Rockinon

Very true. Look at what our own defense does to running QBs like the ones on the Jets. Defenses push the edges so the QB is hemmed in to the pocket and can't escape. Generally, this gives the QB more time, but if they can't read the defense and find an open receiver they are screwed. And if they hold onto the ball too long they are doubly screwed. The NFL is catching on to all of the read option stuff that was hot for a while as well. You cannot expect it to last forever. The best QBs in the league are pocket passers because they are good at finding an open receiver quickly and getting the ball out to them. If they can pass on the run or take off on designed runs, well that is just a bonus. It however, is not something you can expect to succeed all the time

The power run game is about the blocking.

Roman is really growing on me. The more I read about the guy, the more I like him. Many knowledgeable football people think he should be a HC by now. The guy is not only innovative, he actually takes that innovation and employs it on the field. The guy is not afraid of trying something that has never been done before and I have always felt that Marrone's problem was that he only wanted to do what has all ready proven to work. Ryan is just a figurehead as far as I am concerned but I have seen some things the Jets have done under him that have really surprised me. He should make a good leader. I think the real change for this team though is going to come from an innovative OC and a couple more pieces on offense. We have seen some real progress all ready. We have a top notch defense and special teams. The offense has not been all bad. We know we have some talented receivers, some good RBs and a couple of good OLmen. The TEs have not been all bad. A couple of pieces and a little innovation will go a long way. This team is closer than many think. The QB position is the biggest question mark by a country mile. However, we may be surprised the difference a good OC can make. We may also be surprised by who we end up keeping. Schwartz I think stays. Hackett is likely gone but then again don't be surprised if he is asked to stay on. Maybe the FO decides to keep him, Roman becomes assistant HC. You never know how this will play out. Maybe Hackett is demoted to an offensive assistant. It's going to be a wild ride either way. One thing I am pretty sure of, though. We are going all in. The Pegulas are looking for a championship.

Me too. I really think the Bills can be effective passing too if the running game improved.

I would like to know how the media found out about his contract opt out clause. Remember when Marrone said that he never discusses his contract? So how did the media know about that? Did Marrone lie about it? Hmm.....

Maybe it was one of Marrone's kids.

Good point that Whaley is young in his position. I think the Pegulas know that too. That is probably why all of these interviews are being conducted. The Pegulas, Whaley and Brandon are all going to gain some valuable experience from all of this. They are scouring the entire league and actually speaking to some of the top football minds in the world. How can they not learn from all of this. Each of them in their own way? Maybe it's not really about who is front and center and more about rolling up their sleeves and trying to get the job done, together. Gaining experience in the hiring process and learning about the NFL and picking the brains of all of these candidates is a great bonus.

I honestly think TP is doing everything in his power to ensure that Buffalo gets the best HC available, including listening to as many people with experience as possible. It is his franchise, so I am not really going to split hairs over who should have final say. He owns the team and it really is as simple as that, however from previous interviews with the Pegulas, it does seem that they know they are not experts in all matters pertaining to football. They really have no choice but to lean on the advise of those who know football. And I am not upset that the HC will report directly to TP. That to me is TP taking ownership of his decision. That is what good leaders do. He is saying that he is responsible and I like that about him. Whether I am going to feel the same way next year remains to be seen. I guess that depends on if he made the right decision.

I have a hunch that Tim is simply assuming that because TP is the owner, that his word is final. Which it is. TP I am sure is smart enough to use what ever resources at his disposal, including using the experience of those he surrounds himself with to make a decision. What we do know is that the HC will report directly to TP. That doesn't necessarily mean he and he alone will make the HC choice, just that his word will be final as it should be. I mean he is the owner.

I think a lot of people are overstating the possibility of Schwartz leaving. With what the Bills have done defensively over the last two season, I think any coach would want to retain his services as an DC. Also, I think Pettine is feeling some pain right now in Cleveland. Schwartz may very well be satisfied as an DC for the time being. If he is able to stick with Buffalo another year and take them deep into the playoffs next year, he will then be a hot topic as a HC again. Whoever is brought in for the HC job is likely going to love what the Bills have done on defense over the last 2 years. Don't forget also that Schartz has gained interest as a DC elsewhere, but as far as a HC the interest just is not there. I think he would be smart to simply ride it out here in Buffalo and wait. He'll get another chance as HC candidate when the Bills take the next step forward. The Bills may seem to be in disarray right now, but we all know the talent is there for this team. All it needs is a couple of pieces and they will then send a message to the rest of the league with a knockout punch to the NE Patriots. And any other playoff team that gets in their way for that matter. We don't need a complete overhaul here. Just a little competence on the offensive side of the ball.

Yes, but the very next game, the Bills switched to a 3-4 with Kyle Williams as the nose tackle and they did very well. That would have been one hell of an in game decision to change the defensive front like that. He recovered but expecting him to do so in game like that is kind of ask a lot. I'm not so sure. Rex really likes the players on this team. Loves Sammy.

Yep....Shannahan's zone blocking schemes require smaller, quicker OLmen. Don't believe me? Read this: http://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/25/5928877/alex-gibbs-seahawks-broncos-texans-nfl-zone-blocking

That kind of makes Hackett look pretty good considering he had EJ and Kyle Orton behind a horrible OL.

Oh god, don't get me started on the OL. Marrone's stubbornness is why the OL couldn't get anything going all year. I am not even certain that we don't actually have some good talent on that line.

Amen to that

Sounds to me like he backed into something and got F****d.

C'mon, you saw EJ buckle under the pressure. He was clearly uncomfortable and that was what ended the hurry up. He was wasting TO's, couldn't make a decisive change at the line. The hurry up was too much too soon for EJ. I do think the hurry up was all Hackett though. A young QB should not be going hurry up until he has a better grasp of the offense. Gotta bring him along more slowly. I also don't think the hurry up needs to be all the time. NE likes to change it up. The often catch us off guard by playing at one pace then all of a sudden it's hurry up and our defense isn't even lined up yet. Then again, maybe you are on to something. Maybe that was Hackett's way to get more control of the offense before Marrone took it away from him.

I think if Marrone doesn't find a HC job this year and Buffalo doesn't retain Hackett, he's likely going to have a hard time finding a job. Marrone could be responsible for dragging him down with him. But yes, his name may get him another chance....somewhere. Just kinda irks me because I think he has been doing a decent job and will likely only get better.

The remarks about being more of a man are completely out of line. Hackett can design a play or even call a play as OC. The HC can simply override the decision and there is not a damn thing anyone can do about it because that is what the HC's job is. His say is final. There was much more to the quote, though. I saw more here: http://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2015/01/fred_jackson_says_doug_marrone_text_felt_like_getting_punched_in_the_stomach.html About half way down the page.

Sorry, meant to highlight the part you mentioned about not having anything to do with coaching ability. Fred seemed to imply that Hackett was much more aggressive with play calling than Marrone, which leads me to believe that Marrone was overriding Hackett. Fred seems to like Hackett and I don't think he would say that if it was just about his personality. In other words, I think Fred is specifically talking about his performance as a coach and not just his personality.

Not sure I agree with this. One thing about Shannahan that no one is discussing is that because he has been around, he'll have a network of coaching staff to choose from. He can bring in a good OC, line coach etc. All of these OC and DC coaches the Bills are interviewing haven't got that kind of clout. They may not be able to draw much interest from around the league. Too early to tell.

I don't believe that at all. Hackett grew up around coaching, even made it his career. I think he is smart and likely able to make smarter decisions than even a good coach who hasn't yet had a chance to evaluate the talent on our roster. He is pretty young though. I don't think he's ready for the next level just yet, as in HCing. But he may be very good with the handcuffs off as an OC.

That's what I was thinking, too. I would hate to see an up and coming coach get shafted because his hands were tied. However, I do not think he is ready for a head coaching gig just yet. I'd rather simply promote Schartz and let Hackett do his job without restrictions from a control freak. Buffalo could do all of these coaching searches and bring in a HC and still keep Hackett. A head coach like Reich, Bevell, or Gase....even Shanahan might not be a bad thing. What I would like to see is Hackett get another shot, even if it is here. I just hope he has the good sense not to follow Marrone.

That's easy. Sammy feels like F U Marrone. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on your way out.

You seem angry, Bill.