By: Joe Pinzone

I know the big talk is that the Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco combination may end up becoming a reality with the news that the Cincinnati Bengals are interested in the former Buffalo Bills wide receiver. I know some fans will think that Owens and Ochocinco would be dominant on the field and in media sessions. I'm more than willing to say it's going to be the latter that results in domination. This isn't a knock against Owens, it's actually a knock against Carson Palmer.

The Bengals franchise quarterback hasn't been the same since 2007. In 2008, Palmer was mired in injuries and only played four games because of a partially torn ligament and tendon in his elbow. Palmer decided to elect NOT to have Tommy John surgery (Which ISN'T a good surgery for a quarterback to have), instead, he choose to rest the injury to allow it to heal.

Last year, Palmer played OK, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Yes, those numbers seem fine, but considering the three years prior to his injury plagued 2008 season, Palmer regressed (Palmer had 86 touchdown passes from 2005-2007). He also barley got over the 3,000 yard mark after playing all 16 games last year. I know all of this because he was on my fantasy football team and cost me major dough!

Palmer really struggled down the stretch with the Bengals and had a very poor playoff showing against the Jets. If Palmer gets Owens and Ochocinco on his team together, you can definitely put the quarterback in the same discussion as one of the players with the most pressure going into next season. All I'm saying is that this move would have been a slam dunk if it took place three years ago. Now...It's going to be a very contested lay-up. I hope for Palmer's sake he gets back to his previous numbers or Owens and Ochocinco will eat him alive.

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Profootballtalk is reporting that Josh Reed is set to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday. Josh Reed signing with the Patriots would be like peanut butter and jelly. I use to always tell my friends that Reed reminded me of Wes Welker with his size and route running ability. Say what you will about Reed, but if he's in an offense that relies on the slot position, he can be a huge asset.

Mark my words, if Wes Welker isn't 100% from his torn ACL and MCL injury, Josh Reed will catch 10 balls a game. Reed fits in perfectly with what the Patriots offense needs out of their slot receiver. Even when Welker went down, unknown wide receiver Julian Edelman was able to pick up where Welker left off. The rookie wide receiver caught 16 passes for three touchdowns in just two games. If I'm Josh, I would jump at the opportunity to sign a 1-year deal with the Patriots for whatever amount of money they'd pay him. If he catches 10 balls a game, he'll more than likely double his status as a free agent in 2011.

Read more of Joe at >Joe in NYC

Well, we are coming down the stretch for reshaping the Buffalo Bills roster. Free agency is over and done with. The undersized defensive players are in different uniforms. Trent Edwards is flipping burgers or playing in the CFL. The waste has been wasted. In the process, I've been able to bring in some new blood to the team via free agency. I have to say, it has really been fun being the Buffalo Bills GM for the last two weeks.

But now we are at the crown jewel of my rebuilding project...The NFL Draft. Everyone knows the back stories of how important the NFL Draft has become. It's without question more important today than what it was 25 years ago. We all know the history of Tom Brady and Mike Williams. We know the history of Whitner over Ngata. We know the history of Bruce Smith over Doug Flute. Yada, yada, yada. We all know that in order to make NFL history it has to start at the draft.

However, I have a little confession to make; I hate the NFL Draft. I just can't stand how everyone grades a team's picks even before they sign their contracts. I also think it's the most over hyped TV event in sports history. For the most part, the majority of your draft picks aren't going to put you over the following year.

I could never understand the need for the combine or measuring your verticals. Hell, I think the combine was invented so the NFL Network could have programming in February. Then to top it off, you have all these draft prognosticators, who for the most part have never had a scouting job in NFL. And if you want to see some of their draft boards, you are going to have to pay to read it (ESPN Insider).

OK, that concludes my rant of the day.

Now, even though the draft can be a little bit of overkill for the build-up, I'm in total agreement that it sets the foundation for your team. I'm not here to tell you whether I think Jimmy Clausen or Bryan Buluga are going to be busts or not. No one really knows, which makes the draft nothing more than a crap shoot. However, the way I'm going to draft players is by finding the best player available. Not exactly Brain surgery, right?

Here's a quick recap about the picks I have: (If your wondering where I got all these picks please read my past articles in this series)

1.) 9th Pick (Bills first round pick)
2.) 25th Pick (Ravens first round pick from the Lee Evans Trade)
3.) 41st Pick (Bills 2nd round pick)
4.) 51st Pick (Texans 2nd round pick from the Aaron Schobel Trade)
5.) 72nd Pick (Bills 3rd round pick)
6.) 91st Pick (Chargers 3rd round pick from the Marshawn Lynch Trade)
7.) 94th Pick (Colts 3rd round pick from the Kyle Williams Trade)
8.) 100th Pick (Redskins 4th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
9.) 135th Pick (Bills 5th round pick)
10.) 167th Pick (Bills 6th round pick
11.) 181st Pick (Eagles 6th round pick from the Jason Peters Trade)
12.) 192nd Pick (Lions 7th round pick from the Ko Simpson Trade)
13.) 194th Pick (Redskins 7th round pick from the Whitner and Parrish Trade)
14.) 199th Pick (Bills 7th round pick)

DAM! 14 picks!? I have my work cutout. Maybe I should outsource these picks to the draft experts that I just bad mouthed. Now
In the past, I would normally grade drafts on how the team fills their needs with the mindset that all the players picked would eventually contribute to the team. So, I would hope when you grade my draft, you can use that rhetoric when judging it.

Now, I don't know what's going to happen with prospects between now and April. Tim Tebow's new throwing release could make him into a 1st ballot HOF. Dez Bryant could run 4.99 in the 40 and blame it on the turf (like Malcom Kelly did 2 years ago). Terrence Cody could pull a Pizza the Hut and eat himself alive.

I'm sure by the time the draft comes around the corner, the big board will be totally different. So for now, I'm going to pretend the draft is happening today.

So without further adieu. Welcome to the 2010 NFL Draft... Buffalo Bills edition.

With the 9th pick in the first round, the Buffalo Bills select Anthony Davis, Left tackle from Rutgers.
Look, I could have easily given the card to the commissioner that read "The Bills select the best tackle available." It's a forgone conclusion that the Bills are desperate for a tackle.

Davis is a beast at 6'5 and 325lbs. He's a tremendous pass blocking left tackle with outstanding size and growth potential. He Possesses great footwork and the ability to slide laterally off the edge. He also covers a lot of area on the field and effective blocking in motion. (CBS Sports)

Remember all those games we saw last year, where a running back would get hit by two defenders a second after the hand-off? I'm done with seeing that sort of non-sense. Davis has massive wingspan, and his lower body is built for leverage. That sounds like the type of guy who can pave the way for my 1,400 yard rusher.

Now, Davis does have some issues. In 2008, Davis violated team policy and was suspended for one game. This past season, Davis was benched for the first quarter against Army after reporting late to a team function earlier that week. His weight has also been scrutinized after he was demoted for the first six days of training camp this past summer for reporting overweight.

Now, before you all go out and scream, "You idiot! Don't you remember Mike Williams?" Realize that I'm not drafting with the memories of the Bills crappy draft picks. I don't care if there's a good player out there whose from the University of Texas and his initials are T.O.-If he can play, he's coming here. Davis by all accounts can play and there have been players who have been able to grow up after college.

Now if Davis is drafted by the time the Bills pick, I'd select Bryan Buluga or Trent Williams.

With the 25th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jared Odrik, Defensive end from Penn State.
Odrik is an explosive interior blocker that's constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage. More importantly, he can play defensive end in a 3-4. He has the quickness that demands immediate attention from blockers, and he can follow up with a persistent bull rush. He is not agile but used his big, strong hands to control blockers but might need to learn more tricks to remain consistently successful. (CBS Sports)

Look, if nose tackle Dan Williams is available at this spot, I'm running up to the commissioner with his name. But more than likely, Williams is going to be gone by the 25th pick. Now, I definitely would love to add a legit 3-4 nose tackle here. However, Terrence Cody, who many feel is someone the Bills should make a run at in the second round; is a bit of a reach at the 25th pick.

As for Odrik, I think it would be an ideal situation for the Bills to have him play spot duty behind Marcus Stroud and Marcus Spears. Stroud is in the twilight of his career, and probably won't be living up to his high salary after next year. Odrik would be a legit player to come in and be the heir apparent to Stroud. Since Schobel and Kelsay are gone, the Bills need players that are going to be able to rush the passer. My hope is that Odrik can be that pass rusher the Bills can count on for the next ten years.

The Buffalo Bills have traded the rights of their 51st and 94th picks to the New York Jets for the rights to the 29h pick. The Bills select Golden Tate, Wide receiver, Notre Dame
OK, I know what you're thinking. "Joe, why on earth would you trade Lee Evans only to draft a wide receiver in the first round." It's because I firmly believe in trying to build the Bills offense around a younger core. Like I've said before, the Bills are 3-4 years away from doing serious damage and by that time, Evans will more than likely be gone. I happen to really like Golden Tate because he's a diverse talent that can play in the slot or on the outside. He's a good route runner and from what I've heard, an even better team leader.

He's played in a pro style offense, and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver after covering 1,496 yards and scoring 15 times on his 93 receptions. He also carried the ball 25 times for 186 yards and two scores; and returned 12 punts for 171 yards and another score.

The best part about Tate is that he can break tackles and isn't afraid to go over the middle. I think the Bills have missed that dynamic over the last couple of years. I firmly believe if Hardy can meet his expectations, he and Tate could make a very complimentary receiving pair for the next 10 years. Plus, don't forget that I still have Chris Chambers and Benjamin Watson to throw the ball to.

As for why the Jets would want to trade for additional picks, the Jets have only four picks for the entire draft, none from rounds 3-5. (Yes, you may not like the reason, but deals like those have worked)

With the 41st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, Terrence Cody, Nose Tackle, University of Alabama.
Cody is one of the few highly touted legit nose tackles in the draft. Cody is massive at 6'5, 360lbs. His stats aren't going to overwhelm you, but his massive size should result in constant double teams that will only make his fellow lineman and linebackers play much better.

Now, there are some issues about Cody. For one, he's um... kind of big boned, which has a lot of the scouts in the NFL nervous. He doesn't penetrate really well and isn't the type of player whose going to be chasing down Mike Vick, let alone Tom Brady. Now, it should be noted that he lost 16lbs between the Senior Bowl and the Combine, which proves that he's willing to do his best to lose weight. I desperately need a NT and Cody is the best available option at this point.

With the the 72nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Dan LeFevour, Quarterback, University of Central Michigan
Dan LeFevour has all the tools to be a very effective NFL quarterback. He has size at 6'3 and 229lbs. But don't let his size fool you, because he's a quarterback that can run. During his career at Central Michigan, LeFevour put up some mind-numbing numbers. He is the all-time NCAA leader with 149 touchdowns in his career. He's also second in all-time career yardage leader with 15,898 yards. Besides the stats, LeFouver is a pure athlete. Prior to becoming a quarterback, he was actually a tailback his freshman year of high school, but injuries forced him to take a crack at being a quarterback. Smart move.

With the 91st pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Jason Fox, Tackle, University of Miami
Pass blocking: At least moderate initial quickness, but is inconsistent with his depth on his initial kick-step. May lack the elite lateral quickness and balance to remain at left tackle in the pros. Appears to have the agility to beat the defender to the edge, but too often stops moving his feet and is susceptible to pass-rushers with a second move. Quick, active hands that he uses well to control the defender when he keeps his feet moving.

Run blocking: More consistent with his quickness as a run blocker. Can get out and hook the defensive end to seal the edge. Strong enough to turn his opponent, but isn't a road grader that can consistently drive his opponent off the ball. Quick hands, but has only marginal upper-body strength and hand placement to sustain. (CBSSports.com)

As of now, I'm penciling in Demetrius Bell as my starting right tackle (Yes, I'm moving him from LT), but would be open to Fox having a legit shot at the job in camp.

With the 100th pick in 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sean Lee, Inside linebacker, Penn State.
Lee was at one time a dominant linebacker for Penn State. It was only two years ago that he was being touted as the best linebacker the university had produced in the last five years. Unfortunately for Lee, he tore his knee ligament in the summer of 2008 and was out for the season.

Upon returning, Lee didn't play as well as he did in 2007, when he finished 2nd team all Big Ten, and second on the team with 138 tackles. Lee also has an Outback Bowl MVP on his resume from 2007. Lee has to convince scouts he has NFL-caliber speed and strength. However, the scouts do love his toughness and intelligence.

If Lee can return to what he was prior to his injury, I think he and Paul Posluzny could make for a decent inside linebacker pairing for the years to come. Plus, he'll be able to learn behind Larry Foote his first season, so there won't be a rush to get him on the field.

With the 135th pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sam Young, Left Tackle, Notre Dame.
Great things were expected from the Parade All-American from Florida when he came to South Bend, but being the first true freshman ever to start on Notre Dame's offensive line opening weekend was truly a fine accomplishment (first-year players were eligible to play immediately starting in 1972).

All Young has done since is start every game for the Irish. He lined up at right tackle for the first 16 games, then moved to left tackle for 10 contests in 2007 before moving back to the right side for the last two seasons. In 2009, Young helped the Irish become one of the most prolific offenses in the country, rolling up more than 450 yards per game. Though not considered one of the more athletic tackles in the 2010 draft, Young's size, strength and pedigree are likely to land him a spot in the middle rounds and give him the potential to have a long NFL career. (CBSSports.com)

As you can tell, I'm not messing around with the offensive line when it comes to the draft. Young could be a diamond in the rough because the entire offensive line for the Irish was a disaster the last couple of years. Plus, he's use to playing in a pro style offense, which should help his transition to the NFL. My plan is to have either Young or Fox compete for the starting right tackle job with Bell.

With the 167th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Adrian Tracey, Outside linebacker, William & Mary
Honored by five organizations as an All-American in 2009, Tracy established himself as one of the nation's top defensive players and recently competed in the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. A With 12 sacks, he equaled the single-season school record established by Luke Cullinane in 1996. Additionally, Tracy ranked sixth in the conference in tackles among defensive linemen with 5.6 per game. His 62.5 tackles for a loss led the nation among all active players, while he ranked third with 31 career sacks - a W&M record. He also started every game of his career (47) en route to establishing a school record. (CBSsports.com)

Tracey played defensive end in college, but his size and shape would be more ideal as an outside linebacker in the pros. He had a pretty good workout at the combine, running in the 4.6-second range in the 40. More importantly, Tracey looked terrific in coverage when working on linebacker drills especially in pass coverage.

Tracey would be the back-up to outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell (Yes, I know..the Bills said he may play inside). If Poz or Foote go down with an injury, I'd be able to move Mitchell to the inside and have Coleman play on the outside.

With the 181st pick of the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Brown, Wide receiver, Central Michigan
Brown finished his career with 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for four touchdowns and returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns during his career. Brown is CMU's all-time leader in receptions and ranks second in Mid-American Conference history.

He is third in school history in receiving yards and second in touchdown receptions. Brown was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2007. Brown caught 102 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2007. In 2008, he caught 93 passes for 998 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown finished 2009 with a school-record 110 receptions for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns.
(CBSSports.com)

In keeping up with selecting duos from the same college, Brown presents a valuable option on special teams for returning kicks for the Bills. Plus, he and LeFevour had great chemistry in college, which should only help the duo develop in the pros. He would be my 5th wide receiver going into training camp.

With the 192nd pick in the NFL Draft, The Buffalo Bills select Al Woods, NT, LSU.
Woods is a hard-working player who should be able to make the transition to NT in the NFL. Woods is blessed with great size and he can also run under 5.1 in the 40-yard dash, a pretty decent clip for a man of his physical stature. He can be effective against both the run and the pass. However, Woods has been battling injuries and is coming off a not so hot year at LSU.

With the 194th pick, the Buffalo Bills select Dedrick Epps, Tight end, University of Miami
Athletic tight end that flashes skills in blocking and catching. Needs to play at a consistently high level but has an upside. Epps plays with a nasty edge and should be a decent third tight end behind Nelson and Watson. The biggest concern is that Epps is coming a ACL injury, but should be good to go by the summer.

And finally, with the 199th pick the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Antonio Coleman, OLB, Auburn.
After serving in a backup role in 2006, Coleman developed into one of the SEC's most feared pass-rushers in '07 and '08, earning all-conference accolades both seasons and posting a combined 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.

Coleman started off slow as a senior, partially tearing a ligament in his wrist that required a cast on his right hand and made it difficult for him to fight through blocks. Once the cast was removed, however, Coleman was a terror -- posting 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss over his final seven games, including the Outback Bowl victory over Northwestern. Despite his slow start, Coleman led the SEC in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (10) in 2009 (CBSSports.com)

Size is the biggest question mark for Coleman, as some scouts see him as a tweener. He definitely has a good motor and athletic skills, which should be good for special teams. He's also one tough SOB, as he played part of his senior year with torn ligaments in his wrist.

Lets recap the draft:

1.) 9th Pick- Anthony Davis (Left Tackle)
2.) 25th Pick-Jared Odrik (Defensive End)
3.) 28th Pick-Golden Tate (Wide Receiver)
4.) 41st Pick- Terrence Cody (Nose Tackle)
5.) 72nd Pick-Dan LeFevour** (Quarterback)
6.) 91st Pick-Jason Fox** (Tackle)
7.) 100th Pick-Sean Lee** (Inside Linebacker)
8.) 135th Pick-Sam Young (Tackle)
9.) 167th Pick-Adrian Tracey (Outside Linebacker)
11.) 181st Pick-Antonio Brown (Wide Receiver)
12.) 192nd Pick-Al Woods (Nose Tackle)
13.) 194th Pick-Dedrick Epps** (Tight End)
14.) 199th Pick-Antonio Coleman (Outside Linebacker)

**Picks wouldn't take place if Kevin Kolb is on the team** (read previous articles)

That's it for the draft!!! Wow, that was a lot tougher than I thought. I'll come back with an updated post on what My version of the 2010 Buffalo Bills will look like...It will be a quick post.

Feel free to comment on my picks.

Free agency is upon us, and it couldn't be more of a different class than in years past. Without a new CBA signed, nearly 200 would-be free agents are now restricted. You also have rumors that teams are not going to spend as much as in years past because of the impending work stoppage in 2011.

As for my team, the Buffalo Bills are in desperate need of talent. I've jettisoned a lot of their core players from last year, while being able to get a few draft picks. My strategy is to try and build my core players from within the NFL draft. Like I've said before, experts are saying this draft class is one of the deepest in history.

I want to add young free agents and veteran role players who can bridge the gap to younger guys for 2011. With the salaries of Evans, Owens, Schobel, Williams and Kelsay gone; I now have more money to play with.

Now, forgive me before we get started. There are some players that I didn't get to when I was doing my evaluations of the Buffalo Bills roster.

Donte Whitner was a part of my Kevin Kolb deal. However, if the Kolb deal falls through, I still have to figure out what to do with Whitner. I've already spoken about my feelings towards Whitner in volume two of this series.

The rumor making the rounds is that the Redskins may be interested in acquiring Whitner’s services. What's with the Redskins getting former Bills players? Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, London Fletcher, Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams have all played for the burgundy and gold. Even Greg Williams and Jerry Gray coached there.

It shouldn't shock anyone that the Redskins are always into making trades or signing free agents. Besides their owner acting as if he's running a fantasy football team, Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan are known for always preferring veteran players over establishing young draft picks. The Redskins need a safety and have always been rumored in wanting the services of Roscoe Parrish. As for Parrish, I'm not paying a punt returner $3 million a year.

Purposed Trade:

The Bills should trade Roscoe Parrish and Donte Whitner to the Redskins for a third and seventh round pick.

Now that we have the roster out of the way, it's time to dive into the free agent market. Let the second guessing begin.

Defensive Line
Going into free agency, I would have loved to go out and pay a boat load of money for a nose tackle like Vincent Wilfork or Casey Hampton. However, those players, along with a number of other nose tackles are going to be franchised. I'm not going to give up two first round picks and a ton of cash for guys pushing 30 and above. The only legit nose tackle on the open market is Jason Ferguson of the Dolphins, whose 36 and coming off a serious knee injury. However, I do need to add some sort of defensive lineman that is not only young enough, but smart enough to know how to play in a 3-4 defense.

Enter Marcus Spears
Now look, Marcus Spears isn't the type of player who’s going to get 10 sacks a year. However, he plays exceptional well against the run. He's only 27 and has played exclusively in a 3-4 defense as an end. Now, he is a restricted free agent and I haven't heard anything about the Cowboys being interested in retaining his services. The boys do have a pretty hefty payroll. Even without the cap, Dallas may decide to not go all New York Yankees this offseason because they have invested a billion dollars into their new stadium. They also have to worry about resigning Miles Austin, who won't come cheap.

Since Spears is restricted, I'm willing to send over one of my third round picks and give him a new deal. As for his contract, it's going to be a little less than what Chris Canty received last year from the Giants.

Proposed deal: Bills trade their 3rd round pick (Baltimore's pick from the Lee Evans deal) for the rights to Marcus Spears, who will then sign a new deal for 26 million dollars over 5 years.

Linebackers
During my tenure as GM, I haven't really talked about my current linebacking core. Yes, I will be moving Aaron Maybin to OLB. Paul Pozluszny is going to stay inside, which should be a benefit for him since he won't have to cover as much territory like he did in a 4-3. As for Kawika Mitchell, I'm not a fan of putting him inside because he's coming off a ACL injury and I don't think he could handle the physical pounding. So more than likely, Mitchell will be moved to the outside.

Now, I have an inside linebacker spot open and it's definitely NOT going to Keith Ellison. I was thinking about adding an inside linebacker early in the draft. However, with the Bills not exactly having a lot of experience in the linebacking core, I think it's crucial to get an experienced linebacker that has worked in a 3-4 defense.

Enter Larry Foote
Foote is right on tip of my age range for this football team (Turns 30 in June). He's a free agent from the Detroit Lions, but made his bones playing in Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense as an inside linebacker for seven seasons. Up until last year, the guy didn't miss a start for almost six years. He's a versatile inside linebacker that will get you almost 100 tackles a year. Foote will also bring in Super Bowl championship experience. I'm sure Bill Cowher will give Chan Gailey a call and give him a glowing recommendation.

Now, Foote is definitely not in the prime of his career. As a matter of fact, his better days may be done. Foote's a transition guy that I plan on having stay in Buffalo for maybe a year or two. Foote has been looking for a long term deal, but I think at his age, it's going to be tough for him to get that. So, I'll give him a three year deal, but more than likely he won't see the final year of it.

Bills sign Larry Foote to a 3-year contract worth 7.5 million dollars.

Secondary
This is by far the Bills strongest part of their team. I may look to add another safety for depth via the waiver wire or late in the draft. However, I will be sure to have a long heart to heart talk with Leodis McKelvin. Considering that some scouts rated him higher than Darrelle Revis coming out of college, I would expect for McKelvin to come out this season and establish himself as a legit corner. I know he only played 3 games last year and had issues with his lawn care, but he still hasn't proven to me that he's worth the first round status. To quote Sting: "I'll be watching you."

Quarterback
I've already addressed this in my previous posts. Honestly though, I'm having second thoughts about the Kevin Kolb trade. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether I think he can play or not. It has to do with his contract. Yes, he only has one year left on his current deal (It could be two if a new CBA isn't reached). However, a trade could result in me having to give Kolb a deal similar to what Matt Schaub got when he was traded to the Texans. We are talking 6-years for 48 million dollars.

That has me a little nervous and I'm sure Ralph Wilson wouldn't be thrilled with it either. If there's a way to just let him play out his original contract and see what he does as a starter, then I'd be cool with the trade. However, giving him all that money for only starting two games does scare me a little. Now if the deal falls through, I'm going all out for Chad Pennington. We all know what Chad's positives and negatives are.

Now, I'm trying to figure out what to pay him. When he was cut from the Jets two years ago, he received a 2-year, 11.5 million dollar deal from the Dolphins. Sorry, but there's no way he's getting that from me or anyone else in the NFL. However, he did say he was willing to take a back-up job, which must mean he's not really looking for those type of dollars. I think giving him a strong incentive laden deal with a low base salary that's back loaded would work. Remember, he's just keeping the seat warm for the quarterback that I'll be drafting in April.

Bills sign Chad Pennington to a 2-year contract worth 4 million dollars (with incentives).

Running back
With Marshawn Lynch now gone from the team, you may be thinking that I'm going to just rely on Fred Jackson carrying the running back load. That's not the case. Don't get me wrong, I like Jackson, but I'm not sure he can be the guy who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game over a 16-game schedule.

I think Jackson would be more effective if his back-up could touch the ball 10-12 times a game. I'm talking running and receiving. I spoke often last year that my biggest gripe with having Jackson and Lynch splitting carries was that they were too similar in style. Jackson is a pretty diverse back, but he's not the type to run you over or blaze a trail up field. I want to be able to find a back that can do one of the two.

Enter Darren Sproles or Chester Taylor
OK, try and follow me here. Chester Taylor would be my pick if I end up giving Kevin Kolb a new deal. Taylor would cost considerably less than what Darren Sproles would get. Unfortunately for Taylor, he's pushing 30. As for his skills, Taylor is exceptionally quick and can catch the ball well out of the backfield. He also doesn't have that much ware and tear on his body because of playing behind Adrian Peterson for the last three years. Taylor's original free agent deal with the Vikings was for 4 years at 14.1 million dollars. He's not going to get three plus million a year because of his age.

Bills sign Chester Taylor to a 2-year contract worth 5 million dollars......OR.......

As for Darren Sproles, that boy can fly! Recently the Chargers have said that they plan on letting Sproles test the market, which is fine by me. I know he didn't exactly reach his expectations last year after a really good showing towards the end of 2008. However, I think a lot of it had to do with the Chargers not being as committed to the run. Sproles has almost the exact same traits as Chester Taylor, except he's younger. He's also a pretty good returner and since Parrish is gone, he'd fit right in on special teams. More importantly, the Bills will have a diverse running back combination that could cause multiple match-up problems in the passing game.

Bills sign Darren Sproles to a 4-year contract worth 18 million dollars.

Tight end
If there's one thing that I've always despised about the Bills organization, it's how they have never cared about the tight end position. When your best tight end of all time is Pete Metzelaars, you have issues. I don't care how great Pete was at blocking, the guy would catch a 5-yard pass and drop to his knees quicker than Tiger's mistresses. Since Pete retired, it has been nothing short of a revolving door at the position. Have you ever taken a look at the list of tight ends? Lonnie Johnson, Jay Riemersma, Mark Campbell, Robert Royal and the Derek boys (Fine and Schouman). It's not a pretty list.

Mark Gaughan had a great article during the season about how tight ends have become a pivotal position in the NFL passing game. Teams are using their tight ends more than ever. I'll be frank, I'm not looking for a guy who can block. I'm looking for someone who can stretch the field and be a player that the opposition has to game plan for.

Enter Benjamin Watson
Watson is a freak. He's got exceptional speed for a guy that's 6'3, 255lbs. In his third year with the Patriots, he became one of Tom Brady's favorite targets; catching 49 passes for 643 yards and three touchdowns in just 13 games. However, when Moss and Welker came along, the Patriots decided to forget about using the tight end spot and primarily went to their 1-2 punch at wideout. Even though Watson's catches have dropped, he's still one of Brady's favorite targets in the redzone; catching 13 touchdown passes over the last 3 years. I think Watson could thrive in an offense that has a knack for using the tight end position.

I could have gone else where in free agency for a tight end. Owen Daniels and Tony Scheffler aren't bad, but I think bringing in an Ex-Patriot is a key factor. Anyone who has ever left the Patriots wants to show them up in the worst way. It's either you respect Belichick or you wouldn't pi$$ on him if he was on fire. Playing the Patriots twice a year would only fuel Watson's motivation to get the best of Belichick for years of under-utilizing his talents. Plus, I wouldn't mind getting an Ex-Patriot who could maybe give inside information about Brady and company.

Now the knock on Watson is that he's not a good blocker. So with him and Shawn Nelson on the depth chart, I would be sure to pick up a blocking tight end late in the draft.

Bills sign Benjamin Watson to a 4-year contract worth 16 million dollars.

Offensive line
We all know that the Bills offensive line has had issues since the dawn of time. You thought our tight end list was weak, just go through some of the names that have started on the offensive line over the last 15 years. The Bills line was a disaster last season due to the loss of Jason Peters, inexperience and injuries.

As your GM, I firmly believe that building the offensive line is the number one priority for any football team that's in the process of rebuilding. The cliche of "It all starts up front" wasn't just coined by some offensive line coach. It was coined because it's nothing more than the truth. Good offensive line play can lead to bigger running lanes, your quarterback staying upright, and your receivers getting an extra second or two to get open.

I don't really have to worry about the interior of the line. Geoff Hangartner, Andy Levitre and Eric Wood are guys that could play the inside for the next 5 to 8 years. Even with the probability of Eric Wood starting the season on IR, I don't mind having Richie Incognito start for him.

As for the tackles...Um, that's a different story. The retirement of Brad Butler was big blow for the Bills. Right now, I have only Demetrius Bell and Jonathan Scott on the depth chart. Without question, I'm going to have to add a couple of tackles...but it wont be in free agency.

The biggest problem with the free agent class is that the tackles are either in their mid 30's or restricted free agents. Offensive lineman that hit free agency tend to gain the most money of any position in the open market. I don't want to overpay for a tackle whose past his prime. More than likely, I'll pick up a second tier lineman who can play guard or tackle and use him for depth. No worries, Bills fans. I'll be sure to address the tackle situation in the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver
OK, this is going to be the spot where most of you will be in total disagreement with me. I will admit that I'm in total desperation for some wideouts. I traded Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish, and only James Hardy and Stevie Johnson remain. However, I firmly believe that you really don't need a big named wide receiver to win in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints didn't have an all-world receiving core. When the New England Patriots were winning championships, Tom Brady was throwing the ball to Deion Branch and David Patten. Even two years ago, Chad Pennington was able to pass for over 3,500 yards with Ted Ginn Jr. as his number one wide receiver.

As for the free agent receiver class, there's a lot of players available. Except they are restricted, and will cost you at least a first rounder. As for the unrestricted free agents, I'm not exactly being blown away. Antonio Bryant has injury concerns and would draw at least 4-5 million dollars a year. I also don't exactly care for his attitude. I like Derek Mason and think he would fit in as a stop-gap for the younger wide receivers on the team. But, he'd probably cost 4-5 million a year as well. Even still, I think going for a veteran is something I want to do in this situation.

Enter Chris Chambers
Look, I know some of you are thinking that I'm nuts, but Chambers played pretty well down the stretch in Kansas City last year. After getting cut by the Chargers, the former 1st round pick gained over 600 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in his last nine games. Prior to playing for the Chiefs, Chambers lost his way in San Diego, primarily because he was the 3rd option on the team. At one point in Chambers career, he was considered a top 10 wide receiver in the NFL.

I think this would be a bargain for the Bills because they can sign him to just a 1-year deal. Chambers would be more than motivated to do his very best so he could get a long term deal the following year. It's kind of like what Randy Moss did when he joined the Patriots. Chambers also has the Chan Gailey connection going for him with their days in Miami. Now, I do plan on adding another receiver early in the draft.

I know some people aren't high on James Hardy, but he was a second round investment and deserves a shot at being a number two guy. I just want to be able to develop young receivers. Look at what the Eagles have done with guys like DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant. Miles Austin became a fantasy stud this year after playing on the practice squad for a couple of years. Drew Brees was throwing the ball to guys named Henderson and Meachem.

Bills sign Chris Chambers to a 1-year contract worth 2 million dollars.

Here's a quick recap of my signings (Because the article was longer than the Bible) and let me know what you think?

1)Bills trade their 3rd round pick for the rights to Marcus Spears.
2)Bills sign Larry Foote to a 3-year contract.
3)Bills sign Chad Pennington to a 2-year contract (Pending Kolb deal).
4)Bills sign Chester Taylor or Darren Sproles.
5)Bills sign Benjamin Watson to a 4-year contract.
6)Bills sign Chris Chambers to a 1-year contract.


Coming up Next: The Draft

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