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Bills' Retaining Of Jauron Disappointing

Proven Coaches Available, Yet Bills Stick With Mediocre Staff

Mar 3, 2009 John Shults

Mired in the lower half of the AFC, and coming off of another disappointing season, the Bills' choice to stick with Dick Jauron makes little sense.

In an offseason where the coaching carousel spun so hard and fast that many of the riders fell off, the Buffalo Bills seem to have made the odd decision to stick with their mediocre head coach Dick Jauron. While the Dolphins took a huge step forward this season, the Bills took a huge step backwards with an embarrassing performance.

Good Start, Bad End to 2008 Season

With a pop-gun offense and an average defense, the Bills once again managed to swindle a ‘dark horse’ label from their fans and many in the media by jumping out to a 4-0 start. Those dreams quickly came crashing down, as the Bills dropped 8 of their final 10 games. More alarming than the poor finish to the season, the Bills were a pitiful 0-6 against the AFC East, and 0-6 against teams with a better than .500 record.

The Bills' weak passing attack managed less than 200 yards per game, illuminating the flaws of second year quarterback Trent Edwards. Edwards at times seemed unskilled, unprepared, or both, as he muddled through a poor season. While Edwards was injured, backup quarterback JP Losman helped reaffirm the fact that he is no better than a third string backup on a good team.

Defense Can't Be Perfect

Jauron’s defense didn’t fare any better in the 2008 season. In a test of wills at a windy Rich Stadium in the last game of the season, the Bills folded meekly under the Patriots running attack. When placed under pressure by an Arizona Cardinals team that was starting to find its way, the Bills were simply embarrassed, giving up 41 points. When it mattered most, the defense simply didn’t show up against good teams.

Jauron is 20 games under .500 for his career as a head coach in the NFL, making his retaining his job even more puzzling. The fact that Bills seem content to stay put rather than make a change when so many names were available seems inconceivable. Consider that one available coach, Eric Mangini, coached the Jets to two wins against the Bills. Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden both have Super Bowl rings, and both were available. Steve Spagnuolo crafted a defense that beat the greatest offense of all time, and did another excellent job in 2008. Yet the Bills have decided to keep Jauron.

By keeping Jauron when so many other candidates were available, the Bills seem content to ride the coattails of the Patriots, Dolphins, and Jets for yet another season.

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