If the Buffalo Bills are going to become a better team, Dick Jauron has to become a better coach.
That’s the message Jauron delivered on Thursday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. In making his first public comments in nearly two months since being retained as head coach, Jauron accepted the blame for the team’s collapse last season and was grateful to have received another opportunity to transform the Bills into contenders.
“I’m glad to be back, so that’s how I feel,” Jauron said, in a transcript of the news conference made available by the Bills. “And my job is to do a better job.”
Specifically, Jauron noted he has to do a better job of getting his team prepared and in making better game-time decisions. Without going into detail, he also said he and his staff have to be more efficient communicators during games.
“It’s a combination of things, game-time decisions,” Jauron said. “Whenever they don’t work, they’re the wrong decisions, so you’d like to have them work.”
n-field blunders which contributed to the Bills’ late-season collapse. After getting off to a 5-1 start, Buffalo went 2-8 down the stretch en route to its third consecutive 7-9 finish under Jauron, and missed the playoffs for a ninth straight season.
Team owner Ralph Wilson went against public opinion by retaining Jauron days after the season ended. Though acknowledging fan dissatisfaction, Wilson said he decided to retain the entire coaching staff to maintain continuity on a team that was on its fourth coach this decade.
Jauron becomes the Bills first coach to enter a fourth season since Hall-of-Famer Marv Levy retired following the 1997 campaign. Wade Phillips was dismissed in January 2001 after three seasons; Gregg Williams wasn’t rehired after three seasons; and Mike Mularkey resigned in January 2006 after two years on the job.
Jauron expressed disappointment over how last season ended and didn’t discount fans’ unhappiness.
“I understand the feeling. We have to win, and that’s our business. And we plan on winning,” Jauron said. “So right now, I’m really excited to have another opportunity.”
gh they could not connect them to Lynch.
“Well, you never like to see any Bills names or really an NFL name in the news in regards to those kinds of incidents,” Jauron said. “Marshawn has retained a lawyer and the organization has made a statement.”
Lynch was charged late Thursday with three gun-related misdemeanors in connection with the arrest. He could also face disciplinary action from the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Jauron updated the status of injured receiver James Hardy, who is coming off surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. Jauron said the 2007 second-round draft pick is working out daily at the Bills practice facility and could be cleared for practice during training camp in August.
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