Is Dick Jauron Gone ?

[thewildrabbit]

From, Pro Football Weekly :

 

Buffalo

Dec. 12, 2008 By Matt Sohn

 

Bills owner may be looking to shake up coaching staff, front office

 

Ralph Wilson can’t take it anymore. That’s the belief of many in Buffalo, who anticipate the Bills’ 90-year-old owner will be giving the ax to coach Dick Jauron after the season. Although Wilson has been silent on the matter, the silence is seen as a sign that he indeed is leaning toward making a change. The Bills are mired in a tailspin that shows no signs of slowing, having lost six of their last seven.

 

The fall from grace has been as sudden as it’s been severe. After Buffalo got out to a 5-1 start, Jauron reportedly signed a three-year extension through 2011, although the team has never confirmed the deal. Even if the contract was signed, the prospect of buying out the new deal isn’t likely to be a big enough deterrent to keep Wilson from making a move if he indeed feels it is necessary. Club sources say Jauron recognizes his fate, as his customarily even-keeled persona has dipped into more of a demeanor of resignation.

 

Changes might not stop with Jauron. Following the loss to the Dolphins in Week 14, Wilson, deeply troubled by his team’s demise, attributed the struggles in part due to a talent gap between the Bills and their competition. It was a subtle pointing of the finger at his personnel department, which was shaken up following the retirement of GM Marv Levy last offseason. Instead of hiring a general manager to replace Levy, Wilson chose to promote his college scouting director, Tom Modrak, and pro scouting director, John Guy, into what amounted to a joint GM role. But their inability to outfit the team with adequate player personnel could tempt Wilson into tabbing a single individual — somebody currently outside the organization — for the team’s top personnel job. Wilson has cast an envious eye toward the job Bills Parcells has done in his first year as the Dolphins’ executive VP of football operations, molding a roster that was 1-15 in 2007 to the brink of the postseason in ’08. He may be looking for his own Parcells.

 

However, a change in the front office doesn’t appear to be as imminent as a coaching change, in part due to Wilson’s fear of appointing another Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ GM from 2001-05. A Buffalo outsider, Donahoe’s epic failure was marked by personnel disasters in addition to alienating himself from the organization and the community.

[davefan66]

Link

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A.../wwhi121208.htm

 

I can't believe DJ will be back, even if he did sign the 3 year deal. I know Ralph is cheap, but

MY GOD he can't be that stupid....can he??

[BLZFAN4LIFE]

This article seems to be totally based on speculation, but Jauron MUST GO! Although no one could have anticipated the colossal meltdown that this season has become, what was the rush to re-sign Jauron all about? Why not wait until the Bills playoff fate was determined. At the time of the extension, we had not even played a division opponent. Did the Bills management think that the rest of the league was clamoring to steal Dickie J from us???

[marauderswr80]

Link

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A.../wwhi121208.htm

 

I can't believe DJ will be back, even if he did sign the 3 year deal. I know Ralph is cheap, but

MY GOD he can't be that stupid....can he??

 

Yes, yes he can..........

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

Yes, yes he can..........

correct he will have DJ fire a few assistants like Turk, van pelt and....

 

 

what a mess

[BillsFan74]

correct he will have DJ fire a few assistants like Turk, van pelt and....

 

 

what a mess

 

Even if Jauron signed the extension there is no way Wilson can bring him back and sell that to the fans.

[Kgun5]

Even if Jauron signed the extension there is no way Wilson can bring him back and sell that to the fans.

 

What if he agrees to dress in drag for each home game?

[BUFFALOTONE]

The only thing Ralph is shaking up is his Metamucil. Its over, all over.

[billsfreak]

With Ralph, money usually talks over wins. I bet he stays, and if and when he does, many loyal Bills fans like myself won't be staying around. Don't know how much more of this a human being can take.

[thewildrabbit]

Going to be interesting to see what these next two games bring. I doubt the Bills win either and finish with a 6-10 record. Considering the soft schedule this year and the fact Tom Brady was out all year,the Bills should have finished 10-6

 

I just don't see Dick Jauron out coaching Bill Bilichick ...ever and the Bills need someone who can actually challenge him in a season.

[RShirley]

With Ralph, money usually talks over wins. I bet he stays, and if and when he does, many loyal Bills fans like myself won't be staying around. Don't know how much more of this a human being can take.

 

 

Money really is the root of all evil...........I just don't understand how a man who is 90 years old and a billionaire can still be obessed with making and extra 3 or 4 million or even 10 million for that matter. At this stage of the game, I would be doing everything I could possibly do regardless of price to at least try going out a winner.

 

I guess we can't make Ralph into someone he is not........he is a businessman above all else. Being a sportsman and a winner (in terms of sports) is not his number one priority........making the most amount of money he possibly can obviously is first on his list. Would he like to have a winning franchise or a superbowl ring.........of course, but that is not going to trump his number one priority. If he can get lucky and do it cheaply, then winning is an extra bonus, if not no big deal to him. I guess because he has a difference of opinion than you and I, doesn't necessarily make him a bad guy, even though it frustrates the living hell out of the fans. The Bills to him are a money making business first and foremost in his mind........he purchased the franchise as such.

[Paulie in Dallas]

Even if Jauron signed the extension there is no way Wilson can bring him back and sell that to the fans.

He's had the same MO since day one. What makes anyone think, at 90, he'll change his ways?

[mannc]

correct he will have DJ fire a few assistants like Turk, van pelt and....

 

 

what a mess

 

I don't think Dick will be back. Whatever you say about Ralph, you can't accuse him of being overly patient with incompetent coaches. Please recall that he canned Wade, Greggg, and Meathead as soon as it became clear that each of them was not the right guy for the job (unless you really believe that Wade and Meathead "quit"). I don't think you can say that he kept any of those guys around too long, unless you want to argue that they should have been sacked mid-season, or never hired at all. No, Ralph's problem is that he always seems to hire the wrong guy, not that he keeps the bums around too long (see Detroit Lions, Millen). I think we can look forward to a new coach next year (hooray).

[Fan in Chicago]

RW's hand may be forced here already. Does he continue with DJ given the general disappointment and anger among fans ? The MO of this organization is to create enough excitement in the offseason to sell the season & general tickets. Getting a new coach takes the pressure off of him to produce a playoff contender for the next two years as we are all prone to giving a new coach a pass in the first couple of years. For this reason alone, I feel we will have a new coaching staff.

 

Side note for those of us on the Turk-watch: Not all the OCs, deemed incompetent by us, are idiots. Note we used to hate Kevin Gilbride and Dan Henning who are doing just fine with the Giants and Dolphins. So instead of throwing out the baby with the bath water, make judicious changes.

[Guest dog14787]

Come on, all of you guys saying you will give up on the Bills if Jauron stays, you can't be serious.

 

This is one of the youngest teams in the NFL top to bottom, and regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, we are loaded with talent. The Buffalo Bills are only a couple of players away from being a real good football team.

 

The Bills play hard under Dick Jauron and every player backs him up and that should count for something. No way these players are going to do that unless they have faith in him.

 

Do you think the players want to lose? No way

[BuffaloBill]

He's had the same MO since day one. What makes anyone think, at 90, he'll change his ways?

Past behavior tends to be the best indicator of future behavior.

[thewildrabbit]

Money really is the root of all evil...........I just don't understand how a man who is 90 years old and a billionaire can still be obessed with making and extra 3 or 4 million or even 10 million for that matter. At this stage of the game, I would be doing everything I could possibly do regardless of price to at least try going out a winner.

 

I guess we can't make Ralph into someone he is not........he is a businessman above all else. Being a sportsman and a winner (in terms of sports) is not his number one priority........making the most amount of money he possibly can obviously is first on his list. Would he like to have a winning franchise or a superbowl ring.........of course, but that is not going to trump his number one priority. If he can get lucky and do it cheaply, then winning is an extra bonus, if not no big deal to him. I guess because he has a difference of opinion than you and I, doesn't necessarily make him a bad guy, even though it frustrates the living hell out of the fans. The Bills to him are a money making business first and foremost in his mind........he purchased the franchise as such.

Interesting point

 

Its kinda sad really because to me winning is everything, not just a winning season but winning it all.

 

If Ralph is waiting for another Polian to pop up and take control I fear he won't last that long. A genius Like Bill Polian that gets promoted through the ranks sometimes comes along once in a teams lifetime.

 

He needs to do what the smart owners do and that is hire a brain and spare no expense. Charlie Casserly is out there doing network reporting,wonder if he would be open to a GM job ?

 

From PFW:

“When you look at Charley Casserly’s last draft in Houston, you’ve got to give him some credit. Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans are Pro Bowl players. Eric Winston has been solid. Owen Daniels is emerging as one of the game’s best all-around tight ends. (Casserly’s) last draft was a helluva draft. The biggest problem he had in Houston was building the offensive line. He paid a lot of veterans in the supplemental draft that never panned out. But he has hit on high picks. Dunta Robinson has turned out to be a better cornerback than DeAngelo Hall. Andre Johnson has become one of the premier receivers in football. And he uncovered some late-round gems, if you can call them that — guys like (Buccaneers DE) Greg White and C.C. Brown.”

[Fan in Chicago]

Come on, all of you guys saying you will give up on the Bills if Jauron stays, you can't be serious.

 

This is one of the youngest teams in the NFL top to bottom, and regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, we are loaded with talent. The Buffalo Bills are only a couple of players away from being a real good football team.

 

The Bills play hard under Dick Jauron and every player backs him up and that should account for something. No way these players are going to do that unless they have faith in him.

 

Do you think the players want to lose? No way

If four guys are pulling a cart with great enthusiasm in four different directions, would you give their supervisor a bonus for inspiring them to work hard ?

[thewildrabbit]

Come on, all of you guys saying you will give up on the Bills if Jauron stays, you can't be serious.

 

This is one of the youngest teams in the NFL top to bottom, and regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, we are loaded with talent. The Buffalo Bills are only a couple of players away from being a real good football team.

 

The Bills play hard under Dick Jauron and every player backs him up and that should count for something. No way these players are going to do that unless they have faith in him.

 

Do you think the players want to lose? No way

Do you honestly think That this Bills staff is even remotely as good as any in the AFC east? Player talent aside who is going to out coach Bilichick,Mangini,Sparano?

[Jrock6986]

Come on, all of you guys saying you will give up on the Bills if Jauron stays, you can't be serious.

 

This is one of the youngest teams in the NFL top to bottom, and regardless of what anyone tries to tell you, we are loaded with talent. The Buffalo Bills are only a couple of players away from being a real good football team.

 

The Bills play hard under Dick Jauron and every player backs him up and that should count for something. No way these players are going to do that unless they have faith in him.

 

Do you think the players want to lose? No way

 

O, IM DEAD SERIOUS and ive been a fan for 25 years. My heart cant take it anymore. I care more about the team than half the players! Its not worth it

[Guest dog14787]

Do you honestly think That this Bills staff is even remotely as good as any in the AFC east? Player talent aside who is going to out coach Bilichick,Mangini,Sparano?

 

 

The problem is not the HC. If you kept the offense the way it is with the same OC and brought in any HC you wanted to, in my opinion we would still end up missing the playoffs.

 

The problem is with the offense, we need a good OC.

[Jim in Anchorage]

This article seems to be totally based on speculation, but Jauron MUST GO! Although no one could have anticipated the colossal meltdown that this season has become, what was the rush to re-sign Jauron all about? Why not wait until the Bills playoff fate was determined. At the time of the extension, we had not even played a division opponent. Did the Bills management think that the rest of the league was clamoring to steal Dickie J from us???

Maybe it is a Wilson-Davis thing-as long as we beat the raiders, lifes OK.

[Steve in NY]

You make a good point that Ralph Wilson is a business man first. That is how he has always run the Bills. And the businessman in him must know that bringing back DJ is going to be a disaster from a PR and fan based level. How can you possibly expect fans to shell out their money for seats next year if you bring this guy back? He is clearly incompetent from a football perspective. How can you possibly hope fans will buy into the fact that we are ready to compete in our division if he returns? Fans aren't going to buy it. No way.

[DrFishfinder]

From, Pro Football Weekly :

 

Buffalo

Dec. 12, 2008 By Matt Sohn

 

Bills owner may be looking to shake up coaching staff, front office

 

Ralph Wilson can’t take it anymore. That’s the belief of many in Buffalo, who anticipate the Bills’ 90-year-old owner will be giving the ax to coach Dick Jauron after the season. Although Wilson has been silent on the matter, the silence is seen as a sign that he indeed is leaning toward making a change. The Bills are mired in a tailspin that shows no signs of slowing, having lost six of their last seven.

 

The fall from grace has been as sudden as it’s been severe. After Buffalo got out to a 5-1 start, Jauron reportedly signed a three-year extension through 2011, although the team has never confirmed the deal. Even if the contract was signed, the prospect of buying out the new deal isn’t likely to be a big enough deterrent to keep Wilson from making a move if he indeed feels it is necessary. Club sources say Jauron recognizes his fate, as his customarily even-keeled persona has dipped into more of a demeanor of resignation.

 

Changes might not stop with Jauron. Following the loss to the Dolphins in Week 14, Wilson, deeply troubled by his team’s demise, attributed the struggles in part due to a talent gap between the Bills and their competition. It was a subtle pointing of the finger at his personnel department, which was shaken up following the retirement of GM Marv Levy last offseason. Instead of hiring a general manager to replace Levy, Wilson chose to promote his college scouting director, Tom Modrak, and pro scouting director, John Guy, into what amounted to a joint GM role. But their inability to outfit the team with adequate player personnel could tempt Wilson into tabbing a single individual — somebody currently outside the organization — for the team’s top personnel job. Wilson has cast an envious eye toward the job Bills Parcells has done in his first year as the Dolphins’ executive VP of football operations, molding a roster that was 1-15 in 2007 to the brink of the postseason in ’08. He may be looking for his own Parcells.

 

However, a change in the front office doesn’t appear to be as imminent as a coaching change, in part due to Wilson’s fear of appointing another Tom Donahoe, the Bills’ GM from 2001-05. A Buffalo outsider, Donahoe’s epic failure was marked by personnel disasters in addition to alienating himself from the organization and the community.

In the words of Yogi Berra, "I'll belive it when I believe it".

I have a hunch that Ralph keeps Dickie The J and consequently I get a lot more spare time to go fishing on Sundays next season.

[Guest dog14787]

In the words of Yogi Berra, "I'll belive it when I believe it".

I have a hunch that Ralph keeps Dickie The J and consequently I get a lot more spare time to go fishing on Sundays next season.

 

 

The injury bug has put a hurtin on us again this year, I'll bet without the injuries or even just one of them, TE's, we're not even having this discussion right now and the Bills are probably playoff bound.

 

You want to blame that on DJ also?

[TheChimp]

In this entire thred is no mention of the DATE of the article, two days before Schefter's blog, followed by NFL.com's official report and then ESPN's report that the deal was signed. And besides, we all know that, even IF Ralph fires Dick, he'll absolutely replace him with yet another CHEAP prospect, which will more than likely pan out to be someone who doesn't know sh-- from shinola about coaching and the BILLS will stink the next three years until the move to Toronto. Only thing that will save this club is Jim Kelly suddenly finding another 500 million dollars and kidnapping the old bastard and forcing him to sign the deal. Nothing else will save us from the LAST years of the Buffalo Bills being an inevitability, and those last years being coached by Ken West's old equipment guy.

[WellDressed]

Going to be interesting to see what these next two games bring. I doubt the Bills win either and finish with a 6-10 record. Considering the soft schedule this year and the fact Tom Brady was out all year,the Bills should have finished 10-6

 

I just don't see Dick Jauron out coaching Bill Bilichick ...ever and the Bills need someone who can actually challenge him in a season.

 

We don't play Brady every week, and if we did and he went down, Cassel would have no problem beating us the same way.

[Flbillsfan#1]

The injury bug has put a hurtin on us again this year, I'll bet without the injuries or even just one of them, TE's, we're not even having this discussion right now and the Bills are probably playoff bound.

 

You want to blame that on DJ also?

Yes I DO. Dick & the Bills should not have put their eggs in the fragile basket that is TE.

[Jim in Anchorage]

We don't play Brady every week, and if we did and he went down, Cassel would have no problem beating us the same way.

Paterson could beat us every week

[BillsWatch]

Ralph Wilson can't take it anymore. That's the belief of many in Buffalo, who anticipate the Bills' 90-year-old owner will be giving the ax to coach Dick Jauron after the season. Although Wilson has been silent on the matter, the silence is seen as a sign that he indeed is leaning toward making a change. The Bills are mired in a tailspin that shows no signs of slowing, having lost six of their last seven.

 

Pure speculation as shown by quote in bold. As much as creditably as ieatcrayonz saying Bills are sold to Toronto - none.

[ganesh]

Link

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A.../wwhi121208.htm

 

I can't believe DJ will be back, even if he did sign the 3 year deal. I know Ralph is cheap, but

MY GOD he can't be that stupid....can he??

 

 

I also think that being the soft guy, Jauron, he is probably ok to getting his contract bought out rather than forcing a squabble with Wilson. They probably will amicably settle the score and move on. I hope Wilson can seal the deal and bring in Mariucci....Steve loves the play of Edwards and will be the right coach to get Edwards over the hump.

[Fan in Chicago]

The injury bug has put a hurtin on us again this year, I'll bet without the injuries or even just one of them, TE's, we're not even having this discussion right now and the Bills are probably playoff bound.

 

You want to blame that on DJ also?

 

Okay I will bite. First of all, I find it weird that this is the second consecutive year there are these lingering injury related excuses for the underwhelming performance of the team. I can understand a freak year, but two in a row ? It either points to a poor strength and conditioning staff or a lack of depth at key positions.

 

Secondly, coaching does make a difference. I hate to point out Sparano's performance (being a Fin coach and all that) but with a few key additions he has turned around that franchise to a point where they may take the AFCE crown.

 

Thirdly, most expected a steep drop-off in the Pats* performance when Brady went down. However, a no name like Cassel still managed to keep that team winning and they may yet be in the playoffs. So this excuse of doing badly because TE was injured is yet another sorry excuse. In any case, TE was doing too well before his groin injury.

 

So, the overall point is that some coaches inspire their teams to winning records. Others are left to offer endless excuses for losing.

[Guest dog14787]

Yes I DO. Dick & the Bills should not have put their eggs in the fragile basket that is TE.

 

 

How about an offense that works and doesn't get the QB beat into the ground?

 

The 49ers lead the league earlier in the season on having their QB sacked, Mike Martz is the OC in San Fran and developed the greatest show on turf, the same style offense we try to run here.

[Guest dog14787]

Okay I will bite. First of all, I find it weird that this is the second consecutive year there are these lingering injury related excuses for the underwhelming performance of the team. I can understand a freak year, but two in a row ? It either points to a poor strength and conditioning staff or a lack of depth at key positions.

 

Secondly, coaching does make a difference. I hate to point out Sparano's performance (being a Fin coach and all that) but with a few key additions he has turned around that franchise to a point where they may take the AFCE crown.

 

Thirdly, most expected a steep drop-off in the Pats* performance when Brady went down. However, a no name like Cassel still managed to keep that team winning and they may yet be in the playoffs. So this excuse of doing badly because TE was injured is yet another sorry excuse. In any case, TE was doing too well before his groin injury.

 

So, the overall point is that some coaches inspire their teams to winning records. Others are left to offer endless excuses for losing.

 

Huge difference in the amount of depth, experience, and talent when comparing us with the Pats. Not just on the field, the whole organization.

 

Coaching does make a difference and is why we need a new OC.

[AJ1]

The injury bug has put a hurtin on us again this year, I'll bet without the injuries or even just one of them, TE's, we're not even having this discussion right now and the Bills are probably playoff bound.

 

You want to blame that on DJ also?

 

I'll blame him for holding standing-around-doing-nothing training camps. That sure as hell does nothing to toughen up a team.

[Flbillsfan#1]

How about an offense that works and doesn't get the QB beat into the ground?

 

The 49ers lead the league earlier in the season on having their QB sacked, Mike Martz is the OC in San Fran and developed the greatest show on turf, the same style offense we try to run here.

QB's get hit in the NFL. Name me a QB that has not been hit HARD at some point in the season. The FACT is your boy TRENT is FRAGILE as GLASS.

[Flbillsfan#1]

I also think that being the soft guy, Jauron, he is probably ok to getting his contract bought out rather than forcing a squabble with Wilson. They probably will amicably settle the score and move on. I hope Wilson can seal the deal and bring in Mariucci....Steve loves the play of Edwards and will be the right coach to get Edwards over the hump.

I would be happy with Mooch, but tell me how he can coach Trent to stay HEALTHY. Trent is an INJURY PRONE, FRAGILE QB. I don't care if he gets as good as Payton Manning, no coaching will keep him on the field.

[HelloNewman]

*ring**ring*

 

"Hello Bill? Hi Bill this is Ralph Wilson calling.....I was wondering if you would like to coach a team that has lots of problems but you will not only be the coach but the GM and will be in charge of all player personnel decisions on the football side of things and you will be able to hand pick your scouting staff and pro player staff."

 

 

(Knowing our luck what you will hear next is simple.........*click*) but it is worth a try

[Guest dog14787]

QB's get hit in the NFL. Name me a QB that has not been hit HARD at some point in the season. The FACT is your boy TRENT is FRAGILE as GLASS.

 

 

My boy Trent, who's your boy then? and if your not a Bills fan what are you doing here?

[thewildrabbit]

I would be happy with Mooch, but tell me how he can coach Trent to stay HEALTHY. Trent is an INJURY PRONE, FRAGILE QB. I don't care if he gets as good as Payton Manning, no coaching will keep him on the field.

That is easy,first of all Mariucci would take the Bills play book and throw it away which would immediately make the offense less predictable. Then he would install the "west coast" offense which allows the QB to make quick short passes to his receivers,like an elongated hand off.

The thing is with coaches like Mariucci they keep a cheat sheet for every down and distance and I'd be willing to bet that throwing the ball on 3rd and one isn't on that sheet,either is calling a pass play on 2nd and five to run the clock out.

 

Trent Edwards would flourish in the properly called west coast offense,I seriously doubt "mooch" would ignore the running game like Schonert does.