BillnutinHouston

Kudos to the OP for not putting "update" in the thread title. The linked article called itself an update, but there was no update in that update.

I had the same take.

You know this how?

Finally, we can get some closure. After a weekend that may define his legacy in Buffalo one way or another, Nix also put to rest any speculation regarding his future. The 73-year-old said that nothing has changed regarding his timetable for retirement, a statement that Brandon echoed. ''There's a lot of speculation for whatever reason related to that but Buddy Nix is our general manager and will be for a long time,'' Brandon said. Vindication link The fans and media continue to manufacture the myth that Whaley's role is expanding and Buddy's is contracting. Some even pronounced during this draft that the picks weren't Buddy's. Here some Q&A from Brandon on the topic: Q: In the past four months how has Doug Whaley’s role grown and evolved? RB: It’s been consistent with years past, really the past couple of years. Doug continues to mature within his role. Buddy keeps providing him opportunity within the department. There’s lot of speculation for whatever reason related to that. Buddy Nix is our general manager and will be for a long time. As I mentioned before, Doug is a vital part to the process but when it comes to football decisions in this organization, one person and one person only makes decisions and that’s Buddy Nix.

They're staying true to their board.

Charles Davis said on NFLN just said that the Bills are having a very good draft, FWIW.

You and birdog want to talk about the MERITS of Buddy's tenure and whether he should be gone. That's fine, but I took this thread to be about the TIMING of Buddy's departure. My point is, I see no public signs of Buddy being forced out. In fact I recall Russ' comments about Buddy on the day he took the reigns from Ralph. Russ was positively glowing about Buddy.

Sorry if this has been posted in a previous page, but it's good stuff - must-see TV. Also good is NFL Network's analysis on whether they see Manuel as a 1st rounder or 2nd. Charley Casserly says Manuel is a second round prospect, Ted Sundquist (Broncos F.O. exec) says he's a first. Charles Davis also has him as a 1st. NFLN analysis

I can relate to that!

That is beside the point of this thread. Just sayin'.

I have to believe that Hackett can formulate ways of compensating for a lack of a pass catching TE threat, if need be.

I could claim all night that Buddy's not going anywhere soon, but I haven't yet found success trying to prove a negative. Can't blame a guy for challenging others to put facts on the table to support all the speculation.

Interesting. But for me personally, that alone doesn't convince me. I will grant you, your point reminds me that I seem to recall Russ saying at one point definitively (around the time Marrone was hired) that "Doug's not going anywhere". That would seem to signify Whaley inked a new contract (and likely scored a raise to keep him in place), but that still doesn't in my mind mean that Buddy's been shown the door. I think the decision & timetable is completely in Buddy's control.

The chatter about Buddy leaving is all speculation and in many cases hopeful anticipation. Personally, I can't think of a single fact known to the public that supports the idea of Buddy's imminent departure.

Thank you.

Hope continues to sell in WNY.

Beyond the obvious speed, what the Youtube video shows me is unusual field vision and elusiveness. He is clearly more than "just a track guy".

Not sure who Polly is, but kudos on a good take. Put me in the optimist camp, too.

I think it's definitely more of Marrone's "messaging". I suspect that HE wants to be the one communicating the depth chart to the players, not wanting to leave it to an impersonal website. Smart move by a take-charge coach who is allowing no detail to escape his management purview.

UPDATE: the Bills just selected Marquise Goodwin from Texas. This means, of course, that Buddy has just wrested control of the organization back from Whaley. Do you see how silly this is? By the way, there is plenty of speculation and anticipation about Buddy's departure being imminent, but absolutely no proof that anyone can credibly point to.

Allen or Swope would make me happy at #78.

In the aggregate, southern college programs (especially the SEC) have better players than other conferences. Might that have something to do with many Bills picks coming from the south? Have you looked at the % of southern school picks from other teams? My point: to pigeonhole any GM like this is a major stretch and very simplistic, in my opinion. Do GMs really get jobs in the NFL by telling prospective employers they'll just make picks from the SEC? Me thinks they'd get laughed out of the interview. Isn't Florida State pretty far south? Explain how analytics explains the Woods and Alonzo picks. If 3 of the the Bills' next 4 picks are from the south, will you stand by your "analysis"?

We've had what, 2-3 previous Nix drafts? Not much of a sample size from which to surmise what a "typical Nix move" is. Also, every selection is a product of unique circumstances, both in terms of the status of your roster, that of your competitors, as well as who takes which players just ahead of you. Example: clearly the Bills liked Minter out of LSU (they invited him to Orchard Park for a predraft visit), but Arizona picked him just head of Buffalo's pick. So does the Alonzo pick suddenly become a "Whaley pick" or was the Alonzo pick born out of necessity since Arizona grabbed the guy we liked at the last minute? Reading a changing of the guard into 3 picks is really oversimplifying the situation, in my opinion.

On who's board? Yours? LOL

Why would Russ shake Marrone's hand when Buddy walks in the room?