Bills fans pushing Harvey

Judging from all the email I've gotten and some of the blog responses, there is growing sentiment towards the Bills drafting Florida DE Derrick Harvey in the first round. A quick scan of other mock drafts and what teams ahead of the Bills need, it's conceivable that Harvey would be available at No. 11 (better be wary of the Pats taking him at No. 7). In fact, he might have greater value at that spot than a CB or WR. Anyone who watched him take Ohio State's O-line apart in the 2007 national championship game knows Harvey is a stud. Taking him would beg this question, though: Have the Bills spent too much attention on defense at the expense of their 30th-ranked offense?

Harvey will command a sizable contract. The Bills already gave DEs Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay big deals last year, and DT Marcus Stroud's restructured deal pays him a pretty penny. However, it is worth pointing out that the N.Y. Giants used three DEs (Umenyiora, Strahan and Tuck) to destroy the Pats O-line in the Super Bowl. As I mentioned earlier, my hunch is the Bills will address the WR position either by trade or in the second or third round of the draft.

Keep those comments on the draft coming!

---Allen Wilson

Comments

[Greg]

Too risky to take a WR at 11...I can't see the sense of paying #1 money for a #2 wideout. If the Bills do go for a WR, I pray it's not Malcolm Kelly, he's injury-prone and not quick enough. Thomas from MSU would be the prudent pick.

There are some decent CBs like McKelvin and Rodgers-Cromartie whom I would go after first.

[BlueStatePrison]

Allen - we need a top notch CB! Here is my take on things.

Nate Clements was a former number one and he covered so well, it forced the QB to hold the ball at least 1 second longer. As a result, Shobel gets 16 sacks. Clements leaves Buffalo, we use CB's that are NOT as good, and what happens? Well, if you can look back at this past season, game after game, Shobel and Kelsay were about 1 second late in getting to the QB.

Get a Clements caliber CB that'll tie up a WR for 1 extra second and Shobel will be back up to 16 sacks.

[Don H]

In past first rounds, the Bills have often taken the best available pick based on talent and potential regardless of needs. I'm not sure they can afford to do that this year with critical holes to fill at wide receiver, tight end and corner back.

[Negative Fan]

We're #3 on the Forbes most miserable sports cities list. What are the odds that we move up to #2 this year?

http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/08/sports-atlanta-seattle-biz-sports_cx_tvr_af_0408sportsmisery_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=15000

[Tom]

You keep hinting at a trade....but what is out there? Roy Williams and Chad Johnson?

In an ideal world, the Bills could trade down with Dallas and pick up Cason at CB with #20 and then Malcolm Kelly or Sweed at #28. Then John Carlson is sitting around at #41.

In reality....I would possibly go with the Guard out of Virginia if the Bills feel he can step right in. Then if the right WR is still sitting there in the 20's....maybe you package your 2nd and 3rd to get back into the first. The Bills have a lot of wiggle room with 2 fourth round picks and JP Losman hanging around in the dresser drawer.

If Ryan Denney is finally healthy, he is the #3 DE we need. He was a gamer last season, but it looked like they were constantly patching him up to survive as long as possible. I am confident in our LB depth and our safety crew. CB is not a glaring need. More than anything, we need intelligence at that position and might be able to grab a guy in the 3rd-5th that can step in as a dime back or even nickle if lucky.

What the Bills have done the past two years is copied the New England Patriots, whether they admit it or not. The big combo at DT that can stuff the run and shoot the gap. Athletic DE's that can move around. Intelligent LBs that can be in position and make plays out of instinct. Top safety play with leadership and some big hitting....and smart CB play.

On offense they have the calm, intelligent and accurate QB with enough athletic ability to improve. The power RB and the 3rd down RB with shifty moves and hands. An O-Line that is very smart and can make calls at the line. They also are built with the idea of pass protection first, but can protect a lead and run block late in the game if the playcalling lets them. The only thing missing is the big body WR that can take pressure off of Evans and open up the middle for a surehanded Josh Reed and a shifty Roscoe.....and a reliable TE that can think on the fly, which Carlson seems to fit.

I really love where this organization is going as a whole. Those that haven't been paying attention might get a shock as the Bills become more of a contender than a pretender. Now if we can just get Trent to lose the gloves in December.......