Punch

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??

The Saints are still working on Carmichael?

There's some interesting information about Marrone's relationship to Hackett in regards to running the offense at Syracuse, here: http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2013/01/flexibility-the-key-to-bills-coordinator-search/

No one's bashing him--- but he's incredibly young and inexperienced. It's seemingly the first wrong step so far for this "new era".

Aah, sorry--- even though I quoted it directly, somehow it didn't "compute".

Tim Graham says Hackett will be "the Bills' next offensive coordinator"., not just on the staff

There were articles out of NY a year or two ago quoting Jerome Bettis that Cowher wants the NYG job. I wonder if he's waiting out Coughlin. Planinng on doing something "again, some time" is kind of like what I say when I think about clearing out the attic. It's hardly definitive, but it's the closest he's come to affirming his interest in returning.

Perhaps it's splitting hairs, but "thorough NFL experience" was in reference to the defense--- when speaking specifically about the offense, he only added "Offensively, we want people with NFL experience. For our coordinators, we want to make sure they've been in this league". Maybe I'm just anxious and reading too much into it, but "having been in this league" is pretty much the best that can be said for Hackett. I can see the headlines now when he's canned in a year or two like George Edwards: "Hackett can't Hack it".

I'm afraid that may be correct, but 4 years in the NFL as an Offensive Quality Control coach isn't much of anything. Editing game film and punching holes in the playbook sheets are typical duties for the position. He acquitted himself fairly well as OC in Syracuse, but it is the Big East. Calling plays in the NFL I'm afraid he'd be Not Ready For Prime-Time.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter Asked at CBS event promoting Super Bowl XLVIII whether he plans to coach again at some time, Bill Cowher told Newsday's @sportswatch, "yes."

The Quality Control Coach talk is coming from his still existent profile on the Bills website from when he held that position for 2 seasons in the past. The QB Coach talk is speculative because it would make more sense... and be more palatable and reassuring to most of us.

Still unconfirmed: Jeff Russo ‏@JeffRussoWKBW No confirmation at this point.. but Hackett described to me as... Very Smart.. a guy Marrone strongly believes in.. #Bills