Punch

"A little bit" is the key. It won't be a clone of the 1990-94 planbook, which is what was inferred. I've read the Syracuse offense incorporated elements of the New Orleans offense and Chip Kelly's Oregon offense as well as the K-Gun. That hybrid is interesting.

With all the talk around here and on WGR, it feels like Nassib is already a Bill. He wore 12 at Syracuse, so I wonder what number he'll wear?

Yes, exactly. Except not actually at all.

Huh? Where did I say he ran it in Buffalo?

Dear god, speaking of embarrassing... -The differences between McDaniels' and Hackett's situations and experience are like night and day, but nowhere have I said he *can't* be successful. As a matter of fact, I have repeatedly stated that he very well may succeed, I merely suggested that aside from age, the comparison is not a fair one. -I haven't made any negative comments. I have consistently said "I'm nervous about his inexperience, but remain optimistic". It is a completely natural and pragmatic reaction. To suggest otherwise is inane. -If I wanted to make negative comments, this would be the place to do so. If you don't like negative comments regarding the Bills' decision making, you have a strange way of showing it by reading this board. -If you're going to participate and accuse other posters of actions and opinions of which you disapprove, perhaps it is best to read through the entire thread and obtain context before you do so. -If having no NFL OC experience doesn't make you even a little bit anxious then you're not really paying attention. I'll hang up and listen.

Sorry, I certainly didn't intend for anything to come across as mean. It is past 2am, though. I thought enough of Hackett's comments regarding Nassib in that video to transcribe them in another thread. I guess it's only logical for a new head coach to bring coaches with him that he is familiar with--- and although many of us here on TSW (myself included) are very nervous with Hackett's inexperience, I think it is going too far to assume he is going to be able to dictate the team's personnel strategy to such a degree that we draft his pet project QB. I think it's possible the Bills draft Nassib, and I wouldn't think it's the end of the world. FWIW, the player that made Syracuse's offense the juggernaut it was is Nassib. They're not talking about bringing the whole Orangemen to Western NY, it's just a few affectionate quotes about a player he coached for 3 years. It's late, and I've been thinking about Syracuse so much tonight and the past few days that I now hate the color orange.

I don't think it's ridiculous that the Bills might select Nassib--- I think it's ridiculous to infer that Hackett will dictate it. They may like Nassib quite a bit, but if it's so obvious to you, then it's obvious to every NFL team. Any other team interested in Nassib is going to be on notice that they need to grab him before the Bills do. If the Bills are so locked in to Nassib that they hired Hackett to be the OC, and there's a possibility that Nassib will be drafted elsewhere, then the whole franchise is, indeed, !@#$ed. That's the ridiculous part. They may be interested in him, but there are ulterior plans in the event certain players are selected. The whole draft plan then gets shifted. It's ridiculous to think everything is so set in stone in regards to the draft.

Since when does a neophyte offensive coordinator make carte blanche draft day decisions? How in the world is this "status quo? It's as far out of left field as the Bills have ever come. Utterly ridiculous.

I highly doubt that a 33 year old first time NFL Offensive Coordinator is going to dictate the most crucial annual--- and perhaps franchise altering--- decision for a billion dollar corporation. It's definitely a possibility, but if the Bills select Nassib, it's going to be a decision made by consensus: Marrone, Nix, Whaley and perhaps Brandon all have more weight than Hackett.

It's more difficult than ever to find players that fit in an NFL ready 3-4 alignment. Having said that, defenses are much more of a hybrid than ever before, so the distinction between 3-4 and 4-3 may be fading somewhat.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter Uh-oh: @mortreport reports Robert Griffin III will undergo total reconstruction surgery of his right knee early Wednesday morning. Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter Griffin's recovery is projected at 6-to-8 months w/ rehabilitation that will focus on his quad strength to protect and help stabilize knee. http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8827480/sources-robert-griffin-iii-washington-redskins-acl-lcl-surgery-ready-opener

So much talk about Ryan Nassib now, so many fans trying to read the tea leaves to determine the Bills intentions--- I've transcribed Hackett's comments regarding Nassib from the 2 videos posted in this thread. It sounds like "love at first sight", but it's probably just typical of the affection that college coaches would have for their 3rd year QB. Or it could be another Gailey-Fitz mancrush. Not particularly high on substance, but through the roof on enthusiasm. Later in the 2nd video he does boast some of Nassib's stats: Relevant quotes by Hackett regarding Nassib following the 2012 Pinstripe Bowl: REPORTER: What about his NFL future? HACKETT: I'm not sure about that, you never know--- everybody has their own likes, their wants. If I was in the NFL, I know I would want him. He loves the cold, he's a tough, tough guy. He took some hits today, which crushed me (?) because I didn't want him to take some hits. Just to see him pop right back up and just keep on going, i mean, it just shows how tough he is, what kind of QB he is. REPORTER: Were you nervous the one time he did stay down? HACKETT: I was scared to death, I was scared to death because i love the guy so much. CitrusTV Interview, Part 3 REPORTER: Relationship with Nassib after 3 years? HACKETT: It's been great, I mean, I love that guy. It was hard at first, for both of us. I think both of us came in really not knowing what to expect from each other. He looked at me, "Who the heck is this young guy? What the hell does he know?" And uh, I think it was kind of hard for him at first, "Oh, I've got another coordinator, another Quarterback coach." And it took some time to gain some trust. And after a whole spring, and after even the first game--- the first Akron game--- I think that the two of us really realized we were in this for the long haul together. And I'm here for him and he's here for me. And we want to work this thing out and we want to become great, and I think that's what you need. And, for us, it's a great trust relationship, he knows I want to protect him and let him play. And we're just going to keep moving along. And we have a great time; we poke fun at each other. I always try to get him laughing, he's another quiet guy. Those quite guys--- if you're quiet, I'm after you. I'll make sure you stand out, because hey, he goes out there everyday on TV in front of all those people, he's gotta be used to people looking at him and making fun of him.

LOUD NOISES (trying to get back on topic)

Same here, although with all intangibles, it's very difficult to precisely pinpoint. It's one reason I'm in love with Tajh Boyd yet had trouble embracing Barkley or Glennon.

Ultimately, the OC pick will be an indictment of Marrone's judgement whether it's Hackett, Carmichael, or anyone else. Age isn't the important factor, but it's the experience that makes me nervous. The offense they were running at Syracuse was complex and detailed, and that's a positive. But the pressure situations and defensive alignments he'll face in the NFL are much more demanding, and perhaps experience could be helpful. As others have mentioned, it certainly is "refreshing".

Not a good example. He had been an assistant coach in NE for 5 years before becoming OC. And that is under Belichick and with Tom Brady.

You might be right. In fact, I bet it'll be nearly universally panned on WGR and elsewhere. I'm nervous as hell about the choice, but I remain optimistic for the moment. Ed Kilgore ‏@kedwinkilgore Hackett hiring no shock since Marrone trusts him. No bigger risk than Marrone as HC. #wgrz #bills

These are the reasons his knowledge of the "K-Gun" isn't exactly comforting. It doesn't mean no one thinks it can succeed, but it's definitely very high risk.

Geeze, no one's really blasting it. It's just naturally and rightfully creating some anxiety that he has next to no experience. It's definitely generating buzz amongst Bills fans, for better or worse.

That's definitely one of the details I like about Marrone. Adaptability is key to winning in the NFL. There are benefits to having a young guy like Hackett who isn't set in his ways and overly committed to a system, but I'm afraid of what he's going to call on a 3rd and 5 at the NE 30 yard line, with the Bills down by 5 and :50 left on the clock--- assunming we ever find ourselves in that position. There's so much more pressure in the NFL. That's a kick in the nuts. Proof that I'm suffering some arrested development: a Bills coach that's my age shocks the hell out of me, but a billionaire that bought the Redskins at about the same age didn't cause me to bat an eyelash until I really let it sink in. I'm still 12 years old, deep down.

All 9 plays??

I don't think very many are accepting. Stunned, maybe. He's younger than I am, by 8 months. That shocks me.

"Syracuse football offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will join Doug Marrone in Buffalo" http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2013/01/syracuse_football_offensive_co_1.html

Thank god Ryan McNaughton chimed in: Ryan McNaughton ‏@Ryan4Niles Is it wrong of me to be more upset about Hackett leaving Syracuse than Marrone?

On the other hand, isn't this very much the approach that Bill Belichick has taken over the years? Young, hungry talented coaches that he can mold and delegate his philosophy to? Or am I already justifying and rallying??