Inside The Bills

Report: Bills trying to move up

Bills GM Buddy Nix is not a fan of surrendering draft picks, but NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora is reporting that the Bills are trying to move up higher in round two.

@JasonLaCanfora Hearing the Giants and Bills among teams exploring trading up, with OL in mind. Some tackles out there they like

It’s not surprising that the Bills feel they have to move up to secure one of the top tackles still on the board. Buddy Nix told Buffalobills.com earlier today that he anticipated that a run on tackles would start early after only two came off the board in round one last night.

Buffalo expressed an interest in Georgia’s Cordy Glenn feeling he can be a starting left tackle. Stanford’s Jonathan Martin and Ohio State’s Mike Adams could also be in the mix. All three made pre-draft visits to Buffalo.

Meanwhile the Giants, who picked 32nd last night seem to have it backwards. They took RB David Wilson with the last pick last night and are now trying to move up to get an OT. Should’ve taken the OT last night and probably wouldn’t have to move up as high in 2nd round to get RB.

More movement early tonight?

There were three trades made in the top 10 Thursday night. Could the same thing happen again tonight? Buddy Nix believes it’s certainly possible.

“Today there maybe will be some movement,” said Nix. ”I think that’s something that’s going to occur every year now.”

Nix didn’t believe there would be as much activity at the top of the board last night, but with the new CBA rolling back rookie salaries the risk in moving up isn’t nearly as cost prohibitive.

“I’ve said it all along that I didn’t think there would be much movement at the top, but that’s going to be something we’ll have to live with considering the new salary cap,” said Nix. ”People are not afraid to move up anymore.”

Wideout depth plentiful

As many as three or four receivers could come off the board at the top of round two before the Bills are even on the clock at 41, but it doesn’t sound as though that will prompt any alarm bells at One Bills Drive.

As Bills GM Buddy Nix sees it there will be receiver value to be had in round 3.

“Even beyond that,” said Nix of the receiver value. ”There are still some good players. It’s deep. I think we can get some help there. We think we’ve got good players (on our roster), but we’d like to add one to it.”

The Bills currently have 10 receivers on their roster.

Among the WR prospects that could go before Buffalo picks are Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill and LSU’s Rueben Randle.

Nix leery of run on OTs in rd. 2

Bills GM Buddy Nix is glad to see that only two offensive tackles came off the board in round one Thursday night, but he’s also wary of a possible run on offensive tackles at the top of round two where Buffalo picks ninth.

“The run starts normally when somebody picks first because some panic sets in and you’re afraid you’re not going to get one,” Nix told Buffalobills.com. ”And that’s when you reach if you’re not careful. I look for that to happen pretty early today.”

The only good news with respect to the start of round two is most, including myself, expect the Rams to take a receiver with the first pick in round two, which hopefully puts off panic across the league.

As for the depth at offensive tackle, Nix believes there’s a good amount of talent remaining on the board.

“I think there’s some depth there,” he said. ”I said that back in January that it was a good year for offensive tackle and I think it goes on down through the round so I think there will be some good ones there.”

Among the top tackles still on the board are Georgia’s Cordy Glenn, Stanford’s Jonathan Martin, Ohio State’s Mike Adams and Troy’s James Brown. All four made pre-draft visits to Buffalo.

Chances were there to move up

Bills GM Buddy Nix said the phone was ringing as other teams were calling as the picks came off the board in the top 10, but Buffalo didn’t want to move up and surrender picks.

“We had opportunities to move up more than move down, and so we listened. We just didn’t want to give up draft picks. I never do like doing that. I think you swap two guys for one and if you miss on that one it costs you dearly. We did not entertain moving down. And then we had some calls to move up but didn’t do it.”

Buffalo sat in place at 10 and obviously took Stephon Gilmore. We’ll have more on Buffalobills.com.

Nix: Like to get 2 tackles

Offensive tackle is clearly the most pressing positional need for Buffalo with just three on the roster. But GM Buddy Nix isn’t pressing the panic button. Here’s why.

Appearing on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 today, Nix said they have a guy they feel is a good starter at left tackle, but that they do need to add to the position.

“I think Chris Hairston is that guy,” Nix said. ”He’s got a clean bill of health. Passed his physical yesterday. He’s 23 or 24-years old. Everything is going to get better with him. We have two starters at tackle, but we don’t have enough of them. We have to add in some way, the draft or free agency we need two guys at tackle. But as far as that being a panic situation or a reach situation it’s not.”

Nix on prospect of trading up

Bills GM Buddy Nix has said more than once he’d prefer not to trade up knowing it costs you draft picks, but he wouldn’t completely close the door.

When I asked him about the possibility of trading up or trading down during our Bills Draft Special interview, Nix told me there have been talks with other NFL clubs and Nix may have inadvertently provided a range in terms of where they’re looking to move.

“We’ve had some calls and there’s been some dialogue with other teams, but most of them are to move up,” said Nix. ”We think that a good playmaker will be there at 10. Unless we get enamored with somebody we’ve got to move to fifth or sixth or seventh to get… I don’t like giving up draft picks.”

As I had suspected if the Bills are indeed trying to move up to land top OT Matt Kalil, Tampa Bay would be the top candidate at 5th overall. They could possibly get the Rams to move back to 10, especially if neither Blackmon or Floyd are off the board. At seven Jacksonville does want to move back, but Buffalo would presumably only make a move with the Jags if Kalil is still on the board and that might not be the case.

The Bills Draft Special airs on WKBW-TV Channel 7 at 7 pm tonight, leading up to the NFL draft at 8 pm.

OT more important than WR

Bills GM Buddy Nix doesn’t pull many punches when asked questions about personnel and the way to build a roster. Appearing on the FAN590 Wednesday morning in Toronto, Nix was asked if he would rank offensive tackle or wide receiver as a more critical position to fill in general.

Here’s what he said.

“I think the left tackle is vital,” said Nix. ”I don’t care how good your receivers are if you’re on your back you can’t throw it to him. You’ve got to protect your quarterback first I think.”

Nix also said that as he sees it about half the teams in the NFL need offensive tackle help. That’s why even if Matt Kalil slips past the Vikings at 3, the chances are still very slim that the USC OT is still on the board for Buffalo at 10.

Nix: We’ll look at everything at 10

In the wake of the latest pre-draft rumor concerning the Bills, with NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly reporting that Buffalo would be interested in Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill were he to fall to them at 10, Bills GM Buddy Nix in a morning radio appearance was asked if they would rule out quarterback at 10.

Appearing on the FAN590 in Toronto Wednesday morning, Nix responded as follows.

“We’ll look. We always do,” Nix said. ”We look at every position. We’re certainly happy with Ryan. There’s no question about that, but we wouldn’t pass up a quarterback or any other position at 10.”

Where Bills feel they’re thin

Positional need isn’t the end all, be all in the decision making when an NFL team is on the clock and has to make a pick, but it’s certainly a factor in what player is chosen. Bills GM Buddy Nix appearing on the Bills draft show, which will air Thursday evening from 7-8 pm on WKBW-TV Channel 7 in Buffalo outlined where he felt the team needs more talent.

“Our goal is to hit on all 10 picks and there are some spots where we need some depth,” he said. ”You saw what happened to us the last two years when you get hit with injuries. We’ve got to put guys back there so there’s not much drop off. Somebody just steps up. We’re thin at offensive tackle, we’re thin at linebacker and we’re thin at defensive back.”

Be sure to watch the Bills Draft Special Thursday night on Channel 7 WKBW-TV in Buffalo for the rest of the one-on-one interview with Buffalo’s personnel boss, as well as a one-on-one with head coach Chan Gailey. Jeff Russo, Steve Tasker and myself also work our way through the top 10 picks in the draft and we preview some of the key positions of need for Buffalo. It’s a jam-packed hour of draft coverage right before round one commences on Thursday from 7-8 pm.

Carrington kicking inside

Bills DL Alex Carrington lined up as a defensive end in Buffalo’s old 3-4 defense, and last year even took snaps as an OLB. That’s all changing now with the defense moving to a 4-3 under defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt.

Bills GM Buddy Nix, appearing in a live online chat on Buffalobills.com Tuesday, was asked where Carrington would now be lining up. Nix said the third-year player is moving to the defensive interior.

“He’s a defensive tackle now,” said Nix. ”He’ll be an inside player.”

Carrington, who carries his weight well, played at 305 pounds last season, so being sturdy enough inside to hold his ground won’t be an issue. The move makes sense with the free agent additions at DE in Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, along with Chris Kelsay’s move back to end from OLB. It’ll be an interesting transition to witness come training camp.

Yes on WR, yes to CB, no to TE

Bills GM Buddy Nix, appearing on a live pre-draft chat on Buffalobills.com Tuesday was asked about some positions he figures to address in the draft. Here were his responses.

The first positional question posed to Nix in the chat was about the health of receivers Donald Jones and Marcus Easley and whether they would add to the receiving corps in the draft.

“They’re healthy,” said Nix. ”But we’ll try to add another wide receiver maybe two.”

12:13

[Comment From NathanNathan: ]  Any chance you guys will draft a Tight End at some point? Tuesday April 24, 2012 12:13 Nathan

12:13

Buddy Nix:  No, probably not.

Nix: 1 of top 2 WRs should be on board

A lot of mock drafts have given the Bills a wide receiver with the 10th overall pick. Appearing on a live chat on Buffalobills.com, Nix was asked if he thought Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd would be on the board when the Bills are on the clock. Here was his answer.

“I think one of them will be there. I’ll leave it at that,” said Nix. 

Get questions ready for Buddy

Bills GM Buddy Nix’s live draft chat is going to begin at noon. Have your questions ready. Just go to this link.

WR Floyd: No recent contact with Bills

Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio Monday morning and was asked about the level of contact he has had with the Bills and the Jaguars, two clubs he’s been projected to go to in a number of mock drafts.

According to SiriusXM NFL Radio host Adam Schein, Floyd indicated he’s had no contact with Buffalo for a while.

Adam Schein ‏Floyd says he hasn’t had any contact with Jacksonville or Buffalo since the Combine. But stresses he would fit in well with Bills.

Although Floyd did not have a pre-draft visit with Buffalo, Bills GM Buddy Nix did confirm last week that he met with Floyd at the combine and at the Notre Dame pro day.

According to Schein, Floyd also said he had a great visit with the New York Jets and believes he’d be a great fit in their offense as well.

Online chat with Buddy Nix

Bills GM Buddy Nix will be making himself available to Bills fans Tuesday in a live online chat.

Nix will be answering fans questions beginning at 12 noon Tuesday. Here’s where you can get in on the chat to submit a question. So have those draft queries ready.

Fitz developing a drawl

Ryan Fitzpatrick hopes his mechanics are even sharper under new quarterbacks coach and strict technician David Lee this season. What he is trying to avoid however, is the development of a southern drawl being surrounded by a host of coaches and players in his position room with southern accents.

“I don’t have any sort of accent,” said the Arizona native. “Being around Buddy (Nix) and Chan (Gailey) and now Coach Lee… they’re all so southern. And Tyler (Thigpen) even I just find myself slipping into a drawl every now and then. I’m telling you it happens. I’ll say some phrase that I’ve never said before.”

Nix is an Alabama native, Gailey hails from Georgia and Thigpen is from South Carolina. David Lee however, is a Missouri native, but he’s likely picked up a bit more of a southern dialect having spent most of his coaching career in the SEC.

No word if ‘y’all’ has been uttered by Fitz as of yet, but he does admit that certain words are coming out of his mouth with a bit more of a southern dialect.

Fan Friday 4-20

Well fans next week at this time we’ll be tuning up for day of the 2012 NFL draft. Should be interesting as always. Don’t forget my seventh annual mock draft will be up on Buffalobills.com on Wednesday morning this coming week, not that I know any more than the next prognosticator. In any event on to your questions.

1 - Chris,

I assume that with Demetrius Bell gone, the Bills will use pick #10 for an offensive left tackle.  Despite the best efforts of Chris Kelsay, I thought that our outside linebacking last season was very poor.  Do you see the Bills selecting a linebacker in the second round and, if so, who might that be?

Paul B.
Lancaster

CB: I’m having trouble convincing myself that any of the top offensive tackles beyond Matt Kalil will be considered worthy (value-wise) of the 10^th pick. I don’t debate the Bills need to add a starting-caliber left tackle to the roster, but Buddy Nix doesn’t stray from his board. If they don’t believe the value is right for a Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin at 10 they’re not going to take him.

That being said I think a real option for them at 10 is Boston College LB Luke Kuechly. There is a noticeable drop off after him. Now the history of linebackers drafted in the top 15 has not been kind in recent years, with Jerod Mayo the only true success story. But this guy looks like a pretty safe pick and is capable of playing all three linebacker positions in Buffalo’s defense according to Nix.

Offensive tackles you might be able to get in the second round include Ole Miss’ Bobby Massie and Iowa State’s Kelechi Osemele. Linebackers in the second round Nebraska’s Lavonte David, Utah State’s Bobby Wagner and maybe Boise State’s Shea McClellin though he might sneak into the first.

2 - Hi Chris,

Obviously, as a Bills fan I am ecstatic about the acquisition of Mario Williams. He is a huge piece to the puzzle that is our defense. Also, with Williams coming to the defense, that allows Buffalo to go a lot of different directions with their first pick in this year’s draft. And I know that everyone will have their opinion about what they should do. My question is: I know the philosophy is a “best player available” approach, but what do you think the possibility is that they would maybe trade back and maybe pick up an extra pick or 2 and to not “reach” for a player they are interested in? 

Thanks for all of your coverage of the Bills. It’s a lifesaver for those not in the WNY area.

Thanks,
Chris from Orlando

CB: I asked Buddy whether they would pursue the option of trading down or let teams come to them. He told me there has been dialogue with other teams, but did not divulge whether the Bills were the ones doing the calling. If Miami passes on Ryan Tannehill at 8, then Buffalo’s pick becomes a lot more attractive to teams with a quarterback need that are further down in the round. At this point I’d be surprised if they didn’t take Tannehill, knowing his former head coach at A&M is the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins now (Mike Sherman) and will be running the same offense.

But the way Buddy put it to me is they’ll consider it. Just keep in mind, Buddy by nature doesn’t like to move up and down the board. He likes to sit where he’s at and make his picks. Talking to him this week he feels pretty confident they’re going to get a very good player at 10.

3 – Hi Chris,
I congratulate the Bills for their aggressiveness in obtaining two very good football players on defense. My concern is the fact that they have ignored their need for a good number 2 receiver opposite Stevie Johnson. Buddy Nix said after they had acquired Mario Williams, that they had good receivers. Is it possible that they are waiting for the draft? Looking at the upcoming draft, and the WR draft candidates, it appears that maybe Brian Quick from Appalachian St, and Rueben Randle from LSU would fit the Bills needs ( I do not see the Bills getting Justin Blackmon). In addition, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick is the unquestioned starter, would it be fair to say that the Bills should draft a quarterback? G.J. Kinne from Tulsa looks like he could be a Ryan Fitzpatrick clone. What are your thoughts?

Tony, Daytona Beach, Fl

CB: I think a WR will be drafted somewhere in the first three rounds. Randle and Quick are both players I believe the Bills see as fits in their offense along with a host of other prospects. Buddy said at the draft luncheon that he’d like to draft a QB every year if there weren’t other more pressing needs. I think there’s a realistic chance they take one, but if it’s before round 3 I’d be very surprised. Believe round 4 is where it’ll happen. Just a guess.

4 - Hey Chris – Are the Bills really going after an Offensive Line player in the 2012 draft?

It seems like a wasted pick, especially in a top 10 situation.  What teams go to the superbowl drafting Offensive Lineman in the first round.?

Take for instance Miami who drafted Jake Long #1 overall.  Sure Jake is a great player, but in 2012 Miami was 3rd in the league in sacks allowed in Jakes 3rd year.  Miami could have drafted Matt Ryan in at least been a playoff contender.  I think lineman on the offensive side can be picked up late in 1st round or 2nd and 3rd… not a top 10 pick.  Come on man. 

With so much talent out there at WR , DE, CB  .. I just dont think that’s a smart choice for Buffalo at #10, when they need more Big time play makers. 

What do you think Buffalo should do at #10  .  are they really serious about OL ?

Thanks
- Scott

CB: The need at left tackle would appear to indicate the urgency to take one at 10. I’m okay with them taking a tackle like Jonathan Martin or Cordy Glenn there, but I’m not convinced they have them graded that high. So I don’t think it’s a lock by any means that they take a tackle at 10.

I think the other positions in play at 10 for Buffalo will be CB, LB and possibly WR, though I’m not convinced they have Floyd graded as top 10 worthy either.

One wild card I’d like to offer as well is S Mark Barron. I think if he’s on the board he’s a realistic consideration for Buffalo at 10. He’s not at a need position, but he’s considered one of the best safeties to come along in a while. If the Bills hold true to their best on the board philosophy I think he’s in play at 10.

5 - Hi Chris,
Big Bills Fan here from NJ,,,,I’m thinking Bills are looking to take a LT at #10,,I like Mike Adams out of Ohio St,,,He’s a big kid at 6’7 325 could a new addition to our o-line,,,I’m also thinking of the Bills moving Andy over at LT ..and maybe draft David Decastro OG from Stanford,,,,Myself . I’m thinking Upshaw from Bama ,we also need LB esp, OLB,,,,what do you think ,,,Thanks

CB: I don’t see Adams, DeCastro or Upshaw as options at 10 for Buffalo. Adams and Upshaw are not fitting of the value at 10. In fact at best both will be last first round picks. Adams could even slip into round 2 despite prototype measurables. There are no plans to put Levitre at LT full time.

Depth at OT?

Bills GM Buddy Nix talked a lot at the team’s draft luncheon this week about the depth of the wide receiver and cornerback class, but what about the depth at offensive tackle? Nix provided an answer Thursday.

Appearing on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550, Nix when asked about the depth at the offensive tackle position this year offered the following.

“I think it’s better than a lot of people say it is and better than it normally is,” he said. ”Normally you’ve got three or four guys that you think can come in and play and we think there might be twice as many this year. So we’ve got a chance to get one. If we don’t get one at 10 we’ve got a chance to get one after that.”

What fans need to remember is just what caliber of offensive tackle must your team need? If they need a plug and play starting left tackle, it’s unlikely that you’ll find one beyond round one. If you can afford to wait a year for your offensive tackle prospect to develop into a starter then you can wait until round two to take one.

While Nix and the Bills may be able to get a capable offensive tackle in round two if they don’t get one in round one, it’s more unlikely that they’re going to challenge for the starting job on the blind side as a rookie.

Nix: Can get good WR in 3rd or 4th

Bills GM Buddy Nix appeared on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 Thursday morning and expanded on his comments from Wednesday’s draft luncheon that a quality wide receiver can be found after round one in the 2012 NFL draft.

“You look at the number of wide receivers that have played great in this league and when they were drafted, Steve Johnson for example, drafted in the seventh round,” said Nix. ”Victor Cruz was undrafted. We think you can get a good sized speed receiver in the third or fourth round.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Bills are ruling out a player like Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, but it does afford the Bills flexibility in addressing their needs with the knowledge that a quality receiver could be had on day 2 of the draft.