Two Bills Drive

'I'm going to miss Rex Ryan. He is a nice guy. He really wants people to like him, which is a fault for anyone in his position and with his mouth. He just picked the wrong division at the wrong time. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are still in their prime and don't appear to be going away anytime soon. But this isn't about them, it's about Rex. He had a chance here but wasn't up to the challenge.'

'But like all NFL coaches of this gregarious, flamboyant variety, Ryan, who once said he didn't come to the division to "kiss Bill Belichick's ring," tends to wear out his welcome. Good bet he'll be a coordinator again somewhere — just not in the AFC East. He's got three more years on his contract, which calls for $5.5 million a year, so he'll manage.'

'His decision to punt in OT with just more than four minutes left and the Bills on their own 41-yard line also came under fire. Ryan defended the decision to members of the media, saying reporters’ “livelihood” wasn’t on the line the way his was.'

'The Bills, for their part, probably will next seek an offensive-minded head coach. That is the direction that the entire league has taken, and it would represent the counterpoint to the hiring of the defensive-minded Ryan the last time around. NFL teams tend to operate that way.'

'The Bills missed the playoffs both seasons under Ryan, whose team is 7-8 after an 8-8 finish last year.'

'Bills players were quick to react to the firing Tuesday morning, with defensive end Leger Douzable tweeting: "Makes no sense. Smh"'

'It will be interesting now to see the market for Ryan, 54, after two failed stints as a head coach. His personality makes him popular, but will another owner take a chance on a coach who has never won a division title? Or will Ryan be interested in taking a defensive coordinator job?'

'Pegula then noted his wife in saying: "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."'

'Manuel hasn't started since a 34-31 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 25, 2015. Though he went 24 of 42 for a career-best 298 yards passing and two touchdowns, Manuel also committed three turnovers on consecutive possessions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.'

'DeHaven's special teams coverage units in Buffalo were the best in the league for four consecutive season (1987-1990). He helped the Bills win six AFC East titles and appear in 21 playoff games.'

'Rex Ryan posted a 15-16 mark in his two seasons as Buffalo's coach.'

'However, offense really wasn't the problem; it was the Bills defense that continually failed, and that was evident during a killer three-game losing streak that followed. From that point on, the rumors started to swirl about Ryan's viability beyond 2016, even though he still had three years and $16.5 million remaining on his contract.'

'The Bills also relieved defensive coordinator Rob Ryan of his duties.'

'Hey, we like the job you've done this year as offensive coordinator, so we're calling to let you know we just fired Rex Ryan and we'd like you to be the head coach this week. Sort of a one-week tryout, see how it goes and maybe we talk next week about whether it makes sense for you to get the job full time. No promises, though. We're definitely planning to talk to other people as well.'

'Ultimately, management felt it was wise to fire Ryan now, keeping Taylor off the field, because of the injury guarantees that would be owed to Taylor if he was hurt and could not pass a physical March 11 — the day when he'd be owed guarantees valued at $27.5 million.'