Two Bills Drive

‘Finding a person with NFL head coaching experience and experience on the offensive side of the football are high on Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe’s list of criteria after the team regressed offensively last season under Gregg Williams, who was fired last week. Fassel meets both prerequisites.’

‘The only other team that has indicated interest in Coughlin this season has been the Buffalo Bills, who appear to be leaning toward the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, although they also have an interview scheduled with Fassel today.’

‘There were indications the Bills were scheduled to interview Coughlin in Buffalo today, the same day they are scheduled to talk with Fassel. It’s not clear how the Giants’ heavy interest in Coughlin will affect those plans.’

‘Williams, who recently was fired as the Bills’ head coach, is believed to have moved to the head of the list as the favorite, because Tampa Bay assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli might be untouchable. Williams’ attacking style of defense, which had the Bills ranked second in the NFL this season, seems to be a good fit for the way Edwards wants to play.’

‘Fassel today interviews with the Bills in Buffalo, where he’s considered a serious candidate. Fassel also is likely atop the lists at both Washington and Arizona after interviews with those teams last week. Fassel will not, as previously scheduled, interview this week with the Bears. A source said Fassel was angered by erroneous reports that the Bills had already put together an offer and that he was using the Chicago job as leverage.’

‘Fassel is to interview with the Bills today after talking with the Redskins and Cardinals last week.’

‘Fassel has an interview today with the Buffalo Bills and could have a job by tomorrow or Thursday. He has not received any offers yet, but the Cardinals said yesterday that their new coach will come from a list of four candidates that includes Fassel, Crennel, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and former Vikings coach Dennis Green.’

‘With the Bucs dragging their feet, former Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams is the front-runner to replace Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator.’

‘With six other head-coaching jobs open around the league, the Giants seem to have reached a point where they believe waiting is no longer an option. The Bills expect Coughlin to arrive in Buffalo late today to interview for their head-coaching vacancy if talks with the Giants don’t culinate in a contract agreement.’

‘Jones also said the team has spoken with Tom Modrak, but the Buffalo assistant GM hasn’t decided whether he would like to interview. Although Jones would not confirm it, a source said Modrak’s lack of enthusiasm has damaged his standing.’

‘Jones admitted Modrak hasn’t shown great enthusiasm toward scheduling an interview, but that doesn’t mean the Dolphins have lost interest. Jones believes the highly regarded Modrak could have hesitations about vying for a new job at this point in his 27-year career. “He’s a little older than the other candidates, so I’m sure that enters into this process,” Jones said. “He probably is very happy with what he’s doing in Buffalo and, a little like Ron Wolf, isn’t ready to jump out there and make a new commitment.”‘

‘As Bills Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak considers an offer to meet with the Dolphins, Jones stressed that this franchise will not have a weak general manager. “We have talked to Tom and the decision is in his court now,” Jones said. “We’ve told him we’re interested in talking to him. He asked what the job entails and we told him clearly it’s a job with a lot of power.”‘

‘Meanwhile, former Bears coach Dick Jauron interviewed in Buffalo on Monday but is not thought to be a front-runner for the Bills’ job. Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel will interview in Buffalo today and is thought to be the top candidate.’

‘In Buffalo on Monday, the Bills interviewed former Bears coach Dick Jauron, fired by the Bears after a 7-9 season. But the Bills are said to prefer someone with an offensive background, which is why they are most interested in Fassel.’

‘Vikings coach Mike Tice spoke by phone with recently fired Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams about the Vikings’ vacant defensive coordinator position.’