Dick Jauron Is Browns' New Defensive Coordinator; George Catavolos To Follow?

by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 12:02 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

We speculated this morning, when news broke that Dave Wannstedt was on the verge of joining the Buffalo Bills' coaching staff, that his decision likely meant that the Cleveland Browns - with whom Wannstedt interviewed on Thursday - had decided to go in a different direction at defensive coordinator.

Multiple media outlets are now reporting that Dick Jauron, who coached the Bills from 2006 through most of 2009, will soon agree to become Cleveland's defensive coordinator.

This news is relevant to the Bills in two ways: first, it means that team owner Ralph Wilson, who is still paying Jauron money owed on the three-year contract extension he signed in 2008 (and lasts through the 2012 season), will pay Jauron less than he might have had Jauron remained a defensive backs coach. Jauron will make the salary that contract guarantees in 2011, with the Bills making up the difference beyond what the Browns pay him.

Perhaps more importantly, there is a very strong chance that Jauron attempts to pursue a member of Buffalo's defensive coaching staff as he and Pat Shurmur fill up their assistant coaching pool. Expect current Bills defensive backs coach George Catavolos to be a target of Jauron's; the two worked together in Detroit and Buffalo, and reportedly are very good friends. This is not a given, however - with Catavolos under contract, the Bills have the right to block any lateral move.

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I would hope

that Catavolos feels invested in this secondary and that the thought of picking up and working with Patrick Peterson at 3 causes him some pause – though the Browns do have a very talented secondary with Joe Haden, Eric Wright and TJ Ward

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Jan 21, 2011 12:06 PM EST reply actions

The only way this doesn’t happen, IMO, is if the Bills flat-out refuse Catavolos to leave. If Gailey doesn’t mind him going, he’s gone.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Well, Catavolos was retained because Gailey must have liked him and his value to the team. It seems unlikely that he “wouldn’t mind him going.” It’s not like he’s the extra fry cook on a slow night.

why so serious?

by Undee on Jan 21, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

That’s not exactly what I meant. I guess I meant “if Gailey isn’t hell-bent on keeping Catavolos in Buffalo”.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Unless Gailey

really doesn’t like Catavolos and that he already has a replacement in mind, I highly doubt he’ll even let Catavolos interview for Cleveland’s job.

I mean, why’d Gailey want to create a hole for himself and the team unless he feels it’s a black mark that needs to be fixed in the first place.

Bills fan half way around the world

by moncheri on Jan 21, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

There is a human factor to this whole thing. Chan Gailey is a good person. So is Dick Jauron, and so is George Catavolos. Gailey had never worked with Catavolos before, but kept him on because of Buffalo’s DB track record. The real strong relationship is between Jauron and Catavolos, however – and, to add to the situation, I believe Catavolos is from somewhere in Ohio.

I’m not saying it will happen; IF Jauron pursues Catavolos, and IF Catavolos asks Gailey to let him join him, there’s every chance that Gailey talks him out of it. I’m just throwing this out there as speculation, but I believe strongly that Jauron will at least make the attempt.

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by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

As a rule, you usually don’t want someone in your organization who would much prefer to be somewhere else. I’m with you on this.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Jan 21, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

and

we don’t even know who will be under contract next season for Catavolos to work with.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jan 21, 2011 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Dave Campo comes to mind as a possible replacement for Catavolos and a very good one, I might add. He worked together with Gailey when he was HC in Dallas. He’s currently secondary coach for the Cowboys. Of course, the question is if he’s willing to leave Dallas for Buffalo at the age of 63?

by BuffaloBeliever on Jan 21, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

I think Catavolos is a good couch, but it’s not like our secondary did a bang-up job this year. I’m wondering if he’s on the same page with the new regime. Either way, I don’t think I’d be too broken up if Catavolos went to Cleveland.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Jan 21, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

I think he's kinda lumpy actually.

And his arms are all banged up.

All your tshirt needs.
Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone else catch that ?

by Buffalo for Eternity on Jan 22, 2011 12:27 AM EST up reply actions

Dammit.
As you probably guessed, couch = coach.

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Jan 22, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Hey DJ – you’ve hurt the Buffalo Bills franchise enough! Leave us alone!

South Park showed us the benefit of Captain Hindsight

by J2 on Jan 21, 2011 12:06 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Whitner

Will be interesting to see if the Browns go after Donte Whitner when/if free agency starts.

I’m happy for Jauron, by all accounts a great person. I hope he does well…when they aren’t playing the Bills.

by PerryTuttle22 on Jan 21, 2011 12:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

rec'd

donte’s home town.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Jan 21, 2011 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

I could see this happening. Honestly, I could see him advocating for any number of “his guys” on the Bills defense. Jauron is good at defense, this we know. It’s too bad the conversation doesn’t end there.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 21, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Actually I think the conversation does end there.

by billskk69 on Jan 21, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

we can only hope

Will be interesting to see if the Browns go after Donte Whitner when/if free agency starts.

that he give him a huge contract :-)

For my own personal sanity, I am officially banning myself from reading/saying anything about Cam Newton.... starting the day after the Bowl game until the start of the combine.

by Joe P. on Jan 21, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck, Dick.

Hope he is successful, as any success wouldn’t come at the expense of the Bills too often.

Ryan Fitzpatrick -- Buffalo's new flavor at QB -- Diet Flutie

by NordicBillsfan on Jan 21, 2011 12:21 PM EST reply actions

Expect the Browns to have a good secondary, but that’s it.

by steve b. on Jan 21, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions

Knowing that the Bills are paying his contract, and anything the Browns pay DJ will go to the Bills, can’t they just low ball DJ since he shouldn’t care? Or do contracts need to fall within certain parameters to avoid obvious shenanigans?

by Pistol on Jan 21, 2011 12:46 PM EST reply actions

They could.

But DJ wouldn’t sign it. His Bills contract only runs through next season. So he’d end up getting screwed in the future.

All your tshirt needs.
Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

he’d end up getting screwed in the future.

Kinda like what he did to the Bills….

What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

by fansince60 on Jan 21, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Should be used to it by now.

He’s one of a million.

All your tshirt needs.
Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

anything the Browns pay DJ will go to the Bills

Not exactly. Buffalo will be receiving $0 from the Browns.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

defensive alignment

It’s early in the process, but I’m wondering if Jauron will go with the standard 4-3 he employed in Buffalo. This could mean a roster overhaul for the Browns, resulting in lots of players from a 3-4 system becoming available. You guys probably know more than I do about the Browns D and the state of their roster, but the more players available in free agency or via trade, the better chance the Bills have to find the right fit at multiple positions.

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by Smashy on Jan 21, 2011 12:55 PM EST reply actions

wow....

Your absolutely correct you might be on to smethin and its smething to be on the lookout for and to think about

#VintageFitzpatrick

by brebre421 on Jan 21, 2011 2:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I wouldn’t automatically assume that they run a 43, but it’s certainly possible – maybe even probable. People always forget that the best defense he ever coached, in CHI, was full of fatties – Ted Washington, Keith Traylor and, to an extent, Brian Urlacher (one of the biggest LBs in the league). Jauron likes a big defense. It wouldn’t shock me at all if he stuck with the 34, though if that were the case, I’d expect them to incorporate more zone and introduce some hybrid looks.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 21, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

Is that picture from the Dallas MNF nut kick?

because that seriously made my stomach hurt when I first looked at the picture?

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2011 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Different nut kick. MNF against the Patriots 25-24.

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by MattRichWarren on Jan 21, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

Ah yeah I knew it had to be one or the other.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 21, 2011 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

I had an idea!!

Lets bundle Stroud, and Maybin (DJ’s boys) and our 5th round pick in a trade with the browns.
We would free up a lot of money from our roster and loose little production and it would only cost us a 5th. Yes I am saying we would give them a pick for taking them off our roster.
Seems like a win win to me.
Just kidding, but surely there is someone on there roster we could trade for.

Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.

by jbbillfan on Jan 22, 2011 1:16 AM EST reply actions