Two years ago the talk around Buffalo was, "The Bills are going to the Super Bowl under the guiding hand of Buffalo's savior, Drew Bledsoe." However, after two disappointing seasons, the Buffalo Bills are going through their offseason with several issues that need to be addressed, some regarding the present, others involving the long-term future of the team.
Q: What should the Bills be looking for in the draft this year?
EV: The Bills of 2003 were unable to recover from the loss of the deep threat Peerless Price provided them with in 2002. I thought trading Price to Atlanta was the right decision at the time, because you simply cannot have two players of the same position taking up as much salary cap space as he and Eric Moulds would have.
Keeping that in mind, they did nothing to bring in a new speed receiver through the draft or free agency. Josh Reed is a good possession receiver, but he does not scare teams when he gets outside the slot, same with Bobby Shaw. Antonio Brown may be the fastest player in the NFL, but his hands leave something to be desired. For that reason, as the Bills look to the draft in April, a receiver who can stretch the field again for Drew Bledsoe is where they have to go with the 13th overall pick.
Larry Fitzgerald of Pitt and Mike Williams of USC are sure to be gone at 13, but Roy Williams of Texas or Reggie Williams of Washington could still be on the board and if that's the case, the Bills need to take a long look at both of them.
RB: I feel one aspect the Bills really need to look at going into the draft would be their offensive line. Bledsoe is still a great quarterback, and even with his number one receiver being hurt this past year, he should have been able to make some completions. However, to do that he needs time, something he was not given with the current offensive line. You can't expect an aging quarterback to scramble every couple of downs.
Q: How do the Bills address the future of the Quarterback position?
EV: While many people in Buffalo say it is time to pull the plug on Bledsoe's career as a Bill, I can't believe that at this point there is anyone out there who would be a real improvement.
I think that with an improved coaching staff and scheme, Bledsoe will rebound from last year's poor performance. The Bills' best bet right now would be to look for a QB in the second or third round of the draft such as J.P. Losman of Tulane and let him sit behind Bledsoe for a year or two and learn the NFL game.
Unless someone like Patrick Ramsey of Washington becomes available with the 'Skins acquisition of Mark Brunell, the draft should be the Bills' best source for their next leader.
RB: Whether it be the success of Jim Kelly, the failure of Rob Johnson or the to-be-determined outcome of the Bledsoe project, Buffalo has always gone for the franchise quarterback. The Bills should stick with tradition and go for a proven quarterback. At his age, Bledsoe would make an excellent backup. The Bills need a new leader on the field to bring them into the post season this year.
Q: What player really needs to step up this year?
EV: Since they did not actively pursue a star defensive end in free agency and may look to other positions in the draft, the Bills need Chris Kelsay to really step up in his second year and become a strong pass-rusher.
Aaron Schobel is solid on the right side, but the left side is a real problem. Ryan Denney is going into his third year and so far has proven nothing and is looking like a second round bust. Keith McKenzie is fine in spot-duty but is not the long-term solution.
Kelsay plays with a lot of intensity and heart and if he earns the opportunity to see a lot of the field, he really needs to make a big impact on the defensive side of the ball this year.
RB: Reed did a good job stepping up last year to fill in for the injured Moulds. However, if he could show the same amount of improvement he showed from the beginning of last year to the end, along with the return of Eric Moulds, the offense would really open up. Having two good receivers would not only give Bledsoe more options, but could really open up the running game by pulling the secondary deeper into the backfield.
Q: Should the Bills start Travis Henry or Willis McGahee?
EV: Until I see Willis McGahee actually play a down in the NFL, Travis Henry has to be the starting back for the Bills.
I don't think there is anyone who would doubt the kind of effort and dedication he has played with since he arrived in Buffalo, especially last season. This is a guy who rushed for almost 1,400 yards on a team that would not commit to the running game on top of having injured ribs most of the season.
McGahee is a great prospect no doubt, but he is just that, a prospect.
RB: Henry has had his chance to play; it's about time to see if McGahee is all hype or if he is an NFL halfback. He's young, fast, and put up great numbers for the University of Miami, now it's time for him to prove himself as being worth that first round draft pick.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
