ChasBB

Ha, you'll get no sympathy from me if your view is slightly blocked. My choice is usually beginning of end zone line or end of end zone line, row 107 or row 110. Seriously, use this link: http://www.channel1media.com/bills/seatviews/ Give you an actual view from your seat!!!

uh, yeah, but it takes the street-smart GM to FIND the coaching and talent.

You nailed it!! Buddy is clearly street-smart and that's what wins championships in this league.

I have to say that I wished they kept Kugler around. I honestly think he did a fantastic job keeping that OL competitive throughout unbelievable turmoil (injuries, OC change, HC change). In fact, if anything, they actually improved toward the end of the season with a total rag-tag group of guys. Really, I thought Kugler was one of the bright spots on the team. Hate to see him go.

See my avatar for new helmet to go with new uniform.

When I saw the headline saying 2 coaches were retained, I thought FOR SURE that Chuck Lester was going to be one of them. Big surprise when I saw he was not.

While I do not entirely disagree with this guy, I will say that he doesn't have a clue as to how or when disaster can strike. Should the first mile of coastline be evacuated across the entire globe because a tsunami could hit? There's not a bit of coastline anywhere that is not subject to a possible tsunami. Some coastal areas are certainly more prone to them than others, but quakes can strike anywhere under the ocean floor. Does he have a clue about what he is saying here in this regard? I believe in a hand-up and not a hand-out and I think this whole Haitian relief effort is a massive hand-out. On the other hand, do any of us know how desperate we would quickly become without drinkable water, food, and shelter? It could happen to any of us at any time. Disasters come in many forms -- earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanos, tornados, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, nuclear plant meltdowns, asteroids, massive solar flares, fires, avalanches, rock slides, heat waves, etc. If there is some magical place on Earth where nothing bad can ever happen, I'd sure like to know where that is. I don't give to charities, either, because I simply don't believe the money ever goes to where they say it goes. I think 80-90% of it gets pocketed by those running the charity and the remainder goes to a few situations that can result in some nice photo-ops to be used to raise future funds. Call me cynical, but that pretty much defines most charities IMO. And I do agree that people need to at least make an effort to put themselves in a better position to cope with things like this, but sometimes the scope of disaster is just too great to comprehend or prepare for.

Yes, funny you say that because that thought came to me immediately when I saw him hobbling around.

Agree. I was also hoping Kelsay would take an exit before last season, but he had an OK year. Not great by any means and not worthy of his fat contract, but until there is someone better on the roster, then they have no choice but to keep him around.

Oh, so true! I remember him screaming at the press to get out of town if they had a problem with Jim Kelly -- that was great. Well, OK, maybe it was a little over-the-top, but success is success and so long as Polian was doing his job and Kelly was doing his job, then they can say whatever they want IMO.

Big deal! So one guy thinks Nix is a joke. Who cares?! Just remember Nix's drafting record in SD. If he brings that to the table with equal success, he can remain the GM forever for all I care -- and I really don't care how candid he is in press conferences -- it's a refreshing change from the norm. Polian was also one to give candid interviews and press conferences -- need that around here.

Good point about Jauron having a lot of say in personnel decisions. I'm just glad he's gone now.

You've got to admire a journalist who can admit he was wrong. It's not a common thing among his kind it seems.

IF the people responsible for bringing in talent had done a better job, it's possible Jauron could have had many consecutive 9-7 seasons instead and still mostly missed the playoffs. Jauron did lack talent on his teams, so it's not 100% on him, but his problem is that he plays "not to lose" instead of "to win". That's one thing I like about Gailey -- him saying he "expects to win". I think Jauron falls into the "I hope to win" category. Only time will tell if all these changes work out, but I'm much more confident now with Nix in control and in a decision-making capacity that the Bills will do a MUCH better job of improving their player talent and that can only help ANY coach in place.

Hey, I played defense in high school. I think I'll give Gailey a ring. Seriously, I just have to trust that they know something we don't. I like Nix. I like Gailey (or at least the hire has grown on me), so I'm going to choose to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and trust that he knows what he's doing. Only time will determine if this all works out and nothing else. I do hope a much more experienced DC is brought in, though.

Couldn't agree more. Defense really does win championships (most of the time) and it starts with a big, strong defensive line -- guys who can stuff the run or force it outside, a DE who can pressure the QB, big guys who can bat balls down. Of course, a good offensive coordinator, if he's doing a good job, will still find the weakest link in the defense and exploit it, but his job becomes more challenging if there are few or no weaknesses up front.

Agree. He's said some pretty stupid things (e.g. "I'm not a Buffalo Bills fan" and -- paraphrasing -- "do'h, I didn't realize TO had a record going"). Behind a fantastic OL and a new situation, he MIGHT improve, but I think he is pretty much done here. I think Fitz will be kept around -- for a while anyhow. (EDIT -- all of which could be easily forgiven if Edwards performed well, but he has not).

If you read the fan comments at bottom of this link: http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/r...-not-to-return/ ... it sounds like they could not wait to get rid of this guy Dan Pee. Of course, a few fans opinions is probably irrelevant anyhow, but better check this guy out thoroughly before bringing him to Buffalo.

I'm not really going any particular way with this. I just found it ironic that the very individual who gave us these gems of information makes reference to a scenario where someone lets information slip -- against the wishes of the front office in his scenario. It just struck me as ironic is all. I will just say this -- in the two early releases of information -- Nix and Gailey -- I don't see real harm to the Bills in that and perhaps there is indeed some reason the Bills would have leaked that information -- no problem. But what if some information gets out early that does harm to the Bills? I guess what I'm getting at is I hope nevergiveup has the Bills' interest at heart because he/she appears to be in a position of knowing.

Do you know that nevergiveup works for the Bills? You know something the rest of us don't? You can't just assume he/she does because of this accurate information -- lots of ways for information to slip.

Hmmm, and just WHO, NeverGiveUp, might be one to leak information prematurely?!! Seems YOU had some recent "inside info" on the Nix hire and on the Gailey hire. Wouldn't you call THAT a premature release of information? I only hope you don't have a fiduciary relationship with the team. Of course, I'm not sure which is worse -- someone on the inside leaking information prematurely or someone on the outside finding out so easily.

If this is true (how can we know?), then hopefully Modrak stays and his input is given consideration in the future.

I agree that Nix and Gailey will address LB as about top importance. Especially if Bills are going to a 3-4. I wouldn't be surprised to see 3 or 4 LB draft picks plus maybe a free agent or two. It's definitely the weak link in this defense (though we still need another good DE -- especially if Schoebel retires).

As a kid, Sully was probably one to throw a tantrum if he didn't get his way. It's so easy to take jabs from behind a desk as a newspaper writer, but what the hell does Sully know about football?! Nothing! I totally trust in Buddy Nix's knowledge of the game and of personnel -- both players and coaches. The Bills probably interviewed many more coaching candidates than were made public, so that is a credit to how Nix went about matters. He did exactly what he said he would do. Will Sully apologize when he is proven wrong? Somehow, I can't see that. He can be petty and will probably continue to take jabs in both good times and bad. I hope I'm wrong and that Sully would change his tune if Nix/Gainly right the ship, but that remains to be seen.

Hope springs eternal. It keeps us fans coming back year-after-year-after-year. That said, I LIKE this hire. I like Buddy Nix and I like Chan Gailey. I think these two will make the Bills relevant again. One stat I really liked was Gailey going 8-0 in his division one year. Obviously, he knows how to prepare for the games that really matter (and they ALL matter, but those divisional games have even more impact on playoff chances, so that is nice to see).