With the 8th pick in the 2013 draft...

The Buffalo Bills select... Ryan Nassib?

That's the rumor buzzing around. With the signing of Syracuse's Doug Marrone as Head Coach and Nathaniel Hackett as Offensive Coordinator, it's not too surprising that this rumor is around. Marrone wants to bring the Syracuse style of offense to Buffalo. What better QB could there possibly be to run it that Ryan Nassib? The guy was a starter in that Syracuse offense for 3 years. He can possibly be a starter right away, which sounds good to most Bills fans. Most of the fans are pretty tired of seeing Ryan Fitzpatrick "lead" the offense.

Can Nassib be a good NFL Quarterback? That's really the question on everyone's mind. Nassib's stock has been rising. If he plays well in the Senior Bowl, there's a good chance the Bills will have to use their first round pick on him if they really want to draft him. If you are going to pick a QB early in the first round... Well, he had better be ready to start and play quality football.

So can Nassib be that guy? I say yes. Don't get me wrong here... Picking Nassib in the first round would be a HUGE risk. While he was somewhat successful at Syracuse, their schedule wasn't incredibly difficult. I took a look at some highlights of Nassib this year. You can watch the highlights I saw with these 3 videos.

Those 3 games are 3 of the better opponents Syracuse played this year. Nassib was moderately successful against them. Here's my 1 big criticism. He has "happy feet". He often looks like a Mexican Jumping Bean in the pocket. Yes, you have to keep your feet moving in the pocket. You don't want a defender catching you flat-footed... But Nassib goes a little too far at times. When he does this, he struggles to set his feet for a throw. With almost every one of his errant passes, he had happy feet and failed to set his feet properly.

If he can fix this, he has a lot of potential. When his feet are set properly, he is reasonably accurate. He's great from close range and shows some finesse downfield. That's something that Ryan Fitzpatrick can't say. Speaking of Fitzpatrick, do you want to know why I like Nassib? Throwing power. Nassib has a VERY strong arm. No more dying ducks on fade patterns! Fitzpatrick does beat Nassib in one area: movement. Nassib doesn't have great movement. He lacks speed when running. He's not terrible... He moves better than Peyton Manning at least... And that guy seems like a decent Quarterback. Is Nassib the next Peyton? No. But he's better than Fitzpatrick, so I say he's worth taking a chance on. Even if it takes a first round pick to get him.

Tate/Jennings Simultaneous Catch

It has been a while since I have posted here. However, I think now is a good time to make an update.

Yesterday, in the Seahawks/Packers game, the replacement refs were the deciding factor in a game. It was going to happen eventually. The referees play a huge part, and it was just a matter of time before a call decided a game.

Most fans and experts are looking at the Tate/Jennings catch in the end zone and complaining that the refs got it wrong. I have done some analysis myself from all of the different angle, and I think it actually was called correctly. That's right. I may very well be the only person, who is not a Seahawks fan, that thinks Tate should get credit for the touchdown. Well, let me rephrase that a bit. Tate should get a touchdown, under the current league rules.

It all comes down to what the rulebook says about a simultaneous catch. Well, here's the rule:

"If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players
retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control."

The problem lies in the definition of "control". If you watch the replay, both Tate and Jennings grab the ball at about the same time. Jennings has a better hold on it, but Tate has both hands on the ball as well. The players come to the ground. Jennings has the ball to his chest. However, Tate never released the ball, and eventually ends up with an arm around the ball and his other hand on it.

Now, Jennings has better control of the ball... But the rule itself does not say anything about having more or better control. Both players simply have to have "control". I would say Tate has both hands on the ball, therefore he has "control". Now, the NFL doesn't explicitly state the definition of control, but it can be inferred by looking at the definition of possession:

"Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds."

When does a player have possession in any ordinary scenario? Does a player have possession when the ball is clutched to that players chest? Certainly. However, doesn't a player also have possession if they only have 2 hands on the ball? I would say so. Therefore, 2 hands on the ball must also be defined as "control".

If that is the case, the simultaneous catch rule is applied and the play is a touchdown.

1st Round, 10th Overall: Stephon Gilmore, CB, S. Carolina

So with their 1st pick, the Buffalo Bills go for a defensive back in Cornerback Stephon Gilmore from South Carolina.

What's my opinion? Well, first let me say that this was not a surprise. When the Bills were on the clock, Gilmore was the most likely pick. I'm not thrilled, but I'm not disappointed. The secondary needed some help. I mentioned before that this was an issue. In my opinion, it was not necessary to address the issue this year. I think the front office looked at the secondary and saw: 2 Old Timers, 1 Injury Prone guy, and an unproven 2nd year with potential. I wouldn't necessarily disagree. That is a fair assessment of the secondary. However, those 2 old timers (McGee and Florence) still have a couple years in them. The coaches love Aaron Williams and want to see him get more playing time. So, I can see why the Bills went with Gilmore. He was the best available and there is good reason to look at CB as a place for improvement.

Gilmore should fit in well. He's not necessarily a ball hawk, but I'll take solid coverage and superior tackling skills to risky ball hawks any day. He only makes a break on the ball when it is the best option to do so. The ball hawking will develop with time. He'll also need some improvement when playing on the line. His skills are solid, but he tends to give a little too much cushion. This will get him burned in the NFL more often than not. I'm sure the coaches will address this in the preseason.

What would I have preferred at this pick? Well, I only saw 1 guy worth taking over Gilmore: Michael Floyd. He would have been a great compliment to Stevie Johnson. The Bills desperately need a 2nd starting WR. It seemed like a good fit. Instead, Floyd falls a few spots to the Cardinals. I'm sure he is thrilled to be playing opposite a guy who is one of the best WRs in the league, Larry Fitzgerald. Michael Floyd was the guy. Many would say Riley Reiff would have been a better choice. I wouldn't agree. His stock has been falling recently and I think it's with a good reason. Reiff can be a solid RT for someone, but he won't be a good LT. He simply lacks the speed and footwork to match up against the best pass rushers in the league.

The only other option outside of Floyd was to trade down. Buddy Nix has said in an interview that they had many options to move up and a couple teams interested in getting them to move down. Nix said he was unlikely to move up and waste a draft pick. I agree. The talent was not there to warrant moving up. It would have cost too much to get into the top 5 picks, which is where they would have had to go to get someone worth trading up for. However, I would have liked to see them move down. The talent does not drop off much over the next 10-15 picks. They could have moved down and picked up an extra pick or 2 later in the draft.

But that's all in the past now. I'm looking forward to seeing Gilmore in action. He should fit in well with that secondary.

For next round, don't be surprised to see the Bills go for a tackle if the talent is there. Certainly OT and WR are the best choices for the 2nd round. I plan on blogging my opinion on at least the first 3 rounds, so stay tuned for more analysis.

Horrible Calls: How To Deal With Them

Unfortunately, human error is part of every game that involves referees/umpires/judges. It is simply unavoidable. However, there are ways to deal with it. Athletes today are lucky. Back in the day, instant replay was not available. A call was made the instant a play happened and that was what stayed. Heck, in some plays, we still don't know whether or not the right call was made. I'm looking at you, Franco Harris. You're probably the only guy in the world that knows for sure if that catch was legal.

Players today don't seem to reflect on the past, though. Yesterday in the Rangers/Senators game, a horrendous call was made late in the game. With the Senators down 3-1 and the goalie pulled, the puck made its' way to the front of the goal and eventually over the line to narrow the lead to 3-2. However, Chris Neal made 2 infractions in front of the net which should have been seen and cancelled the goal. First, he pushed Lundqvist out of the way with his stick, which is goaltender interference. Second, he kicked the puck into the goal.

Here's a video of the whole situation:



Henrik Lundqvist was extremely upset and with good reason. Here's the problem, the refs were not in position to see everything that happened. Oh, but wait. We have instant replay! Certainly that will fix the problem. It didn't and I can see why. First, goaltender interference is a referee call on the ice. It is not reviewable. Second, the kick went over the puck. I truly believe the puck was kicked. (The puck picks up speed as Neal's skate goes over it.) However, because the skate did go over, technically there is not enough evidence to say he kicked it. It's ridiculous, yes... But there has to be indisputable evidence to change a call on the ice. You could argue that rules of physics prove Neal kicked it, but it is what it is. Maybe his skate caused a breeze that made the puck increase in momentum. Technically that's legal.

I'll admit I'm torn on this specific play. While I truly believe the goal should have been disallowed, I have another small interest. I am 2 degrees of separation to Chris Kreider. I'm friends with his cousins. (Not incredibly close friends... But then again, we played in the same Fantasy Football league last year. How much closer can guys get?) Not only did Chris score his first NHL goal yesterday for the Rangers, but he also was given the game winning goal due to the Neal kickerference goal. (On a side note, congratulations Chris.)

So what's my solution to the problem? No more referees. At least not on the ice. Well, let me revise that. There should be a couple referees on the ice, but not for making calls. They should be there simply for breaking up fights and whatnot. Referees should be monitoring video feeds that a computer analyzes to determine any rule infractions and goals. It could be done. If that seems like too much computer analysis for people to handle, then put 12 people in a booth. They each have their own video feed(s) that follow a specific player on the ice. Now you have people watching literally everything that happens at all times. You still might miss a few things due to bad camera angles or something... But most calls would be seen and made.

That won't happen, though. For some reason, while everyone complains about refs in every sport, no one wants drastic changes to fix the problem.

Look at baseball. Balls and strikes are the most argued call in sports. Solution? 2 cameras. 1 at batter level watching the height of a pitch. 1 above the plate making sure the ball goes over the plate. Simple. And with the slow pace of baseball, this would be easy to implement. While you could make video analysis software to make balls and strikes, that's not even necessary. You can just have an ump watching the video.

But what do I know? I'm just a crazy nerd that likes technology. Technology and making the right call in sports. Meh.

With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL, the Buffalo Bills select...

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching. On Thursday, each NFL team will make their 1st round selection. Each team is hoping that player ends up a Hall of Famer by the end of their career. The Buffalo Bills have the 10th pick this year. In my opinion, if you have a top 10 pick, your selection better be an immediate starter and a game changer. (Or at least have the potential to be that guy.)

But who should they pick? Well, let's look at where the Bills need help. I have mentioned in a different post which needs are the most important. If you want to narrow down which positions are weakest, you're left with the following: QB, WR, OT, LB, and DB. Some experts seem to think the Bills will consider another pass-rusher to put opposite Mario Williams. I don't think this is likely. The Bills are pretty deep at DE already. As it is, newly acquired Mark Anderson will be fighting with Chris Kelsay and Shawne Merriman for playing time. There will likely be a rotation system for the Defensive Line, but 4 quality ends are enough. Picking another one in the 1st round simply isn't the right move.

So which position do I recommend? Well, let me narrow it down...

QB? No. I don't think Fitzpatrick is the long-term answer... But he just got a huge contract extension. If the Bills had a chance to get Andrew Luck or RG3, I'd certainly want them to pick them... But they don't. So there is no chance Buffalo goes after a QB.
LB? Maybe, but I wouldn't. Melvin Ingram would be a decent selection... IF he falls to the 10th pick. I don't think he'll fall that far... But even if he does, LB is not a major concern for the Bills. Their starters are pretty solid. Depth is an issue, but that should be addressed in later rounds.
DB? Again no. I really don't see a defensive back worth taking here. And, unlike many other fans, I think the Bills will be fine at DB. They just need to stay healthy. George Wilson and Jairus Byrd have looked good. No need for improvement. At CB: McGee, Florence, McKelvin, and Aaron Williams. Looks good to me. McGee and Florence are getting old and will need replacements soon, but the Bills can go another year without reaching for one in the 1st round. Aaron Williams looked great last year when he was healthy and the Bills coaches love him. He'll see more playing time and maybe even a starting role by season's end.

That leaves 2 positions: Wide Receiver and Offensive Tackle. Both are the best options for this 10th pick. The Bills are in desperate need of a WR to start opposite Stevie Johnson... At OT, the Bills are lacking a Left Tackle, the hardest position to play on the offensive line. Demetrius Bell, the starting Left Tackle last year, left in free agency this year. Luckily, the Bills were able to resign Chris Hairston. He has looked good on the field, but he is unproven and a huge risk to Fitzpatrick's health. Here's the problem I see... With each of those positions, I see 1 guy worth taking. At WR, Justin Blackmon. At OT, Matt Kalil. However, most experts believe (and I agree) that both of those guys will be gone before Buffalo is up with the 10th pick. Most experts have the Bills taking Riley Reiff, offensive tackle from Iowa. I think that would be the best option... IF they pick.

In all honesty, though, if the Bills are up to pick and both Blackmon and Kalil are gone, I don't select Reiff. I don't think he has the speed to take on the DeMarcus Wares and Jared Allens of the league. I trade down. The extra picks will be useful and the Bills can find a player of equal skill to Kalil down in the 20s of the 1st round. The skill level isn't there in the positions that the Bills need. Take the extra picks, Buffalo. You'll be glad you did.

The NFL Draft won't be ruined on TV this year.

If you enjoy reading/hearing my thoughts on sports, especially the Bills/Sabres, you can thank my step-dad, Leo. To this day, it's pretty much the only thing I talk to him about. We could talk for hours on a single topic involving the Bills/Sabres. The most recent topic that went on for an hour or 2? Who will the Bills pick in the 1st round of the NFL Draft this year?

You see when I was younger, I used to watch the NFL Draft on TV. Every pick. Every Year. No joke. I would sit down in the living room with Leo with NFL Draft analysis from newspapers and magazines. With every pick, I would cross that player off on all of the mock drafts and ratings tables. Then when it came time for the Bills to pick, we would speculate on who they would select. Leo knew the players pretty well, and I had a list of remaining players with 40-yard times, heights, and weights. We would usually narrow the choices to 2 or 3 and most of the time, the pick the Bills would make would be one of those choices. I looked forward to the draft every year. I was obsessed (not unlike my current obsession with everything sports related). But then ESPN had a great idea. The NFL Draft wasn't getting enough viewers. Their solution? A few years ago, ESPN moved the draft to the evening, at least for the first round. Then they started moving other rounds. Friday nights were taken... Then Thursday nights. The schedule seems to keep changing year to year... But the draft used to always be over a Saturday and Sunday. First 3 rounds started Saturday morning. The final 4 rounds were on Sunday. When the schedule changed, I was already in college. My obsession had decreased to the point where I was only interested in watching during the 1st round and whenever the Bills were picking. So I wasn't too concerned with the time change.

But then ESPN went too far. Over the past few years, the 1st round of the draft has been ruined. I used to speculate on which player a team would choose, especially when the Bills were picking. However, this was no longer possible. Why? Because ESPN decided to ruin the suspense by showing a player sitting a table with their family whenever they got a phone call. Sure, you can try to ignore it... But why else would player at the NFL draft be on the phone in the middle of it with a huge smile on their face. A smile that only millions of guaranteed dollars could produce. Okay, I'm probably exaggerating a bit. But 3-4 minutes before the pick was announced, it was already obvious who was getting picked.

This year, though, I may be more inclined to watch. I recently read the best news I have ever heard (still exaggerating): Both ESPN and the NFL Network have decided to not show any players on the phone during the draft. So many people complained about the lack of suspense, that they've changed their policy.

It's about time. So this year I can finally go back to my 12 year old self. I can sit in front of the TV and speculate on every pick... and when the Bills pick, I can analyze the move in every way possible... like the good ol' days. I'm finally looking forward to the draft again. Only difference? I'll probably replace all of the NFL Draft magazines with beer.

Penguins/Flyers Series

As of this post, the Penguins and Flyers are in the midst of an epic playoff series. The Flyers are up 3 games to none, but part of me hopes the Penguins make an epic comeback. A full 7 games, to me, is the only way this series should end.

These 2 teams hate each other. It all started at the end of the regular season. These 2 teams had played each other during the last week of the season. The game itself didn't have a ton of meaning. Both teams were already in the playoffs. But that didn't stop those teams from fighting after the game was over.

To be honest, I am not a fan of either of these teams. If I had to make a list of 5 teams I dislike the most, they would both be on it (along with Ottawa, Boston, and Toronto). It seems fitting that they are now deep in a battle. A playoff series battle full of goals and fights. I watched the majority of game 3 from my couch and I couldn't turn away. Every 2 minutes there was another fight, another goal, or both. The games have ended 4-3, 8-5, and 8-4. Penalty minutes started off slow. The first 2 games were physical, but the emotions have increased with each game, culminating with a total of 158 PIM handed out in Game 3.

Want a list of penalties? Well, here it is:

1st Period
2:39
Deryk Engelland: 2 Minutes for Roughing
2:39
Zac Rinaldo: 2 Minutes for Roughing
5:14
Jakub Voracek: 2 Minutes for High-sticking
6:44
Matt Niskanen: 2 Minutes for Roughing
6:44
Matt Niskanen: 2 Minutes for Cross checking (Served by James Neal)
6:44
Claude Giroux: 2 Minutes for Roughing
7:24
Kris Letang: 2 Minutes for Cross checking
12:02
Kimmo Timonen: 10 Minute Game Misconduct
12:02
Kris Letang: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
12:02
Kris Letang: 10 Minute Game Misconduct
12:02
Steve Sullivan: 2 Minutes for Roughing
12:02
Jakub Voracek: 2 Minutes for Roughing
12:02
Kimmo Timonen: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
12:02
Claude Giroux: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
12:02
Kimmo Timonen: 2 Minutes for Slashing
12:02
Sidney Crosby: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
14:15
Brayden Schenn: 2 Minutes for Charging
14:15
Arron Asham: 10 Minute Match Penalty for Deliberate injury (Served by Steve Sullivan)

2nd Period
0:35
Jordan Staal: 2 Minutes for Hooking
9:13
Nicklas Grossmann: 2 Minutes for Kneeing
12:30
Chris Kunitz: 2 Minutes for Tripping
17:22
Chris Kunitz: 2 Minutes for Slashing

3rd Period
15:18
James Neal: 2 Minutes for Charging
15:18
Craig Adams: 10 Minute Game Misconduct
15:18
Craig Adams: 2 Minutes for Instigator
15:18
Chris Kunitz: 2 Minutes for Roughing
15:18
Scott Hartnell: 2 Minutes for Roughing
15:18
Craig Adams: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
15:18
Scott Hartnell: 5 Minute Major for Fighting
15:18
Jakub Voracek: 2 Minutes for Roughing
15:18
Wayne Simmonds: 2 Minutes for Roughing
15:18
Wayne Simmonds: 10 Minute Misconduct
15:18
Deryk Engelland: 10 Minute Misconduct
15:18
Sidney Crosby: 2 Minutes for Roughing
15:18
James Neal: 10 Minute Misconduct
17:38
Zac Rinaldo: 2 Minutes for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
17:38
Zac Rinaldo: 2 Minutes for Cross checking
17:38
Zac Rinaldo: 10 Minute Misconduct

As of right now, no suspensions have been given by Shanahan... But I expect that to change. Some of the in-game hits were way too brutal to avoid suspensions. The main issue is that these teams are rivals AND they are both full of goons. Physicality is how these teams win.

This series has been the most entertaining by far. Even if you aren't a hockey fan, you may want to tune in to Game 4 anyways. (Wednesday night at 7:30 on NBC) The physicality will be at a new high between the overflowing emotions of Game 3 and the possible elimination of the Penguins. And if the previous scores are any indication, the goal-scoring shouldn't decline much.