Buffalo Bills' Resurgence Will be Built on Superbowl Winners, No Excuses, No Exceptions

Bill Polian is responsible for assembling the best NFL teams of the past two decades. As General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts, Polian created the alchemy of team chemistry and individual talent involving players and coaches that resulted in the Colts two 10-0 starts in the 00's, and culminated in their '07 Superbowl victory.

No doubt Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning had a lot to do with the team's overall win percentage and their crowning moment, but the man who hired them is perhaps the one who deserves the lion's share of the credit.

While the Buffalo Bills of the '90's never won a Superbowl, their unprecedented four consecutive Conference championships and complete dominance of their opponents throughout those four years (90-93), are strong evidence supporting the Bills as the dominant team of the previous decade.

That dominance could be argued to exceed any other cumulative achievement, even though they barely missed the ultimate achievement on their first attempt, and seemed to go downhill from there in subsequent Superbowl appearances.

Just as Marv Levy and the Hall of Fame quality talent on both sides of the ball during those years get their share of credit for Buffalo's achievements, again, one must give the lion's share to the man who hired the talent and who understood the intangibles that were necessary to cause the kind of chemical reaction to make the sum equal even more than the very impressive total of the parts.

Therefore, with all the talk about getting one of the many A-List (meaning Superbowl winning) former head coaches currently available, perhaps the conversation should begin with the General Manager's position.

Given that Polian left Buffalo under less than happy circumstances, largely due to (Hall of Fame) owner, Ralph Wilson's shortsightedness, it might seem beyond ludicrous to propose that the two of them kiss and make up.

But I am going to propose just that.

Polian has already done his job in Indianapolis. I think a sincere apology and a significant raise, all guaranteed, plus the opportunity to return to Buffalo and finish the job he came so close to finishing the last time could be enough to lure Polian back.

With Polian back in the front office, most fans would finally let out a huge sigh of relief and wouldn't care who Polian hires as head coach, trusting him fully to find the right person.

But in case Polian doesn't come back, fans need to know that when Mr. Wilson says he is determined to get top level talent in all aspects of Bills leadership, he truly means it. Other than Polian there are several other great football minds that have won Superbowls from the front office.

And as we know, there are even more former head coaches with the same credentials.

But, Mr. Wilson, we as Buffalonians, as Bills Nation around the world, expect you to do whatever is necessary to have Polian or his equivalent back in the front office.

Saying you tried but you were rejected, is not acceptable. Everyone has their price. Everyone has their terms. Find out what that price, what those terms are, and get a general manager and head coach who have climbed the mountain and come down with the tablets.

We do not have time, nor do you, Mr. Wilson, have time for experimentation. We need and we expect you to get it right with these two key hires, and have them in place before the end of the season in order not to lose them to other competitors.

As for the coaching position, there are at least 10 former head coaches who have won at least one Lombardi trophy. The Buffalo search MUST be limited to these 10 people.

It should be noted that one who has publicly indicated his interest in the position does not qualify.

Mike Martz took St. Louis to a Superbowl victory as offensive coordinator, and to a loss as head coach. The failure to win as head coach is operative here. He should not be contacted.

Apparently the Bills have also contacted former Bill Jim Haslett. Haslett has not come close to winning a Superbowl.

Sentiment must be put aside here. He does not qualify. Listen, Mr. Wilson. The qualifications must, MUST be absolute.

Superbowl champions only need apply.

Now that we've set the bar and eliminated the unqualified, who should be considered?

1. Bill Cowher

Of all the A-List coaches currently not on the sidelines, Bill Cowher is the best fit for Buffalo.

According to reports this past week, he has been contacted by the Bills and has given them a qualified rebuff. He wants to see who else contacts him after the season before considering any opportunities.

But he is the best choice for Buffalo. He fits the blue-collar image that most Buffalonians prefer, and that seems to embody the scrappy, underdog ethos of the city and its team.

He has the passion Buffalo fans demand. He has proven success, not only for one Superbowl run, but for successfully coaching a team over more than a decade, for being in the hunt most years, for knowing how to get the most from the players at his disposal.

Regardless of his rebuff, if the Bills came back with the right number and the right amount of perks on the table, we are confident that Mr. Cowher would decide he may not need to wait for other offers.

2. Tony Dungy

Dungy has made it clear he wants to spend more time with his family. He doesn't "want" to coach any more, or at least right now.

He should still be approached. He may or may not have a price or a perk that would lure him back, such as Mr. Wilson's private jet to keep the Dungy family closer together, if Cowher is unattainable, Dungy should be the second choice.

Especially if Polian comes back. And if Polian comes back, it is more likely that Dungy could be had as well.

3. Brian Billick

In our estimation, Brian Billick is ahead of several other iconic names such as Jimmy Johnson, Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden, etc.

Billick's achievements at Baltimore are more of the type that will be necessary in Buffalo. He has shown he can take a team in building mode and bring it to the next level, and go all the way.

He also has a little less glitz than some of the beautiful people on the list. As far as glitz is concerned in Buffalo, less is more.

4. Mike Shanahan

Anyone who can win two Superbowls in the same town is someone the Bills need to consider carefully.

Shanahan, like Cowher, demonstrated he has a long half life. He demonstrated he has the ability to create a winner with a variety of personnel, to make the most of whatever he has available, and to put together a lineup that will sooner or later dominate.

Sure, he's from Chicago, and sure he might like a reunion with Jay Cutler, but he was the first to agree to talk with the Bills and that indicates he probably has his price and his perk in mind and can be enticed if Mr. Wilson is willing.

5. Mike Holmgren

Affectionately known by some as "The Walrus," Holmgren came to Green Bay at a time when its level of frustration and futility was similar to the BIlls situation today.

With the help of GM Ron Wolf (who some have suggested might be an acceptable alternative to Polian at GM) took the Packers quickly to a Superbowl win. Granted, he did it with Brett Favre, but when Favre was acquired by Green Bay he was a back up in Atlanta.

Green Bay, as a small market team (even smaller than Buffalo) and a northern Great Lakes team is similar to Buffalo in many ways.

While The Walrus was less than inspiring in his second gig in Seattle, Seattle may just have been too big and too soft a town for someone with his Rust Belt credentials. I think, despite his "healthy" ego, Holmgren would do well in Buffalo either as GM or as head coach.

It appears that Cleveland may have the inside track on Holmgren, but unless he's already signed, he should be courted.

Give him his pick, GM, head coach, or, if he insists, and Polian isn't coming, let him try both.

6. Jon Gruden

It has been said that Gruden got his Lombardi with Tony Dungy's system, but remember how Gruden earned the Tampa Bay job.

He had impressive results in Oakland, working for another quirky old man and original AFL owner, Al Davis.

Gruden survived Al Davis, and would think Ralph Wilson is an ideal boss by comparison. He has also been on the mountain top. Regardless of how he got there, he knows the way and should be able to find his way there again under the right circumstances.

7. Jimmy Johnson

As much as Bills fans learned to hate Jimmy Johnson in his role as head coach of two of our biggest rivals, the Cowboys and the Dolphins, if he came to Buffalo fully committed to the town and the team, all would be forgiven and forgotten.

My question about Johnson woud be, can he repeat his success in Dallas, or was that a unique situation. He did not overwhelm in Miami. Still, if it came down to a choice between Johnson and any other non-Superbowl winner, there would be no hesitation.

The Rest of the Class

The remainder of the elite class is listed in no particular order.

These gentlemen are probably past their prime and some, such as Joe Gibbs (above, now more associated with NASCAR than the NFL) had a disastrous comeback attempt a few years ago in Washington.

But ... we contend that anyone who knows the way is better than anyone who doesn't. No exceptions. No excuses. So, if it must be someone whose credentials are a little dusty, we still trust them more than an unknown.

The list:
Joe Gibbs
Barry Switzer (younger than the older over the hill gang listed in this paragraph, but has been out of football since leaving Dallas.)
George Siefert

Bill Walsh is still alive as far as we know but we will rule him out due to age. So, excluding Walsh, there are 10 Superbowl champion coaches who are not currently coaching and therefore, theoretically, could be hired by the Bills either as coach or, if applicable, general manager.

Therefore there is no excuse or exception that will be acceptable to Buffalo fans not to have a head coach who has personal knowledge of the route to the top.

We will be slightly less absolute on the GM issue, but would also encourage Ralph Wilson to insist on someone who has done the deed as well.