(WGR 550) -- The long-whispered rumors are true, Jim Kelly wants to be a part of the Bills ownership group.
According to USA Today and ESPN reports:
Kelly also said he wants to meet with the Bills front office and owner Ralph C. Wilson to offer his assistance in luring coaches and players to Buffalo, and eventually becoming part of an ownership group that would keep the Bills in western New York. Wilson is 91 and there are grumblings that after his passing, the Bills could be purchased by the highest bidder and moved out of Buffalo.
"He's kept this team here for 50 years when there's been so many opportunities for him to sell the team and for them to get rid of it and move it elsewhere," Kelly said of Wilson. "I would love for Mr. Wilson's legacy to live on in western New York as a guy who went the extra mile to make sure this franchise did stay well after his time. And I hope he lives to be 110."
Kelly also said he's ready for the Bills to move on from Trent Edwards, a player he said he likes personally, but has not succeeded in around three seasons under center.
So who should be Buffalo's signal caller of the future?
It's no surprise that Kelly would have an affinity for Tim Tebow. The hulking, tough former Bill played the game very much the way the current Florida Gators quarterback does. The two even share the same height (6'3").
So when Kelly said the Bills need a new quarterback, the Tebow superlatives were flowing.
"Whether it's Tim Tebow, whether they'll have a shot at him when draft time comes ... you have to look at the top three quarterbacks in the draft, really study them. And you look for a guy with good character, good leadership ability and good arm strength -- and a guy who doesn't come from California," Kelly said, according to the report.
The final sentiment is one that'll massage the ego of Bills fans, who've been quick to jump on Trent Edwards, J.P. Losman and Rob Johnson as California flame-outs. Nevermind that several big name quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Carson Palmer) are from The Golden State, California kids haven't worked in Western New York.
Tebow was born in the Philippines, and raised in Florida, where he won the 2007 and 2009 BCS Championships, as well as the 2007 Heisman Trophy.
"The teams that are struggling, they don't have a quarterback," Kelly added, according to the report. "You need that guy behind center, not only the guy who can throw the ball and make big plays. But to be the leader and be able to pull people together."
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