What an amazing free agency and trade period this year for the NFL. There were so many big names that have moved this off season so far, more than I could ever remember. This totally changed the landscape of how and who teams are going to do in the draft. The biggest name was without a doubt future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning.
Manning was let go by the Colts after 14 seasons when he missed the entire season following setbacks from neck surgery and the Colts finished 2-14. The Colts will probably draft Andrew Luck 1st overall in this year's draft and will rebuild. Once Manning was on the market, he was probably the biggest free agent in NFL history. There were questions and concerns as he was 36 and coming off several neck procedures over the last few years. Either teams knew he was medically cleared or just wanted to take a chance at one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history, but teams were coming out of the wood works to make a play at him. The closest teams were the Jets, Miami, Arizona, Washington, Seattle, Tennessee, San Francisco, and Denver. Manning ultimately chose to sign a 5-year deal with the Denver Broncos over a Super Bowl bound San Francisco and Tennessee, where Manning played college ball and was reportedly offered a "lifetime contract" by Titans' owner Bud Adams.
San Francisco appeared to have been the best choice because they were an overtime loss away from going to the Super Bowl with perhaps the best defense in the league, a weak division, and a red-hot first year head coach in Jim Harbaugh. It would appear however that Manning and Harbaugh would clash as Harbaugh seems to be a control freak and Manning I'm sure wants to run the offense like he has in Indy. Even though the NFC West is weak, the NFC as a whole is very strong as there quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo, Michael Vick, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Jay Cutler, and even Peyton's younger brother Eli. I'm sure Peyton did not want to play his brother unless its every four years in the AFC and/or Super Bowl. So that left Denver, who won the weak AFC West with an 8-8 record and a QB who seemingly can't throw. Denver has a very good coach in John Fox, a great offensive line, a very good young defense, and a very underrated set of wide receivers along with a good running game. I think Fox would let Manning run the offense while he focuses on the defense. With Manning, the Broncos should without a doubt win the division as there is a talented but underachieving San Diego Chargers team with Norv Turner back, a troubled Oakland team, and a mediocre Kansas City Chiefs team. The road to the Super Bowl is a lot easier in the AFC as he would only have to go through the Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens who don't have an elite QB, and an aging Pittsburgh Steelers team. The question is, will there ever be a free agent as big as Peyton Manning ever again? Can you possibly imagine Tom Brady or younger guys like Aaron Rodgers or even Eli Manning ever available in free agency? Unless the Saints don't resolve their contract issues with Drew Brees, he would not be available.
Manning's signing made Tim Tebow expendable as he was traded to the New York Jets shortly after Manning signed. The Broncos traded their QB who led them to the postseason last year and even beat the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. But Tebow had one of the worst QB Ratings in the league and completed less than 50% of his passes. Tebow and his hype goes to the Big Apple and has to contend with vicious Jet fans, a big mouth head coach in Rex Ryan, and starting QB Mark Sanchez. Tebow chose the Jets over Jacksonville, which is closer to home and would be a huge draw for a struggling franchise, because he knows he can start down the road. Despite giving Sanchez a $20 million signing bonus, Sanchez is on the lookout and has never got the love by the fans and even the team despite taking them to the AFC Championship Game in his first two years. Wait till he throws an interception and the fans will be calling for Tebow. What a mess and I love it.
This next signing hits very close to home and is the one I'm most excited about. Perhaps the best free agent not named Peyton Manning, Houston Texans' defensive end Mario Williams, shocked the league by signing with the Buffalo Bills for nearly $100 million and $50 million guaranteed, which is the most by a defensive player in league history. Williams was the #1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft and had a very stellar six-year career so far in the NFL with 53 career sacks. Williams' signing was not only big because it fills a tremendous void for the Bills as they needed a pass rushing defensive end, but it also turns one of the worst franchises in the league's perception around the league around as it now appears that players want to play for Buffalo. Not only did he sign with Buffalo, he chose them first, spent several days there and never left to even talk to another team as he and the Bills wanted each other. This is such a huge impactful signing for the Bills faithful and still has me buzzing. This is the biggest signing for the Bills since they signed Jim Kelly from the USFL, even though he had his draft rights. But Kelly coming to town was a big deal and it led the Bills to their greatest time in franchise history. The biggest free agent name that went to a small city that I can think of was when Reggie White signed with Green Bay back in 1993 when no one wanted to go there and look, they are one of the league's best teams over the last two decades. I'm hoping Williams' impact on the Bills is just the same. Also, the Bills added Mark Anderson to the line and his 10 sacks from New England a year ago to make the Bills from one of the worst defensive lines in the league to one of the best.
There were a good amount of wide receivers available as Vincent Jackson left San Diego to go to Tampa Bay and Jackson's spot in San Diego was taken by Robert Meacham, who left New Orleans. Perhaps the biggest wide receiver signing was the 49ers signing Randy Moss, who was out of the league last year. They also added Mario Manningham. Brandon Lloyd was very vocal about playing for the Patriots and Tom Brady and made good on his promise by signing with them. Lloyd reunites with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was Lloyd's head coach in Denver when Lloyd led the league in receiving yards two years ago and was his offensive coordinator last year in St. Louis. Lloyd should be close to or at his numbers two years ago playing with Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez. The Saints re-signed Marques Coltson while the Colts re-signed Reggie Wayne. Pierre Garcon left the Colts to go to Washington. The Steelers signed speedy Mike Wallace to a first round tender on the restricted free agent, which means any team can sign him, but give up a first round pick to the Steelers for him. It appears he will remain in Pittsburgh as no one has given up a first round pick yet. Laurent Robinson and his 11 touchdown catches from a year ago move from Dallas to Jacksonville. Dwayne Bowe was another big time receiver to hit the market until he was franchised by Kansas City while the Bills locked up Stevie Johnson before he was set to hit the open market and were forced to use the franchise tag. Even though he was not going to hit the open market this season, the Lions made sure Calvin Johnson did not in the future by giving him a record $60 million guaranteed signing bonus.
Other notable free agent signings: corner back Brandon Carr from Kansas City to Dallas, guard Carl Nicks from New Orleans to Tampa Bay, corner back Cortland Finnegan from Tennessee to St. Louis to be reunited with his former head coach Jeff Fisher, offensive tackle Eric Winston from Houston to Kansas City, and the Saints added a couple of defensive players in lieu of possible suspensions in the wake of "bounty gate" in linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley.
There were two more quarterback moves that did not involve Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow. Alex Smith, despite looking around after the 49erswere trying to lure Manning, went back to San Francisco to sign a 3-year deal. Smith guided the 49ers to a 13-3 record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game. Smith had a bounce back year after being considered a bust after being taken #1 overall by the 49ers in 2005. This past season Smith improved his game with the help of new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Despite going all the way to the NFC Championship Game, Harbaugh and the 49ers felt they needed to upgrade and no offense to Smith, they did so they went after Manning. After Manning turned them down, they went back to Smith, who was in Miami looking at a possible deal there. Smith's common sense got the better of him, despite getting hurt by the 49ers he chose to go back because it was the best option for him. They gave him more money than they would have so his trip to Miami got him more. They did not want to lose the guy who went 13-3 if they lost out on Manning. Settling in this case isn't so bad. The other major QB signing was Seattle signing Matt Flynn, who was the backup in Green Bay. Flynn, who was a 7th round pick out of LSU in 2008, started only two games in his NFL career, but both starts were very impressive. In 2010, he lost a close game to New England on the road and last year, he defeated a Detroit Lions team that still had something to play for in the last game of the season. In that game, Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns in a 45-41 win. There's no doubt Flynn has some talent, but I question if he's the real deal or is the system he plays in with really good wide receivers? I'm still leaning towards the latter until I get to witness more starts. Seattle needs a QB as Tarvaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst are not the answers. I just wonder if it's Flynn? They might have not been able to draft one and could not sign Manning. So they had to go to Plan B. Flynn reminds me of guys such as Kevin Kolb, Derek Anderson, and Rob Johnson who started a few games and impressed people because of a system and land full-time roles and fail. These guys are backups for a reason and I will never go after a system quarterback. Good luck Seattle, I hope it works.
This was one of the most amazing free agency periods I can ever remember. If this what the off season will be like, and we are far from done my friends, then I can't wait to see what the season and the Super Bowl holds for us!!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
2012 Mock Draft (1st 10 picks) V 1.0
1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
This is a slam dunk no-brainer, the Colts are taking Andrew Luck. Luck is without a doubt the best quarterbacking prospect since Peyton Manning in 1998, who was ironically drafted by the Colts. With Manning, the Colts were a 10+ win team. Without him they were 2-14 last year. The Colts are clearly rebuilding much like '98 as they moved on from Manning and will go to Luck. Speaking of luck (not the player), how lucky are the Colts? They get 13 awesome years with Manning and should get another 12-15 with Luck. Luck has pretty much been the 1st overall pick since last year before he declared he was going back to Stanford for his junior season. There are reports that the Colts are considering taking RG3 with the 1st overall pick. Even though I think highly of RG3 and think he'll be a great QB in his own right, he's not Luck. They did not just cut their best quarterback of all-time to pass on the best QB prospect since that exact same player.
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
With Luck off the board, the #2 pick falls to the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Robert Griffin III. Griffin is a really close #2 and even a #1 in some scouts eyes. The Redskins need a franchise QB and they traded 3 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick to move up from #6 to #2 with the St. Louis Rams to take Griffin. Here's my blog on that subject: http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-redskins-traded-up-for-rg3.html
3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Matt Kalil is the best tackle prospect in this year's draft and is probably the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft. The Vikings really need a dominant franchise left tackle to protect the blind side of their young QB, Christian Ponder. Some reports are they could take cornerback Morris Claiborne as they need a corner and he's the best corner in the draft. But they really need a left tackle bad and they cannot afford to pass up on Kalil. It's almost a slam dunk guarantee that the Vikings take Kalil.
Other possible choices:
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - The Vikings seem like every year they need an offensive tackle and a corner back. They will address at least one of those two major needs this draft.
4. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Browns need help at many positions, especially on offense. This will certainly be an offensive pick. The Browns missed out on the RG3 sweepstakes when they were beat out by the Washington Redskins to move up to #2 despite having two 1st round picks this year. They could reach for Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, who seems to keep climbing up the boards. But I don't think the Browns would reach for the "3rd best QB" in the draft this early plus Mike Holmgren doesn't like to take a QB in the 1st round. Plus they want to surround Colt McCoy with better talent. Justin Blackmon is a possibility because they are in desperate need of a number one wideout. But the Browns take running back Trent Richardson. He's the best player in the draft at this spot despite the fact that running backs should really never be taken this high. But Richardson is a special case to be taken here as he is I think the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Richardson is elusive and fast and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Richardson is a perfect dual threat in Cleveland's West Coast Offense. Plus the Browns need someone to replace Peyton Hillis.
Other possible choices:
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - Colt McCoy needs a number one target to throw to and Blackmon is that guy.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Despite signing corner back Eric Wright, the Bucs still have a need at corner and take the best corner in the draft. In a division that features Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton, the Bucs need as much help at stopping the pass as possible. Claiborne has the ability to defend the league's best receivers and has the possibility of being a shut down corner.
Other possibly choices:
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - If Claiborne is taken and Richardson is available, they take Richardson as LeGarrette Blount is not a number one running back.
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams need all the help they can get as they finished 2-14 and traded down with the Washington Redskins in order to pick up more picks and moved down only 4 places. The Rams need an offensive tackle first and foremost, followed by wide receiver (another position of desperate need for the Rams) and cornerback. Sam Bradford has never had a left tackle in two years as a starter as 2009 1st round pick Jason Smith is a right tackle and injury prone. Plus Bradford was sacked 36 times in only 10 games last year. But there is no tackle available at this spot and they don't want to reach at this spot as they can surely grab one in the 2nd round. The Rams give Bradford help as they take Justin Blackmon. Blackmon is the best receiver in this draft and has the ability to be starting Pro Bowl receiver in this league. Although just 6'1, Blackmon has the ability to go up and make an incredible catch. Although not blazingly fast, Blackmon can still get behind defenders as he made some spectacular long catches at Oklahoma State. He is also a tremendous route runner and uses his body to get separation. Bradford will be happy to be throwing the ball to him.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
With one wide receiver off the board, the Jacksonville Jaguars make it two in a row as they take the second best receiver in the draft in Notre Dame's Michael Floyd. The Jaguars have needed a wide receiver or two since the good ole days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. The Jags get a guy in Floyd who has great size, hands, and is good at getting yards after the catch. The Jags need a guy for Blaine Gabbert, who struggled badly as a rookie last year as he was last in the league in QB Rating and Yards Per Attempt.
8. Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Dolphins failed at getting free agent Peyton Manning so despite signing David Garrard, the Dolphins will select Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has been climbing the charts into the top-10 despite being a wide receiver for his first two years in college before being converted to a quarterback. Tannehill has great athleticism and mobility but lacks the arm strength and frame to be a QB. He is 6'4 though but only 220 lbs. and needs to bulk up. This could be a reach for the Fins, but you need a QB in order to win and guys like Tannehill, who would be a late 1st to 2nd round pick, moves into the top-10 because of the need for a franchise QB plus the rookie wage scale with the new collective bargaining makes it more attractive to take a QB much earlier than before. Last year was proof of this with the early picks of Jake Locker and Christian Ponder. Even though Matt Moore had a pretty good year last year, he is not a franchise QB. He can start for now, but the Dolphins need to find their guy.
9. Carolina Panthers - Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
The Carolina Panthers were horrible against the run and on defense in general so they take the best defensive player available in Luke Kuechly. The Panthers have a need at linebacker and Kuechly has great size and speed and is a tackling machine. Kuechly can make a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage not just down field. He has a knack at getting to the football. He is also good against the pass.
10. Buffalo Bills - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
With the big and I do stress big signings of defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, a pass rushing defensive end is not a need at this spot and GM Buddy Nix stressed even before signing Williams and Anderson that he did not like the pass rushers at this spot anyways. So the Bills need a left tackle, another wide receiver to complement Steve Johnson, and a cornerback. If for some reason, Morris Claiborne falls here he will be the slam dunk pick. But I am not sold on Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick at this spot. That leaves tackle and receiver. If Michael Floyd were here, he could very well be the pick. But he isn't so the Bills select the second best tackle in the draft in Iowa's Riley Reiff. He is a great right tackle but he has to show he can be a left tackle in order to be taken here. If he can, he will be a great addition for the Bills. Reiff is a great run blocker and needs a little work at pass blocking. He does bring intensity on every snap. The Bills need to fill the hole as they won't re-sign Demetrius Bell and need to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick. Stanford's Jonathan Martin, who protected Andrew Luck's blind side in college, could also be a pick here as he has great athleticism and a high IQ. But he needs a lot of improvement at pass blocking in order to be taken this high so the pick is Reiff.
This is a slam dunk no-brainer, the Colts are taking Andrew Luck. Luck is without a doubt the best quarterbacking prospect since Peyton Manning in 1998, who was ironically drafted by the Colts. With Manning, the Colts were a 10+ win team. Without him they were 2-14 last year. The Colts are clearly rebuilding much like '98 as they moved on from Manning and will go to Luck. Speaking of luck (not the player), how lucky are the Colts? They get 13 awesome years with Manning and should get another 12-15 with Luck. Luck has pretty much been the 1st overall pick since last year before he declared he was going back to Stanford for his junior season. There are reports that the Colts are considering taking RG3 with the 1st overall pick. Even though I think highly of RG3 and think he'll be a great QB in his own right, he's not Luck. They did not just cut their best quarterback of all-time to pass on the best QB prospect since that exact same player.
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
With Luck off the board, the #2 pick falls to the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in Robert Griffin III. Griffin is a really close #2 and even a #1 in some scouts eyes. The Redskins need a franchise QB and they traded 3 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick to move up from #6 to #2 with the St. Louis Rams to take Griffin. Here's my blog on that subject: http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2012/03/why-redskins-traded-up-for-rg3.html
3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Matt Kalil is the best tackle prospect in this year's draft and is probably the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft. The Vikings really need a dominant franchise left tackle to protect the blind side of their young QB, Christian Ponder. Some reports are they could take cornerback Morris Claiborne as they need a corner and he's the best corner in the draft. But they really need a left tackle bad and they cannot afford to pass up on Kalil. It's almost a slam dunk guarantee that the Vikings take Kalil.
Other possible choices:
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - The Vikings seem like every year they need an offensive tackle and a corner back. They will address at least one of those two major needs this draft.
4. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Browns need help at many positions, especially on offense. This will certainly be an offensive pick. The Browns missed out on the RG3 sweepstakes when they were beat out by the Washington Redskins to move up to #2 despite having two 1st round picks this year. They could reach for Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, who seems to keep climbing up the boards. But I don't think the Browns would reach for the "3rd best QB" in the draft this early plus Mike Holmgren doesn't like to take a QB in the 1st round. Plus they want to surround Colt McCoy with better talent. Justin Blackmon is a possibility because they are in desperate need of a number one wideout. But the Browns take running back Trent Richardson. He's the best player in the draft at this spot despite the fact that running backs should really never be taken this high. But Richardson is a special case to be taken here as he is I think the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Richardson is elusive and fast and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Richardson is a perfect dual threat in Cleveland's West Coast Offense. Plus the Browns need someone to replace Peyton Hillis.
Other possible choices:
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - Colt McCoy needs a number one target to throw to and Blackmon is that guy.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Despite signing corner back Eric Wright, the Bucs still have a need at corner and take the best corner in the draft. In a division that features Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton, the Bucs need as much help at stopping the pass as possible. Claiborne has the ability to defend the league's best receivers and has the possibility of being a shut down corner.
Other possibly choices:
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - If Claiborne is taken and Richardson is available, they take Richardson as LeGarrette Blount is not a number one running back.
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams need all the help they can get as they finished 2-14 and traded down with the Washington Redskins in order to pick up more picks and moved down only 4 places. The Rams need an offensive tackle first and foremost, followed by wide receiver (another position of desperate need for the Rams) and cornerback. Sam Bradford has never had a left tackle in two years as a starter as 2009 1st round pick Jason Smith is a right tackle and injury prone. Plus Bradford was sacked 36 times in only 10 games last year. But there is no tackle available at this spot and they don't want to reach at this spot as they can surely grab one in the 2nd round. The Rams give Bradford help as they take Justin Blackmon. Blackmon is the best receiver in this draft and has the ability to be starting Pro Bowl receiver in this league. Although just 6'1, Blackmon has the ability to go up and make an incredible catch. Although not blazingly fast, Blackmon can still get behind defenders as he made some spectacular long catches at Oklahoma State. He is also a tremendous route runner and uses his body to get separation. Bradford will be happy to be throwing the ball to him.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
With one wide receiver off the board, the Jacksonville Jaguars make it two in a row as they take the second best receiver in the draft in Notre Dame's Michael Floyd. The Jaguars have needed a wide receiver or two since the good ole days of Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. The Jags get a guy in Floyd who has great size, hands, and is good at getting yards after the catch. The Jags need a guy for Blaine Gabbert, who struggled badly as a rookie last year as he was last in the league in QB Rating and Yards Per Attempt.
Other possibly choices:
The Jaguars need a pass rusher so they could either take Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples.
8. Miami Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Dolphins failed at getting free agent Peyton Manning so despite signing David Garrard, the Dolphins will select Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has been climbing the charts into the top-10 despite being a wide receiver for his first two years in college before being converted to a quarterback. Tannehill has great athleticism and mobility but lacks the arm strength and frame to be a QB. He is 6'4 though but only 220 lbs. and needs to bulk up. This could be a reach for the Fins, but you need a QB in order to win and guys like Tannehill, who would be a late 1st to 2nd round pick, moves into the top-10 because of the need for a franchise QB plus the rookie wage scale with the new collective bargaining makes it more attractive to take a QB much earlier than before. Last year was proof of this with the early picks of Jake Locker and Christian Ponder. Even though Matt Moore had a pretty good year last year, he is not a franchise QB. He can start for now, but the Dolphins need to find their guy.
9. Carolina Panthers - Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
The Carolina Panthers were horrible against the run and on defense in general so they take the best defensive player available in Luke Kuechly. The Panthers have a need at linebacker and Kuechly has great size and speed and is a tackling machine. Kuechly can make a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage not just down field. He has a knack at getting to the football. He is also good against the pass.
Other possibly choices:
The Panthers need a defensive tackle so they could take Memphis' Dontari Poe and also need a guard so they could take Stanford's David DeCastro.
10. Buffalo Bills - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
With the big and I do stress big signings of defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, a pass rushing defensive end is not a need at this spot and GM Buddy Nix stressed even before signing Williams and Anderson that he did not like the pass rushers at this spot anyways. So the Bills need a left tackle, another wide receiver to complement Steve Johnson, and a cornerback. If for some reason, Morris Claiborne falls here he will be the slam dunk pick. But I am not sold on Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick at this spot. That leaves tackle and receiver. If Michael Floyd were here, he could very well be the pick. But he isn't so the Bills select the second best tackle in the draft in Iowa's Riley Reiff. He is a great right tackle but he has to show he can be a left tackle in order to be taken here. If he can, he will be a great addition for the Bills. Reiff is a great run blocker and needs a little work at pass blocking. He does bring intensity on every snap. The Bills need to fill the hole as they won't re-sign Demetrius Bell and need to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick. Stanford's Jonathan Martin, who protected Andrew Luck's blind side in college, could also be a pick here as he has great athleticism and a high IQ. But he needs a lot of improvement at pass blocking in order to be taken this high so the pick is Reiff.
Other possibly choices:
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - If Floyd is available, he could be the pick as the Bills need a strong number two to Steve Johnson and Floyd will definitely be that guy.
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - If Martin improves at pass blocking or Reiff is taken off the board or they like Martin more than he is the pick.
Why the Redskins Traded Up for RG3
Why wouldn't they is the question? The Redskins need a franchise QB so bad that this move made a heck of a lot of sense. Sure, trading three first round picks and a 2nd round pick seems like a lot, but when it comes to trading up for a franchise QB especially one with the talent and ability of Baylor's Robert Griffin III, it makes total sense. Consider the fact that teams no longer have to shell out $50 million guaranteed for a guy who never played a snap in the NFL and it's even more likely for teams to gamble and trade up. It's a no-brainer. There are very few times a team can trade up to #1 or #2 and take one of the top-2 QBs in the draft because generally teams drafting in that spot will almost always take the QB. In this instance, St. Louis traded down because they still have a young QB they took #1 two years ago in Sam Bradford. Jeff Fisher wants to see if they young QB can play after a down sophomore year as well as grab 3 firsts and a second.
If you are bothered by the Redskins trading 3 first round picks, the reality is that they are swapping this year's first (6th overall) with the Rams' first. Hopefully for the Redskins, they won't have to be drafting too high in the next couple of years and they figure they won't with the addition of Griffin. Griffin has all the tools and ability to be a starting QB in this league and be a good one. Some even think Griffin could go #1 ahead of Andrew Luck, but more likely he will go #2. Griffin is fast and can throw on the run. He has a strong arm and can make many of the throws. If you look at Griffin's number or even watch him play at Baylor, you see a QB that throws the ball down the field and is not a check down quarterback. He is also very smart as he would be going to Law School if he weren't going into the NFL. Griffin can make a huge impact much like Cam Newton did for Carolina last year. Newton only had a couple of months to learn the playbook as he missed time in OTA's and Mini Camps during the NFL Lockout and look what he did breaking many of Peyton Manning's rookie records. What would Griffin do with more time to get accustomed to the playbook and learn the offense? He seems to be the ideal candidate in Mike Shanahan's offense that has really struggled the last two years with Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman, and John Beck under center.
Speaking of Shanahan and his struggles, he needed to make this deal as he is in his 3rd and could very well be his final year as Redskins' head coach. He is 11-21 in two years despite being a success in Denver. If things don't go well this year he could be gone. He could not afford another year with Grossman or Beck at QB, he needed to make the big splash. Shanahan has not won a Super Bowl without John Elway, which has hurt his legacy of being a really good head coach and has won only one playoff game since Elway retired in 1998. He needs this for his ego. Griffin can take Shanahan and the Redskins to the promise land. Who was the last great QB for the Redskins? Was it Joe Theismann? They won Super Bowls with Doug Williams and Mark Rypien since Theismann but it was more of a system as both have been one-year wonder. The Redskins have not been relevant for two decades since the first time Joe Gibbs coached there. Even though for the past decade or so when Daniel Snyder became owner of the Redskins, they have been irrelevant despite making big splashes in free agency and in the off season each and every year. Those big splashes usually ended up in failure and the Redskins usually finish at the bottom of their division. They have only made the playoffs twice since 1999 and three times since 1992 with only one division title.
The Redskins lacked in one thing and that was getting the QB. Now they will finally have the guy. who could lead them to the playoffs for the next decade or so and hopefully the Super Bowl. Time will tell if this is the right deal and who will win this trade: Washington or St. Louis. But it was a deal Washington needed to make win or lose and I believe they will win.
If you are bothered by the Redskins trading 3 first round picks, the reality is that they are swapping this year's first (6th overall) with the Rams' first. Hopefully for the Redskins, they won't have to be drafting too high in the next couple of years and they figure they won't with the addition of Griffin. Griffin has all the tools and ability to be a starting QB in this league and be a good one. Some even think Griffin could go #1 ahead of Andrew Luck, but more likely he will go #2. Griffin is fast and can throw on the run. He has a strong arm and can make many of the throws. If you look at Griffin's number or even watch him play at Baylor, you see a QB that throws the ball down the field and is not a check down quarterback. He is also very smart as he would be going to Law School if he weren't going into the NFL. Griffin can make a huge impact much like Cam Newton did for Carolina last year. Newton only had a couple of months to learn the playbook as he missed time in OTA's and Mini Camps during the NFL Lockout and look what he did breaking many of Peyton Manning's rookie records. What would Griffin do with more time to get accustomed to the playbook and learn the offense? He seems to be the ideal candidate in Mike Shanahan's offense that has really struggled the last two years with Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman, and John Beck under center.
Speaking of Shanahan and his struggles, he needed to make this deal as he is in his 3rd and could very well be his final year as Redskins' head coach. He is 11-21 in two years despite being a success in Denver. If things don't go well this year he could be gone. He could not afford another year with Grossman or Beck at QB, he needed to make the big splash. Shanahan has not won a Super Bowl without John Elway, which has hurt his legacy of being a really good head coach and has won only one playoff game since Elway retired in 1998. He needs this for his ego. Griffin can take Shanahan and the Redskins to the promise land. Who was the last great QB for the Redskins? Was it Joe Theismann? They won Super Bowls with Doug Williams and Mark Rypien since Theismann but it was more of a system as both have been one-year wonder. The Redskins have not been relevant for two decades since the first time Joe Gibbs coached there. Even though for the past decade or so when Daniel Snyder became owner of the Redskins, they have been irrelevant despite making big splashes in free agency and in the off season each and every year. Those big splashes usually ended up in failure and the Redskins usually finish at the bottom of their division. They have only made the playoffs twice since 1999 and three times since 1992 with only one division title.
The Redskins lacked in one thing and that was getting the QB. Now they will finally have the guy. who could lead them to the playoffs for the next decade or so and hopefully the Super Bowl. Time will tell if this is the right deal and who will win this trade: Washington or St. Louis. But it was a deal Washington needed to make win or lose and I believe they will win.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Ennis-Stafford-Foligno
This blog focuses on the number one line of Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford, and Marcus Foligno. This is definitely the number one line on the Sabres, it's the first time since early this season with Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Luke Adam the Sabres had a legitimate number one line and this one blew away that one. Adam has long since been demoted to Rochester, where he has been struggling and who knows his future, and Vanek, whose played better as of late, has struggled since the New Year. Once again, the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line was the best line the other night in the Sabres' big win (huge understatement) against Washington. Stafford had two goals while Ennis assisted on both goals, including a beautiful play in which he deked the sprawling Caps defender and made a beautiful pass to Stafford, who banged it home for his second goal of the game to make 5-1. Foligno did not score but he was impactful nonetheless. He had plenty of chances plus his play along the boards and in front of the net remains a huge strength and has continued to since he was called up from Rochester.
One of the biggest keys to the Sabres turnarounds has been Tyler Ennis being the number one center. Ennis struggled at the beginning of the season and then was injured as he missed a total of 34 games. Since coming back on January 31, Ennis has 9 goals and 22 points in 27 games, including 5 goals and 14 points and is a +12 in the last nine games. He has been red hot. This team needed a center badly and for whatever reason, the Sabres did not try him out at center even though he has experience until later in the season. It has been truly a revelation for Ennis and the Sabres. Then adding Cody Hodgson at the trade deadline gave the Sabres a lethal 1-2 punch at center with Derek Roy as number 3. Ennis' speed and playmaking ability is a natural fit at center. Stafford has been red hot as well as he has 6 goals and 14 points in the last 8 games. Stafford is up to 17 goals and has a chance at 20 in a season in which was his career-worst. At one point I thought he would have trouble getting to 10. But since playing with Ennis and even Hodgson for a bit and getting taken off the roy line, Stafford has looked so much the player who scored 31 goals in 62 games last season and got a new $4 million a year deal in the offseason. He was a huge disappointment but with a true center he has flourished. What can be said about Foligno? Since being called up earlier this month, Foligno has had 6 goals and 10 points in 8 games. Foligno has been a force along the boards and in front of the net and has banged home his opportunities whenever he's had the chance. He's also been a physical presence. Had Zack Kassian done what Foligno has done, he would still be up here. But instead, he was shipped off to Vancouver in exchange for Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer. I'd say that's worked out.
Speaking of Hodgson, he has finally been scoring. But even when he wasn't, he still created a lot of chances and handled and possessed the puck very well and brought a new life to this once struggling offense. Vanek has played well playing on his line. Hodgson ripped a shot which Vanek rebounded for the third goal. The play of the game no doubt was when Sabres captain Jason Pominville stripped the puck from Alex Ovechkin and scored short-handed to put the Sabres up 4-1 which effectively gave the Sabres the win and the 8th spot all by themselves. Ryan Miller has continued his recent hot streak as he made 44 saves and improved to 14-1-3 in his last 18 games. The Sabres had their biggest win in quite sometime. If the Sabres make it, this is the game that without a doubt puts them in. If they somehow win a playoff series, I will point to this game as the one that really gave this team the confidence to win. Maybe the Rangers 4-1 win last week would be the real game as they beat the 1st place Rangers. But this Caps win on the road has been real special as they were never really threatened at all. Ovechkin was once again not a factor against the Sabres. If the Sabres have success in the playoffs, I'll look to the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line as the line that sparked this amazing run.
One of the biggest keys to the Sabres turnarounds has been Tyler Ennis being the number one center. Ennis struggled at the beginning of the season and then was injured as he missed a total of 34 games. Since coming back on January 31, Ennis has 9 goals and 22 points in 27 games, including 5 goals and 14 points and is a +12 in the last nine games. He has been red hot. This team needed a center badly and for whatever reason, the Sabres did not try him out at center even though he has experience until later in the season. It has been truly a revelation for Ennis and the Sabres. Then adding Cody Hodgson at the trade deadline gave the Sabres a lethal 1-2 punch at center with Derek Roy as number 3. Ennis' speed and playmaking ability is a natural fit at center. Stafford has been red hot as well as he has 6 goals and 14 points in the last 8 games. Stafford is up to 17 goals and has a chance at 20 in a season in which was his career-worst. At one point I thought he would have trouble getting to 10. But since playing with Ennis and even Hodgson for a bit and getting taken off the roy line, Stafford has looked so much the player who scored 31 goals in 62 games last season and got a new $4 million a year deal in the offseason. He was a huge disappointment but with a true center he has flourished. What can be said about Foligno? Since being called up earlier this month, Foligno has had 6 goals and 10 points in 8 games. Foligno has been a force along the boards and in front of the net and has banged home his opportunities whenever he's had the chance. He's also been a physical presence. Had Zack Kassian done what Foligno has done, he would still be up here. But instead, he was shipped off to Vancouver in exchange for Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer. I'd say that's worked out.
Speaking of Hodgson, he has finally been scoring. But even when he wasn't, he still created a lot of chances and handled and possessed the puck very well and brought a new life to this once struggling offense. Vanek has played well playing on his line. Hodgson ripped a shot which Vanek rebounded for the third goal. The play of the game no doubt was when Sabres captain Jason Pominville stripped the puck from Alex Ovechkin and scored short-handed to put the Sabres up 4-1 which effectively gave the Sabres the win and the 8th spot all by themselves. Ryan Miller has continued his recent hot streak as he made 44 saves and improved to 14-1-3 in his last 18 games. The Sabres had their biggest win in quite sometime. If the Sabres make it, this is the game that without a doubt puts them in. If they somehow win a playoff series, I will point to this game as the one that really gave this team the confidence to win. Maybe the Rangers 4-1 win last week would be the real game as they beat the 1st place Rangers. But this Caps win on the road has been real special as they were never really threatened at all. Ovechkin was once again not a factor against the Sabres. If the Sabres have success in the playoffs, I'll look to the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line as the line that sparked this amazing run.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Super Excited About Super Mario!!
It's been almost a week since Mario Williams became the biggest free agent acquisition in Buffalo sports history and I waited a few days because 1.) I was relaxing with days off and 2.) had to let it sit for a few days. But as you might imagine, I got a few takes on this. Obviously I never ever expected the Bills of all teams to sign the biggest free agent in the year's free agency. I did not even expect them to even get a meeting with him. Then out of the blue, he chose us first. He came here first before any other team and he never left. He was here for a total of three days and each day I was a nervous wreck with the old Buffalo montage "how will they blow this?" This is a team that fails to close on the field and I would not have surprised if they did so off it. But to the credit of the Buffalo Bills' front office, GM Buddy Nix, and many other personnel, they got it done before he could even consider talking to another team. They did what they did to sell him to come here and hearing from Williams, he seems like a guy who likes the small town, country atmosphere and does not need the wild and crazy nightlife and social life that big cities offer such as New York or Miami. So from the bottom of my heart and the hearts of millions of Bills fans, thank you!! Not only did we sign Williams, a special thanks goes to him as he chose us. That was one of the most awesome things I ever seen an athlete do. I sound bias that's because I am in this article. I try not to let emotion get the best of me, but I will definitely be emotional while writing this and who could blame me?
This is a huge time in Buffalo sports and hopefully it turns the future around for this downtrodden franchise. This franchise has been so irrelevant for well over a decade and especially since they got rid of Tom Donahoe, who signed big name players, none the caliber of Williams though, the Bills would routinely fail and miss the playoffs. Since then, the Bills have made do with a bunch of castoffs and no names and even though some have been good, either the Bills failed to keep them or they were just mired in obscurity. But there has been such a lack of talent with really no quarterback, offensive line, or defense. Williams is not only a house hold name, the biggest free agent on the market (or second to Peyton Manning if you think), but he fills a huge void on this team that can't get to the quarterback or sack and he should make everyone around him better. I feel the Bills defense goes from one of the worst in the league to somewhere mid-pack just with the addition of Williams. A few breaks and if they can stay healthy, then the Bills could be hopefully in the top-10 in defense. Hopefully, more players in the NFL will come to Buffalo now that they landed Williams.
The impact alone on Buffalo will be huge. Just last Thursday when Mario signed with the Bills, the Bills sold 1,000 season tickets, not game tickets but season tickets. For a team that struggles to sell out games in December with the games being blacked out in the cold and snow and the team eliminated in playoff contention, this is a big sign. People are buying into the Bills mainly because of Mario Williams and when is the last time people bought into one single Buffalo Bill? The only bigger acquisition the Bills made was when they announced they signed Jim Kelly back in 1986, but they owned his rights. Of course we know how that worked out!! But this from the standpoint of taking an NFL free agent free to sign with any team he wants, we don't own his rights, we didn't trade for him. He chose to sign with us!! For a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, longest in the NFL, this is well bigger than words can describe. I've heard some people use the analogy that this is like when hall of famer Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers back in 1993 when he was in the prime of his career. Green Bay at that time was a joke and they have not had any success since the days of Vince Lombardi back in the '60s and they were an afterthought in the NFL. Even though they had Mike Holmgren as head coach and a young but unproven Brett Favre at QB, the impact White had alone changed the Packers and they have been one of the most successful NFL franchises in the last 20 years. Boy I hope that opens up the flood gates for us. We need it. He will put the butts in the seats. I remember back in the early-mid '90s when the Bills spent money in free agency and were a huge player. They've signed guys like Ted Washington, Bryce Paup (who was decent before coming here and really exploded here) and Chris Speilman plus all the money they spent keeping the team together. I remember the days of Tom Donahoe when he got guys like Drew Bledsoe, London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Sam Adams, and Lawyer Milloy. Too bad that didn't work out well.
Williams should be expected to make a huge impact on this defense which finished 30th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed last year as well as 29th in sacks with 29. Despite not having any pass rush, the Bills ranked 8th in interceptions and total takeaways. Imagine what they could do with Williams going after the passer? Who will double team Williams? If you do, you free up Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Chris Kelsey, and hopefully a healthy Shawne Merriman to go after the QB. The Bills might have one of the best D-lines in the league. Williams alone can bring half the sack total from the Bills last season. What also helps is the promotion of Dave Wannstedt to defensive coordinator after the firing of George Edwards, who was way over his head and should have never been in that position. Wannstedt is a great defensive coordinator and really helped sell Williams on the idea of playing for Buffalo and playing on this defense. My hats off to Mr. Wannstedt. The Bills need a corner back and hopefully address the issue in the draft, but Williams going after the QB means the QB will either be hurried into making a throw or he'll be on the ground and that helps the secondary. Last year, opposing QBs had all the time in the world to throw and the secondary could cover for only so long. Even the very best cornerbacks can defend a receiver for so long while looking at the QB at the same time before the receiver separates and the QB hits him for a big gain. I am sick of watching the last few years my defense get shredded by the opposing QB all day long as he had infinite amounts of time to throw and the average to below-average guys looking like Tom Brady. I am also sick of watching opposing running backs get average at least a buck fifty and looking like Walter Payton and Jim Brown.
With an improved defense and a pretty good offense, there's no way this team can't win at least 9-10 games and at least be in contention for the playoffs as the AFC is pretty weak in my opinion. Injuries played a huge part last year no question, but the talent was thin as is so that means the depth was awful. If they can stay healthy, then who knows I like our chances. If this team can start out 5-2 and beat the Patriots and Tom Brady and Michael Vick and the Eagles with that horrific defense and most of the injuries occurred after, then who knows how many games this team can win if healthy and with Williams making an impact? Plus the AFC East is weak outside of New England. If we can finish second, then it gives us a great chance at a wild card if we win 10 games. Its very possible because Miami failed at landing Peyton Manning and the best they could do is David Garrard. The Jets also failed in the Manning sweepstakes and even had to give Mark Sanchez a contract extension. They are a huge mess. Cincinnati won 9 games with a rookie QB and made the playoffs in a division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore and lost all 4 times to them. So why can't we make the playoffs this year? I am a huge passing man but I want to see a huge commitment to running the football this year with a healthy Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller and get the ball out of Fitz's hands as a much as possible. Last year when Jackson went down, Spiller ran very well but for some reason, Chan Gailey would stop running him in the 2nd half even if they were down 10 points or less and have Fitz throw more, which resulted in predictable play calling and an increase in turnovers. With a much better defense and hopefully not being behind more will result in running the ball more.
Mario Williams was the 1st overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft with the Houston Texas, who passed on Houston native Vince Young and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush to take Williams. Williams was a beast at NC State and tore up the ACC as a junior. At 6'7 290 lbs., he is considered an athletic freak very much so as another North Carolina defensive end in Julius Peppers, who is also great in his own right. Then GM of the Texans, Charlie Casserly, decided that Williams was a huge position of need and also was the best player in the draft. He was criticized for it by local fans but was proven to be smart which leads me to say "there's people who get paid to watch games and there's those who pay to watch the games." Williams only had 4.5 sacks his rookie year but followed that up with 14, 12, 9, 8.5 and 5 in each of the next five seasons and did so without another pass rusher opposite of him. The five sack season last year came in only five games when he was injured with a torn pectoral muscle and missed 11 games. In other words, he had a sack a game last year. That injury is not devastating that it will not derail his career. He should be fine. When had a player the caliber of Mario Williams, at his age (only 27), who played six seasons and was the #1 overall pick in the draft was available in free agency? Maybe Peppers a couple of years ago? He wasn't as young as Williams is. The question is why was Williams available as a free agent and not re-signed by the Texans as teams would not let a talent like this in his prime go? The answer, the Texans were in such financial hell that they could not afford knowing he would be making $100 million for about 6-7 years and get $50 million guaranteed, plus they just re-signed Arian Foster. Also, the Texans were also 2nd in total defense mostly without Williams, so it was a lot easier to part ways with him.
I'm so excited for the up coming Bills season. Even though $100 million with $50 million guaranteed is a lot for one man, he means so much to the fans, the team, the owner, and the community that it's worth every penny. He's in the prime of his career not past his prime and should have at least five amazing seasons left. The $50 million guaranteed is the most ever by a defensive player and is tied with Sam Bradford for 2nd most in NFL history behind only Calvin Johnson's $60 million guaranteed he just signed last week. Think about it, before the rookie wage scale set last year, the top pick in the draft got $50 million guaranteed for not playing a single down in the NFL. Williams has played in the NFL for six seasons and will probably play at least six-seven more and has shown he's very successful. Even though I like offense way more than I like defense (check out my post: http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-defense-overrated.html) and I'm pro offense and pro quarterback, you still need to have somewhat of a defense that can get to the passer and force turnovers and not allow a ton of points. I put pass rusher as the second most important position in football only behind quarterback.
I got to admit, if they didn't sign him, I would be devastated and would not care a minute about the season. I would be in the state of apathy I've been with this team for the last five years or so. There would be no hope and we would continue to be the laughing stock of the NFL with no end in sight. I would have been even more upset had they not re-signed Steve Johnson, which thankfully they did. I would have wanted them to bottom out and get the top pick in the draft and take Matt Barkley in 2013. Now I don't have to think about it as there is real hope. I don't have to obsess about QB, yet. I'll worry about that later. Right now I'm thinking playoffs or bust. It seems as if the front office has the confidence of the owner to make football decisions. It seems Buddy Nix has Ralph Wilson's blessings to make decisions and they seem very smart.
I want to thank in addition to the Bills front office, coaches, and players for getting this deal done is the Bills alumni, mostly Jim Kelly, for helping to sell Buffalo to Mario Williams. We could never do this without the love and support of you guys. Let's go Buffalo!!!
This is a huge time in Buffalo sports and hopefully it turns the future around for this downtrodden franchise. This franchise has been so irrelevant for well over a decade and especially since they got rid of Tom Donahoe, who signed big name players, none the caliber of Williams though, the Bills would routinely fail and miss the playoffs. Since then, the Bills have made do with a bunch of castoffs and no names and even though some have been good, either the Bills failed to keep them or they were just mired in obscurity. But there has been such a lack of talent with really no quarterback, offensive line, or defense. Williams is not only a house hold name, the biggest free agent on the market (or second to Peyton Manning if you think), but he fills a huge void on this team that can't get to the quarterback or sack and he should make everyone around him better. I feel the Bills defense goes from one of the worst in the league to somewhere mid-pack just with the addition of Williams. A few breaks and if they can stay healthy, then the Bills could be hopefully in the top-10 in defense. Hopefully, more players in the NFL will come to Buffalo now that they landed Williams.
The impact alone on Buffalo will be huge. Just last Thursday when Mario signed with the Bills, the Bills sold 1,000 season tickets, not game tickets but season tickets. For a team that struggles to sell out games in December with the games being blacked out in the cold and snow and the team eliminated in playoff contention, this is a big sign. People are buying into the Bills mainly because of Mario Williams and when is the last time people bought into one single Buffalo Bill? The only bigger acquisition the Bills made was when they announced they signed Jim Kelly back in 1986, but they owned his rights. Of course we know how that worked out!! But this from the standpoint of taking an NFL free agent free to sign with any team he wants, we don't own his rights, we didn't trade for him. He chose to sign with us!! For a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 1999, longest in the NFL, this is well bigger than words can describe. I've heard some people use the analogy that this is like when hall of famer Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers back in 1993 when he was in the prime of his career. Green Bay at that time was a joke and they have not had any success since the days of Vince Lombardi back in the '60s and they were an afterthought in the NFL. Even though they had Mike Holmgren as head coach and a young but unproven Brett Favre at QB, the impact White had alone changed the Packers and they have been one of the most successful NFL franchises in the last 20 years. Boy I hope that opens up the flood gates for us. We need it. He will put the butts in the seats. I remember back in the early-mid '90s when the Bills spent money in free agency and were a huge player. They've signed guys like Ted Washington, Bryce Paup (who was decent before coming here and really exploded here) and Chris Speilman plus all the money they spent keeping the team together. I remember the days of Tom Donahoe when he got guys like Drew Bledsoe, London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Sam Adams, and Lawyer Milloy. Too bad that didn't work out well.
Williams should be expected to make a huge impact on this defense which finished 30th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed last year as well as 29th in sacks with 29. Despite not having any pass rush, the Bills ranked 8th in interceptions and total takeaways. Imagine what they could do with Williams going after the passer? Who will double team Williams? If you do, you free up Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Chris Kelsey, and hopefully a healthy Shawne Merriman to go after the QB. The Bills might have one of the best D-lines in the league. Williams alone can bring half the sack total from the Bills last season. What also helps is the promotion of Dave Wannstedt to defensive coordinator after the firing of George Edwards, who was way over his head and should have never been in that position. Wannstedt is a great defensive coordinator and really helped sell Williams on the idea of playing for Buffalo and playing on this defense. My hats off to Mr. Wannstedt. The Bills need a corner back and hopefully address the issue in the draft, but Williams going after the QB means the QB will either be hurried into making a throw or he'll be on the ground and that helps the secondary. Last year, opposing QBs had all the time in the world to throw and the secondary could cover for only so long. Even the very best cornerbacks can defend a receiver for so long while looking at the QB at the same time before the receiver separates and the QB hits him for a big gain. I am sick of watching the last few years my defense get shredded by the opposing QB all day long as he had infinite amounts of time to throw and the average to below-average guys looking like Tom Brady. I am also sick of watching opposing running backs get average at least a buck fifty and looking like Walter Payton and Jim Brown.
With an improved defense and a pretty good offense, there's no way this team can't win at least 9-10 games and at least be in contention for the playoffs as the AFC is pretty weak in my opinion. Injuries played a huge part last year no question, but the talent was thin as is so that means the depth was awful. If they can stay healthy, then who knows I like our chances. If this team can start out 5-2 and beat the Patriots and Tom Brady and Michael Vick and the Eagles with that horrific defense and most of the injuries occurred after, then who knows how many games this team can win if healthy and with Williams making an impact? Plus the AFC East is weak outside of New England. If we can finish second, then it gives us a great chance at a wild card if we win 10 games. Its very possible because Miami failed at landing Peyton Manning and the best they could do is David Garrard. The Jets also failed in the Manning sweepstakes and even had to give Mark Sanchez a contract extension. They are a huge mess. Cincinnati won 9 games with a rookie QB and made the playoffs in a division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore and lost all 4 times to them. So why can't we make the playoffs this year? I am a huge passing man but I want to see a huge commitment to running the football this year with a healthy Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller and get the ball out of Fitz's hands as a much as possible. Last year when Jackson went down, Spiller ran very well but for some reason, Chan Gailey would stop running him in the 2nd half even if they were down 10 points or less and have Fitz throw more, which resulted in predictable play calling and an increase in turnovers. With a much better defense and hopefully not being behind more will result in running the ball more.
Mario Williams was the 1st overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft with the Houston Texas, who passed on Houston native Vince Young and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush to take Williams. Williams was a beast at NC State and tore up the ACC as a junior. At 6'7 290 lbs., he is considered an athletic freak very much so as another North Carolina defensive end in Julius Peppers, who is also great in his own right. Then GM of the Texans, Charlie Casserly, decided that Williams was a huge position of need and also was the best player in the draft. He was criticized for it by local fans but was proven to be smart which leads me to say "there's people who get paid to watch games and there's those who pay to watch the games." Williams only had 4.5 sacks his rookie year but followed that up with 14, 12, 9, 8.5 and 5 in each of the next five seasons and did so without another pass rusher opposite of him. The five sack season last year came in only five games when he was injured with a torn pectoral muscle and missed 11 games. In other words, he had a sack a game last year. That injury is not devastating that it will not derail his career. He should be fine. When had a player the caliber of Mario Williams, at his age (only 27), who played six seasons and was the #1 overall pick in the draft was available in free agency? Maybe Peppers a couple of years ago? He wasn't as young as Williams is. The question is why was Williams available as a free agent and not re-signed by the Texans as teams would not let a talent like this in his prime go? The answer, the Texans were in such financial hell that they could not afford knowing he would be making $100 million for about 6-7 years and get $50 million guaranteed, plus they just re-signed Arian Foster. Also, the Texans were also 2nd in total defense mostly without Williams, so it was a lot easier to part ways with him.
I'm so excited for the up coming Bills season. Even though $100 million with $50 million guaranteed is a lot for one man, he means so much to the fans, the team, the owner, and the community that it's worth every penny. He's in the prime of his career not past his prime and should have at least five amazing seasons left. The $50 million guaranteed is the most ever by a defensive player and is tied with Sam Bradford for 2nd most in NFL history behind only Calvin Johnson's $60 million guaranteed he just signed last week. Think about it, before the rookie wage scale set last year, the top pick in the draft got $50 million guaranteed for not playing a single down in the NFL. Williams has played in the NFL for six seasons and will probably play at least six-seven more and has shown he's very successful. Even though I like offense way more than I like defense (check out my post: http://buffalosportsbeat.blogspot.com/2012/03/is-defense-overrated.html) and I'm pro offense and pro quarterback, you still need to have somewhat of a defense that can get to the passer and force turnovers and not allow a ton of points. I put pass rusher as the second most important position in football only behind quarterback.
I got to admit, if they didn't sign him, I would be devastated and would not care a minute about the season. I would be in the state of apathy I've been with this team for the last five years or so. There would be no hope and we would continue to be the laughing stock of the NFL with no end in sight. I would have been even more upset had they not re-signed Steve Johnson, which thankfully they did. I would have wanted them to bottom out and get the top pick in the draft and take Matt Barkley in 2013. Now I don't have to think about it as there is real hope. I don't have to obsess about QB, yet. I'll worry about that later. Right now I'm thinking playoffs or bust. It seems as if the front office has the confidence of the owner to make football decisions. It seems Buddy Nix has Ralph Wilson's blessings to make decisions and they seem very smart.
I want to thank in addition to the Bills front office, coaches, and players for getting this deal done is the Bills alumni, mostly Jim Kelly, for helping to sell Buffalo to Mario Williams. We could never do this without the love and support of you guys. Let's go Buffalo!!!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Don't Feel Too Sorry For Manning and Colts Fans
I know Peyton Manning being released yesterday in Indianapolis was a sad day for Colts fans and I'm also sure Manning himself, who played there for 14 seasons. However, Colts fans saw great football in those 14 seasons as they won a Super Bowl, been to another, and were a consistent 10 plus win team year in year out. In fact, the Colts set an NFL record with nine consecutive 10 win seasons from 2002-2010. As for Manning, well he's made big time money and deservedly so. He turned Indianapolis from a loser into a winner almost instantly. Let's face it, before Manning came along, the Colts were not a hotbed in the NFL. Indianapolis was all about Indiana basketball, the Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis 500. Manning comes in and transforms that city into Colts town. Because of Manning, the Colts build a brand new state-of-the-art stadium that otherwise wouldn't be built and they would probably be moving to I don't know, Los Angeles. Plus they just hosted the Super Bowl in their new stadium. There's no way Indy hosts a Super Bowl without that stadium and there's no way they get that stadium without Manning.
It will be hard to move on from a man who meant so much to the city and vice versa. It's hard it's emotional I get it. But everyone needs to put things into perspective. Manning has made tons of money, including $25 million or whatever last year despite Manning not taking a single snap. They gave him that roster bonus and not put him on the IR and kept him on the active roster just to give him the bonus. Now to pay him $28 million with the chance that he might not play or play up to his Hall of Fame level. Plus he's 36 so he isn't getting any younger and he's had several neck surgeries the past few years. The Colts went 2-14 without him and are drafting 1st overall and they will probably take Andrew Luck, who many claim is the next Peyton Manning. We shall wait and see. Owner Jim Irsay cleaned house of the front office, including the man who drafted Manning back in 98, Bill Polian, and also got rid of the coach. It's clear they want to start over and Manning should want to move on and win somewhere else because Indy is not going to have a ton of talent for him to work with. If he wants to win a Super Bowl and I know he does, he won't do it in Indy. He already gave Indy a Super Bowl trophy and another appearance a couple of years ago. As for the fans, it's tough but it's life. Nothing lasts forever. But the good news is your getting Andrew Luck, who I'm sure won't replicate what Manning has done right off the bat but I bet you he will be a very good QB in his own right a few years down the road. With a chance for another 10-15 years of success, would you give up another year of possibly awful football? Especially when Luck falls right into your lap?
Look at how some teams have moved on from their franchise quarterback over the years. The San Francisco 49ers went from Joe Montana to Steve Young and even to Jeff Garcia, who had some good years in the bay area. Green Bay went from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. So as you see, you go from great QB to another, the transition is a lot easier than expected. Of course the guy coming in has to prove but once he does, you almost forget about the guy before. Of course some teams like Miami and Buffalo have lost franchise QBs and have not been the same. I still remember the Bills cutting Jim Kelly and him retiring 15 years ago. I never expected the Bills to go this long without getting some sort of good quarterback. They've missed on so many and it's no surprise that they have missed the playoffs 12 years in a row. Look what Manning has done to energize an entire city and region, don't you think an elite franchise QB could the same for Buffalo? It did in the early 90s with Kelly as the Bills were one of the best teams in the NFL and went to 4 straight Super Bowls. I heard on the Colin Cowherd show that the Bears have made something like 17 different starting quarterbacks since Peyton broke into the league in 1998. I think he said Miami has had 15 or 16. Manning had not missed a single game from 1998 to 2010, 208 consecutive starts, only behind Brett Favre's record of 297 consecutive starts. His durability especially after taking a beating in his last few years is amazing.
Being a Bills fan, I have to say I have no sympathy for Colts fans. You had 14 amazing years with Manning, winning a Super Bowl, and now you get Andrew Luck. There's a chance of you possibly having 25-30 years of awesome quarterbacking. You even got a Super Bowl in your city. You have a new stadium. Our stadium is old and dilapidated. I like it but it doesn't compete with the new stadiums around the league. Did I mention we don't have a quarterback nor having a possible franchise QB fall into our laps like you guys did after a horrible season? It's like winning the lottery, living it up for 14 years and blowing it all only to win the lottery once again. If they aren't in the position to draft Luck, I believe the Colts keep him. Luck is the no-brainer move. You might take a step backwards but let's face it, you're already backwards after Manning was out. Take a step back now so that you will take many steps forward in the not to distant future. For those of you who are mad and/or an Andrew Luck hater, how about not having any good quarterback for over a decade and being irrelevant?
Colt fans, you've known since last Sept. this was happening so don't act all surprised. This wasn't like Lebron James telling Cleveland he was leaving to Miami on a prime time television special on ESPN. As for Manning, he will continue to rack in the dough and for the first time in his career, he will choose where he wants to go and possibly win another Super Bowl. He will have the chance to energize another city much like the way he did in Indy whether it's Miami, Arizona, Washington, or wherever. Jersey sales and revenue will continue to grow. Another team that was downtrodden will be more relevant and that's good for the league. Manning's not retired he will still play.
It will be hard to move on from a man who meant so much to the city and vice versa. It's hard it's emotional I get it. But everyone needs to put things into perspective. Manning has made tons of money, including $25 million or whatever last year despite Manning not taking a single snap. They gave him that roster bonus and not put him on the IR and kept him on the active roster just to give him the bonus. Now to pay him $28 million with the chance that he might not play or play up to his Hall of Fame level. Plus he's 36 so he isn't getting any younger and he's had several neck surgeries the past few years. The Colts went 2-14 without him and are drafting 1st overall and they will probably take Andrew Luck, who many claim is the next Peyton Manning. We shall wait and see. Owner Jim Irsay cleaned house of the front office, including the man who drafted Manning back in 98, Bill Polian, and also got rid of the coach. It's clear they want to start over and Manning should want to move on and win somewhere else because Indy is not going to have a ton of talent for him to work with. If he wants to win a Super Bowl and I know he does, he won't do it in Indy. He already gave Indy a Super Bowl trophy and another appearance a couple of years ago. As for the fans, it's tough but it's life. Nothing lasts forever. But the good news is your getting Andrew Luck, who I'm sure won't replicate what Manning has done right off the bat but I bet you he will be a very good QB in his own right a few years down the road. With a chance for another 10-15 years of success, would you give up another year of possibly awful football? Especially when Luck falls right into your lap?
Look at how some teams have moved on from their franchise quarterback over the years. The San Francisco 49ers went from Joe Montana to Steve Young and even to Jeff Garcia, who had some good years in the bay area. Green Bay went from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. So as you see, you go from great QB to another, the transition is a lot easier than expected. Of course the guy coming in has to prove but once he does, you almost forget about the guy before. Of course some teams like Miami and Buffalo have lost franchise QBs and have not been the same. I still remember the Bills cutting Jim Kelly and him retiring 15 years ago. I never expected the Bills to go this long without getting some sort of good quarterback. They've missed on so many and it's no surprise that they have missed the playoffs 12 years in a row. Look what Manning has done to energize an entire city and region, don't you think an elite franchise QB could the same for Buffalo? It did in the early 90s with Kelly as the Bills were one of the best teams in the NFL and went to 4 straight Super Bowls. I heard on the Colin Cowherd show that the Bears have made something like 17 different starting quarterbacks since Peyton broke into the league in 1998. I think he said Miami has had 15 or 16. Manning had not missed a single game from 1998 to 2010, 208 consecutive starts, only behind Brett Favre's record of 297 consecutive starts. His durability especially after taking a beating in his last few years is amazing.
Being a Bills fan, I have to say I have no sympathy for Colts fans. You had 14 amazing years with Manning, winning a Super Bowl, and now you get Andrew Luck. There's a chance of you possibly having 25-30 years of awesome quarterbacking. You even got a Super Bowl in your city. You have a new stadium. Our stadium is old and dilapidated. I like it but it doesn't compete with the new stadiums around the league. Did I mention we don't have a quarterback nor having a possible franchise QB fall into our laps like you guys did after a horrible season? It's like winning the lottery, living it up for 14 years and blowing it all only to win the lottery once again. If they aren't in the position to draft Luck, I believe the Colts keep him. Luck is the no-brainer move. You might take a step backwards but let's face it, you're already backwards after Manning was out. Take a step back now so that you will take many steps forward in the not to distant future. For those of you who are mad and/or an Andrew Luck hater, how about not having any good quarterback for over a decade and being irrelevant?
Colt fans, you've known since last Sept. this was happening so don't act all surprised. This wasn't like Lebron James telling Cleveland he was leaving to Miami on a prime time television special on ESPN. As for Manning, he will continue to rack in the dough and for the first time in his career, he will choose where he wants to go and possibly win another Super Bowl. He will have the chance to energize another city much like the way he did in Indy whether it's Miami, Arizona, Washington, or wherever. Jersey sales and revenue will continue to grow. Another team that was downtrodden will be more relevant and that's good for the league. Manning's not retired he will still play.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
It's Time For Roy To Go, Need a True No. 1 Center
I thought at the trade deadline, the Sabres would get rid of Derek Roy. Roy has been having his worst season as a Sabre since he became a fixture on this team in the 2005-06 season. He currently has 14 goals and 36 points in 64 games and is also a -11. Excluding his rookie season in 03-04 (when he only played in 49 games) and his injury shortened season a year ago, his lowest goal and point totals came in 05-06 when he had 18 goals and 46 points in 70 games. He might surpass them, "might." He had been playing better with 11 points in a 12-game stretch which might have led many to think his trade value had been increased in order to trade for him. The deal must not have been that good because he is still here over a week later. They did get a 1st round pick for Paul Gaustad, a 4th line center. Recently, Roy has cooled off as he has been pointless the last 3 games and is a -4. Last night's "must-win" game against Winnipeg in which the Sabres would have been in an 8th place tie for the playoffs if they won in regulation, the line of Roy, Tomas Vanek, and Jason Pominville produced 0 points and was on the ice for both Jet goals in the 3rd period in a 3-1 loss.
It's obvious that Roy has struggled this season and now the top-two scorers in Pominville and Vanek have struggled on his line. To be fair, Vanek has struggled with just 4 goals since the 1st of the year and that was before Roy was centering his line. Pominville has been in a season-worst slump of 6 consecutive games without a point. They had been winning without the top line producing. But now in last night's loss when the top line should have gotten them a clutch goal in the 3rd period, they failed to produce and gave up two goals. Now it's time to get Roy off that line. Hopefully they put Cody Hodgson on the top line even though he had been playing well on the Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford line. IDK about Ville Leino, who has been well with Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta. Roy should actually be a healthy scratch tomorrow night at home against Carolina.
The obvious thing is that in the offseason Roy needs to go. He's got one more year left on his deal and I'm sure he won't yield much of a return, but who cares he needs to go for whatever. I know they will lose a center, but I don't care. They need to get a number 1 center anyways either through a trade or possibly trade up to draft one in the top-3. Roy is not a number one center and this point, he is a number 3 or possibly 4. Roy just doesn't have a place on this team unless it's the 4th line, but you can't really put a $4 million center on the 4th line. There is no sense keeping him on the team after this season whether or not they make the playoffs. As a center your job is to make others around you better and setup players for scoring chances and goals. Also, the center really needs to have awesome puck control and puck possession, especially in the other team's end to create plays and keep the other team from possessing the puck. Roy does none of the above. I don't know what his deal or issue is but clearly he is holding this team and players on his line back.
Vanek has been a problem playing with Roy with the exception of the 2006-07 season. It seems when Vanek plays on a line not centered by Roy, he plays better. It's not a coincidence. Yes Vanek has struggled badly since the 1st of the year and yes all those games were with Roy. But Roy has kept the slump going. This year, Drew Stafford was struggling mightily with Roy on the line. Since being taken off, Stafford has been scoring more and burying his chances. Last season, many of Stafford's 31 goals came after Roy was injured and missed the 2nd half of the season. Stafford did much better last season with Tim Connolly at center. Love or hate Connolly, he was still a natural center that can make players around him better and was a point a game guy. Too bad Connolly didn't bring leadership nor make clutch goals especially in the playoffs. So has Derek Roy. Look, I don't hate Roy and i used to like him a lot as a player even though he can drive you nuts with his whining and taking dumb penalties but he scored. Then two years ago in the playoff loss to the Boston Bruins, he along with Connolly failed to score a single goal and i thought it was time to go. Plus Roy has been publicly admitting that he doesn't follow Lindy Ruff's system and admitted that he should follow his system. Yea no duh Roy.
Last season, Roy was having his best season with 35 points in 35 games before being injured and missing the rest of the regular season. At that point, the Sabres were 10 points out of a playoff spot and were one of the bottom five teams in the league. Players like Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Connolly, Hecht, Tyler Myers, Nathan Gerbe, and even Ryan Miller were struggling. When he was out, all these players played much better after the 1st of the year and they had the best record in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs without Roy in the lineup. I don't think that's a coincidence. This season, many of the Sabres are having their career-worst seasons and Roy has been in the lineup most of the season and they are currently on the outside looking in.
Look, I don't want to put all the blame on Roy the other players are paid to play too so if there is a problem Roy, they need to address it and deal with it. That's life. Guys like Miller, Vanek, Stafford, and Myers who have struggled all or most of the season make big money and it's up to them to figure out a way to get their heads out of their you know what's and play up to their contracts. That being said, Roy is still a huge problem and there is a large body of work showing that the team is better without him. That should be enough to justify parting ways with him and doing the best to get another center in here. I like Hodgson so far, Ennis had played well at center, Leino struggled at center but has played much better the past couple of weeks, and Luke Adam was off to a great start before going a long stretch without a point and being sent down to Rochester. It's important to get a legit number one center and build center depth. We have a surplus of defensemen, wingers, and even draft picks to package for a deal for a number one center or move into the top-3 of the draft. I don't care Darcy, get us a number one center. It is obvious that Roy is not the answer.
It's obvious that Roy has struggled this season and now the top-two scorers in Pominville and Vanek have struggled on his line. To be fair, Vanek has struggled with just 4 goals since the 1st of the year and that was before Roy was centering his line. Pominville has been in a season-worst slump of 6 consecutive games without a point. They had been winning without the top line producing. But now in last night's loss when the top line should have gotten them a clutch goal in the 3rd period, they failed to produce and gave up two goals. Now it's time to get Roy off that line. Hopefully they put Cody Hodgson on the top line even though he had been playing well on the Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford line. IDK about Ville Leino, who has been well with Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta. Roy should actually be a healthy scratch tomorrow night at home against Carolina.
The obvious thing is that in the offseason Roy needs to go. He's got one more year left on his deal and I'm sure he won't yield much of a return, but who cares he needs to go for whatever. I know they will lose a center, but I don't care. They need to get a number 1 center anyways either through a trade or possibly trade up to draft one in the top-3. Roy is not a number one center and this point, he is a number 3 or possibly 4. Roy just doesn't have a place on this team unless it's the 4th line, but you can't really put a $4 million center on the 4th line. There is no sense keeping him on the team after this season whether or not they make the playoffs. As a center your job is to make others around you better and setup players for scoring chances and goals. Also, the center really needs to have awesome puck control and puck possession, especially in the other team's end to create plays and keep the other team from possessing the puck. Roy does none of the above. I don't know what his deal or issue is but clearly he is holding this team and players on his line back.
Vanek has been a problem playing with Roy with the exception of the 2006-07 season. It seems when Vanek plays on a line not centered by Roy, he plays better. It's not a coincidence. Yes Vanek has struggled badly since the 1st of the year and yes all those games were with Roy. But Roy has kept the slump going. This year, Drew Stafford was struggling mightily with Roy on the line. Since being taken off, Stafford has been scoring more and burying his chances. Last season, many of Stafford's 31 goals came after Roy was injured and missed the 2nd half of the season. Stafford did much better last season with Tim Connolly at center. Love or hate Connolly, he was still a natural center that can make players around him better and was a point a game guy. Too bad Connolly didn't bring leadership nor make clutch goals especially in the playoffs. So has Derek Roy. Look, I don't hate Roy and i used to like him a lot as a player even though he can drive you nuts with his whining and taking dumb penalties but he scored. Then two years ago in the playoff loss to the Boston Bruins, he along with Connolly failed to score a single goal and i thought it was time to go. Plus Roy has been publicly admitting that he doesn't follow Lindy Ruff's system and admitted that he should follow his system. Yea no duh Roy.
Last season, Roy was having his best season with 35 points in 35 games before being injured and missing the rest of the regular season. At that point, the Sabres were 10 points out of a playoff spot and were one of the bottom five teams in the league. Players like Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Connolly, Hecht, Tyler Myers, Nathan Gerbe, and even Ryan Miller were struggling. When he was out, all these players played much better after the 1st of the year and they had the best record in the Eastern Conference and made the playoffs without Roy in the lineup. I don't think that's a coincidence. This season, many of the Sabres are having their career-worst seasons and Roy has been in the lineup most of the season and they are currently on the outside looking in.
Look, I don't want to put all the blame on Roy the other players are paid to play too so if there is a problem Roy, they need to address it and deal with it. That's life. Guys like Miller, Vanek, Stafford, and Myers who have struggled all or most of the season make big money and it's up to them to figure out a way to get their heads out of their you know what's and play up to their contracts. That being said, Roy is still a huge problem and there is a large body of work showing that the team is better without him. That should be enough to justify parting ways with him and doing the best to get another center in here. I like Hodgson so far, Ennis had played well at center, Leino struggled at center but has played much better the past couple of weeks, and Luke Adam was off to a great start before going a long stretch without a point and being sent down to Rochester. It's important to get a legit number one center and build center depth. We have a surplus of defensemen, wingers, and even draft picks to package for a deal for a number one center or move into the top-3 of the draft. I don't care Darcy, get us a number one center. It is obvious that Roy is not the answer.
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