFL QB is also a possibility.

[Napalm]

If Clememts can improve Travis Brown, he is a miracle worker. Brown sucks. I hope we draft Rivers as our QB to groom

[kdhammond]

I concur, Travis Brown is not the answer to any question other than: "Who is the training camp cannon fodder QB?"

Seriously, nothing against Brown, but he has been around three years and shown no improvement. If the Bills were even remotely impressed with him, they would not have cut him this year. The only reason that he was brought back onto the roster was that when Bledsoe got banged up (concussion), they needed someone behind Van Pelt who knew the offense. Brown had spent the entire pre-season and last season here so he rated the nod over Randy Fasani.

[mark3274]

yes we need to draft a qb------- bledsoe will not last forever or the bills may not be able to afford him.....either way draft now or pay later...........if we dont draft now we could end up with .........a qb much worse than bledsoe.....

[shiva2999]

Originally posted by kdhammond
I concur, Travis Brown is not the answer to any question other than: "Who is the training camp cannon fodder QB?"

Seriously, nothing against Brown, but he has been around three years and shown no improvement. If the Bills were even remotely impressed with him, they would not have cut him this year. The only reason that he was brought back onto the roster was that when Bledsoe got banged up (concussion), they needed someone behind Van Pelt who knew the offense. Brown had spent the entire pre-season and last season here so he rated the nod over Randy Fasani.


Brown was cut because he broke his finger and if he had been placed on IR he would have been unavailable for the season.

Because they cut him and did an injury settlement, they were able to re sign and activate him again this year.

They did it this way BECAUSE they like Travis Brown's game.

[admarc]

Every new coach, no matter what they say about the incubent, wants his own QB to develop. It's like buying a new car, they want to be the original owner to make sure it breaks in exactly like they want it. In a large way, their career is linked to the QB, there is no way TD and MM put all of their chips on Bledsoe. I think they need to find a way to get Rivers. He can go anywhere between 20th in the 1st and the 3rd round, but likely will be taken at the top of the 2nd. Bills may need to move down in the first or up in the 2nd to get him. Matt Shaub, Cody Picket are other possibilities if the Manning, Roethlisberger, Lossman and Rivers don't make to us in the 1st or 2nd.

[1968_bills_fan]

Yes we should draft a QB. Either trade up to get one of the "big Two" or trade our 1st round pick down, replenish the offensive line and TE and get a "canidate" in the 2nd or 3rd round.:Angel:

[cobra commander]

Should we draft a QB this year?

YES

[Poz51]

The Bills MUST draft a quarterback. I've got my eyes on three guys, who will be taken at different points in the draft. Of course, #1 is Eli Manning. We've all seen what Peyton can do, and this guy is the next big thing. I would give up practically my whole draft to get him, assuming all the rest of our weaknesses are shored up in free agency. However, Donahoe will probably not trade up. Another guy I like is J.P. Losman. I've seen him play and this guy is good. He has a cocky attitude, which can be straightened out. However, he has all the abilities. He has a rocket for an arm and can scramble and is quick. He sort of reminds me of an Elway, but he's got a ways to go. He could be had around pick #20 in the 1st round. The third guy I like is Josh Harris. He's got a lot of work to be done, but the potential is there. This guy is similar to McNabb, and could be a quarterback to groom for several years. He'll be taken somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

[unklechucky]

Travis Brown will be the #2 here next season. AVP is old and IMO expensive, and I completely agree with shiva...he would make a heck of a QB coach. TD did mention his intent to draft a QB early. The Bills braintrust must settle on which QB they are targeting and do whatever it takes to get him. Im figuring if Losman is a late 1st rounder, is it possible to trade down to get him and maybe pick up an extra pick?

[TigerJ]

I tend to agree Travis Brown is a probable second string guy. I too would like to see AVP end up as QB coach. Whoever is drafted will be third string. If it's Josh Harris, he's likely to need a couple years to be ready to start. Pretty much everyone drafted in the third round or lower will need 2 or more years to learn the pro game.

[Bflojohn2]

the answer! B.J. Symons out of Texas Tech is tough, physical, and can make ALL the throws! He isn't just a product of that system, but he'll need time to develop a pocket presence due to the fact that his offense was mainly shotgun and his center snap mechanics are raw! He played a portion of this year with a torn ligament in his knee! He simply toughed it out! Make no mistake though, he can play!

[Mouldsie]

Don't get too carried away on Drew turning into gold again. You can't put all your eggs in one basket, besides, we need a solid backup and a QB for the future.


So yes, we need to draft a QB (day one).

[unklechucky]

Originally posted by Bflojohn
the answer! B.J. Symons out of Texas Tech is tough, physical, and can make ALL the throws! He isn't just a product of that system, but he'll need time to develop a pocket presence due to the fact that his offense was mainly shotgun and his center snap mechanics are raw! He played a portion of this year with a torn ligament in his knee! He simply toughed it out! Make no mistake though, he can play!


Needs work under center, played a shotgun offense....but is not a product of the system....come on now.

[Hurls]

Originally posted by unklechucky
Needs work under center, played a shotgun offense....but is not a product of the system....come on now.

Exactly, we don't need a QB like that. He threw 90% of the time. For a better answer, where's Cliff Claven, i mean Kingsbury(last years Symons). We're not looking for a pass-only QB, we had a pass only OC last few yrs. Hopefully McNally can teach the line something to create that extra second, and Clements can teach Drew how to play QB again.

[JMech]

Is the Pope Catholic?

[Manana]

AVP is a good guy, and has been a reliable standby, but... we need to address the idea of Drew's successor, and I don't think it will be Travis Brown. He has not seized his opportunities. From a previous thread, I have been swayed into the idea that Volek would be a good backup to assess as the future QB... Clements should help any potential QBs. If we can't get a free agent, then we do need to draft.

[JayHall93]

I have to disagree on B.J. Symons. He seems to be a true product of the system.

[dogginbox]

yes

[Bills Addict]

Billy Volek or A.J. Feeley should be picked up in free agency to backup Drew and the Bills ahould draft a QB of the future in the draft as well. Dump AVP and Travis Brown.

[kdhammond]

I don't think that Rivers is the answer, either. Here are his weaknesses and summary from the WarRoom - a scouting service run by former NFL scout Gary Horton:

"Weaknesses: Rivers' delivery is a huge concern. His throwing motion is unorthodox, and he has too many balls batted down at the line. He has trouble throwing in wind and rain, and he lacks great arm strength. Rivers struggles to get adequate zip on deep out route, and his deep ball tends to hang in the air, especially if throwing into the win. He will pick up first downs because he's a tough, elusive runner on the college level, but he lacks great foot quickness and has marginal speed. He will not be as effective running the ball in the NFL.

Bottom line: Rivers is a four-year starter and terrific leader. He is among the nation's most intelligent and winning quarterbacks. He has good size and everything you look for in a quarterback in terms of intangibles. While Rivers is an accurate passer and a decent runner, he does not have great arm strength or speed, and his throwing motion is a major problem. He has trouble throwing in adverse conditions and he does not avoid enough pressure. Rivers is a mid- to late-round prospect and could develop into a fine backup, but he lacks the physical skills of a starter."

Of course, there are no adverse conditions in Buffalo in November, December and January.

I just don't see it. Great college QB, next Steve Walsh in the NFL.

Just my $.02 worth. I am not a professional scout, but you better have a good arm and be able to throw spirals in the wind, rain (and snow) if you want to play in Buffalo.

[Hurls]

Originally posted by dogginbox
yes

what he said

[kdhammond]

I think the Bills should only draft a QB **in any round** this year if he is hands down the best player available at that time in their opinion. Reaching for any player because of need is a very very bad plan, especially at QB where the reaches tend to be even bigger than at other positions.

Spend extra and get CFL star Ricky Ray in here and give him a shot. He has as much potential as any QB in this draft other than Rothlisberger and Manning.

[unklechucky]

Originally posted by kdhammond
I think the Bills should only draft a QB **in any round** this year if he is hands down the best player available at that time in their opinion. Reaching for any player because of need is a very very bad plan, especially at QB where the reaches tend to be even bigger than at other positions.

Spend extra and get CFL star Ricky Ray in here and give him a shot. He has as much potential as any QB in this draft other than Rothlisberger and Manning.

Most CFL'ers have no business being in the NFL, theyre just not good enough. Need proof?? Check out Flutie and Antonio Brown. Theyre just not good enough to play here, thats why they went to Canada in the first place.

[Hurls]

Originally posted by unklechucky
Most CFL'ers have no business being in the NFL, theyre just not good enough. Need proof?? Check out Flutie and Antonio Brown. Theyre just not good enough to play here, thats why they went to Canada in the first place.

Don't mention the "F" word, peeps are sensitive about him*(not me)

[unklechucky]

lmao.... I know, can I refer to him as "the mullet"? Point is...has any cfler actually "done anything" in the NFL

[Hurls]

Originally posted by kdhammond
I think the Bills should only draft a QB **in any round** this year if he is hands down the best player available at that time in their opinion. Reaching for any player because of need is a very very bad plan, especially at QB where the reaches tend to be even bigger than at other positions.

Spend extra and get CFL star Ricky Ray in here and give him a shot. He has as much potential as any QB in this draft other than Rothlisberger and Manning.

There's no way we're getting another Canadian drop-out, hammond cheese, on wheat.

[TigerJ]

Yes, CFLers have had an impact in the NFL. Warren Moon is probably the biggest name.

[Hurls]

Originally posted by TigerJ
Yes, CFLers have had an impact in the NFL. Warren Moon is probably the biggest name.

Yes he is, but who are the rest? Was Garcia a CFLer? Other than Moon and Mullet, I know of no others

[Fogwrestler]

Well, Flutie went to the Pro Bowl when he played for the Bills, so at least he made a "smudge", if not a "mark" :)

[kdhammond]

Originally posted by unklechucky
Most CFL'ers have no business being in the NFL, theyre just not good enough. Need proof?? Check out Flutie and Antonio Brown. Theyre just not good enough to play here, thats why they went to Canada in the first place.

I don't disagree, in general, but ever hear of Jeff Garcia (SF)? He played in Canada for a few years.

[shiva2999]

Originally posted by unklechucky
lmao.... I know, can I refer to him as "the mullet"? Point is...has any cfler actually "done anything" in the NFL


Joe Theisman won the Superbowl.

Joe Kapp played in it.

Cookie Gilchrist came from the CFL.

So did Marv Levy.

[shiva2999]

In case some of you guys don't know who Joe Kapp was, here's a terrific story about him...


http://www.cfl.ca/CFLHistoryCFLLegends/kapp.html


CFL Legends


Joe Kapp



By CRAIG WALLACE

When fans of the Canadian Football League discuss who were the greatest quarterbacks in the leagues' history, names such as Jackie Parker, Sam Etchevarry, Russ Jackson, Ron Lancaster, and Doug Flutie are among the elite players considered. However when fans debate who was the toughest man to ever play quarterback in the CFL there is one man who stands out above all. That man is Hall of Fame member, Joe Kapp.

...more...

[unklechucky]

Ok shiva, I back most of what you say because 9-10 times you are right, but rumors have it you're Canadian, so I'll accept your bias. Anyways, Moon, nice QB, but never accomplished anything. Gilchrist, before my time as well as Kapp. I'm going out on a limb here assuming from the mid 70's and before CFL talent was comparible to the NFL since there was a choice. Theisman, great "system" QB and won the Bowl, but since you can name 4 players over the past 70 years, my point is proven, the CFL is inferior, with inferior talent. Yes "The Mullet" went to the Pro Bowl, but that game isnt even what it used to be. Back in the day it was an honor to be named, today its nothing more but an incentive in your contract, and even the you collect a bonus for being named, but you fake an injury and not go just to not sustain a career threatining injury. Todays Pro Bowl is a joke.

[JayHall93]

I guess this Ricky Ray guy is probably as safe as taking a QB in the 2nd or third round of the draft. How old is he? Anyone got any links on him?

[shiva2999]

Chucky

Nobody's saying that the NFL isn't the premier football league in the world.

Of course it is, nothing else comes close.

But people forget, the NFL wasn't always the big bucks league it is now, and the CFL was a much better league during the 50s and 60s and early 70s.

If you read that Joe Kapp article, you'll see that his first year in Calgary, he backed up Jack Kemp, the only qb to ever lead the Bills to a championship.

Our present OC would have been a terrific NFL qb, but he was having a terrific life and career in Canada and seemed to never want to go through the bs required to overcome dumb NFL prejudices.

I saw Ricky Ray play a few games this year and he looked pretty good to me. Good arm, good athlete, competitor, handles pressure well.

He looks like a better qb to me than say, David Carr, Joey Harrington and Drew Brees.

Remember, guys do fall thru the cracks.

Jake Delhomme for example was undrafted and sat on the bench behind Kurt Warner in NFL Europe, which IMO is not as good a league as the CFL (not the players' fault),

Two weeks from now, he's got a great chance to be a SB champion.

You should never overlook a chance to find someone who can truly play.

[unklechucky]

I completely understad your point, and players do fall through cracks. I also said in my post that before the 70s there was no clear cut choice and the CFL probably had equal talent to the NFL. The AFL at that point and time was a joke. Ray may look good against the rest of the CFL and im sure hes been scouted. MY point is that if he's that good, he wouldve probably gotten a look and a contract already. I dont believe that has happened.

[shiva2999]

We'll see. I'm not gonna pimp Ricky Ray.

But the latest thing I read said that he's worked out for a number of teams that were seriously interested.

If I was his agent, I think I'd wait until after the draft and free agency to entertain offers.

They won't know the best place to go until then.

[Fogwrestler]

Originally posted by unklechucky
Anyways, Moon, nice QB, but never accomplished anything.

According to current Hall of Fame All-Time Records, Warren Moon as of the start of the 2003 season was 3rd Best All-Time in Total Passes Attempted, 3rd Best All-Time in Total Passes Completed, 3rd Best All-Time in Total Yards Passing, and 5th Best All-Time in Total Touchdown Passes.

Yeah, I guess you could say he never accomplished anything ...

[Fogwrestler]

Originally posted by Fogwrestler
According to current Hall of Fame All-Time Records, Warren Moon as of the start of the 2003 season was 3rd Best All-Time in Total Passes Attempted, 3rd Best All-Time in Total Passes Completed, 3rd Best All-Time in Total Yards Passing, and 5th Best All-Time in Total Touchdown Passes.

Yeah, I guess you could say he never accomplished anything ...

In fact, based on how little he accomplished, we might have to call him one of the best QB's ever to play in the NFL, and that doesn't even consider what he did in the CFL before he got here...

[swami jr]

It's all about cost vs. gain. Ricky Ray may have a skeptical chance of panning out, but he probably wouldn't cost much either. I haven't seen him play, so I can't say whether I think he's worth it or not.

There is no way one can completely ignore a talent just because of from where they came. There is no way a player is a guarantee just because of where they come from. We must judge Ricky Ray with what we can.
:tired:

[Fogwrestler]

Originally posted by swami jr
It's all about cost vs. gain. Ricky Ray may have a skeptical chance of panning out, but he probably wouldn't cost much either. I haven't seen him play, so I can't say whether I think he's worth it or not.

There is no way one can completely ignore a talent just because of from where they came. There is no way a player is a guarantee just because of where they come from. We must judge Ricky Ray with what we can.
:tired:

Sheesh, here's this post again, is this the right thread? It's at least the 2nd time tonite I've seen it in different threads, maybe the 3rd ...



Man, it's getting freaky around here :)

[kdhammond]

I have not even seen Ricky Ray play, but the reports that I have read are that there are 10+ NFL teams scouting him, including the Bills.

His team won the CFL's Gray Cup and he was MVP.

I believe that he is only about 25 y.o.

BTW, HOF coach Marv Levy coached the Montreal team in the CFL.

[Wapiti]

If we don't trade to get on of the big 2, we ought to take Ryan Dinwide from Boise St. He is a little small, but the kid can play.

[RustySabre]

If you can pick in the top five I don't think it's worth it this year. You know who's going to be the starter for the next two years. It would be like the MaGahee pick, you won't get the chance to see the kid play for a while and everyone will jump on the "wasted pick" threads.

[Overdue Bills]

Losman is the guy. To make Shiva happy, we could draft a guy with no heart and no arm in the 7th round and let him continue the Travis Brown rant after TB is cut this preseason.

[B LO]

How about using a fifth-round choice to get Mike McMahon as a RFA from Detroit?

[Pablo]

I am gun-shy drafting a rookie QB and since the Bills have Bledsoe's contract bonus situation to contend with, I dont want to wait several years for a QB to develop. Id rather pick up a guy who has been in the league a little while and has potential and a little experience.
Guys like McMahon, Volek (is he available?) etc might be worth considering.

[kdhammond]

I'd trade up to a #3 for McMahon. It depends on what Donahoe and company think of him. Each time that I have seen him, he looks pretty good to me. However, his rep is that he isn't supposed to be really accurate.

[polgard]

After the Rob Johnson experiment, I'd be a little leery of trading for or signing a current NFL back-up with only limited starting experience. I think Drew has a good year or two left in him with the right system. I'm looking for the Bills to draft a QB in the third round and maybe getting Matt Schaub from Virginia. Restructure AVP's contract to keep him as #3 and part-time QB coach, and dump Travis Brown. He's shown absolutely nothing. As far as this CFL'er goes, what would it hurt to bring him in to throw the ball around a little, take a look at him in mini-camp?

[JayHall93]

Mike McMahon would do great with our current o-line, cuz he can scramble! :)

[JayHall93]

The Senior Bowl is on today. Watch the game and see how Phillip Rivers plays. Maybe they worked with his delivery this week

[Tigerbenna]

Originally posted by DreReedFan83
The Bills MUST draft a quarterback. I've got my eyes on three guys, who will be taken at different points in the draft. Of course, #1 is Eli Manning. We've all seen what Peyton can do, and this guy is the next big thing. I would give up practically my whole draft to get him, assuming all the rest of our weaknesses are shored up in free agency. However, Donahoe will probably not trade up. Another guy I like is J.P. Losman. I've seen him play and this guy is good. He has a cocky attitude, which can be straightened out. However, he has all the abilities. He has a rocket for an arm and can scramble and is quick. He sort of reminds me of an Elway, but he's got a ways to go. He could be had around pick #20 in the 1st round. The third guy I like is Josh Harris. He's got a lot of work to be done, but the potential is there. This guy is similar to McNabb, and could be a quarterback to groom for several years. He'll be taken somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

LOSMAN=LEAF.....let the Dolphins take him

Id like to have Josh Harris or Phil Rivers

[35Pete]

I like Josh Harris or J.P Losman in the 3rd.

[coastal]

Originally posted by 35Pete
I like Josh Harris or J.P Losman in the 3rd.

Isn't there some cruise ship from Engalnd in your port to go look at?