Archives for December 2016

'For the most part, Lynn handled his first presser as a head coach fairly well, but Whaley and owner Terry Pegula did him no favors by hanging him out to dry with the team’s quarterback situation. He was forced to dance around questions about Taylor’s benching, which only makes the entire organization look bad.'

'Lynn explained it was a “business decision” to bench Tyrod Taylor in favor of Manuel, adding “we want to look at the depth of our quarterback position. We’re out of the playoffs. So we want to see what these tour two guys can do,” referencing both Manuel and Jones.'

'When it came to the question of who would be starting quarterback in the upcoming game against the Jets, Lynn said starting EJ Manuel is a business decision.'

'When asked about Taylor, Lynn responded that he saw a young quarterback with potential, and “it would be interesting to have him for an offseason to see exactly where he can go.” Now, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee that if it’s Lynn coming back as the full-time head coach in 2017, Taylor will be brought along with him as his quarterback. But it at least shows that one man that could have a stake in the game is at least intrigued by what Taylor can become by working with him for a full offseason.'

'Watch Jennie Fagen parody "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from The Sound of Music as the Bills continue their playoff drought for the seventeenth year in a row.'

'“As far as the permanent head coaching job I’m really not thinking that far down the road because I don’t want to miss out on anything right now,” Lynn said. “I want to stay in the now and I want to get this team ready to go out and play the best we can to beat the New York Jets.”'

'“It’s a great opportunity to go out there and win,” Manuel said. “There’s no better way to end this season, even though it’s not where we wanted to finish, but to finish 8-8… as a team we want to still band together and show that we still have unity. For me personally I just want to go out and execute and do my job.”'

'Lynn has interviewed for head coaching positions at least two times over the last two years, with the Dolphins and the Jets, and removed himself from consideration for the 49ers job last year after an interview was scheduled.'

'The Bills general manager was part of the process two years ago and made his recommendations, but indication now is Whaley will take a lead role in the search for a new head coach.'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'

'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.'