Archives for February 19, 2006

‘The Post has learned that the Bills are definitely going to place the franchise tag on cornerback Nate Clements. The Bills’ stellar CB finished last year with more than 100 tackles and a pair of interceptions, and Buffalo has no plans to let Clements test the open market. Elsewhere in Bills land, the club is likely to let receiver Josh Reed and center Trey Teague walk.’

‘The AFC East, with the Patriots at the top and the Dolphins on the rise, will be tough for the Bills to navigate in the short-term, and one would have to place the odds at less than 50-50 that Jauron can get this team headed in the right direction.’

‘The Bills were outgained by more yards in 2005 than in any season in their history. Their average of 257 yards a game was the franchise’s lowest ever in a 16-game season, even lower than the 2-14 years of 1984 and ’85. Their average of 343 yards a game allowed was the fifth worst ever.’

‘For the second straight year, the Bills finished No. 1 in the NFL in overall special teams, according to the Dallas Morning News ranking system, which is treated as official by most of the special teams coaches in the league. The system assigns points from 1 to 32 in 22 categories, and the club with the lowest total score wins. The Bills actually finished with a better score than they did in 2004.’

‘He hasn’t yet coached a down here and is still only a third of the way through getting acquainted with his new players, but the letter writers and radio show callers are already unhappy with him. They wanted a bigger name with a glossier resume.’

‘What about the make-up of the squad? “It’s going to be a consensus thing. I’m going to have heavy input, but the final decision on the 53-man roster belongs with the coaching staff. I may voice strong opinions in some cases and try to convince (coach Dick Jauron) of something I think should be done … but the final cutdown of who’s on the team should be made by the coaches.”‘

‘Outside linebacker coach DeMontie Cross is leaving after five years with the Cyclones to become a defensive and special teams assistant with the Buffalo Bills.’