Bills fire OL Coach Juan Castillo

[GG]

24 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

I don't know what quality of coach Ray Brown is but he was definitely one of the most remarkable and talented OG's in NFL history.

 

Didn't become a full time starter until he was 31 then started all but a few games for the next 12 years and is still the oldest position player to start an NFL playoff game,  20 days short of 44 years of age.

 

One of those players I always wanted on those inconsistent Bills offensive lines in the mid-late 90's.  

 

 

 

Surprised you didn’t remember that he was on the OL coaching staff for your favorite Bills HC.

[BADOLBILZ]

6 minutes ago, GG said:

 

Surprised you didn’t remember that he was on the OL coaching staff for your favorite Bills HC.

 

 

Oh I was pleased when they got him but he was just an assistant OL coach.    If I recall correctly he was also part of a "former player getting into coaching" internship program in camp with the Bills in 2006 or 2007 before actually getting hired.  

[Punching Bag]

30 minutes ago, Saint Doug said:

I believe this is what happened with D’Allesandris. Chan was fired, but we still retained D’s rights. It was then St Doug who came in and fired him. Given the ego of an NFL coach, any retained assistant coach is as good as gone when the new one comes in. 

 

Except that did not happen with Crossman who survived 2 head coach changes and there are a number of such examples in NFL.

 

 

[Buffalo Boy]

????

[Augie]

1 minute ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea.

 

Another reason some fans question McBeanes ability to evaluate offense. 

 

I checked in just to see how you would turn this to the negative side.   ?

 

Most people are rejoicing. They took action in an attempt to correct things. Time will tell if it works. 

[CommonCents]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

The accountability they’ve demonstrated since the bye week has been very refreshing. Benjamin, Clay, Ducasse, Castillo, Crossman. These move suggest more flexibility than I’ve seen from McD historically.

Also the Anderson and Barkley extensions. 

[Augie]

5 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Im not in the business of praising a firing that should've happened a year ago.?

 

I’m glad you’re not my dad!  

 

They got it right, eventually. Sometimes you don’t get it right the first time around. I’m glad they corrected it. I refuse to make myself miserable about it. 

 

Who they hire next? Well, there’s the important question. Don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over. 

[Boca BIlls]

Doug Marrone?

[BillsFan4]

I will never celebrate someone losing their job, especially when it means having to uproot their life/family etc. 

 

But I will say that the performance of the Bills o-line and run game left a lot to be desired. It is without a doubt an area that needs to greatly improve. 

 

I have to give McDermott some credit for making what I am sure was a very tough decision. I know he and Castillo are close friends. 

 

McDermott hasn’t been one to shy away from the tough decisions. I think he is sincere when he says that he’s continually evaluating everything/everyone and looking for ways to improve. 

 

Now, he has to get this hire right. Giving Josh Allen a solid o line, in pass protection and the run game, IMO is crucial to his continued development. 

[Big Turk]

Ding ***** the witch is gone! Now lets get Grossman outta here and we will really be moving in the right direction

[MrEpsYtown]

1 hour ago, Limeaid said:

 

Except that did not happen with Crossman who survived 2 head coach changes and there are a number of such examples in NFL.

 

 

 

There are definitely a lot of guys who hang around for multiple regimes. This seems to be pretty prevelant with special teams coaches. I think a lot of head coaches just kind of let those guys do their thing. I don't think they get overly worried about punt spread philosophies as compared to offensive and defensive philosophies. 

[Marvlevydraftdaygenius]

This is a big hire.  I believe Juan was the problem the last two years with the offense because when josh went out the Bills could not  use the running game to help our defense win games this year, too many times when I was watching games where running backs run into the line and disappear  and defensive lineman having free lanes to hit our quarterbacks.  I hope McDermott and Beane get the right guy who I believe needs to  Develop a more physical offensive line that when December rolls around nobody wants to line up against them.

[Nihilarian]

4 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

Hell yeah!

 

Only a year late, but nevertheless... w00t!!!

 

He really sucked and the team needed this badly. 

[Nihilarian]

2 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

I want Greg Roman back and as the run game coordinator.

Actually, Anthony Lynn was good too.

 

I just hope that McD/Beane now can see the effect of losing a pro bowl LG, OC and drafts quality replacements for Wood, Incognito. That right side also stinks with Mills, Miller. Mills was so bad it made Miller not look so terrible. 

 

Crossman next please!

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 hours ago, CookieG said:

He was part of the problem, but the far larger problem was the lack of talent.

 

Guys like Vlad, Newhouse and Bodine were bad before they ever got here.

 

That's on McBeane.

 

Well, kind of?  As I understand it, Castillo brought in Ducasse and stuck with him.  

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 hours ago, Logic said:

I'm fine with the firing of Castillo. It shows that McDermott is serious about fixing the offensive line.

That being said, I believe the Bills were a top 5 rushing team last season, and then they lost Eric Wood and Richie Incognito in the same offseason and did basically nothing to replace them. I'm not exactly sure what offensive line coach would be able to get quality production out of Jordan Mills and Russell Bodine, but whatever.

What's done is done. Like everyone else, I'm hoping Crossman is next.

Oh, and I also want to say that I find it encouraging that after each of the past two seasons, McDermott has fired a coach. It shows he's not too stubborn, complacent, or set in his ways to change when change is needed. That's a really good thing. Now he just needs to pick some superior replacements so that there aren't MORE firings after NEXT season!

 

So last year, #4 for attempts, #6 for yards which I think of as “not quite getting the same bang for the buck as everyone”

This was a big step down from 2016, #2 for attempts #1 for yards or “a bit better bang for the buck”

 

This year, #6 for attempts so still up there for attempts, #9 for yards.  I expect if one took out JA’s yards it would be way lower, but I’m too lazy to subtract all the QB rushing yards for everyone and see right now.

 

I’m not sure the point about Mills - he was here all along - but certainly, ‘Cog and Woods were.a serious loss, and Ducasse and Bodine were insufficient replacements.

I think it’s possible Dawkins is not a sufficient replacement for Glenn, either, but it would be nice to see a good LG next to him again before making that conclusion.

 

I think we could have made a push for better replacements, even with our cap situation - Pouncey went to San Diego for not that much, maybe $5M?

With the plan to draft a QB,  it would only have made sense to put as much into the line as we could, and there was more Beane could have done IMO.

 

I feel Castillo was a necessary move, but I’m concerned to know that Beane 1) can ID OL talent 2) is willing to spend what it takes in $$ and picks to bring it in

[Wagon Circler]

4 hours ago, Steptide said:

Does Bobby April still coach? Serious question. Never thought the bills should've let him go

He left on his own when he didn't get the head coach job.

[dezertbill]

Beane didn't give Castillo much to work with, but still our OL was horrendous.  Regardless of talent there is no way we should be THAT bad.

[GreggTX]

6 hours ago, dabills21 said:

Overdue, hopefully they can find a quality replacement...given the likelihood of the offensive line getting a full overhaul this offseason

 

And a big (maybe) injection of rookies that will need to get coached up while they are learning the playbook and possibly adding muscle mass. This will be a very important role for us.

[Doc Brown]

The scapegoat.  Why not fire the WR and TE coach while you're at it?  Same level of talent to work with.  I guess it can't hurt bringing in somebody new, but the lack of talent is what got Castillo fired.

 

As far as Crossman goes, he's had some impressive units a couple of his years here so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't let him go much to our chagrin.  Plus, McDermott has a penchant for bald guys.

[Rc2catch]

7 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

The scapegoat.  Why not fire the WR and TE coach while you're at it?  Same level of talent to work with.  I guess it can't hurt bringing in somebody new, but the lack of talent is what got Castillo fired.

 

As far as Crossman goes, he's had some impressive units a couple of his years here so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't let him go much to our chagrin.  Plus, McDermott has a penchant for bald guys.

I would disagree the talent got him fired. 

They had to expect better discipline and the big one..  progression from his unit. 

Fair amount of young lineman on the team who don’t seem to be getting much better. Miller was drafted and expected to be a decent guard.. Dawkins seems to have taken a step back. On top of the no name younger guys who were inactive a large portion of the season. Nobody really seemed to improve. 

Thats the definition of coaching is making players better. 

The receivers were lacking talent but you did see them progressing as the season went on. 

Night and day from the first quarter of the season to the last for the receivers. 

 

I would assume Castillo does quite well with seasoned vets who understand the game, but struggles developing younger guys learning the game. Of course that’s just my 2 cents. 

I’m sure he seen the writing on the wall quite some time ago with the performance of the line this season and how it never really got better 

[Doc Brown]

1 minute ago, Rc2catch said:

I would disagree the talent got him fired. 

They had to expect better discipline and the big one..  progression from his unit. 

Fair amount of young lineman on the team who don’t seem to be getting much better. Miller was drafted and expected to be a decent guard.. Dawkins seems to have taken a step back. On top of the no name younger guys who were inactive a large portion of the season. Nobody really seemed to improve. 

Thats the definition of coaching is making players better. 

The receivers were lacking talent but you did see them progressing as the season went on. 

Night and day from the first quarter of the season to the last for the receivers. 

 

I would assume Castillo does quite well with seasoned vets who understand the game, but struggles developing younger guys learning the game. Of course that’s just my 2 cents. 

I’m sure he seen the writing on the wall quite some time ago with the performance of the line this season and how it never really got better 

All valid pints.  I thought our pass protection improved throughout the year, but our run blocking definitely struggled.  If they can find a better coach to coach up these young guys than I'm all for it.  

[CookieG]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Well, kind of?  As I understand it, Castillo brought in Ducasse and stuck with him.  

And it was his idea to trade Glenn?

and demand RI to take a pay cut?

and not bring in anyone but below average players through FA'cy?

and wait until the end of the 5th round to draft anyone?

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending Castillo and I'm not saying he wasn't part of the problem, but to try and use him as the root of the problems for the OL is...just plain incorrect.

 

Lack of talent was by far the biggest problem on the OL and a new OL coach isn't going to change that.

 

I'll go back to the paraphrased words of Mouse McNally, possibly the best OL coach of his era, back in 2006. "You know, I'm not a magician, most of what I do is based on the talent I'm given."

 

If people think this is going to be simple "addition by subtraction"...well, the biggest addition will be talent influx.

 

But based on 2 years...who they've gotten rid of, who they brought in, the priorities in drafting, the amount spent and the end result, their track record isn't good.  Its actually very bad. So, I'm not as excited as others about firing an Oline coach. Not when the bigger problem still exists.

 

I know, I know, the tired phrase, "let's see what happens" comes in right about this time.

 

Well, I really don't have a choice but to see what happens.

 

But in the end, its not for me to wait and see, its really up to them to improve the product.

[Freddie's Dead]

Does anyone know if they hung up?

[Kmart128]

Suprised he didn't get the boot with Dennison. He is a crappy OLine coach but his system matched with Dennison's way better than Daboll's.

 

Never understood why Castillo gets so much respect in NFL when he sucks everywhere he goes.

[Aussie Joe]

1 hour ago, CookieG said:

 

 

But based on 2 years...who they've gotten rid of, who they brought in, the priorities in drafting, the amount spent and the end result, their track record isn't good.  Its actually very bad. So, I'm not as excited as others about firing an Oline coach. Not when the bigger problem still exists.

 

 

You would assume that Castillo has some say on who was brought in and drafted right?

 

Actually, all things considered Dawkins and Teller seem promising...

 

Can I also suggest something that might alleviate your disappointment-  I’m sure that his replacement has already been hired and he might even be an upgrade..

 

 

[BillsFan1988]

9 hours ago, jkeerie said:

Totally agree.

Kromer was the best we had during the drought.

Edited January 2, 2019 by BillsFan1988

[GunnerBill]

I am pleased, but I have to say also surprised. It is no secret he and Sean go back a long way and indeed Castillobwas his first hire here when he got the job. 

 

It is the right decision. Castillo hasn't produced a decent offensive line in over a decade and while I absolutely agree with those people who point to the talent he was given this year the sheer number of alignment and pre-snap penalties on the offensive line speaks to a group that simply isn't well enough coached or prepared. 

 

It is also true to say that while the line wasn't quite as bad in 2017 (started slow but played well down the stretch) it was still much less effective than it was under Aaron Kromer during the Rex Ryan era. 

 

This is an important hire for the Bills, because it is an area where they need to add personnel too and this coach is likely going to be asked for his opinion at the very least. They better make a good decision. 

[GunnerBill]

7 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Man I wish. I loved his offense. His playcalling was awful at times, but that guy is a good coach. What he's doing in Baltimore is just really cool.

 

Yep. Sadly there is no chance though. He was fired by the Pegulas not by Rex. 

[BillsFan1988]

How bout Hue Jackson as Oline coach/running gm coordinator?.

[BillsFan1988]

I wonder if Eric Wood is qualified or even interested in the job.

[GunnerBill]

10 hours ago, Meazy26 said:

Sean Kugler, OL coach from Denver is a guy I got my eye on for a replacement. Coached our OL for a few years back in the day. Maybe he could bring Matt Paradise with him. 

 

You know what, just thinking through the teams who have fired staffs his is one of the name you are left with. 

 

Jets - bad offensive line and a guy we fired last year;

Cardinals - terrible offensive line on a par with Buffalo's (though in fairness a lot of injuries up front);

Dolphins - bad offensive line;

Buccaneers - bad offensive line;

Bengals - bad offensive line;

Browns - decent offensive line actually but that big fat fella off Hard Knocks doesn't scream process to me..... unless the process involves doughnuts;

 

Denver's line has been solid (not great but solid). The other one is James Campen who has been the offensive line coach in Green Bay since 2007 and they have normally had pretty decent lines in that time save for a few years ago when injuries really hurt them. They also have a history of developing draft picks into starters on the line. There is, I think, a chance Green Bay keeps him around because he has worked his way up there from a quality control guy to offensive line and run game coordinator and is well thought of, but the Bills should at least put in a call and see what his plans are.

 

[Putin]

10 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

About time 

[PIZ]

Any chance the next oline coach comes from Alabama?  Brent Key has been the oline coach since 2016.

 

 

[Coach Tuesday]

I mean this one shouldn't even have been close, and hopefully it wasn't.  There were multiple running plays EACH GAME where the linemen were slamming into each other and blowing up the play before it started.  John Miller regularly looked like he was "glitching" - he'd start to pull, then look around, then crash into Bodine or Groy or McCoy himself.  It was a complete circus and there is no excuse for it.  Castillo was stealing paychecks in 2018.

[CaptnCoke11]

2 hours ago, BillsFan1988 said:

I wonder if Eric Wood is qualified or even interested in the job.

Hope not

[PIZ]

Anyone have eyes on the Pegula jet, to see if there are any OL coaches being looked at?

 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

3 minutes ago, PIZ said:

Anyone have eyes on the Pegula jet, to see if there are any OL coaches being looked at?

 

 

The jet is for players, and perhaps head coaches.  OL coaches get a ticket on Greyhound, and a $10 food voucher.  They learned their lesson with Rob.

[Mountain Man]

12 hours ago, CookieG said:

He was part of the problem, but the far larger problem was the lack of talent.

 

Guys like Vlad, Newhouse and Bodine were bad before they ever got here.

 

That's on McBeane.

No. That's on a lack of cap space and trying to survive 1 year, with the unexpected retirements of Wood and Incognito

[nucci]

12 minutes ago, Mountain Man said:

No. That's on a lack of cap space and trying to survive 1 year, with the unexpected retirements of Wood and Incognito

They also made poor decisions that caused the lack of cap space as well