Bills’ 2006 class in good shape three years out

By Anthony Bialy  |   Sunday, May 24, 2009  |  Comments( 6 )

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Marv Levy’s first and second-last draft as Buffalo Bills general manager set a decent standard for this year’s class. The players added in 2006 have collectively done well in the three years they’ve had to impress or depress. Just like how the rookies added last month will be best judged at this time in 2012, it’s fair to reflect at present on what this group offers as it heads into its fourth season.

The most prominent pick is predictably the class’ best player, but that’s to take nothing away from Donte Whitner. His cool steadiness has made him a welcoming presence; it’s already hard to think of Buffalo's defense without him. He so far hasn’t made enough spectacular plays to justify his place as a single-digit pick, and both he and his team should hope that the next friend’s birthday party he attends doesn’t devolve into a near-riot where his party favor is a mug shot.

This franchise must fear that Whitner's law enforcement encounter not only harms his standing but also robs the defense of its young leader for the length of a suspension. The former eighth overall pick better whip out his magical exonerating video soon. But that doesn’t tarnish his exploits on the field: Whitner’s instincts and range pair to ensure that he’s the good first-rounder.

On the other hand, it’s fitting there’s a message at John McCargo’s official Web site that the account has been suspended. As with his Internet page, he doesn’t offer much. The only thing more disappointing than his pro career is remembering that Buffalo dealt up to get him. Thanks to lemon laws, the Indianapolis Colts wouldn’t even take him in a trade last season because of a failed physical; they teased Bills fans by almost getting suckered.

The North Carolina State man has reportedly spent countless hours at team headquarters this offseason trying to shed his image as an injury-prone dud. But the downside is that he has to work so much because he has so much left to prove.

Contrast McCargo with that year’s fifth-rounder in Kyle Williams, a shockingly nimble brute who doesn’t have an off switch. The fact Williams was taken more than 100 selections later than McCargo further widens the gap between the overachiever and bust.

Meanwhile, defensive back Ashton Youboty offers the best evidence why a class can’t be properly judged until three years later. After missing most of his rookie season after a family tragedy and missing most of his second season thanks to not playing very well, the Ohio State man finally turned the corner at cornerback. He’s still recovering from the injury that ended his 2008, but this team should be fine with him missing May practices if it means he can come back by midsummer.

The other selected secondary member is unfortunately headed in the opposite direction. Despite his boasts to authorities, Ko Simpson isn’t worth that much. His New Year’s arrest is his most unforgettable moment as a Bill, which doesn’t say much for his play. Again, he looks even worse by contrast with a later selection. Specifically, Keith Ellison is an enthusiastically overachieving sixth-rounder; he’s good to have on the roster either as a marginal starter or as a lively depth player.

As for the offensive line, the only thing better than getting a starting guard in the fifth round is getting a starting tackle; 143rd overall pick Brad Butler pleasantly astonishes more each season. He’s unsurprisingly the only late surprise. Both seventh-round offensive linemen, Terrence Pennington and Aaron Merz, are elsewhere: Pennington signed with the New York Giants earlier this year, while Merz resides in football oblivion. It would have been nice had either done enough to be retained as depth men, but they were each worth the not-so-risky risk.

Despite the lack of a superstar, 2006’s draft was steadily productive; that’s even before holding it against Tom Donahoe’s execrable record as the previous selector. One genuine current bust in McCargo can’t be ignored, but the Bills still came away with three definite starters, two maybes for differing reasons in Simpson and Ellison, and a nickel corner in Youboty. It’s a solid, if not spectacular, class.

It’s arguable whether the Bills made a Levy-like attempt to calmly, quietly address needs at this year’s draft. There’s some quibbling with what kind of offensive linemen they took, how long they waited to grab a tight end, and if they really need this many defensive backs. While it’s no fun to wait, they’ll get the next 48 games to fully prove themselves. Those who have already been given that exact amount of time for the Bills have on aggregate used it fairly well.
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