Archives for September 2009

‘He says he is going to stick with the plan, but still fired offensive co-ordinator Turk Schonert only days ahead of next Monday’s season opener against New England. The move smacks of alarm and desperation yet it is not unique, as two other NFL teams have done the same thing late this pre-season.’

‘”I moved back to Buffalo a couple years ago. I have three or four training facilities where I work out young kids – junior high, high school, college and some professional athletes – in the Buffalo area. Pretty much, that’s it. That and raising four kids.’

‘Give Jauron some credit for having the conviction to make the late change, even though two other NFL teams had done basically the same things just days before, but Jauron also has to shoulder the blame for naming Schonert as his oc in 2008. He clearly knew then what type of personality and offensive mind-set Schonert brought to the table, and now he’s admitting he was totally wrong.’

‘When asked about Wilson’s input, Jauron conceded, “He was certainly involved. I called Mr. Wilson this morning when I decided this is the direction that I wanted to go. He said it was my call and I made it.” But the fact is, this move isn’t Jauron.’

‘”It’s been hectic,” he said. “It was a surprise, but we don’t have time to dwell on it, we’ve just got to move forward and get ready for the big game on Monday night and that’s the approach we’ve taken. Just let it sink in briefly and get to work.”‘

‘Both quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver Lee Evans supported the move after the team returned to practice Sunday to start preparing for its season opener at New England on Sept. 14. Both indicated players had voiced their concerns about the offensive sputters to coach Dick Jauron, who ultimately made the decision to fire Schonert on Friday.’

‘”It’s always a work in progress and I think with a young guy like that, he’s eager to learn,” Owens said. “He has tremendous upside and the guy has the arm strength, and with any quarterback, the success of any quarterback relies on the guys up front and the things that the guys outside can provide for him.”‘

‘In the last few years the organization has been deluding itself about a lot of things and now we seem to have the biggest delusion of all: That the Bills can win with Trent Edwards as their quarterback. In fact the Bills do not have a viable quarterback at all.’

‘Linebacker Alvin Bowen is back with Buffalo Bills, one of eight players placed on the practice squad a day after being released by the team.’

‘Named to the practice squad were LB Alvin Bowen, RB Bruce Hall, DB Cary Harris, WR C.J. Hawthorne, OL Nick Hennessey, WR Felton Huggins, DT Corey Mace and TE Jonathan Stupar.’

‘”He [Jauron] told me the offense wasn’t simple enough for him,” Schonert said. “We had too many formations, too many plays. I didn’t simplify it to his liking.”‘

‘"He liked to do things his way," Evans said. "It’s one of those things where coming from the system that he played in, it was pass-heavy. That’s what he liked to do, regardless of what other people thought he should have done. He was definitely a good dude. I learned a lot from him. But as many people as there is in this game sometimes you just don’t rub some people the right way."’

‘Let’s not be naive here. This move is as much about Edwards as it is about who calls the plays. Firing Schonert created a useful diversion, but the big problem with the Bills’ offense is the guy throwing the football. Edwards is suffering a crisis of confidence, and if he doesn’t snap out of it soon, we’re in for a long, ugly season.’

‘Another somewhat surprising move was the release of offensive lineman Kirk Chambers, who was thought to be a solid depth player in an area where the Bills certainly need some depth. Tackle Jonathan Scott earned the last offensive line job.’