Punch

Don't the Bills do year-end evaluations as well? I suppose if the Bucs determine Freeman is not good enough, dump him and find a replacement then I might see your point. Until then, Sciano has merely given a vote of confidence to Freeman while acknowledging that they'll be doing full evaluations on everyone. It sounds suspiciously like Chan Gailey!

It's not actually a question that the Bills are meeting with Whisenhunt tonight. But maybe they're meeting at Area 51? Are there any flights into nearby Roswell, NM?

Well, Patrick Petersen may be their best player. The Cards OL and QB group are as bad as any in the NFL, but they have some talented RBs and WRs and the D was impressive at times. Aside from a short stint with Warner, QB play is probably what sunk his chances of success in Arizona, and that could be largely what is written on Chan's Bills epitaph.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rappaport, the Bills have legitimate interest in Alex Smith as a temporary caretaker as they groom a rookie. He suggested its one of the details being discussed with Whisenhunt.

What makes you think he's available when he's repeatedly rebuffed offers over the years to return to the NFL? If there were any chance he was interested in returning to a coaching gig, it'd be front page news plastered all over creation. Brandon pushed hard for Cowher in 2009/10. I'm pretty confidant that if there were a chance Cowher would return, the Bills would be in pursuit. For that matter, who's to say they didn't already place a call to him to gauge his interest? You've typed an awful lot in this thread pleading your case but I don't know to what end. Bills fans not clamoring for Cowher on a message board doesn't equate to the organization sleeping at the wheel. I certainly appreciate the passion though, and it's made for some interesting reading.

*Last 4 coaches combined.

This is a great response. I realize you group Whaley together with Nix, but Jason LaCanfora and Fox Sports' Alex Marvez have independently reported that the transition to Whaley will likely take place immediately following the draft--- Joe Buscaglia has said much the same. It appears Nix is being given a graceful exit to his long football career. I guess we'll find out.

Whisenhunt being mentioned so often as being at the top of the Bills list is so bizarre. Are they really going to run out and hire the first candidate they interview merely hours after they said the search would be extensive and unrestricted? I just don't get why Whisenhunt is being touted by so many reporters.

I don't think LaCanfora actually said the Bills were leaning toward Whisenhunt, only that he was a prime candidate--- it sounds more like a guess and it's from 4 hours ago: @JasonLaCanfora At this point, I'd be looking for Reid in AZ, Arians in SD, Whisenhunt in BUF. CLE and PHI going after Bill O'Brien

George Halas

I want to see this become a meme on TSW: "I work in a legal profession and deal with statements all day long"

Excellent take. Particularly when taking Seattle's part into consideration. A minor actor in Kolb created a rather dramatic shift in the theater of the NFL.

Wow. I think you're the only person in America that read/heard Whaley's comments and attributed any significance to them at all aside from showing some affection for former colleagues. I hope they don't throw the book at him

Whisenhunt has agreed to an interview--- I doubt he'd turn us down outright unless he received a better offer. I'm still holding out hope that they're just doing their due diligence or their interest in Whisenhunt is as an OC under Ray Horton.

His innovations could prove to be a short lived gimmick, but I'd rather he not be dismissed out of hand. He doesn't have the credentials yet, but his approach is significant enough that he should be taken under serious consideration as a signpost to forward thinking.

There seemed to be some confusion on WGR after they spoke with Brandon one-on-one in regards to what degree statistical analysis would be used in player evaluation due to the fact the dept. will be run by Jim Overdorf's group. This seems to have been clarified somewhat, but I don't know how much infrastructure could possibly be in place. The punting thing may or may not show Whisenhunt to have similar tendencies to "old fashioned" coaches like Gailey. Or it could mean nothing at all, with no context. Like zonabb implied, it's not really true analytics, but it seemed to make sense at the time. Same here. Indications from Jerry Sullivan on WGR on Monday are that Russ Brandon has been all for making sweeping changes to the organizational approach for a few years, but he was held in check to some degree. I'd like to see an uninhibited youth infused new vision. I'm interested in Chip Kelly because he has an innovative approach to offense--- however, it remains to be seen if that will translate to the NFL although it can be argued that the NCAAF innovations are emerging in the NFL year after year. You are right, though--- he hasn't accomplished enough to stand on those merits alone. I'd just like him to be under consideration and not dismissed out of hand.

I've enjoyed some of your previous posts because they were thoughtful and provided interesting insight and I think your underlying reasons for being opposed to Lovie Smith are fair. But today, you're being relentlessly argumentative on this topic--- it's not a personal issue I have with you, it's a disservice to the board in general. I'm only asking you to chill, nothing more.

I'm very interested in Horton as a candidate, so if he's out of the running for any position in Arizona, then it's good news for the Bills--- if they believe he's the right guy.

There was a plot point relevant to the post I quoted. Nix said today it was ultimately his decision.

Ha!--- well, Horton was rumored to be top of the Cards list, which is reportedly why they kept the staff in place. I haven't heard of any other teams (besides the Bills and Cards) being linked to Horton, so that could be good news for us. Then again, would Horton stay in Arizona as DC if Reid is the coach? A lot of intertwining plotlines with just one name, which is what makes this whole search so intriguing.

That is typically the case for all coaches. But I think you've made your point. I'd appreciate it if you'd try stating your case in a less aggressive manner.

Has anyone seen Prometheus?

IIRC, Ray Horton and the entire defensive staff are still under contract--- I wonder how this news affects Horton, one way or the other?

I posted it because it was relevant to the discussion happening on WGR at that moment. That particular punting reference isn't really a stat at all, especially without more context--- but punting has become symbolic of the flag waving being done by Mike Schopp. My main concern was WGR had inferred (following their one-on-one with Brandon) that statistical analysis was going to be used in structuring contracts but not necessarily with actual football performance--- this was apparently not correct.

Doesn't Doug Whaley fit that bill? Joe Buscaglia remarked earlier today following the PC that for Whaley, today is essentially Day 1, despite the fact Nix is still in place. He may not have the final word at GM, but they are a front office team in transition.