Archives for January 14, 2010

‘Even though he interviewed for head coaching jobs in Buffalo and Seattle last week, Frazier says his focus is on helping the Vikings beat the Dallas Cowboys in playoffs on Sunday. Frazier says the interviews are in his rearview mirror. The Seahawks have hired former USC coach Pete Carroll-but the Buffalo job remains open.’

‘Kugler, who was released last week along with the rest of Buffalo’s staff, spent two years with the Bills. He was an assistant with Detroit from 2001-2005.’

‘Schottenheimer’s father, Marty, told The Star-Ledger Wednesday afternoon that his son is extremely happy with the Jets. The elder Schottenheimer and Bills general manager Buddy Nix are close friends and their friendship is one reason why Brian Schottenheimer’s name surfaced in Buffalo.’

‘Schottenheimer won’t go to Buffalo, where an owner with a tight wallet leads a franchise with a fading identity in a city in peril of losing its team to a Canadian neighbor. It is a team without a quarterback of Sanchez’s class, and a location where it’s nearly impossible to attract big-ticket free agents.’

‘”It is new ground and you really don’t tend to think about these things until they affect you,” Wilson told Buffalobills.com. “But at the end of the day I know I’ve done my part. I’ve put a quality performance on the field in the 13 games that I started. The work is out there on tape for all 32 teams to evaluate and see if I may fit on their team.”‘

‘During the July trial in General District Court, defense attorney Larry Cardon didn’t dispute that Smith had been speeding or that he had refused the breath test. But Cardon said Smith’s football injuries, including multiple concussions and knee problems, led to his poor field test results. The judge rejected the excuse and found Smith, the NFL’s all-time sacks leader, guilty.’

‘Schottenheimer could have a change of heart once the Jets are done with the playoffs, but the way he sounded last week, that doesn’t appear likely. Schottenheimer, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, is expected to address the media Thursday.’

‘Schottenheimer, who last week said he never has been happier in his coaching career than he is right now, wasn’t available for comment yesterday, though he is scheduled to be available today.’

‘A week ago, as rumors he was in the running for the Bills job began to circulate, Schottenheimer, 36, had said he would be happy to stay with the Jets rather than take the first head-coaching position that comes along. "I think it is all about timing. You want to be in the right spot and I feel like right now I’m in a great spot," Schottenheimer said. "I’m with a great organization with Woody (Johnson) and Mike (Tannenbaum). I made the decision to come back last year not knowing what this year would hold working for Rex. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been pretty damn close."’

‘The development is a blow to the search because Schottenheimer is a bright offensive mind and figured to be a strong contender for the Bills. He has connections to Bills General Manager Buddy Nix, with whom both he and his father, Marty, worked in San Diego. The Bills had asked permission to speak with Schottenheimer on Monday.’

‘The trial is scheduled to begin Thursday. Smith was convicted in General District Court in July and given a 90-day suspended jail term, but he appealed to Circuit Court.’