Archives for February 14, 2006

‘”Somebody will be named heading into camp, but there is always going to be competition,” Jauron said during a media availability session Monday. “We’ll try to name that guy going through the spring, but if we don’t, we don’t. We hope to have a feeling.”‘

‘USC avoided the loss of a third assistant coach to the NFL when Rocky Seto declined an offer to become the Buffalo Bills’ linebackers coach. “I was extremely flattered by the offer and I was impressed by Coach [Dick] Jauron and the set-up in Buffalo, but it just wasn’t time,” said Seto, 29, a former Trojan linebacker. “I had to fulfill my obligations to the players and the program.”‘

‘Clements has said he wanted to be paid like the best cornerback in the NFL. Leading that list is Denver’s Champ Bailey, who signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with an $18 million signing bonus in 2004. Clements isn’t going to get that kind of money from the Bills, but he would attract a huge contract on the open market. Franchising him makes sense because it would essentially take him off the free agent market and buy the Bills time to work out a long-term deal. The deadline to designate franchise players is Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.’

‘While the Bills have time to make a decision on Moulds, who is under contract for two more years, they may have to buy time to keep Clements. The 26-year-old, who has 20 career interceptions and 49 pass breakups in five NFL seasons, will be the top cornerback available when free agency begins March 3. The Bills have been speaking with his agent, but getting a deal worked out for the kind of money Clements is seeking isn’t likely in the next 16 days.’

‘One-on-one, Jauron is very, very impressive. Mostly, because he is totally sincere and seemingly unpretentious. The Yale pedigree shines through, but he doesn’t try to impress with his sheer intelligence. You just know it’s there.’

‘Levy was still the Bills head coach when the team drafted Eric Moulds. “I know Eric had an unsettling season last year,” Levy said. “We hope we can work something out so he can be here. Restructuring is possible.”‘

‘Although the market for top free agents has dropped some, it’s estimated even a franchise tag on Clements would cost the Bills about $5.89 million. A year ago, however, Clements would have cost the Bills closer to $9 million.’

‘The deadline to designate a franchise player is next Thursday. "That is definitely an option in his situation," Levy said. "If we use it, he’s the likely person we will use it on, then hope we can do a contract that goes beyond that."’

‘Schonert was New Orleans’ quarterbacks coach this past season and has 10 years of NFL coaching experience. He served as Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach for three years beginning in 1998.’