Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 1/2

CEO Russ Brandon to assume organizational control of Buffalo Bills - BuffaloBills.com
"I think when he looked at it from a day-to-day operation it’s difficult to manage from afar," said Brandon. "He was very clear to me yesterday that it is now (my) responsibility moving forward."

Russ Brandon: "It's time to start a new legacy" - BuffaloBills.com
A complete transcript of yesterday's press conference with Russ Brandon and Buddy Nix.

Head coaching search underway - BuffaloBills.com
"Brandon along with GM Buddy Nix, Assistant GM Doug Whaley and Senior VP of Football Aministration Jim Overdorf were all on a private plane headed west to Arizona to begin the process of finding a new head coach for the Bills."

Bills Focus: Buddy Nix Sit Down Interview - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills General Manager Buddy Nix sits down with Chris Brown to talk about the decision to fire Chan Gailey, starting over in 2013, and what he's looking for in the next head coach."

Bills Focus: Russ Brandon Sit Down Interview - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon sits down with John Murphy to discuss his new role, the role of GM Buddy Nix, and what they are looking for in a new head coach."

Russ Brandon and Buddy Nix Press Conference - VIDEO - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills President/CEO Russ Brandon and General Manager Buddy Nix meet the media to discuss the changes at One Bills Drive and the plan moving forward."

Inside The Bills | Brandon: Buddy Nix is our GM
"Buddy Nix is our general manager and will run the football operation much like he has the last three years," said Brandon.

Inside The Bills | Brandon: I’m humbled and honored
"It was a rather emotional visit," said Brandon. "He told me he was passing the torch to me to run this franchise with zero restrictions and zero limitations."

Inside The Bills | Nix: Monday as bad a day as you can have
"It’s hard to describe how hard yesterday was," said Nix. "Fans talk about firing people. It’s easy to say. You don’t think about families or kids. I’ve been on both sides and I can’t tell you how hard it was. It’s as bad a day as you can have."

Inside The Bills | Head coach search team heads west
"Appearing on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550, when asked where he might be headed to look for a new head coach said, "Arizona looks good this time of year." Joining him and Nix on the flight are Assitant GM Doug Whaley and Senior VP of Football Administration Jim Overdorf."

Inside The Bills | Report: Bills interested in Denver OC McCoy
"Per the report the Bills have asked permission to interview McCoy and the Broncos are granting interview opportunities so long as they take place between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening this weekend in Denver."

Inside The Bills | A closer look at the analytics
"Managing the salary cap as it pertains to players likely means that the analytics will provide an additional layer in assessing what a player’s true worth is to the team based on advanced metrics of on field performance."

Inside The Bills | Nix: We’re not back at square one
"We’ve got young players. We started six first- or second-year players in defense. You’re going to make some mistakes doing that, but they’re going to get better, and they’re good players. We’ve just got to keep adding to them."

Inside The Bills | Additions at QB in draft & free agency?
"I’ve said we’re going to try to draft a quarterback, and we are," said Nix. "We may even get one in free agency, but we’re going to draft a young quarterback at some point."

Inside The Bills | Report: Whisenhunt tonight, Horton Wed.
"Per LaCanfora’s report Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon, GM Buddy Nix, Assistant GM Doug Whaley and Sr. VP of Football Administration Jim Overdorf met with Whisenhunt. They’re reportedly scheduled to interview Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton Wednesday."

Brandon takes reins for ‘new era' - Buffalo News
"Obviously, I'm honored and humbled in his confidence in me to lead this organization into a new era and provide a clear direction and winning pathway into the future," Brandon said.

GM-in-waiting Whaley focuses on helping Nix succeed - Buffalo News
Whaley: "I'm a competitor. ... There's nothing been promised to me, but to give me the resources to do my job to help those guys [Brandon and Nix] put this franchise on the right track. I love a challenge. That's what I signed up for, and I hope to be here long enough to see it completed."

Bills give Brandon ball; time to watch him run - Buffalo News
Bucky Gleason: "Brandon's and Whaley's combined ages are nearly a decade shy of Wilson's, for heaven's sake. Brandon is 45. Whaley is 40. Nix is 73."

New era for Buffalo Bills as Russ Brandon takes control - Democrat and Chronicle
See how the D&C covered the news.

WGR 550 SportsRadio - Bills' Power Shift Breeds Cautious Optimism
"An overall dissatisfaction for making Brandon the team president in addition to his duties as CEO completely took away from the most important fact relayed. Ralph Wilson no longer has the final say in organizational decisions. That is humongous news to Bills fans, and very important to the outlook of the franchise moving forward."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - Bills: Who Is Doug Whaley And Is He Next In Line?
Brandon said, "We’re working on the parameters to keep him here long term, Doug’s not going anywhere."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - Bills Owner Ralph Wilson Gives Up Control Of Franchise
Howard Simon's pre-news conference source dump includes news on Russ Brandon taking over and a lot of information on the coaching search.

AFC East Stock Watch - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"1. Black Monday victims: This choice is obviously. The AFC East was hit hard on Black Monday, which is the first day of the offseason for teams that don't make the playoffs."

Power Rankings: Final AFC East edition - AFC East Blog - ESPN
The Bills finished third in the AFC East at No. 23 overall.

Poll: How attractive is Bills' coaching job? - AFC East Blog - ESPN
"So is Buffalo's opening highly attractive, average or not attractive at all? Using our SportsNation poll, cast your vote on the Bills' job. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below."

Buddy Nix to remain with Bills, Russ Brandon new CEO, according to report - SBNation.com
"Whaley's name has come up as a possibility for several of the openings that were created with the spate of firings on Monday. But for now, Nix can count himself among those who are safe, even if he's keeping the seat warm for Whaley."

Ken Whisenhunt, Ray Horton among Bills coaching candidates - SBNation.com
"Ray Horton served as the Cardinals defensive coordinator over the last two seasons. Prior to his time in Arizona he was the defensive backs coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was a coaching protege of Dick LeBeau."

Buffalo Bills Reportedly Interested In Bengals Assistant Hue Jackson - Cincy Jungle
"According to Mike Garafolo with the USA Today, Hue Jackson is beginning to generate some interest for the Buffalo Bills."

NFL coaching rumors: Mike McCoy draws Bills interest - SBNation.com
"In the past two seasons, McCoy has led teams quarterbacked by Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning to the playoffs. Obviously, one of those is a bit more impressive than the other."

32 Observations: Week 17 | ProFootballFocus.com
"Buffalo Bills: Running back C.J. Spiller ended the year with an Elusive Rating of 94.6, which is the highest of any back in the past five years."