Concerning Coaching

HC/OC Pat Fitzgerald -- if he'd be willing to come to the NFL, he is the coach I want. I think he could make good use of the offensive pieces that are already in place. (Bruce Arians would be another target).

OC: Whoever Fitzy wants to help him.

DC Dave Wannstedt -- I know, I don't like him much either. I question the D as it is finishing out the season. This is position is assuming 2 situations (1) Pat Fitzgerald doesn't have someone in mind he'd want at that position (2) Rex Ryan isn't available and willing to come to Buffalo to coach a 4-3. Yes, I know he is a 3-4 coach. None the less, if he is fired by the Jets, I'd be VERY interested in him becoming DC in Buffalo (contingent upon him running the 4-3).

The rest can stay as it is (unless some former Bills greats would like to come back to coach LB).

Concerning Free Agency --

1. Re-sign Jairus Byrd -- this is a no brainer. He's arguably one of the tops at his position in the league. Rough estimate, $8,000,000 per year average over the course of the contract.
   
2. Re-sign Andy Levitre -- another no brainer. He's been dependable, both in play and durability. $6,000,000 per year average.
   
3. Tender RFA Donald Jones -- will make for a solid #4 receiver and backup deep threat. Speed is a commodity we don't have an abundance of at WR. Tender at the $1.972 million mark if we fail to sign him for less prior to FA. It's likely he'll cost less.
   
4. Tender RFA David Nelson -- #1 safety valve, big bodied WR with sure hands. Same situation as Donald Jones.
5. Tender RFA Chad Rinehart -- fantastic depth at interior. Tender at $1.972 million mark for the short term.
   
6. Re-sign Leodis McKelvin -- he seems to have turned into a solid cornerback. If we can get him at a fair price, say $3.5 million average per year, and we aren't forced to enter a bidding war for his services, it would be helpful to have him back. Willing to pay up to 4 million average per year for 3 years.
   
7. Re-sign Kyle Moore -- solid developmental prospect. Might be worth bringing back for $1,000,000 average.
8. Tender Dorin Dickerson for $630,000 ERFA mark.
9. Re-sign Mana Silva -- cheap, backup, developmental prospect at S. offer minimum.
   
10. Sign Glenn Dorsey -- Despite the costs incurred re-signing the previous players, I think the Bills will have enough cap space to take a $2.0 million per year gamble on this player. As I've stated in my sig, he is a free agent this year and I don't believe Kansas City will try to re-sign him if they plan on running the 3-4 Defense next year. He was the 5th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, and it was his elite measurables and elite play as a 4-3DT at LSU that got him drafted that high. At 6'1'' and weighing 297 pounds, it's arguable that he never should have been picked to play in the Chief's 3-4. The $2.0 million per year is a small amount of cap space to gamble on being the dominant 4-3DT that he was in college. This is, of course, assuming that I'm not underestimating the demand for him from 4-3 teams. If we signed him and he reached his potential, which I don't think is a pipe dream, then we would have a deadly 3-way rotation at defensive tackle. And at 27, he's still youthful and could be helpful for years to come.

The Bills had a total of $24,250,000 available in roll-over cap. Subtract (8,000,000 + 6,000,000 + 1,972,000 + 1,972,000 + 1,972,000 + 4,000,000 + 1,000,000 + 630,000 + 2,000,000 + 5,500,000 for the draft) adding (2,750,000 + 4,175,000 + 2,100,000 from future cuts) = $229,000 left over.

It's a small amount of money, but Fitzpatrick's spot on the roster is contingent upon restructuring his contract into a much more manageable backup contract. If he doesn't wish to do this, we find a cheaper alternative vet QB.

Additionally, the remaining cap space is figured using contract averages, rather than rates that will likely increase over the duration of the contract. This inflates the cost of the contract in the present.

Do not re-sign the following:

1. Ruvell Martin - he adds nothing as a WR. His work on ST can be replaced by either Marcus Easley or a developmental prospect at CB.
   
2. Spencer Johnson -- prior to this year, he has been a solid mainstay at DT. This year, I can't recall him making much of a difference. His spot can be better utilized by taking the money paid to him and gambling that Glenn Dorsey can be useful as a 4-3 DT. If not, then we're left with the not difficult task of finding a #4 DT.
3. Bryan Scott -- He has been useful as a Nickel LB, but he is getting older, and it would be helpful to find a younger LB prospect, or use Da'Norris Searcy, to replace him. If he is re-signed on the cheap, read: not much more than vet minimum, it would be useful to bring him back for training camp.
4. Tashard Choice -- no point paying for a #3 RB that doesn't have potential to do anything. It would be more useful to draft a RB or pick up a UDFA that has an outside chance of becoming Arian Foster, even if it is the slimmest of hopes.
5. Tarvaris Jackson -- this really depends on whether or not Fitz can be kept as a backup. We wasted a late round pick when we acquired him, but that's a sunk cost, and a small cost at that.
6. Shawne Merriman -- if the draft goes as planned, we won't need him. If it doesn't, he could certainly be had as cheap depth, later in the season, as we saw this year.

Cut the following

1. Brad Smith -- he is simply not worth the money. If we want someone in his mold, waste a late round pick on Danard Robinson. He'll be cheaper. Brad Smith is an average receiver. Our receiver depth is pretty solid. He's an average kick returner. We have no problems find kick returners amongst our CBs. He's an awful QB. We already have that in abundance. This move saves $2,750,000
   
2. Chris Kelsay -- We have plenty of depth, and he isn't worth the cost in money or roster space. If the draft goes according to plan, his services will not be required. Additionally, with a neck injury this late in his career, it may not be worth it for him to return. If he doesn't retire, cut him. This move should save $4,175,000 if I'm reading NYJETSDRAFT.com correctly.
   
3. Terrence McGee -- He hasn't been a help on the field in years. This move saves $2,100,000
   

Concerning the Draft - assuming we draft at from 5 to 7

1) Mike Glennon -- QB -- NC State :::: The draft I had in my previous off season plan was something of a fantasy. if there is a QB we like in the first, we need to take him here. No fooling around. This is the QB prospect I want from the 2013 draft. Ryan Nassib and Landry Jones are also intriguing, and I would take them here despite considering them mid to late 1st round picks. Geno Smith and Matt Barkley are the only other two considerations for 1st round QBs. I would be fine with any one of the 5, even Barkley.

2) Cornellius Carradine -- DE-- FSU ::: I'm not the first to trumpet his name, and this is for good reason. He had a productive senior season, prior to injuring his knee. He was receiving 1st round consideration. Because of the injury, he should be available in the 2nd round. He has prototypical size at 6'4 and 265 pounds. Additionally, he has good arm length that will help him disengage from OTs in the NFL.

I had Ezekial Ansah - DE- BYU as my first pick by trading back in my first mock. He is still my favorite DE after Bjoern Werner. If Ansah somehow falls to the 20 to 25 range, I would try trading up like a madman from our 2nd round pick. He is similar to Jason Pierre-Paul and Chandler Jones in that he has prototypical size, and buckets of athleticism to go with it. He's also very raw, which makes for a high ceiling.

Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor - DEs - Texas are also in consideration. Jackson's size worries me, but he has great speed. He would be a consideration in the 2nd round if Carradine was unavailable. He may not be coming out, however, as he is only a Junior. He may want to return for his senior year to improve his draft stock. Okafor will likely go in the first round, but with the dearth of pass-rushing talent, it's possible he or any one of the late 1st/early 2nd rounders fall to our pick. Okafor would be ahead of Carradine but behind Ansah. Needless to say, I think with this years crop, we can take a DE as a need without sacrificing value.

3) Jordan Matthews -- WR -- Vanderbilt ::: Good speed, good size, and good hands. 6'3 205 pound WR that doesn't tend to body catch.

4) Michael Mauti -- OLB -- Penn State ::: 6'2 235 pounds. CBS Sports has him listed as a 6-7th rounder, but he looks better on tape prior to his knee injury. As state, he hurt his knee, again. Assuming he can come back from this in time, I like him more than his counter part Gerald Hodges (though he would be a consideration as well). If he's available here due to injury, it might be worth the rist to take Mauti.

5) Michael Carter -- CB -- Minnesota ::: 5'11 185 pounds. Good size for a CB. Decent career at Minnesota. Cousin of former 9 year NFL veteran safety, Tyrone Carter. Has flashed dominance at the CB position.

6) Marqueis Gray -- WR/QB -- Minnesota ::: Big, tall, powerful. Unfortunately, he is a bit of a long strider rather than short area burst prospect. He's alternated between both QB and WR during his time at the University of Minnesota. Knowing both should help him adapt to our offense and learn it quicker. In 2010, he played WR opposite Eric Decker. In 2011, he focused more on QB. In 2012, he alternated between both. When he builds up his speed, he is fast enough to outrun DBs, which is very nice considering he is 6'4 245 pounds. Some may see this size and say TE, but I don't think we should try and force him to try and take on blocking as well. I'm taking him as a late round outside WR prospect that can go up and get the ball.

Two quick looks at Marqueis Gray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8_y6Xs6Kxs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY3FG0uzVe4

UDFA targets: LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs, LBs,

Rodney Smith -- WR -- FSU ::: 6'5 215 pounds. Underachiever at FSU with tremendous size and solid speed.

2013 Roster

QB (3): Mike Glennon / Ryan Fitzpatrick / [UDFA Developmental ROOKIE]

RB (3): CJ Spiller / Fred Jackson / [UDFA Rookie]

WR (6): Steve Johnson / David Nelson / TJ Graham / Donald Jones / Jordan Matthews / Marqueis Gray

TE/FB (3): Scott Chandler / Lee Smith / Dorin Dickerson

OT (5): Cordy Glenn / Erik Pears / Chris Hairston / Zebrie Sanders / Sam Young (tweener OG/OT)

OG (3): Andy Levitre / Kraig Urbik / Chad Rinehart

OC (1): Eric Wood /

DE (4): Mario Williams / Cornellius Carradine / Mark Anderson / Kyle Moore / Jarron Gilbert

DT (5): Kyle Williams / Marcell Dareus / Alex Carrington / Glenn Dorsey / Torell Troup

OLB (5): Nick Barnett / Nigel Bradham / Michael Mauti I Arthur Moats / Chris White

MLB (2): Kelvin Sheppard / Kirk Morrison

CB (6): Stephon Gilmore / Leodis McKelvin / Ron Brooks / Aaron Williams / Justin Rodgers / Michael Carter

S (4): Jairus Byrd / Da'Norris Searcy / George Wilson / Mana Silva

K (1): [Rookie - one that can actually kick field goals] or Rian Lindell

P (1): Shawn Powell

LS (1): Garrison Sanborn

*Notes: Left both Gilbert and Troup on there. They are both competing for the final "DL" space. While 10 are listed, planning on keeping 9 DL with those two fighting for the 9th slot.