Ghost of Rob Johnson

I agree with you that the move to the 3-4 wouldn't be all that difficult, the problem is that in your scenario above you have likely spent all of their free agent dollars and their 1st round pick. Therefore leaving them no resources for fixing the real problem with the team, their offense. The fact is the defense looked bad last season due to an ineffective offense (defense on field too long). I would prefer to bring back the same defense from last season, perhaps with a replacement for Ellison, and utilize their offseason resources to fix their issues on the offensive side of the ball.

Really? They're going to change they're whole defense to try to fit one player in that may or may not work.

mcneil is restricted , would likely cost a 1st and 3rd round pick also

i like johnson as an option at olb if he is allowed to walk. i'm not sure SD allows either merriman or mcneil to leave.

I'd prefer them to stay at a 4-3. Poz is not a fit outside in a 3-4 at all and in my opinion he and Mitchell would have to be the inside backers. Maybin would be ideal at OLB and between Stroud, Johnson, Williams, and McCargo I would hope they could fill the two DE positions. Only spots that would need players not on the roster would be one of the OLB spots and the NT. I'm not sure if its worth creating more needs however on a team with so many holes already.

Denney is a free agent, Mitchell is coming off an ACL tear. You might get a 3rd for Schobel if he isn't retiring.

Then we don't take a QB round 1.

I don't mind the Brohm idea, but I think if that is the plan it is pointless to draft a QB this year. Sign a veteran (Bulger?) to be incumbent starter and see if Brohm can beat him out in camp.

I think they'll still be able to attract the same level of free agents that they have been. They won't get the top guys, but the Hangartners/Florences of the world are within reach. Which are the type of players Buddy Nix stated they would target anyway.

Also had 6 winning seasons at a large college program, how many did Harbaugh have? Actually has never had a losing season as a head coach. He's obviously not a big name, but what could they do, Shanahan and Cowher turned them down.

Count me in.

Maybe Bills aren't thought of that poorly by the national media

But isn't that what all coaches do? Ultimately don't we judge coaches on what they are able to do with the talent around them?

Per Buffalo News article by Mark Gaughan: Of course, a defensive-minded candidate could have an impressive offensive coordinator lined up to join his staff. Frazier has been rumored to have a connection with Al Saunders, a longtime successful NFL offensive coordinator. The two never have worked together but have the same agent. The Bills also have interviewed former interim head coach Perry Fewell. Link

But haven't there been rumors that Al Saunders would be his OC? Wasn't he regarded as a top OC while with Kansas City? Couldn't he then take his experience and connections as an OC and have input on the offensive staff?

Apparently we're looking for a coach who is available, who wins, but does so without talented players.

He's refering to the changes made when Fewell became coach.

And if you fail you can always go back to being a coordinator.

Are any of them unrestricted without a new CBA?

But better to take the time to completely overhaul and start anew, cause that won't take long at all. Also, Frazier spent 9 years as a successful head coach in the college ranks.

Or he isn't worth what they'd have to pay him. According to all sources they've stepped up financially for both Shanahan and Cowher. The coaches merely balked at other issues.

I'm not really sure regarding Frazier's personality, I've not watched enough Vikings games to see how he reacts on the sidelines. I'm also not really sure how much personality really matters, or if it does matter perhaps just as many players react to a coach that has "fire" as to a coach who doesn't show emotion on the sidelines. I do know Tony Dungy has been quoted calling Frazier "a leader of men." Also, in my opinion Frazier's credentials are just as if not more impressive. He's been a successful head coach at the college level, has been a position coach and is credited with improving both the Eagles and Colts passing defenses, has a Super Bowl ring while with the Colts, and been regarded as a top defensive coordinator in the league. He played in the league as well for the Bears, winning a Super Bowl ring as a player and led the team with 6 ints that season. As for Grimm, is he regarded as being a firey coach?

Please explain, i'm intruiged.

Roos agreed to a 6 year, $43 million extension before the season. Are Pickett and/or Jolly markedly better than Stroud or Williams? This list is tough because it assumes no CBA, which I don't think is a safe assumption.

The trouble regarding free agency is that if there is not a new CBA, the "1st tier" free agents that are available will be extremely limited.