Archives for February 2004

‘New coach Mike Mularkey, the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, was hired for his past skill in blending the run and the pass. “We believe in what we believe and we know it’ll work,” Donahoe said. “We just have to stay consistent with our philosophy and our plan and do it better.”‘

‘The only staff opening left is quarterbacks coach, and Mularkey has interviewed ex-Cincinnati and Tampa Bay head coach Sam Wyche. He may also hire a special assistant.’

‘Van Miller, the longtime voice of the Bills, is recuperating in a Buffalo hospital following surgery for diverticulitis and will not attend Thursday’s Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions dinner.’

‘New head coach Mike Mularkey will open up the offense with gadget plays and fun not seen in these parts since the K-Gun offense of the late ’80s and early ’90s. This team is fully capable of reaching the postseason party.’

‘But while the Patriots o-line improved and Weis’ offensive system was the right one for his personnel, the Bills crashed and burned with the wrong system for the wrong personnel, and Bledsoe became the focal point of the criticism. While some of that criticism was certainly deserved, Bledsoe was by no means the main problem in 2003.’

‘Mularkey’s staff is all but complete, depending on whether he hires a quarterbacks coach. Former Cincinnati and Tampa Bay head coach Sam Wyche is being considered for that job.’

‘Szabo replaces Steve Jackson, who left to join Gregg Williams in Washington.’

‘Szabo (pronounced ZAY-bo) spent this past season as a volunteer assistant coach with the New England Patriots. Prior to that he coached linebackers with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1994-02 under Tom Coughlin and in 2004 he will be entering his 35th season in coaching.’

‘This inaugural celebrity golf tournament is a fundraising event to benefit the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1997 by Hall of Fame quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, Jim Kelly and his wife Jill after their son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy. Kelly and several former and current Buffalo Bills players as well as other professional athletes, including Dan Marino, Bruce Smith and Bernie Kosar, will make their way to Southwest Florida to participate.’

‘This is the second time Sports Business Journal and UMass have undertaken this review. In 2002, buffalobills.com also was ranked fourth overall.’

‘The Bills are committed to veteran Drew Bledsoe at least through 2004, but president and general manager Tom Donahoe reiterated on Monday that the team is doing some long-range planning at the position.’

‘It must have been difficult for Bledsoe to watch his former team win two of the last three Super Bowls, but the new coaching regime of the Buffalo Bills can only hope that the pass-happy QB will buy into the predominantly running attack the team is expected to emphasize in 2004.’

‘Meyers RV Superstores is auctioning off Buffalo Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe’s Winnebago Ultimate Freedom motorhome on eBay through Saturday until 4:55 p.m.’

‘Has never been registered, the title is brand new!’

‘Wyche interviewed for the job with new Bills coach Mike Mularkey last week, a team spokesman said on Monday. Mularkey is also seeking a defensive backs coach to round out his staff.’