SoFlaJets Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Front-office changes could adversely affect the Bills Buffalo We hear that the Bills may be losing one of their key evaluators following this year’s draft. Tom Modrak, the team’s assistant general manager, is likely the odd man out as Buffalo’s front office continues to cut ties to the Tom Donahoe era. If Modrak departs, the biggest beneficiaries are director of pro personnel John Guy and vice president of football administration Jim Overdorf, who are responsible for more of the day-to-day operations and have been calling the shots as of late. Many league evaluators have raised their eyebrows at the amount of money Buffalo has thrown at free agents the past two years, from disappointing DT Larry Tripplett in ’06 to OG Derrick Dockery and OT Langston Walker in ’07. According to one NFL evaluator, “(L)ook at the pro acquisitions they have made and the amount of money they are giving to average players who have not panned out. … They have drafted well, and it was a good year to draft and develop offensive linemen, but they threw way too much money at free agents. I really question the direction of the team. I think they are taking a big step back with the players they’ve lost and (the ones they’ve) brought in.” Miami Given that Miami is committed to drafting a quarterback this year, the big question in South Florida is: Who will fill the two veteran QB spots? We hear that Cleo Lemon will fill one spot. Word is the Dolphins would love to have Chiefs QB Trent Green man the other spot, leaving Daunte Culpepper’s role with the team undecided. We hear that Miami has the parameters in place for a contract with Green, but is still far apart in trade compensation with Kansas City. It won’t be a surprise if the two sides get a deal done closer to Draft Day, much like the two franchises did in 2005 when, after protracted trade talks, Miami sent CB Patrick Surtain to K.C. for a pick right before the ’05 draft. Unlike Green and Lemon, Culpepper doesn’t have a history with head coach Cam Cameron or QB coach Terry Shea, and there are questions whether he can run Cameron’s complex offense and whether he’d accept being a backup if he’s not the starter. We hear that the team would prefer Green, who could start right away, to David Carr, whose confidence needs to be rebuilt. New England We hear that the news that RB Laurence Maroney’s shoulder was found to have “extensive damage” during a surgical procedure shortly after the AFC title game came as a surprise to the team. However, the surgery was a success and it is not a season- or career-threatening injury. While the team will give Maroney the benefit of the doubt due to his youth (22), size (5-11, 220) and toughness, it is a little concerned about Maroney’s durability after he suffered a minor knee sprain in late August, torn rib cartilage in early December and the shoulder injury late in the regular season. Considering that Corey Dillon is gone and that Maroney always has shared carries with another back, it’s no surprise that we hear New England likely will address the RB position in the draft for a second straight year. NY Jets The reason why the Jets have been stockpiling defensive linemen this offseason, taking fliers on players like ex-Bears first-round pick Michael Haynes, who missed last season with a back injury, and ex-Cardinals first-rounder Andre Wadsworth, who has been out of football for the past six years, is in the hope of, at best, striking gold and, at worst, promoting more competition in training camp. The Jets have high hopes for DEs Kenyon Coleman, who they believe will be a solid starter in the 3-4 scheme opposite Shaun Ellis, and David Bowens, an experienced backup who also bolsters the special teams. The team also is excited about the return of NT Sione Pouha, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury but who has the size and strength to be a solid run stuffer and who could push Dewayne Robertson to the outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSJ Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Nice read. I actually think Miami will play tough this year. Buffalo is in trouble, imo. The just don's seem to have a plan together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted April 17, 2007 Author Share Posted April 17, 2007 Nice read. I actually think Miami will play tough this year. Buffalo is in trouble, imo. The just don's seem to have a plan together. this is the single most critical draft for the Dolphins in a decade-they have 9 DP's and MUST start re-building their team the right way-through the draft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECURB Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 The other teams shouldnt even bother.. save their money... the JETS are going to be the AFCE powerhouse for years to come... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 In my honest opinion, Buffalo isn't going to be THAT horrible, as long as they are able to either move up and select Adrian Peterson or stay put and draft Marshawn Lynch to fill their tremendously huge hole at Running Back. On defense, yes they lost Clemens and Fletcher-Baker and yes they let go of Spikes but they have some good young Linebackers (Angelo Crowell is going to be a very, very good one) and could still be a competitive 6-10 / 7-9 team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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