Bleed Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills are on the board in 2013 NFL free agency. After remaining dormant with the exception of releasing former starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick Tuesday, the Bills have signed former 49ers and Bengals outside linebacker Manny Lawson to a four year deal. It’s not an earth-shattering move but it gives a good indication into what directions the Bills will go with free agency this year, finding guys who fit their system without breaking the bank.

There are a million great write-ups out there right now on Lawson but in a nutshell he’s a solid run defending outside linebacker who struggles in coverage. He’s not going to get after the passer (only 18 career sacks) as much as you’d like to see but he’s a heady defender who stays at home against the run and only missed three (according to Pro Football Focus) tackles last season. He’s versatile as well, spending time in Cincy’s 4-3 scheme after spending his first five seasons in the league in San Francisco’s base 3-4. Lawson will offer an immediate upgrade to a mediocre linebacking core.

Don’t expect his signing to be the last in this free agency period however. The terms of Lawson’s contract haven’t been released but after releasing Ryan Fitzpatrick yesterday the Bills sat about 26-27 million under the cap (with Jairus Byrd’s franchise figure). Keep in mind that under the new CBA teams need to spend to 99% of the cap so Lawson will likely not get them anywhere close.

The market is anything but dried up at this point with more players being released on a daily basis (Bernard Pollard or Michael Huff anyone?) and a good core of players still available. I would expect these types of signings going forward however, mid-level starters who can offer an upgrade but are by no means franchise-changers.

With the exception of maybe quarterback, linebacker is the Buffalo Bills’ biggest need entering the free agency period. Currently the Bills linebacking corps features Kelvin Sheppard, Chris White, Nigel Bradham and Arthur Moats. It’s arguably the weakest position currently on the team and the free agent class this year is loaded with potential upgrades. Depending on which system Mike Pettine features the Bills could use help at outside linebacker, rush outside linebacker and inside linebacker.

After a promising rookie season Sheppard took a huge step back last year. One possible reason for the decrease in production can be attributed to Sheppard being on the field for a little more than half the time in Dave Wannstedt’s backward defensive scheme last season. Sheppard will likely get another year to prove himself so don’t look for Buddy Nix to spend big at the middle linebacker position. Bradham showed flashes last season but he definitely needs more experience and competition is the best form of experience in my eyes. Look for the Bills to add multiple linebackers through free agency and the draft this year.

Paul Kruger (Baltimore): I wouldn’t have Kruger on this list if the Bills hadn’t already been linked to him. A four year pro out of Utah, Kruger didn’t break through until last season. He showed glimpses when given the opportunity in 2011 but he had a breakout 2012 season. He was arguably the best player on the Ravens defense, demonstrating a consistent ability to get to opposing quarterbacks (9 sacks) and be a disruptive force in the backfield. He’s likely to demand big bucks when the clock tolls 4:01 today however and with news that Cleveland and Indy are already anticipating a bidding war, may price himself out of Buffalo. Kruger is still young (27) and his best years are in front of him but for some reason I’m hesitant to dull out big money for a one year performer.

Erin Henderson (Minnesota): I’m a huge fan of Henderson and going into the offseason he was a guy I’ve been targeting for the Bills. Henderson is a force against the run. He’s a prototypical 4-3 outside linebacker but shouldn’t have issue morphing into a 3-4 inside backer in certain packages. He’s only a two down linebacker but he’s personifies exactly what the Bills need: a run-stuffer with intensity. I haven’t heard his name thrown around much in terms of potential teams interested in him so he’s flying a bit under the radar which could be huge for the Bills. He might not be a household name at this point but he’s a solid player that could seriously upgrade a linebacking corps desperate for an influx of talent.

Phillip Wheeler (Oakland): Wheeler had a breakout year in Oakland in 2012, leading the Raiders in tackles and becoming one of the few bright spots on a defense that struggled mightily. He’s progressed every year he’s been in the league and is still relatively young (28). Wheeler is solid against the run and showed a bit of a flair for big plays last season (3 sacks, 2 FF). He projects out as a 4-3 outside linebacker and 3-4 inside linebacker and would be a massive upgrade to Buffalo’s linebacking corps. Other teams have expressed interest in Wheeler so he likely won’t come as cheap as a guy like Henderson but he might be worth the extra price.

Rey Maualuga (Cincinnati):  Maualuga is a tackling machine, amassing 122 total stops in 2012. He’s a ferocious competitor and a locker room leader. He did however get pushed out of his starting middle linebacker job in Cincy for undrafted rookie Vontez Burfect and was forced out to the weakside. Maualuga isn’t extremely athletic and is more of a two down linebacker with his limitations in pass coverage. His leadership skills and his presence as a strong run-stopping force should be attractive to a team desperate to upgrade both.

Connor Barwin (Houston): Barwin did the opposite of what most of the aforementioned linebackers did this past season, he underperformed in a contract year. After putting up an impressive 11.5 sacks in 2011, he totaled only three last season and wasn’t a threat getting after the passer. While this will likely drive his price down significantly you have to worry which player you’re getting. If he could be had at the right price, Barwin would be a huge upgrade and add an additional outside pass rusher in Pettine’s multiple look scheme.

As we sit on the precipice of the free agency signing period, the Buffalo Bills have a laundry list of needs that they must address before the 2013 season. Quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker are at the very top of the list but don’t discount the hole at tight end. Since being claimed off waivers by the Bills in December 2010, Scott Chandler has been one of the most consistent contributors on a mediocre offense. He has proven to be a solid red zone receiving threat and has more than a few big plays in his tenure in Buffalo. Chandler suffered a torn ACL at the end of the 2012 season however and reports have indicated that he’s a likely candidate to start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List which would mean he wouldn’t be able to participate for the first six weeks of the 2013 season. This is speculation at this point of course but suffering such a serious knee injury so late in the season is never a good pre-curser to the following year.
Doug Marrone and Nathaniel Hackett’s offense calls for a more athletic tight end who can line up in the slot and stretch the field vertically. While Chandler should still be seen as a solid weapon in the passing game once he returns, he doesn’t fit this criteria extremely well. Tight end should prove to be one of the strongest positions in the free agency pool this year and the Bills would be stupid not to make a move on at least one.

Dustin Keller (NY Jets): Personally I think this should be Buddy Nix’s first target in the free agent pool. Keller has an uncanny ability to stretch the field and is solid out of the slot. He’s proven to be Mark Sanchez’s favorite target since being drafted out of Purdue and is a serious threat in between the 20s and in the red zone. With the exception of an injury-riddled 2012 season, Keller has hauled in at least 45 passes and amassed at least 500 receiving yards in every season in the league. He’s also totaled 17 touchdowns in 5 seasons in the league (only 2 in 2012) and has been the quintessential Bills killer throughout his career. Not only would Keller add a vertical threat that this offense so desperately needs, adding him would also make a divisional rival weaker.
Brandon Myers (Oakland): I’d put names like Martellus Bennett or Jared Cook on this list but they both have likely priced their way out of Buffalo. Myers is a much more likely fit for Buffalo. Although he’s essentially been a ghost for the majority of four year career, he broke out in a big way last season. You can attribute some of his delayed growth on an unstable quarterback situation for the majority of his career but you can’t look past his impressive 2012 season (79 catches, 806 yards and 4 touchdowns). You always have to be a weary of a player only performing in a contract year but Myers proved that he could be a solid vertical threat with sure hands last season. Depending on his price tag he would be worth taking a look at if the Bills can’t land Keller.
Delanie Walker (San Francisco): The 9ers acquisition of Anquan Boldin all but assures Walker hitting the free agent market at 4:00 pm today. His numbers are anything but earth-shattering and affirm his status as a number two blocking tight end. Walker has lived in the shadow of Vernon Davis throughout his career and has had to deal with a bit of an inconsistent quarterback presence until the past two seasons. While Walker has never been a number one tight end, he has the physical attributes that the Bills should look for in a tight end. He’s big, strong, fast, a mauling blocker and has sure hands. He wouldn’t have the type of impact that a Keller or Myers might but he would be a great fill in while Chandler recovers and a solid compliment when he returns. Some reports have Walker asking for starter money which a team like Cleveland or Tampa Bay may be willing to pay him. If the Bills lose out on the aforementioned options he would be a solid addition at the right price.

James Casey (Houston): Casey is an intriguing option. He has solid hands, he’s great in the red zone and he’s a plus athlete. He’s a man without a position however. After drafting Casey as a tight end the Texans used him in a multitude of ways during his tenure with the team. He played some tight end but spent the majority of his time at the fullback and H-back position. The Bills already have an H-Back on the roster in the form of Dorin Dickerson but make no mistake, Casey would be an enormous upgrade. Like Walker his numbers are indicative of a backup player but his 34 catches for 330 yards and 3 TDs last season are nothing to snub your nose at. Casey is big enough (6’3″, 240 lbs) and athletic enough to make the transition to tight end full time but he should be seen as a consolation prize if the Bills can’t land a bigger name.

Anthony Fasano (Miami): Like Keller, Fasano has been an absolute Bills killer in his five seasons with the Dolphins. Again, an unstable quarterback situation has adversely affected his career numbers but Fasano is no slouch. He’s been one of the few consistent vertical threats for the Dolphins over the past five years and he’s a serious threat in the red zone. Fasano could likely be had at a much lower cost than guys like Keller, Bennett or Cook and if the Bills decide to focus on other positions before addressing tight end, he might be the best option to improve their current roster.

Today marks the first day of NFL free agency, unofficially of course. A new rule passed during last season allows agents for impending free agents to gage interest and even work on deals with other teams three days prior to the official beginning of free agency on March 12th. After making headlines this offseason for cutting multiple veterans and most recently agreeing to terms on a new contract with kick/punt returning dynamo and corner Leodis McKelvin the Buffalo Bills are expected to be players in free agency on some level. After dulling out $20 million to McKelvin over four years and placing the franchise tag on Jairus Byrd, the Bills have roughly $16-20 million in cap space (depending on the official figures for McKelvin). The Bills have secured some of their own homegrown talent on the defensive side of the ball and now need to set their sites on addressing multiple holes on offense.

The free agent market looks to be loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball in areas where the Bills need an influx of talent. Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola headline a deep group of potential free agent wide receivers. Jared Cook, Tony Gonzalez, Martellus Bennett and Dustin Keller are the cream of the crop at tight end. Quarterback is really the only position that Buffalo really couldn’t improve on via free agency. While Buddy Nix isn’t likely to woo anotheri Mario Williams-like free agent to come to Buffalo, there’s plenty of talent in this pool that could vastly improve the team’s current roster.
Brandon Gibson (St. Louis): Gibson has already been linked to the Bills thanks to his relationship with Stevie Johnson. He’s a talented receiver who’s shown flashes of absolute brilliance in the past. Bills fans might remember him tearing throw the secondary to the tune of 6 catches for 100 yards and the game winning touchdown in week 14. He has a solid build (6’0″, 205 lbs) and is a legitimate threat in the red zone. He’s coming off a solid 2012 campaign where he led the Rams in touchdown catches (5) and finished second in catches (51) and receiving yards (691). He was prone to drops for a portion of last season and he did make some stupid mistakes last season. He and Johnson are good friends, have the same agent and was quoted as saying that he “looks up to” Stevie. Hopefully his relationship with the Bills’ top wideout will be enough to deliver Gibson to Buffalo.

Ramses Barden (New York): Barden is hardly a household name but he’s still young (just turned 27), has a great build (6’6″, 224 lbs) and has shown flashes from time to time. His overall numbers from last season are nothing to brag about but few people are likely to forget his dominant performance against the Panthers in week three. Barden hauled in 9 catches on 10 targets for 138 yards. While the rest of his season and career for that matter have been nothing to brag about, he still has solid potential. Keep in mind Barden has been buried on the depth chart his entire career in New York by the likes of Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith, Bennett, and Ruben Randall. He’s never gotten a real chance to contribute until the game against Carolina when he had to step in. One game isn’t likely to get you a big contract but it will get you some notice around the league. Barden would be a nice player to add in to the mix and his price tag will likely be relatively low with such a deep free agent class.

Danny Amendola (St. Louis): It’s already a forgone conclusion by some that if the Patriots don’t sign back Wes Welker, Amendola is the next option. He’s been called the poor man’s Welker for most of his career but most people don’t realize that he spent the majority of his time in St. Louis on the outside and not in the slot. Most people have to realize that not every white receiver is Wes Welker in the NFL. He’s an extremely reliable receiver with great hands and a great ability to separate himself from corners. He’s got solid top-end speed and while he might not blow the top off defenses like a Mike Wallace, he’s deceptive enough to be a deep threat. His major problem is staying healthy. He’s never finished a complete season in his NFL career and that’s the main reason the Rams didn’t place the franchise tag on him. Amendola is a big risk for the money he’s likely to command so while it would be a coup to get him, it might not be worth the cap hit he’ll incur.

Denario Alexander (San Diego, RFA): It physically hurts to put his name on this list because the Bills had first crack at him before he signed with the Chargers in October. He left Buffalo after a workout with no offer on the tables from the Bills. All he did after that was haul in 37 catches for 658 yards and 7 touchdowns over a 9 game stretch for San Diego. He consistently blew the top of defenses with his tremendous speed and was the one consistent offensive threat for the Chargers in 2012. He’s only 24 years old and he’s built like a prototypical receiver (6’5″, 217). He does have some baggage however. He has a nightmarish injury history which allowed him to go under the radar for so long. The good news is the Chargers tendered him at the lowest possible level. Since he went undrafted if the Bills did decide to make a move for him, it would cost them a draft pick. If the price is right, Alexander would be a great addition.

Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh, RFA): At the beginning of the offseason after the Steelers made it clear that they had no intention of bringing Wallace back I figured there was no way they’d tender Sanders at anything less than a first or second rounder. Recently it’s been revealed that Pittsburgh is likely to give Sanders the lowest possible tender which would garner them a third round pick if he signs elsewhere. I thought it was crazy but after looking at the nightmare of a cap situation they’ve created, it was the only move they could make. Sanders is a solid receiver, he’s no Wallace or Antonio Brown but he would fit nicely into Doug Marrone’s scheme. His price tag will likely be low but the Bills have to decide whether or not he’s worth giving up a third round pick for.

The Buffalo Bills have made a statement this offseason. By releasing veterans Nick Barnett, Terrence McGee and George Wilson and not tendering Donald Jones and David Nelson they’ve demonstrated that mediocrity will not be tolerated in this new regime. All five of the aforementioned players have flashed moments of brilliance but whether it’s their age or their lack of overall talent, they’ve been deemed non-essential to the cause going forward. By no means is the job complete however.

NFL free agency starts two weeks from yesterday and the Bills are expected to be players on some level. With significant holes at linebacker, corner, safety, wide receiver and quarterback the Bills can’t solely rely on the draft to fill the holes created by years of ineffectiveness in assessing and adding significant talent. Prior to the signing period the Bills have several questions that have been left unanswered. The days leading up to March 12^th will prove to be of vital importance to fielding a competitive 53-man roster for 2013. Here’s a few key dates to keep in mind.

Monday, March 4^th: The last day for teams to designate a player with the franchise or transition tag.

Russ Brandon has made it clear that he only plans on using the team’s franchise tag as a last resort this offseason. The prime candidate to receive the tag of course is free safety Jairus Byrd. The tag is quite affordable for safeties (roughly $6.8 million) and it may be used as a stepping stone in an effort to get a long term deal with Byrd done. The former Oregon product has become the best player on the Bills defense and is arguably the top safety in the NFL. Quarterbacks don’t throw the ball anywhere in his general vicinity and when they do he has demonstrated an incredible propensity to force turnovers. In four years with the team Byrd has already recorded 18 interceptions, forced 10 fumbles and recovered 5. He’s the unquestioned leader of the defense and one of the biggest playmakers on the team.

If the Bills are able to sign Byrd before the March 4^th deadline they may decide to use the tag on guard Andy Levitre. Levitre has been the anchor of the offensive line since being drafted in the second round out of Oregon State in 2009. He hasn’t missed a start in four seasons with the team and has demonstrated fantastic versatility spending time at both guard positions, left tackle and center. The tag number for an offensive lineman is expected to be in the range of about $9.6 million however which could be cost-prohibitive for the Bills offseason plans. Levitre has made it known that he plans to shop for a big payday when free agency begins and may not be too receptive to being tagged. The Bills do have the option as a last resort however.

Tuesday, March 12^th: Free Agency Begins

Before the Bills can look to bring in new talent they need to address the talent on their current roster that is set to hit the market. Byrd and Levitre are obviously the top two targets to re-sign but the front office shouldn’t turn a blind eye to some of the other impending free agents.

Chad Rinehart: While Rinehart isn’t anywhere near the level of Levitre, he’s proven an extremely valuable depth piece along the line. He’s spent time at both guard positions and filled in nicely when Kraig Urbik missed time due to injury. Rinehart might be looking for more money and a chance to start somewhere else but he’s a vitally important piece to the interior offensive line.

Leodis McKelvin: Recent reports have indicated that McKelvin is open to returning to the Bills but he wants to start. The Bills too are reportedly interested in retaining McKelvin and even went so far as to say that he’s currently the starting cornerback opposite of Stephon Gilmore. His return skills are elite and every time he touches the ball he’s lightning in a bottle. His coverage skills have been anything but however. He’s as athletic as any receiver in the NFL but his awareness and reaction skills are horrible. If Mike Pettine thinks he can turn his career around McKelvin will be back and expect him to start.

Dorin Dickerson (ERFA): Dickerson likely isn’t going anywhere. He’s an exclusive rights free agent and showed glimpses of being able to stretch the field from the H-back position this past season. The skies the limit on Dickerson’s potential but he needs a chance to play. The Bills ran multiple packages to get him on the field last year but he wasn’t given enough of an opportunity to shine. He has great speed for a fullback/tight end and could really be an underrated contributor in 2013.

Kyle Moore: For a three-four game stretch last season Moore was the best pass rusher on the team. He totaled three sacks for the season and looked like he could be a consistent contributor during that span. As the season wore on however, he was constantly exposed as an atrocious run defender which cost him playing time in favor of Shawn Merriman. If he could be had for the right price Moore could be a solid situational pass rusher going forward.

Wednesday, March 13^th: Ryan Fitzpatrick’s $3 million contract bonus paid out.

Although cutting Fitzpatrick would only save the Bills roughly $300,000 in cap space, he has a mandatory roster bonus of $3 million that will be paid out on the 13^th. Cutting him before that date would set a precedent that even though it won’t do too much in terms of cap relief, poor play will not be rewarded under this regime. Cutting Fitzpatrick would of course create a bigger hole at quarterback with only Tavaris Jackson under contract. The Bills are almost guaranteed to draft a quarterback in the first or second round of the draft in April and if they’re looking for more competition besides Jackson they could bring in a low cost option like Jason Campbell or Matt Moore to push a young quarterback.

The Buffalo Bills have made headlines this week after releasing veterans Nick Barnett, George Wilson and Terrance McGee. A 2012 defense that woefully underperformed on lofty expectations was expected to see significant turnover this offseason with a new head coach and defensive coordinator calling the shots. It’s likely that Chris Kelsay’s name will be added to the chopping block in the coming days or weeks with a cap figure approaching $5 million dollars at the advanced age of 34 and a steep decline in his play over the past 3 years. Throw in names like Ryan Fitzpatrick and possibly even Erik Pears and the Bills are looking at significant cap space to give a defense that ranked 22nd in total yards allowed this season a serious facelift.

As it stands with McGee’s cap savings of roughly $2.35 million, the Bills stand at a payroll of roughly $98 million which is a little more than $23 million under the projected $121,000,000 cap. The trio of Barnett, Wilson and McGee may have seen their play steadily decline this season but the loss of all three creates even more of a hole in an already weak linebacking corps and secondary. Mike Pettine was brought in to fix a defense that has been broken for almost a decade and while his aggressive play calling and multi-look defensive schemes made him a top target for Doug Marrone, his hiring may also include some fringe benefits. Presence

Pettine implemented a defense in New York in 2009 that ranked tops in the NFL for points allowed and hasn’t ranked lower than eighth in the league in yards allowed since. His former team sits in shambles currently however, with what might be the worst quarterback in the league and a nightmare of a salary cap situation. The Jets are currently $23 million over the projected cap and will likely be forced to release several key contributors on both sides of the ball to get out of the black. Those names could include linebackers Bart Scott and Calvin Pace and safety Eric Smith. The Jets also have multiple big time contributors set to hit free agency like Dustin Keller, Shonn Greene, LaRon Landry, Mike DeVito and Brandon Moore. It’s unlikely that Rex Ryan will be able to bring back most of his impending free agents without cutting a large portion of his core talent and asking multiple players to restructure their existing contracts.

There are more than a few names that stick out on that list that could immediately contribute to a Bills team depleted on depth and desperate for an influx of talent. Their familiarity with Pettine and his system may make Buffalo a bit more attractive.

Bart Scott (ILB): Scott’s play has tampered off over the past few years and he will be 33 when the 2013 season starts. He’s become a liability in pass coverage which forced him to the bench on obvious passing downs in 2012. He is however an unquestioned leader on the field and in the locker room. He’s still a force against the run and his presence would surely stiffen up a run defense that’s been shredded by opposing offenses since the mid-2000s. While he may not be the long term solution, he’s a great option as a plug in player and possible mentor to Kelvin Sheppard or an early-round draft pick while they learn how to play at the pro level.

Mike DeVito (DL): DeVito may not look like a sexy potential pickup but he has silently been one of the Jets most consistent defensive players for the past three seasons. The Bills will likely let Spencer Johnson go in free agency and DeVito is the type of versatile player that can step right in and contribute immediately. His familiarity with Pettine’s system and ability to play both end in a 3-4 and tackle in a 4-3 could make him a valuable piece. His age (28) is also a nice selling point.

Dustin Keller (TE): Keller may be the prized piece of the mass exodus from the Meadowlands. He’s been the Jets’ lone consistent offensive weapon since being drafted in 2008. He’s one year removed from his best season in green and white when he hauled in 65 balls for 815 yards and five touchdowns. He’s coming off an injury plagued 2012 season that stunted his production but even if he was healthy Sanchez’s deadfall this season would’ve likely had the same effect. Keller is a threat in the redzone and can stretch the field with plus-speed for a tight end. He’s no slouch in the run game but his vertical talents should make him a prime target for the Bills this offseason.

Brandon Moore (G): One of Marrone’s first ever projects when he was the offensive line coach in New York, Moore has gone from a disappointing defensive tackle prospect to an All-Pro caliber guard. Moore is an absolute mauler in the run game and he’s no slouch in pass protection either. He’s no spring chicken either however (will be 33 in June). This move would only make sense if the Bills lose Andy Levitre.

We’re a little more than a week into the NFL offseason and the Buffalo Bills have already begun the process of riding themselves of remnants of the Chan Gailey era. Doug Marone has finished his complete overhaul of the coaching staff, leaving no trace of Gailey-disciples under his employ. The front office made headlines Monday by releasing a pair of veterans in George Wilson and Nick Barnett less than a week after the organization released a statement that they would not be tendering Donald Jones, effectively making him a free agent when the new NFL calendar year begins. The moves likely aren’t done either with names like Chris Kelsay, Erik Pears and of course Ryan Fitzpatrick potentially facing the chopping block as well. Yes the winds of change are swirling at One Bills Drive in response to one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory.

Marone was of course the first piece of the puzzle but the head coach is hardly in charge of personnel decisions, especially in the offseason. Buddy Nix enters what will likely be his last offseason as the General Manager of the Bills organization and if nothing else he has the potential to erase a nightmarish three year run that has left him with a legacy similar to that of Marv Levy when he dawned the GM title. Missing on players in the draft, failing to find sufficient veteran help in free agency, hiring the wrong man as his head coach and worst of all, neglecting to pull the trigger on multiple (at least 4) quarterback prospects has defined the 73 year-old’s tenure in the Nickel City, leaving him with the disdain and scorn of the Buffalo faithful. Like many I was outspoken against the decision to keep Nix around during what looked to be a full regime change. In fact if you look back to a post a little more than a month ago, I argued that he was the man that determined Gailey’s grim fate.

These few moves have hardly changed my overall opinion of the man but if nothing more it’s a bold step in the right direction. The hiring of Marone marks the first time in franchise history that the Bills have gone to the college level for a head coach. He’ll bring the spread option to the Bills to go along with his west coast philosophy and don’t be surprised if the no-huddle offense makes a return to the Queen City. Most importantly Marone brings a new way of thinking to an organization desperate to modernize their operation and join the 21^st century. His success in rejuvenating a once-proud program at Syracuse is well documented as is his experience as the Offensive Coordinator in New Orleans when the team dominated the NFL on the offensive side of the ball. Marone brings in a mostly green coaching staff with the exception of highly-touted Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine. Names like Nathaniel Hackett, Ike Hilliard and Tyrone Wheatly, though familiar, might throw up warning signs but they’re further proof of a complete overhaul of a culture that’s been dominated by a losing philosophy for the better part of the past 15 years.

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For the fourth time since 2004, the Buffalo Bills will soon hold a press conference introducing the newest head coach of the team.  However, for the first time in the team’s fifty three year history, they will be hiring someone directly from the college ranks, to assume control of the floundering franchise.

Syracuse University Head Coach Doug Marrone will step to the podium in the coming days and answer the probing questions of (a rightfully so) impatient and skeptical fan base, about being named the 17^th head coach in Buffalo Bills history. What Marrone represents, unlike the previous men to stand behind the same podium he soon will, is tangible proof of change in the decision making process at One Bills Drive. Over the past decade-plus of upsetting mediocrity and irrelevance, the Bills decision-maker(s) have always sided with the “safe choice” when selecting a head coach- someone from the “good ole boys club” who has enjoyed brief, staggered success in previous NFL years.  Much like playing a game to not lose, the only result this tactic of coach selection has bred for the Bills- is more losing.

On the heels of the organizational hierarchy change on this past New Year’s Day, the selection of Marrone as head coach, demonstrates the change in culture new President and CEO Russ Brandon was speaking to. The sentiment of the Buffalo Bills brand being “tarnished” is not something that could have been fixed by selecting yet another retread, recently fired “safe” coach, such as Ken Wisenhunt or Lovie Smith. How does any company or business in America go about re-legitimizing their brand after a PR disaster? Typically, it’s by taking a risk, thinking unconventionally and perhaps even wincing a little bit as you pull the trigger.

In short, with the choice of Marrone as head coach, Brandon and the Bills will be wincing a little. It’s a leap of faith that his hard-nosed, meticulous approach to coaching will translate to a roster of professional men, and not just a group of college kids.  It’s a hope that his fiery, innovative ways will allow the Bills to step into the same stadium as the Patriots, and not just “hope” to play well, but expect to win. After transforming a 10-37 woebegone Syracuse Orange football program, to a culture of winning and relevancy, Marrone seems to be just the man to take over the tire fire that has been the Buffalo Bills, and clear out the “loser mentality” that seems to be hanging over Ralph Wilson Stadium like a thick, gray January snow cloud.

Who Marrone chooses to join him on his Bills staff, will be very telling. Despite his NFL experience as a position coach for the NY Jets and offensive coordinator of the Saints, will Marrone be able to re-assimilate back to the NFL game, after spending the past four years at Syracuse?  A great way to accomplish this would be to surround him with a blend of new and experienced NFL coaches that can offer varying degrees of expertise and vantage points. While Marrone will of course be calling the shots on game day, and intricately involved in game planning during the week, he must empower and lead those he tabs as coordinators and position coaches, to contribute to the team’s success. Hopefully, the days are gone of the head coach of the Bills wearing “many hats” and having their hands on one side of the ball too much (see Gailey, Mularkey, Williams, Phillips, etc). A head coach must be first and foremost, a leader of men. Focusing on this, with the attitude and accountability that Marrone showcased at Syracuse, should come naturally for the Bronx, NY native.

Since fans and media always tend to label the status of an NFL franchise with terms like “rebuilding” or “reloading”, the term that seems to fit best (especially in light of the sentiment spoken by the team’s president and CEO)  is “rebranding”. The 2013 Buffalo Bills are attempting to rebrand themselves with a different type of hierarchy, coach, and philosophy.

Only time will tell if this risk Brandon and the Bills are taking, will in turn lead to more victories. But for most Bills fans, after thirteen years of enduring incredibly meaningless and dreadful football, the very act of this type of change has to at least be met and welcomed with open minds.

Good luck Doug Marrone, Bills fans are pulling for you.

The Buffalo Bills head coaching carousel is in full swing and it seems like a new name is added to the team’s list of candidates each day. New President and CEO Russ Brandon and crew have already interviewed former Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt; Cardinals D-coordinator Ray Horton; former Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith; Syracuse Orange Head Coach Doug Marone and  Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly. The Bills’ search committee is set to interview Broncos Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy today and with no other possible candidates announced, could potentially be the last interviewee. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the list of individuals vying to become the next head coach of this team starting with the 40 year-old McCoy.

Bio: A former quarterback who bounced around on a couple teams’ practice squads in the mid-90′s, McCoy never had much success in the NFL as a player. He joined the Carolina Panthers as an offensive assistant in 2000 and became the team’s wide receiver coach when John Fox was hired in 2001. He held multiple positions on the Panthers’ coaching staff during Fox’s tenure in Carolina before heading to Denver to become the offensive coordinator in 2009. Upon joining the Broncos McCoy was tasked with turning around an offense that just lost their starting quarterback in Jay Cutler and was left with Kyle Orton and Chris Simms.

In his first year McCoy completely remade Orton. The former Chicago Bear, whose career to that point was defined by wild inconsistency, enjoyed his best season in 2009 under McCoy. He set career highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage on his way to leading the Broncos to an 8-7 record in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season. The next season McCoy’s offense ranked 13th overall in the league but his passing attack was seventh. Then-head coach Josh McDaniels was fired 12 games into the 2010 season after the team woefully underperformed in his second season but McCoy was kept on as the play caller when Denver brought his former boss John Fox in as head coach in 2011.

When Tim Tebow was pegged to take over as the starting quarterback six games into the 2011 season McCoy, who was known to favor a vertical attack, completely revamped his offense to tailor to Tebow’s strengths. By the end of the season the Broncos rushing attack was number one in the league and after starting the season 1-4, made the playoffs and beat the defending AFC Champion Steelers on Wild Card Weekend.

McCoy’s work in 2012 speaks for itself. The Broncos ranked second in scoring offense, fourth in yards, fifth in passing offense and own home field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. Sure McCoy was working with the greatest quarterback of our generation in Peyton Manning this season but he maintained a balanced offensive attack with a strong rushing attack to go along with a dominant passing game.

Why he makes sense: McCoy will get knocked for his success this season because he had Manning at the helm but his experience doesn’t lie. He has thrived in pretty much every offensive setting. He operated one of the better passing attacks in the league in 2009 and 2010 with Orton as his starting QB. He rebuilt an offense to cater to Tebow’s horrible arm and created the best rushing attack in the league in 2011. He maintained a balanced attack and led a 2012 squad to offensive dominance.

With the current makeup of Bills roster McCoy could potentially turn the Bills rushing attack into one of the league’s best. No matter who takes over for Chan Gailey one of the first areas they’ll need to address is the quarterback position. The most likely scenario would see the Bills finding a stopgap like Michael Vick, Alex Smith or Matt Flynn and drafting a developmental quarterback with an early pick. Of all the candidates it wouldn’t be a stretch to say McCoy is probably the best option to find success early with an unsettled quarterback situation. His success making Orton into an above average option and getting the most out of Tebow is probably his biggest selling point. His ability to adapt to an ever-changing league should also be attractive to a fan base that had to deal with a coaching staff that redefined futility when it came to making adjustments.

Potential Coaching Staff: Eric Studesville (Offensive Coordinator), Richard Smith (Defensive Coordinator)