BuffaloWings

I think I'd prefer that you be correct, but I just don't see it. I think what's going to happen is that Ralph is sticking with him through the rest of the season, then pulling the trigger.

I hate bashing people and we've all had a ton of respect for Marv for what he did with this franchise, but if this is really what he said, it's downright disturbing. Edwards may turn out to be Aikman, but it's not showing anytime soon. None of us are GMs or qualified to be, but we can clearly see the results on the field are nothing like what other coaches and GMs are getting out of their players. There needs to be a new culture with this team. Maybe it only starts if there is new ownership, but the culture needs to change organization-wide.

This is a tell-tale sign of Jauron's desperation. He's trying to save his own job by making another drastic change. Granted, I'm in favor of it, but it's pretty clear that he's jumped to Plan Z already.

Agreed...good piece. Some guys may looked like they've mailed it in, but we'll know for sure over the next couple of games. If more eggs are laid, the players better realize they're playing for their jobs.

I've seen a number of cases where a team underachieved when the coach was also the GM. When you're the GM, you're responsible for watching over the cap, negotiating with players/agents, and overseeing the scouting. Add all of that to the actual Xs and Os of being a coach and your time is limited. That can easily bog down the team and what they do on the field, which is why I don't like a coach being a GM. That said, it might be exactly what the Bills need right now from someone like Holmgren. They'd have a GM who has been around the league, has good contacts, and knows people that can run a team well. He can probably even bring in a few players that played for him and also know how to win. They would also have a coach with experience - someone who has won the Superbowl and been there two other times. I don't know how true this rumor is or if it's even plausible, but this would be a perfect situation for Holmgren to come into. It's just a matter of whether or not Ralph is willing to give up the control like he did to Donahoe.

Clausen didn't impress me at all last year, but he's made some strides so far in 2009. I think he's better off staying one more year at ND (provided Weis is still around) and coming out in 2011.

That was Mortensen plugging his "boy" Donahoe's only HC hires. Please.... The only reason I'd want the Cowher, Shanahan, Holmgren types is that they can also be a GM. They're football guys, unlike the marketing whiz that is Russ Brandon. I normally don't like a coach also being GM, but I'd make an exception for the Bills right now. That said, there are coaches to be had...maybe not the big names mentioned above, but there will be coordinators available. Tim Graham said this and I believe it - there are only 32 of these opportunities available. If a young coordinator is available (or even one not young, but has never been a head coach), they'll be willing to take on the challenge, no matter what team comes calling.

You're turning blue... This is exactly what we thought was going to happen when Donahoe was hired. He seemed to be a football/personnel guy who had such connections. He had the pro experience with the Steelers, but just lost the power struggle with Cowher (red flag #1). He was given the master key to the kingdom and Ralph trusted him. What I don't know about was the accountability. His first hire seemed to be a disciplinarian who would cut a player if he didn't perform, but that didn't happen. Donahoe did trade for Bledsoe (though he gave up too much) and it paid off for a season-plus, but he didn't get a legitimate line to protect him...or ever, for that matter. My worry is that Ralph got too thrown off by Donahoe's failure that he'll never do this again. He is an owner who likes to be involved with the "operational" side of the business, so he may still want some of that power. Even just starting with a football-experienced GM would be a start, but I don't see a Polian/Pioli/Dimitroff coming here.

No, he would tell his team president to hold off on re-signing them, then let them go elsewhere once free agency hits. Honestly, I'm really hoping Jim Kelly is the key to all of this. Ralph needs someone who is able to tell him that the organization needs to be changed and Kelly can speak from both a fan's perspective and one who understands the inner workings of an NFL franchise. I just hope Kelly can break through Ralph's stubborn attitude.

Heck, you don't even have to fire the current GM. Send him back to the business side of the house where he can focus solely on the marketing again. Doing this can happen in the middle of the season, but it likely won't. A new front office basically throws up the white flag on the season, so maybe Ralph & Russ don't exactly want that. What should happen is that a GM is brought in early in the off-season and that person evaluates the staff, the coaching, and the players. Bring in a new head coach as soon as possible so you have a direction and a plan heading into the draft.

Locker looked good from what I saw on Saturday. Perhaps.... I just think they've looked at the wrong things in drafting a QB lately. Losman played most of his games in a dome in a warm-weather area. Edwards is a smart guy, but never really played in inclement weather. They need to find a QB who has the combination of experience in cold weather climates and smarts. Brett Favre is the only weather-related exception that I can think of, but in general, a QB needs to be able to play in those conditions.

If this was the Patriots* and they were this bad, maybe. I wouldn't be surprised if Mort is running this and he'd let this go all the way to 0%.

I think they have run out of the wildcat formation before with Lynch and Jackson taking the snaps. Doing this (while I like the idea) would require a complete change of philosophy and I think Jauron would never do that...either out of pure arrogance or his blind belief that the no-huddle can work. Besides, I'd worry about how the o-line handles it. If they can't get their act together in a formation that's not working, how do we expect them to adjust to this change?

Wouldn't that be the usual Monday morning, day-after-the-game news conference?

This has more of 'Major League' written all over it. The owner is trying to make the team so bad that they drop attendance and merchandise sales and claim they can't compete in a small market so he has to move the team.

They probably canceled it so Ralph wouldn't get booed horrifically during the ceremony.

Denver's helping them along, too. They just jumped off side on the next punt attempt.

I'd say it's the biggest problem for the defense. They come out and play their arses off for 3 quarters, but wear down because the offense isn't doing anything. Continual pressure on them to keep performing has to physically and mentally wear on them. I just think Jauron has lost control of this team. The 4th & 1 punt isn't as much the defining moment as it is a signature moment in the Jauron tenure, which has been littered by horrible on-field decisions. No matter how much confidence the players have in themselves, a call like that sends a message (albeit unintentional) that the coach doesn't think they can get that yard. Imagine your boss handing a promotion to someone else, knowing full well that you're qualified and deserve it. Wouldn't that lessen your motivation to work for that boss?

My thoughts?? Fix the title of the thread or provide a link, please.

Normally, I'd say that Fisher is not going anywhere, but after the Shanahan & Gruden firings last year, I won't quite guarantee it. Nevertheless, I'd still put my money on Jeff Fisher staying exactly where he is. What this organization needs is a football guy to take over the operations just like Donahoe did. I understand Ralph may not be willing to give up that control after the TD disaster, but it's the only way they'll get out of this mess. It may need to be someone of a Cowher/Holmgren caliber (even though I don't think it's ever a good idea for the coach to also be the GM - that's a conversation for another day) just so that the franchise gains some respectability back. We all agree that a house-cleaning is in order, but what I see likely happening is that Ralph will let Jauron go at the end of the season and let Russ Brandon hire a new coach. If Russ is smart, he'd enlist the help of someone who has plenty of experience in the league to help hire a guy that knows what he's doing.

True, but it does tell everyone - media, fans, other players, other teams - that you're willing to pay the price for a winning team. Someone of the Cowher, Shanahan, or Gruden caliber can attract free agents. It can be considered a marketing ploy in that respect, but it also might change people's minds about the organization. Honestly, while I'd have zero problem with any of those guys, what this group of players needs is a young, motivated coach who can inspire them. Jauron is an older, conservative coach trying to lead a group of younger players. I'd like to see someone who is a motivator and shows it. Gruden can be that way, but it doesn't have to be him.

I don't think they're abandoning the run game because of the no-huddle...it's because they're falling behind and don't have time to establish it.

Their focus was on the Favre-less Packers playing the Favre-full Vikings for 85 minutes of the 90-minute pre-game. Not sure why anyone would expect the Bills to make any headlines today. Maybe we need to bombard Mortensen with "You were right. Tom Donahoe deserves a lot of credit for building this team. When can he come back to Buffalo?"

At least we can say that he acknowledges that it's not because the opponent was better than them. We just need something to feel good about....some sign that this organization is headed in the right direction. As long as Jauron is on the sidelines, we won't see that.

He's done this a number of times already this year, but I don't think it's because of him processing the play...it looks as if he's waiting for the receiver to make his break and actually be open before he throws the ball. You can't do that. You need to trust that the receiver will be (or at least get) open and throw it before he makes his break. Trent doesn't have that trust.