TimGraham

I don't set out to waffle here, but I think I'm going to have to. I'm not entirely sure, and I think we need to see how things shake out with the Jets' season. Brian Schottenheimer is under contract through 2010.

There are several reasons to think the Bills are out of the running. Not to be flip, but they're the Bills and not all that attractive. Plus, if Cowher was in play, we'd know about it. So much of what the Bills are doing has gotten out, and Cowher is a guy they'd love to be linked to for PR purposes.

I speak with Ron Wolf on occasion and the guy couldn't be more retired. I ask him questions about what's going on in the league, and he doesn't know half the players anymore -- and he readily admits it. He doesn't even watch the game aside from visiting his buddy Bill Parcells for a Dolphins game once a season. Wolf is a huge military buff and spends his time reading war books and visiting battlefields. You don't want Ron Wolf to take over the Bills.

I haven't heard anything about that specifically, but there were some whispers I never was able to confirm in the fall. Good running backs aren't that tough to find. Just take a look at Fred Jackson ... or Cedric Benson ... The Jets drafted the Doak Walker Award winner in the third round. The AFC East has two backs over 30 who've rushed for 1,000 yards this year. The problem is, that makes it tough to get any value in a trade. Teams will go find their own solution rather than give up significant assets for somebody else's castoff. People on this board know how much of a fan I was of Lynch's running style. Heading into the year, I thought he was the best back in the division. But I don't think Bills fans should be bothered to see him go. Not at all.

The broadcast booth to management has happened quite a bit in recent years. You mentioned Matt Millen. In baseball there was Bob Brenly, Buck Martinez and Larry Dierker. Would it be crazy? Probably, given how much Bills realize that establishing institutional credibility is important right now. Going for a broadcaster with no front-office experience would be more outside the box than the Bills would go, but I do like your idea.

I wrote that Brohm's debut was "forgettable." I don't think there's any reason to start a scrapbook over what we saw Sunday. Forgettable doesn't mean good or bad. It just was. And I don't think we'll be looking back it with any fondness or regret.

Oops. Yes, I did mean the Browns. I'll fix that ...

I've been told the Bills did approach Holmgren. The Browns have an owner that desperately wants to win, will spend money, is willing to give up total control and isn't afraid to pull the trigger on something dramatic. And the Browns have a more attractive QB situation.

There can't possibly be any truth to it. John Fox is employed by another NFL team. You can't plan to hire a guy who might not be available, and even if the Bills were foolish enough to do so, it would be tampering.

I really believe the Bills are closer to a blank slate than they've ever been. It's hard to speculate until they foreshadow their first move. They whole thing could get blown up.

They have a lot of proving to do down the homestretch.

The last time I ate that much great food in 72 hours was about 15 years ago ... the last time I was in New Orleans. Wow. Commander's Palace, Acme Oyster House, Deanie's ... great hole-in-the-wall bar called The Jimani with sensational poboys. Scarfing down a soft pretzel at the Atlanta airport yesterday was a huge comedown.

Thanks much. It was a good peace-of-mind Thanksgiving because we're in the house finally. But still a lot of chaos. Too many boxes and still don't have a phone yet. But we're getting by. Thanks for the warm wishes. Hope everybody enjoyed a great stat to their holiday seasons.

When eating wings (which is odd to write) I prefer legs because they're easier to mow down in large amounts. But chicken/turkey breast on everything else.

I haven't heard, but monitor Schefter on this one. He and Shanahan have a close relationship from collaborating on a book together and Schefter's days as the Broncos' beat writer.

White, all the way.

Before Tuesday? I'm not sure.

No, the purpose is to get you to click on the link. Without a photo, nobody would notice. I'd prefer Taylor Swift.

I don't mean how the 4-3 is working out. I meant the way the Bills are doing it.

Sorry I didn't answer this sooner. It's been a wild week. I finally closed on my house Friday, and I've been moving in. The truck finally came today. So I'm sure everybody knows by now Wood is on IR and has a long recovery ahead.

And how's that working out?

If I were a Bills fan, I would be ecstatic with that.

Hamdan was not a project and didn't have any upside. He will be 29 in February. He's a journeyman backup. As I wrote for the blog, the Bills were missing a young prospect on their depth chart. With Edwards, Fitzpatrick and Hamdan, you pretty much know what they're capable of. http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/...ned-brian-brohm Hamdan is a good dude. Classy and intelligent. He has a future in broadcasting. I think he can be great behind the mic. But I think the main reason the Bills kept him around was because he and Edwards are tight.

I recall Terrell Owens' comments from a few weeks ago where he said Buffalo is a perfect place for a veteran to play because of all the low-impact practices and time off. I think that's one of the big reasons why Jauron was so liked by his players. He didn't ride them to be prepared. He trusted them to be professional enough and motivated enough to take care of themselves in many ways.

Shanahan is higher than I thought they would shoot. Color me impressed already. But my expectations were pretty low. Glad you liked the Edwards-Fitzpatrick post. Lotsa news at One Bills Drive these days.