(01-18-2018, 10:48 PM)BuffaloRush Wrote: Hi everyone. This is my first time posting here and as you probably can tell by my username I am a Buffalo Bills fan. Please know that I'm not here to troll or stir up any stuff. Also, I am pulling for the Jags to beat New England this week. I am sick of Patriot fans and journalists and a loss to Jacksonville will really set them off.
I did want to clear up a few things about Doug Marrone and Bills fans that I think some members here are missing. It's true that Bills fans don't like Doug Marrone. You have to understand that while Doug coached here in 2013 and 2014, from many media reports he was known as a grumpy, short-fused, control freak who at time belittled people publicly. He was not very popular around One Bills Drive and he treated the media very bad. You can witness for yourself - at several press conferences, Doug is condescending when answering to any criticism. He even tried to set up a private meeting with Tim Graham after a negative article in an attempt to keep him in line. For his poor relations with the media, he continues to be mocked by the Buffalo media - though no one doubts his abilities as a coach.
As a coach, I think many fans viewed him as good to average. His biggest knock was his game management - specifically preferring to punt in situations late in the game. Doug was extremely conservative and you can argue some of his decisions cost the team some wins in 2014.
Eventually it’s rumored that he fell out of favor with Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley. This led to rumored friction between Marrone and Whaley including the “St. Doug” story which was deliberately leaked to the press to make Marrone look bad. So it appeared he was not in a great situation. So I think this was a big factor in him opting out.
But IMO the biggest reason that he quit however was because he thought he had the Jets coaching job. Marrone grew up on Long Island and that was his dream job. He coached there early in career and had connections. However that job eventually fell through, and he had to go back to being a position coach in Jacksonville.
You have to understand that the way Marrone left wasn’t the most professional. Even Doug has admitted that he would have done things differently. He never bothered to communicate to players until after the fact. Most found out over text message. Also rather than being open, he refuses to speak about what happened.
Honestly, many fans were glad Doug quit and were excited about Rex Ryan (little did we know). But the way he left, rub some the wrong way and of course the media’s treatment of him probably stirred things up a bit as well.
In the end, it seemed like resigning was the best for all parties. While it took a few years, Doug ended up in a situation way better than the Jets and is coaching in an AFC Championship game. The Bills realized the terrible mistake with Rex and Doug Whaley and found a coach and GM that took them to the playoffs in year 1 of a rebuild.
So in the end - I’m glad to know that Doug has learned from his first stint and found success. But know why Bills fans feel the way they do about it.
Good luck on Sunday and beat the Patriots!
I don't doubt Bills fans when they say all this stuff. Almost every bills fans says the same including respected media members.
The reality is Marrone has been the total opposite here in every single fashion. He's great with the media, pretty open in describing his thought process, made a huge effort to be friendly and light hearted with the media. As a coach he's been very very thorough, he's been one of the most aggressive coaches in the league on 4th down, and most of all, he's let the team be themselves. Jags have arguably the most individualistic team. Lots of strong and vibrant personalities all meaning as one.
So yeah while the bills experience didn't work out, it arguably made him the HC he is today.
Honestly before he signed the Bills all described Marrone as this grumpy control freak who lashed out at everyone and seemed miserable as HC. Here it couldn't be any different. I didn't like the hire but my god he's been incredible in year 1. Coach of the year.
