May Day 10

With a healthy Fitzpatrick the past 2 seasons, what do you think the results would be? I really think we could have been on a 2 season playoff streak right now

I dont disagree that he handled the death of Mr. Wilson and the months following "well" and with class (dont know how else he could have handled it)... but IMO he had little to do with the result of the sale. Say he "sold his soul" to Jones and Kraft... what exactly does that entail and how would it have prevented Pegula from bidding on the team at an NFL record pricetag? And that's also assuming kraft and Jones were in the market for souls and made an offer

Brandon had little to do with the team staying... unless he built a time machine, and went back in time to advise Terry Pegula on how to build a mega billion dollar portfolio. Those with billions of dollars make all the rules. Pegula made an offer that couldnt be refused. Without Pegula, this franchise would have been hard-pressed to find a local bid rich enough. Maybe that would have given an opportunity for Brandon to organize a group of Golisano, Rich, Jacobs, the guy from California that kind of looks like Billy Corgan, etc... but thats not how it went down and we will never know if it would. Pegula was buying this team no matter what.

Im beaten down at this point. I watch the games, but dont get too down after losses. Im so used to them. I actually think it is funny at this point and laugh sometimes during their worst losses. They invent so many ways to botch things up I could author a book. So I guess Im detached a bit. I gave up my Browns and Packers tickets because I thought it was obvious this team didn't have it. I remember when I took wins and losses so personally. My week's mood would depend on the Bills' result in large part. I miss being engaged by this team like that.

Ill take Briles and RGIII

well the new proposed structure of the playoffs would make that possible. Bottom 4 playoff teams are reseeded. And no, I dont see them passing New England by anytime soon

15 years is a long time. Next Tuesday will be the 19th anniversary of their last playoff win. I do hope that when it does happen, the playoff game is a home one. The amount of hype and excitement for the 1st playoff game in a generation being at home will make for a very rare atmosphere. I also really hope the Ralph gets at least another playoff game before she is done.

the fact is, there is always something with this organization. It is flawed. They never get it right, and Russ Brandon has presided over this mess for a long time, has probably been the most influential/powerful member of the front office since Donahoe was relieved. A whole new football program that can and will sustain itself must be built. Staying "in the hunt" longer doesnt appeal to me as success.

You would think that if a consultant is going to be hired, he has already been doing his homework, and would have a plan that would begin immediately. I also dont think its out of the realm of possibility the new Football Pres. would retain Whaley, Marrone and co., at least for a year.

All I am hoping for is the outside man brought in who knows what a winning football program looks like.

to me, the QB situation is like a microcosm of the whole franchise and how its run. They were actually planning on going into this season with EJ, Thad and Tuel. This is because they did not want to provide the Schopps and Bulldogs and fans of the world any kindling for any sort of start _____ over _________. Then when it became obvious all 3 choices would result in a disastrous season that would result in sweeping firings, they made the only move left at the time and that was Orton. Fitzpatrick was protected while he was the starter, as was Edwards. They wont/didnt draft any QBs or bring anyone capable in because they dont want to upset the apple cart. Now we are stuck with no QB, and no 1st round pick. Same thing with management. When the fans get past a critical point of discontent, they always pin the blame on the patsy coach they have brought in as if he is some sort of outside force that ruined the team. They also used up the Modrak/Guy cards. Management takes one step to the left, and the results remain the same. Bad decisions become "Chan's guy" or "Jauron's pick" while the few good decisions are sold off as the brainchildren of the guys still in charge. Its all about preservation of Ralph's inner circle and not winning.

I say none of those. The move would be hire his guy, I like the idea of Accorsi, to build a winning football program the right way from the top down. Firing/retaining/structuring is trusted into the new guy. From the outside.

This is where I am thinking Pegula is going to do most of the work on to start. Same thing as his goal with the Sabres. He will want to make the organization a place where people want to work and play for. I do think the Ralph Wilson structure, especially post-Donahoe prevents any strong minded football guys who want control in the GM or coaching roles. The power was located with Wilson, Littman, Brandon, Overdorf... Guys like Cowher, Shanahan (when he was coveted), Gruden, Chip Kelly, Harbough, etc will not want to come here when they have to work with/for a marketing guy. Thats why we get Levy as GM, Nix, 4Chan Failey, Jauron, and Syracuse coaches. Likewise, players dont want to necessarily come here because, well there hasnt been much winning, now often times when players can even recall in their lifetimes! I dont think the players are pampered as much with the Bills as they are with other teams with facilities and such... and lastly, the environment in WNY is not for some as punctuated in the Willis McGahee comments. As proved with the Sabres, Pegula is trying to change all this, obsessed with it. If Peyton Manning were a FA now, I would think the Bills WOULD be a consideration as Pegula would throw a hat in the ring. That was all based on situation though and the Broncos were poised with a good defense and some real weapons on offense. John Fox also did one of the most masterful coaching jobs I have ever laid eyes on in winning the division building plans around Tim Tebow's deficiencies.

It's like a groundhog day pile of repeat losses like this over 2 decades. The team gets a big game and just can't answer the mail. No matter who the opponent

They were in the hunt a week longer than normal so this season was a huge success

We're pretty far off the topic now. Lol. But they took it to another level with the ticketed practices, merchandise tent, organized autograpH sessions, etc. It All would have been tapped before long but I do believe the bills were 1st.

Yup. The same reason the Indians pulled anchor from buffalo and affiliated with columbus

Brandon's crowning achievement imo was moving the camp to sjf and making it into a real fan attraction. They were about the first to do it as I recall

I worked in pro sports for more than a decade, including the nfl. I have a degree in sports business too. I moved into construction management for money, hours, and i just wanted to be a fan again.

I just want someone from the outside brought in who has experience with a winning program to properly structure and delegate and re-staff if needed. Marrone stays under that condition its cool Brandon stays he stays. I hope the pegulas do get him away from microphones though. As a fan and a sth I don't appreciate the rhetoric downgrading sellouts as "manufactured" and pointing to games 25 years ago and not a decade and a half losing streak as justification for outsourcing games. Also didn't appreciate the no stone unturned all for winning speech followed by signing another toronto deal a month laterm which arguably cost being "in the hunt" Last season too.

You said yourself he is influential in choosing the football personnel.

Tim Graham the other day on his twitter said that brandon still has a lot of control and influence over football matters. Let's say for the sake of argument it's to approve or deny moves.... why is anyone cool with that? That is the Ralph Wilson failed football team structure. Here we are giddy to be "in the hunt" with 2 weeks left. Mission accomplished I guess... Others are saying he isn't involved, other than choosing the gm, coaches, most important people in the football side. I'm not cool with that either. Brandon is a marketing intern from the Marlins who happened to gain influence in the bills organization while Mr wilson aged and health declined. I don't even want his rubber stamp on anything football related. What magic skills or knowledge does this guy possess that only the thought of losing him would set the bills back ages? I'm not sure he is even a great pr guy. I hear him on the radio and he sounds adversarial to the fans. Regionalization? What has he done that any marketing grad couldn't figure out?

I'm cool with whatever they do, really. A lot to be excited about, and even if everything remains the same, I have faith Pegula wont hesitate to make tough changes quickly.

People were ready to burn the stadium down. Ralph said "head of football" like 500 times during Nix's PC to drive the point home that the change was being made. I doubt it was Brandon's choice. Any self-respecting male would relish the opportunity to play GM of a major pro sports team.

So people don't understand that sports is a business? That all was hammered home about 25 years ago. The Pegulas have plenty of high powered and successful business people all around their sports enterprises... and much more trusted and entrenched (with the Pegulas) than Brandon... Koelmel, Black, Sawyer, Batista, Greenburg, Kim Pegula herself etc... Pegula also heard around the league about how well respected and revered Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were. Brandon has been acting as the owner the past few (maybe several) years as our owner was not capable or unwilling to manage an NFL team day to day. Now we have 2 relatively young and hungry owners who have a huge vision for this enterprise, want to be very involved, and have already sunk around $2 Billion into it. No way they don't diminish Brandon's role.