Yes, Bills coach Doug Marrone recently had a testy exchange with team officials in the earshot of players. And here’s what caused it, per a league source.
Marrone wasn’t happy with the decision to sign quarterback Kyle Orton so late in the calendar. Orton’s arrival post-preseason, with the kind of contract that suggests he’ll possibly be playing, potentially shakes starter EJ Manuel’s already fragile confidence.
And for good reason. If the current front office and coaching staff hope to have the kind of year that will convince the next owner to not fire everyone, Manuel needs to play well. But it could be harder for Manuel to play well if he’s bracing to be benched.
So while it appears that the coaching staff would prefer to remain all in with Manuel, the front office apparently wants to protect itself with someone who can play if Manuel stumbles. And if, as it appears, the coaching staff and front office sharply disagree on whether Orton should have been side, each camp has something tangible on which to rely when making the case that the other camp is the one that should be gutted by the new boss.