Archives for December 31, 2008

‘How pathetic does a franchise have to be to retain a coach like Dick Jauron? How low is the bar set for a head coach? How willing are the Bills to allow each and every divisional opponent progress and beat up on them?’

‘While the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets rose to the occasion – and even the Patriots flourished behind a backup QB – the Bills floundered. Buffalo was 0-6 against the AFC East. “It’s a lesson learned,” said Josh Reed, who completed his seventh season with the Bills. “We know what kind of league it is and everybody’s fighting for that one goal. We just have to keep fighting.”‘

‘"This is not to say that we will be complacent. In my discussions with Dick and our senior football people, the issues are recognized and I am confident they will be addressed."’

‘Keith Ellison stands out as the most prominent of Buffalo’s restricted players. Starting all 16 games at outside linebacker in place of the I-R’d Angelo Crowell, Ellison finished tied for third on the team in solo tackles with 50 and fifth in total tackles with 82 in 2008.’

‘Ultimately, the Bills decided they could not stomach another head-coaching change, despite the fact Jauron directed them to a third straight 7-9 season and lost eight of their last 10 games in the 2008 campaign.’

‘Wow. The man really has no clue.’

‘”I think it’s a great move,” Moorman said. “I’m glad to see Mr. Wilson is on the same page with everybody else in the locker room.”‘

‘Whether that means Jauron will be asked to fire offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, or any of the other assistants on that side of the ball – line coaches Sean Kugler and Ray Brown, tight ends coach Charlie Coiner, running backs coach Eric Studesville, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt – is uncertain.’

‘I wonder whether anyone involved with the team feels the same sense of pride that we diehard fans do. If they did, they’d be tendering their resignations and offering up a public apology for how poorly the team has played.’

‘With all the head coaching talent out there (Mike Shanahan, Mike Martz, Eric Mangini, Brian Billick and Jim Fassel to name a few) I am left wondering why the Bills don’t make a change now. The fan base is tired of years of mediocrity and Mr. Wilson crying that he doesn’t have any money. We’ll still support the team because it is in our blood, but he better wake up soon and smell the coffee before his approval rating, like that of Jauron’s on ESPN.com’s fan poll, sinks to 12-percent, making the fans wish Al Davis was the Bills’ owner.’

‘A recent online poll by the Buffalo News showed roughly 90 per cent in favour of firing Jauron. But speculation is that Wilson did not want to pay Jauron for three more seasons while having to hire another head coach.’

‘Wilson confirmed to Kilgore that Jauron has, indeed, signed a new contract extension, but Wilson said he’d rather not get into the specifics of earlier reports it is a three year deal.’

‘Members of this roster, particularly the aforementioned quarterback, can do their part by doing their coach’s bidding every single game, while his offensive coordinator must deploy the right pieces at the right time. There might not be the same amount of talent lying around that Levy had access to, but the most hopeful bet is that Jauron makes more right decisions more often while his players do their part and execute. Besides, it’s not about whether he should be allowed to keep coaching this team: it’s about that he is.’

‘Buffalo’s offense could produce just two field goals in its final three home games, losses to San Francisco, Miami (in Toronto) and New England. Jauron’s feeble clock management, timeout usage and erratic play-calling by his coordinator, Turk Schonert, all played a role in the club’s epic collapse that extended Buffalo’s playoff drought to nine seasons. That all said, Buffalo statistically was an improved team.’

‘Now that Dick Jauron has been retained for at least the 2009 season, it’s likely his entire staff will also return intact barring any career-advancement opportunities they receive. While owner Ralph Wilson has often demanded that a top assistant be fired after a losing campaign — Wade Phillips’ refusal to dump special teams coordinator Ronnie Jones after the 2000 season led to his firing — it’s known that Jauron was given full hiring and firing power in his contract. Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s work in three seasons is generally held in high regard. He was forced to start six rookies in 2006, injuries ravaged his unit in 2007 and this season, even without an injured Aaron Schobel, his defense improved from 31st to 14th.’