It has been a rough go for Bills fans over the last 13 seasons. The team has floundered in mediocrity, draft picks have busted and it would appear that free agents would rather go anywhere else.

However, Buddy Nix appears to be making strides to change the culture of this team. After a torrid start, the Bills came crashing down last year and ended up closer to Suck for Luck rather than a wild card berth. The hot start led to an extension for Ryan Fitzpatrick and this week’s contract for Stevie Johnson. The organization is obviously taking strides to build a winner, now it is time to take the next one.

Signing Johnson was necessary. He is the most consistent (drops or not) receiver on the roster and is becoming a viable star talent for the Bills. If the Bills were to have let him walk would have been nothing short of a resignation that the organization was there to make money, not to win games. But they signed him, he is here for the foreseeable future, as is his quarterback.

Fitzpatrick and Johnson now become the cornerstones of the offense with Fred Jackson being the next player who needs to get paid. Beyond that, the Bills are in a situation where they need to show a proper commitment to building a successful franchise. While their recent drafts have produced some serviceable talent, it seems clear that there needs to be time taken to buy talent through free agency.

I don’t necessarily think Vincent Jackson or Mario Williams are the players the Bills need to chase – although that would be nice – they just need to find impact players in places other than the draft.

For the record, Jackson and Williams would be major additions to Buffalo’s roster. I’m hoping to see Melvin Ingram picked in the first round, but adding veteran talent via free agency will push the Buffalo defense to a higher level than they’ve previously been. The same can be said for Jackson and how he would bring benefits to the offense. Continue reading →