Fan in Chicago

In 2014, the trajectory was in the 'up' direction. You want subsequent coaches to continue to take that team in that direction. Think Gruden after Dungy in Tampa Bay. Gruden did not build that team - it was already loaded esp on the Defensive side. You would expect that an experienced coach takes such a team and takes them to, at a minimum, the playoffs. Two years in and we will be no better than in 2014. Also, what of Ryan's style and achievements lead you to believe that 2017 will be better ?

If we were talking about a coach with his first HC gig, I may have been convinced in favor of your argument. The problem with Ryan is that much of his HC book has been written. Both his teams have been failures. It comes down to not only his D which folds against good offenses, but also his approach and game planning which comes up short in key games. Also, I would like to believe that a HC influences the draft by making recommendations about which players would fit his system. With that premise, both of the last 2 drafts are showing up to be very underwhelming with their results. I really dont know if giving him 1 or 2 more years will fix his fundamental coaching flaws.

I know you passionately hated Marrone but his team's played hard. He, like Jauron, gets a bum rap for the results he produced. I realize I am probably the last semi-supporter left but Ryan for all his bluster has produced less.

How about Todd Haley for HC and Jeff Fisher for DC ? Fisher wont have another HC gig waiting for him

Was it his middle finger?

The defense? How to coach?

Nope. Cos his issues run way beyond an antiquated defense. He is way too disorganized, doesnt have attention to detail and too inflexible to cut it as a HC. IMHO, he is done as a HC in this league.

I find it surprising that his current performance is a surprise to some (not you). There were a few of us in this board who thought he was a very capable #4 and even a marginal #3 WR talent. As Brady does, he has elevated Hogan's production but it's not like the talent wasn't there. Many here refused to accept that. And those complaining against his price tag, I think it plays into the overall team building strategy. We were left with less to spend on him due to over spend on players like Clay

I can live with that despite not being totally supportive of Whaley. I hope this comes with a organization change which takes Brandon out of football decisions.

What you are alluding to is the concept of building a team versus making maketing splashes to fill seats. I do think a team needs playmakers and I also think that there are a few positions which you 'overpay' for. QB, WR, CB, DE come to mind with perhaps the occasional Mack, Von Miller. Whaley has let go players before there have been viable replacements. Dareus is a monster when his head is screwed on right. Its debatable where we should have commited premium dollars to that position. With the team building strategy that is in place (few high paid players with a bunch of castoffs), this made sense but the strategy itself was flawed. Thius thread is a focus on McCoy but what about Clay ? He has been a terrible return on investment, Then there is the drafting strategy. Again, falling in love with players like Spiller (not Whaley I know) and Watkins has been the downside of this franchise over the past several years. The one place you and I differ is the value of CBs. As you noted, this is a passing league but that also implies needing strong corners who can play on an island. I am not anti-Gilmore as you were. I think we need a strong DB backfield along with pass rushers. To top it all, we have a moronic HC who takes everything and makes it worse. This falls on Brandon and the Pegulas. My tirade is all over the place and probably a result of another lost season where the organization will learn nothing. As always, expect some blockbuster moves to generate fake excitement.

That was mean, man. Very mean.

Good post ! What is your position on Vic's article ? That is the essential premise of 'any given Sunday'. The Raiders were not at peak performance in the first half but that is exactly what the Bills should have taken advantage of. Playing lazy, meandering and aimless offense inside of 2 minutes in the first half and giving the ball back to allow them to score a FG was the beginning of the end. The Bills are short on leaders - a lament I made as far back as when FredJax was let go. I am not saying there are none but they are few and far inbetween. When have you seen Dareus, Gilmore, TT, McCoy talk to their comrades if the team is down ? Last Sunday, with the O continuously going 3 and out, TT had the psychologically concussed look on his face. He had given up and was confused. Much like Cam Newton in the Superbowl, The coaches did not realize that the tide was turning early in the second half. They could have schemed to slow the Raiders' momentum but acted clueless. If we had played disciplined and smart football, the game would have been a lot more competitive. I am not saying we would have won for sure, but at least would have given them a run for their money. By middle of the 3Q, the Raiders were just toying with the Bills. That, in essence, was the major failing of the Bills. And a reason why I am accepting a better offer this Sunday to help a friend shop for audio speakers.

Kyle Williams

As I understand it, the last 3 coaches were not selected by the GM. Think Brandon and Pegula.

Absolutely the wrong move. Putting CJ in will only give the rest of the disaster (read: coaches) a convenient excuse for their suckitude.

It is undeniable that the Raiders are a very good team and yet we were up by 15. Their quality led them to lead a TD drive immediately. However, this was the time for the coaches to realize that this game could turn on them and should have played Jauron-ball to have a sustained O drive. The creativity was suddenly gone as was TT's poise. He became incredibly skittish and inaccurate and resulted in consequent 3 and outs. When the D was struggling, it was the O's job to give them a breather and re-group. Yet, the confused D kept getting back on the field. Then came the turnovers. What on earth was TT doing spening 5 seconds finding a receiver when he was in his own EZ ? I am not absolving the D at all. But being a team game, the coaching and O did them no favors at all. There was plenty of blame to go around, But Watkins was getting open, and I think Goodwin was too. But panicking TT couldnt find or hit them to sustain drives. And to your first point, you score however you can. A quick strike to start the second half can help drive an opposing team to the ground. I am not going to fault them for scoring in less than a minute. I dont get how the second half disaster can be pinned solely on the D.

Terrible terrible second half by TT. Very reminiscent of EJ's first half at Jacksonville

Yep. Being wide open itself didn't help

Yet we dominated then for 31 minutes

Come on, man. What did the O do to help the D? Enough with the excuses for TT

I think TT shoukd be benched at least for this game

Psychological concussion

Especially when TT is completing a PhD back there

It's not about one score . It's about not having a killer instinct

We had them on the ropes and let them back in with poor coaching