[Bills are placing franchise tag on S Jairus Byrd.]

We may end up with Reinhart as the starting left guard, worse things could happen.

[Jon Gruden's Quarterback Camp participants]

Despite his troubles at Oakland, I wish the Bills had McClain.

[Tom Brady's Sissy Kick]

I watched the replay on ESPN. Despite not being a Brady fan, I didn't find the leg movement anything different than a straight arm. this was a straight leg, and potentially kepts Ed Reed from hitting him "by accident" Lot of smoke here, no fire.

[Pro Bowl Bills - Spiller, Williams, Byrd]

Pro bowl, ho hmmm.....

[Here's how you spend 130 million on the Ralph]

I like #12, roofs for entrance. I had to hold my new iphone out in the rain this year so I could get "wanded" before entering the game. I was told at that time I should be greatful they ask me to do this, as the wand would damage my iphone. Who knew! Wanding damages electronic devices.....hmmmm....sounds like they need to work on that one.

[my skepticism]

I am also sckeptical. I learned how to put a team of doers together in the business world. I understand he brought in a lot a guys he knew, because he had a connection with them, especially from a communication point of view. BUT, he has made two mistakes in my view. 1) No holdovers from the old staff. HIS team will lack a lot in terms of knowing the relevant background of the players. He should have retained a couple of the old staff based on merit. For example, Bruce Dehaven would have made sense to me, even Pete Metzlars. But, he brought in a special teams coach from Detroit with subpar results. Reminds me of the Wade Phillips/ronnie Jones fiasco of a decade ago. 2) I learned through verious transitions and assembling teams, a difference of opionion is a good thing, I worry all his gumba's on this staff will not push his thinking. Seriously thinking about not renewing my season ticket package, not sure this guy can get it done. HIs organizational moves have been weak in my view. Likely another three and out regime, don't know why I should pay to see that.

[Bills hire Jim O'neil]

I would hope a few of last years coaches are retained. thinking DeHaven, Metzlars maybe. A little organizational memory is a good thing, despite the performance failures of the past. The emotional urge to get rid of them all is best surpressed. I felt the same way when Kugler left to the Steelers. Or, go get Boobby April for special teams, again.

[Bills hire Mike Pettine of the Jets as DC???]

If the Bills go back to the 3x4 I will be giving up my 4 season tickets. that would represent the height of incompetence...we just restructured the personnel to the 4x3. You might say the new guy gets to make his call on that, and he does. And, I get to make the call on the money for the season tickets.

[Bills need LBs.... No problem]

Urlacher is a step or two slower these days. but, he has the big rep.

[Kyle Williams has same foot injury as last year]

Actually, its plausible. So, I am hoping he gets healthy again. He is a beast when right.

[Mike McCoy + Vick/A.Smith]

No to Vick, a lowl character guy. I hear all the preaching about he paid his debt to society, and deserves a chance. Not from me. My four season tickets will be available if they do this. Won't pay to see a that guy play. Besides, I saw him in the Ralph with Atlanta, and was not impressed. We need to do better.

[Bills coach search update]

I can't agree with you more! I've always had a real genius for reading people. I can identify character and he has what it takes to be successful. Very smart - and that is so much a necessity in our division. He reminds me of a Bellicheck, actually.

Just listen to a few interviews. He uses the right words to clearly and concisely communitcate, and he speaks very fast, which reflects how quickly he thinks. And he believes you have to build your offense around personnel! We need that FLEXIBILITY to be open to finding ways that work in defeating Bellicheck.

 

 

 

He's actually (Chip Kelly) of the opinion that you need to base your offense on your personnel. And, just because they are a fast offense, doesn't mean it doesn't play good in the cold outdoors. I love the idea of having a team that is OVERPREPARED, that has practiced MUCH harder than everyone else, and is putting the defense on its toes. BTW - another thing Chip said, paraphrasing, is preparation is the key to success. I've heard that mantra spoken before, but you see it working in places like Denver and N.E. - where dominant personalities push everyone else to be as committed.

He can prepare as much as he wants, but he must stay within the hours perscribed by the NFL players union contract. So much for the preparation argument. Everybody gets the same amount of practice time. No more extra sessions etc.

 

I can't agree with you more! I've always had a real genius for reading people. I can identify character and he has what it takes to be successful. Very smart - and that is so much a necessity in our division. He reminds me of a Bellicheck, actually.

Just listen to a few interviews. He uses the right words to clearly and concisely communitcate, and he speaks very fast, which reflects how quickly he thinks. And he believes you have to build your offense around personnel! We need that FLEXIBILITY to be open to finding ways that work in defeating Bellicheck.

 

 

 

He's actually (Chip Kelly) of the opinion that you need to base your offense on your personnel. And, just because they are a fast offense, doesn't mean it doesn't play good in the cold outdoors. I love the idea of having a team that is OVERPREPARED, that has practiced MUCH harder than everyone else, and is putting the defense on its toes. BTW - another thing Chip said, paraphrasing, is preparation is the key to success. I've heard that mantra spoken before, but you see it working in places like Denver and N.E. - where dominant personalities push everyone else to be as committed.

He can prepare as much as he wants, but he must stay within the hours perscribed by the NFL players union contract. So much for the preparation argument. Everybody gets the same amount of practice time. No more extra sessions etc.

[If I'm a HC candidate and I look at the Bills, what do I see?]

A challenge to anybody who relishes that kind of problem. A team that doesn't know how to win. That IS a skil, and is know to winners. We haven't seen that since the glory days.

[Ken Whisenhunt for HC?]

Ken Whisenhunt?

 

Who dreams up this crap! Why would the Bills fire a mediocre head coach (Gailey) for another proven loser?

 

Has anybody seen how bad Arizona played under Whisenhunt? This is total madness.

 

The next idiot idea would be to hire Jim Haslett as head coach.

Well, I did see the Cardinals in the Superbowl with Wisenhunt...so I guess not always mediocre! And, there are worse ideas than Haslet, but, admittedly, Jim was not the brightest bulb in the string when he was here.

[How would moneyball work in Football?]

That's certainly true. But it's inarguable that some teams spend it smarter than others.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Yes, but remembering the Jason Peters case, the Bills were very smart. Peters was locked up for three years.....but he decided that he wouldn't play for the paltry 3 mill/year he signed for, as he was an all pro. So, he held out, and forced the trade to Philly (hows that working out btw) Andhow, they had him, and he choose not to honor the contract. Lots of cases like this in football. I am thinking that moneyball won't work particularily well in the non contract compliance envieonment that is the current NFL.

[Why Brandon will get the best coach here.]

Whatley's participation in selecting the coach is critical, since he is heir apparent at GM. that would mean, to a prospective coach, that he might survive the change in Leadership there if he gets a winning season and Whatley gets the brass ring. BUT, the gorilla in the room is Ralph Wilson's health. When the Bills are sold, the new owner will want his people in place, and Brandon, Whatley etc etc can go out the window in a heartbeat. So, despite the prestige of the NFL head coaching job, there is the air of instability in the situation that will argue against a first choice coach taking the job. Be prepared for the possibility that the Bills will be disappointed wrt their first or second choices.

[watch the press conference]

No local TV. Sports desks don't have the juice to break into the Rose Parade, bowl games, etc. Typical small town situation.

[Russ Brandon named President/CEO]

YES....As long as two things take place:

 

Brandon properly delegates to the "football men" to make the decisions THEY want. Not that he has to rubber stamp everything. But allows them to "do their jobs", if you will

 

and

 

Mr. Wilson keeps to his promise not to meddle or override them.

 

I have LITTLE confidence either one of these two conditions will be met.

Actually, Mr Wilson tried this once before, with Tom Donahue. Didn't work that time, as Mr Wilson booted him out after a few years (rightfully so, by the way) If Ralph lives so long (I wish him the best) and Brandon fails, he will also get the boot. So, the concern mentioned above is real, and actually good, since we need Mr Wilson to boot Brandon if he doesn't do the job.

[Would you accept Fitz in a backup role if he restructures contract?]

Fitz will start somewhere in the NFL next season. If not Buffalo, somewhere else. Mark my words. IF I were a betting man, I would take odds on Arizona. He lives there, and might take a haircut on his $10mil to play there. Lord knows he can't be worse than what they have as a QB.

[Russ Brandon named President/CEO]

EWWWWW!!!

this makes some sense to me, although I don't like. Brandon is not a football mind, and should not be fooling with that side of the business. (President or not) Having said that, IF I was planning to have Buddy around a little while longer, and have, say, Whatley take over. AND, I wanted to have Whatley report to Brandon at that time. AND, I wanted to avoid an racial overtones when the change is made, I would have Nix report to Brandon until he is gone, and his replacement Whatley then automatically reporting to Brandon. It would be bad optics to make the promotion and change of reporting at the same time. Anyhow, thats in the for what its worth category.

[Lovie Smith for HC!]

No way

[So the next coach.....]

I don't have the stomach for this anymore.

[Peter king says Chan gone on Monday...]

In his camp tours he always spent time w/ Brandon. If I had to bet, it would be him.

Brandon doesn't seem like the most probable leak source. As team president, he likely has the ability to keep his mouth shut. Even if Gailey is being fired, he deserves to hear it first from his management, not from the media. these leaks are really low class in terms of treating people right.

[CJ Spiller finishes 8th in NFL in rushing...some amazing stats]

CJ had a great season and is a great talent. But, I did notice, the Jets in a loosing effort did stop CJ in the running game...check out the stats.

 

My recollection is that Jason Peters attitude went bad after making the pro bowl. Not so sure I care if our guys get that recognition after that experience.

[Schefter: Nix Leaning Safe]

Voicing a minority opinion, I think Galley has a chance of staying if he dumps his buddy Wanny, and gets a good D coordinator. The offense is much better than the Jauron years (how soon we forget those offenses that were 31st in the league) The D is much worse, totally mismanaged. Wanny doesn't have the modern NFL mentality, and we need a stong 4-3 coordinator. Could come down this way...at least it would not surprise me. Of course, it would not surprise me if both Nix and Gailey were fired. The meetings in Detroit this week will determine their fate, and if Chan has a plan, he might get one more crack. Just thinkin out loud. Been watching this stuff for decades, and I remember Ralph keeping Harvey Johnson. Anything is possible here.