View Full Version : Decision to fire the OC Brian Billicks or from on high?
MikeinGlennDale
10-17-2006, 08:50 PM
I find it very hard to believe that BB made the decision to fire the OC. Think about the loyalty BB has shown over time...Fuller, Deion, Boller come to mind.
I have no insight into the team, but my gut instinct is the owner made this call. Hey...give it up to BB. He's towing the party line and BB is in a 'contract' year (if you like).
Thoughts?
sailorsam
10-24-2006, 05:07 PM
respectfully disagree. BB sees The End in sight, and is dropping ballast to save himself (and who wouldn't?). I've heard some whispers about disagreements etc. seems like often, 'friends' have trouble being 'coworkers', esp if one is boss over the other; that can be a problematical dynamic (fancy way of saying, lot of times it don't work). BB is an offensive guru (or was), and JF is an o guru; having two guru in the same room don't work.
I seriously doubt Stevie Ray is doing that kind of micromanaging.
Purpleguy
10-24-2006, 05:29 PM
It definitely came fom the top. There is no way Billick basically ends the career of a good friend unless he's put under the gun. Billick could have just taken over play-calling or gotten more involved with the offense before firing the guy. Look how loyal Brian was to Cavanaugh.
This time it was the right call, but the Biscuit's meddling worries me. So far I haven't been impresed with his ownership. He takes ray to terps games, when he should be taking Billick or Newsome. He berates a winning head coach in front of a national audience. I'd gladly take Modell back.
AZRAVEN
10-24-2006, 06:53 PM
Definitely from "on high", I don't think Billick has enough pull with the FO to order the coffee. He is a lameduck and this move is just one more nail in his coffin. I agree Purple I'm totally unimpressed with Bisciotti as an owner. I think he's in the mold of Snyder, Davis and Jones, three guys I just can't stand.
PurpleRulz
10-24-2006, 07:35 PM
It was already stated that Billick made this call and not Bisciotti. Billick has hiring/firing control over his assistant coaches. Billick informed Bisciotti and Ozzie of his decision to fire Fassel.
Tspot-D-Ravenator
10-24-2006, 07:44 PM
Definitely from "on high", I don't think Billick has enough pull with the FO to order the coffee. He is a lameduck and this move is just one more nail in his coffin. I agree Purple I'm totally unimpressed with Bisciotti as an owner. I think he's in the mold of Snyder, Davis and Jones, three guys I just can't stand.
How can you all sit there and tell me that it "DEFINITELY" came from Bisciotti? You DON'T really know, so stop insinuating.:crazy: ..It's OK to suggest it, but know for sure.....I really don't think so :eyes:! It had to happen and it did! Bisciotti is not even close to the same mold as Snyder and I don't believe Steve would MAKE Billick do anything of that nature, he's not that type of guy...Now Billick being a players coach, the players may have helped with the dismissal of Fassel.
Definitely from "on high", I don't think Billick has enough pull with the FO to order the coffee.
He has it in his contract that the coaches are his purview.
He fired Fassel because HE WAS NOT WORKING HARD ENOUGH. He might have been overly loyal to other people but he was not in this case because:
a) his friend wasn't putting forth the effort to make him worthy of his loyalty
b) his other coaches and players noticed it and spoke to him about it
c) those players mentioned, while important, weren't NEARLY as important as the OC in most cases. Boller doesn't count, who was he supposed to switch to, Wright?
This was more than likely Billick's call.
I don't think Bisciotti is as nearly involved as you think he is. He is very involved with Billick and Ozzie, making sure both know he holds them both accountable. But everything below them, IMnsHO, is left to their call.
WxKevin
10-24-2006, 09:28 PM
It was definitely Billick. Contrary to what some people think, Billick is a very smart man. Think about it...What would you do if everybody was rightfully complaining about your offense in a year when you know you are on the hot seat? You would do the same thing Billick did. I would not want somebody else controlling my destiny. I admire him because he is putting everything on his shoulders and his career as the Ravens head coach.
Mista T
10-24-2006, 10:22 PM
Disagree. It's a desparation move by Billick. He sees the end in sight and, in order to save his skin, he'd throw anyone under the bus - except McNair, because that was his "fix".:rolling:
I'm sure that Fassel got a good severance package and will laugh all the way to the bank.
:T2:
RavensNTerps
10-25-2006, 12:24 AM
if the reports about fassel not working hard are true, then it was different that guys like Fuller, Cavanaugh, Deion, etc.
Gwaihir
10-25-2006, 10:34 AM
Billick definitely made the call. From what I understand, Fassel went to Billick and said the offense couldn’t be run by 2 chiefs, he either had to give Jim total control and back off, or let him go. The biggest disagreement in the move involved whether or not Fassel resigned or was fired. Billick finally convinced Fassel to let him fire him, since if Jim resigned the Ravens wouldn’t owe him any more money!
As it stands now, they owe him 1 million next year and the balance of a million for this year! If anything, I think Bisciotti might be pissed that Billick didn’t let him resign!
Disagree. It's a desparation move by Billick.
Just the opposite, IMnsHO. He made a tough call after his players and coaches pointed out that the effort needed was not being put in. He saw it last year and probably hoped Fassel would amp up his effort given his desire for a HC gig. When it didn't happen he made the prudent business move.
Better than being frozen by the situation and leaving Fassel there despite the complaints. If there are a bunch of complaints about a guy THAT ARE TRUE then the boss has to act. If he leaves Fassel there then it green lights lazy effort and attitude, the last thing we need.
purplepoe
10-25-2006, 12:44 PM
Billick made the call and it was the right one.
Desperation? Maybe.
But right nonetheless.
PP
AZRAVEN
10-25-2006, 01:22 PM
How can you all sit there and tell me that it "DEFINITELY" came from Bisciotti? You DON'T really know, so stop insinuating.:crazy: ..It's OK to suggest it, but know for sure.....I really don't think so :eyes:! It had to happen and it did! Bisciotti is not even close to the same mold as Snyder and I don't believe Steve would MAKE Billick do anything of that nature, he's not that type of guy...Now Billick being a players coach, the players may have helped with the dismissal of Fassel.
You are correct TSpot, I don't actually know. It was in improperly stated opinion sorry it hit your hot spot. I disagree with your view that Bisciotti isn't a Snyder type, I'm not sure even Snyder has ever publically castrated his coach; however I could be wrong since you apparently know him (based on your comment that "he's not that type of guy") so I will defer to your inside view.:thumbup:
flraven
10-25-2006, 02:29 PM
I was going to chime in with my .02 worth but saw the comments and see that Greg pretty much nailed it. It was Billick's call all the way, as was stated earlier, its in his contract that he hires and fires his assistants.
It sure seemed like the players weren't happy with Fassel and if Billick is indeed on the hot seat, he had to make the change.
We'll see what the change means on Sunday - Go Ravens!
... I'm not sure even Snyder has ever publically castrated his coach ...
He once left 5 gallons of vanilla ice cream on an OC's desk (quite melted) to express his displeasure with what he thought was a non-imaginative (vanilla) offensive game plan.
I don't think Bisciotti meant to disparage Billick in public, he isn't used to public speaking and as a business man is used to being blunt with his people. Doing that at a press conference was wrong and he probably wished he had handled it differently.
highwater
10-25-2006, 05:25 PM
He once left 5 gallons of vanilla ice cream on an OC's desk (quite melted) to express his displeasure with what he thought was a non-imaginative (vanilla) offensive game plan.
I think that was actually his DC -- Mike Nolan. I seem to recall some reporter asking Nolan about it, and he basically refused to talk about it. But then again, as always, I could be wrong.
Purpleguy
10-25-2006, 07:18 PM
C'mon Greg, you're a businessman. Rule #1: You never discipline your employees in front of anyone.
Biscuit not only demeaned billick in front of his underlings, but in front of a national audience. It was an arrogant and stupid move.
highwater
10-25-2006, 07:39 PM
Biscuit not only demeaned billick in front of his underlings, but in front of a national audience. It was an arrogant and stupid move.
I agree. I want to like Biscuit but this was an astonishing dumb move, IMO. He may not have understood what he was doing, but he undermined his own head coach. Publically! He seems to be a good guy and a very smart guy but this was dumb, dumb, dumb.
AZRAVEN
10-25-2006, 07:54 PM
:laugh: Oh yeah, I remember reading about the vanilla ice cream incident. But even though it was meant as a slam and to express his displeasure it was done with a sense of humor and not in public which separates it in my eyes from what Bisciotti did to Billick. I do agree Bisciotti is a plenty smart guy and I doubt he ever makes that mistake again. That is one reason why I think it was his idea to fire Fassel, I think his messages will be delivered behind closed doors from now on. It is just so totally out of character for Billick to throw anyone under the bus like that which is why I find it so hard to believe it was really his idea - but that is just an opinion and I have [U]nothing[U] whatsoever to base it on As far as responding to players bitching, it he starts that he is going to go nuts because the players have their own agendas and he can't please them all.
sandiegosean
10-25-2006, 08:07 PM
It was totally Brians decision and has already been confirmed by numerous sources. The only person besides Jim that Brian talked to was Ozzie. Steve was informed of the decision after Fassel was already let go of. I swear what is it with Ravens fans and conspiracy theories?:grbac:
Tspot-D-Ravenator
10-25-2006, 08:29 PM
It was totally Brians decision and has already been confirmed by numerous sources. The only person besides Jim that Brian talked to was Ozzie. Steve was informed of the decision after Fassel was already let go of. I swear what is it with Ravens fans and conspiracy theories?:grbac:
I am SO with you Dude!! Conspiracy theories:insane:
purplepoe
10-25-2006, 09:00 PM
That is one reason why I think it was his idea to fire Fassel, I think his messages will be delivered behind closed doors from now on. It is just so totally out of character for Billick to throw anyone under the bus like that which is why I find it so hard to believe it was really his idea - but that is just an opinion and I have [U]nothing[U] whatsoever to base it on As far as responding to players bitching, it he starts that he is going to go nuts because the players have their own agendas and he can't please them all.
The difference between the past and now is that Billick is squarely on the hot seat. He's free run of "can do no wrong" is over and he knows it. That is why I believe that this was his move and his move only.
PP
FHRaven
10-26-2006, 06:57 AM
It was totally Brians decision and has already been confirmed by numerous sources. The only person besides Jim that Brian talked to was Ozzie. Steve was informed of the decision after Fassel was already let go of. I swear what is it with Ravens fans and conspiracy theories?:grbac:
Exactly. If there was anything to this conspiracy you would AT LEAST be hearing some leaks from "unconfirmed sources" within the organization. Not only has this not happened but every journalist who covers the team has said Steve was not involved in the decision.
sailorsam
10-28-2006, 05:50 AM
Fassel gets his $, and at the same time claims it was HIS decision. question; when will he work in the NFL again? or will he? this performance might have taken him off the 'potential' list. like Jerry Glanville or Butch Davis, will he be exiled to the college game?