TheLynchTrain

Does anyone else want to see Rex Ryan ride a real buffalo into the field during warm ups?

That was partly tongue-in-cheek there bud

Do people forget the frustration on CJ's usage with Chan? I feel like this one was one of the "good riddance" aspects around these parts after Chan was canned. How Chan would make the "winded" comments and CJ would bristle afterwards in the locker-room? Yes, CJ has proven he's not a player you can run up the gut 25-30 times a game, but the average 12 carries a game under Chan in 2012 was absolutely maddening for CJ and fans. CJ genuinely seems like a nice guy that wouldn't badmouth anyone (including Marrone). I think he's doing the Christian thing here - while also attempting to generate some buzz for his services.

I like Doug Whaley. I think he does have an eye for talent, particularly when you compare him to some of the bozos we've had making decisions in the past. Regarding his trade valuations, I think at this point in his career, he's probably given too much value away for what he's receiving, but I'm confident over time he'll get a better feel for it. However, when it comes to public speaking, Whaley has come off like a buffoon - whether it was not taking ownership of the EJ pick, some earlier gaffes as Assistant GM about not understanding the cap/football administration, and now this inconvenient phrase, among others - he's said some things that have made the average fan cringe. But does it really matter what he says to the public and the fans? Probably not. As long as he keeps stacking talent on the roster and resigning our own guys, he can bumble through press conferences all he wants. Now on this silliness about potential Rex/Doug friction brewing in the future (from PFT and others) - I think that's complete crap. Anyone that's followed Rex in the past will tell you Rex does not want the power that comoes with personnel or front office control. He's a coach that wants to coach, that's it. I'd imagine he'd want authority over his assistants (especially with some of the OCs forced on him in NY), but every coach wants that. A coach that just wants to coach, I know that's rare these days with the Kellys, Harbaughs, Carrolls, etc. How refreshing is that?

I forgot about that part - Pegula threw that out there without being prodded. He also mentioned "no dysfunction" regarding the coaching search in an obvious dig at Jerry Sullivan in his column from last week. I think those two statements made some questions outside the standard "new coach" questions fair game.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. Looking back on my OP, I agree asking about analytics would be stupid, especially since its been asked at numerous pressers and you get the same proprietary answer. I get your view that "what's done is done - move on," but I think the extension/no extension and polian questions need to be asked. We're talking about an owner that was potentially replacing his top two key personnel and then doing a 180. That shows me and many others on here that it may still happen in the near future. On "rocking the boat," are you saying reporters shouldn't be asking uncomfortable questions? That's their job. Yes, this is a presser announcing our new head coach, but if the media only asks questions pertaining to hiring a new coach, they might as well go work for Scott Berchold. It's my understanding that Terry shuns interviews, so its not like anybody would be frozen out on a one-on-one that's not gonna happen anyways. If these guys are scared of losing access, they need to find another line of work.

In his defense, he's a columnist not a reporter, so he gets a little leeway on the "sources." However, you're right on the money about the phrasing "other people say" - it shows me he doesn't have the stomach to stand by his own theories rather than put his name on it. He also acted like a child on twitter with the nightmare and crying jokes. I get its supposed to be about the head coach, but if you as a reporter complain the guy is never available, here's your shot. They asked about the front office shuffle (albeit in a milquetoast way) - what's wrong with asking this here? I don't want to hear these guys complain about this anymore if they're not going to ask the hard questions when they get a chance. And on the Marrone extension/no extension debate, we've argued it to death here but I haven't heard the media vet that one at all. Yes, Pegs would probably sidestep both the extension and Polian questions, but how he acts and how he answers those questions might give a little more insight. I'm just frustrated we seem to have such a week media around these parts.

Anybody else surprised that for all the talk and whining from the Buffalo media that Pegula never allows himself opportunity for questions, they barely asked him anything? I saw one question from Vic about the front office and another one from TG about the process of the coaching search, but if I recall that was really it. Nobody asked if Marrone was extended or if pegs rejected an extension overture (still no consensus on what happened), nobody followed up on Pegs comment about "talking with Polian" (what did that say for RB and DW at the time), nobody asked about "analytics dept." Am I missing something here? I also find it hilarious guys like Sully spent more time posting snarky questions on Twitter to everyone and no one rather than, you know, ask questions to the folks in front of them.

Even if you don't agree with his takes, Taibbi is a great writer. Happy to see he took up a sports story. This quote is classic:

And remember how frustrated everyone was when Spiller was averaging 6 yards a carry but only getting 10-12 touches a game? The "winded" comments as to why he was pulled after long runs?

Doesn't Switzer make a stronger case for Johnson, considering it was basically Johnson's team?

Got it, thanks!

Where's the La Canfora tweet? I've been looking for it and can't locate I'm not calling BS, I just want to see some verification from La Canfora (and I don't watch the show). This is completely counter to what everyone else is reporting - Marrone lost his power play and took his ball home. I'm under the impression that LaCanfora is getting all his info from the Marrone camp, and don't see how this improves Marrones chances of getting hired again.

Who is Paulie Bruz and where is a link to this? I can't find it on Twitter and don't see it on La Canforas feed or articles today.

+1

It looks like they're saying the NFL changed the Pro Bowl ballot to "pass rusher" rather than 4-3/3-4 DE/OLB that they've done in the past. The "Edge" Starters are Wake (26.1), Watt (84.3), Von Miller (48) and Houston (44.2). Mario's 19.2 grade is tied for third with Bennett (19.2), below Wake (26.1), JPP (20.3) for 4-3 DEs and looks to be about 15th overall in all these "edge" categories. Either way, I love Mario and think he's worth every penny. Kyle is 6th under DT behind Donald, McCoy, Suh, Marcel, and Hankins.

Hold on now - shouldn't we wait and see how he does against 2 - 12 Oakland first? If Marrone loses that game with the playoffs on the line, no question in my mind should he still be fired.

Why shouldn't they? If they're really the best, they should play and beat the best. Isn't that how it works? It's definitely a very tall order. I get these three are probably right up there in the top 3-5-7 QBs ever, and with rule changes, preparation, etc its tough to compare eras. But there's always been great QBs, and Bills defenses in the past have had to play them. At this point, I hate to say it, but I'm not convinced we have it in us to play well against elite QBs. Fourteen years is a B word.

Exactly. I love the enthusiasm, but let's see how they shake out after playing three of the best QBs the last decade. Granted, those three seem to neutralize great defenses on a weekly basis, but if they're really the best, lets see them go up against the best.

Figured this wouldn't take too long http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/28/fansfans-flood-former-bills-linebacker-darryl-talley-with-contributions/

Or in this case, 10,000 $100,000 Mercedes....

You're correct, Bradham happened prior to Vick. It knocked us out of field goal range. There were no replays at the game and Harlan and Gannon (who were awful by the way) only made a cursory note about it. Does anybody have All-22 access?

Here's the August 2001 SI article by Tim Layden that people were referencing earlier: Calm Before the Storm. Also dug up a John Warwow articleabout the subject post-SI article. Wonder if JW has some insight on this now. EDIT: My bad, this isn't the SI article being discussed, it was a post-mortem after Flutie was gone. I'll keep digging to see if I can find it.

They already did....Peterson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiqkclCJsZs