Why a head coaching change won't fix the Bills
Before everyone gets all up in arms about this article, a quick disclaimer: anyone who has read this blog for more than a week knows that I'm a pretty fervent supporter of Dick Jauron. This piece has very little to do with that opinion. I'm not going to publicly defend Jauron right now, because frankly, the team he and his staff is fielding doesn't qualify for public defending. Plus, he's a big boy, and can take the heat. He doesn't need me to sing his praises or proclaim that the sun shines out of his every orifice. It doesn't. I'm not going to rip him, either, however, because well, you're going to see enough of that elsewhere over the next several months, probably including right here. But not today. Today's a different piece.
Several times as I've defended Jauron over the past two months - again, make your own opinions on the man, if you don't have them already - I've repeatedly heard a version of the following argument about Jauron's coaching style, his decision-making, and his personnel activity:
"Brian, the definition of insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result!"
Sure. That's one way to put it, and it fits with the current situation the Buffalo Bills are facing. If we submit that definition as law, then firing Jauron would be insane. The Bills have tried the whole "let's fire the coach and gut the roster" bit. Wade Phillips was ousted despite a winning record. Gregg Williams was fired because of his terrible record. Mike Mularkey resigned after two years, despite a vote of confidence from then-newbie GM Marv Levy. By firing Jauron, the Bills would just be making one more move to classify the franchise as "insane".
Big change is bad change
I know what you're thinking. Galliford's gone off his rocker and thinks that the status quo is OK, that he accepts mediocrity, is OK with losing, and that all change is bad. Trust me, I've heard it all before. I've been called pretty much everything in the book, with the phrase "Jauron cronie" topping the list. Apparently, if you're a fan of the coach, your skin needs to be as thick as the skin of said coach.
Let me assure you that I'm not down with the status quo. The team has lost six of their last seven games. Clearly, a lot needs to change; it's foolish to argue against that point after witnessing the past two months of "football". But if you see me defend Jauron or, in this case, warn against wishing him fired, don't make the mistake of thinking that I'm fine with the current direction of the franchise. I'm definitely not. Neither is anybody else who makes the same argument.
But not all change is good change. Personnel change? Happens every year, and the Bills very obviously need a lot of it at several key positions. Scheme change? That would be welcome; it sincerely bothers me that the Bills aren't successful at home, where the weather and the crowd should be decisive factors week in and week out. Schematic change would be welcome as well. Staff change? Turk Schonert isn't a popular guy, and though he's probably not going anywhere, he could stand to steal a page or two out of the rushing section of the Giants' or Steelers' playbooks. Head coaching change? That's where things get hairy. Change the head coach, and you move from tweaking to gutting. We've seen enough gutting. It's time to break the insanity mold.
The remainder of 2008
At 6-6, the Bills inexplicably remain just two games out of the division lead in what still remains one of the tightest divisional races in the entire league. There are three divisional games to go. Hey, I've seen crazier things happen. Buffalo suddenly bucking their latest trend, waking up and winning out? That would rank as the craziest.
Considering the way the Bills have played over the past two months, 2008 is essentially a wash. No, the team won't quit, but they're likely not going to win, either. What this team needs more than anything - yes, more than a playoff berth itself - is some momentum heading into 2009. In his first two seasons on the job in Buffalo, Jauron's Bills have tallied a record of 3-5 (combined) over the final quarter of the season - 2-2 in '06 and 1-3 last season. Neither qualifies as momentum, in my book, when you consider the Bills ended 2006 with two straight losses and 2007 with three straight. 3-0 turned into 0-5. Sounds a lot like this season, eh? With momentum, however, 2009 looks a lot more promising. Confidence would mean a lot to Buffalo's young roster, as well as to the embattled coaching staff and fan base.
We know where the Bills need to improve on the field. I implore you, Bills fans, to recognize that while the coaching needs improvement as well, if Jauron's regime is ousted, this franchise will be set back once again. That fits in with our definition of insanity. Showing some patience while rooting for a young team? That doesn't.
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Jauron
I am implored Brian. But seriously, I am with you on this one. It would be one thing if the personnel decisions that Jauron has made or had his hand in were also terrible as some of his schemes, but that isn’t the case. The team is drafting well, plugging holes via FA, and the stability of the franchise is in place. He knows defense, Bobby April knows Special Teams. But the offense is left out to dry. There is no creativity, no “identity” and our best players Lynch & Evans are not utilized to their full potential.
I know another 7-9 season is not desirable, but who the heck do you think old Ralphy would go get? There is no logical choice and the pipe dreams of Bill Cowher is a 0% chance of happening. If I WERE, to vote for a new head coach it would be Bobby April if he could keep most of the staff in place. But I’m not. 3 years is great to give a coach, but not close to enough time. The roster does not need to be gutted, these players need stability as young players need guidance not a whole new staff of coaches to come in. Jauron, like it or not is here to stay. The roster will continue to get better, now we just need to hope that the OC and QB do as well
MARVelous
There’s actually four games to go in the regular season, Brian.
I’ve seen enough upheaval in the past 9 years, personally. We need SOME continuity as a foundation to build this team into a winner. Jauron isn’t that bad if you look around the league at the other head coaches. Certainly, axing him isn’t going to magically make the Bills a Superbowl contender.
At the same time, it is painfully obvious that upgrades are needed in personnel both on the field and on the sideline. There are some good players on this roster, and others who need to go. Some coaches who need to be both more creative and more cognizent of the need to mesh the players and the schemes to make the best fit. More teamwork and team spirit.
Being a Bills fan is a love-hate relationship. Right now, I hate’em. So much promise down the tubes this season (again). But to trash the whole thing and start from scratch would be just flat out stupid.
Hope springs eternal in April…
Get the Bills back to the big game!
Indeed. Three divisional games to go. (Thanks for catching that.)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Jauron's coaching record
My two cents will come later, but, for those interested, here is Coach Jauron’s NFL coaching record:
Year Age Tm G W L T W-L%
1999 49 Chicago Bears 16 6 10 0 .375
2000 50 Chicago Bears 16 5 11 0 .313
2001 51 Chicago Bears 16 13 3 0 .813
2002 52 Chicago Bears 16 4 12 0 .250
2003 53 Chicago Bears 16 7 9 0 . 438
2005 55 Detroit Lions 5 1 4 0 200
2006 56 Buffalo Bills 16 7 9 0 .438
2007 57 Buffalo Bills 16 7 9 0 .438
2008 58 Buffalo Bills 12 6 6 0 .500
9 yrs total 128 56 73 0 .435
5 yrs CHI 80 35 45 0 .438
3 yrs BUF 44 20 24 0 .458
1 yr DET 5 1 4 0 .200
It disturbs me how similar these Bills teams are to those Bears teams anymore
Good defense…non-existent offense.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
the bears are still that way
Disappointment proves that expectations were mistaken.......ladies and gentlemen your 2008 Buffalo Bills.....
by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 1, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
Only Change If To a Proven Option
I don’t want to change to an experiment and that’s what we’ve done in the past (Williams and Malarkey). The really BIG names aren’t coming here even if Ralph wanted them to. If the Bills could get Schottenheimer or Billick I’d take it.
The thing that concerns me the most is the 2008 draft class does not look good at all. I know that you have to wait for some of these guys, but so far the only thing we know for for sure is that we got a good kickoff returner. The rest of this draft is still a wait and hope situation. I don’t think it’s a lot to ask to get some more immediate contribution. Other teams are certainly getting it and we have in the past as well.
at this point I’m leaning towards getting rid of Jauron. I have seen enough of his game day decision making to know that he would botch something that would cost this team a shot at the playoffs or winning a playoff game. I think some of his decision making has actually cost us at least 1 game this year so the first statement may already be true.
I like DJ and all.....
And I have defended him in the past as well. NO, a coaching change right now will not help this team, but I don’t know if DJ is the long term answer. I think I have finally opened my eyes to the fact that this guy is not a winner=therefore not the solution for the Bills. Clearly, his tenure in Chicago speaks for his self. Now his time in Buffalo is further more proving that logic. Teams are indeed a direct reflection of their head coach.
I will not place he entire blame of our mid season skid on DJ’s shoulders, but he and his staff must be held accountable for some of it. But more must be put on the players. DJ and his staff (for the most part) have given the team a game plan that would not lose the game for us (notice I didn’t say win But what kills me is if we can see that alot of the things they continue to do over and over and over is not working, why can’t they?
I am glad I didn’t see the game yesterday. I was too busy getting soaked watching another underachieving team (Redskins). It was upsetting looking at the scoreboard an seeing the Bills losing to San Fran. And then I had to (once again) defend my team to a bunch of ‘Skins fans. It didn’t help I was decked out in Bills gear.
But the season is not over. The Jets and the pats both lost AFC teams, and things could still work out in our favor (ha).
Look, anything less than playoffs, and this season will be a disappointment. No moral victories here folks….
russert
can anyone in attendance comment on Tim Russert’s ceremony prior to the game? I thought we might get a little help from him and the man upstairs yesterday but obviously not! God this city is cursed
MARVelous
I didn't see it but
I remember Tim wouldn’t get much help when he asked God directly on National TV-so it doesn’t suprise me too much he doesn’t have much more sway now that he’s on the side of angels.
Of course I hope Tim has put God on the hot seat and grilled his ass about why we haven’t won yet….
Change
We need something .. We invested some much into our offensive line , have a great running back , chad pennington jr at QB . Lee Evans is a beast . Defense all we need is an end who was injured . Look how things are working out in Miami and ATL . We do need major improvement somewhere , if not head coach then where .? Kicker is not why .we should be getting into the end zone AHHHHHHHHHH how did this season end like this ?
Please the playoffs again in my life time
You're a Jauron Stormtrooper
there, I said it.
I understand the whole continuity issue and how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but at some point shouldn’t the root of the problems be examined? How can those problems not be derived from Jauron? He picked this staff. He has led the roster turnover. He has been a part of the ridiculous contracts for mediocre players. He has been outcoached routinely. He has not had his players prepared to play must-win games, let alone with them. He has been the on-field decision maker. He is the one that needs to be held accountable for a third straight 7-9 season, more than likely. We started 5-1 and are looking at finishing with a losing record. This is the leader of that, and needs to be held accountable.
Sure, maybe keeping the head guy in place and replacing the supporting parts could work, but maybe a change at the top is what is needed most. Unfortunately, with the owner we have, we’re already behind the 8ball. I just haven’t seen anything out of Jauron that inspires confidence. The players play soft, lack intensity, show no urgency and sure look to be whipped at the point of contact way too often. I don’t really see what makes Jauron such a great candidate to continue leading this team when everything he has done has been so questionable and hasn’t worked???
He’s a good guy, but not a good head coach. He’s not even an average head coach. He’s one of the worst in the league, and may even be one of the worst all time based on number of games coached. If that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what to tell you.
I know you hate the Miami and Atlanta examples, but why not? Maybe what this team needs is a change in philosophy and attitude. There is some talent here, not a lot, but there is enough to play better football than we have. I’m just sick and tired of watching this team have performances like yesterday. It’s not all on the players.
~K
I think you and Brian have had this conversation before. It’s interesting to revisit some of these points made prior to the regular season in light of how things have actually transpired.
Unfortunately, with the owner we have, we’re already behind the 8ball.
If you want to talk about the root of the problem, let’s start there.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
If we could do anything, there’d be no reason to have this blog in the first place. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
And miss all the fireworks?
What fun would that be? I respectfully disagree, Brian. :)
Get the Bills back to the big game!
i hear both sides
from where I am coming from however, is simply stability is something I want to see. I honestly said when Jauron was hired, give him 5 years. Now, of course I’m not so sure.
But if Jauron was to be fired what would Ralph Wilson do?….. He is not going to get anyone we are anymore excited about (track record, Phillips, Williams, Mularkey, Jauron as of late)….so simply switching from Jauron to a Gregg Williams type is not going to fix this
I know you want to pin this all on Jauron, but honestly these players have to be held accountable. He can’t get off the line and scrimmage and block, one of the most FUNDAMENTAL things in football. He can’t MAKE THEM TACKLE, or MAKE EDWARDS THROW A PASS FARTHER THAN 4 yds. Where Jauron lacks is his offensive abilities (which is none).
Look at Phillips in Dalls with Jason Garret
Mangini with Brian Schottenheimer
Belichick with McDaniel
All defensive head coaches with bright Offensive coordinators at their side. That’s where we lack. Our defense WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER if we EVER played with a league. It’s a hell of a lot easier to sack the QB when YOU KNOW they are going to pass.
Bring me an OC and I’ll show you Dick Jauron can lead this team to the playoffs
MARVelous
Someone said it in a previous post (perhaps in jest), but I’ll seriously recommend Bobby April at this point. He’s consistently mentioned as someone that “deserves a shot at a head coaching job in the future” so why not make the future now?
I would love Bill Cowher to come in here and clear house and begin our 4th rebuilding phase because I actually believe his rebuilding phase would work. Unfortunately, that won’t happen because Ralph wouldn’t hand over that much authority to one guy again and Ralph won’t pony up the dough for Cowher so he won’t want to come here. So short of Cowher, I’m not sure who else is out there that would come here that I would actually want. So why not April?
He is (or at least appears to be) the exact opposite of Jauron in terms of on field demeanor. He appears to be much less conservative – although I’m sure Jauron signs off on any fake field goal/punts, onside kicks, etc. He knows the players and the organization so it wouldn’t be a complete turnover. We know he has say on personnel already as many of the Bills final cuts and late round draft picks are April’s decisions. You get stability, we get someone that doesn’t look like the grim reaper in a turtle neck. Its win-win.
In fact, why not try what non-playoff bound teams do at the end of the season with young players? Let’s sit Jauron on the bench, and turn the reins over to April for the rest of the season. Try him out, see what the kid’s got. If he’s successful, we’ve got a new head coach for next year. If he’s not, then we do some more searching at the end of the season. We could do this with Schonert too. Sit him down, give AVP or Kollar a shot at play-calling. Jauron and Schonert could even grow out some ridiculous looking beards and sit next to JP on the bench. At least this would make the end of the season exciting.
(That last paragraph was about 55% joke, 45% serious)
But in all seriousness, why not Bobby April?
As for your comments on Bill Cowher: it won’t happen. Not because Ralph wouldn’t pay him, like you mentioned; also not because Ralph wouldn’t dole out that much power, which you also mentioned. Ralph has paid, and Ralph has delegated in the past. Cowher won’t happen because Cowher won’t want to work for Ralph, and that’s really the long and short of it.
I love Ralph Wilson. He’s a Hall of Famer in my book, and he’s done plenty of outstanding things for this city and this franchise during his lifetime. But he’s now more a hindrance than a pull to outsiders. Like I said, I love the man, but change will should only come incrementally until a new owner is in place.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm....hindrances you say?
Current NFL teams still with their original AFL owners:
Buffalo Bills, Ralph Wilson
Detroit Lions, William Clay Ford, Sr.
Oakland Raiders, Al Davis
Any patterns here?
(You could also include the Tennessee Titans and Bud Adams but thats a bad omen for Buffalo).
This is along my line of thinking.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
I agree on Ralph re: Hall of Fame, his contributions to Buffalo, and the Bills. But, Ralph has never paid top dollar for coaches or front office folk. And while he has doled out that much power in the past, it burned him and now he is reluctant to do so again. I don’t understand your point about Cowher not wanting to work for Ralph. Why wouldn’t he want to work for Ralph if Ralph was willing to dole out the big bucks and let Cowher do his thing?
Because if I’m Bill Cowher, I’m looking for that same power in a functional organization with a younger, more stable owner. If I’m Bill Cowher, I’m going to coach/strategize for a Lurie, Mara or Kraft. Wilson wouldn’t be a draw for me, and I’m positive he isn’t for Bill Cowher.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
I totally agree
that stability is the important factor here. There’s a good chance that, to put this delicately, Buffalo Bill’s ownership will change hands within the next 5 years or so. I’m seriously hoping that the Toronto deal is enough to prove to the rest of the NFL dictators owners that Buffalo is still a viable market.
If they stay in Buffalo, I’m pretty confident that the new owner(s) will be dedicated to doing what it takes to win and we can then argue all we want about bringing in a Cowher or some other hall of fame coach.
Or if they leave Buffalo, F—K the NFL
I just hope when the Bills have a new owner that they have the opportunity to stay in Buffalo and try to succeed. How incredibly sad would it be if the new owner came in and moved the team immediately. I want to see the Bills have the chance to succeed in BUFFALO with a new owner. A dedicated owner who will do what’s necessary to allow the Bills to compete without interfering and being a total hindrance.
~K
Well, not many cities would pony up for an NFL franchise right now anyhow to move there
So the new owners would almost be FORCED to suceed in Buffalo long before they could attempt to move the franchise anyhow. No one would spend big bucks on a new stadium unless the incoming team would be a draw at this point and that means a winner.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
I’ll certainly agree with you on Lurie. But Kraft and Mara aren’t available. And Cowher’s other options (Mike Brown, Al Davis, Randy Lerner, Zygi Wilf, whoever is in charge of the Rams right now) aren’t so great. If the Andy Reid, Mike Singletary, or Herm Edwards/Peterson get fired, I could see those as options. But other than that, I’m not sure the Bills job is that far down.
Well, obviously I know that Kraft and Mara aren’t available. They were just examples of the type of owner that Cowher would willingly join forces with.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
No, I know you know. But I’m just pointing out that Cowher’s other options aren’t that much better than the Bills.
Cleveland is the first place that comes to mind that is an infinitely more intriguing draw than Buffalo. You can bet that when Crennel gets the axe, the Brownies will court Cowher HARD.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
Agree completely
A workable compromise would be to bring in a good, proven OC as an assistant head coach and let him rework the offensive schemes. With a good center, this offense is primed. We have the talent. DJ don’t know diddly about offensive coaching. That is patently obvious. The change needs to come in the form of an offensive guru with the power to run the show.
Defensively, they have to decide what scheme to play. Not based on imposing one they’re comfortable with, but a blend of a scheme based on our players strengths. This constant playing off 8-10 yds from the receivers is lunacy. Good coaches learn from their mistakes. The soft coverage is our biggest defensive mistake. We have the talent.
I am not a DJ fan chiefly because of his gameday decisions. The players have to overcome his gameday calls by playing harder. Kick it up a notch. For as many years as he has been an NFL head coach, he is making WAY too many questionable decisions during the game, and the sloppiness (time outs, personnel changes, clock management) is inexcusable for a head coach with so much tenure. So I’m with MARV. A new assistant offensive head coach.
everything goes better with bacon
Plus
Jauron is not a “field” HC. He takes few decisions on the field (let’s suspend the judgement about those). He should be the leader, the inspirer, the organizer, and the face of the franchise. He is paid for it. His work should be to choose, train, follow, the players. An HC is the glue of a team.
Do we feel Jauron is any of these things? He has the posture of the team owner, or the GM, but no ofd the successful HC. At least, in my opinion.
And, by the way, to take blame – better, to shield the team form blame – when things go pear shaped is part of the HC job. Expecially when the HC does not bring any technical plus on the table. If you are an offensive guru (Martz, Shanahan), or a defensive genius (Dungy, Belichick), or an inspiring leader (Cowher, Tomlin) you can shield behind your talents. When you are simply a good, polite guy, what do they pay you for?
a third straight 7-9 season
Kurupt, interesting comment. Who do you see the Bills beating down the stretch to get the 7th win?
no one. it was just easier to type that instead of throwing the 6-10 in there.
This week is our best shot
~K
Kind of agree. Of all the AFC East teams, I see the Dolphins having the hardest time sweeping the Bills. However, Denver is such an up-and-down team, I almost say the Bills have a shot at beating them. Not a good shot, mind you, but a shot, just hoping to catch Denver in a down week. Unfortunately, that game is in Denver. Oh well.
We have talent, and we don't win...
Simple as that. Juron’s head shoud be on a block if the blade hasn’t dropped already. Anything less than 9-7 shouild be viewed as a failure in the leadership. There is on way you can win 5 and then not get 3 of your last ten and keep a job.
Well, that’s certainly the popular opinion. But, for every single reason I stated in the article, I disagree with you.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
An entire franchise effort
Who is to blame for the current mess? Well, the owner picks the GM; the GM picks his coach and drafts players, and the coach helps with the draft and coaches the players with game plans and on-field strategy. The players have to execute and, hopefully, have the talent to do so and win. How many of the above categories have the people earned their big salaries?
If coaching stability was a key factor in winning, then Lindy Ruff might have a Stanley Cup or two. Why not? He’s coached the Sabres for a decade now……with one conference title and no Cups.
Face it, guys: this Bills franchise is not looking promising right now. We might not even have a team here in the next decade.
At this point, I am for anything that can turn this team around, whether it be a smarter front office, a more dynamic head coach or tougher players. Frankly, I think we need all three.
You have to ask: is this team improving? Are we on the right track? If not, then you better make some changes.
You’re forgetting that this team doesn’t have a GM. We did, and that GM picked Jauron as his head coach. Now Jauron is not only the coach, but a vital cog in the front office. He’s more than he should be, and that’s Wilson’s fault.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
GM does not dictate strategy on the field. That is where we lack. i like our players and the overall direction. If anything, Jauron should go to GM or DCoordinator, and we need someone else on the sidelines as the General.
The Bills CAN win every game
That’s a move I half-heartedly suggested earlier this season, but the chances of it happening are remote. (I suggested asking Jauron to slide into the front office, with April taking over as coach. I don’t think it’ll happen, and I’m not sure I want it to.)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
That would never happen
and if it did, I’d have NO respect for Jauron. If someone asked him to stop coaching and move to a GM role, what exactly would that say about him as a coach? The guy has been coaching for 25 years or whatever, so he obviously loves doing it. If he gave that up to move to a GM role, there’s no way he could do that in Buffalo. I think he’d have more pride than that.
~K
all good points
it does start at the top and with the front office. However, I do think we have drafted well under this regime and FA has been pretty solid. And hopefully we have found our QB. I don’t think massive changes are in order. I can see hiring a new HC but only if it is a guy who brings some fire. Also, its hard not only to get players to come to Buffalo, but for coaches to come as well. Even assistant coaches.
I kind of feel we are a lame duck franchise just waddling in mediocrity and it is inevitable the franchise collapses due to Ralph passing away, and the team moving away. Nothing about the Buffalo bills looks like it has a good ending
MARVelous
A change would make a big deal, to a proven winner. Jauron seems to be in the bottom rung of coaches at this point. If he stays another year, and we stink, it HAS to be over
The Bills CAN win every game
Find me a proven winner that’s readily available not named Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer, and let’s talk.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:47 PM EST up reply actions
Josh McDaniels wouldn’t be a bad idea, but he’ll prolly have his pick of the litter at season’s end.
We’ve tried the hot young coordinator bit before, too. That’s exactly what Gregg Williams and Mike Mularkey were. I’m not sold on McDaniels.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
True, but it would nice to stick it to Belichek for once. Lord knows we’re not gonna be doing it on the field.
Cough Cough, Scott Pioli
Pay the man whatever he wants and give him as much power as needed if you wanted to F with Belichek’s head.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
Okay, first this is not Jauron bashing, so please don’t ban me. These are facts!!
Jauron has not had a stellar draft since he started 3 years ago! My understanding is that he has a lot of input and possibly the final say on who they draft. Trading up in the draft has cost us picks and nothing worth talking about in return. I know it takes time to judge a draft but 06 is definitely a bust if that is the only one we can judge for now. The only ones I like are Youboty, Butler and williams. Forget Whitner, he costs too much and is not worth a number one pick considering who we could have picked. Also, his free agent pick ups are weak and too pricey for what we got in return. The only two that I am sold on are Mitchell and Stroud for production and price!
The only coach I would keep is Bobby April, why not give him the head coaching job for the last 4 games to see what he can do.
WE need a better GM like we had in Bill Polian, why do you think the Colts won a Super Bowl, and have been competitive every year. It all starts at the top!
Bad management, bad coaching, bad draft choices and bad free agents. These are the facts and they are indisputable.
Actually, Ralph Wilson needs to go because he is the one who picked all of these people. His pride got in the way in the 90’s and he fired everyone that was competent.
Its not “Ralph Wilson needs to go”, its when how he goes, i.e. when he meets his maker, and whether the NFL allows the Bills to stay in Buffalo.
Ralph is not aware what he is doing. Look at all the people he has hired and fired since the Super Bowl years. It’s atrocious what he has done to this team.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions
draft
first off, we have to grossly overpay to have players come to Buffalo. Drew Rosenhaus on ESPN a month ago was talking bout negotiations and he said “its one thing if the player wants the most money, then he’ll even go to Buffalo or Cincinatti” We have to OVERPAY, so forget about bargains. And our drafts have been solid besides McCargo.
We do need better leadership but we won’t get it until Ralph passes
MARVelous
Solid drafts, who are you kidding. 06 is a joke. Whitner is not a number one pick and he is overrated and payed too much. McCargo, yikes. Youboty, Williams and Butler are good. Ko Simpson is not anything special. I think the others are gone. If you want to look at 07 an 08 we can but it’s probably too early to tell.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not a joke when you get Youboty, Williams and Butler in the middle of it. A joke at the top, yeah probably, but getting quality players in the middle was huge. I just wish we hadn’t blown the first 2 rounds of that draft….
~K
We blew the first 2 and the 4th, and the bottom tooooooo
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
No draft is perfect. I get what you’re saying, but K’s only point was that the draft wasn’t a total wash.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
In Buffalo’s case it is late round picks excelling that make or break the team. They have great success with the late round picks. Those late round / Undrafted Free Agents keep this team viable financially. It is a sad fact, but it helps the Bills future more for those type of guys to make it than a first round pick busting. This is made especially true because of the Bills usual mid-1st round position. IF the Bills picked top 3, that changes the equation, but I imagine those top 3 picks are especially volatile league wide. Boom or bust.
For the Bills, its about the late draft hidden gems.
Whitner
so you wanted Ernie SIms, Leinart, Haloti Ngata, Wimbley, Bunkley??? Come on Whitner was a good pick. He’s not a stud like they want us to believe but he is solid and a good leader for our def
MARVelous
NOOOOOOOOOOO, I wanted Cutler and we blew it!! Even Jaws said to take Cutler!!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
Just because a player does well in another system, does not mean they would have done well in Buffalo.
What? It’s true. Cutler was their top QB that year – Levy said so post-draft – but they weren’t taking a QB.
Hindsight is 20/20, my friend.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Loser man was our only QB. My point is we should have been in the hunt for a QB. NOT HINDSIGHT, BUT LACK OF FORESIGHT BY OUR FEARLESS LEADERS!!!!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
No, he wasn’t. At that time, the team still had vet Kelly Holcomb, had just signed Craig Nall, and were committed to that horrid three-way QB competition. We had 3 QBs. None of them, in hindsight, were the answer, obviously, but we had a plan at that position.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said lack of foresight by our leadership. That trio is a joke and a blind man could have seen that one coming. C’mon??
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
I agree that Whitner’s slightly overrated, but he honestly doesn’t make a ton of money. He’s under contract for 3 more years, and is scheduled to collect about $7 million in base salaries over that time frame. That’s pretty cheap these days.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
Whitner is all talk and he is too small and slow. Misses a lot of tackles too. To think that we could have a franchise QB in Jay Cutler……
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
i THINK YOU AND I MAY AGREE ON A LOT OF ISSUES. But you have to help me with Brian cause he is still drinking the kool-aid.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
How? By saying “not firing the coach is better than firing him”? As I said, I’m equally as frustrated as you are with the current situation. But, as was the main point of the entire article, I believe that firing would do much more harm than just staying the course.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
No no no
We do both have the same issues with this team. So do plenty of other guys on here. Brian is the voice of reason, the eternal optimist, which is exactly what is needed. I wouldn’t say he drinks the Kool-Aid, he just looks at the issues from an angle that is not always the preferred view of the masses. I enjoy that perspective and hope you do too.
~K
Well, I shoot for reason, but I just re-read my own words and didn’t see much that was optimistic in this piece. I’m as down on this team as everybody else. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
In Oklahoma we say git r dun! Like the Sooners are doing. Otherwise, as Donald would say, “you’re fired”!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
I never ban for Blue Collar or Donald Trump, especially if the Trump impersonation is a good one. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Sooners are a winner. The Bills would do well to pay attention! Not a fan of Trump but I like the “you’re fired” slogan.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
That's OK.
That comedian who made the Git r’ Dun expression famous isn’t nearly as much of a redneck as he pretends to be. I saw some old stand up footage of his on TV ,at like 3 in the morning, and he was just a regular lookin’ guy in a sweater. The whole Larry the Cable Guy thing is an act.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Look at all the other draft picks that helped them win a championship. They had a lot of talent thanks to Polian!!
True, but without the other players Peyton would not have a Super Bowl ring!! It’s a team game remember. We doooooooooooooo not have a good enough team to win.
You like typing the letter “o”. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
our talent
is leaps and bounds better than 3 years ago. The cupboards are stocked full of young talent at all positions. Sure we lack depth and experience, but mostly its the QB play. If we had QB play this team is undoubtedly a contender
MARVelous
Totally disagree……..but Cutler would have been a nice upgrade over Whitner.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
Disagree with… talent or QB play?
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
We needed a QB and we needed talent and he filled the billet on both! Our leadership is pathetic. Was, is and hopefully won’t be forever.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
I’m a little late to the show here, but I’ve read some of this stuff and I have to say that, Jay Cutler is not a cure all. Would he have been a better pick then Whitner? Well as Brian said hind-sight is 20-20.
I believe the last time the Bills took a QB in the first round who was a gun-slinger with good mobility, one hell of an arm, and loads of talent, it didn’t turn out well.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
Actually
Cutler plays horrible defense.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
What talent? I see some decent talent at CB and maybe WR, but where is this supposed talent stockpile at other positions? RB is good too.
OL? We have very little depth and the starters are as infuriating as any group in the league.
QB? There’s no stockpile there. Hope Trent continues improving, but it’s all him.
TE? Fine and Schouman are ok complimentary players and ST’ers, but they aren’t incredibly talented or look like future studs.
DT? Stroud and Williams are an excellent pair, but after them Spencer Johnson underwhelms. There’s little to no depth here.
DE? Oh GOD.
LB? DiGi was nice depth, but that’s about it. We have a good starter in Mitchell, an average starter at this point in Poz and a weak one in Ellison.
S? Decent depth here, but the starters aren’t all that great. Scott has been a nice find. Simpson is just another guy. Wilson too. Wendling is nothing more than a STer…
I’m not seeing this wealth of talent here.
~K
talent for our scheme
the key is also that we draft players BASED on our scheme. So if there was a new coach, a new scheme, that would be an overhaul in personnel which is also a sucky thing to go thru unless you have a great talent evaluator like Bill Parcells. But yes, K I think we have a lot of good YOUNG talent. No, we are not DEEP, but our organization has been drafting for our schemes, and our “type” of players. These guys have come up together and will continue to do so. Keep stock-piling good drafts which I think they have. You can clamor about Cutler all you want, but we have Edwards who has solid potential to become the QB of the next decade. We just need a system for which he can thrive, and thus a OC that can provide that. Mark my words, TRENT EDWARDS IS A SYSTEM QB, and will be a damn good one if we get a OC that knows how to run an offense
MARVelous
what the hell is our scheme exactly?
cuz i would love to know.
Disappointment proves that expectations were mistaken.......ladies and gentlemen your 2008 Buffalo Bills.....
by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 1, 2008 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
what about offense?
Thats what I was talking about.
PIPE DREAM: Jim Harbaugh for the Bills next head coach.
by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 1, 2008 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
It is a new version of the "ChucK n Duck",
called the Call Really Abysmal Plays or “C.R.A.P.” offense.
Hypothetical question to those who want to keep DJ
If the Bills have a losing season again NEXT year and Jauron is still the coach, would you change your opinion of him and the coaching situation? Just asking.
Probably. We’ll see if it gets that far.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Another hypothetical about those supporting DJ....
What if we do lose out this year? Finish 6-10 after a 5-1 start….Really, how can you keep a coach after that? This team has been hit by some injuries, but not enough where finishing 1-9 is an excuse. How could any coach live to see another season after that? Right?
~K
I’d say you have a strong argument, but that getting rid of him would still hurt more than it helps.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
It would be the biggest blessing for the Bills. YOU DON’T BET ON THE HORSE YOU BET ON THE JOCKEY. BAD JOCKEY = BAD HORSE!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
We have our arguments on that, obviously. This is more of an image question. To the fans and the rest of the league. A team that starts that strongly, but then completely falls flat on it’s face like that would almost HAVE to make a move. What exactly would you be telling your fans if you are to accept that and not make the HC accountable? I know that shouldn’t be a factor in building a team, but in some cases it has to come into play, especially in a situation like the Bills are in financially and with an uncertain future.
This question really doesn’t have anything to do with Jauron. It’s more of a question for how could any team keep a coach after a fall like that? It’s along the lines of the Dolphins last year if they had gone 0-16, or I guess 1-15 since they did make the move. How do you recover from it???
~K
I’d say that not firing Jauron after a 1-9 finish wouldn’t have any impact, if the Detroit Lions hadn’t done a very similar thing just a year ago.
I hope we don’t reach a point where image becomes a factor for making key moves like this. I can see how it might, though.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Using the Lions as the point of reference would almost indicated Jauron would need to be fired. I’m sorry but that’s not who we should follow in any way!!!!
~K
Which is exactly what I said, without saying it. That’s fun to do.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
If the Bills lose out, I would be on the fence. I guess I would only like to see Jauron go if I know that there is a better coach waiting in the wings. I don’t want to fire D.J. and then let some inexperienced coordinator take over.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
At this point I fully expect that they might lose-out. KC notwithstanding I’ve seen nothing to indicate the Bills are turning anything around. Even if you expect the Bills to win one more game, who would it be at this point? Maybe the Patriots if they have nothing to play for. Miami possibly, but only because Edwards is likely to play better in a dome than at home or Denver at this point given the weather. But at this point we have yet to beat a team with a winning record and thats all thats left.
1-9 to finish has to be a firing
That is ridiculously terrible.
Stud running back, QB with all the tools, Good group of wideouts…where’s the problem? Even the line, has come together in some instances, but this West Coast bul crap and finess blocking from one of the biggest O-lines in the league is absolute crap. Our defense isn’t THAT bad, but the offense has been woeful. We were able to surprise some teams in the begining (barely in hindsight) then the divisional teams saw the tape and kicked our asses. Can’t play against a 3-4? You gotta be kidding. Mine as well play college ball or something.
The biggest problem is we are losing by strategy, not necessarily production. No long passes, not running at the right times, stupid time outs and stupid challenges. My grandmother could see Kelsay didn’t touch that dam ball.
Anyway, it would be different if we were at the top of the division and then pulled a stinker against an up and down team. This was terrible by all accounts. And if it continues, i want to see a firing OR a change in over all football strategy from Jauron. We need to attack teams….forget, my subject is enough. Sorry for the rant
The Bills CAN win every game
WEST COAST
our offense is nothing like the WEST COAST. Where are teh quick slants? Where are the curl routes? Where is efficiency? Our offense now, is looking more and more like SF-M last year
MARVelous
Can we bounce back and win out?
And if we go now, 3-1 or something, then what? I’d almost rather they lose out, instead of tugging at my nuts for another nine months in the offseason.
The Bills CAN win every game
DJ and continuity, what to do?
Well, I’ve been staddling the line hard between fire DJ and keep DJ. I think the long extension for the amount of cash was a bad idea, I felt he needed to play out the season before getting the pot of gold, but I don’t have the power to make that happen obviously since I spend alot of time here with you guys arguing about our Bills.
I don’t think canning DJ at this point is the best move for this franchise as far as trying to make a core of solid players available for the next owner. There, I said it, this team is being built to make it economically feasible for the next owner to be competetive, we work under the cash to cap strategy to keep our cap space open, this helps us in the future, well, the future of ownership is about 3 years away at Wilson’s age. DJ can be had for a lot less than a fix it quick whiz bang coach can, and Wilson’s age as Brian has stated is an obvious impediment to that. I think when this team is sold, DJ is going to be moved into the FO at that time and off the field.
I don’t think DJ is going anywhere for many reasons, but perhaps Turk might need to be moved on outta here. He said he was going to fix and bring up the quality of SFM’s playbook, remember guys, this is not an entirely new playbook, and look what it got us, a Jekyll and Hyde exsistence on offense. We might need to bring in a whole new program, and that means a new OC, and perhaps all new coaching perssonel on the O side of the ball.
As much as I dislike Fewell, on the year he has done a serviceable job, but I must really know, is it him or McGee who is making the decision to bail out so often? But I think the D side of the ball won’t get much coaching attention this season. Sorry for my rambling thoughts but I’ve only been up for a short while now, will post more when I’m more awake.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
I have the same question regarding McGee. What the crap is going on there? Is it Fewell? It’s gotta be because McGee is still doing it. You’d think if it was McGee, Fewell would tell him to get his arse up on the line and press….
~K
McGeee
isn’t good enough to cover anyone like a blanket, or he would be doing so., I would think.
So the question remains: why is the idiot starting? Of all the controversies (OL, HC, offensive coordinator, etc) this is one thing that drives me nuts more than anything. I swear McGee couldn’t guard me and I need a knee replacement.
by ccthemovieman on Dec 1, 2008 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
Well, he was fine against Cleveland when he manned up Edwards on the LOS. When he dropped back, he got torched per usual. I just want to see him up on the line to see if he can cover or not….
~K
Where does the idea that April can head coach come from?
He’s a special teams coach and “Assistant” head coach. It seems like playing with fire to just throw him into the head coaching job.
Levy was a special teams coach before he got the opportunity
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
At least April seems to have some fire in him...
The whole organization needs to understand that losing isn’t OK. Firing Jauron sends a message.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
It also borks them for the foreseeable future. Yes, I said “borks”.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
it has to be asked
borks is what exactly?
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
Amen………..I like his fire and he is not afraid to get into someone’s face.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
So was Bill Cowher. One advantage that’s rarely mentioned is that special teams coaches look for talent in every position, not just “their” guys (i.e. offense/defense). I’m not saying it’s a fast rule, just something to think about.
One thing that April has in abundance is energy. He moves up and down the sidelines like no other coach I’ve ever seen.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Not scoring a TD against SF is the last straw.
Nothing to lose at this point by making the change. Fans might even show up at the last home game in Buffalo.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Nothing to lose at this point by making the change.
On the contrary, and as was the point of this article in the first place, there’s PLENTY to lose.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
LIke what? Another game…..I rest my case.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
His point was that starting over would affect other seasons, not that it would change anything this season.
I rest my case, Phoenix Wright.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
I know that, and I am saying that we will continue to lose now and in the future so the Bills might as well get it over with now.
Kinda like having JP as the backup quarterback. I would have put Gibran Hamden in instead of JP.
Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on. I rest my case!!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
They said a lot of those things around here (PSU) in '04
about JoePa…and four years later, the man has won two Big 10 titles. It’s not a perfect comparison, but seriously- had the coach changed, the team would have been godawful, most likely.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
Come on
There’s no comparison. Joe Paterno has had plenty of success in the past. You just can’t compare the Paterno situation with Jauron.
LOL well, I mean, if you want to rest your case, then go for it.
Three years of building. Solid young players (not ALL of them, but there are players). A tenuous front office structure. Trust me. Dick Jauron is the guy preventing this thing from going ka-boom. If you want ka-boom, that’s great. I’d like to avoid it.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Just watching his decision making on the field should be enough for you to see that he is a follower. Now I really do rest my case!!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
So basically you’re saying you’re for the ka-boom.
When did I say he was a follower? What does that have to do with the comment you replied to?
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
He is afraid to lead that makes him a follower………next question.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Or Drew Rosenhaus.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Rosenhaus? Is that you?
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Gah, too slow
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Ha.
It’s not a complete departure from Jauron, but is on a different, equally irritating topic.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
My point is this…….we are on the goal line and running the ball well and he passes it twice for a goose egg. He is not a leader, and we need a leader that is willing to make the correct decisions at the correct time.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
it wasn’t him passing or making those calls. He is the one who oversees it though and allows those play calls to continue happening.
~K
yes but leadership says to the offensive coordinator……i want you to run the ball down their throat and do it now
sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands when you are the head coach
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
Oh I agree
but it seemed like you were saying he called those passing plays at that time. Which he definitely didn’t.
He IS the guy who allows it to continue happening though. There’s my issue.
~K
yes he allowed it to continue…………
he is the head coach therefore it falls on him
if you don’t like what oc and dc are doing then change it
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
He is afraid to lead that makes him a follower………next question.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
in fairness
turk called a run on 3rd and goal and trent optioned to a sprint boot. So while Turk is to blame trent is to blame as well cuz HE CAN AUDIBLE
MARVelous
They play football up there eh?
I’d take SEC head coaching experience over CFL any day (and that says a lot given the Saban/Spurrier debacles). Levy was also a HC before he came to Buffalo.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Just give him a chance and see how he does for 4 games. He is the best coach we have if you ask me. Nothing to lose…..
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Unfortunately, you don’t just give a guy “a chance” for 4 games to see how he does. We’re talking the head coach here, not a rookie LB or something….
~K
He could do no worse and he has proved himself as a head coach so i would not call that just throwing darts at the board…..
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Cowher and marv were special teams coaches and look what they did
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
I like what i have seen from bobby april……….a lot of interim coaches have been named to fill a void by a fired coach….. i believe he deserves a chance.
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough
but comparing him to Cowher and Levy because they were both ST coaches doesn’t make much sense to me
~K
just saying that others have made the leap
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
they didn't go from special teams coach to head coach in the NFL
You’re forgetting all the stuff they did between ST and head coach
tell that to the ravens and John Harbaugh......
Disappointment proves that expectations were mistaken.......ladies and gentlemen your 2008 Buffalo Bills.....
by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 1, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Trust me, there is worse to explore. Not saying April would get them there, nor am I saying he’d do better. But there’s far worse.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
APRIl
A HC is all about organization and leadership. April is great at both. If he hired the right DC and OC he would have a hell of a chance. But he would need a GM cuz he can’t evaluate talent
MARVelous
I’m not sure I believe that he can’t evaluate talent. He has a lot of say in those late round draft picks that we have already discussed being successful above.
At least he has a pulse...
I’m scouring the news wire for the news of Jauron’s canning. Please make it so.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
LOL. Come on, man, you know it isn’t happening.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
I know...
But at least it gives me something to look forward to about this team! I respect your views…but the SF game was the last nail where I’m concerned. Time to move on.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Speaking of moving on, I’ve got a new article scheduled to publish at 2:45. Just FYI. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I'll look forward to article.
I hope it’s titled “What if April was HC”. I could see him in the locker room at halftime saying: “They’re killin’ me Turk. They’re killin’ me”. Then I’d know we have a real coach.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
I keep looking too. Gives me hope to see the newswire that he is fired!
by savedbychrist on Dec 1, 2008 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
that
made me laugh out loud…..maybe Ralph doesn’t have a pulse and Jauron is just dressing him up like weekend at Bernie’s so Jauron doesn’t get canned
MARVelous
Funnest thing I heard all day.
Remind me of the one where Wilson looks like the Crypt keeper from tales from the crypt.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Talent void doesn't excuse the season...
It may sound like a broken record, but the Bills are truly fortunate to be 6-6. Had they not played multiple teams from the two weakest divisions in Buffalo, this team would be 2-10…at best. They haven’t beaten any team remotely close to a winning record and have not beaten a team with 5 wins or better. They may finish 6-10 or 7-9, but they really are a 4-12 or 5-11 team right now. Three years with the same staff should provide better results. If they were 2-14 then you could bet your Flutie Flakes that Jauron would be out at the end of the season. A record like that would have gotten him fired for sure. This team will have to struggle to get to 7-9 and that’s without all of the injuries the Bills had last year. Only a 2-10 team loses to Cleveland and SF at home no less. BTFW: Please, no more guarantees Donte.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Please no more Cowher!
He would be great for the team and the area, but unless he’s interesting in doing charity work…we’ll never see him in the old red, white and blue. April is worth a try.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Cowher is a pipe dream, at best
It’d be great, but still not happening.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Sad but true.
But all we have are our dreams at this point.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
I just wanted to say
That I like your icon. That’s pretty well done.
"The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures of the sea. Dolphins can attack and kill a shark or whale. Sailors say bad luck will come to anyone who harms one of them." - Joe Robbie, Oct 8, 1965 upon announcing the name of the new AFL Miami football team.
Thanks
I was struggling to find some sort of Jersey-Buffalo hybrid when—after a couple of shots of vodka—the NJ state outline began to resemble an American buffalo or bison. The rest was easy after that. My advice to anyone anyone doing graphic work…drink heavily.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
That is one way to find the crative juices
Or at least imbibe the creative juice
"The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures of the sea. Dolphins can attack and kill a shark or whale. Sailors say bad luck will come to anyone who harms one of them." - Joe Robbie, Oct 8, 1965 upon announcing the name of the new AFL Miami football team.
There is a down side to too much creativity.
You might wake up with a buffalo….
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
The Bills will lose out....
That would be ideal. Hopefully that happens.
We need playmakers. And more importantly competent coaches who can coach players, instead of coaching a system.
A head coaching change isn’t on my list of things to do. But I wouldn’t lose any sleep over losing Dick Jauron.
Turk has to go. He just doesn’t get it. I’d give Perry Fewell another year. He’s done a decent job without playmakers.
I’m content with our O-Line. When they play good. They play Good. I’d try to upgrade the Center postion if anything.
James Hardy needs more playing time. period. I haven’t seen him on the field enough to say we need another #2 WR. Plus WR develop slow. I remember when Josh Reed wasn’t 2 Cent in Chinese money. Roscoe needs more touches. Period. (Everyone knows Lee Evans is the best deep threat in the game…need not say anymore).
Trent Edwards is our guy. Period.
Tight end upgrade is a MUST. I don’t know the potential FAs. But if the 49ers let go Vernon Davis, and the Browns let go Kellen Winslow. Definitely got to get one of those guys.
As far as the Full back position…as long as there is a pure full back on the roster (not a fan of that H-back nonsense). I’m happy, Full backs ar vital to running the ball.
On Defense….
Let’s just say…if you aren’t Marcus Stroud, Leodis McKelvin, Jabari Greer, Donte Witner or Terrence McGee.
There is the door.
(Of course theres others….but these are the ones we absolutely need to keep.)
Roscoe doesn’t deserve more touches. Every time he gets a chance, he blows it. Fielding a punt at the 1, dropping a TD, dropping a wide open ball last week, etc.
~K
JAURON's presser
the media got after him. I will say this is when I love Jauron. He takes responsibility and is a classy guy. I know that doesn’t speak for the 6-6 record, but I do like having a classy high-character coach. Don’t insert the cheap shot Jauron jokes here……
He was clearly pissed Lynch didn’t run it more. But he LETS TURK do his thing cuz Jauron has no clue about offense
MARVelous
Here's a hint, DJ
Make Turk call roughly the same number of run plays as pass plays, and watch this offense blossom!
Get the Bills back to the big game!
We can't
But it usually takes a year or two to see what a young QB has. I’d wait until the end of next season to make a decision.
by BuffaloBrewed on Dec 1, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Before his concussion his passes were very accurate. He could much more often than not put the ball in the exact place he wanted. I do not think he suffers any after affects now. The defenses have changed against him and so far we have no adequate strategy to counter this. I do see him, when healthy, beginning to get his rythym back. The TD pass to Hardy vs Jax was a thing of great beauty. That will come back.
everything goes better with bacon
Um, are you implying we should rid ourselves of Poz?
Dude, them’s fightin words.
Also, there might be a reason Hardy isn’t getting more time (I mean, when the 7th rounder is getting more time than him, you have to wonder.)
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 1, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
Thank You
I would just like to thank all of you for completely distracting me from my work so far. I’m not sure whether that is a good or bad thing, but I’ll keep reading on.
LOL. Figured we’d need an article to let people vent. I’d say it’s gone well.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
There’s one up now.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
how pissed off are Bills fans??? I mean, its coming up on 10 years…no playoffs. That is killn Bills’ fans all over the world.
I mean, let’s be honest. I don’t care how you break it down. You lose to SF at home, and score 3 pts and the whole team should be fired. That’s one of the worse losses I HAVE EVER SEEN!
MARVelous
10-3 to san fran at home was our 52-7 blow out
by MonStarr_716 on Dec 1, 2008 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
And Zumone
If Trent isn’t our guy who is?
Not some magical QB that’s going to appear in the draft or Free agency.
Let’s not forgot how young Trent is. Especially with 2 different coordinators. And they were (are) both fools. I’d say Trent’s done more good than bad. he’s doing a admirable job consider the circumstances.
I don’t want to be looking for another QB for the next 10 years. Especially when the Bills won’t be here that long anyway.
I say stick with Trent.
MARVelous
I couldn’t have said it better.
Sadly, They all won’t be fired. And even if they were I don’t think the Bills have time to fully rebuild into a contender (shoot).
But’s not to say SOMEONE needs to be fired.
Cough
(Turk)
Scrapping an entire organization rarely works, especially if the desired end result is the quick-fix that everyone seems to think firing Jauron would bring about.
Change is a good thing. Big change isn’t always good, and it’s bad in this situation. (I feel like I repeat myself often.)
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
I like Dick (easy)
If Tony Dungy isn’t on his way to becoming the Bills head coach. I don’t know who else could possibly replace him.
Dear Brian...
I would concur with most of the article, but the premise to the whole thing is a little more plastic than you’re making it out to be. Gutting a coaching staff is different from gutting a roster. I’ll say for the record I’m indifferent if Jauron stays or goes right now… simply because I, frankly, love the roster he has built, but have been profoundly underwhelmed by the coaching staff he has assembled.
As far as firing our staff being a set-back, well… it hasn’t been a set-back for the Dolphins or the Falcons or the Ravens or the Redskins this season, has it? Like I said I am not necessarily supporting the notion that we should be searching for a new head coach but I know that Dick Jauron is not maximizing the potential of this team right now. The Bills are talented, a lot more than people give them credit for… if Jauron cannot tap into it, THERE IS SOMEONE WHO CAN.
There has been a theme to the Buffalo Bills the last 3 seasons: our teams are well prepared and play hard. However, the flip side is that they are often not prepared to adjust the game-plan that has been implanted during the week (players or coaches). Simply put, DJ is not exactly a coaching genius… he doesn’t provide the ingenuity or creativity that puts good teams over the top. And it certainly isn’t coming down the line from our coordinators, either.
Any coach that walked in the door next season to replace Jauron would not be disappointed, because they would be gift-wrapped a playoff-caliber roster (talent-wise). I would venture to guarantee that if Bill Cowher coached the Bills (ha ha pun) next season we would make the playoffs. Bill Cowher would not hire an OC whose favorite formation is a 4WR Shotgun. And we definitely know he can find guys to get to the QB. Anyways, I digress… I guess it’s clear that if the Bills were to go for somebody I would want Cowher… but it’s getting clearer that DJ is simply a below average COACH, but a well above average “RECRUITER.” He should really just GM somewhere.
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
I’m not sure what you’re getting at… you’re saying Jauron should gut his staff and re-tool that way? Or Jauron should shift up to the front office, which would never happen? Not calling you out, just making sure I understand your beliefs.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Don't really...
have a belief… I’m just putting out there the things that I see. But the main comment directed to you was that a change of coaching staff has done a lot of teams a lot of good this year and you can’t just say that changing coaches would set this team back (as it did in the past), because there is plenty of evidence that may not be the case. And this premise is amplified due to the state of the Bills roster, which I feel is pretty solid. And no, DJ shouldn’t move to the front office, at least not for this team… that’s silly… not what I was getting at…. just saying he has a knack for finding talent and building roster.
Again, the only reason I would be upset if the Bills changed coaches would be if it were someone I didn’t think would be a good coach… and I wouldn’t mind if the Bills kept Jauron, either. I’m still very much on the fence as you can tell.
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
If a change happened, then, some form of scheme would need to be preserved. You can’t just hire a 3-4 coach and expect him to throw Aaron Schobel in as an OLB. It’s tricky, and with the crap coaches available, difficult to pull off.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 6:44 AM EST up reply actions
So, you’re telling me you want a coach who has a winning record under .500, one winning season, and one playoff appearance (which he lost) to lead this team into the future? No thanks. In today’s press conference, he talked about how he wanted to run it more in the fourth quarter. IF HE WANTED TO, WHY DIDN’T HE? Terrible coaching skills. He has done an admirable job building this team, however, and I wouldn’t mind seeing him as our GM.
All I’m saying is that firing Jauron would create more problems than it would solve.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 1, 2008 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
maybe
maybe not
Why is that such a certainty???
Of course, short term problems may be there, but in the long run I think most of us would agree it could really benefit us. And who’s to say a new coach couldn’t immediately get this thing turned around? Everyone says there is some talent there….
~K
Why is that such a certainty?
I never said certainty; more like likelihood.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 6:45 AM EST up reply actions
There is truth to what Brian is saying
Our team is so young that we really don’t have much of a choice but to be patient and see what Jauron can make of them. We cut him loose now and this young team will lose a lot of development time. If you keep a guy like Jauron this team will develop its own leadership to make up for his lack of “passion” on the sideline as they age. Trent whoever, will step up.
Also, I know i have been a proponent of it for a long time, but maybe this team isn’t that good? Coaching can not entirely explain away that we could only muster 3 points, in a must win scenario, at home! Clearly we should have been running the ball more inside the ten but still, maybe we are not good yet. Of course, we are so young that this statement doesn’t necessarily condemn the team. Our QB has started less than a full season, our running back is in a sophmore campaign, our receiving corp looks ready to upgrade when young talent finally blossoms. We need an OLB, I still don’t buy the Ellison isn’t as bad as you think line, we need a Center in the worst possible way, and we need a DE.
If Schouman can play consistent we wouldn’t need a TE. I think Jauron should stay, but I really really really believe Turk should go. He has his one year and after we all had such high hopes he turned out to be a dud. You can argue he needs time to develop like our players, but it shouldn’t take a great NFL mind too long, or ever, to figure out that with Marshawn Lynch you should run the ball inside the five or that play actions need to actually be sold rather than consist of a completely non-believeable fake handoff.
Ok done.
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
Sorry Brian but I emphatically disagree
I just got back from Buffalo after driving 6 hrs, spending 3.5 hrs in the freezing rain to watch a team kick a sorry ass field goal, so forgive me if I am not too apologetic regarding our zombie head coach.
I understand the point you are making Brian, I often quote the insane quote myself but in this case it doesn’t apply. Here is my reasoning:
1) The problem with DJ’s total lack of emotion / sense of urgency has now rubbed off on absolutely everyone in the organization and this is becoming extremely scary. I think we have quite a few talented guys on our team and the last thing you want to see happen is to let their fire/desire to WIN burn out, which is really at risk playing under DJ
2) I disagree with the argument that replacing the head coach means “gutting” the team and someway starting over – just look at the Falcons or the Dolphins
3) Our team is severely lacking talent in certain areas and the problem is all the lesser talent players are very nice guys that Jauron as backed for a few years now (Kelsey, Ellison, etc.) and somehow I have a hard time believing that he would make the necessary changes in the off season.
4) DJ has to be one of the worst sideline coaches in the league if not the absolute worse. He is oblivious to the concept of situational coaching, he burns time-outs like they were tic-tacs – he is simply just aweful. I remember last year when we lost to Dallas in the final second of the game, when they needed about 15y to get a first down & more importantly they NEEDED to stop the clock cause they had no more time outs and there was less than 10 sec on the clock. So what does Jauron do? He called for a prevent Defense and left the first 20y on each sideline completely open… This guy is an absolute moron! When Marshawn broke loose and finally got nailed on the 1 yard line ( on the Monday night game) and instead of quickly quickly taking advantage of the Browns while they didn’t have the right personnel on the field and quickly try to punch it in – DJ decides that we should be nice guys and give the Browns time to catch their breath so he takes a figgin time out!! He is just plain bad, the worse sideline coach there is in the league.
5) Imagine for one minute if we actually were able to make the playoffs at one point, would you trust having Jauron coaching a playoff game?
6) Our team needs a GM, the success of our drafts the last few years has been decent but not great. We need to start doing better and I think a strong Coach/GM combo is the only way to go.
I agree that we should consider a change of scheme, you know my thoughts on the subject, I would love to see us convert to a 3-4.
There are 2 coaching candidates that are currently available and I would love to see Ralph actually make an effort to reel one of them in: Cowher or Schottenheimer
Buffalo would be an incredible place for Cowher because it is the same type of environment as he is used to both from the blue-collar worker town to the cold/wet/grimmy conditions. This IS a football town first and I think Cowher would be really comfortable here. Furthermore, unlike Cleveland, we are not in the same division as the steelers so he would not be upsetting Steeler nation quite as much. I think the Buffalo fans have shown Ralph Wilson enough dedication (especially in the past year with the huge increase in season ticket base) that he owes it to us to do the right thing before he passes, getting Cowher would be huge! Think about it, the strongest division in football is the AFC East with Belichick/Pioli and now Parcells with the Dolphins and Mike Tannenbaum is also proving to be quite a good GM as well – And we are trying to compete in this division without a GM and with arguably the worse game-day coach in the league.
We have repeatedly ignored the trenches and now we are paying the price. All three of our foes understand football and have built great O & D-Lines while we overpaid for guys like Dockery & Walker and we continue to have guys like Preston & Fowler in the lineup because they are “nice” guys.. Probably the best center prospect in the last 15years (Mack) will be available this year and I have absolutely no confidence at all that this front office will actively pursue him, it is very discouraging.
Our team has a lot of key components already in place (Edwards, Evans, Lynch, Jackson, Poz, Whitner, Stroud, Peters) and with the proper coaching/front office we could easily be a playoff team by next year – and for years to come.. Ralph needs to dig deep into his stingy pockets and roll out the red carpet to Cowher before someone else gets him. Getting Cowher would really help to secure this team in Buffalo. It would bring hope to the organization, solidify season ticket base and I am convinced that it would also help sell some of their prized luxury seating.
keysh, I can’t disagree with a lot of what you said, but there’s some of it that’s way off base, most prominently the Cowher/Schottenheimer stuff. Those two names are brought up most often, but the chances that either of them coach here are as remote as the team hiring Rob Johnson as their next head coach. It just ain’t happening.
Here’s a name for everyone to discuss, since y’all are so hell-bent for change (again…): Russ Grimm. Go.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Brian, there’s a reason we continue to be so hell-bent for change….the crap product out on the field….It’s disgusting watching a team lose because of coaching failures….
~K
I get that. Really, I do. But as I’ve said nineteen million times, sometimes, change is bad.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
But you are so convinced that change here would be a bad thing. I just don’t think remaining in the same rut of mediocrity is any better than going with the unknown…….
~K
I’m not convinced. I’m never convinced of anything until it comes to fruition. I believe that this team has a chance to be “above average mediocre” with this regime, if that makes sense, and “god awful, Detroit Lion-like” if we make a change.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
After 3 years of this crap
Sure Jauron is a really nice guy
Sure Jauron is a great mediocre players coach – they love him because he is faithful to them.
It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even listen to his media conferences no more because he is like a broken record always claiming that all they need to do is work harder – but yet he also like to say that the best part of this team is the fact that they are hard workers – what exactly does this say? I have not seen him take much responsibility for the horrendous slide caused primarily by extremely poor play-calling, lack of aggressiveness on Defense, total lack of situational awareness and abysmal use of time-outs (cause by a total lack of competence!)
I’m sorry but Jauron has to go, he is infecting the whole team with his lack of emotion & lack of drive. The fact that nobody is stepping up to the plate to accept some responsibility is very disconcerting and is a reflection of his management style.
I have not seen him take much responsibility
Well, that’s because you don’t listen to his press conferences anymore. He’s basically taken all of the responsibility.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
I’m guessing he means on the field…Since he followed up that statement with the “poor play-calling, lack of aggressiveness on Defense, total lack of situational awareness and abysmal use of time-outs”….which has been a problem for a long time now….
~K
Gotcha. I think.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Grimm
I think Grimm would be a good pick. I like offensive line guys. Their like the former catcher as manager in baseball. Also, I know I haven’t read it anywhere, except what I posted on a different thread, what about Charlie Weis as OC if he’s fired by Notre Dame?
I don’t agree. I think Cowher would come here if the $$ and the power was right. I think that he’d be up to the challenge of resurrecting this team. I think he would appreciate the fan base as well as the challenge of going up against the best football minds in the league. I admit that the odds of Ralph opening up his wallet and giving him the control he needs are both very unlikely but I am still allowed to wish for it.
I think Marty would be a very close second, the guy has done it before many times. He is a winner. I am convinced that he still wants to coach and he would bring a lot of credibility with him. I do however think that he’d be hesitant to take a job in the same division as his son.
The idea of Russ Grimm is intriguing. I must admit that I have difficulty seeing how an O-Line coach becomes a hot Head Coaching candidate. I understand the guy’s record and actually getting a trenches guy in Buffalo might not be a bad idea. The main problem that I see is that Russ would be a Rookie Head Coach and it might take a while for him to earn the respect of the players and get their “full” commitment & buy-in to his system whereas bringing in an established coach that has done it many times before is a clear message to the players that we are intent on jumping to the next level.
Sure. Cowher might consider us. But there are going to be places – Cleveland top amongst them – that are infinitely more intriguing and have a much more sound future than Buffalo. If Cowher comes back, it won’t be because he’s desperate to coach again; bank on that. He’ll come back in the right situation, and I doubt that he’ll ever consider Buffalo “the right situation” as long as Ralph Wilson is the owner.
I guess if Joe Gibbs can come back for a second stint in the league, I can’t completely rule out a Schottenheimer return, either. But I doubt it. He’ll be 66 years old at the start of next season, and he’s currently living the high life in North Carolina. I think the chances of him coaching again are extremely low.
Basically, what it comes down to is this: if we fire Jauron – and that’s still a big if – Bills fans are going to be disappointed when Cowher and Schottenheimer quickly shoot us down, and we’ll be left picking between coaches in the scrap heap. We’ll be stuck with a guy like Dick Jauron was a few years ago, or a rookie like Grimm, or Bobby April. Is it really worth firing Jauron if that’s the case? I still say no.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
I am intrigued by your comment of Cowher not coming here because of Ralph Wilson, you’ve mentionned it before in other posts and I am intrigued by it, why do you say that? and please don’t say because he will not want to give Cowher control because I don’t believe that. Is there something else?
Cause Ralph ain’t stupid, he has to realize that bringing in Cowher would instantly add value to his team, help sell-out the rest of the season tickets as well as a big chunk of the luxury seating. Cowher is probably the best chance that he has to maybe see his team go deep into the playoffs one more time during his lifetime so with all those positives, why would you think that Cowher wouldn’t come because of Ralph?
I’m not saying Wilson is stupid or wouldn’t want to bring Cowher in. I’m saying Cowher wouldn’t want to work for Wilson because he’s meddlesome, old and the future of this franchise being in one location is up in the air.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
you do have a point there...
about the un-certainty regarding the team location. But again, I think that Cowher could be a pivital element in being able to keep the team in Buffalo.
So do I, but that implies he’s on board. I don’t think he’d touch us.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
well
I think our team is very attractive to a successful coach like Cowher. We are one of the youngest in the league and we are very talented. A great coach could find a way to win for a decade with this team, we would be a great way to solidify a legacy, ie Cowher.
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
Plus I think that at even price & power, that Cowher would choose Buffalo over Cleveland. Again I think that he would not want to play the Steelers twice a year out of respect for his former fans/team/owner. I think he’d be intrigued by the opportunity to go head2head with Belichick & Parcells twice a year. Team-wise we are very similar young promising teams:
Quinn – Edwards (push)
Edwards – Evans (advantage BILLS)
Lewis/Wright – Lynch/Jackson (advantage BILLS)
Thomas – Peters (Push)
Steinbach – Dockery (Advantage Browns)
Winslow – Royal/Schouman/Fine (Advantage Browns)
Special Teams (Cribbs) – Special teams (McKelvin/Parrish) (Advantage BILLS)
Wright/McDonald – McKelvin/McGee (Advantage BILLS)
Line backers (Push)
Our team is definitely more interesting than the Browns. I still think that at even $$ & control, Cowher would choose the Buffalo Bills.
Disagree with the Bills/Browns comparison, too. Cleveland already runs a 3-4, which Cowher prefers, and he’d have little to no building to do outside of finding stability at QB. With Cowher, the Browns instantly would be a playoff team. In Buffalo, he’d blow up the roster and install his systems. Not a bad thing, obviously, but it’d take much more time than it would in Cleveland.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
I'll give you the 3-4
Granted there is less work involved but the personnel on the defensive side is far better in Buffalo. And our offense is geared to his smash-mouth approach. Add Mack from the draft and we’re i business. Lynch would be a monster in Cowhers system
No debate about Lynch. I’m just saying that if I’m Cowher, I’m going where the personnel fits the scheme – not to mention everything I said about ownership. Trust me. Cleveland would be far more appealing to Bill Cowher than Buffalo, and that’s without mentioning one of a dozen other teams that might have a head coaching vacancy at year’s end.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
I think that we can disagree on the speculative part
I think we have just as much to offer as Cleveland and you don’t – Fine.
From strickly Bills point of view, getting Cowher would be a home run don’t you agree?
Very clearly, getting Cowher would be fantastic for this team. I’m just trying to dispel the notion that it’s a possibility, because honestly, it isn’t.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
It’s logical, K. Cowher is living the high life, living with his family in a warm state, making millions of dollars to goof off on Sunday mornings for a couple of hours. Would you give that up to work for Ralph Wilson and re-build another roster? Or would you give it up to walk into a situation where the roster is primed, talent-wise, for a couple of minor tweaks and a playoff bid?
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
OK, but the competitor in him is what may push him to a situation like the Bills. Not that it’d ever happen, but I could see why he would consider it.
Are you saying the Browns are a talented, ready for the postseason team??? Yikes. Qb questions, a RB on the downhill of his career, no WR’s worth a crap, a poor D, etc….
~K
Yeah, I’m saying the Browns are talented, but they aren’t going anywhere unless they get a good coach and find stability at QB. They’re missing pieces, but they have one of the best offensive lines in football, one of the best D-Linemen in Shaun Rogers, and lack one pass rusher from making their terrible secondary seem OK. They’re close. Remember how they were supposed to be powerhouses of the North this season? Obviously they were pumped up too much, but they didn’t get hyped because they lacked talent.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Cowher and the Bills?
Cowher has been in man-love with the Bills offensive line for two years now. He’s said it repeatedly on the CBS Sunday gabfest. I think he sees some clay that he could mold into dominant unit. The Bills have a young team that is missing a few pieces. With the exception of Ellison, the Bills LB’s could easily play in a 3-4. Move Schobel to a rushing LB and pick-up a FA DE and we’re not far away. I rued the day when the Bills jettisoned the 3-4…damn you Gregg Williams…damn you all to hell!!! (I saw the original “Planet of the Apes” recently).
Cowher will never get the money to lure him to Buffalo so this whole thread is moot. Too bad, he’s be perfect in so many ways.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
why?
If Ralph would spend money on anything or anyone I think it would be Cowher. Plus keep Schobel at DE and pick up Terrel Suggs in FA if you want to switch to a 3-4. I think Cowher would love to coach in Buffalo and will if Ralph only spends the cash. We are his type of team. Young cerebral QB, smash mouth running back, massive offensive line, and a tough hustle defense. We play in the cold, have a die hard blue collar fan base, and a young team all across the board for him to do what he wants with. Let’s do it and make it happen. He’ll bring in a REAL fullback with him too
Kawika Mitchell is a leader. He will help this young team develop.
by poz on Dec 2, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
I like the 3-4 too. I don’t agree that we have the personnel to make the switch. Poz and Kawika would be fine; the rest of our linebackers would be awful. Schobel doesn’t have the natural athleticism to rush the passer standing up in that scheme, and Marcus Stroud is no nose tackle (though he’d be a hell of an end in a 3-4). We’d have to do a lot of re-tooling in our front seven to get there, starting with finding a 350-pound nose tackle.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
3-4
The good thing about the 3-4 is you can find pass rushing LB"s much easier (and later in the Draft) than DE’s…
I think a hybrid 3-4/4-3 is something to really think about, with a shift to the 3-4 as the personnel is picked up….
Stroud wouldn’t work in the middle is right, BUT could do ok part time in that role. With him, Williams and Spencer Johnson all seemingly decent 3-4 DE players, we might only be a few pieces away from being able to run it. Not sure how effective it could be, but we could definitely bring in a couple of FA’s and draft picks right away.
~K
I don’t agree that Kyle Williams would be a good 3-4 DE; he’s too short, and his arms aren’t long enough. You need taller guys. Seriously, Stroud would be a monster doing that (though it’d help if he was a touch more agile). You’re looking for tall, long guys like Marcus Spears, Aaron Smith, etc., not the short squatty type like Kyle is.
Kyle would do well in the hybrid you suggested, though.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you brian
Schobel is no OLB, definitely not athletic enough.
I think Stroud could be a good stop gap at NT untll we find a bigger one in the draft and then I agree with you he could be a dominant DE.
Poz is dead on, picking up Suggs should be a priority in the off season but I would do it whether we switch to a 3-4 or not.
Congrats, Rumblers – this article set a Rumblings record for most comments in a non-open game thread. Well played.
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Coaching change
This is like saying George W. was a good president and we’re scared of change! No Fire Jauron instantly for the terrible decisions he’s made and I agree that continuity is very important so I would like to see Bobby April take over interim head coaching duties now! He’s a very enthusiastic coach and this would allow us to evaluate his progress over the next 4 games and maybe extend it to Full time head coach if he succeed or shows improvements!
We beat this one up pretty good yesterday
But it’s worth repeating again and again. Give April a chance. The only caveat is that he walks if he doesn’t get the job permanently next year. I for one think that it’s worth the risk. It’s nice to have great special teams year in and year out, but it doesn’t make up for deficiencies in the other two phases. Besides, it wasn’t April out there himself boinking two uprights and missing a game winner during the last two losses.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Please don’t bring up political issues on this blog.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Haha, well, Amen is allowed, because it’s close to the name of our third-string RB.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
How about bullsh*t?
It’s close to the performance of our 1st and 2nd string QB’s.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Frankly, I hate the whole “pu$$y”, “fr@ck1ng” thing, because it’s still swearing in my book. But I let it slide, even though I tell myself I shouldn’t.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks to all for this thread...
And to Brian, Kurupt, Ron, Sireric and the others for this site. Honestly, I feel soooo much better having a place to vent and communicate.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
I take no credit. heap all praise on Brian.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
Thirded. I just write. The “place” goes to SB Nation.
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 2, 2008 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
Change is needed
I like Jauron as a coach because he is so intelligent and so are the players but I think the very young Bills need a coach like Bill Cowher. He is a motivational guy with great love of the game and for his players. I think if Schonert keeps dialing up the shotgun with 4 wide (really 2 receivers and NO te) he might see his ship sail as well.
If it’s absolutely patheticly broke as our head coach is then you fix it period, you can’t just sit back and say it’s ok to be terrible and have 0 emotion and repeatedly fail in his decision making as a coach—It’s unacceptable and yes he should be gone because the objective is to win and that is not what he does!!

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