So...you say that the Buffalo Bills seem like they’re miles away from a championship.  The talent on the team isn’t good enough to field a Superbowl-caliber team, and the coaching staff is less than spectacular at this point.  Right?  Right.

So?

Can the Bills make Superbowl XLV?  Probably not.  But I challenge you to come up with a better plan than mine.  THIS is how the Bills, if it’s in any way possible, get to Dallas in 2011.

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I want to point this out to start the column.  I am not PICKING the Bills to make the Superbowl.  I am not predicting this series of moves I’m about to lay out as what the Bills will do.  I’m just simply saying, if the ONLY goal in the world for the football team, was making the Superbowl in 2011, THIS is how they should do it.

Step 1 - Get Donovan McNabb

Seriously...do you have a BETTER idea?  ESPN’s Sal Palantonio is reporting that the Bills, Browns, and Broncos have called the Eagles to ask about acquiring one of their three QBs.  This is great news.  I don’t want Vick.  I don’t want Kevin Kolb.  If I’m planning on getting to Superbowl XLV, I’m going to get a guy that has been to a Superbowl before.

McNabb is NOT too old.  He’ll be 33 at the start of the upcoming season.  Tom Brady will be 33 and Peyton Manning will be 34.

McNabb is not washed up.  His 92.9 QB rating in 2009 was the 3rd highest of his career.  I think QB rating is a bunch of garbage because it generally tries to convince you that a crappy QB is kinda good.  So I’ll use the ACTUAL numbers.  In 2009, McNabb posted 22 TDs and just 10 INTs.  That’s a TYPICAL McNabb season.  For his career, his TD to interception ratio is better than 2 to 1.

This is NOT Tim Tebow (massive project).  This is NOT Sam Bradford, or Jimmy Clausen.  If you want MOST LIKELY to succeed THIS YEAR, it’s Donovan McNabb and there is little debate.  Sorry Michael Vick, Tyler Thigpen, and Dan Le-whateveryourname is...Mr. McNabb is the BEST option - hands down.

Step 2 - Figure out your personnel for the 3-4

I wrote earlier that I’m into getting Richard Seymour to come to Buffalo.  He’s an unrestricted free agent that would probably like nothing more than to STICK IT to New England.  The Bills offer him that chance, and he’s succeeded in a 3-4 system before.

I’ll take Seymour and while you’re at it, how about Vince Wilfork?  That’s a start.  Ok, so the line is set.  At linebacker you will have TWO rookies.  Aaron Maybin can actually participate in a full season and perhaps even play a position that he’s fit to play.  In addition to Maybin, I’m trying to get my hands on LB Rolando McClain out of Alabama. 



That’s right...9th overall, I’d consider a LINEBACKER.  I generally hate this idea, but I’m not building for the future, or learning to win, I’m going for it now.

Step 3 - Trade Marshawn Lynch for a bag of footballs, or maybe a draft pick

Addition by subtraction.  He’s not worth it.  Scan the waiver wire and find a guy the way that you found Fred Jackson.

Step 4 - Think about getting another WR

Terrell Owens is likely out the door, and if Donovan McNabb is on the team, then he’s definitely gone.  You don’t need to find an All-Pro.  Take a look at what McNabb did for Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson.  It’s no coincidence that McNabb has had success with a bunch of different receivers.  He might be able to make it work with Evans, Hardy, Reed (who you’ll have to resign), and Stevie Johnson.  Toss in Shawn Nelson at TE, and Fred Jackson out of the backfield in a Brian Westbrook mold.  That might work.

Step 5 - Let the players play

Get after it.  Sean Payton and Jim Caldwell.  How many Superbowl appearances between the two of them 3 days ago?  ZERO.  How many playoff wins between the two of them one year ago?  ONE.  Chan Gailey doesn’t need to have experience in the postseason to win in the postseason.  He needs great players.  Then he needs to go for some 4th downs, and some onsides kicks, and NOT punt when it’s 4th and 2 and the Bills are down 10 points with 6 minutes left.

Step 6 - The other stuff

There you have it.  I've added WINNERS to the team.  I've added talent.  I've added NFL credibility.  I've helped the offense and the defense.  Is there more to do?  Sure.  You can toss in some marginal moves on the offensive line.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot...they’ll also have to:

Win the turnover battle

Run and stop the run

Run to set up the pass

Pass to set up the run

Sit around and watch pigs fly

Protect the QB

Allow QB to make plays with his legs

Get a few bounces

Stay healthy

Visit hell, which will have frozen

Overcome adversity

Win the lottery

Play with intensity

Win the battle in the trenches

Bring the Stanley Cup to the stadium to fire up the home crowd

Win in cold weather

Win on the road

Get after the QB

Play to win

Avoid playing “not to lose”

Take shots down the field

Use the screen pass

Hit the QB hard

Create turnovers

Avoid turnovers

And...what else?  Am I missing anything?  I think that’s everything.

Ok, so will ALL that stuff happen?  Probably not.  How about we start with Step 1 and see where this thing goes?

Go get Donovan McNabb.