Jeff Wright's Mullet Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Ralph has been loyal to Buffalo throughout the years but hands down his biggest mistake was listening to Littmann and running off the best G.M. this organization ever had. The Colts are smart to back up the Brinks truck to this guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomcat Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 "Lets ask big Jeff Wright...right? ripping off facemask "Right!" Anyone else remember that McDonalds commercial? Was it the Mclean Deluxe? Anyways welcome Jeff. Agreed on Polian. Butler I'm 40/60. HAAAAAA here it is!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urgwOC9hAyU awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Ralph has been loyal to Buffalo throughout the years but hands down his biggest mistake was listening to Littmann and running off the best G.M. this organization ever had. The Colts are smart to back up the Brinks truck to this guy. As much as I loved 'Battling Bill, he exacerbated the problems that ultimately led to his exit. I believe he's admitted as much in recent years as he's mellowed a bit. C'est la vie.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 As much as I loved 'Battling Bill, he exacerbated the problems that ultimately led to his exit. I believe he's admitted as much in recent years as he's mellowed a bit. C'est la vie.... Still Polian was clearly the best we ever had and is one of the best in the league. Ralph blew it. Hey Ralph ... Never listen to your accountant on matters that have nothing to do with accounting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Losing Bill Polian was probably the single biggest mistake the Bills have ever made. Thanks Jeff Littman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderweb Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Losing Bill Polian was probably the single biggest mistake the Bills have ever made. Thanks Jeff Littman. Somehow Littman's involvement in Polians termination escaped me. What's the story? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westinghouse Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 There is no story. At least not one that they would be aware of. Just another sound bite that fans hear and like to run with because it sounds like they know the inner workings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFinkle Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Somehow Littman's involvement in Polians termination escaped me. What's the story? I was wondering that myself. Anybody know what the "rumor" is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westinghouse Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I was wondering that myself. Anybody know what the "rumor" is? No , they don't know , but that won't stop them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 As much as I loved 'Battling Bill, he exacerbated the problems that ultimately led to his exit. I believe he's admitted as much in recent years as he's mellowed a bit. C'est la vie.... That is really the "inside" story. No secret that Bill was "battling" with a lot of people when he was here. Compare it to your own job. You could be a STAR, but if you cannot get along with people in the organization, your days are numbered. I've seen it a few times in my history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyJay1234 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 That is really the "inside" story. No secret that Bill was "battling" with a lot of people when he was here. Compare it to your own job. You could be a STAR, but if you cannot get along with people in the organization, your days are numbered. I've seen it a few times in my history I wish I had a link but they ran a article in the Indianapolis Magazine talking about Polian. They mentioned that when he was fired from Buffalo that Marv Levy went to Ralph to plead Bill's case. Marv said something like Ralph he is the best in the business, the best talent evaluator, the best architecht at putting a team together. Ralph said.. Marv.. I know. I just dont get along with the man. I cant stand him. basically the article was talking about how Irsay has been a buffer between Bill Polian and the rest of the world. I will try and find the article and provide a link. It was an interesting read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Somehow Littman's involvement in Polians termination escaped me. What's the story? One of the big issues between the Polian and Littman was the Corny Bennett contract. Littman wanted to approve it and Polian bypassed him. Littman also got in the way of Polian trying to restructure Will Woolford and we ended up losing him to free agency (one of the first major FA signings). Bill's testiness with the beancounter, who'd worked for Ralph a long, long time escalated from there. NYT article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyJay1234 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I wish I had a link but they ran a article in the Indianapolis Magazine talking about Polian. They mentioned that when he was fired from Buffalo that Marv Levy went to Ralph to plead Bill's case. Marv said something like Ralph he is the best in the business, the best talent evaluator, the best architecht at putting a team together. Ralph said.. Marv.. I know. I just dont get along with the man. I cant stand him. basically the article was talking about how Irsay has been a buffer between Bill Polian and the rest of the world. I will try and find the article and provide a link. It was an interesting read. I cant find the link. I am sure people here are more savy than I am. It was in the Indianapolis Monthly September issue. The article is named The Passion of Bill Polian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berndogg Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 That brings back memories, I used to love that commercial. The Bills were so badass back in the day. I also love kevin greene with the short hair, priceless. "Lets ask big Jeff Wright...right? ripping off facemask "Right!" Anyone else remember that McDonalds commercial? Was it the Mclean Deluxe? Anyways welcome Jeff. Agreed on Polian. Butler I'm 40/60. HAAAAAA here it is!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urgwOC9hAyU awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Gerzowski Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I remember this commercial, we were always like, why is Jeff Wright the only one wearing a helmet? This was a promo commercial prior to the 91 season I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 No , they don't know , but that won't stop them . Is that you Mr. Littman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Simple. Littman was concerned about the bottom line. Polian wanted to field the best team possible.Guess what won Ralph over? Can you say "cash to cap"? There is far more to the story, from what I understand. There wasn't one single reason why Ralph let Polian go, rather there were a number of issues. Polian was a rather unlikeable guy, it seems, and clashed with many people at OBD. Ralph isn't big on arrogant bullies. I'm surprised he put up with TD as long as he did. I'm certainly not suggesting that Ralph was right to fire Polian, as I don't have all the details. But, to look back and trash Ralph for firing BP simply because Wilson is cheap, is probably an oversimplification of what actually transpired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Ralph isn't big on arrogant bullies. I'm surprised he put up with TD as long as he did. No comparison between those two, IMO. Polian would look you in the eye and tell you when he thought you were full of sh--. TD would smile and do the "aw shucks, maybe you're right" routine and then do what he wanted when no one was looking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 No comparison between those two, IMO. Polian would look you in the eye and tell you when he thought you were full of sh--. TD would smile and do the "aw shucks, maybe you're right" routine and then do what he wanted when no one was looking... I'm not suggesting they were exactly the same. but, both were arrogant and rubbed people the wrong way. As for being "straight", didn't you suggest that Polian "by passed" Littman on a deal? I think the NY Times article you linked had the best summary: But this was not a case of an unhappy owner with a winning-is-everything philosophy. Rather, there were long-standing differences between the 50-year-old Polian and the people who worked for 74-year-old Ralph Wilson, the Bills' owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 There is far more to the story, from what I understand. There wasn't one single reason why Ralph let Polian go, rather there were a number of issues. Polian was a rather unlikeable guy, it seems, and clashed with many people at OBD. Pretty much what I posted, the same story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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