Bills Offseason, Part Deuce

-Coast

Let's break down what the Bills should do this offseason (not what they will do...but what they should do).

Let's face reality. This franchise is a complete joke from the owner on down. I still have not recovered from the Jauron decision...it will haunt me for the rest of my life. The Bills will never be good, ever, not with this owner...Wilson doesn't care about winning, if he did, it would have been a no brainer to fire the coach. He is going to die and the team may very well move...but in order for the Bills to ever be good, that is a chance we need to take.

The Bills biggest problem this year, outside of their head coach, was their pass rush. 24 sacks in 16 games is embarrassing. Aaron Schobel was hurt a lot of the year, but at $7.2 million, he is ridiculously overpaid. Chris Kelsay made $3.0 million last year. The fact that he is making above minimum wage is a joke. He had 2 sacks in 15 games. Ryan Denney actually made $3.2 million last year, more than Kelsay. He had 4 sacks. Both of these players are terrible and next year, Kelsay's salary will increase. If I was the GM, I would cut Kelsay without a doubt. I would keep Denney for depth purposes ONLY. In the first round I am drafting a defensive end, either Brown from FSU or Orakpu from Texas. Julius Peppers is unrestricted, I wouldn't mind bringing him in to check out the facilities, but let's face it, no legitimate free agent is going to want to come here, why would you?

The biggest issue this offseason will be the Jason Peters saga. Peters was only the 11th highest paid player on the team last year. I would have held out if I was him. Yeah, he may not have been as good in 2008 as he was in 2007, but he is still an elite left tackle, and losing him would be a disaster. It would make left tackle a huge need. Peters was the third highest paid player on our offensive line and actually makes less money than Roscoe Parrish and Spencer Johnson...those two players made huge impacts let me tell you (I would strongly consider releasing Spencer Johnson at that salary because of his lack of productivity, he had 2 sacks and 20 tackles this season). The Bills need to restructure Peters' contract and pay him Walter Jones money if they have to. Getting rid of Chris Kelsay and Spencer Johnson would help free up some room.

Robert Royal and his $1.8 million can take a hike as well. He has been a terrible player for three seasons and I, along with everyone else, has seen enough. What a bum he is. 33 catches for 351 yards and ten bonehead plays per year aren't worth jack. The Bills need a legitimate tight end. I would make a serious play for Tony Gonzalez...or draft a TE on day one. The Bills can get the same production out of Fine and Schoumann as they did out of Royal, without the blocks in the back and the fumbles and the 3 foot long leap out of the back of the end zone. I would cut Royal in a heart beat.

The Bills screwed themselves with this offensive line. Dockery and Langston walker made $5 million each last year. I don't think releasing either of these two will be in order, but God, what bad contracts. The Bills are in desperate need for a center. Matt Birk from Minnesota is a UFA, a veteran former pro bowler would be a great addition to this young team at the center position, but again, why would he want to waste the final years of his career playing for a pathetic franchise? I would try and bring him in, or else I would make something happen as early as round two of the draft. Melvin Fowler, Duke Preston and Jason Whittle would not be on my roster next season, no questions asked.

The Bills have many other needs as well. The number two receiver position is still up in the air. Hardy needs surgery and could miss training camp and the beginning of the season...he might be a bust. Reed is a slot guy. The Bills don't get the ball to Parrish. Is Steve Johnson the guy that is going to fill this void? I sure hope so. Also, the Bills need a safety. KO Simpson isn't the answer and Whitner is an average starting safety at best. Bryan Scott is OK, but not a game changer. Finally, the wild card here is OLB. If the Bills somehow bring Crowell back, which won't happen, they would be set at their starting line backer position. When they don't, OLB will become a pressing need that may need to be addressed in the first round of the draft. Keith Ellison just cannot see the field in 2009 on anything except special teams.

More to come...