While there are good things to say about Ralph Wilson, it has long been known that he will not spend top dollar for a GM, HC, etc. The loss of Polian (and no, not Butler who basically got to ride out what Polian built), was the end of a quality front office. Player payroll wasn't the issue through the 90's. Ralph spent plenty on players.
When Donahoe became President, first they escaped cap hell, then spent on some big name FA's (Sam Adams, Takeo Spikes....) so things were looking up. A real President and players too, but that fell apart and along with the brief return of Marv Levy, the Bills began the cash to cap crap and while still paying too much for some guys (Kelsay for one), getting the balance sheets in order seemed to be priority one, not winning.
Are the Bills clean for a sale, yes, and I'm sure that was very much intentional. It's a shame that Ralph has refused to consider selling the team to local investors (Jim Kelly's group comes to mind and has wished for the opportunity. Ralph should sell now. He should have sold the team when he went cash to cap. Yet, sadly it will be an estate sale in which there won't be a Ralph around to even try to work out a deal with Buffalo's interests given some consideration. It will be strickly about the Benjamins......
So sad....