Punch

I get the sense that the repeated claims that the Bills were a "token" interview and were/are not serious contenders means one of two things: 1) it's true, or 2) the "radio silence" by the Bills organization means the reporters are making assumptions. I'm leaning towards 1) it's true, because info is leaking from Kelly's camp as well, and there's been nothing to suggest Buffalo is really in it. But we'll know soon enough, and then one way or the other, the Bills will have a coach.

"held to" 99 yards? Did Dom Capers inject Ponder's elbow with the bursitis? That's the only thing that "slowed" AP. ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo Adrian Peterson was held to 99 rush yards after totaling 199 last week. Find out how the Packers shut down Peterson: http://es.pn/WhPw9y

Already debunked.

New threads are typically mocked when one poster begins multiple copies of the same thread, ad nauseam. If you truly think this is a great thread then please read JohnnyGold's follow-up post on page 1:

I posted this in the Chip Kelly thread: FWIW, NFL Network's Ian Rappaport hears the following from around the league regarding the Bills: The Bills' QB situation is certainly a question mark. The other thing is, I hear nothing but good things around the league when it comes to eventual GM Doug Whaley and CEO Russ Brandon. It's rare you hear such positive reviews about, well, anything, but these two are respected. Brandon for his ability to be an administrator, Whaley for his personnel prowess. People love old Steelers alums, and Whaley would like to build in the model of what we see in Pittsburgh. The phrase I heard most often with regard to Buffalo's situation? "They are in good hands." Something you don't often hear.

Amen! It fully depends on to what degree Whaley and Brandon have embraced Kelly's philosophy as far as in-game management and roster building. Despite the fact Brandon said the organization will embrace football analytics, it's possible they're not quite "all in" to the extent that Kelly would find desirable. Yes, the tide is turning. Russ and Doug appear to be impressing across the board. It's reason to feel good going forward.

As they did with Gailey--- which helped feed the negative perception, for a time. That's all I intended with that post. If it was not artfully written, then I apologize for any confusion. I want to see the Bills organization return to being a desirable location--- it appears that may have already begun, to some degree, and I hope it continues.

Then please ignore it and move on. I love the Bills and want to see them get the best available coach. End of story.

FWIW, NFL Network's Ian Rappaport hears the following from around the league regarding the Bills: The Bills' QB situation is certainly a question mark. The other thing is, I hear nothing but good things around the league when it comes to eventual GM Doug Whaley and CEO Russ Brandon. It's rare you hear such positive reviews about, well, anything, but these two are respected. Brandon for his ability to be an administrator, Whaley for his personnel prowess. People love old Steelers alums, and Whaley would like to build in the model of what we see in Pittsburgh. The phrase I heard most often with regard to Buffalo's situation? "They are in good hands." Something you don't often hear.

I mean it was obviously what I meant, not obvious that the Bills wanted him and didn't get him--- hence my very next sentence in that quoted post. If the Eagles, Browns and Bills all interview Kelly and Marrone, and the Bills are the odd man out, it could add to the perception of the organization as "undesirable". That's all I'm saying.

If Kelly chooses the Browns and Marrone goes to the Eagles, or vice versa--- isn't that obvious? Of course, the Bills may have liked someone better than either and will hire that candidate, but it would be unknown if that were the case. That's why I say "in principle". I'd like for perception of the organization to be as a desirable destination, is my point, and the constant media reports of the Bills being a "token" interview with Kelly is tiresome. I hope it's not the case. Ha!

You're right. And although I understand that circumstances change, I disagree with this tweet that twitter is to blame (although it does serve as an enabler)--- this misinformation is "95%" being reported by actual reporters: John Wawrow ‏@john_wawrow Funny, I just read something somewhere, in which someone accused Twitter as being unreliable as source for news. Say it ain't so. The one thing that seems to be constant in all the "updates" (aside from maybe one or two) is that the Bills are completely irrelevant in the Chip Kelly discussion.

The NHL CBA negotiation tweets are as wild and unreliable--- everything has to be taken with a grain of salt.

It would be a shame if the Bills finished 3rd in the running for each of these guys, in principle. It's a retweet from a guy at Sportsradio 94 WIP Philadelphia--- strange comment at the end: "If wrong my source is fired." Brian Startare ‏@brianstartare Sources tell me Chip Kelly and the eagles are close to an agreement on a 5 year deal. If I'm right I'm golden. If wrong my source is fired

Eric Edholm ‏@Eric_Edholm I think Chip Kelly just ordered a second dessert. #morecheesecakesir? Tim Graham ‏@ByTimGraham Report: Eagles have Chip Kelly handcuffed to radiator in restaurant basement.

I wonder if a lot of the Browns news has been leaked because NFL Network's Michael Lombardi is rumored to be a front office hire.

Tim Graham ‏@ByTimGraham I've now been told the USA Today report is erroneous. Based on the reaction to my tweet about it, you're all happy to learn that.

Obviously. FWIW: Tim Graham ‏@ByTimGraham Well-placed source tells me Bills have no interview scheduled with Bears candidate Marc Trestman.

Leaked photo of Chip Kelly en route to Buffalo.

Sometimes those types of observations are printed as actual reports. Graham's source doesn't necessarily need to be someone that wants to spin it positively--- often, sources indicate interviews and the like didn't go well at all. It may all be apropos of nothing, but it's a quiet day and this is where the public narrative is at the moment.

@ByTimGraham Don't know about Lovie Smith being the favorite for Bills job, but have been told Friday's interview went very well.

That's not necessarily true. They will get to work on drafting and developing a mobile QB for the future, but in the meantime, his offense would likely be modified for a stopgap like Alex Smith.

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet Trestman also has OC interest. Not sure from where

Trestman's name has entered the conversation for an NFL HC job: Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet As I just said on @nflnetwork's #GameDayMorning: #Bears will interview Montreal Alouettes coach Marc Trestman. #wildcard #Canada

Interviewing Kelly, Marrone and Lovie Smith all on Friday seems like an especially busy day considering the Browns met with Kelly for 7 hours. It probably doesn't really matter, but it suggests the individual interviews weren't quite "exhaustive". That's possibly only perception.