BillnutinHouston

Rico, anything further?

Apparently you need to be told, flat out - you're embarrassing yourself. Just stop.

It all sounds really good and very sound. Some like Sullivan or Florio may have preferred another guy "out there", but who can argue with the principles Nix intends to implement? If he's successful in implementing his philosphies, we should be in good shape. At least now we know what the philosphies are - I take some comfort in that.

While you can argue that Ralph and Russ didn't even look outside the organization for a GM, in a sense Nix is from the outside, albeit one year removed. There is no question that ever since the Donahoe experiment blew up, Ralph is becoming increasingly insular - turning to Marv, then abandoning the GM position altogether, then going back to Nix, a known commodity. Ralph seems to have a very limited network within the league due to age, and Russ has a limited one due to his non-football background. There is hope though I think. The stale atmosphere might be mitigated somewhat if Nix removes Modrak and/or Guy and brings in some fresh blood to fill out his staff.

Sorry you don't approve of the sign thing. Is there anything else you don't approve of, just so we can all comply with your standards? What a joke.

Gotta love Ted Knight's laugh!

It is impossible for us to know the dynamics inside the war room - to know who really calls the shots. Thus, if Nix keeps Modrak and Guy I'm not sure you can say with certainty that we have a status quo guy. One thing about Ralph, he is not lacking any confidence and at the end of the day this franchise is still HIS big-boy-toy. So who really knows how much Ralph micromanages player personnel decisions? I fear he does, quite a bit.

Ah, the burning question...

Solid post.

Me likey!

I do not think Kelly has any inside knowledge about Buddy's list. But the Nix-Schottenheimer-Cowher connection is certainly interesting. I really liked Nix's interview with Chris Brown - he was adamant that he will be quick and aggressive in his coaching search. It was also interesting how he stated that if they do not land a top voach it will not be Ralph's fault. Clearly Ralph has indicated he's willing to provide whatever resources are needed to land a top coach. That's no guarantee of a major signing of course, but it eliminates a major obstacle.

Bill, did you hear how Ralph jokingly asked Brandon during the press conference whether his new title represented a promotion? To me it's clear that Ralph's intent is to allow Brandon to save face, to shield him from the football side of the operation, and to cement his role as leader of the business side of the operation. Nix is clearly in control of the football operation now. Don't get hung up on Nix reporting to Brandon, either. When it comes to football judgements, Brandon will not butt heads with Nix, and if he does it will only be in cases where business considerations override the pure football considerations (implementing a decision by Ralph).

So by your standard, guys that were never hired as a GM, or guys not currently employed as a GM, are not good choices. So the only way the Bills could have pleased you is to hire a current GM from another team. In the recent Atlanta GM hire, Nix came in second to Dimitrioff from New England. As Assistant GM in San Diego, Nix was widely credited with developing an exceptional roster. But he's still a horrible pick by your standards, right?

Thanks bro! Pay no mind to DarthIce. By the way, I get down on the Bills as much as anyone, but when you look at the announcement today objectively, you have to be positive about it. I don't so much mind the negativity around here, it's the BASELESS negativity that's really annoying.

Brandon seems to be emerging as the guy everyone loves to hate, but I think the hate is misplaced. Understandably, anyone getting a "promotion" in the Bills front office is not likely to be treated to a kind reaction these days, but anyone who seriously thinks Ralph looks to Brandon for football decisions is delusional. When Ralph referred to Brandon's new title today, he jokingly asked if the CEO title was a promotion. Clearly, the new title was all about protecting Brandon's public image and, moving forward, separating him from the football side of the house - it's not really a "promotion" in the traditional sense. Clearly, Wilson trusts Brandon on the business side of the house (and that's well deserved I think), but the move today shows that the football power in the organization has shifted clearly to Nix. The org chart may show Nix reporting to Brandon, but I seriously doubt that that structure will ever result in Brandon overruling Nix on any substantive football matter. I laugh at those who were disappointed in the Nix hiring. Calling it yet another "in-house" hire is mere semantics. The guy has roots around the league, was widely credited by football men around the NFL with having a key role in stocking the Chargers roster with talent, and only came back to the Bills a year ago. For all we know, Ralph has been monitoring Nix's level of engagement and fitness for the GM role for the last year, culminating with today's announcement. Great moves Ralph. Now, Buddy's first big challenge awaits - land us a good coach! If it's not a big name, I'm sure the knuckledraggers will be upset but I have faith that Nix knows what we need.

You do realize that "fan" is short for fanatic, right? What has Hamdan DONE to make you a fanatic?

If you make a move that rips the OC away from a division rival, and in so doing, take away Sanchez's mentor, that's a plus I guess.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't believe he's the first choice on "the list" but he is a possibility now.

Seeking greener pastures in my work life, I've had to raise my kids away from WNY. But I've made a point of ensuring that my 10 year old son is a Bills fan. We flew up for the home opener the past 2 years (amazingly, both Bills wins), he has all the gear (including a Willis McGahee fathead in his bedroom), and watches with me every Sunday via Sunday Ticket. One highlight was being able to capture his image on the RWS scoreboard (thus the avatar) - I got lucky at the stadium and got a heads-up from the cameraman that my son would be put in the scoreboard so I had time to pull out my camera. I can't imagine raising my kid any other way, but I will admit sometimes I worry that I've put a huge anchor around his neck by bonding him to such a bad team. All he knows in his short life as a fan, is misery and disappointment. So while I feel it's my duty to pass on my love of the Bills, at the same time I worry that I'm subjecting him to a life of grief and disappointment as a fan. Here's to better times ahead for the next generation of Bills fans!

-1 Wow some of you people are really beat down beyond rational thought. If the Bills are putting on a show of pretending to try to land a big name, then fail, how is the end result a strong marketing position leading up to the season ticket sales deadline? Since when is an epic fail good marketing? Talk about a loser mentality.

I agree. I was very skeptical at first and posted that here. But after watching his broadcast overnight I was persuaded that he's sincere, well-intentioned, and put out all the right caveats/disclaimers to demonstrate he's fairly intelligent (such as, if Cowher doesn't sign it doesn't mean I was wrong - I never said he'd sign, I'm just reporting what the facts are AT THIS STAGE.) All in all it takes some connections and guts to put out what he did, when he did. I shot him an email earlier today to send him some props.

Russ as the brains behind the decisions? Doubtful. Russ as implementer and mouthpiece after the decisions are made? Yes. I think this role plays to his strengths. I agree with one thing Sal said last night - I do like the idea of Russ being the one talking to prospective new hires. His marketing background probably allows him to put the franchise's best foot forward in these conversations.

Dude, your posts make it really hard not to call names.

Assuming there's any credibiity to this source, if "the info" came from Cowher's side as opposed to the "Bills side", you have to consider motivations. Cowher's only motivation to release this info is to use the Bills as leverage with other teams.

So a guy named "Coach Sal" is breaking inside information about a very personal business affair of a multimillionaire. Got it.