corta765 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 11 hours ago, YoloinOhio said: Also his fist pump in the war room after the Watkins trade That picture should more or less summarize the Marrone era. 2 hours ago, BillsVet said: And then, a few years later, he was the one announcing that the Toronto deal would not be extended. I always got the sense he wanted to be the guy who could say it was over when in fact it was his thing to begin with. Truthfully I have always been skeptical Toronto was all Bills driven. Given the NFL's push to international markets, the fact we had a really old owner without a replacement plan, and the want for a better stadium in Buffalo I have always thought the NFL had at least a piece in that decision. I think they may have said "if you plan on regionalizing the team and trying to stay long term we need to see you in Toronto". Not at all doubting Brandon drove that himself and in general Brandon for mostly better did help regionalize the team across the State and Canada. But yea Toronto straight up sucked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLTbills Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Favorite? Signing T.O., although that was more of a ticket sales move than a winning-on-the-field-move. Least favorite? Everything else he ever did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted May 2, 2018 Author Share Posted May 2, 2018 10 hours ago, Richard Noggin said: The time he "privately" boasted to other male community business leaders at a cocktail function...maybe Buffalo Club members, or some other such affluent network...about his recent visit to a Japanese brothel. Essentially it boiled to him being revered as some very "large" American man for whom their prophylactics were too small. Rich stuff, especially if you've stood next to him. Were has this been reported? I don’t buy it from what people told me Russ. Seems like a stand up, dude. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 15 minutes ago, corta765 said: That picture should more or less summarize the Marrone era. Truthfully I have always been skeptical Toronto was all Bills driven. Given the NFL's push to international markets, the fact we had a really old owner without a replacement plan, and the want for a better stadium in Buffalo I have always thought the NFL had at least a piece in that decision. I think they may have said "if you plan on regionalizing the team and trying to stay long term we need to see you in Toronto". Not at all doubting Brandon drove that himself and in general Brandon for mostly better did help regionalize the team across the State and Canada. But yea Toronto straight up sucked. I always felt that the Toronto thing was basically a deal between Wilson and Rogers, initiated by Ted Rogers who had plans to purchase and move the Bills once Mr Wilson passed away. Wilson got a bag of money, and the NFL was pleased, as it increased the international market and also brought in money. The way Brandon would justify it and defend it came off very poorly to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Linen Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 11 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said: His stewardship in the interim period between Ralph passing and the Pegula's purchasing the team. Good luck on your next stop as an imperfect person just like the rest of us mortals. Nicely said! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 My favorite Russ moment is when he threw the dildo on the field at Tom Brady. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Noggin Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 36 minutes ago, BuffaloRush said: Were has this been reported? I don’t buy it from what people told me Russ. Seems like a stand up, dude. It was just "reported" by me in my post. I was there. These kinds of anecdotes are not uncommon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 The tough guy bills management part he played in "Draft Day" with Kevin Costner I knew right then he was a nerd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 His epic performance in Draft Day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epstein's Mother Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 3 hours ago, stuvian said: his cameo in the movie Draft Day. Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Pygmy Goat Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Probably a toss up between the Toronto Series and the "don't let him leave the building/national brand" thing with Rex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBillsFanSince1973 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Quote What Is Your Favorite (or Least Favorite) Russ Brandon Memory yesterday's news that he's gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted May 2, 2018 Author Share Posted May 2, 2018 48 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said: It was just "reported" by me in my post. I was there. These kinds of anecdotes are not uncommon. For real? All I know is that the people who knew Russ always said he was a great guy. No wild stories like this. Maybe its this kind of talk that related in the “professional conduct” allegation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing Bong Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Anybody found it funny how the old thread started in community harmony and rapidly went down to anger about politics? Everything was peaches last night. Just checked to see it closed after some fiery hot takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Worst? How about not being able to build a new stadium for the last 20 friggin years. Dude should be power slammed through a burning table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 I'm just glad he's gone, I thought he was bad GM and just got an overall bad vibe since he's been here. All the bad Juju is gone, if we just put Norwood on the wall of fame the SB curse will be broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 12 minutes ago, PetermanThrew5Picks said: Anybody found it funny how the old thread started in community harmony and rapidly went down to anger about politics? Everything was peaches last night. Just checked to see it closed after some fiery hot takes. Russ Brandon brings out the worst in people. He is like the slime in Ghostbusters 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 14 minutes ago, PetermanThrew5Picks said: Anybody found it funny how the old thread started in community harmony and rapidly went down to anger about politics? Everything was peaches last night. Just checked to see it closed after some fiery hot takes. Typical nitwits. I was disappointed too, ruined such a glorious event. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figster Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Oline had no meaning to Russ Brandon are my worse memories. ( killed Trent) Selling tickets/marketing are my best memories. Its a New Era... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndirish1978 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 I'm just happy wormtongue is gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 My least favorite is when he tried to sell his snake oil to the fans........ My favorite moment was yesterday when he had to drink it... He was nothing more than a cheap carnival barker.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Irv said: Worst? How about not being able to build a new stadium for the last 20 friggin years. Dude should be power slammed through a burning table. Who's going to pay for it? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 2 minutes ago, Doc Brown said: Who's going to pay for it? "Forget it, he's rolling..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan_34 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Simple- “hey Doug, don’t let Rex leave the building” (Russ Brandon). by far one of the worst moves in Bills history. I dispised the hire from the beginning and hated it more as time went on. In turn, it proved to me what I always thought of Russ- that he had no business on the football side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuoteTheRaven83 Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 Favorite memory is of him leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingRex Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 I've narrowed it down to one of two options. Option 1- 2000-2010 Option 2: 2010- current Either one was a oretty poor performance for Bills fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 When the punter was the featured player on the front page of an ad for season tickets. Don't get me wrong - I loved Moorman, but still ... the punter? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Ballin Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 I'm happy he's gone. I wanted him out 7 years ago. This was long overdue regardless of the situation. Time marches on. Old regimes die. The New Era is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted May 2, 2018 Share Posted May 2, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Doc Brown said: Who's going to pay for it? You got 'ol Irv fired up. Atlanta has built two new stadiums since 1992. They replaced the Georgia Dome because it was "aging". If that dome was aging, New Era field has been dead for 25 years. Getting new stadiums built is what good NFL executives do. Forget Brandon. You should be power slammed through burning table. Edited May 2, 2018 by Irv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Noggin Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 11 hours ago, BuffaloRush said: For real? All I know is that the people who knew Russ always said he was a great guy. No wild stories like this. Maybe its this kind of talk that related in the “professional conduct” allegation. Very generous in general to the public and those in working/service class fields; but boastful and chauvinistic with his peers. Bit of a salesman's ugly chip on the shoulder. Truly a throwback to a time before social media and #metoo. Majority of his interactions are quite respectful. Likable on one level, but an obvious snake on another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeginnersMind Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 As a fan I don’t pay attention to the president/marketing director much. Seriously. Nothing against him. Just true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordio Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 I have been pretty vocal over the years to some ridicule how I have inner knowledge of what a sleeze Brandon was/is. My friend who has done some business with the Pegula's & knows a lot of people in both organizations could go all night & tell stories about what an underhanded used car salesman Rusty was. He told me one time that RB was pretty much fully responsible for convincing TP to run Ted Black out of the inner loop with his lies & exaggerations. He also told me that move inside the Sabres Organization did not sit well since most of the people knew what really went down. He also said Ted Black was a good honest man. He also told me a long time ago RB was a womanizer & would use his powerful to try to intimidate other employees. My friend said when TP took over, once the sale went thru his first order of business was actually to fire RB but somehow Rusty convinced him to give him even more power. He said he sold out a ton of good honest hard working people that didn't deserve in both organizations to convince TP of keeping him. Blaming others for his short coming. Shame on TP for listening, but my friend said old Rusty could be very convincing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRush Posted May 3, 2018 Author Share Posted May 3, 2018 43 minutes ago, Gordio said: I have been pretty vocal over the years to some ridicule how I have inner knowledge of what a sleeze Brandon was/is. My friend who has done some business with the Pegula's & knows a lot of people in both organizations could go all night & tell stories about what an underhanded used car salesman Rusty was. He told me one time that RB was pretty much fully responsible for convincing TP to run Ted Black out of the inner loop with his lies & exaggerations. He also told me that move inside the Sabres Organization did not sit well since most of the people knew what really went down. He also said Ted Black was a good honest man. He also told me a long time ago RB was a womanizer & would use his powerful to try to intimidate other employees. My friend said when TP took over, once the sale went thru his first order of business was actually to fire RB but somehow Rusty convinced him to give him even more power. He said he sold out a ton of good honest hard working people that didn't deserve in both organizations to convince TP of keeping him. Blaming others for his short coming. Shame on TP for listening, but my friend said old Rusty could be very convincing. Wow I cant say I’m surprised to hear this given the rumored ethical issues which have been reported about Russ this week. One thing I will say, I too know people that have dealt with Russ and the Bills both in business and philanthropy. Everyone had good things to say about him and that he was “a good guy.” Also they told me he was a scapegoat from the fans, and Russ even knew about it. So while I have heard stories like you mentioned above, there were also people that did seem to positive experiences him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadLandsMeanie Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 21 hours ago, Richard Noggin said: It was just "reported" by me in my post. I was there. These kinds of anecdotes are not uncommon. Ok. But the remarks you are making these past couple of days do not stand alone. If these things were well known for along time, the Pegulas would have to have known. The do background checks on draftees for Pete's sake. They didn't look into this fellow before handing him the keys to their kingdom? Something doesn't add up. I am guessing that it never will add up. But it is odd to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlonce Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 There were no good Russ Brandon times. I am from a family of salesmen and I know a scammer when I see and hear one. Russ sweet talked his way into Wilson’s heart, he never really cared about him, just wanted to become successful. When Ralph gave him a percentage of the team he hit the jackpot. A good salesman can scam their way into people’s minds,making them believe they are special. If you are not smart, street smart , you buy into being stroked by Russ. Look at Russ Brandon’s eyes. Small, dark, round and evil looking. There’s a correlation between facial looks and personality, eyes and personality. Its about time someone caught on to him. Having said the above, I’d hire Russ in a nano second and pay him whatever he wanted. That guy is a master marketer, a spin master. He sucked most fans into buying tickets. He schmoozed fans like he did to Wilson and his staff. You people bought into him hook, line and sinker. Glad he’s gone,Good riddance Russ. I hope these women sue the Bills and Brandon. Maybe he will have to relinquish some of the money he scammed from Ralph in the sale of the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordio Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 28 minutes ago, BuffaloRush said: Wow I cant say I’m surprised to hear this given the rumored ethical issues which have been reported about Russ this week. One thing I will say, I too know people that have dealt with Russ and the Bills both in business and philanthropy. Everyone had good things to say about him and that he was “a good guy.” Also they told me he was a scapegoat from the fans, and Russ even knew about it. So while I have heard stories like you mentioned above, there were also people that did seem to positive experiences him. I think that was his thing, try to come off as a good guy but people that dealt with him closely knew a different side of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 (edited) On 5/2/2018 at 6:38 AM, The Wiz said: Though it was never confirmed, what I have heard is Pat was hired to do a job but never was given the power to do that job because of Russ AKA Russ marketing a bad team by hiring a known name. I don't think Russ was involved with the Sabres when Lafontaine was there...he didn't get involved with the Sabres until after Ralph Wilson passed away. As I recall, Lafontaine was fired in February, early March of 2014, and Ralph passed away late in March. Russ was only a Bills employee at that time. Edited May 3, 2018 by Buftex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 2 minutes ago, Buftex said: I don't think Russ was involved with the Sabres when Lafontaine was there...he didn't get involved with the Sabres until after Ralph Wilson passed away. As I recall, Lafontaine was fired in February, early March of 2014, and Ralph passed away late in March. Russ was only a Bills employee at that time. Agreed. Tim Murray was the one who put the kibbosh on Lafontaine. Murray basically pulled a power play and told Pegs he wanted complete control over the roster and no interference from Pat. Lafontaine lost the power struggle and bolted, simple as that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted May 3, 2018 Share Posted May 3, 2018 5 minutes ago, Buftex said: I don't think Russ was involved with the Sabres when Lafontaine was there...he didn't get involved with the Sabres until after Ralph Wilson passed away. As I recall, Lafontaine was fired in February, early March of 2014, and Ralph passed away late in March. Russ was only a Bills employee at that time. Sorry. It was Murray that was thinking of, not Russ. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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