SB Nation User Blog: J2

Please don't mess this up!

J2 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:11:43 -0000

So far the search for the Bills next head coach is filled with high profile names - Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Tony Dungy and Marty Schotteneheimer. The reason for this is these guys are currently unemployed and the Bills can talk to them now instead of waiting for a teams season to be over before they can talk to currently employed personnel.

The problem I'm having is Buffalo is showing it's hand too soon and just throwing money at the issue - instead of seemingly building the team the right way.

Now, I don't know what the Bills plans are - not many people do i'm sure. However, it seems like right now they are just going to throw money at a HC position. If we could land one of the proven coaches it sure would look good on paper - but would it really work out for the Bills?

These proven coaches had front office personel help build teams for them - who's to say that they are capable by themselves of building a playoff calibre team? Cowher had LeBeau, Shanahan had Elway and rushing, Gruden had Dungy's team, Dungy had Peyton but still seems to get it -but they all had front offices helping them.

I'm not saying that these are bad choices - but i'm not sold that, by themselves, they can do what we want them to do.

I honestly think the best way to build this team is with Brians (and others) method of getting a GM. I think that should be priority number 1.

GM's build you your team - they pick the coaches and players. They have the vision. To me - this is more important than picking a HC - if you have a GM that is good at picking good players and picking coaches you are going to win a lot of football games.

I certainly am not sold on any of the big name coaches ability to do any of these things. I would be more sold on a personel guy that works for a successful franchise (DeCosta, Polian). These guys would have a history of seeing the process from a GM perspective - from a successful perspective. Having your HC/GM make all of your decisions is a very risky proposition if you ask me. Wearing too many hats can dull down the true effects a good HC can have.

I'm nervous that we are just going to throw money at a Shanahan type of HC/GM - have him run the ship - and have that ship sink because he took on too much. The separation of duties allows both parties to focus on their specific tasks - which allows them to focus on their tasks with greater concentration - and hopefully greater results.

Having a high profile named HC sure would sell tickets and help palacate a fanbase - but would it ultimately win games? That's the issue i'm having - because i'm not sure.

I also think we are showing our hand too soon - everyone knows that Ralph is going to spend big money to get a HC.

First - is that going to hinder our ability to sign FA's in the future because of money tied up by the organization?

Second - If the current high profiled coaches know that he is willing to dish out big money - who's to say that they won't wait until after the season when a bidding war can start? This way they can get more money either from us or from another franchise.

I'm happy that they have decided to change this ship - but I don't want them to persue a high profile HC without a plan or vision in place - I think that's misguided. I think having a GM with a vision and plan then a high profile HC to compliment that strategy is more important. I'd even be willing to have that GM bring on an up and coming coordinator as long as the plan is in place.

There is a lot riding on these decisions - namely years worth of fans time, energy and money. The Bills have screwed the pooch too many times in the past for me to be confident they are going to do this the right way. The current way of thinking already has me nervous and i'm already on the fence on the high profile coaches because of what I stated above.

One way or another - I think a great GM should be our plan - then go from there. We need a plan - we need a path - we need a vision. What we don't need is a HC that may or may not pan out while wearing too many hats and collecting his large paychecks.

John Clayton is LAME with a capital LAME!

J2 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:52:20 -0000

John Clayton is LAME with a capital LAME!

sorry - but I just wanted to get this off of my chest and to let other Rumblers' know that John Clayton of ESPN is the lamest lamer of the lames. He continually makes sarcastic comments on the Bills and disses them at every possible turn. I browse the Internets (it's a series of tubes) and every time he mentions the Bills - it's always, always negative and sarcastic. FYI Bills fans - John Clayton of ESPN is LAME. anyone else notice this?

NFL coaching candidates for 2010

J2 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:47:05 -0000

NFL coaching candidates for 2010

From Don Banks - a good list of potential coaches

The Remaining Games

J2 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:41:08 -0000

Since this week brought us the demotion of our QB and firing of our HC, I wanted a little conversation on what I wanted to see during the remainder of our season. If you recall, we still have some football games left to play - starting this week in Jacksonville.

Obviously, winning becomes an after thought from all the recent changes at OBD. I say that because, well winning should be secondary. Developing younger players that might make mistakes is a top priority (and for those of us that want better draft picks - losing isn't as big of a deal).

Injuries:

I honestly don't know what the deal is with the Bills and injuries - chalk it up to bad luck or bad strength and conditioning coaches - but it happens all the time in Buffalo.

I want to see Bell, Hardy, Nelson, Poz, Youboty and Whitner stay healthy and play the remaining games - I know Bell and Youboty are out 2 more weeks at least - but when they get back - I want them to stay healthy. Easier said than done - but it's very hard to evaluate talent when they are on the bench.

Developing young talent:

Sorry T.O. or Josh Reed - but I'd like to see Hardy and S. Johnson get more reps on the field. Obviously this season is a wash - T.O. won't be here anyways (see Keyshs' answer) - so let's see what these guys can do on the field. This will only help the new coaching staff next year determine who will fit into their schemes and who is expendable.

Bell, Wood, Levitre and Nelson need to see extensive playing time. It's almost a saving grace that Derek Fine went on IR because Nelson is almost asuradely the starter from here on out. I want our O-line to be evaluated against NFL teams and I want them to learn from their mistakes. The only way that is accomplished is through playing - obviously these guys have been playing - but don't yank them if they perform badly - let them play and learn.

Harris and Palmer should also see extensive action - just to see what we have there. I know LB injuries pretty much are forcing their hand - but Draft can sit the pine for a while and these guys can see some reps. I think it's pretty sad that our starting SS is now our OLB as well - is he the best player there? maybe - but I want to see these guys get more reps for the future. Obviously Scott isn't going to be an OLB for us in the future - so why play him now? Let the young guys develop.

Play aggressive:

Now that Fewell is running the show - i'd like to see an attitude change around here a little bit. Guys are fighting for their jobs right now - everyone knows that. I want to see these guys play with passion and heart and not worry as much about making mistakes. This team has a lot of young talent - they are going to make mistakes - I want to see them get fired up and give it their all.

I don't want to see the coaches play conservative football because of the situation. If anything - push that pedal down harder and push these guys more.

Don't fall apart:

For Fewells sake - and the Bills fans - I really hope this doesn't turn ugly. I know some games have the potential to get ugly (See NE) - but I hope they work together as a team and fight through this difficult period (eh hem - T.O. (shut yer mouth)).

Nothing is more embarassing than players and coaches losing it on the sidelines during games. Keep your cool and when something bad happens - put it in the back of your mind and press forward.

Leaders:

Now is the time for some of the Vets to step up and take some of these young guys under their wings. Leadership is needed from the players - guys like Poz, Stroud, Lee and Schobel need to step up and become leaders during this stretch of games. This can show the next staff who they can count on during tough times - us fans as well.

I don't want to see whining or complaining Terrell Owens.

Have fun:

After all - isn't that why they started playing football to begin with? (well multi-million contracts helps as well). But go out there and have some fun - jump up and down - get excited when a good play happens. Everyone knows the situation - everyone is going to have to deal with it one way or another - my suggestion is to go out and just play as a team and try to get a few wins for Fewell and the fans.

No one is pressuring the players anymore to win games and go to the playoffs - it's time to get fundamentals down, keep learning and have fun in the process.

Win some games underdawg style:

Oh boy would I love to see a dysfunctional Bills team beat NE - play the spoiler (unless it's the last Colts game and they are going for undefeated - if nothing else just because I don't want NE to get that honor of the only 16 wins in a season)

This team still has talent - QB position is of concern - but they can all still play football in the NFL or they wouldn't be here - they can still beat some teams - lets go out and do this.

Message to Ralph and Russ:

Don't do something stupid - bring in a smart football GM - a football guy - and a good HC. You can do this - you can build a winner. Take your time - think about it - have a plan and execute it. You have the time now - make the fanbase beleive once again - please.

Quarterbacks

J2 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:45:30 -0000

I wanted to run this in parallel to Brians article - With season in tailspin, Bills have QB controversy. I've seen some comments plastered throughout the community about the Bills getting certain QB's and I wanted to give my 2 cents on the whole issue.

First it should be known that I'm of the philosophy that you should build your team through the draft and sprinkle in free agents here and there in order to compliment the players you draft. Bring in a player or two during the offseason that is either a wiley veteran that can get the job done while bringing NFL experience and a veteran presence and/or a young prospect that might not fit a scheme during a rebuilding project on another team. I think building a team via free agency is costly an ineffective.

I've seen names like Brooks Bollinger, Brady Quinn and Sage Rosenfels thrown around like they could help bring this team back into contention.

Here's the deal folks:

First - no one will be saving the season this year. Not Hamdan or Fitzpatrick - Edwards should start for the rest of the season and i'm going to leave it at that.

Second - No QB that another NFL team is willing to part ways with is going to be the Bills franchise QB. It's really that simple. Make no mistake - we need an franchise QB. Not someone who can get us through next season - we already have that on the roster.

Franchise NFL QBs do not grow on trees and I can tell you with 100% certainty that no front office will trade away or cut a player that they feel could be the guy (Don't say Brees - because they had Rivers waiting in the wings). There are no NFL QBs out there that their teams are willing to part ways with that will be the Bills QB of the future - I think that's a pretty safe bet.

So we have to DRAFT our QB - that's where our focus should be. If we don't draft "the guy" then we can stick with Edwards or Fitzy next year in order to get us through the year while developing younger players in a new system.

There are a few good prospects this year and i'm sure that Brian and the staff will be putting out good articles from time to time. Let's put our efforts and energy into thinking of players that are currently playing in college - because QBs that NFL franchises are willing to part ways with are not the answer to our problem.

Poll

Where should the next Bills QB come from?

The Draft

65 votes

Free Agency

3 votes

Trade (if you select trade, please provide player/team)

3 votes

71 votes | Poll has closed

Congratulations.......

J2 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:50:52 -0000

Congratulations.......

Are in order. Der Jaeger - welcome Author. Kaisertown - welcome Author (took you long enough :-)). Gatornation - welcome Moderator. Just saw the change - you're all officially Bills geeks now

League gives Panthers' Wesley one-game suspension for hit

J2 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:09:29 -0000

League gives Panthers' Wesley one-game suspension for hit

He won't be playing this week against Buffalo - now....if we can only stop the run.......

TMQ - Bills/Browns Comment

J2 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:44:19 -0000

TMQ - Bills/Browns Comment

Browns-Bills Should Have Been "Presented by Sominex": The Browns have failed to score an offensive touchdown in nine of their past 11 games; the Bills have failed to score an offensive touchdown in five of their past six homes games. When they met Sunday, Browns quarterback Derek Anderson somehow managed to compile a 15.1 passer rating; if every throw clangs to the ground incomplete, the passer gets a 39 rating. "It's great, it's fantastic, I couldn't be happier," Cleveland coach Eric Mangini gushed after a 6-3 win in which the Browns completed two forward passes. Buffalo's mystifying insistence on sticking to a no-huddle offense that hasn't produced a touchdown in three games became farcical as the Bills adopted a quick-count cadence in hopes of drawing Cleveland offside. They only succeeded in drawing themselves offside, the Bills being whistled for a preposterous nine false starts. Watching these two offenses was like watching the Exxon Valdez try to extricate itself from the rocks of Bligh Reef.

Assistant coaches struggle to help the Buffalo offense off the rocks.The Bills have lost in consecutive weeks to winless teams, scoring one offensive touchdown in the last three games, and are on a 3-12 run since the moment last fall when Dick "Cheerio, Chaps" Jauron received a three-year, $9 million contract extension. Thank goodness Cheerio Chaps has long-term security! He did not, however, grant himself the extension: management did. During the same period Jauron has been on the Buffalo scene, Buffalo management has invested three first-round draft choices and a second-rounder in safety Donte Whitner, cornerback Leodis McKelvin, defensive tackle John McCargo and middle linebacker Paul Posluszny. After acquiring these gentlemen and granting them contracts with huge bonuses, Buffalo saved money by letting go safety Jim Leonhard, cornerback Jabari Greer, defensive tackle Justin Bannan and middle linebacker Mario Haggan. McCargo is a bust who has never started a game; Whitner is a journeyman-level performer, McKelvin and Posluszny are perennially injured. Meanwhile, Leonhard, Greer and Haggan are playing like stars for the Jets, Saints and Broncos, while Bannan is often on the field for the Ravens. Had Buffalo simply kept Leonhard, Greer, Haggan and Bannan and used the draft choices and money on other players, it might now be a real team. Time to recognize that Buffalo general manager Russ Brandon is Matt Millen: The Sequel.

10 - 6 - Here we come!

J2 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:05:01 -0000

First - Booooooooooooooooo

What kind of crap have we been watching? I'm not sure either - which is why i'm glad that that craptastic team is giddigty gone.

Welcome to the rest of the 2009 season, where win's are more plentiful and the sucking will soon stop. but..but.. J2 - they suck, horribly, they've lost to 2 winless (hahah isn't that sweet?) teams in a row. Trent has regressed, the O-line is terrible - why don't we just fire DJ now and go freaking 1-15? Because Bills fans....you CLEARLY have no idea how the Bills operate - more below the jump.

In order to be a Bills fan - you must have your heart ripped out of your chest. Don't you know that children are becoming fans every single day. These younglings must also have their hearts ripped from their chests. We start like crap - build up the fanbase by going, oh i'll say 5-1 over the next 6 games, then and only then, lose to Indy when they are playing their backups. This is when our season will be over because it will be wildcard or no wildcard against backups and we'll lose. It's more likely to happen than us only winning 3 or 4 more games this season because that woudln't be Buffalo's style. Hello!?!?! McFly??!!??

Also, no one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills (this is reciprocal - more wins, start losing - more losing, start winning) - so in essence we pretty much are going to start winning - duh!

Am I being a little sarcastic? Maybe - perhaps even. But I say to you - watch out - it's going to happen because it shouldn't happen!

Here's some things i'm expecting to happen starting next week.

Ahh Rex you little looney tunes character - blitz us and blitz us frequently - because Trent is about to own you next week - that's right folks. I just said that. Expect our O-line to clean up their act penalty wise and give Trent enough time to hit his hot. Say what you will - but remember, you heard it first here.

Expect our O to get out of their funk starting very soon, penalty wise at least. Other than Penalities they haven't been terrible terrible, just bad.

Honestly, the only thing that worries me is the LB's and we might have actually upgraded.

Upgraded? how so? - well, these guys haven't been coached much by our team - a good thing - so they are basically out there playing on college and high school experience. our d will be more simplistic - these guys will just react. Palmer looks o.k. - I really hope Corto isn't our starter next week - i'd like to see Harris if for nothing else to palacate a few rumblerers here. But simple, effective - it'll work. (Unless washington tears us apart).

Basically:

Line stops all the penalties

Trent hits his hot routes - but will do enough for us to keep winning

and we'll pretty much just win for no reason other than to keep us interested - then get our hearts torn out. Because by that time, DJ might have saved his job - which would be another reason that this will happen.

It's not me that's saying this folks, it's really just common sense. Starting with the Jet's (who I actually kinda like), our winning ways are about to start.

Oh - did I say that Sanchez comes down awfully hard this week and throws probably 2 or 3 picks? Well if I didn't - I just did.

See you in the wild card round ladies and gentlemen. Because that's the only way for a Bills season to succcessfuly end - in heart tearing out fashion.

NFL’s Top 10 tailgating towns

J2 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:36:09 -0000

NFL’s Top 10 tailgating towns

Who does #3 work for?