Two Bills Drive

‘“Then about three years ago we evolved into a no-huddle team that went with three wide receivers instead of two tight ends. We knew we needed a good center and Jeff Saturday is another Kent Hull. They’re the same guy. Getting Troy Walter last year and Brandon Stokley this year gives us good people in the slot and that let us move Reggie Wayne to the outside where he’s better suited.”’

””Buffalo was a very fast-paced offence. A lot of times there were 20 or 18 seconds left on the (play) clock when the ball was snapped, so there was a much higher urgency to get the (defensive play) call in, get lined up and be ready to go. It was a two-minute type of pace. “There is a lot more play-action, a lot more variety in the Colts’ offensive system,” the coach of the year went on. “They do use some substitution and they do use different personnel groups. Looking back at Buffalo, they were more of a one-group, one-formation, hurry-up-and-run-the-plays kind. They put pressure on you defensively that way.”’

‘He is low-key, gentlemanly and smart, a person who earned dual degrees in kinesiology and sociology. What’s more, he is even-tempered, like Noll, rarely losing composure and almost never showing any emotion. That, though, is veneer for what burns inside, a fire that fuels a mental toughness that exemplified his playing career.’

‘Jerry Gray certainly saw some urgency. He wanted to go back to the school where he played, and he had some credentials. He was the Bills’ defensive coordinator last season, and only the Cowboys’ defense ranked higher. There was some irony; a few Aggies propped up the Buffalo defense. But Gray seemed an ideal hire for Texas. Smart, young, experienced, orange-blooded. As for Gray’s skin color: If not for social change, why not for recruiting? But Brown showed little interest, and last week it became official. Gray will remain in Buffalo as the Bills’ defensive coordinator. Brown likely saw Gray’s background as less collegiate than pro. But there are also hints that Brown viewed Gray as a threat, and for a reason. Gray’s goal is to someday be the head coach at Texas.’

‘”One of the attractions to me being in Pittsburgh was the fact that, philosophically, Coach (Cowher) and I have always been on the same page, and that is attack,” said LeBeau, who takes over a defense ranked ninth in the NFL last season. “We will be a pressure defense, and I know the head coach feels that way, too.”‘

‘”I can be an ally to help him on the other side of the ball,” Gray continued. “He doesn’t have to worry about me making a transition. I know what went on here. I can help him with players and personalities. I can help him with things that you can’t learn by watching film.”‘

‘Gray, who was rumored to be interested in returning to his alma mater, the University of Texas, to be the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator, said he was more than pleased to return under Mularkey as the defensive coordinator. “To me, I went into the process thinking it was an honor,” Gray said of being interviewed by general manager Tom Donahoe. “I knew it was a long shot to get the head coaching job so it wasn’t a letdown. After we found out that Mike was going to be hired, I didn’t know if I’d have a chance to stay here or not. I knew our defense performed well and hopefully the guy would give me a chance. It just so happened that things fell right.”‘

‘Western New Yorkers will love him in time. Not only is the approach blue collar, but so is the man behind it.’

‘The Redskins also have been interested in Bills defensive line coach Tim Krumrie and linebackers coach Don Blackmon. LeBeau’s departure means Washington has a shot at signing Krumrie. The assistant was considered a lock to remain in Buffalo if LeBeau stayed there: Krumrie was a defensive line coach under LeBeau in Cincinnati from 1997 to 2002. Mularkey hasn’t announced his decision on Blackmon and Krumrie. And Gibbs — who is considering New York Giants running back coach Eric Studesville — is eager to find out.’

‘But now, Donahoe has Mularkey and offensive coordinator Tom Clements, formerly the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach, in charge of the offense. Clements was a leading candidate for the same job two years ago, but Williams insisted on hiring Kevin Gilbride. Gilbride has failed to properly fit quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe of the Bills and Kordell Stewart of the Steelers into his offensive system, but Donahoe defended him. “Kevin has gotten a lot of criticism (in Buffalo),” he said, “and it wasn’t all Kevin. I thought there were things that the head coach should have stepped in and controlled better than he controlled it.”‘

‘Dick LeBeau could have joined Mike Mularkey’s coaching staff in Buffalo as the defensive coordinator. If so, he would have had a lesser shadow lurking over his shoulder. Instead, LeBeau chose a similar and, perhaps, a more challenging path with the Steelers, opting to reunite with coach Bill Cowher’s strong personality, notable defensive mind and many more years of experience. Friday, LeBeau become the new coordinator in Pittsburgh, replacing the fired Tim Lewis.’

‘Since Gray has been the coordinator, the Bills have improved from 21st defensively in his first year to 14th in 2002 and second this past season.’

One guess on who could be the most improved player under the Mularkey system: Two-year veteran wide receiver Josh Reed, who caught just 58 passes and scored only two times in ’03, after replacing Peerless Price as a starter

Gray has been the Bills defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. The defense had its best season under Gray in 2003, ranking second overall in the league.

“One of the attractions to me being in Pittsburgh was the fact that philosophically, Bill and I have always been on the same page, and that is to attack,” he said. “We will be a pressure defense and I know the head coach feels that way, too.”