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Nice analogy...

Which was the plan with Polian, IMO. Marrone threw a turd in the punch bowl, unfortunately, and Bill (who's likely dying for that HOF enshrinement) turned around and ran away as fast as possible from the negative fallout, let he get splattered with the same blowback...

My God, an intellegent question from a 'GR staffer...I'd better buy a lottery ticket today, the planets are lining up. My take is the Kazoo is way outside the loop on this one and just regurtitating Interweb chatter (Mort'is probably the guy to talk to here...I can't believe I typed that, but a blind squirrel, yada yada...)

Agreed. IMO, he wanted to marginalize Whaley and that wasn't working, apparently.

Still makes no sense. The folks that didn't like Polian are cannon fodder types now that Ralph's gone. They would have been shown the door within weeks of his return...

He has no one to blame but himself, if that's the case. IMO, he played way too heavy this year, likely due to the preseason health problem. If he wants to stay outside he better have a heck of an offseason training regimen...

"I'm tired of people saying that I'm power hungry, that I'm a blowhard, that I'm saying all the wrong things. I never said I wanted to be the general manager. I said I wanted input. What coach wouldn't want some input in the direction of the organization? Sincerly, Doug Marrone

He's a beaut alright. http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/pegulas-get-involved-as-bills-begin-coaching-search-20150102 "A source close to the situation told The News that executives from previous owner Ralph Wilson’s regime – eager to maintain their power – badmouthed Polian in Marrone’s presence during the season. After Marrone exercised his exit clause Wednesday, he told Polian what he’d heard. Polian relayed that information while informing Terry Pegula on Thursday of his decision to remain an ESPN analyst, the source said" So the OBD lifers didn't like Bill...big whoop. What do the peripheral administrative guys with no more protection from Ralph have to do with anything? Snap your fingers and they're gone. Poof! It's a brand new day. Moreover, that's exactly what Polian's consultant role was designed to address. Look at the organization, pare the deadwood. And good old Battling Bill said...."Ohhhh! My feelings are hurt! I can't work there!" My opinion of TG declines daily...

Gotta agree. Having a clear chain of command is essential in any business. There has to be a single head of football operations and as much as I appreciate Terry and Kim's commitment, they should not be in that org chart, given their complete lack of experience in the NFL. That has to be Whaley's role, and if they don't think he's up to it, someone more experienced over him (i.e., the envisioned Polian role).

Hi Ralph...

Well, good luck with Geno then...

Agreed.

Not a fan of that reporting structure, but so be it. I suspect a major part of the HC selection criteria will be "can you work with a consensus-driven management structure?" No more Nepoleon's like Marrone...

That's what leading the search imply, IMO. The Pegulas appear to let actions speak louder than words, which is always the best way to proceed as owners...

Interesting that not a single press report from NYC has been favorable to Marrone. I wonder if Jimmy Sexton overplayed his hand...

Seeing a guy practice and talking to him, his coaches etc. is even more valuable...

That's the risk you run when you haven't worked with someone before, and why so much of the NFL is a closed-loop fraternity of "I know him" retreads. Then again, Marrone's six years at the 'Cuse may have given him a Nepoleon (Ne-Polian!) complex...

You're on a roll...

Interesting take from Syracuse (we seem to be saying that a lot these days)... http://www.davecoombsmedia.com/?p=397

Agreed. Which is why it makes no sense for TG to include it in today's story....that factor was no longer in play with the ownership change.

Yeah, the timing wasn't good given the bowl game schedules. I wonder if he truly backed himself into a corner and was left hanging when his powerplay got shot down by Pegs. When Whaley got back in the office after the Sugar Bowl, It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall.

In Marrone's eyes, I suppose you're right. He ran his own show at Syracuse and wanted to do it in Buffalo. Unfortunately, the NFL doesn't work that way. If he thought he could pull rank on a young, inexperienced GM, who he didn't respect, that still wouldn't play well with a more experienced businessman like Pegula.

Whaley's most likely at the Sugar Bowl, where the Bills are one of five teams with access to the players. He's probably been there all week to observe practices, which makes Marrone's coup attempt even more snarky...