Punch

Yes, Ralph owns the team. The whole point of this news is that "the buck stops" with Russ. He alone has final say on everything.

It underscores that point, doesn't it? You're right, "this isn't that hard".

Brandon is no longer reporting to anyone--- not even Wilson. How did you miss that?

Two interesting and equally valid takes from twitter regarding this news: Paul Peck ‏ @ PeckOnSports Massive change isn't always best idea. Bills are making changes, using some of same people in new roles. Some will be unhappy. I like it. @ BfloBlog Man, if only the Bills had a visionary like Russ Brandon working for them before today

Someone posted in the shoutbox that only the Bills could make major changes to the front office without any new hires--- which is valid. But I think cautious optimism is called for because the youth of this organization is taking over. Football analytics, new stadium, no restrictions on coaching search, no more meddling--- if this all comes to fruition, it should be a New Age for the Bills. But it could be as you say, and nothing more than a new paint job. I don't believe that to be the case, though I remain cautiously optimistic.

That was exactly the thought that I had. Howard Simon has been on point with info on the Bills, so his source claiming they will "go hard" after Kelly is interesting. I hope the interview of Whisenhunt is only to ask him about Horton, or in the even Horton would bring him in as OC.

Yes, I didn't like to hear his name. That's the only sticking point for me so far.

I respect that, but the purpose of this PC is not really about Nix. According to Russ, Nix's status wasn't in question.

It would make sense that the Bears would be interested in Levitre, but at this point it's only logic based speculation that one of the top young free agent OGs would be a target.

I like Marty Schottenheimer, but I'm tired of hearing his name in this context. He is not mentioned in regards to HC hires because his coaching career is in the past. I'm interested in the future, and the Bills should be as well.

Hopefully Nix/Whaley wouldn't hire him if he wanted to blow up one of the strengths of the team.

I understand not wanting to wade into twitter fulltime--- but the "horse crap" was reported on twitter by the likes of Adam Schefter (ESPN), Jason LaCanfora (NFL Network), Alex Marvez (Fox Sports), etc.

As much as I'm wary of Russ for various reasons, this may be a positive--- no more meddling or influence from Littman/Ralph. It's been reported several times that Russ has been held back from making bigger personnel moves. So long as the football guys continue to make football decisions.

He's not "owner", but Ralph has passed the torch to Russ in terms if running the entire organization, with no oversight.

Same here. Maybe Nix remaining and reporting to Brandon will be a temporary setup as they look to name a new GM. Some sort of process in that vein may be the best case scenario.

If this is what Bulldog is referring to, then it's definitely not mindblowing, it's almost obvious at this point--- though he's right that I might not like it.

You left out the part about how much he likes the coaching staff.

I didn't suggest the Bills "owe" anything to the media, but they have a mutually beneficial working relationship that is hopelessly intertwined with one another. It is common professional courtesy, and if it weren't so common, I don't think these particular reporters would have expected what amounts to a simple "heads up". I'm not sure what your rant is about concerning "credibility" or media idolatry. It's not relevant to anything I posted.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter Syracuse HC Doug Marrone is scheduled to interview this week for Cleveland Browns' HC and also will interview for Buffalo Bills' HC.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only question with the brass right now regarding the GM position is whether to promote Whaley to the top job, not necessarily to fire and replace Nix with an outside candidate. Tim Graham tweeted earlier that his gut feeling is that Nix will remain with the organization in some capacity but step aside as GM. Many of us have expected this all along.

Jay Glazer ‏@JayGlazer Jags owner Shad Khan today, under the radar, interviewed ATL Personnel Director Dave Caldwell for their GM job. Already had the interview!

That would be fine, but then why let the media folks hang out to dry all day for nothing? Of course, it could have been nothing more than a few cranky reporters tired of sitting around and making a mountain out of a molehill to Schopp. I guess I just don't trust Ralph's Brandon/Littman/Whomever Circle of Trust to handle things correctly. (The news release not referring to the coaching staff was a bit weak, though.)

There were reporters hanging out at OBD all day in the event Buddy or Russ made themselves available, or there was breaking news or a presser of some kind--- according to WGR, many of these reporters were annoyed that the Bills never informed them if there was any reason for them to stay. It smacks slightly of organizational dysfunction. Add the fact that the Bills official news release only mentions Gailey, and then Scott Berchtold had to ask Gailey to mention (in his brief comments to the media) that the entire coaching staff was also relieved of their duties, and it's a bit embarrassing. Obviously, everything's happening pretty quickly, but it doesn't exactly seem like anyone is minding the store.

I remember a statistic from last season along the lines of Jacobs being among the worst short yardage backs in the NFL, and Ahmad Bradshaw being among the best--- which of course runs conpletely contrary to how they were perceived and generally utilized. I believe it was referenced during the Giants-Bills game where Bradshaw had 3 short TD runs.

If it was only a "rumor that people decided they wanted to believe" then it was a rumor spread by ESPN and NFL Network--- from an 11/22/09 Tim Graham AFC East blog titled Report: Wilson ready to spend $10M: NFL Network reporter Jason LaCanfora shared what he was hearing about the Buffalo Bills' coaching search on "NFL Gameday Morning." "Bills owner Ralph Wilson is willing to spend upwards of $10 million to land the right person. Mike Shanahan is at the top of their list. They’re going to talk to him first. They also have an interest in Bill Cowher." http://espn.go.com/b...to-spend-10-mil