Gil Brandt has a #8-overall pick that actually makes sense for the Bills

The Syracuse alum are all over Orange QB Ryan Nassib as the Bills first pick in the 2013 draft. They point to the connection between Nassib, former Syracuse head coach/new Bills head coach Doug Marrone and former Orange offensive coordinator/new Bills OC Nathaniel Hackett. It's rather cozy, isn't it?

Nassib joined John Murphy on WGR, and it would seem as if he feels it's a foregone conclusion that he'll end up a Buffalo Bill.

Nassib is at the Senior Bowl and is interviewing with a number of teams including the Bills and Marrone. Here's what he had to say when Murphy asked if it was weird interviewing with his former college coach:

Said Nassib, "It was a little strange. It kinda felt like I was interviewing for a job [pause] you know..." Murphy injects, "That you already won?"

Nassib continues, "Yeah...that I had...not too long ago with him. I feel like he knows about me." Nassib throws this out rather casually, "I mean we've been together for four years [at Syracuse.] It's just an opportunity to meet the other guys on the staff that I would be working with...if I were to go to the Bills."

Yikes!

Cozy would be an understatement. A little too perfect. Makes me want to throw up.

This whole Nassib thing is predicated upon the belief that the Bills should draft a quarterback as high as possible. It's a notion that's been gaining steam this whole season, as the boys on WGR--from Jeremy White to Howard Simon to Paul Hamilton to Bulldog--have unabashedly stated time and time again that Ryan Fitzpatrick should never hit the field as the Bills starter again. Most people think the Bills should draft a QB with their first pick, regardless of whether or not he's worthy of it.

Here's what CBSSports.com's draft guru's have to say on the matter.

Rob Rang, a morning show favorite has the Bills picking Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson at #8:

While incumbent starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is far from the team's weakest link, few believe he is the caliber of quarterback that can lead Buffalo to a Super Bowl. Furthermore, general manager Buddy Nix has specifically stated he hopes to find the team's quarterback of the future. While new head coach Doug Marrone might prefer his former Syracuse signal-caller Ryan Nassib, Wilson has the production against SEC competition to make he -- and the rest of Buffalo -- believers.

His colleague, Dane Brugler has NC State QB Mike Glennon going to the Bills at #8:

With new head coach Doug Marrone in Buffalo, his former Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib makes a lot of sense for the Bills in the second round. But Buffalo can't afford to pass on a quarterback in the first round if they feel another one is worth this pick.

Walter Cherpinsky of walterfootball.com has had the Bills picking a QB for months. He keeps the same synopsis, but plugs in a different name. Where once he said Tyler Bray or Tyler Wilson, he now goes with Glennon, yet he has always started out with those four words, "this is a reach":

This is a reach - I had Mike Glennon in the second round a couple of updates ago - but we've seen second-day talents like Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder go in the top 12. Teams are so desperate for quarterbacks that they'll make moves like this.

General manager Buddy Nix, who is generally forthcoming about his offseason plans, told the media that he plans on drafting a franchise quarterback. He even said he'll trade up for one in the 2013 NFL Draft. He may have been talking about Geno Smith if the Chiefs pass on him, but he won't have to move anywhere for Glennon.

It's still early, but I believe Glennon and Tyler Wilson are the two favorites for this selection. Nix will talk himself into taking one of them. Glennon is getting the most hype right now, with Mel Kiper even saying that he could be the first quarterback off the board. I liked this pick more when Chan Gailey was still the coach, as Glennon fit perfectly into his offense.

This completely encapsulates the Buffalo media sentiment while hoping to land that franchise quarterback/savior: "it's a reach." Nix will "talk himself into taking one of them." Glennon is "getting the most hype right now." That is, of course, until Walter updates his Bills' pick with the QB who's presently getting the most hype, Nassib, a player who would be considered a reach that Nix will talk himself into.

By the way, Cherpinsky's partner, Charlie Campbell also has the Bills picking Glennon after a switch from Wilson.

The assumption that the QB position is the major reason the Bills have not made the playoffs is rampant across the league. Yes, they could use an upgrade at quarterback, and they will, as GM Buddy Nix has said, address the issue at the draft, or even through free agency.

And then there are the voices of reason who think that the Bills should be looking at a linebacker, amongst them, NFL.com's, Gil Brandt.

While ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Buffalo taking linebacker Manti T'eo (all-in-all still not a bad pick because of the dearth of linebacker talent on the Bills,) Brandt has them taking another linebacker, Alec Ogletree from Alabama in his first mock draft.

Here's what Brandt had to say: "Ogletree would help the Bills' defense a lot. Buffalo also needs receiver help, but that can be had later in the draft."

I really didn't see any mention of a QB there. No Nassib. No Wilson. No Bray. No Zack Dysert. In fact Brandt has only Oakland (#3--Geno Smith) and Arizona (#7, Matt Barkley) taking first-round quarterbacks in his mock draft. (Brandt, of course, is not given to hype therefore not projecting four, five even six QB's going in the first round.)

And if the WGR boys need more proof that drafting a QB #8 overall is a waste, HOF'er Jim Kelly thinks so as well--"you gotta understand guys," he said to Simon, "what is out there?" (8:48-mark.)

Exactly.

Doug Marrone is wasiting no time

As fast as I can type, Bills new Head Coach Doug Marrone is filling his coaching staff.

In direct contrast to the Nathaniel Hackett hiring, Marrone followed through on his desire to have a coordinator with "thorough NFL experience" with the hire of former NY Jets Defensive Coordinator, Mike Pettine.

Pettine's NY Jets defenses have been in the top-10 in the league the last four years and, maybe most importantly, have given New England's Tom Brady fits over the last four years.

Leave it to former boss Rex Ryan to threw a quick poke as to where Pettine is headed, 'We had the conversations, and Mike thinks it's best that he go to a different team as defensive coordinator, and I wish him all the best unless he goes to Buffalo,' Ryan joked. Or half-joked. 'I hope he doesn't take that job. I hope he goes somewhere else.'

Pettine is somewhat familiar with Marrone. He came to the Jets not long after Marrone left and said that "a lot of people in the [Jets] building speak highly of Doug."

This is what Pettine was looking for before he interviewed with Marrone, "I thought it would be good to be exposed to a different style of coaching, a different system,” he said. “It’s like continuing education, the more things you can expose yourself too, it’s beneficial… This is just the beginning of the process.”

Marrone and Hackett 10-steps removed from Super Bowl Contenders

Throughout the season, after dreams of relevancy danced through the heads of Bills fans over the summer, it was easy to see that the Bills were at least a few degrees removed from the upper eschelon NFL powerhouses.

With the hire of Head Coach, Doug Marrone, and his hire of Nathaniel Hackett, his offensive coordinator at Syracuse to be his right hand man, just where do they stand now, from a coaching standpoint?

How about some "analytics?"

Degrees of separation:

• Syracuse was in the 7th-ranked conference in college football under Marrone
• The Big East is a step removed from the average conferences in like the MAC and ACC
• Which is a step removed from the upper-level conferences like the Big-10, Big-12 and PAC-12
• Those conferences as a whole are, arguably, a step removed from the SEC
• And, as proven by their dominance over the three of the last four seasons, Alabama is at least one step above all the rest.

Alabama could, arguably, perform at a lower level in the NFL. The steps from the bottom of the NFL to the Super Bowl are as follows:

• The bottom-feeders of the league, KC, Jax, Oakland are a step removed from below average
• Buffalo is in the below average area and are a step from respectability
• Which is a step removed from average, teams like Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa Bay
• Who are a step below strong teams in flux like New Orleans, Pittsburgh
• Who are below the Division powerhouses like Baltimore, Houston and Atlanta
• They are a step below the Conference powerhouses/Super Bowl contenders like New England, Denver, San Francisco, Green Bay and Seattle

So how many steps removed are Marrone and Hackett?

At least nine, but we may call it 10.

Bills Head Coach names Offensive Coordinator

Here we go, Bills fans.

Head Coach Doug Marrone has started the process of building his coaching staff in his first foray into the NFL.

Before we get into his pick, let's see what he had to say about the staff. From Marrone's introductory press conference two days ago:

I think the main thing is, when you're the head football coach, you want to make sure you're truly the CEO of the football program. That you know what's going on on offense, you know what's going on on defense, and you know what's going on on special teams. From a management style, that's who I am. I have to make sure we know how to win games and make sure I'm managing all those three phases. I'll be heavily involved in the game-planning.

I will not call plays. But everything will go through me. I will be on the headset and will be managing the game and those game management decisions which can affect play calling will be handled by me. The coordinators will need to have thorough NFL experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball.'

"Thorough NFL experience."

Once again, "Thorough NFL experience."

Today, two days later, Marrone will have his first hire, Offensive Coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett.

Nathaniel Hackett is the son of former college head coach Paul Hackett and was Marrone's offensive coordinator at Syracuse.

Hackett's "thorough NFL experience" is as follows:

• Quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills under Dick Jauron
• Quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

and...wait for it...wait for it...

Keep your ass waiting 'cause that's it.

Granted, Marrone left himself an out, somewhat, when he qualified his presser quote by saying, "especially on the defensive side of the ball."

And, while talking with WGR's Sal Capaccio, he revealed what he was really looking for in his coordinators (1:25-mark,) "We're looking for someone who fits us." he said. "A lot of that is what their philosophy is and matching that with my vision for this football team."

How much of a better fit can you get? Hackett, obviously, matches his vision having been at Marrone's side at Syracuse.

Marrone continues, "I'm really looking for people who want to be here."

Certainly, a 33 yr. old coach with virtually no NFL coaching experience would want to be in Buffalo. Or Kansas City, Jacksonville, Oakland, etc.

The funny part of all this is the GR boys this morning.

The positive crew of Jeremy White and Howard Simon sounded nearly 100% behind the decision, with White coming out and saying, "I like it."

And the callers, most (through some heavy call screening?) were saying things like "Give them a chance" and "I've been a Bills fan for x-amount of years and this is refreshing." "No more retreads!"

Yet, I'd bet, that these same callers were thinking that Chan Gailey was way over his head. I know the boys at GR thought so and expressed that on numerous occasions throughout the season.

Gailey was completely outcoached often, especially by the likes of Bill Belichik and Rex Ryan. If a veteran like him is relegated to being a doormat for their division foes and the above average coaches in the league, how much moreso will Marrone and Hackett be?

Usually the top dog of any management team will get some freedom, especially with his first hire.

The big hire for Marrone will be his defensive coordinator. Let's keep in mind that the last three years saw this defense give up the second through fourth most points in franchise history.

I'd assume that acting GM Buddy Nix and GM-in waiting, Doug Whaley, will have much more of a say in the hire.

If not.

Hello 2014 #1-overall pick, AJ McCarron (and his Miss Alabama girlfriend.)

Doug Marrone...

come on down!

Or, more like, come on over. As in over from Syracuse.

About the only thing we really know about former Orangemen coach Doug Marrone is that he turned their laughingstock program around. In his four years at Syracuse he went 25-25 winning two Pinstripe Bowls in the process. In the previous four years they were 10-37.

We also know that his NFL experience was on the offensive side of the ball as Offensive Line coach for the NY Jets (2002-2005) and Offensive Coordinator for the New Orleans Saints (2006-2008.)

New Bills Team President Russ Brandon's first move in his new position was a bold one, yet is somehow familiar.

Bold in the fact that he didn't tap into and NFL retread coaching carousel or take a chance on the the "up and coming" NFL coordinator. Familiar in that Marrone is "offensive-minded" like his predecessor Chan Gailey and is a Syracuse alum, like Brandon.

The first thing that popped into the minds of many Buffalo fans was, probably, "Same old Bills, hiring on the cheap again." And that's true.

They made their token move for the "cream of the crop" in Oregon coach Chip Kelly, interviewed the retreads and up-and-comers and ended up with Marrone, who could be considered the lowest man on the coaching pole, and more than likely, the cheapest.

But, he also was one of only two candidates to actually come to the Bills with a strong interest in the job, the other being former Chicago Bears Head Coach, Lovie Smith.

The overall sentiment in Bills-land seems to be "ambivalent," which was the theme of WGR's Howard Simon.

Yet, one would think that the most important thing for the Bills moving forward was finding the right fit. And that's where former Marrone boss and Super Bowl winner, Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints, came into play.

Marrone went to Payton for advice during the interviewing process with Payton saying, "You've got to have a comfort level [with your GM and ownership]." And as Marrone was sifting through everything, Payton simply told him, "There's somebody you're going to meet in the process that you're going to work with and turn the program around. Any of these job openings, they all have weaknesses because they wouldn't be open if they didn't."

'Marrone wanted Buffalo as much as Buffalo wanted him,' said ESPN's Adam Schefter. 'In recent weeks, Marrone had done comprehensive film studies of each team he would be interviewing with --the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Bills--and each game the had played this past year, Schefter continued. 'He believed Buffalo had more talent tan any of those other teams. It factored into his final decision, as did his relationship with the new head man of the Bills (Brandon) who served on the advisory board for sports management at Syracuse.'

So that's the basis we have now.

Brandon and Marrone, as well as acting GM Buddy Nix and Bills AGM Doug Whaley, seem to have a comfort level with each other.

Next step?

Putting together his coaching staff.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson gives up control

The hits just keep on rollin'.

Back at the Mayan "end of the world," the Bills, NY State and Erie County came together on a 10-year lease that was pretty much air-tight for the first seven. Which was great. But the kicker? They're already talking about a possible new stadium.

Great news indeed, only to be throttled by yet another 10-loss season and the team's 13 season out of the playoffs.

Everyone in the NFL knew what the result would be--Head Coach Chan Gailey would be fired. And he was. Yesterday, along with the entire coaching staff.

Next we were left to wonder the fate of GM Buddy Nix.

Well, we found out today.

Nix will be replaced by AGM Doug Whaley, probably after the draft in April.

The purge of the old guard is in full swing with Nix and Gailey gone, but the next kicker is that CEO Russ Brandon has "essentially taken over acting ownership duties for aging owner Ralph Wilson," according to a league source.

WGR's Howard Simon elaborates, "For the first time since he bought the franchise in 1960, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson junior is giving up organization control.  WGR 550 has learned CEO Russ Brandon will officially be named Team President.

Only once before has Wilson given the title of Team President to another individual and that was back in 2000 when it was handed to Tom Donahoe.  But Wilson never gave up organizational control and would always have the final say on all football matters.  Those days are now over with a symbolic passing of the torch to Brandon who has  been told “its your show."

Said Owner Ralph Wilson (via Chris Brown, buffalobills.com,) 'Russ Brandon has done a tremendous job in his 16 years with our organization and is very highly respected throughout the National Football League,” said Wilson in a team statement. “He has proven to be extremely successful with each new level of responsibility he has been given and has earned this opportunity. Russ is a proven leader and he will now have full authority over the entire Buffalo Bills operation. I have granted him full autonomy to run the organization as he feels is best.'

What a New Years Day.

It's a new day for the Buffalo Bills and it'll be interesting to see who they tab as coach for the beginning of this new era.

Edit:  According to Russ Brandon, Buddy Nix is still the GM of the Buffalo Bills--via WGR, Brandon press conference.

Info on AGM, Doug Whaley. Paul Hamilton asks, "Who is Doug Whaley and is he next in line?" while the boys in the GR studio interview new Team President Russ Brandon who says "we identified [Whaley] three years ago, we brought him into the organization and we'll have that transtion (into the GM positon) when it's appropriate." (10:25 mark)

Whaley himself gets a chance to chime in on things.

Bills looking towards the desert for their next head coach?

With Chan Gailey gone, the search for a new head coach is on.

I, for one (one of many, I presume,) do not expect a big-name coach to head to Buffalo. There's just too much static surrounding the franchise--like the questionable QB position, the "Toronto Series," as well as the image of Buffalo itself--to make it a premier destination for a seasoned coach.

Established, successful coaches like Andy Reid, John Gruden and Bill Cowher will look at the risk/reward, despite the Brinks truck they could drive in on, as too great. Although nothing is impossible, a situation like this is highly improbable.

Buffalo, like Cleveland and Jacksonville and Kansas City more than likely will have a choice between a second-tier coach with some success or one of those "up-and-coming" coordinators looking for their first head coaching job. If neither of those scenarios come to fruition, there's the college ranks to pluck from, although the Chip Kelly's and Bill O'Brien's of college football will likely get grabbed by the big names of the NFL.

No matter whom they hire, I agree with Jerry Sullivan who was on WGR yeseterday. Forget all the nonsense about an offensive coach who can "develop a quarterback" or a "defensive coach." Give me a bonafide football coach.

A football coach who will hire a quarterbacks coach to develop the quarterback, hire an offensive coordinator who will develop an offense, and hire a defensive coordinator who will develop the defense. All under his guidance.

Is there one out there?

Yeah there is, but more than likely the Bills will need to find that within a coach getting his second chance--a Lovie Smith or Ken Wisenhunt--or they may need to take a chance on an coordinator who may have that untapped quality.

Arizona Cards DC, Ray Horton,
seems to be getting a lot of
interest for head coaching vacancies.
And the Bills have already picked
up the phone.

Smith has expressed interest in the Bills while the Bills have already contacted Wisenhunt.

But the one possibility that Bills fans might want to keep an eye on is Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, Ray Horton.

Horton is in held in high regard throughout the NFL and may be considered to be on the "fast track" to a head coaching spot despite having only two years experience as a coordinator.

From Arizonasports.com:  Ray Horton, Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals - Horton has only two years of experience as a coordinator in the NFL, but has opened the eyes of many around that league in a short time. Most feel the Cardinals, fueled by Horton's defensive scheme, would have been a playoff-caliber team with even an average NFL offense.

Horton will be a popular target for interviews around the National Football League this off season, as seven head coaching jobs have opened up.

Jason LaCanfora of CBSSportsline says that the Bills have requested an interview with Horton, as have the Browns. The Cardinals are also expected to interview him for their vacancy at head coach.

LaCanfora was actually looking at a Bills/Wisenhunt match saying, "Whisenhunt has ties to assistant general manager Doug Whaley from their time in Pittsburgh and is viewed by many execs as one of the top head coaches available.

Owner Ralph Wilson has hired off this coaching family tree before -- just released head coach Gailey worked for Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh, as did Whisenhunt."

But, the former Cards head coach will have numerous offers and the Bills might not make the cut.

While in Arizona, LaCanfora also states that the Bills could do a "double-dip" by interviewing Horton as well.

Horton has been outstanding in his role as defensive coordinator while endearing himself to his players. Despite ESPN's John Clayton saying that Horton landing a top spot is "debatable," with all of the coaching vacancies, even Clayton admits he'll receive a lot of calls.

Of particular interest to the Bills is the 20-18 win the Cardinals pulled off over the New England Patriots earlier this year--at Foxborough. Horton even had some fun when asked how he stopped the vaunted Patriots offense, saying that his players would, 'make the run check if Tom Brady's under the center. If he's in the gun, go to the pass check.'

Of course the stats did not back that up, and he knew it. But what Horton really meant was, 'our players put us in the best position to win the game and they did a flawless job of managing the game of getting inside New England's head.'

"Of getting inside New England's head."

Savor that.

Horton's resume' includes two trips to the Super Bowl as a player:  a loss with Cincinnati (1989) and a win with Dallas (1992 vs. the Bills.)



The Bill Cowher/Pittsburgh
coaching tree is really
beginning to take shape. Horton
is a part of that.

He also has two wins as part of the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers.


The first was in the 2005 season where he was under defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau as an assistant defensive backs coach. Some other notables from Bill Cowher's staff that season:  Wisenhunt, offensive coordinator; Russ Grimm, assistant head coach/offensive line; Bruce Arians, wide receiver coach.

The second ring was under Mike Tomlin for the 2009 season as defensive backs coach. Other notes from that Super Bowl win:  the opponent was the Arizona Cardinals, coached by Wisenhunt and the Steelers offensive coordinator was Arians.

Arians, by the way, could be another candidate for a team looking for a head coach, including the Bills. His name has not come out there because the Indianapolis Colts are in the playoffs.

He admirably took over the head coaching duties for the Colts this season while Chuck Pagano recovered from a bout with leukemia. Arians went 9-3 during that span.

Both Horton and Arians seem to be within the Bills range and, as with any coordinator making the jump, it's a gamble.

About the only thing one can do is give it your best shot.



Edit:  New Team President Russ Brandon and his entourage are headed to Arizona to interview potential coaching candidates Wisenhunt, Russ Grimm and Horton. They may even say hello to hot college coach, Chip Kelly who's in town with his Ducks for the Fiesta Bowl.

Ariona Republic's Kent Somers joins the boys at WGR.
Wisenhunt's biggest failing, according to Somers, was a failure to replace QB, Kurt Warner. Offense is his forte.

On Horton, his philosophy is let's go hit the quarterback. Very bright, very confident. I think this is the year he'll be a head coach.

Grimm declined an interview with the Bills three years ago.