Chan-ge The Bills Can Believe In?

The Buffalo Bills hired former Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey to run their team today. The new head coach was probably the 7th or 8th choice. Obviously the Buffalo fans are upset. None of the big name coaches came to Western New York. None of them were, in my opinion, really serious candidates. The only one that could have been was Brian Billick, and the Bills didn't offer him the job. He could have helped bring a new attitude to the team. He could have instituted the same swagger that his Ravens teams had. But no.

The team also didn't wait to get Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. Or interview Cincinnati defensive Mike Zimmer. No, instead they looked to Chan Gailey. He has a winning record as an NFL head coach, going 18-14 in his two years in Dallas. He managed to make the playoffs with Quincy Carter under center. He has also been on the coaching staff of 4 different Super Bowl winning teams. He has the resume, even if he isn't the sexy signing.

His experience could bring some stability to Buffalo. But, in truth, the coach can only do so much. Gailey is a coach that can get a team to the playoffs. The problem is that the Bills aren't exactly a team right now. They have no QB. They have no line. They have one great but underused running back and one overrated headcase starter. They have questionable defense, especially on the ends. No, Gailey isn't heading into the best situation. What he needs to do is to try to build a team with the players he has and try to find quality picks in the draft. Doing something like picking Aaron Maybin when Brian Orakpo on the board is a mistake that the Bills made just last year. Maybin did nothing, and Orakpo is going to the Pro Bowl for the Redskins. So, to try to help out Chan, here are my instructions.

1. Fix your QB situation. Michael Vick will sell some tickets. Go for him. Why not?
2. Fix your lines. Vick can run, so if they don't fix the line he will be able to run away from some defenders.
3. Don't play any more games in Toronto. I know this won't happen, but the Bills are really beating their fans when they are down by moving one of their home games to a different country. It just isn't fair.
4. Draft well. Go for surer things- players that will be solid starters instead of going for the high risk combine monsters like Maybin.
5. Spend some money on free agents- The Bills will get this money back 10-fold if they win. Sounds like a good reason to do it. Get Vick, some offensive linemen, maybe a Vincent Jackson type wideout.
6. Do not keep TO. One year was fine. He didn't blow up. Don't press your luck.

Buffalo, I am rooting for you. I don't know if it will work out, but I think that Gailey's veteran experience makes him a good choice for your team at this point.