Bills front office lacks urgency

Last March, Bills GM Buddy Nix joked with reporters about his inactivity on the free agent market, while the front offices from other teams stayed up well past midnight to work big money deals with agents.
"They asked me if I was going to be there," said Nix. "Hell no, I ain't going to be there. I'm going to bed."
Of course, what Nix meant was that he believes in rebuilding a franchise through the draft, and not through free agency. But to frustrated sports fans that already question their team's commitment to winning, it was a certainly poor attempt at humor.
He might as well have said something like: 'You aren't going to get a Bill Belichick-type of effort out of me. I'm too old to try that hard.'

continued

10 months ago mjt328 48 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

Do you have an opinion on this?

Or are you just letting us know it exists?

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

You need to relax

Questioning whether they have a desire or commitment to winning is outrageous. Sounds like something Jerry Sullivan would come up with.

by Winnie33 on Aug 3, 2011 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Well written article

Basically how I am feeling as a Bills fan right now.

I do not see our team getting better. I do not see the stupid “plan”. I do not see us being competitive for a playoff spot this year or next. I do not see Buddy Nix show any urgency to address critical needs (QB and OT). This is very frustrating, I have to admit I saw more direction and urgency in the Jauron era than now. Sure Nix is “calling the shots” but so far the “shots” have been keep your ammo in the chamber.

Major needs when Nix came on board was OT and QB… Has he adressed them?

"...You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win, and I don't care if you don't have any wins. You go play to win. When you start tellin' me it doesn't matter, then retire. Get out! 'Cause it matters." ~ Herm Edwards

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

This is very frustrating, I have to admit I saw more direction and urgency in the Jauron era than now.

considering how that played out – shouldn’t you give them an opportunity since they aren’t doing it like Jauron?

by J2 on Aug 3, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Jauron

At least put a competitive .500-ish team out there… Also at least OBD attempted (while failing) to address major holes on the roster…

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Also at least OBD attempted (while failing) to address major holes on the roster…

whether you like it or not Buddy has done the same.

Merriman, Moats, Coleman, Batten, White, Wang, Pears, Wrotto, Urbik, Barnett, Nelson, Easley, Jones, Hairston, Searcy, Williams, Dareus, Troup, Carrington – aren’t those guys addressing major holes since none of them were on the roster before Nix?

Who was available for LT or for QB? Certainly no one on the FA market for either – what about the draft? You want Clausen, Tebow, McCoy or how about Ponder, Locker, Gabbert at 3?

What about LTs? A RT at 11 with Davis? Or how about another RT in Bulaga at 11?
What about Smith at 3 instead of Dareus?

Filling holes while over paying for players is dumb – which is why Poz and Whitner are no longer Bills – they aren’t going to pay guys to make “splash” so it’s popular amongst the fan base even though those players are middle of the road.

that’s bad business

by J2 on Aug 3, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Bulaga was rated as one of the worst RT last season

I think it was by Pro football focus, but he was rated as one of the worst RT last season several spots behind Langston Walker. I think it is interesting because alot of us wanted him (including me) last draft.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

obviously

Nix has to fill out a roster, so he has to sign someone.

Yep, I wanted Tebow and Baluga.

Don’t kid yourself, we have to overpay players to come to Buffalo. He struck out in FA this year, missing on many of the players he targeted.

Is it bad business to make a “splash” to the contrary exciting a fan base is good for business, especially if you can’t find a way to win… Heck maybe you do both!?!?!

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

winning cures everything – making a splash just to make a splash isn’t smart. Winning will bring more people into this organization than splashes will.

by J2 on Aug 3, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But I’m sure Jason meant sign a player with a track record of winning recently , not before hurt/whatever. Signing a big name FA and creating a splash truly isn’t a bad thing! We splash and burn.

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

If you make a big splash...

but don’t know how to swim you’re only going to drown.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Deep

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

TO excited the fan base but for how long and it didn't make the team was any better

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

TO

Sad he excited Bill’s fans and wasn’t really wanted anywhere else.

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

The point is it seems Jason is concerned with selling tickets

that was the basis for the TO acquisition. but it does nothing for the long term viability of the team.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 4, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

TO wasn’t just here to sell tickets, Jauron was trying to save his job. They were 7-9 forever and they thought he could be the one player they needed to get to the next level and make the playoffs.

"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men." -Unnamed NFL CBA negotiator

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Aug 4, 2011 11:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Owens gave Buffalo Blue Bills.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Overpaying just to excite your fans hasn’t worked at all for the Redskins. Outside of Clabo and maybe Free (who both wanted to stay witht heir old teams), I don’t think there was anybody in FA that was going to solve any of our big holes.

by Dr. Brackish Okun on Aug 4, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Nix and Gailey aren't content with competive .500-ish

They are trying to build a log-term winner and that takes more time and foresite than grabbing Dockery and TO and drafting subpar talent as long as fills a “need”

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Juaron Era

More direction than Chan? Based on what? Chan’s 2nd yr. vs. Juaron’s what? Totally agree with overall complaint but many ways to “skin a cat” and not ready to condemn Nix/Chan just yet. But soon!!

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Nix and Gailey have a lot of football expierence

If they feel they have the proper players on the OL and at QB then that is good enough for me. I’m just a fan. I don’t know that much about judging talent but they do. That’s why Nix and Gailey are employed with the Bills and us Rumblers aren’t

by Winnie33 on Aug 3, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

That's fine

Then they should be judged by wins-losses right… So far not so good, not looking much better this year either.

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

Their record is epic so far.

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Urgency

Why is there a need for urgency? To make headlines? The Bills have done that before, did it help the team get better? No. Patience, build from within. Teams that ‘win’ free agency usually wish they lost.

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Aug 3, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

OK, let’s see who does better this year, the eagles or the bills????

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

This statement is just silly

The Eagles have been competitive for years and have had the same coach for a long time. They already had the building blocks. They are now sensing urgency because Vick had a great year last year coupled with other players coming into their own. If they do win the Super Bowl this year it will be a one shot deal; nothing like the Patriots. The Bills and Eagles aren’t even remotely comparable. The Bills need to acquire talent (last year and this year) in order to build a foundation to then add the final pieces (established star) to then make a run. Let’s be honest until they get a McNabb, Manning, Brees, Brady, Rivers, Vick type QB (in their prime not after they are washed up) (and nothing remotely like that has been available) it would be asinine to go out and get a bunch of players that will be gone by the time the team is at a stage to compete year in and year out. If Fitz becomes that guy in the next year or two then great or if the Bills are able to draft that guy then even better, but to spend just to spend is silly. The FO is bringing in alot of young talented guys so we as fans will have a team to be proud of for years not just a one year wonder and then back to the same old crap we’ve had for the past 11 years.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

lol – no kidding right?

Andy Reid’s been there for more than a decade – Nix and Gailey haven’t even played their 2nd season.

by J2 on Aug 3, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Teams that ‘win’ free agency usually wish they lost.

That is what I was referring to…

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

That still may be true for the Eagles

It all depends on what the goal is. If they want to win this year and this year only then you are probably right. But that will likely set them back in the following years.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

That is what I am referring to. All these expensive acquisitions are great, but unless the Eagles trade / cut some expensive pieces (Asante Samuel?), they are going to have to implode the roster in a short time.

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Aug 4, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Andy Reid’s last-ditch effort to win it all in Philly?

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think it’s fair to compare the Bills and the Eagles, at least in this context. The Bills as mentioned above and known as fact have a coach and gm entering their 2nd year, with a roster that was left flawed at best from the prior administrations. Philadelphia is successful because of consistency in the front office and coaching staff. They would do well this year whether or not they signed Asumugha. His acquistion, however, may lead to sacrifices in the future that have a direct affect on the success of the team.

The Bills

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Aug 4, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s certainly never fair to compare Bills fans to Eagles fans.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Urgency?

Dude its been what 15yrs and counting why the urgency? Your right!

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Amen

by Winnie33 on Aug 3, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Please Read jlocke's Fanpost of 4 days ago

Packers’ GM Ted Thompson went thru the same criticism as it took 6 years to build them from chumps to SB champions. He resisted the shouts to grab at every FA who came down the pike and built the team thru the draft (as he learned when he was a Seahawk assistant).

JLOCKE wrote a fanpost a few days ago, with the link below to an article ALL the nervous-nellie Bills’ fans should read.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/41379862/ns/sports-super_bowl_xlv/

by swampdog #1 on Aug 3, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

"He resisted the shouts to grab at every FA who came down the pike"

It seems that this is true, however what is also true is that he grabed value rated FA’s to fill the gaps. Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett were both FA’s that were picked up by Thompson and helped propel them to a winning team. Thompson addressed the holes in FA when he couldn’t or didn’t fill them through the draft.

by popey on Aug 3, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Everything you need to know about Thompson came with his very first draft pick as Packers G.M. When Aaron Rodgers slid to the No. 24 spot of the 2005 draft, Thompson trusted his eyes, his evaluation and nabbed the talented QB.

Where is our QB?

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 3, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

There hasn't been an Aaron Rodgers available

when the Bills have picked not to mention the lack of a Favre on the roster for him to learn and develop behind.

"We're lost, but we're making good time"--Yogi Berra

by bschrief27 on Aug 3, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

When Aaron Rodgers was picked, he wasn’t a lock to be Favre’s heir apparent. At some point the Bills have to believe that drafting a QB will turn into something better than they ever imagined.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Jason....

with your negativity, perhaps you should find another team to follow (just kidding).

I, for one, am totally on board with what CHIX is doing.

Look, I understand your frustration, I’ve been a Bills fan since 1960 and I’ve seen the franchise in much worse shape than it is today. But I see OBD bringing in a lot of young talent that will (hopefully) make the Bills as good as they were in the early 1990’s. They are not signing players to make a run for the SB this year.

JMHO

by mikeo76 on Aug 3, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

OK

But why isn’t Buffalo spending to get to SB? Its been a while you know? When do we expect this rebuild to climax into a play-off appearance, let alone a SB? Been waiting a while and it feels like a legit question.

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 4, 2011 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

We have been waiting a while yes. Each time the administration changes, the timer to get to the playoffs gets reset. So, although we’ve waited over a decade, Nix & Gailey have been around for 1 season so far. They stated it could take them up to 5 years to get everything in order. I believe them. The biggest mistake would be to pull the cord on them too soon. A consistent GM / coach combination will see us to the playoffs.

If you remember, the Bills HAVE spent big money on a few free agents over the past 10 years. Larry Triplett and Derrick Dockery come to mind. That really worked out. The Bills, especially from a small vs big market standpoint, are taking the proper approach. Draft by talent not need, fill holes as necessary with role players from free agency. DO NOT OVERPAY. You overpay a guy in free agency, especially here in Buffalo, he’ll never do enough to justify the $$$ in his contract.

The one area that remains to be seen in Nix – can he retain Bills’ bred talent when the time comes? He couldn’t retain Poz, but that is what it is. As good as he was for us, he was flawed, especially in a 3-4 defense. So , he might not be the best example. We should see within the next year with Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, Kyle Williams and co. looking for extensions and free agent deals.

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Aug 4, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Ralph Wilson has been around the team for 5+ decades. I bet he’s getting impatient.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

This will be a bad year for QBs drafted

With no off season I think it’s great they got Dareus. Teams like the Eagles seem just a few players away from a Championship. The Bills are more than a few players away so they might as well build for the long haul and make a big splash when they are closer to the big payoff.

by Bill Frank on Aug 3, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Without injuries, the Eagles seem poised. We all know that injuries cannot be “turned off” in the NFL.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 4, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

The Bills’ front office lacks urgency because they are decidedly not urgent. To expect urgency, you’d have to view Buddy Nix as an urgent man. I’ve never for one second gotten that vibe from him. He lets the game come to him, as they say.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Aug 4, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Well stated Brian

Unfortunately other GMs have said sense of urgency and are willing to overpay for FA’s. I would argue Buddy’s “let the game come to me” attitude just doesn’t fit in the current NFL.

"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix

by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 4, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions