ExWNYer

You may want to add this to support your theory (originally posted by 'Vinny4sum' in the Chip Kelly thread): Bills Daily‏@billsdaily Lovie Smith's Son RT @Matt_Smith_IMG: Know this #BillsMafia, regardless of who next HC may be, you're in GREAT hands with @russbrandon !!!!!

Exactly what I was thinking. If his intent is really to leverage Oregon, he's playing a dangerous game of chicken with the NFL which just may close that door to him for quite a while. He also runs the risk of the bloom coming off the rose in college. If he's going to make the jump, this seems like the time.

I get what you're saying, GG, and I don't disagree. I was just pointing out the irony if it turns out to be Whisenhunt. It's just so quintessentially Bills.

Would that really surprise any of us at this point? FWIW, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News was on 'Mad Dog Radio' (Sirius-XM) on Friday and said that Ken Whisenhunt "was the leader in the clubhouse" for the Bills HC job. If it does turn out to be Whisenhunt, it'll be interesting to see how Brandon spins it. I mean, what are the odds of "leaving no stone unturned" and finding that the "right fit" was the very first person you interviewed? It makes the whole search process look like a sham, IMO.

Seems to me that the Bills were on the opposite end of this last year when they refused to let Mario Williams leave Buffalo without a contract.

Paging Buffalo Barbarian...paging Buffalo Barbarian. Rebuttle?

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he's ultimately responsible for picking the right OC for his players. While his teams are normally very good defensively, they have been painful to watch offensively, IMO.

No need to worry. Whisenhunt and Lovie will each land one of the openings this year, IMO. Horton, if not this year, then next. I can't see him wanting to stay a DC. One more year, tops. Anyone giving Grimm a HC job though should have his head examined...so if you fear him as an assistant, one out of four isn't bad.

Thank you, Rubes. I agree wholeheartedly. I basically said the same thing the other day and was attacked for it. I don't hate Lovie as the choice, nor would I be thrilled with him. He would be a safe choice...low risk/medium reward, IMO. What concerns me with him is his seeming inability to pick a decent OC and the fact that his teams have missed the playoffs five of the last six years. I think if you get so narrow-minded in your choice of only one candidate that you leave yourself open for heartache when it doesn't come to fruition. I'd love to see them get a young, innovative, "outside the box" thinker but, quite frankly, I don't care who it is at this point as long as the Bills get it right this time. This thirteen year drought has become unbearable and turned the fans of this team against one another.

It's BB...ad nauseum.

He's certainly electric. I'm a diehard Alabama fan and he left me speechless in that game. What he did to the Crimson Tide defense was nothing short of amazing.

Yeah, time will tell. I hope he does...would love to see what he could do in the NFL (outside of the AFC East).

He's only a Frosh so maybe he'll fill out some...saw him on Leno recently and he came across as very mature and well-spoken. I was impressed by him...unlike I am by Leno.

After Whisenhunt's interview with the Bills yesterday, WFAN's '20/20 Sports' update said that "Ken Whisenhunt is reportedly close to being named the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills."

How do you know who would "actually come here"? Because Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan said "no" 3 years ago, nobody with a "name" will come to Buffalo? There is more talent on the roster now than when they had few options other than to take Gailey back then and the owner was still seen as a meddling obstacle. The presser on the 1st was to put the league on notice that the culture has changed at One Bills Drive, the owner is no longer an issue, and that they would go all out to get the right coach. Otherwise, why do that? They could've remained silent, stayed with the status quo and just hired any guy who was willing to come to Buffalo. Whether or not that's true remains to be seen. Anyone skeptical as to what this organization says is justified in feeling that way. Their track record has been horrendous. That being said, I want the Bills to finally get on the cutting edge and join the modern NFL. They're always behind the curve. Lovie Smith isn't cutting edge. He's the safe choice. This team always plays it safe and never takes any chances. Again, I never said I hated Lovie or would be devastated if the Bills decided to choose him, I just wouldn't be jazzed about it. I wouldn't fly off the handle and say it was a horrible choice if they hired him. Maybe some reading comprehension skills are needed by some on this board. For those of you advocating Lovie Smith, good for you. That's your opinion and you're entitled to it just as I'm entitled to mine. Calling me "nuts" or having a Bears fan with all of 13 posts on this board telling me "yeah, you should be so lucky" or 'B-less' calling me "genius" because Lovie Smith wouldn't be my first choice is asinine. If he's the best choice why has his name not been tied to any other job opening at this point? Should the Bills settle for him right away because it's poor Buffalo and we should be glad that someone with a decent track record would consider the job? That's the same crappy mentality that's put this franchise in the state it's in now. If this is truly a "new era" in Buffalo Bills football, let Brandon and the front office prove it by doing something bold and swinging for the fences for a change. Do I have the answer? No, but I'm not a GM and neither are the rest of you. My opinion is that they should gun for somebody like a Chip Kelly. A younger visionary. Could he flame out? Absolutely. But he's high risk/high reward. I believe with the current trends in the NFL it's time for the Bills to take a chance like this. Lovie Smith is low risk/medium reward. He'd probably get this team to the playoffs eventually but I don't care about just getting to the playoffs, even after 13 years. This team also lost four Super Bowls. I want a guy who can get there and win it. Hell, even Lovie's own GM didn't feel like they were going to get to the promised land with him either or he wouldn't be standing in the unemployment line right now after a 10-6 year. I'd love him as the DC. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better candidate. But his track record picking OC's is abysmal. I don't want C.J. Spiller's talent languishing under his leadership as it did under Gailey who supposedly knows offense. Bottom-line: This organization needs to get a coach and QB who can succeed in today's NFL. We can all agree to disagree on who that may be but attacking others because they don't agree with your opinion is childish and short-sighted. We can all agree that we want the Bills to win again and bring the Lombardi Trophy to WNY, regardless of who does it. For once, get it right Buffalo. Be aggressive, choose wisely, and don't settle no matter who the choice may be. GO BILLS!!!

Look at my response to reddog. I never said it would be a bad hire and I wouldn't hate it. I just think they should aim higher, that's all.

Why are you here, troll? Go back to worshipping the Windy City. It's obvious from your avatar and signature that you have a hard-on for him. We get it. Would I hate a hire of Lovie Smith? No. But I certainly wouldn't 'Lovie' it, either. I think the Bills should aim higher. He's a solid 'settle', not a 'hit it out of the park' hire.

His Bears teams have missed the playoffs 5 of the last 6 years...he'd fit right in with a franchise that's missed 13 years in a row.

He also said after the game that he'd talk to his parents and assess his options. I don't think he's a lock to return for his senior year. If he stays, good for him. If he declares, good for him and his family. With all of the QB hungry teams this year and no clear-cut Andrew Luck or RG III type in the draft, coupled with a 5 TD, 427 yard performance in front of a national audience, it would seem like the perfect time for him to declare.

Wow! His receiver just dropped TD number 6...

He's lighting up the #1 pass defense. His back shoulder throws have indeed been impressive. The kid looks really poised in the pocket.

Count me firmly in the camp of those not wanting Whisenhunt as the next HC...unless he comes as a package with Larry Fitzgerald (which is obviously NOT happening). More than likely, Whisenhunt (meh), Grimm ( ), & Horton (intriguing) are being looked at due to their association with Whaley in Pittsburgh. Who knows, maybe it's really part of a plan for them to talk with Chip Kelly. He & his Oregon team are in Arizona to play in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Hmmmm...

Ummmmm...maybe getting a QB is something that an incoming HC would want a say in along with the GM. It's January 1st. Free Agency doesn't begin until March and the draft isn't until April. If you wait that long to get a HC, it won't matter who you get at QB. First thing's first. You get your HC and he gets his assistants and the FO then focuses on a new QB. Chill out and enjoy the process. Happy Hew Year.

Dunno. You'd have to ask Russ. He said it when on WGR when interviewed after the presser but didn't elaborate.

Brandon also confirmed that he and Gruden "are very close friends" and have been for a long time. I think another logical follow-up would've been, "OK, then, Russ. Since you're 'so close', do you have any plans to interview him and has he expressed to you that he would be interested in Buffalo if asked?"