GunnerBill

Two counters to this: 1. They ran more because that was their best way of moving the ball. Dorsey had stuck with the desire to pass downfield and be explosive and it was very inefficient with the players we have. Our most reliable offensive weapons second half of the year were Cook (running back), Kincaid (tight end) and Shakir (shifty slot). Relying on those guys will make you a small ball offense but they were our best chance to move the sticks. 2. They ALWAYS run Josh more later in the year. That is a pattern over 3 years and 3 coordinators now. They put a lid on Josh's running the first 10 games. But when the season is on the line down the stretch his carries rachet up again. I crunched the numbers on that at Christmas.

Hendriksen wasn't that FA class he was the year prior. Reddick was a FA both years but is a more questionable scheme fit here. Though having said that there was some similarity in the Philly defense last year under Gannon and he played better than I'd have expected in that. Generally I agree over old players though. Beane loves them.

I agree most people are but I think this is slightly ironic given I think it is largely what people are doing re. the Head Coach.

He'd be a slam dunk hire for Green Bay.

Yea I don't want the Bills to go rookie OC route either. I think that logic is sound for where Buffalo is right now. But if we were, for example, the Commanders or the Titans with a first time Head Coach and question mark at QB likely not able to attract a top experienced name then Thad Lewis would absolutely be someone on my list of potential first time OCs I'd like to speak to... with Tee Martin and Jason Vrabel. That Saints game is the only Bills game I have missed since 2007. I was at Wembley watching the 49ers.

Demeco Ryans. Byran Leftwich. There are other examples too. It is not as rare these days as I think you might think it is.

He is on my list as guys to watch for future OCs. I mentioned him earlier in the season.

From memory Thad was out. I think Matt Flynn was brought in to back up and Tuel started. It was 10 and a bit years ago though so memory might be hazy.

Sean McVay had the same experience as an NFL position coach. Unless you think his one year coaching receivers for 6 games in the UFL made him uniquely more qualified? Because otherwise his experience on becoming an OC was the same as Thad's - two years as analyst / assistant; three years as a position coach.

Don't think they benched Thad. Think he got hurt too. EJ and Thad were both out.

I mean he is the obvious leader in the clubhouse. Might lead to the misspeaking. But Beane is a pretty straight shooter. He is telling you there that his expectations was Joe is the OC. I haven't watched Brandon's presser yet. Seen Sean's but it's been a busy week. And Brandon's is always an hour to savour because he pretty much tells you what is coming next in terms of moves. I'll settle down with a coffee tomorrow and enjoy it.

Demeco Ryans became a coordinator after 3 years as a position coach and then a Head Coach after two years as a coordinator. Sean McVay had three years as a position coach before getting his OC gig too. Bryon Leftwich had one and a half seasons as a position coach before he became an OC. I don't think it is that rare now. Especially on the offensive side because the pool depletes so quickly.

To be clear I am not arguing for them hire Thad. I think, as you do, thst the Bills should be looking for playcalling experience. But there will be first time OCs hired in this cycle without playcalling experience. And of the names in that hat Thad is a credible name.

I'd pick Brady because he has called plays for us and done okay. But if we had fired Dorsey just, as in this week after the season, and I was comparing like for like in terms of who, as a QB coach, had got their QB playing with the best fundamentals of their career and maximised their talents then I think there would be a legit case for taking Thad over Joe.

But his dad is a coach sooooo.......

Sure. But then how does any coach ever step up through the ranks? You look at QB coaches who have got the most out of their Quarterback. I tend to think Thad did better at that than Joe Brady this year.

Fair. But then his work with Baker is impressive. And we know former NFL QBs (even mediocre ones) tend to get a leg up when it comes to QB and OC coaching. Witness Ken Dorsey for instance.

He does have zero OC experience. But he has been successful coaching WRs and QBs. As far as candidates to be a first time OC in the NFL go Thad is totally legit.

The most? No. But he is a legit OC candidate this cycle. It is not like they just picked a black guy and interviewed him.

I mean I wouldn't go with a first time OC myself but tell me what Duce Staley has done that gives you more confidence that he'd make a good NFL OC than Thad? Neither have ever been a coordinator. Thad has coached receivers and Quarterbacks. Duce has only ever coached running backs. For this offense with this QB I know which I'd consider a better fit. EB is a different case. He is qualified to do the job. As always the questions with EB have been about things off the field.

I am not neglecting what we saw. What we saw was a guy who struggled to line up properly.

Elam is a scheme fit issue. Williams is not that. He is at a more basic level struggling to adjust to the league

Yes. He is expected to get interviewed for that job too.

Norv Turner's son is another. I suppose Bobby Babich here too. You are right nepotism is still a real force in the NFL. I hate that any black coach who gets an interview gets "Rooney Rule" shouted at them. Thad has revived the career of a QB kicked off three teams in 15 months. I think him getting OC looks on the back of that work is very much earned.

The return of the original Dolphin Slayer! Thad and Josh. The Dolphins would be lucky to only lose by 30.