KOKBILLS

I thought Brandon and Marrone had a connection through SU? I always assumed the way Brandon talked about Marrone that he was Russ' first choice...

No offense to Donald...But the Bills will pass him at #9 first and foremost because he's not graded that high (most everything I've seen has him in the 20-30 area)...Also because they have MUCH bigger needs and there will be higher graded prospects at those need areas...

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2013/futures-unc-te-eric-ebron

My inclination is to believe that when Brandon took control he knew it was only a matter of time before Whaley was elevated...And he wanted that...So I'm assuming the decision to bring Marrone in was Brandon and Whaley in full agreement...That basically makes Brandon, Whaley, and Marrone connected at the hip...I would not be surprised at all if this is a calculated spin by those three to cut the "lifers" off at the knees...Brandon is fully aware of the ability this fan base has in effecting change...He's a marketing guy for pete's sake...If that's what is actually happening here it's brilliant...And I would absolutely love Brandon, Whaley, and Marrone for it...

It's awesome Bro...Can't recommend it enough...

The very idea that Littman and Overdorf may have "significant control over football matters" is well beyond disturbing for me as a Bills fan...

It's funny...I thought the same thing... Of course that may be due to the fact that I just finished the 2nd season of "House Of Cards..."

I respectfully disagree... Both Meeks and Duke came in with a ton of playing experience at Safety...They had a combined 60 starts in College and they were both solid players on their respective Defenses...Williams showed good enough cover skills at the Sr Bowl that the Bills felt he could play CB in a pinch...There's no way the Bills are Drafting those two in the 4th and 5th with the mind that they are mostly core ST's players...They Drafted them with the idea that they have the physical skills and football ability to develop into NFL starters, or at least solid back-ups, with the obvious knowledge that they will be expected to contribute to Special Teams units and should be solid additions there... It may seem like a small difference...But the emphasis is always going to be on how well the prospect projects as a starter in time...And of course they'll need to be convinced they can play teams as well...

But that's the exact problem for Russ now...He said he could change anything he wanted to and the buck stopped with him...So if we are to believe Russ, and I am inclined to do so at this time, he can change anything he wants to...He may have to push Ralph more than he's comfortable with...But that's part of the job...

The Bills won't Draft a Safety high if Byrd leaves...They Drafted two last year to prepare for that exact scenario...So Meeks and Williams move up the depth chart...Then they may take a Safety in the mid rounds...But anyone concerned about the Bills Draft strategy changing if they lose Byrd is worrying over nothing...It's not going to happen...

Well...It's not just Carpenter they're after...And I get the feeling that they have talked about the big things (Littmann, Overdorf, Berchtold) and got met with less-than-favorable answers...That's frustrating enough when you are in charge and ultimately responsible for the on-the-field results...Then when they wanted to change out something that was much less significant like the training staff, and were met with the same push-back, they decided enough was enough...That's just my guess...

I tend to agree...However guardedly that may be... To me...Brandon seems like a real bright guy who is hard working and sincere...I do pick up a little too much "I wanna be one of the jocks and I'll prove it by dropping names galore" vibe from him...But that's completely harmless, and has nothing to do with how well he can do his job, or how capable he is of doing so... I think the disdain for Russ basically goes back to his stint as GM...Many Bills fans see him as an NFL outsider who did not pay his football dues (scouting, coaching, whatever)...I don't downgrade him due to those things whatsoever because he's intelligent, and there's no reason an intelligent person cannot learn and excel... But I will say this...Brandon has been crystal clear the he will empower the folks he's put in charge and they will have everything they need to succeed...He's talked about changing the culture of losing on many occasions, and he knows damned well that means the entire franchise from top to bottom...So if these reports are true he's painted himself into one heck of a corner now...And if he truly has the power he says he has to run this organization we should expect some big changes in the front office hierarchy very soon...Otherwise he's going to come across as a snake-oil salesman to a lot of Bills fans who are already uncomfortable with his rise to the top...If these "lifers" remain in power just about any Bills fan who has followed this team over these many years will simply assume he's still just Ralph's mouthpiece...And nothing more...

Probably not... Or maybe I should say...Unfortunately, probably not... But there's always hope... If you don't have hope than there really is no reason to be a Buffalo Bills fan anymore...

If this story is true I believe it's a good thing...This clash has been coming for a while and we may finally have some young, energetic, intelligent individuals that recognize the need for change...

Maybe in a normal year...But goodness...Look at the QB depth charts of Houston, J-ville, Cleveland, Oakland, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota...Even if one of them slides out of the top 7 I can't imagine Minnesota passing...Manziel is going to go high because he's bringing some serious excitement with him...Bridgewater is solid and has upside...Bortles is 6-5 and a gamer...All of them come with big-time questions, but in this league...if you're going to gamble the QB position is the place to do so...I don't think that changes this year...My guess is Bortles to Houston, Bridgewater to J-Ville, and Johnny Football to Cleveland...

Brandon is squarely in the cross-hairs in this situation...This is the first real big test for him...Not hiring Marrone, or elevating Whaley, because those were organizational decisions...If he truly has the power he claims to have he can shake things up big-time and further move this franchise into the 21st century...If not I don't think you'll see Marrone or Whaley wait it out longer than a couple more years...I don't see either of them being the types that are going to simply be yes men for very long...They're young...But they're not dumb... Agreed...Any other team and I would have my doubts as well...But this is the Buffalo Bills and...well...enough said...

I've payed close attention to Clowney over these past few years...I try to keep up with USC, UNC, NC St, and Clemson Football as much as I can after living in Charlotte for 20 years...While I can be as easily dazzled as anyone by Clowney's God given abilities, the signs that he may not be the type of player who wants to be the best have been there for a while now...He can absolutely amaze you at times, then completely disappear at others...I think he's way more boom or bust than some scouts are even willing to admit...Which makes taking him in the top 5 risky to say the least...If he lands in the right spot, with Coaching that inspires him, he could be the next great NFL DE...If he's happy with just being the best natural athlete on the field he's going to be in big trouble...To reach his ceiling he's going to have to work real hard...I'm just uncertain if he's got that in him...We'll see I guess...

I've never been a bigger Marrone and Whaley fan than I am after reading that article...This should be interesting...We'll see how true Russ is to his word I guess...Because from the outside looking in all these years it seems like a no-brainer (to me at least) to give Marrone and Whaley what they want...

I just don't think it's that simple to be honest... Byrd's 4 years older with PF in both feet...He had the advantage of starting his career as a Safety unlike Williams who played out-of-position for his first two seasons...I'm not about to say Aaron Williams is at Byrd's level yet because he's not...Yet...I think the argument of keeping him over Bryd is a legitimate one though...Especially when you consider the PF...I'd rather keep them both long-term...But I don't think that is possible...Which makes for a tough decision...

I think everybody is high on Mack...Mayock said he's worthy of the #1 overall pick...So...

I'm guessing all three are gone by no later that #8...Too many QB needy teams...

I'm a big fan of pursuing Beason for this team...The price tag could certainly scare me off...But I think he would be a huge addition to the Bills Defense...

We do now...But there is a price to pay (no pun intended)...It would likely mean Aaron Williams can't be resigned, especially if he continues to improve...And if Byrd is not able to stay healthy and play at the level he has the past couple years it will really put pressure on the Bills cap situation...It's not cut and dry...There is considerable risk...

Thanks...I did not realize that...My radar only detects nonsense...

Not to be a smart ass, and no disrespect...But I promise you I'm well aware of all that and then some... And to that point I'm quite sure that NFL teams will over-evaluate until the cows come home...That is how it's done nowadays...That's also how players like Alshon Jeffrey, a player I knew would be a top NFL WR at some point when he was a Sophomore, slide to the 2nd round of a Draft...It's how players like Kiko slide...Over analysis on what they can't do yet, trying to look in to the crystal ball too much, or over projecting negatives instead of simply watching the kid on tape and understanding how he fits in today's NFL...And understand also that I generally don't have a problem with the over-analysis on a lot of kids because...again generally...there are more unknowns considering how their games will project to the next level...I do think though that a kid like Evans is more of the exception...At least in my personal estimation, as an admitted amateur scout the past 20 plus years of my life, he is... IMHO the kid is worth that #9...Coach him up and watch him go...If I'm wrong, I'm wrong...Plenty of top 10 picks don't pan out...If I'm right you get Vincent Jackson...Maybe better... I should also point out in no way am I endorsing the Bills take Evans no matter what...Simply saying I would not have a problem with him at #9...I know I'm repeating myself a lot...I assume Robinson and Watkins are gone by #9...So give Me Lewan, Matthews, Evans, or Ebron and I'm happy...