Another 5 things the Bills must do in the offseason

1) Get Younger
I've been hearing lots of chatter that the Bills should take a run at Donovan McNabb or Richard Seymour. Look, we all know that this is nothing but a fantasy topic and these two guys aren't coming here. But even if they were on the cusp of arriving to Buffalo, I'd stay clear of them.

The Bills are at least 2-3 years away from competing. Number 5 is going into his 12th year in the NFL and only has about 2-3 years left. As for Richard Seymour, something tells me to stay clear of veterans that Bill Belichick decided to put out to pasture. Remember Lawyer Milloy and Drew Bledsoe? The Bills need to rebuild through youth by drafting or signing young free agents.

Didn't we learn under the Donahoe regime that by signing players that are going into their 30's would only pay dividends for about 1-2 years? Take a look at the teams in the playoffs right now, besides a couple of older players here and there, all the rosters are filled with good young talent. Build your young talent up and then find an older hired gun down the road-

2) Find another receiving option
If the Bills want a blueprint to solve their problems, they should be looking at some of the playoff teams remaining or for that matter, past super bowl winners. The 49ers of the late 80's and early 90's had two great receiver options in Jerry Rice and John Taylor. The Cowboys had Michael Irvin and Jay Novacek. The Rams had Torry Holt and Issac Bruce.

Right now, the Colts have Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, while the Charges have Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson. In order for your offense to succeed you need to have two good receiving options. After Lee Evans, who are the Bills going to throw the ball too? James Hardy? Stevie Johnson? Shawn Nelson? Sorry, but that's not exactly a dynamic duo.

Now look, I know that Terrell Owens should have been the answer to this problem last year, and he obviously wasn't because of the line play, quarterbacking, Owens lack of effort, and unimaginative play-calling. But that still shouldn't detract the Bills at looking for another option. My suggestion would be going after free agent Steve Breaston. With Josh Reed and T.O. leaving, Breaston is an up and coming receiver who can line up in the slot. He's a restricted free agent, so it will cost you a pick to get him, but I think he's worth it. You saw what he did when he's the number two man when Anquan Boldin is out.

Now If the Bills are feeling bold and hungry to spend money, I wouldn't mind them going after Vincent Jackson from the Chargers. Jackson has had back-to-back terrific seasons. He's got great speed and hands and his size is something the Bills have lacked. He may cost too much for the Bills though in salary.

3) Rebuild the line
Look, I think of myself as having a pretty good football mind, but if there's one thing I'm not that knowledgeable about, it's offensive line play. Everyone always talks about building the line, building the line. However, if you look at the Saints and Colts offensive lines, their lineman aren't household names or high draft picks, yet their quarterbacks never get touched. I do feel that if you want to have a strong running game you need quality lineman. Just look at the lines for the Jets, Cowboys and Ravens. As for pass protection, it's a different story.

In order to have a great pass blocking, it's a combination of three things: Offensive scheme, quarterback play & lineman. All three of these things are something that Bills severely lack. The Bills have to figure out which of the three they want to fix the most. If the Bills can't find a quarterback or offensive scheme to fit what they have with their offensive line, then the should decide to use their first round pick on a offensive tackle. Sorry, but you can't tell me your comfortable with Demetrius Bell or the Green Bay practice squad players as your tackles.

4) Ralph must be silent
I'm not sure exactly how the power structure at One Bills drive is orchestrated these days. Who exactly is in charge? Russ Brandon? Buddy Nix? Jim Kelly? If there's one person who shouldn't be in charge of player personnel for the Bills, it's Ralph Wilson. I don't want to hear that Ralph Wilson's forgotten more football than any of the current NFL GM's know (I'm sure Ed Kilgore has written that at least 10x over the years). Show me a football executive that has made some stellar football moves over the age of 90?

I heard Jerry Sullivan mention the other day that Wilson was all over the draft selections of Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch. After spearheading those selections, if I'm Nix or Brandon, I would tell Ralph that the draft is in June and just replay the 2004 NFL draft on TV for Ralph.

Sorry Ralph, but just stick with ironing your yellow hall of fame jacket and let Buddy Nix pick the players. If you want your privileges returned, then go fire John Guy and Tom Modrak, then maybe I'll let you pick the Bills undrafted players.

5)Rebuild the defensive ends
Maybe if the Bills had drafted Brian Orakpo we wouldn't be having this discussion. However with Aaron Schobel possibly retiring and getting up there in age and in the ineffectiveness of an expensive Chris Kelsay, the Bills need to find youth at defensive ends. I know a number of fans would love to make a run at Julius Peppers or Richard Seymour, but haven't you been listening to my youth movement theory?

There's some nice young defensive ends that are out there. Elvis Dumervil from the Broncos is only 26 years old and is coming off a 15 sack season. Marcus Spears is another up and comer, who may cost the Cowboys too much, with the team having to give Miles Austin a new deal and already putting money into Demarcus Ware. Bottom line, the Bills ends are in the twilight of their careers and need to inject some much needed youth.