dezertbill

Question is can the Bills wait two weeks before interviewing the Patricia's and Haleys of the league. That will limit OC candidates who will get picked up by hired HCs.

Then the Bills need to pull a Sammy Watkins and trade up. If your going to do it, it's for a franchise QB. 6'3, 215 lbs. Averaged 4100 passing yards and 36 TDs last two seasons as well as 850 yards and 10 TDs in the ground. He has also played 29 games the last two seasons so hitting the rookie "wall" would be less likely. He's as elusive as Taylor but bigger and has a stronger arm. No issues throwing down the field. He's performed big time in big time games, and there isn't a bigger pressure situation than being 2 yards from the end zone with a handful of seconds left to win or lose the national championship. Him and Watkins would make a dynamic tandem with the same college ties. It might cost a kings ransom, but the alternative of not finding a franchise QB would probably limit DW time in Buffalo any ways so might as well go all in.

We need Deshaun Watson

McDermott was PFF 2nd runner up for DC of the year in 2015 behind Wade Phillips and Matt Patricia. They haven't released 2016 grades yet. I don't see McDermott being mentioned anywhere in that conversation after last years train wreck. Sure Carolina lost half their secondary, but their key players up front ( Ealy, Smart, Kuechly) all regressed. Was it McDermott? Was it a team that got comfortable? Is that the coaches fault? Not close enough to Carolina to know. For the record, Harold Goodwin finished 1st runner up for OC At this point it's a completely different mindset than 2 years ago. When they hired Ryan the feeling (from Pegula) was a veteran coach needed to be the voice. This year it's a a crap shoot. Some of the best coordinators can't head coach themselves out of a paper bag. While others shine. And of course this coach will be tied to the hip with Whaley, who if he hits gold will secure a long time position as Buffalos GM. If he hits snake eyes though, he'll be unemployed.

And didn't he have a string of huge games after commenting about not getting enough touches, which everyone and their mother agreed that you don't Cut your top receiver out of the game plan. That's a leader saying put it on my shoilders and let me lead. Granted as I said due to his youth how he expressed things could have been done differently, but what he said isn't different when what any other number one receiver would say if he was getting cut out of the game plan week after week. If that was OBJ he would have been ranting like a school girl Yes in 2015 he saw some players like Mario shoot their mouths and In his attempt to step up and take accountability for what was going on said that needed to stop and players needed to be accountable. Thank you for backing up my point. This past season from Darius to McCoy to Lorenzo Alexander who is a respected pro everyone spoke about how Ryan was laxed and created a culture that "needed to change". Sammy is just backing up what they said and goes even further to say if someone isn't performing cut them. Doesn't matter whether they are first round pick or free agent. He is saying that means him too. He isn't holding himself to a different standard. He is a team player. He is holding everyone including himself accountable. That's shows traits of leadership. So when Tom Brady and Peyton Mannimg shows visible frustration with their teammates by screaming or rolling their eyes when they don't do their job on the field its ok. Yet when Sammy does it he's considered immature? As I said, Sammy has the TRAITS to be a great leader. It's going to take time and experience for that to fully develop but yes he has eveybit the mindset to be a Larry Fitzgerald type player. And yes, There is a difference between being on the field and demanding more from your teammates than the clown act OBJ performs each week. It's all about him and the spotlight. Whether it's the kicking net, personal fouls for celebrating or retaliating, or a boat in Miami. As time goes on any betting man would agree Sammy has the attitude and mental wherewithal to be a great leader for this team. Way more than OBJ. Is Sammy there yet, no. But I don't hold it against him for trying to step up when no one was in 2015 or making it clear that the culture needed to change after Ryan was let go. And I don't hold it against him for saying what he said because the spirit of his comments were to help the team perform better and win, even the comments about not getting enough targets. You won't win many games when you cut players like McCoy and Watkins out of the game plan. Plenty of games proved that. As time goes on hell be more polished. And yes he will be the leader of this team.

Last season Bortles had six 300 yard passing games, five games in which his passer rating was over 100, and five games he threw 3 or more TD passes. This season Bortles had five 300 yard games, one game with over a 100 passer rating, and one game with three TD throws. His sacks actually dropped from 51 last season to 34 in 2016 with his completion percentage remaining identical while throwing 2 less interceptions in roughly 19 more passing attempts which means he is learning pocket awareness. You have to think it's more about being coached up than talent. Bradley was getting heat for not doing so. Now Marrone who is more offensive minded will be tasked with trying to get that out of him. Considering he had arguably his 2 best games in Marrone's interim period is a positive sign. I think from ownership down they want Bortles to be their franchise. He has shown he can be. He just needs to be coached up right.

Again he was working with EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton. A good QB in that offense and we would have made the playoffs.

Odell is extremely talented as is Watkins. But in the NFL its about more than talent. It's about maturity, work ethic and leadership. Watkins already has all three traits (maturity in regards to what's most important when it comes to be successful in this league. I believe his youth doesn't allow that message to come out in the best form at times). Odell on the other hand is still a work in progress.

I take this that they aren't remorseful that they kept TT on the sidelines, but the way In Which the decision was made. It's a clear sign that they are putting the message out to prospective coaches that decisions Like this are not the norm and shouldn't be anticipated if they become our HC.

Bottom line is Marrone found a way to finish above 500 with Manuel and Orton at QB. Think about that While running the Jags Blake Bortles had arguably his best games for total passing yards and completion percentage. If the Jags can improve in defense in that weak division Marrone has a chance to rise above and win.

I think this highlights as to why DW traded up for Sammy instead of waiting for for Odell in the draft. Realize that Odell has only had four more starts than Sammy, Odell's number variance over Sammy is more about QB than skill set. Sammy can be a Larry Fitzgerald type of talent. Odell has more of a Chad Johnson mentality. We know who lasted longer in the league. When drafting players in the first round not only do you look at skill but character and leadership. Watkins has displayed both of those during his short time here. He preaches accountability. He stays humble and just works. Sure injuries seem to always hamper his performance. But honestly if he had Eli throwing to him in his career rather than EJ Manual and Tyrod Taylor I beileve his stats would be way more impressive. I also believe having Eli behind center would also make the sacrifice of a 18th overall pick for Sammy over Odell well worth it. Sammy is still young and can be a Fitzgerald type of presence for the Bills over the next 10 seasons. Hopefully the Bills can find a QB that can get him the ball. When (not if) the Bills finally start making post season runs they will benefit from the presence of a Sammy Watkins over Odell Beckham in more ways than one. Meanwhile in NY they'll be hoping Odell can grow up.

Winning press conferences is like winning preseasons.

This And I'm sure the OPs next thread will declare how Whaley is the worst GM in the history of mankind cuz he took his Christmas lights down after New Years? Or how he lost his car keys for an hour back in May. SMH

This x 1000

Wade Phillips would be a coup in Cleveland. But any of these old school coaches would have to buy into their metrics on how they grade players. That's the challenge they face.

This doesn't surprise me at all. Rob seems to be a "lightening in a bottle" DC. He needs to have the perfect players for more than a year in order to have success. You know those defensive player sentiments made there way to Doug Whaley and Terry Pegula. Probably why it created the talent vs coaching riff between DW and RR and what led Terry to realizing this just wasn't working. The one thing I remember Schwartz say when he arrived is that he didn't want to confuse the players with all new stuff or make the game too complicated to play. He was able to successfully blend some of Pettines stuff with what he did and the defense actually improved in certain areas. That's why RR comments about their struggles last year were partly because he was trying to blend in some of what Schwartz did in order to make the transition easier was BS. Good coaches know how to handle that. Schwartz did. Usually when the dust clears you really see the inner workings of why stuff didn't work. Stuff that fans couldn't be privy to during the season cuz no one wants to speak out against the coach. And when they do, see Mario Williams. Granted Mario was past his prime and wasn't worth the money anyways. But safe to say his remarks weren't too far off from what' many players are now saying after the fact. Rex is done in the NFL as a head coach and likely as a coordinator. So is his brother, who will go back to being a linebacker coach somewhere.

If I may Shawshank for a moment. This is an extremely obtuse view. It might just be me, but it seems the media is so venomous with the Bills because they have no one from the inside giving them the 311 on what's really going on. It's like they are insulted by the tightlippedness (made that up grammar police) and are taking it out in Pegula and DW by blasting them in their pieces. Weak sauce.

We have too much talent to be in rebuild. I believe we have a winning roster. Just need someone who can improve our defense schematically, advance Tyrod's growth, and be able to make in game decisions better than RR. With the right coaching no question we can be a playoff team next season.

He is just interviewing. I'm sure he will interview with others before making a decision.

It's not like Rex was fired because he had a great defense and he couldn't get an offense going. His defense was horrible. It's going to be a while before he gets a D.C. Job with the way the Bills performed, if ever.

Safe to say you won't find an exclusive interview with the Bills owner in any Cracker Jack box. Much respect JW.

This comes as no surprise. Zero.

I believe Whaley has assembled a franchise that can win. It's well documented that RR took a 4th ranked defense with basically the same players drove it into the ground the following year. In 2014 the Bills finished 9-7. Our offense this season averaged 3.5 points per game more than 2014. However our defense this season allowed 5.5 points more per game than Schwartz defense in 2014. You apply that nine point swing to each game this year and the Bills finish 13-3. Heck, if only Ryan's defense allowed 5.5 points less per game this season the Bills finish 11-5. Do you think after grinding out low scoring games in NY year after year that Ryan all of a sudden became an offensive juggernaut? I think not. Ryan failed to follow through on his promise to make our defense top 5 and that's what made the Bills into who they are, not the talent that Whaley put on the field. If the Bills were 11-5 or 13-3 would we be talking about Whaleys accountability? Or would we be talking about how he replaced our top two picks who we lost to injury with two journeymen Lorenzo Alexander and Zack Brown who finished 2nd in the NFL in sacks and tackles, respectively. Lorax is heading to the Pro Bowl. Of how he found a potential shut down corner in the 2nd round that many had a first round grade on. Or how we were finally able to find our franchise back and potentially our franchise QB. Or how after a decade of incompetent OLine play we have a stud unit that paved the way for 1st in rushing this year. Year after year Whaley has had late round picks and street free agents acquired in mid season who have made big plays in key moments, not just riding the pine collecting a paycheck. At 13-3, with all the injuries we've had, including our top two draft picks, Whaley would be up for executive of the year. And the Bills would have a first round bye. That's the difference between having a good coaching staff and having a bad coaching staff. Talent isn't the problem. It wasn't for Jim Schwartz. It wasn't for an offense this season who ranked 1st rushing, 10th in scoring (with 12 teams making the playoffs), allowed the fourth fewest fumbles and almost set the record for fewest turnovers in a season. It's coaching. Hopefully the right coach can give us a winner. With a good coach well be able to truly grade whether Whaley is a good GM or not. Let's hope its next season.

Doug Whaley is no dummy. Earlier in the season Ryan, who is friends with Tom Coughlin due their days in NY, introduces TC to Pegula and sets up a meeting. It's reported that in that meeting there is Brandon, Ryan, Coughlin, and Pegulas. No Whaley. So a football guy had a meeting with the owner about football operations, and the Team President who has zero to do with football operations and head coach is there yet the GM who has everything to do with football operations isn't? That's what you call an attempted Coup. It's also shows that Brandon and Ryan were aligned, and it was most likely Russ that brought Ryan in for an interview since he was part of the hiring process at the time. (DW wanted Hue Jackson). It also makes sense of Brandon's comments to not let Ryan leave the building without agreeing to be our coach. Rumors flew that Pegs liked Coughlin and some were saying this would signify some sort of Czar role. For this to happen, everyone and their mother knew this would make Whaley disposable. This would put an ally in the FO for Ryan and Brandon, and eliminate Whaley who was in an obvious power struggle with not only Ryan but also Brandon. Ryan knew he was in the hot seat which is why you heard constant battles of Ryan not getting the best out of players vs. Whaley not giving him enough talent. Sitting in the press box with the owner week after week you know Whaley had to have been hammering Ryan on his poor decision making and overall poor play to Pegs, as well as other conversations through the season. In the end with the fan base in a tizzy Pegs had little choice. He's a billionaire, and not by mistake. He knows when it's time to let a poor preforming executive go. So that's why Ryan asked to speak with Pegs In private. Because he knew DW wasn't his ally. Think about that. The coach asking the owner if his job is safe and didn't want the GM privy to the convo? If DW and RR were close, Rex would have gone to DW first and then both would have been in the discussion with Pegs. It's called self preservation. I have been in situations where your boss tells you a co-worker you didn't get along with is no longer with the company. In the corporate world you don't ask why. You just nod (most likely with a smile) and say "yes sir". Which is what DW did and explains his response in presser yesterday as to the fact he didn't ask why. You know deep down DW was smiling, but he isn't going to tell the media that. So now Pegs realizes he listened to the wrong person (Brandon). He should have listened to Whaley who would have brought in a great offensive mind in Jackson who grooms QBs and kept their top ranked defense intact keeping Schwartz. So now, Pegs has granted DW sole control of the search. The candidate they choose will be one he believes can lead this team to the playoffs, not who Brandon thinks. And Schefty is reporting that's coughlin isn't on Whaleys radar? Imagine that. Brandon, meanwhile, according to Whaley is "doing a lot. And I have no idea what that is". Nor does DW care To me this all makes sense. And DWs Art of War Answers yesterday was him taking alot of heat for a decision he wasn't fully supportive of. Whaley even went as far as to say he was on board with the Ryan decision. What's he going to say, "I wasn't?" If he admitted to the press and threw his owner under the bus for the decision saying he wasn't on board with it, his title would be "former GM". And no other owner would touch him. It was apparent that Pegs gave him his blessing to make the firing nothing about him because Ryan wasn't his choice. He was Brandon and Pegs choice. Pegs told DW to "blame me". Whaley is in more control now than he has ever been. This isn't dysfunction. That was before when Rex and Brandon had Pegulas ear. This is now how it should have been in the first place. Your GM controlling the football show. Well done Mr Whaley. Well done.

Sorry. It I have to disagree with this. No one knows what conversation was had between DW and TP. It was reported that DW wanted Hue Jackson who wanted to keep Schwartz. Hello continuity? But he was overridden. So what's he supposed to do, go into the media and tell everyone " See, I told TP Not to hire Ryan and he didn't listen to me. Now look where we are?" Not only would he be fired, but no owner or Team President would touch DW with a 10 foot poll. No, you tote the company line. That's what DW is doing. It's called being professional. I've been in upper management and the number one rule is regardless whether you agree with a decision or not, we are all united about that decision when we face our line employees or public. There are no rogue " I didn't want that" managers. They wouldn't be managing long. Last time I checked TP still signs DWs checks. Thus he is going to tote the company line and say it was a united decision. Now, I can bet my paycheck that if Whaley separated from Buffalo then, like The Chip Kelly fiasco, "rumors" would come out saying that Whaley didn't want Rex and was overridden. Until that happens, your not going to have DW tell what really happened. Not if he still wants to be GM of the Bills. I think it's telling for him to come out and say "only he" is running the coaching search and not Russ Brandon. His parting shot was "Russ does a lot , and I don't even know what he does". That's a pissed off GM taking a shot at an executive that stuck his nose somewhere it didn't belong and sold Ryan to TP and now Whaley is the only one taking heat for it while Brandon hides in the shadows.