Q: Bryan Scott is playing linebacker, presumably because the coaches don't have faith in

their young backups. My question is, how can an organization put itself in this situation? It

speaks volumes to me about the inadequacy of the decision makers on this team. Does Ralph

Wilson take note of this? Is he involved to that extent (regarding depth)? Who is ultimately

responsible for this? — John Connors.

A: Chalk the linebacker situation up to an organizational failure. The coaching, front

office and ownership all share the blame. The Bills have been trying to replace Keith Ellison,

an outstanding overachiever, for three years. The problem this offseason was there were no

ideal options in free agency.

The Bills brought in ex-Bucs linebacker Cato June for a visit. They decided he was better

in pass coverage than run forcing, and they wanted a better run-forcer. They brought in

ex-Colt Freddie Keiaho for a visit and decided he basically was an Ellison clone. They decided

Derrick Brooks was too old and had little left. Each of those evaluations had merit.

The Bills had too many other needs to address outside backer early in the draft. So paying

June or Keiaho wouldn't have been a great use of their spending money. They eventually would

have to spend or draft to replace them this offseason.

Ralph Wilson keeps tabs on all of this. He gets the daily assessment on all free agent

visits. The Bills' policy of spending cash to the cap probably made the decision makers

reluctant to sign June or Keiaho, even though neither would have been a huge investment.

Nevertheless, either Russ Brandon or Dick Jauron should have pushed hard to sign Keiaho. In

retrospect, two "Ellisons" would have been better than one.

They needed another veteran depth player at linebacker.

Q: What happened to the promising Trent Edwards that started last season at 5-1 before a

concussion? He made quick, intelligent decisions, delivered the ball accurately and had poise.

Do you think he ever really recovered from the concussions? Did the coaching staff make him a

basket case with their leaky offensive line and flawed offensive strategy? I can't believe I

watched the same QB this year as last. What's your take? — Herm Del Dotto, Amherst

A: I don't think the concussion had anything to do with his performance, but there's no

way to prove what effect it did or didn't have. The Bills' coaches benched him because after

30 starts, they decided that while he was accurate, he simply didn't make enough plays to keep

the starting job. Bill Parcells liked to tell his quarterbacks: "Passing stats are not how

you're going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone. That's how you will

be judged."

Edwards went 14-16 as a starter. He didn't get the offense in the end zone enough. Now he

had plenty of handicaps, including a sub-par offensive line and not enough weapons in 2007 and

2008. But he did not keep his eyes downfield enough while he was in the pocket.

He looked at the rush too much. Maybe with different coaching and system, he could develop

that quality. I don't know.

Q: What does the fact there still are two undefeated teams this late in the season say

about the NFL this year? Frank Roberts, New York

A: It says Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are great, great quarterbacks. I don't think

it's a statement that the league isn't as good as last year or five years ago. The Colts have

not had an easy schedule. They've played just one dog team (St. Louis) so far. The Saints'

schedule has been a tad easier.

Bills beat reporter Mark Gaughan answers your football questions every Friday. Send your

e-mails to the address below.