Fan in Chicago

I seriously doubt the local press can influence the business part of the Buffalo Bills. They may try to create a fuss and furor but the merchandise and ticket sales are dependent upon so much more. I think the (Local) media thinks they have some sort of power but IMHO doesnt have much of it. Perhaps why Pegulas dont care much for them - they are business men and if they thought it was different, I guarantee they would go out of their way to appease them, I will also point to the utter lack of true reporting and scoops generated by these same guys. Save maybe a couple, like JW, they havent done much to earn a good reputation. So they dont have cred, they dont have much business influence, why would the Pegulas care about them ?

I think the media people are all incredibly upset that Whaley gave them NOTHING, nada, zilch which smells like a controversy. He answered to the extent that he can, maintained composure despite constant repeated questions and did not get baited into letting any inside knowledge slip. The media is just not used to being so skillfully stonewalled. I think this was a highly competent and professional performance by Whaley similar to a public company's CEO's year-end financial report to Wall Street. Statement of as much fact as is required and nothing else. As there was nothing he said which could be spun into a controversy, these guys are now creating their own by professing outrage.

Utterly priceless !!

Thats fair. And yes, he did say something to that effect. I still think there was too much focus on trying to get a violent response from Whaley and they were disappointed that he gave them nothing.

Whaley clarified it. See papazoid's response below I am not at all sure it is Lynn's job to lose. And your last point is absolutely fair. Lets give the Pegulas the benefit of doubt and a second opportunity to get it right.

Whaley is in charge of the search but he did say the ultimate decision will be with the Pegulas (note: not Brandon). So, lets say Whaley comes with top-2 recommendations both of which are very close. pegulas will have the decision on who to go with. Past decision structure is umimportant - comment on the go-forward plan. Do you like it or not ? Also, Whaley said the authority structure will be decided at the interview process. Sounds very selfless of Whaley. No other way to interpret this.

excellent post.

Reading through some of the posts here, it is evident that I am going to be in a minority here. But saw the entire 38 minute conference and think that given the current state of the Bills, this PC could not have gone any better. A few points: - He said the Bills are aware of the leaks and will be investigating and shutting it down. Lets not kid ourselves – every organization and entity has a lot of junk being discussed at board and management meetings. The regular employees and shareholders do not and are not privy to those discussions. If there were leaks from such meetings, an outside observer may very well think that company is in disarray and there is discord among board members. That is the reason these meetings are behind closed doors. Ergo, much of the current perception about the Bills stems from random leaks that have happened. The press thiks it is a huge deal but IMHO it really isnt. Especially now that the accountabilities have been clearly laid out. - Consider that they have just started the coaching hire. Whaley said the structure of the team going forward is unimportant to him and he just cares about winning. What he was implying is that if there is a high profile coach who wants more control of personnel and decisions, Whaley will relinquish some of his personnel power to land that guy. He cannot say anything more about the coaching search as he should not. There was a direct question about Bruce Arians saying that one of his coordinators (I missed the name) has been contacted by the Bills and Whaley confirmed it. - Pegulas decided to fire Rex. They did not consult with Whaley. What more is there to be said about this ? It was nauseating that the press kept askign the same question again and again in an effort to bait him. He was professional, calm, did not take the bait and repeated his same answer. There was no other one to be given - I was shocked about how few questions there were about the coaching search. I would not expect the name candidate names but I would have expected the press to ask what the key criteria are likely to be, is there preference for previous HCs etc. Precious few questions about the go-forward plan. The entire line was questioning was to further this going narrative that the Bills are in disarray. Whaley calmly blunted all of that. The press, people on twitter and many of the posters are getting worked up because they didn’t get anything juicy to talk about. To me, this really is laughable how so many people are getting upset about not getting their toys.

There is absolutely no evidence that this happened. None.

I now understand. If you are suggesting cutting both of them instead of re-structuring, I wouldnt be too averse to that thought. Not that I dont like McCoy (and I do not like Clay) but if it can help plug the huge holes this team has, then its a sacrifice that has to be made. He is by far my favorite Bill of the past decade. However, the discussion I heard was that he was considering retirement but may only return depending on the new coach and philosophy.

Interesting. I always hoped he would become available and remember you setting me straight a couple of years back, rightfully, that he wont be available. Perhaps the time has come. The Bills' strong run game would be a perfect complement to any future decline in his passing skills. Depending on what it will take to get him, I would advocate going all in on the QB situation - grab Brees, draft a QB and continue to groom Jones. Perfect bridge to whoever is then ready to take over the job in a couple of years.

I dont understand what you mean, honestly.

I expect a lot of Bills contracts to get re-structured in this offseason. I am surely not a cap expert but depending on who we can land in FA, I see players like Clay, McCoy being approached for re-neg. Also, sadly, Kyle Williams may not be back if I were to believe the discussion during today's game.

Yep Absolutely. Great guy, bad QB.

Proof that great players play great despite the team's struggles.

A date with Kim Pegula.

You advocate for data and analysis when evaluating the Offense and yet have made up your mind regarding how this team is run by way of a couple of 'news' reports ? I highly encourage you to trust that the Pegulas may be learning the ways of the NFL. That the past may NOT be a pointer for the future. Maybe I am wearing unusually rose-colored glasses but when posters like Bill in NYC and you are so negative about the future prospects, I do feel the reason to pause and think. I am back into optimistic mode which I had lost a few years back. I am hoping you are wrong.

I am sure there is no such disillusionment regarding EJ's potential. He is merely a one game caretaker and go-forward decisions regarding EJ will be entirely unaffected bu his performance tomorrow. He just gets a chance to showcase himself as well to be at least the #2 guy elsewhere.

I really really think that Whaley intends to build the team in the Steelers mold. If you also believe that, then the next coach is likely to be no older than the 40s, an up and comer with great coordination skills. Someone who Whaley can work with to ensure long term success. Also look for the team to again draft a QB in the BenR mold (EJ was similar in the measureables but little else).

Bill - what exactly are you upset about ? That Ryan was fired ? This team was clearly headed in the wrong direction and not making progress on the Defense. His style of coaching and his stubborn nature is not going to change and would not lead this team to the playoffs. The timing could be debatable but the reasons for this departure are etirely clear. I do understand that you dislike Whaley but news is filtering out that he was not on board with the Ryan hire and yet he brought in personnel who Ryan wanted. IMHO, we have not seen an uninfluenced Whaley team but are about to. Looks like he will make the major football decisions which is exactly what he should have been doing all along. Brandon is out of the main decision tree for a new coach. These are all positive outcomes which most of us fans have been clamoring for. I have seen your posts in several threads but still cannot understand where you are coming from. Why so unhappy, man ?

Understood. However, at this juncture of the franchise, the bills can ill afford to give an ex-HC a chance at redemption. He could be the HC equivalent of Incognito but if the leopard doesnt change its stripes, the team and several associated with it could be on the street in 2 years. i say that and yet the hypocrite in me is somehow intrigued by Todd Haley. Go figure

Not necessarily. Coordinators float to the top as HC candidates cos of their reputation for organization, planning, flexibility, scheming and level-headedness gets around. My major concern is due to his proven disaster at Denver. if he was another upcoming HC candidate, as Lynn is, I would be more in line with your thoughts. Hope this makes sense.

Thank you. I did remember that he had issues at Denver but didnt have a full count of them. This is very concerning if he wants to be considered a HC candidate. I dont think there is enough evidence to suggest he can be a very good HC. His track record is of a good OC undoubtedly helped by the BB system and Brady. Doesnt automatically translate into HC credentials. All of which proves he is a good OC. Not enough to suggest he can do well with the other tasks and skills of being a HC. Especially for a franchise hungry for immediate success.

Russ has done well on the business side with marketing. That is something which is undeniable. But he has no business saying a word in coaching or personnel decision. Actually wait - he should say one word as in 'aye' when Whaley makes his recommendations. He has done well with the O but I am sure you realize that being a HC takes way more than that. I am sure he will be thoroughly evaluated on the non-OC parameters. Also, if he indeed gets the HC job permanently, I would like him to delegate the OC duties to a dedicated hire as I am a big fan of the HC doing the head coaching and not having multiple duties. There is enough to worry about in the HC position to also worry about any one area's coordination.

Thank you for your contribution. Next time be more respectful and try to present analysis/facts.