Archives for December 2016

'With Lynn now taking over on an interim basis, the Bills will get a first look at whether he can handle being a head coach. He’s certain to be a hot commodity this offseason among other teams with openings, but Buffalo will have an advantage with a one-game audition coming in Week 17.'

'His Bills teams on the field weren’t terrible, but Buffalo hasn’t made the playoffs in 17 years, either.'

'Austin isn't well known by fans, but he was a target of several teams last offseason. He interviewed for four head coaching gigs a year ago, which shows how much interest there will be in him again this offseason. Detroit has dealt with several injuries this season, namely to cornerback Darius Slay, but the Lions still rank in the top half of most defensive categories. Austin would be a good candidate to get Buffalo’s once-dominant defense back on track, especially with solid personnel already in place.'

'This is a particularly surprising move on the surface, but upon digging deeper, it makes a bit of sense. The Bills have to make a huge decision this offseason regarding Taylor’s contract – one worth $27.5 million. If they do pick up his option in March, that’s how much he’ll make in 2017 after a $15.5 million bonus, which comes in the form of an option.'

'What went wrong in Buffalo? It starts with the fact that the Pegulas are bottom-line owners. They are willing to devote as many resources as are needed, but they need to see results. They gave Ryan a $27.5 million contract to come to Buffalo, made his assistants among the top-paid coaches at their positions in the NFL, and this past offseason agreed to expand the staff even further, creating positions for Rob Ryan and Ed Reed, members of Rex’s inner circle. But when Saturday’s loss ensured that this would be the second straight season without a winning record under Ryan, they acted.'

'Buffalo currently has one of three coaching openings, along with Los Angeles and Jacksonville. Ryan does not figure to be an immediate candidate for either of the latter two jobs, nor would it be likely for him to land anywhere in the NFL as a head coach this coming off-season. He is a mere 61–66 for his career, spanning Buffalo and New York, and just 41–54 the past five seasons.'

'Lynn will take over as head coach after taking over as offensive coordinator earlier in the season after Greg Roman was fired after Week 2.'

'So adios to Rex Ryan. I always liked his style and was hopeful that this would work. But it's Buffalo, where the wheels keep spinning in the mud and we keep on trying to push the car out.'

'To Rex, the punt is not a mistake, and that is unforgivable.'

'Ryan loved everything that went along with being a head coach. The press conferences. The respect. The responsibility. The TV shows. Just talking about football. But what he didn’t love were all the little details, and time spent on them, that took away from those things. Unfortunately, it’s those same details that he needed to care more about that ultimately got him fired.'

'Manuel was Buffalo's first round pick in the 2013 (16th overall) NFL Draft, and has over 3,400 career passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Bills declined to give Manuel his fifth year option this past offseason.'

'Despite all of his remarkable coaching achievements, DeHaven's greatest source of pride centered around his wife Kathy and two children, Tobin Scott and AnnieMaude.'

'Additionally, by all accounts it appears as though general manager Doug Whaley will remain with the team into the offseason. NFL.com's Rapoport reported that Whaley will 'lead the search' for the next Bills head coach.'

'The problem I have is not about the decision to fire Rex Ryan… it’s in regards to how they’ve effectively painted him as the only problem with the organization.'

'Taylor has long been thought of as Rex Ryan's quarterback, and now that the fate of the head coach has been sealed, the Bills are making what ESPN's Adam Schefter termed a "business decision" to sit Taylor in the final regular season game. If Taylor would have gotten injured, the Bills would be on the hook and would have to guarantee over $30 million as part of the injury clause of his contract.'