Two Bills Drive

‘Smith’s best fit likely would have been with the Falcons and general manager Rich McKay, who was with Smith when he coached linebackers with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ”Lovie Smith is going to get a head coaching job,” offensive tackle Kyle Turley said.’

‘Both coaches of course are close to Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who hired them when he was head coach of the Bills.’

‘Depending on Donahoe’s level of interest, the Bills search could extend into next month after the Super Bowl if the Patriots and/or Rams make it that far. Where any of the three candidates rank on the Bills’ list is uncertain. But that Donahoe has yet to make his selection while four other teams have already hired a new coach this past week is an indication that at least one of the still-employed assistants is in the running.’

‘The Bills have granted the Washington Redskins permission to interview special teams coach Danny Smith and safeties/3rd down specialist coach Steve Jackson. Both coaches are currently under contract with Buffalo.’

‘As the Bills continue to search for a new head coach, a team official said this week a decision has not been made on whether prices will increase for 2004.’

‘Donahoe is strongly considering Weis, who developed such stars as Curtis Martin, Ben Coates and Tom Brady. If New England (14-2), which has home-field advantage throughout the postseason, advances all the way to the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, Donahoe said he’d be willing to wait it out. “If it’s the right guy and you feel you have to wait, then you better wait,” he said.’

‘Although Gibbs did not specify the problems, new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams — recently fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills — is expected to try obtaining at least two former assistants: defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, possibly to coach the secondary, and defensive line coach Tim Krumrie. Gibbs noted that assistant coaches whose bosses had been fired were not free to seek other jobs if they were still under contract to their teams.’

‘The Redskins’ hiring of Williams as defensive coordinator might have been their biggest coup. Despite a failed three-year stint as head coach in Buffalo, Williams was in high demand this week for his defensive prowess…”I have some real good friends who coached with him,” Gibbs said. “It’s one of those things where you kind of know his reputation. And when he became available, I think almost everybody was talking to him.”‘

‘Dick LeBeau is returning to the Steelers, at least for an interview.’

‘”(Donahoe) has a tough decision, I think,” Mularkey said, “because there are a lot of coaches who are qualified to do it.”‘

‘Coughlin also is interested in hiring Dick Jauron, his former defensive coordinator in Jacksonville, but the Giants won’t make a move until the Bills head coaching situation is finalized. Jauron is a candidate in Buffalo.’

‘The Bills have interviewed seven people, and there have been reports Fassel had a mediocre interview with them. Among the other top candidates are Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and former Bears coach Dick Jauron, whom Coughlin hopes to interview to be his defensive coordinator.’

‘Fassel is still a candidate in Buffalo but is said to be trailing former Bears coach Dick Jauron, a favorite of Bills ownership.’

‘”The University of Texas is secondary right now because I am in the NFL and in the process,” said Gray, who interviewed with Buffalo for its vacant head coaching position Monday. “The opportunity to become a head coach in the NFL at 41 is something special.”‘

‘The Dolphins said Tom Modrak, Buffalo’s assistant general manager, hasn’t decided if he’s interested in the job.’