The Dean Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Tim covered that team as a beat writer for the Palm Beach Post. I suspect he has his own ideas of what happened there ... I'm trying to prod him, to share. I think it's hard to count the stop with the Fins as successful, though.
TimGraham Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 "Mike Mularkey has been considered a brilliant coach everywhere he has been except Buffalo"...and Miami. He was considered good enough on that staff that Cam Cameron, an offensive guru who has been a great coordinator at many stops and insisted on calling the plays in Miami, secretly turned over the play-calling duties to Mularkey. The team was going down like the Titanic by then, but it indicated the respect Mularkey has within the coaching ranks. And we saw what Mularkey did with the Falcons last year. He'll be a head coach again, maybe next year.
TimGraham Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 I'm trying to prod him, to share. I think it's hard to count the stop with the Fins as successful, though. Everybody was a bum on that staff, including certified geniuses like Cam Cameron, Dom Capers, Terry Robiskie and Hudson Houck.
The Dean Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Everybody was a bum on that staff, including certified geniuses like Cam Cameron, Dom Capers, Terry Robiskie and Hudson Houck. True. But, wasn't Mularkey demoted during his stay there? That's what I was referring to, when I said it can't be viewed as a success. OC to TE coach is not the track of the successful. I actually liked Mike. Thought he was a good OC, and looked like he would be a good HC, after his first year. He really regressed in his 2nd year with the Bills, IMO. But many HC's have trouble in their first big gig. Look at Levy. I agree that Mike will likely get another look at HC, somewhere.
Lori Posted March 10, 2009 Author Posted March 10, 2009 True. But, wasn't Mularkey demoted during his stay there? That's what I was referring to, when I said it can't be viewed as a success. OC to TE coach is not the track of the successful. I actually liked Mike. Thought he was a good OC, and looked like he would be a good HC, after his first year. He really regressed in his 2nd year with the Bills, IMO. But many HC's have trouble in their first big gig. Look at Levy. I agree that Mike will likely get another look at HC, somewhere. As I recall, that demotion came with the coaching change in Miami. And I know we love to beat MM up here, but the dump-Bledsoe-for-Losman move had a lot to do with the 2005 season's failings. Not sure we ever did find out exactly whose call that was.
The Dean Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 As I recall, that demotion came with the coaching change in Miami. And I know we love to beat MM up here, but the dump-Bledsoe-for-Losman move had a lot to do with the 2005 season's failings. Not sure we ever did find out exactly whose call that was. True. As it didn't end in success, everyone will disavow themselves of that call. Maybe we'll get Mike's version in his memoirs.
Lv-Bills Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 You're saying Chris Mortensen has no basis for his opinion on the Bills. Based on that statement alone, I can't even begin to have a reasonable conversation with you. Mike Mularkey has been considered a brilliant coach everywhere he has been except Buffalo, and Marv Levy wanted to retain him. Those are facts. The common thread to Bill Polian, John Butler and Tom Donahoe leaving is Ralph Wilson. Those are facts. Why doesn't Tom Donahoe have a job in the NFL? Why doesn't Mike Shanahan? Why doesn't Steve Mariucci? Why doesn't Jim Fassel? Why doesn't Dennis Green? Stuff happens. Clearly you're set in your opinion. I respect you as a passionate fan. But I'm not going to get into a debate about whether or not Chris Mortensen has proper credentials to have an educated NFL opinion. Shanny will be able to work again when and probably where he wants. The other three coaches have probably run their course. I can easily admit that. However, the laughable defending of Tom Donahoe, is just plain ridiculous. The thing is, everytime someone brings up why Tom Donahoe got run out of Pittsburgh, there is no answer. Also, Donahoe can't hold Bill Polian or John Butler's jock based on what they did in Buffalo, so Donahoe doesn't deserve to even be mentioned in that group. Ralph may be the problem, so be it. I don't think many Buffalo fans would refute that. And again, no one is clamoring for TD now. I mean, really, if you are going to lump TD with John Butler and Polian, neither of those two guys had any trouble getting jobs, post Buffalo. No one said Mort doesn't have credentials to have an educated NFL opinion. His grudge against the Bills for getting rid of his buddy Donahoe is downright laughable though. If Polian and Butler were run out of here by Wilson (which they were), why doesn't he stick to those guys in bringing up he thinks Wilson is the problem, instead of bringing up TD every friggin question he answers about the Bills. After all, TD was awful while he was here. Polian and Butler were pretty good. Yet, he sticks to defending the guy who failed no matter what facts anyone throws at him. And there are a lot of things that measure TD's failures in multiple organizations. Football fans go to guys like yourselves for information on their team that maybe we can't get ourselves. The sickening thing about Mort is that everytime we go to him about Bills information, Tom Donahoe, who wasn't successful here, gets thrown in our face. All the time. That's a letdown to those of us who want opinions on the current state of our team. And if he thinks Ralph is the problem, say so. Man up, and say so. ESPN leads us to seek answers from whoever they deem good enough to give opinions to average fans. If they replaced Mort tomorrow with Tim Graham, we'd get better answers about the Bills from day 1. It just gets old. We get excited looking to you guys for answers or clues on our favorite team, the Bills. Unfortunately, Mort is one of the ESPN guys we have to get it from. And yes, he's locked in to a lot of different sources. Except the fact that he's beating this grudge to death for Donahoe. Mort blows when talking about the Bills. Hell, even Berman called him out on it last year on the air. It's really undefendable. I promise I'm done, and sorry to bring this up, but he deserves all the crap he gets from Bills fans. And sorry to highjack the thread for awhile. Sincerely, Tim, thanks for chatting with us here on TBD, you've been a breath of fresh air for Bills fans. I promise I'll shut up now, but damn this bugs me. LOL Carry on.
lets_go_bills Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Sorry I started this whole Mort thing Tim. I consider myself to be a part of the team because I associate myself with the Bills brand, I just love 'em. And so naturally I feel as though when Mort takes a shot at Ralph or the Bills, right or wrong, he's taking a shot at me too. I just wish he didn't sound so bitter in his chats regarding the TD thing.
TimGraham Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 True. But, wasn't Mularkey demoted during his stay there? That's what I was referring to, when I said it can't be viewed as a success. OC to TE coach is not the track of the successful. I actually liked Mike. Thought he was a good OC, and looked like he would be a good HC, after his first year. He really regressed in his 2nd year with the Bills, IMO. But many HC's have trouble in their first big gig. Look at Levy. I agree that Mike will likely get another look at HC, somewhere. He was demoted from offensive coordinator to tight ends coach because Cam Cameron, the new head coach, insisted on being the offensive coordinator, too. But when Cameron realized he was in over his head, he handed the job back to Mularkey.
Thurman#1 Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Just want to thank you for doing this, Tim. It's a great read.
BillsNYC Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 He was considered good enough on that staff that Cam Cameron, an offensive guru who has been a great coordinator at many stops and insisted on calling the plays in Miami, secretly turned over the play-calling duties to Mularkey. The team was going down like the Titanic by then, but it indicated the respect Mularkey has within the coaching ranks. And we saw what Mularkey did with the Falcons last year. He'll be a head coach again, maybe next year. Is that you Mort? We'll just have to agree to disagree here on Mr. Donahoe. I know folks in the NFL HQ here in NYC who told me some stories about him, so I have a biased view. Moving on.... Any word on John McCargo of the Bills? Will the Bills be retaining him, or will they be using his as a package trade? Wouldn't shock me for the Bills to go DT early in the draft as a shocker.
1976Billsfan Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Hey Tim- Looks like T.O. has been keeping your blog real busy! I was wondering what you think is the next move for the Bills F.O.. Will it be to sign one of the Linebackers they've had in to visit or possibly they're still trying to work a trade with K.C. for Waters? To me it would seem that June is just going to sit out there for a while. Maybe this will bring his price down a little and that's what they're banking on? As far as Waters I just wonder what the price would be and if it's worth it. I've been reading some rumblings about D. Bell possibly being an option at guard (which would save us some draft picks). Thanks!
bills_fan Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 Hey Tim Any possibility the Bills sign a guy like Mike Goff to play LG? He would likely take a reasonable deal and would be a solid vet upgrade. Thanks.
cåblelady Posted March 10, 2009 Posted March 10, 2009 I can't stop reading your blogs! Good stuff, Tim. Good stuff! LOVE the "Terrell Overload".
PNW_Bills_Fan Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Tim, are the Bills looking into Orlando Pace? Does Orlando Pace have anything left in the tank?
ax4782 Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Hi Tim, Great work covering all the ins and outs of the T.O. story. Wonderful reporting on your part. Anyway, I was wondering if you had heard anything new over the last couple of days concering the Bills plans for the offensive line, specifically the left guard spot vacated by Dockery. Best guess, is Buffalo going to obtain someone via trade or free agency, or are they more likely to go after multiple guys in the draft? Any rumors on this that you can and are willing to share? Thanks.
Peace Frog Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 To all Bills fans: Enough with the freaking Mort bashing! Even if he has a grudge against the Bills, let him enjoy it by himself. Jesus H. Christ in a pawnshop! If you don't like what he's saying, don't listen. If you don't like onions on your hamburger, don't order them. Tim, any chance the Bills try to move up in the 1st round to grab the best defensive end? I think LDE is probably our weakest spot on the team at the moment. Thanks.
Deep2Moulds46 Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Tim, when Donahoe and Polian were here, it was easy to see who was at the head of the table in the draft room. Now that the Bills have this "Inner Circle" with Jauron, Wilson, Modrak, Guy and Brandon, who is the leader of the pack on draft day? I understand Wilson has obvious veto power, but please tell me our 90-year-old owner isn't the guy sitting there on the phone trying to negotiate a trade with Team X to trade up or down. I thought it was interesting that the Bills didnt trade up or down in any round last year during the draft. Not that trading on draft weekend is a recipe for success, but there is something to be said for manuevering around to take the player you want at the proper value point. Does having this democracy type set-up hurt their ability to make quick decisions on draft day?
Steely Dan Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Tim, could you please tell us if there is any truth to the rumors about Peters being on the trade block? Thanks
The Tomcat Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Tim, could you please tell us if there is any truth to the rumors about Peters being on the trade block? Thanks x2
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