dpberr

I agree with Sully on his take. This was an opportunity for Whaley to demonstrate some leadership and be there at the press conference, explain the Taylor issue, take the hard questions and act as the lead in to Lynn - a guy who's been the head coach for all of ten minutes. Leaders don't hide in the office. One of the reasons the Bills have a reputation for being a sloppy organization is that whether it's the Pegulas, Brandon or Whaley, the four of them become downright invisible when they have to face any sort of criticism or remotely tough questioning. It's football we're talking about. Not brain surgery. Not a Mars mission.

I don't understand why people buy those things. I don't understand the appeal.

I think a special teams coach is the way to go. I also don't think coordinators generally, will make a lateral move just because. For example, unless Pederson gets fired in Philadelphia, why would Schwartz leave Philadelphia for Buffalo for the same job he's already had? HC: Jerry Rosburg (Current Special Teams/Assistant Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens) DC: Greg Schiano (4-3 defense, current Ohio State DC and Asst. Coach - better coordinator than head coach) OC: Rick Dennison (Denver Broncos OC - his strategy relies on having a robust running game, something that lacks in Denver but I do think he'll fall on the sword if they miss the playoffs)

I think he's a brilliant coordinator but I worry that he's been sheltered up there in New England having the same job for the same boss for so many years. He's never experienced losing either - having joined the Patriots in the year they won the Super Bowl. He's only ever worked in the winning, well-oiled machine of the Patriots. The spotlight and amount of work that goes into being a head coach on his own, on top of all the Buffalo dynamic is a big ask.

This game is going to be like the Pro Bowl. There will be little effort by either defense and both teams will run up and down the field. Why bother? Both teams have waived their respective white flags and the Jets quit playing three games ago.

"The punt" sealed his fate if it wasn't sealed already. There was a sense of finality with that play. I don't believe Rex was the one that called for the punt. I think that was Lynn. Unfortunately, that put the game in the hands of Thurman who's always been a bozo in my book who benefits from being protected by a loyal Ryan despite his numerous failures.

His personnel decisions in Philly is what got him fired. In KC, John Dorsey makes those decisions and all Andy has to do is coach.

A football intelligent safety regardless if Aaron is back in 2017. Can't have enough blue chip playmakers at that position. IMO, it's more important than cornerback.

"The Punt" is a watershed event. There was a sense of finality in that moment.

Whaley is an ok GM. Not great. Not terrible. He builds an 8-8 or 9-7 team. An ok team. Unfortunately, being ok isn't good enough in Buffalo where the drought looms large. You need to be on a John Butler level to get over that hump.

That's my point. The "record" isn't the be all, end all of evaluating performance. Keeping Ryan simply because he's gone 17-15 isn't enough of a reason for me personally.

Marty Schottenheimer was fired after going 14-2 in the 2006 season. Think about that. 14-2. That season was after 2004 and 2005 campaigns where he went 12-4 and 9-7 respectively. Rex going 17-15 is not all that remarkable.

I don't think a new coach needs three years to win. The Bills aren't a Chip Kelly apocalypse of odd-fitting personnel. I don't like Coughlin for head coach. Much like Ryan, I don't think his on-field strategy and approach evolved as the game evolved. Further, IMO, he is on a mission to prove the Giants wrong and show the world that his system can still win. Much like our current coach. As they say, you should never make a decision when you're angry.

I voted to fire him. I think what you see is what you get and it is not enough. Two years is enough time IMO. His body of work has had no pause, no break. I think his lack of taking a year off to reflect hasn't made him a better leader and coach.

Lots of coaches across the major sports leagues have been fired after having successful seasons record wise. In the NFL, Tony Dungy, Marty Schottenheimer and Hue Jackson come to mind. Hell, Schottenheimer went 14-2 and still got fired.

It'd be fitting that not only do the Bills make the playoffs but then go out and win the Wild Card game - with a coach, front office and QB the majority of the fan base don't want around next year. That'd be some spectacular irony. IMO, the help that the Bills need isn't completely mission impossible. None of those games are on the level of asking the Jags to beat the Patriots in snowy Foxboro absurdity.

#1 is right on the money. The Patriots "way" is whatever way works from year to year, game to game. There is no "system".

He needs to get in better NFL football shape, something a full offseason-camp should help with going forward.

There would be a big bidding war for his services. Further, the Bills would be up against some dome teams and warm weather teams. The coaching carousel could be big this year with some wild cards thrown in. What if Arians retires? What if the Colts fire Pagano to take a run at Payton? What if the Eagles have seen enough of Pederson?

No. Darkest days were the days after the Music City Miracle. The decisions made by the franchise after that game served as the ignition point for nearly two decades without playoffs. I bet that would be a riveting documentary to watch.

The Cardinals cut that grenade before it went off in their building. No need for it to go off in ours. We have more than enough substance abuse issues with players under contract to keep us occupied.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Tyrod play out the season. Pegulas are extending professional courtesy - I think they will let Ryan coach out the season and Taylor play out the season. IMO, that's an order passed down from high command, regardless of wins and losses. He won't want them on the Bills but he also wouldn't want to screw either man out of opportunities going forward by firing Ryan in-season or benching Taylor. Play out the season and you don't have that hanging over your head. I'm convinced that if Whaley has any pull left at all, you would see CJ this Sunday, not Taylor.

Tom Coughlin's age isn't the issue. The issue is whether the game has passed by his philosophy and strategy on how to play it. I don't know if it has. We already have that occurring with Rex Ryan. You saw it with Jeff Fisher. The NFL is not the place where you're successful with sticking with what worked for you before.

The Pegulas only made $26 million on their billion dollar investment last year. That number stunned me considering the Bills made $44 million in income in 2014. The Bills have been dead last in income for many, many years. Revenues is one thing but income is THE thing. If you are Terry and Kim Pegula, I don't think you move that needle with "continuity" or "status quo" or a lousy product. They are losing out in the opportunities of making money in a limited access multi billion dollar sports monopoly.

IMO, Option #1 has already occurred. There will be no Ryan, no Whaley, no Tyrod and believe it or not, no Brandon, no Overdorf. It is in the Pegulas most basic, selfish interests to get this playoff monkey off their back as soon as possible. Teams that go twenty years without playoffs don't get new stadiums and miss profit making opportunities that successful teams enjoy. Consider this. The Bills made only $26 million in income in 2015, down from a paltry 44 million in 2014. A measly 26 million dollars in a multi-billion dollar league. https://www.statista.com/statistics/193556/operating-income-of-national-football-league-teams-in-2010/