January 8, 2000- 16 seconds are left and the Bills kick only needing to recover the kick to preserve an upset. What happened next will live in NFL history, Lorenzo Neal laterals the ball to tight end Frank Wycheck and the Titans would end up scoring on one of the most miraculous and controversial plays in NFL history.

Now let’s fast forward 13 years. The Bills have not played the playoffs since that day and have gone through 5 head coaches since that day, Gregg Williams, Mike Mularkey, Dick Jauron, Perry Fewell (interim), and Chan Gailey. To get back to the playoffs the Bills hired Syracuse Alum and Head Coach, Doug Marrone. Doug was the head coach for 4 years; racking up two Pinstripe Bowl victories. He helped fix a program that was in shambles and helped it return to respectability. Marone spent 7 years in the NFL, 4 as the offensive line coach for the New York Jets and 3 as the Offensive Coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. Marrone is from the Bronx and he knows the area pretty well. Marrone has already made an impact with the Buffalo Bills, hiring his Offensive Coordinator, Nathanial Hackett, who worked with him at Syracuse as their OC and Mike Pettine the Defensive Coordinator for the New York Jets.

            I have been listening to news recently, and also have been watching NFL Network and ESPN, and nothing, but good things have come up about Doug Marrone, from Jon Gruden to Brian Billick. Many fans have showed their support in this decision as well. Recently I caught up with some people in Alden,

            Leyton Miner- “I would have preferred if they would have chosen someone from the NFL, but anyone who can help is okay.”
            Alex Darrow- “I was skeptical at first, but now I am just waiting to see what he does, whether or not he will draft Nassib.”

Phil Zobrest- “I don’t know, I really don’t really pay attention to Syracuse football.”

Austin Zelasko- “I was skeptical of it at first, he didn’t have a winning record at Syracuse, and I think the Bills went with the cheapest option.”

Brian Stoldt- “I’m a huge fan.”

Raeanne Over- “I don’t know, but I guess it’s good.”

Jordan Meyer- “He’s a good head coach, and was successful with Syracuse.”

Mr. Foss- “I don’t know about it.”

Sam Mietlowski- “I think it’s a great hire. He knows how important this is to us.”

            My opinion, I was skeptical at first, but now I actually think it’s a pretty good hire. Hopefully he drafts Ryan Nassib, because Doug Marrone knows his strengths and weakness well. My anticipation is that he can help bring a certain discipline and toughness to this team that we have been missing for some years.