Brandon the key to Bills' front office working
by Brian Galliford on Feb 6, 2010 1:36 PM EST
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
72 comments
Wednesday evening's confirmed report that the Buffalo Bills are set to hire Doug Whaley as the team's new Assistant General Manager has me excited. To be fair, it doesn't take a lot for me to get excited about Bills football, but it's the actual football that gets me riled up, not the organization itself. As a life-long Bills fan, it's what happens on the field that I am much more optimistic about on a year-to-year basis.
Granted, the football in Buffalo has been subpar over the past decade. Only the lowly Detroit Lions have missed the playoffs for as many consecutive years as our lowly Bills. The team has swapped out players and coaches as quickly as a chain smoker rifles through packs of cigarettes, but the end result has been the same for a full decade: no post-season. When what happens on the field is the same no matter what you change, it's pretty clear that the men putting the product on the field are to blame.
For a decade, Buffalo's front office has, in general, been a failure. They've tried things there, too, from hiring a proven talent evaluator in Tom Donahoe, to bringing back a former coach in Marv Levy, to developing a consensus approach between departments spearheaded by Russ Brandon. This is an area that I have, in general, been eternally pessimistic about; I don't often get overly critical in my postings here, but this post, while temporarily cathartic at the time, still rings true.
Or, at least, it rang true until December 31, 2009. That's when Wilson hired Buddy Nix as his new General Manager, promoted Brandon to CEO, and let Nix go to work. I like what's happened to this point, which includes the hiring of Whaley and the firing of former pro personnel chief John Guy. There is obviously more work to done. But in order for the Nix regime to achieve its goals and turn the Bills into a winning franchise, it's Brandon - yes, Russ Brandon - that holds the most important key.
That's not to say, of course, that the men Nix has hired or will hire - new head coach Chan Gailey chief among them - aren't critical to the turnaround effort. It'd be insane to suggest otherwise, and I'm certainly not doing that here.
Every decision Nix makes is critical - that's the nature of his position. Every decision he makes is open to scrutiny (though I'd suggest waiting for actual changes to the team we see on the field to be made before firing up the hate wagons). His decision to fire Guy, a holdover from Donahoe's regime, was pretty universally accepted as a good move. It's conceivable that Whaley, Pittsburgh's pro personnel coordinator for the last decade, will assume Guy's role plus additional college-oriented responsibilities as Nix's top understudy.
Gailey has a huge role to play - he is the head coach, after all. Every assistant he hires will be important to the effort, and I feel quite certain his decisions on game days and the nature of his coaching style and schema will be closely monitored.
Tom Modrak, who is still the team's scouting director and another Donahoe holdover, has a role to play, too - even if Nix ultimately decides to replace him and his staff after the 2010 NFL Draft. Nix will be running the draft room for the foreseeable future, and he does plenty of scouting himself, but Modrak's advice will still be heard for at least one more draft weekend.
I'm being rather obvious here. Decision-making hierarchy; prudent player acquisition; good, fundamental-oriented coaching and creative game-planning. Winning teams can't survive without all of these. Until proven otherwise, the Nix regime - which includes Whaley, Modrak, Gailey and their assorted staffs, potentially with more changes and faces to come - have a legitimate shot to achieve those goals and lay the foundation for the turnaround.
Here's the point I'm ultimately trying to make, however. The Nix regime doesn't stand much of a chance unless Russ Brandon wisely plays his CEO role to its fullest extent.
I love Ralph Wilson. I get frustrated by fans who bash the man at every opportunity, because really, the man is Buffalo Bills football. Ultimately, no matter how frustrated we become with his decisions or the mediocrity of the teams he authorizes, we're indebted to the man. Without Ralph Wilson, we're not even here talking about these problems in the first place. He's a Hall of Fame owner, he's responsible for over 50 years of football in Western New York, and the man has my utmost respect for all of that.
That said, it's no secret that Wilson has flaws. They're rather major flaws, and they've prevented the team from winning for a while now. Some of the (relatively) minor flaws include the fact that he has been generally averse to handing out power; he gave up his team Presidency exactly once, to Donahoe for a five-year window, and that'll never happen again after the way that particular era ended. Wilson also likes to hire people that he's familiar with, which has been cited as the biggest beef for his hire of Nix in the first place.
But Wilson's biggest flaw - and, at least in my opinion, it's an almost admirable one - is that he's involved with the football operation. He signs off on major and minor decisions alike, he offers his input, and he's involved in the day-to-day operation of the club. I have no problem with that - it's completely his prerogative (he kind of owns the business, so he can do whatever he wants), and it's indicative of the fact that he wants to be on top of things. I have no problem with that, aside from the minor fact that it hinders his top executives from doing their jobs the way they should be doing them.
The often-cited term assigned to Wilson's behavior? "Meddlesome."
That's why Brandon is so important. Again, I have no problem with Wilson remaining involved - it's not going to change, so wishing that behavior away is an exercise in futility anyway. But with Brandon installed as the CEO, things change - and, if Brandon carefully perfects his craft, that could be a change for the better. If Wilson keeps tabs on the organization through Brandon - who will continue overseeing the marketing aspect of the franchise, as well as maintain some form of authority over the football organization - it'll take some of the pressure off of Nix and his staff members.
It's a delicate balance that Brandon has to strike. It won't be an easy balance to find. Wilson will still sign off on decisions, but if Brandon can find a way to get that clearance while letting Nix run the football operation his way, Buffalo is already ahead of where they've been for the past decade. That's easier said than done, obviously, and you can certainly make the argument that what Nix and his staff does is far more critical than Brandon essentially babysitting Wilson. I'm telling you right now - as much as I like Nix, and as much as I like the decisions he's made to this point, nothing is going to change in terms of wins and losses unless Brandon flexes his muscles as CEO and finds a way to keep his owner happy while letting Buddy run the ship his way.
I'm choosing to read the Whaley hiring as a sign that the pieces are working in an ideal manner at the moment. Whaley's hiring gives the front office a solid infrastructure for the first time since Donahoe's reign, and more importantly, it gives the Bills the semblance of a succession plan for when the 70-year-old Nix decides to retire to the golf course. I'm sure Wilson signed off on the Whaley hire, but this feels like a Buddy Nix idea - he was an Assistant GM himself, and therefore understands the value of having one. It's a good start. I urge you, however, to remember that for all of the work that needs to be done, it's the balancing act that Brandon is undertaking that could very well make or break what happens in Buffalo over the next several years.
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Great post and I fully agree. The biggest issue with this franchise is, has and will remain Ralph Wilson, but the one way we can avoid him meddling too much is by having a Russ Brandon telling him that things are going well (with Buddy Nix as GM), because that’s the one way we avoid old Ralphie getting into making football decisions, when past has shown he’s incapable of making such.
I think the hire of Doug Whaley is a BIG step in the right direction, not just because the guy is MUCH more capable than John Guy ever was, but also because the guy adds something this organisation has needed for a long time: Some fresh eyes.
Modrak is unlikely to stay after the upcoming draft, because in reality he has no influence on any of the draft picks (of course, one could argue that he didn’t before, but I think it’s safe to say he’ll have even less now).
"The one commonality in both places (Oakland and Buffalo) is an aging owner who keeps interfering too much. Ralph Wilson continually butts his nose in the football operation and tells the team who to draft"
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Feb 4, 2010 11:27 AM EST reply actions
we avoid old Ralphie getting into making football decisions, when past has shown he’s incapable of making such.
What are the ‘for instances’ here? What has the team done that they wouldn’t have done without their ‘meddlesome’ owner?
The GM choices are the obvious ones where he’s obviously involved (like Levy, or the consensus GM), but what else?
It’s common knowledge around NFL circles that Ralph made the call to draft Marshawn Lynch.
"The one commonality in both places (Oakland and Buffalo) is an aging owner who keeps interfering too much. Ralph Wilson continually butts his nose in the football operation and tells the team who to draft"
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Feb 4, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
that was a bad decision?
who was a better choice?
...so I guess now I root for chan gailey...
by JPH on Feb 5, 2010 3:04 AM EST up reply actions
Darrelle Revis?
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Feb 5, 2010 6:04 AM EST up reply actions
yeah it'd be nice to have revis, but would you have been happy if they'd drafted a cornerback in that spot?
...so I guess now I root for chan gailey...
by JPH on Feb 5, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
As long as they didn’t follow it by drafting McKelvin etc. I’d be cool with it.
by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 6, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
lets not play this game Brian
you know its not fair to play 20/20 in the draft. You can do that for 80% of picks by any team.
"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
by poz on Feb 6, 2010 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
JPH asked. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 6, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
I guess that is true enough haha
"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
by poz on Feb 6, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
A very interesting point of view
And I agree that Russ needs to babysit Wilson so Nix can do his thing. But let’s face it if Nix and co. aren’t good then it doesn’t matter if Wilson meddles or not. Anyways, can’t Nix just be like Wilson, there’s candy in the other room and get things done while it takes him to walk the 30min between rooms?!
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
Makes perfect sense
It’s a good start. I urge you, however, to remember that for all of the work that needs to be done, it’s the balancing act that Brandon is undertaking that could very well make or break what happens in Buffalo over the next several years.
I would like to be a fly on the wall when Brandon and Ralph have meetings. Does Brandon in fact flex his muscles or does he regularly acquiesce with the obligatory, “Yes Sir, no Sir”?
I think the proof will be how long the new regime stays together. Whaley seems to have a lot going for him. If he gets in here and bolts in a year or two, we’ll know we’re back to square one. It seems obvious he’s Buddy’s successor. To walk away could only mean, “I can’t take it anymore!” regardless of the GM spot at the end of the rainbow.
Never been inside OBD, but, I wonder if Russ’ desk is positioned between a rock and a hard place.
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria"
Thank you for the part on Ralph
Rec’d for that portion alone, not that everything else you said wasn’t valuable but the part on Ralph is exactly how I feel as well. I too become very frustrated with all the negativity about Ralph, whether there is truth to it or not. My wife and I care for my mother it is not an easy thing to do. All the comical comments are very true when dealing with an elderly person and Russ has at least won Ralphs trust. I feel Buddy will win that trust too. I for one wish Ralph could live for ever, but reality unfortunately doesn’t support that and his time could come sooner than later and the more unfortunate reality is most rumblers here won’t realize what we have lost.
Is it really average talent or just poor coaching, how important is depth and experience.
by VanScottM on Feb 4, 2010 11:53 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Hmm, I TRULY respect Ralph for what he’s done through the years for the NFL and the Buffalo Bills, and God bless him, but as an owner, I won’t miss him.
"The one commonality in both places (Oakland and Buffalo) is an aging owner who keeps interfering too much. Ralph Wilson continually butts his nose in the football operation and tells the team who to draft"
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Feb 4, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
but as an owner, I won’t miss him.
And that is exactly what Brian, and VanScottM meant… And by then, it will be too late to appreciate him, and his gift of the Bills to Buffalo….
Make no mistake, Ralph Wilson kept the team in Buffalo because he was making money. His reasons for never attempting to move the team might have more to do with the risks involved more than a love for Buffalo. Proof that he is in it for the money like everyone else is that he refuses to initiate the sale or at least line things up now while he still can, instead choosing to go the auction route, which would net the highest possible price (and I don’t blame the guy). That uncertainty that he’s created has contributed to the decade long mediocrity. Top players, coaches and front office staff are not interested in relocating to a city that could potentially have to move within a shortened time frame.
Now the unfortunate reality is that upon his passing, there is a very high risk of the team moving, something that could have easily been avoided had he taken a few steps to prevent it. If people think that he kept the team in Buffalo for reasons other than money, I think they are wrong.
Nothing left to say... the clock is ticking...
by keysh67 on Feb 4, 2010 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree...
Proof that he is in it for the money like everyone else is that he refuses to initiate the sale or at least line things up now while he still can, instead choosing to go the auction route, which would net the highest possible price
That is in no way proof that he only cares about the money. Who is to say that he even rec’d a bid that he thought was acceptable? Why would he sell the team for less than it is worth? Line-something up? What does that even mean? Are you suggesting that if someone offers an acceptable bid to Ralph, that Ralph says sure, when I die, you can have the team for this price…and then the new prospective owner will be okay with Ralph still running the show or will he also try to peddle some influence into the organization…one owner is enough.
I understand your argument, and you may end up being right, but IMHO there is not enough evidence that points to Ralph only keeping the Bills in Buffalo for the money. In terms of market size and potential, the evidence points to the contrary.
by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 4, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
He could make it known the he is interested in selling now, in stages. Agree to sell a minority share (say 20-25%) and then the balance would be sold upon his passing and the minority partner would have the right to match the bid. This way, get the potential new guy in so that he can start building and preparing for the future in Buffalo (ie Stadium renovations/extension or new stadium). With longer term commitments in place the Bills would not be in such a precarious position.
Obviously this approach would limit the value of the team because it forces the team to stay in Buffalo, which is what everyone is saying that Ralph is about. I think he’d be foolish to do such a thing because he wants the maximum possible, which in turn creates a huge risk of moving. There are only a few ways that Ralph could indeed ensure that the team ultimately remains in Buffalo but they would cost him money.
My point is that he’s kept the team in buffalo because he makes money with the team in buffalo, period. He’s like everyone else, he’s all about the money. And specifically in his case I think he also doesn’t like risk that much, so sticking with what you have and know in Buffalo is way better than moving the team and having to getting in debt with a new stadium, etc, etc. People talk about Ralph like as if he’s done great things for this team. He’s done great things for the league but not necessarily for this team.
In 50 years of football, we’ve played 748 regular season games with a record below .500, we’ve only won 354 games. Out of 50 seasons we’ve only been to the playoffs 17 times, that’s pityful!
So I’m sorry to say but Ralph has not been the best of owners and he has certainly not been the best of administrators either. And now that he is 91 years of age he’s painted us in a corner. We are probably the only team in history to ever start a rebuild process by hiring both a GM & HC from the un-employment line so forgive me if I don’t get too excited. I do however accept the situation for what it is and I understand that things cannot get better until we change owners.
Meanwhile I will continue to support them. I remain intrigued by the coaching staff, mainly because they all seem to known as “great teacher” which was something missing in Buffalo. I don’t have any expectations going forward in theory I should be safe from disappointment…
Nothing left to say... the clock is ticking...
His reasons for never attempting to move the team might have more to do with the risks involved more than a love for Buffalo.
I agree to a point. In his HOF introduction speech, Chris Berman said Ralph has voted no on every relocation proposal brought before the owners. You tell me if that was to make more money or less.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 8, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
I too appreciate what he did for the NFL and he got into the HOF because many other people appreciate it as well. My grandparents are 86 & 92 years old and I love them dearly but I sure as hell would not entrust them with a Billion dollar company to run, it wouldn’t be fair to the shareholders. Maybe I am wrong but as a season ticket holder, I feel that I am somewhat like a shareholder and my opinion should count. We buy our season tickets, apparel & support our beloved Bills through thick and thin but in return I expect smart intelligent decisions on their part. In the past decade, lets be honest, the ultimate management of our team has been in shambles and it starts at the complete top. Quite simply, a 91 year old, stubborn, meddling old owner should not be running the ship – period.
Like Brian said, I too am optimistic about the future because it looks like we are starting to have a solid Front Office structure. The fact that our owner is 91, stubborn, meddling and is very much set in his ways – is the main reason why the top level candidates were not even considered, he had to go with people he knew. Not saying that Nix won’t work out but what I am saying is that while Ralph is the owner, we are condemned to mediocrity because his ability to manage and take decisions is severely impaired by his advanced age. So to this point, I agree with Brian’s assessment that Brandon will play a very pivotal role in the coming years.
Nothing left to say... the clock is ticking...
I expect smart intelligent decisions on their part.
Hiring Tom Donahoe was that. Ditto Mike Mularkey and Gregg Williams. All of those guys were very well-respected. All failed.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 8, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
No matter how you spin it Brian............
I still hate you Ralph……..
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 Feb 4, 2010 11:57 AM EST reply actions
It’s my opinion. I’m not spinning anything.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 4, 2010 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
I dont hate Ralph so much as I hate his meddlesome ways...
Don’t you do things that your wife/family/friends can’t stand…yet they still love you? I know that I do things that piss off the close ones in my life, but they dont hate me for it.
The man has his flaws, as Brian put it, but he also loves his team and I find a common ground there with him.
by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 4, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
I'd love for ANY proof of this........
but he also loves his team
When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot. - Tommy Lasorda
by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 6, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
How about the fact that it’s still in Buffalo?
I call it... The Avaslug!
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by UZ on Feb 7, 2010 3:17 AM EST up reply actions
why move the team when you can still get 50,000 season tickets sold?
that would be dumb……….
When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot. - Tommy Lasorda
by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 7, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
yeah, plus old people hate moving
If we end up with Vick, T.O., Richie I., and Porter….that is really pushing the dbag density limit for one team.
Because selling more tickets doesn’t necessarily equal making more money.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 8, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
Well written Brian and while I’m not a Ralph fan based on a long term perspective, at this point I just hope Russ isn’t another yes man but willing to stand up for what he and Nix feel is critical for improvement. So far so good IMO.
by radan on Feb 4, 2010 12:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
the KEY I want
is the one that locks Wilson and Brandon in a room somewhere for the next six months.
most of my posts get deleted :(
Brian, with all due respect the only contention I have with your piece is Ralph’s involvement being admirable. I would say it’s understandable and as you stated perfectly well within his right to do so, but admirable isn’t the sentiment most Bills fans would agree with.
“but admirable isn’t the sentiment most Bills fans would agree with.”
Please don’t speak for others. I fully agree with Brian’s article and particularly enjoyed the part on Ralph. I feel “admirable” is a perfect sentiment and we are all entitled to our opinions.
"If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?"
~Vince Lombardi~
Wow, don’t think offense was necessary there. He didn’t say all, he said most. I also don’t think his opinion should evoke a “slap down” .
Second, if you’ve read comments here for a while, clearly people here believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Now, I agree with his disagreeing with admirable. It would be admirable if good decisions were being made. That hasn’t been the case. Now, understandable works because if I owned the team, you bet I’d want a say in how things are going. However, I understand people may disagree with me which is the whole point of this site is to share news and opinions.
by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 4, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
Very well said. Hambone—IMO you need to relax a little about Ralph criticism
by radan on Feb 6, 2010 6:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
this is so weird
it’s like Brian is in my brain…I was writing down some rambling thoughts and I was reflecting on Ralph’s basically “veto” power. How is it going to change even with Buddy Nix? The “buffer” of Brandon to Ralph and Nix is instrumental. Nix has a job to do, he is setting up his organizational hierarchy in such a way that he can get the information from people, and yet still make his own decisions. But come draft day, when we have to pull the trigger or maybe make a trade, I sure hope it is Nix who has final and complete say. Because any “meddling” is only going to draw out this decade long futility.
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
Perfectly put and I totally agree. If Ralph wants to leave this world a winner, which I still believe he does, he’d better let true football people like Nix, Whaley and Modrak make the calls.
"The one commonality in both places (Oakland and Buffalo) is an aging owner who keeps interfering too much. Ralph Wilson continually butts his nose in the football operation and tells the team who to draft"
by BillsfanfromDenmark on Feb 4, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
The draft may be telling...
if Ralph is gonna get involved or if he lets the “DraftNix” do their thing…
by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 4, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent post...
Well put Brian. I particularly enjoyed the portion about Ralph. I very much agree with what VanScott mentions as well.
<the more unfortunate reality is most rumblers here won’t realize what we have lost.>
"If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?"
~Vince Lombardi~
“I’m telling you right now – as much as I like Nix, and as much as I like the decisions he’s made to this point..”
I’m more in the camp of waiting till I see the draft, and the results on the field in September till I start padding ol Buddy on the back for the decisions he’s made. The way the Head Coaching search went and the results that came from it, I’m NOT drinking any Kool Aid OBD serves.
"It took twenty five years to get there, and they did it in championship style" - Van Miller 1/20/91.
I wish I had time...
To go back and pull all the quotes made by Buffalorumbling’s bloggers about how Nix would be able to make his own decisions.
I prophetically indicated that Nix was an “internal” hire and that he would be reined in by Wilson and Brandon would still have power… The facts are Wilson is what has been holding this team back recently. Ultimately the head coaches are not the primary reason for our ineptitude, it is the lack of talent. The lack of talent is directly related to poor personnel decisions, in which Wilson is the executor. Sure he has kept the Bills in Buffalo, but I am excited about the possiblity of the post-Wilson era. I do not wish his death, but I am not convinced the Bills can be competitive while he still feels it necessary to micromanage the franchise.
The fact that Modrack is still around concerns me… Where are all of you whom tried to convince me he would be gone! Guess what, he and many of the coaches ARE STILL HERE!
"You play to win the game, you don't play to just play it" - Herm Edwards
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by Jason from OH-IO on Feb 4, 2010 1:16 PM EST reply actions
It would make even less sense
To fir Modrak four months before the draft then to keep him on. All of the work that he has done for the past year or so would now have to be done by someone else and this organization would be handicapped coming into this draft if he were fired.
As Brian alluded to, there is still a very good chance that Modrak gets fired after r completes his job for this year. Why would it make sense to fire him and have someone (most likely internally) hired that doesn’t have the experience and isn’t ready for the job. Think AVP getting the OC job but in the scouting department.
by ballinbills1315 on Feb 4, 2010 3:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Many of the coaches? Three – two with any really power – Bob Sanders and George Catavolous. Both did great jobs last year. Do you really wanna bag on the Bills for keeping good coaches around?
Sal Maiorana and Brian both seem to think the Whaley pick is a Nix decision that Wilson had veto power over. Nix is making the football decisions as far as we can tell so far. One might be able to see that having an assistant GM and a regular GM is a difference from previous years and might not be the work of the guy who wanted the GM position to be a community approach.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 8, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe this is a dumb question but (of course) I'll ask it anyway...
With all the coaches, departments and front office people around the league (maybe a couple hundred at least), how do teams identify people from other teams and offer them interviews? I don’t know Whaley and I believe this was a good hire for the team’s future but what has he done to make him stand out from all others in his position on the other teams? Is there a consulting firm the Bills communicate with the assist them in finding candidates or is it just, “who you know”? Does anyone know the process or am I being too anal?
It's simple, for all you Ralph haters...
Without him, there’d be no Bills, without the Bills, many of us wouldnt be as into the NFL as we are, others would probably be Giants, Jets, Steelers, or pats (not going to dignify them with capitalization) fans, and really, is that any way to live?
If you answer yes, then you dont belong here.
Now, if he bought the team from somebody else and choked the life out of it, coughdansnydercough, then i would say yes, you’re right.
But without him we wouldnt have a team. love it or leave it.
I am exhausted of this argument
You shouldn’t love a team for the owner… Let’s not forget where Wison wanted a team originally!
Remember he wanted the NFL to allow him to put a franchise in Florida!
Besides, you don’t love other brands because of their owner/CEO/etc. Why is football any different.
I do beleive that Wilson has a major role in keeping the Bills in Buffalo, but that is only for the short term. The long term destiny for the Bills is very much up in the air, at some point these will no longer be Wilson’s Bills and he hasn’t established any kind of transition, counter to that, the team will go up for sale at some point in the not too distant future.
I beleive Wilson is to blame for the recent Bills ineptitude. At the very least the captain must go down with the ship. He wants to micromanage this franchise and needs to be held accountable as such. His hands are as bloody as anyone elses within the franchise for the lack of playoff appearances over the last decade.
I got nothing.
by Jason from OH-IO on Feb 4, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
If Wilson is willing to use Brandon as a buffer
this makes sense. If it’s the same old, meddling Ralph, then it doesn’t really matter what Brandon, or Nix, or whomever does.
I was planning to write a fanpost about how I felt Russ Brandon held the future of the Bills in his hands back in December. I felt he needed to make the right GM hire, help make the right coaching hire and keep Ralph Wilson at bay. Well, the Nix hiring happened out of the blue before I could write that and time will tell if that, and the Gailey hiring, were correct. Unfortunately, I don’t think Brandon had much say in the Nix promotion, so my theory probably wouldn’t have held much weight. However, he is still an important figure going forward in the future of this franchise. From the marketing and CEO duties that remain, he will also need to make sure Wilson and Nix/Whaley/Gailey relationship isn’t one-sided. I sure hope Brandon has the ability and the pelotas to persuade Ralph to let Nix and co. do their thing. This team cannot succeed if the football personnel decisions are still tainted by Ralph’s influence.
I have my doubts, but I also have some hope here. The fact that Wilson allowed the hiring of a GM, and now an assistant GM (with Whaley potentially taking over as GM in the future), indicates that he may be willing to not only let the football guys do their job without interference, but also trust Brandon to be his go-between. Maybe this whole setup will actually work. Maybe the Bills can start to return to relevance again. It’s definitely a better setup than the one we’ve seen the past few years. Let’s just hope the right guys are in place.
~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."
by Kurupt on Feb 4, 2010 1:57 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd
K… Basically exactly what I was thinking with a slightly more optimistic spin.
I got nothing.
by Jason from OH-IO on Feb 4, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Can you highlight that last part
I don’t know if anyone would believe 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."
Gotta give credit where credit is due
I believe it, and I think you’re right on the money, K.
Get the Bills back to the big game!
Awww a pitty party for Ralph
Do I appreciate the good old days when Jimbo still had hair? Of course, but I hadnt even gone through puberty at that point. As Janet Jackson once said “What have you done for me lately?” I am sure you would agree that we are all tried of remembering the good old days.
In this ten+ year period, what has changed? Fan support? Nope, just the product. Ralph and the majority of the fans have come to accept and more importantly support mediocrity. You think the fans of Pittsburgh or Philly would be as docile as the loyal fans of Buffalo? Instead, most are fooled into thinking that we are actuality trying to compete with the disguising marketing scam signings such as Bledsoe, Milloy, TO, RJ etc. There is only one person to blame for the lack of direction and foresight of the organization. Ralph was always soo afraid to rebuild, instead choosing to fill holes with veterans and drafting game breakers as opposed to guys who do not typically make ESPN highlights.
I cannot say that I am excited about Nix and Gailey, but I am on board. Russ is much better off concentrating on the financial side. We have way too many holes to fill to be good in the upcoming years. I just hope the new regime can convince Ralph that we must take a few steps back to move forward. Is that too much to ask?
Maybe...
If Whaley would send Ralph a year’s worth of porn it should keep him busy for the next 3 years while Buddy runs the show.
We all know the misgivings of Ralph throughout the last 50 years. At this point the future is now because we just don’t know how much time Ralph has left. The Bills have been mediocre at best over the last 10 years but they are our team. My best advice is to enjoy them while we can and hope the Bills are sold to someone that realizes what a great football town Buffalo is….
As Wyatt Earp once said "You tell 'em I'm coming! And Hell's coming with me you hear! Hell's coming with me! ~
Or
send Ralph a year’s worth of porn it should keep him busy for the next 3 years
It will give him a heart attach and his family will sell the team, or
He will get addicted to porn, run up an online bill bigger than sireric’s, and he will have to sell the team…or
Ralph would be so offended that he fires Whaley, Nix gets mad and quits, Gailey’s head explodes, and Brandon kills Ralph by force feeding him Mentos and Coke, resulting in……you guessed it….the team being sold…….what where we talking about again??
If we end up with Vick, T.O., Richie I., and Porter….that is really pushing the dbag density limit for one team.
If Whaley would send Ralph a year’s worth of porn it should keep him busy for the next 3 years while Buddy runs the show.
Wait…. How would a year’s worth occupy Ralph for three years? Fuzzy math!
YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 8, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn’t agree more with the piece, but I also expect there will be a fair amount of direct interaction between Nix and Wilson. Nix is an old football guy who knows the game thoroughly and goes back years in the Bills organization before he left for San Diego. My guess is that Wilson has a lot of respect for him and feels pretty comfortable with him. As a result, Nix may not need that much buffering. But Brandon will also have to play a major role in keeping the ship sailing, as you say.
Sorry for bumping this back up, folks – I understand many of you have seen it. The George Edwards news kind of buried this, and as there’s nothing going on today, now’s as good a time as any to give this one more play.
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Those are saved for weekdays, when more people are wasting their time at work enjoying the Rumblings atmosphere.
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by Brian Galliford on Feb 6, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Do you really need these guys to rehash how pitiful we are, piece by piece?
again?
When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot. - Tommy Lasorda
by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 6, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
glutton
…
When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot. - Tommy Lasorda
by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 6, 2010 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
I’m blogging at SBNation.com this afternoon. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Feb 6, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
I thought I was having a Lost flashback or something.
New York City Buffalo Bills Backers
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by BillsNYC on Feb 6, 2010 4:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So will tomorrow morning's post be that John Guy was fired?
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by BillsNYC on Feb 6, 2010 7:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Great Article
This is a great article and I completely agree.
I am with you with regard to Ralph Wilson. I am out of town fan with no (other) connection to Buffalo, so it’s blatantly obvious to me that he gets a raw deal. I’ve always felt that people in Buffalo feel that because they ultimately “pay the bills” that it was their right to demand x,y and z. And I’m sympathetic to that, to a degree.
At some point, as you stated, it’s all irrelevant if he’s not completely dedicated to football in western NY. He could have moved the team long ago, and if he did, it would be a long-dead issue. There would be no “new team” in Buffalo like there was in Cleveland. You just wouldn’t associate the NFL with Buffalo. Period.
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