I know it may seem obvious that with the trade of Jason Peters we will have to draft a LT to take his place in the first round, but I disagree.  I think we can fill our tackle positions with guys on our roster and be just fine.

    Langston Walker did a good job last year filling in for Peters when Peters was holding out.  I think he could make the move to LT.  Maybe he won't be quite as good as Peters should be, but I think he'll do about as good as Peters did last year (stats wise hopefully better).

    I believe that either Kirk Chambers or Demetrius Bell will be able to step into the RT position and do a solid job.  I think both show promise,  and if they competed for the job in training camp one of them should come through and prove to be ready  for a starting job.

    It would still be wise to get a guy in the second round,  or with the #28 pick,  however I would like to see Mack taken.  I think with him and Hangartner filling the C and LG positions our line will be improved overall from last year.

       As the NFL draft approaches and progress seems to have slowed to a halt on the negotiations with  LT Jason Peters,  us Bills fans have been left heavily debating what should be done about the situation.   On the one hand paying Peters what he wants is ludacris in my opinion,  but on the other hand trading him leaves a hole that may be hard to fill before the start of the season.

      The front office may be a popular place to lay the blame,  but I think the blame should be placed squarely on the massive shoulders of Jason Peters.   He had been given a pay raise before the 2006  season,  a five year $15 million deal.  Two years later not only did he hold  out for more  money,  he came in out of shape before the second game of the year.  The first couple games he played he was out of shape and left the game winded far too often.  His performance suffered for most of the year.

        I do not love the idea of rewarding his mistake with a larger contract,  especially when it has been speculated that he wants $11.5 million a year.  That would tie him with Jake Long as the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL.   I personally think this is more than his play and behavior last year warrants.

      The alternative to reaching a deal that would most likely consist of paying Peters more than he deserves, (IMO) would be a trade.  I think a lot of fans assume we would get a 1st round pick for Peters,  and we may,  but that has been debated as well.   Even with a first round pick we would have to draft a guy that would be needed to start from day one,  and it is never gauranteed that it will work that way.  First round picks are a gamble and they don't always meet expectations (remember Mike Williams).  Trading Peters could leave us with another hole on the offensive line when we still need a LG.

       If it wasn't for the fact that we need to get something positive for him if he's not going to play,  I'd be all for letting him hold out the next two years.  He wouldn't get paid,  and he'd see how much he was worth after being out of football for two years.  (I'm  really not sure what the rules are for holdouts with a scenario like this).  Since winning is the important thing,  I think we need him so I hope Peters and the FO reach an agreement.

     What I would like to see happen for the rest of free agency is for The Bills to sign an OLB,  and a LG worthy of starting.  I would also like to see Peters resigned.  I think we can fill the one hole at LG,  but I am doubtful that we can fill  two holes, especially when it means we lost argueably our best lineman.  I don't know that he is worth the money he's  asking for.  Especially after last season's holdout,  and then sub-par performance,  but I think it's better than the alternative.

      I  wouldn't mind seeing Crowell brought back,  but since that doesn't seem probable,  they should sign one of the guys they brought in for visits.  I don't think Ellison is a great option as a starter,  but I do think he's a good backup.  Both Cato June,  and Freddie Keiaho would fit in well in our system,  though it would probably mean moving Mitchell to strong side. I think he would do well there, so I don't have a problem with that.

      In the draft I would like to see our DE and TE holes filled.  I think both Dereks can contribute,  but I would like to see a playmaker brought in to start, I think the draft is our best bet to get one.  I think we can get a quality guy in round two or three.  With even a  decent TE,  I think Edwards will have all the weapons he will need to put up big numbers and become the QB we all hope he can be.

      I would like to see us use our first round pick to get a DE.  The front office has made desperately needed moves to improve our offense,  I think round one of the draft is the time to improve our defense.  I think the lack of pass rush is our number one concern on defense.  Getting more pressure on opposing QB's will not only result in sacks, but it will also take pressure off our secondary.  I like Everette Brown,  Brian Orakpo,  and Aaron Maybin.  I think any of the three would be a needed upgrade over Chris Kelsay,  who just hasn't provided pressure on QB's.

       I think some depth at the interior of the offensive line is a good use of our third rd pick.  In the remainder of the draft I would like to see depth added at the defensive and offensive lines,  and maybe our defensive secondary.

       I was shocked when I received the text message saying the Bills signed WR Terrell Owens.  After thinking about it for a little while,  I felt good about the signing,  especially since it was a one year deal.  Why not take a bold move and throw some gas on the fire? 

       I think Owens is going to behave this season.  He has hit rock bottom seeing how little interest there was in him.   He's going to play his best,  and keep his mouth shut,  for this year anyway.  The only chance he has of signing another huge deal,  or ending up with another Super Bowl contender is to show he can behave.  So why not sign him for a one year deal?

       I definatly feel much better about the offense on this team now.  I feel Evans is a great WR,  Owen's issue hasn't been his ability.  We have a really good WR corp,  with Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish.  And, James Hardy could still be a good receiver,  I think it's way too early to call him a bust.  Even Stevie Johnson showed promise. How many teams have enough good defensive backs to cover a five WR set with Evans,  Owens,  Reed,,  Parrish, and Hardy/Johnson.

       I think this is going to help Edwards with his develpoment.  Now he should have some good targets to throw to.  It should also help our running game,  because opposing teams aren't going to be able to stack 8 men in the box.   I think our offense is starting to come together.

      I think Hangartner is going to be a solid lineman for us.  I like Peters,  Butler, and Walker.  That leaves the LG position to shore up,  but Chambers may be able to step in there and do a good job.  It would be nice to get a pass catching TE.  If we can fill those two holes, I think our offense will be much improved.

We are almost a week into free agency, with three new additions to this team.   Last weekend we signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and C/G Geoff Hangartner.  Earlier this week we added CB Drayton Florence. We tried for WR Laveranues Coles, but missed out on him as he has signed with The Bengals earlier this week.    

I think that Ryan Fitzpatrick was a good move.  He is going to be our back up without a doubt in my mind. I truly believe he is an upgrade over Losman, who never panned out and at this point is a shaky backup QB in my opinion.  So, the position of backup QB has been improved with his addition to the team.                             

The signing of Geoff Hangartner is decent in my opinion, not great, not really good, but decent.    With any luck he will  turn out to be a really good C, but he is unproven. The plus side is that he started 8 games at C and G for the Panther's record setting offensive line last year.  That says to me that he shows a lot of promise,  and if it holds true then I will be changing my feeling of this addition.           

The signing of CB Drayton Florence is fairly insignificant to me.   I would've loked to see Greer come back,  but I think McKelvin will be ready to start alongside McGee this season.  I think Florence will be battling it out with Youbouty and Reggie Corner for the nickle and Dimeback positions.  He adds to the depth, and that is a positive.  I wouldn't mind seeing an upgrade at free safety, but other than that I am fairly comfortable with our defensive backfield.

We have had a number of free agent visitors the past couple of days, and I am anxiously waiting to see what will happen with them.  I like Cato June and would like to see him signed and put in as our weak side LB,  moving Mitchell to the strong side since I think he is well suited to handle that position.   I don't know about WR Joey Galloway, who is visiting today.  He's 37 years old,  I'm just not sure if he can still be the #2 WR we are looking for. 

I would be happy with either RB DeShaun Foster or Kevin Jones.  I am just afraid the front office is planning a trade with either Freddy Jackson or Marshawn Lynch.  I like the backs we have now more than either Foster or Jones.  Hopefully, they are just looking for a back to help carry the load and for depth.

I have always tried to be a positive fan,  and keeping with that frame of mind I will keep my fingers crossed.  Hopefully our signings will prove to be intelligent choices,  and hopefully we can make a few more upgrades through free agency and in the draft this off season.  GO BILLS!!!!