La Canfora on FAN 590: Bills Situation "Toxic"

[White Linen]

Draft picks are risks. Whaley is fully content to throw around 1st rounders for guys like Sammy Watkins, but deathly afraid to use a high pick on a QB.

 

Acquiring Kolb, Matt Cassell and Tyrod are the definition of low risk crap moves. They had salaries of what, 2M with a notable 6th round pick cost. This team has done nothing in terms of risking on a QB since EJ, a guy who has been a trainwreck under center for 3 years. It's incredible.

We haven't drafted a QB in the first 3 rounds since EJ Manuel. I hear you on not getting one every year, but come on. You take yourself out of the game with "well we drafted one kinda recently, can't take one now," lines of thinking. If the Raiders or Bucs bought into your line of thinking, they wouldn't have Carr or Winston.

 

Just stop and think about how ridiculous you sound. They draft EJ, draft Watkins the next year to go with him, don't have a first round pick the next year so go with EJ, he fails and they don't draft a QB this past draft and you're outraged? It's just simply simple minded to think what they did or didn't do is a problem. Carr and Winston? Seriously? Winston is no Carr so don't bore me with that junk.

[folz]

On the conversations regarding Brandon:

 

I. MARKETING

 

1. It has always bothered me that he seems to get credit for Rochester being a Bills town (because of his marketing genius). I'm sorry, I grew up in Rochester and it has always been a Bills town. I started going to games in 1980 and I-90 from Rochester to Buffalo was packed every Sunday with cars and trucks sporting their Bills logos, signs, and bumper stickers.

 

2. The Toronto series (enough said). And again, there were plenty of fans already from southern Ontario. I sat next to them many a times as far back again as the '80s.

 

3. Sellout crowds. Yes, there was a period in the mid-80s where games were blacked out constantly due to low attendance. But since the Super Bowl years that has not been

the case and I don't think it has anything to do with Brandon selling false hope, etc. Western New York is in a love affair with this team (a sad, sick, twisted love affair, but it has

nothing to do with Brandon). And also, if the team won more, there wouldn't be a question of filling seats at all.

 

Really, what has he tangibly done in what is supposed to be his expertise?

 

 

Speaking of which, that expertise is supposed to be marketing, and his prior experience was in baseball (not football), and yet he in essence made

himself the GM at one point, really? And there is no doubt that with Donahoe's exit and Ralph's failing health, he has basically been in charge

of the team since 2006...acting as de-facto owner until Terry and Kim took over and then continuing as president and managing partner since. When

you are the man in charge, you are responsible for everything below you. If we question Rex's record over the last 6 years, why would we not question the guy who

has actually been running this team for the last 11 years?

 

And IF there have continually been toxic relationships and in-fighting, etc. then I look to the top. He is either party to the problems, or unable to resolve them

to the benefit of the team. Either way, as a leader, he is culpable.

Edited December 17, 2016 by folz

[BringBackOrton]

 

Just stop and think about how ridiculous you sound. They draft EJ, draft Watkins the next year to go with him, don't have a first round pick the next year so go with EJ, he fails and they don't draft a QB this past draft and you're outraged? It's just simply simple minded to think what they did or didn't do is a problem. Carr and Winston? Seriously? Winston is no Carr so don't bore me with that junk.

Yes. I am outraged that every year, we say we need a QB and we've drafted 1 high in 4 seasons. It's laughable that you think "going with EJ" into 2015 is anything close to acceptable. How much use has Watkins been without a QB?

 

Give WInston another year. He's well on his way. Lots of Whaley white knights said Carr was a nobody for 2 years too.

Edited December 17, 2016 by jmc12290

[White Linen]

Yes. I am outraged that every year, we say we need a QB and we've drafted 1 high in 4 seasons. It's laughable that you think "going with EJ" into 2015 is anything close to acceptable. How much use has Watkins been without a QB?

 

Give WInston another year. He's well on his way. Lots of Whaley white knights said Carr was a nobody for 2 years too.

 

I'm not a Whaley anything but I know he's smarter than you. Yeah keep thinking giving a 3rd year first round pick a chance to win the started job isn't reasonable. I guess you just scouted him and knew he wasn't going to be the guy and would have traded back into the first round? Or what free agent would you have signed beside Cassel and Taylor that would have been the savior? Since you know everything I'm sure you have an answer, but you don't and you'll default to hypothetical complaining.

 

Winston may well be but he isn't yet but I guess since you can tell the future? Do you seriously want me to believe you forecast draft picks better than Whaley and at least several other GM's?

Edited December 17, 2016 by Triple Threat

[purple haze]

 

 

So you are counting the acquisition of Flutie, Kolb, Tyrod and Cassell as attempts to find a franchise QB?

 

None of those acquisitions was on anyone's radar as a starter.....except Buffalo where Kolb and Cassell were seen as desperation stop gaps. Don't forget Fitz!

 

Point being that they could easily have been A LOT more active in the process of finding one.

 

The Seahawks traded for Charlie Whitehurst, signed Matt Flynn and drafted Russell Wilson all in a period of weeks.

 

They considered Whitehurst a potential star and Flynn was a hot commodity.

 

They weren't hanging all their hopes on one guy or discouraging competition.

 

The Bills are always trying to luck out at the QB position.

 

They still haven't selected one with their first pick in the first round since their first draft.........56 draft years.....that is the very definition of never being ALL-IN.

I listed the names of QB's in response to someone who said they haven't done anything in 20 years to find a QB. They have tried

to find a QB. Because they don't fit your idea of what a franchise QB is is meaningless to the post I responded to. The fact is they

have drafted, traded for and signed FA QB's trying to find someone to play it at a high enough level to win games. Some of those

QB's played well enough to win some games, but weren't consistent enough, ultimately, to get the Bills over the hump.

 

Obviously these moves have not worked out. That does not mean they have not tried or have ignored the position. Bledsoe was a well

respected veteran QB, with a big arm when they traded for him, who had lost his gig to injury. Rob Johnson was the same "hot commodity"

that Flynn was considered to be, both based off one great game and potential.

Charlie Whitehurst they considered a future star? Based on..? Seems to me if Whitehurst was signed by the Bills you would say how

ridiculous it was for the management who signed him to think of him as a potential anything.

 

Russell Wilson turned out to be good (I wanted the Bills to draft him, BTW), but if he hadn't could Seattle fans say they hadn't tried

to find a guy? I would say no.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Jason La Confora was on Toronto sports radio station FAN 590 this morning discussing how toxic things are at OBD. Apparently he has more behind the scenes "buffoonery" to share which will be reported at a later time. Should be interesting how things play out over next few weeks.

 

Summary:

 

- Pegula's have wrong people advising them with own personal interests at stake. Needs more outside voices Amen!!!

- Polian was extremely close to coming in and blowing things up. man so close

- Shocked there isn't more talk about Whaley being fired :thumbsup:

 

- Lynn and Cardale were in line to take over after Steelers game but sounds like divide among FO to fire Rex (Whaley apparently wanted Rex out)

 

 

Have a listen at the link below (begins at the 10:25 mark to about 17:05)

 

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SN590/DeanBlundellAndCompany/~3/to4kXU4YJFk/db_20161216_090540--Dean-Blundell-and-Company---December-16---8am.mp3

 

many how many of these are going to come out?!

Whaley is not above throwing anyone and everyone under the bus to save his own skin. Drain the swamp Pegs.

 

[Nihilarian]

 

This little snippet has no apparent connection to the rest of your comment, but just to set the record straight, Cowher declined interviewing for the HC spot (and therefore never said he would hire Gailey as OC), but recommended that the Bills consider Gailey for HC.

Let's set the record straight.

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/8523/bills-secretly-sit-down-with-cowher

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/03/report-cowher-had-stealth-meeting-with-bills/

[Buffalo Barbarian]

On the conversations regarding Brandon:

 

I. MARKETING

 

1. It has always bothered me that he seems to get credit for Rochester being a Bills town (because of his marketing genius). I'm sorry, I grew up in Rochester and it has always been a Bills town. I started going to games in 1980 and I-90 from Rochester to Buffalo was packed every Sunday with cars and trucks sporting their Bills logos, signs, and bumper stickers.

 

2. The Toronto series (enough said). And again, there were plenty of fans already from southern Ontario. I sat next to them many a times as far back again as the '80s.

 

3. Sellout crowds. Yes, there was a period in the mid-80s where games were blacked out constantly due to low attendance. But since the Super Bowl years that has not been

the case and I don't think it has anything to do with Brandon selling false hope, etc. Western New York is in a love affair with this team (a sad, sick, twisted love affair, but it has

nothing to do with Brandon). And also, if the team won more, there wouldn't be a question of filling seats at all.

 

Really, what has he tangibly done in what is supposed to be his expertise?

 

 

Speaking of which, that expertise is supposed to be marketing, and his prior experience was in baseball (not football), and yet he in essence made

himself the GM at one point, really? And there is no doubt that with Donahoe's exit and Ralph's failing health, he has basically been in charge

of the team since 2006...acting as de-facto owner until Terry and Kim took over and then continuing as president and managing partner since. When

you are the man in charge, you are responsible for everything below you. If we question Rex's record over the last 6 years, why would we not question the guy who

has actually been running this team for the last 11 years?

 

And IF there have continually been toxic relationships and in-fighting, etc. then I look to the top. He is either party to the problems, or unable to resolve them

to the benefit of the team. Either way, as a leader, he is culpable.

 

Well said brother.

 

Never really thought about his "marketing" this way.

 

Pegs NEEDS to clean house, sadly I think everyone stays but the coaches.

[Nihilarian]

 

many how many of these are going to come out?!

 

Sorry to pee in your Cheerios BB. But alas, it looks like Whaley and Brandon are the only ones Terry Pegula is listening to these days. It was also reported that the new owners have cooled on the idea of hiring a czar or senior adviser at this time.

 

Get ready for more seasons of mediocrity!

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Sorry to pee in your Cheerios BB. But alas, it looks like Whaley and Brandon are the only ones Terry Pegula is listening to these days. It was also reported that the new owners have cooled on the idea of hiring a czar or senior adviser at this time.

 

Get ready for more seasons of mediocrity!

 

I know, so depressing. My only hope is they screw up and pick the right coach and QB.

didn't Terry learn anything from keeping the Sabres together?

[Nihilarian]

 

I know, so depressing. My only hope is they screw up and pick the right coach and QB.

didn't Terry learn anything from keeping the Sabres together?

It's going to take this team going into the crapper for any major changes in the FO.

 

Think about the current situation and that Doug Whaley wanted Hue Jackman as HC.

 

Now someone clearly has let slip they want to see Anthony Lynn as HC and Cardale Jones over the last three weeks (Whaley probably) and that isn't about to happen just yet. So, should Ryan win the next three there might not be any changes made! Should he lose one at some point and the team is out of playoff contention then I suspect we will see Lynn and Jones.

 

Gonna be interesting because the two in current power don't want to hire someone they can't control or have a say over so it probably won't be someone really good.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

It's going to take this team going into the crapper for any major changes in the FO.

 

Think about the current situation and that Doug Whaley wanted Hue Jackman as HC.

 

Now someone clearly has let slip they want to see Anthony Lynn as HC and Cardale Jones over the last three weeks (Whaley probably) and that isn't about to happen just yet. So, should Ryan win the next three there might not be any changes made! Should he lose one at some point and the team is out of playoff contention then I suspect we will see Lynn and Jones.

 

Gonna be interesting because the two in current power don't want to hire someone they can't control or have a say over so it probably won't be someone really good.

 

probably, so sick of this $#!t we finally have high powered owners and we still can't get the right people in here. Trump would have cleaned house but I'm glad he is our president.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

So Polian screwed us for the HOF!? thanks Bill

[jms62]

On the conversations regarding Brandon:

 

I. MARKETING

 

1. It has always bothered me that he seems to get credit for Rochester being a Bills town (because of his marketing genius). I'm sorry, I grew up in Rochester and it has always been a Bills town. I started going to games in 1980 and I-90 from Rochester to Buffalo was packed every Sunday with cars and trucks sporting their Bills logos, signs, and bumper stickers.

 

2. The Toronto series (enough said). And again, there were plenty of fans already from southern Ontario. I sat next to them many a times as far back again as the '80s.

 

3. Sellout crowds. Yes, there was a period in the mid-80s where games were blacked out constantly due to low attendance. But since the Super Bowl years that has not been

the case and I don't think it has anything to do with Brandon selling false hope, etc. Western New York is in a love affair with this team (a sad, sick, twisted love affair, but it has

nothing to do with Brandon). And also, if the team won more, there wouldn't be a question of filling seats at all.

 

Really, what has he tangibly done in what is supposed to be his expertise?

 

 

Speaking of which, that expertise is supposed to be marketing, and his prior experience was in baseball (not football), and yet he in essence made

himself the GM at one point, really? And there is no doubt that with Donahoe's exit and Ralph's failing health, he has basically been in charge

of the team since 2006...acting as de-facto owner until Terry and Kim took over and then continuing as president and managing partner since. When

you are the man in charge, you are responsible for everything below you. If we question Rex's record over the last 6 years, why would we not question the guy who

has actually been running this team for the last 11 years?

 

And IF there have continually been toxic relationships and in-fighting, etc. then I look to the top. He is either party to the problems, or unable to resolve them

to the benefit of the team. Either way, as a leader, he is culpable.

And we have a new leader i. The clubhouse for post of the year. KUdos. Selling the Buffalo Bills to Western New York is like "selling" free beer at a Bills Tailgate party.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

probably, so sick of this $#!t we finally have high powered owners and we still can't get the right people in here. Trump would have cleaned house but I'm glad he is our president.

 

I'm sure he would have done a great job just like he did with his casinos in Atlantic City or even when he ran the USFL out of business.

[CSBill]

I see it as festive. Because if bullschit spun out of whole cloth were music, then this place would be a marching band. With dozens vying to be the conductor!

 

That is funny .... but oh so true, and yet, we all keep coming back for more. ... probably says more about us than what is happening on OBD.

[BringBackOrton]

 

I'm not a Whaley anything but I know he's smarter than you. Yeah keep thinking giving a 3rd year first round pick a chance to win the started job isn't reasonable. I guess you just scouted him and knew he wasn't going to be the guy and would have traded back into the first round? Or what free agent would you have signed beside Cassel and Taylor that would have been the savior? Since you know everything I'm sure you have an answer, but you don't and you'll default to hypothetical complaining.

 

Winston may well be but he isn't yet but I guess since you can tell the future? Do you seriously want me to believe you forecast draft picks better than Whaley and at least several other GM's?

He gave EJ two chances and he sucked in both. Putting his eggs in his basket as even our #2 cost us the postseason in 2015. Cassel wins that jags game going away, but Whaley just needed that 5th rounder in 2017 to excuse lifting his boy up the depth chart.

 

Winston was a sure fire #1 overall so I'm sure every single GM, Whaley included, think he's gonna be good.

[White Linen]

He gave EJ two chances and he sucked in both. Putting his eggs in his basket as even our #2 cost us the postseason in 2015. Cassel wins that jags game going away, but Whaley just needed that 5th rounder in 2017 to excuse lifting his boy up the depth chart.

 

Winston was a sure fire #1 overall so I'm sure every single GM, Whaley included, think he's gonna be good.

 

Haha pure gold. You know have the ability to go back in time - change some circumstances and see what would have happened?

 

You're amazing and I'm sure you could lure a lot of people to live in your combine built on sinking sand.

[BringBackOrton]

 

Haha pure gold. You know have the ability to go back in time - change some circumstances and see what would have happened?

 

You're amazing and I'm sure you could lure a lot of people to live in your combine built on sinking sand.

You seem to think I'm saying I "know" what would happen, but it's more like a strong belief. I think 40 NFL QB's could've beat th Jags in London and EJ managed to just miss that illustrious group.

[Bangarang]

Whaley has NEVER had the chance to pick his own coach.....remember that

Says who? Everything that has come out Whaley's own mouth suggests he wanted Rex as much as the Peguals. Do people say this because they want to believe Whaley is capable of better?

Edited December 17, 2016 by Bangarang