Two Bills Drive

‘With the prospect of the new coach having to hire a new staff, and with Donahoe facing free agent and salary cap concerns in the coming month, it’s anticipated that the Bills will make their selection within the next week.’

‘With University of Miami coach Butch Davis reportedly taking the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job, it seems that Bills general manager Tom Donahoe will have his choice of head coaches now: Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, . . .’

‘Today is the first day of practice at the 2001 Pro Bowl in Honolulu and four Bills will be among the participants in the AFC team workout that will be held at 3:00 PM (ET) at Aloha Stadium. Guard Ruben Brown, wide receiver Eric Moulds and nose tackle Ted Washington are making return trips to the Pro Bowl while linebacker Sam Cowart…’

‘Mike Penner, one of the Times’ two NFL writers, says the Bills are prime candidates to make it to the Super Bowl after being out of the playoffs the year before. He also gives his take on the QB situation, and why Buffalo is better off than Baltimore.’

The pain was just as deep for the 34-year-old Parker, the left guard who joined Cornelius Bennett as the only player to play in lose five Super Bowls. He lost four straight seasons with Buffalo starting in 1991.

‘One afternoon, while meeting with the media, he casually pointed out that he’d been misquoted in the Buffalo paper…which, indeed, he had been. He added that the misquote contained incorrectly constructed phrasing. "I don’t mind if you misquote me," he said, unable to stifle a laugh, "just don’t misquote me using bad grammar."’

‘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."’