thewildrabbit

I was thinking of him and what an outstanding job he has done with that Pittsburgh line. Then there is also Tom Cable in Seattle with the same job. I dunno how successful either would be as a new OC. I suspect the Bills will run the ball a whole lot better with either too. But then Gary Kubiak as HC for Buffalo might not be a bad idea.

and perhaps even make him assistant HC to eliminate any lateral moves, as they only job above that is HC. It really is a good feeling to know the Pegula's might not have the greatest football acumen, but they are paying attention and getting some things right.

About the Buffalo media. I used to think they were a lot more harsher in the past with coaching stupidity then they have been recently. The media was constantly slamming Kay Stephenson, Hank Bullough far more then then I've ever seen with Jauron, Gailey or Marrone.

That bastage writer for the Daily News Manish Mehta...couldn't have said it all any better myself. I was just hoping he would be hired by the Jets before they found out about the real Maroon.

and we will love him for it

I agree that good coaching does get the best out of average players, and the Bills lacked good coaching on most of the offensive staff IMO. I also agree that continuity means a lot as each player needs to know if he can depend on the player next to him to do his job, and sometimes it can take more then just one season to develop that continuity. But even good coaching can only take limited talent so far. Marrone really does have a great reputation as an O line coach, and for whatever reason that didn't translate to this coaching staff. I can recall watching him relentlessly have his players hit the blocking sleds when he was the O line coach with the Jets, and all his past players think very highly of him. My take is, just like with the defense, and his not knowing that Hughes was benched. Marrone stood back and let his assistant coaches do everything. The Bills OC Nathaniel Hackett, and the O line coach Pat Morris weren't very good at their respective jobs, and it showed. Marrone seemed so much more intent on focusing his help with the special teams rather then the O line, and offense in general. Which is something else I didn't understand, at least not with rookie QB's and then a 2nd year QB starting. Needless to say I'm glad St Doug is gone, and hope his offensive staff is not far behind him.

Funny, and sad at the same time. I'm still hoping that the new owners hire a knowledgeable football team president like the Packers GM Ted Thompson, and promote him.

First of all just because Henderson was a starter at RT for Buffalo doesn't mean he did a good job at that position all year. I highly doubt he even starts on the better teams. He just happened to play about 1000% better then the #2 pick, and If those picks were reversed I doubt Kouandjio is even on the roster at this time. Perhaps the current young players on the roster can be coached up to an acceptable talent level, and that remains to be seen. From what I have seen I have serious doubts. The only reason I ever mention PFF is because it sometimes helps others understand whats going on with the line. I don't hold them up as the end all, be all holy grail of stats or player analysis. In fact, I feel the sole reason Urbik was graded anywhere near respectability at any time was because of the offensive scheme he was involved in. In Gailey's offense Fitz was able to get the ball out in 2.2 seconds which mostly negated any pass rush against him, and that real spread out offense is a big reason why Spiller did so well running. That grade for Urbik had to be in pass blocking because the man is one of the worst run blockers in the league, and always has been. The benching of Urbik was justified to see if Richardson could become a viable starter, and as bad as he played I still never saw him let a DT run him five yards into the backfield on a run play. In Glenn's case, did you ever stop and think that perhaps some of the players are playing with injuries, and playing next to really bad players doesn't help. I have acknowledged that Doug Whaley has done a near brilliant job with the defensive side of the ball in player acquisitions, trades. At the same time I'm not such a homer I don't see that he has done a very, very poor job with the offensive side the last two years. How any knowledgeable football man could allow three rookie QB's to play behind last years line is unconscionable to me, and this years line was worse.

Schwartz took over a horribly bad 0-16 team that was last in both defense and offense, and drafted Matthew Stafford his first year in Detroit. If there ever was a 5 year plan this was it. 2-14 to 6-10 to 10-6, and playoffs in his third season. While drafting heavily for the defense (Suh, Fairley) in the two years after Stafford, what he should have been doing is building that offensive line, and run game. Anyway in 2011 for that 10-6 season Stafford threw for 5000 yards, 41 TD's, 16 INT's. That 2011 team was #4 in points, #5 in yards on offense. While 23rd in both points, yards on defense. 666 passing attempts vs 356 rushing is asking the QB to carry the entire offense. For 2012 this should explain everything, 740 passing attempts vs 391 rushing attempts on offense. 22 TD's-17 INT's Same OC too. Then in 2013 it was almost the same thing with 634 passing attempts vs 445 rushing attempts 29 TD's- 19 INT's That is some scary stuff right there. Stafford fell on his face after the 2011 season, and they just kept asking him to throw. Even this year they are asking Stafford to carry the offense with 604 passing vs 396 rushing attempts, and they are 22nd in points scored, and 19th in yards. The Lions defense is a top 3 in the league because of the defense Schwartz built in Detroit. Anyway, you would think that coming from a background with Jeff Fisher who liked to run the ball a lot. That Schwartz would follow in the same mold, and he didn't. Just my 2 cents.

"Seahawks coach Pete Carroll revealed Monday that general manager John Schneider had to talk him into drafting the under-sized quarterback." "John convinced me on Russell," Carroll told TheMMQB.com's Peter King . "He was on him early, then he came back from seeing him late in his season at Wisconsin, I think against Michigan State, and he was so enthused about him. I watched a lot of tape on him, and John was right on. Then he got here, and he was everything John said he was." http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000312949/article/pete-carroll-had-to-be-convinced-to-draft-russell-wilson If you take a close look at Bevell he did well one year with Favre, and the next fell on his face with a 6-10 season that got both him and the HC fired. In Seattle before Wilson he had some very pedestrian numbers with some not so good QB's Matt Hasselbeck 2010, Tarvaris Jackson 2011-2012. (Being the #23 points - #28 yards offense in 2010 with Marshawn Lynch) ( #23 points - #28 yards again in 2011) It wasn't until Russell Wilson got to Seattle in 2012 did that offense get good at #9 in points #17th in yards. Then in 2013 #8, #17 for their SB year. Meanwhile the had the #1 defense in both points allowed, and yards allowed. The team rushes more then they throw the last two years but that is because Russell rushes for a lot of yards. Sorry, I'm not sold.

First let me say I've not been a Marrone fan since I watched him out on the practice field "hands on" with the O line players only to see them perform so poorly. Hey, I agree that Marrone made some very questionable calls with the line players. But then having watched Urbik over the years I can see why St Doug would at least give Richardson a chance to gain a starting job over Urbik. I've been highly critical of both Pears and Uribk the last three years. While they seem to hold their own most plays. They both make mistakes at critical times, and both usually play poorly against quality opponents, and even against bad opponents on the road. While I agree that Pears at RG was a disaster, I also didn't really see a better option. Marrone played the cards he was dealt, and he was dealt those cards two years in a row. It boggles my mind how anyone on this planet with a normal brain would want to see three rookie QB's starting behind a line of Colin Brown, Eric Pears, Kraig Urbik, and then when they cut Brown it was Doug Legursky starting at LG, then he was cut for the 2014 season. Then basically the same players with a 2nd year QB this year. I don't think you could find more then one Bills fan who didn't think the entire line was a disaster this season, and I know who that one fan is... Lastly, I don't think anyone ever mentioned that Whaley didn't attempt to upgrade the offensive line with players. I just think he did a very, very poor job for two years now. "The front office has also bristled at how certain players are being used, sources said. Team executives believe tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, this year's second-round pick, warranted more of a long look this summer, were unhappy that emerging receiver Robert Woodswas benched at times, and they were also at odds over guard Kraig Urbik, who the personnel side believes is a quality guard (he just received a contract extension a few years back) but who Marrone has soured on (the team explored trades for Urbik before roster cuts, league sources said)." http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24695455/buffalo-tension-boils-over-in-shouting-match-for-marrone-bills-officials I can see why Marrone wanted out of a situation he had very little control over.

Holy cow I agree. While I can understand the Pegula's wanting to be involved in the structure of building the football side, so they can see the process of how things are done. Or should they not trust the current people at the top. I was really hoping that these new owners would hire a team president first thing to oversee the football side of operations while they stay in the background, or just on the financial side of things. The very last thing I was hoping to not see was another owner that needs to be involved in every aspect of the football side. Even if the new owners just sit in the room, and then let Whaley make all the decisions. I still don't think he is ready to handle total control given whats happened with the offensive players the last two years. Geez, hire a Mike Holmgren to oversee the team as temporary president or hire Ted Thompson for a permanent position, and let either of them make the football decisions. I can't think of anyone more adapt at finding quality talent then Thompson. If they are waiting for the playoffs to end to hire someone at the top, then I don't get doing interviews for a new HC now.

Yep, he now has total control of the roster, draft, and player acquisition. I gotta wonder how this will go now that his friend in the director of player personnel is gone

I'm kinda hoping the Bills hire an experienced offensive ex HC who knows the ins and outs of the job already. I think someone like Gary Kubiak would be a better choice then some unknown at coordinator. 10-6 in Houston in 2011, 12-4 in 2012., and the team went 2-14 in 2013 when QB Matt Schaub imploded Kubiak took a statue QB in Flacco who had 619 passing attempts in 2013, and the team had only 423 rushing attempts. while he threw 19 TD's to 23 INT's. Enter Kubiak and he build a very effective power zone blocking scheme, and tones down on the passing to have Flacco throw 27 TD's to 12 INT's. That Baltimore offense last year under Caldwell was 25th & 29th to this year undre Kubiak 8th & 12th. I'm kinda surprised Kubiak isn't getting more HCing looks

This isn't about two people viewing the same situation differently simply because the head coach can only coach the players given to him by the GM, and this GM gave Marrone some complete crap players for the O line. While I've also been very critical of Marrone in his two seasons as HC particularly because his failure on offense considering his forte of being an ex NFL OC, ex NFL O line coach, and ex NFL player. Still, nobody on earth can magically transform a talent less piece of crap into a decent player no matter how hard they try. While I've been critical of Marrone I've also been very critical of Pears, Urbik long before Whaley took over. Then Whaley did sign utter garbage players in free agency the last two years, and most Bills fans wouldn't argue this point. Lastly, the simple fact is that if Kouandjio had been the 7th round pick he would have been cut by now, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for him or Richardson to become viable starters. Sorry, I don't see this as doing an excellent job. P.S. Care to see why I think Urbik stinks? if you have TiVo and recorded that Bills at Raiders game. Go to 6:19 in the first quarter. Its 7 Bills on the line vs 5 Raiders in a two WR, one back set at the snap. The Raiders RDT Antonio Smith breaks thru the line dragging Urbik with him 5 yards deep into the Buffalo backfield where he tackles Spiller just after he gets the hand off. Urbik sucks just as bad as Pears, if not more so. If Smith hadn't made the tackle there were two other Raider defenders to tackle Spiller before he even made it to the line. Smith isn't anything special as an older, and not so good DT as he only has 3 sacks, 18 tackles on the season in 16 games.

I think it was more involved then just Kyle Orton leaving, as there was speculation going on that Whaley and Marrone didn't get along well. For one thing Marrone wanted changes to the players on the O line before the season and denied. Upon being questioned as to why he didn't take the advisory job with Buffalo, he stated because it was no longer a simple, and now much more complicated as they now needed a QB, a HC whereas when he first had spoken with Pegula they didn't. Bill Polian stated it was more a retooling on the offensive side then a full rebuild. I agree, as a new offensive HC should be able to fix problems quickly, O line, QB.

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora · 23m23 minutes ago The Bills have found a way to meet with Frank Reich in Sunday before he interviews with Jets. Had been trying to align it. It will happen and, more good news! Bills owner Terry Pegula, who thought he had Polian, still would like a football czar to oversee the building. Strange 48hrs in the NFL

The Detroit Lions did this after they drafted Joey Harrington, and he failed to develop into a top QB. The Lions brought in Steve Mariucci to help develop him, and it did no good. 588 passing attempts vs 376 rushing attempts tells me that they wanted the young QB to carry the entire offense. This happens all to often, and its started in 2014 with EJ against the Chargers. Any new HC needs to build a dominate O line, run game and let EJ manage the game. Should that happen, he may develop into a decent player.

Marrone wanted changes to the players on the O line in the off season, and was told no by the FO. That Kraig Urbik was a quality OG. That line graded as the worst line in the league at various points in the season. Probably a big reason as to why Whaley, and Marrone didn't get along very well. Colin Brown, and backup Sam Young, cut outright after six week in 2013, and then free agents Doug Legursky, Chris Williams brought in under Whaley have been the very worst players at their positions for their past teams. The #2 draft pick at OT stinks while the #7 at OT draft pick starts. A failed #1 pick at QB the team has nearly given up on, and now the team needs a starting QB. While Whaley did do an excellent job on the defensive side. He fell on his face hard for the offensive side for two years now. This isn't even debatable IMO. The Bills need to seriously change their offensive scouts EDIT: Man I'm hoping Urbik, Pears, and Williams are all history for 2015.

I agree, and it could mean that Kelly has total power over the offensive side, and Whaley over the defensive side. Man-0-man would that be a beautiful thing. The only thing they would fight over is which side gets the first pick in the draft.

I have no idea why this still can't happen. The Bills need someone at the top who knows football. I like Whaley, but he is still so very new at being a GM. Whaley has been the GM for two years and his failure on the offensive side has been more then obvious. Failure to find the franchise QB, and at this point any decent veteran QB. A bigger failure build a remotely decent offensive line. Failed free agents, and draft picks. Three draft picks for, including two first rounders for a WR when the team still doesn't have a franchise QB. If he couldn't have been able to make the trade for Sammy its a known fact he would have drafted Eric Ebron #1, and Cyrus Kounandjio #2 I can recall reading that the team was very high on Odell Beckham Jr early in the draft evaluation process, and have no idea why they soured on him. Exactly what qualifies Whaley good enough to select the next HC, or even determine the best candidate when he can't get anything right on the offensive side of the game? Brandon / Nix with Gailey, Brandon Nix with Marrone, now Brandon / Whaley / Pegula on the next guy? How Brandon still has any say on the football side to me is completely bewildering considering he OKed that contract for Marrone to get 4 mill for walking away, and still getting the 4 mill even if he takes a new HC job. I don't even see why Brandon is still even needed on the football side. I'm still hoping for a president of football operations with real NFL experience, and that has a decent past history of winning. I know I'd prefer someone like Green Bay's Ted Thompson.

This The dysfunction continues. The GM still reporting to the marketing / finance guy. Brandon gave that contract to maroon which gives him 4 mil to walk away, and become a HC for another team while still getting that 4 mill. just ridiculous. The offensive side of the scouting dept is still very questionable with all the bad moves for the offense the last two years. I don't get all the happiness over the mess that still exists.

We can only hope the NY Jets hire Marrone, and he steals Hackett away from us.... I for one would be so heartbroken

Marrone probably relayed the fact that he wanted changes to the players on the O line and was denied by the Bills FO who told him players like Kraig Urbik was a fine OG. That there is a certain amount of dysfunction with the HC & GM reporting to the finance / marketing guy. A definite distance between what the GM obtained for the offense, and what the HC & OC wanted to utilize. Trading away Stevie Johnson, and trading for Bryce Brown, Mike Williams That the team has no viable QB, no first round pick to obtain a QB, no viable HC. An O line that needs to be rebuilt with at least two starting OG's, and backups. This wasn't a simple advisory job anymore, as now its a difficult full time job. The man is old now, and has already built the Bills, Colts into super bowl teams, and built the Panthers into a playoff team in three years. He has nothing to prove and is currently awaiting his nomination to the Hall of Fame. There are smarter, younger, more energetic men out there to be the new team president of football operations. I have complete faith the Pegula's will find the right man for the job.

That's because the Bills have recently hired complete morons for head coaches. Dick Jauron at least realized he needed a TE and offered Tony Gonzalaz a contract, and he went to Atlanta instead.