Peter

Back in the day, I spent many a night with my Irish and other Buffalo friends at places like Coulter Bay, the PM (I am dating myself), Brunners, No Names, Coles . . . . There was some drinking . . . and what some might politely call interviewing . . . .

I know that some of you guys love to pile on Rex. I also realize that I have felt compelled to defend him. In the past few days, I have tried to stay away from this issue. Nevertheless, I keep reading guys piling on Rex and essentially pushing the Whaley narrative that Rex had an 11-5 roster. I was listening to WGR on demand on the way home last night, and Schopp reminded me of something. Vegas had the over and under on Buffalo Bills wins at 8. In other words, as much as certain people would like to think that the roster was an 11-5 roster or something like that, Rex and the coaching staff did not decimate the team and the team performed about the same as Vegas had predicted - even with all of the injuries and the suspensions and rumors that Jerome Felton also described as undermining the team. Just my two cents. I am going to try to avoid getting drawn into this argument again. Most of you know how I feel. I will just refer you to my prior posts on this subject.

Is that why the Bills interviewed the Irish guy?

Now you really have piqued my curiosity. Very interesting . . . .

John, I have a couple of more questions. 1) what are the guidelines for using an anonymous source? Do you need confirmation, depends on the relationship and past reliability of the source? 2) do you need to get confirmation from another source confirming the initial anonymous source? 3) I noticed that no one asked Whaley whether he was the source for LaCanfora re Rex - the leak that came out just before the Pittsburgh game. In fact, I do not recall anyone asking anyone else whether they were a source for someone else (other than perhaps Deep Throat). Is this a question that journalists would hesitate or avoid asking because it may scare sources?

If you are a Buffalo Bills fan, it is hard to not view this as a side day. Chris Berman always took an interest in Buffalo and the Bills. It was great having him around. It is too bad that, in the past 17 years, we have not been as successful as when he started to take an interest in our team and the years after.

John, Joe, and Jenny above, plus: Josina from ESPN seems to have contacts with players or team. Schefter (seems to have source in organization and also many around league - be careful of Jimmy Sexton factor) Rapoport (seems to have source in organization and sources around league) Trapasso Tim Graham is about the only one from TBN that ever is able to actually break some news. Matthew Fairburn Sal provides some insight. Others who I follow and have mixed feelings about: Ty Dunne, Rodak, Joe B (who seems to look at Sully as a role model for some reason based on some of his tweets)

Gee, who would have thought that someone would not be comfortable working with Whaley? I cannot imaging what could have happened with the way that the former coach was treated or with the way Whaley has conducted himself that would give Coughlin discomfort regarding working with Whaley. Who could have predicted this?

He could use his reported "concern" (whether real or imagined) in negotiating a contract (either with respect to contract amount, power, or both). Of course, this may depend on how much leverage the Bills have. If it turns out they are having a hard time attracting other desirable candidates, Lynn might have more leverage. If the Bills have plenty of other desirable candidates, Lynn would have little leverage unless the Bills are fixated on him. Right now, his leverage is that (1) he presumably would be "acceptable" to the fan base (even with people who may not be thrilled) and (2) there is the appearance of other suitors for his services. How this plays out, we shall see. In the meantime, it makes sense for Lynn to interview with any team that is serious about hiring him.

. . . and yet you have many, many posts trashing Rex. Curiously, the guy who I considered as leading the charge with you to the Bastille was jmc12290. Interestingly, jmc12290's last post was December 27 -- the day Rex was fired -- after posting incessantly on the subject and appearing out of the woodwork to challenge anyone who might dare defend Rex. Interesting . . . .

The two reports are not necessarily contradictory. In fact, wouldn't it make sense for Lynn to use that as leverage?

I have what may be a stupid question: If you cook in a Ziplock or any other bag, does the bag have to be sealed or does that not make any difference as long as the bag is submerged and clipped to the pot or other water container?

Does that mean he is taking the job? Perhaps, he wants to see whether they can satisfy whatever concerns he may have. Perhaps?

Hmmmm.

Interesting. I did not know that. I was under the impression that people were so grateful that he took the job.

I will forever remember screaming at my buddy during the play: Don't worry. They are going to call this back. That was a forward pass. Ugh.

Best case: Tom Brady retires and moves to Brazil with Giselle. Worst case: Right now until something changes.

I will just incorporate all of my earlier posts on the subject as if fully set forth herein.

Why are you trying to destroy my dreams of this board getting together and singing Kumbaya? In the end, you are correct.

I don't think so . . . but if it were, it would only be teeny tiny one.

I honestly never understood why he would leave a gig like Penn State. I am not a Penn State fan, but people there treated his family and him so well (especially given his one son's health issues) and considered him a hero for taking the job. He may live to regret leaving such a great job.

At least it was just the size of peas . . . unless that is a typo.

Funny. Sometimes when I read responses to some of my posts, I feel like the first word . . . .

They are publicity hounds compared to Silent Stan Kroenke.

If you are a coordinator, one good thing about working with Coughlin is that you could come on board and be groomed as the heir apparent.