WhitewalkerInPhilly

I hate to make this another EJ thread, but I seriously believe that that's what they go with this year. EJ has similar talents and flaws as Kaepernick...and may in fact have more experience doing multiple reads. The Bills don't have a first round pick, and even if they still had it I doubt they could trade up far enough to get Mariota or Winston. Everyone else is a project at best, in which case I don't see them being better than EJ right away. When it comes to the free agent choices/trades with their cap space they have to choose between: A) Mortgaging the farm to get a guy like Bradford/Cutler who has warts aplenty or B) Upgrading the O-line, making sure we either re-sign or upgrade Spiller and Hughes, and bringing in a competent TE to go along with Chandler.

And yet the last three Super Bowls winners have been... A Giants team that backed into the playoffs, and won with a strong run game led by Ahmad Bradshaw along with a dominating defense A Ravens team that backed into the playoffs, and won with a strong run game led by Ray Rice along with a dominating defense (playing against the 49ers who were led by a dominating run game and defense) The Seahawks with a running game led by Marshawn Lynch along with a dominating defense. The trick seems to be getting to the playoffs...THEN, those two features make you a force to be reckoned with

Kujo and Richardson both were considered to have a lot of talent. Again, different scheme, different approach. As a note, It should be noted that both Glenn and Wood regressed this year, and they were studs under...god help me, Chan Gailey of all people. Also, where he dismissed two very competent (though admittedly not elite) receivers because he had personal problems with them. I think we dodged a bullet when Marrone left.

The man said the the emperor wore no clothes. It's not like Jay Cutler's flaws were a big secret around the league, and apparently everyone in the organization thought the same. We spent 3 draft picks on our O-line last year. Only one (the 7th rounder) saw extensive playing time, and was average at best. One of the knocks I heard this week is that Marrone was trying to use a zone blocking scheme, which typically requires quicker than usual linemen. Whaley was bringing in road graders. If we can tap into the talent we have, and bring in one or two new pieces we could have a dominant O-line. As an aside, this makes me think that they are going with EJ next year. There is no way they go for Cutler after this, and he's their best chance at trading for a veteran. I think the idea is to build the O-line, set a ground game, get a TE other than Chandler, in short do everything but bring in a new QB...and then see where we stand in 2016 with a first round draft pick.

Great post. Really, it looks like the D-line would be going the exact same thing: Dareus 2 gapping, Kyle playing 3 technique, Mario is talented enough that if you're not doubling with a TE you're in trouble. The only difference is Hughes playing on a two point stance and dropping into coverage on occasion. In fact, our LB situation is now much better than 2013. In Rex's system the WLB and MLB have a lot more overlap. Both Kiko and Preston Brown have flexibility to play two roles well (Will and Mike/Mike and Sam respectively). I see the lines working as such: Kyle-Dareus-Mario Hughes-Kiko-Brown-Bradham/Lawson With a nickel of Hughes-Kyle-Dareus-Mario Kiko-Brown/Bradham

Well, that's what my title says... Seriously though, I finally feel that the HC, DC and OC are all on the same page philosophy wise for the first time in years. Roman and Rex have track records of success in their individual fields and finally might have a perfect marriage of special. Romans experience with Kaep may be the only thing to salvage Manuel at least one more year. If that isn't a reason to think the Kool-Aid isn't dosed with cyanide thus time I don't know what is.

The sad thing is...that may be so.

Honestly, I agree that line play, and getting new TE's is a must. Chris Williams was a Marrone hire band-aid. Chandler surprised me this year with some really clutch play, but the man really does stop within 2 yards of where he catches it. If the decision is that the Bills cannot get a better immediate starter than Manuel, I would not at all be shocked if our entire FA period and draft is reeling in solid, immediate starter guards and Tight Ends.

Honest question here: Roman seems to have his core with a power run game, and has had a ton of success (2011-2013) by using a stout O-line, a good run game, and game managing QBs. Kaep is showing his flaws a few years in, and EJ was always seen as a shade under Kaep but...considering that EJ, while a flawed product, has had his entire experience as a pocket QB, and at worst is no worse than say Tannehill at his level of experience, do you think that Roman, given full power to chase the FA's he wants in the offseason and at least with a voice into the draft process, could make this an average (16th-12th in points scored) offense? Because, seriously, that's all the defense really needs.

Annnnd here come the Rome based puns. I approve. How do people object to those? I love watching fullbacks running over linebackers when they get a head of steam.

No, but there was definitely something happening with Harbaugh. He likely would have been replaced by whoever takes over the job. That said, his track record over the last few years has been really good, and even his biggest down year in four years they still ranked 4th in rushing and went 8-8 on the best defensive division in football.

To be honest, Orton claiming to retire (after all, he could always do exactly what he did last year and say he wants to come back) has set off a chain of events that has led to a major change in coaching staff that arguably is for the far, far, far better.

I literally just heard a theory on Philly sports radio that the Broncos are so desperate to keep Gase (who they think will convince Manning not to retire) that they might force him out...and now Fox is gone.

...the 49ers play in San Francisco.

The 49ers GM would likely have to be high to make such a trade, but I'd do it in a heartbeat.

We also have this season really skewing Rexs numbers. The last two years it was as if the Jets front office was offering him as a sacrifice to the Old Gods.

True. The question now is "Do we try to salvage EJ now that he have a OC who had success with a player with a similar skillset?"

It's hard to take Crimini seriously. The man is a major Jets homer. At least Rodak is an unabashed Pats fan.

I love it. I can't think of a better fit for an OC. I was leery if him as a head coach but with Schwartz reportedly staying this looks like a really talented coaching squad.

Leroi is my new champion. I didn't like the idea at first, but I like that we are keeping Schwartz, and I like that we are apparently bringing in Greg Roman.

Second source or GTFO

I would love a Schwartz/Shanahan combo. I like the idea of Kyle as an OC even if I am slightly leery of him as a head coach. Either way, you don't leave if you're not sure you can find work ...unless you're Marrone

Pretty much my point. Even his down year in his sophomore year was 771 yards, which isn't half bad. After that, he had his injured season admittedly, but we saw he still had it with that 80 yard touchdown catch. Immediately after that, he got benched and was pretty much called in to block, which he did without protest. I could get that Marrone and he had a thing, and if Marrone was still here I could see a permanent split. But now that this particular pissing contest is over, I'm still curious. With his position, maybe he's willing to take a contract that wasn't so crazy for a Stevie caliber player.

I want to know as well. Williams had a history of production before Marrone and suddenly you have Chris Hogan of all people beating him out.

You see, your problem here is expecting journalism out of Tim Graham.