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Yes, I know I'm not the first one to come up with the concept. But lets review the evidence:
Prior to the 2009 season, the FO inexplicably kept Dick Jauron after he blew a 5-2 start to end up 7-9. Then, they go with Russ Brandon as President/GM so they don't have to pay a separate person to be GM.
On top of that, they cut Derrick Dockery and eventually Langston Walker, and traded Jason Peters. They were replaced with... two rookies and a sophomore who didn't experience any NFL action in his rookie season.
Now, we can debate the legitimacy of these moves all day long. My personal opinion is that Dockery had to go, trading Peters was dumb but arguably necessary, and cutting Walker was just plain illogical. But I'm not interested in that right now. I'm interested in the one common thread between all three moves: lots and lots of money off the books.
The one big money move: Signing TO for $6.5 million. However, it was a one year deal, meaning no long-term monetary commitment. Hmmm..... are the gears churning yet?
Fast forward to 2010. They fire Jauron and rectify the Brandon situation by hiring Nix. Then, instead of hiring a big name coach, they hire Chan Gailey. And he's dual-hatting as HC and OC. More money savings.
Then, they don't offer contracts to Josh Reed or TO, instead going with the completely unproven Steve Johnson and James Hardy. My personal opinion is that TO had to go and Reed should have been offered a 2 or 3 year deal, but again, that's not important. The important thing is that Johnson and Hardy are cheaper than Reed and TO.... anyone else having de ja vu yet?
Then they announce that they are switching to the 3-4, a defense for which our current personnel is grossly inadequate. Free agency starts and they sign.... one offensive lineman who lost his starting job to the same Langston Walker that we CUT last year. They do nothing about the ill-equipped D. Hell, the OL that lacked both talent and depth last season has already lost two guys (Butler and Scott, and in fairness I can't hold either one against the organization), yet they only sign ONE guy. So far, they have addressed ZERO of the problems from last year, to say nothing of the numerous holes created by the change of defense.
Other factors to consider:
-The Toronto deal ends in 2012
-The Bills' stadium lease in 2012
-Ralph has done NOTHING to secure the team's future in WNY after his passing
-Both Gailey and Nix are old, and are likely to retire after their stint with the Bills. A young coach/GM with 20 years of work ahead of him would have no part of Major Leaguing a franchise, but two guys looking for a few million before they retire might.....
-The new CBA is likely to be less friendly to low-revenue franchises like Buffalo
Now I will readily admit that all of this ranges from speculation to circumstantial evidence, and it doesn't prove anything. But look at the other sign of the coin- what has this team done to prepare for the future? What commitments do they have beyond 2012? Hell, even Cornell Green's contract is 3 years, meaning it ends in 2012..... And most importantly, what has this team done in the last 2 years that demonstrates any real commitment to winning? All they've done is replace vets with rookies and bring in cheap FO personnel/coaches.
I just presented a ton of circumstantial evidence to suggest the Bills are preparing to leave Buffalo, and there is absolutely zero evidence- circumstantial or otherwise- to suggest the team will stick around. It's quite depressing. If anyone has anything to the contrary that I am missing, please come out with it.
2012 won't be the end of the world, but it may be the end of professional football in Buffalo.
Prior to the 2009 season, the FO inexplicably kept Dick Jauron after he blew a 5-2 start to end up 7-9. Then, they go with Russ Brandon as President/GM so they don't have to pay a separate person to be GM.
On top of that, they cut Derrick Dockery and eventually Langston Walker, and traded Jason Peters. They were replaced with... two rookies and a sophomore who didn't experience any NFL action in his rookie season.
Now, we can debate the legitimacy of these moves all day long. My personal opinion is that Dockery had to go, trading Peters was dumb but arguably necessary, and cutting Walker was just plain illogical. But I'm not interested in that right now. I'm interested in the one common thread between all three moves: lots and lots of money off the books.
The one big money move: Signing TO for $6.5 million. However, it was a one year deal, meaning no long-term monetary commitment. Hmmm..... are the gears churning yet?
Fast forward to 2010. They fire Jauron and rectify the Brandon situation by hiring Nix. Then, instead of hiring a big name coach, they hire Chan Gailey. And he's dual-hatting as HC and OC. More money savings.
Then, they don't offer contracts to Josh Reed or TO, instead going with the completely unproven Steve Johnson and James Hardy. My personal opinion is that TO had to go and Reed should have been offered a 2 or 3 year deal, but again, that's not important. The important thing is that Johnson and Hardy are cheaper than Reed and TO.... anyone else having de ja vu yet?
Then they announce that they are switching to the 3-4, a defense for which our current personnel is grossly inadequate. Free agency starts and they sign.... one offensive lineman who lost his starting job to the same Langston Walker that we CUT last year. They do nothing about the ill-equipped D. Hell, the OL that lacked both talent and depth last season has already lost two guys (Butler and Scott, and in fairness I can't hold either one against the organization), yet they only sign ONE guy. So far, they have addressed ZERO of the problems from last year, to say nothing of the numerous holes created by the change of defense.
Other factors to consider:
-The Toronto deal ends in 2012
-The Bills' stadium lease in 2012
-Ralph has done NOTHING to secure the team's future in WNY after his passing
-Both Gailey and Nix are old, and are likely to retire after their stint with the Bills. A young coach/GM with 20 years of work ahead of him would have no part of Major Leaguing a franchise, but two guys looking for a few million before they retire might.....
-The new CBA is likely to be less friendly to low-revenue franchises like Buffalo
Now I will readily admit that all of this ranges from speculation to circumstantial evidence, and it doesn't prove anything. But look at the other sign of the coin- what has this team done to prepare for the future? What commitments do they have beyond 2012? Hell, even Cornell Green's contract is 3 years, meaning it ends in 2012..... And most importantly, what has this team done in the last 2 years that demonstrates any real commitment to winning? All they've done is replace vets with rookies and bring in cheap FO personnel/coaches.
I just presented a ton of circumstantial evidence to suggest the Bills are preparing to leave Buffalo, and there is absolutely zero evidence- circumstantial or otherwise- to suggest the team will stick around. It's quite depressing. If anyone has anything to the contrary that I am missing, please come out with it.
2012 won't be the end of the world, but it may be the end of professional football in Buffalo.
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