My friend, John Wawrow from The Associated Press, had a very interesting interview with Ralph Wilson today in which the Bills owner said he is prepared to revamp his entire football operation after the season and that no job is safe. Wilson also said in the interview that he’s open to making a lucrative offer to land a high-profile coach.
“It’s not about money, it’s about winning,’’ Wilson told the AP. “If it was about money, we wouldn’t have brought in and paid for somebody we know was a great player.’’
Ralph obviously was referring to the signing of the underachieving Terrell Owens to a one-year, $6.5 million contract after the star receiver was released by the Dallas Cowboys in March.
Ralph also discounted reports that the Bills are preparing to interview former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.
So, let’s dissect this.
First off, I’m glad Ralph is going to hold everyone accountable because the Bills woes obviously go well beyond the poor coaching of Dick Jauron. It also includes a front office that has done a poor job of drafting college players and signing free agents for much of this decade.
It’s also encouraging that Ralph said he is willing to spend big bucks for a new coach and director of football operations because that’s the only way he is going to land a Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, Mike Holgrem, Mike Shanahan, etc.
As I’ve written before, this is going to be a very competitive process because there are a number of bad teams out there courting these big-name coaches, whose ranks also include broadcaster Jon Gruden, who I assume has an escape clause built into that new contract extension he just signed with ESPN.
My feeling is the Bills shouldn’t wait until the end of the season to nab their guy.
I think the ideal situation would be to get somebody in house as soon as possible – not to coach this season, but to evaluate from above the way Bill Parcells did when he arrived in Miami a few years ago. That would allow the new guy to make a fair assessment of his players and coaches with his own eyes in real games. It would give him a huge jump on the holes he’ll have to address via free agency and the draft.
Showing posts with label Ralph Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ralph Wilson. Show all posts
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Firing Jauron first step on Bills road to recovery
I don’t expect immediate results at One Bills Drive now that Dick Jauron has been fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. The team is a shambles, and it’s going to take time and bold moves to pick up the pieces.
Still, I applaud this in-season change by owner Ralph Wilson because it at least shows that he is listening to the legions of frustrated Bills fans who gave up on the overmatched Jauron after a third consecutive 7-9 finish last season.
Jauron leaves Buffalo with a 24-33 record – a dismal .421 winning percentage – and zero winning seasons and zero playoff appearances. He is, by all accounts, a decent man, but he never showed the leadership skills or the passion necessary to be a successful NFL head coach, either here or during his time with the Chicago Bears. He clearly didn’t have what it took to lift this moribund franchise out of the doldrums that has seen it go nearly a decade without a playoff appearance.
Given the lack of talent he was forced to work with, Fewell did a decent job with this defense. He might blossom into a decent head coach, but he isn’t the long-term answer to what ails the Bills.
Wilson needs to do something dramatic – something similar to what he did back in 1978 when he went out and hired the most successful coach available, Chuck Knox. It’s going to cost Wilson a lot of money, and it’s going to mean that he’s going to have to turn the keys to the franchise over to the new guy, the way he did 31 years ago. Knox, who was coming off five consecutive NFC West titles with the Los Angeles Rams, was named coach and vice-president of football operations, which meant he had control over drafts, trades and free-agent signings. In just three years, he wound up turning a team that had lost 23 of 28 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival into AFC East champions.
As I’ve written in this cyberspace before, I’d make an all-out push for Bill Cowher. Let him bring in his personnel evaluators to take over for Tom Modrak and John Guy. Let him bring in his own assistant coaches. Heck, let him bring his own chauffeur and chef if he wants. Let him do whatever he needs to do to change the culture of a locker room where losing has become acceptable, where accountability is lacking.
There are many talented program builders out there for Wilson to choose from – if not Cowher, then Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or Tony Dungy or Jon Gruden. But the courtship needs to begin now, in earnest, because there are numerous other NFL dregs out there in dire need of architects of hope.
This change was long overdue. But it should be viewed as only the beginning. There are people out there who can turn this thing around. It’s up to Ralph to take the next big step. It’s going to take several million dollar bills to ensure that these Bills no longer are counterfeit.
Still, I applaud this in-season change by owner Ralph Wilson because it at least shows that he is listening to the legions of frustrated Bills fans who gave up on the overmatched Jauron after a third consecutive 7-9 finish last season.
Jauron leaves Buffalo with a 24-33 record – a dismal .421 winning percentage – and zero winning seasons and zero playoff appearances. He is, by all accounts, a decent man, but he never showed the leadership skills or the passion necessary to be a successful NFL head coach, either here or during his time with the Chicago Bears. He clearly didn’t have what it took to lift this moribund franchise out of the doldrums that has seen it go nearly a decade without a playoff appearance.
Given the lack of talent he was forced to work with, Fewell did a decent job with this defense. He might blossom into a decent head coach, but he isn’t the long-term answer to what ails the Bills.
Wilson needs to do something dramatic – something similar to what he did back in 1978 when he went out and hired the most successful coach available, Chuck Knox. It’s going to cost Wilson a lot of money, and it’s going to mean that he’s going to have to turn the keys to the franchise over to the new guy, the way he did 31 years ago. Knox, who was coming off five consecutive NFC West titles with the Los Angeles Rams, was named coach and vice-president of football operations, which meant he had control over drafts, trades and free-agent signings. In just three years, he wound up turning a team that had lost 23 of 28 games in the two seasons prior to his arrival into AFC East champions.
As I’ve written in this cyberspace before, I’d make an all-out push for Bill Cowher. Let him bring in his personnel evaluators to take over for Tom Modrak and John Guy. Let him bring in his own assistant coaches. Heck, let him bring his own chauffeur and chef if he wants. Let him do whatever he needs to do to change the culture of a locker room where losing has become acceptable, where accountability is lacking.
There are many talented program builders out there for Wilson to choose from – if not Cowher, then Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren or Tony Dungy or Jon Gruden. But the courtship needs to begin now, in earnest, because there are numerous other NFL dregs out there in dire need of architects of hope.
This change was long overdue. But it should be viewed as only the beginning. There are people out there who can turn this thing around. It’s up to Ralph to take the next big step. It’s going to take several million dollar bills to ensure that these Bills no longer are counterfeit.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Jim Kelly tackles a number of topics, including the Bills future in Buffalo
Jim Kelly endured his share of sacks and criticism during his Hall-of-Fame career, so the last thing he wants to do is pile on a fellow member of the quarterback fraternity. But when asked to assess the state of the Bills, the man who set the standard for Buffalo QBs can’t help but start with the position he knows best.
“If you look at the solid teams around the league, you’ll see that they are really established at the quarterback position,’’ Kelly said. “We are still a question mark.’’
And have been for quite some time.
In the dozen-plus seasons since Jimbo’s retirement following the 1996 campaign, Buffalo’s quarterback situation has been about as stable as the Balloon Boy’s parents. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the 10th different player to start at the position, and you get the sense he won’t be the last as this never-ending search to find a worthy successor to the greatest field general in franchise history stumbles on.
So far, we’ve seen a steady stream of err apparents.
That said, Kelly isn’t necessarily ready to give up on Trent Edwards, the bruised and beleaguered Bills signalcaller who, at times, has resembled the bungling reincarnation of Rob Johnson, J.P. Losman and Todd Collins, among others.
"I’m really pulling for Trent because I know how hard he works and I believe he has the talent to get the job done,’’ Kelly said. “Yeah, he hasn’t been performing well, but when you have as many changes as the Bills have had on the offensive line, especially at the two tackle spots, it’s pretty rough on a quarterback.’’
It also didn’t help when the Bills attempted to force a no-huddle approach on Edwards and a woefully inexperienced offensive line that wasn’t ready to run it.
“The no-huddle takes a lot more quick thinking by everybody,’’ said Kelly, who ran that attack as well as anyone ever has while leading the high-octane Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. “When you have linemen jump off-sides nine times (as Buffalo did during its 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 11) you realize it’s time to scrap it and start huddling-up again so everybody can get on the same page.’’
Kelly believes the Bills can still make something of this season. But, in order for that to happen, several players are going to have to ramp up their play, including their high-priced wideout Terrell Owens.
“T.O. has to step it up; he’s got to start catching the football,’’ Kelly said. “He’s dropped too many balls and that hasn’t helped. But you need to stick with him and keep throwing to him because he’s a guy who can get hot and carry a team. He’s done it before. He can do it again.’’
Kelly, of course, knows a thing or two about carrying a team. He led the Bills to a 109-66 record, eight playoff appearances and four AFC titles in 11 seasons. By contrast, the 10 QBs who have started since No. 12’s retirement have combined for a 90-109 mark and just two playoff berths. Yes, there have been some encouraging moments – most notably when Doug Flutie and Drew Bledsoe were behind center – but for the most part the search for a successor has been an exercise in futility.
Kelly was considered a franchise savior when he signed with the Bills after the USFL went belly-up in the summer of 1986. He brought instant credibility to a franchise that was coming off back-to-back 2-14 seasons and seemed in danger of leaving town because of fan apathy.
“If you look at the solid teams around the league, you’ll see that they are really established at the quarterback position,’’ Kelly said. “We are still a question mark.’’
And have been for quite some time.
In the dozen-plus seasons since Jimbo’s retirement following the 1996 campaign, Buffalo’s quarterback situation has been about as stable as the Balloon Boy’s parents. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the 10th different player to start at the position, and you get the sense he won’t be the last as this never-ending search to find a worthy successor to the greatest field general in franchise history stumbles on.
So far, we’ve seen a steady stream of err apparents.
That said, Kelly isn’t necessarily ready to give up on Trent Edwards, the bruised and beleaguered Bills signalcaller who, at times, has resembled the bungling reincarnation of Rob Johnson, J.P. Losman and Todd Collins, among others.
"I’m really pulling for Trent because I know how hard he works and I believe he has the talent to get the job done,’’ Kelly said. “Yeah, he hasn’t been performing well, but when you have as many changes as the Bills have had on the offensive line, especially at the two tackle spots, it’s pretty rough on a quarterback.’’
It also didn’t help when the Bills attempted to force a no-huddle approach on Edwards and a woefully inexperienced offensive line that wasn’t ready to run it.
“The no-huddle takes a lot more quick thinking by everybody,’’ said Kelly, who ran that attack as well as anyone ever has while leading the high-octane Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. “When you have linemen jump off-sides nine times (as Buffalo did during its 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 11) you realize it’s time to scrap it and start huddling-up again so everybody can get on the same page.’’
Kelly believes the Bills can still make something of this season. But, in order for that to happen, several players are going to have to ramp up their play, including their high-priced wideout Terrell Owens.
“T.O. has to step it up; he’s got to start catching the football,’’ Kelly said. “He’s dropped too many balls and that hasn’t helped. But you need to stick with him and keep throwing to him because he’s a guy who can get hot and carry a team. He’s done it before. He can do it again.’’
Kelly, of course, knows a thing or two about carrying a team. He led the Bills to a 109-66 record, eight playoff appearances and four AFC titles in 11 seasons. By contrast, the 10 QBs who have started since No. 12’s retirement have combined for a 90-109 mark and just two playoff berths. Yes, there have been some encouraging moments – most notably when Doug Flutie and Drew Bledsoe were behind center – but for the most part the search for a successor has been an exercise in futility.
Kelly was considered a franchise savior when he signed with the Bills after the USFL went belly-up in the summer of 1986. He brought instant credibility to a franchise that was coming off back-to-back 2-14 seasons and seemed in danger of leaving town because of fan apathy.
Interestingly, as Bills fans fret over the long-time future of the team in western New York, many are looking to Kelly again. The man who will turn 50 on Valentine’s Day said he has a group willing and able to buy the team. But, out of deference to owner Ralph Wilson, Kelly hasn’t pursued the matter.
“This is still Mr. Wilson’s team and I don’t think it’s right for me to press this,’’ he said. “I have the utmost respect for Mr. Wilson. God bless him for keeping the Bills here for 50 years when there’s no doubt he could have easily made more money by moving the team someplace else.’’
The angst felt by Bills fans has intensified in recent weeks with news that billionaire Ed Roski will finance the construction of a football stadium near Los Angeles and has identified seven NFL teams, including the Bills, he plans to contact about moving to the nation’s second largest city.
“This is still Mr. Wilson’s team and I don’t think it’s right for me to press this,’’ he said. “I have the utmost respect for Mr. Wilson. God bless him for keeping the Bills here for 50 years when there’s no doubt he could have easily made more money by moving the team someplace else.’’
The angst felt by Bills fans has intensified in recent weeks with news that billionaire Ed Roski will finance the construction of a football stadium near Los Angeles and has identified seven NFL teams, including the Bills, he plans to contact about moving to the nation’s second largest city.
Despite the news, Kelly isn’t worried. His confidence is bolstered not only by the financial wherewithal of his potential ownership group, but also by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Kelly believes Goodell, who grew up near Jamestown, will not allow the Bills to leave western New York.
“I know people think otherwise, but Goodell does care about that stuff,’’ he said. “He’s not going to allow that to happen on his watch. He is a class act and I think he’s going to be around a long time as commissioner, and that’s good news for the Bills.’’
These days, Kelly keeps himself busy working for Hunter’s Hope, the foundation he and his wife, Jill, founded in memory of their late son, Hunter Kelly. Thanks to their lobbying efforts, several states, including New York, have vastly expanded their new-born disease screening programs. The Kellys’ efforts at early diagnoses has saved lives and improved the quality of life of many children.
“It’s tremendously rewarding to have parents come up to you and tell you that their child is alive because of what we’ve done,’’ Kelly said. “We have a lot of work still to do lobbying congressmen, legislators and assemblymen in getting all 50 states involved in these newborn screening programs. But we are making progress every day.’’
More than a dozen years removed from his last game, Kelly remains a man on the move. When he’s not working on the foundation, he can be found spending time with his wife and two daughters, appearing at autograph shows or making speaking engagements around the country.
“I know people think otherwise, but Goodell does care about that stuff,’’ he said. “He’s not going to allow that to happen on his watch. He is a class act and I think he’s going to be around a long time as commissioner, and that’s good news for the Bills.’’
These days, Kelly keeps himself busy working for Hunter’s Hope, the foundation he and his wife, Jill, founded in memory of their late son, Hunter Kelly. Thanks to their lobbying efforts, several states, including New York, have vastly expanded their new-born disease screening programs. The Kellys’ efforts at early diagnoses has saved lives and improved the quality of life of many children.
“It’s tremendously rewarding to have parents come up to you and tell you that their child is alive because of what we’ve done,’’ Kelly said. “We have a lot of work still to do lobbying congressmen, legislators and assemblymen in getting all 50 states involved in these newborn screening programs. But we are making progress every day.’’
More than a dozen years removed from his last game, Kelly remains a man on the move. When he’s not working on the foundation, he can be found spending time with his wife and two daughters, appearing at autograph shows or making speaking engagements around the country.
In his spare time, he likes to hunt and fish. In recent months, he has hunted deer in Colorado and elk in Wyoming, and has gone deep sea fishing near Miami.
“I’m an outdoors freak,’’ he said, chuckling.
He’s also a Bills freak.
“I’m hoping at some point to become even more involved with the team,’’ he said. “I’m a Buffalo Bill through and through and I want to do whatever I can to help them succeed.’’
“I’m an outdoors freak,’’ he said, chuckling.
He’s also a Bills freak.
“I’m hoping at some point to become even more involved with the team,’’ he said. “I’m a Buffalo Bill through and through and I want to do whatever I can to help them succeed.’’
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time for some Cowher Power in Buffalo
Enough already.
If I’m Bills owner Ralph Wilson, I pull the plug on Dick Jauron now. I put fiery special teams coach Bobby April in as interim head coach and immediately begin negotiations with Bill Cowher. And, yes, I prepare to turn over a king’s ransom and complete control of football operations because if I do otherwise neither Cowher nor Mike Shanahan nor Jon Gruden nor any other big-name coach will be coming to Orchard Park and the Bills will continue to be stuck in this quagmire of mediocrity that has stymied them for nearly a decade.
Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
This has nothing to do with Jauron the person. He’s an honorable guy and the players love him. But this is a hyper-competitive, just-win-baby business and Jauron’s body of work (one winning season in 8 seasons and change with two different teams) is proof positive that he doesn’t have what it takes to be an NFL head coach.
Jauron’s conservative approach doesn’t cut it any more in a league where offenses and defenses are constantly on the attack. Football teams do, in fact, assume the personalities of their coaches, which may explain Trent Edwards’ penchant for checking down and playing it safe too often instead of taking the chances the really good quarterbacks take.
I called for this change after Buffalo suffered through its third consecutive 7-9 campaign in ‘08. But the Bills had painted themselves into a corner by jumping the gun after their 5-1 start and signing Jauron to a 3-year extension. It was a panic move because they foolishly believed if they made the playoffs NFL teams would be lining up in droves to sign the guy.
Well, you get what you pay for. And what Buffalo has is a coach with a 22-30 record heading into Sunday’s game against the winless Cleveland Browns.
Ralph doesn’t have a history of firing coaches in-season. In fact, the last time he made an in-sseason change was 22 years ago when he replaced Hank Bullough with Marv Levy. He lucked out on that one. But the time for “hoping’ some guy works out is over. Bills fans have suffered long enough. They’ve supported this team despite a stretch that has seen them post just one winning season this decade. And should they fail to make the playoffs this year (a likely scenario) it will mark the first time in the franchise’s half-century existence they went an entire decade without making the postseason.
The one time Ralph did spend big, big bucks for a highly sought-after coach was in 1978 when he signed Chuck Knox, who was coming off five consecutive divisional titles with the Los Angeles Rams. That’s what he needs to do now.
Something bold.
It will take more than an armor-car-full of greenbacks to secure Cowher, who helped make the Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowl champions and perennial playoff participants. He’ll demand to bring in his own personnel people (see you later, Tom Modrak and John Guy). And he’ll demand a commitment from Ralph to sign the players he’ll need to in order to change the Bills culture of losing.
Ralph told me on several occasions through the years that one of the keys to his success as an entrepreneur was his willingness to take calculated risks. He always said he liked going for it on fourth down. Well, it’s fourth-and-long, and he needs a big catch right now, and that catch’s name is Bill Cowher.
If I’m Bills owner Ralph Wilson, I pull the plug on Dick Jauron now. I put fiery special teams coach Bobby April in as interim head coach and immediately begin negotiations with Bill Cowher. And, yes, I prepare to turn over a king’s ransom and complete control of football operations because if I do otherwise neither Cowher nor Mike Shanahan nor Jon Gruden nor any other big-name coach will be coming to Orchard Park and the Bills will continue to be stuck in this quagmire of mediocrity that has stymied them for nearly a decade.
Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
This has nothing to do with Jauron the person. He’s an honorable guy and the players love him. But this is a hyper-competitive, just-win-baby business and Jauron’s body of work (one winning season in 8 seasons and change with two different teams) is proof positive that he doesn’t have what it takes to be an NFL head coach.
Jauron’s conservative approach doesn’t cut it any more in a league where offenses and defenses are constantly on the attack. Football teams do, in fact, assume the personalities of their coaches, which may explain Trent Edwards’ penchant for checking down and playing it safe too often instead of taking the chances the really good quarterbacks take.
I called for this change after Buffalo suffered through its third consecutive 7-9 campaign in ‘08. But the Bills had painted themselves into a corner by jumping the gun after their 5-1 start and signing Jauron to a 3-year extension. It was a panic move because they foolishly believed if they made the playoffs NFL teams would be lining up in droves to sign the guy.
Well, you get what you pay for. And what Buffalo has is a coach with a 22-30 record heading into Sunday’s game against the winless Cleveland Browns.
Ralph doesn’t have a history of firing coaches in-season. In fact, the last time he made an in-sseason change was 22 years ago when he replaced Hank Bullough with Marv Levy. He lucked out on that one. But the time for “hoping’ some guy works out is over. Bills fans have suffered long enough. They’ve supported this team despite a stretch that has seen them post just one winning season this decade. And should they fail to make the playoffs this year (a likely scenario) it will mark the first time in the franchise’s half-century existence they went an entire decade without making the postseason.
The one time Ralph did spend big, big bucks for a highly sought-after coach was in 1978 when he signed Chuck Knox, who was coming off five consecutive divisional titles with the Los Angeles Rams. That’s what he needs to do now.
Something bold.
It will take more than an armor-car-full of greenbacks to secure Cowher, who helped make the Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowl champions and perennial playoff participants. He’ll demand to bring in his own personnel people (see you later, Tom Modrak and John Guy). And he’ll demand a commitment from Ralph to sign the players he’ll need to in order to change the Bills culture of losing.
Ralph told me on several occasions through the years that one of the keys to his success as an entrepreneur was his willingness to take calculated risks. He always said he liked going for it on fourth down. Well, it’s fourth-and-long, and he needs a big catch right now, and that catch’s name is Bill Cowher.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Ralph does Buffalo proud
CANTON, Ohio – One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about Ralph Wilson in the 26 years I’ve known him is his sense of humor. The Bills owner has never been afraid to poke fun at himself, and he’s never demanded the spotlight the way current egomaniacs like Jerry Jones and Daniel Snyder have. Ralph has always been content to hang in the background and allow his players and coaches to receive the accolades.
His trademark humor and humility were on display during his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech Saturday night when about 10,000 Bills fans in the crowd of roughly 15,000 turned Fawcett Stadium into Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Ralph talked about how friends convinced him to go down to the locker room after his team had fallen behind 21-7 to the New York Titans (now the Jets) in an exhibition game before the 1960 season.
“So at their urging, I went down and walked into our locker room, and there was our head coach, Buster Ramsey, with that ‘What are you doing in here?’ expression on his face, ’’ Wilson recalled.
“I said, ‘I want to talk to the team.’ Buster said: “Go ahead, talk to them.’ And I gave the team one of the most inspiring fight talks. It was reminiscent of Knute Rockne or Vince Lombardi. And we lost the game, 51-7.
“Shortly, thereafter, Buster said to me, “Hey, Ralph, next time talk to the other team.’’
Ralph also spoke about how it was simultaneously special and strange to be inducted because, unlike the other enshrines, he never played the game.
“I play tennis,’’ he quipped, “because, in tennis, folks, when you go back to serve, you don’t have to worry about the rush of Bruce Smith. And you go home without any bruises and clean clothes.’’
He may not have played football, but, as these past 50 years have proved, he loved the game with his heart and soul.
For me, one of the nicest parts of his speech was when he paid homage to Bills fans. He talked about how, back in 1959, he wound up choosing Buffalo for his new AFL franchise from a list of five prospective cities.
“It was a lucky pick,’’ he said, “because over the years, they have supported the team in Buffalo beyond our fondest dreams. And without the support, I wouldn’t be on this platform tonight.’’
Nicely said, Ralph. Nicely said.
***
For a soon-to-be 91-year-old, Ralph gave a solid speech. He told some funny stories, thanked a ton of people and didn’t ramble much.
The same couldn’t be said for former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson, whose 40-plus minute sermon threatened to put many of us to sleep.
I feel badly for the Hall of Fame organizers and the television producers who had told each of the six inductees well in advance that they shouldn’t go longer than 12 minutes. Woodson showed total disregard for the audience and the other inductees by being such a wind bag.
***
My wife, Beth, suggested that the Pro Football and Baseball halls of fame adopt the Academy Awards approach to keeping the length of speeches under control.
At the Oscars, they begin playing music after a minute or two to let the winner know that his or her time is up, and that the show must go on.
Perhaps, if they had blasted a college fight song over the Fawcett Stadium loud speakers at about the 20-minute mark, Woodson would have taken the hint.
***
I thought it was bush league when some Bills fans began chanting “Free Marshawn!’’ when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was introduced. They should be happy that the Commish hit Marshawn Lynch with just a three-game suspension for his gun possession arrest this spring on top of his hit-and-run incident last year. Come on, folks, I know you love your team, but your loyalty can’t be blind.
***
On a personal note: It was great spending time in Cleveland with friends Leigh and Larry Brattain, their dog, Pip, and their cats, Charley and Leo. Rochesterians will remember Leigh as Leigh Ann Carlson, the long-time news anchor at the old R-News.
His trademark humor and humility were on display during his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech Saturday night when about 10,000 Bills fans in the crowd of roughly 15,000 turned Fawcett Stadium into Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Ralph talked about how friends convinced him to go down to the locker room after his team had fallen behind 21-7 to the New York Titans (now the Jets) in an exhibition game before the 1960 season.
“So at their urging, I went down and walked into our locker room, and there was our head coach, Buster Ramsey, with that ‘What are you doing in here?’ expression on his face, ’’ Wilson recalled.
“I said, ‘I want to talk to the team.’ Buster said: “Go ahead, talk to them.’ And I gave the team one of the most inspiring fight talks. It was reminiscent of Knute Rockne or Vince Lombardi. And we lost the game, 51-7.
“Shortly, thereafter, Buster said to me, “Hey, Ralph, next time talk to the other team.’’
Ralph also spoke about how it was simultaneously special and strange to be inducted because, unlike the other enshrines, he never played the game.
“I play tennis,’’ he quipped, “because, in tennis, folks, when you go back to serve, you don’t have to worry about the rush of Bruce Smith. And you go home without any bruises and clean clothes.’’
He may not have played football, but, as these past 50 years have proved, he loved the game with his heart and soul.
For me, one of the nicest parts of his speech was when he paid homage to Bills fans. He talked about how, back in 1959, he wound up choosing Buffalo for his new AFL franchise from a list of five prospective cities.
“It was a lucky pick,’’ he said, “because over the years, they have supported the team in Buffalo beyond our fondest dreams. And without the support, I wouldn’t be on this platform tonight.’’
Nicely said, Ralph. Nicely said.
***
For a soon-to-be 91-year-old, Ralph gave a solid speech. He told some funny stories, thanked a ton of people and didn’t ramble much.
The same couldn’t be said for former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson, whose 40-plus minute sermon threatened to put many of us to sleep.
I feel badly for the Hall of Fame organizers and the television producers who had told each of the six inductees well in advance that they shouldn’t go longer than 12 minutes. Woodson showed total disregard for the audience and the other inductees by being such a wind bag.
***
My wife, Beth, suggested that the Pro Football and Baseball halls of fame adopt the Academy Awards approach to keeping the length of speeches under control.
At the Oscars, they begin playing music after a minute or two to let the winner know that his or her time is up, and that the show must go on.
Perhaps, if they had blasted a college fight song over the Fawcett Stadium loud speakers at about the 20-minute mark, Woodson would have taken the hint.
***
I thought it was bush league when some Bills fans began chanting “Free Marshawn!’’ when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was introduced. They should be happy that the Commish hit Marshawn Lynch with just a three-game suspension for his gun possession arrest this spring on top of his hit-and-run incident last year. Come on, folks, I know you love your team, but your loyalty can’t be blind.
***
On a personal note: It was great spending time in Cleveland with friends Leigh and Larry Brattain, their dog, Pip, and their cats, Charley and Leo. Rochesterians will remember Leigh as Leigh Ann Carlson, the long-time news anchor at the old R-News.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Again, Ralph Wilson takes us by surprise
This certainly has been an off-season of surprise moves by the Buffalo Bills.
First, owner Ralph Wilson decides to retain coach Dick Jauron after three consecutive 7-9 seasons.
Then, the Bills shock the football world by signing always-in-the-news diva wide receiver Terrell Owens.
And, this afternoon, came the unusual announcement that Wilson had chosen ESPN's Chris Berman to be in his Pro Football Hall of Fame presenter this August in Canton, Ohio.
I know Berman has been a Bills backer since just before the team's Super Bowl run in the early 1990s, but I really thought Marv Levy, the team's all-time coach and Wilson confidant, would be the guy to present Ralph with his bust.
"Chris has been a friend of mine for many years and I thought he would be a great person to introduce me, if he would do so,'' Wilson said in a statement just released by the team. "He acknowledged that he would and I thank him very much and he will be in Canton with me. Chris really embodies the Bills fans, who have played such an important role in my career in professional football. Professional football is all about the fans and having Chris as my presenter follows that thought.”
Ralph, of course, can choose whomever he wants. But if he really wanted somebody to embody the Bills 12th Man he should have chosen a fan rather than a celebrity - maybe someone who's been a season-ticket holder for all 50 seasons.
In leiu of that, Tim Russert's son, Luke, also would have been a good choice, or how about the longtime "Voice of the Bills" - Van Miller?
What do you think?
****
I'll bet my mortgage, Berman will work his "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills'' into his presentation speech.
First, owner Ralph Wilson decides to retain coach Dick Jauron after three consecutive 7-9 seasons.
Then, the Bills shock the football world by signing always-in-the-news diva wide receiver Terrell Owens.
And, this afternoon, came the unusual announcement that Wilson had chosen ESPN's Chris Berman to be in his Pro Football Hall of Fame presenter this August in Canton, Ohio.
I know Berman has been a Bills backer since just before the team's Super Bowl run in the early 1990s, but I really thought Marv Levy, the team's all-time coach and Wilson confidant, would be the guy to present Ralph with his bust.
"Chris has been a friend of mine for many years and I thought he would be a great person to introduce me, if he would do so,'' Wilson said in a statement just released by the team. "He acknowledged that he would and I thank him very much and he will be in Canton with me. Chris really embodies the Bills fans, who have played such an important role in my career in professional football. Professional football is all about the fans and having Chris as my presenter follows that thought.”
Ralph, of course, can choose whomever he wants. But if he really wanted somebody to embody the Bills 12th Man he should have chosen a fan rather than a celebrity - maybe someone who's been a season-ticket holder for all 50 seasons.
In leiu of that, Tim Russert's son, Luke, also would have been a good choice, or how about the longtime "Voice of the Bills" - Van Miller?
What do you think?
****
I'll bet my mortgage, Berman will work his "Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills'' into his presentation speech.
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