Today, no doubt, loyal Bills fans in Buffalo and around the world will pause to give thanks

that Ralph Wilson has finally seen the light.

Wilson has reached out to the top names on the coaching market. Russ Brandon, his chief

operating officer, met with Mike Shanahan for seven hours on Monday and Tuesday. Reports say

Shanahan wants $50 million over five years, and maybe a piece of the team — and Wilson

might be willing to pay.

Optimistic fans want to believe a major change is in the works. Wilson appears ready to put

his money where his mouth is and pay the going rate for an elite NFL head coach. Or, amazing

as it sounds, even set the market.

Like any dubious Bills watcher, I retain a hard-earned skepticism, forged by years of

seeing Wilson operate on the cheap. It's hard to accept that he's had an epiphany about paying

top dollar for coaches, after 50 years of doing the opposite.

The cynic in me wonders if the Bills are putting on a public show by wooing the biggest

prizes in coaching, knowing they'll be rejected. Then, when the smoke clears, Wilson can say,

"At least I tried."

Hey, it's great if Wilson wants to prove he can spend with the big boys. But imagine how

his coaches and players feel. He's open to paying $10 million for a coach all of a sudden, but

he waited half a season to eat Dick Jauron's contract? He has all this cash to toss around,

but he couldn't buy decent backups at linebacker and offensive line to give this year's team a

fighting chance?

The Bills can make phone calls. But the top candidates know what's gone on here. They're

aware of the dysfunction, the weak roster, the fragility of the franchise and the owner. The

chances of getting an elite coach are remote, even if Wilson starts waving a blank check.

People are asking why Shanahan would bother to talk. Well, it's very early in the process.

Shanahan can play the field. Now Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder, the guys with the deepest

pockets, know the asking price. If Ralph Wilson is thinking of paying $10 million a year, how

high might they go in the end?

Put yourself in Shanahan's shoes. He's 57. His next job is likely his last. He has a huge

ego and wants to ensure his legacy. Shanahan's chances for the Hall of Fame would be in the

balance. Why would he risk it by taking over a team that has no viable quarterback and little

chance of winning right away?

Shanahan has a history of throwing money around like confetti. He had a big staff in

Denver, and he'll want to pay top money for assistants. Wilson likes to underpay for

assistants. How about the owner's "cash to the cap" philosophy? Is Wilson going to break the

bank on the coach, but tell him he can't go over the NFL salary cap by amortizing bonuses?

Shanahan had control of personnel in Denver. He fired his GM, Ted Sundquist. He'll want his

own people in personnel. They cost money, too.

I'm not saying Wilson isn't sincere. But talk is cheap, too. What's the plan? NFL types

wonder who is in charge. Wilson has neutered the football department, leaving a flimsy

operation that'll scare off guys with a good alternative.

Once the show is over and the big names go elsewhere, the essential problem will remain.

Wilson needs to nudge Brandon aside and do a serious restructuring of his football department.

If he doesn't attract a superstar coach who will want control over the personnel operation,

maybe that's not a bad thing.

Personnel is the big issue. If Wilson has to start by finding the best GM candidate out

there, he should do it. Wilson has made it clear he intends to spend big. There are plenty of

ways to spread the money around.

Wilson can buy a lot of football intellect with $50 million. No one said he had to spend it

all in one place.