In what will undoubtedly be one of the more shocking developments of the NFL coaching carousel in 2014, it was revealed Wednesday night that Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone will opt out of his contract after his second year on the job. In his two seasons heading up the Bills, Marrone had a 15-17 record, including a respectable 9-7 mark this year where Buffalo finished second in the AFC East for the first time since 2007 and sported their first winning season in a decade.
Much was made in recent days about the opt-out clause in Marrone’s contract that enabled him to walk away no more than three days after season’s end in the event new ownership took over the franchise during the season. With the Bills being assured of a 15th consecutive season without an appearance in the playoffs and the quarterback situation in limbo on the heels of Kyle Orton’s retirement announcement on Monday, it’s possible Marrone saw the writing on the wall. Though it’s currently unclear as to the details behind these sudden developments, it probably will become apparent that Terry Pegula, who took over the Bills in October, was likely on the cusp of making a coaching change.
The most pertinent question at this point for the Bills organization is where do we go from here? Despite having a defense that could easily be characterized as elite and solid skill position players at wide receiver and running back, quarterback remains an Achilles heel that has dogged this franchise for nearly 20 years now. It must be said that Marrone’s expertise is on the offensive side of the ball, having served as offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints before his stint as head coach of Syracuse and most recently with the Bills. For this team to remain completely dysfunctional at that most important position behind center, with EJ Manuel hardly if at all the future, speaks quite unfavorably not only to the offensive coaching staff, but to a front office that continues to swing and miss at quarterback.
This adds another coaching vacancy to the mix in the NFL which as of right now includes the Jets, Falcons, Bears, 49ers and Raiders. Rumors will continue to abound as to who Pegula will tab as the 18th head coach of the Bills in addition to whether or not other changes are imminent. There have been whispers, however imperceptible, that have included the name Bill Polian, architect of those dominant Bills teams from the early 1990s, coming back to Buffalo in some capacity.
Does that mean general manager Doug Whaley needs to be worried about his job status? After all, it was his decision to give up a first round draft pick in 2015 to draft a wide receiver, albeit a special talent in Sammy Watkins, despite the fact that the 2014 class at that position will likely go down as one of the greatest in league history. Whaley’s rationale was a double down bet of sorts as he emphasized that the 2015 opening round pick was going to be high anyways since he was essentially guaranteeing a Bills playoff berth. Hindsight is 20/20 but with the ninth pick, he could’ve drafted Odell Beckham, Jr. three spots before he was inevitably taken by the Giants. Two drafts in a row he’s gone out on a limb (after having drafted Manuel in the first round in 2013) and twice he’s broken the branch and come falling down to earth. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes given recent developments.
Either way, the news of Marrone’s departure has to feel as another punch to the gut for Bills fans. It’s immensely unfortunate that perhaps the most passionate and devoted fan base in the NFL has to continue to endure a seemingly unending torrent of gaffes from an organization that hasn’t exactly distinguished itself from the standpoint of success on the field. I hope Pegula knows what he’s doing, because this continuous precession of coaches out the door, ultimately coming down to the inability to develop a quarterback, is starting to get old really fast.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @LWOS_JB3.
Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
