Why the hate for Tom Donahoe?

[stevestojan]

I really, really don't get it.

 

This guys job is to go out and get the people we need on the team.

 

Unfortunatly, he's a bit too old to put on the pads and get out there himself.

 

You guys all say you want more of McGahee. Well, guess who GOT YOU MCGAHEE?! He can't force the coaches to play them.

 

In recent years, he has gotten both Lodon Fletcher and Takeo Spikes to come to a city where I'm not sure I would want to come to if I was a mulitmillion dollar athlete.

 

He made a TREMENDOUS pick with our first overall this year. In 3 years, Lee Evans will be a top 5 WR in this entire league.

 

He got you McGahee, remember?

 

Now, EVERYONE wants Bledsoe gone? Well, without Tom Donohoe drafting Losman, that wouldnt even BE an option in a few weeks. We would be WITHOUT a backup that has any credibility.

 

He got you Lawyer Millow and Troy Vincent. Do I even need to go any farther than that?

 

When he got you Bledsoe, you threw a damn party to welcome #11.

 

Its unfortunate that TD isnt a coach or a player. He's not. His job is to get you the talent you need. He has done that. And no, we dont have a good OLine, so no, he hasnt done his job perfectly, but jesus, he hasnt done it nearly as badly as you guys make it out.

 

Just look at the names on this roster.

[Breni]

>He got you

 

While I agree on most of your argumentations, I must say that his Head Coach picks have been, at least, questionable.

 

I'm pretty sure that this team would have been quite better with an experienced HC.

[stevestojan]

>He got you

 

While I agree on most of your argumentations, I must say that his Head Coach picks have been, at least, questionable.

 

I'm pretty sure that this team would have been quite better with an experienced HC.

66939[/snapback]

 

 

But seriously, there is a poll up here and the results have TD as the biggest "mental midget"

 

Anyone who voted for him like to explain how he is a bigger mental midget than, oh, say Henry or Bledsoe?

[IDBillzFan]

>He got you

 

While I agree on most of your argumentations, I must say that his Head Coach picks have been, at least, questionable.

 

I'm pretty sure that this team would have been quite better with an experienced HC.

66939[/snapback]

Man, how great it must be to live in Parma. Best prosciutto I EVER, EVER had was brought to me by a friend driving through Parma to meet us in the Tuscan region.

 

You are most fortunate to live there.

 

Okay...now back to the topic at hand. Sorry for the intrusion.

[Bill from NYC]

I dont hate him.

 

I have issues, huge issues, with his draft record. It will take the team years to recover if Big Mike is a bust, which appears more than likely. Even if he improves and is a good RT, sorry...not enough, especially when McKinnie was there.

 

Josh Reed and Denney were two other disasters. You speak of MaGahee, but is he ready to go? Our OGs could have been Steinbach (sic) and CV!

[stevestojan]

not to mention he got:

 

Tom Clements, Sam Wyche, Tim Krumrie, Jim "Walks on Water" McNally, etc. etc.

[ExWNYer]

But seriously, there is a poll up here and the results have TD as the biggest "mental midget"

 

Anyone who voted for him like to explain how he is a bigger mental midget than, oh, say Henry or Bledsoe?

66941[/snapback]

 

 

I didn't vote in that poll...I think everyone in the organization is culpable.

[The Poojer]

Beacause it is tuesday.

[Johnny Coli]

Initially, on Sunday evening and Monday, most of us were still drunk and pissed, and were looking to string up a variety of people. I would have helped him pack myself on sunday (actually not true...I would have drank his beers while he loaded his van). He has assembled on paper what should be a team making a run at the playoffs. Instead we're in the crapper 1/4 in to the season. I'm sure if you analyzed any GMs drafts and FA moves with a microscope, such as we do here, most wouldn't stand up. He clearly doesn't call the plays, or decides who goes in on every down. That being said, 4 years of re-building blows, man. Three years ago we were 3-13, with 6 or 7 losses where we lost by a touchdown or less. We were hopefull, freewheeling and fancy free. Now we're drunk and surly looking to throw some eggs and tomatoes. I don't think the guy is going anywhere unless he decides to bail on his own, but it still hurts, man...it still hurts.

[JStranger76]

I mostly agree Steve. Player wise, he couldn't have done much more. Not many of us expected greatness from the Oline, but didn't think it would be this bad either. While I think Mularky will be considered a good coach in the future, a known commodity probably could have brought a little more immediate success. More discipline and Henry would probably lost some playing time for all his missed blitz pickups. Yeah I know, McGahee missed one too but he is usually solid in this area. This is unacceptable. You don't want to point fingers but I would call a guy out if it meant him pulling his head out of his a**.

[Bill from NYC]

I mostly agree Steve. Player wise, he couldn't have done much more. Not many of us expected greatness from the Oline, but didn't think it would be this bad either. While I think Mularky will be considered a good coach in the future, a known commodity probably could have brought a little more immediate success. More discipline and Henry would probably lost some playing time for all his missed blitz pickups. Yeah I know, McGahee missed one too but he is usually solid in this area. This is unacceptable. You don't want to point fingers but I would call a guy out if it meant him pulling his head out of his a**.

66955[/snapback]

 

Very good point Jason, and perhaps MM did take a step in that direction when he put MaGahee in the jest game.

I still like MM WAY more than GW. At least Gilbride is gone.

[JStranger76]

No doubt Bill. I can't even stand looking at Williams or Gilbride. Mike at least looks the part.

[Johnny Coli]

No doubt Bill. I can't even stand looking at Williams or Gilbride. Mike at least looks the part.

66965[/snapback]

I liked the Mularky pick. A coaching comodity doesn't automatically translate into wins. Gibbs is 1 and 4 with the 'Skins. Coughlin looks good now, but that team strings together a couple losses, and they'll tune him out pretty quick. I have no doubt that Mularky will be the man very soon. We go on a pretty good run and people will be naming their newborns "Mularky" in Western NY.

[BuffOrange]

I really, really don't get it.

 

This guys job is to go out and get the people we need on the team.

 

Unfortunatly, he's a bit too old to put on the pads and get out there himself.

 

You guys all say you want more of McGahee. Well, guess who GOT YOU MCGAHEE?! He can't force the coaches to play them.

 

In recent years, he has gotten both Lodon Fletcher and Takeo Spikes to come to a city where I'm not sure I would want to come to if I was a mulitmillion dollar athlete.

 

He made a TREMENDOUS pick with our first overall this year. In 3 years, Lee Evans will be a top 5 WR in this entire league.

 

He got you McGahee, remember?

 

Now, EVERYONE wants Bledsoe gone? Well, without Tom Donohoe drafting Losman, that wouldnt even BE an option in a few weeks. We would be WITHOUT a backup that has any credibility.

 

He got you Lawyer Millow and Troy Vincent. Do I even need to go any farther than that?

 

When he got you Bledsoe, you threw a damn party to welcome #11.

 

Its unfortunate that TD isnt a coach or a player. He's not. His job is to get you the talent you need. He has done that. And no, we dont have a good OLine, so no, he hasnt done his job perfectly, but jesus, he hasnt done it nearly as badly as you guys make it out.

 

Just look at the names on this roster.

66925[/snapback]

 

I get what you're saying....

But exposing some of the fans as hypocrites doesn't make the GM a good GM, ya know?

 

Fair point on landing some of the FA's....but if he's such a good salesman, maybe he'd be better suited getting on I-90 East and recruit some players for Syracuse; because he sure as heck cannot draft.

[ganesh]

I will add more positive and negative stuff:

 

Postives:

 

o Boosted the Season Tickets sales (which is the msot important for Wilson).

o Got Sam Adams, Spikes and Fletcher and Milloy to come to Buffalo.

 

But the negatives he is accountable for:

 

1. His drafts have been a wash.....The guys from the 1st draft are still around

because that was a fresh roster...Look at his 2nd and 3rd drafts...

Josh Reed, Coy Wire, Ryan Denney, Justin Bannan, none of them have

reached any of their potential yet....

 

2. His FAs acquisitons have really not panned out the way you would expect

He signed Teague to a big contract and then he gets switched to play center

instead of LT. Posey for being the 1st player to be signed in FA 2 years ago

has done nothing spectacular.....Spikes made the Pro-bowl, but not sure

if he got any game-changing plays last year (exclude the NE game).....

 

3. Even this year I would have been happy to give up this years #1 and 2

to move up and get big Ben....and get a WR in the 2nd round (remember

this years WR corps was pretty deep)....

 

4. His general apprehension to stay away from creating a solid line....He

could have picked the next best available Guard (even though he might

not have been the same value pick) instead of McGahee last year....

Even this year, he could have picked Will Smith to bolster the DL and

then taken WR...

[CoachChuckDickerson]

3. Even this year I would have been happy to give up this years #1 and 2

to move up and get big Ben....and get a WR in the 2nd round (remember

this years WR corps was pretty deep)....

66991[/snapback]

 

Pitt is doing it with smoke and mirrors. Big Ben is going to fall flat on his ass. It is only a matter of time. Pitt will NOT make the playoffs.

[stuckincincy]

He is a CEO that has failed in his field of endeavor. Not much more to say.

[Koobie]

I really, really don't get it.

 

This guys job is to go out and get the people we need on the team.

 

Unfortunatly, he's a bit too old to put on the pads and get out there himself.

 

You guys all say you want more of McGahee. Well, guess who GOT YOU MCGAHEE?! He can't force the coaches to play them.

 

In recent years, he has gotten both Lodon Fletcher and Takeo Spikes to come to a city where I'm not sure I would want to come to if I was a mulitmillion dollar athlete.

 

He made a TREMENDOUS pick with our first overall this year. In 3 years, Lee Evans will be a top 5 WR in this entire league.

 

He got you McGahee, remember?

 

Now, EVERYONE wants Bledsoe gone? Well, without Tom Donohoe drafting Losman, that wouldnt even BE an option in a few weeks. We would be WITHOUT a backup that has any credibility.

 

He got you Lawyer Millow and Troy Vincent. Do I even need to go any farther than that?

 

When he got you Bledsoe, you threw a damn party to welcome #11.

 

Its unfortunate that TD isnt a coach or a player. He's not. His job is to get you the talent you need. He has done that. And no, we dont have a good OLine, so no, he hasnt done his job perfectly, but jesus, he hasnt done it nearly as badly as you guys make it out.

 

Just look at the names on this roster.

66925[/snapback]

 

First off you are correct, he can't force the coaches to do anything. But he can hire coaches who make changes when things aren't working, more about the coaching below.

 

About Willis McGahee, why do you waste a first round draft choice on him if he is going to sit out one year and then sit on the bench the second year? Wouldn't a quality offensive or defensive lineman be a much better use of the pick?

 

Lee Evens, why again did the Bills need a receiver? Oh yeah, Donahoe blew a second round pick, 36 overall, on Josh Reed.

 

Speaking of TREMENDOUS draft picks, what about the using the 4th pick in the 2002 draft on Mike Williams? That seems to be working out very nicely.

 

Didn't Mr. Donahoe use a few second round draft choices on defensive linemen, Kelsay and Denney? Where is the pass rush? The reason the secondary is getting torched is because they are blitzing all the time because the front 4 can not get any pressure on the QB.

 

Just because there are a lot of "big names" on the roster it doesn't mean TD is doing his job. His job is also hiring competent head coaches, Gregg Williams was a complete failure (wasted 3 years), and the jury is still out on Mike Mularkey (although its looking like more of the same garbage).

[Bills Fan in London]

all his team ever does is lose, it is getting worse, and the franchise is spinning out of control

[Indy Dave]

We can talk about the players until our heads blow off. (As a matter of fact, Bill in NYC could be in grave danger should he make another anti-Travis post.) But the bottom line is, I think we are 0-4 and going nowhere fast because of Tommy D's lack of success on draft day.

I think he did the right thing by trading for Bledsoe. It hasn't worked out like we had hoped, but it was the right move at the right time. His free agent pickups have been very good...Takeo, Vincent, Villarial, London, Lawyer, Sam, etc.

But I don't think you build a successful team around free agent pickups. You do that through the draft and player development, then you look at your weaknesses and fill the holes with free agents.

His drafts have been, for the most part, BIG failures, and that's why we are what we are...a bad football team. Granted, some of the players haven't had enough time to develop to make an accurate assessment of their ability to be quality NFL players. Willis hasn't had enough time to heal from his injury to judge whether or not he will be the star we hope he will be. But the fact is, several players have been huge disappointments, given the time they've had to develop, where they were taken in the draft, the money they get paid, and their lack of production on the field.

I mean, really, does anyone think a light is going to come on in Ryan Denney's head and he's going to turn in to a good player? Josh Reed?

It's true that some of our better players make too many mistakes (Eric and Travis first come to mind). But the fact is the people around them aren't good enough to overcome those mistakes, so it's those mistakes that people remember and those players (especially Travis) get the most criticism.

For example, you don't see 20 threads about Josh Reed, even those he's on pace to catch 16 passes this season. Read that last sentence again. 16 passes. Yet there are dozens of negative posts about Travis, who despite his mistakes and limitations, is on pace for 1,100 yards.

The fact is, we have some good veteran Bills and many very good free agents who have become Bills. But Tom has failed this team on draft day, and I think that's reason No. 1 why we are sitting at 0-4.