Q: So what did you think?
A: I thought he (Joe Schoen) handled himself well. No surprises, just what we expected. He’s got a lot of poise and that was one of the things that attracted us to him.
Q: Poise and what else attracted you to him?
A: Well, I think the body of work. He started at the very bottom, worked his way up. His role in helping build the Buffalo Bills to where they are right now, he’s seen how it should be done. We’re in a similar situation to what they were in four or five years ago. I think all those things. I also think he has really strong communication skills and is going to be able to unite the building. The communication hasn’t been the greatest in the building over the last couple of years, and I think with (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe’s (Schoen) addition that’ll get straightened out.
Q: This might be splitting hairs a little, but you said the GM would hire the coach. Joe said it would be collaborative, so who really has the final say?
A: It’s a collaboration. Listen, he’s not going to hire anybody that we don’t want and we’re certainly not going to hire anybody that he doesn’t want. But ownership always has the final approval over any decision like that. That’s just not going to change.
Q: Is it fair to say though that he has more say than the previous general managers in that regard?
A: No, I don’t think so. Our system has always been the same. We rely on the general manager. We rely on his advice, but at the end of the day, ownership has to approve it.
Q: I asked him about this, the continuity issue just to get off of this train that you guys have been on here –
A: I’m dying to get off of this train. I hate being in the position that we’re in right now. I want continuity. I want somebody who’s going to be in the building for a long period of time. I don’t want to do another one of these press conferences for many, many years. Yes, that is a big consideration.
Q: You announced when (Former Senior Vice President and General Manger) Dave (Gettleman) retired that the new GM would oversee the head coaching staff. So is it fair to say that the new coach will be reporting to Joe?
A: Yes. That is fair to say. That’s the structure that I believe in with the head coach reporting to the general manager.
Q: Could I ask you about the process? Obviously, every GM who has come in here has said that he has a process. How is Joe’s process as he’s outlined it to you going to be different?
A: I just think his vision in how to build a team combining all the analytics and sports science and how to build a staff and different roles for each person on the staff, how he wants our scouts to act, how he wants our pro personnel department to act. I just think all those things, there’s a lot of thought that went behind that. They’ve obviously had success with it in Buffalo and we need to make some changes in how we do things around here and that was one of the big reasons why we wanted to bring somebody in from the outside that can look and see what we’re doing, see what we’re doing well, see what we’re doing poorly at and just change things to a point where everybody’s on the same page moving forward.
Q: Obviously a new GM and a new coach, those are big changes, but do you think deeper changes are needed, like more of a shakeup within the organization?
A: I think I’m going to let Joe take a look. He’s only been here for a few days. As he said, he wants to evaluate everybody. I’d like to see him do that. I think you could see some additions to our staff at some point in time, but that’ll be his call and I think he’ll do that after he’s had the chance to really evaluate more people in the building.
Q: You’ve been in all the interviews for the head coaches. First of all, is Joe really the point man for that?
A: He is. I told him that I want him to take the lead in that. You outline it any way you want. I’m going to ask questions from time to time, which I have, as has (Senior Vice President, Player Personnel) Chris (Mara), as has (Chairman and Executive Vice President) Steve (Tisch), but Joe is taking the lead in those interviews.
Q: And the two Buffalo guys, I mean, he knows them quite well.
A: Yes, he does.
Q: Is it hard to think that one of those guys could be very likely the favorite as a head coach?
A: Listen, I feel very good about the candidates that we have. I’m not going to call anybody the favorite right now.
Q: You mentioned the candidates, are they the only candidates or are there others?
A: I would say we’re concentrating on the ones that we have right now. I’m not going to rule out the possibility of somebody else entering into the mix, but right now I think we’re pretty comfortable with the group that we have.
Q: Did you offer a timetable at all to try to get this done with a coach?
A: I want to make sure that we get it right as opposed to giving you a specific timetable. But I would hope that by the beginning of next week we will have made a decision.
Q: What timeline of expectations have you talked to Joe Schoen about for winning? Are you looking at this as a process long-term?
A: I’m looking at this as a process. I haven’t told him, ‘Joe, we better make the playoffs next year, otherwise you’re out of here.’ I’m not making any statements like that. I want him to build the thing the right way and give us a chance for sustained success. I’m not giving him any specific demands for next year. Just build the team the right way.
Q: And you don’t expect a quick turnaround? You just want this thing –
A: I expect us to be a heck of lot better than four wins next year, but again, I haven’t given him any specific number that he has to achieve. Get the right coach, build the right program and let’s see some progress at the end of the season.
Q: You mentioned the coach and GM needing to be on the same page with communication and having a working relationship. One of the candidates you’re interviewing (Former Dolphins Head Coach), Brian Flores, reportedly had a power struggle with his GM in Miami. He wanted more power. What is your comfort level with that, and will there be some hard questions?
A: That’s certainly one of the things that we’re going to ask Brian. I discussed it with him briefly when I spoke to him a week ago, but we’re going to spend some time on that when he comes in tomorrow.
Q: What did you say? What did he say in his response?
A: I’m not going to go into that. It’s obviously something that we’re going to have to discuss.
Q: When you hear (Pro Football Hall of Famer) Bill Parcells said that this was the best job in the league, did that resonate with you at all?
A: It does, it does, because a lot of you out there think it’s one of the poorest jobs in the league and I get that from the turnover we’ve had recently. But I think Bill knows that we treat people the right way and I think he knows how badly we want to win. I think that’s what was behind that statement. There was no shortage of interest in this job, let me put it that way.
Q: The NFL currently only has one black head coach, and the Giants have never had one. I’m curious if that weighs on you as you’re making the decision.
A: It’s certainly something I’m aware of. At the end of the day, we want to get the right person and I think we have a good, diverse group of candidates right now. We’ll make a decision based on who we think is going to be the best person to lead us in the future. It was very important that we have a diverse group of candidates.
Q: (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) seems to have really strong support for (Quarterback) Daniel Jones, talking about building the offense around him. Is that a reflection of the entire organizational support for him even after last year and the injuries and everything else?
A: I want Joe and the new head coach to make that evaluation. We do feel that Daniel can play. We’ve done everything possible to screw this kid up since he’s been here. We keep changing coaches, keep changing offensive coordinators, keep changing offensive line coaches. I take a lot of responsibility for that, but let’s bring in the right group of coaches now and give him some continuity and try to rebuild the offensive line and then be able to make an intelligent evaluation of whether he can be the franchise quarterback or not. I have a lot of hope in Daniel, and I know how badly he wants it. I know how the players feel about him. We are certainly not giving up on him by any stretch of the imagination.
Q: Joe (Schoen) kept using the word ‘lockstep,’ him and the head coach being in lockstep. We haven’t talked to Steve (Tisch) in a while. I’m just curious, are you guys in lockstep? What’s that relationship like?
A: Steve and I have a great relationship. We talk all the time. We are in lockstep. We were both very high on Joe from the very beginning since that first interview we did, and we’ve been in agreement on every candidate so far. Our relationship is better than ever.
Q: You mentioned you’ve talked to Brian Flores. Reports said that you reached out to him. I’m curious what the purpose was for that?
A: I reached out to him because he was on…all the candidates that we interviewed for General Manager, he was on each of their lists. I see he’s been interviewing elsewhere, I just wanted to let him know that before you make a decision, just know that we have interest in you. Make whatever decision you feel like you need to make for you and your family, but just know that we do have interest in you. Once I get the general manager search done, we will be back to you, so that was the purpose of that call.
Q: I know you don’t get involved in personnel decisions unless there’s a legal situation, you said that on your Zoom a couple of weeks ago. I know there’s a lot of decisions that need to be made at quarterback. Could you rule in or rule out potentially trading for (Texans Quarterback) Deshaun Watson given his sexual assault allegations?
A: We’re not trading for Deshaun Watson.
Q: Why not?
A: There’s so many reasons why we wouldn’t do that. Cap-wise, we couldn’t afford it. But more importantly, with the allegations that are out there right now, that’s just not the right fit for us.
Q: You said you keep lists all the time, how long was Joe on your radar?
A: Honestly, not until fairly recently, and I started doing a lot of research I would say six or eight weeks ago, maybe a little longer. Just looking at the different teams that I have a great deal of respect for and looking at their personnel and Buffalo has done it the right way. So, I started making calls about Joe and others. I’m still trying to find somebody out there that will say something negative about him, and I have not found that yet. Everybody I’ve talked to about him raves about his work ethic, his evaluation skills, his communication skills. All those things that we’ve said before were really impressive.
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That his GM picks the Head Coach and it is approved 99% of the time.
He cited conduct issues as one reason this might happen.
Schoen just said that the owner has final say.
Are we saying the same thing though, I dunno?
Is it not correct that if Joe Schoen says this is the Head Coach we’re going to hire, Mara says ok Joe and that’s that?
Seems like that’s the case unless Schoen said we’re going to go with Payton coming off of bountygate or something rare. Or maybe if Schoen says I talked to Harbaugh and he wants $120 million for 10 years but that’s who I recommend.
He asked, "What if you want one coach and Mara wants another? Who has final say on that?"
Schoen said he didn't think that would be a problem but the question clearly made him uncomfortable.
Tierney didn't drop it. He said, "What if you pound the table and say this should be the guy and Mara says no?"
At that point Schoen said it was his job to try convince Mara, but at the end of the day, Mara owns the team.
I'm telling you that if I were Mara and I screwed up this franchise for 10 years, I would bow out and let the professionals run it. He either trusts Schoen or he doesn't.
If you guys want Mara to run the team, you and I are not going to agree.
He cited conduct issues as one reason this might happen.
I don't think that's what Mara said.
I believe the question posed to Mara (in his presser prior to the GM hiring process) was about decisions on draft choices and players. Mara said if the GM and the HC are in agreement and they come to him it's approved 99% of the time.
I don't remember any question about the GM choosing the HC and Mara approving that choice 99% of the time. That doesn't make any sense.
He asked, "What if you want one coach and Mara wants another? Who has final say on that?"
Schoen said he didn't think that would be a problem but the question clearly made him uncomfortable.
Tierney didn't drop it. He said, "What if you pound the table and say this should be the guy and Mara says no?"
At that point Schoen said it was his job to try convince Mara, but at the end of the day, Mara owns the team.
I'm telling you that if I were Mara and I screwed up this franchise for 10 years, I would bow out and let the professionals run it. He either trusts Schoen or he doesn't.
If you guys want Mara to run the team, you and I are not going to agree.
All fair Eric and I agree with you but that is speculation on something that hasn't happened. He's speculating a worst case scenario. In that kind of process you hopefully don't get to an either/or.
Yes. As does every business owner in the world.
He asked, "What if you want one coach and Mara wants another? Who has final say on that?"
Schoen said he didn't think that would be a problem but the question clearly made him uncomfortable.
Tierney didn't drop it. He said, "What if you pound the table and say this should be the guy and Mara says no?"
At that point Schoen said it was his job to try convince Mara, but at the end of the day, Mara owns the team.
I'm telling you that if I were Mara and I screwed up this franchise for 10 years, I would bow out and let the professionals run it. He either trusts Schoen or he doesn't.
If you guys want Mara to run the team, you and I are not going to agree.
On the one hand it would be nice if Mara bowed out. On the other hand, when it comes to choosing a HC, if Schoen’s #1 priority for a HC is, “getting someone I can work with” (as he said twice today) then Schoen runs the risk of being blind to more experienced, and perhaps more qualified candidates like Flores. In which case, maybe Mara influencing the HC choice might not be a bad thing.
Of course. And many times it fails spectacularly like the Giants.
I made the analogy in another thread. Mara tried to do his own plumbing. Now the basement is flooded. It's time to admit defeat, step aside, and hire a pro.
I'd agree with that but would give odds nothing like that is going to happen.
I did watch it and it is consistent with what I posted above. If Schoen runs an effective process, clears any differences, the owners will approve his choice. And Schoen even says he expects it to happen.
Not being happy with the team and Mara for the last decade is completely understandable. He/They deserve little no benefit of the doubt.
Suggesting Mara cannot and should not sign off on the GM's choice here sounds more like your airing your grievances than anything substantive.
We're sorta fucked aren't we otherwise? Haha. Nothing any of us say or do is going to make the Maras sell their stake in the franchise.
Sounds like Schoen expects that very same thing to happen as well.
So we seem to have finally agreed here.
I already answered this above.
I said if I had John's track record, I'd stay out of it.
You either trust your new GM or you don't. There is no middle ground here.
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I think I'm being clear here. Mara should do what Schoen wants.
Sounds like Schoen expects that very same thing to happen as well.
So we seem to have finally agreed here.
The worst case scenario is that Schoen doesn't know what he signed up for yet.
Again, much of this is speculative.
But there were tons of comments by the owner and new GM today that clearly clarify that Schoen doesn't have full autonomy. Just a couple of days ago, everyone was convinced he did.
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In comment 15576814 Eric from BBI said:
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I think I'm being clear here. Mara should do what Schoen wants.
Sounds like Schoen expects that very same thing to happen as well.
So we seem to have finally agreed here.
The worst case scenario is that Schoen doesn't know what he signed up for yet.
Again, much of this is speculative.
But there were tons of comments by the owner and new GM today that clearly clarify that Schoen doesn't have full autonomy. Just a couple of days ago, everyone was convinced he did.
Mara went on record a week or so ago indicating that he stills signs off on key personnel decisions that the GM or GM/HC want to make. Don't you recall that comment?
Why are suggesting there is this change of heart all of a sudden? Again, this sounds more like you airing grievances than anything substantive.
There would also have been the possibility of a hostile takeover during the past few years when the stockholders became disgusted with the way the company was being run..
Schoen should have been asked what the role of the Pegulas was in Buffalo. Did they also insist on final say so?