BigBuff423

He left once...for an Orton driven Offense, only to turn it over to Tebow...hmmm, maybe its Brady that makes the difference??

Last year the BILLS attempted an insane number of runs, didn't have Watkins and EJ was the QB, with rookie WRs in Woods and Goodwin...so, while I didn't like Hackett's play-calling last year, I gave him a pass (pun intended there) to see how he did this year...EJ certainly didn't help things, but by this point in the season, he's part-in-parcel to the Running game issues. Inappropriate run game calls at inappropriate times, not always - but often...and not using Spiller to his strengths, falls on his shoulders as well...so, this year, the lack of running game has to do with design and choice of plays, which falls at Hackett's feet...last year was due to volume and rookie QB struggles, plus it was the first year of Hackett's Offense, with little to no tape, now the teams have the film, and are adjusting, he is not...JMO

As I posted in the Fire Hackett thread, I think Marrone should call the plays to determine where the issues are on the Offense. Is it execution as it has been said by Marrone, is it the play-calling, is it both? I think, with the Urbik change it helps a great deal, but putting in 2 and 3 TE sets doesn't help his argument, but better play-calling and in game adjustments might show he's got the chops but the wrong OC...however, I think in the Off Season, unless a Super Bowl is had - I think Marrone is told to get a new OC and if he refuses, he either resigns or he's fired...this Offense is too talented and too damn good to be sitting at 5-3, and to that end - by the slightest of margins with some bad games, particularly against the Vikes...

Look, in my post I gave credit to Marrone for making changes that needed to be made, but also said that they were slow to happen and that had they happened sooner, this team could very well be 6-2 or even 7-1 (but not likely). However, play-calling has been very bad and if the game plan against the Vikes as reported is to be believed, 3 TE sets, that to me shows in inability to game-plan properly...the BILLS won, yes, but that was despite some horrid calls and bad plays, and against a better team, the BILLS lose that game...IF, the BILLS are to be a true playoff team, especially as it comes down the stretch in that horrid 4 game sequence, the Offense must play better and to me, that is a reflection on Coaching issues, i.e. game-plan and play-calling...so, I gave Marrone credit, but I also pointed to some blame for failures and at times, ineffectiveness....I think that's fair, but that's me. Am I very happy the BILLS beat the JETS?? Hell yes...but can I also look at areas they need to get much better, particularly on Offense? Absolutely, and the two areas? Game-planning and play-calling...and this is a "Fire Hackett" thread, so as I said, Marrone needs to take the play-calling over, to demonstrate that he can call a good game....

I'm fully on board with this...I have lost faith in Marrone since week 4, mainly due to his decisions leading up to game day and then over the last several weeks, I've seen this team regress as a whole. The JETS game showed how one side of the ball can truly dominate a game, and to no one's shock it was the Defense....my issues with Marrone have been, his slow response to putting in Urbik, even after Williams went down with a back injury, slow to make the QB change that probably never should even come to a change, and the lack of game-day involvement of play-calling for the Offense which has been abysmal...to me,that is the biggest issue as of today, now that some of the other changes have been made...but Hackett is NOT calling a good game nor is there proper personnel...as others have already stated, too many 2 and 3 TE sets and not enough 3 to 4 WR sets when those are arguably some of the best play-makers the BILLS have...I suspect Marrone will be given the directive to change Offensive Coordinators regardless of outcome - unless they win the Super Bowl and that is a snowball's chance in hell but anything is possible I suppose - and Marrone will have to either acquiesce or resign...despite his slow response, Marrone is at least willing to show he'll make changes, I'm hoping removing Hackett's play-calling is next and a new OC is found in the Off-Season.

We shall agree to disagree. You reduce yourself to someone else's base level when you begin hurling insults and name-calling. It diminishes the merit of your argument and only brings your character into focus, rather than the content of your argument, IMO.

Perhaps, it's not about determining what's in your mind, but rather that you can make your argument without insulting people through the aforementioned "tone" to your post. Reasonable expectation I presume.

Actually, to be fair to your post: there is not "1" QB that won the Super Bowl Drafted out of the 1st round from that list, there are 3: Brady, Brees, and Wilson. As to the OP's original point, despite the sarcastic and caustic tenor of the post, to the substance I agree regarding the value of the Watkins trade but disagree about needing a top 10 1st Round pick to get your Franchise QB, as shown my statements above. Furthermore, not only recent history, but a longer term of NFL history shows that not only do you not need a top 10 Franchise QB to go to or win a Super Bowl, but far more 2nd and 3rd round, or later, QBs have taken their team to the Super Bowl and some have even won them. Too many to list, but basically, especially true in today's NFL - the QBs at the college level who win and show great potential don't always translate to the NFL. IMHO, the skill-set required is very different. That's why I'm an advocate of the BILLS ignoring all QBs in a spread option Offense or Run option Offense. Fully and carefully scout the QBs in a Pro Style Offense ONLY, and do all your homework on JUST those QBs, no one else. To me, it reduces the sample size, allows the scouts to focus on just those QBs with more information and evaluation and it reduces the learning curve at the NFL level...just my two (and maybe a half) cents.

And, there's no taking that away from him...that said, its a bit like apples and oranges to me. Flynn played in the last game of the year on a stacked Green Bay team whereas Cousins, got called in to duty during a game after injury to RGIII and proceeded to play well at times, but very poorly at others on a Skins team that is in serious re-build / reboot mode...again, I'm not advocating for Cousins to be the starting QB for the BILLS, but my point is that this FO did very little until Orton to get competent QB depth on the roster, I would prefer they NOT do that again and if a 6th round pick produced Cousins in addition to Orton and EJ, then I don't think it does anything but help this team....but, as I said earlier, I personally think with Pegula and their new Football Czar / Evaluator, a QB is had either in FA (i.e. Bradford) or they Draft one 2nd round...no need to take it personally people, just throwing around some ideas here....

Stats are left for interpretation, no arguing that...and I'm not suggesting he's the answer, but if the BILLS don't Draft one next year, would surrendering a 6th round selection be an extraordinary measure to take? I don't think so, IMO...Cousins, Orton, and EJ would all be here in different ways to help this team win...honestly, if Orton returns and gets hurt, who would you rather play QB for the BILLS? Cousins or EJ? And I'm not pooping on anyone's ideas or opinions, I'm just saying right now, I'd take Cousins...you have to look at that team as whole. So I agree, stats can be misleading, but he still jacked up 427 yards and played pretty well in the game he had to come into when RGIII got hurt...I understand why the Skins benched him, but I also think he's 8 or 9 games into a Starter and put in a different position, you just don't know....either way, its moot because I think the BILLS either go hard after a true FA QB or Draft a new one...

Say what you will, but Cousins threw for 427 yards a few weeks back. When was the last time a BILLS QB did that? So, Cousins as another guy in the mix, yup, count me in...ready to throw away EJ and Orton for him or a Draft pick higher than a 6th next year? Nope...but a 6th round pick for Cousins, isn't exactly throwing caution to the wind either...so, I would do that and consider the QB depth chart improved.

To be fair, this was Nix's first Draft as GM when he was appointed just a few months before and completely dependent on the scouts information....nearly all of whom he fired immediately following the 2010 Draft. Just to put it in perspective and not defending him entirely, but we should assess all the facts including ones that may not help our argument for our point but relevant and true. So, 2011 was his first true Draft with an entire year to prepare for and with Scouts he chose. That's not to say it was much better but it did yield Dareus and yes, he was the 3rd overall pick - but all the more relevant to hitting on an important player. Just FYI...

I've never blamed Whaley for trading for Brown but I HAVE blamed Marrone for not playing him, especially the last few weeks. Now, we'll see...

The thing about Rex, as others have said already, is his players play balls out for him...and while his Offense has been woeful at times, he's also fired Offensive Coordinators and he's been forced to deal with the Offensive players other GMs have provided...I don't know, nor do any of us, if he has any input on the Drafting of Offensive players. It's almost a "given" that he DOES have input on Defensive players Drafted, which is probably one reason why the Defense continuously looks stout and a raging. But Offensively, he may very well have relied on the GM and others to determine who is worthy of a pick, and in that case, if Rex were to be fired in NY and the BILLS were to hire him (not saying I'm for or against the idea), it would seem much like any coach who knows his weakness, hiring the right Offensive Coordinator would be the *KEY* for Rex to be successful and while Whaley hasn't been perfect by any means, he's been very, very good IMHO thus far. "All in on EJ" being his biggest gaffe but I'm ok with trying to make your hopeful future QB successful, Chris Williams was the only other true fail I can think of to this point. Either way, IF Rex is to be fired in NY and Marrone shown the door, I would hope Rex is considered b/c let's not forget, he did take a Mark Sanchez led Offense to the AFC Championship game two years in a row when there was Offensive talent and based on a similar philosophy the BILLS have allegedly endorsed: good running game and solid Defense, while the BILLS' running game has been suspect at best of recent weeks, that appears to be the way they want to play.

IMHO, the *ONLY* QBs the BILLS should be evaluating and scouting at the collegiate level, are QBs who run a Pro Style offense....otherwise, learning curve is too steep and development is even longer.

Continuity simply for the sake of fearing change is NOT a recipe for success in today's NFL. Having said that, constant turnover can only frustrate the players and squash development of young talent. IMO, Marrone will need to fire Hackett and promote Hostler to OC while either Hostler or Marrone call the Offensive plays, or Marrone will be given an ultimatum to make the playoffs or lose his job....I like Marrone, but Offensive play calling and coaching the young players has become problematic in less than two seasons...that is a change that needs to happen immediately! This season is still very much up for grabs and if the Offensive woes can be turned around, this team is a playoff caliber team in terms of talent, and certainly production on Defense and STs...Offense is directly on Marrone's shoulders, and something needs to change before it's too late...

Thanks for sharing! And, to be honest, his greatest detraction is his injury history. Personally, IF the BILLS were to bring him in, I would keep Orton and EJ and allow Bradford to take the reigns. Orton provides a Vet back-up (if he still wants to stay with the signing of Bradford) and EJ gets time to develop and assume the back-up role if called upon. To me, this provides depth and security to have a good layer of QBs behind an often injured starter, but at the same time immediately gives the BILLS a legit NFL QB...and if Orton doesn't want to stay, EJ could keep the spot he has and the BILLS can pursue another Vet back-up....and, if Bradford's injuries continue, they should have another 1st Round pick in 2016 without sacrificing the entire 2015 season absent a QB.

To be fair, Jerry Jones himself said after the start of the season that he wanted Manziel and that is son essentially pinned him down and forced the Zack Martin pick, and at the time Jerry hated it....how about now?? So, master mind he isn't but at least this time he deferred to someone who had a bit more sense than he did...Martin was a no-brainer at their selection spot in my mind, but then again it is the Cowboys.

To your first three points: how's that working in Cleveland thus far?

Given the woeful state of affairs for the Buffalo BILLS for the last 15 years, the lack of apparent ability to adjust and get this team winning this year, the utter failure to secure a Franchise QB in the same time frame, the disgusting display of penalties and missed opportunities this year and last, a Football "Czar" or advisor to evaluate all things related to football operations is not only prudent it is mandatory. I sincerely hope that Pegula will not only hire the right "Czar" or evaluator to determine where the failings have been so that course correction can be made and violently altered where necessary, but also so that "Czar" can make the *RIGHT* suggestions as to what needs to change, not just point out failures. To me, pointing out the short-comings is almost too easy and indicating where those mistakes were made is easy based on hindsight. I think the greatest asset would be pointing to what little successes, if any, may be presently, how to maintain them trending in the right direction and more importantly where to make immediate changes for the purpose of greater productivity on the field of play. Then, be able to prognosticate where the future resources should be allocated so that this once proud Franchise can stabilize and begin an upward spike in Wins and begin to re-invent itself to be a Winning Culture. A total re-boot is NOT necessary given the depth and talent on both sides of the ball, but a very wise and insightful perspective to the intricate changes able to be made to bring this team to championship caliber IS necessary and I sincerely hope the Pegulas will follow the blueprint given to them by whomever they entrust for this crucial gathering of information and insight....this, might be the second most important decision the BILLS organization faces this year.

I don't think you give up on Richardson, but if Marrone continues to resist the idea of developing Kujo as a RG for the future, as in maybe next year, I can't see how the BILLS don't go after a Guard in FA and maybe Draft ANOTHER one...as for this year, as others have said, I can't see how putting Urbik in at RG can hurt and probably, given his experience, helps a great deal.

I read that article and it is so incredibly interesting to see the long-term negative effects an improper GM and ineffective team management can have on an NFL franchise. As BILLS fans we tend to have a myopic view of the NFL and just how poorly other teams are managed b/c of the apathetic management of the BILLS during a span of time between 2004 and 2010, but while the QB situation has been mismanaged IMHO over the last two years, Doug Whaley has done an otherwise superb job in nearly every other aspect of FO management. Nix, to some degree started things in a new direction, but over the last two Off-Seasons, and certainly since Whaley has assumed control, this team has significantly improved its general roster talent and depth in a very short period of time. The JETS have much to be concerned about regarding their future, while the BILLS for the first time in a long time can take a sigh relief as Whaley commands the helm of the football operations and believe with some confidence that the team is in good hands. No, Whaley has not been perfect as I mentioned the QB debacle, but many other ways, he's done a hell of a job.

Considering how well Henderson has done in his Rookie campaign against some good Defenses, I'd say he's done about as well as anyone could expect to this point. Does he need to get better? Well, yes...as do many others and not just him. But if his development continues, and there's no reason to suggest it won't, he's the RT of the future given his starting status, as you seem to say, the coaches know better....as for Kujo, again you said, "It is too early to give up on Kujo", and that's my point...if you have Henderson at RT, and all other spots utilized by players with RG such a gaping whole, it makes more sense *TO ME* to allow him to develop with proper coaching into a RG...keep in mind, he came to football late, and some of the issues he's had are related to that - according to coaches and other observers that were present in camp.

First, I believe I said, "allow Kujo to develop as a RG", indicating not that he should start but that when Marrone asked about Kujo to Guard he shot down the idea saying it is easier for a Guard to bounce to Tackle vs. a Tackle coming inside to Guard, which all I've ever heard from anyone else is the opposite...second, I don't think I've said I "know more than the coaches" but refusing to allow Kujo to work on the line as a RG in practice and working with the Coaches doesn't seem to bode well for a 2nd round prospect when assuming all other aspects remain constant, they now have their book end Tackles in Glenn and Henderson, with Richardson taking LG - his natural position - and of course Wood at Center, that remains just RG...the opening permitted by Pears' abysmal play...so developing Kujo is a fair idea IMHO, not starting him now as that doesn't make sense. Furthermore, if the BILLS refuse to move Kujo inside and keep Henderson at RT, which why would they move him given how well he's done all things considered (he's a Rookie), that leaves a wasted 2nd round pick...and again, I did say long-term...

I think Gailey did use Spiller in a way that helps Spiller be a focal point in the Offense, whereas Hackett / Marrone use Spiller in a bit of a more traditional RB style because that's their Offense...I think Hackett's play-calling has been suspect at times, but as the OP pointed out, there has been much QB turnover since they came to Buffalo (Marrone and Hackett). So, with Orton now at QB, no more Rookie or developing QB excuses, it will be interesting to see how this Offense does for the rest of the year (assuming Orton remains at the QB helm) and not just Spiller. To me, that's why Fred does so much better in Marrone / Hackett's Offense, is the more traditional RB in terms of how he runs, that's not a knock on anyone, just an observation. Also, Bryce Brown has shown flashes of real brilliance in both the running game and in receptions, prior to coming to Buffalo, it would seem that Spiller's days are numbered for that reason alone, not to mention the aforementioned square peg to round hole scenario....either way, let's see how this Offense does with Orton's second full week in practice taking the snaps, calling the plays and leading the Offense on game day....hopeful but cautiously so...