August 2010 Buddy Nix Approval Poll
by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2010 9:11 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintWe told you that we'd be running monthly approval polls for Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix once Buffalo Bills training camp got underway; we knocked off the Gailey approval poll last week, and now that the major dominoes have fallen into place for the pre-season roster, let's take care of Buddy. Here's what he's done of late:
- Got eight of nine draft picks signed prior to the start of training camp on July 29
- Signed first-round pick C.J. Spiller to a five-year, $25 million ($37.5 million maximum) deal with $20.8 million guaranteed, ending an eight-day holdout one week prior to the team's first pre-season game
- Released veteran pass rusher Aaron Schobel after rumors circulated that he was considering playing in 2010
- Replaced Nic Harris on the roster with Donovan Woods
- Has been at several training camp practices watching his new team work under Chan Gailey
Previous approval polls: 36% approval Hiring Date (30% disapproval), 73% approval February 2010 (5% disapproval), 79% approval April 2010 (4% disapproval), 76% approval May 2010 (7% disapproval)
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Getting the draft picks signed was important but I would have liked to see him wait it out with Schobel a little longer even if releasing him was ultimately the classy thing to do. I don’t think there is any way the Bills could have received a pick in compensation but they should have tried a little longer.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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See, I like him releasing Schobel for two reasons, one being as a symbolic, sort of turning the page view, as we missed the playoffs every year that he was here, the other being because they didn’t want to be “jerked around” or at least having that appearance. I don’t think that’s what Schobel would’ve done at all, but that could have been apart of Nix’s thinking. That move also gives the other guys the mindset that nobody is going to just come in midcamp and take their job, but now its either Maybin’s or Torbor’s or or Ellis’ whomever’s job to win.
I also like that he’s actually at camp, on the sidelines. Its nice to see someone from OBD at SJF.
I don’t think people correlated Schobel being in Buffalo and us missing the playoffs. I just don’t see it as a turning the page at all. He was a Pro Bowl caliber DE who worked relentlessly every play and was one of the best players on the roster. Dumping him with no compensation is unheard of.
Also, this sends the message that if a player don’t show up for training camp and “retires”, Buffalo will release them. The future implications of this move by management really concerns me.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Aug 8, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
i dont see it that way at all. i see it as them sending a message that youre either with this team with no wafering, or you wont be.
and i do see it as a turning point. “out with the old, in with the new.” not to mention, Schobel would be learning the new position as well. i just don’t see who this gets players worried about if they could be next. i dont see any future implications. i think its nothing but tim kennedy folly
Getting the draft picks signed was important but I would have liked to see him wait it out with Schobel a little longer even if releasing him was ultimately the classy thing to do. I don’t think there is any way the Bills could have received a pick in compensation but they should have tried a little longer.
Is there no reason we couldn’t have traded Schobel to a team for one of their practice squad players? Just to ensure he was going to a team of our choice? And then subsequently cut the PS player if he sucks…
Draft Eric Decker in the 3rd!!! Eric Decker > Jordan Shipley > Arrelious Benn
by NordicBillsfan on Aug 8, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
we have plent of our own PS players and even if he does go to and AFC East team
did doesn’t change the fact the Bills are not a playoff team.
If all the stars align, pigs learn to fly, humanity achieves world peace, doctors discover a cure for cancer, scientists perfect cold fusion, and hell freezes over, the Bills might win the SB this year.
Why would any team want to take on that contract for an aging guy who has flited with retirement for two years? He’s making like 8M this year.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Aug 8, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Have to disapprove
On paper, Buffalo has the least talented roster in the NFL. That’s not all Nix’s fault (this is the byproduct of years and years of inept player personnel decisions), but he gets no back-slaps until the situation is remedied.
"Godzilla is coming so get ready." -abayarde
agree
he’s an improvement, but hey, ANYTHING would have been an improvement? Given the reports on the offense from camp, much more could have been done (or done differently) to shore up that area. I think we’re in for another year of sacks, QB injuries, penalties, and other assorted offensive gaffs as a result of essentially ignoring the problem. The defense is solid, but, we all know what playing 50 minutes a game does to a defense.
What good is putting a band-aid on your forehead when you have a severed artery in your leg? I do not seen and/or agree with his logic and approach (or lack of) to solving the “offensive” problem.
I read about the evils of drinking, so I gave up reading! - Henny Youngman
Cleveland???
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by MattRichWarren on Aug 8, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
No. Unless you’re talking only about offenses, the Bills aren’t even close to the least talented team in the NFL.
Even worse, how can you argue that until Buffalo has a great team you’ll never support Nix when he stepped into this situation and actually added tons of talent with the Edwards/Davis signings and a good draft on the defensive side? He’s honestly done all he can.
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by UZ on Aug 8, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to disagree
Buffalo doens’t have the least talented roster. They’ve got the roster with the least blue-chip impact players, with none. But they have a bunch of red-chip guys: Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans, Eric Wood, Andy Levitre, Kyle Williams, Marcus Stroud, Paul Posluszny, Jairus Byrd. Many of those red-chippers are getting better (Byrd, Wood, Levitre) and some will get better as play around them gets better (Evans, Posluszny).
The Bills also have a good group of young guys that haven’t fully developed yet: Steve Johnson, James Hardy, Shawn Nelson, Demetrius Bell, Jamon Meredith, Aaron Maybin, Leodis McKelvin. Maybin and McKelvin could be blue-chip guys.
Add to that a good rookie class, one which Spiller could develop into a blue-chipper, and Buffalo’s roster is far from the worst.
We just don’t have any blue-chip guys now, and that’s not good. In particular, Buffalo needs a blue-chipper at quarterback. If two of our young guys develop into blue-chip players, and we add 1-2 more in the next draft (quarterback), this roster won’t look so bad anymore.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
Ratings
Blue-chip: Pro Bowl calibur player that consistently beats his man when matched up one-on-one; plays to potential all the time; must be schemed for by the other team
Red-chip: Potentially Pro Bowl calibur talent that may not be as consistent; will win better than 50% of the match-ups against red-chip or lowre talent when lined up one-on-one; may not always be schemed for but must be accounted for.
—-or—-
Red-chip: Lesser talented player that plays above talent level consistently and will beat red-chip players or lower 50% of the time or better on effort; can reach the Pro Bowl but won’t be a fan choice, rather being recognized by the coaching staff for high effort with good talent; won’t be scheme for but must be accounted for due to effort.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
Actually the first time that I see it. I read so much football sh#t that it blows me away that it’s the first time I see the reference.
For the record, I think Eric Wood & Jairus Byrd are purple (halfway between both) and should be blue by next year. I think we can also add Levitre. This makes me think that I should write an article to thank Jauron, ‘cause last years draft was REALLY good and he deserves credit for it. It’s hard to know how much say he had in the draft picks but somehow I suspect that it was a lot. He’d make a good FO guy.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
Purple is actually the next step below red
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
disapprove
Getting low-round draft picks into camp on time is normal. Are there any stories of a 5th round hold out? The one case with a possible delay was delayed. The fact that an eight-day holdout is still acceptable from management’s side indicates that Buddy is either comfortable with, or has not been able to change, the administrative culture within the organization.
The Schobel thing should have never dragged on this long. If he didn’t want to play before the draft, he should’ve been released then. If he wasn’t sure, there should have been a trade discussion before the draft and a push to move him at that point. If the draft came and went with no trade and no commitment that he’s 100% going to play this year, he should have been released in the week after the draft. A drawn out process over him playing one more (rebuilding) year is unnecessary.
I know this point has been raised on Buddy approval polls before, but things like showing up at training camp are value neutral at best.
Schobel wouldn’t be playing the most important position on a team on the cusp. Only in that case (and maybe not even then) do you put up with that silliness.
My job with these polls is to present the facts as to what Nix has done over the past month, and to let everyone else decide what “value” they apply to those facts. You see his attending camp as neutral, but that doesn’t mean someone else has to. That’s the beauty of democracy, eh?
by Brian Galliford on Aug 8, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Not Sure
The way they handled the Schobel situation makes me a little uneasy. We released a Pro Bowl DE with no compensation. That is just insane. The Packers got a 4th round pick (with escalation based on performance) for an on-again and off-again Favre when they traded him to the Packers. I don’t see why we couldn’t have gotten AT LEAST a 6th round pick for Schobel. Once Nix put it out there that we were moving on without Schobel there was nothing we could do but release him….TERRIBLE management in my opinion.
I would say the jury is still out on drafting Spiller. With available OT’s in the draft, Buffalo missed a clear weak spot in the offense and drafted for a position that we don’t need. If Spiller plays anything less than brilliantly then I’m afraid this was a terrible 1st round pick.
Nix hasn’t addressed the need positions in Free Agency either. While Fozell Adams isn’t a great OT anymore, he may have been able to provide some veteran leadership. Same with Alan Faneca. I’m concerned about the lack of veterans on this team. We have what looks like a great future but some mentors would be nice as well.
Leading up to the draft I liked how Buffalo hosted a variety of players. I’m wondering if Buffalo’s “interest” spurred the Broncos to take Tebow. If they did…well played Nix…well played!!
I think at this juncture I have to say “Not Sure”.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Aug 8, 2010 9:53 AM EDT reply actions
meant to say “when they traded Favre to the Jets”
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Aug 8, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think you can compare
Farve to Schobel. QB is the most important position on the team, and it’s something the Jets needed.
I don’t think any team would surrender a pick, not even a 6th and take on his $8 million salary. I’m pretty sure that other teams expected us to cut him. So why trade when you can get him cheaper without surrendering any picks?
I’m with you on Spiller though. Great player, but still just another potential set back in the rebuilding process. Too many holes to fill, so why get another RB?
Is this your homework, Larry?
by Schooled You on Aug 8, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Nix is REBUILDING
not filling holes. Nix and Gailey are trying to build their own team, as opposed to trying to patch up the holes that Jauron and the rest of that idiotic crew left behind. I like the approach they took with the draft. I can not express enough how much I love the Spiller pick. I honestly think he will have a much greater impact to this team than any other player at that draft selection would have, despite the depth at his position. Even with a new LT, we still have sub par wrs, qbs, and a highly overachieving rb in Jackson, and a grossly underachieving rb in Lynch touching the ball. When you put the ball in the hands of a world class talent such as Spiller’s, he can score from any spot on the field, regardless of who is blocking or under center.
had to disapprove for a couple reasons
thet fact that he didnt address are QB situation adaquately (drafting s seven round qb doesn’t do it for me) not being able to get value for aaron schoebel or marshawn lynch when imo it’s abovious there was and is opportunities to make a move with these players. Also I am still very concerned with are LT play I just feel like he needed to do more to improve this teams talent right now then what he has done and I still don’t agree with the players we drafted I’m sure jimmy clausen going to be a pro bowl quarterback in this league
Rrrawrrrr, rrrawrrr like a dungeon dragon-Busta Ryhmes
I don't think there was any value to be had
with Schobel. When a player is publicly saying he’s not coming back as a Bill, their hands are kind of tied. Other teams obviously know that he then has no trade value, taking on $8mill for an aging DE, rather than waiting out the inevitable and being able to freely negotiate their own contract with him. I’m sure that if trading Schobel was an option, it was entertained.
Nix
I can’t argue with letting Schoebel go because he would be too expensive to trade and it was a classy thing to do…and this organization needs a better reputation among players. Not going for QB’s they think aren’t worthy is smart also. But, not addressing OT early and grabing a player at a stacked position instead doesn’t make sense. The Bills seem to do this alot. How many times have we screamed at the pick of a defensive back when we were already in great shape. The problem is if you overload on certain positions, then you end up releasing good talent at certain positions and remain weak at others (e.g. Def. back- Jabari Greer, Jim Leneord) . One of you guys mentioned " we have the same need positions as before". This is true…we needed to at least get one blue chipper for OL or QB. Now we wil be going into next years draft again looking for two players with one first round pick. The prolbem here, is it will take so many years to finally get the offensive players on board and experineced that other parts of the team will fall apart by that time, Then we have to start fixing the others parts and never get the whole team set at one time. " How I yearn for the team of the 90’s when the team was set and draft picks and a couple free agents picks a year kept things strong."
Nix
Buddy has the same philosophy that was in effect in San Diego. Get a top Running back (LT), get a top QB (Rivers), and then build up the defense along the way. He is doing the same thing here in Buffalo with step one; getting a top Running back in Spiller, next year will be QB while building up the defense along the way… give him some time. i know we have been waiting for awhile, but appears this philosophy works.
by Las Vegas Bills Fan11 on Aug 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT reply actions
we already had TWO top RB’s with Lynch and Jackson before they drafted Spiller. RB was clearly not a position of need.
OL is a MAJOR problem with this team. We have a solid interior line but a library doesn’t look nice if the bookends can’t keep the books up.
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Aug 8, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uh
I do not at all consider Jackson and Lynch ‘Top’ running backs. They are top of our depth chart yes. But could you honestly say you would rather have one of them over 15 other running backs in the league. Because I couldn’t. Jackson will decline, and Lynch has yet to reach his full potential, and may never.
BuffaloFanFromCT makes an excellent point which I rec’d below. Spiller was a “luxury” we could ill afford as a REBUILDING team. We can certainly get by with Jackson and Lynch while building in the trenches.
I read about the evils of drinking, so I gave up reading! - Henny Youngman
well said
rec’d
I read about the evils of drinking, so I gave up reading! - Henny Youngman
I am not a big Nix fan, but voted approve for now
Granted I didn’t share Nix’s strategy for the draft, but he seems to have brought in some good players. Sure it is to early to tell how our rookies are going to perform in the regular season, but the poll is to reflect what they have done up to this point, right.
The Schobel situation doesn’t bother me as much as some here. I have no doubt Nix made some calls about trading Schobel. The teams he was willing to play for are not stupid. They knew the situation the Bills were in and nobody was going to pay that kind of money for Schobel. I give Nix credit for recognizing that and allowing both sides to move on in a classy way without creating hard feelings on either side.
At this point, “the baby” hasn’t been born yet. In fact, we in the first trimester. All we can do is look at that fuzzy ultrasound picture and hear the heart beat.
If all the stars align, pigs learn to fly, humanity achieves world peace, doctors discover a cure for cancer, scientists perfect cold fusion, and hell freezes over, the Bills might win the SB this year.
by Joe P. on Aug 8, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
well said on the Schobel situation and I would add
1- Schobel was not worth that kind of money in Buffalo anymore.
(a) He didn’t want to play here anymore
(b) Too old to learn a new position
© How can a guy that is not really motivated to play here, that intends on only playing one more year, learn a new position and be dominant at it? there’s a 60% chance that Maybin would have outplayed him and we would’ve had a $8M 2nd stringer.
2- The second he would have reported we would’ve had to pay him his $2M bonus
(a) there is no late round draft pick that is worth that
(b) teams knew the predicament that we were in, there’s no way they would’ve traded anything with us.
3- Nix inherited this situation, he didn’t create it. He handled it the best way he could – DECISIVELY
(a) by waiting him out, he was calling his bluff. Maybe Schobel would have retired?
(b) Once he realized that there was no trade value, he was playing a PREVENT strategy. Do your best to get him to retire and if not, don’t leave him with too much time to turn it around. At this point in the season, it’s really only 4-3 teams that could actually be willing to come close to his asking price.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
by keysh67 on Aug 9, 2010 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He handled it the best way he could – DECISIVELY
rec’d
We got the tools, We got the talent
by J2 on Aug 9, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Approve.
I’m not some crazy JFK conspiracy theorist, but maybe Buddy is smarter than we all give him credit for. I bet he has a long-term plan that may acutually surprise a lot of folks next year.
NOTE: For you youngsters, JFK was a U.S. President that was assassinated in Texas. There are 100+ crazy theories that Fidel Castro, the mob, the Russians, and Frank Sinatra were involved in taking him out.
:-)
"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 8, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions
Actually had he not shown up someone would probably have crabbed about it here.
The 09/10 Colorado Rockies: Starring Johnny Herrera as THE ANSWER
THIS IS BUFFALO NATION GODZILLA HAS AWAKEN - abayarde
SBNation Denver: Because the Rapids are people too!
Burgundy Wave: My Rapids Blog
by UZ on Aug 8, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Disapprove
I did finally come around to the draft. Getting the best play maker out there(Spiller) and then building up the run D makes sense. However, I have not seen progress with our 2 biggest needs(QB, LT) Most of us are hoping to have these addressed in next years draft. We’ll see, but if Clausen turns out to be the real deal it won’t look very good for Buddy.
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Aug 8, 2010 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Approve
If the Bills took Clausen in the first it would have been a reach, justified by how far he fell (even being passed by in the 2nd round by teams with glaring QB needs). I believe by NOT taking Clausen, Nix proved that he is an astute talent evaluator. As surely Levy and the old crew would have moved up in the first to select him:)
Nix of course has a plan. And Rome wasn’t built in a day. If building our team to run and stop the run is wrong, then that’s your opinion. But I believe he gets very high marks for understanding that weather conditions in Buffalo should dictate the team/scheme you deploy. And obviously, building the 3-4 and running attack have been the strategy thus far.
If it happens to be that we struggle this year because of our QB and LT play. So be it. At least we will have a plan/pieces in place for new T’s & QB’s to work with.
People seem to be voting on this as if this was a team that was a mere two pieces away from a super bowl.
The 09/10 Colorado Rockies: Starring Johnny Herrera as THE ANSWER
THIS IS BUFFALO NATION GODZILLA HAS AWAKEN - abayarde
SBNation Denver: Because the Rapids are people too!
Burgundy Wave: My Rapids Blog
He gets my approval for now
Schobel’s “retirement” was a no win for the Bills when he publicly announced he was looking to not play. If he had approached them for a trade before doing that, I think we would have gotten decent return on him, but once he did that, he kinda tied the hands of the franchise.
CJ’s holdout is hard to blame on just Nix, CJ and his agent also should take some of it.
Overall, I think he has put this team on a path upwards, but like most things in life, it is going to take some time, and we’ll see how he does over the next 6 months, imo.
abayarde- "I SAY this get ready cause the BUFFALO BILLS ARE COMING TO TOWN and I dont mean like Santa clause. WE will not Surrender this is were you all FALL The WHAGON BLASTER IS TAKING OFF AND YOU PUNKS are in our way, This wagon has no BREAKS so get ready for the ride of the life time"
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