BillnutinHouston

Agree on both counts. I think they went big game hunting, with Shanahan and Cowher at the top of the list. It jives with Nix's statement at his presser (which was very unique in my recollection) that the coaching search is like drafting, where you put your choices on the board and target #1 until he's no longer an option, then go to #2, etc. Shanahan was known to have wanted near full control so if you're big game hunting you DON'T fill the GM job until you have to cross Shanahan off the list. Next to Cowher, who reportedly requires less direct personnel say. And as you say, within days after visiting with Cowher, Nix gets promoted, meaning whoever they were targeting would not require full control. And Cowher has yet to come out and distance himself from the Bills job, in fact just yesterday Carucci was quoted as saying the Bills hard sell on Cowher IS ONGOING. BY DEFINITION THIS MEANS HE HASN'T SAID NO. This could fall in either direction still, but I stand by my belief that as of today the Bills are still hunting big game and taking steps in the right order to make the spot as attractive as possible to their targets. Assuming that their initial decision to go "big game hunting" was the right move, I have no complaints with the tactics they are using to date.

Trying to entice Cowher to come to Buffalo by touting TSW regulars as ideal matches for Cowher's daughter = overplaying your hand, big time. You always try to negotiate from a position of STRENGTH.

Another card falls in our favor. Has there ever been a case where so many variables outside of the Bills' control have fallen into place the way we would want? Look at the coaching decisions made by the Bucs, Browns, Panthers, Texans, Titans, Bears, Seahawks (I think)... It's almost like, fate.

I really hated the Maybin pick. I think Buddy's point is, a pick like that will either make you look really smart or really dumb. We know what the early indication is. Even the reporter who recently interviewed him seemed to be taken aback about how seemingly unaware he is of how disappointed most fans are about his performance so far.

The article was old but I personally hadn't seen the video before. Was interesting that Schefter said Ralph is willing to spend whatever it takes. That was new to me.

Passing time here guys... Simply based on his comments about a head coach and Aaron Maybin, I get the idea that Buddy's approach to this new GM gig is to go with what he thinks are low-risk, "sure things", to the extent that those options are available to him. Paraphrasing here - in relation to the coaching search he said something very interesting, "it works like the draft - you rank your guys, and pursue them in order. They are either in or get out..." And, "I think guys that have been head coaches probably have an advantage." Sounds to me like even before any interviews, he has a good idea of who he wants, and is going after them in order. That means known commodities - anyone off the radar screen won't get a shot. So the chronology of the interviews is telling: Cowher (previous HC), then Frazier. And I suspect college coaches are out entirely (too risky), as are HC retreads that he for whatever reason doesn't think he can get along with or just doesn't like, like Billick, Fassel and Haslet. In regard to Maybin, he said, paraphrasing, "you normally don't like to take one-year wonders - they can get you in trouble." Again, in a high stakes (early round) selection you go with the sure thing, proven with consistent on-the-field production. Anyone else have a similar read? At least it's not another Cowher thread.

Ignoring who Nix is TRYING to hire, and crucifying him for who he MIGHT hire. Wow this coaching search has really brought out the worst in the fan base.

Agreed - proven idiots deserve to be banned.

Interesting. Funny too how Chris Brown is treating this. Totally silent on reports, rather interesting ones with direct Carucci quotes in it, that the Bills are still actively pursuing Cowher, yet Chris goes out of his way today to post two stories about Bills brass in Minneapolis, and another story about Brian Schottenheimer.

Interesting point. But then you need to look at the motive of the guy leaking to him. What's the angle of "the leaker"? If anything this leak puts Ralph on the spot. Assuming Cowher's agent isn't leaking to Joe Blow in East Aurora (that would be a real cloak and dagger move on their part), why would someone from the Bills side leak info that is damaging to Ralph?

Just one small problem with your post. You are assuming Joe Logan's info. is legit.

Schefter's twitter: "A high-ranking Bucs official insisted tonight that his team is not, has not, and will not pursue Bill Cowher this off-season." "Bucs official said any claims that team has pursued or talked with Cowher are 'categorically false.' Raheem Morris will be HC in 2010." Link

I like how the word salary is capitalized in his message. A real pro he is...

What's e3 ?

Yea, I can just imagine some WNY furniture buyers getting off the plane to the glare of TV cameras and wondering what kind of sting they walked into.

Unfortunately, we can be sure that there will be NO local media sniffing around to see if any Bills brass emerge from the plane.

We are all slowly losing our minds over this thing...

Fun to think about anyway. I would seriously consider getting in for 5 G's, if my wife OK'd it, just so I could say I owned the Bills.

You have to admit, the Bflo-Detroit-NC connection that this particular plane has, is kind of coincidental at this particular time.

FWIW, a link to the flight info. Is this "flying coach"?

Checked bb.com - Chris Brown has posted an article about Brian Schottenheimer responding to questions about the Buffalo vacancy, but nothing about the Bills still working on Cowher. Funny.

So you bust out your first post with a low self-esteem ("No respectable coach wants to come to Buffalo") rant?

One approach to this, if you wanted to keep things "stealth", is to fly into an airport that the media would not expect you to use.