Nix is passing on quality free agents

[Kingfish]

The hits just keep on coming!

 

You had a problem with the Bills giving TO $6.5M last season. But now think that a guy who has averaged 33 catches for 417 yards and 4 TD's in his career (minus his injury-marred rookie year) is worth $4M/year?

 

Nevermind the fact that players who leave that winning organization fail to do much with their new clubs. For some strange reason.

 

They must have short term memories and have already forgotten the Bills track record at overpaying for mid tier FAs. The players they're clamoring for us to sign now are the players they'll be clamoring to cut 2 years from now.

[BillsVet]

What do you base this faith on?

 

What were your thoughts of Nix and his skills as an "assistant GM"rior to being hired?

 

Saying the team is going to be reconstructed almost solely through the draft for the next few years expecting the fans will quietly tolerate "2 or 3 years" more of losing football is incredibly naive.

 

It's simply amazing how many people buy that Nix as a #2 automatically qualifies him to be a #1. The man worked out of Tennessee while working as Asst GM, Pro Personnel Director for SD, and then as Bills national scout. He's never been part of day to day operations for the last two teams he's worked for. Yet, being GM means being intimately involved in all aspects of football operations every day.

 

We'll find out exactly how many Bills fans will buy into another unproven group leading the team when the season ticket sales are released. Not that the Bills will be totally forthright with their figures. I mean, this is the team that couldn't tell a HOF RB that the owner wasn't getting his ring on the day specified in a press release literally the same week.

[robkmil]

Andra Davis nuff said

 

agreed, and it looks like he might come cheap too

[manbeast]

Exactly. "Nix overspent on a washed-up, has-been, shell of a player! No wonder we suck! Ralph doesn't know what he's doing!"

Imagine how many people Bitched about giving a draft pick for some Welker guy.

[manbeast]

It's simply amazing how many people buy that Nix as a #2 automatically qualifies him to be a #1. The man worked out of Tennessee while working as Asst GM, Pro Personnel Director for SD, and then as Bills national scout. He's never been part of day to day operations for the last two teams he's worked for. Yet, being GM means being intimately involved in all aspects of football operations every day.

 

We'll find out exactly how many Bills fans will buy into another unproven group leading the team when the season ticket sales are released. Not that the Bills will be totally forthright with their figures. I mean, this is the team that couldn't tell a HOF RB that the owner wasn't getting his ring on the day specified in a press release literally the same week.

Have GMs mysteriously exsisted since the dawn of time. How did Donahoe work out for ya?

[BillsVet]

We have a gap at TE? When did we trade Nelson and Schouman.

 

Derek Schouman: injured each season (2007-09) he's been in the NFL: 27 catches for 275 yards and 1 TD in three seasons

Shawn Nelson (who I liked as a pick) career stats: 17 catches for 156 yards and 1 TD. Seems promising.

Joe Klopfenstein: 34 catches for 397 yards and 2 TD in four seasons (2006-09)

[Doc]

It's simply amazing how many people buy that Nix as a #2 automatically qualifies him to be a #1. The man worked out of Tennessee while working as Asst GM, Pro Personnel Director for SD, and then as Bills national scout. He's never been part of day to day operations for the last two teams he's worked for. Yet, being GM means being intimately involved in all aspects of football operations every day.

 

We'll find out exactly how many Bills fans will buy into another unproven group leading the team when the season ticket sales are released. Not that the Bills will be totally forthright with their figures. I mean, this is the team that couldn't tell a HOF RB that the owner wasn't getting his ring on the day specified in a press release literally the same week.

Yes, because hiring proven GM's is the easy and proven successful thing to do. Just ask KC how Scott Pioli turned them around last year.

 

Furthermore, how you know Nix wasn't involved in day to day operations is anyone's guess. Or that a guy who hasn't can't become a guy who does.

[BillsVet]

Have GMs mysteriously exsisted since the down of time. How did Donahoe work out for ya?

 

Well, the good ones remain in the game and the bad ones are put out to pasture. The same guy who hired TD hired Buddy Nix whether you want to believe it or not. As a matter of fact, RW's hired every GM in this team's history.

 

If you bothered to do any research, only Dick Gallagher, Polian, and John Butler can be considered good GM's in Buffalo's history. Buddy Nix is the 11th GM of the Bills, including Brandon. So that's a hit rate of about 30%, not including Nix.

 

Do the research hero.

[bkc]

the guy has a great resume, he is just a little older then you might like, that said he can turn this whole thing around in a few years and then turn it over to someone else

[Bronc24]

It's hard to say "be patient" when you have been doing it for a decade, but we really have to be. I waited this long for the Bills to get something right and I am willing to give the new regime a chance. It may be a 4 win season, but I think the last quarter of the season will tell us where our future lies.

[manbeast]

Derek Schouman: injured each season (2007-09) he's been in the NFL: 27 catches for 275 yards and 1 TD in three seasons

Shawn Nelson (who I liked as a pick) career stats: 17 catches for 156 yards and 1 TD. Seems promising.

Joe Klopfenstein: 34 catches for 397 yards and 2 TD in four seasons (2006-09)

Schouman: 9 catches 109 yards in 2 games last season. He was going to have a monster year.

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

Well, the good ones remain in the game and the bad ones are put out to pasture. The same guy who hired TD hired Buddy Nix whether you want to believe it or not. As a matter of fact, RW's hired every GM in this team's history.

 

If you bothered to do any research, only Dick Gallagher, Polian, and John Butler can be considered good GM's in Buffalo's history. Buddy Nix is the 11th GM of the Bills, including Brandon. So that's a hit rate of about 30%, not including Nix.

 

Do the research hero.

 

 

Vet--who'd you want as GM?

[ChanOverChin]

Bryant is also oft injured and hasn't been very good the last few years. He's definitely not worth $7M/season.

 

Watson was a product of the system in NE. He's good and has good size, but he's not a $5M/season TE.

 

For him, reasonable would be about $3M/season.

 

I'm hoping that Nix is evaluating all available FAs and looking to sign the ones that fit what we plan to do on offense and defense the best.

[thewildrabbit]

What is the saying... You can't teach an old dog new tricks?

 

I look back at Langston Walker and Derick Dockery and think the Bills don't feel like paying a bunch of money to older players who may or may not be in top form, they were burned by those high priced free agents.

There is a point when these older players hit that proverbial wall and are done.

 

Why did the Buc's and Pats not resign Watson and Bryant? Watson is a pass catching TE, the Bills have some of those and need a dominate blocking TE. The Bills have 3 young WR's on the team, lets see if they can play.

 

Sorry, but I'm happy that the Bills are NOT diving into a free agent pool of older losers who are at the end of their careers.

[JohnC]

The owner is 91 and there's no guarantee that he'll survive this rebuild. I take no joy in saying this, but it looks to me like the plan is to be good 3 years from now. That's not good enough.

 

Your assessment that it is going to take a few years to be good is quite astute. If the Bills didn't waste the three year Levy/Brandon era this team could have been a playoff competitive team. The reality is that it is not now a very serious team.

 

The owner made a hideous miscalultion in bringing in the ill-equipped Levy to replace Donahoe. His short stint was very damaging and set back the franchise by years. But that is history. Drafting smartly and bringing in mid-tier free agents to supplement the drafts is not very sexy; but it is the only way to go to rebuild a very flawed team.

 

You may be impatient about the time frame for getting competitive again but you have no choice. There are no quick fixes for this very troubled organization. You either accept that fact or you go on to another alternative team.

[first_and_ten]

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

Buddy Nix is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He said the Bills were not going to make a big spalsh in free agency, so why is everyone surprised? The Bills also know that there probably will not be football next year. They are going to keep costs down this year. They will play it safe and claim they are building thru the draft. This team WILL be bad this year. Get ready for a bad ride.

[purple haze]

I'd agree, but to a point. No rational Bills fan expected the team to sign Peppers or Dansby, although some depth signings would go a long way. Right now, the team has zero depth at OT, DE, NT, ILB, and OLB. To expect players from last years roster to transition to a new job is absolutely ridiculous, and something the team tried to pull last year on the OL.

 

The owner is 91 and there's no guarantee that he'll survive this rebuild. I take no joy in saying this, but it looks to me like the plan is to be good 3 years from now. That's not good enough.

 

 

Listen, I get what you're saying, but let me remind you that FA does not end in March. There will be depth guys available all spring and summer and fall. Teams constantly work out FA's. Teams constantly scour the waiver wire. The guys that are available now are nothing special. Those type of guys will be available all year long. Nix is building through the draft just like he should be. This has to happen at some point. It's painful, but it has to be. The draft is where a teams difference makers come from.

[purple haze]

Buddy Nix is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He said the Bills were not going to make a big spalsh in free agency, so why is everyone surprised? The Bills also know that there probably will not be football next year. They are going to keep costs down this year. They will play it safe and claim they are building thru the draft. This team WILL be bad this year. Get ready for a bad ride.

 

I wish I had your crystal ball. I could see what the lotto numbers will be. Don't assume anything. The games will be played and then we shall see.

[HT02]

Couldn't agree more, once again it is all about money for Wilson and the Bills.

 

That's also why we will trade former first round picks Lynch and Whitner for third or fourth round picks. Bills-owned reports will tell us its about the future. In an uncapped year Bills fans deserve a little bit of a spending spree for thier loyal support but I am willing to bet that we have a lower payroll this year than last.

 

I can't stand it anymore.

 

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

[first_and_ten]

I wish I had your crystal ball. I could see what the lotto numbers will be. Don't assume anything. The games will be played and then we shall see.

 

I said there "probably" will not be football. And how are you any better claiming the games will be played? Do you have a crystal ball? At least my opinion is based on the situation that is laid out before us. It sure appears that there is a very good chance that football will not be played as we know it. And if you believe otherwise, please let that opinion be based on more than wishful thinking.

[Max997]

Antonio Bryant signed a 4 year 28 million dollar contract-how is that very reasonable? Ben Watson is a nice player but Shawn Nelson looks like he's developing into a damn good receiving TE. I'd rather stick with Nelson and sign a cheap blocking specialist to back him up.

 

I like Nelson but when did he actually start developing into a damn good receiving TE because I certainly havent seen it....he has potential but it clearly hasnt developed yet

[CardinalScotts]

i'm not sure who's legitimate, logical steps you're referring to based on your post. his, or yours?

 

i don't doubt or question your passion, but it seems to me you're pretty worked up over every move he doesn't make. he told you his plan and as far as i can see, he's following his plan as outlined. not only that, but you've thrown everything that has happened in wny football over the last decade or so and BN had nothing to do with most of it.

 

let him fail before you jump off the ship. i'll even jump with you when the day comes.

 

You should be a skins fan you'll love the off season, but no so much when the bullets fly for real

[JPS]

Yeah but why not sign Watson as the blocking specialist who also would provide a serious threat down the seam at the same time? That way, when the blocking "specialist" comes in, teams aren't like oh....100% run, stack the box, no threat here. Don't even get me going on what we could of done with Watson and Nelson on the field at the same time......

[/quote

 

The reason why is Watson was not a great blocker in NE and he's making $4+M in Cleveland. The Bills are not spending $4+M on ANY tight end. I'd rather have people like Nelson grow with this team than jump for every FA just because his name is familiar.

 

Plus, why do you want to throw $11+M on receiving threats when you don't have a solid line to keep your QB upright and you're not sure who that QB is??

[Buffalonian-at-Heart]

Buddy Nix's formula to build his Buffalo Bills appears to be 98% draft, and only use Free Agency to "fill in gaps."

 

But wait a minute here. The Bills have huge gaps right now at tight end and wide receiver. They have plenty of money under the cap, right now. Yet Antonio Bryant and Ben Watson have just signed very reasonable contracts with other NFL teams, while Nix didn't even invite either one in for a visit. And please, don't reply to this post by telling me Antonio Bryant would not have been an improvement over Stevie Johnson or James Hardy. Or try to convince me that Shawn Nelson will become a better tight end this season then Ben Watson will be. Those arguments are laughable.

 

Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix is more then just an old fashioned draft - first football guy. Now I'm thinking that Buddy Nix has a level of arrogance hiding beneath that "good ol" boy" exterior. Just becuase Watson and Bryant have had excellent seasons in the past, and they are well known (but certainly not "super stars") - he won't bring them in? He seems to be selecting more "unknown - under the radar" free agents to talk to and possibly sign, like Green and now this visit by Jimmy Kennedy. Is he taking his "personnel expertise" a bit too seriously? Who knows?

 

The one thing I do know is that if Nix would have signed both Bryant and Watson, every Bills fan would feel better about our 2010 team, and not one single Bills fan would be accusing him of "breaking the salary cap bank stupidly".

I understand what you are saying but you need to step back for a minute and not bash Mr. Nix unless you know what goes on behind closed doors. You blame him for not going after free agents but you have KNOW idea how many FA's that the front office actually reached out to. The bottom line is that nobody wants to come to Buffalo. We are every players last resort. We were TO's last resort. You can't blame Nix for the last 10 years. Blame Mr. Wilson for making this organization a place where no one wants to come. Who wants to play for a team that never goes to the playoff; especially if you're a veteran? I mean the weather is awful and the team is even worse. The only way this team gets better is through several good drafts because you can't lure good players here...

[BillsVet]

Vet--who'd you want as GM?

 

First, I wanted them to explore options outside the organization and not once again keep things in-house. For that, the Ravens Pro Personnel Director Eric DeCosta would have been a good guy to talk to. Tom Heckert was available, the former "GM" for the Eagles that Mike Holmgren hired in Cleveland. Floyd Reese wants a GM job, but apparently has a decent gig in New England. Dave Gettleman from the Giants probably would have come in for an interview.

 

The point is, they never once considered anyone from outside the organization for fear of a newcomer. Hiring from within may be fine for your company and mine, but this is NFL football. When Ralph said he and Russ looked at a list and didn't know any names, well, that should alarm even the most ardent fan.

[bkc]

First, I wanted them to explore options outside the organization and not once again keep things in-house. For that, the Ravens Pro Personnel Director Eric DeCosta would have been a good guy to talk to. Tom Heckert was available, the former "GM" for the Eagles that Mike Holmgren hired in Cleveland. Floyd Reese wants a GM job, but apparently has a decent gig in New England. Dave Gettleman from the Giants probably would have come in for an interview.

 

The point is, they never once considered anyone from outside the organization for fear of a newcomer. Hiring from within may be fine for your company and mine, but this is NFL football. When Ralph said he and Russ looked at a list and didn't know any names, well, that should alarm even the most ardent fan.

Lombardi was my choice but I think they are going to luck into a good situaion

[Pete]

Yeah but why not sign Watson as the blocking specialist who also would provide a serious threat down the seam at the same time? That way, when the blocking "specialist" comes in, teams aren't like oh....100% run, stack the box, no threat here. Don't even get me going on what we could of done with Watson and Nelson on the field at the same time......

that seemed like a no brainer to me

[Doc]

First, I wanted them to explore options outside the organization and not once again keep things in-house. For that, the Ravens Pro Personnel Director Eric DeCosta would have been a good guy to talk to. Tom Heckert was available, the former "GM" for the Eagles that Mike Holmgren hired in Cleveland. Floyd Reese wants a GM job, but apparently has a decent gig in New England. Dave Gettleman from the Giants probably would have come in for an interview.

 

The point is, they never once considered anyone from outside the organization for fear of a newcomer. Hiring from within may be fine for your company and mine, but this is NFL football. When Ralph said he and Russ looked at a list and didn't know any names, well, that should alarm even the most ardent fan.

Yes, but those guys have "never been part of day to day operations" of their teams. Why are they different?

 

And John Clayton said the Bills searched for GM candidates from other teams. And ultimately they got their AGM from another team.

[spartacus]

First, I wanted them to explore options outside the organization and not once again keep things in-house. For that, the Ravens Pro Personnel Director Eric DeCosta would have been a good guy to talk to. Tom Heckert was available, the former "GM" for the Eagles that Mike Holmgren hired in Cleveland. Floyd Reese wants a GM job, but apparently has a decent gig in New England. Dave Gettleman from the Giants probably would have come in for an interview.

 

The point is, they never once considered anyone from outside the organization for fear of a newcomer. Hiring from within may be fine for your company and mine, but this is NFL football. When Ralph said he and Russ looked at a list and didn't know any names, well, that should alarm even the most ardent fan.

 

looking outside the Bills would have been a waste of time

 

Ralph knew he was not paying any money for coaching and scouting - what bonafide GM would accept those kind of limitations.

 

The Bills have 6 scouts and their top 2 guys work from home, not in the front office.

 

and now they have a junior varsity coaching staff with CFL experience designed to handle the cheap young "talent" they will be able to afford on their austerity budget.

[BillsVet]

Yes, but those guys have "never been part of day to day operations" of their teams. Why are they different?

 

And John Clayton said the Bills searched for GM candidates from other teams. And ultimately they got their AGM from another team.

 

Wrong. Floyd Reese was the GM for Tennessee for many years (cue the "he sucks point because he drafted Pacman" diatribe) and as such participated in day to day operations. Tom Heckert was the GM for the Eagles, and oversaw the Pro Personnel and Amateur Scouting Departments for his team.

 

The Bills conducted no search for a GM candidate (besides the ill-fated Shanahan attempt at wooing) because they didn't interview anyone. And before your attempt to suppress my argument, I think it would have come out that they'd interviewed an outside candidate.

 

Do the research.

[JStranger76]

Because JPS after we most likely draft a LT with our first pick in the draft the line will probably be pretty decent and even though QB is still "unsolved" those "recieving threats" will come in handy. BTW Watson has become a pretty good blocker the last couple years and although he's no Antonio Gates as a reciever he can stretch the field with the best of em' and run a few other patterns too. Not every free agent makes sense because "I've heard of him" ( another gay ass TSW phrase), it could be because the guy can improve the team. There would also be no reason Nelson couldn't continue to grow and develope with another solid TE, there are formations known as 2 TE sets these days........

[JPS]

Because JPS after we most likely draft a LT with our first pick in the draft the line will probably be pretty decent and even though QB is still "unsolved" those "recieving threats" will come in handy. BTW Watson has become a pretty good blocker the last couple years and although he's no Antonio Gates as a reciever he can stretch the field with the best of em' and run a few other patterns too. Not every free agent makes sense because "I've heard of him" ( another gay ass TSW phrase), it could be because the guy can improve the team. There would also be no reason Nelson couldn't continue to grow and develope with another solid TE, there are formations known as 2 TE sets these days........

What I've read is Watson has improved from non-existent to serviceable as a blocker. But he's not a complete, consistent TE. If he was, he wouldn't be in Clevelend. And $4M is a lot of iron for anything less than a complete, #1 TE. Yes, he can stretch the field, but so can Nelson. I'm just not buying Watson as a good investment for that kind of money. As impressive he always looked against us (bad defenses), he was invisible at times.

 

And don't think the Bills are done with just one OT. They need depth at tackle. And they need depth inside in case Wood is slow to heal and in case we need an upgrade over Hangartner. I think there's a lot of work to do and a 2nd WR/TE should be FAAARRRRR down the list of priorities.

[BillsPhan]

I am following Buddy Nix, he is building this team the way it should be from with in. This GM gets it... I just hope the owner lives long enough for us all to enjoy the fruits of this process.

 

You're following Buddy? That has to be the easiest "job" in the world right now. Buddy is getting all of these compliments for doing.....nothing? Somebody should have told Donahoe and Levy that all they had to do was cut a couple of good special teams players and a few aging vets, and then ignore free agency till the draft every year. That seems to be the Buddy Nix "process" so far. Hey, wasn't it Ben Watson who scored the TD right down the middle of the field to beat the Bills in NE just last year on Sunday Night Football? Why yes it was the same free agent tight end who Nix felt would be no use for his team.

[DE Bills Fan]

It just goes to show you that the Bills organization really doesn't respect the fanbase here in Buffalo. It has been that way for a while. It really showed when Tom Donahoe was the GM, and continues today in more discreet ways. Last year Trent Edwards mentioned that he wasn't a "Fan" of the Buffalo Bills when answering a question. I don't remember exactly what he said, but to me it seemed like he was implying the irreveleance of a fans knowledge of the game. Last year the Bills scheduled an awards ceremony during the half-time of a Bills game, cancelled it at the last minute, never explained why they cancelled it, and tried to convey that there never was a ceremony scheduled for that game. The organization thinks

that fans are not in the know, or knowledgeable about their team. There are many examples of how the Bills show a lack of respect to their fanbase. I personally am not happy about sending "HOME GAMES" to Toronto, and I believe that Russ Brandon tries to camoflage the organizations true intentions with respect to marketing the BUFFALO BILLS in other regions. I'll tell you right now it's not a good thing for us fans!! Just like singing, releasing, signing releasing, singing Klopostein for the third or fourth time in the past couple of years. He's I believe a TE who has very very limited abilities who caught 1 pass for 11 yards in his entire time with the Buffalo Bills ! Then that other guy they just signed...that nameless guy that I can't even remember...lol...he's been with 5 teams in 10 years and didn't even cut it with the Detroit Lions of all teams. So we want to wasted 3yrs for 9 Million dollars on this second rate or third rate player?? Can't they go after any players with at least some sort of proven track record? Buddy Nix believes in building through the draft like you mentioned, and that is great to some extent. The only problem with that mind-set in this organization is that they have holes at LOT, DT/NT, Should have some at QB..But who knows with the Bills?, LB's are undersized generally speaking..., and several other holes and little QUALITY depth on the roster.. They need WR's as well. So why don't we take a good look at a RB in the upcoming draft????????? Also...almost every time we draft a player who becomes a very good player and they become a free agent looking for big bucks we don't compete to keep them! Just a few off the top of my head and there are many more over the past decade are: Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Antwoine Winfield, and Pat Williams !! Where are we going on this carousel? It seems like more of the same! Where are the deliberate logical steps to get better??????? Are they trying to beat the Bills organization into such submission that the Bills fanbase displays their disgust by not renewing season tickets????? If the Bills play to a half-full stadium they would have every

reason to legitamize a move to a bigger market in another city!!!!!!!!!! It sure makes you wonder and question this organizations true intentions?????????????????? Sorry about my lengthy post..but the team I love pizzes me off !!

Great post. This team is doomed to be mediocre at best. At this point, the team needs to be sold to an owner who has the desire and will to win, not some aged owner (Bud Adams) who allows his fellow owner to openly disrespent him, and then do nothing about it. By the way, by doing that, he not only disrespected the Bills, but the entire fan base as well. Then continue to make questionable personnel decisions. I thought that last year represented the bottom with the firing of the Offensive Co-ordinator jsut before the season and the way the OL was handled. Did anybody think the Bills could be competitive after that? As a fanatical fan for over 30 years, I am done with this bull^&*#!!! I am cancelling my Sunday Ticket and will not travel up to Buffalo for a game this year like I have in the past. Having to sit thru the worst NFL game of the season last year, only reinforces my thoughts that it is hopeless. The truth hurts, but they are not even trying to build a winner. And don't go giving me that nonsense that you build thru the draft. I count 11 (yes 11) holes that this team has at the moment with the most important one being QB and then going from there (NT, DE, 2 OLB, backup ILB, 2 OT's, WR, backup WR and backup OG). That's a lot more holes my friends than can be filled in three drafts. They NEED to to supplement with FA and I just don't see the competence or desire for the Bills to ever win again with the current clowns (I mean regime). I'm tired of spending and wasting my Sunday's and emotions on this ridiculous excuse of an NFL Franchise. The Bills Suck and will never get better. Sad, but true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Doc]

Wrong. Floyd Reese was the GM for Tennessee for many years (cue the "he sucks point because he drafted Pacman" diatribe) and as such participated in day to day operations. Tom Heckert was the GM for the Eagles, and oversaw the Pro Personnel and Amateur Scouting Departments for his team.

 

The Bills conducted no search for a GM candidate (besides the ill-fated Shanahan attempt at wooing) because they didn't interview anyone. And before your attempt to suppress my argument, I think it would have come out that they'd interviewed an outside candidate.

 

Do the research.

I did the research. Or should I say, John Clayton did. And he knows more about it than you do.

 

As for Reese, I missed you mentioning him. But if he's so great, why hasn't he been named GM of any team, for the past 4 years?

[BillsVet]

First, I wanted them to explore options outside the organization and not once again keep things in-house. For that, the Ravens Pro Personnel Director Eric DeCosta would have been a good guy to talk to. Tom Heckert was available, the former "GM" for the Eagles that Mike Holmgren hired in Cleveland. Floyd Reese wants a GM job, but apparently has a decent gig in New England. Dave Gettleman from the Giants probably would have come in for an interview.

 

The point is, they never once considered anyone from outside the organization for fear of a newcomer. Hiring from within may be fine for your company and mine, but this is NFL football. When Ralph said he and Russ looked at a list and didn't know any names, well, that should alarm even the most ardent fan.

 

I'll keep this simple. The above is what I said and prospective candidates I thought should be interviewed.

 

Yes, but those guys have "never been part of day to day operations" of their teams. Why are they different?

 

And John Clayton said the Bills searched for GM candidates from other teams. And ultimately they got their AGM from another team.

 

And this is what you said.

 

Wrong. Floyd Reese was the GM for Tennessee for many years (cue the "he sucks point because he drafted Pacman" diatribe) and as such participated in day to day operations. Tom Heckert was the GM for the Eagles, and oversaw the Pro Personnel and Amateur Scouting Departments for his team.

 

The Bills conducted no search for a GM candidate (besides the ill-fated Shanahan attempt at wooing) because they didn't interview anyone. And before your attempt to suppress my argument, I think it would have come out that they'd interviewed an outside candidate.

 

Do the research.

 

And this is what I said to show you were wrong.

 

I did the research. Or should I say, John Clayton did. And he knows more about it than you do.

 

As for Reese, I missed you mentioning him. But if he's so great, why hasn't he been named GM of any team, for the past 4 years?

 

And this is you being wrong again and citing nothing to back you up but a generic reference to John Clayton.

 

And now you're pulling the old "you're not a NFL insider so you don't know anything" stunt. Pretty weak. I take it you trust everything that John Clayton says. Please impress upon me who John Clayton said the Bills interviewed and provide a link. The Bills were reported to have pursued Shanahan, but he went to Washington. Next, it was Bill Cowher, who chose to remain at CBS. Ralph Wilson (the owner) said at the Nix presser that they assembled a list, but didn't know any of the people on the list and only interviewed Nix and John Guy for GM. Of course, you recall that Guy was fired shortly thereafter.

 

There were FIVE GM openings this season in the NFL: Buffalo, Seattle, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Washington. Reese not being hired this year does not destroy his credibility: he's a senior football adviser for the Patriots.

 

But I guess John Clayton already told you that.

[Doc]

And now you're pulling the old "you're not a NFL insider so you don't know anything" stunt. Pretty weak. I take it you trust everything that John Clayton says. Please impress upon me who John Clayton said the Bills interviewed and provide a link. The Bills were reported to have pursued Shanahan, but he went to Washington. Next, it was Bill Cowher, who chose to remain at CBS. Ralph Wilson (the owner) said at the Nix presser that they assembled a list, but didn't know any of the people on the list and only interviewed Nix and John Guy for GM. Of course, you recall that Guy was fired shortly thereafter.

 

There were FIVE GM openings this season in the NFL: Buffalo, Seattle, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Washington. Reese not being hired this year does not destroy his credibility: he's a senior football adviser for the Patriots.

 

But I guess John Clayton already told you that.

I trust what Clayton says more than you. An insider like him would know what people the Bills have talked to, although like everyone else, he likely had no idea they'd hire Nix.

 

Heckert was a GM in title only. He wasn't a real GM. Hence the reason the Eagles let him go so easily. Ask any Philly fan.

 

And so what if Floyd Reese has been a senior football advisor to the Patriots for just the past year? Why hasn't he been made a GM in the 4 years and 20-some GM openings during that time?

[BillsVet]

I trust what Clayton says more than you. An insider like him would know what people the Bills have talked to, although like everyone else, he likely had no idea they'd hire Nix.

 

Heckert was a GM in title only. He wasn't a real GM. Hence the reason the Eagles let him go so easily. Ask any Philly fan.

 

And so what if Floyd Reese has been a senior football advisor to the Patriots for just the past year? Why hasn't he been made a GM in the 4 years and 20-some GM openings during that time?

 

It's wonderful to trust Clayton, but I've still not seen a link to indicate he said the team pursued outside the organization interviews for the GM job. The owner himself charged the then COO/GM to search for his replacement. And RW, being the man he is, admitted they interviewed two candidates at Nix' presser. I've seen absolutely no reports that Buffalo pursued anyone but Nix and Guy for the GM job, unless of course you count Shanahan handling the dual role as HC an GM.

 

You can continue arguing minutiae, but the fact remains: the team interviewed only in-house candidates. Even if they considered guys from other teams, they didn't schedule interviews nor get approval from the individual or team. Is it that hard to admit RW ordered his top deputy to not hire anyone he didn't know for fear of TD2?

[Doc]

It's wonderful to trust Clayton, but I've still not seen a link to indicate he said the team pursued outside the organization interviews for the GM job. The owner himself charged the then COO/GM to search for his replacement. And RW, being the man he is, admitted they interviewed two candidates at Nix' presser. I've seen absolutely no reports that Buffalo pursued anyone but Nix and Guy for the GM job, unless of course you count Shanahan handling the dual role as HC an GM.

 

You can continue arguing minutiae, but the fact remains: the team interviewed only in-house candidates. Even if they considered guys from other teams, they didn't schedule interviews nor get approval from the individual or team. Is it that hard to admit RW ordered his top deputy to not hire anyone he didn't know for fear of TD2?

Clayton said it on WGR. Why he would fabricate that is anyone's guess. I can however see Ralph saying he only looked at in-house guys, not wanting to admit that no one outside the organization wanted to interview for the job.

 

And this point has been rehashed, but just because Nix was with the Bills last year (after being with the Chargers for the last decade), it in no way makes him an "insider" with the organization. I mean really, how much contact do you think Ralph had with Nix from 1993-2000 when he was just a scout? Or last year when he was national scout? And the Bills still hired Whaley from Pgh, a guy who one (anonymous) source blasted the Bills for not hiring as their GM, after they hired Nix (only to later have him become their AGM). So again, there were no proven GM's available outside of Reese who still hasn't been named a GM of a team the past 4 years.