ChasBB

Just clearing the slate for the new HC does he does not feel obligated to keep any assistants. That said, I'll bet Lester gets re-hired and maybe one or two others.

The season mercifully comes to an end. Hope springs eternal -- there's always next year!

Yeah, I liked that, too. I could see how that name would fit him well.

This SD fan says Buddy Nix was the "real architect" of the SD teams: http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=74947&page=2 I gather from this link that they used to refer to Buddy Nix as "The Duke" in SD: http://www.footballforum.com/nfl-draft/814...t-thread-2.html One fan in this forum calls Buddy Nix "AJ's secret weapon" in his signature (a nice cheerleader shot, too!): http://bolttalk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15886 http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/sports/ch...99-1s30nix.html OK, all anecdotal evidence, but sure seems like Buddy was much, much more than just AJ's right-hand man. Some interesting fan perspectives on problems between AJ Smith and Marty: http://bolttalk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6364&page=3 Read the comments at end of this article: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/20...nt-office-staff

Ha -- "The Mole"

I tend to agree with you. I think he survives yet again. It seems perhaps he's more of a technician and organizer and perhaps not so much a "coach". I really don't know, but to survive so many coaching changes suggests his role is less as a coach and more as a facilitator who assists the real coaches with odd jobs, organizing, etc. I really don't know. He did however coach the linebackers for a few years, so I may be totally wrong about his level of coaching contribution.

This is Chuck Lester's 23rd year with the Buffalo Bills. He's coached under: Marv Levy Wade Phillips Gregg Williams Mike Mularkey Dick Jauron Did I miss anyone? So, does this guy somehow survive yet again?

I definitely like Buddy Nix's straight talk. That's leadership. One thing I do get annoyed about is Ralph's continued references to "luck". That's not to say that luck doesn't play a minor role here and there, but when you have 17 guys go on IR, it's not bad luck -- it's bad training. My favorite definition of luck that I've ever heard is: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. The presumption is that you have a goal and are working hard in preparation of goal and when the opportunity presents itself, you are ready -- another way of saying you make your own breaks in life.

This is nothing more than Fewell being selfish. Obviously, his chances of winning improve with a veteran player vs. a guy who has never had an NFL start. Fewell is desperately trying to win to improve his jockeying position for a coaching job somewhere. He doesn't give a damn about player development because he knows he won't be here next year. It is a selfish move on Fewell's part. He should be looking out for the best interest of the Buffalo Bills and that, right now, is developing the young guys and seeing what they can do. Winning is irrelevant at this stage.

+1 Yep, this board says anyone who wears a Buffalo Bills uniform is, by definition, a schmuck and not worthy. Sad place this board has become. No longer a place where thoughtful discussion can occur.

Definitely would be a good idea, but there will likely be other more important matchups with playoff implications, so it would be tough to justify not flexing one of those games instead. However, if they do that with the Colts-Bills, I'd be good with that. The Colts had better watch out, too, because as pathetic as the Bills can be, they are also capable of showing up to play every now & then. What I'd really like to see if the Colts vs. Saints in the Super Bowl with both teams 18-0 heading in -- that would be very cool.

Not impressive for sure. However, he sure did deliver a helluva block for his running back -- that WAS impressive.

No, Pittsburgh is blue collar. Buffalo has no jobs thanks to New York state government. Jobs around here are mostly *in* government, so Buffalo not really even a blue collar town any longer.

"Top-flight" picks PLAY their first year. So, either Maybin is not REALLY a top-flight pick or he is and his talent is being wasted. In either case, if he hasn't really contributed greatly this far into the season, the guy simply cannot be referred to as a "top-flight" pick -- only a high pick.

Byrd's arm reminds me of the Simpsons episode where Homer weight trains, but only with one arm while his other arm remains unchanged. He goes on to be an arm wrestling champion, but only with that one arm.

I think there was a keg of beer on the ground in front of #47, but that didn't look so good, so they photoshopped it out and took his leg with it.

+1 While this may indeed be Fewell's "honeymoon" period where he can do no wrong, it is completely invalid to essentially say what happened with Singletary this year will happen to Fewell next year. We simply do not know. No one knows the future. Yes, Fewell could produce similar results next year as Singletary has this year, but until that actually happens, it's ridiculous to say that it will. It's ridiculous to even presume it -- we simply do not have any idea. They are 2 completely different people, different personnel, different styles, different organizations -- the presumption that it must also happen with Fewell next year is just ridiculous. And even if it does somehow happen to Fewell next year, that in no way validates the argument. It just means that it happened to Fewell and that is all. Doesn't mean it would happen to the next guy in Fewell's shoes, either.

Yes, he whiffed on the block that forced Fitz out of the pocket, but luckily that worked out well since Fitz took it in for the TD on the scramble. Nice to see a mistake have good results.

Also, if you look carefully, the grass next to #24 is not quite right. It's clear that Byrd WAS next to McGee when the photo was taken. He had to be in that row based on his sitting position and the pixels are all messed up next to #24.

I said in the beginning of the year that if Jauron got off to a bad start that a change in HC needed to happen EARLY (week 4 or 5) in order to save the season and not to wait for the bye week (or later). But nooo, Ralphie had to go and let Jauron ruin any hope for a playoff appearance before switching HC -- always the way with this team.

+1 It is just foolish to only focus on a big name. Every great coach started out as an unknown at some point.

Good point. Kelly would also take a few sacks here and there, but could still deliver on the next play. Fitz seems to have that type of mentality to not let a sack or a pick ruin his outing. A very good quality.

Seriously, you've got to give the guy some credit for getting this group to put forth an effort like they did today with so many starters out of the lineup. It is a good problem to have. I personally have no hang up on needing a big name coach to come in. Just because Jauron, Mularkey, and Williams were mistakes does not mean only a big name coach can succeed here. It just means that the FO has swung and missed -- doesn't mean you have to stop swinging. Fewell might just be the guy. Here's a thought -- wouldn't it just SUCK if we brought in Shanahan and he didn't do so well, but Fewell went on to take ANOTHER team to the playoffs? Yes, that would suck big time. It's too early to pass judgment. Let's see how he finishes the season out, but so far I like what I see. I hope his success continues and that he becomes a legitimate contender to take over permanently.

Urban Meyer is big reason for success of this team plus a defense that returned all starters from last season's championship team. Tebow is good, but you hit it on the head -- he's just not going to step into the NFL and be an instant success. I could be wrong, but I see him as more like a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

I have to agree with you. Getting in people's faces and demanding accountability is half the battle. Yes, I know of the old argument that the HC should not HAVE to motivate professionals, but it sure as hell helps IMO. Lou Saban was a motivator. Vince Lombardi was a motivator. Most of the great coaches are also great motivators in addition to knowing their X's and O's. A coach demanding accountability and calling people out is OK by me.