With a few simple moves I believe the Bills could be back in the playoffs next season. And I believe they could do it without spending much more than they already are.
1) Hire a new coach who uses the 3-4 Defense. Pursue in the following order… Cowher, M Schottenheimer, Billick, Grimm
2) Cut, trade, or let the following players leave via free agency to clear their salaries off of the payroll – Schoebel ($6m), Kelsay ($4m), Owens ($6.5m), Reed ($2m), Spencer Johnson ($3m), R Fitzpatrick ($2.5m). In addition, let all of our smaller LB’s and several other FA’s go. That would save an additional $4-5m. Total savings would be $28-30m.
3) Sign DT Vince Wilfork as a huge run stopping force in his prime at 28 years old (avg $10m per season over 6 years). This would also weaken our biggest Divisional opponent. Sign WR Malcolm Floyd who is a huge 6’5 deep threat as our #2 WR (avg $4m per season over 3 years). Sign QB Jason Campbell to be the starting QB for 2 seasons and bridge the gap to a young draft pick. He has had a new coordinator every year, doesn’t make mistakes, is mobile, and has shown flashes of brilliance ($4m per season over 2 years). Sign Karlos Dansby who is versatile in the 3-4 defense and is a big, strong, playmaking LB ($7m per season over 4 years). Sign Johnny Jolly, an experienced 3-4 DE who is a strong run blocker and 27 years old ($3.5m per season over 4 years). Total spend = $28.5m. Fill other depth needs cheaply and with draft picks.
4) Draft a LT in 1st round (Okung/Campbell/Davis), Big 3-4 DE in 2nd Round (C Dunlap, Griffen, Graham), QB in 3rd (LeFevour or Pike), OLB/NT in 4th and 5th
5) New lineup would look like
QB – J Campbell, T Edwards, Rookie (3rd Rounder)
RB – F Jackson, M Lynch
FB – Grab a good blocker…yes we will run and use a traditional fullback
WR – L Evans, M Floyd, R Parrish, S Johnson, J Hardy
TE – S Nelson
LT – Rookie (1st Rounder), D Bell
LG – Levitre
C – Wood/Hangartner
RG – Incognito
RT – B Butler, D Bell
DE – M Stroud, R Denney
NT – V Wilfork, K Williams, Rookie (4th Rounder)
DE – Jolly, Rookie (2nd Rounder)
OLB – A Maybin (5th Rounder)
MLB – P Posluszny, C Draft
MLB – K Mitchell, C Draft
OLB – K Dansby
CB – T McGee
CB – L McKelvin
CB – D Florence
CB – R Corner, Lankster
FS – Byrd, G Wilson
SS – Whitner
K – Lindell
P – Moorman
KR – McKelvin
PR – Parrish
With these moves which will only require an additional investment of $5-10 million, we could be playoff bound and set up nicely for the future. What are your thoughts?