IF Cowher comes to Buffalo

[frogger]

I think we could see the biggest turnaround ever

Bill Cowher head coach

Dick LeBeau coming back to Buffalo as DC and assistant HC...or Keith Butler, who deserves a DC job.

Chan Gailey OC-served under Cowher 15 years ago, and currently without a home.

 

Free agents-since we are now Steeler themed, why stop there.

Casey Hampton-32 years old, nose tackle. 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks $$$$$

Larry Foote 29, ILB 99 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble for the Lions $$$

 

Jason Avant WR 40 catches, for 579 and 3 TDs, physical WR, much like Boldin $$$

Demetrius Williams, WR very underused in Baltimore only 8 catches, but still talented $

 

Draft

1-Ryan Mallett-6'7" passer out of Arkansas.

1(b) Brian Bulaga LT out of IOWA-this happens after this trade...this pick for the following 2010 3rd rounder, 2010 6th rounder, 2011 1st round pick and 2011 4th round pick. 4 picks including a 1st round pick next year...I may also throw in Whitner.

2-Arthur Jones 6'4" 290 DE/DT one of the only bright spots on SU this year, could start as a rookie, unless a very good ILB or other DE/DT (Jared Odrick) falls

3-traded away

4-Dennis Pitta TE from BYU-2nd team all american 6'5" 248

5- Mikah Johnson ILB 6'2" 255-stock will fall because of injury, depth guy and special teamer.

6-traded away.

6 (from Peters trade)Geno Atkins-another DE/DT 6'1 290, good athlete, rotation guy.

7-Trindon Holliday 5'5" 165 pounds of speed, wr/KR say goodbye to Roscoe.

 

UDFA- Dennis Morris-6'2" 265 pounds, former TE

 

QB-Mallet, Brohm, Fitzpatrick

RB-Jackson, Lynch

FB Dennis Morris (if we need one)

TE-Nelson, Pitta, fine

WR-Evans, Avant, Williams, Hardy, Johnson, Holliday -don't re-sign Reed.

LT-Bulaga, Bell

LG-Levitra, Meredith

Center-Hangardner, Wood

RG-Wood, Richie Incognito (after re-signed) Simmons, Butler

RT-Butler, Meredith, Bell

 

switch to 3-4

RE-Johnson, Jones, Atkins

DT-Hampton, Williams (I agree Williams is too good, but he'll split time with Hampton)

LE Stroud, Johnson, Atkins

Rush OLB Schobel (prolongs his career) Maybin, Kelsey, Mitchell

ILB-Poz, Foote, Mitchell, Johnson

CB McKelvin, McGee, Corner, Florance, Youboty

FS Byrd, Wendling(ST)

SS Wilson, Scott (I've traded whitner in my mind)

 

K-Lindell

P-Moorman

KR-Holliday and McGee, not mckelvin.

 

please note, Stroud is no more than a body taking up space, I don't expect him to get much pressure on the QB at LE, but he will command double teams. In the 34 the rush comes from the OLB, he will be used to keep blockers off of Maybin and Schobel. And also free up the ILB.

[Cotton Fitzsimmons]

It would be great to get Lebeau back.

 

Ryan Mallett is beyond awful. He will have no future in the NFL.

[Mr. WEO]

Repopulate the brain trust/coaching staff with former Steelers personnel?

 

Why didn't we think of that before???

 

 

Oh........ooops.

 

Well, maybe it will be different this time!

 

Is there a 2011 draft?

[Cotton Fitzsimmons]

Repopulate the brain trust/coaching staff with former Steelers personnel?

 

Why didn't we think of that before???

 

 

Oh........ooops.

 

Well, maybe it will be different this time!

 

I agree with your sentiment. We have to pick and choose. But, I will say that if we could get Lebeau back, I'm all for it. Some of the rest of OP's plan, I'm not so sure about.

[DarthICE]

If Cowher comes to buffalo I am willing to help shovel the snow in hell...

[Nanker]

No. I doubt he's going anywhere. He's 72.

[Simon]

You'd damned well better hope so considering that Cowher missed the playoffs 4 out of the 6 years that he didn't have Lebeau carrying him in Pittsburgh. When LeBeau returned to Pittsburgh they went from 6-10 to 15-1 that year.

How in the hell can you have the best roster in the NFL and only make the playoffs 33% of the time over that long of a stretch? Especially playing in a division with Cleveland, Cincinnati and recent expansion teams like Baltimore and Jacksonville?!

He is a horrid head coach that could literally do irreparable damage to football in Western New York. And for what it's worth, Dick Lebeau has no warm fuzzies for him either and would not be following him anywhere.

[Cotton Fitzsimmons]

No. I doubt he's going anywhere. He's 72.

 

Maybe we could get Sam Wyche to be our OC.

[R. Rich]

I think we could see the biggest turnaround ever

Bill Cowher head coach

Dick LeBeau coming back to Buffalo as DC and assistant HC...or Keith Butler, who deserves a DC job.

Chan Gailey OC-served under Cowher 15 years ago, and currently without a home.

 

Free agents-since we are now Steeler themed, why stop there.

Casey Hampton-32 years old, nose tackle. 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks $$$$$

Larry Foote 29, ILB 99 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble for the Lions $$$

 

Jason Avant WR 40 catches, for 579 and 3 TDs, physical WR, much like Boldin $$$

Demetrius Williams, WR very underused in Baltimore only 8 catches, but still talented $

 

Draft

1-Ryan Mallett-6'7" passer out of Arkansas.

1(b) Brian Bulaga LT out of IOWA-this happens after this trade...this pick for the following 2010 3rd rounder, 2010 6th rounder, 2011 1st round pick and 2011 4th round pick. 4 picks including a 1st round pick next year...I may also throw in Whitner.

2-Arthur Jones 6'4" 290 DE/DT one of the only bright spots on SU this year, could start as a rookie, unless a very good ILB or other DE/DT (Jared Odrick) falls

3-traded away

4-Dennis Pitta TE from BYU-2nd team all american 6'5" 248

5- Mikah Johnson ILB 6'2" 255-stock will fall because of injury, depth guy and special teamer.

6-traded away.

6 (from Peters trade)Geno Atkins-another DE/DT 6'1 290, good athlete, rotation guy.

7-Trindon Holliday 5'5" 165 pounds of speed, wr/KR say goodbye to Roscoe.

 

UDFA- Dennis Morris-6'2" 265 pounds, former TE

 

QB-Mallet, Brohm, Fitzpatrick

RB-Jackson, Lynch

FB Dennis Morris (if we need one)

TE-Nelson, Pitta, fine

WR-Evans, Avant, Williams, Hardy, Johnson, Holliday -don't re-sign Reed.

LT-Bulaga, Bell

LG-Levitra, Meredith

Center-Hangardner, Wood

RG-Wood, Richie Incognito (after re-signed) Simmons, Butler

RT-Butler, Meredith, Bell

 

switch to 3-4

RE-Johnson, Jones, Atkins

DT-Hampton, Williams (I agree Williams is too good, but he'll split time with Hampton)

LE Stroud, Johnson, Atkins

Rush OLB Schobel (prolongs his career) Maybin, Kelsey, Mitchell

ILB-Poz, Foote, Mitchell, Johnson

CB McKelvin, McGee, Corner, Florance, Youboty

FS Byrd, Wendling(ST)

SS Wilson, Scott (I've traded whitner in my mind)

 

K-Lindell

P-Moorman

KR-Holliday and McGee, not mckelvin.

 

please note, Stroud is no more than a body taking up space, I don't expect him to get much pressure on the QB at LE, but he will command double teams. In the 34 the rush comes from the OLB, he will be used to keep blockers off of Maybin and Schobel. And also free up the ILB.

 

 

I'm not too thrilled w/ that 3-4 lineup.

 

Johnson as a DE? He does do a better job of getting upfield, but as a 3-4 DE, he's going to be responsible for stopping the run a lot more than rushing the passer as he'll see way more double teams (see just 'bout any game this year to see how well Johnson does vs double teams on runnning plays). Hampton is an aging veteran, but still one who can get things done, so that isn't an altogether bad idea. Stroud? Again, he's had his issues just going against single blocks; now, you want him to take on double teams on a frequent basis? Not a great idea.

 

The LBs? Schobel might do okay, but he's had very limited exposure to dropping back in coverage, something he'll do far more frequently as an OLB in the 3-4. He's also a sucker for counter plays, so if he goes for that, that leaves you w/ nobody on the edge to stop plays heading to the outside. Same w/ Maybin. Now, w/ him, I think he just needs more experience to know how to handle misdirection plays, but it would be a disaster to leave him out there now and hope he could contain (it's not just "rush the QB all day" as a 3-4 OLB). Foote has been a solid 3-4 middle 'backer for some time and appears to have plenty left, but I think Posluszny would be horribly miscast in that role. You need a guy like the Jets' David Harris in there: a big guy who can shed the blocks of guards (many of whom tend to be in the 310 lb and up range) on a regular basis to chase plays from sideline to sideline and who can deliver quite a hit when they arrive.

 

As for the secondary, I'd like to have better press corners if I'm going to run a 3-4 (especially if, in your scenario, it's a Cowher/LeBeau type 3-4). I think the safeties could be okay, as I really like Wilson and his knack for making things happen (tackles for loss, INTs), not to mention Byrd and his ballhawking skills.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

I think there may be a decent shot at LeBeau if Cowher coaches again because Mike Tomlin is a 4-3 guy and they took Ziggy Hood last year who is more of a 4-3 DT as well as Hampton not being resigned already. I have a funny feeling the Steelers will be transitioning to a 4-3 sooner rather than later.

 

I'd like to see Russ Grimm as OC instead of Chan though.

 

Keep in mind Donahoe lost the power struggle to Cowher and Mularkey was ready to be run out of town by the fans (FWIW) when he got the job in Buffalo.

[Tolstoy]

Ok, assuming it is still a possibility, let's shower Cowher with pleas and entreaties--as publicly as possible, to get him here. Any ideas? Here are some:

 

-A visible billboard in Buffalo (or better, close to where he lives, so he sees it every day)

 

-an advertisement in our newspaper (or his)

 

-an e-mail blitz (assuming we could get his e-mail address)

 

Or something more creative that would capture the media's attention: sit-ins, strikes, protests, etc.

 

Don't underestimate the power of the people!

[Simon]

The LBs? Schobel might do okay, but he's had very limited exposure to dropping back in coverage, something he'll do far more frequently as an OLB in the 3-4.

 

I like Schobel's game a lot, but I have serious reservations about him transitioning to LB, particularly at his age and with the mileage he has on him. I don't think he could do it effectively.

[atlbillsfan1975]

Schobel is gone i think after this year. From talking to a couple of guys that work for the Bills (no not anyone special like Russ) he has been talking about retireing after the season is done. Supposedly he hates football. He likes the money but wants to go back to his ranch.

I go back and forth on Cowher and all the other big name guys. Personally if you dont get the GM right the rest is wrong. Go out and find the right GM a guy that has worked on some good staffs, like under Polian. Then let him hire his coach. The GM works with the coach on what the coaches philosophy is and thus what type of players are most important and what those players strengths should be. They then look over the current roster, see who is in and who is out. Go draft and sign guys in FA. Explain to everyone it will be a 3 year process. But within the next three years you expect to have a playoff team and thus be competing for a championship again in Buffalo.

The same Buffalo guys also told me that Russ has admited the orgination needs a GM and he has been out interviewing guys.

[ganesh]

You'd damned well better hope so considering that Cowher missed the playoffs 4 out of the 6 years that he didn't have Lebeau carrying him in Pittsburgh. When LeBeau returned to Pittsburgh they went from 6-10 to 15-1 that year.

How in the hell can you have the best roster in the NFL and only make the playoffs 33% of the time over that long of a stretch? Especially playing in a division with Cleveland, Cincinnati and recent expansion teams like Baltimore and Jacksonville?!

He is a horrid head coach that could literally do irreparable damage to football in Western New York. And for what it's worth, Dick Lebeau has no warm fuzzies for him either and would not be following him anywhere.

 

The same 15-1 season also was coincidental that the steelers actually drafted a franchise QB in Ben Rothelisberger. Agreed that LeBeau's defense took that team to the AFC Championship game and the super bowl next year...But without that threat of a good QB, that does not happen. Besides the Super Bowl itself, Rothelisberger was actually the MVP for the steelers team in the playoffs by beating Indy in Indy and Denver in Denver.

[tonyjustbcuz]

I think we could see the biggest turnaround ever

Bill Cowher head coach

Dick LeBeau coming back to Buffalo as DC and assistant HC...or Keith Butler, who deserves a DC job.

Chan Gailey OC-served under Cowher 15 years ago, and currently without a home.

 

Free agents-since we are now Steeler themed, why stop there.

Casey Hampton-32 years old, nose tackle. 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks $$$$$

Larry Foote 29, ILB 99 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble for the Lions $$$

 

Jason Avant WR 40 catches, for 579 and 3 TDs, physical WR, much like Boldin $$$

Demetrius Williams, WR very underused in Baltimore only 8 catches, but still talented $

 

Draft

1-Ryan Mallett-6'7" passer out of Arkansas.

1(b) Brian Bulaga LT out of IOWA-this happens after this trade...this pick for the following 2010 3rd rounder, 2010 6th rounder, 2011 1st round pick and 2011 4th round pick. 4 picks including a 1st round pick next year...I may also throw in Whitner.

2-Arthur Jones 6'4" 290 DE/DT one of the only bright spots on SU this year, could start as a rookie, unless a very good ILB or other DE/DT (Jared Odrick) falls

3-traded away

4-Dennis Pitta TE from BYU-2nd team all american 6'5" 248

5- Mikah Johnson ILB 6'2" 255-stock will fall because of injury, depth guy and special teamer.

6-traded away.

6 (from Peters trade)Geno Atkins-another DE/DT 6'1 290, good athlete, rotation guy.

7-Trindon Holliday 5'5" 165 pounds of speed, wr/KR say goodbye to Roscoe.

 

UDFA- Dennis Morris-6'2" 265 pounds, former TE

 

QB-Mallet, Brohm, Fitzpatrick

RB-Jackson, Lynch

FB Dennis Morris (if we need one)

TE-Nelson, Pitta, fine

WR-Evans, Avant, Williams, Hardy, Johnson, Holliday -don't re-sign Reed.

LT-Bulaga, Bell

LG-Levitra, Meredith

Center-Hangardner, Wood

RG-Wood, Richie Incognito (after re-signed) Simmons, Butler

RT-Butler, Meredith, Bell

 

switch to 3-4

RE-Johnson, Jones, Atkins

DT-Hampton, Williams (I agree Williams is too good, but he'll split time with Hampton)

LE Stroud, Johnson, Atkins

Rush OLB Schobel (prolongs his career) Maybin, Kelsey, Mitchell

ILB-Poz, Foote, Mitchell, Johnson

CB McKelvin, McGee, Corner, Florance, Youboty

FS Byrd, Wendling(ST)

SS Wilson, Scott (I've traded whitner in my mind)

 

K-Lindell

P-Moorman

KR-Holliday and McGee, not mckelvin.

 

please note, Stroud is no more than a body taking up space, I don't expect him to get much pressure on the QB at LE, but he will command double teams. In the 34 the rush comes from the OLB, he will be used to keep blockers off of Maybin and Schobel. And also free up the ILB.

 

 

I like a lot of what you wrote, but the main flaw I see with trading up to 1b in the draft is that you are giving up several draft picks...not only this year but next year as well including your first round pick in '11. A team that is in a full rebuilding stage who needs a QB, DT, LB, OT and more cannot afford to sacrifice multiple picks when they need each and everyone of them to rebuild. You also have to be careful with free agents...and if their numbers are not there it's probably because they are not as good as they used to be...ie: T.O., Dockery, etc....Look at the Redskins: each year they get some of the highest priced free agents available and each year they are almost as bad as the Bills are even though they have an open end spending account. I think as far as their personnel moves goes..the first thing their (Bills) organization has to do once it's settled on the GM, Scouting, Head Coach, and assistants situation is...is to evaluate their talent (or lack of) level of each individual player...determine who is desirable, underachieving, on the downside, shows potential etc....get rid of deadweight with cuts or trade if their is a market for the player..ie: IMO Marshawn Lynch who probably has 2 healthy years left. (he plays a bruising style which normally is a shortened playing career...Terell Davis, Earl Campbell are examples) average runninng back probably 4-5 year shelf life. I think you could still get a third round for him maybe a second from a team that really is desperate for a RB. Anyways, go ahead and get Cowher and his assistant coaches I'm very very good with that idea, but use prudence with our draft picks since this is your virtual solution to which ails the bills.

I appreciate the detail, and dedication to your plan...I agree with part of it and would take it as is vice hiring some no name coach or Jim Haslett or something like that.

[Simon]

The same 15-1 season also was coincidental that the steelers actually drafted a franchise QB in Ben Rothelisberger. Agreed that LeBeau's defense took that team to the AFC Championship game and the super bowl next year...But without that threat of a good QB, that does not happen. Besides the Super Bowl itself, Rothelisberger was actually the MVP for the steelers team in the playoffs by beating Indy in Indy and Denver in Denver.

Don't forget that they went into Cincinnati and shut them down as well. And imo, when you go into the postseason and hold 4 of the best offenses in the NFL to 15pts/game, your MVP is NOT your QB.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

Don't forget that they went into Cincinnati and shut them down as well. And imo, when you go into the postseason and hold 4 of the best offenses in the NFL to 15pts/game, your MVP is NOT your QB.

I guess. It was more of they went into Cincinnati and broke Palmer early, then shut them down. If Kimo doesn't take a belly flop on Palmer's knee I think the game ends differently.

[buffaloaggie]

You'd damned well better hope so considering that Cowher missed the playoffs 4 out of the 6 years that he didn't have Lebeau carrying him in Pittsburgh. When LeBeau returned to Pittsburgh they went from 6-10 to 15-1 that year.

How in the hell can you have the best roster in the NFL and only make the playoffs 33% of the time over that long of a stretch? Especially playing in a division with Cleveland, Cincinnati and recent expansion teams like Baltimore and Jacksonville?!

He is a horrid head coach that could literally do irreparable damage to football in Western New York. And for what it's worth, Dick Lebeau has no warm fuzzies for him either and would not be following him anywhere.

Baltimore was never an expansion team. Cleveland is an expansion team since 1999. Don't forget the Oilers/Titans were in their division too, until 2001.

 

There is no denying LeBeau is a great DC, but Cowher missing the playoffs 4 out of 7 years without LeBeau had also something to do with erratic play at QB (Kordell Stewart).

 

I doubt, as others pointed out, that at 72, he'd be making a move to another team. Cowher is not a horrid coach and I'd love to see him in Buffalo. Obviously, a coach is only as good as the players and coaches that work for him, but I'd take Cowher over our other possibilities.

[dave mcbride]

Don't forget that they went into Cincinnati and shut them down as well. And imo, when you go into the postseason and hold 4 of the best offenses in the NFL to 15pts/game, your MVP is NOT your QB.

Simon, you've been down on Cowher for years, but when I look at the situation over a 15 year stretch, I see a guy who hires good staff and wins most of the time. It reminds of criticisms of Parcells - that he can't win big games without Belichick. Unfortunately, that argument ignores the fact that he hired Belichick in the first place before anyone else did! As for LeBeau, he did return to Pitt when given the opportunity. The Bill wanted to keep him, but he decided to join Cowher for a second time ...

[chaccof]

I think we could see the biggest turnaround ever

Bill Cowher head coach

Dick LeBeau coming back to Buffalo as DC and assistant HC...or Keith Butler, who deserves a DC job.

Chan Gailey OC-served under Cowher 15 years ago, and currently without a home.

 

Free agents-since we are now Steeler themed, why stop there.

Casey Hampton-32 years old, nose tackle. 40 tackles, 2.5 sacks $$$$$

Larry Foote 29, ILB 99 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble for the Lions $$$

 

Jason Avant WR 40 catches, for 579 and 3 TDs, physical WR, much like Boldin $$$

Demetrius Williams, WR very underused in Baltimore only 8 catches, but still talented $

 

Draft

1-Ryan Mallett-6'7" passer out of Arkansas.

1(b) Brian Bulaga LT out of IOWA-this happens after this trade...this pick for the following 2010 3rd rounder, 2010 6th rounder, 2011 1st round pick and 2011 4th round pick. 4 picks including a 1st round pick next year...I may also throw in Whitner.

2-Arthur Jones 6'4" 290 DE/DT one of the only bright spots on SU this year, could start as a rookie, unless a very good ILB or other DE/DT (Jared Odrick) falls

3-traded away

4-Dennis Pitta TE from BYU-2nd team all american 6'5" 248

5- Mikah Johnson ILB 6'2" 255-stock will fall because of injury, depth guy and special teamer.

6-traded away.

6 (from Peters trade)Geno Atkins-another DE/DT 6'1 290, good athlete, rotation guy.

7-Trindon Holliday 5'5" 165 pounds of speed, wr/KR say goodbye to Roscoe.

 

UDFA- Dennis Morris-6'2" 265 pounds, former TE

 

QB-Mallet, Brohm, Fitzpatrick

RB-Jackson, Lynch

FB Dennis Morris (if we need one)

TE-Nelson, Pitta, fine

WR-Evans, Avant, Williams, Hardy, Johnson, Holliday -don't re-sign Reed.

LT-Bulaga, Bell

LG-Levitra, Meredith

Center-Hangardner, Wood

RG-Wood, Richie Incognito (after re-signed) Simmons, Butler

RT-Butler, Meredith, Bell

 

switch to 3-4

RE-Johnson, Jones, Atkins

DT-Hampton, Williams (I agree Williams is too good, but he'll split time with Hampton)

LE Stroud, Johnson, Atkins

Rush OLB Schobel (prolongs his career) Maybin, Kelsey, Mitchell

ILB-Poz, Foote, Mitchell, Johnson

CB McKelvin, McGee, Corner, Florance, Youboty

FS Byrd, Wendling(ST)

SS Wilson, Scott (I've traded whitner in my mind)

 

K-Lindell

P-Moorman

KR-Holliday and McGee, not mckelvin.

 

please note, Stroud is no more than a body taking up space, I don't expect him to get much pressure on the QB at LE, but he will command double teams. In the 34 the rush comes from the OLB, he will be used to keep blockers off of Maybin and Schobel. And also free up the ILB.

 

 

If Cowher comes to Buffalo it won't be to coach the Bills - maybe to get some wings or weck, but he's too smart to come here to coach, no matter how much money RW might throw at him (which we all know won't happen either)....