Let's hope Bills are working on a Plan B
by Brian Galliford on Nov 24, 2009 8:15 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintIt was a week ago today, following a 41-17 road loss to one of football's hottest teams in Tennessee, that the Buffalo Bills relieved head coach Dick Jauron of his duties and promoted defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to interim head coach. Since then, the Bills have lost a close road game in Jacksonville, suffered two more devastating, season-ending injuries, and crept a little closer toward the top of the 2010 NFL Draft order.
Most interestingly of all, they've also been linked to nearly every big-name head coach on the market.
Mike Shanahan, former head coach of Denver, will meet with the Bills at some point this week, before Thanksgiving on Thursday. The team went after Jon Gruden briefly before he re-upped his contract with ESPN's "Monday Night Football." Last night, NFL.com reported that the Bills have reached out to former Pittsburgh head coach Bill Cowher. Tangentially, names like Mike Holmgren, Tony Dungy and Marty Schottenheimer have been mentioned, too, though it seems apparent that none of those three men are particularly interested in coaching again.
Heck, even Charlie Weis has been mentioned. (I'll restrain myself on that one for the time being.)
Buffalo seems to be going all in. Ralph Wilson has said he's willing to do whatever it takes to win, and there have been reports that he's willing to spend as much as $10 million annually to bring in the best head coach possible. That's nice and all, but it'd be nice to hear that the Bills are making a Plan B list of names, too - preferably, General Manager candidates.
Bills don't really have an advantage
The prevailing theory behind the timing of Jauron's firing is that Wilson and COO Russ Brandon wanted to get a head start on the competition for the services of the big-name coaches above. In terms of men who want to coach, that's Shanahan and Cowher - and they're probably going to be the top two candidates for every job opening this season (with the exception of Shanahan being a candidate for a possible opening in Oakland).
As such, Shanahan and Cowher are smart. They know they're coveted. Cowher has said that he won't listen to any offers until after the season is over; he doesn't have to. There will always be a market for his services. The same goes for Shanahan, though he will meet with Buffalo this week to at least discuss the opening and, as everyone is putting it, hear what Buffalo has to say. Most industry insiders suggest that Shanahan, too, won't make a decision until after the season, when the market is set. If it gets to that point - and odds are outstanding that it will - Buffalo's offer to either of these guys will become less illustrious by the day.
Shanahan and Cowher are the only options out there that truly fit the GM/Head Coach role that Buffalo seems to prefer. Forget about the other available big names as potential coaches. Holmgren, Dungy and Schottenheimer won't be coaching in 2010. That doesn't mean, however, that they don't make nice Plan B options.
Plan B needs to be front office-oriented
Weis is just one of a handful of second-tier coaching prospects that are apparently on Buffalo's radar. Other names that have been mentioned include Jim Haslett, Kevin Gilbride, Marc Trestman and Perry Fewell. That's great and all, but that doesn't fix the Bills' real issue - the front office. Shanahan and Cowher at least do that in theory; none of these Plan B coaching options have the clout or respectability to handle the dual role the Bills seem to prefer.
My nerves - shot by a decade of brutal football - would be soothed tremendously if we started hearing names of personnel men linked to Buffalo. That's where guys like Holmgren, Schottenheimer and Dungy fit in - none of those guys will be coaching, but they might be intrigued by the idea of holding a Bill Parcells-like role within an organization. (Holmgren, by the way, has already been linked to Cleveland in exactly that manner.) There are also proven, experienced GMs on the market - Charley Casserly is an example - that the Bills should be exploring. There are young up-and-comers worth looking at as well, such as Baltimore's Eric DeCosta (you knew it was coming).
I don't have a huge problem with the Bills pursuing names like Shanahan and Cowher for a dual role within the organization. It's not the way I'd do it, but that doesn't mean it can't work. I don't think I need to tell you that hiring either would bring excitement back to this football team, not to mention a degree of respect we haven't had in... well, a decade.
But Buffalo seems to be putting most of their eggs in two big baskets, and an egg or two in completely bone-headed locations. Buffalo won't change a lick if they miss out on the big names and decide to plug in one of the second-tier coaches listed above into a still-dysfunctional organization. Again, those guys don't have the clout to re-structure an organization correctly. It'd be a disaster similar to the epically failed experiment we've seen in Cleveland this past season with Eric Mangini and George Kokinis.
Buffalo needs to start working on Plan B. Perhaps they already are - and if they are, good on them. Reach out to the available general manager-types, such as Holmgren or Casserly. Make a list of potential GM candidates currently employed by other organizations to speak with in the (likely) event Shanahan and Cowher take jobs elsewhere, or else don't coach at all. And if we can just never bring up names like Weis or Haslett again until a front office voice is chosen, that'd be fantastic as well. Plan A sounds good, but the current Plan B we're aware of won't fix a thing.
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I've mentioned this before
But it’s a slight bit possible, though not likely, that there won’t be a change at the front office. It might be that the men within are shuffled around and one given a GM title. That would explain why the Bills are targeting coaches with such fury now.
Mmmph rrgh prrmf! - someone with his mouth gagged
Trust me, we do not want Charlie Casserly as our GM. He was absolutely horrible in Washington, where he constantly screwed up at drafting and had them in a terrible salary cap-shape. That was also the case in Houston, where he never had success.
Forgetting my hatred towards Casserly, I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, but I’d still much, much rather have a proven winner in Mike Shanahan to revive this franchise than, say, Eric DeCosta.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions
FWIW, DeCosta also has a Super Bowl ring…and his isn’t tied to a certain hall of fameQB.
Bill Polian and AJ Smith are gone, so there's not the usual balance between "sane" and "others." Ralph has mentally checked out since 1994. It's a very dangerous time. The coalition for reason is extremely weak.
But he hasn’t proven anything to this point other than being part of Ozzie Newsome’s greatness as GM.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Absolutely horrible?
One Super Bowl win as GM, two others as assistant GM. As a scout he found Joe Jacoby and Jeff Bostic as free agents. Brian Mitchell, Keenan McCardell, Frank Wycheck and Stephen Davis were all late round picks that were Pro Bowlers. He drafted Champ Bailey, the player he wanted, while picking up the Saints entire draft plus future top picks. The salary cap didn’t even exist for the first half of his time as GM.
Sure he missed on his first draft in Houston but that was an expansion team. In the next 4 years he drafted 5 Pro Bowlers including one DROY in Ryans and one of the most dominating defenders out there in Williams (when everyone said draft Bush and Young) and the best WR in the NFL. In that time the Bills drafted two, McGahee and McGee.
by twoeightnine on Nov 24, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Seriously
I wish the Bills front office had been terrible enough to bring in Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Owen Daniels. Those four are better than any player we currently have.
~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."
REC'd!
I was about to defend Casserly but you did a far better job than I could have.
Charlie Casserly is near the top of my GM candidates list.
"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
Mine, too
As Kurupt points out, Casserly had an extraordinary final draft as GM for Houston three years ago. In fact, it might be a contender for the finest draft of any GM in NFL history (the irony of course is that he was fired for it because fans were upset that he hadn’t brought in Vince Young). He is someone who has been around the bases many times over the years and knows the business inside out. Listen to him on his CBS gig on Sundays and he comes across as incredibly well-informed, solid and sensible. He strikes me as exactly the kind of steady hand the Bills need to right their ship after ten turbluent years.
Holmgren could play the same role, but it’s also true that his drafts as GM of the Seahawks left a lot to be desired. That may have been because he was in the dual roles of HC and GM and didn’t have time to devote to the latter job, but my sense is that while he is a first-rate coach he is not as strong in dealing with personnel.
I watch CBS exclusively for pregame
because that whole show is the only pregame football show left that isnt a bunch of clowns unprofessionally laughing and hooting and hollering on my television while only focusing on “hot” stories (im looking at you ESPN and Fox). CBS is a thorough, professional crew who still manages to have fun and who dicuss relevant league wide stories and get you up to date on the week in football. I love that show. And yes Casserly is my favorite segment!
"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
He was fired long before that final draft, and I strongly doubt he had final say in that draft. For example, he was known to want Bush, but they took Williams. So its questionable how much say he had in drafting OD, Williams and Meco. Go back and look at the rest of his drafts, there is a serious dearth of talent.
Andre Johnson was a slam dunk pick that any idiot could have made at #3, especially since the other top WR prospect was already off the board.
No, that’s just plain wrong. He was in charge during that draft and he was the one who insisted on drafting Mario Williams. He took all the “blame” for it afterwards and later received a lot of credit once it was clear what a wise choice he had made.
Really? You base this on what? You think Kubes would give Casserly full control of the draft? Either way you want to base the several years prior of complete ineptedude on a draft he did after he knew he was already fire?
You’re both right. Casserly was fired before that draft, but stayed on, and Williams was his pick.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 25, 2009 6:39 AM EST up reply actions
Ask any Texans or Redskins fan and they would totally back me up. Just look at some of these posts:
http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1305432
http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2006/10/things_that_rea.html
He drafted busts like David Carr, Travis Johnson, Jason Babin, Antwan Peek, never gave Carr any protection, which likely killed his career as a Texan.
I could go on and on, but just ask a Texans-fan what they think of him and they would laugh their ass off, if you truly want him in control of your organisation.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
youve inspired me BillsfanfromDenmark
i’m going to ask some people over at the Texans blog for some insight. Not to prove anyone wrong in this little debate but just to get their opinion on the man. Good call.
"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
I think one big reason why Buffalo has shown such an interest in guys like Shanahan is that they are actually allowed to talk to him. They can’t go after guys like DeCosta during the season. They can’t openly discuss coordinators either. It’s no coincidence that all the names that are being thrown around in the media happen to be guys who are currently unemployed or guys like Haslett or Trestman who have seasons ending very soon.
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 24, 2009 8:49 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
Agree w/ this article infinity percent.
I won’t believe the Bills are serious, or Ralph anyway, until Modrak and Guy are gone. The front office is the problem, there problem is was and is way bigger then Jauron.
Great article Brian!
We also need to look at Dave Gettleman
I second that — an absolutely great piece that Russ Brandon needs to read and absorb. De Costa might be a terrific choice among younger GM candidates, but another to keep an eye on is Dave Gettleman, the current Director of Pro Personnel for the NY Giants. He is the guy Ernie Accorsi recommended that the Browns hire as their new GM last year when they brought in Accorsi as a special consultant to help them in their search. The Browns of course made the huge mistake of ignoring that advice and went straight for Mangini, with disastrous results.
Gettleman cut his teeth in the NFL as a college scout for the Bills under Bill Polian, so he has a real connection to us and our best traditions. He not only scouts FA prospects for the Giants but also sits down each week with the offensive and defensive coaching staffs and presents videotape on their upcoming opponent. He is said to be terrific at breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of a team, which is why they have him do it. And he played OT in college, which means he understands the need for building strong o and d-lines (if you want samples of his work, look at the lines that the Giants have today — pretty impressive, I would say). And he is said to be an especially warm and collegial guy. Maybe De Costa is better, or Casserly, but I think Gettleman deserves a very close look.
Again, an interesting guy, who we need to look at if we (which unfortunately is likely) don’t strike a contract with either Cowher or Shanahan.
Holmgren should be on the top of our list in terms of GM’s, but there are certainly a LOT of intriguing guys out there. Guys like Eric DeCosta, Dave Gettleman, Kevin Colbert etc.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Good
Good article Brian, couldn’t agree more. The thought that both of these big names coaches “ideal” jobs will open up. Have me wondering what the Bills are thinking because they have to know that Cowher wants Carolina and Shanny wants Chicago(cutler). The bills have to be thinking plan B is a real GM and a 2nd tier coach.
by danntheman on Nov 24, 2009 8:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Its actually a good move by the Bills
to shut up the fans. After this they can say “Hey, we tried to get a big name coach, they didn’t want to come here, so don’t blame us!”
New York City Buffalo Bills Backers
www.nycbbb.com
how not to make a sale but still ask
“You don’t want the job here, do you?
Plan B should be Plan A
Get a football GM first, then let him pick the coach. We don’t need personality conflicts between them. We need a GM who can pick the best players available. We need a coach who can create a system to fit the players, not the other way around.
agree here
No way Cowher or Shanahan come to the Bills. Get a GM, clean house and hire a coach. I’ll take my chances with youner agressive guys and avoid all the retreads out there. As posted earlier here are my criteria for a new GM:
Here is the beginning of my list of qualifications and characteristics for a new GM:
1. Must be young.
2. Must have reasonable tenure with a franchise that has a history of winning over the last 20 years.
3. Must be top assistant to stud GM.
4. Must be experienced in all aspects of GM job, not just cap issues, etc.
5. Must be very ambitious, big ego, ruthless with not an ounce of sentimentality.
6. Must live in WNY after he is hired.
Additions? Subtractions
well said
You have sized it up very well. Buffalo is in a catch 22. They need to act now to start rebuilding, but, the “A+” candidates they covet will sit sit back and wait. This scenario does little for the “team image”. And, unlike the team, there is no urgency for these candidates. Buffalo needs to strongly consider hiring a GM now. That should move from plan B and become plan A.
But, that creates another catch 22. You get your GM, but, then the Bills need to worry about GM/coach chemistry in the coach selected. Plus, you limit the coaching choices, eliminating those who desire to be both(as you said that appears to be their current preference).
As with game wins of late, it will be difficult to make this a win/win situation, particularly when factoring in the inept decision making of the last decade (or more). The likelyhood of the mess continuing is strong.
If we realize – if/after/when Mike Shanahan, like it seems Cowher did, turns us down – we need to get Mike Holmgren in here as soon as possible before the Browns snatch him, because he’s a proven winner, who could be a terrific GM for us.
However, this being said I’m just praying and praying that Shanahan signs with us.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 8:53 AM EST reply actions
And if we can just never bring up names like Weis or Haslett again until a front office voice is chosen, that’d be fantastic as well.
Couldn’t you have just shortened that sentence to:
And if we can just never bring up names like Weis or Haslett again until a front office voice is chosen, that’d be fantastic as well.
Bill Polian and AJ Smith are gone, so there's not the usual balance between "sane" and "others." Ralph has mentally checked out since 1994. It's a very dangerous time. The coalition for reason is extremely weak.
Dead on Brian!
I was so excited about Jauron getting canned and big name coaches being mentioned, but am now leaning towards letting the big names walk and going after the best possible GM we can get. I wonder if its better to get an established GM, or an up and coming one.
New York City Buffalo Bills Backers
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Actually, that’s also sort of the way I’m leaning. I think Cowher is incredibly overrated and has no clue about how to build an offense, which right now is the main thing for our football team. Mike Shanahan, on the other hand, is an offensive guru, who would create a terrific offense here and the fact that he wants to have a 3-4 defense certainly doesn’t hurt, either. If Shanahan shows legitimate interest in the job, then I say we wait for him, because right now I don’t think Dallas, San Diego, Houston or for that matter Chicago relieving their respective HC of duties. If none of those teams fire their HC (in addition to Carolina), then I think we are going to win the battle against the Redskins of signing him given our much better salary cap situation and that we have much better young talent than them and the low-maintenance situation in B-Lo.
If we, however, miss out on Shanahan, we need to look at Mike Holmgren, Tony Dungy, Eric DeCosta, Kevin Colbert etc.
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Nov 24, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
Couldn’t you say Shanahan is incredibly overrated and has no clue about how to build a defense? (Just playing devil’s advocate – I’d probably prefer Shanahan, but let’s not pretend that wanting a 3-4 means he’s a defensive guru and/or will bring in strong defensive coaches.)
The reaction to bring in a coach whose is the opposite of the current coach (in this case Jauron) shouldn’t be the way to go. You should be looking for the best coach period. It’s about the long term view, not the short term.
It might be in every fan's best interest to root for, and enjoy Perry Fewell as a HC.
It may not get better than this. If he does well, even in defeat, he may be retained because there may not be anyone in the high-profile realm who wants to come to this mess.
As “fun” as it is to discuss the possibility of big-name coaches, I think the reality of the situation will bear fruit far stranger than we’ve imagined.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 24, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions
Keep in mind that Bill Cowher himself suggested a few days ago that Fewell should be considered a “legitimate contender” for the HC’s job. He might end up being the best choice available to us (see Adam Begnini’s piece on him for further info on that) and it would be foolish to pass him up just because he is a familiar face.
Can we pass him up because I don't like the Tampon 2 ?
I think Polian must have put a curse on the Bills when he left. Anyone know where we can get a live Buffalo to sacrifice on the 50 yards line? Or, maybe we should use a Dolphin ??? Preferably, Nick Buoniconti
Couldn't agree more
Brian, any way you can forward this article to Russ Brandon?
I think that's why they started early....
So they could execute plans A, B, and C if necessary.
Plan A: Big name, unemployed coach who wants GM responsibilities or significant control. Ralph and Brandon know that the Bills job is not the most desirable even if they do offer 10 mill per year but they have to try. A bit of a stretch.
Plan B: Hire an unemployed GM or “football czar” (Holmgren, Dungy, etc) before the end of the season.
Still a stretch (although if Holmgren would go to Cleveland …) IMO a little less desirable.
Plan C: Hire an up and coming GM (DeCosta. Polian, etc) and let them hire a second tier coach/coordinator (Schotteheimer, Zimmer, Fewell, Trestman etc) . Feasible, more affordable, and more realistic but for the sake of the fans only after they have explored A and B. If they had waited until the end of the season to start the process they leave themselves with fewer options.
by billsvt on Nov 24, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
i agree with BOTH the Bills and Brian
I never thought I’d say that!
Let me explain. I believe what billsvt said above is exactly the plan that One Bills Drive is executing. First, they are looking at the “big names” for the GM/Coaching role. I know many here don’t like that set up, but we should be open to the idea, especially if that dual-role is filled by Shanahan or Cowher. BIG CHANGE is exactly what this organization needs and bringing in a proven winner to take over should excite – not terrify Bills fans. If they fail to land one of the big fish, I wholeheartedly expect them to look for a GM first before filing the coaching role. After the GM is hired look for the names like Weis, Shotty, Trestman, and Fewell to be thrown around.
The Bills haven’t given me much reason for hope over the past decade and generally I’ve been the quite a pessimist around these parts, but i like what i’m seeing from Ralph since Jauron has been fired. Call me crazy, but I believe the Bills have an idea of what they want to do – complete with Plans A-Z – and they will execute it.
John I.
You are crazy John
Call me crazy, but I believe the Bills have an idea of what they want to do – complete with Plans A-Z
No way they have 26 plans! This article from pro football weekly really sums up where the Bills are at
I just don’t see Cowher or Shanny coming here, unless the pitch from Ralph/Brandon is solid that it entices them on top of the $8-10M a year they would have to pay them. They must be able to offer them a complete overhaul of the FO, let them put their “stamp” on the franchise and completely turn over the keys. Id much rather prefer to hire someone now, to be the GM if we could, who could use the last 6 games of film, and start reviewing personnel, and eyeing new hires in the FO to make, so that come Jan we could hit the ground running.
Just please God, don’t let Charlie Weis of Marty Schottenheimer walk through that door at OBD for the next 3 years.
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
Just please God, don’t let Charlie Weis of Marty Schottenheimer walk through that door at OBD for the next 3 years.
Agreed on Charlie, but what do you have against Shotty?
John I.
My thoughts on Schotty
I just don’t like it. If he comes in as HC, then we must have a GM that can work side by side with him, cuz I don’t want Marty doing it all at his age, and being out of the game for 3 years. If he comes in as a GM, I don’t really like that cuz I don’t trust that he understands personnel decisions and salary cap. I just don’t see the situation being right in Buffalo. I think he is a solid coach, and I like the guy, but I don’t see Buffalo as a good fit
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
The interesting thing about that PFW article
was the mention of Bill Parcells as a GM possibility. I know there was some initial thoughts that he didn’t want to be involved in the sideshow that Miami has become w/all of these celebrity part owners and his contract does stipulate he could leave anytime. The problem with him is that he is never a long term answer. Given this teams lack of direction I would take someone that has a clear vision of how to build a team.
by gatornation on Nov 24, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
From that article
“Last year, the Bills had Jason Peters and Langston Walker, and Peters was dealt because of his big contract,” said one source familiar with the intimate details of the organization. "Brad Butler went down. Demetrius Bell was not ready physically and went out with injury. Jonathan Scott quit on the team. They have cycled through four or five offensive tackles, and it has been the same at free safety and linebacker — injuries wear on any team.
Wow, what a prick. I guess a player should never struggle with the loss of their father.
~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."
Yeah – the source mentioned in that PFW article sounds like he/she has no idea what the hell he/she is talking about.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Nov 24, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
I nearly asked about this on the blog. Has he left the team officially though?
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 24, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
He left the team for a week when his dad died.
"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
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by MattRichWarren on Nov 25, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
He was injured and then his father died...
AND HE PLAYED SUNDAY! When exactly did he quit? I’m starting to think that all “National” reporters should only be able to talk about TO. It’s all they pay attention to.
by twoeightnine on Nov 24, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah when I read it I didn’t link to it because of that one sentence.
"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
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by MattRichWarren on Nov 25, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions
I couldn't agree more that their approach is what you have outlined in Plans A-C, rec'd!
They are hard to play but not hard to beat.
- Mike Lombardi on the Buffalo Bills
Before the MNF game ESPN states that the Bills were looking into Marty Schottenheimer and Marty only wanted to come back as a GM – possibly Parcells type role. I think this would be a perfect fit for Blo
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
Schottenheimer strikes me as a old school conservative coach that doesn’t fit in today’s NFL where you have to excel in the passing game. You would think if he were a GM he’d bring that philosophy and coaches to execute that. It might be good for 9-7, but I don’t think you’re looking at long term success.
and no thank you
Haven’t we learned not to bring in an aging relic with no experience at the GM position?
~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."
We as fans may have, but those making decisions need to prove it first to believe it second.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 24, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Hope
Excellent analysis Brian. If the Bills take either the Plan A or Plan B route they will be ahead of where they were 8 years ago, when Ralph handed the keys to the kingdom to Tom Donahoe. Throwing the big names out there has Brandon’s paw prints out there. Not to imply that it’s a contrived ploy to soothe a beleaguered fan base—Ralph, for all his faults, is a straight shooter—Brandon is simply getting some mileage out of it.
What has me concerned is that, when all is said and done, the Bills wind-up with Plan C: unproven GM and unproven head coach. But right now, hope has been bottled and distributed to the masses. Let’s face it, these are pretty interesting times…even with an abysmal on-field product.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Good read Brian but as usual, I have one disagreement
I don’t agree that the Bills don’t have an advantage. Sure Cowher will sit back and wait till they end of the year- thats because he already has a job and isnt even sure if he wants to return. But we sure do have an advantage with Shanahan, a guy who made it clear he wants back in the league now and is already willing to listen. The fact that hes willing to listen to us first gives us a HUGE advantage. It allows us first chance to give the man an offer he can’t refuse. And from what we’re all hearing coming out of OBD, it sure as heck sounds like Ralph Wilson is going to give him that and more. Everyone puts down Ralph as a poor football mind. You know what he is? A man who makes deals happen. Its that very characteristic that got him to lead the merger to keep a league alive and led him into the hall of fame and its how he ended up with a team even after he was rejected by Miami. Ralph wanted a league and he wanted a team and in both circumstances he made it happen against the odds. When Ralph’s back is to the wall he makes moves and gets something done his way. You can usually tell when a man is out to do something out of pride. Ralph is a proud man. It is obvious he desperately wants one of these big name guys. My guess is, he is going to throw Shanahan an offer that will make him think long and hard – even if he does end up walking out that door. Thats advantage enough.
"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
Rec'd
The last time I checked, the Bills have the only vacant head coach spot in the entire NFL. If Ralph is willing to make a good offer now, why wouldn’t Shanahan seriously consider it? Also coming into the organization during the season has some huge advantages in terms of getting a head start on the rebuilding, with zero expectations for the current year. It’s not like the disruption will ruin the Bills playoff chances.
Assuming that Ralph makes the right offer in terms of money and control, barring any hatred of the Niagara frontier and excessive pining for his Chicago hometown, the whole thing will probably come down to personality—like Tom Hanks taking Meg Ryans hand at the conclusion of “Sleepless in Seattle” and knowing that they were meant for each other. [sorry for the analogy, my wife made me watch the movie with her last night…the price of being left alone on Sundays.] Can you imagine Ralph and Mike staring lovingly into each others eyes when they shake hands? I can feel the tears welling up already…sorry [sob] I need to get a Kleenex.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
this comment took a bizarre turn
loved it though.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
HAHAHAHAHA
it didnt it?
"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
I think we are one offensive lineman and an average coach away from being an 8 and 8 team. So it’s not that bad a situation to come into. The amount of injuries we had this year is unusual.
Also FWIW it never seems like those coach/GM positions work out very well. Holmgren in Seattle was not great.
I’d say if we’d had an average number of injuries this season and had an average quarterback we’d be an 8-8 team, but that’s just my wildly optimistic youth talking.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
Shan as a HC
Did anyone read that comment, by I forget who, where he was saying all Mike wants to do is win, if you are not about winning championships then you don’t want him as a coach…
I couldn’t stop and think, damn, I like that. More than Cowher, no, but it says a lot.
-"...Dude, Marshawn, does Tom Brady get hyphy?"
-"What!!?"
it was Shannon Sharpe who said that
quickly followed by Boomer Esiason snidely saying “hes not going to Buffalo”.
pretty d-bag comment in my opinion by Boomer.
"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
What the hell does Boomer know about winning championships?
Or winning? He was 13 games under .500 for his career.
by twoeightnine on Nov 24, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions
my thoughts exactly.....Cowher was sitting next to him to
which made it even worse. Whatever Boomer……
"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
I wonder if Ralph's age will be a negative in trying to attract a top flight GM or coach?
If your boss is 91 or so, you may be wondering who the new boss might be someday and how inclined he may be to meddle in decisionmaking. If part of the recruiting pitch is total control, a candidate might be sceptical about how long that might last.
On the other hand, $10 million/year, or even $8mm, might just induce someone to take a risk.
All must remember that if you get Shanahan, you recieve Shanahan
It never really mattered what happened in the front office while he was the coach. They dominated on offense, and that’s what the Billsies need.
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