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]

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

[hydro]

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

Pretty sure it was always suspected but never confirmed.

[patmoran2006]

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]

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]

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]

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

[patmoran2006]

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]

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

[MikeInRoch]

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

[nolimit]

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

[Thurmal]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Luisito23]

I've always thought it was a good decision to bench Flutie for that game...I remember RJ playing with a lot of heart, it's just too bad we got robbed.

[Oaf]

This is news to me, thanks Pat.

[Extremebillsfan247]

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.

Ralph was doing that kind of thing long before Flutie and Johnson were Bills. Ralph and Al Davis both had reps for doing that sort of thing throughout both Owners careers as owners. Not surprising at all.

[mikemac2001]

hey while were at it lets bring up jim not giving thurman the ball vs the giants


hindsight is 20/20 and rob didn't lose us the game

[DynaPaul]

Yeah, Johnson actually WON that game. People forget but it was a fluke special teams play that snatched the defeat from the jaws of victory.

Still... Wilson making those kind of calls just goes to show that the rumors about him are true. Wilson doesn't know dick though. I still blame him for the blunder of firing Bill Polian. Now that's a guy who knows football.