Archives for January 2004

‘Mularkey emerged from an all-day meeting with owner Ralph Wilson and started calling Bills assistant coaches to let them know that he had taken the job.’

‘Mularkey traveled to Detroit on Tuesday to meet with Bills owner Ralph Wilson one final time to discuss the job vacancy. He met with the Bills last Wednesday to first discuss the coaching vacancy.’

‘Clayton also told WGR Sports Radio 55 that Mularkey is expected to offer the defensive coordinator job to current Bills assistant coach Dick LeBeau. He may also pursue current Steelers quarterback coach Tom Clements to be his offensive coordinator. Western New York native and New York Giants offensive line coach Jim McNally is also quite possibly on his way to work on Mularkey’s staff.’

‘Much of the credit for the revival of Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox’ career in Pittsburgh goes to Mularkey, along with Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements. There is already speculation Mularkey will bring Clements with him to Buffalo as his offensive coordinator, which would have to be considered a positive for Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe.’

‘Mularkey was likely able to sell himself with his ideas on how to fix the Bills 30th ranked offense. He is not expected to completely blow up the Bills coaching staff, in fact he may keep Dick Lebeau as his Defensive Coordinator.’

"All indications coming out of Buffalo continue to point in the direction of the Bills hiring Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their head coach, and an official announcement of the move is expected Wednesday, league sources close to the situation said Tuesday."

“The 42-year-old Mularkey won the job because of his past relationship with general manager Tom Donahoe and his bright offensive mind. Mularkey was a candidate for the Falcons’ job and has been considered a hot assistant coach for the past couple of years.”

‘Still quiet on the coaching front as the Bills continue to speak with Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey over the phone.’

‘All indications coming out of Buffalo continue to point in the direction of the Bills hiring Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their head coach, as soon as Wednesday, league sources close to the situation said Tuesday.’

‘”I wasn’t the reason we didn’t make the playoffs, but I didn’t help, either,” Lindell said. “Not that I had many chances to help. I didn’t get to kick any game-winners, but I had the one (29-yarder) against Cincinnati to go in overtime. I just didn’t do anything, really.”‘

‘The Bills weren’t good on first downs. They weren’t good in short-yardage situations. They weren’t good in the red zone. They were awful on third downs. They threw too much in a lot of key situations.’

‘That might explain why Mike Mularkey, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, is emerging as a hot candidate. The Bills had further discussions with him by phone on Monday. It doesn’t seem fair to the New England coaches, or to the Bills, for the Pats’ playoff status to play such a big role in the decision.’

‘The 66-year old LeBeau would welcome the chance to return to Pittsburgh. “I feel good about having the opportunity,” said LeBeau. “As far as my chances, you would have to ask Bill.”‘

‘The Washington-based NFL Coaches Association has sent a letter to Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue asking the club to immediately make a decision on the fate of the coaching staff of fired head coach Gregg Williams. The letter’s intent is for the Bills to either release the remaining staff members from their contracts or guarantee the coaches will be retained for next season.’

‘Williams, the recently deposed Bills coach, hopes to bring several of his old assistants to Washington, but Buffalo won’t grant most of them permission to interview at least until the new coach gets a chance to retain them.’