bills_fan

Can he bring Crennel with him?

I'll be there...with my Fire Donahoe sign!

And a Merry Christmas to you and yours, R. Rich and everyone else. I hope everyone has happy and safe holidays. And yes, it was a terrific present.

You're right, there's a very thin pool this year. Thats not much of a list, and while I believe that Ferentz, Fisher or Edwards would be better than any of the list, the only name on the list that seems decent is Grimm. Grimm is a tough-guy and seems almost Ditka-esque. You know he wouldn't neglect the OL and he would establish the run. We'd have a helluva tough team if he could get the players to buy in.

Sign both Backus & Hutchinson, play Preston between Villy (who will be healthy) and Hutch. Peters plays RT.

Merry CHRIST-mas!!! Living in NYC, I always get a look when I say that to someone. Kinda sad, really.

Fridge is an out-of-the-box idea, that would either flame or fizzle, I don't think it would end up in between. Ferentz is obviously a great choice. What about Dick Jauron? He was a finalist last time, the Bears always played hard for him when he was head man, and now he is Detroit's interim HC. I know Ralph and he hit it off big time last time, but TD (you jackass) sold him on MM.

TD has officially become Captain Queeg.

How about... LT - Jeff Backus LG - Steve Hutchinson C - Duke Preston RG - Chris Villarial RT - Jason Peters Backus & Hutch are young and we can sign them. Backus has said he wants out of Det and Sea may not have enough cash for Hutch. That leaves our 1st & 2nd rd picks for D.

Bobby April

Terrific post, can't let this away so soon.

I honestly don't think we're that far away from contending. I look at what we have, and how we can improve & I really can see some strong possibilities that I have discussed in other threads. Point is, we have fixable holes (provided JP becomes a legit QB). This would have been a playoff team last year with any leadership, and I'm not talking about the Pitts game. The players openly said that they went into a 3 game funk after the Jax loss. Marv would have been able to pull them out of it, with some antecdote about tough losses. I think this thing can be turned around in a year. But, and this is the bigger problem, the whole atmosphere around the team stinks. From the GM on down, they stink. The atmosphere is a losing one and the Bills have become victims of their own ineptitude. How many times did you believe duing the SB years, that no matter what the Bills would find a way to win? I never thought we were out of it, no matter the score. We had a culture of success and expected to win, much like the current NE team. We need someone to bring that to the table. Unfortunately, there are not many folks who can. Marv is one of the few. The move works for the team and the fans. Let Marv coach this team for 3 years, and I'm willing to bet the whole thing gets turned around and we play in the AFC title game.

Cause even at 50, he'd be the best QB on our sideline.

I could disagree more macaroni. A head football coach is more of an administrator and leader than an X & O guy anyway. Greggo was a great X and O guy, couldn't lead a team. MM was a decent (depends who you speak to) X and O guy, but can't really make the transition to leader. Take a look at guys like Vermeil, Gibbs, Parcells and even Herm Edwards of the Jets, they don't X and O the opposition to death. Thats the job of the coordinators. These guys motivate and inspire the team. They're like CEOs, laying out the big picture with broad brush strokes and managing people. It falls to middle management (coordinators & position coaches) to make the CEO's vision possible. Now, you tell me that if Marv was brought back, supported by Wyche as OC and Capers as DC, April as ST, that we wouldn't have a decent staff? That a Pro Football Hall-ofFamer wouldn't have the respect of every single player in the room, especially when they saw how Marv was treated by the fans & owner. I think Marv would do one helluva job here, I really do. It would be an era of truly good feelings. I do agree with TD on one thing, I think there is more talent on this team than 4-12, and I think an inspirational leader would get the most out of it. We haven't had one of those since...well Marv I.

I can feel for MM, much more so than for TD. TD's been a prick throughout his 5 years in Buffalo. He appears condescending and has alienated many longtime Buffalo supporters (ex. Berman). He showed no respect for the tradition that we built here before his arrival, and acted as if he had invented football. Well, tough, we bought his schtick for the better part of five years. Now, hopefully, its done. Do you guys feel bad for the guy who lured you into playing 3 card monte on the street?

If Jeff Fisher was ever available, I'd hope Ralph recruited him college style to take the job. He's a terrific HC and I'd love to have him in Buffalo.

I'm not that lucky.

Yes, and those Pitt teams crashed and burned after a year or two with the gadget play offense, so much so that Cowher asked his new OC before he hired him "Do you belive in running the ball?" Since Whisehurt (spelling) was hired and Cowher went back to winning with running game and defense the Steelers are 23-6.

Gawd, I really miss those days. We fans had a successful team that made the playoffs and all we could do is argue about the QB instead of enjoying the ride. We basically jettisoned a Head Coach who was 29-19, clamored for a QB who was 22-9 as a starter (thanks for the stats Scribo) to leave town and did it with a bit of an attitude. Man, were we spoiled from the SB years. We should be so lucky to have those problems now.

I don't fault the 1st year QB who is just now starting his 8th game for misreading the play or the bad throw. I fault the coach who called the play, trying to trick Miami, instead of trying to physically beat them. Face it, with Mularkey we've been sold snake oil, power-smash mouth running team, who often gets too cute. Give Willis 3 shots from the 3 against that defense at that particular time and would bet my apartment that he gets in.

Today's quote in the Buffalo News is disturbing on several levels and confirms the worst about Mularkey.... He still doesn't get it. 1st & goal at the Miami 3, Miami's D is sucking wind, you're about to put the game away. We are supposed to be a "power rushing" team. Playing "smash mouth" Steeler-esque football, at least thats what we were sold. Instead, Mularkey still believes that the best way to beat an opponent is to trick them. Come on Mike, run the friggin ball down their throats. Sure, they may know its coming, and when they can't stop it, its all the more disheartening. BTW - On that play, JP faked to Willis, the cameraman followed Willis (I believe assuming a run) and Willis was in the end zone before the cameraman realized he didn't have the ball and panned back to JP.

If this is actually true, I have absolutely no problem with EM's actions. He wanted it checked out prior to continuing. After what happened to TKO, and knowing he's gone after this year, no reason to risk his career for this ship of fools. He has one more contract to sign and he won't be able to do that if he tears an Achilles.

Considering all of the blown 4th quarter leads the last couple of years, we could use some resiliency and backbone. I think Marv is an inspirational leader (like Vermiel) who would manage the personalities of the team and leave the X's and O's to the coordinators. Can you see Marv getting into the present situation with EM?

Well, Atlanta's OL was mediocre before Gibbs coached them. And JP can run around.

and how its done. I'd LOVE to bring this scheme to Buffalo. It would work so well, especially in the winter weather. What about Rick Dennison (Broncs line coach) for OC next year? Enjoy. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ApOn...v=tsn&type=lgns