For just about any other team in the league, calling a pending quarterback battle that has yet to start a controversy would be patently absurd. But for the Bills, it’s simply practical. At the same time it’s also patently absurd to call something involving Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm a “controversy” as opposed to what it actually is: a colossally inept front office. Bills fans can’t be expecting much from under-center this season, and as ridiculous as it may sound, it has less to do with their options and much more to do with their leadership.

Of course, they did trade up to draft JP Losman, which was obviously brilliant. Everyone knows what a can’t-miss proposition those Tulane quarterbacks are. Shaun King, anyone? Let me put it this way: when the Browns quarterback options seem desirable, you know you took a wrong turn somewhere. Perhaps it was using three first round picks in the past eight seasons (and two of the past three) on running backs, or maybe it was over-drafting Donte Whitner by roughly twenty spots in 2006 (solid player, potentially great even, but they could have traded down, got something for the 8th overall pick and still drafted Whitner)?

Considering the relative importance of the draft to NFL teams the Bills are seem awfully flippant about it. It’s probably because when you operate out of a city like Buffalo, free agents naturally flock to your organization. Still, even with the glitz and glamor of upstate New York, you’d think they’d take it as seriously as everyone else and they’d learn from past mistakes. I’d assume Fred Jackson would teach them they didn’t need to draft CJ Spiller, particularly after Marshawn Lynch turned so problematic and Willis McGahee gave them years of such spectacular inconsistency, that maybe they would address some other glaring weaknesses. Like quarterback and offensive line, for example.

But no, that would be too conventional, I guess. This might all count towards explaining why they haven’t had a pro-bowl quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 2002. Think about how inefficient that is. Virtually every other team in the NFL has produced a pro bowl quarterback in that time (save for the Lions). That includes the Cardinals, Rams, Jaguars, Browns, Jets and every other traditionally horribly ran franchise you can think of. Eight years. I guess the selection committee didn’t think much of Kelly Holcomb’s 2005 campaign. To top it off, all they’ve done to remedy the situation is trade up to draft a cautionary tale that only further crippled the franchise.

So who’s their new post-Jim Kelly disappointment? To be honest, it doesn’t really matter. They should go with Trent Edwards if they still think he can turn them into a playoff team, which seems insane; or Brian Brohm if he shows any of the promise he showed at Louisville (going with Ryan Fitzpatrick is a waving of the white flag), which seems naive. Either way, the front office has dug them into a hole they’re still convinced they can dig their way out of, and they’re not coming within striking distance of .500, especially not in the AFC East (every other team has playoff/division champ potential).

So, is this still considered a controversy? I guess, but only because you have to start someone. Nevertheless, the worst thing the Bills can do this season is win games and tank their chances of drafting someone that doesn’t make Buffalo more hopeless than it already is.