Is Bledsoe right for the Buffalo Bills? The Steelers named Mike Mularkey their offensive coordinator in 2001. He had been considered for the position a year earlier but the organization decided on Ray Sherman. After one season, they concluded that Sherman's West Coast type of offense was not a good fit for the team, opening the door for Mularkey. Since then, he's become known for his philosophy of balancing the run and pass, and utilizing as many players as possible to move the ball. He took a QB coming off one of his worst seasons in the NFL and brought Kordell Stewart and SLASH back to life. He made him a pro-bowler once again and I for one believe he can do the same thing for Drew Bledsoe, everything but the SLASH part….I do have a few questions about the process though.

How will the process work? In Buffalo the fans have been hearing for some 2 years now that we will be a power running team and use play-action to help Drew get some better looks. The Bills even drafted an Offensive Tackle in Mike Williams who is 6’6” 370 pounds. I mean what else could he be used for? The team signed Sam Gash, one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, and drafted Willis McGahee in the 1st round even though they had a 1400-yard back in only his second year as a pro. All signs point to a running team. But what happens? 1st and 10 to start the game, a pass play. 3rd and 1 over and over again, another pass. What is going on here? So, the Buffalo Bills bring in Mularkey to rectify the situation. He is well known for his balance of run/pass and I think he will make a difference for Drew Bledsoe and the two-headed monster that will be the Bills backfield next year.

Why do the Buffalo Bills need Drew to turn it around? If the Buffalo Bills are going to become this supposed 3 yards and a cloud of dust team then why do they need Drew to return to his pro-bowl form and throw for 4,000 yards? I don’t think the Bills really do. I believe 3,000 yards and 17 or so TD’s will be plenty enough out of him to get the job done. Which brings me to my next question.

Why do they need a speed receiver? I have been seeing people on the Bills Zone fan forums talking about bringing in Darrell Jackson, Dennis Northcutt, and some even suggest Terrell Owens. But, why would the Bills need them? If this power running game were to take effect then why would they bring in someone or even draft a WR in the first round? I think Josh Reed will pan out fine for the Buffalo Bills and I just don’t see a speed receiver as being a need position for the team. All I am saying is that if they become this power running team, then they don’t need a big speed receiver if they aren’t going to use him.

How long will the fans wait for Bledsoe turn it around? What if Bledsoe comes out next year and in the first few games of 2004 looks eerily similar to how he has looked for the last 12 games of the 2003 season? Then what? Do the fans start talking about the ’05 season? That is why I believe it is imperative that the Buffalo Bills go QB in the early stages of the draft. I am one of the many who believe Phillip Rivers is the man to pick at #13 in the draft. The guy is a winner and look at his numbers, in the ACC no less, almost 70% completions, and always plays well against the tough teams and in the big games (4 bowl games, 4 MVP’s). If the team decides to move down, then anywhere ahead of Miami at #20 is fine also cause they are rumored to want him there. Since Miami doesn’t have a 2nd round pick this year it will be very hard for them to move up, plus I can really see Minnesota trying to move up from #19 to try and bolster their defense. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Bills take Rivers one spot ahead of Miami and sticking it to Marino and the crew one more time. I believe there will be plenty of very good receivers left in the 2nd round that they could use as the #3 for a year or two until they are ready. Lee Evans from Wisconsin is a guy who could be available, but ultimately I would like to see Buffalo go Offensive Lineman in the 2nd round to shore things up there. There will be some very good talent there in the second round Max Starks from Florida, Antonio Hall from Kentucky, maybe even Jake Grove from Virginia Tech will fall there as well.

What is next if Drew doesn’t change? This is the sole reason why I believe Phillip Rivers is the best choice for Buffalo. He could step in and do a well enough job to give the team a hope for the future. Even if Bledsoe does come around and assuming the Bills do have the power running game they have been promising, then why do we have to pay a QB 6 million a year? I know Drew will redo his contract for the team and the Bills will have some more cap room as a result so I am not really worried about that as much and I fully believe he has some more left in the tank to lead this team.

In closing I still believe Drew is the right guy for the Buffalo Bills and is really our only hope if we are looking at immediate results. A rookie QB would need at least a year. So, if Mularkey can keep good on his promise then Drew shouldn’t have any problems succeeding in this offense. Hell, even Brett Favre hands the ball off a lot more to Ahman Green and our 2 Running Back’s are no slouches either.

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