JohnC

The Titans went with stability and continuity when they hired Mularkey. As Bills fans we are not in position to chortle. We hired a huckster who is the embodiment of instability. Wherever he is at there there follows a carnival sideshow. Predictably, he draws more attention for his blustering and blubbering comments than for his team's quality of play and his coaching prowess. Is Mularkey an uninspiring and mediocre hire? Probably so. But I would prefer a boring personality of a mature person over a loud and obnoxious personality of an immature and undisciplined person. Mularkey certainly isn't an innovative coach. But he would not be dumb enough to take a highly ranked defense and turn it into a confused unit for the sake of running a scheme he is more comfortable with. We hired a colorful personality who had a losing record with the team he had a long association with. He finished his stint with his former team by leaving it in shambles. The Pegulas hired him for whatever reason. The Rex Ryan we hired is the Rex Ryan we got. He worked his destructive magic in his first season with the Bills. Let's give him more time to set back a franchise that was moving forward. Hallelujah! Let's ridicule another organization for not being as absurd as the one located in western NY.

There is no need for binoculars. You just watch the gargantuan screen.

Now that the owner sold the naming rights for the stadium and more events are being booked is the cash flow comfortably handling the debt load? There were critics while the project was being worked on and the costs were increasing who were questioning whether the generated revenue could handle the mushrooming debt. Jerry thinks big and acts big. I know you have a good grasp on sport revenues and financing. Just curious??

Is there more seating room and comfort in Jerry's palace in Dallas? I'm so tired of being cramped in seats. Don't get me started about being cramped on flights!!! And I don't have the expansive girth that many people have.

That was what I was referring to. The best example of a former player being involved with a franchise and having influential authority in running the franchise is John Elway in Denver. He oversees the football operation and makes the major hires. He has done a good job. John Elway has also been a stunning success in the auto business sector. He isn't a PR performer post career---he worked hard to learn how the business worked and got actively involved. He's a hard worker, smart and tough.

Peyton is a shell of what he once was. There is little arm strength left. He still is brilliant in knowing how to dissect a defense but he can't execute the way he wants to because he now throws a floater ball. He never really had a cannon arm and instead relied on his accuracy and smarts. Peyton has been a pillar in this league. He has always conducted himself with class and dignity. Normally my inclination is that a player has a right to play as long as he can, even in a diminished role. But in this case I wish he would leave the game at the end of this year so that he will be less battered and then plagued with long-term infirmities. An interesting question with Peyton and his post-football career is what is he going to do next? Will he join a franchise and work in the front office? Or will he become involved with the media. There was some talk that the Titans would be interested in having him work within their organization. Peyton Manning is the type of person who almost everyone respects and wishes him well in whatever endeavor he gets involved in. I'm rooting for the Pats to win the SB. It isn't so much that I favor that franchise but I think it would be an appropriate response for the way the commissioner handled the inflated-deflated ball issue. (I'm confident my position is a distinct minority position.)

He took his own advice. He believed that he had a backdoor agreement on the Jets job. They got nervous over a tampering charge so they looked for a different option. In the end it worked out for the Jets. They dispatched Rex. Got a better replacement and DM ended up sabotaging himself. Poetic justice.

It is fair to say that the Bills weren't a dominant defense in 2014. What they were was a dominant pass rushing defense. That vanished in 2015. That was the one dominant attribute that the DL possessed that positively impacted the backside of the defense. That vanished and diminished the defense in general. Nihilarian smartly pointed out the defense was constructed in such a way that the major portion of the cap resources was directed toward the line. What was the cost/value return on that investment this year compared to the prior year? Few people are suggesting that the defense was a complete unit because it clearly wasn't. But there isn't anything unusual about having limitations on any particular unit (offense and defense) when a high investment is placed on a segment of the unit. Managing limitations is what coaches are supposed to do. Rex did a poor job of that. What Rex essentially did in his first year of coaching in western NY was take an asset on the DL and diminish what it does best. The corollary to that is he not only diminished an asset but he accentuated its weaknesses by inhibiting its strengths. By any measure that is not smart coaching. Rex wanted the defense to adapt to him more than he was willing to adapt to the talent on the defense (most notably the DL). That is not a smart approach to take and the results bear it out.

Wegman's has a growing presence in MD/VA area around DC. The below link describes their outstanding level of quality and good service. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/05/13/why-wegmans-really-is-the-best-supermarket-in-the-u-s/

I don't think that Pegulas feel the urgency that many others do. They will take their time and do their due diligence. Their primary focus is the product on the field. If you look at how they handled their canalside development project they didn't talk too much about before they had a well thought out plan to work with. They are not talkers---they are doers. Buying the team is a simple transaction compared to the complexity of planning for and building a stadium. I'm confident that whatever they decide to do it will be well thought out. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11677172/new-buffalo-bills-owner-terry-pegula-urges-patience-new-stadium

If anyone pinches your wife's bottom don't be insulted---it's meant as a compliment. Keep close tabs on your wallet and your wife's purse. Prestigiditation is widely practiced there. If a slick looking and talking street salesman offers you a deal on a Rolex watch decline the offer, quickly pivot and head in the opposite direction. If a pack of ragged young gypsies surround you and start clutching and grabbing yell polzi Drink the vino in copious amounts. It won't hurt you. It will make you happy.

You are always going to have skeptics who reflexively respond as if the present time is the same time as it was when the steel and smoke stack industries perished (forty years ago). The mantra is always the same: taxes are too high. That isn't close to what is happening now. You don't need outsiders to validate the revitalizing and restructuring of the local economy that is clearly happening. But the critical mass of progress is now apparent to many people outside of the region. It's ironic that outsiders (investors) sometimes are more impressed with and see the positive dynamics that are occurring than the entrenched skeptics who are living in the community. The Katie Couric and Yahoo entourage are specifically going to small and medium town communities that have struggled but are now showing signs of progress. Buffalo is on that list. That isn't something to dismiss. Steve Case, a founder of AOL, now involved with a hedge fund that invests in promising start-ups put Buffalo on his itinerary because he believes it is worth promoting and investing in. No community big or small is without its problems. But if you take an overall view and a historical view of Buffalo I don't know how anyone could be negative about what is happening there. http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/venture-capitalist-steve-case-invests-time-and-money-in-buffalo-visit-20150930

I've been a supporter of TT almost from the start. It's reasonable to debate whether he is going to be a good qb or not. What isn't debatable about him is that there are not going to be distracting side issues about him ala Manziel,, RGIII and to a lesser extent Kaepernick. He is the type of player who is receptive to coaching, including hard coaching. He wants to learn and get better. He is not a show pony---he is a work horse. TT is serious about his profession. He is a worker, has good character and leadership attributes. Some qbs have impressive physical tools but lack the innate feel for the game. EJ and Losman fall in that category. That type of qb can work as hard as anyone to prepare but when it comes to the real game time speed it becomes apparent that something is lacking. As I and others have said before, next season it should be evident whether he has the makings to be a dependable qb or an erratic type qb who can periodically tease you but lacks the consistency to be a long term franchise qb. I'm upbeat about him. I have more doubts about our defense under the tutelage of Rex whose coaching philosophy seems to be diminish the assets and accentuate the liabilities.

My views on Rex are unshakable. (You know where I stand on that issue There's no need to elaborate and get my juices in a state of agitation.) You don't have sustained success with such a mediocre and sloppy HC. Could there be periodic episodes of success with Rex? Yes. But ultimately the mediocrity is exposed. His blustering act irritates me so very much. Not good enough!

This offseason is going to be intriguing to see how the staff approaches this year's underachieving defense. Is there going to be an infusion of new players? Are the coaches going to reorient themselves to the players or are the players going to be expected to reorient themselves to what the coaches want them to do? I get the sense from the post-season comments from Rex that he is going to be even more invested in his preferred scheme than he was last year. Is this the best approach to take? I don't believe so but he is the authoritative voice on that fundamental issue. As K-9 points out the "what ifs" line of thinking cuts both ways. That futile line of reasoning also applies to the opposition. So instead of lamenting on what should or could have been it is more important to focus on the actual outcome. In my mind this year's team was a playoff (wildcard) team that was undercut by the HC's stubborn approach toward the once formidable defense. Something went terribly wrong. It was obvious that the HC and the players were not on the same page. Was it more of a player problem or a coach's problem, or a combination of both? Without a doubt how TT develops is a critical issue. But for me whether the defense rebounds or not is the most interesting issue. The success of the team and the longevity of the coach are at stake as to how things play out on the defensive side of the ball. My mantra for next season is: No more excuses!

I'm not trying to butter you up but I want to say that those who serve as moderators do a fantastic job. They keep the action flowing and they respond to issues before they get out of hand. Being a sheriff can be a thankless job. The difference between a lively discussion and an ugly degeneration of recriminations is a moderator who exercises good judgment. So for those who serve I say thank you. You are appreciated.

I'd take Hank Bullough over Rex. He certainly wasn't a good coach but at least he wasn't a bullshiiiiter!

Not only are you astute and perspicacious but you are also merciful. Out of curiosity are you going to wet the newspaper before you hit him over the head? I know that you are not an Italian. If you were you would have used a sledge hammer instead of a newspaper to make your point. As a learning tool it makes a greater impact!

I will do that. But first what does being "rebuked" mean? Are punitive points awarded against you? Dear Beerball, Would you please retract your soul-staining rebuke of Ferge for his alleged snarkyness toward me? At times I can be so provoking where I irritate people to the extent where they have an irresistible urge to kick me in the nuts and pee on me while I lay on the ground writhing in pain. So I feel somewhat responsible for creating this rebuke citation. You are a sagacious moderator who has always exhibited a calming presence in the hostile world of tribal posting . You are the embodiment of justice and wisdom. Would you please find it in your heart to retract the rebuke you administered to Ferge for his unfortunate but understandable reflexive response toward me? He is sorry for how he responded. I accept his sincere apology. Please take the points back and make him hole. Thank you. JohnC.

Your characterization of what I am saying is way off the mark. Where did I say that he should be in an offense where the ball is constantly being sprayed all over the place? Where did I or most of the other posters say that he should be a version of Newton or Luck? You are making assumptions based on nothing that has been said by me and (most others). Who is saying that he shouldn't be running an offense that is balanced? Not I! My impression of him is that he is not going to be a prolific passer. I'm fine with a more managerial style of qbing from him. But that doesn't mean that he won't be a good qb. What I want to see from TT is a visible progression for a qb who has been in the league for five years now. He isn't a raw rookie that needs to be gently handled at this point. With an offseason of hard work as the designated starter he should be in a good position to make a qualitative leap forward. Your comparisons of TT to Kaepernick and RGIII are off the mark. He is demonstrably much more advanced in managing an offense than those two befuddled qbs are. It's time for him to be treated as a capable starter. The training wheels need to be taken off. TT knows what is at stake for him as a qb and Whaley knows what is at stake for him as a GM. TT either plays up to the increased expectations or step aside for someone else. No more excuses.

I don't understand why the Sabres didn't keep Lehner down in Rochester and give him a heavy workload down there? I recognize that Murray paid a premium to get Lehner so they want to see what they have in their investment. But as K-9 stated because of concussion related problems he hasn't had the ice time to make a determination as to what his prospects are. From what I have seen of Ullmark he is a goalie worth developing. In hindsight, I would rather have kept our first round pick used on Lehner and used it on a top notch prospect in last year's draft.

Excellent post. I agree with the core of your premise that last season he started the season as mostly a developmental qb, not yet ready for a full exposure to the playbook. But I disagree with you on how he should be handled this upcoming season. In my view he should be ready for an accelerated pace of absorbing a more comprehensive playbook presented by the OC. From everything I have heard about TT from players and coaches he is football smart and is able to comprehend a wider array of plays and options. Not only did he have a season of playing experience but he will have an offseason to prepare with the team and with the OC. Last year he was competing with other qbs to be the starter. This year he will be entering the offseason as the designated starter, resulting in more actual playing time and less sharing of time while preparing for the season. If this year it becomes obvious that he isn't able to make reads and go through his progressions then it is safe to say that he doesn't have the capacity to be a long-term starter. If this year the OC only presents TT with a thin playbook then it is obvious that the qb doesn't have the potential to be our franchise qb. I'm very upbeat about TT's prospects. But I believe that it will be apparent to all (skeptics and advocates) this year whether he has the makings of being a substantial player in this league for the long term. No more excuses and no more holding back. The qb developmental process is not at the beginning stage---it is now at the point where he materially contributes to the success of the offense or steps aside for the next option at that position.

I do not reject smarmy-- I invite it. No problem with it.

Good stuff. Thanks. What's telling is that the Marrone regime quickly gave up on him and that the Rex regime played a newly acquired practice squad player from another team over him. I'm aware that Seantrel had some health issues but what troubles me most about him is his lack of focus. Too ofent he acts as if he is totally befuddled. That is not a good habit to have if you want your qb to have some longevity. Sometimes scouts get too caught up with measurables and physical attributes and lose sight of the most important issue in evaluating a player i.e. Can he play!

I don't believe he will get another HCing job in the league. He sabotaged himself. Poetic justice. I do believe that eventually he will get a job in the college ranks.