The Ten Million Dollar Man In Buffalo?

Ralph Wilson has made the proclamation that he is willing to spend up to ten million dollars in order to lure the best possible coach to take over as captain of the Buffalo Bills ship.  Although there have been several high profile names linked to the Buffalo Bills, like Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher, it is important to realize that it will take more than just money to lure a top head coach to take over the reigns in Buffalo.  Ralph Wilson is showing a commitment in this coaching search to ensure his team can finally get a top notch candidate to come to Buffalo.  But there is reason for concern.

What troubles me about Mr. Wilson’s willingness to spend up to ten million dollars on a coach is where was this resolve and commitment when we needed offensive linemen, or help at receiver, or even a starting linebacker?  Yes, Wilson did approve the signing of Terrell Owens, but Buffalo has not had a decent set of receivers since Peerless Price left to Atlanta via free agency several years ago.  Call it too little too late.  Let’s also not forget that Buffalo still owes Dick Jauron money for the rest of this year and the following two years.

Not being able to sign top end players has always been blamed on the small market dynamics of the Buffalo Bills.  What makes coaching different?  Although it does not count against the salary cap, it does count against the bottom line; which is expenses.  Ralph Wilson needs to understand that incoming coaches who are truly top end candidates are not as concerned with how much Buffalo is willing to spend on their services.  They will be much more concerned with how much Ralph Wilson will be willing to commit to the product that hits the field every Sunday.  They will be concerned with having a final say into what players are brought in as well.

The good news for Buffalo is that no matter who comes in to coach things really can’t get much worse.  Buffalo is very thin at almost every position.  Every year they lose most of their depth or starters to injuries.  This truly is a blank canvass that the incoming coach will have to work with.  With that being said, the only commitment that has come from Ralph Wilson is that he is willing to spend the money to bring in the best coach possible.  But with offensive line troubles since 2000 and other key positions never being filled properly, Buffalo has not shown these potential coaches that they have had the commitment financially to field a winner year in and year out.

Ralph Wilson needs to focus on convincing everyone that although his number one priority is getting the best possible coach in here, his secondary (or 1A) priority is making the financial and personnel commitment to ensure Buffalo becomes a winner again.  Buffalo needs to pick up where Marv Levy left off and that is the dreaded word; rebuild.  Buffalo needs to commit to rebuilding and reevaluating their own talent.  Up until this point, they haven’t done a very good job of that either.

Ten million dollars is a lot of money, especially for a coach.  But, we have heard promises like that every year.  From improving the offensive line to maximizing the talents on offense, Buffalo has made promises they just can’t keep.  They have said year after year that it is pointless to spend money in free agency on marginal players when they can develop through the draft.  They have blamed free agency woes on lack of talent on the market, or on being a smaller market team and not being able to attract quality free agents.  Enough is enough.  Mr. Wilson’s ten million dollar statement tells me that the money has always been there, just not the commitment or resolve.  Time to prove us wrong Mr. Wilson.

Tags: Bill Cowher, Buffalo Bills, Dick Jauron, Mike Shanahan, Peerless Price, Ralph Wilson, Terrell Owens