Just look at Nix's past career and compare it to us now.
Buddy took over as assistant GM of the Chargers in 2001 and as you can see here http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/teams.nsf/histories/chargers/, it took him three seasons to build up a playoff team. If you look at the people he drafted, he got some great players, especially his first season where he picked up LT and Drew Brees. So in his 3rd season as the Bills GM, we're looking at a 8-8 season, and if you look at the third season of the Chargers, they were in an even worse spot.