Some Thoughts on the Bills
3/26/2010 | Posted by
Devin
While trying to settle my nerves down for what will be the biggest game of the 2009-10 season for the Buffalo Sabres (so far), I thought it would be good to completely switch gears and discuss the happenings (or lack thereof) at One Bills Drive.
The Bills have actually been in the news lately, mostly being mentioned in conjunction with the trade talks involving Donovan McNabb. Let me get straight to the point. This would be a fantastic move for the Bills to make. This wouldn't just be another ticket grab signing like Terrell Owens was (yes it would), this would also solidify a position that has been in flux for the better part of the decade. Ever since Drew Bledsoe's three year tenure ended in Buffalo, the QB position has been a complete mess. Losman, Holcomb, Edwards, Fitzpatrick, and Brohm. What a lineup. If I missed a QB along the way, I don't care.
Yes, McNabb is getting older and nearing the end of his career. But please realize, he is only 33 years old and has plenty of gas left in the tank. Last season he threw for 22 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. The year before it was 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and the year prior it was 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. I would also like to note that while a Buffalo Bills QB hasn't thrown for more than 300 yards in over 50+ games, McNabb did it three times. In fact, he threw for 450 yards against the Chargers last season. That stat along should seal the deal.Most detractors point out that along with age, he is also injury prone. Really? I just don't see it. He has no doubt had his fair share of injuries, but he has also missed only four games in the past three seasons. Last time I checked, Trent Edwards has had his fair share of injuries too. In fact, Edwards has yet to play even one full NFL season. Awesome.
I say all of this with a heavy heart though because there is no way McNabb is coming to Buffalo.
This is mostly due to the fact that he is entering the final year of his contract. I would be livid if the Bills gave up a second round draft pick or more for a one year rental. The only way I'd accept this deal is if an extension with McNabb was put into place before the trade was finalized. So with that being said, he isn't going to want to sign an extension with Buffalo and I don't blame the Bills one bit for not pulling the trigger on the deal without an extension.
McNabb has publicly said that Minnesota is his choice destination. I also don't that happening because Brett Favre is still under contract for one more season and until the Vikings lineup to kick the ball off in Week One, I believe Favre will be back for another season. Although, this does open up the very real possibility of McNabb refusing an extension with any team and simply walking over to Minnesota after next season.
That leads us to Oakland. Oakland is dumb enough to toss away draft picks for a player entering the final year of his contract. They proved that much to us last season when they traded a first round pick for Richard Seymour. Why wouldn't they do a similar deal this season?
The franchise tag possibility would put a serious dent in the Minnesota plan above coming to fruition, but anything can happen in Oakland. This is the Raiders we're talking about. Again, Oakland is dumb enough to pull this off. And again, I would be irate if the Bills even thought twice about this.
So while I would love a deal for McNabb in Buffalo, it isn't happening without an extension, and he isn't signing one in Buffalo.
In other news, I was reminded by ESPN (again and again and again) that the draft is only 27 days away. I'm actually very excited for the draft this year. And to be honest, part of the reason is the fact that it's a three day event. Instead of spending my entire Saturday parked in front of the television, I get to space out the event and really enjoy it. Let's be honest, I'm probably not doing much on a Thursday night anyways, so why not watch the first round of the draft. Of course, there will be an issue if the Sabres happen to play that night, but we'll cross that bridge when (if) we get there.
I've read plenty of mock drafts and I've seen far too many with Buffalo picking Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. This is the one player I don't want the Bills to draft and honestly, I'm strictly going on a hunch. I haven't watched countless hours of footage to come up with this opinion and I really haven't done a ton of research on it. I watched just enough Notre Dame games in the past few seasons to know that I don't want him as the QB of my team. It's really that simple.
So what if they draft him? I'll probably throw something across the living room and complain about it for the following 72 hours. But then I'll be forced to cheer for him and support him. I am, of course, a Buffalo Bills fan. I cheer for the logo, city, and uniforms above any one player. And who knows, maybe I'll even learn to like him. Terrell Owens was able to pull it up so it's definitely within the realm of possibility.
I'll leave the rest of the draft talk alone because I don't want to spoil our second annual mock draft.
P.S. I still really HATE the Ottawa Senators. More on this game later tonight or tomorrow.
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