Inside The Bills

Bills on the radio

Here’s an update on where you can find the latest scheduled interviews for a Bills players on the local radio airwaves.

Bills top cornerback Stephon Gilmore will be appearing on the Howard Simon show Tuesday morning at 7:30.

Bills receiver T.J. Graham will be on The Fan 1270 AM Tuesday at 1:30 pm

Marrone: Seamless transition with Whaley

Knowing the general manager and head coach of NFL teams typically talk every day there’s a transition that will have to be made by head coach Doug Marrone. He’ll now be talking to new GM Doug Whaley every day about the roster, progress in practice and what additions might be necessary between now and training camp. Marrone, who has already begun the daily conversation with Whaley, is expecting a seamless transition from Buddy Nix to Whaley.

“I think it would be very simple for me,” said Marrone. ”When I was brought into the process, Doug (Whaley) was part of the process of my interviews. Doug was part of the process with the draft and everything that we’ve done. He’s been there step for step with myself and Buddy (Nix) and Russ (Brandon) at the time. So it’s really been a fine transition.

“I’ve talked to him every day over this past weekend. He’s headed down to BLESTO meetings and we’ll talk every day after the practices and we’ll ship him the tapes and I’ll give him my opinion on how we did for the day and we’ll discuss. There hasn’t been any issue and I think it’s because it’s internal. Had it been someone from the outside you’d have to work through some things that might be tougher. But Doug has been there from day one, the first time I’ve ever been introduced to the Bills organization. He’s been there every step.”

Owens update

It looks like the free agent visit by RB and special teams ace Montell Owens to One Bills Drive Monday will be nothing more than that at this point.

Though the Bills remain an option for Owens, the free agent left One Bills Drive this afternoon as he intends to explore other potential opportunities in the league. The 29-year old was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars just last Thursday.

He is a former two-time Pro Bowl special teamer.

Marrone on Owens visit

Bills head coach Doug Marrone, who informed his team that free agent RB Montell Owens was making a visit to One Bills Drive today also commented on what they see in Owens that could be of value to the team.

“You can add depth at the running back position and really be a core special teams player for you. I announced it to the team. They knew this coming in. I’m big on communicating and I try to give them the business of the day and he’s here on a visit,” said Marrone. ”I have not had the chance to sit down and speak with him yet and I’ll do that this afternoon to see where the situation is.”

Bills hosting FA RB Owens

The Bills are hosting FA RB and special teams ace Montell Owens. Full story on Buffalobills.com.

Bills not practicing

Here’s the rundown of Bills that aren’t participating at voluntary OTAs.

Some players are rehabbing offseason surgeries or injuries. Others are not in attendance.

Stevie Johnson
Brandon Kaufman
Jordan Dangerfield
Keith Williams
Marcus Easley
Scott Chandler
Alan Branch
Manny Lawson
Kyle Williams
Marcell Dareus

USC products back at practice

The Bills got some of their rookies back on the practice field with their college classes finally graduating this past week.

USC products Robert Woods and undrafted CB Nickell Robey were both back practicing after missing last week’s OTAs.

Cal’s Aaron Tipoti was also back at practice after missing last week.

Manuel feels quick on uptake

There’s no one that doubts EJ Manuel’s physical abilities on a football field. The big question being a rookie is how quick he’ll be in absorbing and then executing Buffalo’s offense. To this point Manuel feels his learning curve will be a short one.

Appearing on Sirius XM NFL radio over the weekend, Manuel believes the Bills offense will be easier to learn than the offense he executed in college.

“It’s easier to learn than the offense I learned at Florida State,” said Manuel. ”To be honest it’s a true West Coast type progression offense and that’s really what I wanted coming through the pre-draft process where I could just go in and go 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and just check it down or run. It’s that simple and I love it. I’ve done great and the learning curve for me is a lot shorter simply because of what I had at Florida State, which is a little harder to catch on and learn.

“But this offense is very simple, and having Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin doesn’t hurt either. And Stevie Johnson when he’s healthy and C.J. Spiller, we’re going to have some fire power on the offense.”

Win a scholarship to the Jim Kelly Football Camp

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly is providing 10 lucky Bills fans with a full scholarship to the Jim Kelly Football Camp at Ralph Wilson Stadium June 23-June 27!

Click here to enter your child or loved one. Children ages 8-18 are eligible.

BDC 5/20: Bills Open Week Two of OTAs Today

DAILY REPORT
–The Buffalo Bills announced on Saturday that the team’s Kickoff Weekend home opener on Sunday, September 8^th against the New England Patriots sold out during the day’s season ticket holder individual-game early access period.

–The Bills will hold three of their 10 voluntary Organized Team Activities this week at One Bills Drive.

–Fifty Yard Finish: On Saturday, June 29, participants can take part in a half marathon, 5k or kids 1-mile run that will begin at Ralph Wilson Stadium, continue through the village and town of Orchard Park and finish at the 50 yard line on the field. Follow along with buffalobills.com journalist Hannah Buehler as she trains with Bills Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Liburd for the race. Details can be found here: Fifty Yard Finish Details

QUOTES OF THE DAY
JERRY HUGHES, Buffalo Bills Linebacker on why he is a good fit for the team’s defense and his transition to Buffalo:
“Just by the way I play football. I’m fast on the field, I’m relentless, I’m always going after the ball-carrier. I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team. Everyone here’s been great, from the fans down to the coaching staff to the guys in the locker room and the front office. Everybody comes in every day with a smile on their face. I’ve been up here sometimes at 7 a.m. and everyone’s treated me well. It’s been nothing but love.” via BuffaloBills.com (5/20) 

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Buffalo Bills staff and members of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy took part in a full-staff volunteer day at Delaware Park on Friday to help restore a section of the park near the corner of Forest Avenue and Rumsey Road. Bills staff members left their Orchard Park offices to assist in the effort by planting trees, laying gravel, repainting a park shelter, safety surfacing the area and making various other improvements to the setting. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy continually aims to improve the community’s parks system and relies on the support of events like Friday’s. Click here for a photo gallery from Friday’s volunteer day

DAILY LINKS

Buffalo News-Quarterback gurus in vogue

Buffalo News-A crack in the old-boys network

Buffalo News-For success, Whaley needs to step it up

ESPN-EJ Manuel loves Bills’ offense

Chattanooga Times Free Press-Nix picks right time to cut back

BuffaloBills.com-Jerry Hughes eager to make impact

BuffaloBills.com-Bills-Patriots home opener sold out

BuffaloBills.com-Bills staff members re-grow Western New York

Audio/Video/Photo Clip

WGR 550
What Should Bills GM Doug Whaley Do Next? 

YNN
Bills to implement new defensive scheme in second week of OTA practices
Bills prepare for second week of spring OTA

 KRIV
Mario Williams is now licensed peace officer in Texas

BuffaloBills.com
Volunteer like a Bill
Marcus Dowtin Says Bills Versatility Suits Him
The John Murphy Show May 17

Around the League (NFL.com)
New Bills GM Doug Whaley integral in EJ Manuel pick

WGR 550
I think the Bills may have gotten this right
5/17 Russ Brandon talks Doug Whaley
Joe Buscaglia Wouldn’t Sign Mario if he could go back

Sportsnet
Whaley focused on playoffs

Additional Clips

Inside The Bills
Bills season opener sold out, Spiller hosts annual football camp, Fan Friday 5-17

Press Coverage (Buffalo News)
One must hope Doug Whaley’s era with Bills exceeds his mentor’s
C.J. Spiller says he still anchors Bills’ 4×100 relay team
Doug Whaley won’t middle Buffalo’s big wager on EJ Manuel

 The Sports Xchange
Manuel: Bills’ offense simpler than FSU’s

 ESPN AFC East Blog
Poll: Buffalo Bills’ rookie impact
Bills’ rookies can turn around misfortune

 Pro Football Talk
Manuel says Buffalo’s offense is easier than Florida State’s
Bills’ Mt. Rushmore could get crowded
C.J. Spiller not ready to concede spot on Bills track team

Buffalo Rumblings
Bills vs. Patriots NFL Week 1 game is sold out already
As a “bridge” GM, Buffalo Bills’ Buddy Nix was exemplary
Gil Brandt: Bills’ Nathaniel Hackett is “future head coaching candidate”
Sam Young, Chris Scott contenders in Bills left guard competition
Buffalo Bills mailbag: Crezdon Butler, Keith Pough are sleepers
Buffalo Bills’ Nathaniel Hackett, EJ Manuel working on footwork, accuracy

Bills season opener sold out

The Bills first home game for the 2013 regular season is sold out.

That according to Bills President and CEO Russ Brandon, who tweeted that the game was sold out today.

Ralph Wilson Stadium will be electric on Sept. 8. #Bills #Patriots sold out!—
Russ Brandon (@RussBrandon) May 18, 2013

Spiller hosts annual football camp

This weekend, Bills running back C.J. Spiller will be hosting his 2^nd annual C.J. Spiller Life Skills Football Camp at Clemson University.

The camp is for 5-8 grade students focusing not only on football fundamentals but off the field facts as well.

“I always wanted to give back to the communities where I grew up,” said Spiller. “I want the students to learn about nutrition, how to handle themselves off the field, academics and respect.”

Spiller is excited to return to his alma mater, and expects a large turnout.

“It’s nice to go back to Clemson,” said Spiller. “I always receive a warm reception. Everyone always congratulates me on my career. It’s like a home away from home.”

Fan Friday 5-17

Time for the latest edition of your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter @ChrisBrownBills.

1 - Chris,

I don’t see how anybody can say that the Bills are good on the offensive line. The loss of Levitre left a gaping hole there. RT is a question mark, since Pears was injured all last year, and Eric Wood seems like he might be injury prone.

CB: I think your concerns about left guard are legitimate, but beyond that Buffalo has capable players for the starting roles and depth behind them. At tackle you have Cordy Glenn on the left and Chris Hairston on the right. Erik Pears is still limited, but when healthy more than capable himself on the right side.

Kraig Urbik is your right guard with Wood in the pivot. Depth-wise you have Zebrie Sanders as a tackle guard option once healthy. Beyond that it is a green group in terms of playing experience, but that’s the case for most of the league.

2 – Chris,

With the new high tempo offense, can we expect Doug Marrone to try to take a lead by choosing to receive this year?

Please say it is so,

Len in NYC

CB: I’ll have to ask him about that to be sure, but most NFL head coaches have found that the research shows if you choose to defer you typically wind up with the last possession of the first half. Obviously by deferring you also get the first possession of the second half. Those back-to-back possessions are seen as valuable in the eyes of many coaches. However, if your defense is substandard it might be wiser to choose to receive first if you win the toss. I’ll see if we can get an answer on coach Marrone’s philosophy on that.

3 – Hi Chris:
Now that the draft is over and we still need some positional fills, who do you  think the Bills will go after in FA to fill those voids (like OL, LB, CB)?

Thanks for delivering!
Mike from Orlando

CB: I think cornerback could prove to be the most pressing need. Buffalo has some interesting young talent at corner among the undrafteds, but there’s already a good deal of youth at the position. I wouldn’t be surprised if they added a veteran to that group at some point.

4 – Dear Chris,

My questions are about Brad Smith, I have heard he has looked good this spring as a WR. Is this his only role now or could he still be a wildcat/#3 game day QB? Will coach Marrone even employ the wildcat? If not could Smith be on the trade block at some point this off season?

Either way I wish him the best the coming season. He’s a real asset as a triple threat and that seems to be something this new staff seems to value.

I hope to hear from you soon on this as I’m sure I’m not the only fan to be wondering about Brads future here. As always GO BILLS!!!
Thanks,

Scott Kane,
Seneca,Pa.

CB: Yes, Brad Smith is strictly a receiver and a return man at this point. Based on coach Marrone’s comment on the Wildcat after the draft, I highly doubt we’ll see it as any respectable part of Buffalo’s offense.

Smith to his credit has performed well in OTA practices. He and T.J. Graham have probably benefited the most from the absence of Stevie Johnson on the practice field.

As for the trade block, I think we’re a bit ahead of the game at this point. There’s a lot of evaluation that needs to be done by this coaching staff.

5 – Hi Chris,

Firstly, thank you for your coverage. As a Bills fan since 1986 living on the other side of the world, I am more than appreciative of all informed coverage.

Two quick questions: have the Bills had talks with Brandon Moore. if not, why not?

Secondly, it is all but impossible to follow college football from here. However, I have watched Keith Pough’s highlights. Admittedly, highlights can be very misleading, but he looked terrific. Why was he not drafted? What chance does he have of making the team?

Thanks,
Jeff Wallace,
Sydney, Australia

CB: Thanks for the kind words. To my knowledge the Bills have not talked to Brandon Moore. Obviously, Bills head coach Doug Marrone knows him extremely well. He was the Jets assistant offensive line coach, who turned him from a defensive lineman to a very successful guard on the offensive side. So there’s a relationship there. At age 33, he’s probably not what the Bills are looking for knowing they want to build this roster from the ground up with players that will be here for the long haul.

However, if they do not like what they feel they are getting from the guard spot you can’t rule out the Bills making a phone call to the veteran.

As for Keith Pough, he’s a bit undersized and did not perform well at the Combine, especially when it came to his 40 time (4.87). He also played at a lower level of college competition at Howard. That doesn’t mean he can’t make an NFL roster, but it discourages NFL clubs from taking a chance on him with a draft choice. Signing him as an undrafted offers less risk. I do know that the Bills are high on him among their undrafted group.

BDC 5/17: Bills Employees Volunteer

DAILY REPORT
–Buffalo Bills employees will volunteer at Delaware Park for a full staff park cleanup today. The day of service will focus on refurbishing an area of Delaware Park as part of an ongoing commitment to improving the city of Buffalo. With the help of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, volunteers plan on spending the day planting trees, laying gravel, painting a park shelter, safety surfacing the area and refurbishing a youth sports field.

–Bills RB C.J. Spiller will host his 2013 Football and Life Skills camp today and tomorrow at Clemson University. The C.J. Spiller Football and Life Skills camp strives to develop athletes that are mentally, physically, spiritually and socially grounded. Campers will receive one-on-one and group instruction from former and current superstars. Areas of instruction include football skills, fitness & conditioning, health & nutrition, academic achievement and life lessons.

–The Buffalo Bills announced the promotion of Doug Whaley to General Manager yesterday. In addition, the team hired Jim Monos as Director of Player Personnel and Kelvin Fisher as Director of College Scouting. The team also promoted C.J. Leak to College Area Scout and Pete Harris to BLESTO Scout. Chuck Cook will now serve as a National Scout and Doug Majeski will add National Cross Checker to his Coordinator of College Scouting title.

–Buffalo Bills season ticket holders have early access to purchase additional individual game tickets. Details for season ticket holders can be found here.

–The Bills will hold three of their 10 voluntary Organized Team Activities next week at One Bills Drive.

–Fifty Yard Finish: On Saturday, June 29, participants can take part in a half marathon, 5k or kids 1-mile run that will begin at Ralph Wilson Stadium, continue through the village and town of Orchard Park and finish at the 50 yard line on the field. Follow along with buffalobills.com journalist Hannah Buehler as she trains with Bills Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Liburd for the race. Details can be found here: Fifty Yard Finish Details

TODAY’S INTERVIEWS

7:30 AM – Russ Brandon – The Howard Simon Show (WGR 550 – Buffalo)

7:40 AM – Doug Whaley – Brady and Lang (Sportsnet 590 The Fan – Toronto)

8:00 AM – Doug Whaley – Janet & Nick in the Morning (Kiss 98.5 – Buffalo)

8:00 AM – WR T.J. Graham – WingingIt (CW23 – Buffalo)

8:40 AM – Doug Whaley – The Break Room (96.5 WCMF – Rochester)

QUOTES OF THE DAY

Russ Brandon, Bills President and CEO, on what makes Doug Whaley right for the GM role:
“He deserves this opportunity. I have watched him work very closely for the last three and a half years. I have known Doug for pretty much my entire career through the fraternity of the NFL… Doug has every quality you look for in a leader. He has great work ethic, he is tireless at work, he is one of the most humble guys I have ever met and everything is about us. It is about us. He has been in the trenches. He has been scouting his entire career on the pro and the college side. I have never heard an individual in this league say one negative word about Doug Whaley. He is the perfect guy to lead this organization and lead our football operation. I do not know of a guy that is more deserving of this opportunity than Doug Whaley.” 

Doug Whaley, Buffalo Bills General Manager, on changing a franchise that has not been to the playoffs in 13 years:
“It’s an organizational focus and our main goal is to give the fans of the Buffalo Bills a team that consistently competes for championships.”

Whaley on if he thought he would ever become an NFL GM and why he’s stayed in Buffalo:
“You always hope. But I knew that if I worked hard and did the best I could eventually you pray that something like this would happen to you. But in this business there’s nothing given to you and there’s no 100-percent guarantee. I stayed here for many reasons, but I committed myself to Russ and Buddy when they hired me. I like to see things through and I’m a competitor.”

Whaley on why he is the right man for the job and what fans can expect from him:
“It is not about me. It is about us and it is about this organization. From Russ instilling in the organization that this is a shared common goal to put this organization back where it is supposed to be, us competing consistently for championships—I buy into it and that is my philosophy. That is why I think we will all work well together.”

 PHOTO OF THE DAY

Bills General Manager Doug Whaley (center) stands with team President and CEO Russ Brandon (left) and Head Coach Doug Marrone (right) outside the team’s facility following yesterday’s press conference.

DAILY LINKS

Buffalo News-Commencement day at One Bills Drive

Buffalo News-Whaley brings new perspective to reconstruction

Buffalo News-Whaley adds talent evaluators in Monos, Fisher

Rochester D&C-Buffalo Bills name Doug Whaley general manager

Associated Press-Bills promote Whaley to take over as GM

Toronto Sun-New GM Doug Whaley ‘won’t limit’ himself in upgrading Bills

USA Today-Bell: New Bills GM Doug Whaley left Wall Street for NFL

Bloomberg-Wall Street Internships Offer NFL Players Option When Game Ends

NFL.com-EJ Manuel, Geno Smith among criticized rookies primed to shine

BuffaloBills.com-Whaley preaching hard work, accountability

BuffaloBills.com-Doug Whaley named Bills general manager

BuffaloBills.com-What they’re saying about Doug Whaley

BuffaloBills.com-Bills add pair to personnel department

BuffaloBills.com-Doug Whaley: ”Consistently compete for championships. That’s our goal.”

Audio/Video/Photo Clip

BuffaloBills.com
Bills Focus: Doug Whaley on Becoming GM
Doug Whaley Introduced as Bills GM
50 Yard Finish: Creating Resistance
The John Murphy Show May 16
Steve Tasker: Bills Front Office Has Experience
Ruben Brown Says Whaley Was Always a Leader
Doug Whaley Wants to Make the Bills Contenders

WGR 550
Bills announce Doug Whaley as GM
Buying Time

NFL.com
Doug Whaley named Bills general manager
Doug Whaley’s vision for Buffalo Bills’ future

WIVB
Bills promote Whaley to General Manager

WKBW
Bills Announce Personnel Hirings and Changes
What League Colleagues Are Saying About New GM Doug Whaley
Doug Whaley Officially Announced as New Bills GM

WGRZ
Bills Promote Whaley to General Manager

WHAM
Whaley Named Bills General Manager

WROC
Whaley Promoted To Bills GM

YNN
Whaley takes over as Bills’ GM

Additional Clips

Inside The Bills
Whaley on EJ’s chances to start, Whaley has “an aggressive eye”, Whaley was “oustanding player” according to Ruben, Getting to know Doug Whaley, Bills have youngest front office trio, Whaley on how he’ll handle Byrd situation

Press Coverage (Buffalo News)
Video: Gleason, Gaughan on Whaley’s appointment as GM
A look back at Bills GM history
Jairus Byrd’s contract an immediate issue for Doug Whaley
On first day, Doug Whaley makes changes to football operations
Bill Cowher: Doug Whaley ‘can equal challenge, then surpass it’
Doug Whaley to be introduced as Bills GM this morning

Around the League (NFL.com)
Doug Whaley named general manager of Buffalo Bills
Top 5 defensive tackle tandems in the NFL

The Sports Network
Bills elevate Whaley to GM position

The Sports Xchange
For Bills, Whaley was obvious GM-in-waiting

ESPN AFC East Blog
Whaley wants Bills to be ‘Beasts of the East’
Bills officially promote Doug Whaley as GM

Pro Football Talk
With Whaley, Bills now have youngest front office in NFL
New Bills G.M. Doug Whaley: Don’t accept losing

Kryk Slants
New Bills GM Whaley won’t ‘limit himself’ in upgrading club’s roster talent

Buffalo Rumblings
Doug Whaley named Buffalo Bills’ new General Manager
Buffalo Bills’ off-season includes front office overhaul, new stadium lease

SportsNOLA.com
Saints scout Jim Monos headed to Buffalo

RealGM.com
Doug Whaley Named Bills’ GM, First Minority Hire Of Offseason

Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports)
Doug Whaley named general manager of the Buffalo Bills

ESPN Insider
New GM, new deal for Jairus?

Whaley on EJ’s chances to start

Bills GM Doug Whaley was asked a lot of things as he assumed the post of general manager, but in an appearance on NFL Network’s Total Access he was asked about the chances of EJ Manuel being ready to start Week 1 of the regular season.

Whaley didn’t rule out the possibility of Manuel being a Week 1 starter as a rookie.

“Time will tell,” said Whaley. ”He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he’ll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody. Between him, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, even Jeff Tuel, we’re excited to see who comes out on top of that position battle.”

Buffalo’s season opener is a home game against New England.

Whaley has “an aggressive eye”

According to one of his college football teammates, the new General Manager of the Buffalo Bills is smart and aggressive.

And former Bills Guard Ruben Brown says those qualities will serve Doug Whaley and the Bills very well.

Brown was a guest on The John Murphy Show Thursday night. He and Whaley were teammates on the University of Pittsburgh football team twenty years ago: Brown as an offensive lineman, and Whaley as a hybrid linebacker\safety.

Ruben Brown told host John Murphy that Whaley was a well educated Pittsburgh native who had great rapport with his Pitt Panthers teammates.

“He could deal with a lot of different backgrounds and upbringings and cultures,” Brown said. “It was a big melting pot of different people from all across the country coming to Pittsburgh. Doug was a bright guy that everyone could talk to, you could discuss all types of issues with him. And he respected his knowledge and how well he understood the game of football.”

Brown says Doug Whaley will bring a fresh approach to the Bills personnel department ,and an aggressive demeanor.

“Going forward, there’s going to be a real aggressive eye on the talent that’s in the building or coming into the building,” Brown said. “That’s going to take a lot of different forms. It’s going to be like a John Butler type thing, someone who could walk in the locker room, put his hand on a guy, look in his face, and see whether he’s invested the right amount of money in him.”

The entire interview with former Bills All Pro Guard Ruben Brown is available here

Whaley was “oustanding player” according to Ruben

The Bills new General Manager never played professionally, but he was a standout high school and college football player in Pittsburgh. That’s what former Bills Pro Bowl Guard Ruben Brown says.

Appearing on The John Murphy Show Thursday night, Brown says he first met Whaley wnen they both played in an All American High School football game more than twenty years ago. They went on to become teammates on the Pitt Panthers football team. Brown was an offensive lineman, Whaley played linebacker and safety. And Ruben Brown says Whaley could play.

“Outstanding player,” Brown said on the radio show. “People might be surprised to know that. He was a blue-chip All American who played on a very successful high school team in Pennsylvania, Upper St Clair. It’s the end-all be-all as far as academics and sports in Western Pennsylvania. He was a star there and he led them to a championship.”

Brown says at Pitt, Doug Whaley played a hybrid linebacker-safety role on defense. And he says Whaley was a playmaker.

“He was Brian Urlacher before there was a Brian Urlacher. Not with the size and the speed, but he played that type of position. The game was evolving and you needed a linebacker\safety guy who could cover. Those guys were starting to show up more. Doug was very versatile for us.”

Brown told host John Murphy that he knew twenty years ago at Pitt that Whaley was smart and had leadership potential.

“I just knew from Day One that Doug was a very smart guy, very bright,” he said. “He had the type of education that every young man wishes they had experienced in school. We were, I would say, followers of his, because he was a leader on and off the field.”

The entire interview with Ruben Brown is available here

Getting to know Doug Whaley

We asked new Buffalo Bills General Manager Doug Whaley some “Off the Field” questions. Here’s what he had to say!

Bills have youngest front office trio

With Doug Whaley named Bills GM on Thursday, the Bills now have the youngest front office trio in the NFL.

That according to the Bills research department. Whaley (40), President and CEO Russ Brandon (45) and head coach Doug Marrone (48) have an average age of just over 44 years of age. It’s the youngest average age for NFL front offices.

“I stood here on January first and made some promises to our fans and quite frankly to people in our organization,” said Brandon. ”One of the things that I mentioned was we were going to do whatever it takes to restore the pride in the franchise moving forward. We talked about being progressive and forward thinking and attacking in everything that we do. We also talked about identifying top talent and empowering those people with making impact decisions. We did that today, by naming Doug Whaley the general manager of the Buffalo Bills.”

Some of the other younger NFL front offices in terms of average age were Cleveland, Detroit, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego.

Whaley on how he’ll handle Byrd situation

One of new GM Doug Whaley’s bigger short term decisions will be coming to a resolution with franchise player Jairus Byrd. Here’s how he addressed the Jairus Byrd situation when asked about it by Buffalobills.com Thursday.

“First of all we’ve got to recognize that Jairus is a good player, and we’re in the business of accumulating good players,” Whaley said. “We as an organization are going to continue to negotiate with Jairus, but one thing we’ll stick with is not negotiating in the public.”

Whaley clearly understands that Byrd is a player they’d like to keep for the long term, but this is a situation that may not have an easy answer. No one knows what direction negotiations will take, but it will certainly be one of the bigger decisions Whaley will have to make early in his tenure as Bills GM.