Two Bills Drive

‘The Bills are the only team in the NFL with a head-coaching vacancy in the wake of Butch Davis’ appointment Monday as Cleveland Browns head coach. That appears to put most of the negotiating cards in the hands of Donahoe, who now has his pick of the top coaching candidates on the market.’

‘I’d also like to admit that I was wrong about something. Judging from the ugliest Super Bowl of all time, the Bills can’t be that far away from the Big Enchilada themselves.’

‘Ravens owner Art Modell, vice president Ozzie Newsome and coach Brian Billick have braced for Lewis’ departure and even helped clear a path — producing a résumé videotape and prepping him for the interview process.’

‘"It’s going to be difficult to leave if the opportunity arises," Lewis said. "But I feel ready to handle a head-coaching job."’

‘Fox, 45, declined comment Monday, a day after the 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. Last week, he admitted to being excited about the interview, although he didn’t want the process to become a distraction before the game.’

‘It means president and general manager Tom Donahoe can chose between NFL defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis and John Fox — who were on the Browns’ wish list at one point — without the pressure of a bidding situation.’

‘Phillips remains the team’s leading candidate, and Redskins Coach Marty Schottenheimer said he expects a hire to be made within 48 hours. However, Phillips would not say definitively whether he wants to coach at all in 2001, and Schottenheimer did not rule out a subsequent interview with candidate Vince Tobin, former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.’

‘Former NFL coach Wade Phillips underwent a lengthy interview yesterday for the Washington Redskins’ vacant defensive coordinator position, and Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer said the club would fill the post within two days.’

Cottrell recently took the coordinator’s job with the New York Jets, but would rejoin the Bills if offered the head coaching job. Although he has not formally been scratched, it’s believed Williams is no longer a candidate in Buffalo. Donahoe is scheduled to interview Fox today…."Buffalo may be the better fit," [Lewis’ agent Ray] Anderson said. "We believe Marvin is unequivocally the best candidate."’

‘Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe was in Baltimore on Monday to interview Marvin Lewis, defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Donahoe was scheduled to meet with New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox on Tuesday.’

Peter King makes the Buffalo Bills his early, early, early, pick for the Super Bowl: "Saints 22 Bills 21."

The article says "The team must determine what else a new stadium would be used for and whether Colts fans would come to games at an outdoor stadium when the weather turns cold." Indy fans, afterall, must be coddled…..

‘If Sunday’s game was a head-coaching audition for Buffalo, it looks as if Ravens’ defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis will be the Bills’ new boss. The consolation prize figures to go to the Giants’ John Fox, who looms as Cleveland’s next coach. Unless, of course, those roles are reversed.’

Oh, how the tide can shift so quickly…. "Butch Davis, who repeatedly said he had no desire to leave the Univeristy of Miami, resigned today with the Hurricanes to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns."

Referring to unnamed sources, the article says the Browns have been talking money in clandestine discussions with Ray Anderson, Lewis’ agent. The Browns are afraid of Lewis turning his back on them and are attempting to attract him with an offer too good to refuse, they say. While common in the NFL, such talks are against league rules.

Tom Donahoe, new president of the Bills, is irate that conversation between the Browns and Anderson could be taking place. He believes Anderson is trying to create a bidding war for Lewis, and he wants no part of it.