by Steve
Holy smokes, the Buffalo Bills open training camp in less than a week! So I better start breaking things down and preview this probably pathetic team for you. Let's start right at the top with novice head coach Doug Marrone.
I still have no clue who Doug Marrone is and no one knows how he's going to be as an NFL ('scuse me National Football League) head coach. He's 48, slowly worked his way up the coaching food chain via stops at tiny colleges, NFL assistant coach jobs and of course as Syracuse head coach.
At Syracuse (a Big East school at the time) he went 25-25 which includes five wins against illustrious power houses like Maine, Colgate, Stony Brook and Rhode Island. He went 4-5 against ranked opponents and the teams best non conference win was either v Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl (2010) or @ Missouri in 2012. Not exactly Jim Harbaugh or even Chip Kelly's resume.
So clearly the guy can't recruit college talent but thankfully he doesn't have to in the NFL, that's the other Doug's job. What makes this guy qualified to be a head coach in the biggest sports league on the planet? I just can't give this guy the benefit of the doubt coming from Mediocre Syracuse and with this franchise's history.
Maybe if he was coaching at a power house football program or even a respectable conference I'd cut him some slack because he's coached against a lot of talent. But a .500 record in conference that just disintegrated because it was such a pathetic football conference?
Then again his past doesn't mean all that much in reality. It all comes down to how his offense performs and how he grooms and develops one Erik James "EJ" Manuel. Let's face it, Kevin Kolb isn't leading this team any where. That fact may not even have much to do with Kolb's talent and more to do with circumstance. He is injury prone, the offense will be run based (at least initially) the wide receivers aren't any older than the corps Marrone had at 'cuse last season and Manuel was drafted in the first round.
Unless Kolb lights up the Patriots, Jets and Ravens early on in the season it is going to be Erik's team and Marrone's job to make him succeed. Marrone in all likelihood will live and die in Buffalo with Manuel unless he turns out to be absolute garbage (meaning in 2015 the Bills are looking to draft another QB). But, if Manuel is absolute garbage then that falls on Doug Whaley who also hired Marrone (who will certainly have a bad record by then) and at that point everything comes into question. Then again I can picture it now, "oh but it was Buddy Nix who was around when Marrone was hired and Nix was around when Manuel was drafted!" FML
Ok ok I'm getting ahead of myself. All I'm saying is Kolb better come out hotter than shit or Manuel better be the read deal or it will be nearly impossible for Marrone to be a winner. His job is the offense and in the NFL offense now wins championships. This offense better improve dramatically.
The first thing we can actually judge Dougy M. on is his coaching staff he's compiled. Surprisingly I sorta like what he has done. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is saying a lot of the right stuff and was successful with the Jets. How much he had in building those defenses can certainly be questioned but he has to deserve at least some credit. The special teams coach (Danny Crossman) is anyone other than Bruce DeHaven which is good.
On offense he brought in his crony from the Orange, Nate Hackett. This guy is more of a question mark than Pettine and better not require us to call him Nathaniel cause I ain't. He's young and has obviously worked with young QBs (see Ryan Nassib [who the Bills thankfully did not draft]) so those are positives. He has the pedigree (his dad Paul has worked in the NFL) and has worked in the NFL albeit briefly. Basically, I'm willing to give Hackett a chance just as long as he doesn't ruin Manuel single handily by the end of training camp.
At this point in my Bills fandom I've seen everything fail EXCEPT for going young at every position, having a lot of people named Doug in charge and not truly knowing what to expect. I guess technically this doesn't HAVE to fail, right? Right?!?
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Is Darcy Regier Alive?
by Steve
If not for the recent trade of some guy I never heard of for over paid over aged Henrik Tallinder I would truly be wondering if Darcy Regier didn't get caught in a ravine on a hike like that 127 hours guy.
Why is Regier even the GM still? Wait, never mind, don't answer that, because you can't. And because I have been asking that question since 2006. A more realistic question might be why is Ryan Miller still on the team? Why is Thomas Vanek still on the team? Why have the Sabres done nothing since the draft?
I thought I was beyond incredulity with Darc. I didn't think his ineptitude and failure could prompt me to yet again write the same things. I guess even I am wrong from time to time.
Look around the new "division" the Sabres are in and you will see teams making moves all over the place. Toronto, Detroit, Tampa, fuck, even Florida (well sorta, I guess). What has Darc done besides get ol' threesome Hank back? (Spare me your "it will fix Myers" bullshit) I can't wait to see pictures of Toni Lydman at the airport tomorrow christ.
Bottoming out and rebuilding makes sense, I get it. But wasn't that what the Sabres were doing the past 2 seasons? They didn't make the playoffs, Regier said that was the plan when they shipped Gaustad outta here. How long is it going to take?
Death, taxes, Darcy Regier as the Sabres GM, and zero winning in the city of Buffalo, all certainties in life.
If not for the recent trade of some guy I never heard of for over paid over aged Henrik Tallinder I would truly be wondering if Darcy Regier didn't get caught in a ravine on a hike like that 127 hours guy.
Why is Regier even the GM still? Wait, never mind, don't answer that, because you can't. And because I have been asking that question since 2006. A more realistic question might be why is Ryan Miller still on the team? Why is Thomas Vanek still on the team? Why have the Sabres done nothing since the draft?
I thought I was beyond incredulity with Darc. I didn't think his ineptitude and failure could prompt me to yet again write the same things. I guess even I am wrong from time to time.
Look around the new "division" the Sabres are in and you will see teams making moves all over the place. Toronto, Detroit, Tampa, fuck, even Florida (well sorta, I guess). What has Darc done besides get ol' threesome Hank back? (Spare me your "it will fix Myers" bullshit) I can't wait to see pictures of Toni Lydman at the airport tomorrow christ.
Bottoming out and rebuilding makes sense, I get it. But wasn't that what the Sabres were doing the past 2 seasons? They didn't make the playoffs, Regier said that was the plan when they shipped Gaustad outta here. How long is it going to take?
Death, taxes, Darcy Regier as the Sabres GM, and zero winning in the city of Buffalo, all certainties in life.
How Much Will EJ Manuel Play In 2013?
Followers of the NFL already know how much of an impact a rookie quarterback can make in the league right away these days. From Cam Newton to Andrew Luck, there have been quite a few youngsters who have instantly helped their team turn thing around. With EJ Manuel now on the roster for Buffalo, just how much of a chance will he have to make an instant difference?
With Ryan Fitzpatrick out and Kevin Kolb in, the veteran fresh off a subpar showing in Arizona is the only true threat that stands in front of Manuel. Kolb is known as a steady signal caller who doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, but he figures to be nothing more than a security blanket while Manuel grows up.
People knew that Manuel had talent heading into the draft, but the Bills surprised a lot of people around the NFL when they took him as the #1 quarterback in 2013. He fits the new mould of NFL quarterbacks that took fantasy football by storm last season that can effectively run and pass the ball, but many feel as though he is not quite ready to start right away.
When it comes to the preseason, expect Kolb to win the job for Week 1. However, not only could Kolb lose his starting job due to not winning games, but he could also lose it to injuries. He has had a few setbacks in recent years, so staying on the field could be a struggle for him.
Manuel has the tools to be a solid player in the NFL, but it’s probably unfair to put him in the same tier of quarterbacks that have gone in the first round of the draft the previous two seasons. In a rebuilding year, Manuel will get the chance to get some reps in 2013 and hopefully be ready going forward.
With Ryan Fitzpatrick out and Kevin Kolb in, the veteran fresh off a subpar showing in Arizona is the only true threat that stands in front of Manuel. Kolb is known as a steady signal caller who doesn’t make a ton of mistakes, but he figures to be nothing more than a security blanket while Manuel grows up.
People knew that Manuel had talent heading into the draft, but the Bills surprised a lot of people around the NFL when they took him as the #1 quarterback in 2013. He fits the new mould of NFL quarterbacks that took fantasy football by storm last season that can effectively run and pass the ball, but many feel as though he is not quite ready to start right away.
When it comes to the preseason, expect Kolb to win the job for Week 1. However, not only could Kolb lose his starting job due to not winning games, but he could also lose it to injuries. He has had a few setbacks in recent years, so staying on the field could be a struggle for him.
Manuel has the tools to be a solid player in the NFL, but it’s probably unfair to put him in the same tier of quarterbacks that have gone in the first round of the draft the previous two seasons. In a rebuilding year, Manuel will get the chance to get some reps in 2013 and hopefully be ready going forward.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
The NBA Is Rigged
By Steve
While it may not explicitely be a fixed league it most certainly is an implicitly fixed sports league. The better team lost the NBA championship when the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio spurs in game 7, fact.
The idea that the greastest basketball player on the planet, allegedly, had to go to a piece of shit city, Miami, and surround himself with top 4 draft picks, multiple time all stars and a bench no one else could attract definitively proves the NBA is rigged.
In what world does the greatest player, allegedly, have to insulate himself with other all stars to succeed? He couldn't win in Cleveland so he took the easy way out and barely won 66% of his title opportunities?
What kind of league is structured this way? What is the point of being a fan in 20+ cities when all the good errr "great" players can cook up a scam to create their own championship team?
Lebron James is no all time great player. He is a punk ass bitch pussy that took the easy way out. I am not watching the NBA any more.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
New Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley
by Steve
Unsurprisingly the Buffalo Bills hired Doug Whaley as their new general manager. My first instinct is to shit on this hire as another in house uninspired next guy up approach to running the organization. And after a few days of sleeping on it my mind hasn't changed.
Do I hate or even dislike the hire? No, not really. Whaley is young (41), black and from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, all positives. But, the guy has been an employee of the Bills already for 4 years. He has learned under the likes of Tom Modrak, Buddy Nix and idiot Russ Brandon. Not great company if I do say so myself.
Why hire a coach, draft a quarterback and revamp the entire team then hire a new GM? I guess I'll assume Whaley was completely on board with both coach Doug Marrone and quarterback EJ Manuel? Could he use Nix as a scape goat in 2-3 years when/if both fail at their job?
Was there really no one else worth interviewing in the entire world after Bud Nix "stepped down"? Is it really the best path to take having a guy waiting in the wings guaranteed to take over a job he may or may not be qualified for? Won't we all miss Nix jamming the phrase "here's a guy" in every interview?
I have no reason to give anyone at OBD the benefit of the doubt and I certainly do not trust any decision that Brandon makes. Christ, he almost makes the Sabres organization look competent based on his history at the helm.
The most interesting and under looked aspect of this whole hiring process (ya know besides actually interviewing anyone) is the hiring of Jim Monos and Kelvin Fisher. Who? Yes, of course, we aren't going to know who these guys would be any way; but how about some biographical information on these two guys who now make up the rest of the Bills new front office?
Jim Monos (jr?) is nearly ungoogleable. Mark Guaghan of the Buffalo News gives him credit for the New Orleans Saints drafting 5 "pro bowlers" in the 3rd round or later while he was a scout there. He was with the 'aints for 8 years after starting out with the Eagles. I can't even find his age other than he was in college in 1995 which leads me to believe he is something like 37 years old. bb.com says he is Director of Player Personnel.
Kelvin Fisher, Director of College Scouting, was hired away from the Steelers where he was a scout (and is still listed on their front office page). Evidently he graduated high school in 1987 (so he's 43?) and went to Arizona State as a full back. Other than that he is pretty ungoogleable himself.
Hopefully we hear more from those guys in the future. Basically, I am not willing to give Whaley or anyone at OBD the benefit of the doubt. We don't know if it will work but things already seem like the same old same old, hire the safe guy.
Unsurprisingly the Buffalo Bills hired Doug Whaley as their new general manager. My first instinct is to shit on this hire as another in house uninspired next guy up approach to running the organization. And after a few days of sleeping on it my mind hasn't changed.
Do I hate or even dislike the hire? No, not really. Whaley is young (41), black and from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, all positives. But, the guy has been an employee of the Bills already for 4 years. He has learned under the likes of Tom Modrak, Buddy Nix and idiot Russ Brandon. Not great company if I do say so myself.
Why hire a coach, draft a quarterback and revamp the entire team then hire a new GM? I guess I'll assume Whaley was completely on board with both coach Doug Marrone and quarterback EJ Manuel? Could he use Nix as a scape goat in 2-3 years when/if both fail at their job?
Was there really no one else worth interviewing in the entire world after Bud Nix "stepped down"? Is it really the best path to take having a guy waiting in the wings guaranteed to take over a job he may or may not be qualified for? Won't we all miss Nix jamming the phrase "here's a guy" in every interview?
I have no reason to give anyone at OBD the benefit of the doubt and I certainly do not trust any decision that Brandon makes. Christ, he almost makes the Sabres organization look competent based on his history at the helm.
The most interesting and under looked aspect of this whole hiring process (ya know besides actually interviewing anyone) is the hiring of Jim Monos and Kelvin Fisher. Who? Yes, of course, we aren't going to know who these guys would be any way; but how about some biographical information on these two guys who now make up the rest of the Bills new front office?
Jim Monos (jr?) is nearly ungoogleable. Mark Guaghan of the Buffalo News gives him credit for the New Orleans Saints drafting 5 "pro bowlers" in the 3rd round or later while he was a scout there. He was with the 'aints for 8 years after starting out with the Eagles. I can't even find his age other than he was in college in 1995 which leads me to believe he is something like 37 years old. bb.com says he is Director of Player Personnel.
Kelvin Fisher, Director of College Scouting, was hired away from the Steelers where he was a scout (and is still listed on their front office page). Evidently he graduated high school in 1987 (so he's 43?) and went to Arizona State as a full back. Other than that he is pretty ungoogleable himself.
Hopefully we hear more from those guys in the future. Basically, I am not willing to give Whaley or anyone at OBD the benefit of the doubt. We don't know if it will work but things already seem like the same old same old, hire the safe guy.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Buddy Nix Steps Down. Finally
By Steve
Buddy Nix may not go down as the worst GM in Bills history but he's in the conversation right? The worst part about it is his legacy could get even worse.
The comparison problem really is that there is just so much competition to being labeled worst ever. Maybe Bud isn't so bad? Christ, just look at the general managers Ralph Wilson and the Buffalo Bills have employed just this century! Tom Donahue, Marv Levy, Russ Brandon.. does a shiver not go down your spine after reading each name?
Just look at the record of the Bills from 2010 to present (16 total wins). And the team will surely be awful again this season. So far not lookin so good Bud.
How about the players:
Ryan fuckin Fitzpatrick
Torell Troupe
Aaron Williams
Marcell Dareus
Kelvin Shepard
CJ Spiller
Mario $100 mil Williams
Yikes. Why draft a running back when 2 good ones are on the roster and you are going to bench him for two years any way? Why not draft a quarterback any year before this one? Seriously, Troupe?
Alright, how about the head coaches? Chan Gailey was as qualified to coach this team as I was. Doug Marrone isn't much better. Gailey stuck around too long and was truly an embarrassing awful failure of a hire. Him alone should give anyone allowing the benefit of the doubt on Marrone reason not to.
Was there anything good this bum did besides jam the phrase "he's a guy" in every interview? The only thing I can point to is the unknown that Nix has recently done (2013 draft).
Marrone and EJ Manuel may play as important a role in Nix's legacy as Fitzpatrick and Gailey; but nothing short of greatness (and soon) will wash over the failure of this franchise up to this point under Bud.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Buffalo Sabres hire Rol Rolston WTF?
by Steve
Darcy Regier truly is his own boss. I am convinced that no person within the Sabres organization oversees the comings and goings of GM/World CEO Darc Regier. How is that possible?
There is simply no other explanation for what this guy does other than he faces no consequences. There is zero chance Darc will ever be fired ever. He does what he wants when he wants how he wants with impunity. The hiring of Ron Rolston (who?) as the next Buffalo Sabres head coach is just the icing on the cake.
I've wanted this loser fired since after not doing anything during the 2006 trade deadline. Ya know, the best Sabres team ever. He didn't do shit at the deadline and it cost this city a Stanley Cup. In all likelihood he will outlast even this fuckin blog!
In what world is Rolston the best option as head coach of this team? Is it his ability to sound identical to his boss and supreme leader? Seriously though, have you heard this guy speak? His voice is nearly identical to Darc with (some how) less enthusiasm. It makes me sick to say this but I'd rather have Lindy Ruff remain as the head coach.
The team didn't get better under Ronnie, they stayed just about the exact same. Which, I guess, is exactly what the fan boy owner Terrance Pegula and Darc want after all. They want ineptitude, losing, heart break, and certainly no playoffs let alone winning a freaking round. But keep buying those season tickets people from the Northtowns and Southern Ontario!
Ken Sawyer, you suck. But hey, Ted Black, tell us about the hotel and hockey rinks Terrance is building in front of the arena again.
Can we have a new owner yet?
Darcy Regier truly is his own boss. I am convinced that no person within the Sabres organization oversees the comings and goings of GM/World CEO Darc Regier. How is that possible?
There is simply no other explanation for what this guy does other than he faces no consequences. There is zero chance Darc will ever be fired ever. He does what he wants when he wants how he wants with impunity. The hiring of Ron Rolston (who?) as the next Buffalo Sabres head coach is just the icing on the cake.
I've wanted this loser fired since after not doing anything during the 2006 trade deadline. Ya know, the best Sabres team ever. He didn't do shit at the deadline and it cost this city a Stanley Cup. In all likelihood he will outlast even this fuckin blog!
In what world is Rolston the best option as head coach of this team? Is it his ability to sound identical to his boss and supreme leader? Seriously though, have you heard this guy speak? His voice is nearly identical to Darc with (some how) less enthusiasm. It makes me sick to say this but I'd rather have Lindy Ruff remain as the head coach.
The team didn't get better under Ronnie, they stayed just about the exact same. Which, I guess, is exactly what the fan boy owner Terrance Pegula and Darc want after all. They want ineptitude, losing, heart break, and certainly no playoffs let alone winning a freaking round. But keep buying those season tickets people from the Northtowns and Southern Ontario!
Ken Sawyer, you suck. But hey, Ted Black, tell us about the hotel and hockey rinks Terrance is building in front of the arena again.
Can we have a new owner yet?
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