jahnyc

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.

It seems that change is in order, but I don't think that this will be an attractive situation to prospective candidates. Small market, older owner and no easy fixes.

What now is exactly the right question. But I am very concerned about the current situation. I would feel better if Ralph was not in his late 80s. There are major decisions on the horizon (gm, coaches and players), and who will be making them? If TD goes, then how do you keep Modrak and MM? Can MM coach? Does he have the respect of the players? If there are so many internal issues, why would you think that things would be different next year? It seems to me that if RW fires TD he must also fire MM. A new gm should have his choice of coach. It may be unfair, but I am having hard time figuring out what went wrong and who is to blame. This is not a good situation and I have no confidence that things will turn around. No easy answers here.

I would really like to know what is going with the team. Adams and Moulds have issues, and I have to assume the issues are with MM. I wonder how many other players are having difficulties with MM and/or some of the other coaches. RW needs to look at the entire situation. He can't focus only on TD.

A couple of thoughts about the Gaughan's piece in todays Buffalo News: 1. Would Modrak take the GM position if TD is pushed out? I thought TD and Modrak were very close. If that is the case, I can't see this happening, unless TD remains as president. 2. If a change is to be made, maybe there is a better candidate than Modrak? I think after 5 years, the Bills could use a fresh start. I am not going to start listing possible candidates (although Ron Wolff would be great), but TD's record is poor (and he was a known guy) and I am sure that there are well qualified candidates out there, even if I have never heard of them. 3. RW likes MM. I think MM is being outcoached every week. I wonder if where TD really went wrong was in his choices for HC. Any new GM from outside of the organization would want to choose his own HC, just like TD did. Another question: would MM stay with the Bills if TD was fired? I assume so. 4. Whether TD is fired/replaced or not, this is going to be a rough offseason. Many decisions (Moulds, Williams, etc.) and possibly a great deal of upheval. I like Moulds and Clements. I hope they can find a way to keep them. Williams should go. 5. If Clements, Moulds, Adams and others depart, are we in for another major rebuilding effort? Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes.

Yes, TD made a great move in getting a number one pick for P. Price. I also think that WM is a very good rb. What I am trying to point out is that if he plays for the Bills for a long period of time and plays well during that time, then he is a great pick. If he wants out of Buffalo, or if he demands a new deal, then combining that with his first year of not playing, he may not be a great pick. I like the Clements pick because he has excelled for five years. I also liked Steinbach.

Not sure that McGahee will turn out to be such a great pick. He was inactive his first year and I have a feeling that he will want a new contract or out of Buffalo next year. I would like to see how good he can be with a better oline. I think Clements was a great pick.

I don't agree that TD did the best he could under the circumstances. Anderson and Gandy are better suited as back-ups and I am not sure whether Villarail has performed as expected. There are team over the past few years that have made signficant improvements to various positions, including the o-line. For example, the NY Giants have upgraded their line through draft picks (Snee) and free agent acquisitions (O'Hara and McKenzie). I don't think we have devoted the resources necessary to upgrade this position. What frustrated me last offseason was watching two solid players depart without acquiring suitable replacements. I did not believe that we had replacements on the roster, and this now seems to the case. Maybe there were no adequate replacements available through the draft or free agency, but this offseason we face the prospect of losing Clements, Teague and Moulds. As with last year, I don't think we have adequate replacements for these players on the current roster.

Not sure that they will not be re-signed before free agency begins, but Bentley and/or Hutchinson would be a start.

Assuming TD and MM stay, which I believe is more than likely, then I am expecting that the Bills will be active in the free agent market. With the possibility of losing players to free agency (Clements and Denney) and waiving other players (Moulds, Williams and Adams), it is imperative that the owner and GM of this team provide us with hope that the team can and will be improved. As a fan, this is the bare minimum that will be acceptable this offseason. I want to see the team acquire free agents that can contribute immediately and be upgrades over the players that are currently playing these positions. I also want draft picks that are healthy and can contribute next year. This offseason, I don't want flash and splash. I want production and results in free agent acquisitions, draft picks and assistant coaching changes. Fix the oline, find some talented DTs, and find some young safety talent. Just do it.

It is depressing to think about the offseason needs of this team, since those needs will be greater than they were during the season. We will lose Clements, Teague and Adams (and possibly Moulds). That, on top of our poor play this season, makes me feel like we are very far away from being competitive.