Archives for February 2001

‘Vinklarek spent the 1998 and ’99 seasons as offensive line coach at Oklahoma State. In 1997, he worked at Valdosta (Ga.) State as the offensive line coach. Took over as offensive line coach at the University of Houston in 1988. Vinklarek broke into the professional coaching ranks in 1995 as both offensive line coach for the Birmingham Barracudas of the Canadian Football League.’

‘There are reports of me being a detail and organized person, but (Donahoe’s) approach was extremely detailed and organized…one of the most impressive I’ve even been through. There have been some times I’ve been interviewed when I’ve thought, ‘How could they hire me with the things they just asked?’"’.

Terry O'Neil's astute analysis of the salary cap situation for each team in the AFC East. "New GM Tom Donahoe did little deal-making in Pittsburgh, so his early moves will bear watching. The guess is that he'll sign WR Eric Moulds to the richest receiver deal ever, franchise tag DE Marcellus Wiley, then allow a dozen others to leave. "

If you are a reader of the Stadium Wall message board (and you should be!), today will be slow as Rivals.com is expecting record site traffic for today’s college football national letter of intent day. Rivals.com overall traffic is heavily weighted towards college sports, but it affects the Pro Football network too.

‘Note to Mr. Donahoe: If Williams has kept thick files on every assistant in football and if his burning ambition for many, many years was to be a head coach, how thick do you think his file on you was? No wonder you were on the same page.’

‘Sheppard was non-committal about the Bills’ quarterback situation. "I think Gregg’s on record as saying when we get everybody together, we’ll evaluate it, then we’ll call the quarterbacks in and make a good decision for the Bills," he said.’

‘When asked if he could envision a scenario where both quarterbacks remain, Sheppard seemed pessimistic. "The organization has come out and (General Manager) Tom Donahoe stated that we have to make a decision," he said.’

‘"Just the chance to coordinate and run it and do it yourself is always something that appeals to you," Sheppard said. "Once you learn this offense from Mike (Holmgren, Seahawks coach), you can’t wait to get out and dabble in it yourself."’

‘Mike Sheppard knows about quarterback controversies. So he should feel right at home with the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Middle Tennessee State defensive coordinator Miles Aldridge could be the Bills’ next linebackers coach. Aldridge is hopeful and is waiting to hear from Bills coach Gregg Williams. He has not formally met with Williams, but he has spent time with him while Williams was the defensive coordinator for the Titans the past four seasons.’

Len Pasquarelli’s analysis of Williams’ hiring skills. ‘In this age of free agency, and at a time when league head coaches are being stretched in several directions and must master the art of delegating to ensure success, a solid staff is more essential than ever before. No matter the lineage of the man on the coaching throne, he had better surround himself with loyal and committed courtiers or his reign will be a short one.’

‘Sheppard was the offensive coordinator under Kevin Gilbride in San Diego before joining the Seahawks, and has also worked on the Baltimore and Cleveland coaching staffs.’

‘Sheppard, 49, has spent eight years as an NFL assistant. Before joining Seattle two years ago, he was offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers in 1997 and 1998. He also was an assistant with Baltimore and Cleveland.’

‘New Bills head coach Gregg Williams wasted no time beginning to piece together his coaching staff, as he has agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard as Buffalo’s new offensive coordinator Tuesday.’

As posted on the Stadium Wall message board: ‘WGR55 has just reported that John Fina, Ruben Brown, and Ken Irvin have all agreed to restructure their contracts, freeing up over 3 Million in Cap $ money.’