We’ll Take’um

This is a new series where I take a look at possible first round draft picks for the Buffalo Bills called We’ll Take’um

 

The First possible draft pick comes from Lineback U – Penn State. Linebacker Dan Connor is at the top of many Outside Linebacker rankings going into April’s draft. Many experts have Keith Rivers of USC rated higher, but Connor seems to be a better fit for the Buffalo Bills. Connor would reunite with his former teammate Paul Posluszny  who will most likely start at middle linebacker next season. Some experts even rate Connors abilities higher than his former teammate. The only downside is that pick 11 may be a bit of a reach for Connor. However the Bills have shown they are not afraid to reach if they are getting their guy.

The following is the NFLDRAFTCOUNTDOWN.COM Scouting report on Dan Connor,

Strengths:
Above average athleticism…Reliable tackler…Will deliver the big hit…Physical and aggressive…Adequate timed speed…Has sideline-to-sideline range…Does a solid job in coverage…Smart with excellent awareness and instincts…Versatile…A hard worker and leader…Intense and competitive with a non-stop motor…Tough…Has a lot of experience against top competition…Productive…Great program pedigree.

Weaknesses:
A tad undersized and needs to bulk up…He will have to get stronger…Has trouble taking on blockers head-to-head…Isn’t stout at the point…Lacks fluid hips to turn and run in man coverage….A little rigid and mechanical…Minor character concerns.

Notes:
The latest product of Linebacker U…Older brothers Jim (Boston College) and Mike (Lehigh) both played college football…Could project inside or outside at the next level…Was suspended for a few games in 2005 for making harassing phone calls to a former assistant coach..He may have been a little overhyped by the media…A weakside prospect who carries a pro grade similar to Paul Posluszny’s a year ago.

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Career Statistics
Year	GP	TKL	TFL	SACK	PBU	INT
2004	10	85	4.5	1.0	0	1
2005	9	76	5.5	1.5	8	0
2006	13	113	9.0	5.0	2	2
2007	13	145	15.0	6.5	6	1
Totals	45	419	34.0	14.0	16	4

The Phone is For You, Its the Niners.

So its appears that Marv Levy’s phone has been ringing recently. Sources have told jakebett.com that the San Francisco 49ers have been in touch with the Bills regarding injured Quarterback J.P. Losman. The talks are in the early stages, but with SF QB Alex Smith out for sometime it appears they might not consider Trent Dilfer to be a viable option. If anyone is wondering, the niners do not have a first round to give in next years draft because it belongs to the Patriots.

Rant time

I have officially reached my breaking point. If you are one of those jerk face football fans who happens to live in Buffalo but is not a Bills fan, then you might want to switch your channel now. If you are not a Bills fan than that is fine but don’t shove it in my face that I am a fan. Don’t try and make me feel like less of a person because I have a passion for my team. Yes I know the Bills haven’t been good for a while but that doesn’t mean that I can’t support them. I love my team as if they were a family member. Yes they are going to play pittsburgh this weekend, and pittsburgh is a good team. It is going to be tough to win, for sure. They will probably have a tough time beating such a good team but you know what that is no reason to give up, to throw in the towel. Maybe they catch the steelers overlooking them, who knows. This is the NFL and the great thing about that is that anything can happen any given sunday. I don’ t need to hear the Brad Riter radio show where his topic is, call in and tell me how the Bills possibly win this sunday cause he couldnt figure out how. What a positive subject from such a positive guy who is supposed to have season tickets. Im not talking about being a homer. No one is saying that the Bills are winning the Super Bowl or even making the playoffs. Im only talking about support. There is a real jerk in one of my classes. The topic of me going to pittsburgh was brought up. He says its gonna be ugly. I said they might win, you never know. He starts laughing and tells me to be realistic. Thats the kind of crap im talking about. That in itself fired me up. I want the Bills to win just so they and I can shove it in his smug little face. I would like to thank him cause I was so so about going to pittsburgh, now im pumped. The same kid says last week friday that the bills can’t compete with denver and its gonna be over before it starts. He is not a mean person, he is just not a Bills fan, so of course like everyone else he treats them like crap. Today he says, oh you have to admit that game was ugly. If JP Losman hits Evans on the bomb or Elam misses, he takes it up the tailpipe. Even with the loss they were in the lead for the first 59:59 so its not like they Broncos were soooo much better and they could compete.  Everyone is saying that they have been walking around in a daze all week cause of what happened to Kevin. Maybe its the opposite, maybe they are totally focused about going out and getting a win for him. This isnt a guarantee. Im not trying to be Joe Namath, Mike Hart, or Ben Wallace. I believe in my team and know they can do anything they set their mind to. So go ahead, pick against them, put your whole life savings on it. You might win, but maybe, just maybe, the Buffalo Bills show up at Heinz Field Sunday and walk out with a win. Its that kind of pride and faith that make me proud to call myself a Bills fan!!!!

The Hand Warmer

If you look at this picture of former Bill Jim Kelly you will notice a hand warmer being worn around his waist. It has a pouch to fit a handwarmer so when you stick your hands in the side it is warm and toasty. Did I mention that I offically own one of the them and it is my most prized Bills possession

Tank Johnson in Buffalo

According to John Clayton, it looks as if the Bills may make a run at former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson who was released by the team this passed weekend. Johnson had just gotten out of jail and vowed to change his ways but was then quickly pulled over for a DWI. Now whoever takes him on will have to understand that he has been suspended for the first part of the season so they will most likely will not get his services until a late season playoff run. On top of that he will come cheap cause he is only scheduled to make 510,000 dollars this season and the team that takes him on will only pay 240,00 dollars for the playoff run. Now, the bad part is he is in no way a Marv Levy guy. However, Marv did take Marshawn Lynch with the first pick in the draft who had some previous problems. It Darwin walker does indeed walk his way back to Philly then look for the Bills to make a push for the Tank.

Booster Club Mania

 

Their were several breaking news stories coming out of this months buffalo bills booster club meeting and here they are.

CAMPER PARKING————– According to Denny Lynch, the camper parking has been moved across abbott road from where it is now. This was tried a few years ago and it was met with a lot of resistance so look for this to once again happen this time around

BRAD RITER TICKETS—————- Apparently Brad Riter from WGR 550 is no longer working gamedays and has used that opportunity to buy season tickets. He seems very excited about it and is slowly becoming a homer.

CHUCK LESTER IS ANGRY———– Bills assitant coach Chuck Lester was a guest speaker. First he basically told Brad Riter and WGR to shove their opinions up their asses. He then ripped Tom Donahoe calling the previous regime, Pittsburgh Steelers north. He was actually very interesting to listen to since he has been around for over 20 years.

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As far as the rest of the meeting it was pretty normal and below  are some thumbnails to various pictures I took throughout the night. Their are a couple of the new scoreboard and ribbon display which is very cool.

Bills Continue to add depth

BUFFALO, NY — In a move to bolster their very young secondary, the Buffalo Bills have added Atlanta castoff, CB Jason Webster. He was cut by the Falcons on May 10th.

The one year deal was signed late Monday with Kansas City, Detroit, and Seattle all putting in bids for his services. Webster hopes to complete an entire season for the first time since 2002. He has appeared in only 38 games in the last 4 seasons and most recently missed the final eight games of ‘06 with a torn groin. He was considered a dissapointment in Atlanta after he signed a six year contract with a seven million dollar bonus.

Expected to join the team for mini camp on Tuesday it is obvious that he will compete for a starting job right away. In the off- season Buffalo said goodbye to veteran corner Nate Clements and will now go to Terrence McGee to fill the spot. However, the team may not be secure in McGees’ place as the number one corner. Also throwing their hat in the ring is sophmore Ashton Youboty, and veterans Kiwakee Thomas and Jabair Greer in what will be one of the most hotley contested position going into the clubs training camp in August.

Career Stats : 86 games played —- 11 interceptions —– 6 forced fumbles

Dwayne Wright

THIS IS THE 4th IN A SEVEN PART SERIES INTRODUCING YOU TO THE BILLS 2007 DRAFT PICK

NAME: Dwayne Wright POSITION: RB COLLEGE: FRESNO STATE MAJOR:COMMUNICATIONS

HEIGHT: 5-foot-11 WEIGHT: 228 lbs CLASS: Jr HOMETOWN: San Diego, CAL 40Y : 4.66 SEC.

Coming back from a serious knee injury suffered during the second game of the 2004 season … was off to a great start in 2004 before his year ended … went through a rigorous rehabilitation that lasted two years to return to 100 percent for the 2006 season … a tough runner who possesses good breakaway speed once he gets through the defensive line … earned the starting job during the 2003 season and had a huge year … spent a lot of time in the weight room and added weight and strength. (2005) Spent the year working on injury rehabilitation. (2004) Played in two games, starting both, before tearing his left patellar tendon when being tackled at the end of a 61-yard pass play in the fourth quarter of the Kansas State game … he missed the remainder of the year as a result … started the season with a 109-yard effort in a win over Washington … he had 74 yards in the KSU contest before going down with the injury. (2003) An honorable mention All-WAC honoree after transferring from junior college … played in all 14 games, starting eight … became the 12th player in program history to gain more than 1,000 rushing yards … supplanted record-holding running back Rodney Davis midway through the season … had consecutive 100-yard games against Louisiana Tech and Portland State … initially made waves with a TD run against top-ranked Oklahoma … came out of the backfield to record 19 catches for 143 yards and a score … finished fourth in the WAC in rushing yards … his best game of the year came against Louisiana Tech when he rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown … just missed an 100-yard game against UTEP (97 yards), Rice (96) and Nevada (91).

Son of Gwen and Wil Washington … Married, wife’s name is Jewelyn … The couple has a daughter, Jewelyn and a son,Demarion … Born June 2, 1983 … Resides in San Diego.

NFL Draft Countdown Analysis —–>

Strengths:
Natural runner with terrific vision, instincts and balance…Has very good size and bulk…Strong and tough……Runs with good pad level…Has good hands and can help as a receiver out of the backfield…An above average blocker…Was always quite productive when healthy…Extremely versatile…Dedicated and mature with top intangibles…Bounced back from a serious injury and had a great junior year.

Weaknesses:
Timed speed is below average and he won’t run away from anyone…Not overly quick or elusive…Has some durability questions…A little older than the average prospect…Does everything well but nothing great…May not have a huge upside.

Compares To: Mike Anderson, Baltimore … Wright is strictly a north-south runner who, like Anderson, is best used between the tackles. He is a physical pounder, but his lack of speed will limit his carries at the next level. He could bulk up for a possible switch to fullback, but if he hopes to remain a tailback he might have to drop some weight in order to improve his overall quickness. For a team looking for an Anderson, Brandon Jacobs (Giants) type, Wright could be a nice fit to get the tough yardage inside the red zone.

McGahee’s Back!!!!

BUFFALO — In a move that sounds a lot like Drew Rosenhaus, Bills Defensive Tackle Darwin Walker wants a new contract without even putting on a jersey.

The free agent signee has two years left on the contract he signed with Philadelphia and is reportedly not satisfied with it. New Jersey based agent Albert Irby has said that his client will not report to the Buffalo mini camp that opens up this Saturday until a new deal is struck. According to Irby, the Bills were aware of this when they made the deal.

At this point the Bills will not lose too much sleep over the situation. The important thing would be to have Walker available for training camp in August. Idealy the team would like to have him available this weekend so that he can get a jump start on learning the system but they cannot force him. From what JAKEBETT.com has learned, Walker does not have plans to sit out the month long stay on the campus of St. John Fischer.

Rookies are due to report for mini camp on Saturday through Monday, while the whole team will have a camp from June 11 -13th.

THIS IS THE 3RD IN A SEVEN PART SERIES  YOU TO THE BILLS 2007 DRAFT PICKS

NAME: JOHN WENDLING   POSITION: S      COLLEGE: WYOMING      MAJOR:BUSINESS ADMIN.
HEIGHT: 6-foot-1      WEIGHT: 222 lbs   CLASS: Sr      HOMETOWN: ROCK SPRINGS, WY   40Y : 4.48 SEC.

John Wendling will enter his senior season as a leading All-America candidate in 2006. A three-year starter at safety for the Cowboys, he has added 13 pounds to his frame from a year ago, while maintaining his speed and explosiveness — he ran a 4.38 40-yard time during winter conditioning and posted a vertical jump of 40.9 inches. During 2006 spring practice, Wendling trained at the strong-safety position, in addition to his familiar free-safety spot. He could be utilized at either position his senior year. Prior to the 2005 season, he was ranked by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview as the No. 16 best free safety in the nation. Business Administration major, earning Academic All-Mountain West Conference, All-District VII, All-America and Draddy Award finalist recognition … Son of Carol and Randal Wendling … Born June 4, 1983 in Cody, Wyo. … Resides in Rock Springs, Wyo.

NFL DRAFT COUNTDOWN BREAKDOWN —–>

Strengths:
Excellent size and tremendous bulk…Has outstanding timed speed considering his frame…Physical and aggressive…A playmaker with good leaping ability and body control…Solid tackler and does a superb job versus the run…A hard worker and leader with elite intangibles…Very smart…Versatile…Has a good deal of upside.

Weaknesses:
Might not be quite as fluid, smooth or agile as his workout numbers would lead you to believe…He lacks great instincts…Needs some work on his technique and fundamentals…Does not always look real comfortable in coverage…Takes some false steps and poor angles at times…The level of competition may be a concern.

Compares To: Kerry Rhoees, New York Jets — Wendling is a tight coverage defender with good speed and keen field instincts … Like Rhodes, he has a knack for always being in position to make the plays in front of him … He shows ease of movement in his backpedal and natural hands for the interception … He needs to use those hands more effectively in attempts to shed blocks and, while he shows good force behind his hits, his wrap-up tackle technique needs refinement … With his ability to play both safety positions, he should see immediate action in nickel and dime schemes.