Got_Wood

Smart makes $360k per year, Venables makes $260k, and I'm not sure about Bradley. They are not getting paid like kings. And to say that a coordinator position in a college program is better than a coordinator position on an NFL team is crazy. Especially a defensive squad that tied for the most takeaways in the league. No, these guys would not be downgrading their positions. They would be taking a big step UP.

Anyone know anything about these guys. I did see that Kirby Smart was offered the DC job at UGA and turned it down. But a pro job would be more difficult to ignore.

Kirby Smart - Alabama DC Smart received the Frank Broyles Award in December as the nation's top assistant coach. The Alabama defense ranked number two in total defense at 244 yards per game and in rushing defense at 78 yards per game. It was also second in scoring defense, giving up an average of only 11.7 points per game while going 14-0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Smart Tom Bradley - Penn State DC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bradley_%...can_football%29 Brent Venables - Oklahoma DC http://soonersports.com/school-bio/brent_venables.html

No one had a clue that we would hire Gailey. I won't assume I know who they're talking to now either. They'll go through their process and come out with their guy. Even if quality candidates are nabbed from underneath their nose like some of the other candidates have recently.

Turned down Singletary, Rivera, Ryan, etc. for the more experienced guy. And the Chargers fans reacted in the same way. Completely uninspired, upset, angry at ownership, etc. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2771126 The difference between the Chargers and the Bills... they had a ton of talent at the time. The Bills aren't completely rebuilding, but they have a ways to go. This team really needs a spark, and I'm not sure Gailey is the guy for the job. Some guys make great coordinators, and some guys can just flat out lead. Not only does the team need a spark, but the fans do more than ever. This is not a genius marketing move. And the fact that they don't see that is disturbing. The Bills need to attract top notch coordinators and top notch players. I'm certain that this move isn't doing wonders for our league appeal. And it also doesn't provide a pretty picture for our future. There are a couple positives I see in him: good offensive track record, has been to the playoffs and superbowl quite a few times, and has coached with some of the recent great head coaches in the league (Shannahan and Cowher). An interesting sub-plot here that I haven't heard anywhere is that he is a former Florida Gator QB. I wonder if this furthers the notion that the Bills want Tebow here? Just a thought. Anyway, not a thrilled fan today. But this as always may change.

Ummm, I'm pretty sure there is "political bull****" in high school sports in just about every town across the country.

Article I guess the NFL believes that they are a single entity and are exempt from antitrust laws. Oh really NFL? Is that a fact? The 32 teams don't compete with each other at all??? Then why is it that when teams don't perform up to a particular NFL standard, they get shipped out of town? (No new stadium, no luxury boxes, means no dice.) You mean these teams aren't competing with each other for fans, players, coaches, and merchandise? That's news to me. Basically the NFL is getting away merchandising their brand through one entity: Reebok. This way they can charge fans whatever they want, and get away with it with the exclusion of competition. Drew Brees doesn't seem to think the NFL has a case: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...id=opinionsbox1

I don't know about our QB's, but this guy can do wonders for our O-line. And I've heard about the work ethic he inspires in his players, and the knowledge of the game he brings to the table. I think the coaches he brings in with him would be imperative to his success.

I finally got around to reading this. I'm not saying it's impossible, because there are some examples of it out there. I mean, look at Warren Buffett. The guy is a machine. But he also has many trusted advisers and managers doing the legwork for him. Ralph hasn't shown that he can put together the organizational pieces that make a team/business successful. He's still got a group of good old boys that he trusts in extremely important positions. When you state publicly, "Russ [brandon] and I scanned a list of possible candidates. We didn't know them. I didn't know them. I don't think Russ did. We narrowed it down to two candidates for the job of general manager of football, two in-house candidates." It shows that Ralph is a little out of touch with the NFL, current coaches, and current front office executives. And he has no long term strategy for this team, because there is no long term for him. I respect Ralph Wilson, and all that he has done in his career. I would just like him to respectfully sell at least part of the team to a group that can make the Bills successful again.

Maybe he's trying to be the only owner in Bills history. That will come true if he doesn't at least sell a portion of the team before he passes away. But you're right, his legacy will be positive regardless. I just hope he makes it even better by setting up this team for success IN BUFFALO for the foreseeable future.

Like I said, the Pittsburgh scenario looks like the best option for this team. If Jim Kelly is serious about haveing a partial ownership group together, now is the time to make it happen. See this article: http://www.steelers.com/article/110915/

I agree that it isn't as dire as some people make it out to be. There are cities with NFL teams like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Green Bay, and Kansas City that are all smaller than New York City, Dallas, Washington DC, and etc. But they have extremely passionate fans, and they represent a region more than just a concentrated big city. If NFL teams were located in the most populated areas, California and Texas would have about 6 teams each. I don't think that would be good for the league. The difference between Buffalo and these other cities is the ownership. Ralph passed his prime years ago, and it's time he recognized that.

... And that doesn't bode well for our future.

Very well said.

And to add to this post, here is the statement made by Rooney to the fans and city of Pittsburgh: It would be a beautiful thing to hear those words come from the mouth of Ralph Wilson.

Can we now put a muzzle on John Clayton. That guy is the most worthless, bandwagon, rumor starting piece of garbage in all of the sports media. Glazer is the most reliable source out there.

That's interesting, thanks for sharing. I completely understand your position. There was some discussion of Ralph selling a percentage of the team, and maintaining some percentage ownership so he can remain involved. This would be just as good for the team and the city of Buffalo. If Kelly has any kind of group together that's interested in making a move, now is the time. It would be similar to what the Steelers recently accomplished: http://www.steelers.com/article/110915/

Regardless of who had control, Rooney had younger guys giving him perspective in his son Art as well as Kevin Colbert. Colbert has an impressive resume of his own. A competent GM can do a lot for your team.

Ralph Wilson: Born in 1918! That’s the end of World War I. How many successful businesses are owned and run by a 90+ year old? Answer: None. Here are some of the older owners in this league and what they’ve done to make their teams successful… William Clay Ford (81) of the Detroit Lions, has given decision making privelages to his son William, and has a young football guy in Martin Mayhew running the show. Martin was able to trade Roy Williams for a ton of high draft picks, and hire a good young coach in Jim Schwartz. They’ve got a solid young QB in place and appear to be headed in the right direction. Dan Rooney (77) of the Steelers, has given the majority of football decisions to his son Art II. As well as a young football guy in Kevin Colbert as GM. Bill Bidwill (78) of the Cardinals has given decision making power to his sons Michael Bidwell, President and Bill Bidwell Jr., VP. And on top of that, have a good GM in place in Rod Graves. In contrast, the Raiders seem to be stuck in the same situation as the Bills... Al Davis (80) of the Raiders, is too old to run things on his own. And he’s 10 years younger than Ralph! The most powerful executive on staff is Amy Trask (Chief Executive) and she started with the team as an intern. It’s safe to say that she has no former NFL experience. John Herrera, Senior Executive, started with the Raiders as a ball boy, and joined the team officially in 1978 in PR. Their pro personnel guy was most recently a tight ends coach for the Falcons. The only reason he was hired to the personnel department is because he formerly coached the Raiders o-line in the late 90’s. Davis is just as clueless as Ralph at this point in his life. And their image and performance on the field reflect their poor management. Bottom line… The stadium lease ends in 2012. Los Angeles wants a team there at the same time, ironically. Unless Ralph sells this team now, this team is as good as gone. He doesn’t know many people in the league any more, he probably doesn’t even own a cell phone or know what the internet is at this point. Seriously. You MUST evolve as a business. And you have to know when to let go and pass your power on to someone capable and motivated to make your business successful. Unfortunately, Ralph doesn’t have a son to hand down decision making power to. But, his time is up. His legacy will remain extremely positive if he sells the team now.

I like McClain a lot, but I think it helps you look much better when you have a beast like Terrence Cody playing in front of you. Watch tomorrow nights game as Cody consistently demands double teams and opens up tackling opportunities for McClain up the middle. My top choices for our pick at #9 are: Bulaga OT, Bradford QB, or Tebow QB. Straight up difference makers for this franchise.

Exactly. These aren't earth shattering developments. The fact is, if you're going to be out for 2 weeks... you're worthless to the Bills this season. If we were going to the playoffs, some of these guys (Simmons, Edwards, Byrd) may still be on the roster.

The fallacy to that argument is that you have to have someone in place who is worth "continuing" with. Your organization has to be trending towards the positive, and giving you reasons to want to continue with the current coaching staff. Dallas has improved since last season and continues to head towards the playoffs. Wade Phillips isn't a bad coach at all. I know I didn't want him out of here. The dreaded Music City Miracle doomed Phillips career in Buffalo.

And here is the ESPN article... http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4762828

http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter

Yeah, I think patience is the key for the remainder of the season.