FanPost

Dick Jauron: What a Leader

I know I'll get bashed if I write anything pro-Dick Jauron, but I have no issues defending this man. Regardless of what you think of Jauron, one thing you can never say is that he is not a great leader. What is leadership? Defined by Webster:

"process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task"

Anyone who is a coach, and is in it for the right reasons, knows the right reason is to accomplish goals as a team. It's not for individual success to gain in their profession, or any other reason, but simply to accomplish the goals they set out. Each coach will have different ways of motivating his players, each coach has unique personalities, and each coach is shaped by their experiences as a player/coach, mentors and their overall coaching/teaching philosophy.

I have never seen Dick Jauron lose a football team. In fact, under the most dire of circumstances, I see Dick Jauron is capable of rallying his team to play at their highest of levels, with energy and passion. Again, I'm not talking about scheming, game management, or x's and o's, I'm talking simply about leading a team to unite, to play to their potential, and to never quit on the overall goal: to accomplish a common task as a TEAM.

I thought Ralph Wilson's quotes today in the Associated Press were very fitting, and something all of us should take stock in during these turbulent times as a Bills fan:

"The only stat that matters is the `W,"’ Wilson said. "All things considered, for a lot of the heat that our coaches have been taking, guys getting injured, adversity comes in a variety of ways. It’s how you respond to it. And we did a phenomenal job of following coach Jauron’s lead by staying poised and composed."

For all of us, in our life, we should be lucky if we can find ways to stay as poised and persistent as Jauron has through all the billboards, losses, and fan anarchy. We live in a media world that demands instant gratification. It's part of the deal, and Jauron has never shied away from that. But he has also never handled himself with anything other than class and integrity, and I think that is to be commended. (I take that back. I know that is to be commended.) When we all go through struggles in our personal lives with family and at work, it's often easy to throw our hands up in the air and say the hell with it when times become too tough.

When Trent Edwards left the Jets game and the other injuries kept piling up, as a fan I'm sure many of you were saying "seriously, what else can go wrong?" You don't think that crossed Jauron's mind as well? When Lindell missed the kick in regulation many of you, alongside most of the nation, said "typical Bills, just can't pull through." However, what I saw yesterday despite the ugliness of the win was a team reflecting their coach. Just as we reflect our parents and our mentors that shape our lives, the Bills' players reflected Jauron. When Edwards walked off, I saw Evans going up to Ryan Fitzpatrick and giving him words of encouragement in that dire situation. I saw Eric Wood picking our running backs up off of the turf, and he was quick to stand up for his QB when they got hit. I saw Paul Posluszny play with pride and passion that diffused throughout the entire defense.

People get perplexed when Dick Jauron isn't animated on game day. That's because he understands the preparation was done before the game. In the heat of the battle, his job is to stay poised, keep his thoughts clear, and be the leader. I hate when people say "I don't care if the team loves Dick Jauron, they stink and he doesn't show emotion and he's too soft on these guys." I believe that is very much the wrong take. If you think another coach's scheme is better... fine. If you think another coach could teach football better... fine. But if you think for one second anyone could motivate or lead better, you are sorely mistaken.

While no one knows where this season will go next, the one thing I know is that a Jauron-led football team will never give up. Michael Lombardi named Dick Jauron coach of the week in his Monday Tavern Column.

He’s been very professional dealing with the uncertainty of his position, and his players have played hard for him in every game. They’re not the most talented team in the NFL, but yesterday they got a win against the reeling Jets. Wins will be hard to come by for Jauron the remainder of the season, but getting his team to play hard won’t be a difficult challenge.

If you think firing Jauron, and letting Bobby April or Perry Fewell run this team is a good idea, you are again sorely mistaken. Jauron will face the storm of adversity head on, like a true warrior, and continue to rally the troops until Ralph is forced to make a move. Until that day, Jauron will instill hope to do what Calvin Coolidge so eloquently said is the only thing one can possibly do when facing adversity... "Press On."

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race"

So, while many of you have given up hope on this season, I still have some, and the only reason there is any left is because of the Bills' head coach. The Bills' misfortunes are an organizational problem, not a HC problem. The problems lie much deeper, and some have been well-documented here at Rumblings. The HC takes the heat, and Jauron understands that. So shoot me for yesterday, feeling good for Jauron after all the criticism he has been taking. I tipped a few back for Dick, as he looks like he hasn't slept in weeks, and I guarantee you know one is working harder to try and make this team a success THIS season, than Dick Jauron.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.