Prickly Pete

He isn't Bill Parcells. He has been boasting and brash for his whole career, and the Jets got progressively worse under him. I am hopeful, but not because of his press conference demeanor.

Just Google the phrase, and you will see that was his catchphrase when he took over the Raiders. The reason I worded it as "associated" as opposed to "originated" with him, is because I don't know if he originated it, but I do know it mainly associated with him. Maybe you can find a prior use of the phrase somewhere. I cannot. Yeah, the "12th Man" thing...by now it is so common that everyone that uses it is off the hook. But the 2nd team (was it the BIlls, I don't know) that started using it was in fact being lame. Regardless, I don't need the "down home, wings and beer, he's one of us" angle pushed in my face all off-season. I'm pretty sure that is going to be the case, and it's patronizing.

I am reasonably happy with Rex Ryan's hiring, but the PR campaign is already annoying. Every move is way too contrived, and in a way, that can be construed as insulting towards the fans. And I'm not necessarily blaming Ryan, it's more likely the Bills' PR people orchestrating things. I want to watch a Bills team with a good offense one of these decades. "Build a bully" is a term associated with Hue Jackson. Kinda lame to appropriate another coach's catchphrase. I guess it's better than wheeling out "smash mouth" or talking about "swagger".

One good thing is that Ryan knows what the Bills offensive weaknesses are as well as anyone. I think O-lineman will be in demand this off season after the Cowboys had so much success with a dominant O-line. It will be the big focus of many teams both in free agency, and the draft.

Believe it or not, it makes me feel good to see this on the board. I'm curious who will step forward to defend Haggy.

It already was fine. Ryan's teams are undisciplined, and his offenses have sucked. His game time decisions have been laughable. These are the same problems that the Bills already had.

Is that what you look for in a coach? That's ridiculous.

None of those guys intrigue me, or at least EJM intrigues me more. I doubt any of them will "hold the place" for an eventual successor any better than EJM would. They have to bring in a veteran, and will probably draft someone too, but like I said, for at least this next season, I fully expect EJM to be the starter.

Not really. I'm not against bringing in Locker, I just don't expect him to beat out EJM when he gets here.

I don;t know what the stats are, but I've watched Locker play enough to know that EJM will have a better career than Jake Locker.

Actually, I have always referred to him as EJM, and I have plenty of posts. Another poster started it his rookie season. EJ sounds too diminutive, and overly familiar, to me...

It's EJM, and/or draft a guy that will take at least 2 years to develop. In other words, it's EJM. There MIGHT be a guy that's been developing on another teams bench, that can come here cheap, and surprise us, but that is like hitting the lottery. There are probably some fans of other teams that look at our own EJM as that kind of guy. "Yeah, Buffalo might let Manuel go for cheap, and I thought he looked pretty good, but their coach/o-line/running game sucked. The ______ (Rams, Cardinals, Bucs, Jags, Titans, Texans...) should take a chance on him..." They gotta work on building up the offense around EJM for this next season. There really isn't a good, likely alternative.

I'm very happy with the way things have played out. The only negativity that I have noticed much of, is directed toward Marrone, and I don't think that reflects pessimism about the teams future.

The job pays millions of dollars. I wouldn't want to reward him. He can't tell a story worth a crap, that is what bothers me, more than his dubious stances. He just gives opinions (usually whatever will generate either the most controversy, or something he thinks will align him with the shmuckiest "Buffalo guy" at the end of the bar. What he doesn't do is capture the essence of what is going on with the team, or of an event. That's was what Larry Felser, and the great sportswriters do, give some historical context to a story.

Maybe more than leadership, or practice regimens, or player relations, or all that pre-game stuff, I think this team is ready for a coach who is known for GAME TIME decisions. Marrone sucked at clock management, knowing when to take risks, end of half strategy, etc. This team really needs that. A lot of the other stuff can be made up for by the assistants and coordinators, but if the HC isn't good on the sidelines, when all the plans are being put into motion, it undermines the best laid plans.

I don't think Marrone was awful, I just don't believe he would take the team any further, so his 2 year stint was just enough to get the team going in the right direction. Any more time with Marrone would have just been treading water.

I'm well aware that Marrone left, but we as fans, are indeed rid of him. Sorry if my phrasing upset you so. As far as the number of interviews, how do you know that it's the Pegulas and not Whaley or any of the other front office people behind the cattle call? The last 2 times the Bills went looking for a head coach, they had a hard time getting qualified candidates to interview. Not this time. Now the job is more desirable, for a variety of reasons. They are in a better place, and I'm happy about it. Thank you very much.

People seem to forget that when they were replacing Gailey, they had a hard time even getting people to come for an interview! I'm so happy with getting rid of Marrone after only 2 seasons. Now they have a new owner, a decent team, and are in a much better position to attract a quality staff. Worked out great, in my eyes.

HAHAHAHAHA!

When a guy is an assistant, he is probably a lot nicer than when he is the head coach. It sounds to me like he shows his true colors when he gets control.

So what is his, or any other NFL high draft pick's motivation? Surely he shouldn't be satisfied with losing? I mean, that would be acceptable to you as a fan? If I'm Watkins, I feel like I'm pretty set monetarily, and now want to excel among MY PEERS, because that is who I would be measuring myself against.

What about Manuel? I get the feeling that for at least this season Manuel was NOT being coddled, but more likely walking on eggshells around a contemptuous coach, who's main concern was making sure Manuel didn't throw interceptions. Not really the best way to develop a QB. And what was Orton thinking all year, playing for a coach who was seems resentful towards so many players, and created such bad vibes? He might have felt pretty awkward walking in to that situation. He obviously couldn't wait to get out of here.

I'm sorry I included him to make my point. I still don't like Foles though. Thank you very much.

IDK, as soon as Palmer left the Raiders, he became effective...