Commentary
Sullivan: In a game of gut checks, Fewell passes the test
Published: November 29, 2009, 9:47 pm
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Perry Fewell had just won his first game as an NFL head coach, and he was excited.
Fewell had just spent some time with his team in an emotional Bills' dressing room, accepting a game ball and expressing his gratitude to his players.
It's one win. But Fewell seems very clear on what's required of a successful head coach in this league. Guts. In a six-minute session with the media after the Bills' 31-14 win over the Dolphins, Fewell used the word "gut" seven times. He also made a single reference to another part of the anatomy, but more on that later.
Fewell has very little chance to be the permanent head man. But I'll say this: If it's a long shot, he's sure going to give it his best shot. Fewell is a bright fellow. That much has been evident from the moment he came to Buffalo as the defensive coordinator under Dick Jauron.
He's smart enough to know that he needs to separate and distinguish himself from his predecessor. Fewell needs to put his personal stamp on the Bills, and that means establishing a distinct, vibrant identity for his football team.
So in the days leading up to the rematch with the rival Dolphins, Fewell gave his team a clear directive, a fresh new attitude. "Our thing this week was to be aggressive and attack and dictate," he said.
We've heard such talk before. But Fewell backed it up Sunday. He went with his gut. After weeks of watching Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch underperform as a tandem, he gave Jackson the job he deserved as the featured back. Jackson responded with his best game in two months, accounting for 116 total yards and two touchdowns.
Fewell watched Rian Lindell making field goals from beyond 50 yards in pregame warmups. When Lindell missed a kick in the first quarter, Fewell saw Lindell drop his head. He told him, "Rian, we're going to need you again later.' "
"Later" arrived with 3:40 left to play, the score knotted at 14, and the Bills facing fourth-and-9 at the Miami 38. Fewell listened to his gut. He turned to Bobby April, his special teams coach, and said, "Let's go kick that thing."
Lindell walked out and booted it through from 56 yards for the lead. It was the longest field goal of his career. Fewell realized the possible ramifications, that a miss would give Miami the ball at its own 46. A certain former head coach would almost surely have punted.
"It's no knock against anybody," said Donte Whitner, knocking the former head coach, "but we're used to playing it safe in those situations and the opposition knew that."
The interim guy had a more assertive idea.
"I just felt at that point our team, we needed that spark," Fewell said. "We needed that lift in order to finish. I just said — my gut said — "Hey, let's go for it,' and we went for it."
Audio Slideshow: Jerry Sullivan's Analysis
You get seven games to prove yourself, at long odds, why play it safe? Let the other coaches dwell on the negative possibilities. Fewell watches as much film as any coach. But films don't talk in the clutch. It's your gut that instructs you.
This attitude trickles down to the players. Well, maybe trickle isn't the word. Fewell is animated and expressive on the sidelines. Fans see it. Players see it. His demeanor doesn't say "timid" or conservative. It says "Trust your gut."
So a minute later, the Bills get the ball back at their 49 after a Drayton Florence interception. There's 2:31 left in the game. That's three runs and a punt territory for the recently departed head guy.
But on first down, they call a pass play. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick sees Terrell Owens one-on-one outside with rookie cornerback Vontae Davis. His eyes light up. His gut begins to dictate. Fitzpatrick audibles to a bomb and hits T.O. down the right sideline for a 51-yard touchdown. Ballgame.
What does it say about your quarterback, Fewell was asked, when he had the confidence to go for the jugular in that situation.
"Oh, I love it," Fewell said. "I told him, "You have some big gonads.' And I told him as long as he keeps hitting them, keep throwing them."
It took the room about a minute to recover from that one. Reporters are only human. They're suckers for a coach who will stand up there and say something provocative, a free thinker who will toss aside the cliche manual and actually utter something clever or even truthful.
Fewell didn't hide from the running back issue. By his actions, he has finally acknowledged what most clear-headed observers have known for weeks — that Jackson is better than Lynch and making them split carries was hurting the offense.
"I made that decision during the course of the week," Fewell said, "just watching us practice, watching our tempo. Again, gut instinct. Fred has been very productive for us, and it was just a gut again, to help our football team."
It was the right move. Fewell doesn't owe anything to Lynch, just because he was a first- round draft choice. And I guess he doesn't owe anything to James Hardy, because he was a second-rounder. Fewell has seven weeks to prove himself. You can't blame him for playing the guys who give him the best chance to win.
Fewell is a defensive coach by trade, but he's had a bigger impact on the offense so far. He picked Fitzpatrick over Trent Edwards, and apparently made it clear he should get the ball to Owens. He made Jackson the featured back.
Maybe he's not the long-term answer, but Fewell has also given Bills fans some hope. He is showing that a head coach can make a big difference, that he can inject passion and aggression in a team. He just beat the Dolphins, which always leaves a warm feeling in your gut.
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