Around the AFC East, Part II - Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Rumblings: SB Nation's Buffalo Bills blog

Now under center: Brian G from SB Nation's Buffalo Bills blog, Buffalo Rumblings.

tommasse: How does Marv Levy the general manager compare with Marv Levy the coach? What do you think of his drafts? Free-agent acquisitions? Coach hirings/firings? How much longer can/will he do this?

Brian G: It's tough to make a comparison like that because his responsibilities are so much different.  What he has brought to the table that he brought back when he was a coach is consensus-building.  Under the dictatorial rule of Tom Donahoe, the team had no direction and was doing everything to make themselves look good.  That's not Levy -- he, the rest of the front office, and the entire coaching staff are on the same page, and as a result the team finally has a good young nucleus of players to build around, rather than stopgap vets.

Personally, I think he is making all the right moves as a GM, although most media folks see some of the players that have left town and the Darwin Walker situation as negative.  I love the decision to hire Dick Jauron (in retrospect; I wasn't a fan at first), I love the fact that his drafts are deep and value-based, and I love that he's spending money on the right positions, rather than on what the fans want.  He knows how to build a team.

I expect Levy to stick with the franchise at least as long as Ralph Wilson remains the owner.  Right now those two, to me, are attempting to build a little continuity in the golden years of the current ownership.  If Levy can build this team up to playoff level with a consistent, hard-working coaching staff and a cohesive front office, it will make the transition to a new owner and a new GM that much easier.

tommasse's retort: Marv Levy's strength is that he's one of those guys who can judge talent and determine how 50 guys with varying talent can make a cohesive unit. Not sure that talent extends to recognizing coaching talent, but we'll have to wait and see. Incidentally, Levy is 82 and Wilson is almost 89.

OK, it's your turn. Step up to the Pulpit and say your piece. And if you have a question you want me to ask next week, email me, and I'll pose the best queries to our friends at Buffalo Rumblings, The Phinsider and NY Landing Strip.