Ghost of Dwight Drane

I guess you didn't notice that Tyler Myers season ended with broken bones for the 3rd consecutive year? Not to mention the ankle during the lockout....

"This Pegula cat is really out there......firing Pat Lafontaine after 2 months??? Really Terry?......at least Jimmy Stewart had the common decency to let Clarence watch Donna Reed take her nightly Rinso until she had "the change". I mean come'on now......you don't think if Patty could have done it over, he wouldn't be up on the Skyway, yelling, "Go for it Terry!....Rico's got a Bud waiting for you....."

Even Duff mentioned Pegula meddling, trying to grab the box multiple times to open it.....that was pretty funny...

ditto

I replayed that 5 times.....maybe Razor and RJ have a bet, how many words they can slip in the last game of the season. "McBain clears it...up to Lieno...Flaming ######....to the net...."

Someone go and punch Darcy in the nads.....it's 70 out, I've got the windows open, and my instincts and adrenaline are telling me playoff hockey is here... What a waste.... F

Always bet on black.....

My pleasure. Had fun doing it. It's interesting seeing the strategies throughout the year. Hank really put himself out there the last few weeks for an upset, but it worked out and proved the best. If we do it again next year, I want to find a way to keep more people alive for longer.....but I like the no limit.

Leaderboard as of 4/13 Hank 7320 Eleven 50 UBKev 3000 Cereal 10 TaroT 1965 ClaudeVeret 30 TM8-PL16 20 NY -125 Buffalo +105 I hereby declare Hank the winner of the contest. Even if the line moves with Vinz in net, it won't be enough for a shot. Congratulations. Thanks for playing everyone. It was a fun sideshow.

Hank 5600 on boston Cereal 3500 on buffalo Claude 1000 on Buffalo

If that is your claim to fame and you can't convince your coach that he needs to space Miller more often as he melts in front of your eyes with a giant workload year after year....what good is you? I guess we should look at how many goalies came through the system since 2001 and what they did. I also would resent that Darcy supposedly used the Corsi numbers to build his team, and that Corsi was always in the press box attached to Darcy's hip.

Supposedly Corsi developed his number to gauge the amount of work a goalie was getting. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller would be a skeleton come April and May year after year. That was reason enough in my mind to fire him.

Yeah...I had the same experience as you and almost the same parents as the movie. It was so simple but so great. Not many movies can be serious yet make you laugh so many times.

And I can't possibly keep track of 200 people! Boston -400 Buffalo +320

Leaderboard as of 4/11 Hank 5920 Eleven 50 UBKev 3000 Cereal 3510 TaroT 1965 ClaudeVeret 1030 TM8-PL16 20 Glad people had fun. I didn't know if this would work, but it was cool. I had more fun watching tonight than in a while. I was hoping the Sabres would have hung on just so Stafford could be the hero that won it for Eleven. Reminder that Saturday is a 12:30 game. I will get the line out as soon as possible tomorrow.

Cereal 6 units Rangers ClaudeVeret 9 units Sabres UBKev 7 units Sabres TM8-PL16 2 units Sabres Eleven 37 units Sabres Hank 13 units Rangers Taro none

Glenn goes to RT or G. Lewan and Glenn could remind me an awful lot of Wolford/Ballard. I agree with you in full. I still question Glenn. While he improved last year, how is it that LG was so atrocious given that it is wedged between two supposed fringe Pro Bowlers in Wood and Glenn? There had to be someone else slow on the draw for that to happen. You just have too many options to help if you know that is your weak link. I have no idea if the Bills value Lewan though. Thanks. I like doing it and it's actually a good process for me. I had never grown up around horses and went to my first horse auction in my late 20's with zero experience other than being a fan and a bettor. Like football, if you see something enough, you learn what looks right and "artistic" and symmetric. Most of the same principles cross over between the two sports so it works out. Then you just have to gauge the market and put a value on some subjective material. Plus it makes it a whole lot more fun for me when I feel I know what is going on.

With Ebron, he is a standout at the position of who is available. That doesn't mean he is worth the pick versus guys at all positions. I think he is a top 20 athlete, but you know who neutralizes a guy like Ebron? A guy like Pryor. Pryor on Ebron makes Ebron worthless....and Pryor can support the run. I think that is how you have to view the draft. The honeypot of this draft will be from 10-25. There are 6 or 7 guys projected in the 1st round that I just don't think are worth it. If they get sprinkled in, I have no problem trading down multiple times if teams target specific players. Gilbert/Pryor/Donald/Ebron/Shazier.....they are hard to separate and 1 of them should be there at 18. Then you have Verrett/Sankey/Martin right there just a tick off. I would take 2 of those 8 over anyone but maybe Robinson. These are the guys that have medium risk, high reward. The top 8 projected is so closely bunched....you just don't want to bust.

Overall Reflections.... If I had the #1 pick, there are only 2 options...either Bortles if you want a QB, or Robinson at tackle. To me, Clowney isn't a freak of nature like Robinson is. Mack is almost the same as Clowney but can play in space, and I actually may give the edge to Mack. Manziel is a wildcard and since I am not gung ho on Matthews this high, and think Evans is being projected way too high, I have to give him respect. Watkins is a standout at his position. I love Lewan for the Bills and hope he is there. Drane's Top 20: 1) Robinson - T - Auburn 2) Bortles - QB - UCF 3) Mack - LB - Buffalo 4) Clowney - DE - S.Carolina 5) Manziel - QB - Tex A&M 6) Watkins - WR - Clemson 7) Lewan - T - Michigan 8) Gilbert - CB - Oklahoma St. 9) Donald - DT - PITT 10)Pryor - S - Louisville 11) Shazier - LB - Ohio St. 12) Matthews - T - Texas A&M 13) Ebron - TE - N. Carolina 14) Sankey - RB - Washington 15) Verrett - CB - TCU 16) Martin - T - ND 17) Cinton-Dix - S - Alabama 18) Lawrence - DE - Boise 19) Fuller - CB - VTech 20) Losman - QB - Tulane ------------------------------------------------- That's MY draft board on talent, not a mock of actual order or what the Bills should do. Given a realistic projection, this would be my choices for the Bills: 1) Taylor Lewan - T - Michigan 2) Bishop Sankey - RB - Washington 3) Bruce Ellington - WR - S.Carolina 4) Ryan Groy - G - Wisconsin 5) Brock Vereen - S - Minnesota 7) John Urschel - G - Penn St.

In going over the DL and CB positions, it was hard to find value. There was one standout DT that is rated in the top 20 and well worth it in my opinion... Aaron Donald - PITT - Really neat combo of pluggy, strong and built, yet is very quick and fluid. Very similar to Kyle Williams, but more athletic. He's in no man's land for the Bills though. Probably not worth #9, and no way makes it past 15-20. CB Justin Gilbert - Okla St. - He is a physical beast. Built but balanced. Powerful in his movement and confident. Can change direction and close, just a little off in the hip flip. Has a knock for not being as physical as he could. On looks, he is a top 12 pick for sure. He would be a fair target for the Bills at #9 if they wanted to stockpile and couldn't find a trade partner. A can't miss as a starter, just a matter if he has the makeup to be a regular Pro Bowl type. ***Jason Verrett - TCU - Another I fell in love with given his projected value. His only knock is he is short. He is perfectly conformed for a corner. Amazing speed that is under control, big strided, and explosive out of the gate. Smooth as can be in hips and has afterburners right off the bat when changing direction. Looks bright eyed and confident and attacks the ball. This guy has the looks of a superstar and if enough teams get scared by the size, he could maybe slip to the 2nd round.

Rangers -350 Buffalo +280 Phone lines are open.....

On to the Running Backs... While not a pressing need, there is one back here that really has me smiling. The kid from Ohio St blew a hammy on the 40, so not sure about him. ***Bishop Sankey - Washington - Now I hate to do this, but this kid reminds me of Thurman Thomas in his complete skill set. He is a little short, but built up top and under the hips. Everything he did was terrific. He has straightline speed, incredible balance, hands, and a slippery way of moving. He had the best looking 3 cone drill of anyone yet, rounding smooth and balanced without having to decelerate. Running north/south he smoothly cuts and has a beautiful head fake. The knock is he is short and may have to be a tandem back, but I just love this guy. He looks bright eyed, and is already anticipating his run as he is catching the ball. I think teams are nuts if he makes it out of the first round, and if somehow he is there when the Bills pick, I would grab him in a second given Freddy's age and Spiller's contract-injury situation. Just the definition of smooth and balanced. Watch the Patriots get him! Andre Williams - BC - Very powerful runner and balanced enough given his frame. He builds power on the third or fourth step, so if he gets a hole, he can drag guys downfield. He doesn't have grace but with his freight train power, doesn't need much. Probably more of a 1st and 2nd down back, and short yardage. Not the complete package, but a viable guy in the 4th round.

While I'm looking, I will go back to 2012. The good thing about horses is even if you don't buy them, you can bet on them! It's hard to get rewarded for sitting at home and playing Mel Kiper Jr. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 guys here who I think should be the pick. Hopefully 1 of them is still there at #10, and the decision may be made for you as I find it hard to see both still on the board. #1 Stephon Gilmore - CB South Carolina - Everything about him looks impressive. Big enough, built decent, fluid in changing direction and flipping, quick acceleration. Looks like he can support the run as well. At the combine, he was much more impressive than Kirkpatrick in my eyes and even looked better than Claiborne. Peterson was amazing last year and I can't see Claiborne being as good of an athlete as Peterson. Would feel much better about Gilmore at #10 than Claiborne at #5 #2 Michael Floyd - WR Notre Dame - This kid did everything right and is built like a stud. He is confident, ran the smoothest cross field pass drill by far, and while he isn't known as a burner, at worst I see him as another Stevie Johnson type. He handles himself well and is smart for a kid who had a few drinking issues. Just a confident gamer with all the tools. I think he is safer at #10 than Gilmore, and you can always go grab a true speed type in the 4th round. He was more impressive than Blackmon in what I saw. You won't have to worry about WR for 5 years if you have this guy. There is a huge falloff after Floyd in my opinion, Just like there is after Kalil with OT's. 2nd/3rd rounders: I agree with Buddy that there looks to be a lot of 2nd-4th round talent at CB/WR. Too bad there isn't a Tackle at #10 I love as I think Glenn/Martin/Adams are bottom 1st at best who will get reached on by someone. I hope it isn't the Bills who reach In order of excitement: Mychal Kendricks - LB Cal - Very impressive. Just a pure athlete who brings it. He is short, but has all the tools and is explosive and very smooth in space. His biggest question seems to be smarts and that is a huge concern for an ILB, but his skillset is just so impressive that some team will take a shot on him. If he was 2 inches taller and had an extra 15 IQ points, he's a top 8 pick. Looks much more natural as an athlete than Kuechley who carries himself upright. I could see a team gamble as high as low #1, or teams get scared off and he drops to top of 3rd. Kalechi Osemele - OT Iowa St. - This guy has the potential to be a franchise tackle. Many are projecting him at G or RT, but from the lateral movement I saw, I don't know why he can't be a LT. His conformation for tackle is almost perfect. Wide, but strong not only in the bubble but up top. He changes direction very well. With good coaching and dedication on his part, he could be an absolute steal in the 2nd round. At worst, you probably get a mauling RT who could make Pears good depth in a year. At best you have a Pro Bowl talent at LT. The only other tackle after Kalil that may have as much upside is Adams, but he is bottom heavy and plays too upright. I would love to take a chance on this guy. Casey Hayward - CB Vandy - Really nice corner who is very fluid and great hip flipper. Not a power type, but a guy who is smooth enough to be very good in coverage. He has some power and acceleration to him but not great. Would be almost a can't miss guy to play nickle and should probably be an OK starter ala Florence, but doesn't make you drool. A safe #2 pick who I would love in the 3rd if he fell. Chris Givens - WR Wake Forest - If Floyd is the pick at #10, forget about him. If not, he is an interesting player at #2 and certain at #3. Not big, but he is built solid and very balanced. He wouldn't be the typical #2 you'd look to compliment Johnson, but his skillset and upside would make it worth a shot. I really couldn't knock him except for his size. At worst he is a nice depth receiver that would be a threat in the slot in 4 wides. At best he is starter out of the gate who could get you 50+ catches. Dwayne Allen - TE Clemson - He is very wide-legged when upright and driving and I do not know about his blocking skills because it seems he is inefficient and losing power. However, he is built very well and was smooth as can be in his passing drills. Because there is only 1 other TE worth an early pick, someone will probably take him early. He could be a McKellar type and would be a no-brainer at #3, but I would not reach at #2 and it is almost certain he will be gone by 3. If somehow you trade down in the 1st and pick up an extra 2nd, this is the type of tool you could target with a bonus pick. Antonio Dennard - CB Nebraska - He's a little undersized, but he just does everything very well. I can't get excited about him, but he has no real knocks. He seems like a very safe pick at #4 and maybe even a 3rd, and a guy who should be a depth corner and special teams player who wouldn't hurt you. Fast enough, strong enough, fluid enough....just not huge upside. Would be a steal if he dropped past early 4th. 4th - 7th Rounders: Jarius Wright - WR Arkansas - If you get Floyd at #10, this guy is the perfect double-down in the 4th round. He is small but a burner who is not only fast, but quick. Maybe not the greatest route runner, but is fluid in his motion. Think of him as a more durable Roscoe Parrish with higher football IQ. Ryan Lindley - QB San Diego St - Might be the perfect guy to work with and groom under the security of having Fitz. He is more of a throwback...tall, huge arm, sit in the pocket, not much mobility. However, he is very smart and has an absolute cannon for things like out routes and the long ball. If this was 1990 he'd probably be a top 40 pick. With all the focus on mobility, he would be a very nice project to develop with the bonus 4th round pick. Chris Owusu - WR Stanford - This guy is VERY interesting. Next to Floyd, he was the most interesting WR at the combine to me. His lower body is powerful and he has the quickest turn of foot of any receiver I saw. Looks like if you can get him the ball in stride, he could break away or make 1st guy miss in traffic. Smart and game, but HUGE injury concern with history of concussions. If he was clean, I would say use a 3rd on him in a heartbeat, but given his history he is another like a QB that you use the bonus 4th rounder on and call it a gift that either works or doesn't. Andrew Datko - OT FSU - Perfect for depth. Has shoulder issues, but is smart and seems like a game guy with character. He has height and bubble, but is a little light up top. If everything goes perfectly, he is smart enough and gritty enough to have a long career and start in a pinch. If it goes bad, he never sees the field because of IR. If he slips to 6th he is worth a shot for sure. Who knows where it all goes, but I figure I'd put out the guys I like and will be watching. The tackle position is the toughest to me since it is Kalil or nothing in the 1st. DeCastro is interesting and safe between 10-15 at guard, but really are ok there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gilmore - Not sure yet. Was Floyd the better pick? After year 1 no, year 2? Let Gilmore play a year without injury hopefully Floyd - Was drafted #13. 45 rec 562 yds 2 TDs turned into 65 rec 1,041 yds 5 TDs in year 2. Looks like a hit. Kendricks - Went 2nd round, pick #46 to Eagles. Started from day #1. Last year had 106 tackles 4 sacks 3 INTs 2 FF 4 recoveries. Osemele - Went 2nd round, pick #60 to Ravens. Started from day 1 and played T and G. Hayward - Went pick #62 to Packers. Ended up with 6 INT's rookie year and was 3rd in ROY voting. Blew a hammy last year and played 3 games. Givens - Went 4th round to Rams. 42 rec 698 yds 3 TDs his rookie year, but 34-569-0 last year. Allen - Went 3rd round to the colts. 45 rec 521 yds 3 TDs his rookie year. Made 1 catch for a TD game 1 last year and hurt for the season. Dennard - I mistakenly said Antonio...it was Alfonso...the jailbird. Went in the 7th round to the Patriots after getting arrested. Started on and off the past 2 years with 4 INTs Wright - Went 4th round to Vikings. 22-310-2 his rookie year. 26-434-3 his second year as a 3/4 receiver. Lindley - Went 6th round to Cardinals. Got an emergency start in 2012. 0TD 7 INT Owusu - UFA that 49ers cut and ended on Tampa's practice squad. 12 rec 123 yds last year in spot duty Datko - Went 7th round to Packers. Practice squad in 2012 but out of league from what I can tell

I whiffed on Wilson for sure....but like I said, the QB class was weak and he was the only one worth thinking about in my opinion. Tennessee signed him off of Oakland's practice squad. Alford went at pick 60 to Atlanta....was their nickel guy and had 40 tackles and 2 INTs. He's starting this year Rivera went in the 6th round to Oakland. He was starting by the end of the year and had 38 catches for 407 yards and 4 TDs. He's the starter this year. Austin did go at #8. Looks like he had issues handling the system and was inconsistent but made some big plays. 40 catches, 418 yards and 4 TDs. He had a return for a TD, and 3 long TD's called back by penalty. A disappointment so far, but Michael Floyd had a slow first year as well and I loved him. Smith went undrafted and I said he was worth a 5th or so. Didn't play on Vikings practice squad. Whiff so far. Cyprien started day 1 for the Jags after going at start of 2nd round. 104 tackles 1 INT 2 FF 1 sack. Vaccaro went #15 and started for the Saints. 79 tackles 1 INT 1 sack. Johnson went pick #4 to the Eagles. Consensus was he was hit or miss the first half of the year and turned it on the 2nd half. I guess you could see that in the Eagles play and the way McCoy looked the 2nd half of the year...but it's hard to know what the variables are. He did go high though. Warford went in the beginning of the 3rd round to the Lions. He started all 16 games. The thing I am most proud of is finding value in guys that are a little under the radar. Warford would have been fine in the 2nd, he went in the 3rd. I said Vaccaro was safer than Cyprien, but they were a push and I would look for Cyprien. Vaccaro went 15 and Cyprien 33. Rivera went late like I said, but still ended up the starter with numbers that rival any Bills TE his rookie season. The Bills did trade down and had a successful draft. Manuel/Woods/Alonso/Goodwin/Meeks/Gragg. I would have ended up Cyprien/Alford/Warford/Wilson/Smith/Rivera. Different impacts at different positions, but I whiffed on Wilson big.

Safety.....again, the Bills by letting Byrd go, walk into a position of depth. There is one standout in my opinion who could step right in. There are another 2 who could start right out, and 4 or 5 who have a shot. Next to the O-Line, the highest hit rate of guys who can make a roster of all the groups so far. **Calvin Pryor - Louisville - This guy reminds me of Stephon Gilmore. Rangy build but has some muscle. He is just so fluid at the hip and in his motion, that he doesn't waste anything. He is not fast, but his balance and motion make up for it. He can change direction and should be able to handle play action. He doesn't look like a giant hitter, but has the rep for it. There is no way he makes it to the 2nd round, but if the Bills trade down to that 13-18 level...he is one that makes sense. I get a really good vibe off this guy and you should have a starter at worst, and an 8 year Pro Bowler at best. Terrence Brooks - FSU - Blazing speed. Short, but has a fireplug build. Decent fluidity. Seems aware and aggressive. I don't like his north/south change of direction and could get caught biting. His speed and swivel could help make up for it. Solid 3rd rounder. *Brock Vereen - Minnesota - Undersized and not bulky, but aware, smooth, and had one of the best bursts after change in direction of any athlete. Straight line fast, and with his agility, I would think he could play centerfield. Intangibles high as well. Listed low anywhere I look, but would look at him starting in the 5th for sure. Nice group all around. Options early, mid and late.