Two Bills Drive

'In his first draft as general manager in 2014, Whaley traded the Bills' 2015 first-round pick to move up and select wide receiver Sammy Watkins fourth overall. Watkins eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in 2015 but has missed 11 games the past two seasons because of injuries.'

'CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports that Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane is the top candidate to replace Whaley.'

'But it wasn't just the GM. The Bills wound up firing the entire scouting department, and at this time list only two people in their player personnel department.'

'Just as the relationship between Whaley and former coach Doug Marrone was rocky and just like the relationship between Whaley and former head coach Rex Ryan was fractured, the relationship between Whaley and McDermott never really took hold. If anything, Pegula's repeated procrastinating on a decision that many smart people advised him to make years ago set the franchise back, and his tendency to blow up coaching staffs but stick with a front office continually making evaluation and contractual blunders caused many of the issues in that franchise.'

'Pegula says personnel directors Jim Monos and Kelvin Fisher have been fired, and new GM will make call on VP Jim Overdorf. Big changes.'

'Time and again, the lack of direction from above has been painfully obvious. That’s not to say that this latest move came out of leftfield. The fact that the team didn’t hire Whaley’s choice for head coach—willingly letting Lynn go to the Chargers—was the first sign that the GM who “led” the coaching search was in trouble. The hiring of McDermott, who Whaley didn’t really know, was second. Third was Whaley’s disappearance from the public eye.'

'Whaley's name is often tied to draft follies such as quarterback E.J. Manuel, tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and the trading of an extra first round pick to acquire wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who's fifth year option is still being contemplated. The Bills were 30-34 in Whaley's tenure as the general manager.'

'"It’s going to be Kim and I, and we’re going to use every resource we can inside and outside the organization to find the right person. That’s how we’re going to do it. It’s very simple. We’re going to ask Sean [McDermott" target="_blank"> questions, absolutely."'

'But make no mistake. Whether it’s titled GM, President of Football Operations, or anything else, this is Sean McDermott’s team now. He’s making the calls on players, coaches, and support staff.'

'As for Whaley's decision making, while he was given the keys to be more aggressive in free agency and the draft, a clear mismanagement of the salary cap and how it would impact them in the future put the Bills in a bind this offseason, to where they couldn't compete for more than one or two bigger name free agents to help the roster immediately.'

'On the surface this seems to be an excellent draft for the Bills as they filled several holes, added character, versatility, and playing experience at several positions that really needed it. This draft took into consideration the short term needs as well as the long term needs with gaining a first round pick in next year's draft. This was the first stamp that McDermott has put on the organization and it was a very positive first step that instills confidence among the fan base and makes the dismissal of Whaley even easier to take than it already was for many.'

'This was my decision. It was not an easy decision but I believe it’s the right one for the future of the Buffalo Bills.'

'“Kim and I are going to use every resource we can inside and outside the organization to find the right person,” said Terry Pegula of the impending search for a new general manager. “That’s how we’re going to do it. It’s very simple.”'

'Peterman is seen as a quarterback whose NFL learning curve should be shorter than most college QBs these days thanks to playing in a pro-style system. That would appear to leave Cardale Jones and Josh Woodrum with a bit of an uphill climb.'

'We’ll see how good it is, ultimately, for Whaley and his scouts.'