Lofton80

I wonder if Jauron digs into his past for an OC and tabs Gary Crowton from Oregon where he is the OC for Mike Bellotti. Crowton was innovative in Chicago with less talent in the skill positions than we have today in Buffalo. Bio from Scout.com attached below The 47-year-old Orem, Utah, native comes to Oregon after accumulating a 47-36 record in four seasons as head coach at BYU (2001-04) and Lousiana Tech (1996-98), as well as two years as offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears (1999-2000) in the National Football League. He replaces Andy Ludwig, who resigned his position following three seasons to become offensive coordinator at the University of Utah. In his first year guiding the Cougars, Crowton devised an offense which led the nation in total offense (542.9 avg.) and scoring (46.8 avg.), while BYU finished 2001 with a 12-2 record and a Mountain West Conference championship. For his efforts, he was named conference and district coach of the year. During his head-coaching tenure in Provo, the Cougars averaged better than 409 yards of total offense while tallying a 26-23 ledger. In 1999 with the Chicago Bears, his offense ranked third in the NFL in passing (258.5 avg.) while establishing a franchise record with 4,136 yards through the air, as well as eighth in the league in total offense (345.2 avg.). In three seasons as head coach at Louisiana Tech, Crowton built an offenses that tallied 12,745 yards (374.9 per game avg.) and 115 touchdowns passing. In his final season, the Bulldogs passed for a school-record 4,943 yards while leading the country in passing (432.1 avg.) and finishing second in total offense (542.0 avg.). Louisiana Tech also scored 50 or more points in eight of 12 games in 1998 while eclipsing 300 yards passing on 10 occasions. In 1997, Louisiana Tech ranked third in the country in both passing (360.5 avg.) and total offense (496.0 avg.). He accumulated a record of 21-13 at the Ruston, La., school, including a 9-2 slate in 1997. “I’ve known Gary Crowton for three years and known of him for about 10 or 15 years,” Bellotti said. “He’s been an excellent football coach, both as a head coach and an offensive coordinator at the Division I level and in the National Football League. He’s had great success coordinating offenses, he knows how to make quarterbacks successful, he’s very innovative and creative within the offensive structure and his philosophy fits well with mine.

The Quotable Dick Jauron from 2002 2002 was not kind to Dick Jauron. The "unflappable", "stoic" Jauron received harsh criticism from fans, the media, and even TV commentators during Bears games. The coach deflected heavy, even personal, criticisms from fans on his weekly radio show. By the end of the season, host Hub Arkush had to resort to warning callers, then hanging up on them after they leveled devastating verbal lashings at the embattled Bears skipper. I give Jauron credit for hanging in there despite the haranguing, although it comes with the territory, and I feel much of it was deserved. Jauron is a conservative coach that is undeniably loyal; his loyalty is evident in his defense of offensive coordinator John Shoop, despite the continued incompetence of his offense. When asked by a caller if he thought Shoop was really the answer, Jauron replied that Shoop was "unquestionably" the right man for the job, based in part on the Bears' 2001 record of 13-3. Some more funny comments from Jauron in 2002: Replying to questions on "his" radio show, Bears Insider with Dick Jauron: "It's not my show, but I'm on that show." On Leon Johnson, after the RB allowed a kickoff to bounce off his facemask with the Bears protecting a 20-7 lead: "We like Leon, we're confident in Leon." On the question of getting Henry Burris playing time after injuries to Jim Miller and Chris Chandler: "I like Henry. I like Chris. I like Henry, but we need to protect the integrity of the game, so we don't want to start Henry." On criticism from John Madden of the Bears' playcalling during a MNF loss to St. Louis: "I like John. I like John Madden. But John isn't on our football team." When asked what he can do to motivate this losing team to continue playing hard despite their record: "I told the team, don't worry about winning the game."

I read he will go back to Denver to replace Kubiak.

Lets face it, Jauron was an inexpensive choice. He likely was willing to take the job by keeping the coaches currently on the payroll. Sherman may have wanted to bring in a lot of his guys like Bates. I read this morning that St. Louis had asked Bates to be DC for $1,000,000. I doubt RW was going to pay a DC that much when he paid Malarkey that much to be HC. As for power, Marv hired a guy who is no challenge to him. Sherman would have been a threat with GM experience. Sherman may had wanted a say in things after having Ted Thompson lose his starting Guards with no replacements. The decision was not about coaching. Cheap and compliant.

Good stuff, when can he start

Rumor is that Heimerdinger will return to Denver and be the OC for Shanahan replacing Kubiak.

Absolutely agree, Milloy misses way too many tackles

Donnie Henderson, Mooch, Fassel, Wade, Martz, AL Saunders, Haslett all would excite me more than Jauron.

I like the fact that Sherman had an offense that was balanced and threw the ball down the field. Sherman is an offensive coach who let good defensive coordinators like Donatell and Bates run the show in GB. Jauron had a reputation for conservative ball control offenses. Do a web search on Dick Jauron conservative and you get dozens of hits. Jauron is a defensive coach who let lousy offensive coordinators like John Shoop run his offense in Chicago. For insight look at linked article for who Jauron also interviewed when he hired Shoop in Chicago; familiar retreads Trestman and Joe Pendry. http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/articl...0/286661-p.html Sherman is the better choice

Levy on Jauron from Chicago Sun Times article in 2000 "It's a tough profession. It's hard to think how many coaches have not succeeded because they didn't have the right personnel and all the various things that go into it." Jauron is a lot like Levy. He can't turn James Allen into Edgerrin James or Walt Harris into Deion Sanders. But give him a Bruce Smith, a Thurman Thomas, an Andre Reed and a Jim Kelly, and he'll know what to do with them. "Marv and coach Jauron are very similar coaches," said Bears cornerback Thomas Smith, who played for Levy on the Bills for five seasons. "They delegate authority, but you know they're the captain of the ship. "They're both very insightful and intellectual coaches. Marv was an English major. He would come up with a story in a minute. Coach Jauron is the same way. He can tell you a story that makes you relate to the game of football and the game of life." It shouldn't surprise anyone, then, that Levy is a big believer in Jauron. Levy tried to hire Jauron as the Bills' defensive coordinator in 1995, but Jauron already had committed to the Jacksonville Jaguars. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...22/ai_n13888097 "I have great regard for him," Levy said. "He's bright. He's a good teacher. I think he's staying poised. I think he's wise by not coming apart. I can think of other coaches who come apart when they've lost. It's tough when you're going with a very young quarterback, even though he has a lot of promise. He doesn't have a great cast. But it takes some time to develop them."

Jauron is not at the level of Sherman. His coordinators in Chicago were John Shoop, Gary Crowton and Greg Blatche all of whom like Jauron had little success in their careers other than the 13-3 season. He will come cheap though which works for RW. I say Sherman.

Looks like the NO center is going to be expensive but worth the coin. John McClain had a reference to him in Sunday's Houston Chronicle. Gotta like the description of fercious and nasty run blocker. "Although potential free agents haven't gotten much attention because of the playoffs, one to keep an eye on is New Orleans offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley, who can play center of guard. The Saints can franchise Bentley, which is rare for a player at his position, but he is a rare player — a ferocious, nasty run blocker and pass protector whose versatility will make him a valuable commodity if he reaches the open market. Agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod are expected to hit the mother lode for Bentley if the Saints don't tag him". http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...n/3587895.htmls

Dead on Ramius I had the same observation. Pittsburgh employed the same strategy Wade Phillips did for SD. Same results. Merriman had a field day vs Indy. All I can figure is Indy must have said SD game meant nothing and they had an off day. Also agree with Buzzbait's comments about the playcalling. Pittsburgh was changing up in the first half at times dropping 8-9 guys daring Manning to run the ball which he never really did until the end of the second quarter when they went 96 yards featuring the run, settlling for 3. A couple of times, they sacked Manning early making it second and long creating passing situations, then they sent the house at him. I think Pittsburgh simply out coached Indy.

Wayne is excellant. Big body, catches everything with his hands not body. I think he is a #1 all day but will he leave Indy? My hunch is he will as they cannot afford everyone.

Liked Ralph's subtle shot at Sullivan this morning. Pretty obvious Ralph read Sullivan's column today with his opening comment about being a vaudeville act. Sully suggested Ralph was turning the media room at the stadium into his own personal comedy club. The old man is not totally out of it.

One telecast of the Colts this year indicated that Bill Walsh had suggested that Tom Moore would be a great head coaching candidate. Meets our age criteria. Walsh and Levy have known each other for 50 years so it is not an impossibility.

Amazing the perceptions that change over a year's time. I remember the atmosphere surrounding this team before we played Pittsburgh in the finale last season. No one wanted to play Buffalo was the phrase we all heard. It fell apart like a house of cards after that loss. While Moorman was our only Pro Bowler this season, I don't think the team does not have talent. London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes (assuming better health) are premier LB's in the league. McGee and yes the beleagured Clements are Pro Bowl level most seasons. Aaron Schobel is pretty damn good for being the only pass rusher on the line. On offense, I imagine Moulds, Evans and McGahee are in the top 10-20 % of guys who play their position. Many good special teamers. The Oline is terrible but I bet a lot of teams would take Jason Peters. There is a core of good players here. A coach like Haslett may look at our roster and think, rebuild the lines like the Giants did last offseason and get a better run stopping safety and I can win here. We have 5 quality spots to pick in the draft and room under the cap. Only x factor in my opinion is the QB. We can shore up the weak spots in the other positions, QB is my concern.

I think the Bills have to follow NFL guidelines on hiring which requires some diverse candidates getting a look but should have a coach in a week. As for the Shrine game, Modrak is still in place as are scouts if a coach is not in place.

Pay will be a huge factor that will eliminate the Martz/Sherman/Fassel types. I could see Jerry Grey, Jim Johnson or Al Saunders or Teddy Cotrell coming cheap as first time coaches. Haslett might come at a discount as I doubt NO paid a lot. Second issue, would new coach be comfortable with Ralph getting more involved and Marv guiding him.

Sherman has good background, like that Ron Wolf hired him in GB. Has worked with Holmgren. Only thing that concerns me is #4 would not be coming with him.

Marv is hiring so I expect a veteran assistant or former HC along the lines of Jim Johnson or Al Saunders. A veteren coach would have the connections to build an experienced staff. Jim Fassel- QB guru, SB loser, media experience Jim Johnson- Seasoned, defensive exert, has connections Al Saunders- Coryell offense, Former HC Dick Jauron- Ivy Leaguer, had some success in first gig Tom Moore- Bill Walsh likes him, Marv and Walsh are friends Jim Haslett - Might be the guy, think he fired Bobby April in NO Wild cards: Mike Riley- Butler hired him in SD, never underestimate connection Jim Mora, Sr. - Marv like, successful, Polian hired him (see above)

Huh? Howie Long was a great football player. I have no doubt he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He was certainly better known for playing than the tv gig. He is not the even the main guy on the Fox pregame telative to Bradshaw and JB. Irvin was clearly the leader of the Cowboys during the SB run. The guy was automatic on third down and likely sacrificed some numbers in Dallas run oriented attack. He is not choirboy off the field but the guy was HOF caliber. TT is first ballot all the way.

He was a Dline coach for Marv. He was a frequent guest on the Paul Maguire Show during the glory years. Smerlas on the radio used to rave about Ted as his position coach.

This is ridiculous. Grimm will be the Lions next head coach. This has been widely reported yet we sit here and trash his qualifications. I can only guess the Pittsburgh connection is the reason for the distress.

Hawk fits the description, just not sure he fills an immediate need. If FA is used to plug holes, I am all for Hawk or even Greenway of Iowa. He is supposed to be mean hitter as well. Two guys I like are Terna Nande of Miami OH 6'10228 Strong Safety prospect. Also like Manny Lawson of NC St who played opposite Mario Williams.