NaPolian8693 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I've heard that there was truth to the rumor that he also had an argument with Ralph's daughter. I'm sure he was at odds with many people in the organization: This guy comes in here with his winning ways and tries to change the entire culture of the franchise?! Who the hell does he think he is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I've heard that there was truth to the rumor that he also had an argument with Ralph's daughter. I'm sure he was at odds with many people in the organization: This guy comes in here with his winning ways and tries to change the entire culture of the franchise?! Who the hell does he think he is? Me too. Supposedly Ms. Bogdan did indeed turn into a fine scout, but this was early in her career before she had developed as much acumen. And Polian did not suffer fools gladly. I's sad, because if they had managed to get past this, they might have eventually come to respect each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Five Losers? I could have sworn that Indy won a Superbowl just a couple years ago. But hey, lets not let facts get in the way. The "facts" are they his Bills lost four in a row, and his Colts lost last year too. But, let's relive the glory years again in our head. He's not coming back. Get used to it. That's reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Five Losers? I could have sworn that Indy won a Superbowl just a couple years ago. But hey, lets not let facts get in the way. Actually, it was over 4 years ago. But hey, the aging NE Cheatriettes* and their idiot fans still think they're a dynasty too, because they won one over 6 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 We've seen it far too often where people gang up and destroy someone who makes an ill-advised post or statement. None of that should take place here and you were humble enough to admit you were wrong. It's just really hard to imagine RW firing the architect of the greatest run in franchise history, but this remains the truth. Watching Polian go onto success with CAR and IND is like seeing the girl you once dated get a better guy after you dumped her. Best post I have ever seen you make. Truer words were never spoken....that is exactly how I feel about the situation..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 The trigger event was an altercation between Polian and Linda Bogden during a draft. Ralph had the brilliant idea to make his daughter a scout and have her involved in the draft. Rumor has it that she was scouting offensive linemen. Polian put a premium on a strong OL and got flak from Bogden in the draft room about selections. He called her a bad word and Ralph was pissed. Seems he was so pissed that he has refused to build a strong OL since Polian left, just to spite him and his philosophy. Thurman Thomas brought this up recently on twitter, (just a couple of days ago actually),he tweeted "I bet nobody can guess the real reason Bill Polian departed from Buffalo" My instant response back to him was the incident between Polian and Wilson's daughter. Thurman Thomas ignored my response and never even answered the question he asked everyone which is a real rude way to treat your followers in my opinion. My guess was I got it right and Thomas chose to ignore me. I also asked Thurman Thomas on twitter recently if under the circumstances shouldn't fans be upset with the product RW is putting on the field over the last decade. Thurman's response back was, "would you rather have an owner like Dan Snyder?" Duh, yes,Umm Thurman, they do have a pretty decent coach and QB and they are winning their division,( didn't reply this back to Thurman) You know its folks like Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, and Steve Tasker that are part of this Franchises problem, three very vocal individuals all stuck in the past constantly putting pressure on a weary old man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 It's been 17 years. You haven't moved on yet? What are you waiting for? You are right that it is time to move on. But for the sake of history and analysis the firing of Polian was the pivot point when the franchise went from being one of the best run and successful franchises to becoming a dysfunctional and losing franchise. The friction between Polian and Littman (Wilson's financial representative) certainly had a personal aspect to it. But the substance of the conflict was really about how the team was going to be run. Polian's side of the operation certainly wanted to remain competitive; while Littman's side of the operation tilted toward containing costs and squeezing profits out of the piggy. All franchises go through this push/pull (football/business) tug of war. There is nothing unusual about that. However, after the Polian/Littman battle was settled with Littman prevailing the owner overly tilted toward the cash/flow considerations compared to the football operations. When Butler/A.J. Smith left the primary reason for their leaving had to do with the owner becoming more stern on how the money was managed. Whether they got fired or not is not worth debating because they were going to leave anyway. The Bills are what they are and the organization is what it is because of the owner. That can't be disputed. The irony is that the less involved Wilson is in the operation of the team and the more involved the football people Nix/Gailey/Whaley are in managing the operation the better chance this franchise has in turning things around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Point of View Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I say,and I still believe that Linda Bodgan was behind the scene aggravation and a direct spy to his father. Believe what you want but she did have something to do with Bill leaving Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I say,and I still believe that Linda Bodgan was behind the scene aggravation and a direct spy to his father. Believe what you want but she did have something to do with Bill leaving Buffalo. My memory is horrible and I wish I could remember, SDS has made it almost impossible now to trace anything back, but seems like the war room incident was confirmed by someone with an inside track, maybe Graham or Warrow or even Lori was discussing it once upon a time, So maybe Lori will see this post and chime in, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthICE Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 The "facts" are they his Bills lost four in a row, and his Colts lost last year too. But, let's relive the glory years again in our head. He's not coming back. Get used to it. That's reality. Thanks for ignoring the FACT he is the best GM of our time, he builds consistent winners and his team HAS won a superbowl. Yeah I want to relive the glory years, that is all we have with this moronic owner of ours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Thurman Thomas brought this up recently on twitter, (just a couple of days ago actually),he tweeted "I bet nobody can guess the real reason Bill Polian departed from Buffalo" My instant response back to him was the incident between Polian and Wilson's daughter. Thurman Thomas ignored my response and never even answered the question he asked everyone which is a real rude way to treat your followers in my opinion. My guess was I got it right and Thomas chose to ignore me. I also asked Thurman Thomas on twitter recently if under the circumstances shouldn't fans be upset with the product RW is putting on the field over the last decade. Thurman's response back was, "would you rather have an owner like Dan Snyder?" Duh, yes,Umm Thurman, they do have a pretty decent coach and QB and they are winning their division,( didn't reply this back to Thurman) You know its folks like Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, and Steve Tasker that are part of this Franchises problem, three very vocal individuals all stuck in the past constantly putting pressure on a weary old man. God I hate Twitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Thanks for ignoring the FACT he is the best GM of our time, he builds consistent winners and his team HAS won a superbowl. Yeah I want to relive the glory years, that is all we have with this moronic owner of ours That's not a size 12 up you backside although no doubt you do have a great case of the Red Ass. I'm not ignoring that "FACT" - but I do dispute it. Polian isn't the only good GM in the league, and you can't ignore the fact that he built teams that lost more Super Bowls than they won. Wishing for him to come back is like wishing for your virginity back. It ain't happening. Well, in your case, perhaps there's time to, well, er, ah, uhm... Look on the bright side. Ralphie fired all the bad coaches and GMs The Bills ever had too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NyQuil Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Are people really blaming Polian for the failure of teams once they get to the SB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I say,and I still believe that Linda Bodgan was behind the scene aggravation and a direct spy to his father. Believe what you want but she did have something to do with Bill leaving Buffalo. I don't want to speak ill of the passed, but I'm not sure Linda Bogdan was anything more than an average scout. She evidently liked Carwell Gardner, and wanted Jerry Butler first overall in 79. Either way, the dysfunction of this franchise has only recently come to the surface. It was always there, but people like Polian, Butler, and AJ Smith were able to mitigate their absurd organizational structure and produce winning teams. Now, minus a Polian/Butler/Smith and featuring has been or never will be's in the front office, the dysfunction becomes obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Instead of getting to the truth, can we just move on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Look on the bright side. Ralphie fired all the bad coaches and GMs The Bills ever had too. You forgot to mention that he also hired them. Undoing your own handiwork is a necessity with Mr. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 You are right that it is time to move on. But for the sake of history and analysis the firing of Polian was the pivot point when the franchise went from being one of the best run and successful franchises to becoming a dysfunctional and losing franchise. The friction between Polian and Littman (Wilson's financial representative) certainly had a personal aspect to it. But the substance of the conflict was really about how the team was going to be run. Polian's side of the operation certainly wanted to remain competitive; while Littman's side of the operation tilted toward containing costs and squeezing profits out of the piggy. All franchises go through this push/pull (football/business) tug of war. There is nothing unusual about that. However, after the Polian/Littman battle was settled with Littman prevailing the owner overly tilted toward the cash/flow considerations compared to the football operations. When Butler/A.J. Smith left the primary reason for their leaving had to do with the owner becoming more stern on how the money was managed. Whether they got fired or not is not worth debating because they were going to leave anyway. The Bills are what they are and the organization is what it is because of the owner. That can't be disputed. The irony is that the less involved Wilson is in the operation of the team and the more involved the football people Nix/Gailey/Whaley are in managing the operation the better chance this franchise has in turning things around. I'm trying to not relive all this. It's just frustrating because it's been so long since we were any good. Both Bills and Sabres blow and I now live in the Philly area. Eagles won today, Flyers will contend again and the Phillies play game 2 of the NLCS. I haven't enjoyed sports in so long I'm might have to spend more time with my wife!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flopagamo Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 God I hate Twitter. +1000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dog14787 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 God I hate Twitter. +1000 twitter is just the messenger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Gerzowski Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 I say,and I still believe that Linda Bodgan was behind the scene aggravation and a direct spy to his father. :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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