He played a role in the Bills coaching search two years ago, but reports indicate that this time around GM Doug Whaley will spearhead the process in finding a new head coach.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
Here’s the Bills news of note for Dec. 28.
1 – Whaley to spearhead coaching search
With Rex Ryan relieved of his coaching duties Tuesday, the search for a new head coach will begin in earnest by the Bills. The team confirmed that GM Doug Whaley will head up the process.
The Bills general manager was part of the process two years ago and made his recommendations, but indication now is Whaley will take a lead role in the search for a new head coach.
He could begin to put out requests to interview coaching candidates as soon as the end of the week.
Interim head coach Anthony Lynn is expected to be a consideration.
2 – Run game cracks top 5
Buffalo’s league-leading rushing attack made a sizable climb up the franchise’s single-season rushing list in Week 16. Entering last Saturday’s game the 2016 Bills ranked 10th in team history in rushing yards with 2,290. After their 272-yard rushing performance they’ve vaulted themselves into the top 10.
“We kind of did what we wanted moving the ball,” said LeSean McCoy, who had his seventh 100-yard rushing day. “Running the ball, running the ball, taking shots. The way that we’re built. That’s how we’re built. We run the ball and then take some shots.”
Buffalo now has 2,562 rushing yards on the season, which ranks as the fourth-best single season rushing with a game to play. They’re expected to pass the 1976 Bills (2,566) in the season finale against the Jets sitting just four yards behind them.
That figures to be where Buffalo’s 2016 run game will finish in club annals knowing they would need more than 400 yards on the ground to even surpass the 1975 Bills (2,974) who hold the number two spot all-time.
The 2016 Bills are however, expected to finish as the club’s all-time single-season leader in yards per carry average. They currently sit in the top spot at 5.52 yards per carry. It’s almost a half yard better than the 1973 Bills.
3 – Protecting the ball
All season long the Bills offense has been experts when it comes to ball security. Last Saturday marked the eighth time this season they have not committed a turnover. It extended a new Bills single-season mark (previous mark was six games without turnover in 2015).
Buffalo has just nine turnovers through 15 games. That ties the NFL record low set by New England in the 2010 season.
If the Bills go without a giveaway against the Jets on Sunday it would set a new NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season. Buffalo’s previous record low was 19 last season.
The NFL record low is 10 originally set by the 2010 Patriots and matched by the 2011 San Francisco 49ers.