What Doug Whaley brings to the table

[billsevans]

With former Steelers draft specialist Doug Whaley now in Buffalo, he brings an impressive record on filling needs with players that have talent. He is known especially for his defensive signings, here is a look at what he brought to Pittsburgh:

 

2009- Evander Hood DL(still learning), Mike Wallace WR (breakout season and has emerged into the #3 if not #2 WR role.

2008- Rashard Mendenhall RB(Perfect fit in the Steeler offense and looks like a good move since Willie Parker fell apart.), Dennis Dixon QB (Took a gamble and Dixon has showed lots of promise.)

2007- Lawrence Timmons LB (Perfect fit in LeBeau's scheme), LaMarr Woodley (Was a depth pick then and is now a solid starter.), Daniel Sepulveda P (Grabbed Sepulveda early and has the potential to be Pro Bowler)

 

Other notable picks - Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, Antwaan Randel El, Plaxicco Burress

 

One thing that is appealing to a Bills fan is that Whaley has drafted the starting offensive line for the Steelers within 7 years. So if he continues the trend in Buffalol, we should be set in a few years. I think that Buddy and Doug can bring some promise to us, more than we think. With the transition into the 3-4 scheme, bringing in a defensive minded draft guru could be a nice move.

[Lurker]

One thing that is appealing to a Bills fan is that Whaley has drafted the starting offensive line for the Steelers within 7 years.

Not to put a reverse spin on things, but Whaley spent the last 10 years as pro scouting coordinator for the 'Stillers. While I'm sure he learned a thing or two about the draft process, giving him credit for picking PGH's O-line is a pretty big reach.

[DanInUticaTampa]

Yeah, giving Whaley full credit for all those steeler picks is dishonest. It was a good front office all together that deserves that credit. Though I do think it is great that Whaley came from a stable front office and I hope he brings some of that success here to buffalo.

 

And even more so, I hope when Nix retires in a few years, he is groomed to make a good GM and is ready by then.

[Astrobot]

Whaley lettered four years as safety/linebacker, so maybe he takes OLB/DE Brandon Graham in RD1.

Whaley is a Western PA guy, so maybe he listens to what Jim Kelly is saying and we draft Tebow in RD2.

Whaley played both ways at Upper St. Clair in 1989, so maybe we take Upper St. Clair grad Sean Lee ILB in RD3.

Whaley went to Pitt and had back-to-back 300 yard rushing days as a fullback, so maybe we draft Dorin Dickerson in RD4.

[cantankerous]

Dixon wasn't much of a gamble...6th round pick...not too many 6th rounders pan out anyway. But good post nonetheless. Anyone is better than the previous Bills F.O.

[Celtic_soulja]

Drafting the Steelers offensive line isn't exactly a good thing...they still don't have a very good offensive line...they are okay at best AT BEST...defensively though, outstanding to be a player in the team that put together thier defensive drafts...though I have to credit Lebeau more than Whaley...but even being around that I hope some rubbed off on him and they put together a shut down 34 here in Buffalo...

[BillsVet]

Two words: Kevin Colbert. You know, the guy in the role of Director of Football Ops for the Steelers.

 

I love it on TBD when the Bills hire a guy who was essentially a staff member working for a GM and they instantly get credit for having built the team. Whaley may be a fine talent evaluator, but he cannot receive sole credit for drafting starters.

 

Once again, TBD'ers looking at every person or situation in absolute world. Nix+SD=Nix is great. And now Whaley+PIT=Whaley great. Both guys are probably fine scouts and personnel directors, but GM is another level with more responsibility.

[ax4782]

Two words: Kevin Colbert. You know, the guy in the role of Director of Football Ops for the Steelers.

 

I love it on TBD when the Bills hire a guy who was essentially a staff member working for a GM and they instantly get credit for having built the team. Whaley may be a fine talent evaluator, but he cannot receive sole credit for drafting starters.

 

Once again, TBD'ers looking at every person or situation in absolute world. Nix+SD=Nix is great. And now Whaley+PIT=Whaley great. Both guys are probably fine scouts and personnel directors, but GM is another level with more responsibility.

 

A GM in football has a lot of things in their job description, but the top priorities are the Draft and FA. For the last decade we have not had a person in the role of GM who has been a solid talent evaluator come draft time. Not since John Butler left for SD. The fact of the matter is, Nix and Whaley are widely known for being very good evaluators of college talent that can translate to the pros. Therefore, having them in the GM/Asst. GM role means that come draft and FA we actually have a pair of persons taking the reins who know what they're doing.

 

I don't give either of them "credit" for building their respective former clubs, but there is no denying they know how to evaluate talent and help in the decisionmaking process for building successful teams. No one here is saying with absolute certainty that they are going to work out. But for crying out loud, is it too much to ask that people take on a positive outlook knowing that we have football knowledgeable people working in our FO again? That Russ Brandon isn't the one making player and personnel decisions? Christ I'd forgotten how negative some of the people on this board can be.

[rpcolosi]

Not to put a reverse spin on things, but Whaley spent the last 10 years as pro scouting coordinator for the 'Stillers. While I'm sure he learned a thing or two about the draft process, giving him credit for picking PGH's O-line is a pretty big reach.

 

totally agreed.... "drat specialist" ????? He was a propersonnal guy!

 

-1 for the original poster for not knowing fact.

[JohnC]

Two words: Kevin Colbert. You know, the guy in the role of Director of Football Ops for the Steelers.

 

I love it on TBD when the Bills hire a guy who was essentially a staff member working for a GM and they instantly get credit for having built the team. Whaley may be a fine talent evaluator, but he cannot receive sole credit for drafting starters.

 

Once again, TBD'ers looking at every person or situation in absolute world. Nix+SD=Nix is great. And now Whaley+PIT=Whaley great. Both guys are probably fine scouts and personnel directors, but GM is another level with more responsibility.

 

What Kevin Colbert has done, as has Bill Polian and consistently successful GMs, is to hire quality people throughout the organization. The best GMs and organizations establish an organizational philosophy and identity. The scouting department, personnel department and the coaching staff all understand what it is and the type of people required to work well within the system.

 

Certainly, Whaley got a first hand view of how a winning organization does things. I'm sure his experience at Pittsburgh will help him to be successful with the Bills. When he got a job offer from the Bills the Steelers were willing to give him a raise to entice him to stay. That tells you that he was highly thought of within the Steeler organization.

 

I wouldn't be surprised that when Cowhrer had conversations with the Bills he let it be known that Whaley is the type of person he would want working for him wherever he went. In my view, Nix hiring Whaley was a smart hire and it was a departure from the mediocre hires of the previous regime.

[Ramius]

Two words: Kevin Colbert. You know, the guy in the role of Director of Football Ops for the Steelers.

 

I love it on TBD when the Bills hire a guy who was essentially a staff member working for a GM and they instantly get credit for having built the team. Whaley may be a fine talent evaluator, but he cannot receive sole credit for drafting starters.

 

Once again, TBD'ers looking at every person or situation in absolute world. Nix+SD=Nix is great. And now Whaley+PIT=Whaley great. Both guys are probably fine scouts and personnel directors, but GM is another level with more responsibility.

 

Look on the bright side. If Whaley does a good job and gets promoted to GM in 3-4 years, you get to B word all over again about how the Bills "only looked in house."

[BillsVet]

Look on the bright side. If Whaley does a good job and gets promoted to GM in 3-4 years, you get to B word all over again about how the Bills "only looked in house."

 

What gives you the impression they'll be a Bills in 3-4 years?

 

At the risk of hijacking the thread, the future of the Bills supercedes anything done in the front office or on the field. I like the Whaley hiring, but it's a moot point if there isn't a team down the road. No one anywhere has given any assurances the team is present after the lease ends in 2013.

[FightClub]

Yeah, giving Whaley full credit for all those steeler picks is dishonest. It was a good front office all together that deserves that credit. Though I do think it is great that Whaley came from a stable front office and I hope he brings some of that success here to buffalo.

 

And even more so, I hope when Nix retires in a few years, he is groomed to make a good GM and is ready by then.

 

Yeah, agree with all of these. Also, the OP is overselling several of those "fits". The one that sticks out to me is Mendenhall. Actually a bit of a disappointment to date, far from a "perfect fit".

[ax4782]

What gives you the impression they'll be a Bills in 3-4 years?

 

At the risk of hijacking the thread, the future of the Bills supercedes anything done in the front office or on the field. I like the Whaley hiring, but it's a moot point if there isn't a team down the road. No one anywhere has given any assurances the team is present after the lease ends in 2013.

 

There aren't going to be any definitive assurances that the team will be here at the end of the lease, but think about it logically. The Bills are still selling out and have a very loyal fanbase. There are teams like Jacksonville that couldn't sell out their own home playoff games are were blacked out every week because they couldn't sell out. They are far more likely to be moved to a place like LA than the Bills. Also, don't forget that Goodell was born and raised in Jamestown and his mother was from Buffalo. He has also made it very clear that he is going to make sure that football stays in Western New York. Why is it that every time someone talks about long term prospects the fearmongering about the team moving away starts up. I am beginning to think that this is the default argument for people who just want to blow the bank on free agents now like the Redskins have done unsuccessfully for years to try and force the team to win now rather than doing it the right way.

 

That being said, Whaley was a good hire. He is a smart football guy who understands how to build a winner. Nix is the same way. Coming from SD and with all the scouting experience he has, his football IQ is high and he was with a team that painfully built a winner over a number of years. The Chargers used to be a joke too not that long ago, but have come into their own. Let's give the new people a year at least before the attacks start. For crying out loud they haven't even been through one draft or training camp yet and already some here are ready to give up and start all over again. We didn't get Cowher. Get over it, and let's give the new FO and coaches a chance.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

Look on the bright side. If Whaley does a good job and gets promoted to GM in 3-4 years, you get to B word all over again about how the Bills "only looked in house."

I admire your efforts here, but it has been determined there is no bright side. Repeatedly. And then once more.

[AllDayADay]

Whaley lettered four years as safety/linebacker, so maybe he takes OLB/DE Brandon Graham in RD1.

Whaley is a Western PA guy, so maybe he listens to what Jim Kelly is saying and we draft Tebow in RD2.

Whaley played both ways at Upper St. Clair in 1989, so maybe we take Upper St. Clair grad Sean Lee ILB in RD3.

Whaley went to Pitt and had back-to-back 300 yard rushing days as a fullback, so maybe we draft Dorin Dickerson in RD4.

 

I like your 1st and 4th round picks. Forget what anyone says about where a player "expects" to go. You like a player you take him. Dorin Dickerson is a beast at TE if he can learn how to block. Imagine him and Nelson as our TEs. Could be niceeee.

[JohnC]

What gives you the impression they'll be a Bills in 3-4 years?

 

At the risk of hijacking the thread, the future of the Bills supercedes anything done in the front office or on the field. I like the Whaley hiring, but it's a moot point if there isn't a team down the road. No one anywhere has given any assurances the team is present after the lease ends in 2013.

 

The team will remain in western NY as long as the owner is alive. He has clearly stated that once he passes the team will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Those are his wishes and they will be carried out no matter what others think.

 

The issue of the lease is not a major concern to the owner. Once the lease expires either a yearly lease or short term lease will be signed. The owner is not going to sign a long term lease and make it difficult for outside prospects bid for the team.

 

If you expected the Michigan owner to have some sentimental ties to the region when the team is sold you are badly mistaken. The owner will be dead at that point. Ralph is Ralph. If you don't understand that at this point you never will.

[Astrobot]

I like your 1st and 4th round picks. Forget what anyone says about where a player "expects" to go. You like a player you take him. Dorin Dickerson is a beast at TE if he can learn how to block. Imagine him and Nelson as our TEs. Could be niceeee.

What we saw with Gailey in choosing GT coaches shows loyalty to the past. At least one or two Bills picks will have connections back to Georgia Tech, Pitt, Upper St. Clair, etc.

[Cash]

"Over 23 starters"? So... 24?

[Green Lightning]

Not to put a reverse spin on things, but Whaley spent the last 10 years as pro scouting coordinator for the 'Stillers. While I'm sure he learned a thing or two about the draft process, giving him credit for picking PGH's O-line is a pretty big reach.

 

 

Yeah, we get it. But the guy comes from a great system that has demonstrated success. So that's a great place to draw FO talent from.