Having read fellow LWOS writer Mike Kovacs’ piece on the EJ Manuel injury, which with all respect has negative undertones in regards to the prospects of this 2013-14 Bills season, I wanted to counter with reasons for optimism around the Buffalo Bills. Despite a typical Bills record and injury blight, yes, Bills fans, there are numerous reasons for hope.

I could cite the fact that although they are off to a 2 and 4 start, it could easily be 6 and 0. Sounds funny, right? Well, all games so far have been winnable. Now I am not trying to tell you they are worthy of being a 6-0 team, but then let’s be honest, neither are the Chiefs. I mean, c’mon. I could tell you about their youthful roster and the fact that they have started to produce stars like Robert Woods, Stephon Gilmore and their very own legend in Kiko Alonso. I could cite a Defence that is as fun to watch as it is hard to play against – for the most part. I could talk about a rookie QB who the whole of Western New York are hoping is the one, the franchise, the future.

All of these things are true and yet there is something far more worthy of Bills fans hope for the future. When people talk about the changes this year they talk about the coaching staff, the GM, the team but the most important change this year is widely ignored. The biggest reason for hope in this organisation is Russ Brandon.

Now I know that is not the sexy choice but I believe it’s the truth; he is the catalyst behind this change in culture in One Bills Drive. Brandon joined the bills in 1997 coming from a baseball background holding a position in the front office with the Florida Marlins. Having worked his way through the organisation to CEO he finally made the transition to President earlier this year.

Now Brandon has been here for a number of years you may argue, but this is the first time since the Bills were founded that Mr Wilson has given up control of his baby and the signs are already evident of the momentum shift within the organisation as a whole.

His appointment of Doug Whaley as GM, promoting the highly thought of ex-Steeler to oversee all football operations, was expected but a massive change from the norm. For years the Bills have had to make do with re-treads or former coaches, men who toe the line, men who don’t rock the boat. Whaley had never held the position of General Manager previously and yet Brandon was confident to enter this brand new era with him at his side although he may feel differently if things don’t go according to plan.

Together they set out to find ‘their’ coach and didn’t go for the tried and tested or another aging has been. Doug Marrone was the coach of Syracuse University and had led the Orange from the obscurity to two Bowl wins in four years and it was easy to see the similarities between Syracuse and the rescue job needed at the Bills. Marrone was another ‘risk’, another gamble but it was enthralling to see the Bills roll the dice for once. Rolling the dice would become something of a mantra from then to now.

From day one the ‘collective’ would go about reinventing the Bills organisation. No more would losing gallantly be acceptable, no more hoping merely for improvement. The leagues lovable losers would only be loved outside of Buffalo from now on.

The most evident example of this new attitude can be seen on the roster. Anything less than total commitment is not acceptable. No move is more indicative of that than the release of Chris Scott who was a dark horse to win the vacated left guard spot and was nailed on for at least a back-up spot. The playing roster had been sent off with instructions regarding their conditioning levels and Scott had come back to training camp in allegedly less than an acceptable state, so the Bills straight out cut him. No extra warning, no second chance. Notice had been served.

Bad play is unacceptable. Gone are the days of carrying people on the roster as in years past. Chris Kelsay seemed to be able to struggle from one year to the next and not only stick on the roster but also gain a decent extension or two. Buffalo became a place where veterans could collect their pay checks and put their feet up. In fairness to Kelsay he wasn’t the worst player the Bills have had on their payroll and actually played quite well in his final few years. This culture has come to a screaming halt. Another guard, Colin Brown, was cut this week. Not just demoted to back-up, removed from the roster. Admittedly Brown has been as poor as any player I can remember in a Bills shirt but the message has been sent, poor performances will not be tolerated.

The roster is no longer something set in stone unless injuries occur. Players are brought in, tried out and rewarded or released dependant on their performances. Bringing in free agents who improve your roster is cheap and effective and some real gems are out there to be found. Look at last weeks opponents for example. The Bengals picked up Wallace Gilberry off the streets having been discarded by the Bucs. He has proven to be a dominant D lineman in this league and just needed a scheme to fit him. The same can be said for our very own Jerry Hughes who was edging towards obscurity in Indianapolis until his trade to the Bills and Mike Pettine’s defence.

So, while the EJ Manuel injury really creates a problem, there are many reasons for Bills fans to be hopeful these days. The roster is stronger, younger, faster and better than it has been in years. The coaching staff is similarly young, exciting and talented. The front office and scouting department is new, passionate, and yet tested and experienced. The parts have been put in place and they have been put there by Russ Brandon.

All they need now is time.

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