bigK14094

I think the Lions are still topping up Schwartz...that is paying the difference between his bills salary and what he was making as HC. Hence, if Schwartz asks for his release....and it is granted....he will be fully paid by the Lions. A deal as good as Marrone has btw. Now, if Schwartz is passed over for HC, imho, he will ask for his release and let the new annointed guy pick his own DC......that is pickup his marbles and go home, as they say. Schwartz came here to be HC...make no mistake...in fact, I speculate that he knew about the Marrone "clause" and thought his chances were the best being the "in house" candidate for HC. Didn't you wonder about the lightning quick timing of Schwartz arrival after Pettine left? I did not understand, really, until the Marrone clause became public......anyhow, thats how I am reading the tea leaves.

Actually, Jerry Hughes was a trade.....

I think Marrone had it right to be upset with Whaley about the Sammy watkins trade....and that Pegs had it right to want to bring in somebody to oversee the football side of things....that will happen eventually imho. Anyhow, Whaley and Marrone could not coexist...and hopefully the next guy can coexist with Whaley. Marrone will likely cash in here, but, based on what I saw in Buffalo for two year, the Jets are not big winners getting Marrone. And, the Bills should make Hackett available immediately for Marrones staff in the Big Apple. Now, about this business of proving tampering. You would be surprised at the amount of data available about what is done on company phones...cell phone, landline phones etc etc. Since the Bills undoubtedly provided same, those record alone can legally be used in the search for proof. And, I speak from direct experience in somewhat similar circumstances on this matter.

A dome is inevetible....and, as I have gotten older, the cold hurts worse than it used to...I am a long time season ticket holder. (I was there to open the Ralph) I guess I can't agree with those who want it downtown, however, as the roads in and out are inadequate for an event that has a crowd of 75K. Need a venue with roads out in 4 directions......the Lake is to big an obstacle downtown. That is not the politically correct view, but a very practical view wrt the sale of game day tickets imho. Nobody wants to go to a game that takes 3 hours to get back home after its over.

Sammy attended South Fort Myers HIgh, and that is as close to Naples as it is downtown Ft Myers. Naples a pretty good city, lots going on....and Ft Myers not as bad as this comment states either.

At this point, I would not be surprised to hear that Ted Nolan was being interviewed for the Bills HC. But, Pegs will recognize, Nolan already works for him......

It certainly an interesting dynamic. The Pegula's are new to football, however, Terry Pegula has played in the big leagues in terms of managment situations. He will look around and make the decisions on his new leadership, with the advice of football people. It will come out OK....in the long term. But, within the time frame of this great defense being able to sustain and take us to a playoff....not so sure. The Bills have Schwartz for two more years by contract.....and, I guess, could hold him. But, I think the Lions are still "topping off" his salary.....and he wants to be be a HC again. So, may be all new coaching leadership in the short/medium term. Folks, I am really really tired of starting over. Will do the season tickets next year, and if they don't progress positively, I am going to dump'em!

And, Marv in KC, don't forget....he was on his second strike when he arrived in Buffalo....after three ingolorous years in KC. If Schwartz is passed over for the HC job, he will ask for his release. He wants to be a HC again, and came here with the idea of being the internal candidate when and if Marrone left. My belief is that Marrone told Schwartz about his own contract with the "out" clause, and that is why Schwartz signed up here so quickly after Pettine left. In terms of working with another new head coach.....two more years on his contract or not, I think he asks the new HC for his release, and is given that as a matter of courtesy. No new HC wants a malcontent on his staff. Finally, wanting to leave makes him still hunting for another HC gig....and he will try where he thinks the chances are the best. Also, I think he is still getting "topped off" by the Lions for the contract....he had as HC there...meaning he will get paid, even if he sits out a year. Finally, Jerry Hughes isn't the only hot commodity around.....if Schwartz hits the open market, he will get snapped up immediately, it HAS been noticed what he did in Buffalo this year. Troubles with the Lions HC gig, OK, but man knows the x's and o's for sure.......and I think he will do fine in a new HC gig if selected. See the other post above about second chance HC's.......Bellicheat, Levy example

If Schwartz is bypassed, he will leave and sign on someplace else where he thinks he might get to be HC. He will ask for his release from his contract, and the bills will oblidge him, ask you can't ask him to stay around after not giving him the job...especially if its a HC 10 yrs younger.

As fast as possible, but no faster!!! This is really good stuff!!!

Yes, some good content in the above discussion. I might differ on shades of grey here though. First of all, Brandon will not be dumped, he will land on his feet, and it might be with the Bills. His admited lack of football expertise makes him a realist....he was fine as President letting the football people handle that side. Problem is, they didn't play nice with each other all the time...and one left. Whaley does need a short leash.....and somebody to help him past his worst ideas ...provide a balance on personnel decisions and the draft. The mentor NIX is gone....and another is still needed. That doesn't make Brandon obsolete......the football mentor might come in with the title vice chairman or something like that.....If I am Pegs, I am keeping Brandon, unless somebody like Oakland and begs to interview him for President of the club. (that would be Davis jr) Now, about the HC.....I think Whaley will interview the young high flyers....and the obligatory minority candidate (I am hoping that there is one in the young high flyers), but I think he will have a tough time passing on the in house guy...Schwartz who came to the Bills hoping for this shot. He delivered big time.....you know, I wondered how Marrone attracted Schwartz to the bills staff so quickly a year ago.....and, at the time, thought the Crossman connection was the answer. (Crossman came from Schwartz staff in Detroit before joining Marrone) But, now I think that Crossman likely only made the introductions....and Marrone recruited Schwartz....and the big sell was this clause in Marrone's contract....that is Marrone told Schwartz he was likely leaving in another year, and Schwartz could be the "inside" candidate for HC! imho

Yes, Hacket will be done. I am wondering, however, about Crossman. I was against him a year ago, however, with the help of putting some studs on the special teams, things got a whole lot better. (see Booby Dixon) I would have not problem with Crossman staying at this p;oint...a change of heart from a year ago. Now, Marrone may well reach back for some of his staff (see Mike Pettine's Browns staff, D is mostly former Bills staff that were here with him) But, I think the Bills need to get the new HC...and let him do the sorting. I am thinking Schwartz should get the nod......thats why he came here imho. If he doesn't get it, he will leave, no question in my mind. He will go whereever he thinks he might have a better chance at being a HC again. Unfortunately, there are not many great Defensive Coordinators. Schwartz came in here and showed his stuff imho. Yes, the players did it, but the result was better than the prior year with Pettine.......of course...they added Spikes, Graham...but I don't think that was what tipped the scale, great adds, but didn't make the D...Schwartz scheme and attitude did that.

The rule is the NFL's version of affirmative action. I don't care about the HC race.....I care if he can coach football. OK, comply with the rule.....but the minority guys don't like coming out to Buffalo just so the Bills can get their ticket punched. I don't know a better way to insure minorities are considered, but fear that technical compliance doesn't make a candidate legit. Frankly, I would take a Martian if he gets us to the SuperBowl again.

I don't get the F Reich love here..one season as an NFL coordinator doesn't make a HC, even though Frank is long on integrity.

I am supportive of Schwartz being the HC.......I recall that Marv Levy was great with the Bills, BUT, he took a fail in a prior stint with KC. Similarily, Belicheck took a fail in Cleveland, and was all world with the Pats. So, Schwartz had a gig with the Lions, and it didn't work out. OK, lets try him and see if he learned anything last time. He sure hit the ground running here in Buffalo. So, I am A OK with Schwartz getting the job. Is there a risk, yes. Is it ad bad choice, no its not. If I were making the decision, I might do that. Of course, not all HC's succeed in their second gig......still, lets give him a shot. Unfortunately, whoever will be the head football guy for the Bills will not necessarily have a relationship with Schwartz, and these guys usually bring in their Gumba's (see Marrone, Gailey, Jauron etc etc)

If Marrone goes to the Jets, and Hackett follows....he might just regret it bigtime. Imagine, moving from EJ to Gino......yikes......make somebody want to become a 5th grade teacher!! Maybe Marrone is dumping his staff.....and starting over...no wait...he is the king of the gumba hiring. Of course, Marrone makes sense for the JEts, as he would be coming home...raised in the city.

Whaley's record spotty....no question...not great on the last two first rounders....wasted the 15 1st to try and bail out the 13 first rounder who wasn't making it. Did that with all that receiver talent on the board. I wanted Beckham to begin with. Now, he also traded Kelvin Sheppard for Jerry Hughes...and that was a home run...so I don't think he is all bad, but he has had his share of misses. Great free agent signing in Graham, but the guard from the Rams....ugh. So, his batting average isn't great. Interesting to see....I actually hate the father /son idea....not a successful configuration in my view. Doomed to fail. If Polian is coming in, not the son, please......

Whaley is also the guy who traded Kelvin Sheppard for Jerry Hughes. Sometimes you strike out, and sometimes you hit a home run.

Dareus is an all pro, the best of what you want to draft. (well, a few off field problems) None the less, no trade involving him makes sense.

Not so fast.........a great Businessman named WC Wrigley stated "In business, when two men think alike, one is unnecessary." Now, the two dougs do not always see eye to eye.....thats OK, in ANY business a difference of opionion makes an organization stronger. As long as the parties stay professional, it should work out for the better of the organization. Anyhow, I personally, hope that both Dougs stay......and, if one Doug missed on an item or two, nobody gets them all correct.(A Watkins trade up ,say, or, picking a GUMBA OC for your staff)

Wasn't Flynn here last year for three cups of coffee and then cut. If the Bills thought he was the answer, he would not have been back in Green Bay at all. I am in the Cousins camp.....get him if you can......

Just a minute, those two must be acquainted....at the very least, as they both have Steeler pedigrees! I wouldn't be sure that Cowher would result in Whaley being dumped. Especially if Cowher was upstairs from the GM position........ Theoritically, yes......but......he would not do that without Pegula's and Brandon in the picture and agreeing.....Whaley is a team player, and would not get out of line by doing that on his own. Now, they might let him make the final call, but not without serious consultations with the folks upstairs.

I listened to Marrone get interviewed by Sal C on WGR recently. On the topic of EJ, he said...that EJ was removed for a number of reasons, including the fact that he had regressed in some of the things they had been teaching him since day one. So, it wasn't just the performance, it was how he was doing it......the interview was the first time I had heard that statement on the EJ situation.

This Spikes will stay.....the only legit MLB we have. Brown, Alonso, Bradham, Rivers, Johnson....all Outside guys. I know, they say Brown was drafted to be MLB, but I am not sure...Kiko was an outside LB playing middle, and wasn't the run stuffer Spikes is.....I think spikes resigns as its good to have one legit MLB...proven, that is. I think Alonso, Bradham start outside next year, and Brown in the middle, but first injury, and Spikes is back in the middle with Brown moving outside. Assuming, of course, that Schwartz stays, definitely not a given, unfortunately.

Sammy still has issues....falls down a lot...untouched that is....don't understand what is going on there. And, he quits on routes.....sometimes, anyhow. He may be slick as whatever in practice...but, haven't seen much of that during the games. And, another problem is an OC and HC that don't believe in the vertical game. Dink and dunk...run run run.. Bills don't really target their WR's as often as other teams. Of course, we don't have a Manning or Luck pitching the rock.