Very short quick points to look at...

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Here are some thoughts in a nice, easy to read bullet format...

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Some tidbits to consider:

Aaron Schobel wants to live in Texas.  Marshawn Lynch is a good running back some say we don't need.  Steve Slaton's recovery from neck surgery is going to take a while.  The Texans run a 4-3 defense.  They will also be in the market to acquire some good running backs.

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Good riddance to you both if you can net us some draft picks.  Am I being too hopeful for a 2nd and 4th?  Sounds reasonable especially for a team like Houston who might feel they are on the cusp...

Since I don't think anyone wants to see the 98th post about a possible new HC (seriously could I possibly shine any more light on the subject??? ...I think the 400+ comments after the 'BS no-thanks' column did the job) does anyone have a preference, or know anything about, some the possible OC's and DC's who might be available once we get our head man in here? I have heard Al Saunders somewhere (maybe even here I lose track) and I know it depends of couse on who the HC is, but just lookin for some names.

Bill Cowher most likely will not be our next head coach.  It would be great and I've been following the rumors as much as anyone, but let's face it: If he were coming here, it would have already happened.  The fact is, John Fox has one year left on his contract, can opt out now according to reports (Carolina likely wants that), and that's where Cowher wants to be.  Whether it's 2010 or 2011, it's going to happen. At this point, if he did come here, I have a hard time saying I wouldn't be excited and elated, but in the back of my head there would be a feeling of 'does he really want to be here?'  With that said, the Bills can once again become a viable, solid football team and organization without Bill Cowher as coach, because as splashy and inspiring as that would be, he is not the end all be all.  To elaborate further on what I think we should focus on...

1. Hire a head coach with leadership/CEO type abilities.  Forget offensive/defensive background or what his team ranked in offense or defense the past few years as a coordinator.  Good players = good final rankings for their respective units.  Coaching has something to do with that of course, but is way overblown when considering someone for HC.  I want a person who commands respect, is sharp on gameday, displays control, and is able to oversee an operation.  Much like the CEO of a company.  The HC needs to have a staff of great teachers and motivators so that he can focus on leading the team and know his defense/offense/special teams are in good hands. 

2. To continue from that first point, I don't claim to know who among the candidates out there has these leadership traits, and I think we just need to trust Buddy Nix (who I am absolutely fine with as GM - all he's gonna do is bring in talent this guy knows football) and Russ Brandon to identify who among the interviewees has that "it" factor.  I do like the pool of available guys out there, and it's much more encouraging than the Jauron vs. Sherman debate (yes those two really were our top two candidates last time around - can't believe it didn't work out).  The point is, we can't shoot down whoever they hire right off the bat if that hire has no previous HC experience.  This is, by all accounts, a thorough search being conducted by the Bills, and whoever they bring in will have beaten out a slew of quality candidates.

3. You want names? I prefer Cowher, Harbaugh, Grimm, Schottenheimer (wouldn't mind a father-son combo), or Billick.  If Fox does opt out, I would love him here.  But I'm not going to jump all over the Bills if it's not one of these guys, because we simply don't know enough about them to make any legitimate conclusions.

4. After we get our staff in here, we will have a better idea of the types of players we need to fit our schemes, but here is an overall direction I hope the team goes.  1st, get a QB (duh).  There are different ways to do this.  We can draft Bradford or Clausen if there.  We can sign a vet to hold down the fort for a year or two while grooming a QB we draft.  We can trade for Vick, McNabb, or whoever becomes available as the offseason progresses.  However you want to do it, it has to be done.  I would prefer drafting Clausen (but bet he goes #1) but wouldn't hate Bradford.  I would trade for Vick if we can't land one of those guys; seriously get over the dog thing or whatever else you hate about the guy he is a talented freak and might not cost too much in a trade.  After QB, which is simply the MOST IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF (put it this way: whoever ends up being our coach is going to fail or succeed depending on our QB), build both lines is the 2nd thing we need to do.  LT is an obvious need and likely our first round pick this year.  3rd get a crazy linebacker in here whose sole purpose in life is to wreak havoc and put the fear of God into anyone who even hears his name.  It's going to be exciting getting a new coach and staff in here and I hope Nix really nails it, but unless we find a QB and address those other needs, it won't matter. 

5. On a final note, I really hope that soon we will find the actual season more fun and exciting than the offseason, instead of the other way around like it has been for too long.  As a Bills fan, I got a feeling...