'No high-profile candidate would take the job without Bill Belichickesque power. And, if such a coach was hired, Whaley would figure to be one of the first to go … so he’s not hiring one.'
Archives for December 28, 2016
Ryan talked a good game but the results were lacking
'But now, with that top-five defense a shell of itself and that postseason drought having reached 17 years, the Bills concluded that Ryan no longer is the right man for the job, announcing Tuesday that he has been fired.'
Bills announce General Manager Doug Whaley to lead coaching search
'That would seem to put an end to any speculation about his job security with the team. Whaley, who officially took over as general manager in May 2013, previously was part of a four-man team – along with owners Terry and Kim Pegula and President Russ Brandon – that hired Ryan in January 2015.'
Bucky Gleason: Rex takes the fall, but Bills' problems start at the top
'Ownership has made so many mistakes with the Bills and Sabres that I’m not sure how they could inspire confidence in any decision made with either franchise.'
Bucky Gleason's Hot Read: Rex has only himself to blame for firing
'He came aboard proclaiming his defensive genius and pleaded with desperate Bills fans to climb aboard the Rex Express. In fact, many did. He was new and exciting and bold and funny. All the things people despised about Rex during his days with the Jets became attractive when he took over the Bills.'
Why the Bills fired Rex Ryan, in one chart
'Instead, the defense went backward under Ryan. His run defense was especially poor this season, allowing three separate 200-yard individual rushing performances, which only two other teams in NFL history had done before.'
By firing Ryan, Pegulas got it half right and wrong
'Trusting Whaley, who per the team’s Twitter account “will officially be leading the organization’s head coaching search,’’ and Brandon to select a third coach in five years after they already whiffed on Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan has left Bills Nation quoting Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.’’'
Statement by Bills owner Terry Pegula about firing Rex Ryan
'"Kim and I and our entire Bills organization share in the same disappointment and frustration as our fans, but we remain committed to our goal of bringing a championship to Western New York.'
A dozen candidates (not named Anthony Lynn) who could replace Rex Ryan
'The Bills announced that General Manager Doug Whaley will lead a search, so if they do look outside the organization, here are 10 other candidates the team could consider. How many of these candidates would be willing to work with Whaley? The answer to that is very uncertain.'
Twitter reacts to Rex Ryan firing
'Here are some notable tweets reacting to the news…',.
Bylsma says Rex's firing is 'just the culmination of the disappointment'
'Still, the parallels seem to end there. Bylsma and General Manager Tim Murray seem to be on roughly the same page, while Ryan and GM Doug Whaley weren't in the same book. And it seems improbable the Sabres would make a coaching change after just two years of having Jack Eichel on their roster and with a few key prospects still in juniors, the AHL or college ranks.'
Financial considerations likely behind Bills' reported benching of Tyrod Taylor
'If ownership and/or other members of the Bills’ front office wanted Ryan to sit Taylor because of his contract status and the coach refused, that very well could have been the final straw in the marriage and the reason the coach was fired after giving a press conference Monday, just days before the season finale.'
Former Bills special teams coach Bruce DeHaven dies at 68
'"Bruce DeHaven was not only one of the premier special teams coaches the history of the NFL, he was also a premier SPECIAL PERSON," former Bills coach Marv Levy said in a press release provided by the team. "His work ethic, his love for and his dedication to the game, his caring about those players from whom he was able to bring forth their maximum talents and who revere him are all signature features which distinguished him.'
Tasker's CBS team to work Bills finale; Miami game gets season-low rating
'With both teams eliminated from the playoffs, the game isn’t exactly must-see TV, though Tuesday's firing of Coach Rex Ryan makes it more interesting.'
Curing Buffalo Bills' blues with musical theater
'Or, like Buffalo nutrition coach Jennie Fagen, you can funnel your frustration into one of the most powerful coping tools known to Western civilization: musical theater.'