jahnyc

The Gray situation makes no sense, particularly when the news media is reporting that he is one of the leading contenders for HC. Is Marv going to live in Buffalo? This new structure does not make a lot of sense to me; I can understand MM's concerns about it and the ability to attract coordinators and staff into this kind of a situation. MM ends up looking okay because the Bills wanted to retain him and he was not fired.

I think you have really hit on one of the most important (if not the most important) situation facing the Bills during this offseason: how do we know if JP can be the guy next year (and after)? Clearly, there will be little patience with JP; if he starts he will need to perform. I think the Bills should bring in a veteran QB other that KH and let JP and the veteran compete for the starting job. The team needs to win now.

I really think a fresh start was needed with the head coach as well. If you know that you have a great head coach, changing the assistants makes sense. If you have no idea how good a head coach you have, making these types of changes make little sense. While I like Marv, I hope this does not result in Marv becoming HC if the team stumbles at the start of next season.

I understand, but if you fire MM next year, the team will be eating the costs of the new assistants that are not retained next year when the new coach want to hire his own assistants. MM is one of the lowest paid coaches in the NFL. Eating the last three years of his contract would not be significant compared to what other teams have been willing to do with much more highly compensated head coaches. Plus MM would likely find other employment, which would offset these amounts.

I don't understand firing all of these assistant coaches and the coordinators and keeping MM. 1. MM has not show much as HC. This is not Parcells. Can it really be suggested that the poor play of the offense and the defense was somehow not related to MM's performance as HC (i.e., it was the fault of the assistant coaches)? Makes no sense to me. 2. What coordinator or assistant coach would come to Buffalo knowing that MM was almost fired and could be replaced next year (possibly by Levy)? 3. Were all of the defensive assistants not up to par? I know the defense had a poor year, but do you wipe away the two years prior when the defense performed well?

Too much stuff has happened. If Clements is gone and possibly Jerry Gray and other assistant coaches as well, who will want to be on MM's staff with so many other openings available and so much uncertainty in Buffalo? What free agent will be interested in Buffalo under these circumstances, particularly after considering MM's problems with some veterans this year (Adams, Moulds and McGahee)? What about the players? They seemed to question play calling and other decisions (i.e., the qb situation). With the MM decision playing out so publicly and it being clear that he was almost fired, I am not sure how he can be brought back with any confidence. This situation is bizarre.

Depressed as well. We really needed TD to work out in Buffalo for the fans and for stability of the franchise. I don't like what I am hearing. While the departures of TD and MM may be justified, I am concerned about the aftermath. If RW is willing to give huge signing bonuses to free agents, what is the problem with spending what it takes on good management and coaching? Will anyone of quality want to be GM knowing that RW wants to reassert his control?

I am not sure what is true and what is not, but some of the tidbits of information are very interesting. If RW really did push MM on the hiring of Roll to eventually replace Rusty Jones, then RW is much more aware of the current state of things than I suspected. Maybe Marv, who I think lives in Chicago (where Rusty ended up), helped with this. I also like that RW seems to be asking a lot questions. That is a good sign. The only thing that does not make sense is retaining/elevating Modrak (or even that Modrak is interested in being GM under these circumstances). How does this guy escape any responsibility for the TD era?

You don't promote within (at least with regard to those that are responsible for the football side of things) after five years of terrible play. These are the people that you purge.

If you want a HC with experience, I think Jauron will be a much better HC the second go around. He is only interim HC in Detroit (I think). He is smart and I think RW knows him and likes him.

1. Many coaches are being fired, but fewer GMs seem to be leaving. Assuming that Modrak is not taking over for TD, maybe we can attract a strong GM candidate to Buffalo without much competition. Obviously there are many factors that affect the attractiveness of the overall situation (i.e., whether the new GM can replace MM), but I hope we start fresh with a new GM from outside the organization. 2. Most important, the new GM must determine if JP is the qb of the present and future. If it is unclear, then there needs to be competition at qb, and I mean more than just KH. If there are doubts, we cannot let next year be another wasted year. 3. Franchise NC. Even if the Bills decide they don't want him next year. Try to trade him, and get at least a second or a third. 4. Keep Adams. It will be nearly impossible to find two DTs this offseason that are competent starters. Draft a NT in round one or two and team them up with Adams next year. 5. Whatever the status of MM, the new GM needs to make sure that certain assistant coaches know that they are wanted in Buffalo (i.e., April). 6. Get a back-up RB. Few starting RBs play every game in a season. 7. And finally the most obvious point: fix the o-line. Hoping for the best.

TD, maybe MM, but who else? Is John Guy good in his position (idrector of player personnel)? What about the scouting department? Our best draft under TD was the first. Was this with the old group of scouts? Did TD replace many or all of Butler's scouts? Do we need to overhaul this group as well? In terms of assistant coaches, if MM stays, how can Clements continue as OC with MM calling the plays? I assume he will be fired, particularly since I believe he was a favorite of TD. Jerry Gray? I think he will end up as a def. coordinator elsewhere. If replacements are needed, what assistant coach will come to work with MM if there are other opportunities? Assuming MM stays, if he has a losing record next year he will be gone.

I know that John Clayton has said that MM is probably safe. Has he said the same thing about TD?

If Modrak is the new GM, then MM likely would be safe. This would be a disaster all the way around.

I know RW has been around a long time and has many relationships, but in Houston the owner of the Texans has retained Reeves as a consultant. Apparently, JJ has been providing consulting services to a number of teams. Who is RW consulting with? If RW is doing this quietly, great. Otherwise, I am not so sure that TD will be let go.

I also think that TD gets fired and RW appoints Modrak as GM, although I am not sure this scenario makes complete sense. First, I am not sure what loyalties Modrak has to TD. He may be unwilling to accept the GM position under these circumstances. Second, Modrak has worked with TD on all player/drafting decisions. Why does Modrak escape without any responsibility for the drafting and free agent acquisitions over the last number of years?

It is in one of the news stories posted on the front page.

This quote from MM is funny. A letdown from what? What is he talking about?

1. Great fans. Really cold, bad team and still sell out the game. 2. MM is being outcoached. No adjustments and I have never seen a team play so poorly, on a consistent basis, in the second half. 3. What happened to our rushing attack? Why, in this kind of weather, wouldn't the team have more rushed (and utilize one of our best players). 4. The team will miss Moulds if he is not back and there is no one on the roster who can replace him. He was the only guy who made plays tonight. 5. Parrish. Bad pick. Too small, really was a luxury pick when we had other needs. 6. Bills had injuries (including key injuries, ie., Spikes), but that is no excuse. The Pats had more injuries and sitll managed to overcome. 7. This team is far away, and I am not sure that Losman will be a quality NFL qb. 8. Was Nate covering Smith during the game? What has happend to Nate's play? 9. Vincent should not be playing safety. Crazy to be paying him over $3 million to play that position.

This situation is bringing back memories of RJ. I always thought part of the reason RJ was not meeting expectations was the poor play of the oline, which resulted in RJ not having enought time to throw the ball. Ultimately, this was a factor but not the root cause of RJ's difficulties. Here we are again in 2005, and I am now wondering if JP's performance thus far is directly related to the poor play of the o-line or something with JP (i.e., his accuracy). How does the team figure out if he can be a quality qb in the NFL without next year being another learning experience year at the expense of the team?

I hear you. You are right, trading down for more picks is always an option, plus if Reggie Bush was on the board (which I doubt), I would take him in a minute, even with WM.

After M. Williams, I don't want a top 5 pick. Too much money for a player that has not played a game in the NFL.

Do you think a potential gm would be concerned about RW's age and the lack of a succession plan? This kind of potential uncertainty could be an issue.

I would think RW would like to have some kind of a legacy and may have a strong desire to become a member of the Hall of Fame. The current situation (team record, etc.) does not help his chances. I think RW really wants to win, and win soon, for obvious reasons. I hope if TD/MM are jettisoned that RW will step up and do (and pay) whatever is necessary to attract a top gm and head coach.

Lenny P. of ESPN has a blurb about TD in his "The Morning After Column" that there was a meeting of RW, TD and high officials on Saturday and "it doesn't appear a change is imminent." Not sure what "imminent" means in this context.