Buffalo Bills Fan Seeking Chargers Fans' Opinions On Buddy Nix

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 1, 2010 8:52 PM PST

Greetings Chargers Fans,

First off congratulations on your season so far, looking good.

I joined this blog, because I wanted to hear your opinions on Buddy Nix and your reaction to him being hired by the Bills as GM. Was it a good move for the Bills?

I'd like to know if you wish the Chargers had kept him?

Does anybody know any players he was integral in drafting? There are sure are many good ones drafted while he was in the Chargers front office, though which ones can be attributed to Nix, I surely can't know, though I would expect players from the SEC could be likely choices.

Do you think there has been a drop off in the draft for the Chargers since he left San Diego?

I would love to hear your opinions and thank you in advance for them.

Good luck in your post season run.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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Another Bills fan here

You guys are having a great season….good luck in the postseason!

I would also like to ask, Does anyone know why Buddy Nix left the Chargers?

Let the offseason begin

by Rudy916 on Jan 2, 2010 4:44 AM PST reply actions

Rumor was

That he and AJ didn’t get along. The Bolts sure picked up some excellent talent while he was here, and AJ has looked perhaps a bit less sage since he left. I have the sense that this is a good move for Buffalo.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2010 8:59 AM PST up reply actions

I like Nix

Just looked at his drafts, IMO he’s a good evaluator of talent just by the sheer number of pro bowlers he’s pick; but its hard to say whether he or AJ deserve the credit. I think Nix was closer to Butler; and after Butler passed that three way went sour. As to why he was pushed out (err forced to fake retire) from the Chargers, that might have something to do with the owner’s son inheriting his former job.
Call me a conspiracy theorist if you wish.

As for Rivera Im more worried about him stealing the assistants he brought from Chicago; of course I would like him to stay because the players like him, and he seems to know what he’s doing. If you’re arnt sure he’s a good defensive coordinator look at the numbers before and after Ted Contrell was fired.

by AirNorval on Jan 2, 2010 4:26 PM PST up reply actions

I personally think Buddy Nix becoming your GM is pretty good move for the bills front office. Many People believe that Buddy Nix was the integral part in the excellent Chargers drafting.. and not AJ Smith.. its believed that once he left the drafting has gone downhill. In general, hes known as one of the top talent evaluators in all of the NFL. At the very least, im sure you guys will draft well for the next while

Also, its rumoured that Buddy Nix is targeting Ron Rivera as a possible head coach candidate for you guys. Do you guys know if there is any truth in this?

by jordanmowbray on Jan 2, 2010 6:58 AM PST reply actions

All I've heard

is that he may be thinking of Marty Schottenheimer, who says he won’t coach again. If you believe that, then perhaps he would look to Marty’s son, Jets’ OC Brian.

Haven’t heard anything regarding RR in Buffalo, but I feel fairly certain that he’s popping up on a few radars.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 2, 2010 7:01 AM PST up reply actions

Scratch that about RR

haha

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 2, 2010 9:40 AM PST up reply actions

haha well played

by jordanmowbray on Jan 2, 2010 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

Apparently Brian Shotty has an interview schedualed for after the Jets’ season is done. And Brian Bilick is schedualed to interview some time next week. Personally I think the Brian interview is a courtasy to Marty as I really don’t think that Brian is ready for a HC job, or if he’ll ever be ready.

Top two names being floated around at Buffalo Rumblings are Coher and Rivera right now. So we may very well end up picking up Rivera from you guys.

Personally Rivera is my second choice behind Coher.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2010 12:46 AM PST up reply actions

I don't think that it reflects well on Rivera...

that he’s interviewing with Buffalo during bye week, especially given that Schotty-B (come on, what other nickname could you give him?) is waiting for after the postseason like a classy guy. I doubt that the two days during the bye week is a huge deal, and I’m sure his players understand that he wants to be a HC and that won’t happen here, but it doesn’t speak to a team trying to maintain its focus so it can come out of the bye as hot as it went in.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 7, 2010 7:55 AM PST up reply actions

Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t have a bye week.

Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate

by Richard Wade on Jan 7, 2010 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

Hi, another Bills fan here

PFT reported that Buffalo wil interview Rivera during the bye week. If he is chosen, he wont be aloud to accept until the Charger’s season is over.

Personally I think that he’d be a great choice fr our next head coach. He’s one of the best up and comming coaches in football.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2010 12:43 AM PST up reply actions

DC ≠ HC

His HC record is 0-0. Seriously, you should hope that Nix finds a way to coax Schotty out of retirement. The best thing would be to get control of your division from New England, and then maybe find an unproven guy with a great coordinator record to guide you to greatness.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 7, 2010 7:57 AM PST up reply actions

At the end of last season...

AJ was quoted as saying that he needed to do a better job of evaluating talent. He certainly never said that when Buddy Nix was here. That’s probably because Nix did most of the talent evaluating himself!

Anyway, as a Charger fan, I miss Buddy immensely (so much so that I call him by his first name). When he left the Chargers, I was under the impression he was retiring. The fact that he took the job in Buffalo raised an eyebrow. Perhaps he and AJ didn’t get along. Perhaps he wanted more autonomy, or credit. Or maybe he just wanted a nicer office.

I can’t give you a specific list of who he was integral in drafting, but I can tell you that every year after the draft, Buddy would hold a post-draft press conference and explain what he saw in the individual players that were drafted. So we certainly got the sense that he was VERY integral in scouting and drafting ALL the players.

I can only hope that Jimmy Raye and John Spanos absorbed HALF of Buddy’s knowledge and instincts. But even if they did, I’ll still miss Buddy’s drawl.

Good luck!

by Andy (allfield) on Jan 2, 2010 8:14 AM PST reply actions

Explaining Chargers picks

The Chargers did this during the draft this past year with live internet streams by front office personnel.

I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.

by Wonko on Jan 2, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

Nix is a great evaluator of talent and should make a great GM.

I think it was a mistake for the bolts to let him go (he and AJ did not get along) and I think they miss him.

by Grey Suit on Jan 2, 2010 1:07 PM PST reply actions

This is the other edge of the A.J. sword.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 7, 2010 8:02 AM PST up reply actions

When asked about Nix

Acee seemed to imply that Buddy wanted the head job somewhere anyway. There’s nothing that says that if they hadn’t let him go he wouldn’t have ended up as a GM somewhere.

I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.

by Wonko on Jan 7, 2010 10:13 AM PST up reply actions

Looks like the Bills will interview Ron Rivera as well.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue "There’s a gleam men. Let’s go get the gleam! Focus and Finish!!! One play at a time!!! Let's Go!!!"
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by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Jan 2, 2010 6:00 PM PST reply actions

Thanks For All The Great Answers.

And keep them coming!

is that he may be thinking of Marty Schottenheimer, who says he won’t coach again. If you believe that, then perhaps he would look to Marty’s son, Jets’ OC Brian.

Haven’t heard anything regarding RR in Buffalo, but I feel fairly certain that he’s popping up on a few radars.

So far the people we have heard to be interviewed so far is

Ron Rivera
Brian Billick
Brian Schottenheimer
Interim HC Perry Fewell.

Buddy says he has a higher value on people with head coaching experience so what we have on the radar so far, it would appear Billick has the pole position entering the interview process. Though I surely hope a few more candidates might be added.

As for Rivera Im more worried about him stealing the assistants he brought from Chicago; of course I would like him to stay because the players like him, and he seems to know what he’s doing. If you’re arnt sure he’s a good defensive coordinator look at the numbers before and after Ted Contrell was fired.

I definitely see the improvement in the Chargers defense since RR replaced Cottrell, Also the Bears defense, has been steadily regressing since Lovie forced him out. I personally don’t think Rivera is the leading candidate unless he can bring a solid OC with him to Buffalo, I think the coordinators a potential HC hire could bring with him will be what determines who we end up with, with the OC and QB coach he would bring being the most important one for a potential defensive minded HC. Let’s face it, our offense has been ABYSMAL for a decade or so.

I can’t give you a specific list of who he was integral in drafting, but I can tell you that every year after the draft, Buddy would hold a post-draft press conference and explain what he saw in the individual players that were drafted. So we certainly got the sense that he was VERY integral in scouting and drafting ALL the players.

Thanks for the information, I surely hope Buddy does that here in Buffalo. The only thing I remember about last year’s Bills draft messages coming from the FO, is the Monolith Dick Jauron telling us, Aaron Maybin has a fast first step from either side we like him, and Jairus Byrd is a ballhawk and we like him, and we like all the guys we drafted.

As to why he was pushed out (err forced to fake retire) from the Chargers, that might have something to do with the owner’s son inheriting his former job.
Call me a conspiracy theorist if you wish.

That he and AJ didn’t get along.

One of the things we have heard was the disagreement with AJ Smith was over the status of Schottenheimer, Quotes attributed to AJ Smith said Buddy and Marty were good friends and would go to dinner and play golf together, so it makes since to me the firing of Marty could be the reason for the short lived “retirement”

Also at the press conference when Buddy was announced to the press, he made a statement along the lines a good GM and HC have to work together and talk, when communication breaks down, things go sour.

Once again thanks for all the great answers so far. I personally like the hiring, but some of the writers including one beat writer at the Buffalo News just panned the hire, but most of the ones who have panned the hiring don’t seem too knowledgeable and are more interested in stirring the pot to sell newspapers and get website hits.

I trust the Chargers fans opinion about Buddy Nix much more than talking heads in the press, who are paid to create controversy.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 2, 2010 7:46 PM PST reply actions

Buddy was an excellent evaluator of on-field talent

Just don’t bet the farm on him picking a coach that can be a silver bullet. Billick, Rivera, or possibly even Fewell could turn the Bills into serious contenders with a little additional talent, but if a name comes out of right field, I would worry.

Not particularly related, but I’m curious: Who’s your future franchise QB? Do they like Fitzpatrick, are they still trusting Edwards, or is that a point to draft this year?

Banned from Arrowhead Pride... and Music City Miracles certainly don't like me very much, either.

"Ah act the way ah feel." --Elvis Presley

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 2, 2010 8:50 PM PST up reply actions

Fitzpatrick is defininately NOT the answer.

He doesn’t have a big arm, or much in the way of accuracy, I think Perry playing him is gonna get Perry canned. He is a 2nd string quarterback at best, and a more likely a 3d stringer in my opinon.

It seems Buddy isn’t quite ready to can Edwards just yet from his press conference. He made a statement it’s hard to evaluate a QB when he is always on his back. The OL injuries this year have just been unreal. Many in Bills nation are ready to move on from Trent, you have probaly heard the nicknames, ie Captain Checkdown, Trentative, I personally think the route we go, is draft a QB either this year or next draft, Trent still has 1 year left on his contract for relatively cheap. so I have no problem keeping him and letting him fight it out in training camp for whatever coach we hire.

It seems to me Mallett might be on Buddy’s radar as he said he wanted a strong arm quarterback who can cut through the winds we have. He also wanted a coaching staff with good assistants and coordinators, who can make draft picks better each day, which Mallett would surely need. I would not be surprised to see us draft Mallett if he comes out, due to his rocket arm. If he doesn’t, I would not be surprised if we wait to draft a QB until 2011 or 2012 if there is a lockout and work on the OL in 2010, and see if we can keep them healthy, and see if Edwards or Brohm, can give us anything to get excited about. Brohm is a huge question mark, Trent has looked good at times, looked shell shocked and horrible at times. I think these two will be given the chance to Resurrect their NFL careers next year and a draft pick down the road if they can’t.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 2, 2010 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

One other thing about Fitzpatrick.

I think tomorrow will show how lousy Fitzpatrick is in arm strength. We are expecting high winds in the forecast tomorrow and low visibility. I bet it is even money, he throws for less than 100 yards tomorrow and virtually guaranteed he throw for less than 200, unless the Bills get 2 long YAC runs on a 5 yards or less pass.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 2, 2010 9:46 PM PST up reply actions

One last thing.

but if a name comes out of right field, I would worry

I hope the interview of Brian Schottenheimer is just a courtesy to Marty.

If we hired him for head coach, I have no doubt the Bills fanbase will freak out.

It’s not like the Jets have been offensive juggernauts.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 2, 2010 9:57 PM PST up reply actions

And when I say freak out.

I mean, not in a good way.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 3, 2010 1:35 AM PST up reply actions

The Bills QB of the future is not on the 2009 Bills roster.

Mmmph rrgh prrmf! - someone with his mouth gagged

by Dyl on Jan 3, 2010 5:28 AM PST up reply actions

Probably Not.

But I think they will be given the opportunity to compete in 2010, Buddy said in his press conference competition is a good thing. I agree.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 4, 2010 12:15 AM PST up reply actions

From that list, Billick.

A retread with experience making lemonade is exactly what this team needs. AJ did it right: get a HC who can whip a struggling team into shape, then can him for a really smart guy who can carry the developed team all the way. The Bills aren’t ready for RR yet, or maybe it’s the other way around.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 7, 2010 8:05 AM PST up reply actions

Thank you Bolts fans....

like Buffalo Kid I appreciate your opinion more than Buffalo news writers! I got some good insight and feel much more confident that Buddy Nix was definitly a good hire!!!!

Let the offseason begin

by Rudy916 on Jan 2, 2010 8:50 PM PST reply actions

wow

Bills fans are nice

by LJbumfool on Jan 2, 2010 10:22 PM PST reply actions

Well about a quarter of us are Canadian, so that helps ;-)

Seriously though, we actually try to keep it pretty civil at the rumblings, prefyuring heated discussions and debates over arguments and insults.

Plus the fact that we don’t have much to brag about helps our modesty a bit.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2010 12:57 AM PST up reply actions

After the past 10 years.

It’s not like we are in any position to trash talk.

I think 3 1/2 years or so of Dick Jauron as head coach could even make Philly fans civil.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 4, 2010 12:17 AM PST up reply actions

Doubt it. Half my family is made up of Philly fans.

Bolts from the Blue // "I have got to be the most boring GM in the league." - A.J. Smith
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate

by Richard Wade on Jan 4, 2010 12:20 AM PST up reply actions

Go Jairus Byrd!

Reasons why Kenjon Barner is awesome: He is a special teams stud. He is an incredibly versatile halfback. The TaZeR formation kicks ass. Kenjon is a rad first name.

by CaDuck on Jan 2, 2010 10:43 PM PST reply actions

I used to live in Eugene for a bit before moving back to Buffalo.

Been to Autzen plenty, probably the only Rumbler who didn’t hate the Byrd pick.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 3, 2010 1:38 AM PST up reply actions

whoa whoa whoa......

I was totally on board with the Byrd pick………..granted im kinda a Pac-10 homer though.

Yeah, I just stare at my desk, but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too, I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work. - Peter Gibbons

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 3, 2010 7:50 AM PST up reply actions

I wasn't a Rumbler.

When the pick was made.

But I have seen so many posts about rumblers that hated the pick when it was made,

I thought I might be the only one, since I am a Ducks fan when it comes to college, just from many memorable and enjoyable times at Autzen.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 4, 2010 12:21 AM PST up reply actions

PS

If you ever visit Eugene and like beer,

Visit the High street brew pub, good beer.

There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.

by The Buffalo Kid on Jan 4, 2010 12:32 AM PST up reply actions

To be totally honest,

I even thought he was drafted a little too high. Thankfully, he more than surpassed anyones expectations!

I hope that Nix works out well for you guys

Reasons why Kenjon Barner is awesome: He is a special teams stud. He is an incredibly versatile halfback. The TaZeR formation kicks ass. Kenjon is a rad first name.

by CaDuck on Jan 3, 2010 11:23 AM PST up reply actions