Archives for January 2006

‘Kollar is known as an excellent teacher. He helped develop Rams defensive end Leonard Little into one of the NFL’s top pass rushers and also worked with former Rams defensive ends Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher, who now star for the Super Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks. In Atlanta, Kollar’s defensive line helped the Falcons hold opponents to a team-record 75 yards rushing per game in 1998. That team won the NFC championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII.’

‘Lower sidelines $47.’

‘The jump in prices varies from $1 to $4 per seat for season tickets at Ralph Wilson Stadium with a price reduction for one end zone section of $3 per seat. The Bills said their 2005 ticket prices, at an average of more than $44 per game, were 39 percent below the National Football League average of $62.29 per seat.’

‘Prior to the 2005 season, the Seahawks lost their president, vice president for football operations and scouting director. Coach Mike Holmgren was thought to be on the hot seat. Sounds somewhat similar to what’s going on here in Western New York.’

‘After hiring a star defensive coordinator (Gregg Williams) and a star offensive coordinator (Mike Mularkey), the Bills picked someone with previous NFL coaching experience. Not that it was good coaching experience.’

‘It’s time to speculate on the rest of Jauron’s staff. Former New York Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson was served up by a downstate newspaper even though Jerry Gray hasn’t been officially evicted. Then there’s Greg Olson, Jauron’s offensive coordinator in his five game interim stint in Detroit last year. At least that job is officially vacant.’

‘Kollar played defensive line for eight seasons with Cincinnati and Tampa Bay.’

‘Kollar takes over a unit that struggled last year, unable to overcome a season-ending shoulder injury to starting tackle Ron Edwards and the offseason free-agent loss of tackle Pat Williams. He was noted for helping develop Rams defensive end Leonard Little, who registered 57 sacks in the last five seasons.’

‘”I haven’t coached in a vacuum, I’ve been in the business for 22 years and I understand it and I chose to do it. In the National Football League – and because I’m in it I certainly believe it’s the best sports league in the world – we have the most passionate fans and they’re everywhere and every place is a little distinct in their passion. But when you lose,” Jauron said, “they’re gonna let you know and they’re not happy about it. We’re gonna work to create a winner again and when we do that, our fans will be passionate in a positive way … that’s what we all want."’

‘His first priority will be to assemble his staff. Could a reunion with Greg Blache and John Shoop be in store?’

‘Jauron said he was prepared for the criticism a head coach receives.’

In other football news, Harvard grad Marv Levy is now the Bills’ general manager and Yale alum Dick Jauron the Bills’ coach, giving Buffalo an all-Ivy front office. Pip pip, you chaps! On an exclusive basis, TMQ has learned that the Bills will replace their locker room with a lecture hall; players will be required to write term papers; the traditional Gatorade shower in the moment of victory will become a fino sherry shower served with priscutto and melon. Fans will cheer, "Please see fit to exert reasonable effort!" After bad calls the crowd will shout at the officials, "We beg to differ!"

‘The Bills Tuesday announced the hiring of defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Kollar, who has 17 years of NFL coaching experience, spent the past six seasons with the St. Louis Rams.’

‘The Bills Tuesday announced ticket pricing for the 2006 season.’

‘Sources say former Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson may know his landing spot today. It could be Buffalo as the coordinator on Dick Jauron’s new Bills staff. But if Henderson loses out on that job, he could become Herm Edwards’ secondary coach at Kansas City.’