If you can't get The Chin, settle for The Chan
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2010 6:33 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintBoring, journalistic stuff first: if you spent your Monday evening under a rock or off-planet, you may have missed the news - from The Buffalo News and FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer - that Chan Gailey has emerged as a strong candidate for the Buffalo Bills' head coaching position. Glazer reports that the two sides met in secret last week, are scheduled to meet again soon (it may have already happened), and barring breakdowns in discussions, Gailey is expected to be named Buffalo's next head coach within the next couple of days. Possibly as soon as Tuesday.
So keep your cell phones handy. That "The Buffalo Bills have scheduled a press conference" bit won't be completely out of left field this time. And make sure you've got your insurance policies close by.
This news, if it ends up becoming reality, is surreal, almost to the point of a complete loss for words on my part. I'm not angry or exasperated or apathetic, which I understand puts me in a very distinct minority for the time being. But I don't think I can accurately summarize my feelings on the matter in a tidy, coherent post. Nothing about Buffalo's coaching search has been tidy or coherent, so what meanders after the jump seems fitting.
The now-infamous email
Or, at least it might be when you read this section. It's already infamous to the Admins group here at Rumblings, with whom I am in constant contact via email behind the scenes.
Back on July 23, in an email thread to all of the names you find at the bottom of this page ironically entitled "Why am I so sad?", I cited my "random infatuation" with the idea of Chan Gailey becoming the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills. I'm serious. This was nearly four full months before Dick Jauron was fired. Ask any one of the authors; this email actually existed. They will confirm its strange existence.
Before y'all jump on me, let me point this out: that email listed Gailey as a head coach not because I liked the idea. Quite the opposite, really. I was talking about my belief that a team should target a young veteran quarterback with upside over a rookie in the email thread, and I had my eye on Tyler Thigpen at the time. I then mentioned the idea of trading for Thigpen and bringing in Gailey as his head coach simply because of his familiarity with Gailey's offensive system.
So no, I'm not claiming that I saw this coming. Anyone claiming that either just turned a frozen donkey wheel to move an island in the South Pacific in 2033 and flashed back 23 (number significance!) years, or they're lying. Or they're Jay Glazer or Mark Gaughan. I find it ironic, however, that we even had the discussion behind the scenes in the first place. I guess if you throw enough crap at the wall, some of it will stick.
Our authors' reactions to my "idea," by the way, were about what you'd expect, and deservedly so.
sireric: Gaily? Thigpen? Dear God that sounds horrible.
Ron From NM: Chan Bailey? Why not bring in a coach who is a proven winner for a change instead of a proven loser?
krytime: Mmm... pierogies.
One of those isn't real.
Does MattRichWarren need to drink more wine?
Y'all know Matt. He does our daily links post every morning, and posts more than anybody else here, even though he's happily married. Matt should quit his day job and go into the voodoo doll business. Taken from his Twitter account Monday morning:
The Bills will hire a coach today. Let me explain. Last time I went wine tasting on a slow day, they hired Buddy Nix as GM. Today I am going wine tasting again and while I am two hours from my computer the Bills will make a move. Inevitable.
Almost inevitable. I had this vision of Matt dressed up as Smith from the Matrix movies, pounding wine with his ear piece dangling by his cheek and his shades off, when I heard about the Gailey story on my commute home. Weird visual, but also kind of comical. Oh, and no, this was not a coincidence. Matt has powers.
I suppose I should put my opinion on Gailey in here, too
Let's assume for the moment that Gailey is a shoo-in as the coach. He's the guy. I am not disappointed. I'm not anything, really, except ready to start talking about players again.
This was what GM Buddy Nix wanted all along - to hire a coach with head coaching experience that can coach players up on the offensive side of the ball. Buddy went out and got what he wanted. (Side note: I still can't believe the headline choice for this article wasn't used when I composed this article late Monday evening. If it was, let me know, and I'll cover my arse change the title to something way more boring.) (Second side note: Buddy and Chan... wow.)
Chan Gailey is a good football coach. I'm not sure I'd call him a good head football coach, but I certainly wouldn't call him a bad head football coach. Everyone's equating him to Dick Jauron, but Jauron came to Buffalo with 36 wins in five-plus years of coaching; Gailey has half as many (18) in two years of experience. The man has produced pretty much wherever he's been. He's experienced, he knows the league, and he knows offense. His players respect him and listen to him. That's... well, it's a start.
That's about where the good news ends. I don't get caught up in the political or image aspects of things like this, but I fully understand why folks would be upset or worried. Bill Cowher has been dangled in front of us for weeks - even the owner mentioned he'd spoken with him - and to ride that roller coaster from Cowher all the way down to coordinators turning down interview requests to landing at Gailey, well, it's not hard to figure out why some stomachs might have turned. I'm not sure I believe the vast majority of folks threatening to drop season tickets or spend Sundays at the Home Depot, but yeah, I get the angst.
The only thing that matters going forward from the moment Gailey is introduced as head coach - remember, we're assuming it's a foregone conclusion - is what happens next. The only way Gailey will prove if he can handle head coaching responsibilities in this league is by winning ball games and making smart management decisions during games and with his personnel. For the immediate future, we've got a roster to start overhauling, and even more immediately, a coaching staff to assemble.
Sal Cappacio said it best:
No matter if it's Chan Gailey or the Man on the Moon, the important hires are the coordinators. There is ZERO room for error here.
He's right. Whether you're willing to admit that Gailey's a good coach or not, it won't matter if he can't get the right guys in at all three coordinator spots. Dick Jauron is a good coach too, folks. 99% of the coaches in the NFL in any capacity are good coaches. Jauron's ultimate downfall throughout his entire career - by far his biggest issue - has been his inability to find himself a quality offensive coordinator. It's not difficult to foresee Gailey having similar issues.
On the Gailey-Modrak connection
While everyone has been waiting on head coaching news, the need for cathartic release in the form of Tom Modrak and John Guy getting fired has not gone to the wayside. Naturally, when one person realized that Gailey and Modrak spent time together in Pittsburgh (Gailey was there from 1994-1997), everyone freaked out.
I'd caution you to table that action, at least for the time being. It was always unlikely that Nix would make moves immediately in the front office, because at this point, we're knee deep into pro and college scouting for the two big events coming up in the next few months. Just as Scott Pioli did in Kansas City once major off-season events concluded, the chance is still good that Nix will clean house a little bit and bring in his own people.
He might be forced to. Let's face it - Gailey's a "yes man" as much as Nix is, and his presence isn't going to save Modrak's or anyone else's job if Ralph Wilson or Russ Brandon feels the pressure from an incredibly irate fan base to spill some blood. If I had to put money on it today, I'd guess that neither Modrak or Guy will be here come this May. Then again, I've been surprised before. Monday night, in fact.
Hear the "big splash"? Plink... plink...
Ploop.
Ultimately, the immediate, wholly negative reaction to the news is based on just how random it was. Also, it's based on everything we've come to dread daily about this organization. Oh, and that search process didn't help much, either.
In the end, Buffalo reached a familiar place - head-scratching territory. I'm not surprised - I am by the name, but not by the method nor the idea - and can't fathom why anyone else would be. The peculiarity of how we arrived to this point becomes irrelevant when Gailey poses at the podium with Wilson, Brandon and Nix, and it'll only become relevant again when this process begins anew in, optimistically, three years.
To this point, we haven't seen the top-to-bottom house-cleaning the team needed, and while that's not shocking considering who owns the team, it's perhaps the one thing that disappoints me about Buffalo's new organizational direction. The search was never going to be comprehensive, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't have been. The end results were never going to be crowd-pleasing, but that doesn't mean they couldn't have been. These are lessons that the Bills never seem to learn. The Bills have pieces in place to make better personnel decisions, but ultimately, the change in the power structure probably will not end up being significant enough to effect real change.
There's only one way to sell this move: win football games. The Bills were going to have a hard time doing that in 2010 regardless of who the new GM and head coach were. When Nix was named GM, he made it clear that he wasn't looking to make the "big name hire;" if he's as successful in building a football team as he is living up to his on-record word, we're going to have a hell of a football team here in short order.
Disappointment will reign. I get that. Heck, I strive to be as even-keeled as possible, and even I did one of those Tim Allen confusion-grunts when I read Glazer's report. The shock wore off quickly. It always does. Nothing new in this world is ever doomed for immediate failure, however, and I think giving up on the idea that the team might actually improve under the watchful eye of Buddy and The Chan is ill-advised. But we're now in a unique position, folks - complete and total lack of positive expectation at the start of a new regime. Maybe that's what the team wanted all along.
We'll save the oh-so-suspenseful approval poll for the official announcement, shall we? Let's get this over with, Mr. Wilson.
Or maybe I'll wake up tomorrow morning and have only dreamed this.
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If you can't get the chin, settle for the jowls?
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
by JPH on Jan 18, 2010 11:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Wow crazy you said that months ago… I guess im not completely pissed like most will, but it will depend on his coords. That will make or break him in our eyes before the first training camp.
"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt
by bflo on Jan 18, 2010 11:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I know there is a Yin and Yang
But I wish there wasn’t a Chan for the Chin. That may be too corny. But at this point, who cares?
by WagonCircler12 on Jan 18, 2010 11:45 PM EST reply actions
bare with me a moment.
Is Chan for Chin Tit for Tat?
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
Does anyone else have a creepy feeling
that this is a very similar hire to Dick Jauron just with expertise on the other side of the ball – offense as opposed to defense?
Both had prior head coaching experience – both mixed results – and both are now being questioned for ability to be a head coach as opposed to a brilliant coordinator.
Gailey wasn’t too bad with the Cowboys, so I’m sort of numb as opposed to upset right now. Its just weird. I guess. My brain is confused.
"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
yeah it's not that i think he's not a good coach
it’s that it’s chan freaking gailey. As far as I can remember, he hasn’t been discussed as a head coach candidate for like 10 years.
his resume actually isn’t bad. it’s that it’s chan freaking gailey.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
My brain is confused.
lol – shouldn’t be – we knew this was going to happen to an extent.
Here’s my 2 cents on the guy.
First I like it – yes Bills fans – i’m going to be that guy. Why? Here’s how I see it.
Nix is seen as a good evaluator of talent – great – if he can draft players in the same manner that SD has been drafting guys then we should have some real talent in 2/3 years.
No coach is a lock to be great – not Cowher or Shanahan. Neither – actually history shows that once a SB winnign coach leaves his post – he never gets back to the big show. Obviously this isn’t the rule – but it’s something to take into consideration. If I remember correctly – Shanahan has been to the playoffs just 1 time since Elway retired – correlation? Quarterback
Chan is seen as a good quarterback coach – a guy that can get the most out of his QB. Guess what we need here in Buffalo? yup – a QB. He can bring in a guy or work with someone on the roster and get the most out of him. this is something we need. It’s a QBs league – we just got a good QB coach.
Chan holds players accountable – he’s a good offensive mind. He needs to be very careful and pick the right defensive coordinator. This is a must.
This team needs to be exciting on offense – we need to keep fans interested in the Bills. As Brian and everyone that follows the Bills will tell you – this roster needs a major overhaul. If we can have some good offensive showings while turning the roster over – people will remain interested.
Nix is seen as a good scout – should get good players
Chan is seen as a good QB coach – should get the most out of a QB and we should have a capable offense.
Must pick his defensive coach carefully
I think Chan was on their radar from the beginning – probably in an OC type of role – but on their radar nonetheless.
i’ll deal with it – it’s not that bad people. I see him as an immediate upgrade to Jauron
Hello - thanks for reading my signature. It's very interesting. Bye
by J2 on Jan 19, 2010 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
Call me when they win...
You can call me fairweather or not a real fan-don’t really care. Basically call me when they are 8-2, or 10-3 or even 10-6. Until then this move does nothing for me or the steady ennui that has been settling in over the past 10 years for this football team.
When it seems like they don’t care, why should I?
:-) but you do care.
you’re frustrated now. If you did something else with your sundays next fall, would your life be better? Absolutely. But come first sunday after labor day, you’ll be on your couch cheering the bills on…
..aww…so that’s why Ralph doesn’t have to worry about hiring the right guys..
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
This season actually cured me. It got to the point where I could go almost my entire Sunday not even thinking about the fact that the Bills were playing, and thought, maybe just before bed, “Oh, I wonder how the Bills did?”
2010 Bills' truth in advertising: "Look out Cleveland, this year we score 6!" - bluecollarbuffalo
by thefourwinds on Jan 19, 2010 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah you're right
An economist should look at football fandom and how it is clearly an inefficient market. If we were buying cookies that sucked for the last ten years, we’d have switched brands by now.
I still might wait until they put a couple of wins together. Ugh.
Win any contests lately?
~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."
Good Read Brian
You have to think Frazier turned us down. He is obviously the better candidate wouldn’t you say? He and his D held the Cowboys to 3 points. There is really no explanation in my mind as to how This guy is the better option- but Nix was looking for head coaching experience. They said they had their guy-im guess that was Jim Harbaugh but he canned us.
Frazier may have called and said “Thanks but no thanks” but the Bills couldn’t have offered him the job yet. They weren’t allowed to have contact with him.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Wow
Not sure about this. Need some time.
I think if Dallas had won, this decision is different. I really can’t fathom why they wouldn’t go with Frazier.
I’m not emotional about this (or anything). I just don’t know if Gailey makes sense as the HC. OC, I’m on board. But HC? I need some study time and some time to think about it.
If Gailey hires Jim Bates, then I’m a bit more convinced, as the coordinators are the real key.
Not what I thought I was going to see. Shoelaces should be outlawed in Erie County for the next nine months.
I don't think so
If I was betting (and I don’t), I would bet that Frazier and the Bills hadn’t had contact since their interview.
I think Nix knows that our run defense was terrible due to lack of porper player to fit the gap shooting Tampa 2, not the players. The Tampa 2 is a hard defense to run well if you’re not the ’70’s Steelers, ‘02 Bucs, or the current Vikings. Williams, Stroud, Schobel, Posluszny, and Mitchell aren’t that bad, they just aren’t the horses that Minnesota has.
So hiring Frazier might have been a lateral move to some degree (though I will be honest, I wanted Frazier).
We lost games because of our offense, mostly. If Gailey can fix that, and grings in someone like Jim Bates (the actual Jim Bates would do) then we process on the coaching side, somewhat.
Another thing to consider: most of the fans are starting to think about Jake Locker and our pending 3-13 season. If Gailey improves our offense, and we go 8-8, expectations are exceded. That’s better than hiring a name coach and going 8-8.
I just fear this is DJ version 2.0. I hope not.
Thats why i would have preferred Frazier as HC and possibly Gailey as OC but Frazier would have likely selected someone else as OC. This is too bad I was impressed with Frazier and according to the rest of the league he is a hell of a coach.
to be honest i am really sick of the 4-3 cover-2. We need quick LB for that- we don’t have them. We need pressure from the DE-we dont have them. We also need talented DT’s- we are alright there i guess. I want to change this team into a cold weather hard hitting SOB. We need to get mean and run a 3-4. I love the way your able to disguise blitz packages in a 3-4. I realize we are plenty away from having the players to run a 3-4 but seriously, are we that close with a tampa bay cover-2. I believe the cover-2 is better suited for dome teams with perfect weather like the colts and minnesota. I like us to change our D mentality to resemble the Steelers.
the only way that it makes sense to go with Gailey over Frazier.
is if Nix was totally married to the idea of 1. previous NFL head coaching experience and 2. An Offensive Guy.
Even then, it doesn’t so much make sense as it is…explainable…
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
to be honest i am really sick of the 4-3 cover-2. We need quick LB for that- we don’t have them. We need pressure from the DE-we dont have them. We also need talented DT’s- we are alright there i guess. I want to change this team into a cold weather hard hitting SOB. We need to get mean and run a 3-4. I love the way your able to disguise blitz packages in a 3-4. I realize we are plenty away from having the players to run a 3-4 but seriously, are we that close with a tampa bay cover-2. I believe the cover-2 is better suited for dome teams with perfect weather like the colts and minnesota. I like us to change our D mentality to resemble the Steelers.
yay a new thread to be filled with pessemistic ideas
sorry that came out mean. i think chan will be an alright guy. he will bring about a better rushing team and hold player accountable. the next step is to see who his OC and DC are. point is, only time will tell. and i really do think the bills could have done worse than chan. ill give chan a year or two to see how things go.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Jan 19, 2010 12:04 AM EST reply actions
i feel the same way about this hiring as I did about Nix.
Initial reaction was super negative, not because it’s a horrible decision, but because it’s so out of the blue. I firmly believe that the wisdom of crowds is, if not always right, usually pretty close to on the mark. The fact that NO ONE was talking about Nix or Gailey before they were hired means that, chances are, they aren’t good choices. Doesn’t mean it’s certain that they’re bad hires, but it makes it more likely.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
Matt was at the Catalina Wine Mixer
If these moves work out somehow, he’ll need to spend more time at wine tastings.
Since you mentioned that email, I thought I’d head back into my email archives to find more highlights. Let’s see…..
Brian: The kicker? I’ve already written an article about it. I’ve got it on a jump drive, and I fully expect to use it next January.
You savvy SOB! Where’s the article?!?!
Brian: I think someone swapped my brain with Kurupt’s last night. :)
Damn, that wasn’t a compliment!
Brian again: I prefer gunslingers to managers at quarterback.
Remember this one, everyone.
Myself: They might regret handing Cassel that giant, new contract without making him prove himself outside of NE.
I’m a genius. Just like anybody else who had an opinion about this subject….
MARVelous: I am currently on lake minnetonka and saw larry fitzgerald’s yacht out here….crazy….minnesota in July is phenomenal fellas
Not sure why that made it into the discussion, but why don’t you purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka?
Ron from NM: I think I speak for us all when I congratulate you on finding your bipolar meds.
Haha!
Brian also said he was infatuated with a Gailey/Thigpen pairing more than once, and even called him Thiggy once. It’s true, I read it!
~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."
OK, I'll bite
Something is going on here. The BR staff is in Vegas to see hoop girl. I have deciphered that much. But what is up with this?
Brian again: I prefer gunslingers to managers at quarterback.
Remember this one, everyone.
A trade that moves Thigpen to Buffalo? Leslie Frasier and Brett Favre?
Go Bills! I mean 'stay' Bills...
haha
Lake minnetonka is priceless. That was when Evans and company were working out at Fitzgerald’s crib.
I do remember the Gailey and Thigpen talk. First thing I thought of when I heard Gailey’s name. Gailey as an OC I can see. As a HC? I hate it. I need to learn more about his coaching philosophy and OC/DC that he hires but, man this is painful.
Actually I was pissed when the Phins traded for Thigpen last year. Thought the Bills should have grabbed him
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
If you can't make them Cower, still play them Gailey.
Yes. Nailed it this time.
Go Bills! I mean 'stay' Bills...
same old
But we’re now in a unique position, folks – complete and total lack of positive expectation at the start of a new regime.
Actually, this is exactly how I felt when they hired Jauron. For some reason I really thought this time would be different, especially with the lack of openings with other teams. I am not going to force myself to believe it will work this time.
And yet I will still be at McFadden’s/Calico Jack’s every week next year. It is a sickness. At least this time I will be firmly pessimistic and will not attempt to rock the boat with optimism.
McFadden's is the best early in the season
Only because there’s still hope and a huge crowd!
~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."
yep
MNF against NE was amazing. Calico Jack’s is home for the most part. I can’t enjoy watching the bills while constantly lobbying for position at McFadden’s. Well, it seems I can’t enjoy watching them regardless, but at least I am (over)served more quickly and can get a seat at Jack’s.
by jmorris0823 on Jan 19, 2010 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
I went once this year
The TB game. We were positioned towards the back, at the corner of the bar near the restrooms. We couldn’t move the whole game, but it was awesome nonetheless because the team played well and we hand an endless supply of beer within 5 feet.
~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."
exactly
if you want a more laid experience go to calico jack’s. it is right next door, owned by the same people, $20 domestic drafts, good crowd, etc. you can get a seat if you get there by 1230, 1 by halfway through the season. my seat will probably be open next year…
I went in the Summer and saw a Bills Jersey on the wall
I was shocked to see it and asked. I had no idea. Next year I am planning on going for at least one game.
by BillsfanDan on Jan 19, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
That was a good article Brian
Better to throw a little humor into a situation like this!
The biggest point to take from it is how important it’ll be to find not only competent coordinators, but above average ones. This franchise needs an offensive identity and a quality offense in the worst way. If Gailey can somehow find that soon, it’ll be a minor miracle and finally a positive sign.
This move wreaks of mediocrity and more of the same. I want to believe it’ll work out, but it’s so hard to believe in anything with this franchise anymore. Right now, I’m just hoping this franchise doesn’t give us another half-a**ed attempt at rebuilding. That was the biggest problem with the Jauron years, IMO, besides the lack of finding competent coordinators.
For once, I want Ralph to actually get lucky….
~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."
he did get lucky, by turning a 50,000 dollar investment into a 800 million dollar Franchise. I honestly dont think he cares at all anymore. He had his shot in the 90’s and we lost. He is a happy man that has been very lucky in his life. He had great health and wealth. His family will never have to worry about money ever. They will be set for the next 200 years. We are the fools who got screwed. By investing time and money in a pathetic franchise the last 10 years. Well at least I have wasted money on them. But I will say, there is nothing like good tailgating, it makes up for the boring games.
by csc06258 on Jan 19, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Couldn’t agree more.
Always remember that Ralph Wilson made his first money in insurance. Risk-averse to the end, there’s no way he’s going to pay an ex-Coach in the millions and a current coach the same. Face it, we are screwed. This one can’t be spun – a rookie GM at 70? A washout of an NFL head coach given his 2nd chance a decade later? What, Nix scooped him up before Al Davis did?
I thought it couldn’t get worse than Jauron as head coach – I was wrong. This is a disaster.
This is a disaster.
Thing is, it’s not actually a disaster until we lose a bunch of games.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2010 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
Then I'll rephrase...
This seems like it’s going to be a disaster.
well it didn't take long
: http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?t=220781
This space held in honor of Robert Royal known to his friends as "Sweet Cream Style Corn" March 11 2006- February 26, 2009
if Gailey happens, the odds of Thigpen coming to buffalo as a stopgap at QB have to be at least 60% right?
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
An interdivision trade? Man we’d have to overpay I’d imagine.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
another worry i have.
I was totally coming around to Brian’s idea that it’s not about scheme or how good a coordinator a guy was when judging him to be a head coach. That’s why Frazier was winning me over (slowly). Everything we’ve heard about Gailey is that he’s creative offensively. That’s all well and good, but that’s not the job we’re hiring him for. We’re hiring an overseer. At best, it’s a waste of a good Chan Gailey.
Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!
After a little research I guess I can answer my own question (why not?). He is apparently very conservative. His focus is a power running game to the point where some people complain he doesn’t care about a passing attack at all. Just keeps pounding it out, trying to wear down the opponent. In general, he is not innovative or aggressive at all. The results are said to be solid, but limited. He will get you a 9-7 season (which is better than 7-9) and perhaps a wild card berth, but that’s about it. When he was at Georgia Tech, he apparently did not win the allegiance of his players and the fans at one point got up a petition demanding that he be fired on the grounds that he was a poor teacher and did NOT develop his players to the full extent of their talents. In general, he does seem to have done better at the pro level than in college, but there is nothing in his record that would make you stand up and shout “Hallelujah.”
I wonder
what his philosophy on defense is. What kind of Coordinators will he bring in? Who does he know?
This space held in honor of Robert Royal known to his friends as "Sweet Cream Style Corn" March 11 2006- February 26, 2009
Random thoughts
I don’t know how I completely feel about this yet, but here are some random thoughts of where I’m at so far…
1. This evening, I find myself in the same place as Brian (yeah, it’s happens once in a while!): Not excited, but not disappointed.
2. Who Gailey picks as his coordinators will ultimately determine if I like this move. As was stated in the article, there is no room for error.
3. Why is it that our best chance for success always seems to be hoping that the team catches lightening in a bottle?
4. Any names for defensive coordinator yet? I haven’t heard of one outside of Nolan – and that’s just speculation because he’s newly available.
5. Will Gailey call the offensive plays or will he let his offensive coordinator do that?
6. Marketing “genius,” Russ Brandon has his hands full this off-season. Ralph and Russ have to know that this isn’t going sell tickets. Right? Riiiight?
7. As Brian alluded to up top, maybe the genius in this move is that we are left with no expectations of this team? The old political adage, "under promise, over perform." If that’s what the Bills are doing, then they have done a hell of a job of promising very little.
John I.
Damn you Brian Galliford...............damn you to heck..........
you always have a way of talking me back off the ledge…….
Im staying apathetic………but not nearly as bad as I was before I read this article….
We do need to nail the coordinators……….and nail the draft……..and then they might just move me from apathetic to cautiously optimistic with a hint of cynicism mixed in.
Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 19, 2010 12:58 AM EST reply actions
What?
~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."
your off the ledge?
We just hired a guy who has the makings of mirror image of Jauron. And only a mirror image because hes an offensive version.
The only positive I guess is that I’m not excited for next season. I’m honestly expecting between 6-10 and 9-7. Is that so much better than the Jauron years. Oh wait, its the same thing!
"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
yeah but what am I gonna do about it?
Root for another team?
Not happening.
Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 19, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
Let's just say that you never let a drug addict back into the house
until they’ve been clean at least 1 year, and you see them making meaningful changes in their lives.
We should apply this somehow to the Bills. Right now, they just started another binge if you ask me.
by StroudFanClub on Jan 19, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
hahahahaha!!
"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 know
im actually not down on Gailey. Just sort of poking fun because Brian has kept us all off the ledge so many times.
"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
it sure would!
and i put that htere because i think Gailey could pull it off. We were 6-10 with the most injury stricken roster ever and Gailey turned around a 6-10 Cowboys team into winners. I actually think Gailey is not the worst hire. I’m just going to keep harping on him being a mirror version of DJ because i think its funny. Fans won’t be happy with his stoic demeanor on the sidelines.
"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
Heh
Tim Graham sums it up pretty well:
The Buffalo Bills went to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, examined the menu and went with the grilled cheese.
The Bills, of course, tried to order the filet. And the lamb chops. And the cold water lobster tail. But their Diner’s Club was declined. Repeatedly.
John I.
I knew that somehow this was all Matt's fault
The man has produced pretty much wherever he’s been.
So has my a$$……Just sayin. I can’t think of a single reason to be excited about this. I mean, when the fan base starts to wonder if it was a mistake firing Jauron………that is a bad sign. I almost hope Russ comes out tomorrow and says, “I would like to apologize to all of our fans for this, but everyone else said No.”
"Do you even hear how totally bat sh!t insane you sound?" - Archer
That would be awesome
Honesty rules
~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."
I mean, when the fan base starts to wonder if it was a mistake firing Jauron
If anyone would rather have Jauron then Gailey.
Then they need their head examined.
Jauron is a proven loser.
Gailey is a proven mediocre HC who might get better.
I don’t like the idea of Gailey as HC.
I like the Idea of Jauron still being here much less.
There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.
by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 19, 2010 2:06 AM EST up reply actions
Give the guy a chance
The 2 years he was a head coach at Dallas he went to the playoffs. He was 10-6 and 8-8, the year before he arrived Dallas was 6-10 and the 3 after he left 5-11. Seems to me he might know what he is doing. I know it is not flashy, but it is productive.
Big picture
I think most people are not seeing the big picture here.
1. QB
2. Playoffs
3. Sack coach and replace with one that can win a superbowl with the current team.
My point is We need someone to rebuild this team into a competitive outift and to remove this losing culture. Then when that is said and done, if the current coach cannot go to the next level hire someone who can.
Guys, this is exactly the kind of freak move that nobody expects that Ralph is known to make, a lot like Al Davis. NOBODY have considered Gailey for a HC-job in the NFL since his mediocre days in Dallas and the fact is the guy just isn’t HC-material. Trust me, there’s no way you could do worse than Gailey. The guy is just a bad HC and a proven loser, which of course is why this makes a lot of sense for Ralph, because he, too, is a guy committed to mediocrity, if not worse. I just hope Ralph sells the team and if that means we move to LA or Toronto, so be it. Let’s get a capable owner in here, who’s committed to winning and bringing a winner to Buffalo. Of course, there’s a reason why nobody wants this job, and that is because Ralph isn’t committed to winning and until he isn’t, this team will be the laughingstock of the NFL, and quite frankly I’m, too, laughing at the Bills.
There's the right way, the wrong way, the army way and the Buffalo Bills way
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Jan 19, 2010 3:23 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
The guy is just a bad HC and a proven loser,
Actually he’s a proven winner. His career record as a head coach is well above .500.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
im sorry that 8 games over 500 at GT and 4 games over 500 with th cowboys in 2 seasons does not inspire me..
and there is no way Im taking those 2 years in troy that he coached before I was even born!
Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 19, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Going to the playoffs would inspire me. I’m not asking people to be inspired, just not suicidal.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
Huh?
I feel dizzy. Am I awake? Please tell me the article reads “It’s official, Bills waiting for Vikings season to end, put new hopes on Frazier!” Right?…Right?!!
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:17 AM EST reply actions
Why?!!!!
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:17 AM EST reply actions
Aghhhh!!!
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:17 AM EST reply actions
this IS what happens Larry...
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:18 AM EST reply actions
P.S.
Yeah….(sigh) I’ll spend my sundays doing it all over again…there’s a Bush jr. quote, "fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, can’t get fooled again. Why do I feel even dumber than that?
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:25 AM EST reply actions
I'm not pissed at all by this move.
Am I pleased? No. I think Gailey would have made a better OC than HC, but hey, this is OBD we’re talking about. They’re not exactly masterminds of football. Damit.
I’ll reserve my judgement after two things happen. First, the choosing of co-ordinators. Thats when I’ll make up my mind on whether to be looking forward to the season or to be displeased. Second, after the first 4 games of he season. If our team is horrible then, I’ll think its a bad move. Until then, I’m holding my judgement.
Jesus, if that mouthy little f***er didn’t manage to get open so often I think I would have punched him in the face years ago. - Tom Brady on Wes Welker
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 19, 2010 4:39 AM EST reply actions
Hear ya Can Fan
Sorry, still taking it in…
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:45 AM EST up reply actions
Just checked chan’s bio, not too bad I guess, Don’t know how they made the playoffs with 8-8 record but I guess they did. so who’s Jim bates anyway?
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Jan 19, 2010 4:52 AM EST up reply actions
Bates is a deffensive co-ordinator and former interim HC of the ‘Phins. He was the Buc’s DC last year until he was fired in november. He runs Cover 2 schemes with small, fast LB’s. He’s credited for having developped both Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.
All in all, not a bad coach, but not the guy that I’s want as our DC. I think we need to move away from the type of scheme that Bates runs. No more undersized deffences. We need a big, strong D, not an undersize, suposedly speedy on.
Jesus, if that mouthy little f***er didn’t manage to get open so often I think I would have punched him in the face years ago. - Tom Brady on Wes Welker
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 19, 2010 6:47 AM EST up reply actions
He also uses big DTs and has them play two gaps. It’s not a cover 2 at all. He uses the DL to clog up the OL which frees up the faster LBs to make plays. It’s practically the complete opposite of what Buffalo runs in terms of gap assignment and a penetrating front 4. He had Junior Seau playing on a few of those Miami teams and drafted Marlon Greenwood, another not small LB. It’s not that Bates prefers smaller players, he just puts an emphasis on speed. And I don’t think he runs much cover 2 with his coverages and I think he likes to put the SS in the box a lot.
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
If thats actually the case then I wont have much of a problem with it once he’s hired (it seems like an inevitability once Chan gets hired too). I’m just sick of this undersized cover 2 scheme.
Jesus, if that mouthy little f***er didn’t manage to get open so often I think I would have punched him in the face years ago. - Tom Brady on Wes Welker
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 19, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
"The man has produced pretty much wherever he's been."
Yeah, he was the offensive mastermind behind a 2-14 Chiefs season.
Is that what you call producing?
Well, the guy’s been a coach for 36 years, and you chose one season in which he made Tyler Thigpen look like a competent quarterback for a team that gave up 28 points per game.
Quite literally, you’re talking about 2.8% of the man’s career.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2010 7:53 AM EST up reply actions
And Thigpen actually did look good for the Chiefs. He looked like a kid that needed some work, but could be starter for a franchise. Who knows, maybe Brohm and Edwards could actually benefit from Chan.
Jesus, if that mouthy little f***er didn’t manage to get open so often I think I would have punched him in the face years ago. - Tom Brady on Wes Welker
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 19, 2010 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
Trying to see something positive
In a very short period of time he took a non-existing Offense with a Division III Rookie QB(Thigpen) and turned them into a good offensive unit. He turned them completely around and recognised their strenghts.
I think i'm most worried
that he’s been out of the pros for too long. Joe Gibbs really flopped coming back. I guess he deserves an opportunity to win us all over.
I do have to know who in the world names their son Chan?
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
MP3 recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Unthought Known
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 19, 2010 7:17 AM EST reply actions
*as a HC.
Buffalo Rumblings Premiere League 2009 Champion
"Am I a hero? I really can't say, but yes - I am." --Michael Scott
MP3 recommendation of the week: Pearl Jam - Unthought Known
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 19, 2010 7:31 AM EST up reply actions
thomas chandler is his given name
that southern tadition of middle name being maternal surname
guess they shortened it to Chan
I do have to know who in the world names their son Chan?
His name is Thomas Chandler Gailey.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2010 7:54 AM EST up reply actions
Gibbs was in auto racing.
Gailey was in football still.
I think that matters.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Joe Gibbs was completely out of football for an entire 12 years.
Gailey has been out of football for 5 months. He hasn’t been an NFL head coach for awhile now, but I’m not sure how that matters when this past season was the first time that he wasn’t coaching in regular season games since 1973.
No clue how those two are remotely comparable.
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
To this point, we haven’t seen the top-to-bottom house-cleaning the team needed, and while that’s not shocking considering who owns the team, it’s perhaps the one thing that disappoints me about Buffalo’s new organizational direction. The search was never going to be comprehensive, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have been. The end results were never going to be crowd-pleasing, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t have been. These are lessons that the Bills never seem to learn.
This may be the best paragraph I’ve read in the existence of this blog, and I’ve been around for the whole ride.
Second best, you ask?
Nothing new in this world is ever doomed for immediate failure, however, and I think giving up on the idea that the team might actually improve under the watchful eye of Buddy and The Chan is ill-advised. But we’re now in a unique position, folks – complete and total lack of positive expectation at the start of a new regime. Maybe that’s what the team wanted all along.
As someone else noted in the comments, this blog always has a way easing the pain of being a Bills fan, perhaps because I get to know that I’m not alone in my suffering.
Great read, Brian and good analysis on Gailey and the near future for the Bills.
I’m not happy with Gailey, but I’m not too mad either. It’s almost like I’m numb, which may be worse than being furious, I can’t tell.
OC coordinator candidates, anyone?
Gailey
I wouldn’t be pissed if it was Gailey, if the FO is at least torn apart, Nix is indeed in complete control, and Gailey hires the right coordinators. I just don’t feel like this organization is Buddy Nix’s. It’s still the same old crap, Ralph is pulling the strings, and Brandon and everyone else are just simply “yes men.” The problem with the Bills is mind-numbing. The ability to constantly beat the same ideas into new HC’s and staffs is what is called a complete disillusionment or another word known as “psychotic.” To expect different results with the same method to the madness is completely insane. Has Ralph every read a book on leadership? Has he ever taken a look to analyze what the great organizations do? Does he not remember what Bill Polian and company did for him during the 1988-2000 seasons?
If Buddy Nix fires John Guy and Tom Modrak, and Gailey hires some coordinators with intelligence, experience, and are great teachers, I can live with this hire. If none of that happens, I’ll be yearning for the days of Dick Jauron. The favorite guy in town to hate is the coach of a losing team. Jauron took his fair share of blame. However, no one can ever say that he lost the team, didn’t have guys that played hard, or was a good CEO. The problem as Brian stated was his inability to hire the right people to coach offense.
We don’t know a lot about Chan Gailey. Will he go for it on 4th down? Is he a good game manager? What kind of offense will he run in Buffalo? What’s his coaching philosophy? I assume no matter what it is, it won’t work if Ralph Wilson is meddling on draft day, and telling the Bills “we are drafting Marshawn Lynch” and the “inner circle” is still in place. I can only imagine how this is going to play out. And after living through the Jauron era, and everything from 2000-2010, it’s hard for me not to just want to pretend the Bills don’t exist until someday in the future comes when we pay homage to Ralph C. Wilson, Jr as he passes on, and we once again have hope for a future anew.
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
Ralph needs to let Buddy do the GM job without interfering
Maybe someone can slip a couple of Valiums into Ralphie’s vitamins on draft weekend…
Get the Bills back to the big game!
This rumor seems to be picking up steam
Based on the number of web links related to the story today. I’m at a bit of a loss, since this seems to be a surprise candidate that hasn’t been linked to any jobs to my knowledge (either as head coach or OC).
It is like the junior prom all over again – you get sick of pretty girls telling you “no”, so you ask a sure thing to be your date.
He’d been mentioned for the OC job in Chicago very recently, so he wasn’t completely off the NFL radar by any means. But it was close.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
I do have to know who in the world names their son Chan?
Anybody living south of the mason-dixie line: Buddy, Billy Ray, Jimbo, Bubba, and once they run out of syllables, they use initials like R.W., J.C., etc.
even Mr. and Mrs. Chan
named their son Charlie
"If you're happy, stay happy" - Mike Riley
The Buffalo Bills went to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, examined the menu and went with the grilled cheese.
Tim Graham was almost right. The Bills went to Ruth’s Chris WITH THE INTENTION of ordering the grilled cheese. They just wanted it to appear that they were going for the filet mignon. AND< the never took out the Diner’s Club card. They paid in cash and in was loose change.
"If you're happy, stay happy" - Mike Riley
To extend the metaphor
The Bills also had a couple of coupons to use on their meal and had to take the leftovers home, including the garnishes, because they only took two bites.
~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."
Regardless of who the coach is...
I think so much comes down to the talent we have on the field. I’m not saying that a new QB and left tackle will make everything better, but there needs to be changes there regardless of who the coach is.
Uggghhhh!!!
If he is the new HC Brandon will earn his money this year trying to sell this hire to the fans. Looking at his resume it shows OK; HC for the Cowboys during the Jerry Jones instant gratification era, HC for G-Tech 6 bowl games (2-4 record) no BCS games and has been an successful OC in the NFL. That being said this is the most boring HC hiring since Hank Bullough!!! At least Hank had a colorful way with words and had some personality but was a horrible hire.
I was pulling for Leslie Frazier, I didn’t care that the Bills missed with Williams and Mularky that had no HC experience when hired. I just felt that Fazier would have brought a new fresh attitude to the team as a hungry for success HC. I must admit Coach Dungy’s endorsement of Frazier had me leaning towards Leslie. We just watched Fazier’s defense destroy the high flying Cowboys!! Gailey to me is the recycled ex-HC that has bounced around, there is a reason why his name hasn’t been brought up as a NFL HC for the last 10 years. The Bills are looking for lightening to hit twice, they were successful with the Levy hiring as a recycled coach. I just see Gailey as another Jauron an OK coach that might get the team to 8 & 8.
A question during free agency, will players lean toward playing for Frazier or Chan Gailey. If it is a Black vs. White thing so be it. Buffalo has a hard enough time attracting coaches and players, hiring Frazier might have helped in that area——Hiring Gailey looks like the good Old boy network
The best thing I can say right now about Chan is he is a ex Florida Gator!!!
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Keep going down the line, looking for hope somewhere
Looking back, I have to say that dreaming of a big overhaul of the team after Dick Jauron was fired was the best part of this process. Some dreamed we would finally get a respected GM, a proven winner as a Head Coach, front office overhaul, etc. The dreaming was the most fun.
Since then, it has been disappointment after disappointment. After each uninspiring move, we are told to look to the next move for our hope. Condsider:
You want an up and coming GM to inject a mix of youth, energy and football knowledge….meet Buddy Nix!
The self admitted “not the smartest man in the room”, seems to be a good football guy, but we are told to look elsewhere for hope:
In “Nix promotion not popular, but definitely sensible” article, Brian tells us “His coaching hire is of critical importance. Yes, that’s a very obvious thing to say. Nix spoke almost at length about his belief that previous head coaching experience is helpful when narrowing down a field of candidates, so expect Buffalo’s next head coach to have previous head coaching experience. All that matters is this: that Nix and his coach be on the same page in terms of football philosophy, team-building philosophy, and organizational pacing. Nix talked about communication between these two parties being important, and he’s right. Nix might only get one shot at hiring a head coach, so he’d better hit this one out of the park."
Okay, so we settle down about the GM hiring and put all our hope into hiring a good Head Coach.
Hope, meet Chad Gailey. Gailey over Hope, by TKO.
Ok, so now, the spin is, we actually didn’t need to hit a home run with our head coach. Now, let’s get everyone hopeful about…..let’s see…..who can we still have hope in…..ah, the co-ordinators Chan hires!
Note, from above article, (note, this part from Sal Cappacio) “No matter if it’s Chan Gailey or the Man on the Moon, the important hires are the coordinators. There is ZERO room for error here.”
(Brian) “He’s right. Whether you’re willing to admit that Gailey’s a good coach or not, it won’t matter if he can’t get the right guys in at all three coordinator spots.”
Okay, so what do we do when Chan Gailey hires some below average, washed up has beens as co-ordinators? My guess is something like this:
“Well, it won’t matter who the head coach, GM, or assistant coaches are if we can find a good quarterback. You think Jim Caldwell is coach in Indy? Think again, it’s really Peyton Manning. Folks, everything will be fine if we can just find that signal caller.”
And so on, and so on. Personally, I’m just feed up with it all. Following a sports team should be fun. Exciting. It’s shouldn’t be this draining and pathetic. Maybe I just need to “sit the next one out”……
by StroudFanClub on Jan 19, 2010 9:16 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
Amen
If your trying to inject a positive outlook to the fan base why hire Gailey? Face it, unless he comes hot and wins, fans who hate the move(just about all of us) are going tom be calling for his head. Whereas a Frazier hire is going to get more time to succeed from the fans.
by S2 on Jan 19, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
rec'd!
Following a sports team should be fun. Exciting. It’s shouldn’t be this draining and pathetic
wow, bro. I literally forgot that following a sports team really should be fun and exciting. I’ve become so accustomed to being let down I forgot its not supposed to be this way. Of course, I’m a Bills fan first, a Knicks fan second and a Mets fan third. It really hasn’t been the best decade of fanhood for me now has it? At least the Bills, the team I love the most, has given spurts of hope. Believing in Trent Edwards was fun for a while. TO coming to town gave me the idea of a wide open attack. Marshawn seemed like the next beast at RB, even Drew Bledsoe had me dreaming of an unstoppable offense. Takeo Spikes and Fletch – with an up and coming Crowell getting ready had me believing we had the best LB corp in the league coming up. Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements on the field together was an illusion of two lockdown corners on one team. The Bills are the most draining not because we’re consistently terrible but because we’re consistently offered a glimpse of “this is it! we’re getting over the hump!” only to be crashed back down to Earth. But hey, what am I going to do, I love the Bills.
"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 forgot to add
that I thought Peerless Price and Eric Moulds having 1,000 yard seasons was something I should get used to seeing. This decade has been tough….Hey! At least its a new decade now right? riiiight??
"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
interesting slant
one theory surrounding this choice coming “out of the blue”.
The Bills didn’t want to allow time for a groundswell of negative reaction from fans and media to take hold.
If true, it would certainly be a slap in the face to fans.
Judging by the tone of many posts, for the first time in a long time, the Bills made the right move and calculated correctly.
"If you're happy, stay happy" - Mike Riley
What Sickens Me...
Is the absolute cynicism of the moves since Jauron (who I couldn’t stand) was fired.
From dangling big names in front of the fans for both the GM and HC positions, then bringing in a senior citizen to run the team (pertinent as it’s his 1st GM gig) to then dangling more big names in front of us before then hiring a guy who no one else even wanted as an assistant coach.
And how can the Bills do this? Because they know they have us over a barrel – all they have to do is make a few subtle hints that LA or some other city wants a team and we snap up tickets.
I am fuming right now – in all my years of watching football (almost 40) I have never seen such a disconnect between what fans deserve and what they are given,
What did we do to deserve this… this throwback coach and unknown GM?
The wine was delicious.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 10:28 AM EST reply actions
Red or white
Red or White what goes better with disbelief???
"If you don't have good habits you have bad habits there are no in between habits"
Most definately red.
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 19, 2010 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think the color matters as much as the alcohol content.
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
I've Earned The Right to Whine
We all have.
This team has ever so slowly slid from a perennial contender to a mediocrity to sitting precariously on the precipice of becoming the new Lions.
This hiring beggars belief. The fact that the Bills were turned down by young assistant coaches tells you all you need to know about how the franchise is viewed around the league.
Who is Gailey going to bring in as Assistants? Up and comers like Gunther Cunningham? Wayne Fontes?
Your suggestion is right – I AM going to start drinking.
What A Bargain!
No wonder Ralph hired Gailley. Not only is he among the cheapest coaches in the NFL, but he will actually fill two jobs at once!
Maybe now Ralph can turn the thermostat up to 68.
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