hondo in seattle

As a business decision, you can't fault Marrone. If he had stayed, he would have effectively been working for free in 2015 (he gets the $4 million either way). Plus, with no starting QB on the roster, the win total could have easily declined thus ruining his marketability. So he got out then the getting was good. Nonetheless, it feels like he quit on both his players and coaches. If Pegula had treated him unjustly in some way, you could rationalize it. But Pegs honored his contract. It was Marrone who suddenly decided that the contract he originally signed wasn't good enough. I guess a 15-17 record can go to your head.

While the opt out clause "obviously" allows Doug to leave, it feels to many players and fans (myself included) that leaving before the contract expires is quitting before the job is done. Syracuse fans and players felts the same. The only things Doug has proven in his head coaching career is: (1) he has a talent for taking over bad teams and making them average, and (2) he has no loyalty. If I was a NFL owner, GM, or player, I'd have concerns about him.

It's ironic. Doug supposedly quit because he didn't get contract extensions for himself and his staff. It's great he stood up for his subordinate coaches. But then he abandoned them. They're 'stuck here' with their existing contracts while he takes the millions and runs. Did he tell Hackett, "Don't worry Nate, I'm not leaving you behind. The new head coach will fire you anyway." Where's the loyalty now?

True enough but schemes haven't changed that much in a decade. Anyway, being a HC is about far more than scheme. It's about leadership, building a coaching staff, working effectively with the FO, time management, focusing on what's truly important, building teamwork & accountability, etc. These guys know how to do those things. And I've got to wonder how a big name hire would affect our FA signings. I doubt if Adam Gase would attract a lot of players. But many FAs would suddenly be interested in Buffalo if Dungy was the HC. The coach I don't want is Rex Ryan. I actually think he did a credible job in New York/New Jersey but was cursed with a GM (Idzik) who didn't do him a lot of favors. Still, Rex is a bombastic buffoon, if a somewhat talented one. Plus Rex would want to change our defense and I'd rather leave Schwartz alone after seeing what he did this year. How successful would Parcells have been without Belicheck? Good coaches build good staffs. Cowher did that. I'm not going to fault him for finding success with Dick LeBeau.

Here's what I worry about with Polian. A front office is a team, it's not just one guy. Polian coming may lead to Whaley quitting because his authority has been undermined. When Whaley leaves, he may take some of his people with him like (if memory serves) Butler did. So while we might end up with a genius leading the organization, the organization could end up a chaotic, dysfunctional mess. Given that Bill is 72 years old, you have to wonder if he has the drive and energy to rebuild this thing. As you said, "It's about relationships..." Would Polian's relationship with OBD be good, bad, or indifferent? I suspect they'd rather not have him. I'd love to have Bill's clout and wisdom put in service of the Bills in some way. I have a lot of respect for his NFL accomplishments, as do many others. But if his involvement causes fissures in the FO team, I'd pass.

I'm surprised to see the lack of love for Dungy and Cowher. Cowher took his team to the playoffs 10 of 15 years despite QBs and other personnel coming and going. He accumulated a 140-90-1 regular season record and a 12-9 postseason record. Compare his 15 years of success to our last 15 years with no playoff appearances at all. Dungy turned two teams into winners. He made it to the playoffs 12 of 14 years - in different cities with different personnel. He went 139-69 in his 14 years. I'd be crying with joy if the Bills had that record over our last 14 years. Both Cowher and Dungy have won Super Bowls. No Bills coach has ever done that. How can Dungy or Cowher not be an upgrade over Marrone who went 25-25 with the Orange and 15-17 with us? In fact, how can they not be better choices than mediocre retreads like Rex or unproven coordinators with no HC experience? You can't argue with winning and both Cowher and Dungy have proven they know how to win in the NFL.

Two of the guys you don't want are my two favorite choices: Dungy and Cowher. I hope Pegs offers them $12 million per year to come out of retirement. Cowher rumored to be visiting Buffalo: http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/174779-coaches-you-dont-want/page__st__20#entry3400595

Just off the top of my head, here are my choices for HC: 1. Dungy 2. Cowher 3. Shanahan 4. Adam Gase 5. Frank Reich 6. Schwartz I sympathize with Max's worry about a new defensive scheme if we hired Wade.

If Pegula's millions could tempt Cowher - or Tony Dungy - out of retirement, we'd suddenly be a hot destination for FAs.

Sadly, Wade Phillips. But I get your point.

Fifth consecutive head coach to leave Buffalo with a losing record.

Or maybe not!

One of the more imaginative posts in a long time!

I'd rather see Pegs lure Cowher or Dungy out of retirement with a $10 million/year contract offer, but - realistically - I'd be okay with Reich. If he kept the defensive coaching staff in place and hired some good offensive coaches, he'd do fine.

Pegula's money can't get us a QB. But it could get us a coach. I wonder how much he'd be willing to pay someone like Cowher?

Just because Schwartz is under contract doesn't mean he stays. The new HC (assuming it's not Schwartz) may want his own guy. I hope the Bills hire an offensive minded HC who keeps Schwartz. Then again, if the Bills hire Cowher or Dungy, I'll be thrilled.

Previously I said that Buffalo might not be attractive to HC candidates because we lack a proven QB. But I've changed my mind. We're the only winning team to have a HC opening. That's gotta mean something.

Oddly, it seems Marrone would have been working effectively for nothing in 2015. Apparently he gets his 2015 salary whether he stays or goes. So it makes more financial sense to go. I wonder how much of this is just a business decision.

45] Retweeted 1,439 times 45] Aaron Williams ‏ @ ajwilliams23 15m15 minutes ago Lost all respect!! Completely pissed off, but not gonna let it ruin my New Years # Deuces # CantWait

I'm sad if they bring a replacement who's worse. Say whatever you want about the talent, I was happy to have a coach who delivered the first winning season in a decade. Now if the Chin or Tony Dungy replace Marrone, I'll be doing cartwheels. This is going to be a very interesting offseason. Unfortunately, I think a lot of HC candidates are going to be reluctant to take over a team without a proven QB.

Wow! Just got the text alert. I have to say I was surprised at the press conference when someone asked Marrone about the possibility of resigning and Berchtold (?) preempted Marrone's response saying that they would only accept questions regarding the 2014 season.

I remember Wilson getting some love on this board prior to his draft. Wish OBD had felt the same. Like QB Bills, I don't watch college ball and get most my draft information here at TBD. The Bandit's QB evals will stick in my head on draft day and I'll be hoping for Bridge or Petty. I'm of the school of thought that QBs are so important that you keep drafting them until you're reasonably sure you have your franchise starter. Many of us haven't felt that way since Kelly. For others, it's been since Bledsoe or Flutie. In any case, it's been a looong time. So let's keep drafting.

Possibly the most inane thread this week.

Not only was the sample small but I also wonder when the survey was taken since the article mentions the prospect of the team moving to Toronto. Given that the Bills now have (hopefully) good owners in the Pegulas, zero relocation fears, and a winning record under their belt, I think maybe we moved down this list a bit. But we still have to contend with bad weather, a small, aging city (when compared to other NFL towns), and the longest playoff drought in the league. I guess the good news is that 4 of 5 FAs would play for the Bills if the money was right. And 7 of 7 draft picks who have no choice.

My wife would probably divorce me if I went out with Erin. On the other hand, thousands of Bills fans would be celebrating a home playoff game. So I have to take the game.