Bills' front office optimistic about upcoming seasons
By "Allen Wilson IV"

Off-Season 2099 (Orchard Park, NY) - The Buffalo Bills' front office is waxing optimistic these days. They believe the moves executed in the offseason have made them a better team and created a solid foundation on which to build for the future. “We like the make-up of our team right now” said GM Mark Ricotta from his office at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, NY. “The last few seasons have been difficult for the fans, I’m sure. While we’ve been competitive, there hasn’t been the confidence in our roster as in the past. We decided it was time to change that and were much more active this offseason then in previous years. We started by stockpiling draft picks then trading some of our veteran players to improve our depth.”

They acquired 5 additional draft picks – giving them 9 total - which bolstered their aging LB and RB corps, while adding players for competition at the DB, OL and DL positions. In addition to drafting OL prospect Michael Radcliff (strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones already has him on a strict weightlifting regimen) they surprised some and snagged potential ROY candidate WR Mike Humphries in the 1st Round. “We felt Mike was too good to pass up. He was one of the few players remaining that would make an immediate impact, so it was really a no-brainer.” Ricotta was pleased with his draft, noting that while this may not have been the best rookie crop in recent years, it could provide needed depth at many positions.

Meanwhile, the Bills will have up to 6 new starters this season, including a new leader and signal caller since longtime incumbent QB Jeff Buckley retired. The QB competition pits unheralded 2093 waiver pick-up Steve Coats against up-and-coming 2098 1st Round selection Mike Huhn. Of course fans should be encouraged; as the Buffalo franchise has seen 5 QB’s take them to the Super Bowl in their first years as starters, with 4 of them winning the Sundby Cup (Stegall, Haynes, Ebert and Buckley; Links was the only non-winner).

Yes – the team is optimistic. But will the fans buy into the hype?