ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Though Dick Jauron declines to
discuss whether his job is in jeopardy, the Bills coach doesn't hesitate in
determining who's responsible for Buffalo's dreadful start.
It's on him, and him alone.
On four occasions during a six-minute news conference
Monday, Jauron blamed himself for what has gone wrong with a team off to a 1-3
start following what his players called an "embarrassing" 38-10 loss at Miami on
Sunday.
Jauron questioned himself regarding his team's lack of
preparation. He took the blame for a banged-up and inexperienced offensive line
that allowed six sacks against Miami: "I point the finger at myself first."
And it was more of the same from Jauron when asked to
assess the Trent Edwards-led offense that managed a mere 206 yards, 10 first
downs – none by rushing – and converted 1 of 11 third-down chances.
"Is that what you're looking for?" Jauron said, referring
to who might be responsible for the offense's struggles. "Then I blame myself.
I'll say it's me and then go from there."
A month into the season, Jauron's already on the hot
seat, which is where he was at the end of last year after leading Buffalo to its
third consecutive 7-9 finish before being retained by owner Ralph Wilson.
And this weekend's home game against the winless Browns
has a sudden must-win quality to it for Jauron and a team that's already fading
out of contention in an ever-competitive AFC East.
Jauron wouldn't hear about feeling any additional
pressure.
"Every game you're playing for your job. Every game
you're coaching for your job," said Jauron.
The same questions are suddenly being asked about
Edwards, who is showing signs of regressing.
Edwards particularly struggled against Miami by throwing
three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.
"Obviously, since we lost, I don't think I'm playing the
way I need to be playing, so that's the bottom line," Edwards said. "I think if
you ask that question to everyone else on the team, I think they'd say the same
thing."
Trouble is, Edwards hasn't been the same since a 23-14
win against San Diego last October, which got the Bills off to a 5-1 start. In
his past 11 full games, Edwards has a 3-8 record while averaging 197 yards
passing with 11 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, two lost fumbles and being sacked
for a safety.
Jauron defended Edwards, saying his confidence remains
"very high" in the second-year starter.
This season was supposed to be different with the
addition of Terrell Owens, who was expected to spark a popgun passing attack by
providing Buffalo another deep threat opposite Lee Evans.
Owens has been held in check with eight catches for 158
yards and a touchdown, and Edwards is having trouble going deep. Of his 117
attempts, only 20 have traveled 16 yards or beyond.
Owens had three catches for 60 yards against Miami, a
week after being shut out to end a 185-game receiving streak. He once again
resisted criticizing Edwards or the offense, except to say, "We just have to get
back to the drawing board and keep working."
Contributing to Edwards' struggles is an offensive line
that was inexperienced to begin with, and is now depleted by injuries. Starting
right tackle Brad Butler sustained a season-ending right knee injury in Week 2,
while starting left tackle Demetrius Bell missed the game against Miami due to a
groin injury.
That left a starting unit featuring two rookie guards
and two reserve tackles. The Bills put themselves in this position by draining
much of their experience when they cut veteran starters Derrick Dockery and
Langston Walker, and traded two-time Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters to
Philadelphia.
"They were a group that got kind of singled out after
the game," Jauron said, defending his linemen's performance against Miami. "They
had their times when they needed to play better. So did a lot of other
positions."