Bills co-Owner Terry Pegula will introduce Brandon Beane as the team's 13th GM "in franchise history at a news conference Friday morning" after making the hire official yesterday, according to Vic Carucci of the BUFFALO NEWS. Beane was the only "one of four known candidates for the job to be interviewed twice." He spent the past 19 years with the Panthers, including a stint as interim GM in '12 and serving as Assistant GM the past two seasons. Although he "doesn't have extensive scouting experience, he was exposed to virtually all facets of the Panthers' player-personnel department." Beane was involved in "putting together the team's last six draft boards." He also "evaluated college prospects and pro players" and "worked with the football operations staff on contract negotiations" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/10). THE MMQB's Albert Breer noted Beane yesterday "met with the Pegulas" in Florida, though the interview was "really a formality." He has agreed to a five-year deal (TWITTER.com, 5/9). In Rochester, Sal Maiorana reports from the moment Doug Whaley was fired the day after the NFL Draft concluded, Beane was the "clear-cut front-runner for the job" based on his association with Bills coach Sean McDermott due to their time together with the Panthers. The Bills officially interviewed three other candidates -- Texans Dir of Player Personnel Brian Gaine, Eagles Dir of College Scouting Trey Brown and Packers Dir of Player Personnel Brian Gutekunst -- but there was "never really a doubt that Beane was the man McDermott wanted" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 5/10). Buffalo-based WGR-AM's Sal Capaccio tweeted the "first order of business" for Beane is "rebuilding college and pro scouting departments" (TWITTER.com, 5/10).
IN SEAN WE TRUST: USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero writes the Beane hiring "reinforces what's been obvious since January ... McDermott has a lot of juice." Beane was McDermott’s "guy, and that made him the favorite from the start." By pairing Beane with McDermott, the Bills get a "duo with a preexisting relationship and, presumably, founded confidence it can work together." Both will "report directly to ownership," though the rest of the structure "lies in contractual details that weren’t immediately available." However, it is "safe to say McDermott has plenty of clout regardless" (USA TODAY, 5/10). NBC's Mike Florio notes the Bills have "seen enough" from McDermott since hiring him in January "to come to the conclusion that they're willing to entrust him to that kind of power" ("PFT," NBCSN, 5/10). NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted he has heard from several people it is "amazing that McDermott is getting so much power so early in his term." However, the Pegulas "wanted their head coach and their general manager to be on the same page." Garafolo: "They are happy and content that these two will be working together and working together closely" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 5/9).
PARTNERS IN TIME: In Buffalo, Tim Graham notes for the first time since the Gregg Williams-Tom Donahue pairing in '01, the Bills "intentionally have paired their GM-coach combo." With McDermott and Beane, fans "shouldn't get any finger-pointing." Each should be "privy to what the other is so much as thinking, let alone actually doing." From all accounts, McDermott's "long-range vision has struck One Bills Drive as truly remarkable." If that is the case, then having a "trusted mind alongside him to help execute that plan is crucial" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/10).
