Buffalo Bills: Was hiring Brian Gaine the right move?
Buffalo Bills newly hired general manager Brandon Beane began filling out his front office with Brian Gaine. Was it the right move for the organization?
After 17 years of no playoff appearances, it was imperative that the Buffalo Bills make changes this offseason. After firing head coach Rex Ryan before the end of the 2016-17 season, the Bills replaced with him with Sean McDermott, the now former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator a well-respected defensive mind around the league. Not only did they make changes on the sidelines, they made changes in the front office.
The Bills fired general manager Doug Whaley just one day after the draft. The timing of the firing was surprising to the fanbase, although many assumed he was going to be let go sometime this offseason. The Bills brought in Brandon Beane, who was previously the assistant general manager in Carolina, to replace Whaley. Beane brings with him experience and a winning reputation.
One of the four candidates Buffalo interviewed was Houston Texans director of player personal Brian Gaine. The Bills clearly like Gaine and, after they hired Beane, he was tasked with trying to recruit Gaine and join him in the front office. Beane succeeded, as Gaine was hired to be the vice president of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills.
For the past two seasons, Gaine was the director of player personnel for the Texans. He was hired in Houston at the same time as current head coach Bill O'Brien. Gaine's influence in molding the Texans roster was integral in creating one of the top defenses in the league. Before being brought into Houston, Brian Gaine worked in the front office for the Dolphins, where he learned under Bill Parcells, one of the best eyes for talent in the history of the NFL.
It's clear that the Bills are excited to have Gaine in the mix, particularly Beane. Here's what he had to say to BuffaloBills.com:
"It's generally a pretty lateral move, but Brian was excited about building this and starting this," Beane told Buffalobills.com. "I think partnering with me and Joe was attractive. I know Brian and who he is to the core and trust he's going to be a big time asset."
The Texans had the right to block Gaine from moving onto Buffalo, according to league rule. However, the organization ultimately decided to let him take the job with Buffalo.
Gaine is from New York, therefore the Texans allowed him to take a raise and be closer to home. The Texans knew that Gaine would eventually find another opportunity elsewhere, as he has had interviews for general manager positions around the league. He recently had an interview for the San Francisco 49ers general manager job, in addition to the Bills, but the 49ers eventually hired John Lynch.
The hiring of Gaine is another move in the right direction for the Bills as a franchise. After many swings and misses on draft picks and free agents, the Bills needed to bring in a guy with Gaine's reputation to run the personnel department. He possesses plenty of football knowledge and experience and enhances a team that is in desperate need of an overhaul.
Gaine and Beane should work exceptionally well together. The new GM is known for his aptitude with money and contracts, while Gaine is known for his eye for talent. If the front office duo can mesh well together, and McDermott can get the best out of his players, the Bills should be on the right track in no time.
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