Archives for January 2016

'Ryan said, “there are a lot of things you can point to,” regarding the team’s defensive struggles this season. “This, that, and the other…..but we just didn’t get it done,” and added “we’re going to do things much different next year and we’re going to be better because of it.”'

'While I wasn't happy with the news, It won't matter as much as the off season player moves. Those should help the defense more than any staff changes. The Bills need to find a pass rushing end to replace the soon to be released Mario Williams. They might be in the market for a successor to Nigel Bradham should they not be able to re-sign the pending free agent linebacker. They need at least one starting safety and maybe two should Aaron Williams be unable to play football again.'

'"We’re going to do things much differently next year, and we’re going to be better because of it," Ryan said. "In a way, I tried to merge a couple of things, you know, two systems and things like that. And quite honestly, it didn’t work, so we’re going to be all in, we’re going to play Buffalo Bill defense, and we’re not going to be fun to play."'

'Buffalo finished a lofty plus-35 in toxic differential, the highest figure the club has ever posted since the metric was published by analytic researchers in 2009. It’s also the second time in three seasons the Bills have finished in the top 10. They ranked ninth overall in 2013 with their only other positive figure (plus-11).'

'Rob Ryan has served as defensive coordinator for four different teams: the Saints (2013-15), Raiders (2004-08), Browns (2009-10) and Cowboys (2011-12). The Raiders had the worst defense in the NFL in 2005, but rebounded to finish No. 3 overall the following year. The Saints had the worse defense in NFL history in 2012, but under Ryan's leadership improved to fourth in 2013. Ultimately, however, Ryan was fired from each job.'

'The photo appears to be on Pegula's yacht in South Florida. The team's leaders, including the Pegulas, Brandon, Whaley and coach Rex Ryan were to have year-end meetings this weekend at the owners' residence.'

'How well did the investment pay off? The Bills finished first in the NFL in rushing, and McCoy made a significant contribution with his team-leading 895 yards.'

'At the conclusion of that stint, Bills coach Rex Ryan praised Anderson for the job that he did, indicating it would be only a matter of time before he got to coach a line of his own. That time came Saturday.'

'Justice Timothy J. Drury declared that a class action “would be a far more efficient means of litigation as opposed to a multitude of individual lawsuits.”'

'Rob Ryan comes to Buffalo with 28 years of coaching experience, 17 in the NFL. He has served stints as a defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders (2004-08), Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Dallas Cowboys (2011-12) and the Saints (2013-15), and has four years of experience heading up defenses at the collegiate level.'

'Rob Ryan was most recently the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. Sean Payton fired him in the middle of his third season as defensive coordinator. Between 2004 and 2012, Rob Ryan was the defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.'

'During Whaley's time as general manager, the Bills have made a number of bold moves, including trading up for Sammy Watkins in the 2014 NFL Draft and trading for running back LeSean McCoy. Whaley has also been tied to the team drafting quarterback EJ Manuel in the first round of the 2013 draft. In his two-plus years, Whaley has done enough to earn the trust of the Bills' new owners.'

'Reports of discord between Whaley and Ryan, Buffalo’s first-year head coach, repeatedly leaked last summer and fall, raising questions as to whether the duo could continue working together.'

'More than 20 years after they last coached together, the Ryan brothers are reunited on the same staff.'

'What was immediately unclear is where Bills current defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman fits in the team's hierarchy.'