Lofton80

Dead on Ramius I had the same observation. Pittsburgh employed the same strategy Wade Phillips did for SD. Same results. Merriman had a field day vs Indy. All I can figure is Indy must have said SD game meant nothing and they had an off day. Also agree with Buzzbait's comments about the playcalling. Pittsburgh was changing up in the first half at times dropping 8-9 guys daring Manning to run the ball which he never really did until the end of the second quarter when they went 96 yards featuring the run, settlling for 3. A couple of times, they sacked Manning early making it second and long creating passing situations, then they sent the house at him. I think Pittsburgh simply out coached Indy.

Wayne is excellant. Big body, catches everything with his hands not body. I think he is a #1 all day but will he leave Indy? My hunch is he will as they cannot afford everyone.

Liked Ralph's subtle shot at Sullivan this morning. Pretty obvious Ralph read Sullivan's column today with his opening comment about being a vaudeville act. Sully suggested Ralph was turning the media room at the stadium into his own personal comedy club. The old man is not totally out of it.

One telecast of the Colts this year indicated that Bill Walsh had suggested that Tom Moore would be a great head coaching candidate. Meets our age criteria. Walsh and Levy have known each other for 50 years so it is not an impossibility.

Amazing the perceptions that change over a year's time. I remember the atmosphere surrounding this team before we played Pittsburgh in the finale last season. No one wanted to play Buffalo was the phrase we all heard. It fell apart like a house of cards after that loss. While Moorman was our only Pro Bowler this season, I don't think the team does not have talent. London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes (assuming better health) are premier LB's in the league. McGee and yes the beleagured Clements are Pro Bowl level most seasons. Aaron Schobel is pretty damn good for being the only pass rusher on the line. On offense, I imagine Moulds, Evans and McGahee are in the top 10-20 % of guys who play their position. Many good special teamers. The Oline is terrible but I bet a lot of teams would take Jason Peters. There is a core of good players here. A coach like Haslett may look at our roster and think, rebuild the lines like the Giants did last offseason and get a better run stopping safety and I can win here. We have 5 quality spots to pick in the draft and room under the cap. Only x factor in my opinion is the QB. We can shore up the weak spots in the other positions, QB is my concern.

I think the Bills have to follow NFL guidelines on hiring which requires some diverse candidates getting a look but should have a coach in a week. As for the Shrine game, Modrak is still in place as are scouts if a coach is not in place.

Pay will be a huge factor that will eliminate the Martz/Sherman/Fassel types. I could see Jerry Grey, Jim Johnson or Al Saunders or Teddy Cotrell coming cheap as first time coaches. Haslett might come at a discount as I doubt NO paid a lot. Second issue, would new coach be comfortable with Ralph getting more involved and Marv guiding him.

Sherman has good background, like that Ron Wolf hired him in GB. Has worked with Holmgren. Only thing that concerns me is #4 would not be coming with him.

Marv is hiring so I expect a veteran assistant or former HC along the lines of Jim Johnson or Al Saunders. A veteren coach would have the connections to build an experienced staff. Jim Fassel- QB guru, SB loser, media experience Jim Johnson- Seasoned, defensive exert, has connections Al Saunders- Coryell offense, Former HC Dick Jauron- Ivy Leaguer, had some success in first gig Tom Moore- Bill Walsh likes him, Marv and Walsh are friends Jim Haslett - Might be the guy, think he fired Bobby April in NO Wild cards: Mike Riley- Butler hired him in SD, never underestimate connection Jim Mora, Sr. - Marv like, successful, Polian hired him (see above)

Huh? Howie Long was a great football player. I have no doubt he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He was certainly better known for playing than the tv gig. He is not the even the main guy on the Fox pregame telative to Bradshaw and JB. Irvin was clearly the leader of the Cowboys during the SB run. The guy was automatic on third down and likely sacrificed some numbers in Dallas run oriented attack. He is not choirboy off the field but the guy was HOF caliber. TT is first ballot all the way.

He was a Dline coach for Marv. He was a frequent guest on the Paul Maguire Show during the glory years. Smerlas on the radio used to rave about Ted as his position coach.

This is ridiculous. Grimm will be the Lions next head coach. This has been widely reported yet we sit here and trash his qualifications. I can only guess the Pittsburgh connection is the reason for the distress.

Hawk fits the description, just not sure he fills an immediate need. If FA is used to plug holes, I am all for Hawk or even Greenway of Iowa. He is supposed to be mean hitter as well. Two guys I like are Terna Nande of Miami OH 6'10228 Strong Safety prospect. Also like Manny Lawson of NC St who played opposite Mario Williams.

Maxie played in the 3-4 at NO under Mora Sr. and Capers. Atlanta he worked with Danatell who used 4-3 this year but used 3-4 at GB. Maybe they are looking at 3-4. Wonder how an Atlanta DB coach has a contact with Bills staff. I know Atlanta likes to cramp the line and send many blitzers which is too Gray like for my liking. Dolphins talk to Capers, we talk to Maxie. Seems like we are going cheap route.

I think he would welcome being cut and playing closer to Texas where he is closer to people who will coddle him. He has not shown to be a professional. His size makes him intriguing. His inability to react to a stunting defense makes him a liability. He almost always reaches rather than sliding his feet or flat picks the wrong guy to block.

Hunches: Would not be a surprise to see them take a run at Al Saunders assuming he does not get a HC job. He is seasoned which I believe Marv will encourage. Also, his offense is run based and wide open at same time. Too much to hope for I guess. Others: Charlie Joiner or James Lofton would not shock me as they are part of Marv's past and currently coaching.

Marv has presence. Very aware of the league. Very sharp, hardly a feeble old man. Called himself an 80 year old rookie. Will help Mularky with communications, he will not handle cap problems or numerical side of contract negotiations. Ralph Wilson - No timetable on how long Marv will be here. "As long as he wants" " "I hope he outlasts me" Marv said he used no agent and never had a length to his contracts with RW. OC and DC will be picked by MM. Ralph, Modrak & ML will also contribute to decision, Ralph said he wanted to meet OC and DC before they are hired. Free agents "as agressive as we can" Quoted George Allen "the future is now" RW asked Marv's advice, RW said why not you Marv? ML called back next day and accepted Ralph is "now comfortable" that MM will do a great job. RW said he detached his involvement over last 5 years leaving imput to one person for decisions. He will now be involved. Frankly RW looked and sounded pretty old.

A few comments Levy made after last year's Pro Bowl give insight to his regard for work ethic and character which I believe he will look for in players as GM. "A few players impressed me during the event. From the other sideline, the NFC's Shaun Alexander was amazing. Now I see why they love him in Seattle. On our side, Richard Seymour was impressive -- his work ethic and the way he comported himself left an impression on me. I developed a considerable regard for Ray Lewis. All I've ever seen from him, aside from his great play, is his dancing before the game. But I found out what a great work ethic he has and how team oriented he was. He wasn't just telling guys what to do, he really got inside the psyche of the other players and set a good example. And even in the Pro Bowl atmosphere, I was really amazed at Peyton Manning's immersion into what has to be done and studying for the game plan for the game. He's a tremendously detailed individual. Many players are like these two and have the personality and character the NFL expects its players to have".

Seen enough of the jokes about Marv as GM. SF brought back Bill Walsh more than once to serve a similar role and he is not much younger than Marv. Been thinking about Marv's real impact as the new GM. What difference can he make? A few thoughts: Types of players- One criteria Polian and Butler were always big on draftpicks who were leaders specifically team captains. I remember Butler saying at one time in the early 90's, they had over 20 former college team captains on the roster. They also liked self starters who were motivated to put in extra work after practice without being asked. Even if Moodrak evaluates the talent, Marv will likely have some imput and look for leaders. Not sure Mike Williams would have passed this type of evaluation. Attracting Veteran Free Agents- Not star free agents specifically but aging veterans like he did with Lofton, Art Still, Bill Brooks or Leonard Smith. He always had good relationships with the veteran players. He will likely try to bring in a few B list types to contribute. Belichek does it all the time, Vrabel, Ted Washington, Tim Dwight and Rodney Harrison come to mind. All accounts are the Marv is a great personality. I imagine he would sell well to free agents. Roster depth- Marv always had good backups on the roster like Kenny Davis, Mitch Ferrotte, Mike Lodish, Marvcus Patton, Butch Rolle, Frank Reich who knew and accepted their roles and also showed leadership despite not starting. Special Teams- Oddly enough, we just need to sustain what we have now but I imagine Marv would want to emphasize that. I could see him specifically adding a special teams ace as a free agent like Belechek did with Larry Izzo. Remember Marv's first move as HC was to bring in Tasker.

Haslett is getting a lot of interest as a HC candidate. Might end up in Oakland.

We need an anchor type player on D that other teams have to account for. Takeo is one is assuming he can regain form after injury. We need a lineman who can draw a double team. I like Ngoti, Watson and Claude Wroten of LSU. Also like DE's Kiwanuka and Williams who are both athletic. Bottom line, this team must get better on third down both on offense and defense. Presently, it is amazing the amount of third downs our opponents convert and how many we don't. Second round draft Daryn Colledge OT from Boise. Free agency we need to target one good o lineman (not a castoff) and a safety to replace Vincent. Clements must be franchised or signed as we cannot replace every position on the team.

Agree on Teague, Team talks him up but they also told us Big Mike was turning corner and proceeded to bench him.

IMHO, Adams is done. He was brought in for the short term. He makes little effort. I do not see him on the roster next year.

Well done Guff LOL

He is a good coach who is transitioning a team through salary cap adjustment. If he come available, he would be hired by another team immediately. I could see the Rams or Raiders having an interest.