Two great candidates & the best way to turn things around

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 7:28 PM EST Comment 19 comments

I think we need a strong GM & President. Today's news is great because it indicates a willingness on Mr Wilson's part to rectify the ship. It's unbelievable to me how many people think by hiring a new coach things will change. I used to be one of the guys who thought bringing in a Cowher or Schottenheimer, a guy that would act as Head coach & GM would be a good thing but after many great discussions this off season I came to the conclusion that we need a great GM first and foremost.

Two great names out there are:

1) Rod Graves with the Cardinals. He is currently the GM only. We could offer him a promotion (Executive VP of operations & GM). He has been there since 1997 and in charge of personnel since 2002. He's drafted: Fitzgerald, Boldin, Dansby, Cromartie, Wilson, Rolle, Breaston, . He brought in Warner and was man enough to bench Leinart even though he was drafted to be the franchise QB. And more importantly, he brought in a great head coach in Ken Wisenhunt. The Arizona Cardinal's are a very relevant team because of Rod Graves.

2) Scot McCloughan with the 49ers, same deal, I would hire him and promote him to executive VP of operations & GM. In his two years as GM, he's hired a great Head Coach, drafted Willis, Staley, Smith, Davis, Lawson, Gore (4th round gem!!)

Once we have a great football guy in place he should be hiring the appropriate head coach.

The problem with hiring someone lower like a director of player personnel is the risk of them not working out. These two guys have proven their worth and could turn things around. Both have recently been involved with hiring great new coaches and both have a great record in recent drafts.

This is what I think Ralph Wilson should do.

This FanPost was written by a registered user of Buffalo Rumblings. Its views do not necessarily reflect the views of Rumblings' editorial staff, but are just as valued as our own.

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I assume we won’t be hearing anything about hirings or firings of GMs or even any lower positions until the offseason, so it’s all about speculation. Personally I’d be fine with anyone not named Russ.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 17, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I suspect that Brandon is the one who convinced Mr Wilson to extend Jauron so I consider him in a hot seat. He’s done a great marketing job in the past few years but he is in way over his head as COO and if indeed he did recommend the Jauron extension then I suspect he gets fired or demoted at the end of the season.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You left out an important point.

Why would either of them want to come to Buffalo?

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Nov 17, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

money and a challenge.

oh yeah, and the food…

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Nov 17, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to be that negative. For the right price and the right argument I am certain that we could get them here. You’ll notice that I suggest giving them a raise and making them executive VP as well as GM, bigger role, more power, more authority and more money and the opportunity to rebuild team that has been around for 50 years – that’s why they would come.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you have to ask why anyone would go to any particular situation, not just come to Buffalo. Would Ralph really be likely to give them any more power than they currently have? If it is only marginally more, it would be a risk to take a chance on Buffalo (or any other unproven situation) considering their success in San Fran and Arizona.

by karovda on Nov 18, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget

hiring of anyone is a 2 way street, if Ralph wants to pick up anyone with any talent he is going to have to give them what they want as well.

by guruu on Nov 17, 2009 7:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lets get someone that has been on a winning team

Both the Cards and the 49ers have not been the best teams, the Cards had a good year last year but before that they weren’t the greatest. If we do go the GM route, i would hope for someone from a team that wins a lot, Polian might not want to come back but what about his assistant

by Brennan McCoy on Nov 17, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The cards are really on their way and they have been drafting superstars. Same thing for the 49ers in recent years. Both guys have been a big part of the comeback for both teams and more importantly, both have been involved in hiring good coaches recently so they both can do the job.

Coming from a winning team means nothing unless you’ve done it yourself. We’d be taking a chance whereas these two are proven commodities that could be attracted by a raise.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 11:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

McCloughan didn’t really hire Mike Singletary, he took over after Mike Nolan got fired and won the job.

by WhiskeySierra6 on Nov 18, 2009 2:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s the guy in charge and he chose to keep Singletary in place – same difference. Scot seems like a really sharp guy.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 18, 2009 6:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would you give Brandon the same accolades if Fewell turns out to be Singletary-like? I wouldn’t.

by WhiskeySierra6 on Nov 19, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To be very honest with you, if Fewel would change the mindset and completely turn things around then I would be supportive of the guy as a candidate. Because Ralph as now announced that he’s willing to do whatever is necessary to land a big named coach, I doubt that Fewel has much of a chance.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 19, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian's Post a few weeks back

had some great candidates. I personally think you get someone who has a history with a WINNING team. Like the guy he mentioned from the Giants.

How many years can we go without making the playoffs...eventually the odds go in your favor.........right?!?!?

by Rudy916 on Nov 17, 2009 9:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes Yes

Or the guy from the Ravens, he sounded better to me but the but the Giants guy was more compatible.
Either would be great

by louiethegent on Nov 17, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me remind everyone that Tom Modrac was a highly touted scouting guru from Pittsburg and look how he’s turned out. We aren’t even considering him. Same thing for Tom Donahue, so taking a chance on a guy that has not done it is a 50/50 proposition. Given that the rebuilding might take 2-4 years, I prefer not taking that chance. Give me someone that’s proven that he can do it. I’d love to get Parcells but that would be a pipe dream!

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The guy that build the Giants of 2009 is Ernie Accorsi. I prefer not taking a chance on a scouting guy or an assistant because it’s somewhat of a crapshoot. In the case of Rod Graves, he’s been doing it long enough that we know that he can.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 17, 2009 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jerry Reese took over from Accorsi in Jan of 07

took the Giants to the Super Bowl. He is exactly the type of guy we need. No established GM would quit and come to the Bills. So we have retreads and young guys. I vote for the latter, Give him a contract heavy with incentives and let him rip.

by jpheff on Nov 20, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If we promote them to EXEC VP + GM

And pay them properly then I think that we can attract a guy like Graves. How can you credit Reese with the SB? It was Accorsie that built that championship team drafting Eli, Kiwanuka, Buress, Shockey and Aaron Ross in the first round and then finding incredible athletes in later rounds such as Jacobs (4th), Umenyiora (2nd), Cofield (4th, Gibril Wilson (5th), Ahmad Bradshaw (7th), LT: Diehl (5th), RG: Snee (2nd), RT: McKenzie (3rd) – These guys were all drafted between 2001 and 2006 during Ernie’s Reign. Ernie is the guy who hire Coughlin.

I really do not know what Reese had to do with all this other than work for Ernie, learn from Ernie and then inherit Ernie’s job. I am not suggesting that Reese didn’t play an important part in these drafts but nobody will ever know and only one thing is absolutely certain the guy calling the shots was Ernie, so he deserves the credit.

I have nothing left to say, these Bills have sucked me dry of any hope. Loosing to a team that completes 2-17 for 23y with 1 INT, that is beyond pitiful!

by keysh67 on Nov 20, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs