Has Bills' search for a GM already begun?
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 9:01 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintSo... yeah. The Buffalo Bills fired Dick Jauron. Perhaps you'd heard. It's still difficult to believe that the Jauron era in Buffalo is over; I'll chalk my inability to wrap my mind around it to the timing, which will always be strange to me, given that a week ago today, the Bills were only just returning from a bye week.
That's big news, to say the least. The fact that defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was promoted to interim head coach was pretty big news, too. It's fun to speculate who might become Buffalo's next head coach, or who might become the next casualty in the front office purge Ralph Wilson is expected to embark upon.
With all proper apologies to folks who would rather partake in those discussions on the day after, I'm going to go ahead and say that those two news items were not the biggest news on the day. No, to me, the biggest, most important news comes via Ed Kilgore of WGRZ.com, who offered up this little throwaway nugget in the aftermath of Jauron's firing:
But, there are reasons to think Ralph C. Wilson "gets it", and is actually willing to do "what it takes" to turn his sagging Bills franchise around. A source tells me C.O.O. Russ Brandon has already started the search for a respected football man to head up football operations, and that person would be in charge of bringing in the next head coach along with all other changes in the personnel department, and changes there will be.
About a month ago, on October 14, we wrote about the possibility of the Bills hiring a GM. At that point in time, I wrote the piece more from the angle of clinging to hope, rather than setting an expectation. If Kilgore's source is accurate on this, it's incredibly satisfying news. As much as the Jauron firing was inevitable and needed to happen - weird timing or not - it's been pretty clear that Jauron was only the figurehead, not the root cause, of the Bills' organizational problems.
From the sounds of Kilgore's information, this is going to happen similarly to the way we discussed it might last month. Russ Brandon, current COO and GM (the latter by default), is heading up the search for the new GM. That's not a complete departure from the consensus model that Marv Levy preached and which Wilson attempted to follow up on in the two years after Levy departed. Brandon's presence makes it possible, because it represents a different structure than the Tom Donahoe experiment, which as you're all aware, Wilson was eager to avoid.
Theoretically - and I'm just speculating here - this new "respected football mind" would essentially be Brandon's organizational equal, or at worst, a half-step below Brandon. (If Brandon's a half-step above, that's not necessarily terrible, as he's positioned to run interference between Ralph and the new guy and let the new guy do his job.) As Kilgore mentions in his piece, Brandon and Wilson would hire the new guy, and then the new guy would build his own scouting and pro personnel staffs, and bring in his own head coach.
I can't even believe how glorious that sounds on paper. Forgive me if I don't join in on the next head coach speculation, because I'm much, much more interested in this particular bit of news.
If Kilgore is right - and we're not likely to know if he is until at least January, when these bigger-picture moves are most likely to be made - it'll be proof that Wilson finally, mercifully understands that the root of his team's problems are in the front office. There have been successes from the current regime - Jairus Byrd, anyone? - but far more failures, particularly at the game's most important positions (quarterback and the two lines).
Hearing that your head coach is fired mid-season shouldn't inspire much hope, no matter how much you dislike the coach himself. Hearing that your owner might finally be realizing that he's been doing things the wrong way for four years and looking to fix it? That should inspire hope. I'm trying not to get too excited, but if this is true, perhaps this franchise's fortunes are about to turn around. It has to start up top; here's hoping Kilgore is right in saying that Wilson has realized it.
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Atomic Bomb
Just realize that the new GM will come in and blow this thing up, look to get some more draft choices and start from scratch. This can be a 2-3 year project. EX: See Chiefs
i mean, think of it this way – we keep the 15 of 20 players talked about the other day, and replace a whole bunch. sounds like a good plan to be me.
maybe a real gm will keep us from saving players strictly for special teams….
by quantumuprising on Nov 18, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
This is the NFL,
we could easily be playoff contenders next year with the right moves and front office.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
I’m glad you wrote this piece Brian – that means we’re on the same page. I was watching the news as well and when I heard Kilgore say we were going after a GM first I was delighted. to me – this was great news.
I hope they get a proven football guy and get this thing going the right way.
Kilgore also said that the decision to fire DJ was made weeks ago (I even rewinded my DVR to make sure he said that) – so why this didn’t happen on the bye week is odd – but i don’t care about that – I’m just glad it happened.
I"m looking for Fewell to get some young players some work as well.
Never put salt in your eyes
Agree. I’m more excited about getting a new GM then coach. I think everyone knew the coach getting axed was inevitable.
Brian, that piece you wrote on the possible GM search a month ago, was awesome. I just re-read it , and I have to say it is one of your better articles. Great job!
Go Bills!
by Michael_Necci on Nov 18, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
I love that Brandon is the one doing the searching. I figured it would go this way all along, but for those out there who think that Wilson is incapable of building a good football team, the way around that is to have Russ Brandon do the hiring of the GM. And if it’s the right guy, he’ll hire the right head coach and together those two can build the right team.
I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute
by kaisertown on Nov 18, 2009 9:16 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’ve been listening to ESPN Radio all morning, and they’ve had a bunch of people talking about the bills situation.
the consensus is what we already know: ralph has to open up his wallet a little bit and put a good, solid front office in place for anything to work.
by quantumuprising on Nov 18, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions
also,
If Brandon’s a half-step above, that’s not necessarily terrible, as he’s positioned to run interference between Ralph and the new guy and let the new guy do his job.
is HUGELY important.
by quantumuprising on Nov 18, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Optimism
Ahh, optimism as only a Bills fan can muster. Hard to keep it going after 10+ years of missing the playoffs now. At least we can look forward to change and cross our fingers and hope for the best.
Amen.
I can’t even believe how glorious that sounds on paper. Forgive me if I don’t join in on the next head coach speculation, because I’m much, much more interested in this particular bit of news.
Ralph realizing the rot that has pervaded this organization starts and end right beneath the owner’s box is the best news to come from this. The band-aids we’ve used to keep this thing moving along at the mediocre level need to come off and we need to define what is the Buffalo Bills organization IS and believes it SHOULD BE. What is organizational credo? What is that we will do better than anyone else?
I hope and pray the answer is, “Play all-season football with the expectation of winning home games in November, December AND January.” Between 1988 and 1996, the Bills were 8-1 in January home games.
hope
is a dangerous thing….“never confuse hope with a plan” The problem as I see it, is who will be this new football GM? Will it be someone that understands how to build a team in Buffalo, New York? Someone who can have 100% complete control of all football decisions? ABSOLUTELY zero interference from the goons still at OBD or Ralph himself? That’s really what the problem is.
I am excited by this bit of news as well. But only if, there is a reshuffling of the staff at OBD in the scouting and pro-personnel departments. WE need change at OBD, a plan, a new mission statement, and a fresh start. I hope to God Ralph understands that too
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
unless the ultimate candidate
is currently in a similar position elsewhere, it might not take until January to fill the GM position. In fact, the sooner he gets here, the deeper his assessment of the current personnel. Seeing live game situations would be of immense benefit to the “retooling” effort and it’s timetable. Plus, I find it unlikely that a current GM would leave to come to the Bills. FInally, what is your opinion on the GM/coach all-in-one package? Would that situation make a “big name” more inclined to come here?
FInally, what is your opinion on the GM/coach all-in-one package? Would that situation make a "big name" more inclined to come here?
I hate that setup. Rarely, if ever, does it work. Do a GM and a coach need to be on the same page? 100% yes. Absolutely without question. Should those two hats be worn by one man? Never, ever, ever. Not in a million years.
Folks – the GM/HC is EXACTLY what Jauron was. That wasn’t his fault, either – there was ZERO vision from the front office, and as a result, Jauron was left scrambling, with final say over most personnel decisions as well as head coaching responsibilities. It wore him thin, in my opinion, and it clearly wasn’t a winning environment. Why the hell would we want a “big name” to do the same damn thing Jauron did? Do it right. You don’t need a big name or a renowned genius. You just need a smart guy that has a vision and can execute it for this city.
One of the big names might want to take on a Tuna-type role. Maybe. At least, there’s a better chance of that than of coaching. The chances are still ridiculously small.
Current GMs aren’t going anywhere, either – because they’re already GMs. Lateral moves are rare. I suppose it’s possible that the Bills look at an out-of-work GM, but I’d rather see a young guy who works under a GM right now and is ready to run his own ship. Eric DeCosta, people.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
I saw
Randy Mueller’s name come up in one article I read this morning…former GM of the Saints and current GM for the UFL. I hope it is not some re-tread like that!
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
but isn’t the tuna like a vp or something?
by quantumuprising on Nov 18, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Yes. VP of Football Operations. Jeff Ireland is the GM.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
would we actually have an FO spot open like that though? I’d imagine anyone hired as a VP would have to report directly to Ralph….and isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid?
by quantumuprising on Nov 18, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Promoting a current GM to a higher role with more responsibility is another way of getting an established GM in Buffalo.
Like I posted yesterday, guys like Rod Graves or Scot McCloughan are good candidates IMO
On another subject, I am a bit surprised that Brandon is escaping this unblemished, isn’t he the one who convinced Wilson to extend Jauron? Why would Mr Wilson trust his judgment in selecting the next GM? I really don’t like this approach, I know you like DeCosta and so do I but I am not willing to take another chance at 3-5 years of crappy football. Hiring someone who has never done it is a big risk that we can’t afford. I am really surprised to hear that Russ is involved in the GM search and frankly it scraes the crap out of me because I do not trust his judgment. He is a good business guy and a great marketeer but he seriously lacks football knowledge and was in way over his head.
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!
Get used to Brandon.....he is Ralf's eyes and ears at OBD
I am not sure Russ wants to be in control of the football decisions and is probably giddy as a school girl to have the opportunity to hire someone to makes those decisions and to take the blame if it goes south. Brandon will be in the exact position he wants to be in. He will have input, but no culpability.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
you missed my point copletely Joe
Isn’t Russ the guy who convinced Wilson to extend Jauron? basically the guy that blew away $7M of Ralph’s precious $$ ??
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!
I’ve never heard that theory before.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Wait a minute.
Brandon is the COO/GM, who else but him would be responsible for suggesting to the owner to extend Jauron? Even if it was Wilson himself that got up one morning last year and decided that he felt like spending 9M, I am certain that he would have bounced it off of Brandon. Eitherway, Brandon condoned the extension that cost Wilson dearly.
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!
Yes, but there’s a pretty substantial difference between signing off on the owner’s whim and suggesting the idea. REALLY substantial difference, and it answers your initial question of why Brandon would survive the purge.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
You seem to be suggesting that he was not the one who convinced Mr. Wilson to extend Jauron. Do you know this or you are speculating? And if you are speculating, what makes you think that way?
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!
I am speculating, and I’m also reasonably confident I’m right. Brandon’s been on the job less than two years. Ralph’s been doing this for 50. If he wants something done, HE does it. I think it was Ralph’s decision to retain Jauron, just as I think it was his decision to fire him. I’m also certain he sought input from other sources, Brandon probably included, in both situations.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 18, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
No, but I think you missed mine
It is irrelevant. Ralf trusts Brandon. I doubt Ralf blames Brandon. Brandon is heading up the search for a new GM, which tells me he doesn’t want the job or he would have made a grab for that power himself.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
I understand what you are saying – I just don’t see how Brandon escaped any and all blame for the Jauron extension, which was a monumental error. How is Brandon qualified to evaluate a GM?
Hopefully Brandon is acting as the runner for Mr Wilson and getting advice from big names like possibly Johnson. If such is the case then OK.
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!
How is Brandon qualified to evaluate a GM?
Because Ralf said so :-) Sorry, I don’t have a better answer. But, I don’t think Russ is an idiot. He may not be qualified to make football personnel decisions, but he might be better than Ralf at picking a GM.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
Exactly. If we have the option of letting Brandon choose the GM or letting Ralph pick him, I’ll go with Brandon.
I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute
it might not take until January to fill the GM position.
Nobody currently employed by a football team will be interviewed until January.
"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG
by MattRichWarren on Nov 18, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
I'm hoping Baltimore keeps losing
and misses the playoffs
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Hahaaha....... for many reasons :-)
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
So the Bills can talk to Eric DeCosta ASAFP
He’s a nice candidate for GM
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
My understanding is that with FO people (as opposed to coaches) it is possible to conduct a search and interview people now and to make an appointment that would begin at the end of the season. You can’t pull a guy away from his current job until then, but you can offer him a job that would start in January. And that would be a smart thing to do so that the new GM would be ready to begin his coaching search as quickly as possible once he arrives.
I was interested in the fanpost that was put up yesterday about Jimmy Johnson being spotted at the Buffalo airport. Who knows if that’s true, and I strongly doubt that Johnson is going to be our next GM, but I will be surprised if Brandon doesn’t bring in someone like Johnson to serve as a consultant for the GM search to help him evaluate what the team should be looking for in a new head football man and also to provide him with some insight on the candidates.
Finally, while I think that just about everything Brian has had to say about the need for a new GM has been exactly right, my instinct tells me that it might be best for the Bills to look for an older, more experienced GM (to be paired with a younger, enthusiastic HC that he would hire). Whoever comes in is going to have to command instant respect in the building and is going to need to be able to rebuild an entire organization from the ground up. For that you need someone who already has some managerial experience. But even more important, the new GM is going to have to be able to get along with a 91 year old owner, even if Russ Brandon is there to help run intereference. A veteran football exec in his late 50s or early to mid 60s who has been around the bases on this kind of assignment before is much more likely to be on the same wavelength as Ralph and to be able to secure his confidence (which will be necessary if the new GM wants to make some bold personnel moves). If Ralph wasn’t in the picture then I would very much agree that the team should seek a younger GM, but the reality is that Ralph is at the top of the command structure and it would be smart to take that into account in this hire to make sure everything goes smoothly. The last thing we need is for the Bills to strike out again.
Nice post and I tend to agree with you, but
an argument can be made that the relationship between the GM and HC is more important than the relationship between the GM and the owner. Not that the GM and owner can hate each other, but the GM and HC have to be on the same page with the direction the team is going, who to draft, who to bring in as a FA, etc. Ralf will keep his hands out of it as long as Russ reports things are going well. So, the question is…..would a young GM and young HC get along better, or would an older GM be able to give good advice to a younger HC? Bottom line….they need to produce results no matter what their age.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
Joe, I totally agree on your final point. And beyond any shadow of doubt the GM and HC have to be on the same page. But the tricky relationship for the incoming GM is going to be with the owner, and Brandon can only do so much as an intermediary.
I guess I don't see
Ralf Ralph (happy Brain :-) as the meddling owner type like Snyder and Jones. I think he lets people do their job as long as it doesn’t get ugly. Again, Ralph is not going to bring in someone he doesn’t like, but IMO the GM and HC have to share the same vision for the team.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
Hated Jimmy Johnson in the 90's
Would love to have him in the ’10s
Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!
Again, my guess would be that if he is in Buffalo (and we don’t have any solid info on that) it would almost certainly be as a consultant. I’ll be very surprised (and disappointed) if the Bills don’t have a consultant to help them with their search. That’s the professional way to do a major national search in any line of work. Brandon and Wilson shouldn’t really do this on their own.
My understanding is that with FO people (as opposed to coaches) it is possible to conduct a search and interview people now and to make an appointment that would begin at the end of the season. You can’t pull a guy away from his current job until then, but you can offer him a job that would start in January. And that would be a smart thing to do so that the new GM would be ready to begin his coaching search as quickly as possible once he arrives.
I get what you’re saying, but why would an organization allow someone on their staff to talk to you about your job right now? They could easily just say “Wait until the season is over” couldn’t they? Besides I don’t know if the Bills want to ruffle anybody’s feathers by poaching a guy mid-year. I don’t recall that ever happening. Not at the level you’re talking about.
"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG
by MattRichWarren on Nov 18, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
agreed
I don’t buy the GM/HC concept either…would hope the Bills don’t head in that direction (again). But, Ralph pulled the trigger on DJ before we thought he would. So, who knows what rationale he’s using now.
I'm hoping for 4-12
As long as we beat the Chiefs in Dec. (I’ll be there) I’ll be happy. We need to be in the middle of the top 10 to have a chance at one of the top 3 QBs. If we suddenly catch fire under Fewell and go 7-9, I’m going to be pissed. We need a new face for the franchise and this seems to be as good a year as any to get one.
haha me too bud. Thats the only game left Im going to and I would like to see one more win this year. Are you from the KC area or have you ever been to a game there?
"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."
Watch, they’ll find a way to screw it up. They’ll finally “get it” on game day, go 7-9 or 8-8, ruin their draft position, and keep the mediocrity going.
Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!
haha Ill be so pissed if they “get it” now that something like a firing had to happen for them to get it. But thats a Bills team for ya… Not good enough for the playoffs but not bad enough for a high pick. I would like to see wins but in a wasted season like this one I want the picks. Finishing in the 10-15 draft slot hasnt worked in the past 6 years or so… Lets shake it up with a top 5 pick.
Plus theyll probably lose to KC when I go there. That would be my luck.
"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."
I don't really care about seeing this current team succeed...
because it’s likely to be blown up after this year.
I hate that attitude. I go in to every week wanting to see a win, and get enjoyment out of that even if it means a lower draft pick.
A reasonable goal should include developing the young players, not desperately throwing them into situations where they cannot succeed. At this point, this should be a higher priority than winning, though they should still try to win.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Agreed. Alot of the young guns better be seeing some playing time. Although with the exception of Moorman, everyones playing for a spot next year. So everyone better be playing their asses off… which in return should result in some wins… SHOULD result in some wins.
"I don't know how to explain it but we seem to find eachother on the ice and make things happen... Yeah. Pass, shoot, score... Yeah. Pass.. Shoot.. And score."
Yes, I certainly want to see the “Play like hell”, the wins are optional ;)
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Nov 18, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
im with you on that Pistol!
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
Let's just hope it comes to fruition
They can talk about it now, but we just have to hope that’s what happens in January. Let’s also hope the guy they bring in is actually the right guy for the job.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Observing him over the decades, one can see that moves Ralph makes often follow some sort of pattern, depending on the circumstances. Ralph trusts Brandon so he will be elevated and serve as a trusted go-between, in addition to handling the business aspects of the team—something he’s proven he can do. Brandon will have some input, but Ralph will hire the head of football operations, GM or what ever you call it.
My sense is that Ralph desperately wants to get this right and will go with a very respected name, perhaps even a former high-profile coach/GM. With Brandon in place, the new guy won’t have complete control Donahoe-style, but he will be the primary decision maker for the football side of things. The football guy will determine the fate of Guy (certain to leave) and Modrak, as well as the selection of the next head coach.
If the right guy is currently with another team, then all of this happens in January. Given the sweeping changes (we hope), some of the head coaching options may be gone before the football guy is in place. However, there are some people that are available now if Ralph is so inclined. One thing is for certain, Ralph will not be rushed into this decision. Who knows, he may have someone in mind already.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
There seems to be a lot of ‘Ralph needs to spend lots of money to get it right’ sentiment going on. Or ‘who cares if the prominent head coach wants control of operations even if that’s not a good setup, we want him as the head coach’.
Spending money on a name isn’t necessarily going to be the best long term situation. The Dolphins brought in Jimmy Johnson and had mediocre results, and then he fled after a few years. Parcells goes to a team and leaves them after a few years. Veteran coaches/GMs aren’t looking for a long term commitment, and once you’ve accomplished something big the motivation to do it again, particularly as you age lessens.
To me going with someone younger has a couple benefits. 1. That person has more energy & motivation to succeed. 2. You’re likely looking at someone who’s going to have new ideas and approaches that might be more successful today. 3. You’d be selecting someone that would, if things go right, be in that position for 10+ years.
So I don’t think a expensive big name coach and/or GM is the way to go, and it’s not because of money. I just don’t think it’s an ideal long term solution. Obviously you don’t want to hire someone who is taking the job because they’re the only one willing to do it for under $1MM; ultimately you want the right guy in the position. And if that guy is being promoted to a GM position it’s not going to initially command a huge salary. But just because you’re not paying $7MM/year doesn’t mean it’s ‘going cheap’ or the wrong choice.
Who’s that person? I have no idea. Just from the post on it a month or so ago it sounds like Brian has a few viable up-and-coming candidates that would be acceptable choices in my eyes.
When the new guy comes in and rebuilds the coaching staff, I think Jauron would make a great Defensive Backs coach!
nine million reasons
to go away and stay away. That ain’t gonna happen.
He’ll be a fantastic DB coach and scout somewhere… but I doubt it’ll be Buffalo.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Nov 18, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Dreamers
I hope there isn’t a Head Coach hired until a new GM is in place. I also hope that if Johnson is in Buffalo and related to Jauron being fired, then I hope it’s because they called him in for advise about what direction to go etc::
ill go further
if Johnson is in BUffalo I hope its because HE is the new GM.
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
There won’t be because whoever is hired as GM gets to pick the coach they want.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Nov 18, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
parcells and the dolphins may have hooked us up
Parcells move up from coaching to VP of Ops and the success hes had could have inspired many guys who want football back in their lives but dont want to deal with being coaches again to return in a similar capacity. Guys like Cowher, JImmy Johnson, and Holmgren are all viable and REAL candidates for the Bills as GMs IF they are willing to spend the money. From the sounds of reports, Ralph may be willing to shell out the dough. I’ll hold my breath and take a wait and see but the signing of TO shows Ralph wants to win before he kicks the bucket (which I hope is not for many many many years).
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
Kilgore's must curious statement
One quoted by J2 here, is that the decision to fire Jauron was made “weeks ago.”
Huh?
If true, that means only one thing: they tried to get someone else for the HC and failed, finally announcing the firing yesterday. Wouldn’t be interesting (“inquiring minds want to know”) who they were after?
Also, the fact that when they fired Jauron and didn’t announce the interim coach right away (which always happens), you wonder what happened in that 5-hour-or-so window? Kilgore speculated on that, too, was nothing was proven on that front.
Keep in mind all these comments – Ed’s and everyone else’s here – are speculation, not fact. Nonetheless, we are all desperate for hope that this franchise can be turned around, which means run the right way. As someone pointed out, the next few months might be the most critical in the history of this franchise!
Regardless of what happens, by the way, we still have to worry about the team leaving. I , and most Bills fans I know in WNY, will NOT root for the “Toronto Bills” or “Los Angeles Bills.”
So, please, Ralph: make good decisions here and also somehow help make plans for the team to remain here when you’re gone. Wouldn’t that be a ball-buster to build this team back up, leave, and then win a Super Bowl in another city? No thanks.
There have been successes from the current regime – Jairus Byrd, anyone?
Yeah, that’s true, because Jauron has always loved him some DB’s, and that’s pretty much the only position he can accurately gauge talent wise. If he had any say in making the team, he probably made sure he got his word in edgewise for every defensive back. That might not be a bad thing, because this secondary, when it’s fully healthy (ha, as if that’s ever going to happen), is a great unit. But seriously ask yourself, can you say that about any other position? The front seven on defense is either a porous sieve or a bull running into a brick wall, the offensive line has seemingly been taught the matador technique (olé!), and the quarterbacks are a smorgasbord of suck. Both the WR and RB units are pretty solid, but that means diddly squat if the QB and OL are as atrocious as they are. And at what time is the need for viable, reliable backups going to overrule Bobby April’s need for special teams aces? Because just like before, a great special teams unit means diddly squat if the offense can’t score. God almighty, I hope they bring in a football mind who can accurately evaluate talent at more than two positions. Otherwise, this team will be a doormat for years to come and who might eventually be good because of the 22 top five picks playing on either side of the ball.
if you will recall
Perry Fewell has had a connection to Gill Byrd since they coached together at St. Louis. He had the luxury of watching him grow from high school and through college, and waited for his scouts to determine a player that he wanted to be a “ball hawk” and Byrd is who they came up with. i wonder why. DJ did love him some db’s no doubt about it. there are plenty of do*cheb*gs surrounding this organization currently. Unfortunately for us DJ was not one of them. He just doesn’t know how to find himself a successful OC. Good ol’ Steve Fairchild and his run, run, pass, punt. the lack of continuity and direction in the offense is directly reflected in its poor performance. my only hope is that an individual such as Fewell gets an opportunity here if a new GM/ HC or whatever changes occur. I feel if he is qualified and fit for interim HC, then he certainly should be able to stay on with (us in some capactiy) and his defense that he has built and is continuing to find ways to help solidify.
Jairus
watching jairus grow. not gill. well maybe as a coach. hard to say. just speculating. have to ask them. ; )
a problem with Brandon
Doing the GM search is the “lesser shining light” theory. Brandon will not want to be outshone by the GM so therefore he will wind up bringing in a mediocre person. However, since no one in the organization has a good track record in hiring people we don’t have much choice.
by jpheff on Nov 18, 2009 4:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
you assume Brandon wants to be in the light by himself
He could still do all the marketing and ribbon cutting stuff, while leaving the “heavy lifting” to the GM of football operations or whatever title the new guy gets.
"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa
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