Some Facts About Tom Modrak

[Doc]

Brandon was promoted to CEO, answering only to RW and overseeing the entire op. I understand this as RW is an elderly man and cannot possibly review the entire organization. Besides, Brandon has marketed a losing product quite well.

 

There were changes made, but the wholesale ones we were led to believe didn't happen. This administration on paper is better than the previous ones, but how much is anyone's guess. Additionally, improving upon a former HC and the business marketing guy moonlighting as GM isn't very hard.

Brandon basically just handles the marketing of the team now. There are all sorts of theories about him pulling the strings, but they don't pass the smell test. I also seriously doubt that Brandon ever wanted to control the entire team at any point in his career.

 

As for what we were led to believe, the Bills hired a new GM and AGM. Sometimes you promote from within AND without. So while they stayed "in house" with Nix, they didn't with Whaley. Like they didn't with Gailey, when they could have promoted someone like Sanders or kept Fewell.

[Coach Tuesday]

Wait a moment.

 

There are a slew of allegations in the OP's post that we've never seen or heard before, but are stated as facts.

 

I'm not about to defend anyone in this wretched front office, but what the hell is the source for these allegations?

[GaryPinC]

Great analysis Gabe.

 

It certainly worries me, but on the whole I thought they had a decent draft for 2009. Even with the Maybin pick. At a minimum they managed to draft 2 promising O-lineman and a safety who showed it in their rookie year. Shawn Nelson, Nic Harris, and Lankster may be solid players also. But given the ineptitude of this franchise to draft decent linemen over the last 8 years or so, I have to admit getting Wood and Levitre have at least given me hope our current talent evaluators (with Buddy) may actually be able to do their jobs properly.

[BillsVet]

Brandon basically just handles the marketing of the team now. There are all sorts of theories about him pulling the strings, but they don't pass the smell test. I also seriously doubt that Brandon ever wanted to control the entire team at any point in his career.

 

As for what we were led to believe, the Bills hired a new GM and AGM. Sometimes you promote from within AND without. So while they stayed "in house" with Nix, they didn't with Whaley. Like they didn't with Gailey, when they could have promoted someone like Sanders or kept Fewell.

 

We can debate what constitutes actual change, but the fact remains that RW or his designee(s) are/is still in control of a great deal. The list of GM candidates assembled by Brandon that subsequently both he and RW admitted not knowing who many of them were strikes me as amateurish. That fact underscores a serious reputation issue, in that they did not or could not invite anyone but Nix and Guy in for an interview.

 

The GM is the most important football job for any NFL team. And Buffalo had nothing but in-house options to consider, one of who was later fired. In essence, they had one legit candidate all along. At the same time, AGM/GM in waiting Whaley was a solid hire IMO. It will be interesting to see when he gets his chance.

[Doc]

We can debate what constitutes actual change, but the fact remains that RW or his designee(s) are/is still in control of a great deal. The list of GM candidates assembled by Brandon that subsequently both he and RW admitted not knowing who many of them were strikes me as amateurish. That fact underscores a serious reputation issue, in that they did not or could not invite anyone but Nix and Guy in for an interview.

 

The GM is the most important football job for any NFL team. And Buffalo had nothing but in-house options to consider, one of who was later fired. In essence, they had one legit candidate all along. At the same time, AGM/GM in waiting Whaley was a solid hire IMO. It will be interesting to see when he gets his chance.

There was an article after the Bills hired Nix, whining that the Bills didn't give consideration to a handful of up-and-comers, one of whom was Whaley. And given Nix is 70, his chance may come sooner rather than later. But Nix has experience as an AGM while there were no top-tier GM's just sitting out there unemployed. And if he proves to be good, what difference does it make? Why not wait to see the results?

[birdog1960]

So, how much does Nix trust Modrak? Nix is a scout himself and probably trusts his own instincts more than Modrak's. And since he's the GM, what he says goes.

 

Moreover, for the past 4 years, the Bills have operated without a true GM, so listening to Modrak might have seemed like the best idea. And TD was supposed to have rebuilt the Steelers with Modrak as his right hand man. So again trusting him might have seemed like a smart move on TD's part.

IF nix doesn't trust him he should fire him regardless of the timing...unless he's not able to make that caLL

[thewildrabbit]

Oh man, huge thanks for posting that...I was about to post in a different thread:

 

 

What I'd like to know is... which Buffalo Bills scout is responsible for grading the O line players, and if its the same guy that has been doing the grading for the O line the last 6 years?

 

I'm not certain how the Bills scouts do they're general grading, my thoughts are they send some people to different parts of the country to watch games and evaluate players during the college football season, then turn in reports and then they all get together and give their input for the combine and the draft.

 

The Bills used to be particularly bad judging corner backs and wide receivers, lately it seems they are now almost horrid at judging line talent, both offense and defense. Number one picks John McCargo and Aaron Maybin and all the O line players they have shuffled in and out over the last 6 years.

 

I can understand staying with the same QB's considering how bad the offensive coaching talent had been, scheme, game plans and play calling. However, I don't understand not upgrading both the O tackles eariler then a developmental 5th round pick, and a holding machine from the Raiders.

 

I truly believe that coaching is everything, and yet ya gotta have something worth starting with...

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

Now I understand the problems with this team and the players they acquire, isn't this the same guy who thought Langston Walker and Derrick Dockery would be worthwhile upgrades for the O line at huge saleries? Along with countless other scrubs this team has tried to get by with on the O line.

 

Jeez, I miss Bill Polian

[Big Turk]

are we talking about the same person responsible for drafting Jairus Byrd in round 2?

[thewildrabbit]

I am amused by all of the posts talking about the "new" front office and how different things are now that Buddy Nix is running the show. It's total nonsense. All they did was elevate a semi-retired scout to the GM position at the same time they promoted Brandon to CEO -- meaning Buddy's position in the pecking order barely changed. They traded Doug Whaley for John Guy and that's a big improvement, no doubt about it, but all of the commentators have focused thus far on the draft.

 

The college scouting operation is all the same, headed by Tom Modrak, the guy who's run our drafts since 2002. I've had numerous conversations with people in the organization about the draft process. While Dick Jauron and Brandon had final say, Dick never overruled a Modrak recommendation when it came to a specific position. So, yes, Dick did decide to take a safety over a quarterback, for instance, but he took the safety on the board rated highest by Modrak.

 

This is an important distinction. In 2009, Modrak wanted Cushing. Fine. But he also had Maybin rated as his #1 DE-pass rusher. Thought Orakpo took too many plays off. So when Jauron-Brandon decided they needed a pass rusher, they went with the guy Modrak recommended. And the guy they passed on went to the Pro Bowl.

 

This was hardly the first time that happpened.

 

In 2008, our needs were identified in post-season review as CB and a WR. We went with Modrak's recommendations of McKelvin and Hardy and passed on a Pro Bowler in both cases (Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st and DeSean Jackson in the 2nd). In 2007, Modrak had a mid-1st round grade on Poz so we traded up to get him instead of standing pat and getting a better player in David Harris. In 2006, we went up to get John McCargo, another guy Modrak had a 1st round grade on (Modrak was the source for his friend Len Pasquarelli's article about the guy).

 

In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later). This isn't hindsight bias a la Tom Brady in the 6th round...we're talking about the pick coming down to 2 guys, Modrak recommending one and the VERY NEXT GUY off the board at the position goes to the pro bowl.

 

You all want to pretend this was a good draft, that the "new regime" is taking a fresh approach and getting the right guys in place, fine. You can believe that...glad Russ Brandon didn't have to work hard with the spin this year. But just know that the same guy who made all of bum recommendations in the past is the same guy who recommended Troup over Linval Joseph and Carrington over Earl Mitchell (perfect 3-4 DE who played DT at Arizona).

 

If the past is any guide, watch for Troup and Carrington to struggle while Joseph and Mitchell head to Honolulu.

 

Thanks again for the Info

 

I was looking more at Terrance Cody who the Ravens took.

 

No running back rushed for 100 yards against the Tide after Cody transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As dominant as he is in this role, he is a bit of a one-trick pony. Alabama rotated or substituted at the position enough that some teams view Cody as a specialist, which will no doubt impact his draft standing with some teams. Those looking for a run-plugging 3-4 nose tackle, however, will greatly value his services.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players...tTrackerTable57

 

I would have looked long at the OT's at this point in the draft and worried about building a better defense in 2011, that's me tho.

[Green Lightning]

Jeez Gabe do you ever have a day that's not full of 3-4 linebacker woe or ill will against the FO? Relax, I think the kids are alright!

[Thurman#1]

I am amused by all of the posts talking about the "new" front office and how different things are now that Buddy Nix is running the show. It's total nonsense. All they did was elevate a semi-retired scout to the GM position at the same time they promoted Brandon to CEO -- meaning Buddy's position in the pecking order barely changed. They traded Doug Whaley for John Guy and that's a big improvement, no doubt about it, but all of the commentators have focused thus far on the draft.

 

The college scouting operation is all the same, headed by Tom Modrak, the guy who's run our drafts since 2002. I've had numerous conversations with people in the organization about the draft process. While Dick Jauron and Brandon had final say, Dick never overruled a Modrak recommendation when it came to a specific position. So, yes, Dick did decide to take a safety over a quarterback, for instance, but he took the safety on the board rated highest by Modrak.

 

This is an important distinction. In 2009, Modrak wanted Cushing. Fine. But he also had Maybin rated as his #1 DE-pass rusher. Thought Orakpo took too many plays off. So when Jauron-Brandon decided they needed a pass rusher, they went with the guy Modrak recommended. And the guy they passed on went to the Pro Bowl.

 

This was hardly the first time that happpened.

 

In 2008, our needs were identified in post-season review as CB and a WR. We went with Modrak's recommendations of McKelvin and Hardy and passed on a Pro Bowler in both cases (Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st and DeSean Jackson in the 2nd). In 2007, Modrak had a mid-1st round grade on Poz so we traded up to get him instead of standing pat and getting a better player in David Harris. In 2006, we went up to get John McCargo, another guy Modrak had a 1st round grade on (Modrak was the source for his friend Len Pasquarelli's article about the guy).

 

In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later). This isn't hindsight bias a la Tom Brady in the 6th round...we're talking about the pick coming down to 2 guys, Modrak recommending one and the VERY NEXT GUY off the board at the position goes to the pro bowl.

 

You all want to pretend this was a good draft, that the "new regime" is taking a fresh approach and getting the right guys in place, fine. You can believe that...glad Russ Brandon didn't have to work hard with the spin this year. But just know that the same guy who made all of bum recommendations in the past is the same guy who recommended Troup over Linval Joseph and Carrington over Earl Mitchell (perfect 3-4 DE who played DT at Arizona).

 

If the past is any guide, watch for Troup and Carrington to struggle while Joseph and Mitchell head to Honolulu.

 

 

 

You're making a whooooooooooooooooooooole lot of statements which have never been said publicly. Who is it who said that Jauron never went against Modrak at one position. lI've never seen anything like that. Who was it that said that Modrak liked Maybin better than Orakpo. LINK?

 

You say that "In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later)." Where do you get this? Let's see a LINK that addresses what you're trying to prove, not a connection to some random unconnected article.

 

1) How do you know that it was Modrak who selected Parrish over Jackson? 2) How do you know he was instrumental in the Losman selection. Your link doesn't have anything to do with it. 3) How do you know Modrak recommended Kelsay over Umenyiora?

 

Frankly, your post looks like about a thousand guesses strung together and passed off as a fact. LINKAGE?

 

And if you have connections with people in the organization, as you suggested, where is the proof of that? When have you told us what will happen before it does? I make it a policy not to believe anyone who says he has connections in the Bills organization. It's not you, it's everybody. And it's simply because there are more than a hundred guys on here who have claimed to have connections, and virtually all of them have them been proved wrong. I don't believe any of this (nor does anyone else here, frankly) till you start to be able to correctly predict unpredicatable Bills moves. Where have you done that?

[Thurman#1]

I suspect Nix will slowly replace/upgrade the scouting department this year, with Modrak likely to retire at some point in the near future...

 

 

 

You do know that Modrak is the guy who got Nix here, right? And that it took a lot of talking. Nix is only here because he likes and believes in Modrak.

[Thurman#1]

Wait a moment.

 

There are a slew of allegations in the OP's post that we've never seen or heard before, but are stated as facts.

 

I'm not about to defend anyone in this wretched front office, but what the hell is the source for these allegations?

 

 

 

Exactly. They are less facts than pure wild-ass guesses.

[Wilson from Gamehendge]

I am amused by all of the posts talking about the "new" front office and how different things are now that Buddy Nix is running the show. It's total nonsense. All they did was elevate a semi-retired scout to the GM position at the same time they promoted Brandon to CEO -- meaning Buddy's position in the pecking order barely changed. They traded Doug Whaley for John Guy and that's a big improvement, no doubt about it, but all of the commentators have focused thus far on the draft.

 

The college scouting operation is all the same, headed by Tom Modrak, the guy who's run our drafts since 2002. I've had numerous conversations with people in the organization about the draft process. While Dick Jauron and Brandon had final say, Dick never overruled a Modrak recommendation when it came to a specific position. So, yes, Dick did decide to take a safety over a quarterback, for instance, but he took the safety on the board rated highest by Modrak.

 

This is an important distinction. In 2009, Modrak wanted Cushing. Fine. But he also had Maybin rated as his #1 DE-pass rusher. Thought Orakpo took too many plays off. So when Jauron-Brandon decided they needed a pass rusher, they went with the guy Modrak recommended. And the guy they passed on went to the Pro Bowl.

 

This was hardly the first time that happpened.

 

In 2008, our needs were identified in post-season review as CB and a WR. We went with Modrak's recommendations of McKelvin and Hardy and passed on a Pro Bowler in both cases (Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st and DeSean Jackson in the 2nd). In 2007, Modrak had a mid-1st round grade on Poz so we traded up to get him instead of standing pat and getting a better player in David Harris. In 2006, we went up to get John McCargo, another guy Modrak had a 1st round grade on (Modrak was the source for his friend Len Pasquarelli's article about the guy).

 

In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later). This isn't hindsight bias a la Tom Brady in the 6th round...we're talking about the pick coming down to 2 guys, Modrak recommending one and the VERY NEXT GUY off the board at the position goes to the pro bowl.

 

You all want to pretend this was a good draft, that the "new regime" is taking a fresh approach and getting the right guys in place, fine. You can believe that...glad Russ Brandon didn't have to work hard with the spin this year. But just know that the same guy who made all of bum recommendations in the past is the same guy who recommended Troup over Linval Joseph and Carrington over Earl Mitchell (perfect 3-4 DE who played DT at Arizona).

 

If the past is any guide, watch for Troup and Carrington to struggle while Joseph and Mitchell head to Honolulu.

What does Rob Petitti making $271,287 in performance-based incentives, have ANYTHING to do with John McCargo?

[oak tree 12]

I am amused by all of the posts talking about the "new" front office and how different things are now that Buddy Nix is running the show. It's total nonsense. All they did was elevate a semi-retired scout to the GM position at the same time they promoted Brandon to CEO -- meaning Buddy's position in the pecking order barely changed. They traded Doug Whaley for John Guy and that's a big improvement, no doubt about it, but all of the commentators have focused thus far on the draft.

 

The college scouting operation is all the same, headed by Tom Modrak, the guy who's run our drafts since 2002. I've had numerous conversations with people in the organization about the draft process. While Dick Jauron and Brandon had final say, Dick never overruled a Modrak recommendation when it came to a specific position. So, yes, Dick did decide to take a safety over a quarterback, for instance, but he took the safety on the board rated highest by Modrak.

 

This is an important distinction. In 2009, Modrak wanted Cushing. Fine. But he also had Maybin rated as his #1 DE-pass rusher. Thought Orakpo took too many plays off. So when Jauron-Brandon decided they needed a pass rusher, they went with the guy Modrak recommended. And the guy they passed on went to the Pro Bowl.

 

This was hardly the first time that happpened.

 

In 2008, our needs were identified in post-season review as CB and a WR. We went with Modrak's recommendations of McKelvin and Hardy and passed on a Pro Bowler in both cases (Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st and DeSean Jackson in the 2nd). In 2007, Modrak had a mid-1st round grade on Poz so we traded up to get him instead of standing pat and getting a better player in David Harris. In 2006, we went up to get John McCargo, another guy Modrak had a 1st round grade on (Modrak was the source for his friend Len Pasquarelli's article about the guy).

 

In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later). This isn't hindsight bias a la Tom Brady in the 6th round...we're talking about the pick coming down to 2 guys, Modrak recommending one and the VERY NEXT GUY off the board at the position goes to the pro bowl.

 

You all want to pretend this was a good draft, that the "new regime" is taking a fresh approach and getting the right guys in place, fine. You can believe that...glad Russ Brandon didn't have to work hard with the spin this year. But just know that the same guy who made all of bum recommendations in the past is the same guy who recommended Troup over Linval Joseph and Carrington over Earl Mitchell (perfect 3-4 DE who played DT at Arizona).

 

If the past is any guide, watch for Troup and Carrington to struggle while Joseph and Mitchell head to Honolulu.

 

yea right,"after numerous conversations with people within the organization",LOFL. give me a break. next you will tell us you were actually in the war room.

 

the truth of the matter no matter what your opinions are is that Modrak has been a respected personnel man in the NFL for 30 years and has also been the GM of the Eagles. the reason he is not a GM now is because he does not want to be because he does not want to have to commit to the ridiculous amount of time he would have to invest as a GM again.

 

Modrak knows talent he built the freaking eagles and those my friend are facts unlike your BS numerous conversations BS!

[hamtenp]

You sound like a man having a case of the sour grapes. Gabe Northern. i don't recall you going to the Probowl. So stop pissing and moaning and groaning and griping and start being supportive of our team.

I am amused by all of the posts talking about the "new" front office and how different things are now that Buddy Nix is running the show. It's total nonsense. All they did was elevate a semi-retired scout to the GM position at the same time they promoted Brandon to CEO -- meaning Buddy's position in the pecking order barely changed. They traded Doug Whaley for John Guy and that's a big improvement, no doubt about it, but all of the commentators have focused thus far on the draft.

 

The college scouting operation is all the same, headed by Tom Modrak, the guy who's run our drafts since 2002. I've had numerous conversations with people in the organization about the draft process. While Dick Jauron and Brandon had final say, Dick never overruled a Modrak recommendation when it came to a specific position. So, yes, Dick did decide to take a safety over a quarterback, for instance, but he took the safety on the board rated highest by Modrak.

 

This is an important distinction. In 2009, Modrak wanted Cushing. Fine. But he also had Maybin rated as his #1 DE-pass rusher. Thought Orakpo took too many plays off. So when Jauron-Brandon decided they needed a pass rusher, they went with the guy Modrak recommended. And the guy they passed on went to the Pro Bowl.

 

This was hardly the first time that happpened.

 

In 2008, our needs were identified in post-season review as CB and a WR. We went with Modrak's recommendations of McKelvin and Hardy and passed on a Pro Bowler in both cases (Rodgers-Cromartie in the 1st and DeSean Jackson in the 2nd). In 2007, Modrak had a mid-1st round grade on Poz so we traded up to get him instead of standing pat and getting a better player in David Harris. In 2006, we went up to get John McCargo, another guy Modrak had a 1st round grade on (Modrak was the source for his friend Len Pasquarelli's article about the guy).

 

In the Donahoe era, Modrak selected Roscoe Parrish over Vincent Jackson (taken 6 picks later). He was instrumental in the Losman selection (also source for this Pasquarelli article suggesting JP could go 1st round). In 2003, he recommended Kelsay over Osi Umenyiora (taken 8 picks later). This isn't hindsight bias a la Tom Brady in the 6th round...we're talking about the pick coming down to 2 guys, Modrak recommending one and the VERY NEXT GUY off the board at the position goes to the pro bowl.

 

You all want to pretend this was a good draft, that the "new regime" is taking a fresh approach and getting the right guys in place, fine. You can believe that...glad Russ Brandon didn't have to work hard with the spin this year. But just know that the same guy who made all of bum recommendations in the past is the same guy who recommended Troup over Linval Joseph and Carrington over Earl Mitchell (perfect 3-4 DE who played DT at Arizona).

 

If the past is any guide, watch for Troup and Carrington to struggle while Joseph and Mitchell head to Honolulu.

[Doc]

You do know that Modrak is the guy who got Nix here, right? And that it took a lot of talking. Nix is only here because he likes and believes in Modrak.

Do you have a link for that? I never read that anywhere, and since Nix used to work for the Bills and was available, I figured that's why he came back.

[dave mcbride]

Re: 2008, do you really think that Rodgers-Cromartie is better than McKelvin and shows more promise? I certianly don't, regardless of the Pro Bowl ...

[Sisyphean Bills]

But Nix has experience as an AGM while there were no top-tier GM's just sitting out there unemployed.

There were and are people with GM experience that are not employed by an NFL team then and now. Whether they meet your selective qualifications as "top-tier" or not.

 

When you claim Brandon had nothing to do with the football side of the business based on "the small test", you do know that he was given the title of GM, attended the combine and workouts, scouted players, was present and involved at training camp, talked about his plans to the media, etc. -- you know, the **** other GMs around the NFL do as part of their job as a GM.

[Doc]

There were and are people with GM experience that are not employed by an NFL team then and now. Whether they meet your selective qualifications as "top-tier" or not.

So, you're advocating hiring just any former GM, just because he was a former GM? Awesome.

When you claim Brandon had nothing to do with the football side of the business based on "the small test", you do know that he was given the title of GM, attended the combine and workouts, scouted players, was present and involved at training camp, talked about his plans to the media, etc. -- you know, the **** other GMs around the NFL do as part of their job as a GM.

Obviously Brandon, as GM (in-name only), was supposed to be present throughout the process. Just like Marv was. But neither was a true GM.