Dick Jauron and his stoic demeanor
by sireric
on Dec 3, 2008 1:15 PM EST
in Opinion
News flash: Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron is not a popular man these days. A 1-5 record in six games will do that for you. Moving on.
The question I'm looking to answer here is this: Is the fact that Dick Jauron chooses not to show a lot of emotion - either on the sidelines or at press conferences - a good thing or a bad thing? I say "chooses" because I have no doubt that he gets mad and frustrated after a loss like the one the Bills suffered this past Sunday at the hands of the 49ers. If Jauron has even a shred of competitive fire and/or pride in what he does, and I have no doubt that he does, he gets pretty furious after a game like that. So the question is; Why does he choose not to display it publicly, and why is this behavior such a big deal to Bills fans?
The "Bill Cowher spittle" syndrome
After a loss, Jauron could throw chairs, scream and swear, or in short, he could hold a press conference like Jim Mora or Dennis Green. He could even drop his pants in the locker room and treat his players like little children the way that Mike Singletary did. Instead, Jauron doesn't do any of that. He appears calm, cool and generally unfazed, much to the dismay of a good portion of the fan base. What would happen if he did blow a gasket like those others? Well for starters, he would no doubt end up on ESPN, and you can probably count on seeing a Coors Light commercial spoofing the event, but would any real good come of it? I say no. (But those commercials might be sweet.)
I would rather see my head coach act cool and calm under pressure. I want my coach to take a loss like last Sunday's and learn from it, study it and show the players and assistant coaches where the problems lie and how they need to be fixed. I don't believe it is the coach's job to get the player fired up, or to embarrass them in front of the media and fans. It's the coach's job to get the team prepared to play winning football every Sunday. If you want to complain about Dick Jauron, his lack of results should be the target - not his "lack of emotion".
A reflection of the fan
As a Mets fan, I've heard this story before with former skipper Willie Randolph. If a player strikes out in a big spot, or a pitcher gives up a hit in a key spot, what good does it do to yell and throw things? It's the same situation here. If Robert Royal fumbles in a key spot, we would all love to see him come to the sideline only to be greeted by a punch to the face from Dick Jauron. But that's just it: it's what we would want to do.
Most fans after a tough loss get mad - real mad - and they want to see the players and coach of their team act just like they feel. How many of you get miffed when you see Bills players hugging and laughing opponents after a loss? Why do you get upset about this? Because you want to see some frustration and anger on their faces as a reflection of your own emotions. Fans want to see Jauron get mad and throw things and pound his fist into the podium because that is how they feel. Honestly, I don't feel that way. I prefer that my head coach remain calm, like any good leader, and try to right the ship rather than mirror my emotions. But then that is just me.
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Well thought out post, sireric
A couple points I wanted to focus on:
If Jauron has even a shred of competitive fire and/or pride in what he does, and I have no doubt that he does…
How can you play in the NFL and not have that fire? I am on your side here. I think it ticks him off when a guy fumbles or something but it doesn’t do anybody any good when he destroys the guy for it.
Most fans after a tough loss get mad – real mad – and they want to see the players and coach of their team act just like they feel.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. We are passionate about this team and don’t care who wears the colors. He sees these guys as people, not Bills players, and knows they have more to them than what happens on Sunday. Do you get mad when you screw up at work??? I don’t. I get better at my job by learning from the mistake. That’s what they should do. Just because we get mad doesn’t mean they should.
by MattRichWarren on Dec 3, 2008 1:49 PM EST 0 recs
I feel that showing emotion and getting mad can be seperate.
Dick doesn’t have to beat down the podium to display emotion. In fact, I don’t care what type of emotion he displayes AFTER the game. I just prefer a coach with a little less poker-face during the game. And I am not talking about anger or dismay here. I would actually just like to see the occasional excited outburst for exceptional play. I couldn’t vote in the poll, ’cause it was set up one-sided.
Sweet home Orchard Park.
by thurman on Dec 3, 2008 1:57 PM EST 0 recs
Emotion can be an effective tool...
Even Dungy shows emotion from time to time…not the perpetual lifeless stare we’ve seen from Jauron these past couple of months. Certainly his demeanor isn’t the reason the Bills are in a funk, rather it is the visible face of much deeper problems. After 2-3/4 seasons, these problems are on Jauron, BrandonModradorf and ultimately Wilson. Going up the chain…it’s Jauron on the chopping block first.
I’m with Thurman, an occasional outburst is a positive…but Jauron won’t change. That fact alone speaks volumes about Jauron and why the problems won’t get fixed.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 2:17 PM EST
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100% agree with you
He seems like the most stubborn guy in the world. The fact he can go in front of a bunch of reporters and essentially say the same things over and over again, without acknowledging the fundamental problem is an insult to all the fans!
It’s the stubbornness that is so frustrating not the fact that he is stoic in his demeanor.
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 2:29 PM EST
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Yes a little emotion can be a good tool, but he doesn’t have to use it in order to win. Jauron started out 5-1 and his emotions were just fine, in fact everybody loved that Trent seemed to stay calm just like the headcoach does. Now that the team has hit a funk, his lack of showing emotin is a problem? That makes no sense.
I just don’t see where his being stoic is a problem for any body but angry fans.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on
Dec 3, 2008 2:47 PM EST
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Does it not bother you even a bit?
When the players start having a calm attitude after dropping 6 of 7 ?
When they lose and it doesn’t seem to affect them? I realize that they still get their pay check so really what do they care?
This is what pisses me off, the fact that there is such a lack of passion to WIN
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 3:00 PM EST
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When they lose and it doesn’t seem to affect them? I realize that they still get their pay check so really what do they care?
You clearly didn’t hear Lee Evans swearing, Rian Lindell choking back tears or Chris Kelsay’s flummoxed frustration after the game. The players care. It affects them.
How do you tangibly define “passion to win”? Do they need to put tattoos on their chests with that moniker and rip their jerseys off during the game while screaming like a medieval warrior before ripping off their opponents’ facemasks and impaling them with it? Players play to win. The only time you can say otherwise is if you see a team visibly roll over and die, like the Rams have done several times this year.
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 3:02 PM EST
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It's like English class here.
“Flummoxed frustration…” Nice work BG! An alliteration and a new vocabulary word. Did you use a thesaurus, or is that really in your poetic pallate?
Anyways, I agree the players play to win, but watching the Steelers defence week-in and week-out shows me a dfferent level of playing to win. That is what I yearn for in the Bills. Can Jauron inspire that? Maybe, hopefully…but one thing seems clear to me Tomlin can. (yes i know those guys are absolute studs)
Sweet home Orchard Park.
by thurman on
Dec 3, 2008 10:27 PM EST
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It's like they just formed a union
JP said it in his interview today that they are tight and Lee Evans said it on his show last night as well. In a way its great to see them stick together as a team but the problem for a simple fan like me is that nobody is saying what the problem is because they are all looking out for one another – it’s like they formed a union!
Like Thurman said, I just want to see a level of intensity that rivals teams like the Steelers, the Ravens, the Giants or Titans. There was a caller yesterday that was referring to the Titans and the way their O-Line breaks from the huddle and runs up to the line showing clearly that THEY are dominant and WILL dominate the line of scrimmage. We are running and there is nothing that you can do about it. I want to see that type of commitment to win.
I guess my problem is more with the fact that DJ has not done anything about the offensive game plans and play calling and now the season is basically over so my frustration is reaching epic limits because we had enough talent to make the playoffs if they would have leaned on our 2 studs in the backfield. We are in a race and cannot get out of second gear, I blame Jauron for not addressing it sooner. It just frustrates me when everyone avoids blaming the OC and sticks to the vanilla line that they need to be more consistent, execute better, work harder, don’t turn the ball over, blablabla!!! As a fan that pays I am entitled to be frustrated, I’ve paid for that right.
Maybe my comment went a tad bit overboard but after dropping 6 of 7 it is frustrating when the players seem content to bullshit their way out of it. I am amazed that they are not breaking ranks a little actually it’s impressive when I think about it. It makes me ever more upset at Jauron to put them in that situation.
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 11:57 PM EST
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You're overstating the 5-1 record
The Bills were 5-1 against the dregs of the NFL. And they struggled in those wins. Remember the 4th quarter comebacks and the abysmal running game. He shouldn’t have been calm because the team was bound to expose themselves against better competition…which is what happened. In fact, I detected nary a sign of real dissatisfaction from Jauron during those wins.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 3:00 PM EST
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So Tony Sparano is a bad coach for being happy the Dolphins have beaten the Seahawks, Rams and Raiders by a combined 9 points, right?
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 3:04 PM EST
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I didn't follow his reponse...
However we’re looking up at Sparano’s team in the standings a year removed from their 1-15 season. Nobody expected them to be where they are, just like nobody expected the Bills to be effectively out of the playoff race. The game against the Patraiots will have playoff implications after all…for New England.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 4:30 PM EST
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A different calm is required...
I certainly agree that a head coach should remain calm but after so many loses they also need to start showing some sense of understanding the gravity of the situation and YES a bit of emotion could be a good thing.
The problem is that he acts like a drone and says the same thing after each defeat and nothing changes. He seems oblivious to the fact that his coaching staff is most to blame, not poor execution. The problem is that it seems to be rubbing off onto the players who seem OK with the situation, these guys came out of the gate on fire and now have dropped 6 of their past 7!
As a dedicated fan that buys season tickets plus a whack of additional tickets, a crap-load of apparel, etc. I expect them to at least be trying to fix the problems, showing that they care, showing that they have the hunger and will put in the extra hours or whatever it takes and they seem very even keel about the whole thing. If at least Jauron would actually take REAL action from week2week to rectify things but he doesn’t.
Let’s look at some of the great coaches out there that have always shown good control but yet show some emotion:
Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgrem, Tom Coughlin, Bill Belichick, Marv Levy
The only coach that comes remotely close to the level of Jauron is Tony Dungy.
The coaches you mention like Mora, Green & Singletary haven’t won or proven anything as head coaches so the comparison doesn’t mean anything. The guys that I mentionned are all very competent coaches that have accomplished something and they show emotion (BIG TIME) and believe me the players sense it and when something is wrong they will point it out calmly but with a very determined sense of urgency. This is totally missing in Buffalo.
by keysh67 on Dec 3, 2008 2:11 PM EST 0 recs
Jauron
all I have to say is we were 10-2 or winning we would all love Jauron and people would write about how the team follows his calm demeanor. But we have posted two 7-9 seasons along with a 6-6 so far this year so that’s when everything and anything is fair game. It really is that simple. No one complains about Belichick being a dopey, obtuse, nimcompoop cuz they have 3 super bowls. Likewise, the Jon Gruden’s can scream all they want but people only like that if the team wins. The emotion of the coach is irrevelant. Its the system, preparation, motivating, and making each player the best they can be. I mean, let’s be honest. How easy do you think it is to coach men in their 20’s who make millions of dollars? They all have been supreme athletes their whole lives and have dominated at every level. Jauron has never lost his team….which is something to be said in today’s NFL
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Dec 3, 2008 2:12 PM EST 0 recs
That's ok if the HC is just a babysitter
But the position requires him to actually manage the team. He strikes me as a great person that has tremendous respect for others and he especially likes hard working individuals, which probably explains why he is so loyal with his players and coaches. The problem is that the HC is not there to win a popularity contest he’s there to WIN football games and sometimes you need to be tough and make tough decisions, which this guy seems incapable of.. 99% of the other HC’s out there would have stripped Schonert of his play-calling duties or at the very least got way more involved in the game plans but he doesn’t, why? Is he oblivious to what is happening? I realize that as a Defensive guy he probably doesn’t feel very comfortable calling offensive plays but should he not have foreseen this last off season before given over the job to a rookie coach?
My problem is not with his calm demeanor it is with his incompetence. You’d just expect him to at least show some sense of urgency.
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 2:24 PM EST
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i think
to sum up what you are saying is “he is loyal to a fault.”
But I agree…when’s the last time we cut a guy during season? He needs to be tougher….and if he realizes his job is on the line….maybe that will force him to do it
MARVelous
by MARVelous on
Dec 3, 2008 2:30 PM EST
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Melvin Fowler and Ko Simpson have both lost starting jobs due to performance. Who actually does cut players during the season?
by kaisertown on
Dec 4, 2008 6:19 PM EST
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He never lost the team but the team is lost nearly every week.
Listen…calm works for Dungy and a couple of other coaches (although I can’t think of any right now). But yes, it’s about winning and Jauron’s demeanor is viewed a a negative, because the team has been pitiful on the field. He’s not addressing the problems with his players and coaches, calmly or otherwise.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 2:24 PM EST
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Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgrem, Tom Coughlin, Bill Belichick, Marv Levy
These guys show emotion without crossing the line like Mora, Green, Singletary
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 2:31 PM EST
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But yes, it’s about winning and Jauron’s demeanor is viewed a a negative, because the team has been pitiful on the field.
It’s true, and it’s ridiculous. That demeanor was praised when we started 5-1 and won close games – “Edwards is cool in the face of fire, just like his head coach”. Sometimes, the flip-flopping is completely unbelievable.
I’m with Eric. Demeanor means very little when it comes to being a successful head coach, and when people bring it up as an argument for their pro-firing-Jauron belief, it discredits the argument to a point for me, because ultimately, demeanor means very little.
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 2:34 PM EST
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Agreed: demeanor doesn't mean that much
Over the years, I’ve seen every kind of coach both be winners or losers. My favorite Bills coach of all time was Lou Saban, who was quite animated on the sidelines. Lou was not one to hide his feelings. Yet, look at Tom Landry, one of the winningest coaches in NFL history and stoic as it gets. Everyone’s personality is different
I think – tell me if I’m wrong – we want to see a guy who is something like we are. Some of us are demonstrative and some of us are calm. We like someone we can relate to.
by ccthemovieman on
Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM EST
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exactly
its just like a WR flippn out….TO is all fine when they win…but adversity hits and he flips out. I think there is a whole lot more to said to be just as cool when everyone is calling for your head, as you are when you are winning. Jauron is a class act. His OC is a bunglehead, and his QB play has been atrocious. It reminds me of this poem from Rudyard Kipling. Here’s the 1st and last verse
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
MARVelous
by MARVelous on
Dec 3, 2008 2:47 PM EST
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I am certainly thankful Jauron doesn’t make an ass of himself like some of the aforementioned coaches, but his press conference responses are infuriating to me. It’s like he has the responses written out before the game, regardless of the outcome. He has these pathetic lines like “We would certainly like to be x more than y” when it comes to the team’s record. This week he said something to the effect of “We wish Marshawn had more touches.” Well, Dick, can you think of anyone who might have the power to make that happen?
by kramertoneman on Dec 3, 2008 2:55 PM EST 0 recs
Well, Dick, can you think of anyone who might have the power to make that happen?
I’m sure he can. Can you think of someone who can go back in time and whisper that sweet nothing into Schonert’s ear this past Sunday? Where’s Hiro Nakamura when you need him? Or Doc Brown?
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 2:57 PM EST
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Thats the point, be mad at his answer, and the lack of results from his team, not the fact that he is calm and reserved.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on
Dec 3, 2008 2:58 PM EST
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Agreed
I don’t have a problem with his calm demeanor per se; what drives me insane are these bland, neutral responses. Frankly, I find it a bit insulting. He never has a straightforward answer. I’m not saying he has to give away team secrets, but this guy has a poker face that is just beyond belief. He acts as if there is no accountability with the Bills organization whatsoever. Maybe there is something going on behind the scenes, but whatever it is, it is certainly not effective.
by kramertoneman on
Dec 3, 2008 3:05 PM EST
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Please explain to me how “I wish Marshawn had gotten more touches” is anything but a straightforward answer.
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 3:08 PM EST
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As the Head coach
He shouldn’t be wishing, he should be making it happen.
He’s said a few similar comments since the beginning of our losing streak and yet he is still at the wishing stage…
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 4:21 PM EST
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Agreed he should be making it happen. I was speaking to that quote in reference to it supposedly being not straightforward.
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 4:22 PM EST
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Alright, you’ve got me there; that is a different animal in terms of a Dick Jauron quote. But it’s not as if this running game issue has been a secret over the past month or so. He either (A) doesn’t realize it’s a problem, or (B) isn’t making his opinion known to his staff. That being said, I don’t know how often he questions or overrules Turk’s play calls, if he does at all.
It’s like someone saying “I wish I did my homework in high school instead of playing video games.” Instead of saying “I wish…,” he could say “We need to fix this” or “This was my fault.” I don’t hear that. I could be mistaken; I don’t devour Bills news in my free time the way I did years back, but he doesn’t seem to understand he has the power to change things.
by kramertoneman on
Dec 3, 2008 4:34 PM EST
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Jauron From A Bears Fan Prospective
I remember when Jauron coached the Bears, a lot of people felt this same way, but I am kind of torn. I don’t think it’s the fact that he doesn’t show emotion its more that as fans we are emotional and when we see his calm demeanor we tend to get a little ticked. Jauron hasn’t had a consistent QB his whole coaching career the poor chap. But that isn’t an excuse either. Now the Bears replaced Jauron because they didn’t think he was motivating players anymore and his calm, cool and collected act worn thin but they replaced him with someone who is very similar but the results have been to this point better so I think yelling and all that is overrated and I feel bad for you Bills fans because I never really liked Jauron much and it sucks that he’s destroyed your team much as he underachieved with ours.
Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!
by GallopingGhost on Dec 3, 2008 3:20 PM EST 0 recs
Going over the edge
These losses have some Bills fans disecting ever aspect of our coaching staff. From play calling to challenging calls and now to how they act on the sideline and in the pressroom. Lets put all these notions to bed. There is not any correlation between a coaches sideline and pressroom demeanor and winning. There were some very successful coaches who did not show much emotion on the sideline or pressroom. For example Paul Brown, Blanton Collier, Chuck Knoll and Tony Dungy to name a few. There were some successful coaches who had a very demonstative demeanor on the sideline, Vince Lombardi, Mike Ditka and Lou Saban to name a few. If you want to find a correlation between a head coach and winning in the NFL look at how he evaluates and uses talent. The Bills have gone downhill since we lost a great team of player evaluation and utilization. That team being Bill Polian and Marv Levy. I don’t think we have as good a team now. However I know the Bills success is not related to wether or not Jauron screams at a player or reporter.
by gjv on Dec 3, 2008 3:22 PM EST 0 recs
Calm vs. Stubborn?
I think we all agree that a coaches demeanor will not,in itself, win games. Getting fired up works for some people and isn’t in the bag of motivators for others. It plays well to the fans but you can’t evaluate a coach on that one aspect of their personality. However, Jauron has been both stoic and unyielding in areas that have made a difference to the team. It was out of sheer desperation that the team began to lean on the running game…and they could have leaned a bit more. I suspect that Jauron stubbornly refuses to step on Turk’s neck regarding the play selection. Regardless, he knew these were problems when the Bills were winning close games against the dregs and he still did nothing.
Brian, no offense but …you and others refer to the 5-1 record and how calm was chic. The team had some serious problems and the Arizona game was the true barometer of what lay ahead for this team. Jauron was like those musicians who calmly played on the Titanic as it was sinking.
A man who calmly stands in the path of a tornado isn’t stoic…he’s either extremely stubborn or stupid. Given Jauron’s college and NFL pedigree…I don’t think it’s his mental capacity is at issue.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on Dec 3, 2008 3:23 PM EST 0 recs
Brian, no offense but …you and others refer to the 5-1 record and how calm was chic. The team had some serious problems and the Arizona game was the true barometer of what lay ahead for this team
Yes, I referenced it, but not to say that we didn’t have problems. I just recall people proclaiming how calm in the face of fire Edwards and Jauron were, that Edwards is a reflection of his coach, and how excited everyone was. It’s a blessing when we’re winning, and now it’s a fault. I reference the 5-1 start to highlight the absurdity of the flip-flopping, and for no other reason.
I get the Titanic reference, but don’t understand what Jauron was supposed to do otherwise. Is he supposed to stand at a podium during a Monday press conference and say “Yeah, we’re 5-1, but you guys watch – we’re going to SUCK in two months.”?
Honestly, I think Eric is right on. Love ‘em when they win, hate ’em when they lose. I refuse to think along these lines, because it’s not logical.
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by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 3:31 PM EST
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I get the flip-flopping thing....
and I don’t care about how excited he gets (though it would be nice to see). What I object to is his seemingly unwillingness (or inability) to correct glaring problems. Miami Part Une should have been a wake up call for the offense. Instead, little was done until the Cleveland game…and that was out of pure desperation not planning. The guy is stubborn, calm or otherwise. When you can’t score a TD against the SF defense, then you really need to take drastic action. Calm is not an asset if you don’t make changes when they are desperately called for.
So at 5-1, what should he have done? Read Turk and the O-line the riot act on the running game for one. Certainly this should have been called for when the opposing D-coordinators dropped everyone in coverage. It took too long for the Bills coaches to respond. What could he have said? “I’m very disappointed in the our running game and we will need to make it a top priority, because we won’t always come out on the winning end with a young quarterback.” But saying it won’t be enough…he has to make sure the team is focused on delivering it.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 4:00 PM EST
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Im only speaking for me personally.......
its not so much about the Wins/Losses……..its how they play during those games….yes wins are great……and losses suck….however when you lose and play like crap…..its just that much more frustrating.(losing 10-3 to SF @ home is beyond frustrating though) Even when you win and play like crap its frustrating….For me its much easier to get over a loss when you play good but a team still beats you (it’s the NFL, chances are great that you wont win every single game) But some of the some of these losses for the Bills……have been down right painful.
I just want the pain to go away…….ah……….lol….
PIPE DREAM: Jim Harbaugh for the Bills next head coach.
by norcaliangelsfan on
Dec 3, 2008 4:00 PM EST
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Many feel the same way.
Because they won the first few games, we conveniently forgot how badly they played through long stretches in those contests. I for one felt good, but not great through the first six games. Even with an uneasy feeling I though that they’d at least go .500 during the remaining 10 games and finish 11-5. I underestimated how bad the competition was; now we’re looking at, in all likelihood, another losing season.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 4:09 PM EST
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Refusal to crush Turk's neck
Well, there is a long history of HC’s tossing their OC or DC under the bus to protect themselves when the chopping axe came. I respect DJs attempts to avoid doing so, but the quote on wishing we had run it more in the 4th is a bit of a pointed attack on Turk to wise up on the playcalling or he may be looking for a job.
As for not enforcing his will at times on game day, I think a HC should do what they feel is necessary to win, so if it was ME who was coaching Sunday, Lynch would have touched it at least another 10 times either through the air or ground.
But DJ isn’t that type it seems, and one reason may simply be this: Lets say the DJ is thinking about getting rid of Turk come the end of the season, its already in the back of his mind… And he now has two choices, override Turk, undercut him on game day, and then can him come end of year. How many GOOD OC’s would want to come to a team where the HC is known for letting his coordinator’s do their own thing on Sunday but he now is undercutting his own people and their trust? Its hard for a HC to keep that level of trust if he second guesses his coordinators and if he had undercut Turk on Sun, that would have made the rounds through the NFL coaching grapevine real quick. By letting Turk keep on keeping on, he can remove Turk end of season, and still be able to get a good OC without having those people avoid him.
Anyhow, as far as DJ demeanor on gameday, of course I want him to show emotion, I am, and so are all of us fans. Its in our blood that we want the leader of the team we follow rabidly to react like we do, thats human nature. As for the press conferences, don’t forget people, he is paid by this team to protect the players and the organization, why do you think the answers as so bland? For all we know he is ripping the team new ones every morning after a loss, but we will never hear of it because of the players loyalty to their coach who gets up at every press conference and covers for them. Guys will of course like playing for a coach like that, it means they don’t take nearly as much flack as guys like TO on teams like the Cowboys.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on
Dec 3, 2008 6:21 PM EST
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Any decent Coordinator would not be affected
Ultimately the HC is responsible to get the job done – period – end of story.
What you are saying is that HC’s are handcuffed and destined to ruin their teams season because they should be afraid of the back-lash? C’mon !
Besides, any decent coordinator would not consider Turk in the same league as them and would respect & understand why Jauron gave a nudge.
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 9:56 PM EST
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Well said.
I appreciate WABillsfan’s point, but coordinators are grown men that are used to consensus thinking. I’m certain that DJ would step on Turks neck in the most delicate way possible. BTW: I only meant to imply the HC providing strong input (or forceful if necessary), not using the OC as a scapegoat. Turk is a first-time coordinator and should be given guidance from time to time. Jauron’s laisse-faire approach is completely wrong when your offense is so ineffective. If DJ is meddling on that side of the ball and getting crappy results, then we got even bigger problems.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 10:48 PM EST
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been a while......sorry was pissed (still am at this team)
but…….
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2008/9/29/624473/bills-team-not-as-good-as
i’m not sure why everyone is so surprised by this fall. it has been evident since early in the season. this team is not good. its the whole thing…not just DJ. his demeanor doesn’t mean crap to our win/loss column – IMO.
we need a TON of work inorder to compete…that means upgrades at half a dozen positions….upgrades in coaching areas and front office. plain and simple….. this team is much furthur away (IMO) than i think we all realize…or maybe are realizing now.
i guess we’ll see what happens….since we can’t do crap about it…kinda sucks because their my team
by J2 on Dec 3, 2008 4:14 PM EST 0 recs
Thought you’d bolted forever like Superfan82, J2. Glad to see I was wrong.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on
Dec 3, 2008 4:23 PM EST
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you may
be right on. Maybe we just aren’t that good. Well, here’s to hoping the path that we are traveling on is the right one, and we don’t need to change our entire navagational course (ie. HC, GM)
MARVelous
by MARVelous on
Dec 3, 2008 4:28 PM EST
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We should be better at this point in the rebuilding effort.
Perhaps with some presents from Santa this team can turn the corner with the present leadership team…but those new toys better come with batteries and work straight out of the box.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 4:35 PM EST
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Here's something to get the lighter side of things going...or something thats more clever than what i just wrote
Q. What do you call 47 millionaires sitting around a TV watching the Super Bowl?
A. The Buffalo Bills.
Q. What do the Buffalo Bills and Billy Graham have in common?
A. They both can make 70,000 people stand up and yell “Jesus Christ.”
Q. How do you keep a Buffalo Bill out of your yard?
A. Put up a goal post.
Q. What do you call a Buffalo Bill with a Super Bowl ring?
A. A thief.
Q. What’s the difference between the Buffalo Bills and a dollar bill?
A. You can still get four quarters out of a dollar bill.
Q. How many Buffalo Bills does it take to win a Super Bowl?
A. Nobody knows and we may never find out!
Q. What do the Bills and possums have in common?
A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road!
by J2 on Dec 3, 2008 4:55 PM EST 0 recs
LOL!
It’d be even funnier if it wasn’t so true.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
by NJBill on
Dec 3, 2008 6:55 PM EST
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Nice post sireric
I’ll admit it. After a loss, when I’m pissed, I get even more infuriated when Jauron shows zero emotion. Until a cooler head prevails, I can’t help but wonder, “How the hell can I be ready to put my head through a wall, and he can sit there looking like Ray from Ghostbusters 2 staring into Vigo’s eyes?” He clearly has the best poker face in the history of mankind, because obviously, he cares and he gets pissed. He just doesn’t show it. If I have ever said DJ’s demeanor bothers me, it’s because I was already in a pissed off mood and it just irks me personally. I don’t actually think it effects his ability to coach successfully.
In reality, I realize his grim reaper like approach to the game has little effect on wins and losses; in fact, in some instances its a benefit. Just like sometimes it doesn’t hurt to show you’re a little pissed. And I don’t mean “Bobby Knight throw a chair across the gym floor” pissed. Coaches can show emotion without providing fodder for the next Coors Light commercial. There is a middle ground. But, I digress.
The reason I dislike DJ is not his demeanor. It’s his coaching style and schemes that bother me. It’s the fact that his team has looked like it has been unprepared in a majority of the games this season (and Trent and Co. have admitted as much). It’s his hands off policy with his coordinators. It’s his failure to look for an offensive coordinator with experience teaching young QB’s in the off season. It’s the fact that his speciality is defensive backs and he can’t seem to get Terrence McGee to stop lining up 9 yards off the ball (or tell Fewell to get McGee to stop lining up 9 yards off the ball). It’s his decision to kick a field goal, down by 7, with 4 minutes to go. It’s his conservative nature. It’s his play-not-to-lose strategies.
And I’ll even admit, on a personal level, I just prefer coaches that are gruff, tough minded, and aggressive. It’s how I want my team to play, so it’s how I want my coach to be.
But, nonetheless, good post. Several of us, myself included, have probably used DJ’s stoic demeanor as a reason he should get fired. It’s not the reason I want him to get fired. But I do have plenty others.
by thatguy34 on Dec 3, 2008 4:58 PM EST 1 recs
Thank you for that. This is the whole point, his demeanor isn’t the problem.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on
Dec 3, 2008 10:33 PM EST
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Who gives a crap
You’re either a good coach or not, and your dimeanor is secondary. If it is part of whats makes said coach successful, great, but otherwise this is just another merry-go-round tip-toeing around the main subject which is whether he is a successful NFL head coach. So far, he is not, and this is his third year in Buffalo.
The bigger question is whether he deserves year four, and how a year four failure or sucess may dictate what the team does as a whole. from the FO on down.
And on a second note, I must never let anyone forget, that many times, as our QB goes, so does the team. And with a young QB you must expect some ups and downs. I also need to always bring to everyone’s attention, the NY Giants formula from Dick Jauron’s pal Tom Coughlin, where he almost lost his job and now they are defending champs looking at home field advantage in the playoffs.
Oh hey, how about that defensive coordinator of the Giants….
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Dec 3, 2008 5:32 PM EST 0 recs
Good Coaches win Close Games
Dallas last year was all coaching. SF this year was coaching. Jauron’s 1st year he lost heartbreakers to the Colts and Chargers. Then we have the Cleveland distaster. I wonder if any team in the last 3 years has lost more games in the last 2 minutes. (Granted we have beaten some teams last second Oakland, and Washington last year). I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to go to find that out. Oh, and dont forget the loss to the Titans w. Vince Young. I am not anti Jauron, part of me wants him to have one more year, but I truly believe he is only a D coordinator and that he can not fix an offensive or provide insight during the week that helps an offense succeed. Therefore, you have an offesive coordinator who has to do it all while the Defense get 2 pair of eyes.
by Berg79 on Dec 3, 2008 7:19 PM EST 0 recs
Great point regarding those close loses last year
Many fans considered those close loses as very positive because we kept it close but in fact maybe with different coaching, more focused on actually winning instead of keeping the game close and not loosing – maybe thy should have all been wins?
I think that he is basically only a D-coordinator and not a very good one, in the sense that he plays a style that does not suit our team make-up. This “bend but don’t break” is great for teams with high powered offenses that can score quickly and at will and unfortunately that is not our team. We have great running backs and the biggest O-Line in the league, we should be a run first team that sets up the pass to compliment the strong running game.
by keysh67 on
Dec 3, 2008 10:04 PM EST
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it's not that he's calm
It’s that he doesn’t have a system that defines him. People say that he wants to “control the game”, “run the ball effectively”, and “limit mistakes”. But I haven’t seen any of those things out of this team. I’ve seen a team with no identity.
Bears fans will tell you the same thing. Jauron doesn’t just not have charisma or motivational skills… he doesn’t have a system.
Give me a coach that brings something with him to this team. Someone decisive, always has a game plan, and knows what he would do in any game situation. We don’t have that right now. We don’t know when to run or pass. We don’t know when to blitz. We don’t know how to use our weapons effectively. We simply don’t get the best out of the talent we put on the field.
Bring us someone who can.
by bruuuuce_02 on Dec 3, 2008 9:22 PM EST 0 recs