My analysis on why Ralph kept DJ...

[el Tigre]

Here is my opinnion and analysis on what's going on with Ralph bringing DJ back. I still prefer to replace DJ now, but keeping isn't as crazy as our record suggest and does make some sense when you look at the bigger picture.

 

1. He is right on the money about a young team needing continuity (doesn't mean DJ and co. are the answer, but you don't develop young talent with constant change).

 

2. We had shown some improvements before our slide which coincidentally was about the time we started losing quality players to injury (Greer, Schobel, Youboty, Trent, Reed, etc.) which greatly contributed to our slide and inconsistentcy.

 

3. DJ, believe it or not, is still considered to be a pretty good coach in the NFL circle.

 

4. Ralph signed him to the extension already, so pulling the plug on him is going to be expensive at this point.

 

5. Troubles and inconsistency at QB greatly contributed to the demise of our season and we have a young QB who also missed time due to injury. This was the biggest reason for our fall from grace, not DJ. When Trent began to struggle he started to regress big time...hard to win in this league when your QB is timid to throw downfield.

 

6. There are some top coaching candidates available right now, but it is very possible that next off season will have several elite coaching candidates available as well: Holmgren plans to take 1 year off, Cowher emphatically stated he does NOT want to coach this next year until his daughter graduates (and his top 2 chocies to coach won't be available likely next year Jets and Browns), Shannahan likely takes one season off, Mariucci and Billick could also still be there, etc. Add Andy Reid too to that mix as I think he is back next year, but it might be his last unless Philly has a real strong season.

 

7. This team dealt with injury's to a lot key players on both D Line and O Line, QB, the secondary and LB positions. We didn't have the depth to overcome that.

 

So, when you add up all the variables, it makes some sense to give DJ one year to try and rebound. If he falters next year (which very well could happen with what appears to be a tough schedule next season) there will be some Elite coaches available and likely quite a bit fewer job openings than this season increasing our odds to land one.

Go away. You make way too much sense to post on this board.

[DrFishfinder]

I am not defending the guy...even started the post saying I prefer to replace him. My only point is that keeping him isnt as absurd as his record if you look at the whole picture, and still could work out.

 

Honestly, for us to win as many games last year as we did was a miracle with all the injuries we had. Many of our players we were starting we not starting caliber players and some would struggle to start in the World League.

 

We were hit hard by injuries then ended the year with a Rookie QB and dealt with the devastating Everett situation. Most among the NFL thought he did a heck of a job last year, myself included, given the circumstance.

 

He again was hit hard by injuries, had no consistency at QB, Trent even regressed.

 

So, that is why he is not looked at as bad in the NFL circle as he is by Buffalo fans.

I know you're not defending Jauron. But given his record, both at Chicago and in Buffalo, along with the mind-numbing mistakes he made this year, it's hard for me and a lot of sports commentators and writers, to justify keeping him. I keep pointing to Atlanta, Baltimore and My Yami as teams who did very well with 1st year coaches....all in the playoffs. Given that fact, along with everything else that's been said and documented about Jauron, it's hard to justify bringing him back for what all the evidence indicates, will be a repeat of the past.

 

All teams play with injuries and/or suspensions. That's not an excuse for Jauron, that's an NFL reality for every team.

[Sisyphean Bills]

So, let's recap.

 

1. In developing good young players, continued bad coaching is better than great coaching.

 

2. Injuries excuse. It's not Dick's fault that he has had a major role in overhauling the roster with his own guys and coaching up the depth on the team.

 

3. Bill Belichick was quoted as "loving Dick Jauron". Meanwhile, Belichick sprints off the field rather than shake hands with coaches like Coughlin or Parcells.

 

5. QB myopia. Who were the football people that decided to go with an unproven Edwards and a bad Losman again? Oh, that's right. Dick Jauron and rookie OC Turk Schonert.

 

6. Ralph is only 90, we can wait for the right coach to come along in time.

 

7. Lack of talent. See 2. Also, we know several games were lost by bad coaching decisions, not lack of talent.

 

But, you got it right with 4. It would cost Ralph money, time, and energy to try and fix the holes in the hull of his ship. Far easier to give the bilge pumps a little more time and hope for better luck.

[Alphadawg7]

What I hope Ralph did was Identify 2 or 3 candidates who he thought could be significantly better than Juaron - made inquires and was turned down- It does make sense to keep Juaron over other mediocre coaches - who needs two years of transition.

 

The coaching crop will be better next year if DJ doesnt get it done this upcoming year...Ralph knows it, heck everyone knows it. Plus, there will likely be less job openings making us more likely to land one if we pursue them. It likley has:

 

Cowher (said he will not coach next year and sit out one more year)

Holmgren (said he will sit one year)

Shannahan (I think he sits a year)

Mariucci (don't see him taking one of the open jobs this year)

Billick (see Mariucci)

Reid (if Eagles struggle next season he will be fired)

Etc

 

So, giving our young team one more year in the same system to see what our young team can do has the added security of having a prety deep coaching pool the following year if DJ can not get the job done. DJ has had to deal with quite a bit of adversity, the players like playing for him, he has an extension, we don't have enough talent anyway, and we have the fall back plan of having quite a few good coaches likely available if he fails next year (which will get him fired).

 

Plus, (as one poster added) one more year with Trent will give any new coach a clear indication on whether we need a new QB or have one to build on.

[Alphadawg7]

I know you're not defending Jauron. But given his record, both at Chicago and in Buffalo, along with the mind-numbing mistakes he made this year, it's hard for me and a lot of sports commentators and writers, to justify keeping him. I keep pointing to Atlanta, Baltimore and My Yami as teams who did very well with 1st year coaches....all in the playoffs. Given that fact, along with everything else that's been said and documented about Jauron, it's hard to justify bringing him back for what all the evidence indicates, will be a repeat of the past.

 

All teams play with injuries and/or suspensions. That's not an excuse for Jauron, that's an NFL reality for every team.

 

Can you tell me the big difference in Atl and Miami this year besides coaching? Good QB play...did we have good QB play? Not even close. When Trent was playing like an NFL QB instead of a scared puppy, we were 4-0. Even then, he wasnt lighting the field up...Bad QB play is the #1 killer of coaches in this league...

 

So sure, Sparano gets a lot of credit for the turn around, but that team is a completely different team in terms of its roster than it was the year before, and Parcells did that. Pennington, Brown back from injury, Williams, Porter back to form, the trade for Fasano, etc. was the turning point.

 

Atl just got only Matt Ryan and Michael Turner...hmmm...pretty good players to me...could they have a huge impact on that turn around?

 

Balt was already talented enough, so I leave them out of above example, but they too found a young QB to keep building on who is just asked not to lose them the game.

 

All teams do play with injuries, but not team in football has had as many injuries to key starters than Buffalo the last 2 seasons. Last year we had players that would struggle to start in the world league or CFL starting for us. This year our QB, OL, Reed, Schobel, Youboty, Greer, etc. were all hampered a CHUNK of the season, mostly during our season AFTER the 5-1 start and we couldnt recover.

[thewildrabbit]

What?! Did the sun rise in the west today? A TBD post that actually has some rational analysis? Your analysis makes sense.

 

Kudos to you, because if I read one more self-indulgent post by a "fan" threatening to cancel tickets, burn Bills gear, etc., I am going to throw my Dell out the window. You're all trying to be clever and witty, but here's what you sound like:

 

"Wahhhhhh. I have disposable income that enables me to buy season tickets, so that entitles me to whine sancimoniously about the quality of the 'product."

 

"Wahhhhh. I am so mad about Jauron staying on as HC, I am going to hold my breath, stomp my feet, and not eat my carrots. Did I mention that I have season tickets and I am entitled to whine sanctimoniously about the quality of the product?"

 

News flash: this is NFL football, not life-saving surgery. This is entertainment. If you don't like the entertainment, don't go to games, don't watch games, don't buy stuff--the same way you choose not to watch movies directed by certain people, or select the NHL over NASCAR. I'll bet when the Bills were 5-1 and the product was 'good,' the thought of selling your tickets or cancelling DirecTV was the farthest thing from your minds. Nobody is forcing you to spend a dime on Bills football--in fact, I am jealous of the fact that you can drop that kind of coin for tickets, travel and all the trimmings.

 

So, fine. Vent a little on TBD, sell your tickets, cancel Sunday Ticket and sell your Bills merchandise on eBay. Then, don't let the turnstile hit you on the ass on your way out. Those of us who understand what it means to be a fan of an NFL team--especially one that has been part of our lives from childhood and is inextricably tied to the character and personality of a city--will still be with this team next year and for as long as it is in Buffalo.

 

Your assertions that we are mindless drones will have about as much effect on our commitment as fans as your selling your season tickets will have on the Bills franchise.

I didn't read anywhere in this thread about Fans threatening anything or anyone throwing out there Bills items or canceling anything,why not take your comments to the appropriate thread.

 

This thread was started by someone who had already made the exact same post in another persons thread and its full of crud no matter where he posts it.

 

He continues to blame the QB for the failure of the teams success. That's like you not taking your dog out for a walk and blaming the dog for the crap on your carpet.

 

Again I'll cite the SF game where Lynch had rushed for 136 yards in 3 quarters and he got ONE carry in the 4th quarter when the Bills were only down by 7 points, instead the OC had the back up QB trying to force throws all over the field.So ignorant fools like you want to continue to blame the QB when he was put in a position to fail by the coaching staff.

 

Lastly,you will be the one crying next season when they don't show any home games because they won't sell out

[offsides#76FredSmerlas]

Here is my opinnion and analysis on what's going on with Ralph bringing DJ back. I still prefer to replace DJ now, but keeping isn't as crazy as our record suggest and does make some sense when you look at the bigger picture.

 

1. He is right on the money about a young team needing continuity (doesn't mean DJ and co. are the answer, but you don't develop young talent with constant change).

 

2. We had shown some improvements before our slide which coincidentally was about the time we started losing quality players to injury (Greer, Schobel, Youboty, Trent, Reed, etc.) which greatly contributed to our slide and inconsistentcy.

 

3. DJ, believe it or not, is still considered to be a pretty good coach in the NFL circle.

 

4. Ralph signed him to the extension already, so pulling the plug on him is going to be expensive at this point.

 

5. Troubles and inconsistency at QB greatly contributed to the demise of our season and we have a young QB who also missed time due to injury. This was the biggest reason for our fall from grace, not DJ. When Trent began to struggle he started to regress big time...hard to win in this league when your QB is timid to throw downfield.

 

6. There are some top coaching candidates available right now, but it is very possible that next off season will have several elite coaching candidates available as well: Holmgren plans to take 1 year off, Cowher emphatically stated he does NOT want to coach this next year until his daughter graduates (and his top 2 chocies to coach won't be available likely next year Jets and Browns), Shannahan likely takes one season off, Mariucci and Billick could also still be there, etc. Add Andy Reid too to that mix as I think he is back next year, but it might be his last unless Philly has a real strong season.

 

7. This team dealt with injury's to a lot key players on both D Line and O Line, QB, the secondary and LB positions. We didn't have the depth to overcome that.

 

So, when you add up all the variables, it makes some sense to give DJ one year to try and rebound. If he falters next year (which very well could happen with what appears to be a tough schedule next season) there will be some Elite coaches available and likely quite a bit fewer job openings than this season increasing our odds to land one.

[offsides#76FredSmerlas]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

 

The only reason he kept his job is because of the dumb extension... He won't make it past the half way point next year and watch, Bobby April will be the interim. Point blank, when you can't win a division game you should not have a job. 85% of the teams who start 5-1, make the playoffs. Dick is with the 15% who are losers. The only reason we started off that good is because of the teams we played. The Bills sucked bad this year and the whole staff is lucky to still have a job in the NFL. If it's necessary to keep continuity then why the hell are the Dolphins and Falcons in the playoffs right now. They are there because of positive change...

[BuffaloBill]

3. DJ, believe it or not, is still considered to be a pretty good coach in the NFL circle.

 

 

Wher do you get this from? Tell me that if RW fired Jauron that there would be a line of teams ready to hire as a HC? Seriously? At best he will return to a position coach unless by some miracle he turns things around next year. Did you not see how badly he was outcoached by Bellicheat? No to mention if Shannahan gets fired what makes you think Jauron is worthy of a HC job in the league? Truth of the matter is Ralph is notorious for being cheap with coaches. I'll bet even with the extension Jauron remains in the bottom quartile when it comes to pay. His performance suggests he should be at the bottom.

 

6. There are some top coaching candidates available right now, but it is very possible that next off season will have several elite coaching candidates available as well: Holmgren plans to take 1 year off, Cowher emphatically stated he does NOT want to coach this next year until his daughter graduates (and his top 2 chocies to coach won't be available likely next year Jets and Browns), Shannahan likely takes one season off, Mariucci and Billick could also still be there, etc. Add Andy Reid too to that mix as I think he is back next year, but it might be his last unless Philly has a real strong season.

 

What makes you think that Ralph Wilson will do an about face and pay top dollar for the list of coaches you mention. Especially when he is buying jauron and crew out of the final two years of their deals. Aside from this, Ralph has disdain for the strong coach or GM type. Cowher, for example, is going to want a role where he has power and an owner that funds him with free reign.

[KOKBILLS]

Go away. You make way too much sense to post on this board.

 

Sure cause Jauron supporters have cornered the market on common sense...

 

You like common sense? How about facts? 7 losing Seasons in 8 as a Head Coach...A 57-76 overall Record as a Head Coach...An 0-6 Record vs. The AFC East in 08...A dismal Record vs. winning Teams in His Head Coaching Career...0-6 vs. Bill Belichick as The Bills Head Coach...There's more but common sense tells me that's enough...

 

Look...If you wanna love the Bills because they are your Team, the loveable losers, and rah, rah, rah...blah, blah, blah...Fine...But don't come in here with that weak slow-ball of common sense because keeping Jauron had NOTHING to do with common sense or the will to WIN in today's NFL...

[el Tigre]

Sure cause Jauron supporters have cornered the market on common sense...

 

You like common sense? How about facts? 7 losing Seasons in 8 as a Head Coach...A 57-76 overall Record as a Head Coach...An 0-6 Record vs. The AFC East in 08...A dismal Record vs. winning Teams in His Head Coaching Career...0-6 vs. Bill Belichick as The Bills Head Coach...There's more but common sense tells me that's enough...

 

Look...If you wanna love the Bills because they are your Team, the loveable losers, and rah, rah, rah...blah, blah, blah...Fine...But don't come in here with that weak slow-ball of common sense because keeping Jauron had NOTHING to do with common sense or the will to WIN in today's NFL...

You have your opinion,I have mine. Apparently you are one of the many hysterical,negative fans that post here. I always try to find the positive in situations,and the poster made many good points in his original post. You can go ahead and dump the team if you wish,I'll be rooting for the Bills whether I agree with RW's decisions or not. Their my team. And when they do turn it around you and your whiny friends will be back,bragging how you've "always been a Bills Fan".

[The Dean]

Here is my opinnion and analysis on what's going on with Ralph bringing DJ back. I still prefer to replace DJ now, but keeping isn't as crazy as our record suggest and does make some sense when you look at the bigger picture...

 

 

An excellent post, A-dawg. It's hard for most here to be reasonable when the team tanked, once again, and it was due in large part, to DJ's coaching, it seems. I want DJ gone, and I'm not happy about Ralph's decision to keep him. But, clearly he went through a process before deciding to stick with Dick.

 

I think that what you outline, is as good as a shot at guessing the process, and the logic behind it, as any. Of course, the small minds of the lynch mob don't care to do any real analysis, and would rather post hyperbole and nonsensical truisms.

 

But, just because I don't join the mob, doesn't mean I'm happy about Ralph's decision.

[Run Stopper]

Here is my opinnion and analysis on what's going on with Ralph bringing DJ back. I still prefer to replace DJ now, but keeping isn't as crazy as our record suggest and does make some sense when you look at the bigger picture.

 

1. He is right on the money about a young team needing continuity (doesn't mean DJ and co. are the answer, but you don't develop young talent with constant change).

 

2. We had shown some improvements before our slide which coincidentally was about the time we started losing quality players to injury (Greer, Schobel, Youboty, Trent, Reed, etc.) which greatly contributed to our slide and inconsistentcy.

 

3. DJ, believe it or not, is still considered to be a pretty good coach in the NFL circle.

 

4. Ralph signed him to the extension already, so pulling the plug on him is going to be expensive at this point.

 

5. Troubles and inconsistency at QB greatly contributed to the demise of our season and we have a young QB who also missed time due to injury. This was the biggest reason for our fall from grace, not DJ. When Trent began to struggle he started to regress big time...hard to win in this league when your QB is timid to throw downfield.

 

6. There are some top coaching candidates available right now, but it is very possible that next off season will have several elite coaching candidates available as well: Holmgren plans to take 1 year off, Cowher emphatically stated he does NOT want to coach this next year until his daughter graduates (and his top 2 chocies to coach won't be available likely next year Jets and Browns), Shannahan likely takes one season off, Mariucci and Billick could also still be there, etc. Add Andy Reid too to that mix as I think he is back next year, but it might be his last unless Philly has a real strong season.

 

7. This team dealt with injury's to a lot key players on both D Line and O Line, QB, the secondary and LB positions. We didn't have the depth to overcome that.

 

So, when you add up all the variables, it makes some sense to give DJ one year to try and rebound. If he falters next year (which very well could happen with what appears to be a tough schedule next season) there will be some Elite coaches available and likely quite a bit fewer job openings than this season increasing our odds to land one.

 

 

All the variables? Ralph and his merry men are the ones who have made Pat Toomay's comment about the organization scouting from The Sporting News seem like a Nostradamus insight. When he finally made a move in the post Super Bowl years he hired a GM who would not take the job until the old man, himself, fired Wade Phillips... boy that first slug of dead money to a departed coach must have called back some painful memories of Mr Wilson's youth... so he won't make that mistake again. Lack of continuity? ... the one consistent aspect of the organization since the departure (over money as I recall) of John Butler et al has been the inconsistency and poor talent evaluation (for selecting coaches and on-field talent).

 

If the Bills' leadership felt that Jauron deserved a contract extension why do it after six games of the current season? Was there some vicious rumor afield that one of the free spending new-breed owners was poised to steal away our braintrust following remarkable back to back 7-9 finishes?

 

Wilson, Littman, and Brandon are anxious to extend the contract of a life-time sub .500 head coach (while refusing to renegotiate with their own Pro Bowl tackle who will demand even more money after this next trip to Hawaii); go the the mat (and lose) with Pat Williams, Nate Clements, Antoine Winfield... overpay Schoebel, Kelsay, Denny, Dockery, Royal without any tangible results... all orchestrated (from my perspective) to chum the water for next August when the WNY Leemings again caravan to St John Fisher and swallow gallons of the Blue, Red and White Kool-Aid, because it might finally be "next year".

[Guest dog14787]

I believe old Ralphy may have had Bill Cowher on his Radar but was told Tues by Cowher to remove him from the Radar so Ralph Wilson opted to stay with Jauron. This is just my opinion and I have zero proof, the timing was right though, on Tues Cowher also dropped off the Jets Radar.

[Spiderweb]

An excellent post, A-dawg. It's hard for most here to be reasonable when the team tanked, once again, and it was due in large part, to DJ's coaching, it seems. I want DJ gone, and I'm not happy about Ralph's decision to keep him. But, clearly he went through a process before deciding to stick with Dick.

 

I think that what you outline, is as good as a shot at guessing the process, and the logic behind it, as any. Of course, the small minds of the lynch mob don't care to do any real analysis, and would rather post hyperbole and nonsensical truisms.

 

But, just because I don't join the mob, doesn't mean I'm happy about Ralph's decision.

 

 

Again, the "Dean" hits home with this fan as well.

 

Am I happy with Jauron, emphatically NO. Can he lead this team forward to success? From what I've seen from him I don't believe that's very likely. Will I be there next year on game day, even if from the comfy confines of my bar? God willing, you bet I will be..............

[Tcali]

What?! Did the sun rise in the west today? A TBD post that actually has some rational analysis? Your analysis makes sense.

 

Kudos to you, because if I read one more self-indulgent post by a "fan" threatening to cancel tickets, burn Bills gear, etc., I am going to throw my Dell out the window. You're all trying to be clever and witty, but here's what you sound like:

 

"Wahhhhhh. I have disposable income that enables me to buy season tickets, so that entitles me to whine sancimoniously about the quality of the 'product."

 

"Wahhhhh. I am so mad about Jauron staying on as HC, I am going to hold my breath, stomp my feet, and not eat my carrots. Did I mention that I have season tickets and I am entitled to whine sanctimoniously about the quality of the product?"

 

News flash: this is NFL football, not life-saving surgery. This is entertainment. If you don't like the entertainment, don't go to games, don't watch games, don't buy stuff--the same way you choose not to watch movies directed by certain people, or select the NHL over NASCAR. I'll bet when the Bills were 5-1 and the product was 'good,' the thought of selling your tickets or cancelling DirecTV was the farthest thing from your minds. Nobody is forcing you to spend a dime on Bills football--in fact, I am jealous of the fact that you can drop that kind of coin for tickets, travel and all the trimmings.

 

So, fine. Vent a little on TBD, sell your tickets, cancel Sunday Ticket and sell your Bills merchandise on eBay. Then, don't let the turnstile hit you on the ass on your way out. Those of us who understand what it means to be a fan of an NFL team--especially one that has been part of our lives from childhood and is inextricably tied to the character and personality of a city--will still be with this team next year and for as long as it is in Buffalo.

 

Your assertions that we are mindless drones will have about as much effect on our commitment as fans as your selling your season tickets will have on the Bills franchise.

--there is a bit of the beaten wife syndrome with some of you great loyal fans

[Coach Tuesday]

My biggest issue with this thread is the number of posters who feel the need to quote the entire original post in their reply. God is that annoying. Especially when the initial post is long and the reply is just a freakin smiley face.

[Tcali]

My biggest issue with this thread is the number of posters who feel the need to quote the entire original post in their reply. God is that annoying. Especially when the initial post is long and the reply is just a freakin smiley face.

we are just too lazy to erase

[seadog]

You make some good points...

 

Injuries do happen, but what it showed us is how little depth we have and you can't win if you can't field players who can get the job done. For example, if you give a player a scheme, if he can't execute, doesnt mean the scheme was wrong, means you need to find new players...

 

It is not 100% on DJ to develop Trent. The HC rarely develops his QB. It is the responsibility of the OC and QB Coach, and this is a common misconception especially with a HC with a defensive background. HC gets too much credit and blame for the performance of his QB in most cases.

Yeah, It's not Dick's fault that Trent got his brains knocked out and went into shock for the month of November. J.P. had one more chance to prove himself and proved himself as unworthy of a job. Dick will prove you all wrong and have this team in the playoffs and he will coach out his extension through 2012.

[TheChimp]

--there is a bit of the beaten wife syndrome with some of you great loyal fans