Russ Brandon

[May Day 10]

we all want the same thing.

 

Brandon, etc isnt going anywhere under the trust.

 

Team should be sold in 1.5-3.5 years?

 

If the team succeeds before then, hooray for everyone. If they are 6-10, than let the cleansing commence.

[GA BILLS FAN]

My bone of contention with some of the sentiment in this thread has always been that changes have absolutely occurred. I'm now clear on where we differ: you are of the opinion that Brandon is a failure until the product on the field proves otherwise, whereas I am of the opinion that Brandon is an unknown as "the boss" until the product on the field over a significant period of time proves one way or another.

 

Where I have lauded Brandon is his willingness to make changes to the football side of the organization--changes that were sorely needed. I have been consistent in saying that I like the feel of the football people in charge, from Whaley to Jim Monos to Kelvin Fisher and right down to Marrone...obviously, they need to show improvement on the field to gain my continued support.

 

Hopefully we're on the same page now, at least with respect to each other's opinions.

Agree. Well put. Our differences relate to whether it's fair to judge Brandon at this point or not.

[Mr. WEO]

I haven't seen anyone claim that Hilliard was fired because the WR were poorly behaved, so I'll have to take you at your word. My personal opinion is that Hilliard was fired because his WRs didn't run their routes very well much of the time, which created confusion for the mess of QBs the team fielded and hampered the offense.

 

And no, it's not inconsistent to criticize certain changes versus certain non-changes...it is, however, inconsistent to bash the coach for firing a position coach whose unit isn't performing and then bash him for not firing a position coach whose unit isn't performing. It isn't like he fired Pettine and kept Crossman.

 

 

 

We'll never know if Marrone was seriously considered anywhere else as the #1 candidate, given that Buffalo acted quickly when they found out Chicago was going to bring him in for an interview. All we know is that he interviewed with Buffalo, Philadelphia, and San Diego, and was scheduled to interview with Chicago and Cleveland.

 

If you're basing your opinion on the Marrone hire purely on your speculation that he wasn't anyone else's #1 choice, well, IMO that's pretty flimsy reasoning.

 

 

 

What do you want me to offer? A signed affidavit from GMs around the NFL? Read up a little on the league-wide reactions to Brandon's taking over as CEO and Whaley being promoted.

 

If your assertion is that the Whaley/Marrone hirings are viewed as similar in any way to the Nix/Gailey hirings, well, I don't see how you can honestly believe that. If that's not your assertion, then what, exactly, is your point?

 

Actually, don't answer that...I know your point: the team isn't winning, and that means that no changes have taken place. It's incorrect.

 

 

 

In my opinion, yes. He actually brought in some very good talent...let's not dismiss that he got Bledsoe, who played well for two seasons here. He also brought in Takeo Spikes, Sam Adams, Rian Lindell, and a few other FAs that did a nice job for the team.

 

Had he been able to put a better head coach in charge of things, he probably would've lasted longer...don't get me wrong, he didn't do a bang-up job on the personnel side, but I think his coaching choices hurt him more than his personnel evaluations.

 

I was basing my opinion on the Marrone hiring on his record as a football coach in the Big East. I only mentioned that he was unlikely other teams' top choice because you brought up that he was coveted by others.

 

As for Hilliard's firing, this board was loaded with posters claiming that he was dumped because of various Vine videos and tweets, behavior etc by the WRs. I'm not sure how you missed this.

[thewildrabbit]

Well, of course people have changed, you can't argue that. Brandon is in control instead of Wilson. Whaley is the GM instead of Nix, etc. We have new coaches, new players, etc. That all has changed. And with all the people changes, there will be "culture" change. So yeah, I guess... sure... everything has changed.

 

The results haven't. Yet.

 

Personally, I don't really care about the people, I care about the results. I like the new group of guys personally... but I also liked Chan and Fitz. I just want to win some damned football games.

Exactly! Can't say it any plainer for the Brandon drum beaters

 

I'll never forget PTR's utter disbelief back in 2010 when supposed QB guru Chan Gailey fell on his face so hard his first year at 4-12. How on gods green earth could anyone be worse then Mr 7-9, Dick Jauron?

 

This, after new GM Buddy Nix told the world "You're going to think I'm crazy, but we're not that far away" You know what, he was absolutely correct with that statement. The problem was... he made all the wrong moves, with his HC hiring, the players he brought in, the players he drafted. All this, after he gloated he chose to get some sleep when free agency opened that year. He then made the wrong decision on a FA right tackle. Holy crap could that 2010 draft have been any worse? Drafting a RB when the team was desperate for a LT, and then drafting a DT at #2 when TE Gronk was there, or OT Zane Beadles was there. It went on and on.... three years and flush!

 

Fast forward to today, and what do you get when you hire a mediocre college coach with a bunch of inexperienced assistants. Answer, another mediocre season, or worse! Yea, i suppose 6-10 is worse then 7-9. The only really good hire was DC Mike Pettine, and every Bills fan knew the defense was going to improve greatly with someone who knew what to do with all that talent. Sadly, Pettine only used the Buffalo Bills as a stepping stone, and bailed at the first opportunity that showed itself. In all probability this very same thing is going to happen again with Schwartz.

 

People are forgetting that Whaley made the exact same stupid mistakes with the O line in OG's Colin Brown, Sam Young that Nix made back in 2010 with Cornell Green. A player paid 2 mill per to start at RT who was subsequently benched and then cut after week six. Same as Brown, Young both cut after week six. Then the QB situation was also a fiasco in 2010 with the chosen starter cut after three games. This time around the team chose not to keep a viable veteran QB on the active roster, and went with three rookies. How on earth do these highly paid professionals make such incompetent decisions?

 

Now we Bills fans get to watch a few years of young Bills QB's getting knocked all over until they their lose their confidence, and become another JP or TE. Oh that's right I forgot, they sucked from the start.

 

Tell me seriously, would the current Bills O line stand a chance against the current Bills D line? Not in my view, not even close. How would that Bills defense look going full tilt against the Bills offense with all those 2nd year QB's? Annihilation, complete obliteration? Until those two line are capable of competing on an equal basis, then the most important position on the field will always be in constant jeopardy.

 

Six different regime changes the last 14 years, seven head coaches, and no better then 8-8 since 2000. Last year 6-10 under another new regime with some of the same, lame stupid mistakes we have all endured over, and over...so whats really changed?

 

Like I said, just because Brandon & co hired some new people in various positions. Doesn't mean those new people know what they are doing, all it means is they are new.

[3rdand12]

Exactly! Can't say it any plainer for the Brandon drum beaters

 

I'll never forget PTR's utter disbelief back in 2010 when supposed QB guru Chan Gailey fell on his face so hard his first year at 4-12. How on gods green earth could anyone be worse then Mr 7-9, Dick Jauron?

 

This, after new GM Buddy Nix told the world "You're going to think I'm crazy, but we're not that far away" You know what, he was absolutely correct with that statement. The problem was... he made all the wrong moves, with his HC hiring, the players he brought in, the players he drafted. All this, after he gloated he chose to get some sleep when free agency opened that year. He then made the wrong decision on a FA right tackle. Holy crap could that 2010 draft have been any worse? Drafting a RB when the team was desperate for a LT, and then drafting a DT at #2 when TE Gronk was there, or OT Zane Beadles was there. It went on and on.... three years and flush!

 

Fast forward to today, and what do you get when you hire a mediocre college coach with a bunch of inexperienced assistants. Answer, another mediocre season, or worse! Yea, i suppose 6-10 is worse then 7-9. The only really good hire was DC Mike Pettine, and every Bills fan knew the defense was going to improve greatly with someone who knew what to do with all that talent. Sadly, Pettine only used the Buffalo Bills as a stepping stone, and bailed at the first opportunity that showed itself. In all probability this very same thing is going to happen again with Schwartz.

 

People are forgetting that Whaley made the exact same stupid mistakes with the O line in OG's Colin Brown, Sam Young that Nix made back in 2010 with Cornell Green. A player paid 2 mill per to start at RT who was subsequently benched and then cut after week six. Same as Brown, Young both cut after week six. Then the QB situation was also a fiasco in 2010 with the chosen starter cut after three games. This time around the team chose not to keep a viable veteran QB on the active roster, and went with three rookies. How on earth do these highly paid professionals make such incompetent decisions?

 

Now we Bills fans get to watch a few years of young Bills QB's getting knocked all over until they their lose their confidence, and become another JP or TE. Oh that's right I forgot, they sucked from the start.

 

Tell me seriously, would the current Bills O line stand a chance against the current Bills D line? Not in my view, not even close. How would that Bills defense look going full tilt against the Bills offense with all those 2nd year QB's? Annihilation, complete obliteration? Until those two line are capable of competing on an equal basis, then the most important position on the field will always be in constant jeopardy.

 

Six different regime changes the last 14 years, seven head coaches, and no better then 8-8 since 2000. Last year 6-10 under another new regime with some of the same, lame stupid mistakes we have all endured over, and over...so whats really changed?

 

Like I said, just because Brandon & co hired some new people in various positions. Doesn't mean those new people know what they are doing, all it means is they are new.

Actually this time around he hired a better quality people. Last year was a little shaky but better then the Nix / Gailey regime ( no offense ). This season has some real football folks on board. Some pretty impressive adjustments in the coaching staff depth and knowledge base .

If you dig into these guys you would be pretty stoked. Not just new but some hardcore guys and a hierarchy that makes sense . Just for debate , do you really think Jim Schwartz would have considered Buffalo 3 years ago ?

I was surprised Pepper Johnson was on board to even look our way . Then he brings the #1 Run stopping LB in.

[thewildrabbit]

Actually this time around he hired a better quality people. Last year was a little shaky but better then the Nix / Gailey regime ( no offense ). This season has some real football folks on board. Some pretty impressive adjustments in the coaching staff depth and knowledge base .

If you dig into these guys you would be pretty stoked. Not just new but some hardcore guys and a hierarchy that makes sense . Just for debate , do you really think Jim Schwartz would have considered Buffalo 3 years ago ?

I was surprised Pepper Johnson was on board to even look our way . Then he brings the #1 Run stopping LB in.

I just don't see what you see, in what is going to turn this team into a good offense with just some new assistant coaches. Is Jim Hostler going to suit up and block for EJ? Are these new assistants going to making the decisions on further free agents or on draft day?

 

 

Free agents, Anthony Dixon was brought in because of his play on special teams -Keith Rivers special teams and run stopping- CB Corey Graham special teams play- Brandon Spikes- a 2 down run stopping specialist. So because HC Marrone refuses to replace his good friend the special teams coach, who stunk it up badly last year, as the Bills went from 9th to 30th on special teams. Then the Bills defense also was 30th against the run last season is the reason for the 2 down LBer.

 

The biggest disappointment in free agency signing (to me) this off season was a former #1, pick 14 Chris Williams by the Bears at OT in 2008. This signing was called a head scratcher by some. Called a bit surprising by others with 5.5 million guaranteed . Williams is someone who is one of those guys we heard Buddy Nix has an answer for if they don't get the job done at tackle. He was moved inside to OG, couldn't get it done there either, so the Bears outright cut him. Picked up by the Rams and graded as their worst player on the line last year. This signing literally reeks of the likes of Cornell Green / Colin Brown, and I can only wonder if he too will be cut by week six.

 

 

Just for debate, I do think Schwartz took the Buffalo job for the very same reason Pettine took the job. Nine of eleven starters are all first and second round draft picks. A 100 million dollar DE, along with arguably the very best D line in the league, two first round CB's. The #2 team in sacks last year. The #1 team in the NFL in tackles. The #4 team in the NFL against the pass. The defense is loaded with talent and any defensive coach in the league would jump at the chance to coach them. Schwartz will more then likely use the Bills as a jumping off point just like Pettine, or perhaps take over should Marrone really fall on his face.

 

I still see no offense again this year simply because that line isn't going to properly protect any of those 2nd year QB's. Will the Bills be able to beat a few bad teams this year like they did last year, probably. Will they be able to beat the good teams, doubtful.

 

Relax. I'm just pushing your buttons because you are the champion of the importance of O-linemen.

 

I actually have a sneaking suspicion you really are Greg Robinson gunning for a big payday.

 

I'm actually Zack Martin, and hoping the Bills trade back while picking up and extra 2nd rounder. Then draft me at #16, so I won't have to play for those smelly fish. Meanwhile, in the second round then be able to grab TE Troy Niklas (my teammate) Plus, with the extra second pick either OT Morgan Moses, Tiny Richardson, Gabe Jackson or Cyril Richardson. I'll be fine at RT or at OG. In fact, I can play any position on that line.

 

[3rdand12]

I just don't see what you see, in what is going to turn this team into a good offense with just some new assistant coaches. Is Jim Hostler going to suit up and block for EJ? Are these new assistants going to making the decisions on further free agents or on draft day?

 

 

Free agents, Anthony Dixon was brought in because of his play on special teams -Keith Rivers special teams and run stopping- CB Corey Graham special teams play- Brandon Spikes- a 2 down run stopping specialist. So because HC Marrone refuses to replace his good friend the special teams coach, who stunk it up badly last year, as the Bills went from 9th to 30th on special teams. Then the Bills defense also was 30th against the run last season is the reason for the 2 down LBer.

 

The biggest disappointment in free agency signing (to me) this off season was a former #1, pick 14 Chris Williams by the Bears at OT in 2008. This signing was called a head scratcher by some. Called a bit surprising by others with 5.5 million guaranteed . Williams is someone who is one of those guys we heard Buddy Nix has an answer for if they don't get the job done at tackle. He was moved inside to OG, couldn't get it done there either, so the Bears outright cut him. Picked up by the Rams and graded as their worst player on the line last year. This signing literally reeks of the likes of Cornell Green / Colin Brown, and I can only wonder if he too will be cut by week six.

 

 

Just for debate, I do think Schwartz took the Buffalo job for the very same reason Pettine took the job. Nine of eleven starters are all first and second round draft picks. A 100 million dollar DE, along with arguably the very best D line in the league, two first round CB's. The #2 team in sacks last year. The #1 team in the NFL in tackles. The #4 team in the NFL against the pass. The defense is loaded with talent and any defensive coach in the league would jump at the chance to coach them. Schwartz will more then likely use the Bills as a jumping off point just like Pettine, or perhaps take over should Marrone really fall on his face.

 

I still see no offense again this year simply because that line isn't going to properly protect any of those 2nd year QB's. Will the Bills be able to beat a few bad teams this year like they did last year, probably. Will they be able to beat the good teams, doubtful.

 

 

I'm actually Zack Martin, and hoping the Bills trade back while picking up and extra 2nd rounder. Then draft me at #16, so I won't have to play for those smelly fish. Meanwhile, in the second round then be able to grab TE Troy Niklas (my teammate) Plus, with the extra second pick either OT Morgan Moses, Tiny Richardson, Gabe Jackson or Cyril Richardson. I'll be fine at RT or at OG. In fact, I can play any position on that line.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmELikhya6o

You dont care much for our head coach Marrone or little Nate do you ?

: )

 

And why have you decided we cant protect EJ (slow eyes ) Manuel already. too soon. C Williams is sketchy but the draft has not occured yet .

As many have mentioned when the first game starts we shall know better what the Bills are doing.

Hell i might become a cynical old son of a b word next by seasons end

Edited April 3, 2014 by 3rdand12

[thewildrabbit]

You dont care much for our head coach Marrone or little Nate do you ?

: )

 

And why have you decided we cant protect EJ (slow eyes ) Manuel already. too soon. C Williams is sketchy but the draft has not occured yet .

As many have mentioned when the first game starts we shall know better what the Bills are doing.

Hell i might become a cynical old son of a b word next by seasons end

I look at things as a realist, and my optimism went out the window with last years mistakes.

 

You mean HC Doug Marrone the supposed O line guru? The ex NFL O linemen, ex NFL O line coach, ex NFL OC for the Saints. The same guy that was "hands on" the practice field last off season coaching up the replacement players for Andy Levitre. The two players that were outright cut by week six. Then the rest of the players on that line all regressed in their play from the 2012 season, save LT Glenn.

 

You mean Nathaniel Hackett, the guy who called more running plays then anyone else in the league? Kinda sad that 71% were up the middle behind Eric Wood because the rest can't run block to save their lives, or so it appeared.

 

As for the O line, did you happen to read over my previous posts, as I answered this in previous posts in this thread.

[3rdand12]

I look at things as a realist, and my optimism went out the window with last years mistakes.

 

You mean HC Doug Marrone the supposed O line guru? The ex NFL O linemen, ex NFL O line coach, ex NFL OC for the Saints. The same guy that was "hands on" the practice field last off season coaching up the replacement players for Andy Levitre. The two players that were outright cut by week six. Then the rest of the players on that line all regressed in their play from the 2012 season, save LT Glenn.

 

You mean Nathaniel Hackett, the guy who called more running plays then anyone else in the league? Kinda sad that 71% were up the middle behind Eric Wood because the rest can't run block to save their lives, or so it appeared.

 

As for the O line, did you happen to read over my previous posts, as I answered this in previous posts in this thread.

Nope i read every bit. I Always do .

Not sure why you cant see some positives from last seasons Rookie NFL head coach and Rookie NFL Offensive coordinators learning year. Thats what it was of course.

Did they flounder ? Of course. We forum folks have ponded this shitte into the ground really.

I am not trying to be right. I also consider last season to be one amazing poor luck , that revealed weaknesses in the Plan.

Say Kevin Kolb. This group is smarter than you give them credit for and are making adjustments. A simple one is bringing im that Wide 9 guy.

The o line is my favorite weakness and i dont blame that on Marrone . Thats is small minded indeed. Because we saw him playing with the o line means he is hands on or dictates the players ? He has coaches he needs to trust. If mistakes are made , then adjustments are made.

Or we could toss the bath water after one season .

Geesh. I see your perspective.

No i dont actually. i dont know what you want from this board.

Edited April 3, 2014 by 3rdand12

[thewildrabbit]

Nope i read every bit. I Always do .

Not sure why you cant see some positives from last seasons Rookie NFL head coach and Rookie NFL Offensive coordinators learning year. Thats what it was of course.

Did they flounder ? Of course. We forum folks have ponded this shitte into the ground really.

I am not trying to be right. I also consider last season to be one amazing poor luck , that revealed weaknesses in the Plan.

Say Kevin Kolb. This group is smarter than you give them credit for and are making adjustments. A simple one is bringing im that Wide 9 guy.

The o line is my favorite weakness and i dont blame that on Marrone . Thats is small minded indeed. Because we saw him playing with the o line means he is hands on or dictates the players ? He has coaches he needs to trust. If mistakes are made , then adjustments are made.

Or we could toss the bath water after one season .

Geesh. I see your perspective.

No i dont actually. i dont know what you want from this board.

You started this conversation with some questions along with some exuberance about the new coaching staff changes, as a result I merely gave my opinion. If you want to feel good about the upcoming season, then go right ahead.

[3rdand12]

You started this conversation with some questions along with some exuberance about the new coaching staff changes, as a result I merely gave my opinion. If you want to feel good about the upcoming season, then go right ahead.

Thank you !

I appreciate it .

[Keukasmallies]

If it's fair to judge the new (three months) CEO of General Motors, it's certainly fair to judge Mr. Brandon! The Bills are a business, Mr. Brandon runs that business, the business makes lots of money; therefore, I judge him to be successful. If one sees the Bills as only a sports team that doesn't win, he's a failure and should be replaced.

[Kirby Jackson]

If it's fair to judge the new (three months) CEO of General Motors, it's certainly fair to judge Mr. Brandon! The Bills are a business, Mr. Brandon runs that business, the business makes lots of money; therefore, I judge him to be successful. If one sees the Bills as only a sports team that doesn't win, he's a failure and should be replaced.

Not to poke holes in your analogy but it's different. The CEO of GM can come in an institute new protocols that start tomorrow. The Bills changes can only be reflected as success or failure during the season.

 

In addition, GM does not face obstacles where their assets do not operate (injuries). Sports are a totally unique business model in that your assets (players) are your liabilities. How would GM operate if their most important machine did not function for 3/8 of the year? Would that ultimately impact their success or failure? That is the equivalent of a QB starting only 10 of 16 games.

 

Another thing is that the Bills are constricted by a salary cap. GM can throw an unlimited amount of cash at their problems. Regardless of what the budget is they can elect to spend past it. It may not work but it is still an option. The Bills do not have that option.

 

There are many, many more differences but I will leave it there. While I definitely agree that it is a business first it is not just like any other business. Baseball probably most closely resembles any other business in that they are not restricted by a hard cap, most of their revenues are generated as a team (not a league), and injuries are less frequent. The gap in revenues between the top team and the bottom team is enormous.

[Keukasmallies]

I don't agree w/ the holes you poked....

 

Bills business changes can be reflected as readily as can those instituted by a private sector CEO given the context of their respective environments. Frankly, much of the revenue the Bills receive isn't even dependent on on-field success, e.g., TV revenues that are portioned out just for existing.

 

One can make the argument that injuries to key players have little or no impact on the bottom line, and certainly there is ample evidence that poor performance is almost a keystone of the Bills "success" in that failure appears to breed continuing season ticket sales, often at increased prices.

 

GM certainly does face obstacles wherein their assets don't operate: See this week's newspapers.

 

i believe the Bills is a business all too much like any other private sector business in many ways; where they differ is that the Bills can "sell" (not offer, sell) an inferior product over long periods of time and not fear losing their customer base. Tragic, but true.

 

So, again, I believe it is totally fair to judge Mr. Brandon from both the business and the "sports" perspectives: Successful in the former; unsuccessful in the latter.

[Kirby Jackson]

I don't agree w/ the holes you poked....

 

Bills business changes can be reflected as readily as can those instituted by a private sector CEO given the context of their respective environments. Frankly, much of the revenue the Bills receive isn't even dependent on on-field success, e.g., TV revenues that are portioned out just for existing. (Correct which is negotiated at the league level not the team. They only control the non shared portion which they have done EXTREMELY well considering the market and stadium.)

 

One can make the argument that injuries to key players have little or no impact on the bottom line, and certainly there is ample evidence that poor performance is almost a keystone of the Bills "success" in that failure appears to breed continuing season ticket sales, often at increased prices. (Not sure what you are saying? The record has little impact on the business side. Almost all revenues are generated before a game is played.)

 

GM certainly does face obstacles wherein their assets don't operate: See this week's newspapers.

 

i believe the Bills is a business all too much like any other private sector business in many ways; where they differ is that the Bills can "sell" (not offer, sell) an inferior product over long periods of time and not fear losing their customer base. Tragic, but true. (So we agree that they have done a masterful job of running their business?)

 

So, again, I believe it is totally fair to judge Mr. Brandon from both the business and the "sports" perspectives: Successful in the former; unsuccessful in the latter. (The whole point is that he is only 1 year into running the football and about 8-10 year into running the business. I actually think that we are in agreement. If given the proper time and resources his track record in business would lead you to believe that they will be successful).

[thewildrabbit]

Not to poke holes in your analogy but it's different. The CEO of GM can come in an institute new protocols that start tomorrow. The Bills changes can only be reflected as success or failure during the season.

 

In addition, GM does not face obstacles where their assets do not operate (injuries). Sports are a totally unique business model in that your assets (players) are your liabilities. How would GM operate if their most important machine did not function for 3/8 of the year? Would that ultimately impact their success or failure? That is the equivalent of a QB starting only 10 of 16 games.

 

Another thing is that the Bills are constricted by a salary cap. GM can throw an unlimited amount of cash at their problems. Regardless of what the budget is they can elect to spend past it. It may not work but it is still an option. The Bills do not have that option.

 

There are many, many more differences but I will leave it there. While I definitely agree that it is a business first it is not just like any other business. Baseball probably most closely resembles any other business in that they are not restricted by a hard cap, most of their revenues are generated as a team (not a league), and injuries are less frequent. The gap in revenues between the top team and the bottom team is enormous.

Hi Kirby

 

If GM put out a bad product, then people would stop buying their cars, and then ultimately they would go out of business. The Buffalo Bills have put a bad product on the field for fourteen years and are still making a good profit for the one owner.

 

Russ Brandon & Buffalo Bills philosophy.... How to win big by losing cheaply http://espn.go.com/e...eap-paying-wins

 

Great article on how losing so much has kept the Bills in the green.

 

"In the NFL structure, a cheap team that loses might have more profits than an expensive team that wins. Victory is nice, to be sure, but losing cheap can be remunerative."

 

My favorite part, "money that is not spent on players goes into the pockets of the owner and his relatives."

 

 

There is real, hard reason as to why the team loses every year. Bring in 100 million dollar DE to sell tickets. We need a LT, but a star RB will sell tickets. Bring in TO to sell tickets.

 

 

Sok guys, keep defending the man who sucks you into buying season tickets every year... all the while knowing the team isn't going anywhere. Its all a charade, a blatant pretense, deception....something so full of pretense as to be a travesty.

Edited April 3, 2014 by FeartheLosing

[Keukasmallies]

BB, we are in agreement given the separation of points from which to view the Bills. A business success today...and maybe a sports success tomorrow (Always remembering that the best predictor of tomorrow is yesterday.).

[C.Biscuit97]

Hi Kirby

 

If GM put out a bad product, then people would stop buying their cars, and then ultimately they would go out of business. The Buffalo Bills have put a bad product on the field for fourteen years and are still making a good profit for the one owner.

 

Russ Brandon & Buffalo Bills philosophy.... How to win big by losing cheaply http://espn.go.com/e...eap-paying-wins

 

Great article on how losing so much has kept the Bills in the green.

 

"For Buffalo, this is a recent pattern. Just before the 2009 season began, the Bills waived their starting left tackle, Langston Walker, and the team's highest-paid offensive player. Two games into the 2010 season, the Bills waived their starting quarterback, Trent Edwards, their second-highest-paid offensive player. Both actions increased profits while setting up an excuse for a losing season."

 

My favorite part, "money that is not spent on players goes into the pockets of the owner and his relatives."

 

 

There is real, hard reason as to why the team loses every year. Bring in 100 million dollar DE to sell tickets. We need a LT, but a star RB will sell tickets. Bring in TO to sell tickets.

 

 

Sok guys, keep defending the man who sucks you into buying season tickets every year... all the while knowing the team isn't going anywhere. Its all a charade, a blatant pretense, deception....something so full of pretense as to be a travesty.

 

So when they spend money, they are just trying to sell tickets. But if the cut "studs" like Walker and Edwards, they are cheap?

 

If you honestly think Brandon is really just trying to fatten his pockets, then I probably won't watch for a few years. Because he's not going anywhere.

[thebandit27]

 

 

So when they spend money, they are just trying to sell tickets. But if the cut "studs" like Walker and Edwards, they are cheap?

 

If you honestly think Brandon is really just trying to fatten his pockets, then I probably won't watch for a few years. Because he's not going anywhere.

 

Interesting isn't it?

[Kirby Jackson]

Hi Kirby

 

If GM put out a bad product, then people would stop buying their cars, and then ultimately they would go out of business. The Buffalo Bills have put a bad product on the field for fourteen years and are still making a good profit for the one owner.

 

Russ Brandon & Buffalo Bills philosophy.... How to win big by losing cheaply http://espn.go.com/e...eap-paying-wins

 

Great article on how losing so much has kept the Bills in the green.

 

"For Buffalo, this is a recent pattern. Just before the 2009 season began, the Bills waived their starting left tackle, Langston Walker, and the team's highest-paid offensive player. Two games into the 2010 season, the Bills waived their starting quarterback, Trent Edwards, their second-highest-paid offensive player. Both actions increased profits while setting up an excuse for a losing season."

 

My favorite part, "money that is not spent on players goes into the pockets of the owner and his relatives."

 

 

There is real, hard reason as to why the team loses every year. Bring in 100 million dollar DE to sell tickets. We need a LT, but a star RB will sell tickets. Bring in TO to sell tickets.

 

 

Sok guys, keep defending the man who sucks you into buying season tickets every year... all the while knowing the team isn't going anywhere. Its all a charade, a blatant pretense, deception....something so full of pretense as to be a travesty.

Yeah, it was a huge mistake to cut star QB Trent Edwards and your highest paid offensive player in Langston Walker. I do understand the way that it works. I have a masters degree in sports business and worked in pro sports for 8 years. With that being said, I can relate to the challenges that they face and have a solid understanding of the responsibilities of each position. I am not trying to be a "Kool-Aid" drinker and at the same time I am not trying to be a negative Nancy. I am trying to be a realist.

 

It is a bit of a pet peeve of mine when someone is being held accountable for something that they are not responsible for. I brought it up earlier "do we hold Hackett responsible for poor ST play?" Of course not!! It is very much the same thing. Think of Russ as a former offensive coordinator who recently was promoted to Head Coach. He didn't use to have a say in the defense but now he does. You cannot blame him for the performances of past defenses. You can blame him for any business decision in the last decade (Toronto, seat heaters, etc...) as well as any football decision in the last year or so (Levitre, Byrd, EJ, Kiko, Marrone, Whaley, etc...). That is the point that I have been trying to make all along. If you want to point the finger, go for it but make sure that you are pointing it in the right direction.

 

As an aside, the 2 people that get the biggest passes on here are John Guy (pro) and Tom Modrak (college). Those are the two that were responsible for building the talent on the roster between Donahoe and Buddy. Others, may have had the title but those are the two that had the responsibility. I think that they did a pretty miserable job of assembling talent in that period.