ESPN: Schonert takes shots at Jauron

[Halas85]

Schonert says O 'wasn't simple enough'
ESPN.com news services

The Buffalo Bills remain a team in turmoil as former offensive coordinator Turk Schonert told a Buffalo television station Friday afternoon he was fired because the Bills' offense "wasn't simple enough" for coach Dick Jauron.

"He wants a 'Pop Warner' offense," Schonert said in a phone interview with WIVB. "He limited me in formations, and limited me in plays. He's been on my back all offseason."

Schonert said he was fired by Jauron during a Friday morning meeting. ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen reported Saturday that Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. had a meeting at his Detroit home with Jauron, general manager Russ Brandon, quarterback coach Alex Van Pelt and running back coach/running game coordinator Eric Studesville.

A Bills spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny a meeting occurred.

Friday afternoon in a press conference, Jauron said Schonert was fired for a "lack of productivity," though he also said the fault was not all Schonert's.

The Bills' offensive starters failed to score a touchdown in five preseason games after ranking 25th in the NFL in offense in 2008, Schonert's first as the team's play-caller.

Jauron said while the firing of Schonert was a relatively new idea to him, it wasn't one he wanted to sit on for long.

"When you make a decision you know when you should do it," Jauron said. "I wasn't thinking about firing him three days ago. I wasn't thinking about it two weeks ago. And when you start to think about it, I think you need to move on it and do something. Clearly I believe it's the right thing to do."

Schonert said the problem was the complexity of his system.

"He [Jauron] told me the offense wasn't simple enough for him," Schonert said. "We had too many formations, too many plays. I didn't simplify it to his liking."

September 6, 2009, 1:43 PM ET

[Halas85]

Does this not seal all the question marks surrounding Jauron's undying allegiance to John Shoop?

[UOK]

Does this not seal all the question marks surrounding Jauron's undying allegiance to John Shoop?

Since when does a defensive head coach get to make decisions regarding offense?

And yes it does, I feel bad for bills fans.

[gaba]

I wish I hated the Bills enough to really enjoy this breakdown.

[Otis Day]

Schonert must not have had the bubble screen in the playbook.

[Xee]

Schonert should have just tried to work in a Shoop-esque play every now and then to appease Jauron. Run left, run right, pass just short of a first down, punt. Done.

[Boris13c]

I guess Schonert forgot his game plans had to be in Crayola Crayon, and no more than 6 plays

or maybe he didn't realize Ja-moron "really really likes Terrell Owens" and that every pass was supposed to go to only Owens?