Two Bills Drive

“We’re kind of doing a trial run, to see if he’s going to hold up,” Mularkey said of Wyche on Thursday. “We’ve put him through a grind of talking a lot and being involved in all of our meetings. We’ll ask him his opinion on this or that, and really are just gauging how he feels at the end of each day.”Wyche in recent years has dealt with both a rare heart condition, one in which the organ suffers from a lack of oxygen, and the misfortune of having one vocal cord accidentally cut during surgery.

‘Basically the head coach and the coaching staff have a big influence on my play and how I present myself in practice week-to-week as an offensive guy and a return guy. I am a receiver. I do kickoff return as a specialist. I practice with the receivers all day.’

‘Buffalobills.com has searched the internet and flipped through numerous draft publications to compile a list of mock draft picks for the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Although the site recently joined TheInsiders.com, a fan-site network that’s partnered with Yahoo! Sports, Sports Illustrated and CBS SportsLine, the site’s staff and writers are denied official access to Bills players and press events. Scott Berchtold, vice president of communications for the Bills, said the main reason the team withholds access from non-traditional media is a “credibility issue.” “When information gets out there that isn’t accurate and puts a negative emphasis on things, it can sometimes be a little tough for the team,” said Berchtold, who pointed to false rumors surrounding the team’s recent search for a head coach. Berchtold said he and his staff try to direct fans to the team’s official site, BuffaloBills.com, for news and information.’

‘Coach/manager – Sabres 72nd and Bills 121st (Gregg Williams was rated dead last).’

The 2004 free agent period for the NFL begins on March 3 and the Bills have a total of 12 players that are either categorized as a EFA, RFA or UFA this offseason. Below is a complete list of Buffalo’s 2004 free agents, broken down into their respective categories.

‘Steve Szabo, who was a teammate and classmate of Roger Staubach at the Naval Academy and went on to a 34-year career as a college and pro coach, will be the Buffalo Bills’ new defensive backs coach.’

‘New coach Mike Mularkey, the former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, was hired for his past skill in blending the run and the pass. “We believe in what we believe and we know it’ll work,” Donahoe said. “We just have to stay consistent with our philosophy and our plan and do it better.”‘

‘The only staff opening left is quarterbacks coach, and Mularkey has interviewed ex-Cincinnati and Tampa Bay head coach Sam Wyche. He may also hire a special assistant.’

‘Van Miller, the longtime voice of the Bills, is recuperating in a Buffalo hospital following surgery for diverticulitis and will not attend Thursday’s Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions dinner.’

‘New head coach Mike Mularkey will open up the offense with gadget plays and fun not seen in these parts since the K-Gun offense of the late ’80s and early ’90s. This team is fully capable of reaching the postseason party.’

‘But while the Patriots o-line improved and Weis’ offensive system was the right one for his personnel, the Bills crashed and burned with the wrong system for the wrong personnel, and Bledsoe became the focal point of the criticism. While some of that criticism was certainly deserved, Bledsoe was by no means the main problem in 2003.’

‘Mularkey’s staff is all but complete, depending on whether he hires a quarterbacks coach. Former Cincinnati and Tampa Bay head coach Sam Wyche is being considered for that job.’

‘Szabo replaces Steve Jackson, who left to join Gregg Williams in Washington.’

‘Szabo (pronounced ZAY-bo) spent this past season as a volunteer assistant coach with the New England Patriots. Prior to that he coached linebackers with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1994-02 under Tom Coughlin and in 2004 he will be entering his 35th season in coaching.’