Don Banks: EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: Buddy Nix

Nix hired Chan Gailey last year, drafted defensive tackle Marcell Dareus this year, and has built a talented offense around lightly regarded players such as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, running back Fred Jackson, receiver Stevie Johnson, tight end Scott Chandler and receiver David Nelson. The Bills have responded with a breakthrough season so far, and are 5-2 and tied with New England for first in the AFC East.
-- Kudos to Ted Thompson, Green Bay general manager.

7 months ago J2 6 comments 1 recs |

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What I want to know is if Banks voted “no” or “not sure” on the Nix poll.

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Nov 3, 2011 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

The team is getting better. Guys he added are contributing. His coaching hire has been a homerun. The focus on establishing a hierarchy and a bench in the football operations department to me is under-appreciated since it doesn’t really impact the football product short-term, but might be very valuable in establishing a consistent well-run organization.

I think Buddy gets a lot more grief from fans than Gailey. But he’s made a lot of bold decisions. Some of them worked, some of them didn’t, but thats what a good GM does. These guys can’t be perfect, it’s not the right bar to set. So far I’ve been really impressed with his convictions and the degree to which he has avoided some really classic GM gaffes while finding some amazing contributions without using our draft picks. Is he perfect? No, but he seems to be an independent thinker and he appears to be winning more than losing with that approach.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Nov 4, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

How Banks didn’t see fit to mention Gailey as a potential coach of the year is beyond me.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Nov 4, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

I’m annoyed by the Harbaugh love over Gailey. It’s gonna be tough to overcome that considering SF has 5 more games in the atrocious NFC West. Not saying he hasn’t accomplished a lot in SF. But he’s done it with a roster that had more talent (especially on defense) than the Bills had and against an easier schedule. They just haven’t been as bad at drafting as much as they’ve blown coaches. Singletary was supposed to win that division last year and imploded. To me he took a team that should have been 9-7 or 11-6 LAST year and will get them there. Whereas Gailey took a team of misfits and might make then a 10-6 team in the AFC East (knock on wood). Just seems like a bigger ask.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Nov 5, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions