Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

[patmoran2006]

IN an interview with Eric Moulds that I'll have published on Monday afternoon, he told me point-blank that when Doug Flutie was benched in favor of Rob Johnson, that it wasn't a decision made by Wade Phillips but rather the top of the organization.

While that may not seem overly significant to you, it's more evidence of what a meddling owner Ralph Wilson has been (this was more than 10 years ago) and how much control this front office had and still has over actual personnel decisions that are SUPPOSED to be reserved for the head coach.

[TacklingDummy]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Wasn't this already known that it wasn't Wade's call?

[hydro]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Wasn't this already known that it wasn't Wade's call?

Pretty sure it was always suspected but never confirmed.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Wasn't this already known that it wasn't Wade's call?

maybe.. but at least in my case, I dont ever recall a coach or player confirming it.

[Commissioner]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

IN an interview with Eric Moulds that I'll have published on Monday afternoon, he told me point-blank that when Doug Flutie was benched in favor of Rob Johnson, that it wasn't a decision made by Wade Phillips but rather the top of the organization.

While that may not seem overly significant to you, it's more evidence of what a meddling owner Ralph Wilson has been (this was more than 10 years ago) and how much control this front office had and still has over actual personnel decisions that are SUPPOSED to be reserved for the head coach.

Look what happened a couple years ago when Troy Vincent was cut. It was Jim Overdorf !!

Hopefully Nix is a stronger GM and won't let that happen or he'll say I'm outta here.

[PromoTheRobot]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

IN an interview with Eric Moulds that I'll have published on Monday afternoon, he told me point-blank that when Doug Flutie was benched in favor of Rob Johnson, that it wasn't a decision made by Wade Phillips but rather the top of the organization.

While that may not seem overly significant to you, it's more evidence of what a meddling owner Ralph Wilson has been (this was more than 10 years ago) and how much control this front office had and still has over actual personnel decisions that are SUPPOSED to be reserved for the head coach.

Holy Cow, Pat! No one EVER knew that before now! I smell a Pulitzer.

PTR

[TrEd FTW]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Pretty sure this was common knowledge. I knew about it, anyway.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Holy Cow, Pat! No one EVER knew that before now! I smell a Pulitzer.

PTR

lol.. ever the hater.

Maybe I'm wrong, but has a player or coach ever stated this as fact before? If so, I'd love to see a link to something.. Again, maybe I'm wrong.

[northernbillfan]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

Why would you even bring this up during a low point for fans? We do NOT need to rehash the pains of yesteryear.

[MikeInRoch]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

I agree that while everyone assumed it, it was never confirmed outright by anyone. At least not that I ever saw.

[nolimit]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

I remember being all for that move...When Johnson left the field...he had the game won.

[Thurmal]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

I remember being all for that move...When Johnson left the field...he had the game won.

Yeah, it amazes me how many people forget that Johnson was clutch as hell and won that game. Flutie would've **** the bed, no doubt.

[YardRat]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

And Moulds knows this how?

Wade announced it to the team? That wouldn't be too bright. The 'top of the organization' pulled him aside from the rest of the team and put Eric in the loop? That wouldn't be too bright either. Flutie told him?

[Goobylal]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

I recall hearing someone who met Wade Phillips saying that the call came from Wilson. And judging by the way the last few games under Flutie went, the season ender, and RJ leaving the field with the lead, only to see the ST's blow the game, it was the right call.

[Oldbillsfan]

Re: Decision to bench Flutie for Johnson wasn't a coaching decision

I hated the move because I was never fond of scarf boy Johnson. He did almost win that game though. I think that Bills team could have beaten the Rams in the SB with that defense.