Two Bills Drive

Don’t be surprised, now that Wade Phillips has been hired as the Atlanta DC, if the Falcons switch to a 3-4 front in 2002. The Falcons really like their young LB corps and feel it is one of the club’s few areas of strength. Phillips is also hinting to friends that he will try to pry Buffalo LB Sam Cowart, whom he drafted, away from the Bills in unrestricted free agency

‘Disagreement over the amount of the bonus Cowart would receive upon signing a deal remains the sticking point.’

‘As expected, New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett completed his coaching staff Friday with the hiring of quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard, a former offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.’

‘It is possible Clements could reject an offer from the Bills, too, and return to the Steelers, where he would be next in line to become offensive coordinator should Mike Mularkey receive a head coaching offer from another NFL team.’

‘The Falcons hace received permission to talk to Buffalo director of football operations Tom Modrak, who spent three years in the same position in Philadelphia and is largely responsible for assembling the current Eagles squad.’

Levy spent much of Friday attempting to reach several Buccaneers officials to offer his services as head coach. His rationale: He would serve as coach only for the 2002 campaign, then step aside following the season, permitting the Bucs to hire current Oakland coach Jon Gruden, who will become a free agent after next season.

Hunter is currently in the ICU with pneumonia – both lungs had collapsed and were full of fluid. He is a fighter and is doing a little better today but is not out of the woods yet. The Kelly family would like you to keep him in your prayers, and if any of you are involved in a prayer network, to include Hunter. We thank you and will keep you posted on any changes. May God Bless You All.

ESPN.com has learned that, after striking out with 4 of 5 possible candidates for the newly defined role of general manager, new owner Arthur Blank has received permission to interview Buffalo Bills director of football operations Tom Modrak for the job. Bills president Tom Donahoe confirmed Friday he has granted a request by the Falcons to meet with Modrak, one of the league’s premier talent evaluators. “My priority is to try to keep him here,” Modrak said, “but it’s a good opportunity and I have to let him pursue it. He has wanted to be a general manager for a while now.”

He’s back at the position he held a year ago, QB Coach.

‘Former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Mike Sheppard has emerged as the leading candidate to become quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints. Team officials are expected to announce Sheppard’s hiring as early as today.’

‘Williams said he has spoken with roughly 30 candidates.’

‘"It hasn’t been decided," Clements said. "It will play out as it plays out." Before arriving in Hawaii, Clements met with Coughlin and other Jaguars officials over the weekend. He refused to say last night if he had been in further contact with Coughlin since that meeting. "I don’t want to talk about it," he said. Coughlin also interviewed with the Buffalo Bills last week for their offensive coordinator job. The Bills also have been in contact with former Steelers offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and former Indiana University head coach Cam Cameron.’

‘Clements, 48, also is being courted by the Buffalo Bills to become their offensive coordinator, and Steelers coach Bill Cowher hopes to keep Clements in Pittsburgh as a potential down-the-line replacement for current offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey…One of the lures of the Jaguars’ job is that coach Tom Coughlin is offering near-total autonomy over the offense, Clements confirmed last night.’

‘Kelly, the first USFL player to make the Hall of Fame, is dedicating his honor to his son, Hunter, who turns five next week. The boy has the rare and deadly Krabbe’s disease, and doctors had told Kelly his son wouldn’t live past 14 months with the disease, which attacks the white matter of the brain.’

Stories on those players among others at spring turkey camp.