Archives for January 2017

'Taylor’s skill, plus the fact that there are more NFL teams than franchise quarterbacks being produced, make the signal caller a prime target for multiple teams across the NFL.'

'With McDermott reported to be the leading candidate for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy by The Buffalo News and his friendship and respect for Butler, a highly-regarded assistant coach for the NFL’s top-ranked defense, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Butler emerged as a strong option for the Bills’ defensive coordinator position should McDermott land the job.'

'One of the people said talks had not yet advanced to the stage of negotiating a contract, though, indicating there’s room for things to change. McDermott interviewed Tuesday with the San Francisco 49ers. He previously interviewed with the San Diego Chargers.'

'McDermott's initial meeting with the Bills happened last Wednesday. He was the first of four candidates to interview for the job to replace Rex Ryan, who was fired two weeks ago.'

'Multiple sources familiar with the search have told WGR that the team’s front office and ownership have all been very impressed with McDermott since they first interviewed him over a week ago and may be ready to offer him the job. McDermott and Anthony Lynn have both been considered the leading candidates to replace the fired Rex Ryan. They were two of the four official interviews the team conducted, along with Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard.'

'Terry and Kim Pegula ultimately hold the final decision on the next head coach, and 7 Eyewitness News has heard that the initial interview between McDermott and the Bills' brass went extremely well.'

'“If I were a coach looking for a job I would be excited about that roster.”'

'In 2016, the first new coach was hired seven days after the end of the regular season – Adam Gase in Miami. The seven coaching openings were filled anywhere from seven to 16 days after the 2015 season ended. By January 18th all of the hires were made, and it would’ve concluded four days earlier had Doug Pederson not had to coach with the Chiefs in the Divisional playoff round first.'

'Interviewed, so far, have been former Bills offensive coordinator and current interim coach Anthony Lynn plus Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and two defensive coordinators, Sean McDermott (Carolina) and Kris Richard (Seattle). Not exactly a quartet that has you rushing out to renew your season tickets.'

'Kemp was the backup quarterback for the East All-Stars, had just won the AFL Championship with the Bills, and was also the president of the league’s players’ union. He and San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Ron Mix were among the white players at that final meeting. The two agreed to lead white players to stand by their teammates — but not all white players embraced the move. Patriots linebacker (and later Hall of Famer) Nick Buoniconti called the walkout a “raw deal” which “hurt the league a great deal.”'

'But how do you sell that to a prospective head coach? Would the new guy really have a say on Taylor? What first-time head coach wants to start out with an inferior situation at the game's most vital position? And what if the next coach wants to win right away and pushes to trade for, say, Tony Romo?'

'Richard is the youngest candidate the Bills have interviewed so far. He has less than a decade in coaching, but has moved up the ranks quickly.'

'All four candidates are also under the age of 50, with Richard (37) being the youngest. With this head coaching search, it appears the Bills front office wants all egos and previous reputations checked at the door — seeing as how their previous head coach pointed to his track record far too often when asked about 2016 in-season failures. However you slice it, the Bills are looking for something quite a bit different than what they just had.'

'Going back to his work with the Browns, Lynn coached running back Jamal Lewis — who was at the tail end of his NFL career — to a pair of 1,000 yard seasons. In 2007, the Browns finished No. 10 in yards rushing, and No. 6 in rushing yards per play.'

'NFL rules stipulate that the Bills’ search team – comprised of owners Terry and Kim Pegula, along with General Manager Doug Whaley and Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos – have to meet with Richard in Seattle. As an assistant coach on a team that won on wild-card weekend, there is a window for Richard to interview between now and the divisional round. If the Seahawks win in the divisional round, Richard can’t be interviewed again until the week after the conference championship games.'