Archives for January 6, 2006

‘By repatriating Levy, although not to the sidelines, where head coach Mike Mularkey remains by the skin of his teeth, Wilson has taken huge strides towards recapturing the hearts of a fan base, put off by an arrogant, secretive front office and six non-playoff years.’

‘They bought into the basic principles of what he wanted from his team: Don’t be dumb, don’t be dirty. Let what you do speak so loud, no one needs to hear what you say. When it’s too tough for them, it’s just right for us. He set a team-first tone not only for the players, but for the entire Bills organization.’

‘”We’re bringing Marv back so that he can bring stability to the Buffalo Bills which I’m sure he can,” said Wilson. “Inject some stability to the organization, bring everybody together, is what we need here.”‘

‘He will oversee the organization’s football-related decisions, reporting to Wilson.’

‘Offensive coordinator Tom Clements also was fired, his agent, Gary O’Hagan, told The Associated Press.’

‘Several other defensive coaches will not return, including defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, who spent three seasons with the Bills. Linebackers coach Don Blackmon and defensive backs coach Steve Szabo are also out.’

‘Wilson might be 87 years old … but he’s not senile. He knew as the season melted down there was no way he could sell Donahoe’s return to a fan base that saw him as arrogant, overly sensitive to criticism and disingenuous. When the team’s faithful is rooting for it’s highest-ranking administrator to fail, you’ve got a public relations problem.’

‘"I’m an 80-year-old rookie and looking forward to it with unbounded enthusiasm, not just to get back into the mainstream of the football world, but to do it with the Buffalo Bills, for whom I have such longtime affection," said Levy. "For the fans here in Buffalo and Western New York and nearby areas like Canada who supported the team and who I feel such a part of, my enthusiasm is unbounded right now."’