While the majority of teams in the NFL have enjoyed spine-tingling roller coaster rides of highs and lows over recent years; the Buffalo Bills have been trapped in kiddy-land, riding the merry-go-round of mediocrity for the better part of a decade.

The Bills aren't a good football team, nor have they been in many years. They haven't made the playoffs since 1999, the longest drought in team history since the NFL merged in 1970. During the span they're 21 games under .500 (46-67). Their last playoff victory was a dozen years ago.

Although a 7-9 record last season was a two game improvement over 2005, don't get very energized. Of those seven wins, only two came against teams winning records, while. going 1-8 against playoff teams and 0-for-6 versus division champs.

Meanwhile, Buffalo sported a defense ranked 28th against the run and an offense that was sacked third-most in the league.

Things are far off from rosy.

If you speak with the bulk of rabid Buffalo Bills fans, you'd never know this. Recently I've been on a tour of Bills-related message boards. None are more prominent than billszone.com

For any Billszone members who happen to read Fox Sports as well, let's go on the record as saying "BZ" is not only the best Buffalo Bills forum online, but one of the preeminent landing spots to talk football, period. While the obvious focus is on the Bills, you could get news and opinions about pretty much any topic concerning football-and fast. I'd highly suggest to anyone reading to venture over, read some of the topics and get involved. Be primed to debate anything from the legacy of Eric Moulds to Willis McGahee's rancid sweater collection.

On the other hand, the place is besieged with what are called homers. By sports definition, a homer is someone who supports every move their favorite hometown team makes; regardless of how meagerly it's perceived on a national level. To homers, Jesus Christ died at the cross and on the third day he rose again. Only his name wasn't Jesus Christ.

His name was Marv Levy.

It's not just on that particular board. Buffalo Bills fan boards all over sing their praises everyday. In fact, it goes beyond the internet. People in the workplace, bars and taverns all over truly think the Bills will contend with the monsters of the AFC.

If you didn't know any better, you'd swear Jim Kelly were still calling the signals, throwing deep to Andre Reed and handing off to Thurman Thomas. Even the most unenthusiastic (if that's possible) of the growing homer breed feel at worst, the team is better than last year.

I spent half my day recently rebutting a topic that the Bills deserve an A-grade for their free agent moves.

Ok, so lets make sure I have this straight. The Bills have lost their best runner (Willis McGahee), their best linebacker (London Fletcher) and by far their best defensive back (Nate Clements) and replaced them with no one. The club's done nothing to get star wide receiver Lee Evans any help. His counterparts of Josh Reed, Peerless Price and Roscoe Parrish are about as reliable as a Lindsay Lohan rehab stint. The front four was among the weakest in the NFL at stopping the run, yet Levy decided to bring back both Chris Kelsay and Tim Anderson; both of whom are unmistakably part of the problem, not the solution. Recent rumors have circulated with Takeo Spikes on the trading block as well with market rate being a late first day draft pick.

Yet they're a better football team? You'll have to exonerate me for being incapable of following.

Granted, the Bills did make a couple of moves on the offensive line. Derrick Dockery may have been overpaid ($49-million over seven years) but it was a necessary evil. The Bills have had rotten play at left guard since Ruben Brown bolted four years ago. Dockery is entering his prime and with Jason Peters the Bills figure to have one of the better left sides of the line in the league. But before the ink was dry on the contract the former Oakland tackle Langston Walker was given a five year, $25-million dollar deal to start at right tackle. ?Astonished, I went in dire search of fan reaction from Oakland afterwards, and let's say I didn't see Raider fans crying any tears over his departure. What makes the move more curious was Bills rookie Terrence Pennington only gave up two sacks after starting the final nine games. The knock on Pennington was he needed help on passing plays. Well, would you rather get help or have your quarterback get killed. Walker was directly responsible for 10.75 sacks last year with Oakland. I'm finding it hard to use Oakland lineman and upgrade in the same sentence. Lastly, the Bills signed guard Jason Whittle. Quick, if you're a Bills fan I'll give you a buck if you heard of Whittle before he was signed.

Coincidently (or maybe not), these additions were all made on the first day of free agency. The moves gave many Bills fans hope Levy wasn't being truthful during a press conference in the weeks leading up to free agency, when he declare the Bills would only spend cash to the cap in regards to free agents (this despite heading into free agency with the third-most cap room.)

But since day one of free agency, the only moves they've been made are resigning former backups turned sudden starters Anthony and Kiwaukee Thomas.

Lastly, the organization traded Willis McGahee to Baltimore for a pair of third rounders and a token seventh. In fairness to Buffalo, they didn't really have much of a choice. McGahee had not only become a distraction off the field but he was entering the final year of his contract and sure to be gone following next season. From a Buffalo aspect it's hard to argue the move didn't make sense. At least they got something instead of nothing. Still, his 3365 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first three years aren't easily replaceable, and even more improbable it'll be done by Anthony Thomas.

Strong supporters of the team imply the draft is the best way to refuel on talent. Listen, I love the draft as much as the next guy and recognize that most good teams are built through the draft.

However, the Bills could have one of the best drafts in league history and they still won't be a playoff team in 2007. There is simply too many holes to expect rookies to come in and fix in a short amount of time.

While the Bills do have four selections on the first day, so do their AFC East counterparts; New England and the New York Jets, both whom have done more this off-season to solidify their teams as championship contenders. In fact the Patriots have a pair of first rounders this year.

It's highly improbable any Buffalo early picks on defense would do much to better the unit this season. Amobi Okoye is a monster defensive tackle but at only 19-years likely has a more developing to do before excelling at the NFL level. Whatever team takes him will need patience with a long-term productive career as the payoff. Middle linebacker Patrick Willis is the best in a strong line backing class, but head coach Dick Jauron appears committed to sliding Angelo Crowell to the middle. The $25-million Kelsay contract likely prevents the Bills from using the 12th pick on a defensive end, and in the cover two the Bills play it would make no sense to draft any cornerback in the first round.

So if the Bills are to have any legitimate shot of overtaking New England and New York they may be best served loading up offensively. Talk is swirling that highly touted Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson may be this year's Matt Leinart and slide out of the top 10. If Peterson were on the board to Buffalo at 12, they should be on the clock for all of about eight seconds before announcing his name. Not only would Peterson be an immediate upgrade at running back, he's a recognizable name amongst more casual fans that would serve as an asset from a marketing standpoint. Before knocking that down remember this is a team that saw their last four home games last season blacked out locally.

If Peterson's off the board then California running back Marshawn Lynch becomes a viable option. Lynch is n a strong and explosive runner with excellent hands coming out of the backfield. Some argue he may become a better NFL player than Peterson and some even think he can be another Thurman Thomas. Regardless of which one is taken, both would provide an immediate weapon to both the offense and the ticket office.

Last year Buffalo had two-third rounders and used that ammo to move back into the late first round, taking John McCargo. Thanks to the McGahee trade the team has a pair of thirds once again. Levy may be wise to pull off a repeat and grab a wide receiver capable of consistently making plays. Between Dwayne Bowe, Robert Meacham and Sidney Rice at least one will be on the board between 25-27. Any would be a perfect compliment to Evans. While Evans is like an assault rifle that can strike from anywhere, the rest of the receivers are a collection of pellet guns.

A quality threat next to Evans combined with Peterson/Lynch at running back and rising quarterback JP Losman gives the Bills the chance to outscore a lot of teams. Let's face it, the Bills aren't built to win many 13-10 games.

Houston and Arizona are two of only three teams in the league that haven't made the playoffs this century. The third team would be the Buffalo Bills. The team has showed little commitment to changing that through free agency, and unless Levy takes some major chances on draft day--- the merry-go-round ride continues.

After seven long years, it get's a little nauseating.