Punter Brian Moorman has been with the Buffalo Bills longer than any player other than

defensive end Aaron Schobel. Since arriving in 2001, Moorman has played under three different

coaches.

He didn't want to play for a fourth.

Thanks to team owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr., Moorman won't have to.

Tuesday's announcement that Wilson was retaining Dick Jauron as head coach was applauded by

the players, who have been vocal in support of their embattled boss.

Wilson's decision won't please Bills fans who had called for Jauron's ouster after the team

jumped out to a 5-1 start, only to disintegrate into a 2-8 finish and miss the playoffs for

the ninth consecutive year.

But Jauron is very popular among the players. While it is not known if that factored into

Wilson's decision, he probably was aware of how they felt.

"I think it's a great move," Moorman said. "I'm glad to see Mr. Wilson is on the same page

with everybody else in the locker room."

"I think a lot of guys agree this was the best choice," cornerback Terrence McGee said. "Coach

Jauron deserves another opportunity. I'm glad he's coming back."

All the players contacted on Tuesday were unanimous in their belief that maintaining

continuity on the coaching staff is the best way to ensure the team's continued improvement.

The Bills have hired four different coaches since Marv Levy retired in 1997, and the turnover

has played a factor in the franchise's nearly decade-long run of futility.

"Keeping Coach Jauron shows that at the end of the day this team is trying to win and

ultimately go in the right direction towards making the playoffs," tight end Robert Royal

said. "Having the same guy fighting with the players who have been here and striving for the

same goal, it's a great feeling."

The players believe that overhauling the coaching staff usually means a change of philosophy

and personnel. And minus a few exceptions (see Atlanta, Baltimore and Miami), bringing in a

new coach doesn't typically lead to instant success.

In fact, teams with new coaches often take a step back before they move forward.

"When you're changing coaches, it's like you are starting all over again," McGee said.

"I don't want to see us go back to a rebuilding mode," Moorman added. "New head coaches tend

to want their own players in. Now you're looking at a couple years [before the team is ready

to win]. I think our best chance to get in the playoffs is to keep Coach Jauron. I think we

need to stay the course and continue to build on what we have here."

Safety Bryan Scott said a big concern among players when a coaching change is made is they

don't know what to expect from the new guy.

"There are so many question marks when you bring in a new staff," Scott said. "Obviously some

teams that do that get going right away. But I think when you keep a good staff in place,

everyone's familiar with the system, and they know the personnel well and what it can do. You

don't have a period of time where they have to feel everyone out."

The players insist they are not far away from becoming a playoff team, and they believe Jauron

is the right man to lead them.

How much success the Bills have next season will determine if Jauron sticks around for the

length of his three-year contract extension. Wilson's decision to keep Jauron was an

endorsement of what he has done as a head coach, but it also puts Jauron on notice that

anything short of a postseason appearance in 2009 will not be acceptable.

While there will be far more pressure on Jauron to take the Bills into the playoffs next

season, the players said it's on them to make sure the team gets there.

"I honestly believe we have the pieces in place to have a great team," Moorman said.

"Everybody plays hard for him. Everyone's eager to prove our doubters wrong. I know talk is

cheap. We have to go out and prove it on the field."