GM Doug Whaley has been fired

[Bill_with_it]

 

Which doesn't match the facts uncovered by the Buffalo News as far as timeline.

I have read three different versions, 1) condition of Mcdermotts employment, 2) the good ole ultimatum, 3) the rift.

 

All lead to the same ending which is what the poster posted.

 

With the events ending this past season, the ine voice, the many rifts reporting, laconforas story, Ill tend to lend credence to that posters account. At this point I doubt anyone except Whaley, Rex, Pegulas, and Mcdermott know the true story.

[jeffismagic]

I have read three different versions, 1) condition of Mcdermotts employment, 2) the good ole ultimatum, 3) the rift.

 

All lead to the same ending which is what the poster posted.

 

With the events ending this past season, the ine voice, the many rifts reporting, laconforas story, Ill tend to lend credence to that posters account. At this point I doubt anyone except Whaley, Rex, Pegulas, and Mcdermott know the true story.

 

The most plausible version is that the Pegulas fell for Sean. Once that happened they decided to hand over the keys to Sean. The press conferences were a Buffalo News obsession.

[GunnerBill]

 

Actually, we don't know that the Bills didn't like anyone in the class. The Bills scouts and Whaley put in the work but it was up to Sean McDermott to decide who he wanted. All we know is that Sean didn't want a QB, not if that QB had a high draft grade on the Bills board.

I know we don't and I'd be surprised if they liked none of the QBs.

[Last Guy on the Bench]

 

With all due respect matter, I would suggest you take anything that your work buddy's friend says with a truckload of salt because from what I understand virtually everything you've been told is entirely mistaken.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just figured I would take one last shot at trying to clear up inaccurate information before it becomes a false narrative.

Although 90% of posters are going to be believe whatever it is they want to be true so it's likely a fruitless effort.

Y'all take care.

Thanks for all the insight you've given in these threads. You clearly have some inside knowledge of the people and dynamics at OBD. And I imagine many of us, even people like me who don't post much, really appreciate getting a more balanced, reality-based take on the place.

 

It helps counteract the idiotic demonizing of someone like Whaley. I have zero inside knowledge, but I know that when I watched that infamous press conference, I was astonished at the position the guy had been put it. The way he was answering and non-answering was clearly dictated by incoherent policies and probably in lots of cases direct orders (e.g., you can't talk about this, you can only say this about this). Sure, he's not the most polished speaker you'll ever find, but the awkwardness of that conference felt entirely situational to me - not based on Whaley's own beliefs, knowledge, preferences or even skills. I was sure he was falling on the sword through the whole thing, and I felt for the guy. I thought it made Pegula look bad, not Whaley.

 

Anyway, thanks for whatever inside knowledge you are able to share. Many of us are paying a lot of attention.

Edited May 4, 2017 by Last Guy on the Bench

[Niagara Bill]

ok, after 86 pages of facts about how and why here is the real truth.

 

The Bills know that Peterman is the second coming of QBs. And how do we know this fact...that so many fans believe he will be a starter in Sept.

That being fact, Whaley and his band of brothers are so intent on creating pop culture in their wheeling a dealing begin the draft with a diversionary tactic by trading down believing Peterman will be there at 27. Then they decided to roll the dice again...and again and again. (you get the point)

Finally round 5...Peterman is a Bill.

during this whole time TPegula and l'il Kim are watching from afar. They have been told by all that Peterman is the savior. for months everyone in the Bills staff have been told never to mention this name. A planned diversion by Whaley.

Whaley made sure that Verizion service for TP phone was out. For 2 days Pegula could not reach him. Whaley was high on the diversion. Like a gambler not being able to walk away. Round after round the high feeling got stronger. The whole scouting staff got into it. It was one huge group high. Finally, realizing they could not get him as an UDFA they make the call. The next morning events unfold at OneBillsDrive as Pegula. finally realizes what happened.

Whaley is last seen being escorted off the property has he is screaming " I could have made Peterman the next Brady" .....

 

that is how I see the it. fact.

[Buffalo86]

I think the similarities between EJ and Doug are pretty remarkable. Both were selected for positions beyond their capabilities, and it was thought that they would learn on the job. Regardless of the reasons, neither of them ever improved to the level that was needed. At some point, I think most people realized that the excuses they made for EJ were pretty silly. In time, the same will be realized about Whaley.

[JohnC]

 

With all due respect matter, I would suggest you take anything that your work buddy's friend says with a truckload of salt because from what I understand virtually everything you've been told is entirely mistaken.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just figured I would take one last shot at trying to clear up inaccurate information before it becomes a false narrative.

Although 90% of posters are going to be believe whatever it is they want to be true so it's likely a fruitless effort.

Y'all take care.

I don't totally agree with your take on Whaley I but have moved closer to your position. The situation of constantly changing coaches and systems made his job impossible. I don't believe that he ever worked here with a HC he selected or wanted. That's an indication of the dysfunction and disjointed nature of the various segments within the organization.

 

As we have discussed in other posts Whaley's inability to adequately address the qb position has as much to do with his departure as the other substantial issues. When one works in a dysfunctional system it's not surprising that you get swallowed up by it.

[BringBackOrton]

 

Because getting rid of LeSean was contingent upon that? Everyone and their momma was aware Whaley was on his way out. You ripped off a fake news headline and then disappeared from the board once you got called out on it.

Yes. It was a Whaley thing. Also, no.

[26CornerBlitz]

@ringer

Former NFL GM @mlombardinfl’s view on the surprise removal of the Buffalo Bills front office

https://t.co/TpxcKKkzIM

 

Edited May 4, 2017 by 26CornerBlitz

[TPS]

@ringer

 

 

 

 

 

Former NFL GM @mlombardinfl’s view on the surprise removal of the Buffalo Bills front office

 

Very good piece. Bring in Beanie Boy so the Bills finally have a duo to work as one. Better to marry someone after a long relationship rather than an arranged marriage....

 

 

 

https://t.co/TpxcKKkzIM

[hondo in seattle]

@ringer

Former NFL GM @mlombardinfl’s view on the surprise removal of the Buffalo Bills front office

https://t.co/TpxcKKkzIM

 

This is a very good article. Nice find!

 

A lot of it is speculative but it's speculation from a guy who intimately understands the inner workings of the NFL.

 

It also fits nicely with what Terry's been saying. While Pegs has been careful not to discuss Doug's firing or even drop hints, he did say he wants a "collaborative" approach. I've interpreted that to mean that Terry wants the GM and HC to work together to get the players the HC wants for the team he's trying to build. And this is what Lombardi's talking about in his article.

 

And, I admit, I felt a little reassured after reading Lombardi's positive take on all this.

Edited May 4, 2017 by hondo in seattle

[GG]

 

With all due respect matter, I would suggest you take anything that your work buddy's friend says with a truckload of salt because from what I understand virtually everything you've been told is entirely mistaken.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just figured I would take one last shot at trying to clear up inaccurate information before it becomes a false narrative.

Although 90% of posters are going to be believe whatever it is they want to be true so it's likely a fruitless effort.

Y'all take care.

 

It would be interesting to know exactly where matter's friend's info is wrong about OBD, especially since its corroborated by Tim Graham's reporting.

[JohnC]

 

It would be interesting to know exactly where matter's friend's info is wrong about OBD, especially since its corroborated by Tim Graham's reporting.

Most often the truth lies in the middle. Perception for one person isn't necessarily the same perception for another person even if they sit at desks nearby.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

@ringer

Former NFL GM @mlombardinfl’s view on the surprise removal of the Buffalo Bills front office

https://t.co/TpxcKKkzIM

 

 

...EXCELLENT read and GREAT find bud....thanks......

[26CornerBlitz]

 

This is a very good article. Nice find!

 

A lot of it is speculative but it's speculation from a guy who intimately understands the inner workings of the NFL.

 

It also fits nicely with what Terry's been saying. While Pegs has been careful not to discuss Doug's firing or even drop hints, he did say he wants a "collaborative" approach. I've interpreted that to mean that Terry wants the GM and HC to work together to get the players the HC wants for the team he's trying to build. And this is what Lombardi's talking about in his article.

 

And, I admit, I felt a little reassured after reading Lombardi's positive take on all this.

 

 

...EXCELLENT read and GREAT find bud....thanks......

 

Good perspective from a former NFL exec.

[billieve420]

I think Whaley sealed his fate with that terrible press conference and from that point Pegula's were ready to move on from him. Even if he didn't know what was going on he shouldn't have admitted to it and effectively throw your boss under the bus.

Edited May 4, 2017 by billieve420

[eball]

 

 

Good perspective from a former NFL exec.

 

Yep; I feel like I've been sort of sitting out on an island here, feeling genuinely good about what has transpired.

[GunnerBill]

I think it was a fair criticism of Whaley that started to be made on this board about a year ago. I remember a thread where both Kirby and I who were generally pro-Whaley guys said "I think there might be something to it." Whaley didn't suck, he was a good evaluator who generally improved the talent level on the Bills. What he never quite mastered as GM was that holistic team building approach through disagreement with his coaches and changes to the ideal profiles that Marrone, then Rex then McD and the various coordinators that came and went with them had for certain positions.

 

I think I'd score Whaley a 6.5/10 as the Bills GM. He did a reasonable job, very good in some areas, lacking in others. The record for the three seasons after offseasons where he was in total personnel control was bang on .500 (9-7, 8-8, 7-9). He didn't find us a franchise quarterback and his team building lacked a clear enough vision.

[Dr. Who]

I think it was a fair criticism of Whaley that started to be made on this board about a year ago. I remember a thread where both Kirby and I who were generally pro-Whaley guys said "I think there might be something to it." Whaley didn't suck, he was a good evaluator who generally improved the talent level on the Bills. What he never quite mastered as GM was that holistic team building approach through disagreement with his coaches and changes to the ideal profiles that Marrone, then Rex then McD and the various coordinators that came and went with them had for certain positions.

 

I think I'd score Whaley a 6.5/10 as the Bills GM. He did a reasonable job, very good in some areas, lacking in others. The record for the three seasons after offseasons where he was in total personnel control was bang on .500 (9-7, 8-8, 7-9). He didn't find us a franchise quarterback and his team building lacked a clear enough vision.

I think that is a fair analysis, but the idea that he was just terrible that some folks have is about as sound as the view that TT is a franchise qb. As it happens, these are often the same folks.

[GG]

I think it was a fair criticism of Whaley that started to be made on this board about a year ago. I remember a thread where both Kirby and I who were generally pro-Whaley guys said "I think there might be something to it." Whaley didn't suck, he was a good evaluator who generally improved the talent level on the Bills. What he never quite mastered as GM was that holistic team building approach through disagreement with his coaches and changes to the ideal profiles that Marrone, then Rex then McD and the various coordinators that came and went with them had for certain positions.

 

I think I'd score Whaley a 6.5/10 as the Bills GM. He did a reasonable job, very good in some areas, lacking in others. The record for the three seasons after offseasons where he was in total personnel control was bang on .500 (9-7, 8-8, 7-9). He didn't find us a franchise quarterback and his team building lacked a clear enough vision.

 

I agree with that. I think he's been the best talent evaluator this franchise has had in a long time. But when you look at the collection of the players, there doesn't seem to be an overarching strategy. A big part of course is the coaching turnover, but that's also contributed to his demise. Other than Cleveland few franchises go through the lather rinse repeat players cycles like the Bills. Very good players should prosper in any scheme.