timtebow15

Yes, I see this as another hit on the whole organization including Whaley. When Rex floated the idea of bringing his brother in, let alone a real organization today should never allow nepotism, considering his poor defensive record someone should have had the wisdom and/or balls to say heck NO! If Whaley already didn't like the job Rex was doing he never should have allowed it. And Pegula should have been smarter than that. Honestly, how many people even on this board thought that would work out well? You don't have to be a football insider or expert to know that was a stupid idea!

I think there's a lot here for both sides. Those arguing the Bills Front Office is not dysfunctional have a lot of history working against them. There have been a lot of odd things going on and the team is mired in mediocrity. It could be worse...it would be nice to have a team like Green Bay to root for that don't make you want to hit your head against the wall so often. The media overblows some things. For example, the organizational chart doesn't have to look a certain way but the way in which decisions are made should be productive. Leaks at high levels, seemingly passive-aggressive behavior, lack of trust and power struggles appear to be part of the Bills issues and certainly give the media lots to write about.

This whole thread was in response to reports that Lynn was not happy with Whaley and having second thoughts about working for him. If it is a complete fabrication by the media it doesn't matter. What Whaley said about the decision didn't fit Lynn's version and I could see how that could potentially bother him.

That was excellent insight and plausibly explains many things. Let's hope Whaley makes the right call and has learned from some of his personnel mistakes too. I hope he remains on the same page with the new coach and we actually implement a coherent plan because the last few years have been odd. If not, we are in for yet another complete overall soon.

So you think the reporting about Lynn not being happy with the press conference is just made up entirely?

Ah, I think the Bills have had coaches who wanted to be here. Rex couldn't have wanted it more. The ones who know how to win are the ones second guessing if they can win here.

The guy is having a hernia operation...they could have just said they didn't want to make the injury worse or they wanted to evaluate EJ since they were freaking eliminated from the playoffs! The point is they could have predicted some basic questions and answered them intelligently.

What other real option do they have unless they really want to go into full rebuild? If Whaley doesn't bring back Taylor as a stop gap to whoever else they can develop he really is a poor GM. Unless we get Romo or some other surprise but I can't imagine what that could be.

Everything sounds fishy...for example, if it was "our decision" how could he not know why they decision was made? That makes no sense. It was "our decision" but he wasn't in the room when the decision was made? That was Lynn trying to be a team player. Then Whaley contradicted his version by saying he was consulted. Doesn't make Lynn look good. Avoiding the question is not the same as contradicting someone else. Yes, whatever it is we are much worse at it and perhaps it doesn't matter if you make the playoffs every year!

It seems to me Whaley knows this is his last shot to pick the right coach which makes him hope for a safer candidate than Lynn who really has a short resume. In the process, and combined with his poor handling of the narrative around One Bills Drive, he is scaring away more qualified head coaching candidates. And watching this Lynn begins to realize hitching his wagon to the Whaley train may not be very wise. It looks like Whaley may not end up with a lot of options. Is it too late to let Polian make these big decisions including who should be GM?

Lynn said he wasn't in on the decision to bench Taylor the last game, essentially he was told it was happening. Whaley said he was involved in the discussion. The way it was presented both versions couldn't be correct. Perhaps explained better it wouldn't have been so bad but it sure sounded like Whaley contradicted Lynn's version.

Unsure if everyone is assuming a candidate whose GM just accused him of lying would make him leery of taking a head coaching job or if Lynn is really upset with the press conference. Putting myself in Lynn's position I would be pissed. I had that happen before where a supervisor made it appear I was in on a decision I had no input on. It makes you ask yourself f they are willing to lie about that than what else are they willing to lie about. I'm guessing Lynn would rather find a better option but many of the other teams looking for coaches are dysfunctional as well. I think some of these coaches are getting smarter and realizing they only get a couple of chances at the highest level jobs and have to be successful. They are less likely to take an offer just because there are only so many jobs. Coaches are fired so quickly now you have to be much more careful plus many of these candidates are younger and have more time. I wouldn't take a job with a GM or head coach (as a coordinator) I suspected is in over his head, is not trustworthy and may be let go soon because if you look bad in the process your record is tarnished too. Whaley is building a reputation of not getting along with coaches and doing/saying whatever is necessary to save his own skin - I wouldn't want to take a head coaching job with the Bills right now if I thought I'd eventually get a better chance for success.

Who knows if this is true but it seems like Lynn is in Taylor's corner and it appears Taylor is getting the feeling someone is not in his corner who you think would have to be Whaley. I am really thinking Whaley is the problem here...not all these coaches are perfect but hasn't Whaley had a poor relationship with about four of them now? At least Lynn had the offense operating somewhat successfully. Looks like we are starting from scratch yet again. I really would have liked to see what Schwartz would have done with the team. But Whaley must not have liked him either!

In my opinion it's a pretty average roster. The teams with good rosters easily beat us the past two years. We only really beat some other average teams and some really weak teams. Plus we used up a lot of cap space; still have QB questions and have an aging roster with a lot of holes to fill. I give Whaley a C or C+ grade so far. Whaley certainly has been humbled in a few major areas and let's hope he's learned from that. The Manuel admission for example. Most evaluators said he was a project that might never correct his accuracy flaws to be a consistent NFL QB and that's exactly what he was. As a GM how could you not have a real plan B, C and D for that player at that position? Instead we were scrambling around with Orton and others and he doesn't seem to like Taylor who has been better than most QBs we've thrown out there the past decade. We can only hope a humbled Whaley learns from his mistakes and takes advantage of his real chance to get it right with less interference than in the past. I just don't think that's going to happen.

Let's hope Brandon really was the core of the problem.

It actually sounded like that's what they did last time except that meathead Brandon ran in and told them not to let Ryan leave the building! And Whaley didn't have the brains or the guts to say, what a second, didn't he just coach the only team we've been able to trounce the past two years! Pegulas hired Ryan but they were sold him by somebody or somebodies at the time judging from all the comments and everyone, especially Brandon, trying to take credit for the hiring.

He doesn't have to get every decision correct but it would be nice to see some improvement. It looks like we will find out. My feeling is we will get worse instead of better due to the cap issue, roster status, handling of recent drafts and ability to attract a good coaching staff. I hope I am wrong. At least we lost a meaningless game that improved our draft position 5 spots a round. Hopefully that helps a little.

Just another example of poor decision-making is all. Are you really going to argue that the Bills front office has been functional the past decade - or that they just aren't as dysfunctional as people are saying. You are probably right...they aren't Cleveland Browns dysfunctional but I don't see playoffs in our future any time soon. I would LOVE to be surprised.

How come he gets to walk away from every bad decision? He was in Manuel's camp all along and admitted as much. Most teams had Lawson way lower because of injury...you trade down and draft him later...if he's gone you draft someone who can actually play (when was the last time you saw a team draft a top 10 player they knew wouldn't play due to injury?). There are positions you never (rarely) trade up for because you can get quality later and that is RB, WR, LB, S and TE. It's not like they were going out to get Calvin Johnson. Especially that year as it was deep at the WR position.

Now that makes sense. Too bad Whaley didn't just say that! All he had to say was something like "That was a private conversation best left private....the result is that I'm tasked with finding a new coach" instead of all this privy talk and acting like he's not in control of anything. I agree with you...Whaley is not some dummy and there are worse coaches than Rex Ryan (we've had some). I just don't think they'll ever consistently win or be able to beat solid teams or excellent organizations (I get tired of watching NE).

He's missed on the most important issues...Manuel, trading away picks we can't afford to lose on Watkins (good WRs to be had later in that draft), drafted a 1st round pick this year, told everyone he didn't need surgery and he's out for the year...and who would have picked Ryan for a head coach? Whoever was in on that decision is guilty...the Jets were the only team we could beat soundly and we grab their coach!!! A team with a top 5 D and poor O goes for a D coach who is going to change the scheme! That was a stupid decision from the beginning...you never make a hire based largely on an interview - you make it based on experience and philosophy. There was nothing about Rex Ryan that said he would suddenly become a good coach. We got exactly what we should have know we were getting...a outdated coach who would punt with 4 minutes left when neither defense could stop the others offense all day. You are right - we aren't Browns horrible...we are mediocre and I can't see anything more than that in our future.

You said it much more succinctly than I!

Yes....you can't blame the media for Whaley's comments. Just using the term "not privy" over and over was ridiculous. Of course the media will pile on. One of the biggest concerns is no one seems to trust each other. Lynn says he was informed of the Taylor decision and then Whaley throws him under the bus by saying he was consulted at the end. Obviously Lynn doesn't feel consulted. Someone is lying here and a good GM wouldn't have gone there at all. I suspect Lynn and Whaley won't be getting along shortly. Has Whaley earned the trust of any of the head coaches he's worked with? He's just not a quality GM judging by the various evidence.

They are indicative of his weaknesses. You are correct in that if his draft board and pro personnel evaluations were excellent it wouldn't matter. But their not. The EJ Manuel comment had nothing to do with press conference skills - that was admitting horrible judgment. The salary cap situation has nothing to do with his press conference skills. Has he made a few good moves? Yes. Has he made many more mistakes. Yes!

The media sucks in general. It's no different anywhere but the Bills are horrible at controlling the conference. If you don't have a functional organization it gets worse and worse. Its the same for every dysfunctional organization that let's the media control the narrative. You would think the Pegulas with their business experience would know better.