dcjoev

Smoke and mirrors, my friends, smoke and mirrors... Koobs will be hired for his 2nd head coaching gig, as soon as Baltimore's season ends. Bank on it!

No team has scheduled an interview with Kubiak because he announced he would NOT take part in one until after the Ravens season is over. Kubiak certainly has the credentials to be a head coach again, but after suffering a mini-stroke during his final year in Houston, he may not want the added stress that comes with it. If one of the Shanahans gets the Bills coaching gig, Kubiak would be high on the OC list because both of them have worked successfully with Gary in the past. And all it would take for him to leave Baltimore is an offer he can't refuse.

I can see your point and agree that the odds are far better for Kubiak to be hired as a head coach for the second time around. Only time will tell, but if the Ravens lose Saturday, Gary's name will be added to the current mix of strong candidates for a HC gig. And if the Bills are in play (as I think they are with both Shanahans), they'll be the first ones on the phone to Koobs. Prior to his Thursday firing in Cleveland, Kyle stated that he'd be open to a lateral move. So if he isn't offered a HC job soon, I think he'll play it safe and work with his pops again. The fact the Bills have not yet named a coach makes me think that they're waiting on a candidate that's in the playoffs. If it is indeed Kubiak, the Pegulas are patiently waiting because he stated he's not interviewing with anybody, for any role, until the Ravens season has ended. If this scenario transpires, Kubiak would be Buffalo's HC, Kyle his OC again (as he was in Houston), and Mike would reunite with Gary - who was his Super Bowl OC in Denver - as President and Director of Football Operations.

Ha Ha. LOL - Dougie's gotta get the job first... But the call may not be necessary, if Jay forces his way out to be with Shanny, like Kyle did today for Daddy.

I agree one-hundred percent... Marrrone dug his grave when he took the money and ran. But he shut the lid to his coffin, when he trash-talked the Bills' front office, on his way out the door.

NFL teams can block lateral moves, but cannot block promotions. They just have the ability to say no, like the Bills and 49ers did when Washington requested permission to interview Jim Schwartz and Vic Fangio for the Skins' defensive coordinator opening. Even before Kyle Shanahan got freed up with this morning's firing in Cleveland, the Pegula's asked for and were granted permission to talk to him about their head coaching position. I'm sure if he was still with the Browns, Buffalo could have offered him the alternative option of an OC job during the interview... But if, by rule, they couldn't, the Bills would have had to ask Cleveland a second time for permission to interview Kyle as an offensive coordinator. The Browns could have actually denied that request, but with the friction that had developed between their staff and Kyle, it was highly doubtful they would have. "An NFL team cannot interview an assistant coach - who is in the same role and under an existing contract with another team - without the permission of his current organization. Teams will usually give permission upon request, particularly if a lower level coach is set to take an offensive or defensive coordinator position elsewhere. But the current team is not required to give permission." In other words, teams can't stand in the way of an assistant's chances at a head-coaching job (even if under contract). But they CAN keep an assistant from leaving for another assistant job, if they CHOOSE to.

I believe the writing's on the wall for both Shanahans to end up in Buffalo. Kyle's interview today went from a mandatory head coaching meeting to a coach OR coordinator one. If he's hired for either one of the roles, Buffalo will choose from 3 sets of options. 1. Mike as head coach and Kyle as OC (like they were in DC) 2. Kyle as head coach, with a new OC, and Mike as President/Director of Football Operations 3. A new HC that's NOT a Shanahan, with Kyle as OC and Mike as President/Director of Football Operations And.... The person who I believe is most likely to fill in the blanks in lines 2 and 3 is.... Ravens OC Gary Kubiak, who could leave Baltimore (like Kyle left Cleveland), as soon as the season ends for his current team. The connection between all 3 is obvious and there's a lot to like about Kubiak, who turned Baltimore's offense into a juggernaut in 2014. Gary was Mike's OC in Denver, when the Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and '98. And Kyle was Gary's OC in Houston before becoming his Dad's in Washington. Personally, I like the Shanny plan, but would prefer Mike or Koobs as the Bills new HC. I just don't think Kyle's ready yet to be "the guy".

I believe the writing's on the wall for both Shanahans to end up in Buffalo. Kyle's interview Thursday went from a mandatory head coaching meeting to a coach OR coordinator one. If he's hired for either one of the roles, Buffalo will choose from 3 sets of options. 1. Mike as head coach and Kyle as OC (like they were in DC) 2. Kyle as head coach, with a new OC, and Mike as President/Director of Football Operations 3. A new HC that's NOT a Shanahan, with Kyle as OC and Mike as President/Director of Football Operations And.... The person who I believe is most likely to fill in the blanks in lines 2 and 3 is.... Baltimore OC and former Houston HC Gary Kubiak, who could leave the Ravens (like Kyle left Cleveland), as soon as the season ends for his current team. The connection between all 3 is obvious and there's a lot to like about Kubiak, who turned Baltimore's offense into a juggernaut in 2014. Gary was Mike's OC in Denver, when the Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and '98. And Kyle was Gary's OC in Houston before becoming his Dad's in Washington. Personally, I like the Shanny plan, but would prefer Mike or Koobs as the Bills new HC. I just don't think Kyle's ready yet to be "the guy". Thoughts??

NFL teams can block lateral moves, but cannot block promotions. That doesn't mean the Browns can't consider requests from teams who are interested in Kyle's services as an offensive coordinator. They just have the ability to say no, like the Bills and 49ers did when Washington requested permission to interview Jim Schwartz and Vic Fangio for the Skins' defensive coordinator opening. The Bills have already asked and were granted permission to talk to Kyle about their head coaching position. I'm sure the Pegulas could offer him some alternative options during the interview... But if, by rule, they can't, the Bills would have to ask Cleveland a second time for permission to interview Kyle as an offensive coordinator. Of course, this would occur if Buffalo chooses to hire Kyle's father or someone like Gary Kubiak as head coach. The Browns could actually deny that request, but with the friction that's developed between their staff and Kyle, it's highly doubtful they will. "An NFL team cannot interview an assistant coach - who is in the same role and under an existing contract with another team - without the permission of his current organization. Teams will usually give permission upon request, particularly if a lower level coach is set to take an offensive or defensive coordinator position elsewhere. But the current team is not required to give permission." In other words, teams cannot keep an assistant from leaving for a head-coaching job (even if he is under contract). But they CAN keep an assistant from leaving for another assistant job, if they CHOOSE to.

On Tuesday morning, I posted a thread entitled "2 Shannys and a Koobs?" It got merged with the one called "Package Deal (Mike & Kyle Shanahan)". But it really should have been included in this thread... My OP revolved around a scenario in which both Shanahans would shuffle into Buffalo, while the Pegulas found a way to lure Gary Kubiak from his offensive coordinator role in Baltimore. Of course, it would be slow to develop because of Kubiak's refusal to interview for jobs until the Ravens season concludes. But I envisioned it as a distinct possibility because of the football relationships that are intertwined between all three men. It then became an even bigger possibility when Kyle Shanahan announced yesterday that he may be open to a "lateral move" to escape friction that has developed between him and the Brown's front office, after just one year in Cleveland. Here's my original post.... LET'S CONNECT THE DOTS... I'm not a fan of nepotism, but if the Shanahans BOTH shuffled off to Buffalo, their father & son roles would be different than the ones they had in Washington, with the chance for an added bonus. I live in DC, so I witnessed Mike and Kyle's struggles with the Redskins. But I blame their demise on Daniel Snyder and his obsession with RGIII, who I believe Mike never wanted in the first place. So would two Shannys be a fit in Buffalo? Bills fans already have their doubts, but it may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. And an old friend may be invited to tag along. Here's one scenario... If Baltimore loses at New England this weekend, Terry & Kim Pegula could move fast to hire Mike as their "Czar" and Kyle and Gary Kubiak as their coach and offensive coordinator... but not necessarily in that order. Mike and Kyle are already head coaching candidates, while their former colleague (Kubiak) will be, as soon as his OC duties conclude with the Ravens. It may take the perfect storm, but all three men could be willing to sacrifice personal goals to work together on a unified one with the Bills. We all know Mike chatted with the Pegulas on Sunday about the head coaching position, but who's to say he wasn't pitching his son for the job, while lobbying for the advisory role that Bill Polian turned down? On Monday evening, the Bills requested a meeting with Kyle. Is it just coincidence or are the owners of Buffalo's hockey and football teams planning a power play? Kubiak could be their true target, with Mike as head of Football Operations and Kyle as OC - if he chooses to leave the job he currently has in Cleveland. But I think the more likely scenario is Kyle as head coach, with Kubiak in charge of turning around a struggling offense for the second year in a row. http://m.espn.go.com...357&src=desktop Kubiak certainly has the credentials to be a head coach again, but after suffering a mini-stroke during his final year in Houston, he may not want the added stress that comes with it. With Kyle as coach, Kubiak can do exactly what he's done so successfully in Baltimore. And the younger Shanahan would have TWO trusted mentors by his side, with FIVE Super Bowl rings between them. Mike Shanahan earned his first ring in 1994 (as George Seifert's OC), when San Francisco beat San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX. Then he won 2 more as head coach of the Broncos in '97 & '98. Mike's offensive coordinator in Denver was Gary Kubiak... and when Kubiak became Houston's head coach... he eventually hired Kyle as his OC with the Texans. So there's plenty of history between them and what comes around often goes around in the NFL. Perhaps all 3 are meant to be (together again) in Buffalo! P.S. If we toss Mario Williams into the mix, Buffalo has a former Texans star who knows Kyle and Koobs well and can act as a reference for both. Thoughts???

Kubiak has refused to interview with ANY team while the Ravens are still in the tournament. See here and here... Ultimately, this gives Terry and Kim Pegula the extra time they need to work out a possible three-man reunion of Gary, Mike and Kyle. I'm obviously not the only one on this board that has thought about Kubiak as part of the equation, but he could certainly be Buffalo's OC if Mike becomes head coach or lobbies his son for it. Of course, Koobs would fall out of the equation if he gets hired elsewhere for a head job, chooses to stay in Baltimore, or if Mike returns to coach and lures Kyle away from Cleveland to serve as his OC again.

That's not possible because Kubiak has refused to interview with ANY team while the Ravens are still in the tournament. See here and here... Ultimately, this gives Terry and Kim Pegula the extra time they need to work out a possible three-man reunion of Gary, Mike and Kyle. I'm not sure if I'm the only one on this board that has thought about Kubiak as part of the equation, but he could certainly be Buffalo's OC if Mike becomes head coach or lobbies his son for it. Of course, Koobs would fall out of the equation if he gets hired elsewhere for a head job, chooses to stay in Baltimore, or if Mike returns to coach and lures Kyle away from Cleveland to serve as his OC again. Thanks for trying to respond to my post that got merged. It was entitled "2 Shannys and a Koobs?", in reference to a scenario in which both Shanahans would shuffle into Buffalo, while the Pegulas found a way to lure Gary Kubiak from his offensive coordinator role in Baltimore. Of course, this would happen when the Ravens season concludes. In that case, anything is possible, with all 3 men capable of the head coaching role. In my opinion, Mike would defer to his son, while accepting the Bill Poilan "Czar" role and Kubiak would serve as a second mentor to him in the OC role. I say this because I think it's safer for Kubiak to limit his responsibilities, after he suffered a mini-stroke last year as head coach of the Texans.

Now we're on to something... I agree 100 percent!!! You make a very good point here. That's why I think it would be best to separate the two, with Mike as the Director of Football Operations, Whaley as GM and Kyle as head coach. Then you make a play for an offensive coordinator who the Shannys admire and trust. In my opinion, that would be Gary Kubiak, if he doesn't get another head coaching gig and agrees to cut bait with the Ravens. To refresh everyone's memories, Gary was Mike's OC during their Super Bowl years with the Broncos and hired Kyle to be his OC when Koobs was head coach in Houston.

LET'S CONNECT THE DOTS... I'm not a fan of nepotism, but if the Shanahans BOTH shuffled off to Buffalo, their father & son roles would be different than the ones they had in Washington, with the chance for an added bonus. I live in DC, so I witnessed Mike and Kyle's struggles with the Redskins. But I blame their demise on Daniel Snyder and his obsession with RGIII, who I believe Mike never wanted in the first place. So would two Shannys be a fit in Buffalo? Bills fans already have their doubts, but it may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. And an old friend may be invited to tag along. Here's one scenario... If Baltimore loses at New England this weekend, Terry & Kim Pegula could move fast to hire Mike as their "Czar" and Kyle and Gary Kubiak as their coach and offensive coordinator... but not necessarily in that order. Mike and Kyle are already head coaching candidates, while their former colleague (Kubiak) will be, as soon as his OC duties conclude with the Ravens. It may take the perfect storm, but all three men could be willing to sacrifice personal goals to work together on a unified one with the Bills. We all know Mike chatted with the Pegulas on Sunday about the head coaching position, but who's to say he wasn't pitching his son for the job, while lobbying for the advisory role that Bill Polian turned down? On Monday evening, the Bills requested a meeting with Kyle. Is it just coincidence or are the owners of Buffalo's hockey and football teams planning a power play? Kubiak could be their true target, with Mike as head of Football Operations and Kyle as OC - if he chooses to leave the job he currently has in Cleveland. But I think the more likely scenario is Kyle as head coach, with Kubiak in charge of turning around a struggling offense for the second year in a row. http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=baltimore-ravens&id=14357&src=desktop Kubiak certainly has the credentials to be a head coach again, but after suffering a mini-stroke during his final year in Houston, he may not want the added stress that comes with it. With Kyle as coach, Kubiak can do exactly what he's done so successfully in Baltimore. And the younger Shanahan would have TWO trusted mentors by his side, with FIVE Super Bowl rings between them. Mike Shanahan earned his first ring in 1994 (as George Seifert's OC), when San Francisco beat San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX. Then he won 2 more as head coach of the Broncos in '97 & '98. Mike's offensive coordinator in Denver was Gary Kubiak... and when Kubiak became Houston's head coach... he eventually hired Kyle as his OC with the Texans. So there's plenty of history between them and what comes around often goes around in the NFL. Perhaps all 3 are meant to be (together again) in Buffalo! P.S. If we toss Mario Williams into the mix, Buffalo has a former Texans star who knows Kyle and Koobs well and can act as a reference for both. Thoughts???

I understand the OP posted this due to misspellings, but somebody should tell NFL Network's Amber Theoharis that it's pronounced Pah-GOO-la and not Pah-GO-la. Fan forum mistakes are forgivable, but she anchors football shows for a living!

It would NOT make a "modern" coach more likely to sign. I think inexperienced candidates, as well as first-time coaches (like Marrone), are leery of organizations that have multiple levels of decision-makers on the football side. But if Pegula "cuts the fat" from Buffalo's administration and allows a coach to have a say in personnel matters, it'll attract veteran ones, who can get along with a GM and Czar, as long as the coach has some autonomy. "They want you to cook the dinner. At least they should let you shop for the groceries." -- Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells

I can understand your point here and I personally think if anyone should stay, it should be Whaley. But his well-documented friction with Marrone and apparent inability to rectify it, is a red flag for an organization that desperately needs everyone to get along. Perhaps Russ Brandon should have stepped in between them for the good of the team, but he may have thought it work itself out. When all was said and done, it doesn't look like it did because at Marrone's last press conference, he made it known that he reported directly to the new owner and not to the GM. That's why he told Brandon to inform Whaley that he was texting owners Terry and Kim Pegula about Kyle Orton's retirement. This post from the team's message board made mention of that the day it happened: Interesting Tidbit from the Bills Presser I found it interesting that Marrone asked Brandon to tell Whaley he was texting "the owner" (about Orton's decision to retire). He essentially let slip that he has a direct line to Pegula and is in direct communication with him. He is not communicating with Pegula through Brandon or Whaley. Now most owners are in direct communication with the head coach but given the newness of Pegula and the odd dynamic here I think it is noteworthy that there was immediate contact once Orton told him he was retiring. Couple this with the reports and remarks by the Marrone crew that the Bills front office is amateurish and out of touch and you can start to see a pattern. Marrone is a serious football guy who just had a winning season for the first time in 10 years and appears to have perhaps already built a solid relationship with Pegula. Then consider how much Brandon has been trying to distance himself from the football side of things, so he might stay on in an administrative role under Pegula, and it makes sense that the heat for not making the playoffs was clearly on the front office.

Apparently, someone agrees with me... http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2015/1/1/7478293/its-time-for-the-buffalo-bills-to-revamp-their-football-operation

Please don't get me wrong. Russ Brandon was a loyal soldier throughout his tenure in Ralph Wilson's ranks. As Wilson's right-hand man, he was entrusted to manage One Bills Drive, before and after the owner's passing. And despite the team's decision to pull the plug on the Toronto Series, Brandon succeeded at cashing in on Buffalo's marketing effort north of the border, no matter how things ended up. He's also a graduate of St. John Fisher College in Rochester, so he was the man behind the plan to establish one of the NFL's best and most lucrative training camps. Brandon indeed has earned his right to work in the NFL and will continue to do so. But he was hand-picked by Wilson and is the point guard of a team of staffers that has remained together for nearly three decades (including the past 15 years of postseason futility). Does the old guard still have a sense of entitlement, as was alluded to in this column from last February? And if that's the case, are they mostly to blame for the sudden exits of Coach Marrone and Mike Mularkey a few years ago? We can all play 'judge and jury' to that, but I believe the time has finally come to blow it all up, from the top-down. And as Terry Pegula likely said to Marrone on his way out the door, "It's nothing personal. It's just business."

Former Bills general manager Tom Donohoe once said, "We think we know, but we just don't know", when asked about the draft process and how teams target collegiate players, in hopes of landing future stars. Those words rang out loud and clear to me Thursday, when my 'Connect the Dots' post crumbled, just one hour after I submitted it to The Stadium Wall. I guess Frank Reich's connection to Bill Polian won't make him a sure-fire bet to be our next coach and Terry Pegula won't be looking into ways to trade for Philip Rivers! Thankfully, my post was discarded after I fielded a few well-deserved insults. But I've brushed myself off and I'm back on board to give my opinion another go. We can speculate all we want, but it appears the Bills had no interest in extending Doug Marrone's contract, unless he earned it next season and went along with their plan to have another cook in the kitchen (Bill Polian) to oversee him. Now that I've had time to study it all "with a fine-toothed comb", I believe Marrone's departure could be a win-win for both him and the Bills. It also appears to have given GM Doug Whaley more time to save his job. Marrone took the money and ran. But who wouldn't, if the chance for a more secure head coaching job is, or is about to be, offered? He may very well have an opportunity with the Jets - or another team in search of a new coach - that promises him more control over player personnel decisions. In the meantime, the Bills look like the victim of a coach who quit on them and the vacancy may seem more appealing, despite Marrone's assertion that the front office is a dysfunctional mess. According to reports this morning, Whaley will lead the coaching search for Buffalo, so it appears he has won Terry Pegula's trust in some respects. But I think Whaley's on a short leash and Pegula spelled that out for him, when he tried to lure Bill Polian back to the Bills. I'm guessing Pegula had 2 thoughts in mind. One was to keep the status quo for another year, with the single addition of a "Czar" who apparently liked Marrone. But if Marrone walked, he'd have the Czar in place to help clean the house he just bought. In my opinion, Polian's decision not to return is a bigger obstacle for Pegula to overcome because it hurts his chance to lure a seasoned head coach, with a winning track record. I really think Marrone's decision had no bearing on Pegula's long-term plan and just sped up the inevitable search for a new regime. But Polian's reversal will force the owner to up his ante because coaching candidates (experienced or not) may be concerned about stability in the front office, which Polian would have had a hand in fixing. Pegula has plenty of options, including a safety net in Jim Schwartz, who has head coaching experience to fall back on. But if I'm Bills President Russ Brandon, I'm shaking in my boots right now, because he'll likely be out of a job when Pegula finds another Polian to fill the Czar role. My new hunch is a big-name coach, with a good reputation, who is okay with sharing responsibilities with a young, re-energized GM and a Consultant/President, who isn't just a marketing guru masquerading as a football genius.

It would certainly take a lot for the Bills to acquire Rivers by trade, but I'm sure they'd be more than willing to give up their #1 pick in 2016, if they believe he'll make them a perennial playoff contender. At 33, he's in his prime and landing him would be similar to Buffalo's luring of Drew Bledsoe away from the Patriots in 2002. I'm not sure what the figure is now, but the Bills were $17.8 million under the salary cap heading into 2014. So, with the conservative approach the Bills took to the cap, coupled with Pegula's ability to spend cash and a high future pick or two, I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. San Diego may also choose to save $15 million and start its rebuilding process a year early. Eraser is out, but my pipe dream was good while it lasted... Bill Polian will remain at ESPN, per @mortreport. Will not be joining Bills.

If Terry Pegula doesn't make Bill Cowher an offer he can't refuse, I think the possibility of Frank Reich as Buffalo's next head coach becomes very real. From the minute he bought the team, Pegula explained the affinity he has for Buffalo. His sports and entertainment company is headquartered there, he recently purchased a large parcel of land in downtown Buffalo, and he bought the Sabres hockey team too. Pegula was also humble in his introductory speech as Bills owner, when he said he felt connected to the late Ralph Wilson Jr. (although he never met the man). It may be a stretch, but I can envision Pegula constructing an elaborate plan to finish the job that Buffalo's Super Bowl Teams failed to do. And what better way to do it than to bring back the guy who built those teams (Bill Polian) and hire the QB who executed the Greatest Comeback in NFL History? Hunch #1: With Bill Polian's expected return as Buffalo's "Czar", I think Pegula will be able to soften any criticism that may come from hiring a head coach that only has experience as an assistant. There's also the long-time connection between Polian and Frank Reich. In addition to playing under Polian in the early 1990's, Reich left Buffalo in 1995 for Carolina, where he played 1 year under Polian, who was then General Manager of the Panthers. Polian later became President in Indianapolis and Reich followed him there as well, as Peyton Manning's QB coach, 2 years after the Colts won Super Bowl XLI. Hunch #2: If Pegula hired a big name coach like Cowher, he'd probably give EJ Manuel a chance to succeed or clear the decks for a journeyman signal caller like Kyle Orton. Certainly under Cowher, Buffalo would play smash mouth Steelers-style football, with a power running game and the dominant defense it currently has. But if a cheap, inexperienced guy like Reich is hired, I think Pegula digs into his deep pockets for a proven star signal caller who is closing in on free agency. With his youth, freakish athletic ability and strong arm, I'd personally go after Cam Newton. But if all the dots get connected, my gut tells me it'll be Philip Rivers. Now hear me out on this one... Reich is currently offensive coordinator under Chargers head coach Mike McCoy. So trust and a relationship is already in place between Reich and his field general. In my opinion, Rivers needs a new setting because he has spun his wheels too long with a Chargers team that has failed to take the next step. And money talks... So, if I'm a betting man, Terry Pegula will beat San Diego's front office at bargaining table HANDS DOWN! Last but certainly not least... Rivers would bring a gunslinger's mentality to Buffalo, with an arm that's perfectly suited to succeed in the elements and to get the ball downfield to a playmaker like Sammy Watkins. And, of course, there's opportunity, which doesn't come around very often with true franchise quarterbacks. Just yesterday, reports surfaced that the Chargers are eager to extend Rivers' contract, which expires after next season. GM Tom Talesco said he wasn't concerned about the multitude of injuries Rivers dealt with this year and was quoted as saying he “definitely” wants him on the team because they feel he has “a number of good years left in him.” Per NFL.com: Chargers QB Philip Rivers will be a free agent after the 2015 season. He is set to make $15.75 million next year. Rivers turned 33 last month and has thrown 63 TDs and just 29 INTs in the last 2 seasons. Despite a litany of injuries in his career, he has never missed a start since being named San Diego's full-time starter in 2006. And much like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, Rivers has the DNA to excel as a classic pocket passer well into his thirties. Thoughts??? Please be my guest and fire away!!

Jax and Oakland threw out the smokescreens BEFORE Geno turned heads at his pro day on Thursday. Prior to the start of free agency, speculation ran rampant that Carson Palmer could be a cap casualty for the Raiders because of his ridiculous salary... http://m.nfl.com/news/0ap1000000148792/ Then, there were reports that the Raiders were interested in Geno... http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_22791789/raiders-among-teams-watching-geno-smith-work-out And BEFORE attending Smith's WVU Pro Day, a large contingent of Jags representatives SCHEDULED to meet with Smith, as soon as he walked off the field. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/21877683/west-virginia-pro-day-austin-smith-open-eyes With their smokescreens up, the Jags & Raiders were then able to get an eyeful of Smith, and in Jacksonville's case, an earful! Now, it's simply a game of chess... But for the Bills, it's "game on," IF, and ONLY if, they really want Geno. From here on out, there's no way to read what the Jags and Raiders are thinking, so if Buffalo wants Smith, they'll have NO choice but to move up for him. In other words, they better come correct!

With Jacksonville & Oakland suddenly throwing out smokescreens about drafting Geno Smith, the Bills chances look bleak, if he is truly at the top of their QB board. But what are the chances the Bills offer up a trade that doesn't include tossing away multiple picks (including future 1st rounders) like the Redskins had to do last year to move up from Pick 6 to #2 for RG3? Now, please hear me out, because I'm posting this to get some honest opinions from those who think Buffalo has no choice but to do "everything they can" to land Geno. I've already read through previous posts about the pros and cons of drafting Geno. I've read the ones that say the Bills should stay at 8 and draft the BPA. I've been part of the conversation about drafting Matt Barkley or waiting til Round 2 or trading back into the lower first round to draft Nassib. And I've advocated taking our shot at Wilson, Glennon, Manuel, Jones and even Scott. But that's not what this post is about. It's about finding the ammunition to trade up for the highest-rated QB in the draft, who could be the Face of the Bills franchise for the next decade. Buffalo has two Pro Bowlers it can offer up that would be hard for the Jags and Raiders to pass up. Jacksonville's interior line just lost free agent DT Terrance Knighton, who signed with Denver. The Jags also released underperforming safety Dawan Landry. Meanwhile, the Raiders just cut starting free safety (and former 1st rounder) Michael Huff. And they're going to be desperate to replace the pathetic Tommy Kelly and unrestricted free agent Richard Seymour, who may be as good as gone by the weekend. Want more proof? 7 out of 9 mock drafts on NFL.com have the Raiders taking Florida DT Shariff Floyd or Utah'a Star Lotulelei, if his heart condition checks out. So, why can't the Bills flip flop picks and offer up either Kyle Williams or fellow 2-time Pro Bowler Jarius Byrd? If they have to kick in a second-rounder and a future pick, so be it. Obviously, Williams health is in question, as he awaits minor surgery on his right foot. But according to him, it's not nearly as bad as his left one was and he should be 100% by training camp. As for Byrd, he can still be traded (despite the franchise tag) because the Bills have the right to rescind his tender, at any time, if he hasn't signed it. So far, Byrd hasn't signed it (and doesn't actually have to until a June 15th deadline). In addition, Buffalo mysteriously used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Byrd. That means Jarius is free to talk to and negotiate with any team he wants to, until he signs his tender. It normally means the Bills can match any offer and if they don't, they'd receive 2 first-round draft choices by Byrd's new team. But instead of doing that, Buffalo could work out a 'move-up' trade with Jacksonville or Oakland that includes Byrd, the rescinding of his tag and the waiver of the two first-round picks that the trade partner would normally have to relinquish. In exchange, the Bills would get their man, Geno Smith!

Bear is correct, not bare... See link below. http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/bare_bear.htm Just Sayin'.