Peter

Anthony Lynn knows what happened behind the scenes. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do. Nevertheless, it appears that ownership is more interested in him than Doug Whaley is.

Given that Anthony Lynn came to the Bills with Rex and it has now been reported that he was elevated to interim HC based on Rex's recommendation, it does not surprise me that Joe C has tweeted that Whaley is not excited about Lynn. I know many here will disagree with me on this, but I think that one of the reasons Whaley did not like Rex is that he was under his shadow (given the differences in personality and cache around the league). I seriously doubt that Whaley wants to hire as the permanent head coach someone that has been tied to Rex. Similarly, I do not see Whaley wanting to hire someone like Coughlin given that Whaley likely would be under his shadow as well. Whaley (by necessity or design) likely will recommend someone like some of these guys who have been mentioned (Sean McDermott, Joseph, Teryl Austin, Harold Goodwin). Each of these guys would not cast a shadow over DW and they are guys that the Bills could get and would be beholden to Doug Whaley.

Be careful what you wish for . . . you just might get it . . . . Vic's reporting about how the Bills' HC job is now viewed around the league and Anthony Lynn's second thoughts are both incredibly depressing and sadly predictable. Ugh.

Wow.

Thank you. I appreciate it. Happy New Year.

Thanks guys!

I think that Sullen and Bucky have taken him under their wing.

If this is true, it is interesting. I could think of reasons whey DW would not want AL and reasons why AL may want to move on. At this point, who knows.

Believe it or not, this bit ("Get over it") did not sway me to your side of your crusade.

If I recall correctly, Sal said this morning that Bucky asked that question.

A few questions? (1) Where do you guys go for recipes? I have some Chef Steps recipes on the Joule app, but I was wondering if there were other sources that you guys like. (2) What do you look for in pre-packed food to confirm that it is ok to cook in that plastic? (3) Are there any particular food items that you like in which you find the original plastic package is safe to cook in? (4) Which brand of sous vide bags do you recommend (for those times when the Ziplock bags are not appropriate)? Thanks guys for all of the help and advice. You and me both brother . . . ugh.

I also have wondered about this. Do the Pegulas have more or less confidence in DW after yesterday? What does it say that both Terry and Kim were made available to JW and SC after the PC? We can all draw our own conclusions. Time will tell.

It does not surprise me that DW does not have TC on his list.

I simply disagree for all of the reasons why I have stated whether you think it is logical or fallacious etc. Brandon could be a guy, but I view him and DW as somewhat joined at the hip. Whether Whaley has been benefited by undermining the HC or whether he looks good if Rex is the one whom ownership believes is at fault? The questions answer themselves. To the extent ownership was going to blame anyone, there would be essentially two choices on the football side: (1) the GM/FO; or (2) the HC. In the end, ownership decided to place the blame on option 2. Clearly, this benefited those who otherwise could be blamed (option 1). We disagree as to how ownership got to that point. So be it. In the end, Doug Whaley has his job and his influence and power have (reportedly) increased. After yesterday, I am more concerned than before. I do not know what is worse - DW working to undermine Rex with ownership and the media (my view) or the narrative that is being pushed that DW had little to do with either the hiring or firing and did not care to know the reasons why the NFL coach of his team had been fired. As for whether the leaks undermined the team and Rex, I linked an interview with Felton in another post. Whoever leaked to the media (particularly LaCanfora) undermined the team according to Felton. I really, really hope that I am either wrong about Whaley or that he goes through a transformation. I also hope that what has happened does not limit us in our coaching search. I have way to much invested in this team - both emotionally and financially. Ultimately, I really hope that I am wrong and all of the guys who wanted Rex fired and have fallen in love with Doug Whaley are correct. You can now respond and get in the last word. We just disagree. You and I are not going to be able to convince each other otherwise. It is ok to have a difference of opinion.

I am glad that you can be so definitive. The guy went on about completing each other's sentences. Now, we are to believe that this was all done against his will or some other narrative. You believe what you want to believe. I disagree. Nevertheless, Doug owns it all now. Good luck to Darcy . . . I mean Doug.

With respect, I do not agree that Whaley was not all in on the initial hire. He even went out of his way to say how they completed each other's sentences. This is kind of like people pushing the idea that Whaley was not all in on drafting EJ in the first round - at least until people were reminded of a video where Whaley suggests otherwise.

As some would have it, Doug was on a vacation in the Himalayan mountains when the Pegulas hired Rex behind his back.

I appreciate all of the responses. I am back at work today after spending at least two days on this board going back and forth on these issues with many of you guys. Simply stated, we disagree on Rex and whether he is being judged fairly. The people who are anti Rex seem to post most often and I have responded when I have had time (and in some case, when I did not have time). I would just refer you guys to my prior posts on the subject where I have not been shy about expressing my views. I appreciate those that have taken these seriously and in the spirit with which they were written. Whether you agree with me or not, my views in a nutshell for the reasons I previously have stated in multiple posts: 1) I do not think Rex was fairly treated (depth of injuries, suspensions, QB play, etc.); 2) I do believe that Doug Whaley undermined the coach (and the team) for the reasons previously stated; 3) I have lost confidence in Doug Whaley as a General Manager even though I previously defended him and did not like how much we gave up for Sammy or where we chose EJ in the draft (realizing there is debate about this issue) and now being reminded that Fred Jackson said that Doug was the only person in the organization who was not honest with him; I think Doug Whaley is a pretty good evaluator of college football players, but I currently do not see him as a leader or someone on whom a hot coaching candidate will want his success to depend; 4) I believe that we are likely to get a new head coach who is not in demand etc. unless the Pegulas make some changes and/or overpay. As others around the country have pointed out, the Bills job appears to be the least desirable opening. I find that depressing especially in comparison to Jacksonville; 5) I love the Pegulas and forever will be thankful for what they have done with the Bills, Sabres, and Buffalo -- even though I disagree with this decision and think that they are listening to the wrong guy; 6) As someone else said, this is porn for guys like Sullen, Bucky, Mike H. and certain other Buffalo media. I have little respect for them and I think Sullen and Bucky's personal enmity toward Terry and Kim Pegula undermines many of the points that they try to make. I do not take either seriously. Nevertheless, yesterday was a cluster f*&k and a sad day for the Buffalo Bills. I hope I am wrong about a lot of things. I hope that: 1) Doug Whaley grows into being a General Manager and a leader of this football team; 2) Whaley did not undermine the former coach with ownership and leaks to the media; 3) Whaley does not undermine the future coach; 4) The Bills are as close as Whaley says; 5) The Bills are able to hire an outstanding coach; 6) Some of the guys on defense are not as (how shall we say) mentally challenged or lazy as some seem to be: 7) Buffalo Bills defenders learn how to tackle between now and next season; 8) Next year, we are not talking about 18 years and counting . . . . Go Bills! Happy New Year to each of you.

Thank you for taking the post seriously and what you stated in your response. I really appreciate it.

Actually, you have illustrated the point that I was making - much of the Rex criticism is "simplistic" because it does not consider other factors. Your response begins to now consider other factors. For example, if we did not have the depth of injuries etc., we would have had a better record. It makes a difference when your "best" players and the leaders of your team are hurt and unable to play or when your highest paid defensive player is suspended or out of shape (or is not smart enough to learn the playbook). Or, if we had "Tom Brady" (or a top third QB), we would have a better record. But hey, let's just blame it all on the HC, not consider the injuries and suspensions, and pretend that all is going to be better now that Rex is gone and Doug Whaley is in charge.

There is no need to do any adjustments. How the Bills defense did against these common opponents (with players ranked lower by PFF) is telling. Once again, I have nothing against Schwartz, and I would not even bring him up but for the narrative pushed by the anti Rex brigade that Rex ruined Schwartz's defense. People made this point incessantly without consideration to any outside factors ( injuries, suspensions, Mario going on strike, etc.)

I keep making this point because when I read all of the criticism from the anti Rex brigade, there is no consideration given to injuries, suspensions, QB play etc. Given that he was the only supposed impediment (because no-one wants to consider anything else apparently), we apparently should be competing for Super Bowls now that Rex is gone. It is a very simple point and should be easy to understand. My original post responded to this. What could be more apples to apples than common opponents. There is no need to do any "adjustments." Game over. They do and they were in my original post on the subject. I was responding to your post that claimed that the Browns were the only common opponent that the Bills' defense out performed the Eagles.

Seahawks, Bengals, Ravens, and Browns, but hey, don't let a point that you can make out of context hold you back. Based on what you and others have written, Rex was the only impediment to the Bills going to the Super Bowl with our 11-5 roster. Now that he is gone, I fully expect that we will be competing for Super Bowls for years to come beginning next season.

I could only see him being the one only if he was doing it at the bidding of someone else. I doubt it is him because he knows the Pegulas butter his bread and he would not want to lose his job. He also would not seem to have a dog in this fight. My guess (without knowing) is that he enjoyed working with Rex in comparison to how Doug Whaley treated him so horribly and so horribly in public in front of the media. It truly was awful.

I really hope that I do not have that empty feeling when we hired Gregg Williams (and some of the others).