Jerry Jabber

The Bills are 82-126 over the past 13 years. They have averaged a 6-10 record over those 13 years (6.3 Wins, 9.7 losses). So, by going with the stats, 6-10 sounds about right at this point in time. As far as how I think the Bills will do, as of right now, I have no clue. With a new coaching staff, new offensive & defensive strategies, and a new QB, it's very hard to give a prediction at this point in time. Is Hackett better or worse than Gailey (as OC)? Is Pettine better or worse than Wannstedt? Is Marrone better or worse than Gailey (as HC)? Anyone can point to the previous successes that Marrone, Pettine & Hackett had prior to coming to Buffalo, but they have to prove it here. Many people talked up how Gailey worked with scrub QB's (Tomczak, Stewart, Fielder & Thigpen) and got the best out of them. Same with the success Wannstedt had as being a DC, but look at how they did in Buffalo? They failed miserably. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but seeing is Billeving!!

I would have more confidence if Lovie Smith was the Bills HC vice Doug Marrone. While some on here say that Syracuse's record was abysmal before Marrone arrived, the fact remains the same that his record at Syracuse was .500. So, he took a terrible team and made them mediocre...doesn't exactly inspire confidence that he can get the job done here in Buffalo. Now, I hope I'm wrong and Marrone has the same success as the Harbaugh Bros, but after 13 miserable seasons (to borrow a quote from Boss Hogg [buddy Nix]) "Show me the baby!"

My point to everyone that is in favor of hiring a college coach (such as Jim & John Harbaugh and Pete Carroll), that there are equal (if not more) college coaches that fail as NFL head coaches. The retred coaches I was referring to are those that had successful records as HC's, such as Lovie Smith, Marty Schottenheimer & Bill Cowher (not Dick Jauron & Chan Gailey). Just a few years ago, an overwhelming majority of Bills fans wanted Bill Cowher as our HC. Actually, it was one guy 10 years ago: Steve Spurrier (2002-03, Redskins HC) Nick Saban, Miami Dolphins HC 2005, 2006 (7 years ago) Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons HC, 2007 (6 years)

Don't know what that rate is, but choosing a guy with a .500 win pct as a college HC is a huge gamble.

Just because the college game has changed doesn't mean it less risky to choose a college HC now than in any other period before. The option play is the new, hot phenomenon in the NFL. Have you seen John Harbaugh use the option play with Joe Flacco in Baltimore? No. A head coach has to be able to be a successful game manager (be able to make successful game time decisions/adjustments), be able to get the most out of his players and work together as a team. It has nothing to do about college football having more success than in recent years. For every successful HC that comes from the college ranks, there's more coaches that fail.

So what you're saying is every single college coach from now on that gets selected to be an NFL Head Coach is going to be successful because the game has changed? That's a very bold prediction! I'd say hiring Marrone is a huge risk given his short amount of time as an OC in the NFL, short amount of time as a college HC, and especially Marrone's head coaching record at Syracuse was 25-25 (.500 win pct). Choosing Manuel at the #16 spot when NFL experts all stated he was a 2nd round choice is huge a risk. If Manuel doesn't workout (like Todd Collins, JP Losman, and Trent Edwards) then the Bills will go through another QB search again in 3-4 years. Why?

I have no expectations for the Bills this season (so far). We have a new coaching staff, new offensive and defensive strategies, and we don't know who will be the starting QB come Week 1, so it's very hard to say how well/poor the team will do. One thing is for sure, after 13 miserable years, I'm not hoping or thinking playoffs until it actually happens.

How so? Lovie's defense's have been very good, and Norv has been a good OC wherever he's gone as an OC (just not a good HC).

For every Jim & John Harbaugh, there's a Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino. :thumbsup:

Interesting article, thanks Promo!

My best bet would have been Lovie Smith as HC, with Norv Turner as the OC.

The article stated cast-offs (ex-head coaches) and coordinators, so the quote does apply. Colleges don't accept any quotes from Wiki's (because they're people's opinions, not fact, which is why anyone can create a wiki post). http://www.brainyquo...eins133991.html

Why thank you We all have heard quotes tons of times that we're sick of hearing, but after 13 years of doing basically doing the same crap, I felt that quote was appropriate.

Lovie Smith is a proven winner and had a good W/L record in Chicago (including a Superbowl appearance), so choosing Marrone over Smith is a gamble. EJ Manuel was considered a 2nd round talent, and by most draft experts, they didn't consider him the best QB in the draft. I feel the O-line could take some steps back this year. A lot of the O-lines deficiencies were masterfully masked by Gailey's offense and by Fitz's pocket presence and quick throws. IMO, these are all risky moves.

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/5/9/4315732/the-buffalo-gamblers "So, the Bills have gone from hiring cast-offs, and coordinators as their HC, to plucking the college ranks. Also, this was the first time in franchise history that the Bills used their first pick in the draft on a Quarterback." "The Bills have decided to take some risks in key areas, but will these risks payoff? Considering what they have been doing over the past 13 years, these gambles are worth a shot." To quote Albert Einstein "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." While I give credit to Bills management for trying new things this offseason, I agree that they taking some huge risks. Hiring a college HC with no NFL Head coaching experience, drafting a QB early in the draft, not upgrading the LG spot (or any other position on the O-line). We'll see how well these gambles payoff.

Between ending his rookie season on IR, and getting hurt in the season opener last season, I'd say that qualifies Nelson as being injury prone. I don't feel comfortable with Easley's health either as his first 2 seasons ended on IR.

I agree. Donald Jones was too inconsistent, and David Nelson, while he has good hands, was also injury prone. Brad Smith's role has been all over the place on the offense, so it's hard to gauge him as a WR. Last year was Easley's first year that he was healthy, but we didn't get to see him hardly as a WR on the field. Graham struggled as a rookie, so it's too soon to pass judgment on him.

I completely agree. Expecting a ton from our new crop of WR's this year is a bit much. Eric Moulds, Peerless Price and Lee Evans all took some time to develop into quality starters. If these guys develop like we think and hope they can over the next 2-4 years, then it's very possible that the Bills will have a potent offense. Only time will tell.

Welker has eaten up the Bills and other teams in the slot with his speed over the years, so it would be great to get some speed at the slot position. Also, I'm interested in seeing if Marrone will use Spiller and Goodwin on reverses.

I think the Bills will keep 6 WR's this year. My guess is: SJ, Woods, Brad Smith, Rogers, Goodwin. I think Graham and Easley will battle it out for the last spot.

Happy Birthday John!! Thanks for all the articles and hard work!!

At the moment, I have no expectations for the Bills. I'm not trying to sound negative, but I've been fooled numerous times over the past 13 years by this team. I need to see results on the field first before I get excited about them again.

What's the chances of the Bills trading down again in the first round (especially if no QB's have been taken)?

If there's a highly rated QB in the draft next year (such as an Andrew Luck/RGIII type), then the Bills are going to have to make a move like the Redskins did last year by moving up in the draft and offer multiple picks to get their guy. I would have no problems with that move if the Bills are able to plug in more of their holes this year.

I have no problem if the Bills pass on a QB this year, and use either Kolb or Jackson as a stop gap QB until the Bills are able to draft a real franchise QB. After 13 miserable seasons, I want the Bills to finally get the right QB that is capable of winning multiple Superbowls. I would rather have an Andrew Luck/RGIII type QB instead of an Andy Dalton/Alex Smith type QB.