Why Dick has his own imdb page?
I'm glad to see that according to the "Starmeter" his popularity is down 42% this week.
Guess that win didn't help him out that much after all.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
One Week Reprieve
It was still ugly and the win was due more to Carolina ineptitude than Bills performance, still, there will be no calling for the coach's head today after the 20-9 win yesterday.
But I can't let this from Peter King's MMQB go without comment:
O.k., I lied - I did have a comment to make on the playcalling.
But I can't let this from Peter King's MMQB go without comment:
Just like Mike Lombardi last week - if the best that can be said for a coach is that the "team plays for him", well that's setting a pretty low bar, isn't it? Shouldn't fans expect that a coach commands enough respect to get his players to play hard? That's what they're being paid for, right? Shouldn't fans also expect aggressive, yet reasonable, playcalling? So, when you have a 3rd and 2 late in the game, don't call an end around to T.O. - call a screen to Evans or a quick crossing pass play to T.O. The ensuing fumbled punt return bailed Jauron out of that one.Coach of the Week
Dick Jauron, head coach, Buffalo
Meaningless games beckoned earlier this month, with sprouting billboards calling for Jauron's job as the Bills stared at a two-game trip to the Jets and Panthers. During the visit to the Jets, a quarterback from Harvard, Ryan Fitzpatrick, was asked to save a season, and the Bills won in overtime. On Sunday they got past a bad Carolina team in Charlotte. This won't get the billboards overtaken, but the past eight days showed this team still plays for Jauron.
O.k., I lied - I did have a comment to make on the playcalling.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Well this is depressing
From Dan Steinberg's DC Sports Bog comes this.
Another wrinkle in the "we need CowherHolmgrenGruden" wail of disappointed Bills fans is competition for top notch coaches with other franchises. I've already talked about why Cowher specifically probably would take 2 or 3 different jobs before he would consider the Bills, but the larger point is that there are likely to be A LOT of opportunities out there next year better set up than the Bills.
Adam Schefter in Steinberg's piece puts it better than I can:
Brings up 2 points: (1) guys like Snyder and Jones (hell, even Al Davis) are more likely to spend big on players (Oakland and Dallas were 1-2 in NFL payrolls last year) and (2) they're also the guys likely to make big lavish coaching hires next year.
Who was the last big name coach the Bills hired? Keep thinking. You won't think of one.
Another wrinkle in the "we need CowherHolmgrenGruden" wail of disappointed Bills fans is competition for top notch coaches with other franchises. I've already talked about why Cowher specifically probably would take 2 or 3 different jobs before he would consider the Bills, but the larger point is that there are likely to be A LOT of opportunities out there next year better set up than the Bills.
Adam Schefter in Steinberg's piece puts it better than I can:
"Well, a lot of people say, 'Oh, Redskins, Dan Snyder, Vinny Cerrato, undesirable' and I would take the flip side of that," Schefter said. "I would tell you that we are headed toward an uncapped year. What's MORE desirable than the Redskins situation, where Dan Snyder is going to spend whatever it takes in a market where there are no limitations on what one owner can spend?"Good point Adam. Bills got T.O. for (relatively) short money and unloaded their other big free agent prize (Peters) after one year. Terrence McGee is the only other Bill besides Evans and Peters to make more than $2 million last year (!).
Brings up 2 points: (1) guys like Snyder and Jones (hell, even Al Davis) are more likely to spend big on players (Oakland and Dallas were 1-2 in NFL payrolls last year) and (2) they're also the guys likely to make big lavish coaching hires next year.
Who was the last big name coach the Bills hired? Keep thinking. You won't think of one.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
TMQ on Bills D
Faithful reader Phil H. passes this along from today's TMQ column by Gregg Easterbrook:
I hate to pick on Easterbook here since he has been on Jauron's case for as long as I have (see here, here, here and here), but a couple of points on the above:
Stats of the Week No. 4: In the past two games, the Buffalo defense has allowed a total of 118 passing yards while making 7 interceptions.
- 6 of those7 INTs came against the Jets - 5 provided by their rookie QB who has never played a game below 50 degrees and 1 on a botched FG attempt
- Last week the Bills played Derek Anderson and the freaking Browns. Want to know what Anderson did against the Steelers Sunday? 9-24, 123 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 51.1 Rating
Dick Jauron and Decision Theory
I hesitated posting this week since the Bills (miraculously? luckily?) prevailed over the Jets on Sunday. However, after thinking about the game for a day, I realized that notwithstanding the win, Dickie Don't still exhibits a fundamental flaw in his coaching style - a failure to correctly analyze the possibilities in front of him and make the best decision.
Some people think that outcomes are all that matter. These are the people who bet on hunches, who think the hit and run and sacrifice bunt make a lot of strategic sense, and, unfortunately, the same people who rush up the middle for no gain to set up a potential game winning 46 yard field goal. On the road. In swirling winds.
Decision Theory holds that making optimal decisions in the long run will have better outcomes than playing hunches or "going against the grain". Poker players know this. Any person whose job depends on strategy and different expected outcomes from decisions should know this. Dick Jauron clearly doesn't.
Just to recap the game situation - Bills have the ball at the Jets 49 with 2 time outs and almost 4 minutes to play. Backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been less than stellar, but has been successful with short passes and screens to the flat. Playcalling from that point:
Instead, Fitzpatrick runs for a first down on a broken play, Jauron sends Jackson into the pile (for a loss of 2) and lets the clock simply run down to 4 seconds, settling for a 46 yarder in the wind.
Lindell was 10/15 last year from 40-49 yards. He is now 3/5 this year from that distance. So Jauron was settling for (at best) a 60-67% chance of success, sacrificing a chance to gain additional yardage and get into a more comfortable spot for Lindell (11/11 from 30-39 yards last year). And why? Concerned about a turnover? Doesn't that show lack of confidence in your highly-paid all-pro offensive players? A bad decision in this case, clearly a decision with a lower expected value, ultimately resulted in a success (the Bills eventually won in overtime), but over time, these conservative decisions are what, year after year, cost the Bills close games (stretching all the way back to the Dallas MNF game 2 years ago).
Unfortunately, the football press (Lombardi) lauded Jauron after the game for his "professionalism" and getting his guys to play hard. I understand there is a contrast between the effort level in Washington and the effort level in Buffalo, but that's the definition of damning with faint praise, and it's maddening that Jauron has this rep of getting his guys to play hard which seems to shield him (in the national media at least) against criticism of his actual, you know, job performance.
Bottom line: if the Bills can't beat the Jets after forcing 6 turnovers, that's a monumental failure - a 3 point OT win is not something to assign credit to the coach for.
Some people think that outcomes are all that matter. These are the people who bet on hunches, who think the hit and run and sacrifice bunt make a lot of strategic sense, and, unfortunately, the same people who rush up the middle for no gain to set up a potential game winning 46 yard field goal. On the road. In swirling winds.
Decision Theory holds that making optimal decisions in the long run will have better outcomes than playing hunches or "going against the grain". Poker players know this. Any person whose job depends on strategy and different expected outcomes from decisions should know this. Dick Jauron clearly doesn't.
Just to recap the game situation - Bills have the ball at the Jets 49 with 2 time outs and almost 4 minutes to play. Backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been less than stellar, but has been successful with short passes and screens to the flat. Playcalling from that point:
- Jackson no gain
- Fitzpatrick to Evans for 12 yards
- Jackson, 2 runs for 9 yards to the Jets 29.
- Timeout Bills (with 1:18 left)
Instead, Fitzpatrick runs for a first down on a broken play, Jauron sends Jackson into the pile (for a loss of 2) and lets the clock simply run down to 4 seconds, settling for a 46 yarder in the wind.
Lindell was 10/15 last year from 40-49 yards. He is now 3/5 this year from that distance. So Jauron was settling for (at best) a 60-67% chance of success, sacrificing a chance to gain additional yardage and get into a more comfortable spot for Lindell (11/11 from 30-39 yards last year). And why? Concerned about a turnover? Doesn't that show lack of confidence in your highly-paid all-pro offensive players? A bad decision in this case, clearly a decision with a lower expected value, ultimately resulted in a success (the Bills eventually won in overtime), but over time, these conservative decisions are what, year after year, cost the Bills close games (stretching all the way back to the Dallas MNF game 2 years ago).
Unfortunately, the football press (Lombardi) lauded Jauron after the game for his "professionalism" and getting his guys to play hard. I understand there is a contrast between the effort level in Washington and the effort level in Buffalo, but that's the definition of damning with faint praise, and it's maddening that Jauron has this rep of getting his guys to play hard which seems to shield him (in the national media at least) against criticism of his actual, you know, job performance.
Bottom line: if the Bills can't beat the Jets after forcing 6 turnovers, that's a monumental failure - a 3 point OT win is not something to assign credit to the coach for.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Gotta Give Some Props....
To Fire Dick Jauron, the site I tried to buy 2 years ago. I never heard back from the original owner, but this guy was able to get the site, and has done a great job re-tooling its look (and has apparently gotten some pub from WIVB in Buffalo). So go on over and check his site out. While we're at it - some other great Buffalo-centric sites that you should look at are:
Goose's Roost - mostly Sabres talk, but some biting stuff on Dick as well
Bfloblog - Indymedia source for all sports things Buffalo
Buffalo Rumblings - Horrible layout, but very intricate Bills personnel bits.
Well.. that's it for tonight. Until later, I leave you with this (it's been floating around teh interwebs lately):
Goose's Roost - mostly Sabres talk, but some biting stuff on Dick as well
Bfloblog - Indymedia source for all sports things Buffalo
Buffalo Rumblings - Horrible layout, but very intricate Bills personnel bits.
Well.. that's it for tonight. Until later, I leave you with this (it's been floating around teh interwebs lately):
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fire Dick Jauron! Goes Interactive
O.k., there are plenty of people stopping by the site (thank you). Hope you are enjoying the pathetic ranting. As a gift to you, I present the poll in the sidebar. Please take a second to register your opinion.
As a reminder - I am on record. Dick's expiration date (he kind of looks like sour milk personified, doesn't he?) is 11/2.
As a reminder - I am on record. Dick's expiration date (he kind of looks like sour milk personified, doesn't he?) is 11/2.
Whither Bill Cowher
One thing I keep hearing from disgruntled Bills fans is "why don't we just get Cowher in here"?
Setting aside the fact that Jauron is under contract through 2011 and the fact that Cowher seems to be enjoying himself in retirement, why would Cowher ditch his cushy studio job in the middle of the season for the frigid sidelines of Orchard Park (and Toronto)? Especially when the following other jobs are likely his for the taking in 2010:
Sorry, Bills fans, we're going to be stuck with this guy for a little while yet:
And hopefully, we won't end up with this guy next year:
Setting aside the fact that Jauron is under contract through 2011 and the fact that Cowher seems to be enjoying himself in retirement, why would Cowher ditch his cushy studio job in the middle of the season for the frigid sidelines of Orchard Park (and Toronto)? Especially when the following other jobs are likely his for the taking in 2010:
- Dallas - whoo boy, you just know crazy-as-a-shithouse-rat Jerry Jones wants to dump Wade (last successful Bills coach) Phillips. Cowher would be the perfect fit for a team that needs a little toughening up and a little stronger leadership. And there are great skill positions in place on offense and defense (Romo, Barber/Jones/Choice, Williams, Ware). Will depend on whether Dallas gets a WC spot or not. 9-7 or worse and Wade is toast.
- San Diego - it's year 3 of the Norv Turner experience. With Denver running away with the West, San Diego will be left to compete with the likes of Baltimore, Miami/Jets/Patriots for a WC spot. If they don't get it (even if they go 10-6), I can see a splashy move (it's not like Randy Smith is afraid of firing a successful coach - he Turk'd Schottenheimer pretty quickly). Then ask yourself - who would you rather have - Rivers/LDT/Gates/V-Jack, or Edwards/Lynch/Owens/Evans? Thought so.
- Tennessee/Carolina/Washington/Jacksonville - These are all relatively comparable to the Bills given their personnel (and in DC's case, ownership) situations; still, Cowher may prefer them for one reason (geography in the case of Carolina or Tennessee) or exposure (in the case of Washington).
Sorry, Bills fans, we're going to be stuck with this guy for a little while yet:
And hopefully, we won't end up with this guy next year:
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Some Housecleaning and Where I Stand on Dick
Well, where I stand should be painfully obvious. I'm of the opinion that Dick got his job due to shady Ivy League connections, is the personification of the Peter Principle and who probably has cataracts (why else would he wear those Fugly sunglasses)? But I cross-posted the following to flesh out the abortion that is your Buffalo Bills in the comments - it's not all Dick's fault, but someone's gotta go:
At least this is somewhat promising.
But who would replace Disaster Dick? Nobody from inside the organization, as far as I can tell, has remotely relevant experience. To wit:
Answer? In the immortal words of Adriana La Cerva: "He'd f*cking bettuh".
This is the thing - he was a bad hire from the get go. He parlayed one good season* into some idea that he actually knew what he was doing. Peter Principle, people.
*(that was seriously lucky and fluky by the way - nobody seems to remember all of those overtime wins and Mike Brown TAINTs in that magical season. Take away that magical 13-3 and Jauron was 22-42, an approximately .350 winning percentage)
Now added to that are poor personnel decisions (signing that fat stiff Peters in the first place instead of developing someone who could actually contribute this year; sticking with Edwards, signing TO instead of beefing up the O-Line and secondary), obscenely poor coordinators the past few years (Fairchild was a joke) and an owner who just doesn't seem to care anymore, and you have a recipe for misery.
I still say 11/2/09 is Dick's Day of Reckoning.
At least this is somewhat promising.
But who would replace Disaster Dick? Nobody from inside the organization, as far as I can tell, has remotely relevant experience. To wit:
- Bobby April - 18 years in the NFL; Assistant Head Coach/ST Coach with the Bills. Has never been a head coach or coordinator in his career. Bills' version of Dante Scarnecchia.
- Perry Fewell - Love the hat, but he's been a D coordinator for only 3 years and I'd be surprised w/o a "real" O-coordinator (we'll get to Van Pelt) if a defensive specialist was given the reins.
- Alex Van Pelt - Josh McDaniels and Jon Gruden are the obvious parallels (and Gary Kubiak I guess) , but Mc-D was O-coordinator for 8 years under Belichick and Kubiak has been a bust. Gruden is a little more interesting a parallel, but even he had more coaching experience than Van Pelt (3 years as O-coordinator in Philly before assuming the reins in Oakland).
Answer? In the immortal words of Adriana La Cerva: "He'd f*cking bettuh".
Sunday, October 11, 2009
In all Fairness to Dick
His players didn't help much today.
You may have noticed that posting has been light here at Fire Dick Jauron! Central. Well, that's mainly because I really don't give a $hit about Dick or this team at this point. I mean, we are talking aboutHank Bullough Kay Stephenson levels of incompetence here, aren't we? Anyway, as a service to you, my faithful reader (I've checked sitemeter, there's only one), here are some lowlights from today's "game":
The 2001 Bears was a long time ago.
You may have noticed that posting has been light here at Fire Dick Jauron! Central. Well, that's mainly because I really don't give a $hit about Dick or this team at this point. I mean, we are talking about
- 13 accepted penalties costing the Bills 75 yards, at least half of which were false starts. At home.
- punting on 4th and 1 from their own 40 with 4 minutes to play. Not to recycle Tuesday Morning QB's shtick, but the Bills are 1-3, they are playing the freaking Browns, they've actually been moderately successful running the ball. Going for it here instills confidence in your players Dick, that you believe in them. Instead, he sends in the punter. Congratulations. Now you are 1-4.
- Once again, an unimaginative playbook. Short passes, checkdowns, straight-up rushing offense.
- Ridiculous sunglasses. Sporting those is a fireable offense in itself.
The 2001 Bears was a long time ago.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
We all have it coming, kid.
If there's one thing I know about the Buffalo Bills it's that they never blow leads on Monday Night Football against a heavily favored opponent...
My facebook status at approximately 9:45 last night.
5 and a half minutes to go, an 11 point lead, what could possibly go wrong. In all fairness to the most underwhelming coach in football (pip pip cheerio Dick!), I can't lay much of the blame for that debacle at Jauron's feet. Sure, the Patriots had almost a 2-1 time of possession advantage resulting a surely gassed Bills D down the stretch, sure the Bills lost 2 of their prime defensive stoppers which should have caused the Bills to move to a more possession-oriented game, sure the Bills burned a time out coming out of the return of possession after the Pats second TD, but the main reasons for last night's 25-24 loss were the fundamental flaws in this team:
Oh and this is great - looks like we won't be seeing Posluszny any time soon.
Anyway, next week is another week. (checks schedule - home game against Tampa. Surely the Bills can win this one?)
This week's estimate of Dick Jauron termination date: Monday, November 2.
My facebook status at approximately 9:45 last night.
5 and a half minutes to go, an 11 point lead, what could possibly go wrong. In all fairness to the most underwhelming coach in football (pip pip cheerio Dick!), I can't lay much of the blame for that debacle at Jauron's feet. Sure, the Patriots had almost a 2-1 time of possession advantage resulting a surely gassed Bills D down the stretch, sure the Bills lost 2 of their prime defensive stoppers which should have caused the Bills to move to a more possession-oriented game, sure the Bills burned a time out coming out of the return of possession after the Pats second TD, but the main reasons for last night's 25-24 loss were the fundamental flaws in this team:
- Weak-ass offensive line that, when it isn't committing holding penalties, is giving up key sacks late in the game;
- Weakness in the secondary - getting burned twice on the same TE post pattern would be inexcusable if it wasn't so funny;
- Lack of defensive depth - the Bills were all over Brady in the first half, but could barely get any pressure on him in the second half after Kelsay went out and their D got tired from having to be on the field so much.
Oh and this is great - looks like we won't be seeing Posluszny any time soon.
Anyway, next week is another week. (checks schedule - home game against Tampa. Surely the Bills can win this one?)
This week's estimate of Dick Jauron termination date: Monday, November 2.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Why hello there
Nice to see you. It's been a while. Let's review the bidding shall we?
Dick Jauron career record: 57-76
Dick Jauron record with Bills: 21-27
Ralph Wilson was feeling charitable when he gave Jauron a three year extension
But hey, he is 26-21-1 against the spread the past three years!
We'll be following Jauron a little more closely this year as commentators generally think that although his contract runs through 2011, 2009 may be (Inshallah) his last year.
Get ya popcorn ready.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Nobody Craps the bed.....
Like Dick Jauron (although Trent Edwards is giving him a run for his money). I watched the opening series yesterday and decided to go for a run, figuring the Bills' luck would turn by the time I got back (or that Edwards would get knocked out of the game and Losman would get to take another turn).
No such luck.
Dick, Dick, Dick... by half time I had tallied 4 fire-able offenses:
1. Not challenging the Wes Welker completion on the sideline. This is at least the second time you've failed to challenge a call that would have been overturned. What else do you have to do on the sideline? You're not coaching, so I'm not sure what else is left. At least Marty Schottenheimer would yell and scream while on the sidelines to cover up the fact that he stopped coaching years ago.
2. Forgetting that you have Marshawn Lynch in the backfield. 9 first half carries followed by 4 in the second half last week? This team's strength should be running the rock with timely passes by Edwards and the occasional 40 yard bomb sprinkled in.
3. Punting on 4th and 3 from the Pats' 39 with time running out in the first half. That's a real weak call down by 7 in a, let's face it, must win game (Div record now? 0-3). But even worse?
4. CALLING A TIME OUT AND THEN DECIDING TO PUNT. This was utterly moronic and it cost the Bills as they let the Pats be able to run out the clock in the first half when they stood a shot of getting the ball back to run a play. If you were going to punt, THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF YOU THINK YOU CAN GET THE BALL BACK. Taking a time out before the punt ensures that you will not get it back. Basically, you're taking a knee, happy with a 7 point deficit when a 4th and 3 conversion (which stands probably about a 40% chance of success) practically guarantees you field goal range, and gives you a possibility of more.
Dick, those drums are getting louder, and I hear a fife playing a tune. Sounds something like this:
"When Dickie Jauron gets fired again, hurrah, hurrah/
We'll give him a tasteful send-off then, hurrah, hurrah/
The fans will cheer, the press will shout/
'They finally turned that moron out'/
And we'll all feel gay/
When Dickie's sent on his way"
No such luck.
Dick, Dick, Dick... by half time I had tallied 4 fire-able offenses:
1. Not challenging the Wes Welker completion on the sideline. This is at least the second time you've failed to challenge a call that would have been overturned. What else do you have to do on the sideline? You're not coaching, so I'm not sure what else is left. At least Marty Schottenheimer would yell and scream while on the sidelines to cover up the fact that he stopped coaching years ago.
2. Forgetting that you have Marshawn Lynch in the backfield. 9 first half carries followed by 4 in the second half last week? This team's strength should be running the rock with timely passes by Edwards and the occasional 40 yard bomb sprinkled in.
3. Punting on 4th and 3 from the Pats' 39 with time running out in the first half. That's a real weak call down by 7 in a, let's face it, must win game (Div record now? 0-3). But even worse?
4. CALLING A TIME OUT AND THEN DECIDING TO PUNT. This was utterly moronic and it cost the Bills as they let the Pats be able to run out the clock in the first half when they stood a shot of getting the ball back to run a play. If you were going to punt, THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF YOU THINK YOU CAN GET THE BALL BACK. Taking a time out before the punt ensures that you will not get it back. Basically, you're taking a knee, happy with a 7 point deficit when a 4th and 3 conversion (which stands probably about a 40% chance of success) practically guarantees you field goal range, and gives you a possibility of more.
Dick, those drums are getting louder, and I hear a fife playing a tune. Sounds something like this:
"When Dickie Jauron gets fired again, hurrah, hurrah/
We'll give him a tasteful send-off then, hurrah, hurrah/
The fans will cheer, the press will shout/
'They finally turned that moron out'/
And we'll all feel gay/
When Dickie's sent on his way"
Friday, November 7, 2008
Can you hear that?
It's the soft pitter patter of a snare drum from somewhere over a fog-shrouded hill... soon to be followed by the deep beat of the bass drum and the syncopated sound of marching feet. The drumbeat is getting louder Dick. Don't go all wobbly on us now.
Oct. 19 - 5-1
Nov. 7 - 5-3
Oct. 19 - 5-1
Nov. 7 - 5-3
Friday, November 9, 2007
Just Checking In...
To make sure the old "reverse jinx" is still working. Yup. O.k., no talking in the dugout.
Friday, October 19, 2007
What Did I Tell YOU?!?!
Look up at the top of this blog. I started this blog because it was clear that Dancing Dick Jauron's inept coaching would necessarily lead to a move of the Bills franchise to Toronto (unless, of course, he was fierd).
Well, look at THIS.
BfloBlog has a good take, although they place blame on the wrong parties, which, in case you were wondering, is anyone other than Dick.
I am also blaming this on Dick.
That is all.
-J
Well, look at THIS.
BfloBlog has a good take, although they place blame on the wrong parties, which, in case you were wondering, is anyone other than Dick.
I am also blaming this on Dick.
That is all.
-J
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A moment away from bitterness...
Is in order, if this can be believed.
Kevin Everett apparently was able to walk for a short period of time with the help of a specialized walker and can manipulate, and move in, a wheelchair. This is obviously tremendous news and is yet another laurel for the folks at Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital and at the Miami project. As much as we like to shit on Dick Jauron around here, it's hard to be anything other than hopeful and excited for Mr. Everett and hope that he has not only a recovery, but a full recovery. I mean, at this point, he could fill in at ILB for the Bills, couldln't he?
Oh, I forgot Coy Wire is back this week.
Seriously, get well-er, Kevin.
Kevin Everett apparently was able to walk for a short period of time with the help of a specialized walker and can manipulate, and move in, a wheelchair. This is obviously tremendous news and is yet another laurel for the folks at Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital and at the Miami project. As much as we like to shit on Dick Jauron around here, it's hard to be anything other than hopeful and excited for Mr. Everett and hope that he has not only a recovery, but a full recovery. I mean, at this point, he could fill in at ILB for the Bills, couldln't he?
Oh, I forgot Coy Wire is back this week.
Seriously, get well-er, Kevin.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Buffalo Bills - A Litany of Futility
A lot of people have come to this site from a Buffalo Bils forum called Stadium Wall. Welcome!
In one of the threads, a member named "SCBuffBillsFan" posted an excellent litany of all of the heartbreaking and boneheaded losses the Bills have suffered over the past 10 years. I had forgotten, or never realized in the first place, about 10 of these. They are presented below for your perusal and enjoyment (if you're not a Bills fan).
Some would say that you can't blame all of these on Dick Jauron since he wasn't the Bills coach for the lions' share of them. Those people clearly are deluded members of the "reality-based community". Like the Bush administration, I make my own reality.
--------
2007 SEASON
10/08/07 - COWBOYS 25 BILLS 24 - Bills turn over Tony Romo 6 times, return 2 INTs and a kickoff for touchdowns, stop a last-ditch two point conversion, and then lose when Dallas recovers an onsides kick with 20 seconds left and kicks a 50+ yard field goal with two seconds left
09/09/07 - BRONCOS 15 BILLS 14 - In a game in which the Bills never trailed, they lose on a "fire drill" field goal with one second left.
2006 SEASON
12/24/06 - TITANS 30 BILLS 20 - In Orchard Park, Vince Young runs wild, the Titans kick a field goal with 2:10 left to take a one point lead. The game ends when JP Losman throwing an INT on 4th and 5 from the Tennessee 28 yard line with one minute left, after the Bills forego the 43 yard field goal attempt due to wind.
12/12/06 - COLTS 17 BILLS 16 - Down one to the Colts in Indy, Rian Lindell misses a 41 yard field with 6:30 left. Peyton Manning never gives the Bills the ball back and runs out the clock.
09/10/06 - PATRIOTS 19 BILLS 17 - On the road to open the season, the Bills return a Brady INT for a TD on first play of game, and lead for most of the game. Then the Patriots take the lead on a *safety* by sacking Losman with six minutes left. After the free kick, Donte Whinter records an INT on the first play. The Bills proceed to go three-and-out from their own 44, punt with 6:20 to go and never see the ball again.
2005 SEASON
01/01/06 - JETS 30 BILLS 26 - In a meaningless game at home, the Jets score on a Kelly Holcomb INT for a TD and then take the lead with a Justin Miller KR for a TD with 6 minutes left. Holcomb takes Bills to the Jets 34 with with 3 minutes left before being sacked on 4th and 10. Holcomb then throws an INT on the desperation drive with 50 seconds left.
12/04/05 - DOLPHINS 24 BILLS 23 - In Miami, Lee Evans scores 3 TD's in the first quarter. Losman only completes one more pass to Lee Evans for the rest of the game. Chris Chambers catches 15 passes for 238 yards, including the game-winning TD as Sage Rosenfels in relief for Gus Frerotte takes the Fish 73 yards with 1:51 left.
11/27/05 - PANTHERS 13 BILLS 9 - Bills take a 9-6 lead at home with 5 minutes left. Future Buffalo Bill Michael Gaines scores the GW TD with 2:21 left. With 47 seconds left, on 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 43, JP Losman throws a game-ending INT.
10/30/05 - PATRIOTS 21 BILLS 16 – The Bills take a 16-7 lead with ten minutes left. The Patriots take just two minutes and 11 seconds to score a TD to pull within two points. On the next drive, Holcomb fumbles, and the Patriots need just one play to take the lead. With two minutes left, on 4th and 8 from the New England 40, a pass to Moulds gets no gain.
10/02/05 – SAINTS 16 BILLS 7 Buffalo nearly retakes the first half lead in the final seconds of when Terrence McGee returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards, crisscrossing the field and ducking through defenders before he was finally tripped up on a weak tackle attempt inside the Saints 5 after time expired. Saints stuffed Willis McGahee on fourth-and-inches, taking possession for a drive that would lead to Carney's third field goal, making it 16-7 with 5 minutes left.
2004 SEASON
01/02/05 - STEELERS 29 BILLS 24 - In a home game to secure their first playoff birth in years, against a Steelers team playing 2nd and 3rd stringers, some guy named Willie Parker runs 19 times for 102 yards. The Bills never even come close to winning.
10/10/04 - JETS 16 BILLS 14 - On the road in New York, the Bills score 14 4th Quarter points to take the lead with 6 minutes left. The Jets' Doug Brien kicks a 38 yard field goal with 1 minute left. The game ends with Drew Bledsoe's Hail Mary being intercepted in a game that ultimately cost the Bills a playoff spot.
10/03/04 - PATRIOTS 31 BILLS 17 - At home and down 7 with three minutes left, the Bills are driving at the New England 17, when Drew Bledsoe is sacked and the Patriots return the fumble for a TD in a game that ultimately costs the Bills a playoff spot.
09/12/04 - JAGUARS 13 BILLS 10 - In Orchard Park and down 4 points with two minutes left, the Jaguars get the ball at their own 20 with one time out. On 4th and Goal from the 7 with four seconds left, Byron Leftwich hits Ernest Wilford in the back of the end zone - who somehow hangs on to the GW TD in a game that ultimately cost the Bills a playoff spot.
2003 SEASON
12/14/03 - TITANS 28 BILLS 26 - Billy Volek has a big game in Nashville. Drew Bledsoe hits Mark Campbell for a TD with 26 seconds left, but the two-point conversion fails and the Titans recover the onsides kick. This ends the playoff hopes in a season that began with the 31-0 thumping of the Patriots in the Lawyer Milloy Bowl.
11/23/03 - COLTS 17 BILLS 14 - Bills take a 14-3 lead into the 4th quarter in Orchard Park. The Bills stuff the Colts on three plays after first-and-goal from the 3. Colts punch it in on 4th and Goal from the 1 with 1:42 left and convert the two-point conversion for a three point lead. From the Buffalo 46, Drew Bledsoe throws an INT with 42 seconds left. Their third crushing loss in three weeks and their second at home.
11/16/03 - TEXANS 12 BILLS 10 - In Orchard Park, the Texans take a 12-8 lead with 3:28 left. On the first play after the two minute warning, the Bills have 1st and 10 from the Houston 31. Drew Bledsoe is sacked and fumbles. The Texans take an intentional safety to end the game, giving the Bills two safeties in the game.
11/09/03 - COWBOYS 10 BILLS 3 - In Dallas, Quincy Carter takes a four point lead into the 4th quarter. With four minutes left, the Cowboys' kicker pooch punts the ball into the end zone from the Buffalo 32 for a 12 yard net punt. The Bills proceed to go three-and-out, including an own-recovered Travis Henry fumble. Getting the ball with 2:50 to play, Adrian Murrell runs the ball down our throats to end the game.
09/28/03 - EAGLES 23 BILLS 13 - Down 3 points at home with 2:50 left, the Bills are using their timeouts on defense to try and get the ball back. The Eagles get one first down through the air, and then Brian Westbrook scores on a 62 yard TD to all-but ice the game. On a desperation drive, down 10 with 1 minute left, Drew Bledsoe is flushed out of the pocket on 4th and 8 and proceeds to throw the ball away out-of-bounds! Good grief!
09/21/03 - DOLPHINS 17 BILLS 7 - In Miami, the Bills are down 10 to 3 with 6:43 to play. Getting the ball at their own 34, they run for two yards, have a false start, and a Drew Bledsoe sack. On 3rd and 19, the pass is incomplete. Miami then rips off a three minute drive, when the Bills appear to stuff Ricky Williams on 3rd and Goal from the 1 on the first play after the two minute warning. A booth review is called, and Miami is given the TD and a 10 point lead. Down 10 with 1:48 to play from their own 20 with one timeout, Drew Bledsoe manages to drive to the Miami 24.
2002 SEASON
11/17/02 - CHIEFS 17 BILLS 16 - In Kansas City, the Chiefs take a one point lead with five minutes to go. Five plays later, the Bills have 2nd and 10 at the KC 40 when Drew Bledsoe throws an INT on a deep pass towards the end zone. The Chiefs take the ball with 4:15 to play and proceed to run out the clock.
09/08/02 - JETS 37 BILLS 31 - The Bills tie the season-opener at home with a Bledsoe-to-Moulds TD pass with 26 seconds left. They lose in OT as Justin Miller takes the opening kickoff of overtime for a touchdown.
2001 SEASON
12/16/01 - PATRIOTS 12 BILLS 9 - In one of the great ironies of football history, a Bills team that will finish 3-13 takes a Patriots team that will win the Super Bowl to the wire, ending up holding Tom Brady to 19 of 35 passing in Orchard Park. The Patriots tie the game with 2:50 left. Alex Van Pelt then proceeds to lead the Bills on a three-and-out. With 1:50 left, the Patriots get the ball at their own 13 and advance to their own 45 with one minute left. The Bills sniff out a screen for -2, nearly get an interception, and finally Schobel sacks Brady to end the threat. With 22 seconds left at their own 16, the Bills unwisely try to make something happen. Alex Van Pelt fumbles, but the Bills recover to thankfully get to OT. In OT, the Bills advance to their own 48, but throw an incomplete pass on 3rd and 2 and punt. The Patriots are then at their own 46 when David Patten catches a pass, is knocked silly by Keion Carpenter, and fumbles. Nate Clements recovers, and advances the ball into Patriots territory. On replay review, however, David Patten's head rolls out of bounds while his body is touching the football. By rule, the ball is out-of-bounds and New England retains possession. Two plays later, NE kicks the winning FG. Had the Bills won, New England would not have made the playoffs (let alone won the Super Bowl), Bill Belichick would have been a lifetime .500 football Head Coach, and the world would have been a very different place.
11/25/01 - DOLPHINS 34 BILLS 27 - In Buffalo, the Fish score 24 points in the 4th Quarter. The Fish score a TD with 4:15 left, and the Bills proceed to go three-and-out, with an incomplete pass on 2nd down, and a completed pass short to Larry Centers on third down. Olindo Mare kicks a 39 yarder with 1:17 left, and Nate Clements fumbles the ensuing kickoff. Three plays later, the Fish have a seven point lead. Alex Van Pelt gets the ball with 43 seconds and two timeouts, but is unable to seriously threaten.
11/11/01 - PATRIOTS 21 BILLS 11 - Antowain Smith ices the game with a 42-yard TD run with three minutes left.
10/28/01 - CHARGERS 27 BILLS 24 - Doug Flutie scores on a GW 13 yard TD run with one minute left.
2000 SEASON
12/17/00 - PATRIOTS 13 BILLS 10 (OT) - In Foxboro, the Patriots kick the game-winner with 19 seconds left in OT. The Patriots finish 5-11, the Bills finish 8-8.
12/11/00 - COLTS 44 BILLS 20 - In Indy, with both teams at 7-6 with three games left, Wade Phillips says that "both teams are basically out of it." The Colts win their last three and make the playoffs.
10/01/00 - COLTS 18 BILLS 16 - In Buffalo, Mike Vanderjagt hits a 45-yard game winner as time expires.
1999 SEASON
01/08/00 - TITANS 22 BILLS 16 Music City Miracle and last Buffalo playoff game.
1998 SEASON
01/02/99 - DOLPHINS 24 BILLS 17 (PLAYOFFS) - A complicated tiebreaker forces the Bills to play this game in unseasonably warm weather in Miami. The run out of gas as the Dolphins end the magical "Flutie Year" in Buffalo. Of course, by all rights, the game should have been at Ralph Wilson stadium....
11/29/98 - PATRIOTS 25 BILLS 21 - In the game at Foxboro that would bring instant replay back to the NFL, on 4th down, Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots throws a pass that is caught out-of-bounds and short of the first down marker. Bills players later report hearing one referee telling the other "just give it to them." The game was seemingly over when Bledsoe's Hail Mary to the endzone fell incomplete. The referees, however, called a ticky-tack pass interference penalty on Buffalo, even though instant replays would show a Bills defender being mugged by a Patriots WR in the Hail Mary scrum in the end zone. The Patriots are awarded one untimed play, on which they score the game-winning TD. In protest, Wade Phillips refuses to contest the extra point, and the Patriots walk the snap in for an uncontested two point conversion.
09/20/98 - RAMS 34 BILLS 33 - Tony Banks scores on a 2 yard run with 10 seconds left.
In one of the threads, a member named "SCBuffBillsFan" posted an excellent litany of all of the heartbreaking and boneheaded losses the Bills have suffered over the past 10 years. I had forgotten, or never realized in the first place, about 10 of these. They are presented below for your perusal and enjoyment (if you're not a Bills fan).
Some would say that you can't blame all of these on Dick Jauron since he wasn't the Bills coach for the lions' share of them. Those people clearly are deluded members of the "reality-based community". Like the Bush administration, I make my own reality.
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2007 SEASON
10/08/07 - COWBOYS 25 BILLS 24 - Bills turn over Tony Romo 6 times, return 2 INTs and a kickoff for touchdowns, stop a last-ditch two point conversion, and then lose when Dallas recovers an onsides kick with 20 seconds left and kicks a 50+ yard field goal with two seconds left
09/09/07 - BRONCOS 15 BILLS 14 - In a game in which the Bills never trailed, they lose on a "fire drill" field goal with one second left.
2006 SEASON
12/24/06 - TITANS 30 BILLS 20 - In Orchard Park, Vince Young runs wild, the Titans kick a field goal with 2:10 left to take a one point lead. The game ends when JP Losman throwing an INT on 4th and 5 from the Tennessee 28 yard line with one minute left, after the Bills forego the 43 yard field goal attempt due to wind.
12/12/06 - COLTS 17 BILLS 16 - Down one to the Colts in Indy, Rian Lindell misses a 41 yard field with 6:30 left. Peyton Manning never gives the Bills the ball back and runs out the clock.
09/10/06 - PATRIOTS 19 BILLS 17 - On the road to open the season, the Bills return a Brady INT for a TD on first play of game, and lead for most of the game. Then the Patriots take the lead on a *safety* by sacking Losman with six minutes left. After the free kick, Donte Whinter records an INT on the first play. The Bills proceed to go three-and-out from their own 44, punt with 6:20 to go and never see the ball again.
2005 SEASON
01/01/06 - JETS 30 BILLS 26 - In a meaningless game at home, the Jets score on a Kelly Holcomb INT for a TD and then take the lead with a Justin Miller KR for a TD with 6 minutes left. Holcomb takes Bills to the Jets 34 with with 3 minutes left before being sacked on 4th and 10. Holcomb then throws an INT on the desperation drive with 50 seconds left.
12/04/05 - DOLPHINS 24 BILLS 23 - In Miami, Lee Evans scores 3 TD's in the first quarter. Losman only completes one more pass to Lee Evans for the rest of the game. Chris Chambers catches 15 passes for 238 yards, including the game-winning TD as Sage Rosenfels in relief for Gus Frerotte takes the Fish 73 yards with 1:51 left.
11/27/05 - PANTHERS 13 BILLS 9 - Bills take a 9-6 lead at home with 5 minutes left. Future Buffalo Bill Michael Gaines scores the GW TD with 2:21 left. With 47 seconds left, on 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 43, JP Losman throws a game-ending INT.
10/30/05 - PATRIOTS 21 BILLS 16 – The Bills take a 16-7 lead with ten minutes left. The Patriots take just two minutes and 11 seconds to score a TD to pull within two points. On the next drive, Holcomb fumbles, and the Patriots need just one play to take the lead. With two minutes left, on 4th and 8 from the New England 40, a pass to Moulds gets no gain.
10/02/05 – SAINTS 16 BILLS 7 Buffalo nearly retakes the first half lead in the final seconds of when Terrence McGee returned the ensuing kickoff 82 yards, crisscrossing the field and ducking through defenders before he was finally tripped up on a weak tackle attempt inside the Saints 5 after time expired. Saints stuffed Willis McGahee on fourth-and-inches, taking possession for a drive that would lead to Carney's third field goal, making it 16-7 with 5 minutes left.
2004 SEASON
01/02/05 - STEELERS 29 BILLS 24 - In a home game to secure their first playoff birth in years, against a Steelers team playing 2nd and 3rd stringers, some guy named Willie Parker runs 19 times for 102 yards. The Bills never even come close to winning.
10/10/04 - JETS 16 BILLS 14 - On the road in New York, the Bills score 14 4th Quarter points to take the lead with 6 minutes left. The Jets' Doug Brien kicks a 38 yard field goal with 1 minute left. The game ends with Drew Bledsoe's Hail Mary being intercepted in a game that ultimately cost the Bills a playoff spot.
10/03/04 - PATRIOTS 31 BILLS 17 - At home and down 7 with three minutes left, the Bills are driving at the New England 17, when Drew Bledsoe is sacked and the Patriots return the fumble for a TD in a game that ultimately costs the Bills a playoff spot.
09/12/04 - JAGUARS 13 BILLS 10 - In Orchard Park and down 4 points with two minutes left, the Jaguars get the ball at their own 20 with one time out. On 4th and Goal from the 7 with four seconds left, Byron Leftwich hits Ernest Wilford in the back of the end zone - who somehow hangs on to the GW TD in a game that ultimately cost the Bills a playoff spot.
2003 SEASON
12/14/03 - TITANS 28 BILLS 26 - Billy Volek has a big game in Nashville. Drew Bledsoe hits Mark Campbell for a TD with 26 seconds left, but the two-point conversion fails and the Titans recover the onsides kick. This ends the playoff hopes in a season that began with the 31-0 thumping of the Patriots in the Lawyer Milloy Bowl.
11/23/03 - COLTS 17 BILLS 14 - Bills take a 14-3 lead into the 4th quarter in Orchard Park. The Bills stuff the Colts on three plays after first-and-goal from the 3. Colts punch it in on 4th and Goal from the 1 with 1:42 left and convert the two-point conversion for a three point lead. From the Buffalo 46, Drew Bledsoe throws an INT with 42 seconds left. Their third crushing loss in three weeks and their second at home.
11/16/03 - TEXANS 12 BILLS 10 - In Orchard Park, the Texans take a 12-8 lead with 3:28 left. On the first play after the two minute warning, the Bills have 1st and 10 from the Houston 31. Drew Bledsoe is sacked and fumbles. The Texans take an intentional safety to end the game, giving the Bills two safeties in the game.
11/09/03 - COWBOYS 10 BILLS 3 - In Dallas, Quincy Carter takes a four point lead into the 4th quarter. With four minutes left, the Cowboys' kicker pooch punts the ball into the end zone from the Buffalo 32 for a 12 yard net punt. The Bills proceed to go three-and-out, including an own-recovered Travis Henry fumble. Getting the ball with 2:50 to play, Adrian Murrell runs the ball down our throats to end the game.
09/28/03 - EAGLES 23 BILLS 13 - Down 3 points at home with 2:50 left, the Bills are using their timeouts on defense to try and get the ball back. The Eagles get one first down through the air, and then Brian Westbrook scores on a 62 yard TD to all-but ice the game. On a desperation drive, down 10 with 1 minute left, Drew Bledsoe is flushed out of the pocket on 4th and 8 and proceeds to throw the ball away out-of-bounds! Good grief!
09/21/03 - DOLPHINS 17 BILLS 7 - In Miami, the Bills are down 10 to 3 with 6:43 to play. Getting the ball at their own 34, they run for two yards, have a false start, and a Drew Bledsoe sack. On 3rd and 19, the pass is incomplete. Miami then rips off a three minute drive, when the Bills appear to stuff Ricky Williams on 3rd and Goal from the 1 on the first play after the two minute warning. A booth review is called, and Miami is given the TD and a 10 point lead. Down 10 with 1:48 to play from their own 20 with one timeout, Drew Bledsoe manages to drive to the Miami 24.
2002 SEASON
11/17/02 - CHIEFS 17 BILLS 16 - In Kansas City, the Chiefs take a one point lead with five minutes to go. Five plays later, the Bills have 2nd and 10 at the KC 40 when Drew Bledsoe throws an INT on a deep pass towards the end zone. The Chiefs take the ball with 4:15 to play and proceed to run out the clock.
09/08/02 - JETS 37 BILLS 31 - The Bills tie the season-opener at home with a Bledsoe-to-Moulds TD pass with 26 seconds left. They lose in OT as Justin Miller takes the opening kickoff of overtime for a touchdown.
2001 SEASON
12/16/01 - PATRIOTS 12 BILLS 9 - In one of the great ironies of football history, a Bills team that will finish 3-13 takes a Patriots team that will win the Super Bowl to the wire, ending up holding Tom Brady to 19 of 35 passing in Orchard Park. The Patriots tie the game with 2:50 left. Alex Van Pelt then proceeds to lead the Bills on a three-and-out. With 1:50 left, the Patriots get the ball at their own 13 and advance to their own 45 with one minute left. The Bills sniff out a screen for -2, nearly get an interception, and finally Schobel sacks Brady to end the threat. With 22 seconds left at their own 16, the Bills unwisely try to make something happen. Alex Van Pelt fumbles, but the Bills recover to thankfully get to OT. In OT, the Bills advance to their own 48, but throw an incomplete pass on 3rd and 2 and punt. The Patriots are then at their own 46 when David Patten catches a pass, is knocked silly by Keion Carpenter, and fumbles. Nate Clements recovers, and advances the ball into Patriots territory. On replay review, however, David Patten's head rolls out of bounds while his body is touching the football. By rule, the ball is out-of-bounds and New England retains possession. Two plays later, NE kicks the winning FG. Had the Bills won, New England would not have made the playoffs (let alone won the Super Bowl), Bill Belichick would have been a lifetime .500 football Head Coach, and the world would have been a very different place.
11/25/01 - DOLPHINS 34 BILLS 27 - In Buffalo, the Fish score 24 points in the 4th Quarter. The Fish score a TD with 4:15 left, and the Bills proceed to go three-and-out, with an incomplete pass on 2nd down, and a completed pass short to Larry Centers on third down. Olindo Mare kicks a 39 yarder with 1:17 left, and Nate Clements fumbles the ensuing kickoff. Three plays later, the Fish have a seven point lead. Alex Van Pelt gets the ball with 43 seconds and two timeouts, but is unable to seriously threaten.
11/11/01 - PATRIOTS 21 BILLS 11 - Antowain Smith ices the game with a 42-yard TD run with three minutes left.
10/28/01 - CHARGERS 27 BILLS 24 - Doug Flutie scores on a GW 13 yard TD run with one minute left.
2000 SEASON
12/17/00 - PATRIOTS 13 BILLS 10 (OT) - In Foxboro, the Patriots kick the game-winner with 19 seconds left in OT. The Patriots finish 5-11, the Bills finish 8-8.
12/11/00 - COLTS 44 BILLS 20 - In Indy, with both teams at 7-6 with three games left, Wade Phillips says that "both teams are basically out of it." The Colts win their last three and make the playoffs.
10/01/00 - COLTS 18 BILLS 16 - In Buffalo, Mike Vanderjagt hits a 45-yard game winner as time expires.
1999 SEASON
01/08/00 - TITANS 22 BILLS 16 Music City Miracle and last Buffalo playoff game.
1998 SEASON
01/02/99 - DOLPHINS 24 BILLS 17 (PLAYOFFS) - A complicated tiebreaker forces the Bills to play this game in unseasonably warm weather in Miami. The run out of gas as the Dolphins end the magical "Flutie Year" in Buffalo. Of course, by all rights, the game should have been at Ralph Wilson stadium....
11/29/98 - PATRIOTS 25 BILLS 21 - In the game at Foxboro that would bring instant replay back to the NFL, on 4th down, Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots throws a pass that is caught out-of-bounds and short of the first down marker. Bills players later report hearing one referee telling the other "just give it to them." The game was seemingly over when Bledsoe's Hail Mary to the endzone fell incomplete. The referees, however, called a ticky-tack pass interference penalty on Buffalo, even though instant replays would show a Bills defender being mugged by a Patriots WR in the Hail Mary scrum in the end zone. The Patriots are awarded one untimed play, on which they score the game-winning TD. In protest, Wade Phillips refuses to contest the extra point, and the Patriots walk the snap in for an uncontested two point conversion.
09/20/98 - RAMS 34 BILLS 33 - Tony Banks scores on a 2 yard run with 10 seconds left.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
To Sum Up...
Some readers, well, one reader anyway, thought that this post was too long and ask, "so what's your point"?
My point is this:
Dick Jauron got his job with the Lions because he and the owner of the Lions are members of the same shadowy Yale secret society - the Wolf's Head Society. He got his job with the Bills because Marv Levy, a Harvard man liked Jauron's Ivy League connections.
Also, Dick Jauron eats baby kittens.
That is all (bye week).
-J
My point is this:
Dick Jauron got his job with the Lions because he and the owner of the Lions are members of the same shadowy Yale secret society - the Wolf's Head Society. He got his job with the Bills because Marv Levy, a Harvard man liked Jauron's Ivy League connections.
Also, Dick Jauron eats baby kittens.
That is all (bye week).
-J
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Continuing Story of Buffalo Dick
So..... this was supposed to have gone up last night (and this morning, but as Reagan once said, it's [always] morning in america), but I had to take some more time to refine the timeline..... What follows is a Magical Mystery Tour, the Long and Winding Road, if you will of how Dick Jauron, all evidence to the contrary, has been able to get and keep a head coaching job, With a Little Help from his Friends....
Recall, that Dick was a very successful college scatback and professional DB and kick returner. It's not every moderately succesful player who gets a shot at becoming a defensive coordinator, however, let alone a head coach. By the way, while at Yale, Dick was a member of the shadowy (and less influential than the Skull and Bones club) Wolf's Head Society.
He played for the Lions from '73-'77, making the pro bowl in '74. He finished his career with the Bengals in '80.
In 1980 when he finished his career, Hank Bullough was the Bengals' defensive coordinator. Bullough, of course, presided over one of the worst seasons in Bills' history in 1985, leading the team to a 2-14 record. Guess who was the defensive backs coach for the Bills that year? Dick Jauron.
Jauron was canned along with the rest of the Bullough regime after '85 when Marvelous Marv Levy and Bill Polian came in and rebuilt the Bills (Jim Kelly had something to do with that as well).
Jauron moved on to the Packers in '86 where again he presided over the DBs for 8 years. I can't find a direct link between the coaching staff for the Packers then and Jauron in the past - Forrest Gregg was the Packers coach when Jauron was hired and he stayed on for the Lindy Infante era. He left an up and coming Packers team to take the defensive coordinator position for the brand new Jacksonville Jaguars in '95 working under head coach (and similarly conservative minded) Tom Coughlin.
Jacksonville was relatively successful for a new franchise, going 4-12 in its first year, but making the playoffs in the next four years. Jauron's defense, however, was not a particularly impressive part of that record. His D was second from last in points scored against in '95, second from last in yards allowed in '96 and 6th worst in yards allowed in '97, 9th worst in yards allowed in '98.
Jauron interviewed for head coaching jobs, and the story of how he got the Bears job is amazing.
According to this story, Jauron was the second choice for the Bears' job in '99 (after Dave McInnis), (just as he was when the Bills hired him), and he only ended up the coach because of a PR snafu. The Bears announced McGinnis as a coach apparently before they told McGinnis that he had been hired. Hilarity ensued and Dick Jauron, the second choice, was named coach.
Jauron took some time developing his own mystique, going 6-10 and 5-11 his first season. The decision to take Cade McNown first in '99 was a mistake as he held out and was a non-factor in '99 (Shane Matthews was the starter for most of that year). This mistake was compounded by faulty decisions in free agency (not necessarily Jauron's fault as Mark Hatley was the GM at the time), and misplaced confidence in Curtis Enis (yikes) and Shane Matthews.
Meanwhile, the Bears lucked into Urlacher in that draft (they had been trying to trade up to select Plaxico Burress), but Jauron insisted on trying to give the QB job back to Cade McNown, showcasing bad judgement. McNown would be out of the league permanently following that season). Eventually he was compelled to switch to Jim Miller who did well in limited action until he blew out his achilles. At that point, McCown took the reins again and led the Bears to a horrible finish. Jauron agreed at the end of the season that McCown was not the man for the job.
Somehow, Jauron's team went 13-3 in 2001. If you look behind the stats, you will see that the Bears were extremely lucky, winning every close game, including two in overtime, that Jerry Angelo made some excellent decisions upon becoming GM before the season, and also that, perhaps, perhaps, Dick Jauron's players rallied around him (it was widely speculated that Angelo wanted to install his own coach).
Overall though, 2001 was a season of serendipity for the Bears, incredibly timely Mike Brown INT returns, missed field goals by Jason Hansen of the Lions which allowed the Bears to win the NFC North division. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the Bears got blown out of the playoffs by the Eagles.
That was Jauron's one winning season as a head coach. He was fired in 2003 after 4-12 and 7-9 seasons.
Here is where it gets interesting (for those who have continued reading).
In 2004, after being fired by the Bears because, as Jerry Angelo said, "expectations were not met", he was hired by the Lions to be defensive coordinator. Matt Millen was the GM at that time (and, inexplicably, still is).
Remember, a few paragraphs back, I mentioned that while at Yale, Dick Jauron was a member of the Wolf's Head Society. Like frats, these secret societies have extensive contcts and reaches throughout society, and like the phrase "once a TKE, always a TKE", it's "once a wolf's head, always a wolf's head" (I'm paraphrasing).
Anyway, there have been many prominent Wolf's Head members through history (although seemingly always, people close to more famous people), Charles Taft, brother of William Howard Taft, our 27th president and Supreme Court justice, James Bush, great-great grandfather of W, and, one William Clay Ford, grandson of Henry Ford.
Did I mention that William Clay Ford purchased the Detroit Lions in 1964? And that he was active with the Lions organization well into the 2000s? And that his son, and current controlling owner of the Lions, William Clay Ford, Jr., was responsible for hiring Matt Millen and, yes, Dick Jauron? The same Dick Jauron who was a member of the same Yale secret society as William Clay Ford??
And, for the icing on the cake, of course Jauron failed miserably with the Lions, was canned after the 2005 season and was hired by the Bills, after being their second choice (note that Mike Sherman, who the Bills passed over in favor of Dick went 57-39 with the Packers before NOT getting the job with the Bills).
And how did Jauron land the job with the Bills? As much as it pains me as a huge fan of marvelous Marv, I need to blockquote the ESPN story linked above:
Emphasis added. Ugh.
The same story says that Saint Ralph wanted Sherman because, you know, he had been successful as a head coach.
Anyway. That is the story. One of connections, secret societies and misplaced Ivy League Loyalties ("ILL")
Yeah, perhaps Jauron is a decent motivator of talent. More likely, he's a well meaning guy who has personified the Peter Principle. One can only hope that this site and those like it will encourage Saint Ralph to realize he was right two years ago. This man ain't right for the job. He GOTS TO GO, yo.
-J
Recall, that Dick was a very successful college scatback and professional DB and kick returner. It's not every moderately succesful player who gets a shot at becoming a defensive coordinator, however, let alone a head coach. By the way, while at Yale, Dick was a member of the shadowy (and less influential than the Skull and Bones club) Wolf's Head Society.
He played for the Lions from '73-'77, making the pro bowl in '74. He finished his career with the Bengals in '80.
In 1980 when he finished his career, Hank Bullough was the Bengals' defensive coordinator. Bullough, of course, presided over one of the worst seasons in Bills' history in 1985, leading the team to a 2-14 record. Guess who was the defensive backs coach for the Bills that year? Dick Jauron.
Jauron was canned along with the rest of the Bullough regime after '85 when Marvelous Marv Levy and Bill Polian came in and rebuilt the Bills (Jim Kelly had something to do with that as well).
Jauron moved on to the Packers in '86 where again he presided over the DBs for 8 years. I can't find a direct link between the coaching staff for the Packers then and Jauron in the past - Forrest Gregg was the Packers coach when Jauron was hired and he stayed on for the Lindy Infante era. He left an up and coming Packers team to take the defensive coordinator position for the brand new Jacksonville Jaguars in '95 working under head coach (and similarly conservative minded) Tom Coughlin.
Jacksonville was relatively successful for a new franchise, going 4-12 in its first year, but making the playoffs in the next four years. Jauron's defense, however, was not a particularly impressive part of that record. His D was second from last in points scored against in '95, second from last in yards allowed in '96 and 6th worst in yards allowed in '97, 9th worst in yards allowed in '98.
Jauron interviewed for head coaching jobs, and the story of how he got the Bears job is amazing.
According to this story, Jauron was the second choice for the Bears' job in '99 (after Dave McInnis), (just as he was when the Bills hired him), and he only ended up the coach because of a PR snafu. The Bears announced McGinnis as a coach apparently before they told McGinnis that he had been hired. Hilarity ensued and Dick Jauron, the second choice, was named coach.
Jauron took some time developing his own mystique, going 6-10 and 5-11 his first season. The decision to take Cade McNown first in '99 was a mistake as he held out and was a non-factor in '99 (Shane Matthews was the starter for most of that year). This mistake was compounded by faulty decisions in free agency (not necessarily Jauron's fault as Mark Hatley was the GM at the time), and misplaced confidence in Curtis Enis (yikes) and Shane Matthews.
Meanwhile, the Bears lucked into Urlacher in that draft (they had been trying to trade up to select Plaxico Burress), but Jauron insisted on trying to give the QB job back to Cade McNown, showcasing bad judgement. McNown would be out of the league permanently following that season). Eventually he was compelled to switch to Jim Miller who did well in limited action until he blew out his achilles. At that point, McCown took the reins again and led the Bears to a horrible finish. Jauron agreed at the end of the season that McCown was not the man for the job.
Somehow, Jauron's team went 13-3 in 2001. If you look behind the stats, you will see that the Bears were extremely lucky, winning every close game, including two in overtime, that Jerry Angelo made some excellent decisions upon becoming GM before the season, and also that, perhaps, perhaps, Dick Jauron's players rallied around him (it was widely speculated that Angelo wanted to install his own coach).
Overall though, 2001 was a season of serendipity for the Bears, incredibly timely Mike Brown INT returns, missed field goals by Jason Hansen of the Lions which allowed the Bears to win the NFC North division. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the Bears got blown out of the playoffs by the Eagles.
That was Jauron's one winning season as a head coach. He was fired in 2003 after 4-12 and 7-9 seasons.
Here is where it gets interesting (for those who have continued reading).
In 2004, after being fired by the Bears because, as Jerry Angelo said, "expectations were not met", he was hired by the Lions to be defensive coordinator. Matt Millen was the GM at that time (and, inexplicably, still is).
Remember, a few paragraphs back, I mentioned that while at Yale, Dick Jauron was a member of the Wolf's Head Society. Like frats, these secret societies have extensive contcts and reaches throughout society, and like the phrase "once a TKE, always a TKE", it's "once a wolf's head, always a wolf's head" (I'm paraphrasing).
Anyway, there have been many prominent Wolf's Head members through history (although seemingly always, people close to more famous people), Charles Taft, brother of William Howard Taft, our 27th president and Supreme Court justice, James Bush, great-great grandfather of W, and, one William Clay Ford, grandson of Henry Ford.
Did I mention that William Clay Ford purchased the Detroit Lions in 1964? And that he was active with the Lions organization well into the 2000s? And that his son, and current controlling owner of the Lions, William Clay Ford, Jr., was responsible for hiring Matt Millen and, yes, Dick Jauron? The same Dick Jauron who was a member of the same Yale secret society as William Clay Ford??
And, for the icing on the cake, of course Jauron failed miserably with the Lions, was canned after the 2005 season and was hired by the Bills, after being their second choice (note that Mike Sherman, who the Bills passed over in favor of Dick went 57-39 with the Packers before NOT getting the job with the Bills).
And how did Jauron land the job with the Bills? As much as it pains me as a huge fan of marvelous Marv, I need to blockquote the ESPN story linked above:
Jauron was favored by Levy, who maintains a home in Chicago and worked as a Bears broadcaster during Jauron's tenure with the team. Like Levy, who attended Harvard, Jauron is also a former Ivy-leaguer, a graduate of Yale
Emphasis added. Ugh.
The same story says that Saint Ralph wanted Sherman because, you know, he had been successful as a head coach.
Anyway. That is the story. One of connections, secret societies and misplaced Ivy League Loyalties ("ILL")
Yeah, perhaps Jauron is a decent motivator of talent. More likely, he's a well meaning guy who has personified the Peter Principle. One can only hope that this site and those like it will encourage Saint Ralph to realize he was right two years ago. This man ain't right for the job. He GOTS TO GO, yo.
-J
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