‘The Bills snagged 52-year-old Tom Donahoe as their general manager finally. Owner Ralph Wilson Jr. signed him today and will have a news conference Friday to introduce Donahoe to the public.’
BillsBeat - January 10, 2001
For Flutie, it's all about playing
‘With Johnson’s history of injuries, Flutie knows Buffalo may be his best chance to play. Is there an NFL team ballsy enough to give a 38-year-old QB a starting job? Not likely. Too bad.’
Phillips plans to interview for Texans job
‘"Houston is home for me. I went to the University of Houston and I coached with my dad with the Oilers during the glory days, so to speak," Phillips told Houston television station KRIV.’
No hello means goodbye for Wade
‘"We played so many young players this year who are going to be solid next year," Phillips said. "There are a lot of good coaches who can do a good job, a lot of GMs. I’m sure Ralph will hire those people. This has been a strong, winning franchise and I think it’ll continue to be. I’m just sad it’s not with me."’
Life goes on
‘"Our problems on special teams were pretty simple," he said. "It was speed getting down the field and the lack of ability to get off blocks and make a tackle. When we had breakdowns, that’s where the breakdowns were."’
Phillips' dad backs Wade's principles
‘"When he lost Bruce Smith, Thomas Smith, Gabe Northern and Kurt Schulz from the defense before the season, I told him he was in for a rough time. Then, he gets his team to 7-4, and he loses four more starters from his defense. Four pretty good starters, too. Those are some tough obstacles to overcome."’
Pendry a consideration for Bucs job
Don Banks, reporter for Sports Illustrated, made a passing comment in his column today that Joe Pendry may be in consideration to replace the recently fired Les Steckel in Tampa Bay. Steckel was the Bucs offensive coordinator for only one year. Banks said Head Coach Tony Dungy will take his time in finding Steckel’s replacement.
Phillips said he offered to reassign assistant before being fired
‘"I do want to say that I did offer to change special teams coaches because I did feel like it was my responsibility and my fault that I brought in a guy who didn’t have any experience with special teams,” Phillips said.’
Cottrell is players' choice for Buffalo's vacant coaching position
‘"He’s been around this business a long time and I think he’s ready to step up and be a head coach. So, hopefully, it’ll go to Ted Cottrell."’
BILLS REACH AGREEMENT WITH DONAHOE
‘Donahoe, 53, was widely viewed around the NFL as the top general manager candidate on the market.’
PHILLIPS SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL
‘”I did feel like it was my responsibility and my fault that I brought in a guy who didn’t have any experience with special teams,” Phillips said two days after being fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.’
JONES HOPES BILLS' STINT DOESN'T RUIN HIS SELF-IMAGE
‘”The only thing I can contend is I know I can coach football,” Jones said. “I probably will never coach special teams again. But I feel like I’m a good football coach. Our last three years in Philadelphia (from 1988-90) we were 31-17. I went to the Houston Oilers and we were 12-4 and won the AFC Central. I went to Arizona, and my first year there we were third in the NFL on defense.’
WILSON'S TEFLON IS WEARING THIN
‘But Wilson outdid himself Monday in an interview with The News. Once again, he came across as out of touch and in a state of denial about his responsibility for his team’s failures.’
BillsBeat - January 9, 2001
A miracle he stayed this long
‘Phillips will never again be offered a head coaching job in the NFL. In fact, if he ever does receive and accept another bid, I will eat this column.’
Phillips given bum's rush
‘Phillips was not a complete disaster as a coach. Most of his players liked him and he usually had his players ready. It was on game day that he most often fell short.’