granitestatebillsbackers

Oh, it is definitely therapeutic--and funny, too! I think it was watching Soprano's post go over the 80,000 view and 3,000 reply mark that pushed me over the edge. I am really excited that they have a HC--and I can't wait to hear the boyz on NFL Radio breakin' it down tomorrow!

The point is, there is more to a coach than W-L. Everybody needs to calm the hell down!

I am so sick of this black-and-white, on-and-off, knee-jerk reaction BULL. Here's how most of the whiners on this board think the interview process should have gone: Marv: Did you have a winning record? Sherman: Yep. Marv: Do you want an H2 or a BMW SUV? Marv: Did you have a winning record? Jauron: Um...not really. Marv: Do you realize you have a piece of spinach in your teeth? Jauron: Um...spi-nach? Marv: Goddarn Yalie. Get out of my sight. There are many NFL head coaches who did poorly for one franchise and went on to great things with another. Ever hear of something called PERSONNEL? Do you really think that Jauron had a prayer of having a winning season in Chicago or Detroit with the players there? Did Kraft looked at Belichick's W-L record before he hired him? It was 36-44. Belichick was considered a failure as a HC by most. Give Jauron a chance, will ya? GO BILLS!!

John Riggins mentioned Green as the logical choice--but I came in on the end of the conversation and missed the premise. Why Arizona--am I missing something obvious?

Daunte Culpepper, even with a torn-up knee that's in the midst of rehab, is reportedly asking his agent to seek a renegotiated deal--and the rumor is that the Vikes might seek a first-round pick for DC. (I don't think they'll get a 1st rounder for DC unless there are contingencies attached based on performance, health, etc.) Hypothetical question (and I am pro-JPL, by the way): is there a place in the mix for a QB like Culpepper with the Bills? I'm assuming he is going to lose a step after the surgery, but he is a seasoned vet with a great set of skills. I am not abandoning the JP concept, but if we have a chance to get someone who might approach the level of a franchise QB, does it bear consideration? Perhaps hang on to Holcomb as the backup and trade the kid? This would mean beefing up the lines primarily through free agency and Marv working his magic picking guys deeper into day one and on day two. Finally, given that JP was brought in by TD (and considering Ralph Wilson made a point to say he wanted to see film--which makes me wonder if TD did the hard sell to bring the kid in), I wonder how committed Marv is going to be to the JP experiment? I know I am going to get killed on this one. Fire away.

I had been living out here in New Hampshire a few years at that point, but I remember calling my parents, cousins, friends and anyone else I could think of in Buffalo. I was getting congratulatory calls from grad school friends--like I had anything to do with the Bills going to the Super Bowl! The best part was how the city just came to life--people were proud to say they were from Buffalo. I hope we can regain that feeling again sometime soon.

Good god. Ed Kilgore is still *alive?* He was on in Buffalo when I was a kid back in the mid-Seventies. He'd fit right in on the Bills staff--probably about the same age as ML and RCW.

I'm going with Ralp...I mean, Soprano 3695

Good observation--and I would add that TD's firing saved it as well. There is a story on TBD analyzing personnel. It indicates that Losman pretty much gave up. I take that not as an indictment of his commitment to play in the NFL, but a very human reaction to what he must have sensed was the GM, coach and veterans cutting and running on his season. I don't care how much you have your s*it together, if you are heralded as the starter, then four games in you see the organization panicking, you probably are pissed off, too. Interesting side note: remember all the bigmouths who were blabbering "HOLCOMB GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN, BLAH BLAH BLAH ETC ETC.?" Haven't heard from them lately, have you? After KH's spectacular performance in NY to top off a stellar season, I don't hear a lot of calls for him to be the starter in 2006. Forget the stats--sure, Holcomb did outperform Losman over the eight games he played. He damned well better, considering he is a career backup and Losman has played a grand total of eight games. GO BILLS!!!

Finally, a voice of reason. Desparate doesn't begin to describe it. We are complaining about coaching, staff, players, uniforms ( ) and the mustard they have in the stadium for the hot dogs. I'm with you. Let's get a new head coach and start rebuilding this team. Our job as fans is to get out and support them. GO BILLS!!

Um, did you catch the Bills in the late Sixties and mid-Eighties? Things have been a LOT worse.

Mangini was asked about his role on the defense last year. This is a direct quote from his press conference: "I called every single play last season." So, while I agree with you that this guy has one year of experience, he must have had SOMETHING that Bill and his crew liked.

Man, I am *amazed* at all the dandy-boys whining about the color scheme on the uniforms. What, are they offending your aesthetic sensibilities? I happen to LOVE the new uniforms--especially the away jerseys--and hope that Marv Levy not only keeps them, but sends one to every season ticket holder. Ok. Now can we get the hell back to worrying about the PRODUCT ON THE FIELD, not how they are dressed? I love the throwbacks--and I loved the uniform during the early 90s. I drink coffee from a mug with all the uniforms on it, and I am reminded that every single day. But if the Bills start winning games again convincingly, I am not even going to see or care about the color scheme.

All good points, and I sincerely hope that Mangini falls on his face. The Jets are a mess at QB, so that might slow the progression a bit.

I just listened to Eric Mangini's press conference on Sirius NFL Radio. Guy has a good coaching pedigree; has worked for Parcells, Marchibroda, and Belichick. It's a nightmare scenario for Wilson and Levy. The next HC they hire better be damned good because he and his staff are going to be coaching against Mangini, Saban and Belichick--all of whom are going to be looking to kick the crap out of each others' franchises and our Bills. The consensus among NFL analysts who aren't overt homers (read: anyone with ties to the Patriots) is that the Bills are going to be in the East basement next season. Few here would disagree. The really scary part is that those three coaches and their staffs are either going to get better (in Mangini's and Saban's cases) or maintain their system (Bill) over the next few seasons. If we dub the next draft or two, we are going to lay solid claim to the ignominous position held (until recently) by the Bengals. Even the Texans will emerge from the darkness in the next couple seasons, esp. with Kubiak at the helm. I am putting ALL my faith in the fact that Marv Levy, while removed from active duty in the NFL for a number of years, is a brilliant guy and smart enough to surround himself with smart people. If he doesn't, and we settle for a HC who is less than ideal for the personnel we can legitimately rely on being here for the next few seasons, we're in for a rough ride. This transcends the endless debates on TBD about who would be the best choice for the next HC. It's going to be the HC, the staff, the system, and the personnel. And a little luck. With opponents like the three guys mentioned above, we are going to have to perform at an early-90s level very, very quickly. Thoughts?

Richard Seymour and David Givens. Both are due to negotiate deals and say they want to stay in NE, but business is business. Seymour will continue to be a solid DE, and Givens would be great lining up opposite Evans. Comments?

When Vinafairy's kick sailed wide right, it was the highlight of the 2005 season. You have to live out here to FULLY appreciate what *ssholes most Patsie fans are. The thought of all those fat, stupid, drunk Pats fans sitting in bahs all over Boston crying about the referees, playcalling, etc. etc. etc. is just great. Maybe this will also shut up all their damned media stoolies who were falling over themselves anointing the Patsies world champs again this year, nominating Teddie for sainthood, etc. Ok, I think I got all the venom out. Whew.

It's weird that he's not mentioned more in speculation for anyone. He made it clear on his Sirius show "The Opening Drive" that he wants to get back to being a head coach. He has an excellent W-L record as a head coach, and is generally regarded one of the better HCs in the NFL. This would be the time to grab him.

One as a player, one as an OC with Dallas.

Today on NFL Radio the hosts were discussing the rumors about Levy coaching--one of them mentioned that Reeves' name hasn't come up in many of the conversations. He would be expensive, but he has proven he can win the big game. Hell, he's on a whole different level than the likes of Jauron and Haslett. Hey, a fan can dream, right?

It would be a miracle if we got Dan Reeves.

Ok, let's not turn this into a debate on the NFL and gambling. Is Kelly at the head of an ownership group a viable idea?

Call some NFL friends/business associates/political buddies, then open the collective wallet and get an ownership group on deck and ready to buy the Bills. Even if JK is just a HOF figurehead the group uses to attract investors, when the day arrives that Mr. Wilson ends up on the wrong side of the grass something has to be teed up to keep the franchise in Buffalo. Don't hold your breath waiting for the NFL to preserve tradition. Once that franchise is gone, it will never be back. It's going to be a lonnnnnnnng ride to games on the West Coast if this doesn't happen. Hey, maybe the Barnes Firm can be a partner. They already buy 95% of the radio advertising during broadcasts anyway.

That is a damned good start. Thanks for taking the time to explain that. I may have to read it a couple dozen times for it to sink in--especially the restructuring. I feel smarter already.