Just Winning Might Not Be Enough For Buffalo Bills' Head Coach Dick Jauron

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. –- “Just win baby” isn’t just the mantra of the Oakland Raiders’ Al Davis anymore.

For Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, the time is now. Winning isn’t just everything, it’s the only thing—no, make that the only thing likely keep the embattled Bills coach and his staff in place through the 2009 season.

He’d better win—baby—in 2009 and maybe even beyond.

“I guarantee Mr. (Bills longtime owner and president Ralph C.) Wilson is not going to settle for anything but making the playoffs this year,” said former Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly to Randy Cross recently on Sirius Satellite Radio.

“The pressure’s on,” said Kelly, who is also reportedly heading a group interested in eventually purchasing the franchise from the 90-year-old Wilson or his estate.

“The pressure’s on Dick. The pressure’s on Turk Schonert, the offensive coordinator. They got the people that they needed,” he said. “So they have no excuses and it’s time to show up or just pack your bags and there’s going to be a lot of changes.”

After last year’s deflating 7-9 campaign, Bills’ general manager Russ Brandon said the team’s talent level needed to be addressed.

So they bolstered the offense with the free agent acquisition of Terrell Owens, giving third year starting quarterback Trent Edwards another weapon on offense while drafting linemen Eric Moore and Andy Levitre along with tight end Shawn Nelson.

They addressed pass-rushing needs with first round pick Aaron Maybin. They picked up Dominic Rhodes in the free-agent bargain bin and signed Fred Jackson to a long term deal. Both are expected to fill-in until Marshawn Lynch returns from his suspension.

All of which puts the focus clearly on the coaching staff—and there are plenty of questions. 

Jauron knows he’d better win after the reprieve given to him after a third-straight 7-9 season. The Bills rushed out to a 5-1 start but stumbled—going 0-6 in the tough AFC East.

It was after that 5-1 start that Wilson reportedly gave Jauron, who was brought on board in 2006 by then-general manager Marv Levy, a three-year contract extension through 2011. The last Bills coach to get such an extension from the Bills owner was, well - Levy.

But the team hit the skids, losing of eight of its final 10 games. Many were ugly losses fraught with questionable play calling, confusion on the sidelines and miscommunication between players on the field and the coaching staff. 

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