Dan

Excellent! Thanks so much. In a sea of rumors and speculation, its refreshing to read a report you can actually believe. Oh... should I be checking flight aware for a Wed eveing flight or a Thurs. morning flight?

That goes without saying. No better sight in the interweb.

What's that one do?

I'm sure the message is not up for debate, but I like the idea someone here came up with last week: "Bills + Cowher = Super Bowl!" or "Buffalo wants Bill" (just came up with that one) Great idea though. Especially the Hunter's Hope donation.

Go back and re-listen to his press conference. He very much left the door wide open for an up and coming Coordinator. Yes, he said he'd like a HC with experience, but in each instance he immediately stated that it also doesn't rule out getting a good young coordinator. In fact, after I watched the thing I gotthe distinct impression that's the direction he would be taking as opposed to Shanny or Cowher.

Just like everything else on the topic, this is all complete conjecture. We have no idea if the Bills have actually made an offer to Cowher. We don't know if Cowher is seriously considering the Bills "offer". Or if he's just waiting to see what happens in Carolina, first. We don't know anything. But, the last thing you do, if you're in any stage of negotiations is make a public statement. In my mind, that tells me that Cowher is at least considering the Buffalo job. Now what the holdup is... who knows. But, if he just wasn't interested, I think he'd say so similar to Gruden, Homlgren, Marty S. Does he end up here? I think it depends on a variety of variables - family, other positions (Carolina), money. The HC and his family have to live in the City, let's not underestimate that. They don't fly in and out like the players. So, Cowher has to sell his wife on the idea of moving to Buffalo. Take it from someone who knows, after a while the wife says.. "but you promised I wouldn't have to live up there any more! I hate winter!" He's got the money. So, he may want the job, but there's more to consider than just the job.

All Buddy has to do now is... call the guy. Because according to Billick, the Bills haven't even contacted him yet. Funny how Martz and Billick openly state they want the job, but don't get calls. While Shanny and Cowher get all the attention and want to be any where else.

IMO, the QB situation is easy. Bring in a veteran FA caretaker type. Who that is depends upon the market. Then you have Brohm and/or a draft pick to develop for a year, possibly 2. It'll be up to the new HC as to whether or not Brohm is the guy to develop or not. Trent and Fitzy, however, are not the answer. We all know that. This is pretty much exactly what Miami did with Chadwick and Henne. And, IMO, its a solid approach. Of course, it all hinges on finding a good, promising guy to develop AND being able to develop him properly. The veteran FA should be good enough to get you wins, keep you competitive and lead a team of young players. That's why I'd look at guys that have lead their team for a while, so a Bulger over a Jason Campbell for example.

Yeah, but... look at how the 49'ers have turned it around since they brought Clements in. They're one of the best teams in the NFC now. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Superbowl.

According to that article, roughly $7mill. If so, either Buffalo's $10mill was wrong; or Shanny is completely nuts. Maybe both.

That's what I want to know... what makes the Buffalo such a miserable job that even hot coordinator don't want ot come here? People talk like the team needs a complete overahaul; the Bills are in bad shape? OK, name one team with a top ten draft pick that just fired their coach, that doesn't have lots of holes to fill. Who's the great QB in Tampa? Or Carolina? or Cleveland? I think someone's going to come to Buffalo and is going to look really good when this team turns around pretty wuick next year.

He's out walking his dog all day... he hasn't heard any speculation.

I fully expect Goodell to mandate that all stadiums with artificial turf have to have their stadium resurfaced before next season with a league approved turf. If I were Nix, I'd try and sign Pollard today; and make him being on the team the only condition any new coach has to concede to.

Did you think Ralph had hired some make believe friend to sign off on all new hires? In the Bills' organization the buck stops with Russ (CEO) and Ralph (Owner). Who else should sign off on it? They certainly didn't give Nix the checkbook and say bring in whomever you want, no questions asked. With that being said, I'm sure they'll hire whom ever Nix brings to the table - provided he's not (1) a loon, and (b) over-priced. Yeah, they might be willing to talk to Shanny about $10mill/yr, but do you think they're willing to pay that amount to all candidates? I would hope not.

He's too busy refreshing flightaware.com to write any new articles.

Calling the plays and being the Offensive Coordinator are often 2 very different things.

I have it on good authority he's going to sign today! Link 1 Linky 2

Sorry, but that was hilarious.

But if he lives in raliegh, shouldn't we be checking for flights in and out of Raliegh (RDU)? I'm guessing Coach if the Bills paid for the ticket. But, Cowher got the gate agent ot upgrade him to Business Class. That's probably the sticking point in the negotiations... who approved his upgrade?

I thought he lived closer to Raliegh?

Agreed. I think Carolina is his first choice as has long been rumored. But, Fox has one more year on his contract. Watching NFL Total Access yesterday, it sounds like Carolina is a mess right now. From what I got: Fox wants an extension. The team says no extension; you got one year left on your contract take it or leave it. He's saying he won't stay and be a lame duck coach. So, they're somewhat at a standstill. Seems, to me, like the team wants him to quit so they don't have to pay him for the final year. But, he's not biting. My guess is that Cowher is holding out for the Carolina job. The question is.. how long does he hold out for it? Does he go back to CBS for a year if Fox gives in and stays? Or does he want to get back into coaching bad enough that he'll settle for Buffalo? And if he has no problem with Buffalo, but would prefer Carolina, do you sign this week in Buffalo or wait a couple to see if the Carolina job opens up?

IMO, April and ST is a prime example of how the Bills have been operating - with no clear direction - and I have no problem with it changing. Yes, it's nice to have top ranked ST year in and year out. However, I'd rather have a top 10 offense and defense. So, I have no problem cutting April loose if it helps bring in a better HC who keeps players based on their ability to contribute to the offense or defense, as opposed to the ST. I really love how Ralph says he's clearing house, half the postsers don't believe him; then he does. And now half the posters are upset about it. It continues to prove the theorem that you can make some people happy some of the time, but all the people you can make.. errr.. the happy people are sometimes.. uhh .yeah we're all happy. strategery. ....or something like that.

So you thought the Bills were going to draft him?

If I had a friend that told me this.... I'd get new friends.

Billick just said, on NFL Network, The Coaches Show, that he has not benn contacted by the Bills. He said the Bills, like all teams, need to figure out what type of team and system they want first; then determine a coach that best fits that. He had a "good marriage" in his first job in Baltimore, so he knows pretty well the type of system that he wants to run. edit: yeah, what he said...