Buffalo Bills’ new general manager Brandon Beane has finished putting together his scouting department, replacing Doug Whaley and his staff.
The Buffalo Bills have a completely new everything this season. Starting with the coaching staff, moving to the roster and the draft, to the general manager and now the scouting department, Buffalo is no doubt looking ahead to the future.
Looking at the scouting department Brandon Beane has put together, they have the right guys to bring them the right players to get them some victories — that was fun to say.
The Buffalo Bills are now one month into their post-Doug Whaley era and things are looking very well for this franchise. The Bills appear to be molding the franchise after the Carolina Panthers and taking advantage of familiarity has helped this team get comfortable with each other fast.
About a week ago, I wrote a piece with an updated list of the scouting department. At that time, the list was at 13. With the search now complete, that list stands at 17 staff members.
Let’s see what Brandon Beane was able to put together.
Joe Schoen – Assistant General Manager
Comes from the Miami Dolphins, spent the last three seasons as the Dolphins’ Director of Player Personnel. Also was the team’s assistant director of college scouting and national scout.
Brain Gaine – Vice President of Player Personnel
Gaine was originally interviewed for the Buffalo Bills‘ GM vacancy, but was hired as the VP of Player Personnel after the Bills chose to go with Beane.
Over the past three seasons with the Texans, Gaine has “supervised all pro player evaluation, the advance scouting process, free agency and the monitoring of player transactions,” according to Sal Maiorana.
Malik Boyd – Director of Pro Personnel
Boyd joins as the Buffalo Bills‘ Director of Pro Personnel. After spending a few years with the Colts early in his scouting career, Boyd has spent the last 12 years with the Cardinals. He held positions including Assistant Director of Pro Scouting, a Western regional scout and area scout.
His 14 years of NFL scouting experience will benefit Buffalo.
Terrance Gray — College Scouting Director
Brandon Beane had high praise for this guy, working his way to a southeast scout in Minnesota. With that area known for prime talent, it shows he has the eye for what the team needs. He also spent time with the Chiefs.
“Rick (Spielman) gave him a great recommendation. (Minnesota Assistant GM) George Paton as well when I called those guys. Every reference that (Bills Assistant GM) Joe (Schoen) and I called on said that Terrance has what it takes, he just hasn’t had the opportunity.”
MUST READ: 5 players that should be on McDermott’s leadership council
Lake Dawson – Assistant Director of College Scouting
Dawson brings 22 years of NFL experience with him to Buffalo. Starting as a wide receiver for 6 years, he spent the last 16 as a scout.
Despite being a national scout last year for the Browns, Dawson has also held positions including Director of Pro Personnel, VP of Football Operations and VP of Player Personnel with the Titans and Seahawks.
Marvin Allen – National Scout
With 24 years of NFL scouting experience, Allen spent the last four years with the Chiefs as the Director of College Scouting. He also spent 16 years (1993-2008) with the Patriots as an area scout.
Brian Adams – National Scout
Spent last season as the Cowboys’ Midwest regional scout and could’ve had a little bit of say in drafting Dak Prescott. With a total of 30 years experience as a scout, Adams had a chance to work with Brandon Beane in Carolina and get some familiarity with the Bills’ new GM.
Marcus Cooper — BLESTO Scout
Cooper was a member of Doug Whaley’s staff and will return for his second stint with the team. In total, Cooper has spent six years with the Buffalo Bills and the past two of those were as an area scout.
Gerald Dixon – Pro Scout
A former cornerback that joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Lions and later was a part of the Bills’ 2004 training camp. He would also spend time in Europe and Canada, as well as coaching a High School football team.
Dixon is a native of Jamaica and will be re-joining the Buffalo Bills‘ scouting department as one of the members returning from Whaley’s staff.
Curtis Rukavina – Pro Scout
Curtis Rukavina interestingly enough went to Erie Community College’s south campus, which is located just across the street from New Era Field. He will be entering the NFL for the first time, spending his entire career in the CFL.
He was most recently the Director of Pro Personnel for the Toronto Argonauts.
Chris Marrow — Pro Scout
Marrow has an interesting recent history. He was a member of the B.C. Lions’ personnel department in the Canadian Football League and also spent the past two years as a northeast scout for National Football Scouting.
Brian Fisher – Midwest College Scout
Fisher is another scout that will be returning from Whaley’s staff. He has spent a total of 10 years with the team after being hired in 2007 as a college scout.
Pete Harris – Northeast Area Scout
Harris was a part of Whaley’s staff that got fired, working a total of nine years with the team. He will return for another stint as the Bills’ northeast area scout.
Last season, he was one of Buffalo’s area scouts and he was also a BLESTO scout for the previous three years.
MUST READ: Did I just gain respect for Doug Whaley?
Dennis Hickey – Senior College Scout
Hickey joins the Buffalo Bills as a senior college scout, but don’t be fooled — this guy was actually a GM for the Miami Dolphins from 2014-2015. He was even the Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three of his 18 years with that team.
Hickey also has experience working with Joe Schoen, which should benefit the Buffalo Bills.
Doug Majeski – West Area Scout
The third scout that will return from Doug Whaley’s staff, Majeski will be entering his 28th season with the Buffalo Bills.
Jason Barbarino – Player Personnel Assistant
One of two members that managed to survive the purge of the scouting department, Barbarino will re-join the Bills in the same position as he was in.
Collin Dotterer – Player Personnel Assistant
Dotterer was the second person to survive the massive firing of the scouting department and Whaley. Him and Barbarino re-join the team as Player Personnel Assistants.
Next: Where does Gerald Hodges fit on the Bills' roster?
What do you think of the Buffalo Bills’ new scouting department? Leave your thoughts below!