The Buffalo Bills need look no further than the opposing sideline today to find a road map for the future.

Today's opponent, the Miami Dolphins, are the latest example of Bill Parcells' blueprint for

how to build a winner in the NFL.

After hiring Parcells as team president, the Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5 last season and

made the playoffs. Entering today's game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Miami stands 5-5, despite

losing its most valuable player from last season, Chad Pennington, for the year.

While Miami is an underdog in the chase for a wild card berth, there is little doubt the

Dolphins are set up to be a solid club for years to come.

Parcells rebuilt the New York Giants in the 1980s, the New England Patriots and the New York

Jets in the 1990s and the Dallas Cowboys and Dolphins this decade.

"I've seen this work before," Miami coach Tony Sparano said. "I mean, we walked into Dallas

when it wasn't a great situation and we were able to get this thing turned around. I'm very

familiar with it. So that's the way I've presented it here."

As the Bills search for a way out of their decade-long playoff drought, what can they learn

from the Parcells formula? Here are some of the cornerstones of Parcells' philosophy:

1. Build from the inside out

Parcells' teams always have been tough in the trenches. They are big and physical in the

defensive front seven. The offensive line is the first thing to be solidified.

That's what Parcells did last year in Miami when he drafted left tackle Jake Long No. 1

overall and made left guard Justin Smiley his first free-agent signing.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick talked about the constants with Parcells' teams last year: "The

defensive linemen are big. They're all strong. All the outside linebackers can rush. The

corners are big. The running backs are big. The tackles are big. They're a big, powerful

team."

How this applies to the Bills: Buffalo actually worked to solidify the inside of the

offensive line this year. The Bills' middle three — guard Andy Levitre, center Geoff Hangartner and guard Eric Wood

— looks good for the future. The Bills still need another big offensive tackle.

On defense, the Bills' front seven would not be to Parcells' liking. Parcells always has

played a 3-4 scheme.

That would require a total overhaul of the front seven. If the Bills stick with a 4-3 in the

future, they at least need another big body in the middle of the defensive line and better

size at linebacker.

2. Build through the draft

The Dolphins have had nine picks each of the last two years. In his three years with the Jets,

Parcells drafted 31 players. In his 10 seasons with the Patriots, Belichick has had 10 or more

picks six times. Drafting more players simply increases the odds of success.

How this applies to the Bills: Buffalo had eight picks this year and took two No. 1s

and two No. 2s. The Bills had 10 picks in 2008, seven in '07 and nine in '06.

The News' football writers preview today's game

3. "One wrong, all wrong"

This Parcells saying refers to the need for everyone in the organization to be on the same

page. When one person makes a mistake, we all make a mistake. Marv Levy would call it

"organizational trust."

One way Parcells achieves this is by hiring a veteran staff of "his guys." That helps turn

things around faster.

He brought General Manager Jeff Ireland, Sparano and others from Dallas to Miami. Offensive

coordinator Dan Henning is a longtime Parcells crony.

How this applies to the Bills: Organizational trust is a common thread with most

winning organizations. Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. likes promoting a balance of power in

his organization. It's easier to achieve if you have a good leader at the top. Dick Jauron was

not a great leader within the organization.

It's not easy for any organization to copy Parcells' practice of bringing along a truckload of

"his guys," because he has been around so long, and "his guys" have a better track record of

success than most associates of any other prospective general manager.

Cronyism, of course, has a big downside. Wade Phillips was done in with the Bills, in part,

by his buddy Ronnie Jones, the erstwhile comic special teams coach.

But one thing Parcells does that any team can copy: Hire an experienced corps of assistants.

4. "I want beavers"

It's another Parcells saying. What does a beaver do? Cuts down trees. What else? Not much. He

wants guys who eat, drink and sleep football.

Parcells also likes to sign a group of veterans who are hungry, players who have something to

prove. They have a chip on their shoulder. Identifying these players is easier said than done,

but Parcells has been good at it. Pennington, center Jake Grove, nose tackle Jason Ferguson,

fullback Lousaka Polite fit this category in Miami.

How this applies to the Bills: Parcells probably would not have drafted Mike Williams

or Eric Flowers.

5. Draft QB with track record

ESPN analyst Jon Gruden this season extolled Parcells' keys for drafting a quarterback. Among

them: He likes a senior with three-plus years of starting experience, at least 23 college

wins, and a college graduate. The longer the track record, the easier it is to judge the

player.

Chad Henne, who starts today for Miami, was a four-year starter who went 33-14 at Michigan,

and he graduated.

How this applies to the Bills: Presumably, Parcells would stay away from Oklahoma's Sam

Bradford, who has 24 wins but is entering the draft after his junior year and is a two-year

starter. If the Bills are not completely sold on a quarterback in the first round, they would

be better off drafting a big lineman, based on Parcells' history.

6. No divas

Parcells does not like divas at any position. You're a soldier, not a spokesman.

Kicker Jay Feely, a media darling, was dumped once the Fins found an alternative. Defensive

end Jason Taylor was traded after performing on "Dancing with the Stars" instead of attending

minicamps.

How this applies to the Bills: Parcells wouldn't re-sign Terrell Owens. But that won't

be an issue anyway. Owens isn't expected to stick with the Bills' rebuilding plan.