NY Nole

If he's the best DC that Shanny could get, I'm glad we didn't get Shanahan.

My money is on Leslie Frazier as next HC of the Bills. I think Buddy Nix is going down the list in order of who he wants and Frazier is in the batter's box. He certainly fits the profile: teacher (he was specifically brought in by Tony Dungy to teach the secondary), he's from the deep south -- something I think that will endear him to Buddy Nix and runs a 4-3 meaning they won't have to totally revamp the defensive scheme (I don't think they want to put their defense back for years while they acquire the proper talent to run a 3-4 especially since the offense needs so much work). I would expect Frazier to be announced as soon as the Vikings are eliminated (hopefully soon).

Good point John -- which is why I am not going to throw myself off a bridge if Cowher doesn't sign with the Bills. I think many fans are viewing Cowher as some sort of savior who will solve all our problems. Unless the chin can also play QB -- I don't think he would make a significant difference in Buffalo. A QB, not the head coach, is the game changer.

So, I was reading JW's article about the Bills interviewing Frazier and this line stuck out to me: "Frazier is in his 22nd NFL season as coach and third with the Vikings. He has been credited with overseeing a stout unit that has ranked sixth in the league in yards allowed the past two seasons." Insert any other "hot coaching prospect's" name and I come away with the same conclusion -- players make the coach not the other way around. Can anyone point to a specific coach and tell me he is responsible for their success? - Frazier had the Williams' DT combo along with Jared Allen creating havoc -- and a ball control Peterson running attack -- I don't think he should be credited for being some kind of genius (what happened during the other 19 years) - Childress - speaking of the Vikings, Brett Favre made Childress look like a genius and they gave him a big extension -- next year post Brett they will go back to sucking and Childress won't be a genius anymore. - Belicheat - Brady & stout defenses were responsible for those championships. No Brady last year & No defense this year = back to reality We can go on and on -- but the bottom line is Cowher is no different from any of these guys -- the players are the most important thing. Until we get the right players (possibly on the right track with Buddy) the coach isn't going to make a damn bit of difference IMO.

He sounds like the most sensible voice we've had around here in a long time..and I bet he would find ways to get himself the ball too! Sounds like a win-win to me. git 'er done Russ Buddy Owens on BB.com from the article... Owens in assessing the offense believes Buffalo’s fortunes will only improve with a proven quarterback at the helm. “I think that’s one of the things that has to be addressed,” said Owens. “When you think of a quarterback you have to protect the quarterback at the same time and those things go hand in hand, but you definitely have to have a quarterback.” Buffalo’s offense finished the season ranked 30th in the league, 28th in points per game, 29th in time of possession, and last in third down conversion percentage and first downs per game. Owens doesn’t see those problems getting fixed overnight, but the next few steps the front office takes will be critical with respect to the offense’s future. “As far as the structure of the franchise it starts with the GM which they have already addressed,” said Owens. “Obviously they need to address the head coaching situation. From there you’ve got to get a quarterback and for any team to be successful you have to have some stable guys up front both offensively and defensively."

Maybin was reportedly holding out until the temperature hit 15 degrees. He wouldn't play for any less.

Please stop drafting worthless Penn State products. They all SUCK!

Isn't Buddy Nix the guy that was quoted as saying "I want my players Mobile, Agile and Hostile" I like the guy too -- not sure how this is going to work out -- but he is definitely likable.

Here's a question for TBD...what exactly does a GM do -- or -- what is the GM most responsible for? If the answer is marketing, selling tickets, etc. -- Russ seems capable in that role. If the answer is handle contracts -- Jim Overdorf seems capable in that role. If the answer is drafting/evaluating talent...Buddy Nix may in fact be the guy. I think we still have a three-headed GM. Not sure what has changed -- but maybe taking football decisions off Russ's plate makes the most sense. I'm not necessarily thrilled with the choice (as I think an accomplished outside perspective would do this organization good) -- but Buddy Nix has at least been around successful (read not dysfunctional) GM's before and learned from some good ones Polian/Butler/Smith. My reporter questions would be: -"How much say will he have in naming a new coach" -"Who will be ultimately making the draft picks"

on the bright side -- in a year, people can simply reverse his name and have a simple sign to hold up at RWS.

reminds me of the movie major league when the opposing team hit a home run and the fan in the stands says "no,no,no -- it's too high!"

My favorite part of that interview (aside from how Tim and Pat hailed this guy as a great offensive coordinator) was when Turk said this is a game about getting yards in chunks and not the dink-and-dunk stuff. I almost threw up all over when I heard this -- because that was basically his offense all last year (and presumably would have been this year)... and save the "but, it was Jauron's fault for running a pop warner offense" routine. Jauron was clueless and Turk sucked at calling plays.

he would instantly help the western NY economy -- because we would need a ton more sheds to lock all of the bums on this team inside!

Per the Cower interested in Buffalo rumor..Do you suppose Cower is really trying to turn the screws on the Panthers ownership - knowing that is where he wants to be and they have really been non-committal to John Fox? I don't think Fox would be crazy about going into next year as a lame duck and the Panthers really cannot justify firing him -- but they could make his life miserable there to the point he would resign and Cower steps in to pick up the pieces. If said scenario plays out -- I would want John Fox in Buffalo pronto!

I think Butler is a back-up plain and simple. He is best suited for either LG or RT -- and I think he is slightly better option at guard than tackle. I think the Bills are in need of 2 tackles and Butler would be a good option to have as insurance in case a real starter went down. Butler struggled mightily throughout pre-season and he hasn't shown me anything to suggest he would have made a big difference to our Offensive Line problems this year. I think our only 2 legit lineman are Wood and Levitre. Hangman needs to be a backup and Scott/Bell/Merideth are all long-term projects that likely won't pan out.

I give Brohm a 4.5/10 -- not great, not horrible: Positives: - he has a big arm - he is more accurate than Fitz - he has a quick release - he can look off a db Negatives: - his timing was off (to be expected) - he didn't trust TO could get to the ball (under-threw the first int and this was not TO's fault) - he hasn't made enough throws against NFL defenders (that 2nd pick would not have been an int at Louisville) All in all -- Brohm is the best of Buffalo's three QB's (I refuse to count Hamden). Still -- that's not saying much. I would like to see this kid next year in Buffalo. Given an adequate line in front of him -- I think he could be good.

F#@! Mike Shanahan and the Bronco he rode in on!

Obviously there are exceptions -- Wood's injury was grotesque and I'm sure there are a few other bad injuries. Injuries are part of the game and a normal season will have it's share of IR -- but this is beyond acceptable and a trend that has gone on the last few years (we had alot of IR last year too). I believe this many IR (year after year) suggests something more going on -- too many "soft" players and a culture in the Bills FO that supports it. My contention is that if the Bills had a winning season and were in contention for the playoffs -- the IR list would be magically cut in half. I hope that this roster is really scrutinized this off-season and purged of as many soft players as warranted. We do not have a team of football players, we have a bunch of pansies who would rather be anywhere but in Orchard Park in December on a football field.

If by "it" you mean an ugly sister and a losing record, then ya he has it. Just the same I don't want him or "it" in Buffalo.

I also believe the Bills would have lost the game even with better officiating -- but the refs were terrible. The play I would like to highlight is the QB in the grasp called on the Bills. Tell me if that weren't Brady -- the pass completion wouldn't have been allowed.

I respect your opinion but completely disagree with your conclusions. Thought the ticky tac call on Seau was beyond stupid. I do think there were a few plays that he missed out there (which was a heck of alot less than some others) I am willing to say he actually fared good to great for a guy playing on three days practice. The guy is definitely a mauler in the run game -- they ran behind him almost exclusively on that first series. Why they stopped running (and stopped running up the middle) is beyond my comprehension.

Here's another link I found this morning too... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Sh...?urn=nfl,209765 I thought this was interesting, ..."When Shanahan was talking to the Buffalo Bills last month about a job there, he reportedly said that he and Allen were a "package deal." So what are the ESPN talking heads thinking when they speculate Shanny wants total control and doesn't want a GM. I cannot blame RW for this one if we don't end up with a proven head coach -- the old man is trying. I say screw them all and bring in Bobby Bowden!

1. Miami does not "travel well" to bowl games, FSU does (Gator Bowl is already sold out). 2. Clemson would have been in line to play in the Gator Bowl, not Miami. 3. Bowl games have never been about matching best teams (or else there would be a playoff).

Never wanted Tebow in the first place, in fact I have consistently been in the "No Thanks" camp for 2 years now. As for your whining about the Canes -- they would not have been going there anyways -- It would have been Clemson. The Bowl games are all about money. With Bowden's last game (and FSU's track record of bowl attendance) this game was a no brainer for the Gator bowl.

Maybin has me shaking my head in disgust with each new game he plays. He takes horrible angles on the ball carrier and should have easily had a big tackle for loss in this game instead he let the guy fly right past him because of the angle he took. Color me unimpressed by 58. I believe we should use all 7 picks on Offensive Line, plus add the top 3 free agent Lineman. This team's line is horrible. I have been a big Hangartner supporter -- but it is painfully obvious that he isn't cut out for that position either. Maybe guard??? probably nothing more than a decent backup. Meredith was absolutely horrible in this game -- he is not going to be the future diamond in the rough many hoped for. I was astounded by the POZ sack -- did not think he had that type of speed in him. Bryan Scott is a decent football player -- I do not think he should be a starting LB, but I would rather keep him than get rid of him at safety. Dump Parrish now -- this guy is worthless. I'd trade him for a Big Mac at this point. It is obvious he is not a very smart player -- evidence by the fact he doesn't know if he should fair catch or not. Bad things happen or nearly happen when he returns kicks. Lynch doesn't suck -- which is to say he's in the top 1/3 of our team -- but I would just as soon trade him for a capable lineman than keep him -- Fred Jackson runs with more heart with more consistency than the 1-2 runs per game that Lynch might get you.