Drafttek (http://drafttek.com) has posed an interesting trade scenario. New England trades its picks at #s17, 28 and 33 to the Bills for its #3 and selects De'Quan Bowers. With its picks in rounds 1 and 2, the Bills select Cameron Heyward (#17) Akim Ayers (#28), Stephan Paea (#33) and Martez WIlson (#34). I would love the trade, were it to come about, (not likely in my mind) and the selections. Your thoughts?

It was refreshing to learn that the NFL has finally decided that holding a Super Bowl in a "cold weather" city was acceptable, and good for the league. Of course, the league chose the nation's largest media market to do so, but the change of heart is refreshing nonetheless. For years, I have considered it grossly unfair that cities not having domed stadiums or near-perfect weather conditions were deprived of the opportunity to host this event. Consider the enormous positive economic impact on the hosting community, as thousands of visitors flock to the city's hotels restaurants, and other tourist/entertainment sites, and how some cities, Miami and New Orleans, as examples, have profited from this.

I for one would think it only fair that every NFL city, in turn, be afforded he opportunity to host this event. After all, it is the fans of the NFL in every city who support the league through ticket sales, NFL official label merchandise sales and directly or indirectly through television revenues. Why should some fans be deprived the chance to see the game live in their home city, while others, in seemingly more glamorous locations, have numerous opportunities? I am tired of hearing television reporters suggest that nobody would want to go to the game were it held in the snow, the cold or otherwise inclement weather. Of course, they are suggesting that they, themselves, would not want to attend the game in such a location, and that their desires are more important than, and should trump, those of the fans.

So here are my questions to you- regardless of whether it might ever come to pass, would you attend a Super Bowl held in Buffalo even if the Bills were not playing in it? And the corollary- do you think that just as many members of the media and other "celebrities" would attend the event regardless of where it is held?

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A few weeks back, we had a discussion about the Patriots in the wake of their trade of Matt Cassell to Kansas City, and the possible after-effects of that move. At that time, I brought up one frightening scenario- New England getting extra draft picks and clearing salary cap money in order to make a move for DE Julius Peppers. Well, tonight, that was the news..a likely trade of Peppers to New England for the 34th pick (2nd pick of round 2). I consider it a considerable fleecing of the draft pick-depleted Panthers, another steal by the Patriots. A trade I would prefer much more, as a die-hard forever Bills fan not wanting to see Peppers in a Patriot uniform, and an adoptive Panthers fan, is a trade of Peppers to Denver for Jay Cutler. Carolina could even throw in Ol Jake for good measure!

On Friday's NFL Network program, Path to the Draft, Mike Lombardi gave the top 10 in his Mock Draft . Those selected were the top 3 OTs, Curry, Raji, Orapko, Maybin, Ayers, and the QBs. Two names were surprisingly not among those mentioned: Michael Crabtree and Everette Brown. Let's play this one out- if the Bills are given the option of selecting either of these players when their selection at #11 comes around, what would you anticipate happening? Select Crabtree as the best player available in the entier draft and an incredible talent for the future? Select Brown for that immediate help on the defensive side? Select another player? Trade down with a club seeking Crabtree?

Pretend for the moment that you own the Bills, and that your intention is to build a team that will be a perrenial contender for the Super Bowl championship, not just make the playoffs. Your concern is to win the championship within 5 years, realizing that you may have a couple of very rough seasons along the way. You build your team without regard to whether or not your current coaching staff maintains their jobs. Starting today, how do you approach building your team with regard to the rest of free agency and then the draft? This is not an unreasonable scenario, as it is improbable that the Bills can quickly remedy every deficiency and suddenly again become a consistently dominant force in the NFL. We face a much more challenging schedule next year than we did this past season, and we have essentially the same coaching staff. I expect some real improvement, but I did last year, and the year before that, and the....... Realistically, we could be in position next year to have an even higher draft pick, and if so, possibly- a new coaching staff. You have complete control over what happens, at least while you are writing your response, so have some fun and start building your team. Remember, you control the who the head coach is, as well! I'll share my ideas tomorrow, but as a hint, I am fixing the offense first!

If you were calling the shots for rounds 1-3 of the draft, and knowing that you needed to draft a pass rusher for your defensive, and a tight end in the first 2 roiunds, who would top your big board at each position? In Round 3, you address another need area. What is your call for Round 3? Everette Brown is my first round pick for the defense and Jared Cook is my second round pick at tight end. In Round 3 I pick up the best available center/guard combination player, hopefully someone like Antoine Caldwell from Alabama.

There is an abundance of discussion regarding whom the Bills should take with their pick at #11 in this year's draft, with most of this revolving around which of the several DL players would best suit the Bills need for improved pass rush. Of concern to me is this line of thought- draft the best player available for this purpose when our turn comes. While there is no question that the Bills do need a significantly increased pass rush, plus some real playmakers, for the defense, certain needs on offense are just as critical. For example, we need a full time tight end, one who can both block and be a legitimate pass catching threat. We also are in critical need of a center, the very position around which the rest of the offensive line is built. That said, if we cannot draft an IDEAL DL prospect- one of the top tier of those in the draft (there are few of these, to be certain), then I believe our long term best interests are served by drafting the best player in the draft at center or tight end, regardless of perceived value or rating on some expert's board. Is Brandon Pettigrew a "franchise" type tight end? I don't know, but he has had some minor off field issues which might suggest some character or judgement flaws. I do know that center Alex Mack has been rated as the best center to come out of college in many years. I also remember that the late Paul Brown made center Bob Johnson the very first pick of his new franchise, the Cincinnatti Bengals, and that Johnson went on to anchor an offensive line that was dominant for a decade. What do you think- if we have to draft at #11, and the top defensive line players are already taken, is it too much of a reach to take the best player available in years to occupy a position of such importance?