The Buffalo Bills have long been a laughingstock in the NFL, suffering the longest playoff drought at 14 years and counting. Head coach Doug Marrone has only been involved for one of those seasons, a 6-10 mark in 2013, but it already appears he is tiring of the situation.
Doug Marrone, Bills officials have shouting match
Things already seem to be falling apart in Buffalo. In other words, it’s football season!
Joe Sargent
Marrone and team officials were seen shouting at each other on a practice field within earshot of players before final cuts were made last week, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Reportedly, Marrone and director of player personnel Jim Monos got into a loud argument which included several f-bombs before general manager Doug Whaley and president Russ Brandon tried to break it up. However, things only escalated with Marrone and Brandon screaming at each other, with the tension concluding by Marrone saying “go ahead and fire me.”
Marrone played the episode down when talking to the media on Friday.
Marrone: Did we have a discussion? Absolutely. "I couldn't be happier with those guys."
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) September 5, 2014 Marrone essentially laughed off report today. Just passing along what he said.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 5, 2014 This is only the latest episode in the long-running issues the Bills have had this summer. The team remains up for sale after the passing of owner Ralph Wilson Jr., with the threat of relocation to Toronto always looming. Then during training camp, the team had consecutive days of fighting which led to Marrone verbally exploding during a press conference. In the same vein, Marrone has taken to public relations officials giving out injury reports.
La Canfora also reports that Marrone has had issues with players as well, including standout linebacker Jerry Hughes. Part of the issue is Marrone calling himself “Saint Doug,” referencing that you need two miracles to become a saint. Marrone believes winning at Syracuse was one, and winning at Buffalo would qualify as the other. Most Bills fans would likely agree.
Marrone says his friends will "give him crap" for "Saint Doug" reference in CBS Sports report.
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) September 5, 2014 Over at Oddsshark.com, Marrone has the fourth-best odds of being the first coach fired at 8/1, only trailing Jason Garrett (2/1), Dennis Allen (4/1) and Joe Philbin (7/1). The former Syracuse coach will be under plenty of pressure with a fan base starved for wins and without the safety net of a high first-round pick in 2015, after Whaley dealt that pick and other assets to move up and draft receiver Sammy Watkins with the fourth-overall pick this year.
The Bills open up the season on Sunday at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
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