Are the Pegula's meddling owners?

[TSOL]

As new owners i dont think its a bad idea for them to get their hands dirty, so to speak. They should get as familiar as possible with the way the organization is from top to bottom.

 

I think thats a good thing long term? I hope

[DCbillsfan]

I don't think they are meddling. I think they have a dysfunctional setup. They should hire a GM who hires everyone else. Brandon needs to be locked in his office regarding hiring process. So either give the keys to Whaley or fire Whaley and get someone else. Right now it sounds like there's too many chefs in the kitchen.

Edited September 21, 2016 by DCbillsfan

[MAJBobby]

Here is my issue.

 

Lets say they decide to fire Whaley. I am agnostic either way actually, but lets say they do.

 

What GM would want to come here, that has......

 

1. The Coach reporting directly to the Owner, and not me as a GM.

2. A Contract guy that is responsible for the Contracts, and his budget is set by a Managing Partner.

3. My football Administration Budget is also set by this Managing Partner that doesn't report to me, Instead directly reports to owner.

 

So really as a GM I am nothing more than a Head Scout. Tell me what GM would like to come into that structure?

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

The only way to answer this question is to know if the other 31 teams do similar things. If the Bills are unique in this, then yes, if the answer is no other teams do the same, then they are not over meddling

 

 

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2016/9/19/12968536/buffalo-bills-pegula-rex-ryan-greg-roman-column

 

In light of last week's events where Bills owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, met with Bills players to discuss what is wrong with the team without meeting with HC Rex Ryan, are they being too much "hands-on" with the team? While it's great that they are not just sitting around and hoping things get better, they are being proactive, but at the same time, the Pegula's do not have professional football experience such as a GM or coach would have. What also comes to mind is the Pegula's involvement in hiring Rex Ryan. It seems the decision to hire Rex was the Pegula's, shouldn't that have been the decision of the GM [Whaley]? I feel a big reason why the Bills never won a Superbowl and weren't more successful was due to Ralph Wilson being a meddling owner. Are we going to have to go through growing pains with the Pegula's while they and figure out how to run a successful football organization?

[Jerry Jabber]

Actually the Marrone hiring came about, allegedly, because the Dougie was supposed to be the next hot prospect behind Chip Kelly.

 

In fact the Bills were the first to fill their coaching vacancy, which was a break from the usual hiring pattern of seeing who was left that would take the job. That's how we ended up with Chan Gailey. There were coaches that refused to even interview for the job. Remember that? Fun times, eh?

 

I remember the mantra that Marrone was known for changing teams from losing to winning cultures, but he only had a .500 winning percentage. When someone rants and raves that they're going to leave no stone unturned, that should mean not settling on the first good thing you think you found.

[May Day 10]

Actually the Marrone hiring came about, allegedly, because the Dougie was supposed to be the next hot prospect behind Chip Kelly.

 

In fact the Bills were the first to fill their coaching vacancy, which was a break from the usual hiring pattern of seeing who was left that would take the job. That's how we ended up with Chan Gailey. There were coaches that refused to even interview for the job. Remember that? Fun times, eh?

 

IMO, this is why the consultant position is sorely needed. Someone needs to guide Pegula to what a successful/winning front office structure is, as well as the appropriate role Ownership should play. This person would essentially re-brand and lend credibility for the organization to potential GMs, run the interview process, and find the guy to build the program.

 

I don't see them attracting anyone worthwhile with the current structure, Brandon throwing his weight around, GM and Pres choosing a HC with the GM seemingly in the background, rumors of the owner meeting with players before a prominent (and probably less-deserving) coordinator gets fired... Tons and tons of leaks at the drop of a hat....

 

 

People have declined coming to the Bills, or even wouldnt consider it for years. Even had 2 young coaches walk away into the abyss instead of continue (and once with new ownership). The brand is tarnished as someone said.

Edited September 21, 2016 by May Day 10

[BillsVet]

An owner needs to know their place and when to interject. I wish T/K Pegs had found someone to review the organization and provide feedback when they bought the team in 2014. They were on their way to that with Polian, but it blew up when Marrone quit. I'm not saying Polian was the be-all, end-all, but at least he was external to the organization.

 

I had hoped T/K Pegs didn't need to learn the hard way again about trusting people they inherited. With the hockey team, they eventually had to fire the GM, HC, and another HC. Then, they hired someone as hockey czar who inexplicably quit shortly thereafter who fortunately hired a hockey GM before he left. That GM at least has a plan.

 

T/K Pegs trusted Brandon and Whaley far too much since buying the team 2 years ago. After the fiascos of the past few years, I would hope an outside person could tell T/K Pegs those two are focused more on the OBD politics, i.e. job promotions/keeping their jobs, than winning football games.

Edited September 21, 2016 by BillsVet

[MAJBobby]

An owner needs to know their place and when to interject. I wish T/K Pegs had found someone to review the organization and provide feedback when they bough the team in 2014. They were on their way to that with Polian, but it blew up when Marrone quit. I'm not saying Polian was the be-all, end-all, but at least he was external to the organization.

 

I had hoped T/K Pegs didn't need to learn the hard way again about trusting people they inherited. With the hockey team, they eventually had to fire the GM, HC, and another HC. Then, they hired someone as hockey czar who inexplicably quit shortly, but who fortunately hired a hockey GM before he left. That GM at least has a plan.

 

T/K Pegs trusted Brandon and Whaley far too much since buying the team 2 years ago. After the fiascos of the past few years, I would hope an outside could tell T/K Pegs those two are focused more on the OBD politics, i.e. job promotions/keeping their jobs than winning football games

 

 

So in other words. The NE Patriots before Robert Kraft bought the team. He didn't need a consultant did he. He hired HC and found a QB. That is how you win in this league.

[What a Tuel]

 

Yes Brandon, who is the Managing Partner I get. However they go out of their way to try and say he has no say in football stuff then you find out these little tidbits that show he actually does.

 

and Since he has been here the losing started.

 

Only in Buffalo will we blame the marketing guy for losing when there are soooooooo many other valid reasons.

[CodeMonkey]

If the Pegula's are the ones that hired Rex and gave him that contract which has been reported by some, then hell yes.

Otherwise I haven't seen any evidence.

[MAJBobby]

 

Only in Buffalo will we blame the marketing guy for losing when there are soooooooo many other valid reasons.

You mean the vaild reasons he has a say in?

[Bob in STL]

So in other words hire a GM that is the czar that you said we don't need? LOL

Yes ... The GM is the Czar. No need for another layer.

 

The coach reports to the GM BTW.

[What a Tuel]

You mean the vaild reasons he has a say in?

 

You haven't given valid reasons outside of him being a "yes" man.

 

Outside of Rex Ryan, what other evidence do you have?

[May Day 10]

 

You haven't given valid reasons outside of him being a "yes" man.

 

Outside of Rex Ryan, what other evidence do you have?

 

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Russ-Brandon-Its-time-to-start-a-new-legacy/581d161f-1efa-4be9-a758-874a61686357

 

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3/Brandon-promoted-to-CEO-Nix-named-Bills-GM/c474360d-4157-4de0-a282-cc1fe57be5d3

Edited September 21, 2016 by May Day 10

[LabattBlue]

I don't even know what it means when I read that Brandon and Pegula have meetings with players? Crossing paths and chatting about the weather, etc..., or scheduled one on one meetings with key players? If the latter, what the heck is on the meeting agenda?

 

I can see Whaley having such meetings with players, but Brandon and Pegula...just can't buy it. I don't care if they are respectively, the team president and owner, stay the F*** away from football operations, and stick to the business side of the team.

 

 

I can't say it enough...what a joke this franchise is and has been for the last 16 years(with and without Ralph).

Edited September 21, 2016 by LabattBlue

[Bob in STL]

Here is my issue.

 

Lets say they decide to fire Whaley. I am agnostic either way actually, but lets say they do.

 

What GM would want to come here, that has......

 

1. The Coach reporting directly to the Owner, and not me as a GM.

2. A Contract guy that is responsible for the Contracts, and his budget is set by a Managing Partner.

3. My football Administration Budget is also set by this Managing Partner that doesn't report to me, Instead directly reports to owner.

 

So really as a GM I am nothing more than a Head Scout. Tell me what GM would like to come into that structure?

You are correct, no decent GM will want the above organization structure so it needs to be blown up. The coach should report to the GM, so should the Contracts/Salary Cap guy. The budget comes from the Owner, if Ownership delegates it to someone else that is his prerogative.

[What a Tuel]

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Russ-Brandon-Its-time-to-start-a-new-legacy/581d161f-1efa-4be9-a758-874a61686357

 

"I am going to be real clear about one thing because I know you are going to ask it. I will not be drafting people. I will not be making the final decision on a free agent. I will empower the general manager, Buddy Nix, to do that. Do I have final authority and say? Yes. That is what Buddy Nix, the general manager, does. He identifies personnel. He runs that side of our operation. OK? I cannot be any clearer than that."

[LabattBlue]

 

 

The coach reports to the GM BTW.

I agree with this 100% and I don't care what other NFL teams hierarchy looks like.

[May Day 10]

 

"I am going to be real clear about one thing because I know you are going to ask it. I will not be drafting people. I will not be making the final decision on a free agent. I will empower the general manager, Buddy Nix, to do that. Do I have final authority and say? Yes. That is what Buddy Nix, the general manager, does. He identifies personnel. He runs that side of our operation. OK? I cannot be any clearer than that."

 

He says that and goes on about how he is going on to build a winning football program, hiring coaches, being forward thinking, restoring Buffalo Bills football, creating a robust analytics department.... he has failed as a leader of this organization in every one of those aspects.

 

I added another article that details how he had a huge role in the "search" (to use the term lightly) for Buddy Nix.

 

 

 

How much in his presser did he talk about business? Nowhere does he sound like a 'yes man' (despite his brief and insincere disclaimer he throws around and then contradicts 10 seconds later and gets away with it).

Edited September 21, 2016 by May Day 10

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

if i paid 1.4 billion for a team i'd be calling plays from the owners box

It's my toy dmmit and i wanna play with it!!