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From www.profootballtalk.com
"BUFFALO'S "NEW ERA" IS SHORT-LIVED
Lost in the Buffalo Bills' decision to trade back into round one to draft quarterback J.P. Losman is the fact that the Bills supposedly acquired their starting quarterback for the balance of the decade when they picked up Drew Bledsoe on day two of the 2002 draft, for a first-round pick in 2003.
And let's not forget the pomp and circumstance that accompanied G.M. Tom Donahoe's supposed coup that brought the 1993 No. 1 overall pick to Buffalo for less than, as Donahoe claimed, he ultimately would have given up. There was a rally complete with a marching band, and glowing praise from the team's 80-something owner, Ralph Wilson.
"This is a big day for Buffalo and particularly the Buffalo Bills," Wilson said the day that Bledsoe was introduced to a four-figure throng of fans. "When I saw all the people outside, I thought this was the first day of the season. You've given the area a spark and I know you have certainly given me a spark because I am looking forward to the start of the season."
Added former Bills guard Ruben Brown, who was cut earlier this year and later signed by the Bears, "Thank God that a guy like [Bledsoe] is coming so we can put all of the past behind us, because we're truly starting over right now. You can honestly say that this is a new era."
And when Bledsoe got off to a fast start in 2002, Donahoe gushed at the team's good fortune. "Drew is perfect for our personnel. But he also is so good he covers up lots of our warts. We couldn't have gotten luckier."
And that luck resulted in a middle-of-the-road 8-8 finish in 2002, and an even luckier 6-10 record last year.
Through it all, the guy who hired coach Gregg Williams and who swung the trade for Bledsoe faces only periodic blame for the fortunes of the team. League insiders continue to be baffled by the manner in which the Bills G.M. avoids scrutiny for the team's struggles.
So what will the Teflon Donahoe say to keep his job if/when the Bills struggle in 2004? We suspect he'll tell Mr. Wilson that the team is breaking in a new coach, and that the decision to draft Losman diminished the ability of the current class of rookies to contribute right away. Donahoe also might point to No. 13 overall pick Lee Evans' torn ACL of a couple of seasons ago, since players often need a couple of years to get back to their full potential.
Of course, in 2005 Donahoe will be able to point to the fact that they're breaking in Losman.
And then by 2006 Donahoe can tell Wilson that perhaps it's time to hire a coach who's better suited to maximize Losman's skills.
Through it all, Donahoe likely will continue to escape criticism, largely since the national media is reluctant to call out a guy who deftly spreads the scoop as a quid pro quo for positive press.
So as long as Donahoe maintains his mastery of the media, our guess is that he'll be around for as many "new eras" as Wilson is able to live to see."
"BUFFALO'S "NEW ERA" IS SHORT-LIVED
Lost in the Buffalo Bills' decision to trade back into round one to draft quarterback J.P. Losman is the fact that the Bills supposedly acquired their starting quarterback for the balance of the decade when they picked up Drew Bledsoe on day two of the 2002 draft, for a first-round pick in 2003.
And let's not forget the pomp and circumstance that accompanied G.M. Tom Donahoe's supposed coup that brought the 1993 No. 1 overall pick to Buffalo for less than, as Donahoe claimed, he ultimately would have given up. There was a rally complete with a marching band, and glowing praise from the team's 80-something owner, Ralph Wilson.
"This is a big day for Buffalo and particularly the Buffalo Bills," Wilson said the day that Bledsoe was introduced to a four-figure throng of fans. "When I saw all the people outside, I thought this was the first day of the season. You've given the area a spark and I know you have certainly given me a spark because I am looking forward to the start of the season."
Added former Bills guard Ruben Brown, who was cut earlier this year and later signed by the Bears, "Thank God that a guy like [Bledsoe] is coming so we can put all of the past behind us, because we're truly starting over right now. You can honestly say that this is a new era."
And when Bledsoe got off to a fast start in 2002, Donahoe gushed at the team's good fortune. "Drew is perfect for our personnel. But he also is so good he covers up lots of our warts. We couldn't have gotten luckier."
And that luck resulted in a middle-of-the-road 8-8 finish in 2002, and an even luckier 6-10 record last year.
Through it all, the guy who hired coach Gregg Williams and who swung the trade for Bledsoe faces only periodic blame for the fortunes of the team. League insiders continue to be baffled by the manner in which the Bills G.M. avoids scrutiny for the team's struggles.
So what will the Teflon Donahoe say to keep his job if/when the Bills struggle in 2004? We suspect he'll tell Mr. Wilson that the team is breaking in a new coach, and that the decision to draft Losman diminished the ability of the current class of rookies to contribute right away. Donahoe also might point to No. 13 overall pick Lee Evans' torn ACL of a couple of seasons ago, since players often need a couple of years to get back to their full potential.
Of course, in 2005 Donahoe will be able to point to the fact that they're breaking in Losman.
And then by 2006 Donahoe can tell Wilson that perhaps it's time to hire a coach who's better suited to maximize Losman's skills.
Through it all, Donahoe likely will continue to escape criticism, largely since the national media is reluctant to call out a guy who deftly spreads the scoop as a quid pro quo for positive press.
So as long as Donahoe maintains his mastery of the media, our guess is that he'll be around for as many "new eras" as Wilson is able to live to see."
i was gonna say the same exact thing. that looks just like a wys article.
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