thewildrabbit

Plus they wasted a 5th overall draft pick on him, and the Jets GM gave him a 8+ million dollar guaranteed salary for this season or he would have already been a goner... just like Tebow. Gotta love it that the Jets are this crappy with him at QB. They took a team that went to the AFC Championship game in 2009 with rookie Sanchez at QB, with 393 attempts passing vs 607 yards attempts rushing. Look at those numbers, over 200 more attempts rushing. Then in 2010 in Sanchez's 2nd year they went 525 attempts passing vs 534 rushing, and again went to the AFC Championship game. In 2011 they go 8-8 and totally forgot what got them into the playoffs the last two years. It wasn't the great QB play. It was a dominating defense and ball control by running the ball. 547 attempts passing vs 443 attempts rushing. Changing the OC from a man who had called the offensive plays for the playoffs teams to a man who had never been an OC in ex Dolphin HC Tony Sparano in 2012 was very Jauronesque, and completely stupid. Not to mention the defense thoroughly fell on its face in 2011-2012 being 20th in points allowed both years. The GM Mike Tannenbaum was a failure and fired at the end of the 2012 season, although he is still getting paid thru 2014.. The new Jets GM John Idzik... http://www.usatoday....-idzik/2325085/

He is quoting the story, just forgot the "" friskiness, noun, the quality or state of being lively, high-spirited, or playful http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/friskiness

Good stuff, thanks for posting

While I can see why Brandon didn't hire Lovie Smith. I can also see why so many thought he would be the logical choice due to his actual "wanting" to be the HC in Buffalo. A top proven winning NFL HC wanting the Bills HCing job, which is something that didn't even come close to happening in 2010. While I agree that Lovie Smith is a retread, he is also a retread with a winning record in a tough division, and he did this with mostly scrubs for QB's and bad offensive coordinators. That in itself is a very astounding feat in my view as most HC's only get 3 years to find that elite QB or they up getting canned. The reason for Lovie's success is that Bears defense, it has been their mainstay under Lovie, and he is one of the few who have made that Tampa 2 defense into one of the best in the league for several years. Unlike Jauron, who never found the proper LBers to run his scheme, and spent countless draft picks on DB's, 10 DB's drafted in four years. Anyway, this FO was looking for a different direction and they certinly went that way. I hope it works out.

Yea well, if Marrone falls on his face hard this season, and pulls a 0-16 like the 2008 Detroit Lions under Rod Marinelli , or a 1-15 season like Cam Cameron did with the Dolphins. I would think Doug Whaley might just consider hiring a proven NFL winner in Lovie Smith. While I can certainly understand Brandon's reluctance to hire another ex Chicago HC who likes to run (the now infamous to Bills fans) Tampa two defense. Lovie Smith was the HC for twelve years with the Chicago Bears while compiling an 81-63 record. 563%, 3 playoff seasons and a trip to the SB all with mostly scrubs at QB...think about that for a min. Missing the playoffs this season with a record of 10-6 in that black n blue division against the Packers. Unlike Dick Jauron, Lovie Smith finally found a good QB in Jay Cutler! But very much like Jauron, Lovie failed to find the right OC to run his offense...OC's Mike Martz, & Mike Tice being his latest failures.So the poster JuanGuzman had a solid point about hiring Lovie and making him hire Norv Turner as OC or even Cam Cameron as both men are noted to be great at developing QB's. (dunno about Tom Cable tho) Don't get me wrong as I'm earnestly hoping Marrone takes this team to a winning season this year or even shows great promise in a losing effort. I'm really pulling for Marrone, Hackett, Pettine to do well.

Wonder if he is rethinking that tattoo on his arm...you know, the one with his wife wearing a Sanchez jersey.

Gotta be a troll...

I don't watch ESPN very often anymore, not with NFL network on 24/7. I don't visit their website that much either, considering they want me to pay for draft info from Kiper & McShay CBSSports.com and others sites have as much current info as ESPN does, so why bother with them at all?

Thanks for posting the link, good read. Lets hope this all works for the best this year

The OCC doesn't actually do much coaching afaik, all he does is breakdown film and help with the game plans. I wouldn't blame Hackett for "Jauron the moron", and his lousy offensive schemes. Besides he only worked for the bills one year (2008-2009) Rememeber Jauron is the same moron who fired his OC Turk Schonert two weeks before the season started and then promoted the QB coach AVP to new OC. Then Jauron wanted to run the no huddle and when starting RT Langston Walker couldn't get to the line fast enough, so he was cut! This all happening just two weeks before the season opener, and thus leaving the Bills with a new inexperienced OC and backup RT. The new no huddle offense was scrapped after a few weeks....as was Jauron after 9 games.

I find myself wanting Doug Marrone, Doug Whaley to succeed and win games asap more then in any time in the past 13 years. Over the years I've been very skeptical, and so pessimistic so often that most of the board thinks I'm a hater or have a lousy attitude. Not really the case at all, as I had real reasons to doubt the success of the past head coaches, GM's. Particularly since the owner has been the acting president since 2005. Whaley with his roots from the Pittsburgh Steelers scouting dept as they always seem to find the right players to fit their schemes. Then Marrone with his roots in that explosive Saints offense, while learning his craft under super bowl winning Sean Payton. Although, I see this new young regime suffering some growing pains, along with the rookie QB. I have much higher expectations for three years from now then I ever had in the past. So yea, it should be interesting to see what kind of offense and defense this years team will have.

Bill Parcells would go over the game plan before Sunday and throw out all but about 20 of the offensive plays his QB liked to run the most. The fact that no other QB seemed to have the ability to run Chan's complex offense but Fitz I think is exactly what got Gailey fired. Its my opinion that OC's need to keep it simple, and perhaps change formations / sets to confuse the opposing defense, but not your own players. I also think that because the play book has been simplified it will be EJ's job to lose. Clearly Marrone / Hackett have simplified the offensive game plan for the rookie to have an easier time developing.

Let them eat cake...

Woulda, shoulda, coulda....After all It is the choices that HC's make on QB's that define their careers. Pittsburgh HC Bill Cowher was such a great HC that he could win, and get to the playoffs with different scrubs behind center. Although It wasn't until the Steelers drafted Big Ben that he actually won a SB. So many head coaches sink or swim with the QB's they select. Chan Gailey clearly chose the wrong QB with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Wade Phillips chose Rob Johnson over Flutie. Some head coaches never find their QB's and with only a 2-3 year window to find and develop one... they need to be right the first time. Doug Marrone was clearly dealt EJ by Doug Whaley / Buddy Nix. So his career will be defined on how well he and Hackett can develop the rookie QB.

Without researching it Nick Saban first comes to mind as he worked under Bill Belichick in Cleveland. He wasn't just a position coach either, he was the defensive coordinator. Then looking at Saban's storied history of winning in college. First at Michigan st, 34-24-1. Then LSU,48-16, Then Miami Dolphins, 15-17. Alabama 68-13, it is kind of amazing he didn't win in the NFL. But then he got the wrong advice from the Dolphins team doctors, and took Dante Culpepper over Drew Brees. Lets not forget that Chan Gailey also had previous winning NFL experience as the HC of the Dallas Cowboys with all the SB stars still on the team, Aikman, Smith, Irvin. Plus he was the position coach for the Bronco's, OC for the Steelers , OC for the Chiefs. All we as Bills fans can do is hope Marrone is more like Harbaugh those others that failed in the NFL

If for nothing else he might be rooting for the only minority hire so far in Doug Whaley, but then so am I. "New Bills GM Doug Whaley was an "integral" part of drafting E.J. Manuel. "I was the person that handled the draft process and setting up the board," Whaley said. "We think that we did enough due diligence and the information pointed us all to this point that E.J. would be the guy we feel will take the Buffalo Bills into the future." Buddy Nix's successor is setting himself up to take the credit — or blame — for Manuel's career. A major project compared to most recent first-round quarterbacks, there's no guarantee Manuel will make a positive impact as a rookie. It's entirely possible Whaley's reign as GM in Buffalo will be defined by Manuel's success or lack thereof." http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/261955/new- bills-gm-open-to-starting-manuel-in-wk-1?rw=1 While its refreshing to have a younger GM now at the helm, and someone who comes from a team with a storied history of winning year after year in the Pittsburgh Steelers. I just wonder how Doug Marrone fits into all this and who's choice was he, Brandon's, Buddy Nix's?

Chuck Knox and Marv levy were a totally different class then any other Bills head coach, including Wade Phillips. Knox was miles ahead of Levy. Knox came to Buffalo from the LA Rams where he had just won five straight NFC west championships, and went to three consecutive NFC championship games. The Bills (Wilson) were desperate for a top HC to bring the fans back to the team as they hadn't beaten the Miami Dolphins once during the entire decade of the 70's. One of the first things Knox did was to gut the Bills scouting staff and bring in his own men from the Rams, Norm Pollom who was the director of player personnel. He laid the ground work for future top scouts. While Marv levy's claim to fame was as HC of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, with three grey cup appearances and winning two championships. Marv had a great GM in Bill Polian and a great scouting staff with John Butler / AJ Smith. I can't help but think that if Knox had the talent on his teams that Marv had he would have won some super bowls. Knox was handicapped with a mental cripple in ex Bills O linemen Stew Barber as his GM. Nobody, before or since Chuck Knox was hired has even come close to Knox's winning record, 12-2, 10-4, 12-2, 10-3-1,10-4, his won / loss record was 118-69 Rams- .714, BEFORE he was hired by the Buffalo Bills. Doug Marrone is in his first stint as an NFL head coach and every Bills fan everywhere is hoping he in another Jim Harbaugh. A man who did an amazing job with the 49ers right out of college, 13-3 in his first season after taking over a 6-10 team, and this was during a strike shortened off season to boot. I gotta say that looking at the history of college head coaches moving up to the NFL the chances Marrone fields a winning team are pretty slim. 12 successful college coaches that failed in the NFL. This is Pete Carroll's 3rd stint as an NFL HC, he failed with both the Jets & Patriots before he became the current Seahawks HC. Steve Spurrier, Redskins. Mike Riley, Chargers. Lou Holtz, Jets. Nick Saban, Dolphins. Butch Davis, Browns. Bobby Petrino, Falcons. Dennis Erickson Seahawks- 49ers. Frank Kush, Colts. Bud Wilkinson, Cardinals. Rich Brooks, Rams. Look at the last successful HC at Syracuse who got the job as the Patriots HC in Dick MacPherson, fired after two seasons 8-24

Sorry, just don't see it happening... Besides, I don't think it was all Polian anymore either, as he had help from John Butler 1987, and AJ Smith 1986

The problem wasn't just that Chan didn't run the ball enough, the Bills did have 442 attempts rushing vs 511 passing. (Spiller had 207 attempts for 1244 yards) it was more his philosophy on offense that did him in. First, Chan Gailey made a broken, back up QB the focus of his offense, which was beyond stupid. Why try and force an average QB to sling the ball around like he is Tom Brady. Instead Gailey should have focused on running the ball as his primary weapon, but he couldn't do that with the pistol / spread type offense he installed. Gailey couldn't control the game or the clock with either phase of his offense, passing or running....its why he didn't win many games. Second, Gailey kept trying to run 4-5 WR sets from a spread shotgun offense despite the fact that his receiving corps sucked, besides Stevie Johnson of course. So the bills spread them out in a 5WR set, and everyone knew Stevie was the main target. The mere fact that all those other WRs are now history tells me this regime also saw them as not very good. Donald Jones, David Nelson, Kamar Aiken, Derek Hagan, Ruvell Martin, and even the back up QB Brad Smith was playing WR (who I think is also a goner) That offense just couldn't run the ball from closed formations very well. So its no wonder why Chan was always passing on 3rd and short. Spiller made big plays and big yardage from that spread offense because it spreads the opposing defense out enough so that one cut by the RB or a broken tackle and its a big gainer because no other defenders are there to make the tackle. Ultimately what killed Gaileys offense was that he was a one trick pony with a short / quick passing spread shotgun scheme. Teams like the Texans beat the Bills by stacking the box, and keeping it stacked. Thus shutting down the run and forcing that broken QB to try and beat them passing, and with no deep passing ability that was very easy. Then they double, triple team the only good WR on the team in Stevie and suddenly the Bills offense had no teeth at all!! THEN, there was the defense, one of the very worst defenses in the history of the franchise for setting NFL and franchise records for being bad. First team in the 120 year history of the NFL to allow a 300 yard passer and 300 yards rushing in the same game, Thank you Dave Wannstedt, you The Bills are blessed to have Gailey gone, and the man that hired him is now also gone. Lets hope Marrone follows through on his plan to build a proper offense, and it is not a one trick pony. http://profootballta...r-all-the-time/

Which is why some evaluators had him at RT or G in the draft. His footwork, and agility doesn't equate to an all pro LT, unless those improve. All that talent at RB doesn't mean much if they don't have a hole to run thru. Plus, the fact that so many here seem to think that because you have a good LT and center you can simply plug anyone into the LG position and be fine. you can't, and they won't be fine IMO. It will be interesting to see what effector Marrone has on that line as the team didn't replace LG Levitre in the draft.

amen brother

Freddy would be awesome in a Darren Sproles type of role, which he is more suited for in the first place. All it would take is winning some games to get the better Buffalo Bills players noticed, and Fred Jackson is one of the better ones.

Went to Fox sports NFL and saw this link at the bottom of the page...TPF, thepenaltyflagblog.com I can't help but think someone from this forum wrote this article, as this is a true Buffalo Bills fanatic, eball, PTR, The Senator ? Then it hit me, Russ is that you? Anyway, gotta love it, ignore the babes and read this, http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/13_bold_predictions_for_the_buffalo_bills_in_2013/13588658 13 Bold predictions for the Buffalo Bills in 2013 13) Doug Marrone’s new offensive scheme changes not only the AFC East, but the NFL. 12) Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and Da’Rick Rogers will start at WR on Opening Day 11) Mario Williams will return to “Super” form in 2013 10) CJ Spiller will be the 2013 rushing yards leader 9) EJ Manuel will win the starting QB job, and will lead the Bills into the playoffs 8) Doug Marrone will be named Coach of the Year 7) The Bills beat the Patriots in Week 1, beginning an era as new top dog in the AFC East 6) Stevie Johnson has career year, makes Pro Bowl 5) Fred Jackson comes back with a vengeance, wins Comeback Player of the Year 4) EJ Manuel and Robert Woods become the next Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne 3) The Bills will finally start winning the close games 2) The longest active playoff drought in the NFL ends in 2013 And here is the number one bold prediction for the Buffalo Bills in 2013: Super Bowl XLVII Champions Heck yea, even if only a few of those come true this season it would it a great great year!

My take on the Mike Shanahan / Bill Cower debacle was because it was publicly stated that the Bills would pay 10 mill per to obtain the right head coach, and that was the only reason both interviewed for the Bills HCing job. Obviously the Bills never had any real intention of paying 10 mill per to either coach as both would have taken that amount, since the current highest paid NFL head coaches only make around 7+ mill per. http://sportsgmtalk.wordpress.com/head-coach-and-manager-contracts/nfl-head-coach-contracts-salaries/ It was widely known that even many HC's and assistant coaches turned down interviews for the Bill HCing job, so Nix was getting desperate to find a suitable candidate. Don't forget that the Bills were looking for an experienced NFL HC with a winning record. Gailey did have an 18-14 record as the Cowboys HC in 1998-1999. Besides, he was a good ole boy, what could go wrong.... Now, I've kept reading that inaccurate statement for the last three years, even Buddy Nix himself thought the team was close because one of his statements was ... "It doesn't matter what kind of splash we make today. What matters is two years and three years down the road, if we have this thing turned around in the right direction and we're winning," Nix said. "I know before I'm asked this, you're going to think I'm crazy, but we're not that far away." The fact is that Buddy Nix replaced only about 3 starters, and eight players total on the opening day roster in 2010 from Dick Jauron's 2009 roster. So, he indeed must have thought the team was close to being a winner because of the lack of actual turnover. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4785461 2010 draft, RB CJ Spiller the only starter on a supposedly disaster of a team, and he sat on the bench a year and a half. 2011 draft, DT Marcell Dareus, RT Chris Hairston, SS Da' Norris Searcy 2012 draft, CB Stephon Gilmore, LT Cordy Glenn, WR TJ Graham So, out of 27 players drafted the last three years 7 starters. Just to give you an idea of what a disaster of a team really is, in 1985 (2-14) to 1986 (4-12) the Bills under Bill Polian changed eight starters on offense alone, and another five on defense, so 13 out of 22. All we can do as Bills fans is hope Buddy Nix got it right this year, and the team finally starts down a road to winning seasons.

Excellent tackling, like 20 yards past the line of scrimmage... Bills fans look for silver linings in everything