Two Bills Drive

‘Williams is Gibbs’s only defensive coach because Gibbs has been stifled by NFL rules that bar a team from interviewing an assistant under contract without receiving permission. Williams, the head coach of the Buffalo Bills the past three seasons, has wanted to hire a slew of his former assistants. He has received permission to interview Bills special teams coach Danny Smith and safeties/ third-down coach Steve Jackson. The Redskins are expected to hire them both this week.’

‘It doesn’t appear Buffalo Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak has interest in the job. Jones said he hasn’t called to accept the team’s offer for an interview.’

‘Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is one of seven candidates to become the next head coach of the Bills. But Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe said last night that he and owner Ralph Wilson are reviewing information and don’t expect to make an announcement today.’

‘Also on Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey withdrew his name from consideration for the Raiders’ job, which came as no surprise. Raiders insiders expect Mularkey to be named the Buffalo Bills’ head coach today and he was never considered to be a serious candidate in Oakland.’

‘Wade Phillips, Atlanta’s defensive coordinator, also has contacted the Raiders through intermediaries to let them know of his interest in the job. Phillips became interim head coach when Dan Reeves was fired by the Falcons before the end of the regular season.’

‘The three likeliest choices to succeed Gregg Williams still appear to be former Chicago head coach Dick Jauron, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.’

‘Personally, I’d take a 78-years-young Marv Levy above all the candidates interviewed so far. If the Washington Redskins can rehire their own re-energized Pro Football Hall of Fame coach in Joe Gibbs, why not Buffalo?’

‘Tom Donahoe has promised a thorough search, which bodes well for both New England coordinators, who are among seven candidates.’

‘Bledsoe has always been a flexible guy, however, and probably could coexist with Weis. But why would the Bills go in that direction when Jauron and Mularkey are available?’

‘Crennel interviewed with five teams for their head coaching vacancies during the bye week, but three of those – the Giants, Falcons and Cardinals – filled their openings. He remains alive with Chicago and Buffalo, although the Bills are said to be favoring Pats offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.’

‘”Pittsburgh is like home for me,” said LeBeau, who is a native of London, Ohio. “People were always exceptionally good to me in that town. They have great sports fans.”‘

‘If Mularkey doesn’t get the Buffalo job, he has an edge in preparing for the Bills, who are one of the Steelers’ opponents in 2004. “I studied a lot of film on them, so I know their personnel pretty well before I go in there (for the interview). So, I can talk about each guy and have a good feel about every guy on the roster and their schemes. They are very close (to succeeding). Their defense got better and was stout at the end of the year. Their offense struggled, and if you can get those two to complement each other and get a little more ball control with the offense, they got a chance. They are not far away at all.”‘

‘Mularkey has emerged as one of the leading candidates to become the head coach with the Buffalo Bills, but it does not appear that is the reason he declined the interview with the Raiders.’

‘It’s considered a good possibility that defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who still is under contract for the coming season, will be back. However, if the new coach has a confidant he wants to bring along as defensive coordinator, Gray could be let out of his contract.’

‘According to other sources, the key question is whether the Bills want their next radio voice also to be their voice in the community, speak to area groups, host TV shows and do public relations. If the Bills decide their voice will hold a full-time job, Murphy’s chances could diminish. He is the sports director at the local ABC affiliate, Channel 7, and certainly is making more money there than the Bills would offer for a full-time position.’