Mike Williams, JP, and Maybin hurt the teams long term success.
- dadeadhead

Indeed. Unfortunately we had to rid ourselves of Lynch, Whitner and Mcgahee (not gonna blame the Bills here). Every team busts and I'm pretty sure it's an even playing field, with the Bills well above the average in amount of busts. So with 5 busts and basically 2 forced trades, that killed us. Didn't help that we couldn't resign a few guys, but for the time they were here, they performed well, like Whitner, Clements and Winfield.

I know - IF.

But here's the recap of the last game he played: he went "day-to-day" for a few weeks and then long-term IR with an unspecified "lower body injury" after this performance, without ever playing again.

http://sabres.nhl.com/gam...er/en/recap?id=2013020990
- Der Kaiser

3:18 - "And that one may have gone off Mike Weber"

Need a QB (+) something fierce, and that is about all this team is missing. Once they have a above average QB... they make the playoffs.

Here's a little optimism to add to your day. Take a look at the bust rate of picks around pick 10 in the past 15 years, then look at the 1st round busts the Bills had in the past 15 years.

99 - 23rd Overall, Antoine Winfield (+)
00 - 26th Overall, Erik Flowers (-)
01 - 21st Overall, Nate Clements (+)
02 - 4th Overall, Mike Williams (-)
03 - 23rd Overall, Willis McGahee (+)
04 - 13th Overall, Lee Evans (+), 22nd Overall, JP Losman (-)
05 - None
06 - 8th Overall, Donte Whitner (+), 26th Overall, John McCargo (-)
07 - 12th Overall, Marshawn Lynch (+)
08 - 11th Overall, Leodis McKelvin (+)
09 - 11th Overall, Aaron Maybin (-), 28th Overall, Eric Wood (+)
10 - 9th Overall, C.J. Spiller (+)
11 - 3rd Overall, Marcell Dareus (+)
12 - 10th Overall, Stephon Gilmore (+)
13 - 16th Overall, EJ Manuel (?)
14 - 4th Overall, Sammy Watkins (probably ++)

12 Successes to a certain degree, 5 busts in 15 years, which makes a 71% success rate, believe it or not. Not bad.

Using an analysis performed by a Browns blogger, there's a 49.1% bust rate. http://www.clevelandfrown...nd-round-nfl-draft-picks/

Bills are above the average!
- TheSabresTaco

Indeed. Unfortunately we had to rid ourselves of Lynch, Whitner and Mcgahee (not gonna blame the Bills here). Every team busts and I'm pretty sure it's an even playing field, with the Bills well above the average in amount of busts. So with 5 busts and basically 2 forced trades, that killed us. Didn't help that we couldn't resign a few guys, but for the time they were here, they performed well, like Whitner, Clements and Winfield.
- TheSabresTaco

Pat Williams was another huge blunder not resigning.


Its not just the first rounders. The second round picks have be horrible. James Hardy, Torrell Troupe. When they picked Troupe in the second I knew full well the Bills were out of their minds and didn't know crap about football. Maybe the worst pick in team history.

ESPN's top 100. Take this with a grain of salt considering the source... espn.

Need insider to read the whole thing: http://insider.espn.go.co...p-100-prospects-index-nhl


5. Sam Reinhart, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Not eligible)
2013-14 team: Kootenay (OHL)
2013-14 stats: 60 GP | 36 G | 69 A | 11 PIM

The youngest -- and the most talented -- of Paul Reinhart's three sons stands out due to his incredible hockey IQ. Reinhart's ability as a playmaker, in terms of how he can slow the game down and see his options in the corner of his eye, drives his value. He's a highly skilled puck handler as well, but his strength is as a distributor.

17. Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 7)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 18 GP | 2 G | 1 A | 2 PIM

Grigorenko has trended down somewhat as a prospect, although it's tough to tell how much of it is on him and how much has been the significant lack of game repetitions due to his handling by the organization. To wit, he played 18 games with the Sabres, nine games with the AHL affiliate in Rochester and 23 with his QMJHL team. However, Grigorenko is still very appealing because he's as good a playmaker as there is in the prospect world.

21. Nikita Zadorov, D, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 32)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 7 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 4 PIM

A tower of terror on the blue line, the big Russian defender got some NHL time for Buffalo early on before coming back to be one of the OHL's top defensemen, scoring 30 points in 36 games for London. He's 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and uses every square inch of that frame to win battles and deliver crushing body blows to opposing forwards. He's the rare defenseman who top scorers truly fear when coming down the wing. It helps that Zadorov is such a great skater to let him stay with the quicker players. He's become more confident with the puck, and has a big shot from the point.

44. Hudson Fasching, RW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: unranked)
2013-14 team: Minnesota (NCAA)
2013-14 stats: 40 GP | 14 G | 16 A | 22 PIM

One of the biggest risers of the season was the big winger from Apple Valley, Minnesota. After an up-and-down draft season, Fasching had a pretty good freshman season with the Golden Gophers and a great WJC. He has learned how to use his size a lot better and has really developed his defensive game. The Sabres acquired Fasching from the Kings at the trade deadline.

51. J.T. Compher, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 91)
2013-14 team: Michigan (NCAA)
2013-14 stats: 35 GP | 11 G | 20 A | 22 PIM

Unfortunately, Compher missed out on the IIHF World Junior Championship this past season due to injury, but he was great as a freshman for Michigan, leading the team in scoring, which is quite unusual for a frosh. J.T. is a good all-around center who isn't dynamic in either end, but plays at an impressive level. His hockey sense is very good as a playmaker and reading the game without the puck, and he possesses a nice wrist shot.

60. Joel Armia, RW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 64)
2013-14 team: Rochester (AHL)
2013-14 stats: 54 GP | 7 G | 20 A | 30 PIM

Armia had a bumpy first AHL season, but finished off strong, including a productive postseason (six points in five games). He's one of the most exciting prospects to watch when he's at his best, due to his above-average size and elite puck skills that make him unique; on the other hand, he struggles in decision-making. He has top-line tools, but it remains to be seen if he reaches that peak.

69. Gustav Possler, LW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Unranked)
2013-14 team: Modo (SHL)
2013-14 stats: 22 GP | 8 G | 7 A | 4 PIM

No prospect got scouts talking more early on in the 2013-14 season than Possler, as he followed up an outstanding tournament at Lake Placid with a scorching start to the SHL season. He was injured midseason, which kept him out of the WJC. He's somewhat tough to project, but I'm willing to bet on the player and see how well he performs this season.

72. Jake McCabe, D, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Unranked)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 7 GP | 0 G | 1 A | 15 PIM

A first-team All-American in his junior season with Wisconsin (25 points in 36 games), McCabe got some playing time with Team USA at the IIHF World Championship, as well as a handful of games with the Sabres. Jake is a player who has continued to improve since his USNTDP years as a very solid two-way defenseman, although his value leans to the defensive end. McCabe thinks the game very well, has a good outlet pass and a decent shot.

No Risto that I could find. I'll go through it again to see if I just missed him.

*edit* Their cutoff is 25 games played in one NHL season or 50 overall. Risto has over 30.

Pat Williams was another huge blunder not resigning.


Its not just the first rounders. The second round picks have be horrible. James Hardy, Torrell Troupe. When they picked Troupe in the second I knew full well the Bills were out of their minds and didn't know crap about football. Maybe the worst pick in team history.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, and Fred Davis were all there in 2nd rd. They took Hardy. Now some have some off the field issues but....


Troupe, well Spikes and Gronk come to mind.

ESPN's top 100. Take this with a grain of salt considering the source... espn.

Need insider to read the whole thing: http://insider.espn.go.co...p-100-prospects-index-nhl


5. Sam Reinhart, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Not eligible)
2013-14 team: Kootenay (OHL)
2013-14 stats: 60 GP | 36 G | 69 A | 11 PIM

The youngest -- and the most talented -- of Paul Reinhart's three sons stands out due to his incredible hockey IQ. Reinhart's ability as a playmaker, in terms of how he can slow the game down and see his options in the corner of his eye, drives his value. He's a highly skilled puck handler as well, but his strength is as a distributor.

17. Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 7)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 18 GP | 2 G | 1 A | 2 PIM

Grigorenko has trended down somewhat as a prospect, although it's tough to tell how much of it is on him and how much has been the significant lack of game repetitions due to his handling by the organization. To wit, he played 18 games with the Sabres, nine games with the AHL affiliate in Rochester and 23 with his QMJHL team. However, Grigorenko is still very appealing because he's as good a playmaker as there is in the prospect world.

21. Nikita Zadorov, D, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 32)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 7 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 4 PIM

A tower of terror on the blue line, the big Russian defender got some NHL time for Buffalo early on before coming back to be one of the OHL's top defensemen, scoring 30 points in 36 games for London. He's 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and uses every square inch of that frame to win battles and deliver crushing body blows to opposing forwards. He's the rare defenseman who top scorers truly fear when coming down the wing. It helps that Zadorov is such a great skater to let him stay with the quicker players. He's become more confident with the puck, and has a big shot from the point.

44. Hudson Fasching, RW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: unranked)
2013-14 team: Minnesota (NCAA)
2013-14 stats: 40 GP | 14 G | 16 A | 22 PIM

One of the biggest risers of the season was the big winger from Apple Valley, Minnesota. After an up-and-down draft season, Fasching had a pretty good freshman season with the Golden Gophers and a great WJC. He has learned how to use his size a lot better and has really developed his defensive game. The Sabres acquired Fasching from the Kings at the trade deadline.

51. J.T. Compher, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 91)
2013-14 team: Michigan (NCAA)
2013-14 stats: 35 GP | 11 G | 20 A | 22 PIM

Unfortunately, Compher missed out on the IIHF World Junior Championship this past season due to injury, but he was great as a freshman for Michigan, leading the team in scoring, which is quite unusual for a frosh. J.T. is a good all-around center who isn't dynamic in either end, but plays at an impressive level. His hockey sense is very good as a playmaker and reading the game without the puck, and he possesses a nice wrist shot.

60. Joel Armia, RW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 64)
2013-14 team: Rochester (AHL)
2013-14 stats: 54 GP | 7 G | 20 A | 30 PIM

Armia had a bumpy first AHL season, but finished off strong, including a productive postseason (six points in five games). He's one of the most exciting prospects to watch when he's at his best, due to his above-average size and elite puck skills that make him unique; on the other hand, he struggles in decision-making. He has top-line tools, but it remains to be seen if he reaches that peak.

69. Gustav Possler, LW, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Unranked)
2013-14 team: Modo (SHL)
2013-14 stats: 22 GP | 8 G | 7 A | 4 PIM

No prospect got scouts talking more early on in the 2013-14 season than Possler, as he followed up an outstanding tournament at Lake Placid with a scorching start to the SHL season. He was injured midseason, which kept him out of the WJC. He's somewhat tough to project, but I'm willing to bet on the player and see how well he performs this season.

72. Jake McCabe, D, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: Unranked)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 7 GP | 0 G | 1 A | 15 PIM

A first-team All-American in his junior season with Wisconsin (25 points in 36 games), McCabe got some playing time with Team USA at the IIHF World Championship, as well as a handful of games with the Sabres. Jake is a player who has continued to improve since his USNTDP years as a very solid two-way defenseman, although his value leans to the defensive end. McCabe thinks the game very well, has a good outlet pass and a decent shot.

No Risto that I could find. I'll go through it again to see if I just missed him.

*edit* Their cutoff is 25 games played in one NHL season or 50 overall. Risto has over 30.
- burner087

17. Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Buffalo Sabres (Previous ranking: 7)
2013-14 team: Buffalo (NHL)
2013-14 stats: 18 GP | 2 G | 1 A | 2 PIM

Grigorenko has trended down somewhat as a prospect, although it's tough to tell how much of it is on him and how much has been the significant lack of game repetitions due to his handling by the organization. To wit, he played 18 games with the Sabres, nine games with the AHL affiliate in Rochester and 23 with his QMJHL team. However, Grigorenko is still very appealing because he's as good a playmaker as there is in the prospect world.

This means we trade him, right?

Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, and Fred Davis were all there in 2nd rd. They took Hardy. Now some have some off the field issues but....


Troupe, well Spikes and Gronk come to mind.
- dadeadhead

smoked 30 a day for the last 25 years


smoked 12 on friday
10 on saturday
9 on sunday
7 yesterday


I do walk around mad at the world right now though
- homiedclown

Homie, 'YOU GOT THIS!"

I'm pullin' for ya

http://www.wgr550.com/pag...Type=4&contentId=15724380

http://www.wgr550.com/pag...Type=4&contentId=15724380
- grand-magus

We'll win it easily.

We'll win it easily.
- mhp

Imagine it next year.

Imagine it next year.
- Herzeleid

Scary good.

Scary good.
- mhp

Don't jinx it. That's a loaded phrase.

Don't jinx it. That's a loaded phrase.
- Der Kaiser

Now do you believe? These guys are good. Scary good.

Now do you believe? These guys are good. Scary good.
- mhp

Great moment in Sabres history, ruined in later years by being utterly and completely inaccurate.

Great moment in Sabres history, ruined in later years by utterly and completely incapable management.
- Der Kaiser

Fixed

Just sold my old 2005 Durango with 183000 miles on it...life is good.

Like what we are seeing out of Williams so far...guy just goes up to get the ball.
now if the O- line can give EJ the time he needs, maybe we have a chance at a decent season.
Also, hoping CJ returns to form of 2012...that will be fun to watch.
Go Sabres!

Eddie Royal, DeSean Jackson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, and Fred Davis were all there in 2nd rd. They took Hardy. Now some have some off the field issues but....


Troupe, well Spikes and Gronk come to mind.
- dadeadhead

Hindsight is 20/20. And obviously we werent the only team to pass on them.

Just sold my old 2005 Durango with 183000 miles on it...life is good.

Like what we are seeing out of Williams so far...guy just goes up to get the ball.
now if the O- line can give EJ the time he needs, maybe we have a chance at a decent season.
Also, hoping CJ returns to form of 2012...that will be fun to watch.
Go Sabres!
- IonSabres

Congrats on being able to get a buck or 2 for it

Hindsight is 20/20. And obviously we werent the only team to pass on them.
- zdp1189

And every team passed on Fred Jackson several times for multiple years. Hindsight is 15/20

Pat Williams was another huge blunder not resigning.


Its not just the first rounders. The second round picks have be horrible. James Hardy, Torrell Troupe. When they picked Troupe in the second I knew full well the Bills were out of their minds and didn't know crap about football. Maybe the worst pick in team history.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Ill defend Hardy he was tall fast and was great on a piss poor IU team. Troupe however was god awful he wasnt even the best rated DT at the time.

Ill defend Hardy he was tall fast and was great on a piss poor IU team. Troupe however was god awful he wasnt even the best rated DT at the time.
- hubie

I agree on hardy. I thought he was going to be a decent WR.

I agree on hardy. I thought he was going to be a decent WR.
- SabresFaninIndiana

Agree, not a star but would have thought hed have a pretty good career.

I agree on hardy. I thought he was going to be a decent WR.
- SabresFaninIndiana

Look at who the top rated WR were from that class. IN general the WR Class as a whole. (I was big on Sweed)

Desean Jackson is really the only one who amounted to anything. Jordy Nelson is a product if a good situation (Not to take anything away from the guy)

http://www.nfl.com/draft/...ory/fulldraft?season=2008