Two Bills Drive

‘However, Williams looms as a serious candidate. He has distinguished himself as the Titans’ defensive leader and has a reputation for having the kind of "chief executive officer" qualities that are an asset to NFL head coaches.’

‘"Michael Vick never signed an agreement with Kelly Enterprises," Lowman said. "Michael Vick signed a player agreement with Joel Enterprises and a marketing agreement with Joel Enterprises."’

‘Buffalo Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe will interview Titans defensive coordinator Greg Williams today in Nashville for Buffalo’s head coaching position.’

‘I was just in a chat room with CBS Sportsline writer Len Pasquarelli and I was asking him about Marvin Lewis. He said that right now Tom Donahoe is very upset… Apparently, either Marvin or some of his associates are leaking the possibility that there is a strong, and I mean strong, possibility that Lewis will be heading to Cleveland in a package deal that would include Ozzie Newsome as well…. If this is the case and I quote "Tom won’t even look any farther and Fox will be the guy".’ [Note: A chat transcript is NOT available to review, so buyer beware.]

‘The survey concluded that Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium… had the second-worst field. Grass fields at the Meadowlands… and Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium ranked third and fourth on the "worst" list. Rounding out the 10 worst were Dallas, Minnesota, Buffalo and New Orleans – all with turf – and Chicago and Miami with grass.’

Despite the title, Mark Cannizzaro can’t help but speculate that Parcells may come to Buffalo next season. Some people will publish anything!

‘Cottrell…is expected to bring highly regarded defensive backs coach Bill Bradley to New York. There also is a possibility linebackers coach Chuck Lester and defensive line coach John Levra may join Cottrell as well. Levra also may opt to retire.’

‘Lewis and Fox, this year’s hot NFL coaching commodities, are top candidates for the head coaching jobs in both Buffalo and Cleveland. Both teams have asked permission to speak with them after Sunday’s game. And both coaches are steadfastly trying to keep their focus on the biggest football game of their lives.’

‘CBS Sportsline.com reported that the Bills might try to withhold Phillips’ salary because, in effect, he resigned after refusing to fire special-teams coach Ronnie Jones. Phillips called that report "bogus."’

‘In addition to seeking a more experienced agent, Vick said another major reason for voiding the deals was he was unhappy with the percentages that were being charged. According to Vick, Kelly was to get 25 percent of his marketing revenue, about 10 percent higher than the norm.’

‘Phillips said yesterday that he reopened his talks with Schottenheimer on Tuesday and indicated he is more comfortable pursuing the job now that his former defensive coordinator in Buffalo, Ted Cottrell, is no longer a candidate.’

‘”[Joe Pendry’s] a guy with a tremendous breadth and understanding of all aspects of offensive play,” Schottenheimer said.’

‘The 42-year-old Williams is also considered by many inside the league to be a candidate for the Bills head coaching position…Titans President Jeff Diamond said yesterday the Bills have not yet formally requested permission to speak to Williams.’

‘"In Buffalo we were always winners. They treated us that way. There was none of the stigma of losing four Super Bowls," said Parker, who played three years with Kansas City before joining the Giants.’

‘”I started talking to other people, I talked to (Washington defensive end) Bruce Smith, and it made me start thinking that I had to find somebody with more experience and class.”‘