maddenboy

AZ 34, Buf 13

Sorry for shouting, but many of us know that around here, OVER THE MIDDLE has to be all caps. Hat tip to Promo, who was first with it, far as I know. But when we didnt see it in week 1, and barely barely saw it in week 2, a theory started forming in my mind. Especially when other teams go OTM all the time. Maybe our defense is just easy to throw to OTM. Maybe when tyrod sees better defenses he just reverts into his shell/comfort zone. To be clear, this is a dig at both Rexy and Tyrod. We thought Tyrod had improved, but maybe not. Thoughts? (I am not a guy who really gets deep into X O football, but lots of you are).

perfectly open to being held accountable. Didnt do the research. Just assumed ass = lack of hugs = players know he is to be taken seriously. To your valid point (still too lazy to research), maybe what happens in the Offensive meeting room is far different from having "final say." He just seems like the type who would run to Tomlin to complain about players. But after that . . . But if the players know that people upstairs are being reported about the players' faults and failing, that might motivate them to get their shtt together. Even if stabbing knives in his back with their eyes.

Hmmm. Maybe it is time we went with a Not players coach. Hold people accountable for real this time. I dont care if he's douchy. I want to win.

If this happened (or something similar) it would be an admission by OBD that Rex is done. So they may as well fire him at the same time. Because by giving him an excuse ("oh, i wasnt working with a full deck, but thats . . . management's call") you are taking an unnecessary risk of headache later. Plus, Rex would probably put it on cruise control, because even He could see the writing on the wall.

its like Madden said on his bio-pic. When he interviewed w Al Davis as a too young assistant, Madden said to Al : "age doesnt matter. Either you're a head coach or you aint."

Perhaps I should have said "identifying talent." Because a GM also gets rid of players who dont fit, or are on the downside. Mario. Cleofus McKelvin. Jairus. A couple others. Not sure Whaley was GM or AGM for all of these, but without doubt he had input. I'm not his mother or his wife. Just saying he seems to have an eye. And is prolly worth keeping in the building.

Really, its this:

fair. But does he think he can? I say he's about the cash. After the way he left NYJ he was probably worried if he'd ever get another juicy NFL paycheck. I will agree that any man would rather win than lose. Of course. But if some company hired me for $25MM guaranteed to run their business, I'd "prefer" to win. But if not, I'm done here. I say he had a plan, worked it, got his brother a taste, and is in chill mode. There's that old saying (like Sea RB Shawn Alexander: "He did what we all would do: He hit the lotto and he retired (on the job)")

Fatty doesnt care. He has his $25MM golden parachute. I dont think he'd care if he ever worked again. This is mission accomplished. This is the endgame. "If I get lucky and actually win, cool. If not, I got all this Pegula cash to feather my retirement nest egg. Unless I can dupe another owner to gimme even more." sigh.

Ed Reed doesnt know shtt about football. He does know what a couple coaches taught him about playing NFL safety. However, HC is largely about leadership (which he has) and administration (not sure). We sure cant do worse.

But that is not the issue on the table. There are 2 issues IMHO: 1) Is Cowher an upgrade? (methinks Yes. Real discipline and accountability. But wants personnel control). 2) Is there somebody better, instead of chasing the bright-shiny-object which got us Rexy? (dunno yet).

fyp. and fully agree. Deck chairs, and such.

I really like this clear, level-headed thinking. I take one exception: Whaley seems to be great at finding talent, in the draft or FA. We should try to keep him around until he becomes less "green" about the total duty package of an NFL gm. Maybe condition the new GM has to keep Whaley as AGM?

I think we can agree that there are a couple moments of stomach-hurting, teary-eyed laughter every year or so. Thank you both for giving me that gift. That feels good. In a bad way of course, but thank you.

PM'd

To no effect. Point is, fandom should actually provide a benefit to the fan. Team doesnt have to go 16-0 every year, but there should be . . . fun. I've watched that other team 7-8 times. And its actually fun. I was almost ashamed of how much fun. Then I realized how dead the Bills have made me. And since I cant root for any team in any American sport, . . . ---- (I dont mean this as a "cry cry" post. I mean it to remind us that there are alternatives. You only live once. Fandom should be fun. Beyond the "fun" of talking junk on a message board 7 days per week. Not that that isnt funnish, but the Bills havent given us joy in 20 years. Fool me 15 times, shame on me.)

Okay. A not unpopular opinion around here. But then what? Keep going to games? Keep buying gear? Actually stop watching? Me, I have been following since 88. I have been detached last year and this year. I cancelled cable TV this year (g'bye NFLN and ESPN and RedZone). I found another team in another sport on another continent to follow, since I cant root for any other american team. I'm so bad that it wasnt until this Tuesday that I actually realized the Bills play on Thursday night. Buffalo born and raised. And I remember when being a fan was actually . . . fun. Otherwise, in the greater scheme, what's the point? Fool me 15 times, shame on me. As I approach 50, I realize that every hour is precious. Your plan?

as a billionaire businessman, he has to begin the business process. Apparently his "due diligence" before buying the team, and before hiring Rexy, were insufficient. (for those unversed, due diligence is where 2 businesses are thinking of entering a relationship. Merger, Joint Venture, etc. But, I dont trust you. So we will negotiate the scope of review. Then my army of lawyers and accountants will invade your building, examine your records, interview your employees, talk to your business partners, etc., so I know what I'm getting myself into.) So, if I were advising Pegs, my first recommendation would be to perform this process on your own business. Until then, how can an oilman make shrewd decisions on how to run a football team?

Yes. Entirely possible. Maybe a piece of (probably fake) hair covers the eyes for a second longer when you swing your head around. but without more I cannot completely commit to a position on this.

Then we should get one. When's the last time we had one? Wade maybe?

"Clown show" would be the simple answer. And it would be correct. I mean, on a solid contending team, that can get you fired. The OC's job is not just to showup on gameday and call plays. It is to teach (not just tell) the players to run your plays, to teach your assistants how you want the players coached, and to not call plays they cant execute to near-perfection. One of those plays had better be the "clock" play.

But why? Honest question, which I think ties back to OP's original point. And then what? Is there a new coach, GM, or anyone else who would improve our chances to Win the Superbowl This Year? Because that must be the goal. Not to "improve." Not to be "competitive" and not to "make the playoffs." The solid teams never think this way, even though they are required to say so in the media. But no, they are out to cut your throat. So, we fire Rex, hire somebody else, and now we are paying 2 coaches. And we fire Rob and give him his nice walk-away cash too. Then what? Somebody said coughlin. Meh, but maybe. Feels like a stop-gap at best. Me, I want the smartest man in the room, whoever that is, cause we havent had that coaching the bills in forever.

So, as I said, part of the fun is smack talk. Here. And by my rough count, I'd like to make 2 points from week 2. Out of about 75 of us still active: 1) Only 1 of you picked the Bills. "NhBillsFan" 2) Only 1 of you picked the Jets. "Maddenboy"

Okay. When? Maybe around week 11. Just like every other team. This post is basically saying "its hard to win in the NFL."