Sisyphean Bills Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Everything I've heard is that Brandon wasn't *asking* to have to be involved with making football decisions and given the power structure, it's like Guy, Modrak and Overdorf were responsible for the decision. Brando takes the heat since he's at the top, but it seems that given the opportunity, he pushed to bring in a "football" guy He may not have asked (not sure how we really know), but in a front office with a cast of half retired, lazy, laid back, or absent figures, and a plan that included the evaluation "nothing but continuity", he was definitely thrust into that side of the business by the big leadership vacuum. The whole structure needs to be re-evaluated by someone with a real plan and the authority to make big changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 As I said, I have no problem with Brandon handling the biz side and GM handling the football side. However I dont feel Brandon should be named President, a title only Wilson himself and TD have held. I also said the GM should not report to Brandon in any capacity. Finally, I can't believe that Brandon is even leading the GM search. Unicorns? I see what you're trying to say, but look at it this way - Wilson is known in the league for his meddlesome ways. Having Brandon as a buffer between the GM and owner may add a layer of insulation for the new GM and make the job more attractive, especially if Ralph has total trust in Brandon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Next firing MUST be Brandon. +1 Russ Brandon is one of the many reasons the Bills are screwed up right now. What has Russ Brandon done for you the season ticket holders? What, help convince RW to lose a home game to Toronto, or bring in a player that sells tickets and boost television ratings, but does nothing to improve the team. Russ Brandon should have been bringing in experienced linemen is what he should have been doing. Russ Brandon wanted to play GM and now the GM should be fired in my opinion, but apparently its not happening. I'm still excited about canning DJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 We don't know who is going to lead this search, but I'm not confident about any of their options. IMO, I don't think Brandon has much respect league-wide and without paying big money, will narrow the search. He hasn't worked a day in pro or amateur scouting, nothing and was handed a ceremonial position. Very astute marketer, but he's not someone I trust to handle the task of finding a GM. For my money, the Bills would need to roll the dice on a football guy as Wayne Huizenga hired in Bill Parcells. Someone who isn't going to be the day to day person, but possesses the vision for the franchise and hires a GM who matches his plan. Then, the GM finds the pro and amateur scouting directors. That football man needs to be entrusted with the entire direction of the football team without meddling from anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I disagree, having Brandon as President would not be a bad idea. He would develop the overall plan for the franchise ILO RW and allow the GM to execute the plan...sounds like a better option than what we have had. I agree! Russ is a very smart man and I would have no issues with him as President. The problem is most fans associate Russ with being the current Bills GM, when in fact the Bills current structure does not have anyone with the GM title alone (Leave it to the Bills to come up with this ridiculous structure). Plus he is much more than just a marketing guy. As long as he leaves the football decisions to the new GM, I would have no issues with this move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRH Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Everything I've heard is that Brandon wasn't *asking* to have to be involved with making football decisions and given the power structure, it's like Guy, Modrak and Overdorf were responsible for the decision. Brando takes the heat since he's at the top, but it seems that given the opportunity, he pushed to bring in a "football" guy I think he would have been only too willing to take the credit if things had worked out. Now that the football side has all fallen apart, he's back to being Mr. Marketing Guru. He should be accountable for the failures on the football side. Those people reported to him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 i agree with the OP. Brandon needs power and authority taken away. IMO he is a large part of our problems. He has the GM tag and he is the least accountable and the team is in flames and we are talking about promoting the guy. He has been involved with the team throughout the decade of fail. He has also had a big say in personnel decisions longer than we know. He should stick to marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Makes perfect sense to me. The last time when TD was president, the problem was he had all authority. If you bring in a Cowler type, having RB as pres, gives someone else a bit of control over things so we don't have a repeat of th eperson in charge ripping up fans signs. I'm not sure RW really even wants to be in the spot, but felt he didn't have any other choice. Actually I've been suggesting this for quite awhile Sully must have stole my idea. You know, I usually agree with most of what Sully says in his columns, but the one this morning has me irked. In it he says we need to cut lose Modrak and Guy (True), bring in an established HC (True), and a real football man at GM (true). All great, but then he says to elevate Brandon to President. Brandon to President? Huh? 1) He's a sales/marketing guy, not a football man and should not be running this organization. Name the Sales/Marketing department after him, put a statue of him in there, but for the love of god he should not be at the top of the leadership pyramid. 2) What established GM would come in here and report to Brandon? None would because they know what he is, a Wilson pawn and a glorified used car salesman. 3) Brandon stands next to big free agents with a smile, answers questions about Toronto, and we see him when there's good news. Once the crap hits the fan, the guy vanishes, where's he been the last month? He hasn't been held accountable. In fact, where was he last night? I was shocked to see Fewell walk right up to the podium. If anything, Brandon should either be demoted as he has no accountability, or transferred back to his Sales/Marketing office and told to stay there. If they want, have him run the business side and retain his title and let the new GM be in the spotlight with all football decisions. But in no way should any organizational chart have an arrow pointing from the GM to Brandon, unless its pointing down at him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 So who should be leading the search? RW John Guy?? I think he's the best qualified person. As I said, I have no problem with Brandon handling the biz side and GM handling the football side. However I dont feel Brandon should be named President, a title only Wilson himself and TD have held. I also said the GM should not report to Brandon in any capacity. Finally, I can't believe that Brandon is even leading the GM search. Unicorns? He only has been in ay type of footbal lrelated situation since Marv left. And even that is questionalbe exactly how much of the decisions have been RB vs JG or TM. i agree with the OP. Brandon needs power and authority taken away. IMO he is a large part of our problems. He has the GM tag and he is the least accountable and the team is in flames and we are talking about promoting the guy. He has been involved with the team throughout the decade of fail. He has also had a big say in personnel decisions longer than we know. He should stick to marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 i agree with the OP. Brandon needs power and authority taken away. IMO he is a large part of our problems. He has the GM tag and he is the least accountable and the team is in flames and we are talking about promoting the guy. He has been involved with the team throughout the decade of fail. He has also had a big say in personnel decisions longer than we know. He should stick to marketing. I don't think any of us truly knows who does what in the Bills orginization, it's all messed up. Russ is not the GM, he is the COO, or as Ralph said "he's a C something". There is no one in the Bills organization with the sole title of GM. That's how ridiculous the Bills front office is. Brandon is not a football guy, so I would be surprised if he had final say in any player move. He is however a very bright guy and does a good job in non-football related items, the Bills just need to bring a quality GM to handle the player evaluation side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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