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

[26CornerBlitz]

Orton isn't good, but worst starting QB in the league?

 

Tennessee, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Arizona, Houston, Washington, Tampa bay, New York, and Cleveland would have a strong argument against that being the case....

 

Yes the QB's we have are below average to bad, but everyone should be held accountable for this atrocity of an offense, coaches included.

 

I don't totally put the blame on Hackett. I think the offense is an extension of Marrone unfortunately.

 

In the last three weeks, he has played close to the worst if not the worst. Just one brutal stretch of NFL quarterbacking by Orton.

[Fadingpain]

In the last three weeks, he has played close to the worst if not the worst. Just one brutal stretch of NFL quarterbacking by Orton.

 

This is true. I have been saying he is due for a good game for a while now. It hasn't come.

 

I suspect opposing defensive coordinators have caught on to what he can and can't do, and have taken away what he CAN do, daring him to do what he can't do.

 

And unfortunately he is not good enough to overcome this predicament.

 

It's a similar problem to what we had with Fitz and EJ. Among others.

[eball]

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.

 

It's funny reading stuff like this, from folks who have no clue and simply take every opportunity to bash the guy. Make no mistake, Brandon would be pursued by either an NFL franchise or the NFL front office. He has done a terrific job of "normalizing" the Bills organization and how they operate.

[PolishDave]

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!

 

Make a mental note about the excuses and scapegoats you guys keep making for Hackett. If Hackett is back next year, the Bills offense will continue to suck, and yes, that is even if they find better guards and a different qb to play for this team. His offense sucks by design, or else he just sucks teaching it, if he can't get production out of this many different guys. The excuses are simply laughable.

[Big Gun]

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.

 

I think he gets quite a few looks and offers and has a job right away. In the inner NFL circle he has taken a total laughingstock of a team and made them play hard, win, and be relevant again. Not easy to do in just 2 years, so yeah I think he would be snapped up right away.

[Rico]

It's funny reading stuff like this, from folks who have no clue and simply take every opportunity to bash the guy. Make no mistake, Brandon would be pursued by either an NFL franchise or the NFL front office. He has done a terrific job of "normalizing" the Bills organization and how they operate.

It's more funny reading stuff like this, from folks who are extremely naive & believe anything they read from 'insiders' on a message board.

[YoloinOhio]

It's more funny reading stuff like this, from folks who are extremely naive & believe anything they read from 'insiders' on a message board.

definitely - it's far more intelligent to brush off the info shared by folks who have shown to have real insight in the past, in favor of making things up that fit their own opinion on the matter. Edited December 19, 2014 by YoloinOhio

[jester43]

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.

yeah their agenda is to bring up the same topics that we kick around here and on the radio. why do you get to decide if the "angle was valid?" i don't hear many questions asked that i'm not curious to hear the answer to.

 

yes, that's gonna make people uncomfortable sometimes. but they're big boys. kyle williams is paid very well to cope with all these hidden agendas and it seems like he is up to the task. that doesn't mean i don't want him asked about how it feels to play on the best defense with a horrible offense and coach who thinks it's 1986.

 

you guys that cry about the media all day long are the ones who give them so much power ...and waaaay overstate their influence. what do you want...hockey hotline and the john murphy show?? that is the crap that is impossible to listen to. unicorns and rainbows.

[YoloinOhio]

yeah their agenda is to bring up the same topics that we kick around here and on the radio. why do you get to decide if the "angle was valid?" i don't hear many questions asked that i'm not curious to hear the answer to.

 

yes, that's gonna make people uncomfortable sometimes. but they're big boys. kyle williams is paid very well to cope with all these hidden agendas and it seems like he is up to the task. that doesn't mean i don't want him asked about how it feels to play on the best defense with a horrible offense and coach who thinks it's 1986.

 

you guys that cry about the media all day long are the ones who give them so much power ...and waaaay overstate their influence. what do you want...hockey hotline and the john murphy show?? that is the crap that is impossible to listen to. unicorns and rainbows.

i am not 'crying' about the local media. I think they do come across like amateurs in a lot of cases, like this one. Reporting on controversy is welcome and expected. Trying to create something where there isn't any is something most people can see through. There is clearly an agenda, as they keep asking the same questions over and over and aren't getting the answers they want. So instead of reporting on something real they beat a dead horse on a topic that seems baseless. It has nothing to do with comparing it to JMS. Everyone knows what they are going to get with that show. I have little doubt that it will be someone from the national media who finally reports on the real story behind the Mike Williams situation while the local guys are chasing down every last guy on the roster looking for that elusive quote they can use in their article they decided should be about the defense being frustrated by the offense's low productivity. It's their opinion they should be frustrated, so therefore it must be true. Great reporting.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

yeah their agenda is to bring up the same topics that we kick around here and on the radio. why do you get to decide if the "angle was valid?" i don't hear many questions asked that i'm not curious to hear the answer to.

 

yes, that's gonna make people uncomfortable sometimes. but they're big boys. kyle williams is paid very well to cope with all these hidden agendas and it seems like he is up to the task. that doesn't mean i don't want him asked about how it feels to play on the best defense with a horrible offense and coach who thinks it's 1986.

 

you guys that cry about the media all day long are the ones who give them so much power ...and waaaay overstate their influence. what do you want...hockey hotline and the john murphy show?? that is the crap that is impossible to listen to. unicorns and rainbows.

"and waaaay overstate their influence". Interesting comment about the modern media and the realtively new social media dynamic. You probably should never be a political consultant.

[JohnC]

Orton isn't good, but worst starting QB in the league?

 

Tennessee, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Arizona, Houston, Washington, Tampa bay, New York, and Cleveland would have a strong argument against that being the case....

 

Yes the QB's we have are below average to bad, but everyone should be held accountable for this atrocity of an offense, coaches included.

 

I don't totally put the blame on Hackett. I think the offense is an extension of Marrone unfortunately.

 

I say it with an abundance of confidence that Orton is the worst starting qb in the league. If you factor in his lack of mobility you magnify his overwhelming deficiencies. His performances this year are less than mediocre. The mere fact that you are making comparisons with other qb deficient teams illustrate my point that he is at the bottom of the heap.

 

Make a mental note about the excuses and scapegoats you guys keep making for Hackett. If Hackett is back next year, the Bills offense will continue to suck, and yes, that is even if they find better guards and a different qb to play for this team. His offense sucks by design, or else he just sucks teaching it, if he can't get production out of this many different guys. The excuses are simply laughable.

 

How does an OC call plays for a qb that can't execute plays? It is unfair to evaluate coaches when the players under their tutelage are hideously inept. You work with the talent you have been given. When a qb's talent reservoir is empty there is nothing to draw from.

[eball]

It's more funny reading stuff like this, from folks who are extremely naive & believe anything they read from 'insiders' on a message board.

 

I've been called a lot of things...naive ain't one of them. You're very consistent with your remarks around here...consistently uninformed.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I've been called a lot of things...naive ain't one of them. You're very consistent with your remarks around here...consistently uninformed.

Edited December 19, 2014 by 75Bills

[Sisyphean Bills]

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.

 

Well, he is working at getting his own "brand" out there, for sure. That he is blowing his own horn on this hire and extremely brief stint as the proxy-owner with this statement is undeniable.

 

What seems like it could be walking out on a limb is to say these things with two games to go and on the radio. Maybe he is confident that he already has the Pegulas 100% bought in to his viewpoint and strategic vision and direction for how things will continue to be run and regardless of what happens.

[26CornerBlitz]

Well, he is working at getting his own "brand" out there, for sure. That he is blowing his own horn on this hire and extremely brief stint as the proxy-owner with this statement is undeniable.

 

What seems like it could be walking out on a limb is to say these things with two games to go and on the radio. Maybe he is confident that he already has the Pegulas 100% bought in to his viewpoint and strategic vision and direction for how things will continue to be run and regardless of what happens.

 

I know Brandon has met with the Pegulas in Florida at least once to discuss the future of the franchise moving forward. I have no doubt that he has lobbied hard for no changes in the football operations at OBD.

[Sisyphean Bills]

I know Brandon has met with the Pegulas in Florida at least once to discuss the future of the franchise moving forward. I have no doubt that he has lobbied hard for no changes in the football operations at OBD.

 

I have absolutely no doubt he has lobbied hard for the status quo.

 

(The variable that we don't know is exactly what the Pegulas are thinking. It does seem a little strange that Brandon, as an employee, is giving the appearance that he may be incautious about making sure he is fully aligned with his new bosses' vision. As owners, they are allowed to form their own after all.)

[T master]

More like by him hiring really good D coordinators & them carrying the team along with the character of the players on both sides of the ball is what is changing the team not the HC ...

 

Sure he may be a good guy but his football intelligence has been less than stellar to say the least !!

 

Now i would more say that Whaley is the one that needs the praise but seeing as that was a Buddy hire & Marrone was a homer hire of Brandons i believe that is why the praise goes there .

 

Besides Brandon needs to pump up his accomplishments to the new owner after the Toronto series debacle !!

[GunnerBill]

I think he gets quite a few looks and offers and has a job right away. In the inner NFL circle he has taken a total laughingstock of a team and made them play hard, win, and be relevant again. Not easy to do in just 2 years, so yeah I think he would be snapped up right away.

 

I'm not sure he would be snapped up straight away but if the Bills make 9-7 or 10-6 this year and he is fired I would put good money on him getting another shot somewhere down the line. He would walk into a college job or I could see him getting an o-lin / Assist HC job in the NFL somewhere. He maybe would wait 2/3/4 years for another shot but I think he would get one. My boss is a Bears fan and he cannot understand why Bills fans get after Marrone - fans of other teams think he has done well to turn around a perennial loser at least to some extent.

[C.Biscuit97]

I'm not sure he would be snapped up straight away but if the Bills make 9-7 or 10-6 this year and he is fired I would put good money on him getting another shot somewhere down the line. He would walk into a college job or I could see him getting an o-lin / Assist HC job in the NFL somewhere. He maybe would wait 2/3/4 years for another shot but I think he would get one. My boss is a Bears fan and he cannot understand why Bills fans get after Marrone - fans of other teams think he has done well to turn around a perennial loser at least to some extent.

 

But that's because people don't know the Bills that well. We won 7 games with much less talent under Jauron. Winning 2 more games with a much, much better team isn't amazing coaching IMO. Especially when his specialty, offense, is far and way the worst part of this team.

 

I think you could pretty much sub any NFL coach into Marrone's spot and our record would be the same if not better. We are loaded but we have such losing mentalities, that a non losing season is a major accomplishment. It's not with this talent and defense.

[Kelly the Dog]

 

 

I'm not sure he would be snapped up straight away but if the Bills make 9-7 or 10-6 this year and he is fired I would put good money on him getting another shot somewhere down the line. He would walk into a college job or I could see him getting an o-lin / Assist HC job in the NFL somewhere. He maybe would wait 2/3/4 years for another shot but I think he would get one. My boss is a Bears fan and he cannot understand why Bills fans get after Marrone - fans of other teams think he has done well to turn around a perennial loser at least to some extent.

Of course they do. And they wouldn't know very well. They don't pay close attention. The same way we don't really know what is really going on with the Bucs or the Texans or the Cardinals.

 

He will be back next year. The only way he won't be is if we lose both of the next two (and he still likely stays). Or the Pegulas and Whaley demand he gets a new OC and Marrone quits. That's unlikely, since it really wouldn't matter much as its Marrone's offense he's running.