Tuesday night, Sal Capaccio hosted his weekly edition of Buffalo Bills Now! on his JustinTV internet station. For those who may not happen to know Sal, he was the guy two years ago to first break the news that the Bills were in pursuit of Terrell Owens. He’s a friend to this site and carries plenty of credibility with us.
Anyway, after not having much going on over his past few shows, Capaccio cited Buffalo Bills’ sources with some noteworthy nuggets of information.
Among them… (and you could, and really should listen to the entire podcast by clicking here)
He hears Marcell Dareus and Blaine Gabbert are sitting atop the Bills draft board, in no particular order. Although they’re not married to either guy quite yet, Sal says if one is available and the Bills don’t trade down, those will be the top two candidates to be packing their bags for Orchard Park.
The Buffalo Bills official team website confirmed this morning that defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Robert Quinn along with linebacker Quan Sturdivant are in Buffalo to visit with the team today.
If you’re a regular reader of Buffalo Sports Daily, you already know plenty about Jordan. Not only have we formally endorsed Jordan as the guy the Bills should tab with their first selection, we’ve also been reporting since February 15 that Buddy Nix is very interested in him.
Jordan could still very well be the guy the Bills ultimately target, especially if they receive a quality offer to trade down. While he’d be almost universally regarded as a reach with the third pick, the Bills could do much worse by drafting the talented defensive end. He’s not as explosive as some of the guys near the top of most draft boards, including Quinn, but he’s a solid player who has an equal ability to play in both the 34 and 43 defensive fronts.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the seventh in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Christian Ballard, Iowa (DE)
Of the second round Bills’ prospects we’ve profiled so far, Ballard is the least heralded of the bunch. His name doesn’t off the page, nor does his college statistics or performance at the NFL combine. But make no mistake about it— Ballard is a legit second round candidate and if the Bills don’t address defensive end with their first selection, Ballard could very well be in the mix the second time around.
At 6-foot-4 and 286 pounds, Ballard helped himself by having an excellent Pro Day workout. The University of Iowa product ran a 4.7/40 and notched a 34-inch vertical leap to demonstrate plenty of athleticism to go along with intriguing size.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the sixth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada (QB)
It’s hard to find a quarterback who has put up more prolific numbers in college football than Kaepernick. The four-year starter finished with over 10,000 passing yards, 4,000 rushing yards, and 141 combined touchdowns in his career.
Additionally, he became the first college quarterback ever to throw for 2,000 yards while running for 1,000 yards three straight years. Only two other quarterbacks – Tim Tebow and Cam Newton – have ever passed for 20 touchdowns and run for at least the same number in one season.
Cam Newton was in town Tuesday to visit with the Buffalo Bills, mainly Chan Gailey, and the long look at quarterbacks won’t end there. During a teleconference with season ticket holders Tuesday afternoon, Buddy Nix confirmed both Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder will also visit One Bills Drive this week.
Though Nix didn’t provide further details, we learned that much like Newton, both will spend time almost exclusively with Gailey talking football and more specifically, Buffalo’s playbook and philosophies. The organization already knows what all three can do physically.
Nix meanwhile, will be hitting the road for the next 48 hours. Wednesday he’ll be in North Carolina to watch defensive prospect Robert Quinn’s pro day. The following day he’ll be an engrossed observer at Clemson as Da’Quan Bower tries to show staffs his knee is fully healed and worthy of being a top pick.
Like Newton and Gabbert, both defensive linemen are very much in the mix for the Bills’ third overall draft pick when they’re on the clock April 28.
We’re now at the one month mark before the NFL draft and things continue to get more interesting. Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com reported this morning that defensive tackle prospect Marcell Dareus will meet with at least seven teams picking in the top ten, and that the Bills are on that list.
LaCanfora tweeted that Dareus will be meeting with the Bills sometime this week.
Dareus is one of the elite prospects in the draft and going by what I’ve heard and read from fans, seems to be overwhelming consensus for who they’d like to see the Bills draft. He has the ability to play end in a 3-4 and inside in the 4-3 look and his versatility could give defensive coordinator George Edwards plenty of options his front seven looks.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the fifth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Cameron Heyward, Ohio State (DE)
After helping anchor a defense that ranked fifth in the NCAA last year, Heyward enters the NFL draft hungry to chase down quarterbacks at the next level. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive end leaves Ohio State after four years of steady production, which has set him up to be one of the better prospects available for selection next month.
Heyward also owns impressive bloodlines to go with his high-caliber talent. His father, the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, played tailback for five different NFL teams from 1988-1998. A fearsome figure in the backfield, the man was a bear-sized runner notorious for punishing defenders who got in his way.
We here at Buffalo Sports Daily officially endorse Cameron Jordan as the third overall pick to the Buffalo Bills. Reach or not, he’s the right man for the job, especially if Marcell Dareus is off the board. Stout against the run and an effective pass rusher, Jordan can start in either scheme from day one with little difficulty. Plus, we already know the Bills are interested in him.
Check out this highlight reel we found of Jordan, and enjoy your Saturday morning folks.
Top NFL prospect Cam Newton is coming to Orchard Park on Monday. According a source, Newton need not bring a pair of football spikes with him. He’ll be in town, but not to workout nor visit with the entire organization. Instead, the source says, he’s coming to meet one on one directly with… and only with Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey.
“Chan will question him about everything football and he is going to have to sort of win him over,” the source said.
It’s my understanding at this point the organization is a bit mixed on Newton. Some believe he’s definitely the right quarterback to turn the franchise around while others, including Gailey, are a bit more skeptical. I’m told this interview will be 100 percent about football as the team is satisfied with all the background and character checks they’ve completed their due diligence on.
I’m going all the back to something we originally reported on February 15 for this. I continue to speak to people at least somewhat connected to the Buffalo Bills brass and keep hearing the same thing—- Although Nick Fairley, Marcell Dareus, Robert Quinn and Da’Quan Bowers are all bigger names, the Bills continue to be “very interested” in University of California defensive end Cameron Jordan.
So much so in fact, I’ll be the least surprised person in Western New York if Jordan ends up the third overall pick when this process is over. His combination of size, college experience and versatility in multiple defensive schemes makes him a strong candidate to go off the board higher, perhaps higher than anyone else thinks.
A source tells me the Bills have a preliminary draft board of seven to eight players in place. Jordan is on that board and has as good a chance to come off at the third pick as any of the others.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the fourth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Christian Ponder, Florida State (QB)
After guiding the Seminoles to a 10-4 record last season, Ponder enters the 2011 draft with a strong desire to prove he can succeed at the next level. The three-year starter capped off his final collegiate campaign by finishing with 2, 044 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2010. While those numbers were down from 2009, the senior struggled with multiple arm injuries and played many games at less than 100 percent physical capacity.
Ponder checked in at the NFL combine at 6-feet-2, 229 pounds. Most scouts were curious to see if the arm strength had rebounded and if he could make a wide variety of throws. The 23-year-old performed better than expected, demonstrating strong precision and surprising velocity on his passes.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the third in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Mason Foster, Washington (OLB)
An extremely productive member of the Huskies defense in his four years at Washington, Foster brings an impressive number of accolades to the table. The 6-foot-2, 245 pound linebacker became a starter midway through his freshman year and proceeded to earn team defensive MVP in his sophomore and senior seasons.
In 2010, he led the PAC-10 with 163 tackles – 58 more than the runner-up in that category – and also tallied a career-high seven sacks.
Although Washington’s defense ranked 80th in the NCAA after yielding an average of 29.3 yards-per-game, Foster still managed to emerge as a legitimate NFL prospect. Initially projected as a third or fourth-round pick, he saw his stock rise after helping his team win their final four remaining games, including a 19-7 upset over #18 Nebraska in the Holiday bowl. Primarily an outside linebacker in the 4-3 scheme run by Washington, Foster is thought to have the versatility to play inside linebacker in a 3-4 look as well.
A pair of key LSU defenders will be visiting Orchard Park over the next few days as the Buffalo Bills continue their due diligence on all draft weekend possibilities.
Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reported that top prospect Patrick Peterson will be visiting with the team soon. The consensus top rated cornerback entering the draft has several visits lined up, including all six teams holding the top picks in the draft (Carolina, Denver, Cincinnati, Arizona and Cleveland).
Most don’t consider Peterson a need with the third overall pick, but he’s top end talent and the bottom line is Buffalo lacks players with elite skills. Leodis McKelvin seems entrenched at cornerback but Terrence McGee has durability concerns, not to mention he’s getting up in age while Drayton Florence is a pending free agent who may or may not be back, though I’m told the organization would like him to return.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the second in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Martez Wilson, Illinois (ILB)
One of the nation’s top football recruits out of a Chicago-area high school, Wilson spurned offers from powerhouses such as Miami (Fl.), USC, and Notre Dame to play for his local Illini. The 22-year-old’s calling cards are his physicality and knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. With 112 tackles (11.5 behind the line of scrimmage) and four sacks last season, the 6-foot-4, 250 pounder flashed the play-making ability to be a tempting option to many NFL teams come April.
After missing virtually all of the 2009 season with a herniated disc, Wilson returned to anchor Illinois’ front seven in his final campaign. Primarily used as an inside linebacker, he also found success towards the end of the 2010 season in rushing off the edge.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the first in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame (TE)
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Kyle Rudolph has dominant tight end size. Some scouts are sure to worry about him missing the last six games of his 2010 Notre Dame season with a hamstring injury, and his stock wasn’t helped after being unable to participate in the NFL Combine last month.
Still, Rudolph is the consensus best tight end in this draft and if you’ve followed the Bills for several seasons running, you know they rarely get production from a position they’ve long treated as an afterthought.
Welcome to Tuesday, which many football fans, those of the Buffalo Bills included may as well label Cam Newton Day.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or you’re really tired of NFL draft talk, you’re aware that today is the pro day for the University of Auburn, which of course will feature a pair of prospects the Bills could easily consider with the third pick; Newton and defensive lineman Nick Fairley.
Both players are highly touted blue-chippers, though many would argue the pair took a hit on their draft stock at last month’s NFL combine. While Newton was given plenty of credit for participating fully in every aspect of the Combine, including the throwing portion, reviews on his performance at best were mixed.
There hasn’t been a lot of talk and/or reports about college prospects meeting with the Buffalo Bills during the NFL combine, other than quarterback Colin Kaepernick admitting on Twitter he met with the team over the weekend. We can now add another prospect to the Bills meeting list.
Aaron Wilson of Ravens Insider Tweeted late Monday evening that Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton met with the Bills. Wilson said Mouton has also met with the Eagles, Saints, Chiefs and Chargers.
Mouton is a lower tier prospect many consider a little undersized at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. While he was productive in college, he’ll have some red flags to overcome. In his scouting section on the National Football Post website, Wes Bunting describe Mouton as having questionable desire.
The consensus regarding Cam Newton this weekend at the NFL combine is he did an outstanding job conducting himself at the podium and several media interviews as he continues to rehab an image many consider character flawed.
His performance on the field, however, didn’t work out quite as great.
Newton took part in all the drills on Sunday and looked shaky at best on a lot of his throws. Tim Graham from ESPN.com was one of a small group of writers allowed on the field and said Newton’s workout was underwhelming.
Graham wrote that ” Newton was off target throughout, frequently overthrowing receivers. But it should be noted quarterbacks work with unfamiliar receivers at the combine. They run at different speeds and break varying routes.”
I’ve been severely under the weather for the past 36 or so hours; very poor timing with the NFL combine beginning. As a result, I’m more than just as little behind the times getting everyone some news and notes. I’ve basically been slipping in and out of consciousness while medicated, so since I’m up at 2:53am, I’ll give you items of interest I’ve heard, seen and read surrounding the Bills and the combine yesterday.
Hopefully I’ll be back on top of things better in the next day or two.
♦ I watched NFL Combine coverage on the league’s official network Friday and Mike Lombardi shared his first 10 picks of his mock draft, which of course includes the Bills at three. Lombardi cited Cam Newton as the selection for reasons that frankly, I don’t buy. Lombardi’s two biggest reasons is because Newton is a running quarterback that Chan Gailey likes, which is true. He also said Newton is someone who will fills seats at Ralph Wilson Stadium and give the fans more hope. That, I don’t buy.
When the number eight pick of the NFL draft was announced last April by Roger Goodell, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey found themselves on the clock. A plethora of gifted players remained, some more highly regarded than others. What many fans and media members debated for months who the pick should be, it was a five-minute decision in the Bills war room, as C.J. Spiller’s name was confidently called to center stage for a pat on the back from the NFL commissioner.
While Spiller was widely viewed as a top-10 talent, the gasps of surprise throughout Radio City Music Hall were widely echoed across the country. Coming off yet another dismal losing season, Buffalo had immediate needs at positions not named running back – particularly throughout the offensive and defensive lines. With upper tier offensive tackle prospects like Anthony Davis and Bryan Bulaga still on the board, the Bills went with a flashy pick that fit the draft slot much more than the team’s actual needs.
During last year’s NFL draft, University of California defensive lineman Tyson Alualu seemingly came out of nowhere and ended up a top ten draft pick (by Jacksonville), screwing up every Mock Draft known to man in the process. This year his teammate Cameron Jordan could see the same fate, maybe even go higher… and I’m talking about skyrocketing all the way up to Buffalo with the third pick.
There aren’t many college prospects I’ve had kind of opportunity to talk to any sources within the Bills about, but Jordan is an exception. From what I’ve heard, the Bills organization and Buddy Nix in particular is sky-high on Jordan, especially after getting a first-hand look at the unreservedly dominant display he put on during the week of practices at the Senior Bowl. From what I’ve already read and been told since, Jordan was unblockable no matter where he lined up and who stood in front of him.
Look, Nix can tell you until he’s blue in the face that he’s going to pick the best player available regardless of position. But it doesn’t take a mind the equivalent of a NFL general manager to conclude the Bills run defense is an unqualified embarrassment. I learned the 276 rushing yards the New York Jets second and third stringers hung on the Bill starting defense in the season finale had a mortified Nix observing with his hands covering his eyes out of humiliation.
The Super Bowl is finally over, but for many football fans across the nation, the offseason began several weeks ago. With Ralph Wilson Stadium lying dormant for yet another January, Bills fanatics are seeing plenty of extra time on their hands to speculate about the immediate future.
So far, the offseason has begun with some pleasant surprises. Dave Wannstedt’s addition to the coaching staff and the announcement of a uniform overhaul are a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, the organization must navigate additional savvy moves to begin pumping more life back into a fan base growing more flustered with each losing season. Chiefly among concern is the upcoming NFL Draft, and how the Bills will address a painfully obvious assortment of needs.
Entering the 2010 draft, there were serious questions marks at a variety of positions for a Bills team that finished 6-10 the year before. Quarterback play, the malaise that accompanied an inexperienced offensive line and a virtually non-existent pass rush on defense were all legitimate concerns. Yet Buddy Nix and newly-hired Chan Gailey wasted little time in snatching up running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick, despite the position being one of the deepest on the team.
If there’s one thing we learned from the Super Bowl this past Sunday, it’s that defense still wins championships in this league. Look no further than Pittsburgh’s second-ranked and Green Bay’s fifth overall defense as evidence. Sure, Aaron Rodgers deservedly took home MVP honors, but it was the Packers defense that came up with key stops… and interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger that were most responsible for the win.
The argument many fans will always make, is that both teams had premier quarterbacks. Certainly that’s true, but before those quarterbacks were in place each team was equipped with a more than stellar defense, allowing Roethlisberger and Rodgers to become the crowning piece of each respective team’s puzzle.
With the Buffalo Bills ranked 24th overall defensively and dead last against the run, they may not see the playoffs for another decade if they don’t significantly bolster their defensive front.
In a move everyone expected, University of Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley today announced that he’ll enter the NFL draft.
Many are expecting him to be the top pick of the draft when Carolina goes on the clock. Of course, any realistic shot the Buffalo Bills had of landing him at three came to a crashing halt when Andrew Luck announced that he’d return to Stanford next season. It was widely speculated Carolina would take Luck with the top pick.
Like we reported when the Luck announcement first happened, it hurts the Bills in that a defensive player that would’ve fallen in their laps now won’t. Had Luck entered the draft it would’ve meant that either Fairley or Da’Quan Bowers would be available at three, but with Denver picking second and likely looking for defensive help, both should be gone before the Bills select.
It’s only January and things are sure to change from now through late April, but it appears for the time being cornerback Patrick Peterson, defensive linemen Marcel Dareus or linebacker Robert Quinn appear to be the Bills top three candidates.
Let me preface by stating a couple of things. Firstly, I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about Andrew Luck over the next few months because frankly, it’s next to an impossibility that he’s going to fall to the Buffalo Bills with the third overall draft pick in April…. and I’m even more certain Buddy Nix isn’t going to trade up to get him.
From what I’ve learned about Nix over the past year, he’d rather spend an eternity listening to Trent Edwards preach quarterbacking philosophy than surrender precious draft picks to move up for a player. If anything, Nix is far more likely to trade down from the third spot. I’m not turning any stones over when I inform you Nix likes having as many picks as possible as he’s said multiple times it’s his key to turning Buffalo’s fortunes around.
Tuesday night, Sal Capaccio hosted his weekly edition of Buffalo Bills Now! on his JustinTV internet station. For those who may not happen to know Sal, he was the guy two years ago to first break the news that the Bills were in pursuit of Terrell Owens. He’s a friend to this site and carries plenty of credibility with us.
The Buffalo Bills official team website 
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the seventh in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the sixth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall) 
Cam Newton was in town Tuesday to visit with the Buffalo Bills, mainly Chan Gailey, and the long look at quarterbacks won’t end there. During a teleconference with season ticket holders Tuesday afternoon, Buddy Nix confirmed both Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder will also visit One Bills Drive this week.
We’re now at the one month mark before the NFL draft and things continue to get more interesting. Jason LaCanfora of NFL.com reported this morning that defensive tackle prospect Marcell Dareus will meet with at least seven teams picking in the top ten, and that the Bills are on that list.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the fifth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall) 
Top NFL prospect Cam Newton is coming to Orchard Park on Monday. According a source, Newton need not bring a pair of football spikes with him. He’ll be in town, but not to workout nor visit with the entire organization. Instead, the source says, he’s coming to meet one on one directly with… and only with Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey.
I’m going all the back to something we originally reported on 
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the fourth in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the third in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
A pair of key LSU defenders will be visiting Orchard Park over the next few days as the Buffalo Bills continue their due diligence on all draft weekend possibilities.
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the second in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
( Since we’re growing tired of talking about who the Buffalo Bills may take with the third overall pick, this is the first in a 10-part series about who the Bills are most likely to target with their second round draft pick. The Bills hold the second pick of round two, 34th overall)
Welcome to Tuesday, which many football fans, those of the Buffalo Bills included may as well label Cam Newton Day.
There hasn’t been a lot of talk and/or reports about college prospects meeting with the Buffalo Bills during the NFL combine, other than quarterback Colin Kaepernick admitting on Twitter he met with the team over the weekend. We can now add another prospect to the Bills meeting list.
The consensus regarding Cam Newton this weekend at the NFL combine is he did an outstanding job conducting himself at the podium and several media interviews as he continues to rehab an image many consider character flawed.
I’ve been severely under the weather for the past 36 or so hours; very poor timing with the NFL combine beginning. As a result, I’m more than just as little behind the times getting everyone some news and notes. I’ve basically been slipping in and out of consciousness while medicated, so since I’m up at 2:53am, I’ll give you items of interest I’ve heard, seen and read surrounding the Bills and the combine yesterday.
When the number eight pick of the NFL draft was announced last April by Roger Goodell, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey found themselves on the clock. A plethora of gifted players remained, some more highly regarded than others. What many fans and media members debated for months who the pick should be, it was a five-minute decision in the Bills war room, as C.J. Spiller’s name was confidently called to center stage for a pat on the back from the NFL commissioner.
During last year’s NFL draft, University of California defensive lineman Tyson Alualu seemingly came out of nowhere and ended up a top ten draft pick (by Jacksonville), screwing up every Mock Draft known to man in the process. This year his teammate Cameron Jordan could see the same fate, maybe even go higher… and I’m talking about skyrocketing all the way up to Buffalo with the third pick.
The Super Bowl is finally over, but for many football fans across the nation, the offseason began several weeks ago. With Ralph Wilson Stadium lying dormant for yet another January, Bills fanatics are seeing plenty of extra time on their hands to speculate about the immediate future.
If there’s one thing we learned from the Super Bowl this past Sunday, it’s that defense still wins championships in this league. Look no further than Pittsburgh’s second-ranked and Green Bay’s fifth overall defense as evidence. Sure, Aaron Rodgers deservedly took home MVP honors, but it was the Packers defense that came up with key stops… and interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger that were most responsible for the win.
In a move everyone expected, University of Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley today announced that he’ll enter the NFL draft.
Let me preface by stating a couple of things. Firstly, I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about Andrew Luck over the next few months because frankly, it’s next to an impossibility that he’s going to fall to the Buffalo Bills with the third overall draft pick in April…. and I’m even more certain Buddy Nix isn’t going to trade up to get him.
