hondo in seattle

So much contradictory stuff in the media that I've decided - for the time being - to believe none of it.

If we all had veto power, there'd be nobody left.

In the 6 years after Gruden won his SB in Tampa with the team Tony Dungy built, he went 45-51. That track record scares me. Plus, Dennis is right. Gruden loves MNF and gets paid well to live a good life.

More than once this season, I told me wife in disgust, "That's it! We're not watching any more Bills games this season!" But then we do. Welcome back!

Yeah it all makes sense except that the Chargers aren't going to give us Rivers. Given what we have right now, I'd love to be wrong.

I agree with most of this except for the part I bolded. There is certainly something to the Steeler system, But part of that system includes filling positions with good people - like Cowher. It's true that Cowher did not inherit a train wreck from Chuck Noll when he retired. But Chuck won 38 games in his last 5 years as coach: Cowher won 53 in his first five years. In other words, Cowher improved upon what he was given. But you're last statement "He has nothing to gain, and a legend to lose" probably succinctly sums up the reality of the situation. Cowher's not going to coach here or anywhere else - much to my disappointment.

Somewhere I saw Hue Jackson's name mentioned as a possibility. That's someone I don't want.

Really? Aaron Williams seemed pissed. I work in the business world and business is never all business. Loyality and integrity matter to many people. Many, many times I've seen business folks make business decisions because of loyalty. Those who give the most loyalty usually get the most loyalty so it ends up paying off. But you're right that it was a sound business decision.

As a business decision, you can't fault Marrone. If he had stayed, he would have effectively been working for free in 2015 (he gets the $4 million either way). Plus, with no starting QB on the roster, the win total could have easily declined thus ruining his marketability. So he got out then the getting was good. Nonetheless, it feels like he quit on both his players and coaches. If Pegula had treated him unjustly in some way, you could rationalize it. But Pegs honored his contract. It was Marrone who suddenly decided that the contract he originally signed wasn't good enough. I guess a 15-17 record can go to your head.

While the opt out clause "obviously" allows Doug to leave, it feels to many players and fans (myself included) that leaving before the contract expires is quitting before the job is done. Syracuse fans and players felts the same. The only things Doug has proven in his head coaching career is: (1) he has a talent for taking over bad teams and making them average, and (2) he has no loyalty. If I was a NFL owner, GM, or player, I'd have concerns about him.

It's ironic. Doug supposedly quit because he didn't get contract extensions for himself and his staff. It's great he stood up for his subordinate coaches. But then he abandoned them. They're 'stuck here' with their existing contracts while he takes the millions and runs. Did he tell Hackett, "Don't worry Nate, I'm not leaving you behind. The new head coach will fire you anyway." Where's the loyalty now?

True enough but schemes haven't changed that much in a decade. Anyway, being a HC is about far more than scheme. It's about leadership, building a coaching staff, working effectively with the FO, time management, focusing on what's truly important, building teamwork & accountability, etc. These guys know how to do those things. And I've got to wonder how a big name hire would affect our FA signings. I doubt if Adam Gase would attract a lot of players. But many FAs would suddenly be interested in Buffalo if Dungy was the HC. The coach I don't want is Rex Ryan. I actually think he did a credible job in New York/New Jersey but was cursed with a GM (Idzik) who didn't do him a lot of favors. Still, Rex is a bombastic buffoon, if a somewhat talented one. Plus Rex would want to change our defense and I'd rather leave Schwartz alone after seeing what he did this year. How successful would Parcells have been without Belicheck? Good coaches build good staffs. Cowher did that. I'm not going to fault him for finding success with Dick LeBeau.

Here's what I worry about with Polian. A front office is a team, it's not just one guy. Polian coming may lead to Whaley quitting because his authority has been undermined. When Whaley leaves, he may take some of his people with him like (if memory serves) Butler did. So while we might end up with a genius leading the organization, the organization could end up a chaotic, dysfunctional mess. Given that Bill is 72 years old, you have to wonder if he has the drive and energy to rebuild this thing. As you said, "It's about relationships..." Would Polian's relationship with OBD be good, bad, or indifferent? I suspect they'd rather not have him. I'd love to have Bill's clout and wisdom put in service of the Bills in some way. I have a lot of respect for his NFL accomplishments, as do many others. But if his involvement causes fissures in the FO team, I'd pass.

I'm surprised to see the lack of love for Dungy and Cowher. Cowher took his team to the playoffs 10 of 15 years despite QBs and other personnel coming and going. He accumulated a 140-90-1 regular season record and a 12-9 postseason record. Compare his 15 years of success to our last 15 years with no playoff appearances at all. Dungy turned two teams into winners. He made it to the playoffs 12 of 14 years - in different cities with different personnel. He went 139-69 in his 14 years. I'd be crying with joy if the Bills had that record over our last 14 years. Both Cowher and Dungy have won Super Bowls. No Bills coach has ever done that. How can Dungy or Cowher not be an upgrade over Marrone who went 25-25 with the Orange and 15-17 with us? In fact, how can they not be better choices than mediocre retreads like Rex or unproven coordinators with no HC experience? You can't argue with winning and both Cowher and Dungy have proven they know how to win in the NFL.

Two of the guys you don't want are my two favorite choices: Dungy and Cowher. I hope Pegs offers them $12 million per year to come out of retirement. Cowher rumored to be visiting Buffalo: http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/174779-coaches-you-dont-want/page__st__20#entry3400595

Just off the top of my head, here are my choices for HC: 1. Dungy 2. Cowher 3. Shanahan 4. Adam Gase 5. Frank Reich 6. Schwartz I sympathize with Max's worry about a new defensive scheme if we hired Wade.

If Pegula's millions could tempt Cowher - or Tony Dungy - out of retirement, we'd suddenly be a hot destination for FAs.

Sadly, Wade Phillips. But I get your point.

Fifth consecutive head coach to leave Buffalo with a losing record.

Or maybe not!

One of the more imaginative posts in a long time!

I'd rather see Pegs lure Cowher or Dungy out of retirement with a $10 million/year contract offer, but - realistically - I'd be okay with Reich. If he kept the defensive coaching staff in place and hired some good offensive coaches, he'd do fine.

Pegula's money can't get us a QB. But it could get us a coach. I wonder how much he'd be willing to pay someone like Cowher?

Just because Schwartz is under contract doesn't mean he stays. The new HC (assuming it's not Schwartz) may want his own guy. I hope the Bills hire an offensive minded HC who keeps Schwartz. Then again, if the Bills hire Cowher or Dungy, I'll be thrilled.

Previously I said that Buffalo might not be attractive to HC candidates because we lack a proven QB. But I've changed my mind. We're the only winning team to have a HC opening. That's gotta mean something.