Archives for January 2002

‘Phillips has spoken to Falcons coach Dan Reeves but is believed to favor the Giants.’

The Best anjd the Worst of the Job

“Talking to the agents is really challenging because they have such a different agenda than we do”, he said. “They’re concerned about one player, we have to be concerned about 53 players, the salary cap and how it affects the whole team. That’s challenging. I wouldn’t say I dislike it, but there are other things that I would rather be doing.”

‘Demetrious Maxie obviously had a change of heart. Last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive tackle said his first choice was to return to the CFL team. But on Monday, the six-foot-two, 290-pound Maxie signed with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.’

The Irish rock band U2 has a new video centered on a field goal kicker who misses a kick in the final seconds of a big game. Video director Joseph Kahn said it is based partly on Scott Norwood, the Buffalo Bills kicker who missed a potential game-winning field goal in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXV. The ultimate indignity for Norwood, wouldn’t you say, being thrust onto video shelves between the bare midriffs and the trashy rap?

Strange that U2 would choose such a subject for a music video, but give them this — the title is appropriate. It’s “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of.”

That is the story of Scott Norwood’s life, summed up in nine words.

‘Maxie, who indicated last week he’d like to return to Saskatchewan next season, said money changed his mind.’

‘Was it mere coincidence that the Bills announced the firing of offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard only moments before they revealed their expansion list?’

‘…he spent the past season playing in the Canadian Football League for Saskatchewan.’

‘Phillips, a former head coach with both the Broncos and the Buffalo Bills, had Fassel on his Denver staff in 1993-94. He is believed to be the leading candidate to replace John Fox, who became the head coach of the Carolina Panthers on Friday.’

‘Phillips has interviewed with Dan Reeves’ Falcons, but he appears to be the Giants’ leading candidate.’

‘Fassel worked in Denver with Phillips, who was fired a year ago as head coach of the Bills. Phillips could be an immediate front runner for the most important position on Fassel’s staff and Fassel may strike quickly, as there are other openings in the league and there will be competition for Phillips’ services.’

‘Longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips is the front-runner to become the Giants next defensive coordinator and will interview for the position tomorrow.’

‘Johnson certainly has the talent to be a capable quarterback in the NFL. He’s a nice guy and a good person. But putting him on the expansion list was the logical and correct thing for the Bills to do.’

Inevitably, cameras will focus on these players (such as Antowain Smith, who was released by Buffalo last year) at the end of Sunday’s games. Win, and they become the sentimental favorites, like John Elway finally having enough talent around him to win it all in Denver. Lose, and they almost become tragic heroes like the Buffalo Bills of the 1990s.

Forget the high priced players. Look at the 2nd teer agents such as Avion Black of Buffalo, a potentially solid kick-return man.

And don’t forget about defensive backs such as Chris Hayes of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay’s Eric Vance and Raion Hill of the Bills, all good cover men on the punt and kickoff teams.

‘"When the opportunity comes, I’ll take it,” Maxie said from Norwalk, Calif. "Money’s the big thing because I have a family (with two kids) to look after. It’s even more important now because of the Canadian dollar — when you bring that money home to the States it doesn’t amount to very much."’