Buffalo Bills (official thread)

[zincfinger]

Brandon, 45, joined the Bills in 1998 and has overseen remarkable off-the-field success in the last 15 years. The Bills had more sellouts in the first decade of the 2000s, when they never made the playoffs, than in the 1990s, when they were the second-winningest team in the National Football League. Their marketing of training camp is a model for the NFL. Their regionalization of the franchise to Rochester and Southern Ontario has been a great success.

Brandon oversaw a franchise "regionalization" to encompass a 1 hr. radius around downtown Buffalo? I'm pretty sure the Bills have generally been the most popular NFL franchise from Rochester to St. Catharine's for awhile.

 

[BayBuck]

Brandon oversaw a franchise "regionalization" to encompass a 1 hr. radius around downtown Buffalo? I'm pretty sure the Bills have generally been the most popular NFL franchise from Rochester to St. Catharine's for awhile.

I understand what you're saying, but the pro-Brandon take on that seems to be that the Bills had under-developed the WNY/Southern Ontario area for some time, and that the goal is to hit that entire region (~8M pop.) and not just Buffalo metro.

The Bills have been forced to get creative over the past dozen years or so. Brandon said their attempts to regionalize the club have paid off. They moved training camp to St. John Fisher College in the Rochester area in 2000.

The Bills sold off five regular-season and three preseason games to Toronto for $78 million, the annual series running from 2008 through 2012.

Both agreements are likely to continue. Brandon said the Bills' season-ticket base from Southern Ontario has grown 44 percent since they began playing games in Toronto.

"When you look at it from our standpoint we're always looking to do everything in our power to keep this team viable," Brandon said Thursday, "and as you've heard many times from me: regionalization, regionalization and regionalization.

"When you look at our region of totality it's a very large market, and we're looking to bring fans back to Ralph Wilson Stadium. It's been a very successful venture for us and we're going to continue that process moving forward."

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/29699/bills-planting-a-cleat-firmly-in-canada

 

[BayBuck]

Chip Kelly meeting with Buffalo today. I think he would enjoy working with CJ Spiller.

Bills have also met with Horton and Whisenhunt, plus Mike McCoy tomorrow and probably Lovie Smith. So they're at least meeting with the guys who everybody else is interviewing too, which is more than we could say about the last few Bills searches.

Doug Marrone from Syracuse could be a sleeper pick here if nobody else wants the job.

(Whisenhunt might be the most dispiriting pick, as another retread a la Jauron/Gailey, which means he's probably the guy.)

 

[BayBuck]

Did somebody say regionalization?? Bills hire Marrone from right down the road, and appsrently he wasn't anywhere near their last pick of the bunch. Seems to have good NFL connections, got some good HC experience with the 'Cuse - of course a lot will depend on who his QB and coordinators are.

Offseason is the time for optimism, go Bills!

 

[korchiki]

Did somebody say regionalization?? Bills hire Marrone from right down the road, and appsrently he wasn't anywhere near their last pick of the bunch. Seems to have good NFL connections, got some good HC experience with the 'Cuse - of course a lot will depend on who his QB and coordinators are.

Offseason is the time for optimism, go Bills!

Agree. Not completely sold on the hire but very happy to see them try a different approach. Marrone is the first hire directly from NCAA in the history of the bills.

With that said, the selection of the coaching staff will be most telling. Every assistant coach is still on payroll for next year. If Marrone chooses to retain some of them, then it's more of the same. He needs to bring in a strong DC. Should be fun to watch.

 

[BayBuck]

Agree. Not completely sold on the hire but very happy to see them try a different approach. Marrone is the first hire directly from NCAA in the history of the bills.

With that said, the selection of the coaching staff will be most telling. Every assistant coach is still on payroll for next year. If Marrone chooses to retain some of them, then it's more of the same. He needs to bring in a strong DC. Should be fun to watch.

I think you mean NO assistants are still on payroll, since the Bills fired e'rrybody when they let Chan go. On the team's official website the coaching page says only "to be determined". Fans seemed to think highly of the OL coach but that's about it.

Here's an interesting article on Marrone's coaching connections:

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/1/6/3842176/doug-marrone-coaching-tree-influences

 

[osucollegebuck]

Chip Kelly meeting with Buffalo today. I think he would enjoy working with CJ Spiller.

Bills have also met with Horton and Whisenhunt, plus Mike McCoy tomorrow and probably Lovie Smith. So they're at least meeting with the guys who everybody else is interviewing too, which is more than we could say about the last few Bills searches.

Doug Marrone from Syracuse could be a sleeper pick here if nobody else wants the job.

(Whisenhunt might be the most dispiriting pick, as another retread a la Jauron/Gailey, which means he's probably the guy.)

I think you nailed it.

As a Bills fan I have come to realization that we will never land the big time coach like Gruden, Cowher, etc. We just have to try and get the best coach available to us (many times that is the 8th or 9th best coach available)

 

[zincfinger]

I understand what you're saying, but the pro-Brandon take on that seems to be that the Bills had under-developed the WNY/Southern Ontario area for some time, and that the goal is to hit that entire region (~8M pop.) and not just Buffalo metro.



http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/29699/bills-planting-a-cleat-firmly-in-canada

I guess I just don't see the western NY region as being underdeveloped. I grew up in Western NY (Bills territory) and Eastern NY (mostly Giants territory). From my perspective, the Bills were clearly the top team in western NY even when they stunk. In Eastern NY, about 4 hours from NYC and 6 hours from Buffalo, the Bills were neck-and-neck with the Giants in generating fan interest, because the Bills were good. Along those lines, it seems to me like the key for the Bills to dominate the region from a marketing perspective is to put a good product on the field. They're going to be The Team in western NY no matter what, but in order to encroach on the east coast teams' marketing territory, they have to be good. The fairweather fans will follow.

 

[BayBuck]

I guess I just don't see the western NY region as being underdeveloped. I grew up in Western NY (Bills territory) and Eastern NY (mostly Giants territory). From my perspective, the Bills were clearly the top team in western NY even when they stunk. In Eastern NY, about 4 hours from NYC and 6 hours from Buffalo, the Bills were neck-and-neck with the Giants in generating fan interest, because the Bills were good. Along those lines, it seems to me like the key for the Bills to dominate the region from a marketing perspective is to put a good product on the field. They're going to be The Team in western NY no matter what, but in order to encroach on the east coast teams' marketing territory, they have to be good. The fairweather fans will follow.

There's always more butts to put in seats and jerseys to sell, not to mention other merchandising and revenue streams. The point is Brandon's been a successful numbers guy for the Bills -- they also have a new lease and big renovation$ planned in a small market, even without being any good in a long time.

The regionalization was just an example of a forward-thinking business strategy by Brandon, who's now pushing "analytics" a la Moneyball and the New England Patriots, and who just hired the first college coach in Bills history. Just sayin, the business side of the franchise seems in good hands.

Now if we can just trade for an elite QB and get Norv Turner and Lovie Smith as coordinators, this team will be back in the playoffs in no time.

 

[korchiki]

I think you mean NO assistants are still on payroll, since the Bills fired e'rrybody when they let Chan go. On the team's official website the coaching page says only "to be determined". Fans seemed to think highly of the OL coach but that's about it.

Here's an interesting article on Marrone's coaching connections:

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/1/6/3842176/doug-marrone-coaching-tree-influences

Nope I meant what I wrote. Yes they fired the coaching staff. They were also still under contract and will be paid next year regardless. Trust me on that one.

Just saw that they hired Nathaniel Hackett to be OC. Looks like they are trying to change things. Should be interesting to see the rest of the staff.

 

[osucollegebuck]

Seriously this team cracks me up...now we hire the OC from Syracuse. LOLOLOLOL

 

[BayBuck]

Nope I meant what I wrote. Yes they fired the coaching staff. They were also still under contract and will be paid next year regardless. Trust me on that one.

Just saw that they hired Nathaniel Hackett to be OC. Looks like they are trying to change things. Should be interesting to see the rest of the staff.

Okay score one for a technicality - but it's pretty clear that virtually all of last year's fired assistants will not be actively coaching for Buffalo next year.

Also Chris Mortensen reported that Marrone hired Mike Pettine as DC, spent four years in that position for NYJ, plus 7 before that with Baltimore. Let's go D.

 

[osucollegebuck]

wow we really raided the Orange and Jets coaching staffs.

Eric Ciano (Head Strength and Conditioning): Ciano returns for his fourth season with the Buffalo Bills, re-joining the team as a member of head coach Doug Marrone?s staff. In recent years, Ciano primarily trained quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs and specialists. Prior to joining Buffalo, he spent five seasons at Georgia Tech overseeing strength and conditioning for all of Tech?s athletic teams and working primarily with the football team.

Donnie Henderson (Defensive Backs): Henderson joins the Bills after a one-year stint in Syracuse with Bills head coach Doug Marrone. He also worked with Marrone in 2004-05 while he served as defensive coordinator with the New York Jets. Henderson is a veteran coach with more than a decade of experience on both the collegiate and professional coaching levels. He has worked NFL sidelines for 10 years and in the college ranks for 18. In 2004, Henderson was the coordinator for the Jets defense that improved to seventh, from 21st, in the NFL in total defense and rookie linebacker Jonathan Vilma was named the 2004 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2005, the Jets finished second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (172.2 avg.) and finished fifth with 21 interceptions. Henderson began his NFL coaching career with Baltimore in 1999 as the assistant defensive backs coach and was promoted to coach defensive backs in 2000. During Henderson?s tenure with the Ravens from 1999-2003, Baltimore ranked second in the NFL with 88 interceptions and he tutored a secondary that included Pro Bowlers in safeties Rod Woodson, who is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Ed Reed, and cornerback Chris McAlister. In 2000, Baltimore set defensive records for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season (165), fewest rushing yards allowed (970) while also setting franchise records with 23 interceptions and leading the NFL with 49 takeaways. The Ravens secondary was responsible for 12 interceptions, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

Chuck Driesbach (Linebackers): Driesbach enters his first year as an NFL coach after 36 years in the college ranks including five (2007-11) as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Rice University. He is entering his 37th year of coaching, including 20 years as a defensive coordinator. Prior to his time at Rice, Driesbach spent the previous two years as the secondary coach at Michigan State. Prior to his time with the Spartans, Driesbach served as the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss (2002-04), TCU (2001), Western Michigan (1997-2000); Pittsburgh (1993-96) and Cornell (1990-92). In 2003, Ole Miss tied for the Southeastern Conference Western Division title en route to a 10-3 record, including a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl, and a No. 13 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

Tyrone Wheatley (Running Backs): Wheatley will enter his first season as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 and will oversee the team?s running backs. Wheatley comes to Buffalo after tutoring the backfield at Syracuse from 2010-12 under head coach Doug Marrone. While at Syracuse from 2010-12, Wheatley guided a rushing offense that improved tremendously during his time with the Orange. The Orange backfield averaged 187.0 yards per game in 2012 ? an improvement of 60.5 yards per game (126.5) in the team?s average in the year prior to Wheatley?s arrival. Following a standout career as a four-year starter at the University of Michigan, Wheatley was the 17th overall draft choice in the 1995 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Wheatley played in the NFL for 10 seasons, including four years with the Giants (1995-98) and six with the Oakland Raiders (1999-2004). He was named the Victor Awards Comeback Player of the Year in 2000 after tallying career-bests of 1,046 rushing yards on 232 carries with nine touchdowns.

Jim O?Neil (Linebackers): Jim O?Neil will enter his first year with the Buffalo Bills as a linebackers coach in 2013 ? his fifth season in the NFL. He comes to Buffalo after spending the previous four years with the New York Jets under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He joined the Jets? coaching staff in 2009 as a defensive quality control coach before being elevated to assistant defensive backs coach for three seasons from 2010-12. The Jets? passing defense finished second in the NFL in 2012 (189.8), fifth in 2011 (201.0), sixth in 2010 (200.6) and first in 2009 (153.7). While with the Jets from 2009-12, New York?s defense held opposing passers to an NFL-low 71.0 quarterback rating, completion percentage (52.6%), passing yards (186.3 per game) and forced the highest percentage of three-and-out drives (29.4%). Prior to entering the NFL coaching ranks with the Jets in 2009, O?Neil spent eight years with college programs. From 2006-08, he served as the recruiting coordinator and safeties coach at Eastern Michigan. His previous college stints include Towson in 2005 (defensive coordinator), Northwestern from 2003-04 (graduate assistant/defensive backs), Pennsylvania in 2002 (assistant offensive line) and SUNY Albany in 2001 (assistant offensive line/tight ends).

Greg Adkins (Tight Ends): Adkins joins the Buffalo Bills? coaching staff in 2013 as the team?s tight ends coach. He spent the previous four years as the offensive line and recruiting coordinator at Syracuse under head coach Doug Marrone. In 2012, the Syracuse offensive line held opposing defenses to 16.0 sacks ? the second-fewest allowed by the Orange since 2000 and blocked for a rushing offense that ranked third in the BIG EAST with an average of 187.0 yards per game. Syracuse held opponents to the seventh-fewest tackles for loss per game in 2012 (4.31). Before joining Syracuse?s staff in 2009, Adkins had coaching stints at Tennessee (2003-08), Troy (2001-02), Georgia (1996-2000) and Marshall (1991-95).

Anthony Weaver (Defensive Line): Weaver will enter his second season in the NFL and first with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 as the team?s defensive line coach. He spent the previous year working as the assistant defensive line coach with the New York Jets under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Prior to joining the Jets? staff in 2012, Weaver was the linebackers coach at North Texas University in 2011. He spent 2010 as a defensive graduate assistant at Florida. Weaver enjoyed a seven year NFL playing career from 2002-08. He entered the NFL as a second-round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 and spent the 2002-05 seasons with the Ravens before three years with the Houston Texans. In 103 games played with 98 starts, Weaver recorded 260 tackles, 15.5 sacks, three interceptions and five forced fumbles. In 2007, Weaver was recognized as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award ? an annual recognition of one player from every NFL team who exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

Brian Fleury (Defensive Quality Control): Fleury joins the Bills as defensive quality control coach for his first season in the NFL. Fleury spent the past four years as secondary coach and special teams coordinator at Towson University. Fleury played a vital role in the Towson Tigers? drive to back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association championships (2011-12). Under his guidance, the Tiger defense led the conference in total defense and passing defense. Towson finished 2012 ranked 16th in the country in total defense and 19th in the country in passing defense. In 2011, the Tigers? special teams led the CAA in kickoff return average, finishing 16th in the country.

Samson Brown (Assistant Defensive Backs): Brown enters his third season in the NFL and first as a position coach as assistant defensive backs coach. He spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons with the New York Jets as a coaching assistant. Prior to his time with the Jets, he worked for three seasons with the University of Albany football program; one year as the tight ends coach after working for two years with the outside linebackers. Brown was also an intern coach with the NFL's Green Bay Packers in the summer of 2009.

Jason Rebrovich (Defensive Quality Control): Rebrovich will enter his first year in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 as a defensive quality control coach. Prior to coming to Buffalo, Rebrovich spent the previous 2011 and 2012 seasons at Syracuse as a defensive assistant under head coach Doug Marrone. From 2008-10, Rebrovich was the defensive coordinate at Cortland State. Rebrovich began his coaching career at his alma mater of Cortland as the team?s defensive line and strength coach for three seasons (2001-03). In between his stints at Cortland, he worked with the defensive line at Ferris State University from 2005-07 and at Concord University in 2004. Rebrovich also served as the head strength and conditioning coach at both Ferris and Concord.

 

[MrRedsBills]

I think we draft Dion Jordan DE/OLB for Pettine's D. He might be answer to help cover Gronk and Hernandez.

 

[osucollegebuck]

I think we draft Dion Jordan DE/OLB for Pettine's D. He might be answer to help cover Gronk and Hernandez.

Where is he projected to go in the draft?