Where Should the Buffalo Bills Look at QB?

Chan Gailey has been hired as the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He has made it very obvious that his first priority is to find his guy to take the snaps—a position that has not contributed on a consistent basis since the days of Jim Kelly.

Many fans believe the answer is the draft. My question to you is can the Bills afford to take a risk on drafting a QB and expect him to play his rookie year without turning into former busts such as Joey Harrington, David Carr, or Ryan Leaf?

It isn't a given fact that the Bills will start a new QB in the 2010 season, mainly because Gailey has not had the time to evaluate the current QBs on the Bills roster. If you viewed any Buffalo games this year, it is evidence that the answer is not on the roster. Trent Edwards can't stay healthy, and Ryan Fitzpatrick at best is a solid backup.

Drafting a QB in the first round is a scary decision to make unless you are 100 percent certain that he is the man you want. With Sam Bradford's shoulder, I personally do not feel he has the strength to go into the harsh Buffalo weather conditions he will face every year and perform.

Jimmy Clausen is the best-case scenario if the Bills look at QB with the No. 9 overall pick in April. He has strength, ran a pro style offense at Notre Dame, and has all the intangibles scouts talk about.

But who will block for him? Do you pay a QB top 10 money the year after you had to sign Richie Incognito after Week 15 and throw him in the starting lineup just five days after joining the team? Clausen will get killed if the Bills do not strengthen the offensive line.

Now you may be wondering why there is a picture of Kevin Kolb on a Bills article. Think this one over before you blast my comments page about how ridiculous this is.

It is inevitable the Eagles will have to get rid of at least one of their three QBs, maybe even two. Michael Vick will cost Philly $5 million next year. He may get released, or he may get traded. If Vick comes to Buffalo, it will be a chaotic picture with unsure reactions from the fans. The T.O. experiment did not live up the hype expected, and this move wouldn't either.

Donovan McNabb rumors have been flying left and right ever since their season ended. Would he be a good fit in Buffalo? Yes; however, he would not have the weapons in Buffalo that he does in Philly. The other downside is he is looking at his 11th season in the NFL and has had his fair share of injuries.

That leaves Kevin Kolb, and yes, he is the reason why he is pictured here. Kolb showed that he could play at this level when McNabb went down. His situation has shades of Matt Hasselbeck being traded from Green Bay to Seattle, as well as Matt Cassel going from New England to Kansas City.

Many people believe that Marshawn Lynch may be gone before next season. Philly also has a bit of a RB situation. If Brian Westbrook retires, that leaves them with LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver. Could this be a reasonable trade: Lynch for Kolb?

Will this deal with Kolb happen? Probably not for the two reasons mentioned above. Vick is Vick, and McNabb is on the downside of his career.

However, if a proven QB got traded to Buffalo instead of drafting an unproven QB, what would this do?

1. Makes the fans happy...no more Captain Checkdown or 2nd Lt. Fitz

2. Leaves more options for draft day. The No. 9 pick would go towards an OL since Buffalo failed miserably last year, passing on Michael Oher for Aaron Maybin.

3. See No. 2.

The Bills have to prove themselves and have what Mel Kiper would call an "Exceptional Draft Day." They have so many questions that have to be answered, and if you draft a QB in the first round...well, that's one more question mark added to a Bills team looking for answers.