Bills Swift Personnel Changes: Acquire Cassel and McCoy; Rex Ryan Ground and Pound Resurrected

In the infant stages of the 2015 NFL off-season, the Buffalo Bills have made it obvious that they are working in Western NY.

So far, their activity this off-season represents the bold and braggadocios nature of their newly minted head coach, Rex Ryan.

On Wednesday, the Bills agreed to send LB Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles for LeSean McCoy.

Photo left to right: Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso

And the day after, the Bills acquired QB Matt Cassel and an undisclosed draft choice from the Minnesota Vikings for two undisclosed draft picks, according to ESPN.com.

If you are a Bills fan, this is probably too much good news coming to you all at once, right?

How are you handling it?

It's not like the Bills defense set the world on fire last season.

They were actually towards the basement of the league in terms of rankings (29th), so in losing one of their better, young, up-and-coming DB's, the Bills took a step back defensively.

And this is a team coached by Ryan, Rex Ryan right?

Alonso missed the entire 2014-15 season due to a torn ACL; but in his first NFL game against the New England Patriots, although the Bills lost the game, Alonso recorded nine tackles and forced a fumble.

The week after vs. the Carolina Panthers, Alonso would top his first game, with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack.

Week after week, Alonso would contribute conspicuously on defense, and in so doing, he would earn the Defensive Rookie of The Year Award.

And now the Eagles are in possession of Alonso; a player on the brink of becoming one of the better defensive backs in the league, who they will pay $4,300,401 over the next four years.

On the other hand, McCoy just signed a 5-year $45,000,000 contract with the Bills.

It's not like McCoy isn't worth the money, but with McCoy out of the picture, it looks like the Eagles just saved a boat load of money.

And, it's all about the system.

McCoy is one of the best backs in the league going to a team whose Head Coach believes in ground and pound.

McCoy is more of an outside runner opposed to a back that can burst through the middle and run down the field like Seattle's Marshawn Lynch, but Rex believes in running the ball, and that's what McCoy knows how to do better than most.

Run the football.

McCoy is a 3-time Pro-Bowler, 2-time First Team All-Pro, former NFL rushing leader, NFC offensive player of the year and NFL rushing touchdown leader.

In other words he's pretty good and is in the right situation to get those yards on a team with the 22nd ranked rushing attack this past season.

And someone who could be handing the ball off to him, early and often this season is Matt Cassel.

If EJ Manuel doesn't beat out Cassel in training camp, off of a season where he was benched at 2-2 for back-up Kyle Orton, he will sit again.

Cassel is more than capable of being a game manager and that's what the Bills need.

Someone to move the chains down the field, make good decisions with the football, and protect it.

It was never going to work-out in New England, Cassel's first career stop because of Tom Brady.

I don't even know why they employ back-up QB's.

Kansas City gave Cassel a six-year $62.7 million dollar contract in 2009, and after making the Pro Bowl as a fill in for Brady (2010), who was too busy losing in the Super Bowl, Cassel failed to live up to the expectations in KC and was traded once again to the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.

With the emergence of rookie Teddy Bridgewater, Cassel's services were no longer needed and here we are.

I'm not saying that the Bills are going to win the AFC East because the Patriots are still there, but they do look better than the New York Jets right now.

Rex Ryan Fans Time to Get Over It

It's Todd Bowles' turn! After a condensed search for a successor to New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, the New York Jets chose Todd Bowles, the former defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. In less than a New York minute, Bowles will now lead Gang Green for the next four years. 

Rex WHO??

Reportedly, the search included John Fox (former Broncos Head Coach), Dan Quinn (Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator) and Gary Kubiak (Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator).

With Rex moving up north and moving on to coach the Buffalo Bills, the Jets now have a new captain to steer its ship into the land of optimism.

And hopefully progress.

And more wins.

In Arizona, Bowles led the No.1 rushing defense in the NFL (84.4) in 2013 and the No.4 ranked passing defense (198.0) this past regular season.

Fortunate enough to have one of the best corner-back tandems in the league in Patrick Patterson and Antonio Cromartie in the secondary, it's safe to say that Bowles, the former defensive coordinator, knows a little bit about defense.

However, as a head coach, we do not know yet, as the sample size is rather small.

In 2011, Bowles coached the secondary and served as the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins.

In his short stint, which spans over the course of three games, Bowles achieved a .667 winning percentage, going 2-1.

Well that can't hurt.

Another upside to Bowles is that he is a local native of nearby Elizabeth, New Jersey.

He knows the area, the New York media and hopefully, he will be comfortable.

Bowles is an unknown with a clean slate; but are the Jets in a position to take a risk?

The Jets have not experienced serious post-season football since the two-year 2009-10 stretch in which Rex led this team to two straight AFC Championship games, only to come up short in back-to-back years.

The fan-base has grown frustrated with the team most popular for finding new ways to lose games (the butt fumble) than secure wins in its most recent team history.

The down-side to Bowles is that, he is a defensive guy.

No, not again!!! Could he be the ghost of Ryan?

Same story, different character.

In the last two years of Ryan's tenure as the New York Jets Head Coach, the team rushed the ball fairly well. It ranked 3rd overall this past season (142.5 yards per game) and 6th overall in 2013 with (134.9).

The Jets passing attack was non-existent as they have qualified for dead-last in the league the past two years.

Sorry Geno.

Geno Smith, New York Jets, Quarterback

Maybe Bowles, unlike Ryan, will give a crap about how the offense will be orchestrated here in New York.

Maybe Bowles knows a little more than Ryan about actually getting the football in the air for a change.

Gary Kubiak, unlike Ryan and Bowles is known for his offensive repertoire. Kubiak was my choice because it would have signaled a clear departure from Ryan and it would have excited this franchise.

But for now until his contract expires, Bowles is our guy.

So we're probably not going to trade up for WR Amari Cooper of the Alabama Crimson Tide are we?

It would've been nice, but almost anything that can associate the Jets with change is a good thing, and with this hire, the Jets are doing just that.

WATCH VIDEO: What's The 411Sports team have a spirited conversation about the New York Jets prospects and standing

The young guns seem to think that the Jets need to do less talking and more action on the field that lead to a win.

What's The 411Sports host, Glenn Gilliam, says that Rex Ryan speaking his mind is displaying the type of leadership that a team should have.

Gregory Alcala and Chris Graham don't seem to have much faith in Geno Smith.

Greg even thinks that New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is better than Geno Smith.

Chris would like for Michael Vick to lead the team.

Do you have faith in Geno Smith?

Your thoughts about the Jets' prospects for this season?

Do you think the New York Jets will make it to the playoffs?

Could the New York Jets be Super Bowl bound?

The New York Jets are on the brink of a franchise changing revolution. Unlike the other football franchise with which they share the city, the gang in green actually promotes a noun more appealing to the citizens of New York. That noun is hope, and the ascending progress the Jets have exhibited this past season in their transactions and production warrant hope.

Let's review: The Jets finished the 2013-14 NFL season 8-8; again, failing to reach the postseason since the 2009-10 NFL season. In starting the season, a preseason injury to then starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, removed him from participating for the duration of the 2013-14, as he elected to have surgery. This unfortunate circumstance provided an opportunity to second round NFL draftee QB Geno Smith, selected out of West Virginia. Head Coach Rex Ryan was retained for an additional year. Marty Mornhinweg was employed as the offensive coordinator, replacing former OC Brian Schottenheimer. The Jets moved on from its former GM Mike Tannenbaum, who they decided to dismiss in favor of John Idzik, newly appointed GM and the former Vice President of Football Operations for the Seattle Seahawks franchise.

As the modern GM, Idzik experienced his first draft establishing his imprint on this franchise, drafting most notably, QB Smith, CB Dee Milliner, DT Sheldon Richardson, G Brian Winters as well as trading the 106th pick in the 9th round to the New Orleans Saints for RB Chris Ivory, all of whom have gained significant playing time last season, especially Smith who was in other words, given the keys to the franchise. With those keys, Smith displayed and manufactured numbers equivalent to a rookie professional athlete, but not one of what has become the norm generated by the new breed of dual, dynamic QB's, and you've heard of them: Robert Griffin "Tha 3rd", Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton.

Since this is New York City, and we are an impatient bunch, Smith has to hurriedly enhance his abilities and translate them onto the gridiron. After all, no one's spot is guaranteed.

Those ideas were recently expressed by Idzik when he said to New York media representatives regarding the 2014 NFL Draft, "We'll look at Quarterbacks."

Smith knows that, even with eight wins. His interceptions overtook his touchdown completions, 21-12 with a completion percentage of 55.8, which is parallel to Sanchez. Smith did reveal some good but not enough, which is why he needs competition. Competition is needed to answer the long-term quarterback position for the New York Jets and who's worthy enough to demand it. Looking towards the draft only one name stands out to me in this class of Quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater stemming from Louisville appears to be the top of this year's QB class and will be the first QB selected in this year's draft. However, the QB prospect I'm targeting for these New York Jets is Johnny Manziel, hailing from Texas A&M University.

If you've ever watched and for those who have failed to, just know that it is a show. At 6' 1", over the course of two national college football seasons, Manziel has shown that he has skills. He possesses the skills to extend plays with his feet, excelling in the open field at making defenders miss with his slight frame, accumulating 2,169 rushing yards along with 30 rushing touchdowns. His arm has passed for 7,820 yards, completing 68.9 % of his passes, with a passer rating of 164.1. Manziel has become the first freshman to win the Davey O'Brien Award, appointed to the best overall NCAA QB and the Heisman Trophy honor, an award which represents the most outstanding college football player in the United States.

Despite his performances on the field, Manziel has also created headlines off of it. Manziel was arrested in June 2012 and was charged with three misdemeanors from a brawl courtesy of College Station, Texas. Manziel has also been known to party. He was also kicked out of a University of Texas fraternity party. Maybe his association with hip-hop recording artist Drake excites you. So basically, Manziel has received scrutiny for being a college student. If that's the case then we should all be under a microscope because that is exactly what college entails. It's what we do. College grants young adults the opportunity to explore the world with a new found freedom, and Manziel is exploring his boundaries, as well as, escaping the pocket once it collapses every Saturday Afternoon.

Manziel has the potential to be a star at the next level, and that's a risk the Jets should be willing to take. He makes things happen. The only concerns I have about Manziel revolve around his frame and his instinct to avoid pressure in which he will have to be directed to slide down early in his career to preserve his future, but weight training and a coaching staff should modify these concerns.

The Jets first pick resides at the 18th pick, and due to Manziel's promise, the Jets will have to move up to acquire him. This actually might be one of those quarterbacks that Ryan would appreciate, because Manziel would definitely embody and accept what it means to be a "Jet" in a conspicuous fashion. This actually might be one of those quarterbacks that could contribute in composing enough points for Ryan's defense to work less, developing more wins. Manziel actually might be one of those quarterbacks who we won't question following the end of the year for unemployment. The Jets will never know unless they take a chance.

Teams in all sports talk about familiarity of the opposition. It could be sibling rivalries among the players or coaches. It could be the history of franchises. Who has the advantage when they face each other? It's a high stake game of poker when the match ups occur. That's exactly what took place Sunday at MetLife Stadium, when the New York Jets hosted the New Orleans Saints on a crisp and windy afternoon. Jets head coach Rex Ryan going against the high flying offense of Sean Payton. The Saints defense orchestrated by Rob Ryan, brother of Rex. You know there was a lot of trash talking (and a big bet) between the two prior to kick-off.

After some confusion as to who won the coin toss (Saints had to correct the ref), the Jets elected to give New Orleans the first possession. New York did everything to help the Saints get on the scoreboard first. They committed 2 penalties and gave up a 25-yard Drew Brees pass play getting them within field goal range. Fortunately for the Jets, Saints kicker Garrett Hartley missed the 43-yard attempt. After going three and out on their first possession, the Jets came up with the first turnover of the game. Brees, looking for tight end Jimmy Graham didn't see safety Dawan Landry blanketing him. Landry tips the pass and linebacker Demario Davis dives for the interception before the ball hits the turf. Running back Chris Ivory breaks a run for 27 yards leading to a Nick (AutomatNick) Folk 39 yard field goal.

The Jets next chance to get their second interception failed and it cost them in a big way. Saints Wide receiver Robert Meachem has a Brees pass bounce off his chest. Davis has the ball tip off his hands as Meacham has the concentration and presence of mind to haul in the ball. Four plays later, Brees strikes with 51-yard touchdown pass to Graham and a 7-3 lead. New York could not get anything going in the first quarter and began the second deep on its own 4-yard line.

Jets rookie QB Geno (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde) Smith missed on 7 of his first 9 pass attempts but his running back Chris Ivory (18 rushes for 139 against his old team) picked up the offensive slack. His 52 yard run resulted in Folk's second field goal from 21 yards out. Brees extended the lead to 14-6 by picking on veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie who first trips over Meacham's foot as he hauls in a 60 yard pass. Graham comes up with his second touchdown outreaching the shorter Cromartie for a 10 yard touchdown. Cromartie would get a little redemption as he picked off Brees right before the half. This time Smith lets his legs do the talking. After connecting on passes of 13 and 21 yards getting them down to the 3-yard line, Smith fakes the handoff and runs it in for the 20-14 lead.

RB Chris Ivory destroyed his former team on Sunday. Photo Credit: Mike Henringuez

Said Smith of the play, "we had an opportunity to score right before the half. It really elevated us. Not only did we get points, it gave us some momentum."

Both teams lost key players to injuries. The Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (elbow) and Saints running back Darren Sproles (concussion) would not return.

Smith's hot hand continued (8-19, 115 yards) as they got the ball to begin the third. He hooked up with wide receiver Greg Salas for a 44-yard completion as Folk nailed a 47-yard field goal extending the lead to 23-14. The onus now fell on the defense as Brees lit them up for 230 and 2 touchdowns in the first half. Although the Saints dominated the time of possession, they could only come up with 3 points after a 9-minute drive resulted in a booming 55 yard field goal by Hartley getting within 6 at 23-17. Folk added to the lead with yet another field goal, this time 47 yards to begin the final quarter. The Saints answered after Hartley's field goal (43 yards) but needed 11 plays to get on the board as the defense held for the 26-20 win.

After getting their doors blown out last week against the Bengals, the Jets in their up and down, win one lose one year won't have to worry about losing next week as they have a bye.

"I beat my brother again," kidded Rex at the start of his postgame press conference.

The defense did give up 366 yards in the air but Ryan was still impressed to holding the Saints high powered offense to only 20 points.

"It's a great sign for us. Looking at this game, we knew it was going to be tough. I've got a team that believes and will fight to the end."

It seems like forever since Rex Ryan was hired to coach the New York Jets with the promise of turning the franchise around. After drafting QB Mark Sanchez and surrounding him with seasoned veterans on both sides of the ball, Ryan's philosophy seemed to work. The ground and pound offense and suffocating defense saw them go to two straight AFC Championship games to the surprise of everyone. The last two years saw them revert to the pre-Ryan days of not making the playoffs.

There were reports that the locker-room was in total disarray as players bickered with each other on and off the field. The result was the firing of GM Mike Tannenbaum with many Jets fans wanting Ryan to follow him out the door. Owner Woody Johnson hired John Idzik to replace Tannenbuam and got the go ahead to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis who was coming off major knee surgery and was looking to redo his contract. The trade went through and Revis was shipped off to Tampa.

Draft night saw Idzik pick two offensive linemen Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi, cornerback Dee Milliner to replace Revis and quarterback Geno Smith that had the draftniks shaking their heads. When the Jets do take the field on Sunday, they will be without Sanchez who had his throwing shoulder busted in a meaningless pre-season game against the Giants. Why was he in the game late in the 4th quarter with the second unit offensive line? Why was it so important for the Jets to win that game? Smith was thoroughly outplayed by Sanchez during training camp but starts by default. Late Monday they signed veteran quarterback Brady Quinn. Smith will be on a short leash and will surely be pulled if he and the offense struggles.

Offensively the Jets will be challenged as they have no wide receiver that scares any defense. Santonio Holmes, a great talent, but one of the biggest divisive players on the roster, is coming off surgery and more than likely will miss the first couple of games. They cut veteran Braylon Edwards who was attempting his third stint with the team. They are hoping Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley and tight end Jeff Cumberland can get them to stretch the field. The offensive line is solid with center Nick Mangold and left tackle D' Brickashaw Ferguson and they will have to be on the top of their games if running back Bilal Powell and fullback Tommy Bohanan are going to have any success.

Defensively, Ryan again boasted that they will be in the Top 5. Where have we heard that before? Antonio Cromartie anchors the secondary and it will be interesting to see if Milliner can take up where Revis left off. No doubt he will be tested early and often. The linebacker corpse of Garrett McIntyre, Demario Davis and David Harris will be hard-pressed to stop the run and put pressure on the opposing quarterback.

The turmoil that ended last season costing jobs and the uncertainty of the current roster did nothing to suggest the Jets will be the team that had the success they had in Ryan's first two years. It will be the third straight year they will not make the playoffs and no one would be surprised if Ryan is fired before the year is over. This has all the making of a 5-11 year.

The team opens up the season against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers on Sunday at Met Life Stadium.

East Rutherford, NJ - So this is what the New York Jets defense looked like with the best cornerback in football Darrelle Revis out with a torn ACL in his left knee. The San Francisco 49ers spent the week in Ohio rather than travel back home after getting beat by the Minnesota Vikings last week.

After losing 34-0 to the 49ers at MetLife Stadium, it's not only the defense the Jets have to worry about. It's the 11 players on offense that head coach Rex Ryan should be concerned with. Ryan was clearly steamed afterwards using language he had to apologize for. Parents may want to shield their kids from the following quote.

"I apologize for my language," he began his postgame press conference. "Because I was going to say we got our butt kicked. But really, we got our ass kicked. There's no two ways ins or outs about it."

He then dissected how the ass whipping took place.

"We go in and it should be 7-3 at halftime. It's 10-0 because of the mistakes we make. Then we come out, turn the ball over four times. Here's the recipe for getting our ass kicked: 2 for 13 on third down that 15%, four turnovers, a blocked punt when they rush one guy and give up 245 rushing. How's that for a recipe."

Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons Still Undefeated

Things won't get any easier for Gang Green as they host one of the three teams that remain undefeated in the Houston Texans. They stayed perfect by rolling over the Tennessee Titans 38-14...The other two teams that are without a loss, Arizona and Atlanta, had to work hard to come away with victories.

The Cardinals needed overtime to best the Miami Dolphins (24-21) as QB Kevin Kolb threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Miami wasted a great performance by their QB Ryan Tannehill as he threw for 421 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Brian Hartline entered the Dolphins record book by hauling in 12 catches for 253 yards...The Falcons needed to go 90 yards with a little over one minute left to eke out a 30-28 win over the Panthers. Matt (Matty Ice) Ryan finds Roddy White for a 59-yard pass completion and then watches Matt Bryant kick the game winning 40-yard field goal. Ryan finished his day throwing for 369 yards as White caught eight passes for 169 yards...

Washington, Rams, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers and Broncos Among the Winners

Redskins wonder QB RGIII passes for 323 yards in its 24-22 win over Tampa. Another nail biter as Washington's Billy Cundiff nails a 41-yard field goal with three seconds left...Seattle was brought back to reality after its gift win Monday night against Green Bay as the Rams turned them back 19-13. Rams field goal kicker Greg Zuerlein was feeling his oats as he converted four field goals. The first, 58 yards that was followed up by a club record 60 yards. Expect him to be named special team player of the week...The disappointing Lions lose for the third time in four weeks after as the Vikings go on the road and come away with a 20-13 win. Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson continues to impress coming off knee surgery as he ran for 102 yards on 21 carries. Detroit's QB Matthew Stafford threw for 319 yards...For the second time this year, the Buffalo Bills gave up more than 45 points in a game. Sunday, they gave up 52 to the New England Patriots. The Bills did take a 14-7 halftime lead then saw their defense give up 45 points in the second half in the 52-28 loss. Patriots QB Tom Brady threw for 340 yards and two TDs...San Diego (37-20) and Denver (37-6) routed Kansas City and Oakland respectively. The Chargers jumped out to a 20-0 lead and Denver scored 21 third quarter points running away with the victories...

Bengals and Ravens Tied for First in AFC North; Cleveland and New Orleans Still Winless

Don't look now but the Cincinnati Bengals are tied for first in the AFC North after its 27-10 road win over Jacksonville. The Bengals are tied with the Ravens who just got by the winless Cleveland Browns last Thursday 23-16. The Browns had a chance to send the game into overtime but Cleveland's QB Brandon Weeden pass in the end zone went out of bounds...They join the only other winless team, the New Orleans Saints who were edged by Green Bay 28-27. The Saints had a chance to take the lead but Garrett Hartley misses a 48-yard field goal with a little less than three minutes in the game...

New York Giants Lose a Heartbreaker to Philadelphia Eagles

The New York (Football) Giants fell to 2-2 and 0-2 in the division after losing Sunday night in Philadelphia 19-17 to improve their record to 3-1. Big Blue had a chance to win it after Lawrence Tynes missed his first attempt at 54 yards but Eagles head coach Andy Reid called a time out. Tynes could not take advantage of the second opportunity as the kick came up short. Giants QB Eli Manning did throw for 309 yards and two touchdowns but the running game was non-existent. The Eagles did not turn the ball over for the first time this young season. The Giants host those lowly Browns Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Everything is not Big in Texas As Dallas Loses to Chicago Bears at Home

Finally, the Chicago Bears (3-1) went into Dallas (2-2) and picked off Tony Romo five times (tying a career high) coming away with a 34-18 win. Bears QB Jay Cutler completed 18 of 24 passes for 275 yards and two TDs while wide receiver Brandon Marshall pulled in seven catches for 138 yards and one touchdown. Dallas now gets a much needed bye week as Romo and the offense try and figure out how to get straightened out. When they return to the field, four of their five following games will be on the road.