More questions than answers

The NFL draft was well underway as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell strolled across the stage in a gleaming Radio City music hall, readying to announce the 9th pick of the 75th NFL draft, which belonged to the Buffalo Bills. The crowd was still buzzing from the previous pick; the Oakland Raiders had just selected linebacker Rolando McClain to shore up their Line backing corps. Every eye was on Goodell as he took his spot at the podium center stage. All of Western New York held its collective breath, hoping that the Bills would select a franchise quarterback that they had long coveted.

"With the 9th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Buffalo Bills select C.J. Spiller, running back, Clemson."

Bills faithful around the globe were left staring at their television screens in a state of mingled disbelief and confusion. In a truly unexpected turn of events, the Buffalo Bills chose to ignore one of their more pressing needs on their roster: the need for a franchise quarterback the likes of which haven't been seen in Orchard Park since the days of Jim Kelly.

"I was disappointed when we drafted Spiller because we didn't need a running back as a top priority, especially when a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen was still available," said Bills fan and Fredonia student Matt Dicenzo, a junior computer science major.

So what happens next?

The decision to select the electrifying running back C.J "Thriller" Spiller, guarantees that Buffalo will have a very deep and talented corps of running backs, all three of whom can shoulder the load for the team. The three-headed monster that the Bills will roster in their backfield features Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson and now C.J. Spiller, and they will likely produce a lot of big plays, yet at the same time it will be difficult for all three backs to get enough touches to keep them happy.

Another unexpected twist in the offseason for the Bills was the hiring of head Coach Chan Gailey, of whom most fans had never heard of. However, he was recommended by Bill Cowher, former Pittsburgh Steelers Coach turned analyst and was also lauded by his former boss Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

Since taking over the team, Head Coach Gailey seems determined to prove himself as a head coach by helping the Bills get back to their glory days. His mantra, "it's a tough game for tough people," has brought back a physical aspect to the team, both in organized team activities and during training camp at Saint John Fisher College, where players have been in full pads since day one. Gailey also has his starting players staying in preseason games longer, in hopes that they will adapt to the new 3-4 defense as well as a new offensive playbook. Most fans have been in favor of the switch to the 3-4 defense, especially since the Bills have been atrocious at stopping the run in recent years.

"The 3-4 defense puts more athletes on the field and gives them a lot more versatility," said sophomore journalism major J.P. Kracker. "Adding veterans like Andre Davis and Dwan Edwards to the defense helps because they can serve both as players and as coaches on the field with their experience."

Gailey is known more for his mind on the offensive side of the ball however and will serve as the offensive coordinator for the team. The quarterback carousel that continues to spin around and around in Buffalo has fallen into Gailey's lap and Trent Edwards seems to be the favorite to start again for the Bills this season. Questions still remain as to whether or not Edwards can be the Quarterback Buffalo has long searched for and it is likely that this will be his last year as the starter in Buffalo if he does not produce.

Whoever starts this year at the quarterback position will be under tremendous pressure. The Bills are still a team in transition and it is not very likely that they will be able to put the pieces together in such a short period of time to consistently compete and put themselves in a position to win. Some Bills fans on campus, like junior biology major Steve Strzyzynski are not too optimistic that the team will do well this season. "If the Bills win five games this season, I'm going to celebrate like they won the Super Bowl," Strzyzynski said.

Winning five games or more will present a strong challenge for the Bills. All of their division rivals have improved drastically and with big name players like Brandon Marshall, Santonio Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson joining the AFC East mix, it will not make things easier.  The Bills failed to make any major splashes in the free agency market and as a result, it is difficult to imagine them winning many division games this year.

While they will play hard-nosed, physical football, and the secondary and running back corps will excel, there are lingering questions about the offensive line, the 3-4 defense and the quarterback position. The Bills will not likely make the playoffs again this season and will be in the running for a top ten pick in the 2011 NFL draft.