Rob's House

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but if you look at defensive stats across the board for the last 10 years w/o cherry picking there's really no comparison. Wade's defenses have been much better on average, far more consistent, and he's done it with multiple teams. I posted links for both on p. 9 or 10 of this thread.

I understand it might not have been a viable option because of the history, but since you asked, Wade Phillips' resume is leaps & bounds ahead of Schwartz's.

How many Pats coordinators have done the same. I'm not saying the guy sucks, but if your best argument for him is that the Detroit f'n Lions, the only team to ever go 0-16, who just hired Jim Caldwell of all people to be their HC, decided to put him in charge, then you don't have much of an argument at all.

I think it's funny how much credit he gets for the TN defense. Being a DC under a defensive HC is usually a completely different role from being DC under an offensive HC. If anyone thinks Jeff Fisher brought him in and just said "do your thing" I've got some lucrative real estate deals I'd like to discuss with you. It's encouraging that he's worked with successful defenses in the past, it's also discouraging that his defenses in Det (and often in TN also) were mediocre. My opinion is that his defenses on average have been middle of the pack and I assume he's a middle of the pack DC, which is better than what we've had for a while prior to Pettine, so I'm not devastated by the news, but for those ecstatic about it, you either know something you're not sharing or you're drinking kool aid. FTR, there's nothing wrong with Kool-aid, it's tasty and refreshing in the summer as well as during a typical Bills off-season. I'm usually a heavy drinker of the stuff.

I guess given the potential alternatives this isn't such a bad hire after all. The Wide-9 and track record in DET still scare me, but I suppose it's better than another young upstart with no experience or has been that can't adapt. I don't love it, but it could be [and has been] a lot worse.

That's the problem with Canadians. Yall's inability to intelligently evaluate thought processes. I'm not that caught up in 3-4 v 4-3. It's becoming less significant, but I understand in Canada you guys aren't privy to all the new **** (I hear you guys just got grunge a few years back) but we'll keep you apprised of the trends. But really, what I'm getting at isn't even specifically about Wade Phillips (although I'd have preferred him and think based on our roster and his history we would be successful year 1), but using him as an example just to illustrate the distinction between two potential candidates. From my perspective, Schwartz ran some very good and some not so good defenses that were not lacking for talent under defensive minded HC Jeff Fisher. Since leaving Fisher his defenses have been mostly mediocre at best. I realize he was the HC, but I'd expect a defensively minded HC to have a significant impact on the defense. Basically, if a defensive minded guy can't manage a defense that can give you better than 4-12 and 7-9 over the last 2 years with the output they've gotten from the offense, I don't expect much more than mediocrity from him here.

I'm not terribly impressed with this guy's resume. There are a few good defensive seasons on there, but when you look at overall yds, y/a, and pts allowed, most of his seasons have been mediocre to bad, statistically speaking anyway. And he's had a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball both in TN and DET. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SchwJi0.htm Just for ***** and giggles, compare his defenses to Wade Phillips' over the last 10 years if you feel so inclined. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/PhilWa0.htm

AWWW HELL NO!!!. WTF, man? I should have known better than to check in and risk putting a big dark menacing cloud over my Friday night. I need a drink.

The short answer is that most of the pieces are already in place and it wouldn't require a major overhaul.

Bringing back Wade won't break the Flutie curse. Hiring Flutie as the QB coach might. It's looking like a full defensive overhaul. The Browns are already asking to interview O'Neil. http://blogs.buffalo...eet-with-oneil/

I posted this in the other thread but I'll put it here too. Stats on Wade Phillips. He's coached a team with a top 10 defense (judged by yds) 7 of the last 8 years. He's also coached teams that were top 7 against the run 9 of the last 10 years (7 of those were top 5 and 4 were top 3). Say what you will, the guy knows how to coach defense. http://www.pro-footb...hes/PhilWa0.htm If it weren't for the history here the fans would be screaming for a guy with his credentials who we were so lucky to have available and willing to come to Buffalo right after our DC dipped. Not to mention a guy with decades of experience to help our newb coaching staff, and also a players coach to buffer and balance out Marrone's no bull **** approach. Honestly, it has to be Wade. Anything else is putting personal sentiment above winning. I hated Wade Phillips for over 10 years for that, but it seems that the order was handed down from on high. Even if it was his call, which based on comments by Eric Moulds and others it appears it wasn't, he since admitted that he should have started Flutie. For me that's enough to forgive and forget. Well, forgive anyway.

You're probably right, but if a highly rated QB slid in the draft it would hardly look foolish to take him or the second or third. Passing on those guys because you have a guy you like is how you end up watching other teams pick up the Kaepernicks, Wilsons, and Daltons while you go 6-10. Edit: And honestly, you only look foolish for taking a QB in the first if he doesn't work out.

I doubt Wade's coming back, but I've found some interesting stats of his. He's coached a team with a top 10 defense (judged by yds) 7 of the last 8 years. He's also coached teams that were top 7 against the run 9 of the last 10 years (7 of those were top 5 and 4 were top 3). Say what you will, the guy knows how to coach defense.

This really isn't related but it's about Belichick so this seems as good a place as any to put it. Just something I came across http://www.coldhardf...l-history/6551/

I'll never tell

My sources have informed me that the Bills are intending to keep the same defenive scheme and will likely promote from within.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of Wade Phillips. All these other guys are question marks. Wade has a proven track record of running defenses. One of his biggest problems is he's a "players coach" but since the HC is a "my way or the highway" type there's less concern about the players getting over on him. Plus, our personnel may not be perfectly suited for his D, but it's not too bad. We've got a lot of big DEs and Wade describes his 3-4 as more of a 5-2. I'm confident he could come in and give us at least a top 15 defense if not better (maybe top 5, who knows) which would keep the team in games and consistently give them a chance to win if the offense can produce. I just can't imagine going back to the experience of the Gailey era assuming every possession by the opponent is going to result in points.

Agreed. He'll have his pick of Hoyer, journeyman Jason Campbell, and Weeden entering his 3rd year, if he chooses to start the year with a veteran QB. Plus, with Chad Kruger and Markevious Bingo he'll be able to bring the heat against opposing QBs. I won't be at all surprised if the Browns turn the ship around over the next 2 seasons.

I can't blame him for taking the gig if he gets it. This Browns team is similar personnel wise to the KC team that Reid took over. It's stacked with underperforming talent. He comes in with that AND two first round picks, including a top 10 in a decent year for QBs. Plus, after giving Chud the heave ho after 1 year he's all but guaranteed a three year stint to get it together. Plus, as others have said, even if he flops it can be partially chalked up to the organization and he'll likely get another shot after being a DC for a year or two. If I were him I'd do it.

If that happens I might just jump ship. This back can't carry that much straw.

Practice? Y'all are talkin bout practice?

Thank you for your sound judgment and analysis, Mr. Hocchuli.

It's not like he's applying for the assistant manager job at Domino's. He's interviewing to be the head coach of an NFL football team. You don't roll up and demand a multi-million $$ contract and free reign over a billion $ organization just so a bunch of dissaffected pissants posting on message boards will think you don't look "weak." This could be the opportunity of a lifetime for him and no one that matters is looking at the situation through the same prism you are.

Why?

Hire Wade and draft this guy http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=124253&draftyear=2014&genpos=DT