drhockey

The Bills interviewed John Guy and Tom Modrak for the GM position?!?!?! What the ?!?! Way to go through with the thorough process and evalaution for the position OBD. Why oh why do we have to put up with this garbage?!?! They better develop a kick a$$ coaching staff (ahem, *cough* Cowher *cough*) or else this is going to be the best definition of EPIC FAIL we have ever seen. Here is the Channel 4 information for reference... Buffalo Bills to name new G.M. Updated: Thursday, 31 Dec 2009, 1:19 PM EST Published : Thursday, 31 Dec 2009, 12:47 PM EST John Murphy Posted by: Emily Lenihan ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Bills have called a 2:30 p.m. news conference Thursday to announce the appointment of a new general manager. Sources tell News 4 Sports that Buddy Nix will be named the team's new general manager. Nix has served as the Bills national scout for the past season. He rejoined the Bills this past January, after spending several years as a football personnel executive with the San Diego Chargers. Sources tell News 4 sports, the Bills interviewed two other in-house candidates for the job, Tom Modrak and John Guy, and settled on Nix as the GM. The announcement is expected to be made official at 2:30. http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/Buffalo-Bil...ress-conference

Damn; what an awesome write-up by Bakay!! I couldn't agree more with everything that he wrote and it was well done from start to finish. Kudos to Nick for carrying the Bills Nation Flag and hitting the nail on the head for all to read.

Thanks for the update, John. Quick question; any chance that either Jauron or Ralph are having a brain scope over the bye?

Totally. I'm shocked that he (or they) scheduled the ceremony after two straight wins *sarcasm off* Honestly though, even with the two wins, which all will admit were not too impressive, I don't imagine he'll get the warmest reception in the world. If the first half is ugly, it will be very interesting to say the least. Hilarity ensues...

Hooo boy... I can't wait to see what happens http://blogs.buffalonews.com/billboard/200...alf-really.html

Sadly, i am somewhat rooting for the Bills to get back to their losing ways so we can guarantee that he won't be back. How sad is that? What type of mindset do we as Bills fans have to be in to root for our team to lose in order to spark change? That is pathetic, and is tough for me to say since i have been going to games for about 30 years. But, here's my worry. As DJ makes his heroic run at another 7-9 season, i am worried that once he reaches that milestone Ralph will think that it was an achievement given the state of our O-line and the rash of injuries we had over the year. I am starting to think that by the end of the year, DJ will have a couple of built-in excuses to save his job. It is a dreadful thought to be sure. I am in agreement with most of you though in thinking that it is playoffs or bust. But, i am putting myself in the pessimistic mindframe that DJ will have a lineup of excuses and Ralph will be reluctant to eat the moolah....and wala, we have another year of DJ. Slide over the puke bucket.

I normally don't care so much about this stuff and don't have the chance to listen to these guys much anyway seeing that i'm on the left coast, but, honestly, what qualifies Schopp as being "smart" anyway? There's the MENSA claim, but he went to St. John Fischer for Journalism (or the like) for cripes sake. I mean, i'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but at least i did engineering at UB. I could probably breeze through journalism at SJF without attending half of the classes. What else? He plays scrabble, enjoys tennis, and tries to speak using proper grammar on the radio. Yay, good for him. What's next? I'm going to find out that he is on his way to solving the Riemann Hypothesis because he likes polo? Spare me. Just a random vent...nothing to see here

Thanks for the kind words, but i now am classifying myself as insane and a fan of torture. It will be brutal to say the least, but i will do my best to represent. The cost of this little trip alone is making me sick. The game will no doubt add a tumor to my already sports-induced cancerous insides. Worst part is that i will be heckled all game and have no retort whatsoever. What's the best i can say? "oh yeah, well, the Red Sox haven't won anything in....er, wait" "oh, yeah, well, the Celtics haven't done jack....er, wait" "oh yeah, well, at least the Sabres are....er, wait" Ugh. I hate chowda heads. I will be miserable and the most bitter man on the planet that Monday night. I think my plan is to just get as drunk as possible so i will completely forget every single play of that game. Honestly, the highlight for me will be to see the teams trot out in anniversary AFL unis. Then, destruction and carnage. Yay! pass the beer nuts!

I'm actually making the trek across country to attend the MNF opener in beantown, and i have to admit, the feeling of dread that i have about this game grows every week. I was slightly optimistic about it being a competitive game heading into training camp, but i have to admit, this team and its coaching staff is scaring more and more each day. I agree that all are entitlted to their own opinons on this board, but save me the "it's only preseason" garbage. Every other team that i have watched has had some flashes of competence with their starters. Our games to this point have looked as if they are just extensions of last year. No bueno. I absolutely believe that we are going to get crushed in the opener and that i'll be in for a miserable experience. I'm going to make the most of it, and trust me, i'll be there in full support. Unfortunately, this team looks eerily similar to last year and we all know how horrifyingly bad we looked in the second half of last year. Also, you know that Belichick and Brady are licking their chops waiting for this game. No matter which Bills player tells us that the team will be ready and prepared, do you honestly think our coaching staff has a remote shot at outfoxing Belichick and Co.? Let's face it, we all want the best and we all love to be optimistic and excited, but this team and organization gives us very little to be excited for or trusting of. I don't think i've seen such a sense of gloom on these boards before. And, more than likely, it's all for good reason. It's almost as if a good percentage of us (including me) would just like to fast forward to January, skip all of the pain and madness, and just get to a point where the Bills are searching for someone to change the character and mindset of this organization/team. Ugh. Roll the ugliness.

This all important "inner circle" meeting that is going on today probably consists of a round-robin tournament of hungry, hungry hippos. Then, probably an hour or so discussion on what to order or argue over for lunch.

Not a surprise, but ESPN NFL Live guys just reported that Cowher is interested in listening to the Jets for their opening at head coach and that Pioli is planning on interviewing in Cleveland for GM. Super duper... AFC East coaches next year: Pats - Belichick Dolphins - Sparano Jets - Cowher Bills - super sweet Jauron and an "inner circle" promotion of out-of-state resident Modrak Oh yes, multiple years of futility ensues...

Holy god. Listening to that literally made my blood boil and head explode. So, let me get this straight, the following will be the recipe for success next year: 1) Keep Jauron in place based largely on an "emotional" win in Denver and the love from his players. 2) Elevate Modrak into "inner circle." This must mean that Modrak will move from Florida to North Carolina. Maybe if we make him GM he will uproot his family to Pennsylvania. And, why was he not in the inner circle before if he was running the previous few drafts?? Arrgh. I still can't believe that the TD experiment has forever tainted Ralph's mind. Meanwhile, the Miami's and Atlanta's of the world simply flip their organization upside down in one year and make the playoffs and could potentially win their division. We, on the other hand, will most likely go 0-6 in our division this year after going 2-0 against both the Jets and Fins last year. That is what i call good ol Buffalo progress. Super duper. If getting crushed on Sunday helps in any way sway Ralph the other direction, then let the slaughter begin. We will never get it apparently. Stuck in the dredges forever. Not to mention our schedule next year (at this point) does not look so forgiving. I starting my march to the golden gate bridge now.

The call itself was horrendous! why even get cute when Marshawn is running like a beast?!?!?! Awful

I saw this little tidbit today on Jauron's potential status at the end of the year from Mark Gaughn's live chat online at the news' website. Obviously it is only Mark's opinion, but he is and always has been very close to the team. This will be sad if true, but anyhoo.... 11:04 [Comment From Nick] Yes or No Jauron is back next year 11:04 Yes. 11:04 If they lose the last four and do it in an ugly fashion, then obviously they may have to make a move. But I don't see a change coming. I don't see it at all. 11:05 [Comment From Nick] Why it makes no sense to bring him back 11:08 Well, I think Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon are tired of changing coaches. They've done it so often. It's a revolving door in this organization. I think Jauron has a good relationship with Wilson. That's a big factor. I think they like their coordinators. How many times can you change coordinators and re-do your whole offensive system? You just keep spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. What if Trent Edwards has to learn a whole new offensive system next year? Then you have to wait even longer to figure out if he's the guy. You bring in a new coach and start over, and now you're dumping a bunch of your young guys and rebuilding for when, 2012? Granted, if you have the wrong guy in place, continuity is no good -- see Matt Millen. But I think the Bills want to give continuity a chance. ... Now. ... If they get blown out down the stretch and give up ... the picture changes. Yuck!! Also, i cannot claim the following stats as something i took the time to research myself, but i thought these numbers were very interesting and telling about Jauron. I found them on another message board, so kudos to the original poster. Check these numbers out though... FACT: Dick Jauron has been head coach in 128 games in his career. FACT: Dick Jauron has won a total of 56 games in his career. FACT: Of those 56 wins, 14 games came against teams with a winning record. FACT: In the 43 games that Dick Jauron has been head coach of the Buffalo Bills, he has beaten TWO (2) teams with a winning record. FACT: With the exception of the 2006 victory against the NYJ, Dick Jauron has never won a game versus a team with a winning record by more than 9 points. FACT: Of the 14 wins against teams with winning records, he has won by an average of 4.6 points in those games. FACT: Of those 14 wins against teams with winning records, only 4 times has Jauron beaten a team by more than 3 points As many of us have already said many times, i am just done with this guy. And, don't give me crap about rebuilidng for 3 years after a coaching change. I only need to reference two abyssmal franchises that seemed to do ok with a recent wholesale change....Dolphins and Falcons. Enough said for me.

It may be our year if the newly birthed Buffalo had no legs like the new sabres logo. If it is legless, i'm going straight to Vegas with cash in hand.

I'm thinking along the lines of Harold and the Purple Crayon

I was just listening to Fox Sports Radio and Chris Myers laid out a bunch of scenarios according to some Jets rumors that are floating around today. He basically said that the new rumor of the day involves the Jets in a three way deal with the Raiders and Saints where the Raiders would ultimately move up to #2 and trade Jerry Porter to the Jets along with picks. The players mentioned in the deal draft-wise were Mario Williams, D'Brick, Leinart, and Young. It was convoluted and drawn out, but seemed interesting. They also mentioned that with the reports of Sir Brett coming back that the Pack may focus on either Vernon Davis or D'Brick (if he fell that far). So, long story short, if some of these scenarios take shape the Bills may just very well have someone like Hawk fall into their laps. It certainly sets up for one of the more interesting drafts in a long time for me. I've already informed the woman to find plenty of things to do on Saturday and Sunday because i may not even leave the house this weekend. Not to mention the Sabres on Sunday. C'mon weekend.........

Believe or not, I actually saw TD this morning at the Buffalo Airport. I was in town this past weekend for Conan O'Brien and the Sabres (of course) and left just this morning on a very early flight back out to the west coast. Good ol' whitey was on m first flight from Buffalo to Cincinnati, but i lost him after that. I have no idea what he was doing back in Buffalo, but i have to admit i felt a little bad for the guy. He was literally standing off on his own about 100 feet from the nearest individual and looked very uncomfortable. Almost as if everyone who recognized him would charge after him and beat him to death before entering the jetway. When i got on the plane he was reading the sports section of the USA Today. I'm sure he'll never pick up a Buffalo News again since every now and then a columnist rips him to shreds over his failed regime. Anyway, no big deal, but noticed ol' whitey this morning. Since, he was at the airport, maybe he wanted to fuel some rumors on TBD that he's interviewing for a vacant position as team janitor?

Nobody makes me bleed my own blood.....

Exactly...come on, times are rough for everybody. If it required season ticket holders and/or Bills fans in general to cough up an extra 10-12 bucks per game to save the team, i don't think it would be a problem. If so, then the people that support this team are truly a sorry bunch. I live 3000 miles away and if it took me to fly back home every game to save the team i would. Don't tell me people don't have the money because i live in the most expensive area in the country and would glady pay up as much as needed to help the team. By the way, i don't make a ton of money, but enough to get by.

Again, good point, but i think that falls in line with the status and popularity of the team at the given time. If the team is hot and the buzz of the town, sponsors or business will want to be a part and jump on the bandwagon to try to get a piece. That's what appeared to happen during the Flutie-era, as he single-handedly sold boxes on his popularity and the team's rising popularity. But, i do agree that the area lacks a sufficient corporate presence. That is bad.

I would be curious to poll the other "low revenue club" owners to see if they have as much problem with or are as in the dark over these qualifiers.

True; however, the team is regional (i.e, Canada, Roch., Syr., etc.) and somehow, although population is declining, manages to sell out nearly every home game in a stretch where the team has been garbage. Point is, no matter what the Bills and football rule in the region and people will pay to see it no matter if they live in the metro area or somewhere else. Increased ticket prices is certainly not the answer to all of the problems, but it is a start. In addition, making sure that the stadium is filled every home game and that the product reflects the excitement is key to meet at least one of the qualifiers Raplh mentioned. If the product is there, people will come and pack the staidum. Plain and simple.

Much appreciated Lurker... Now, looking at that list, i don't think the majority of Bills fans, regardless of location, would be adverse to paying an average of $50 per ticket. I mean think about it, that would be about an extra $10-12 per game at 8 games per year and we're talking less than $100 bucks. An normal night going out in the city for us guys is a minimum of $100. It's peanuts when spread over 8 games. Especially if it meant helping the cause to keep the team around. I would gladly pay that. I know money is tougher to come by back home, but still, we're talking about our livelyhood here. Again, though, everyone here is right in that it ultimately comes down to the product. Put the right coaches and players on the field, create a buzz in the city, and Ralph would be surprised what people would pay. Again, i know it's not everything, but it's a good start. Plus, if the team is good and winning the division or going to the playoffs, merchandise will sell and boxes will sell, sponsors will increase, etc...

I know our ticket prices are low in comparison to the rest of the league, but does anyone have a listing of the average ticket cost league wide?? I have seen it before, but can't find it quickly. I know this is only part of it, but if the Bills had a team on the field like all of us wish they would have, I would have no problem paying higher ticket prices. Especially, considering there are only eight games. Not to mention that i live 3000 miles away and always come home for games regardless. I find it hard to believe that the city/region would not pay higher prices for tickets if the team was far more competitive and successful than it is now. Let's face it, right now morale is very low for this team and it's coming at a bad time.