Dr. Trooth Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 I don't think Brandon gets the axe. Rather, I think he gets the opportunity to pick a head coach he wants. In fact, I think Brandon, Modrak and Overdorf are relatively safe, much to the chagrin of some Bills fans. RB is not the GM. RW is the GM. RB is RW's caddy and "gofer" and his title is COO. Ralph will say if and when Guy, Overdorf, Modrak,Jauron go. Then Russ will tell em Ralph sez move on. Russ as a GM is a joke. He can sell ice to an eskimo, and that's his forte. He'd be in over his head in a GM position. If he had any GM savvy and clout, the entire Jauron regime plus a few in the front office would have been kicked to the curb after last season.
DarthICE Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 Thanks for posting Russ. Shouldnt you be at work actually doing something?
Tipster19 Posted September 9, 2009 Author Posted September 9, 2009 I am not sure I can agree. Think about this, why is kelsay and Schoebel still around? And Ellison too. And Why do we have a marketing guy as our head football man? And why is a 91 year old owner still meddling in football affairs. I honestly think the Bills will never be viable unless they get a quality GM, HC and coordinators. Until then we wont even be mediocre. There's still work to be done but it can't all be done overnight. I wouldn't be surprised if Schoebel is gone by next year, or before, and Kelsay is offered to become a LB under a restructured contract for 2010. I don't believe either of these two players will be our DEs next year. Sometimes we're a bit like the NFL's version of the Florida Marlins ... without the titles. The big difference is that the collective loyalty to the Bills is so deep that we keep coming back, no matter what. We see that Bills logo as part of our family crest but to Ralph & Co. it's another business unit. Sure, Ralph wants to win, but when push comes to shove he knows he doesn't have to. Not exactly a profound observation, but that seems to be the crux of just about everything, because it seems to drive almost all of the unpopular decisions. We let ourselves fall in love with a working girl. I love your phrasing and terminology, it's excellent! May I ask how many season tickets do you have and how long have you had them? None. I bought into the Bills long, long ago. It all starts from the top. If Russ really had such a plan, then he also needs a tough coach and he would have got rid of Dick Jauron in the 1st place to put a coach who is tough on the players...But he did not do that....I would not like give that much credit to Russ before he has achieved anything on the field with the personnel he has assembled. I don't have the time now but it might even be a great post for someone to start about ALL of the moves that Brandon has made since he was in charge full time. The mentality of the personnel that were either added or that were replaced is shockingly different. This guy is getting rid of the primadonnas and replacing them maniacs. I love it! Wow that was a tremendous piece of bull$ht. You're certainly willing to drink the kool-aid OBD has been serving for the past 10 years. This team is an absolute and utter embarrassment to the fans, the NFL, and the city of Buffalo. The desperation and complete incompetence on every level of this "franchise" is palpable. We are right there with the Lions, Cinci, and Raiders as the jokes of the NFL. Keep dreaming. Until Ralph is dead or sells the team we will continue our descent to the bottom because we aren't even there yet. Things are going to get worse if that's possible. Jauron is gone by week 4. Until the Bills make the playoffs I'm not listening to one thing that comes out of OBD. It's all crap. RTB I'm sorry you feel this way. The problem with your logic is that all of them will be fired if they don't make the playoffs or at least have a winning record. The chance of them being successful looks exceedingly slim right now: a LT who has never played against credible opposition, a new OC with no experience, a chaotic August, and lots of other issues. The one thing they have going for them is the lack of injuries, which is no small thing. That's unpredictable, however. I also think that Edwards might surprise a lot of people this year. The bigger question is what happens next year assuming Brandon, Guy, Modrak, Jauron, and the rest of the crew are fired. Wilson has hired a big name coach before -- Chuck Knox. All things considered, that worked out quite well. Would he do it again? One would think not, but then again it's pretty clear that the strategy of paying players instead of coaches and front office people is an unmitigated failure. If the Bills take the swan dive that everyone expects them to this year, I could see a rethink that pushes them toward hiring a credible coach. There will be a number of them out there next year. I'm not thinking play-offs anymore although that's not an impossibility. People are worried about Van Pelt and his inexperience as a OC. This is one of the funnier things that have been floating around since this promotion. The guy was the offensive quality control coach. Does anyone know what that is? I think not or otherwise people would be applauding this promotion. The quality control coach is the data base for EVERYTHING that happens for the team. They draw up plays for the coach, they know what the percentage on offensive plays versus downs against defenses etc etc. I'm not worried about this guy at all. Brandon is not going anywheres and I don't believe Jauron ever really mattered since Brandon took full reign. No matter what happens this year Jauron will never get fired before the season ends, he's too congenial and he's really not that important. If the bottom does fall out this year he will be replaced period. I mentioned Schottenheimer in an earlier post (like several others did) and I think that he would be an excellent choice in the event that Jauron can't get it together this year. Tipster,your post and attitude is commendable and as fans, I'm sure alot of us would like to feel the same way. But we've gone through these "rebuildings" and "things will now start to head in the right direction" scenarios long enough, and there's only so much of this BS you can take. From now on, I'll remain skeptical until I see the results. I'll still root for the team, but I wont expect much until there is a complete overhaul, and that means at the very top. Thank you and I can understand the way that you feel. I'm not happy either with all the BS that has been going on with this team for the last several years but I really do think that we are finally moving forward from being complacent. I don't think Brandon gets the axe. Rather, I think he gets the opportunity to pick a head coach he wants. In fact, I think Brandon, Modrak and Overdorf are relatively safe, much to the chagrin of some Bills fans.I couldn't agree with you more. Excellent insight LynchMob23.
Red Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 I would love to jump aboard your wagon, but I feel that it may be teetering way too close to falling off a long cliff to the rocks far below. Phew! Some thoughts... ...I don't believe Brandon deserves credit as the catalyst to any of these personnel moves. I'll give him props for Owens, but I am starting to see that as strictly a marketing ploy for those Toronto/ Canadian dollars more so than building a winning team on the FIELD- not the bank. No, from Turk to Walker, Rhodes to Chambers...I think this is Jauron (and possibly Wilson). Brandon comes across to me as too much of a 'yes man'. I don't see him having the balls or flat out experience to challenge Wilson enough to stick his neck out the way say, an established GM like Polian or AJ Smith might do. Brandon does what he is told. Walker was a weak/ average tackle. Chambers is a weak tackle. The true test is if these guys wait on the free agent market. Chambers cleared waivers. Is it a surprise that he was available? If walker lasts longer than a week on the market, then I would be less judgemental of the Bills and the decision to can him. He, like Kelsay, is way overpaid for the resuting production. I do applaud strong moves, but will they have the desired effect based on their timing? I mean, if I was Trent I would be somewhat scared. First, my offseason offensive coordinator was canned, which regardless of their relationship causes some shakiness leading up to the first game against the Pats, no less. Second, now my backside is in question since a.) my Pro Bowl LT was traded away and b) the veteran who is going to replace him is now waived and he is replaced with a relative rookie. Wilson gave jauron an ultimatum last offseason...that the offense had better be improved or else. Schonert paid the price of that one. But Walker being cut? Why couldn't he be a backup at RT? Dollars and cents... I sincerely wish the Bills the best; I really do. I have my Sunday ticket renewed, and will give my 3 hours every week. And when is John Guy going to be held accountable for bringing in nothing but duds during his tenure? He was brought in by Donahoe (along with Modrak) and should be replaced (along with Modrak). Buddy Nix is back, and that makes me feel better about the prospects of the future. But Guy has GOT TO GO!! I am starting to believe that this 'team' is being positioned for sale given Ralph's age and eventual demise. Just looking at the moves being made, the overall lack of commitment to winning (sounds eerily similar to another Buffalo sport franchise), and the nickel-and-diming of the roster...it all reeks to me of being save and sound and be a solid investment for a potential (any) buyer. The past 3 drafts have been solid (this years looks really promising), and they do have some good players. But I am starting to think that the team is on hiatus until Ralph passes. If they overreach on contracts and thus hamstring it by mortgaging the future...this would hurt its appearance to some suitors. Why else hang on to the useless Guy, Modrak, and Jauron? Bring in Holmgren, Shanahan, Cowher, or Gruden as both coach AND GM if you want to win.
JohnC Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 How many teams rebuild or semi-rebuild twice within four seasons? The franchise needs to rebuild in one area before the actual players-the front office. Russ Brandon is a GM in name only, because RW is making all the moves aside from probably draft picks and some UFA's. A 91 year old man running the franchise is not encouraging. Only Oakland goes down as a team worse than Buffalo's front office. Furthermore, the Bills have taken saving money to a new height. With the release of Walker, they save 3M, but his contract counts 4.5M against the cap. This is how to hit the cap minimum without spending to it. Peters counts against the cap, but isn't on the team. This is a nasty trend. More Bills fans need to research the league and learn how other teams work. Management is horrible, and it is absolutely unequivocally not acceptable to rebuild or semi-rebuild again. This team is all about hype and getting fans to buy tickets. But they have not delivered a playoff team in many years. BillsVet, The old codger owner just made an additional $3 million dollars with the Langston cut. If he would have used a portion of that money or the Toronto heist money to upgrade the front office and coaching staff I could go along with what is going on. The denuding of the team makes his wallet get fatter and his team get worse. The owner might not be very interested in fielding a winning team but he sure knows how to increase the profit margin. Ralph is what he is and always has been. What you see as a nasty trend is what I see how he has always operated. There should be no surprise.
May Day 10 Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 http://media.www.cardinalcourieronline.com...7-page2.shtml#4 Russ Brandon ballwashing article. Interesting quote: On Jan. 12, 2007, after spending two years as the Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Brandon was named the new Bills COO and took control over both business and football operations. While the majority of his career has been based on business, Brandon said he has not had a hard time with the transition. "It has been a nominal transition," he said. "The last 10 years I've been involved in every process from the draft to free agency. This guy who was brought to the Bills for his skill as a baseball marketing guy has been involved in drafts and FAs for 10 years since he got here. pretty common theme within those 10 years too...
Red Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 http://media.www.cardinalcourieronline.com...7-page2.shtml#4 Russ Brandon ballwashing article. Interesting quote: This guy who was brought to the Bills for his skill as a baseball marketing guy has been involved in drafts and FAs for 10 years since he got here. pretty common theme within those 10 years too... AWESOME!! Thanks for the post!
LynchMob23 Posted September 9, 2009 Posted September 9, 2009 http://media.www.cardinalcourieronline.com...7-page2.shtml#4 Russ Brandon ballwashing article. Interesting quote: This guy who was brought to the Bills for his skill as a baseball marketing guy has been involved in drafts and FAs for 10 years since he got here. pretty common theme within those 10 years too... Involvement does not denote control. Just because I work in budgeting at a University would not denote I'm the person responsible for getting someone fired. In fact, because of his involvement and as Tipster noted the stark contrast of the recent events I would surmise that the power given to him has allowed for changes he's seen needed to be done being done. And despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth that is going on, I think he will eventually remove more people/players - and depending on the Bills record John Guy may be one of them...
spartacus Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 As the OBD has said, Walker is not being replaced by Chambers....They are adding Chambers to backup the Tackle positions. another fine free agent acquisition by that talent guru John Guy.
Recommended Posts