7-9 Equals 11 for the Second Straight Season in Buffalo

Buffalo Bills fans have been reading editorials and mock drafts religiously around this time of year, with hopes that they can find relief with an uplifting promise of a big off season to come. Contrasting the Free Agent market, the NFL Entry Draft that bargains with the reassurance in knowing there is a real chance of snagging a high end prospect.

There is no chance of really being out bid for a player, or worrying that Buffalo is not a premier market to build a career, family, or much of anything other than a tolerance to the bitter cold. Of course there is that daunting  "a year away," "one or two players away," quote that sting like the Buffalo cold, yet unlike a coat or earmuffs there are few answers for Bills fans in regards to fixing this franchise.

The many debacles that face the Bills franchise will be left to the way side for most of the article. There is no reason to visit the darkest part of our imaginations with talks of Richard Jauron's unremitting reign on the sidelines, poorly used personnel, and/or flashy free agents to be.

Needless to say, what does offer a little bit more control and promise to Bills nation, is the ever so hyped NFL Entry Draft (which in its' own respect is as big a spectacle as the Super Bowl). On the other hand, much like the situations listed above having the No. 11 overall pick brings a catch 22 to the table (and no I am not referring to the amount of catches the Bills secondary WRs had this year).

A high selection bestows the hope that a "blue-chip" prospect will be obtainable. However, the pot of gold on the other side of the high selection rainbow offers the daunting knowledge that the team has many holes to fix.

Offense- The Buffalo Bills offense in 2008 at times looked dangerous, like Ali never down and out. Yet, the Bills ranked 23rd in the league in scoring, thus leaving little to no fight in the tank at crucial stages of the season. The reins were handed over to Stanford signal caller Trent Edwards from day one and was looked at as the go to guy.

However the lack of targets, inability to figure out a 3-4 defense, and slump of a young QB’s growing pains hurt Buffalo in the long run.

The few bright spots: Pro Bowler Marshawn Lynch and Freddy Jackson proved to be one the leagues best one-two combos both on the ground and through the air. Lee Evans produced his second thousand yard season; however there was not much secondary help. Jason Peters, although the two time Pro Bowler held out and had a rocky season, was the lone bright spot on the line  (much needs to be attributed to the lose of line coach Mouse McNally).

Thus arises the question: Can this be fixed via the No. 11 selection?

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State- The Tight End position has long been a weak aspect of the Bills offense since Michigan product Jay Riemersma. Many scouts have tagged Pettigrew as the most complete player in the entire draft. Due in large part to Brandon's ability to block and do it well; well enough put him up there with some the top Offensive Tackles in the draft.

Conversly, Brandon does not offer the same dominance in the passing game. The 6'6" 260 pound Tight End lacks the ability to get off the line and does not have game breaking speed. Has solid hands, but will not create mismatches. Value Grade C+

No.11 is entirely too high for Pettigrew, especially for a team that needs a play maker at the position. Do not get me wrong, Pettigrew a mean man with the ball in his hands. Pettigrew uses that large frame to shed tacklers and extend the play, but once more the lack of speed will hold the young man back at the next level.

Buffalo is better suited waiting for prospects such as Coffman, Beckum, Cook, or Casey. All of whom offer more in the passing game.

Alex Mack, C, Cal- Widely regarded as the best linemen in the entire draft. Yet, the Center position is not the "sexy" pick thus preventing Mack from being a top end selection. Needless to say Mack is one of the single most decorated individuals to play the Center position, and excels in both the running and passing game.

Mack's freakish ability to get to the second level as well as his footwork in pass blocking rates him above Ryan Kalil (Carolina Panthers second round selection in '07) and about the same as Nick Mangold (New York Jets 29th overall selection in '06). Value Grade B+

Again another prospect, that if the Bills coveted they are better off trading down. The grade is due largely in part to the fact the Bills have no answer for the 3-4 NT they face six times a year. Highly unlikely Buffalo has a shot at Mack in the second round players like Max Unger and Jonathan Lugis are not rated too far behind.

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida/ Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri- These two blazing fast WR prospect are lumped together for the soul reason that are essentially similar players. Neither is a pure WR but when used properly can be some of the single most dangerous men with the ball in their hands. Lee Evans was quoted in saying the Bills offense needs more weapons. This mainly due to being ranked 22nd in passing, while averaging a pedestrian 190 yards a game.

However, Bills fans need to demonstrate patience with the likes of second round pick James Hardy and seventh round pick Steve Johnson. If the Bills want to fix there problem at WR, they are best suited to attack it via free agency. Value Grade C

There is without a doubt a void to be filled at the No. 2 WR spot on the field. Problem being, can one really expect a rookie to contribute enough to take pressure off of Lee Evans on a consistent basis? Prospects like Darrius Heyward-Bay and chart climbing Hakeem Nicks are very interesting second round prospects.

Then again the Bills have bigger holes to hill in the trenches to be taking another WR this high.

Defense- This past years' unit is a bit of a mirage. The Bills were successful in leaving the bottom of the league rankings to ascend the 14th overall force on defense in basically every aspect. Regardless of the ranking, the Bills front four could not break through a bunch of grade school children playing Red Rover.

With a total of 24 sacks on the season they only beat out the likes of the Redskins, Browns, and Chiefs. Additions of Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell proved to be very solid combined with the drafted Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner. Paul Posluszny, contrary to popular belief, played a heck of a season in the middle for Buffalo, leading the team in tackles as basically a rookie.

Yet what would the Bills be without being plagued by injury? Two key cogs in the Bills defense, Pro Bowler  Aaron Schobel saw little to no action and former No. 8 overall pick Donte Whitner's separated shoulder kept him from being as effective.

Others bitten by the injury bug were solid players like Greer, Crowell, and Youbot, making Perry Fewell's job that much harder. The aforementioned lack of pass rush, along with the painful thought of possibly having another year of Keith Ellison starting has many Bills nation keen on taking a DE or OLB at No. 11.

Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas- By now I am sure everyone is still drooling over the ESPN segment that brought Orakpo's unheralded ability to bench 515 pounds and squat up to 600 pounds. Orakpo is without question a physical specimen the likes of the statue of David.

Combine that with the power and finesse Brian demonstrates on Saturdays to make him one of the most feared men in the draft. However, it is to be kept in mind that while Orakpo has those credentials, his production has never been anything special. Orakpo has put together streaks of sheer dominance and is without question an NFL ready prospect. Value Grade A

The lack of a plus sign is for the soul purpose that Orakpo has had knee issues and as of recent folks feel “Rak” is more of a 3-4 rush linebacker. In '08 Orakpo compiled 11 sacks in a mere 12 games, often causing fear in opposition while racking up often multiple sacks a game.

Everett Brown DE, Florida State-The 6'4", 252 pound junior has been productive every time he steps foot on the field. Brown tallied 13.5 sacks and is not the monster in the weight room that Orakpois, but has drawn comparison to Colts Dwight Freeney.

Of course not the same player, but Browns moves on the edge are those that can not be taught. Some consider Brown to be a 3-4 Linebacker at the next level, yet the kid was able to do the damage with his hands in the dirt. Regardless, Brown would be an excellent upgrade and a day one impact prospect. Value Grade A-

Hard to evaluate a smaller guy like Brown because of freakish athletes like Orakpo. The good thing is Browns frame does offer room to build andadd muscle. With the skill an instinct that Everett shows, any NFL team would be getting a guy who could reverse the trend of linebackers winning Defensive Rookie of the year. Nevertheless, Brown too is being widely considered a 3-4 rush linebacker as well.

Ray Maualuga, LB, USC- The Trojans defense could have ranked in the top 15 in the NFL this past season. Pete Carroll’s unit was that good this past season, due in large part to First Team (AP) All American, Maualuga. Ray flat out flies around the field and can lay the wood with the best of them.

Most importantly Maualuga is a playmaker who has instincts that have drawn comparison to the late (and former Trojan as well) Junior Seau. For a guy Ray's size and quickness it is hard to believe that his game will not translate well if not better in the pros. Value Grade B+

What is keeping Ray from a higher grade? Maualuga is an inside 'backer thus forcing the Bills to make a hasty decision. Do you hinder Posluszny's development andmove him outside? Some already feel he is better suited on the outside to begin with? Or do you take a guy whose natural instincts are to man the middle of the field and cause havoc?

Needless to say Ray would be a great addition, but the Bills need more of a pure OLB prospect. Names like Clay Matthews (former Trojan), Tyrone McKenzie, and Marcus Freeman come to mind as very strong second/third round prospects.

Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, PSU- The 6’4, 246 QB nightmare has the highest ceiling of any player in the draft. Maybin offers speed, technique, andis stronger than his frame would suggest. With 20 TFL, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three pass break-ups this past season Aaron offers a rare versatility not often seen.

Usually, if a defensive end in college is deemed not to be able to translate the handin the dirt rush, they are converted into a 3-4 linebacker (as seen with Orakpo or Brown). However, Aaron is a special case, offering the ability to be a defensive end or a linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. Maybin offers production along with versatility, and a frame that has room to grow without losing speed. Value Grade A-

Maybin is the type of player who one would wonder what another year of college ball could do. Some feel Maybin is not NFL ready, thus some would feel cheated taking a player that high and not getting production until two or three years down the line. With NFL salaries the way they are now, that is basically unacceptable by most standards thus hurting Maybin’s true value.

The kid will be something special in the NFL if brought along properly and if there is any patience in today’s NFL, Maybin might just end up being the best Defensive prospect in the 2009 draft class.

At the end of the day, there is still the Free Agent market to be picked and prodded at, the NFL combine to over-evaluate prospects, Pro Days, and some sort of scandal/tabloid destruction of a young man who made some poor choice that will come back to haunt him. Conversely, the Buffalo Bills ended their third consecutive season at the 7-9 mark.

Thus, regardless of what direction the Bills plan to take with the No. 11 overall pick, it really can not be the wrong one. That in mind, the Bills fans can take solace in knowing that whoever the selection is, it will be the right one. Enjoy.