...much of what caused the situation the Bills currently find themselves in can be attributed to moves by the front office, albeit by different regimes, that were head-scratchers at the time, only to have grown in their tortured lore years later.
While Donahoe's personnel decisions between 2001 and 2005 are often criticized with cause, the decisions since then under Levy from 2006 and 2007 are equally as suspect when it comes to retaining veteran defensive players who left via free agency, and how that impacted the draft strategy in following years drafts.
As it stands now, the NFL pays based on projected talent, not actual production. Try applying this system of compensation to any other industry, and the ridiculousness is evident.
Imagine a lawyer, fresh out of college, being paid more than the senior partners of a law firm, or a first-year teacher being better compensated than a tenured professor. You can’t because it doesn’t happen. Outside the NFL, even in other major professional sports like the NBA or NHL, it doesn’t happen.
Robert Royal has been adequate during his time in Buffalo as a capable blocker and receiver, but there’s no mistaking him for Kellen Winslow Jr. or Tony Gonzalez. Michael Gaines showed flashes last year, but he bolted in free agency to Detroit, leaving a roster of the untested (Derek Schouman and Tim Massaquoi) and unwanted (Teyo Johnson and Courtney Anderson).
While it would be nice to add a weapon of Winslow’s caliber to the offense, none exists in this draft. Fred Davis (USC) seems to be the universal choice as the top tight end available, through Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M) and Dustin Keller (Purdue) may be options for Buffalo if either slip to the third round.
Considering Allen is only 26, it’s difficult to understand why the Chiefs would want to part with last year’s sack leader. While at times he has run afoul of the law and NFL rules, his Pro-Bowl season should have been enough ease the minds of Kansas City management.
Apparently not.
With the weaknesses at defensive end opposite Aaron Schobel, Buffalo could afford to send their number one pick along with DE Chris Kelsay to acquire Allen, who along with Schobel, would create quite an impressive pass rushing tandem.
With Stroud projected to start at right defensive tackle, Johnson will most likely rotate with John McCargo at the left defensive tackle spot. Although none provide the space-filling girth that former Bills’ Pat Williams or Ted Washington provided in years past, they should take up enough space to help patch up the porous rush defense. With Schobel solidly entrenched at the left defensive end spot, that leaves the right end position in need of an upgrade.
Last year, New England, Green Bay, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona ranked first to fifth, respectively, in passing yards per game. Look at passing touchdowns per game, and you have four of the same five teams, just switch out Pittsburgh for New Orleans, which was still highly ranked at number nine overall.
One of the common factors all these teams shared was at least one of their two starting wide receivers was over six feet tall. New England, New Orleans, Dallas and Arizona all had starting receivers at six foot three or above. Then again, San Francisco and Tennessee had a multiple receivers on their rosters over six feet tall and were statistically among the worst passing teams in the NFL last year.