thewildrabbit

While he should be accountable for everything that has transpired under his watch since Buddy Nix retired. There are some things we need to take into account, Buddy Nix is still on retainer as a consultant for some reason unknown to me. Then we need to take to account that Russ Brandon is still meddling into football operations considering he told Sammy Watkins the Bills would trade to draft him. The Watkins trade may or may not have entirely been on Whaley is what I'm saying. Plus, we also need to take into account Russ Brandon's idea on "moneyball" with his lame analytic dept that is probably responsible for the inferior quality at the OG position for the last two years. Considering what Whaley has done in brilliantly acquiring Kyle Orton, and all the defensive players. (Hughes, Spikes etc) He may or might not have been hindered in building a proper O line simply because he appears to be following that old goober Buddy Nix's philosophy with the line. Plus, he is in only his second year on the job and deserves more time IMO.

I don't think for one millisecond that money will be an issue with these new owners who clearly overspent to be positive in acquiring the Bills. If they truly want a Harbaugh, Cowher, Gruden, and if the current cost goes up from 6.5 mill per.. they will probably offer 8 mill per. I don't see any other owner out bidding these new owners for anything anymore. Every free agent on the market is going to want to play for Buffalo very soon

Until the Bills fix the O line, run game I highly doubt any QB will be able to help this team win. Cutler is currently ranked 10th in the NFL, so he would be an upgrade...at what cost tho?

My take is this thread is born out of not knowing exactly what will transpire with the new owners after the season ends. Russ Brandon has been spinning his shtick about continuity and that the new owners should give the current staff more time is a huge concern to us fans. I know its bothering me that even after new owners take over that football moron Brandon is still making football decisions. Kim Pegula is already the teams new CEO (chief executive officer), and will start involving herself into the inner workings of the financial aspect of the club. We already know this positively! What the new owners have stated is that they will hire an outside consultant, Accorsi, Holmgren, Wolf candidates to help Bills ownership transition http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24749471/pegulas-looking-to-bring-on-a-consultant-to-help-with-bills-transition " They are also planning to restructure the franchise at some point as well, sources said, with more separation between the football side and the business side of the organization." If this is truly the case then you can expect that former big time meddler in Russ Brandon will keep his itchy fingers on the money- marketing side, and the Pegula's will hire a president of football operations after this season. Considering how this season is shaping up I would think that new owners will make a lot of changes, as they have stated they want to win above all else.

They were exciting as Fitz is a gunslinger vs Trent who was a WCO product out of Stanford, and had a tendency to dump it off a lot. 2010 PF 28th- Yards-25th... 519 pass attempts vs 401 rush attempts Fitz 3000 yards 2011 PF 14th- yards-14th... 578 pass attempts vs 391 rush attempts Fitz 3832 yards 2012 PF 21st- yards -19th...511 pass attempts vs 442 rush attempts Fitz 3400 yards Chan's offense was predicated on smoke and mirrors. Gailey understood the limitations of his O line players, and therefore set up a quick strike, short pass offense that basically negated a heavy pass rush because Fitz was able to get the ball out so quickly. He also had only one solid WR in Stevie Johnson, and passed more mostly because the O line sucked, and he knew he couldn't make a 3rd and short by running. Last year when the team moved on to EJ over Fitz the ball simply didn't come out as quickly as it had in the past, and while the new offensive coordinator also wanted to run a fast paced offense. He, the GM, and the entire offensive staff failed to understand just how bad the LG situation was going to be once Andy Levitre left or even the RG situation. Looking at this past draft it looks like nobody in the entire org has the slightest clue on how to evaluate O line talent.

Yea a typo, brainsnap I meant SEC. What scares the hell out of me is only been a HC at the college level for 3 years, and went to the BCS championship his first year at Auburn. So far a one year wonder at the HC level in college. You see to be overlooking some clear issues in that his current team has some discipline problems http://www.al.com/au...sponsibili.html Then the type of offense he runs, and has had great success with in College would get his QB's killed in the NFL. While the man may eventually have great success in the NFL if given the opportunity. I just happen to see that the odds of him * having immediate* success at the NFL level are next to impossible. Like I said 3-5 years to learn the NFL ropes. While I'm currently against the hire, as I want instant gratification with a winning season next year. Sad to say the Bills could have gotten there this year with a better run game, O line. Although, like I said I would dearly love to see a power run game, spread offense in Buffalo. The Bills were idiots to trade away both Jason Peters & Marshawn Lynch. But, that was then. Anyway, If the Bills are going to offer 7 mill per to someone I'm hoping its to Harbaugh, or Cowher. BTW, I'm currently watching the Auburn (9) vs Georgia (15) game now.

The red zone and offense was bad long before Orton became the starter. Orton sure would look a heck of a lot better with a better line & power run game to help him out now and then.

The coaching situation over the last 14 years has been a the biggest problem, no question. Its not just about the bad coaching tho, as Its also been the QB's & O line talent, as there must be 50+ different players in and out on that line since 2000, and at least 20 QB's. Fix the coaching situation with people smart enough to know a good QB or good lineman from bad one, and it shouldn't take six games into the season to see the difference. ie Colin Brown, Cornell Green, Erik Pears, Cyril Richardson. The Bills have been very hesitant to draft QB's & O line players in the first round the last decade.Only Losman & EJ. Yet, when the Bills made a first round pick on Jim Kelly, Will Wolford, Jim Ritcher, Ruben Brown they all played over 10 years in the NFL. Even the current #1 pick for the O line in Eric Wood as been with the team since he was drafted in 2009, six years now. The Bills philosophy is that using a first round pick on the O line is a wasted pick, as O line players can be found in the later round. I can recall hearing that old goober Buddy Nix spewing words like " you can always take a OT and move him inside to OG". Yea, that worked with Pears Then I kept hearing OG's are a dime a dozen. You can find OG's in rounds after round three. I find that highly amusing considering that the Bills haven had much success in finding players at any position past the third round the last decade. Can anyone at OBD finally understand the concept that "as the O line goes, so goes the entire offense" The Bills have been bad the last 14 years because they don't want to put the effort into building a top offensive line. Until someone in the front office understands that this current scouting dept / FO hasn't the first clue on how to evaluate O line talent, and the only way they are going to build a decent unit is to expend top draft picks to do so. Its not all just about the coaching or QB, as no QB can win behind a bad O line. You can't run the ball successfully to control the line of scrimmage or clock with a bad line. This year the Bills have the worst O line in the league. The team will continue to get QB's concussed, injured, have them shell shocked, and hearing / seeing phantom sackers until they build a top line. This team has been so intent on drafting DB's, RB's, WR's with those #1 picks, and where has it gotten them. Hire a top head coach and everything else will follow. Bill Cowher, Jim Harbaugh, or even lure Marty S out of retirement. JMHO

Really, who? and did it take them 3 to 5 years? EDIT: looking at the current poll, more people want Marrone back then they do Malzhan. What offenses are currently working in the NFL? Brady, Manning, Luck all in traditional offenses, and even Philly is running the same type of offense only faster paced. Not to mention that Kelly has one of the best offensive lines that Andy Reid helped build. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000291459/article/chip-kellys-college-offense-has-philadelphia-eagles-soaring The read option that RG3, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick came in with a bang just a few short years ago is no longer working the way it was. Plus, the guy the Redskins paid 3 first rounders for has been injured more often then healthy. The offenses Kirby is suggesting is basically a power run, read option spread, and in the NFL the QB's in that type of offense will have a very short lifespan. Paul Brown went from college to the AAFC, and is the reason I didn't mention him is he didn't make a direct jump from HC in college to the NFL. To the people I'm in conversation with over another college coach hire. I just don't think you fully understand just how difficult the transition is from coaching amateur young men to coaching highly paid professionals really is. Nick Saban has won how many national championships? Four now, and one of those was with LSU before he was the HC at Miami. He has won three more since then, and he isn't even on the list. The list of 10 highly talented "great" college coaches who failed to make that transition vs the real world of only two in the entire history of the NFL that actually made that transition leaves me to think it will be almost impossible odds for someone like Malzhan to succeed. Its really why Marrone was pretty much doomed to fail in his first attempt. Malzhan's Auburn Tigers are currently ranked 9th, and his team leads the ACC in penalties. (discipline problems?) WOW! The man has only been a head coach at the college level for 3 short years, and while he lost the BCS championship last season in his first year at Auburn. He already has lost 2 games this year, and is currently 4th in the division behind Miss St, Alabama, Old Miss. Once the big boys figure out what he is doing I doubt he will see another BCS championship game again. While you have to admire what he has done at Auburn in such a short time. To me, hiring this man would probably be a bigger whiff then hiring Marrone, who at least had prior NFL experience. Don't get me wrong as I would love to see the man hired as the Bills offensive coordinator under a Cowher, Harbaugh, Coughlin, Gruden, or even Mike Smith. I just think it would take 3-5 years before he would see success as an NFL HC, JMHO.

Yea, that just might be the case if RW were still around and Russ Brandon was left to his own devices making all the football decisions like he has done. Things have changed and the Bills are now owned by people who will not spare any expense on who they hire. I would expect a new senior adviser, and then a new president of football operations. After that a new HC with prior NFL experience, and a competent experienced NFL staff. What the Bills have had under Dick Jauron- Chan Gailey- Doug Marrone is mediocre, relatively inexpensive maybe wannabe coaches. Those coaches hired inexpensive incompetent assistants who failed at just about everything they did. There were a few good ones that are long gone now tho. Marrone's biggest failing is that he is so intent on helping his best bud Danny Crossman the special teams coach with extra coverage players active, and then an extra kicker to on the roster to kick the ball out of the end zone. Whats crazy is if he has the extra player on the roster just to kick it out of the end zone. Then why oh why does he have extra players active on special teams coverage's. Meanwhile he is leaving his second year in the NFL offensive coordinator all by his lonesome to direct one of the worst offenses in the NFL, and the very worst offense in the red zone. The leagues worst offensive line when the HC is a supposed O line guru. The Bills might currently be 5-5 at this point. But they are playing like a 6-10 team again this season. I can't wait for the changes to some competent people in charge.

I don't think I've ever witnessed an offensive staff so apprehensive when they get a turnover. Its like they think OMG, we might give it right back to them. Most offensive staffs go right for the throat after a turnover with a deep pass, big play. Mostly because the opposing team is reeling in despair over that turnover, and they tend to make mistakes right after.

lets fix the O line first or no QB is going to play well, ongoing theme for the last 14 years.

Have some faith that new ownership will make the appropriate changes this off season, or before. Although it really makes no sense to make changes now unless its to promote Schwartz to HC, and fire both Marrone & Hackett. These new owners top priority is winning, and not making a profit. As Terry stated, "if he wanted to make more money he would drill a well". The new owners should hire a senior adviser / consultant as soon as the season ends, and possibly a new president of football operations soon after that. 2015 will be very different!!

Whaley stays with a senior adviser or actual football president over him so the team isn't trading away future picks on players other then QB's. The rest can all go asap.

You are far to optimistic, and hopefully not. I see a loss to both the Browns & Jets, and perhaps a win over the Raiders. But by then Derek Carr might finally might finally start put it all together. I gotta wonder how long it will be before Marrone completely loses the players, and Whaley or the Pegula's step in.

Yup, forgot about him. Although many feel (myself included) he did that on the heals of what Jimmy Johnson built in Dallas, as he did win with the exact same stars on the team. Switzer's last season in Dallas his team went 6-10.

Good post, and response to someone who seems out of touch with whats currently transpiring at OBD. Marrone, and his offensive staff are embarrassingly bad, (26th in the NFL), and far worse then Gailey or Jauron's teams. I'll be surprised if the Bills beat the Jets & Browns over the next two games. You can't win in the NFL scoring under 15 points a game.

You seem to be missing the point, and its not a stupid argument either. Every single one of those people you mentioned were on the payroll of some college before entering the NFL. Then when they first took a job in the NFL it was as an assistant coach. But, none you mentioned made an immediate transition from head coach in college to head coach in the NFL, NOT ONE! Huge difference as each one of those people learned the ropes of the NFL over time, and didn't jump right to an NFL head coaching job. The numerous people I previously mentioned all were great head coaches in college, and failed in the NFL at the head coach level. Allow me to reiterate. Nick Saban didn't- Steve Spurrier didn't-Lou Holtz didn't- Butch Davis didn't- Bobby Petrino didn't-Dennis Erickson didn't- Frank Kush didn't- Bud Wilkinson didn't- Dick MacPherson didn't- Rich Brooks didn't. The Buffalo Bills just recently hired 2x head coaches in from college in Chan Gailey with his 5 years of being the head coach at Georgia Tech, and numerous years of experience in the NFL as an assistant and previous NFL head coach, and he FAILED! Doug Marrone a HC in college at Syracuse who has previous NFL experience as an NFL O lineman, O line coach, OC for the Saints, and he is in the process of FAILING! Bottom line is people like Chip Kelly who come into the NFL and make that jump from college HC to NFL HC while having great success are rarer then hens teeth, and are almost non existent. Dallas Cowboys HC Jimmy Johnson is about the only one I can think of who made the jump direct from HC in college to HC in the NFL. I can recall him winning a national championship with the Miami Hurricanes, and with his time at OSU he had both Barry Sanders & Thurman Thomas on his rosters. I would not have any problem hiring Malzahn or Briles as an assistant coach OC under Schwartz, Harbaugh, or Cowher. As a direct jump from College HC to NFL HC with no prior NFL experience I'd say 3-5 years...maybe.

How soon will Whaley, or the new owners fire the current coaches? Does Russ Barndon still have that much control that Bills fans must endure another 6 games of this same crud?

Jeez, the Browns already have our 2015 first round pick, You want to give up the 2016 & 2017 too? Johnny Football is an unknown commodity otherwise he would be the starter over who, Brian Hoyer? No thanks, even Sam Bradford sounds better at this point, and he might be free.

The NFL head coach is mostly about who they hire as assistants. Marv Levy made his claim to fame on the backs of a group of hall of fame players, and a great offensive mind in Ted Marchibroda. Marv was a special teams coach under Redskins HC George Allen. He wasn't ever an OC or DC, and that special team background is probably why he recognized Steve Tasker's talent. The ex head coach of the Baltimore Colts Ted Marchibroda brought many things with him to Buffalo as OC. He had tutored QB Bert Jones while in Baltimore, and knew how to help develop QB Jim Kelly. Marchibroda taught Jim Kelly his offense, and taught him to call all his own offensive plays. Which is something that was done back in the Johnny Unitas days. But wasn't a normal thing for a QB in the late 80's & early 90's. Marino & Elway never called their own plays. This is a big reason as to why the offense didn't miss Marchibroba much when he was rehired to the head coach of the Colts after the 91 super bowl. Marchibroda also installed the old Redskins counter-trey O line run style, and brought in the no- huddle, hurry up offense because basically Old Ted saw how great, and proficient Jim Kelly was at running the 2 min drill. So he had Kelly run the 2 min drill all game. Marv was a supreme motivator as most of the great head coaches are, and will be. Its who they hire as their assistants that will truly define them. Marv's failure of sorts was not finding a better defensive coordinator then Walt Corey, and keeping him despite some bad years. This is exactly why someone like Bill Cowher would be an excellent hire. "the Chin" is a supreme motivator, and the man has won a ton of games with absolute scrubs at QB. Cowher knows NFL talent at every position, and would never allow players like Pears, Legursky, Brown, Green to ever take the field in a Bills uni. Cowher also know who he would want as his assistants. I liken his hiring at this stage to the hiring of Dick Vermeil in his second stint with the Rams at age of 61. Which BTW was the same age as Marv levy was when he was hired in Buffalo. Marv told everyone he was 58 at that time. Yea, I voted for Harbaugh, and would like Cowher if Harbaugh does elsewhere. Lets not forget that in order to win in the division the Bills will need a great HC in order to beat the devil, and his proteges.

Because you seem to think that the transition from College to the NFL is effortless, and easy. Yet I already showed you numerous great college HC's that failed big time as NFL HC's. Chip Kelly IS an anomaly and perhaps a genius because he has had no prior NFL experience. Whereas both Pete Carroll & Jim Harbaugh both have been in the NFL for over 10 years. Marrone has even had prior NFL experience as a player, as an O line coach, as an OC for the Saints under Sean Payton, and is currently in the process of failing in his first stint as an NFL HC. Chan Gailey had prior NFL experience and failed miserably. Then after his first stint as an NFL head coach " you don't know what you don't know"! NO THANKS, I don't want another wannabe or maybe who will need 3-5 years until HE learns the NFL ropes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now, to the people who are wondering about Jim Harbough, and his current status. Jay Glazer sees “no way” Jim Harbaugh remains with 49ers beyond this year http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/05/jay-glazer-sees-no-way-jim-harbaugh-remains-with-49ers-beyond-this-year/ Jim Harbaugh's relationship with 49ers brass is getting worse http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000390199/article/jim-harbaugh-losing-san-francisco-49ers-locker-room'>http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000390199/article/jim-harbaugh-losing-san-francisco-49ers-locker-room While the last article is an old one there are numerous recent articles http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000390199/article/jim-harbaugh-losing-san-francisco-49ers-locker-room The story is based on the presence of 49ers GM Trent Baalke, and how badly the relationship has gone between Harbaugh and Baalke. They won't even talk to each other face to face, and its now down to communication with e-mails. The 49ers hired Baalke in January 2011, the same year they hired Harbaugh in January 7th only 4 days after winning the Orange bowl. I liken this situation as very similar between ex Cowboy HC Jimmy Johnson, and current Cowboy owner Jerry Jones as both think all their winning in the 90's was the result of themselves. To me, Baalke getting credit as NFL executive of the year in 2012 was primarily because of Jim Harbaugh as that team was mostly already built before he even got there.

Kirby, while I literally love the idea of a power run game out of a spread offense, and there is no question that Malzahn would build a good offense. This could easily end up like the Gailey debacle if Schwartz decides he doesn't care to work under a college coach. Plus, we don't know who he wants for assistants, as non NFL assistants will take time to train, and develop. Then there is simply so much to consider in the process of building a successful NFL team as a head coach. Pete Carroll didn't get it right on his first two attempts as an NFL HC. Neither did Nick Saban who worked under Belichick, or Marrone who worked under Sean Payton. Even future HoF HC Bill Belichick in his first stint as HC of the Browns, and he had years of past experience as a DC under legend Bill Parcells. I want to see a winning team, and I want it asap. Not in three to five years as someone new to the NFL learns the ropes.

THIS~ Glenn has also regressed under this staff of losers. The Bills currently have a top 10 defense, and a #25 offense Think of changing the current OC to the difference that Mike Pettine - Jim Schwartz made on the defensive side vs George Edwards - Dave Wannstedt. Yea, it could be that dramatic.

No offense, but you seem so dead set on Malzahn you didn't even read what I posted about his problems at Auburn. Can't see the forest for the trees... Its not just a question about whether a power run game out of a spread offense will work in the NFL on a full time basis. Its about player personnel like Pears at RG. Its about properly evaluating talent, drafting players in the first round that will actually perform on the field like they are first round picks. Its also about discipline, and not committing costly errors-penalties. To me Its about a quality known commodity. no more guessing!