CodeMonkey

People keep saying this but I keep coming back to, how in the world would anyone prove there was what the NFL considers tampering going on? Seems pretty impossible unless someone confesses. And I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

Quote bug. Put my comments in the original post quote. I added the bolding, maybe that did it? I was using a windows desktop and latest firefox browser. http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/175079-what-if-pegulas-are-geniuses-got-rid-of-him-saved-4m/?p=3410623

Yeah ESPN radio was talking about that this morning. Basically there are no "must haves" out there. Harbaugh was the closest and he signed immediately. Lots of current assistants still in the playoffs. They figured Rex would sign first with Atlanta but even that would not likely set off a feeding frenzy like in seasons past. Similar to QBs, if you need a HC now you are in dire straights and need to look long and hard everywhere to see if you can find a diamond in the rough.

I wonder how FredEX would know one way or the other. I didn't think he had a receiver in his helmet. Maybe he sat in during meetings with Hackett and Marrone?

How do I feel if I am Watkins? That's easy, ambivalent. No one that I have ever seen has said that they did not think Watkins was a good player. The only argument is whether or not Whaley got bent over when he made the trade. Even Marrone never said he didn't want Watkins, he just wanted the 2015 1st.

There are no "classic rivalries" when both teams suck.

Not in this situation, IMO. If you are not competent to make decisions you hire someone who is. Business 101, sports franchise or no sports franchise.

I hope that is not true. Would show startling bad business judgement not hiring a consultant to help him evaluate the situation just because the team was playing better than expected. He is a better businessman than that however, at least in my opinion.

Good link, thanks. Man the NFL is so not in the real world I suppose it would still depend upon the conditions of the "opt out", but assuming Marrone was still considered under contract the NFL would consider it "tampering".

Not in the "real world". That's why I'm asking. And if his agent contacts other teams?

I have no idea how "tampering" works in the NFL regarding coaches, so hopefully I will learn something here. If a coach is coming to the end of his contract or going into an opt-out like Marrone was, is it a breach of NFL rules for another team to contact him or his agent stating potential interest before the option has been exercised? Or by extension, would it be a breach of NFL rules for a coaches agent to contact other teams to gauge interest prior to exercising the option? I know that I have always had a new job lined up before quitting a current one. Seems like a restraint of trade issue if it were different in the NFL. But the NFL seems to go against "normal" laws in other ways so why not in this as well.

EJ Manuel, who Whaley certainly had input into (though we can't give him all the credit/blame to be sure), looks to be a whiff so far though the book is nowhere near closed on him yet. Plus, in my opinion, got smoked on the Watkins trade (not the player, the trade). So far I am not really seeing the magic. But for the sake of the franchise I sure hope he is able to turn things around by getting a good HC now and, hopefully, Manuel and Watkins prove worthy of Whaleys faith.

Agreed with both, not sure about it being simple though . But the original post said "actively involved", and rumors abound now that the new coach will report to Pegula and not to the GM.

Yes he would seem to have a lot of potential. I guess we won't know for a few more years though. I strongly suspect LaFontaine acted more or less as a consultant for that hire.

I believe they are lost when it comes to the Sabres, and even more so when it comes to the Bills. That's why I hope they get a quality consultant ASAP. Being able to drill gas wells and being a fan of the team (which Pegula was for the Sabres at least) does not quality you to make management or player decisions.

Is it that hard to believe Marrone thought the price was too high? I do. Could be he also had a pretty good idea about the QB situation and wanted the 2015 #1 to try and deal with that. I don't know any more than you. But it seems a lot more plausible than silly "damage control" spin. I very seriously doubt Marrone cares much about what the Bills fans think about the situation.

Is there a reason you think the bolded is a good thing? Do they have a wealth of football knowledge that I am unaware of?

Local sports (Rochester) tonight said Polians decision came after Orton then Marrone both quit. He thought the consultant job would be "fun" originally, but with no HC or QB the job would require more "heavy lifting" than he was prepared to take on.

Hopefully he is too busy doing evaluations as part of the hiring process to have time to talk to the press.

I disagree about any of them being NHL ready right now (all star game balloting aside ). Just watch when they play a talented team like last night. Deer in the headlights. I fully expect all 3 to be good to very good, but in my opinion not now. Best on the Sabres, but that is saying nothing.

Yeah those 3 have a lot of potential to be sure. Just look how it worked out for the lightning line of 2nd year NHL players that made the Sabres look silly last night as an example. I wish all three of those guys (particularly the 2 defensemen) had been given time in the development leagues though.

I follow hockey much more than football. The future could be bright assuming prospects develop etc. How many more years do you think they will aggressively go after the top pick? At some point you have to stop sucking if you want people to believe it is on purpose.

Yes. And it remains to be seen if this is a good thing or a bad thing both for the Sabres and the Bills.

Very much agree. However to get to that next step they need a lot of their prospects to also make it to the next level.