A day after Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan ripped him for staying behind the scenes, Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix spoke to the media on Thursday to discuss a lot of the events that have occurred over the first month of the season.
Two themes were prevalent: Nix is very firm in his stance that non-productive players won't be staying with the organization, and he is thoroughly convinced that the plan he's implemented will turn the Bills into a contender.
"If a guy’s not producing, we’re not going to keep doing the same thing – and that being losing – with the same people doing the same thing," Nix said. "We’re not going to do that. After a point it doesn’t change. To be honest with you nobody’s safe. You’ve got to produce and we evaluate ‘em every day."
Nix expanded on this when discussing the release of former starting quarterback Trent Edwards, explaining the team's decision to keep Edwards when most fans wanted him gone.
"Buffalo’s got people all over the league that have been here that are playing good for other people," Nix explained. "I didn’t want to come in here and cut guys that could help us win. Then we got into the regular season and it didn’t work out. We didn’t have the production that we wanted. We decided that wasn’t the answer for us or for him. So we made the change."
Nix understands that Bills fans are frustrated, and ensured reporters that the frustration is shared by the folks at One Bills Drive.
"I know they’re frustrated," Nix said. "They’re not any more frustrated than we are. They’re putting their money and tickets in and we’re putting seven days a week in to try to get it turned around. It’ll be fun when it happens. And trust me, it’ll happen."
You can read full Nix quotes from The Buffalo News here and here.