My plan for the Bills
Trades:
Trade Fred Jackson to a contender for a 4th-5th rounder
Trade Terrance McGee for a 4th-5th Rounder
Both not popular decisions I know. Especially Fred! But both are over 30. But still have something left but why not trade now when value is still ok so we can get something back in return.
Lets just say that we get a 4th for McGee and 5th for Fred.
Release/Not Re-sign:
- Shawne Merriman
- Roscoe Parish
- All Receivers except Stevie, Easley, Jones, Smith & Nelson
- All TE's not Chandler
- Demetrius Bell (He'll get paid by someone but he isn't a pure LT)
- Tashard Choice, Reggie Corner, Andra Davis, Kirk Morrison, Bryan Scott, Reggie Torbor
- Tyler Thigpen
Re-Sign:
- Scott Chandler
- Stevie Johnson
- Rian Lindell
- Kraig Urbik (Back up contract, otherwise see ya)
Draft (assuming my trades above occur)
1. Dre Kirkpatrick CB - Alabama - Shutdown corner that we need. Can take the #1 spot vacated by McGee and lets Williams be the #2 CB he should be.
2. Vinny Curry DE/OLB Marshall - May not last till Round 2. Some mocks have him round 1, some have him round 3. I would take him in Round 2 if there. Athletic freak. Leader of his defense. Inconsistent at times, but he has a chance to be Aldon Smith/JPP impact with his combination of size and athletic ability
3. Brian Quick WR App State - One of the most underrated small school WR's in the draft. Just take a look at his stat's and watch him play. Huge body, great athletic ability, great hands. Could be a steal here. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go earlier after the combine.
4a. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin - I like Wilson as a QB. He has mobility and has a strong arm. I think he is intelligent and can make all the throws and feel he represents value. Allows us to release Fitz following the 2012 season.
4b. Kenny Tate, S Maryland - I like him as a safety. I like his size and power. His coverage skills are above average. I really don't like Bryan Scott. I like Searcy and George Wilson but I like Tate as depth initally with a view to taking over either safety spot
4c. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin - Zeitler is a good interior lineman. Has good push. Sometimes gets beaten by quick DT's but those DT's in our divisions are big one-on-one style DT's so shouldn't be an issue in our division. He has good strength one on one and gives us a good starting RG to plug next to Wood and Levitre.
5a. Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette - I love this kids size and speed. I think he has the potential to give us a great red zone threat along with Nelson and Chandler.
5b. Ryan Steed, CB, Furman - I like Furman's coverage skills and at the very least he will be a good nickel corner. Some have him in the 4th round. Some have him projected to go undrafted but he is an underrated small school CB and Buddy loves small school guys and SEC guys.
6. Lucas Nix, OT/OG Pitt - Nix has a bit of a meanstreak. Some drafts have him going 4th round, some in the 7th. If he is around in the 6th I grab him for solid depth on the O-Line capable of playing all interior positions and RT at a pinch.
7. Vick Ballard, RB, Miss State - If he is there, I'll nab him. Good RB depth behind Spiller and Johnny White.
FA's:
- Mario Manningham WR - Manningham is a good slant receiver. He is capable of good things yards after the catch. He is really efficient in the short to middle range routes which is basically our offense. Brian Quick provides us the deep threat, Manningham give us a good #2/3 receiver to go with Stevie, Jones & Nelson.
- Dan Conner ILB - Solid ILB guy who racks up tackles. Could start on a pinch if needed, otherwise a solid depth guy.
- Red Bryant DE - While he is a 4-3 DE he could still fit as a 3-4 DE for his size. He is disruptive and is able to rush the passer but also extremely solid against the run. If we sign him, we can say goodbye to Dwan Edwards.
- Ben Grubbs, G - Break the bank and get him. Elite guard/tackle Can plug him at RG or RT and let new draft pick Zeitler or OT Chris Hairston sit behind him. He'll be a leader on the line and give them some experience on an inexperienced, young line.
- Jarrett Bush, CB - Good, young Corner who is a good depth corner.
Issues addressed:
- Developmental QB ready to start in 2013
- Speed, home run WR
- Depth and efficiency at the WR spot
- Another big TE target
- Solidifying O-line depth and experience which will allow us to not face the issues we have had with injuries this year
- Size, athletic ability and coverage skills at corner. Starting with Kirkpartick and then with Steed to go along with Williams, McKelvin, Florence and Bush
- Adding depth and youth to the ILB's
Issues not addressed:
- Pass rush - I know Vinny Curry is drafted, but I'm letting Merriman go and while he didn't do jack with us, Curry is still raw. I do still believe Moats can be effective and with Curry being in the system and having two pass-rushers it could be addressed but I'm not going to say its totally addressed with my solution above.
- RB's - I traded Fred Jackson. I know, I know..."WHAT ARE U DOING MAN!". Now this could be a weakness if Spiller doesn't progress. But hey I'm a believer. I liked Johnny White from what we saw early on and I rate Ballard as a good, underrated RB. Our line will be a lot better too which allows any rusher to be effective. Not saying its totally addressed but not saying it is totally a weakness either.
- Run defense - I don't think this is a total weakness either. It is improved with the additions of Conner & Bryant but still same personnel. A lot will depend on the scheme we run but as far as personnel moves this solution may not have done enough.
Trades:
Trade Fred Jackson to a contender for a 4th-5th rounder
Trade Terrance McGee for a 4th-5th Rounder
Both not popular decisions I know. Especially Fred! But both are over 30. But still have something left but why not trade now when value is still ok so we can get something back in return.
Lets just say that we get a 4th for McGee and 5th for Fred.
Release/Not Re-sign:
- Shawne Merriman
- Roscoe Parish
- All Receivers except Stevie, Easley, Jones, Smith & Nelson
- All TE's not Chandler
- Demetrius Bell (He'll get paid by someone but he isn't a pure LT)
- Tashard Choice, Reggie Corner, Andra Davis, Kirk Morrison, Bryan Scott, Reggie Torbor
- Tyler Thigpen
Re-Sign:
- Scott Chandler
- Stevie Johnson
- Rian Lindell
- Kraig Urbik (Back up contract, otherwise see ya)
Draft (assuming my trades above occur)
1. Dre Kirkpatrick CB - Alabama - Shutdown corner that we need. Can take the #1 spot vacated by McGee and lets Williams be the #2 CB he should be.
2. Vinny Curry DE/OLB Marshall - May not last till Round 2. Some mocks have him round 1, some have him round 3. I would take him in Round 2 if there. Athletic freak. Leader of his defense. Inconsistent at times, but he has a chance to be Aldon Smith/JPP impact with his combination of size and athletic ability
3. Brian Quick WR App State - One of the most underrated small school WR's in the draft. Just take a look at his stat's and watch him play. Huge body, great athletic ability, great hands. Could be a steal here. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go earlier after the combine.
4a. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin - I like Wilson as a QB. He has mobility and has a strong arm. I think he is intelligent and can make all the throws and feel he represents value. Allows us to release Fitz following the 2012 season.
4b. Kenny Tate, S Maryland - I like him as a safety. I like his size and power. His coverage skills are above average. I really don't like Bryan Scott. I like Searcy and George Wilson but I like Tate as depth initally with a view to taking over either safety spot
4c. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin - Zeitler is a good interior lineman. Has good push. Sometimes gets beaten by quick DT's but those DT's in our divisions are big one-on-one style DT's so shouldn't be an issue in our division. He has good strength one on one and gives us a good starting RG to plug next to Wood and Levitre.
5a. Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette - I love this kids size and speed. I think he has the potential to give us a great red zone threat along with Nelson and Chandler.
5b. Ryan Steed, CB, Furman - I like Furman's coverage skills and at the very least he will be a good nickel corner. Some have him in the 4th round. Some have him projected to go undrafted but he is an underrated small school CB and Buddy loves small school guys and SEC guys.
6. Lucas Nix, OT/OG Pitt - Nix has a bit of a meanstreak. Some drafts have him going 4th round, some in the 7th. If he is around in the 6th I grab him for solid depth on the O-Line capable of playing all interior positions and RT at a pinch.
7. Vick Ballard, RB, Miss State - If he is there, I'll nab him. Good RB depth behind Spiller and Johnny White.
FA's:
- Mario Manningham WR - Manningham is a good slant receiver. He is capable of good things yards after the catch. He is really efficient in the short to middle range routes which is basically our offense. Brian Quick provides us the deep threat, Manningham give us a good #2/3 receiver to go with Stevie, Jones & Nelson.
- Dan Conner ILB - Solid ILB guy who racks up tackles. Could start on a pinch if needed, otherwise a solid depth guy.
- Red Bryant DE - While he is a 4-3 DE he could still fit as a 3-4 DE for his size. He is disruptive and is able to rush the passer but also extremely solid against the run. If we sign him, we can say goodbye to Dwan Edwards.
- Ben Grubbs, G - Break the bank and get him. Elite guard/tackle Can plug him at RG or RT and let new draft pick Zeitler or OT Chris Hairston sit behind him. He'll be a leader on the line and give them some experience on an inexperienced, young line.
- Jarrett Bush, CB - Good, young Corner who is a good depth corner.
Issues addressed:
- Developmental QB ready to start in 2013
- Speed, home run WR
- Depth and efficiency at the WR spot
- Another big TE target
- Solidifying O-line depth and experience which will allow us to not face the issues we have had with injuries this year
- Size, athletic ability and coverage skills at corner. Starting with Kirkpartick and then with Steed to go along with Williams, McKelvin, Florence and Bush
- Adding depth and youth to the ILB's
Issues not addressed:
- Pass rush - I know Vinny Curry is drafted, but I'm letting Merriman go and while he didn't do jack with us, Curry is still raw. I do still believe Moats can be effective and with Curry being in the system and having two pass-rushers it could be addressed but I'm not going to say its totally addressed with my solution above.
- RB's - I traded Fred Jackson. I know, I know..."WHAT ARE U DOING MAN!". Now this could be a weakness if Spiller doesn't progress. But hey I'm a believer. I liked Johnny White from what we saw early on and I rate Ballard as a good, underrated RB. Our line will be a lot better too which allows any rusher to be effective. Not saying its totally addressed but not saying it is totally a weakness either.
- Run defense - I don't think this is a total weakness either. It is improved with the additions of Conner & Bryant but still same personnel. A lot will depend on the scheme we run but as far as personnel moves this solution may not have done enough.
