Bills needs: Gailey might be right coach but needs lots of help

It's one thing to lose. It's another to lose ugly. And the Buffalo Bills have been losing ugly for years. Over the past seven seasons they haven't ranked higher than 25th in offense, including last year's 30th-place finish, and it's time they shake things up.

So they will. First of all, there's a new coach in town, and while Chan Gailey might not excite Bills fans, he might be the perfect guy for this team.

Gailey coached offenses for the Cowboys, Steelers and Dolphins before taking over as head coach at Georgia Tech, and wherever he went his offenses usually produced -- with Gailey's teams (including the Cowboys when he was the head coach there for two years) were 11th or better in scoring six of his nine seasons as a coordinator.

Even at Kansas City, where he lasted one season, he did a credible job on the fly, readjusting his offense to third-string quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who liked to operate out of the shotgun.

But the challenge here is different. And it is enormous. First of all, there is no starting quarterback. Second, there's an offensive line that needs help. Third, there is a new defense, with defensive coordinator George Edwards turning to the 3-4. Fourth, there are five straight losing seasons. Fifth, and most important, there is the division where Buffalo plays.

To get to the top you must move past New England, and good luck there, Chan. The Bills have lost 13 straight to New England and 18 of the last 19. While that is a challenge, Gailey must first get his roster straightened out. This is what it looks like now:

QB: When you have three quarterbacks and haven't named a starter by now it tells me you really don't have a starting quarterback. Trent Edwards is the incumbent, but there's a feeling that he missed his window of opportunity. Maybe, and if that's the case then he missed it because he wouldn't throw the ball downfield. Or he was hurt too often. Or he lost his confidence. Or all of the above. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick is a solid No. 2, and that is where he should stay.

Yeah, I know he had moderate success as a starter last season, but he's best served as an understudy -- even though he outplayed Edwards in 2009. Then there's Brian Brohm, who did absolutely nothing with Green Bay before the Bills claimed him off the Packers' practice squad. So he lands here and not only plays but starts a game. That never could've happened in Green Bay. I can't imagine he wins the job here, but then I couldn't imagine the Bills signing Terrell Owens, either. Edwards is still the best choice, but the club needs to upgrade the position -- and, no, Jim Kelly, Tim Tebow is not the answer. Not this season.

RB: Gailey has pledged support to beleaguered running back Marshawn Lynch, but let's allow this thing to play itself out. Lynch was suspended last season, then didn't do much when he returned. While critics have called for his trade, the Bills have resisted, and for good reason: The guy is talented. Some people think Fred Jackson is a better option, but those in charge still lean toward Lynch -- when, that is, he stays out of trouble. All I know about Jackson is that there's a place somewhere for him. He runs. He catches. He returns kicks. In fact, he became the first NFL player to run for over 1,000 yards and have over 1,000 yards in kickoff returns.

No matter who the choice is, look for the Bills to be committed to the run now more than ever. Gailey tailors his offenses to his talent, and the talent here is at running back, not quarterback. Plus, Gailey has had a history of success running the football, whether it was at Pittsburgh with Jerome Bettis, at Dallas with Emmitt Smith or at Miami with Lamar Smith. Gailey believes in winning with the run, and considering the weather in Buffalo, he should.

WR: The Bills acquired Owens to make Lee Evans that much more dangerous, with the idea that opponents would have to worry about two receivers, not one, and stop double-covering Evans. So much for that. You have to throw the ball downfield for anyone to be a threat, and Buffalo failed miserably. The Bills averaged 10.9 yards a catch, with Owens the lead dog at 15.1. Owens led the team in catches and yards receiving too, and he is gone. That leaves Evans alone again, which could mean trouble -- only the Bills might be better off than you think.

Much of that depends on the development of James Hardy, who has the size and the hands to be a big-time receiver. But in two years he's done nothing, so it's now or never, James. Steve Johnson steps into the role once held by Josh Reed, and he should be fine. He, too, has good hands and is a decent possession receiver. Special-teams star Roscoe Parrish is still on the roster, and someday someone will figure out that he's best suited to getting a football in space. At least with a new regime he may have a chance.

TE: Let's hear it for Shawn Nelson. Not only did he lead the team's tight ends in receptions with 17, but he was the only Buffalo tight end to score. He had one touchdown catch. Once upon a time the tight end was an important element in the Bills offense, but that hasn't been the case lately. It could be this season because of Nelson, who has the hands and the size you're looking for at the position. Basically, he just looks like a playmaker. Behind him there is Derek Schouman, who can serve as an H-back, while Jonathan Stuper and Joe Klopfenstein battle for the third spot. Consider this a position of strength.

OL: The retirement of tackle Brad Butler leaves a hole in the ever-changing Buffalo offensive line ... and welcome to another season with the Bills. These guys are used to change, with Buffalo making moves at all five positions before last season. Left tackle Demetrius Bell has the brightest future, with Bills' coaches convinced he could be better than his predecessor, Jason Peters. Bell is young, raw and developing. Look for major improvement this season. The middle of the line is set with guards Andy Levitre and Eric Wood and center Geoff Hangartner, but who succeeds Butler at right tackle? Kirk Chambers? Jamon Meredith? Andre Ramsey? Please.

The Bills didn't do much in free agency, but when they waded in they signed veteran tackle Cornell Green, and I don't know that he's much of a solution, other than as a swing tackle and a mentor to young players. I love the Bills' inner three, with Hangartner holding things together a year ago as the offensive line changed partners. Levitre is solid, Wood is a tough masher and Kendall Simmons is a nice backup. But it's right tackle that is the issue, and maybe the Bills look to the draft -- again -- for their next starter. All I know is that there is a need.

Marcus Stroud and the Bills D-line shifts into a 3-4: Can't hurt, right? (US Presswire)

DL: With the Bills joining the crowd in a move to the 3-4, there are all sorts of questions about this position, beginning with: Can Kyle Williams handle the nose-tackle position? He was part of an inside rotation in the 4-3 but now qualifies as the man over center -- even though he's not exactly built for the position. So can he handle it? He has the motor, but he doesn't have ideal size, and I don't know that Buffalo even knows the answer -- one reason the Bills entertained Jimmy Kennedy. But Kennedy re-signed with Minnesota, and the Bills are back where they started -- with Williams on the nose, and Marcus Stroud, Spencer Johnson and Dwan Edwards at the ends.

Stroud is bigger than Williams, but Buffalo has him ticketed for the outside. Maybe John McCargo becomes a factor here, but I doubt it. The Bills' personnel isn't exactly suited to the new defense, but so what? Buffalo couldn't stop the run in the 4-3, so why not give something else a shot?

LB: No one should be happier with the 3-4 than Aaron Maybin, whose size and free-lance style of play are better suited to outside linebacker than defensive end. Maybin made no impact as a rookie, and there was a feeling that he was undersized for the position. So now he goes to outside linebacker where he should be effective as a pass rusher. At least, that's what the Bills hope.

Chris Kelsay is another defensive end looking to move back, but he could rush the passer with his hand down. Kelsay could also rotate inside, switching places with Kawika Mitchell, but look more for Mitchell inside where he or newly-acquired Andra Davis will team with Paul Posluszny. Posluszny is the team's leading tackler and a favorite of Bills fans. In another city, with another team, he could be a big-time star. But the Bills will have to do something other than finish last in the AFC East for him to gain the recognition he deserves. They have plenty of depth on the outside, with Chris Draft and Keith Ellison, but there is a bit of a question at the second inside linebacker spot. If all the position changes work, this could be another area of strength. Leading sacker Aaron Schobel figures to be in the linebacker mix, provided he doesn't retire.

DB: One thing Buffalo did well last season was intercept passes, and Jairus Byrd take a bow. The rookie tied for the league lead with nine before bowing out with a groin injury. Byrd and Donte Whitner are rock solid as safeties, and cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin are one of the best tandems anywhere -- that is, when they're healthy. McKelvin has breakaway speed and is a threat to score when he has his hands on the ball, while opponents tend to stay away from McGee. With Reggie Corner and Drayton Florence acting as backups, the Bills are solid and deep at cornerback.

The same is true at safety, where Byrd is locked in at free safety and Whitner is a natural strong safety, a sure tackler and adept in the box. George Wilson, a converted wide receiver who plays in nickel packages, is a suitable backup who has better hands than Whitner, but it's Whitner who holds the secondary together. He's smart. He's experienced. He rarely is caught out of position. And he's versatile, playing both safety spots, cornerback and taking a turn once at linebacker. There are few teams with secondaries as deep as the Bills.