Two Bills Drive

‘Team owner Ralph Wilson gave Donahoe unprecedented power within the organization, and to some men who worked with or know Donahoe, he is a man who richly deserves it.’

‘Ted Cottrell probably won’t be the next coach of the Buffalo Bills — despite the fact that he would be the logical successor to the fired Wade Phillips. Nobody said the NFL world is fair.’

‘According to the anti-Wade movement, Phillips has no business coaching a team at the NFL level. To his detractors, the former Denver Bronco head coach is a bumbling, unenthusiastic incompetent. Football insiders, those intimately familiar with the game, have a far different take on Phillips.’

‘On Wednesday, Phillips said he is looking forward to becoming an NFL head coach again, possibly with the expansion Houston Texans, who start play in 2002. Phillips, 53, said he expects to interview with Houston in the coming weeks, though nothing has been formally set up.’

‘Donahoe’s official introduction is scheduled for Friday, but the Bills are clearly his team already.’

‘Donahoe becomes the eighth general manager in team history.’

‘"In my discussions with him over the past two weeks I feel he is the most qualified man to oversee the Bills football operations," Bills owner Ralph Wilson said.’

‘The Bills snagged 52-year-old Tom Donahoe as their general manager finally. Owner Ralph Wilson Jr. signed him today and will have a news conference Friday to introduce Donahoe to the public.’

‘With Johnson’s history of injuries, Flutie knows Buffalo may be his best chance to play. Is there an NFL team ballsy enough to give a 38-year-old QB a starting job? Not likely. Too bad.’

‘"Houston is home for me. I went to the University of Houston and I coached with my dad with the Oilers during the glory days, so to speak," Phillips told Houston television station KRIV.’

‘"We played so many young players this year who are going to be solid next year," Phillips said. "There are a lot of good coaches who can do a good job, a lot of GMs. I’m sure Ralph will hire those people. This has been a strong, winning franchise and I think it’ll continue to be. I’m just sad it’s not with me."’

‘"Our problems on special teams were pretty simple," he said. "It was speed getting down the field and the lack of ability to get off blocks and make a tackle. When we had breakdowns, that’s where the breakdowns were."’

‘"When he lost Bruce Smith, Thomas Smith, Gabe Northern and Kurt Schulz from the defense before the season, I told him he was in for a rough time. Then, he gets his team to 7-4, and he loses four more starters from his defense. Four pretty good starters, too. Those are some tough obstacles to overcome."’

Don Banks, reporter for Sports Illustrated, made a passing comment in his column today that Joe Pendry may be in consideration to replace the recently fired Les Steckel in Tampa Bay. Steckel was the Bucs offensive coordinator for only one year. Banks said Head Coach Tony Dungy will take his time in finding Steckel’s replacement.

‘"I do want to say that I did offer to change special teams coaches because I did feel like it was my responsibility and my fault that I brought in a guy who didn’t have any experience with special teams,” Phillips said.’