Russ Brandon: "Marrone Has Changed the Bills' Culture"

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

I would take that one large step further. I don't believe even when RB was the GM he was making many football decisions and I mean that in a good way. Pure speculation but I'd be shocked if in most cases he didn't defer to either Dick J or Buddy and he'd just sign off on it. In some cases, maybe often Dick and Buddy may disagree, those may be the few times he did make any kind of a decision as he'd then break the tie. But really can't see Dick J being the type who'd dig his heels in on much of anything and even if he did, would anyone notice. I don't think RB ever even wanted to be the GM, but Ralph asked him so he did it but within what was it two years handed it off to Buddy. At that point in time Ralph was not involved with much of anything so would have been very easy for RB to convince Ralph to leave him as GM if RB wanted to. Making Buddy the GM was likely Russ's idea to start with.

 

@Kirby -- They can't see the definitive changes made within the organization since Russ became CEO and understand he hasn't been involved in football (i.e., personnel) decisions for quite a while.

[May Day 10]

People were ready to burn the stadium down. Ralph said "head of football" like 500 times during Nix's PC to drive the point home that the change was being made. I doubt it was Brandon's choice. Any self-respecting male would relish the opportunity to play GM of a major pro sports team.

Edited December 18, 2014 by May Day 10

[jester43]

no one said the questions were "mean."

that's kind of what you're saying.

[JohnC]

Which is appreciated by those of us (like me) away from the inner workings and relying upon forums like these for our information.

 

eball, You don't have to be immersed in the inner workings of the organization to judge results, the ultimate measurement. The Bills sold out all their games, including late season winter games where in prior years plenty of seats were empty. In addition, the season is close to concluding and at least mathematically the Bills are still in the playoff hunt. When was the last time that happened?

 

The Bills have a young and much respected GM and new ownership who not only made a committment to keep the team in the region but is committed to the product on the field. Anyone who doesn't believe that the trajectory is upwards is clueless and has little appreciation for the positive things that have already happened.

 

The next franchise challenge is to get a credible qb who will lead this team to a post season appearance and beyond. If that can be done then we're really cooking! We have gone from a depressing environment of annual pessimism to an invigorating environment of optimism. Breathe deep eball, breathe deep and take it in.

[YoloinOhio]

that's kind of what you're saying.

I said they were asking questions according to an agenda they had, regardless of whether the angle was valid. If you think that is being "mean" you are entitled to your opinion. I don't.

[TheFunPolice]

Well, to those who say "nothing has changed" I say of course not! Yet. It's been a couple of months and the Pegulas are still feeling their way around.

 

I think the answer to all this is really simple. Russ will inevitably lose some power as he was essentially playing owner before. Sure, he is respected. Not to minimize that, but a lot of guys in the league are very respected and they get replaced or step aside or assume diminished roles all the time. Russ has done a great job with the business side of the team but he has also over the past several years assumed a lot of other powers that an owner would normally have.

 

That isn't the way the Pegulas do business. Never had been and it never will be. Terry and Kim aren't going to sit at home in Florida with bated breath to see how Russ Brandon will run their football team. If you were paying attention to the "One Buffalo" article that was recently published where the Pegulas outlined their ideas for this new initiative they were pretty clear that they see the role of owner as being involved, making a difference, making decisions, NOT sitting up in the box looking important (or something to that effect).

 

You doubt it? Remember when Terry hired Pat Lafontaine to be his President of Hockey Operations? I'm sure Terry thought it would be fun to work together with one of his heroes on building the Sabres. Apparently, Pat thought it would be fun to be President of Hockey Ops and run the Sabres himself and didn't appreciate the "help" he received from Terry in pretty much every decision. Terry seemed genuinely hurt by what happened. It was supposed to be a team effort, with him leading the team (i.e. not Pat).

 

You can expect something similar with the Bills, maybe even more so given the level of investment. Whether that is good or bad remains to be seen, but this is an owner who got on his private plane to go recruit free agents for the Sabres. I'm not saying he will fly to Chicago to go visit Jay Cutler (just an example), but I'm also not going to be shocked if he does something like that either.

 

Right now it's pretty much status quo, but remember, they haven't done anything yet. It will be interesting to see how Russ handles working with owners who are going to make a lot of decisions that he used to be the ultimate authority on.

Edited December 18, 2014 by TheFunPolice

[3rdand12]

Pass to score, run to win.

 

GO BILLS!!!

I like this phrase.

Thanks for the note to both you and Big Cat.

 

To the OP point,Brandon has transitioned the team very nicely during all the major drama and held the Operation together almost seamlessly.

I used to harangue him for meddling. But i am quite fine with his role as it appears to currently be.

 

His tan always unnerves me though.

[Kelly the Dog]

I've said it before and will say it again, I love Brandon, and think he is excellent at his job, and I don't believe a word he says and have no idea why anyone would take anything he says in public seriously. He's 100% a PR guy when he talks to the media.

[K-9]

I like this phrase.

Thanks for the note to both you and Big Cat.

 

To the OP point,Brandon has transitioned the team very nicely during all the major drama and held the Operation together almost seamlessly.

I used to harangue him for meddling. But i am quite fine with his role as it appears to currently be.

 

His tan always unnerves me though.

 

I hear ya. It really "popped" on screen while watching 'Draft Day'. Indeed, Russ Brandon was a cinematic tour de force in his brief appearance.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[3rdand12]

I hear ya. It really "popped" on screen while watching 'Draft Day'. Indeed, Russ Brandon was a cinematic tour de force in his brief appearance.

 

GO BILLS!!!

LOL

Its a western NY team and he looks all Florida South Beached. or he is in the tanning booth. which is creepier even...

[KRT88]

In my lifetime, born in 1969, the Steelers have had three head coaches. In the 21st century we have had what 6! Firing Marone and starting again IS NOT the answer. Even considering this is nothing short of stupid. Now of Marone decided to change the OC, I wouldn't be unhappy but I doubt he's going to do that.

 

I am pretty sure we would all like to see some changes to the play calling, and I still am completely dumbfounded as to why we don't have creative offensive groupings say CJ and FJ on field together (when they were healthy). Or at least better route combination would be helpful but perhaps he'll improve with time. He was like 12 years old when we hired him.

[Bill from NYC]

The hiring of Marrone demonstrates the change from the old ways of doing business to a more collaborative professional approach. There was a process and there were consultations among the participants. The parties involved in the process (Nix, Whaley and Brandon) before they made a selection agreed on criteria and used it in assessing the applicants.

The above is quite presumptuous imo.

 

Brandon had the power, and Marrone was a Syracuse crony who he even allowed to bring in his staff. I too will make a presumption: I am guessing that Marrone and Hackett are two of the lowest paid persons at their respective jobs.

Ask yourself this if you will.....if the Bills don't make the playoffs and fire Marrone, how many teams do you think will be clamoring around to sign him as a head coach?

 

Marrone might be a good head coach some day. I am NOT saying that this cannot happen. There ARE things that I like about him. But to say that hiring a cheap, inexperienced head coach with a so-so resume was some sort of monumental achievement is a mischaracterization of sorts.

 

Jmo.

[K-9]

LOL

Its a western NY team and he looks all Florida South Beached. or he is in the tanning booth. which is creepier even...

 

When RB is in the room, EVERYBODY else looks like the the main character from the film 'Powder.' Even Boobie Dixon.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[3rdand12]

When RB is in the room, EVERYBODY else looks like the the main character from the film 'Powder.' Even Boobie Dixon.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Ha ha !!

Well done K.

 

On another note , i just saw the Pic of Boobie sitting in the stands after Lamboing his way up there. There is a young caucasian girl looking on in awe as the adult fans are cheering. Dixon looks peaceful. Quite a contrast in photography. Thats the kinda stuff i love.

Brandon, not so much.

But he is ours just the same

 

Go Bills !

[Kirby Jackson]

Ha ha !!

Well done K.

 

On another note , i just saw the Pic of Boobie sitting in the stands after Lamboing his way up there. There is a young caucasian girl looking on in awe as the adult fans are cheering. Dixon looks peaceful. Quite a contrast in photography. Thats the kinda stuff i love.

Brandon, not so much.

But he is ours just the same

 

Go Bills !

Not to derail the subject but how much do you love Boobie?!? He fits in perfectly. That guy seems like such a character. I follow him on Twitter & Instagram and it's entertaining prettying every time he posts. Glad to have him!!

[3rdand12]

Not to derail the subject but how much do you love Boobie?!? He fits in perfectly. That guy seems like such a character. I follow him on Twitter & Instagram and it's entertaining prettying every time he posts. Glad to have him!!

This much

( )

what a character. Smart , professional player. Knows the game and the nuances . Leader ? Heck yes. and the Kid can just play football.

Huge asset. Lucky to have him.

Brandon did a nice job finding him ?!lol. now lets keep him around

[Rico]

The above is quite presumptuous imo.

 

Brandon had the power, and Marrone was a Syracuse crony who he even allowed to bring in his staff. I too will make a presumption: I am guessing that Marrone and Hackett are two of the lowest paid persons at their respective jobs.

Ask yourself this if you will.....if the Bills don't make the playoffs and fire Marrone, how many teams do you think will be clamoring around to sign him as a head coach?

 

Marrone might be a good head coach some day. I am NOT saying that this cannot happen. There ARE things that I like about him. But to say that hiring a cheap, inexperienced head coach with a so-so resume was some sort of monumental achievement is a mischaracterization of sorts.

 

Jmo.

The same number of NFL teams that would be clamoring after Brandon to be their President or CEO if he got dumped by the Pegulas.

[YoloinOhio]

Not to derail the subject but how much do you love Boobie?!? He fits in perfectly. That guy seems like such a character. I follow him on Twitter & Instagram and it's entertaining prettying every time he posts. Glad to have him!!

i follow him too. Great personality.

[JohnC]

The above is quite presumptuous imo.

 

Brandon had the power, and Marrone was a Syracuse crony who he even allowed to bring in his staff. I too will make a presumption: I am guessing that Marrone and Hackett are two of the lowest paid persons at their respective jobs.

Ask yourself this if you will.....if the Bills don't make the playoffs and fire Marrone, how many teams do you think will be clamoring around to sign him as a head coach?

 

Marrone might be a good head coach some day. I am NOT saying that this cannot happen. There ARE things that I like about him. But to say that hiring a cheap, inexperienced head coach with a so-so resume was some sort of monumental achievement is a mischaracterization of sorts.

 

Jmo.

 

Gotham Bill, Good hearing from you. There is a void when you don't post your game impressions.

 

You, not I, are the one are being presumptious. I don't know where you came up with this crony relationship between Marrone and Brandon. There is a Syracuse connection but there isn't a personal connection between the two as far as I know.

 

If you recall during the hiring process Buffalo wasn't the only team that interviewed Marrone. I'm not suggesting that he was a "hot" commodity but he was a serious HC candidate for a number of teams. Contrary to how you are protraying his candidacy he was not an attractive candidate simply because he came cheaply.

 

Odds are that the Bills will not make the playoffs. And it is very probable that Marrone will still return as the HC. I'm also confident that he will be the one making the decision to retain or dismiss any of his staff. With respect to how much money Marrone makes I'm sure that it falls in the appropriate range for a first time HC hire. Without precisely knowing what it is I sure it is in the price range of new hires who didn't have previous HCing experience. I wouldn't be surprised if Hackett falls within the lower range because he was hired as an inexperienced coordinator.

 

I'm not bothered by the amount either is getting. If Marrone does a good job over the next few years I'm confident that he will get an increase in salary in his next contract commensurate with the job he does. With respect to Hackett he is unfairly criticized for the job he is doing. How does anyone expect him to get good results when the qb he is calling plays for is atrocious? Hackett is without a doubt calling plays for the worst starting qb in the league. He is also calling plays for one of the least mobile qbs, further limiting the plays that can be called on his behalf. He should be getting a Christmas bonus for having the fortitude to work with the garbage he is working with!

 

I strongly believe that the Marrone hire was a collaborative hire among Whaley, Nix and Brandon. You have on a number of occasions more than insuated that this was primarily a Brandon hire without much meaningful input from the other two who were also involved with the interview process. I respectfully but strenuously disagree with your assumptions on the hire and on the process.

[34-78-83]

I think this team is on the verge of making it very difficult for some long time good respectable TBD posters, who have been beaten into doubting thomases through years of prior Bills ineptitude, to make such frequent sour assumptions. Just my 2 cents.

We are a QB away (though easier said than done).