2016 NFL Draft QB Cardale Jones Bills 4th Round Pick

By Steve

Last pick of the 4th round, 139th, the Bills picked Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones.
Woooooot
A+
Couldnt love it more. Guy is huge, has played in big games for a great coach and has just about everything. Does he like football? Is he motivated? We'll see

6'5 rocket arm. Only 270 career pass attempts. Benched last year.

We didnt come here to play school

2016 Buffalo Bills Draft After Round 3

By Steve

Three rounds, three picks, 3 defense front 7 selections. Clemson, Albama and Ohio State, Lawson, Ragland and Washington.

Are they all seeming good players? Yes. Did the Billa need any of them TWO years ago? No. Will they all make an impact this season? Probably.

It comes down to one question. Do you trust in, believe in, buy in, to REX RYAN.

The Bills err Doug Whaley used 5 picks for those three players. 2 fourth round 1 second and 1 first for those 3 players. All on defense. After two days the offense has been addressed zero iota. None. Zip. Zero. Wide receiver, oline, QB, all need attentiona dn depth yet Doug, Rex, Kim, GMTM and co decided front 7 defense was the only way to go.

Is this wise? Again it all comes down to one questio. Do you believe into, buy into, Rex Ryan? Clearly he is picking these players. They fit into HIS defense. They are HIS boys.

Will Rex be the head coach in 2018? Will these guys contribute regardless of the headcoach? Did they miss on a potential franchise QB? Is the offense set?

My opinion. NO.

Grade C+

2016 1st Round Buffalo Bills Select Shaq Lawson

By Steve

From Clemson defensive end Shaq lawson. Only one year of production. The comparisons to Vic Beasley will be there.

He has a shoulder issue but should be fine but he will need surgery after his season. Its a solid pick I suppose albeit Myles Jack was on the board. He was a beast in the National Championship and looked great all year

Rex being associated with Clemson is a concern but you gotta build the defensive frnt 7 cause it sucks.

Grade B-

2016 NFL Draft Predictions

By Steve

2016 NFL Draft predictions

Bills take Jarron Reed

Robert Nmekdiche falls into 2nd round

Some team trades up late 1st round for Paxton Lynch.

Carson Wentz will be better than Goff.

Zeek Eliot to the Cowboys

Browns trade again Thursday

Too many OTs go in the top 12

Myles Jack falls past 12

Only 3 QBs are taken

Christian Hackenberg will suck

2016 NFL Draft: QB Rankings

By Steve

Draft fever and I have the antibiotics (oh wait a fever is usually caused by a virus.. nevermind) here are my final Quarterback rankings:

1. Carson Wentz
Big mid western boy who played against Buff State I think. Sit for a year dawg.

2. Jared Goff
Figured he'd stay another year cause he isnt great. At least there is no pressure in LA

3. Kevin Hogan
Probably falling victim to watching Hogan (who has the same body as Luck) playing right after Andrew Luck in the same system.

4. Cardale Jones
Big game experience, big body, big program and doesnt play school for the Buckeyes. Is he motivated? Is he coachable? Does he love football?

5. Paxton Lynch
Intangibles and athletic. Needs to ride pine.

6. Connor Cook
Why did Michigan State not miss him against OSU in the biggest game of the entire NCAA year to that point?

7. Christian Hackenberg
Dude got out played by Joe Licata head to head earlier this year. Yes he changed head coaches and thus systems but if he was so inadequate why not transfer? Shouldnt a GOOD QB show SOMETHING in any system? Dissapointing.

2016 NFL Draft Big Board Final

Here is Steve's final big board for the 2016 NFL Draft

PODCAST: Bills 2016 NFL Draft Preview

Steve and Coast look at the Bills offseason thus far and preview the upcoming NFL draft

Buffalo Bills Betting Lines for 2016 Season

By Steve

Spreads err betting lines are out for the first 16 weeks of the 2016 NFL season per @covers and @cgtechnology_

2016 Buffalo Bills Lines:

Week 1
@ Ravens
+3

Week 2
V Jets
-2

Week 3
V Cardinals
+2.5

Week 4
@ Patriots
+7

Week 5
@ Rams
+1

Week 6
V 49ers
-7

Week 7
@ Dolphins
+1

Week 8
V Patriots
+3

Week 9
@ Seahawks +10

Bye

Week 11
@ Bengals +5.5

Week 12
V Jaguars
-5

Week 13
@ Raiders
+1.5

Week 14
V Steelers
+2

Week 15
V Browns
-9

Week 16
V Dolphins
-3.5

The Bills are favored in five games with two games getting one point. The biggest spreads are +10 in Seattle on MNF and giving 7 home vs SF

Bills 2016 Mock Draft Round Up

by Steve

The draft is a week away FINALLY so let's see who all the 'experts' are picking for the Buffalo Bills at pick 19 and my superb insight follows each prediction:

Walterfootball
Reggie Ragland ILB Alabama
"The Bills generally did not have quality play from their linebacking corps this past season. Manny Lawson was just OK, while Nigel Bradham struggled in Rex Ryan's scheme. Bradham went on to sign with the Eagles this offseason, so a replacement is needed. Reggie Ragland, one of the top players available, projects well to Ryan's scheme."

Doug Whaley today said Ragland "could be" a three down LB not that he is.  Inside linebackers (unless elite side-to-side does everything Keuchly esque player) are interchangeable at low-ish impact on any one game.  Sure they rack up big tackle numbers but how good was Paul Posluszny?  This selection would be a let down despite filling a need.


WGR550
Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss
"Treadwell remains the top wide receiver on most boards, but his slower forty time (4.63) has teams in the top-20 looking for a number-one wideout shy away.  The Bills don’t need a number-one.  They need a number-two, and with the latest reports that Percy Harvin has decided not to play next season, Treadwell makes a lot of sense and is the perfect complement to Sammy Watkins for that role.  "

I'm torn on this pick.  At first glance it seems like a no brainer.  The Bills have no decent receiver behind Watkins and getting (possibly) the best WR in the draft at 19 would be fortuitous. Not to mention I loved this dude at Ole Miss despite that horrific injury he suffered a few seasons ago.  But, picking another wide out in the first round and using 3 first round picks on WRs in 3 years is preposterous.  It would seem to contradict Whaley's own decision to foolishly trade up for Watkins two years ago.  Not to mention the whole design of their offense is predicated on running the ball not throwing the ball (oh and Tyrod Taylor is the quarterback). Bottom line it would be ballsy but quite compelling. (maybe trade out if there is a lot of interest in Treadwell and he's available?)


Todd McShay
1st round
Reggie Ragland
2nd round
Jonathan Bullard DE Florida
3rd round 
Keivarae Russell CB Notre Dame

Defense defense defense? Yeah Rex Ryan isn't picking the players and our wives wanna have a three some.  Whilst I don't hate the picks they aren't inspiring or in tuned with today's NFL (seemingly).


Mel Kiper
Jan 1 Jonathan Allen DE Alabama
Feb 18 Kevin Dodd DE Clemson
Mar 8 Robert Nkemdiche DE Miss
Apr 6 Shaw Lawson DE Clemson

See a pattern here?  It seems like Kiper picks a new player every single mock draft just to throw every player out there and see which one sticks.  Then again he's the rich mock draft expert and my house is 1200 sq ft.  I'd like any of these dudes at 19 albeit they can't all be equal. Lawson would be my top selection, Nkemdiche has the pedigree but him being the #1 prospect since he was 15 might hurt his drive, inspiration etc AND him falling out of windows high on 'spice' raises a red flag.  Then again maybe that's why he's falling to 19 in the first place.


NFL.com
Reggie Ragland
"Ragland will provide the Bills with a physical presence in the middle of their defense."


WKBW
A'Shawn Robinson DL Alabama

"With both Darron Lee and Reggie Ragland off the board, some sort of defensive lineman could get an extended look by the Bills. Many have linked the Bills with Jarran Reed, but in a league that features base defenses less and less, I don't believe he's even the best fit from his own college defensive line. Reed is a two-down run-stuffer, which serves a purpose. However, with the potential and versatility that A'Shawn Robinson provides, he becomes someone to keep in the front of your mind as a potential Bills pick. Robinson can play five-technique defensive end in a 3-4, he can slide inside to nose tackle, he can be a defensive tackle in even-man fronts, too. Basically, with a combination of Robinson and Marcell Dareus, you can move both pieces all over the place along the defensive line. Plus, with Kyle Williams and Corbin Bryant both entering the final year of their contracts, it would be prudent for the Bills to act now on the defensive line."

The description sounds good to me.  With Rex calling the shots it is inevitable the Bills go defense at 19 and with no QB worth the pick, why not?  Buscaglia only has the Bills going Robinson here because both highly rated linebackers Lee and Ragland are off the board so does that mean the Bills might be caught flatfooted?  Is he better than Dodd and Nkemdiche?


Buffalo News
Noah Spence DE Eastern Kentucky
"The Bills’ willingness to give players a second chance has been well documented. Spence is in need of that after having been booted out of the Big Ten for failed drug tests. He seems to have gotten his life together during one season at Eastern Kentucky, during which he racked up 22.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, earning All-American honors. The Bills need to add some more punch to their pass rush opposite Jerry Hughes, and Spence can really bring the heat off the edge. He’s also not a pushover in the run game. The NFL is all about rushing the opposing passer, and Spence is one of the best playmakers in the draft in that regard."

I don't like the pick. If you get booted from Ohio State and not even OSU but the entire conference?!  Then again I'm sure mister spice errr Spence faced some brutal competition in the Ohio Valley Conference. Another Rex bad boy!

Breaking Down Bills 2016 Schedule

By Steve

It is officially football season in Buffalo. The sked is out, the Sabres are to making the playoffs like the Bills are to making the playoffs err wait the Sabres are to making the playoffs like March in Buffalo is to Spring. Whatever, lets breakdown the schedule:

Week1  @ Baltimore
Winnable game against a team in flux. The line is +3 but Baltimore is a tough place to win. Last time I went to Bills at Ravens they lost in OT in tragic fashion. Give me a win.

Week 2  TNF v Jets
The Bills aren't good enough to start 2-0 but they aren't bad enough to start 0-2 either. Crowd will be 💯 and Bryce Petty will be rattled.
Win

Week 3  Cardinals
Woww I am way too positive right now. The Cardinals going West, after a great season, with a terrible finish.. that might equate to a let down season for Arians Palmer and co. But i cant predict a 3-0 start. Ooops
Win!

Week 4  @ Patriots
Lololol loss

After 4 games some how I have the Bills at 3-1 yikes.

Week 5  @ Rams
Slight chance I roll into SoCal. Im on a hot streak 1-0 in last 1 roadies. Rams suck but the Bills haven't traveled well out west in a while.
Tough L.

Week 6  v 49ers
Chip Kelly owns Rex Ryan and the Bills have been awful against SF for a while now. A tie would be a cop out so a lucky win is the prediction.
W barely.

Week 7  @ Dolphins
No respect for Adam Gase or Tannehill. Nothing is a given except Ryan Tannehill playing like shit against Buffalo.
Winnn

Week 8  v Patriots
Another devastating loss again and again and again another one. Uggghhh harumph.

After 8 games some 5-3

Week 9 @ Seahawks MNF
WTF?  This game makes zero sense. Why have two teams with absolutely no history together and zero chance of one team winning play against each other. Is this a cruel joke? Does the NFL hate ESPN? Granted this is a trap game for Seattle with two slobberknockers sandwiched on the outside (?) of this game but I have the spread at -27.5.
Blood bath, death bye great white shark.

Week 10  BYE
Love this strategically placed bye week. Middle of the season and after a bad loss on the west coast. Regroup boiiiiis.

Week 11  @ Bengals
What a coinkidink the fucking Cincinnati GOD DAMN Bengals in a win or the season might be in the tank game AGAIN. This team haunts me more than gym locker room hazing in high school. Knowing everything I know, ugh...
Loss

Week 12   Jaguars
Payback? I could see Jax shredding Rex and co yet again but c'mon EJ aint taking that field again (gulp [hopefully]).
Win but nail biter.

Week 13  @ Raiders
Black hole problems. Then again last time the Bills played the Raiders we thought it was a gauranteed win, does that mean this time we think its a gauranteed loss? Coin flip lands on tails
Loss

6-6 after 12 games. Smells like everything I've smelled for 16 years. Fuck.

Week 14 v Steelers
Is Rex coaching for his career in this game? Will zombie Rapelisraper be in a full body cast yet? How many piss stained shitsburgh towels am i gonna stomp, 50? 100? More? This game might get flexed (lolz probs not)
Loss

Week 15  v Browns
Not a gimme but fuck the Browns, they have no talent.
Win

Week 16  v Dolphins
Three straight home games in December? What did my Dad do to piss off the schedule makers? Christmas eve? Not gonna be a sober church trip that evening ha.
Win

Week 17  @ Jets
Bring it on home Rexie. What a meaningless game. Probably... but is it possible Bowels and co rain on our wild card parade? Whats good for the goose is good for the gander? Wouldn't you believe it, its just my luck.
Loss

.
.

Final record?
8-8
Lol

2016 Buffalo Bills Schedule official

3 december games?

Possible Leaked 2016 Bills Schedule

Week 1 road vs baltimore week 2 TNf at home vs Jets? More:

Re-Evaluating the Evander Kane Trade

By Steve

It has been 1+ seasons since the "blockbuster" Evander Kane trade went down. This breakdown doesnt even include the fact the Jets made the playoffs after this trade last season. But lets review:

The Sabres traded Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brandon Lemiuex and (2015 first round pick) Jack Roslovic for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and a college goalie.  On paper that looks like a horrible trade. Let's delve deeper.
Their contracts
Myers has 3 years $5.5 per left, Stafford is a FA Lemiuex and Roslovic earn basically nothing.  Bogosian has 4 years $5.1 per left, Kane has 2 years $5.25 left.
Stats this season
Kane 20 goals (FOUR WERE EMPTY NET) 15 assists 35 points -14
Stafford 21 goals 17 assists 38 points -23
Bogosian 7 goals 17 assists 24 points -11
Myers 9 goals 18 assists 27 points +6

So Myers and Stafford had more goals more assists more points than Bogosian and Kane?
Oh yeah that doesn't include the 31st overall pick the 28th overall pick and former 16th overall pick Joel Armia who had 4 goals and 6 assists in limited time this season in the NHL.

Ouch, looks like Tim Murray officially loses his genius title. So yes, this looks like an all time boner of a trade after one season. Then again the Jets look to be worse off than the Sabres (for different reasons) Stafford is a UFA, Myers and Bogosian are close to a wash and Armia and the 2015 first rounder are big questionmarks.

But, what can Evander Kane do at this point for the Sabres to even remotely "win" this trade? Seems impossible

Buffalo Sabres Season is Over Finally GMTM on the Hot Seat

by Steve

Wow that was a long boring 82 games but the Sabres 2015-2016 season is finally over. For the fifth year in a row (in a league where 53% of the teams make the playoffs each year) the Sabres did not qualify for the playoffs. THE PROCESS!!!!

Yes, the Sabres improved on their back to back 30th place finishes, 22nd!!! Their over under total points according to Las Vegas was 77 and according to my math their 81 total points were better than expected (albeit not by that much). But, they were closer to 30th than the final spot in the Eastern Conference (11 points from the bottom, 12 from 16th).

But hey, the Sabres are improving right?  They have a young "star" center in Jack Eichel (who had an OK 24 goals [and the same number of assists, 32, as McDavid in 36 MORE games]), they have a competent head coach, a good second center in (former malcontent until he was paid $7.5 mil a year) Ryan O'Reilly and a "stud" young defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (forget about Tyler Myers, will you please! lolz). Alright alright fine, they have some good parts, because Tim Murray is a genius who makes great moves!!

Err, does he?  More likely it is because he is surly, speaks the truth and never smiles.  Thus the fans (and the media) love Tim Murray!  But does this guy deserve credit for purposely losing for a few YEARS and getting to draft 2nd overall twice?


The Sabres hired Tim Murray in January 2014 so lets see what moves he's made since:

Matt Moulson
July 1 2014 (first day of free agency) GMTM (as he is affectionately called) decided to throw 5 years and $25 million at this guy.  Since inking the contract as fast as he could, Matty has played in 158 games, recorded 21 goals and 41 assists. 31 points per season! But hey he's only on the team for three more seasons.

Brian Gionta
Again the first day of free agency 2014 he was given 3 years and $12.75 mil. In two seasons 25 goals 43 assists and a combined -18.  But at least he's from Rochester!

Evander Kane trade
The Sabres traded Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Joel Armia, Brandon Lemiuex and (2015 first round pick) Jack Roslovic for Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian and a college goalie.  On paper that looks like a horrible trade. Let's delve deeper. 
Their contracts
Myers has 3 years $5.5 per left, Stafford is a FA Lemiuex and Roslovic earn basically nothing.  Bogosian has 4 years $5.1 per left, Kane has 2 years $5.25 left.
Stats this season
Kane 20 goals 15 assists 35 points -14
Stafford 21 goals 17 assists 38 points -23
Bogosian 7 goals 17 assists 24 points -11
Myers 9 goals 18 assists 27 points +6

So Myers and Stafford had more goals more assists more points than Bogosian and Kane?
Oh yeah that doesn't include the 31st overall pick the 28th overall pick and former 16th overall pick Joel Armia who had 4 goals and 6 assists in limited time this season in the NHL. So yes, this looks like an all time boner of a trade.  Almost incredible looking at it all typed out there, wow.

Now the good stuff

Ryan O'Reilly trade
ROR and Jamie McGinn for Zadorov, Grigorenko, college "star" JT Compher and a 2nd round pick.
McGinn had a good year 22 goals 17 assists and was traded for a 2nd round pick
ROR had 21 goals 39 assists in 71 games
Zadorov barely played in the league 22 games 0 goals 2 assists
Grigerenko had 6 goals and 21 assists in 74 games.

Andddd thats it.

Not saying it is time to fire Tim Murray but christ, this honeymoon has to be over, GMTM has made a good trade and what appears to be a horrible horrible trade. Eichel is clearly no McDavid, giving up a 1st round pick for Robin Lehner is a huge question mark bordering on a horrible move and the team is still not close to the playoffs. Two seasons isn't enough but is 3? 4, 5 6? how many years does he need?

Next season getting back into the playoffs is a must. Not making the playoffs for 6 years in a league where more than half the fucking teams make it each year would be a travesty.