[OT] So, the Bills ...

[shrader]

I've never been happier to be wrong. I don't know if it was a temporary moment of clarity for Wilson or if he woke up in a bad mood. Whatever it was I'm glad it's finally done. Now it's a matter of what's next.

 

If anything's next. At this point, I don't expect this team to make the moves necessary to right this ship.

[LabattBlue]

If anything's next. At this point, I don't expect this team to make the moves necessary to right this ship.

What's next in terms of the remainder of this season? Here you go...

 

1.) I didn't know what OT's are out on the street, but they desperately need to bring one in. ANYONE!

 

2.) Reverse the roles of Jackson and Lynch, making Freddie the #1 RB and Lynch be the change of pace RB.

 

3.) Get Maybin on the field as either a OLB or a DE and see what the kid can do with more playing time.

 

4.) It's clear Fitzpatrick has no future as a full-time starter, so the only way he should be starting any of the remaining 7 games is either due to injury or the Edwards era is over.

 

5.) Inactivate or waive TO and get Johnson and Hardy on the field more and see what you've got in them.

[nfreeman]

I wouldn't fire Brandon, the guy appears to be a marketing genius. But I would put him back in charge of everything non-football related and give that portion of the job to someone that knows, oh what the heck let's try something crazy and pick someone that knows, FOOTBALL.

This is fine with me. There just needs to be a real GM, with a real history of success. Not the junior guy in Chicago or whatever. It needs to be someone like Shanahan or Holmgren.

 

If anything's next. At this point, I don't expect this team to make the moves necessary to right this ship.

I'm expecting a disappointing 2nd-tier candidate who will work cheap to be brought in as GM.

 

What's next in terms of the remainder of this season? Here you go...

 

1.) I didn't know what OT's are out on the street, but they desperately need to bring one in. ANYONE!

 

2.) Reverse the roles of Jackson and Lynch, making Freddie the #1 RB and Lynch be the change of pace RB.

 

3.) Get Maybin on the field as either a OLB or a DE and see what the kid can do with more playing time.

 

4.) It's clear Fitzpatrick has no future as a full-time starter, so the only way he should be starting any of the remaining 7 games is either due to injury or the Edwards era is over.

 

5.) Inactivate or waive TO and get Johnson and Hardy on the field more and see what you've got in them.

These are all reasonable suggestions, but I really believe that whatever happens on the field is irrelevant at this point. The Bills aren't going anywhere until they put a real front office together. If that doesn't happen, all of these moves are just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.

[Stoner]

Why go with retreads? That seems like the easy way out, and a setup for more disappointment. I have no problem hiring "no-names" or bright young assistants -- if they're The Next Great Ones. These people are out there. You just have to have the ability to figure out who they are. The Bills clearly don't have that ability.

 

I want to say some nice things about Dick Jauron. He pretty clearly had the respect of his players. His teams played hard. 7-9 might have been a real accomplishment these past years, given the talent level. Think about the typical Bills loss under Jauron. Close game in the fourth quarter, then collapse. His teams never ran for the bus, just ran out of gas.

 

That's about all I have. I just thought now that Dick has gone to the great salad bar in the sky I could give him some love.

 

But I can't get this image out of my mind. As soon as he got fired, I am imagining that he called his wife and said, "Mother, I have some news."

 

What's wrong with me?

[LabattBlue]

These are all reasonable suggestions, but I really believe that whatever happens on the field is irrelevant at this point. The Bills aren't going anywhere until they put a real front office together. If that doesn't happen, all of these moves are just rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.

Front office/coaching reorganization...

 

1. Leave Brandon as COO or send him back over to marketing, but either way, ensure that he has nothing to do with the actual football operation/football decision making.

 

2. If the new GM/Head of Football Operations is available currently, HIRE HIM NOW! Ron Wolf? Bruce Allen?

 

3. As soon as the season ends, find a HC/OC/DC all with 5+ years of experience. No more OJT for these key positions on the coaching staff.

 

4. Fire Guy and Modrak. They are both holdovers from the TD era and neither has a sterling track record here, especially Guy. Promote Buddy Nix to VP of College Scouting and find someone on the outside to be your VP of Pro Personnel.

 

How's that for an offseason.

[SwampD]

What's next in terms of the remainder of this season? Here you go...

 

1.) I didn't know what OT's are out on the street, but they desperately need to bring one in. ANYONE!

 

2.) Reverse the roles of Jackson and Lynch, making Freddie the #1 RB and Lynch be the change of pace RB.

 

3.) Get Maybin on the field as either a OLB or a DE and see what the kid can do with more playing time.

 

4.) It's clear Fitzpatrick has no future as a full-time starter, so the only way he should be starting any of the remaining 7 games is either due to injury or the Edwards era is over.

 

5.) Inactivate or waive TO and get Johnson and Hardy on the field more and see what you've got in them.

I also want to see more of Nic Harris. He's a bit of a tweener at LB, but boy, what I've seen so far, he can really play. I don't understand he hasn't been on the field more.

[Bmwolf21]

What's next in terms of the remainder of this season? Here you go...

 

1.) I didn't know what OT's are out on the street, but they desperately need to bring one in. ANYONE!

 

2.) Reverse the roles of Jackson and Lynch, making Freddie the #1 RB and Lynch be the change of pace RB.

 

3.) Get Maybin on the field as either a OLB or a DE and see what the kid can do with more playing time.

 

4.) It's clear Fitzpatrick has no future as a full-time starter, so the only way he should be starting any of the remaining 7 games is either due to injury or the Edwards era is over.

 

5.) Inactivate or waive TO and get Johnson and Hardy on the field more and see what you've got in them.

I'm ok with most, although I disagree about changing Lynch and Jackson. FJ is clearly a talented back, but he's not a feature, 25-carries a game guy. That being said, I would be happy with a 60-40 split and more emphasis on the running game altogether. They need to start molding an identity as a smashmouth, cold-weather running team.

 

Why go with retreads? That seems like the easy way out, and a setup for more disappointment. I have no problem hiring "no-names" or bright young assistants -- if they're The Next Great Ones. These people are out there. You just have to have the ability to figure out who they are. The Bills clearly don't have that ability.

 

I want to say some nice things about Dick Jauron. He pretty clearly had the respect of his players. His teams played hard. 7-9 might have been a real accomplishment these past years, given the talent level. Think about the typical Bills loss under Jauron. Close game in the fourth quarter, then collapse. His teams never ran for the bus, just ran out of gas.

I have no problem with hiring the next great assistant, but the last few assistants they have hired haven't panned out at all. They need to hit a home run with this next hiring, or it will be another 10 years before we sniff the playoffs.

 

And up until this year I wouldn't have disagreed with your contention that his teams never ran for the bus, but I think it happened a couple times this year, and that was the most damning thing that led to DJ's demise.

[McJeff215]

Ha, following Thurman on Twitter and he's all kinds of loud today...

 

"thurmanthomas - Nobody is safe at One Bills Drive, they r cleaning house and bringing in a Football guy to run the ship. Jimbo say Ralph wil spend money!!!!"

 

Fun to watch if you've a Twitter account.

[nobody]

Ha, following Thurman on Twitter and he's all kinds of loud today...

 

"thurmanthomas - Nobody is safe at One Bills Drive, they r cleaning house and bringing in a Football guy to run the ship. Jimbo say Ralph wil spend money!!!!"

 

Fun to watch if you've a Twitter account.

 

 

Technically if Ralph hires anyone new, they will spend money. I need to see the statement Ralph will spend BIG money.

 

Knowing the Bills, they will bring in a European football (soccer) guy. Or maybe a CFL guy to go with the Toronto part.

[McJeff215]

thurmanthomas: Shanahan!!!!!!!

 

Is he serious?

 

Edit: And by that I mean "WTF is going on with Thurman's Nutso Tweeting?" I *don't* mean we've hired him!!

[Mbossy]

What's next in terms of the remainder of this season? Here you go...

 

4.) It's clear Fitzpatrick has no future as a full-time starter, so the only way he should be starting any of the remaining 7 games is either due to injury or the Edwards era is over.

Well, Fitz is starting Sunday.

[Stoner]

thurmanthomas: Shanahan!!!!!!!

 

Is he serious?

 

Edit: And by that I mean "WTF is going on with Thurman's Nutso Tweeting?" I *don't* mean we've hired him!!

 

Brendan was seen at the airport last night.

[LabattBlue]

Call me pessimistic, but I don't believe Shanahan will end up signing with the Bills, and even if he did, they'll be a good chance that he wants to be GM/HC, not just the HC.

[Stoner]

What about ole Jim Kelly? Why's he been lurking around these last several years?

[LabattBlue]

I don't care if Jim Kelly wants to be heard in terms of a possible ownership group, but he should STFU in terms of the players on the team or who the Bills should draft. WTF cares what he thinks or wants. Has he ever been a coach in the NFL? Scout? Front office position?

 

The only place his voice should be heard is on a message board with the rest of us. Stop sticking a microphone in this guys face! :angry:

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2009-11-26-jim-kelly-ralph-wilson_N.htm

[deluca67]

Has anyone considered that Ralph's new found interest in the team is a result of pressure from Rogers's Communication up in Toronto? That maybe they are pissed off at the product they spent so much money on to bring to Toronto? Maybe even threatening to cancel the rest of the games along with any discussions of a future contract unless Ralph made some major changes.

 

I doubt Ralph "found Jesus", was given 12 months to live or received a visit from the ghosts of football past, present and future. If Ralph is willing to spend money now it's because it will cost him down the line if he doesn't.

[nobody]

Now that Ralph is in the HOF; all that is left is to win a SB. I think Levy had him convinced that Jauron was the guy to get that for him. Now his only hope is to actually find the best coach out there. Or it could just be that he knows that if he doesn't get a big name coach that the ticket sales will drop to like they were in the 2-14 years.

[deluca67]

Now that Ralph is in the HOF; all that is left is to win a SB. I think Levy had him convinced that Jauron was the guy to get that for him. Now his only hope is to actually find the best coach out there. Or it could just be that he knows that if he doesn't get a big name coach that the ticket sales will drop to like they were in the 2-14 years.

He knew that going into this season.

[Eleven]

It's been a long time since I cared this little about a game against the Miami Dolphins. All of my "sports attention" is focused on Toronto tomorrow night.

[darksabre]

It's been a long time since I cared this little about a game against the Miami Dolphins. All of my "sports attention" is focused on Toronto tomorrow night.

 

Maybe you should be watching it.

[shrader]

Should we complain about TO showing emotion after his touchdown? It goes along well with Vanek yesterday.

[darksabre]

Should we complain about TO showing emotion after his touchdown? It goes along well with Vanek yesterday.

 

Hell no. Without that T.O. touchdown the Bills lose. Difference maker.

[Stoner]

For those who don't believe in in-season coaching changes, look at the night and day difference in the Bills.

 

What a weekend for Buffalo sports! Two late comeback wins over hated archrivals from the South in front of boisterious, well-lubricated, holiday-reveling fans.

[Eleven]

Maybe you should be watching it.

 

I've had it on the whole time. It was nice to see that 4th quarter. But I'm just not that enthusiastic about it, for some reason.

[darksabre]

For those who don't believe in in-season coaching changes, look at the night and day difference in the Bills.

 

What a weekend for Buffalo sports! Two late comeback wins over hated archrivals from the South in front of boisterious, well-lubricated, holiday-reveling fans.

 

I enjoy the point you're making about coaching changes, but I think coaching was a much greater problem for the Bills and in football it's much easier to point out when it is a problem. I think football relies on coaching much more than hockey does and to that end, the impact of a coaching change is much more immediate. That said, the Bills were at the point where the fan base was ready to bring in any old schmo off the street, where as for the Sabres, a lot of us are still on the fence as to whether the problems this team has are coaching, or the players, or ownership, or a factor of all of them. It's harder to determine in hockey.