walterfootball.com matt mcguire

Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame This is Buffalo's most important draft pick since the team took Bruce Smith with the No. 1 selection in the 1985 NFL Draft. The Bills have a chance to finally exit NFL purgatory if Jimmy Clausen falls to them at No. 9. If the Bills takes Clausen, they will be a playoff contender by 2011. If they pass on Clausen, they will continue to draft in the top 12. That's how crucial this pick is. The question is: "Will Buffalo draft Clausen to be its franchise quarterback?" I say yes. Now, there's a chance the Bills will pick Dan Williams or someone else instead; if numerous franchises were dumb enough to pass on Aaron Rodgers five years ago, Buffalo is certainly capable of making a similar error. But in the end, I think Buddy Nix is smart guy and will make the right decision. He was part of a Chargers organization that obtained Philip Rivers in the 2004 NFL Draft. Nix knows what he's doing. He said he's looking for a strong-armed quarterback to combat the Orchard Park winds, so Clausen fits that description. Also, don't forget, New Regimes Mean New Quarterbacks. Some links of note: our exclusive Jimmy Clausen interview and an article called Jimmy Clausen is an Alien Wizard, which discusses why the hatred and bias against Clausen is completely unfounded. Also: Jimmy Clausen vs. Sam Bradford: Tale of the Tape, which dissects the two signal-callers looking at 21 different attributes. My USA Today Jimmy Clausen article is also out. You can find it in USA Today's NFL Draft magazine, which can be picked up in most bookstores and news stands (there's a picture of Eric Berry on the front cover). Other 2010 NFL Draft Possibilities: 1. Trent Williams or Bryan Bulaga, OT - If the Seahawks take Eric Berry, Buffalo will have a chance to draft a left tackle. Do they really love Tim Tebow enough to pass on JImmy Clausen? Buddy Nix knows what he's doing, so I have my doubts. 2. Dan Williams, NT - The Bills are moving to the 3-4, but have nothing to speak of at nose tackle. Again, if Nix loves Tebow enough to pass on Clausen, Dan Williams could be the pick.