Linebacker Nigel Bradham
In the fourth round of the 2012, NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills selected Nigel Bradham with the 105th overall pick. Coming out of Florida State Bradham knew he was a good player from the beginning.
“Early on when I first got to Florida State I was more of a lead by example type,” Bradham said. “As I got a little older and earned respect from my teammates, I became the vocal leader being able to take control of the defense, calling all the calls and checks that we had to make.”
He has the ability to potentially becoming a great captain, if given the chance, to start because of his leadership abilities. When drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Bradham felt as if it was unreal.
“It has been a dream and then to be able to actually have the opportunity to live that after all the hard work you put it and after everything you have been through in life. To be able to have the opportunity to help your family and contribute in any kind of way you can to your new organization.”
With his confidence and knowledge of the game, Nigel can be a great asset to the improving Bills defense for years to come.
Defensive Back Ron Brooks
With the 124th overall pick in the Draft, the Buffalo Bills chose defensive back Ron Brooks out of LSU. According to Les Miles, the LSU head coach, “Brooks is a very hard working player with unique abilities to attack the ball and make plays. Coming from a great defense out of college, the transition for Ron will not be hard since he has a knack for great sound football.”
When drafted by the Bills, Brooks said, “I’m just excited to finally know where I’m going while coming to a good organization like Buffalo. It is a lot of weight off my shoulders now and I’m just excited and ready to get to work.”
The Buffalo Bills needed depth on their defensive back field, so drafting two very good corners gives them a plus with Stephon Gilmore being taken with the 10th overall pick. Having the ability to be able to rush the passer is big for defenses, Brooks stated, “Most of my time I spent lining up inside, rushing the passer, blitzing and covering slot receivers.”
The fans in Buffalo should be very happy with this pick because now you have someone who will for sure attack the quarterback when it matters the most.
Wide Receiver T.J. Graham
Drafted 69th overall to the Buffalo Bills, WR T.J. Graham is very eager to begin making players in Ralph Wilson stadium. When asked about his reaction to being picked by the Bills he answered, “I’m very excited. It is something I worked for my whole life. I’m just going to enjoy the opportunity I have now with the Buffalo Bills.”
With his past credentials, Graham will make an immediate impact on special teams because of his outstanding collegiate career returning punts and kickoffs. “I finished my career as the career all-time leader in ACC for kickoff return yards,” Graham said. “This past year I led the ACC in punt return yards. I have had success on both. There were years I was better here and there.”
After the departure of Roscoe Parrish a few seasons ago, Buffalo needs a special team’s guru to set up field position and score touchdowns. “My speed has translated to the track and I use that to run and excel in there,” Graham said. “On the field, I can definitely stretch the field and make the defense have to play the full field instead of the short field.”
With a speedy player like Graham, the Bills special teams may have found their playmaker.
Kicker John Potter
In the last round of the 2012, NFL Draft the Buffalo selected a kicker out Western Michigan named John Potter with the 251st overall pick. On the Bills roster, the oldest player is Brian Moorman at 36 and the second oldest is Rian Lindell at 35. Adding youth to the legs on the roster was a great move by Buffalo.
When asked how strong his legs were, and if he can kick the ball out of the end zone, Potter answered, “Yeah, I can kick the ball out of the end zone, especially moving up five yards from college. I think any team that can consistently kick it out saves you from good returners. So I think I can really provide something to the Buffalo Bills.”
In addition, when asked about how he ended up at Western Michigan, he answered, “I got a scholarship offer. That was my only scholarship offer out of high school so I went there and then I loved that experience. It was a great time kicking for a MAC school.”
Having a strong leg in the NFL is huge and Potter should be a great addition to the youth on the team for years to come.
Offensive Lineman Mark Asper
After being drafted in the sixth round Saturday, April 28 2012 Mark Asper hopes to continue his offensive success in Buffalo this upcoming season. In college, playing for the Oregon Ducks helped prepare him for a fast high tempo playing style.
When asked about being accustomed to a high tempo offense and the pace that Oregon would run at, he answered, “I loved it because of the advantage that it gave our team as the games wore on, because we were so used to playing at that high tempo. The play would end and I would run back to the line of scrimmage ready to run the next one and I’d have to remember, “Oh yeah we’re huddling, everybody back up we’re huddling.”
That mentality of being ready to play on every down will improve every rookie’s performance because in the NFL you have to be ready to play at all costs. Run blocking is major strength that Buffalo has on their offensive line. Drafting Asper gave them an upgrade towards of their run blocking strengths.
Asper spoke about his run blocking strengths, saying, “I do a good job getting on blocks and staying on blocks. We kept track at the University of Oregon of what we called finished block when you do that you are on the player that you are supposed to block when the whistle blows.”
Having the ability to block until the whistle blows is a plus so the fans and the Bills organization should be safe with this pick up.
Linebacker Tank Carder
During the fifth round on Saturday, April 28, the Buffalo Bills selected another defensive player by the name of Tank Carder. When asked about his reaction about the Bills taking him he said, “I’m excited. When I went up there, I had a good feeling. I loved everything (they) had, the facilities and everything were very low-key, it was not anything too fancy and that was the best part I liked about it. Not a lot of flash and I love that. I’m ready to come there and do my part and help out the team the best I can.”
Drafting Carder was a big move for Buffalo because they are bringing in someone who comes from a winning program along with having one of the top defenses at TCU. PPI asked Carder if having the No.1 defense in the country at one point was his best accomplishment in college. Tank responded: “Definitely. It was definitely a great accomplishment looking back to it, but we never really dwelled on stats. We always looked at a win or a loss. We never dwelled on personal stats or team stats, we always looked at if we were on the right side or the left side of the column.”
Buffalo made a great pick choosing Carder because they are bringing in a player who has a winning attitude and is not selfish on defense. This player has the instincts and athleticism that is transferrable from TCU into the NFL, which can help him make that transition to the Buffalo Bills defense.
Offensive Tackle Zebrie Sanders
Addressing the offense again in the Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected an offensive tackle with the 144th overall pick. Zebrie Sanders will add depth at the position along with youth. He will join his teammate from college LB Nigel Bradham from Florida St.
When asked about his opportunity to play multiple positions in the NFL including right and left tackle, he answered, “I feel like I am good at the right or left (tackle). I am ready to give my all for every line up position that put me in.”
Being versatile is a huge asset for any NFL rookie that wants an opportunity to play his first year. Playing multiple positions can earn you more playing time quicker.
Joining his college teammate will be a great experience for the both of them because they can learn from each other’s mistakes. Sanders answered questions about his former and new teammate during the conference call. “Nigel Bradham is a great player. We actually connected a little better because in the Senior Bowl we were roommates, too. It is crazy we will be on the same team.”
By: Jameel Shareef
