Two Bills Drive

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston: “two highly ranked Ravens officials said yesterday that Lewis and the Bills are each their No. 1 choices and want to make the deal happen.” Preston also speculates that Lewis will bring with him “secondary coach Donnie Henderson and Chip Morton, the Ravens’ assistant strength and conditioning coach.” Finally, Preston also notes that “when he first came to Baltimore, Lewis tried to teach the ex-Browns the Steelers’ way. Big mistake. In the past two seasons, he has won over the players.”

‘In Buffalo, Fox’ main competition will come from Marvin Lewis, the Ravens defensive coordinator. Fox has extremely strong ties with Tom Donahoe, who was recently hired as the Bills general manager, from their days together in Pittsburgh. Lewis also has ties to Donahoe and the Steelers.’

‘Lewis is considered the front-runner in Buffalo because he worked with new Bills GM Tom Donahoe during his 14-year tenure in Pittsburgh. Black assistants are no longer being interviewed by strangers, a factor that should help minorities gain a fair chance in the process.’

‘So far, the score is Marvin Lewis 3, John Fox 2, in the matchup of Super Bowl defensive coordinators. That’s three head coaching interviews lined up for Lewis and two for Fox after the Super Bowl.’

‘Ted Cottrell, the new assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, has a three-year contract that allows him to opt out if he is offered the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job, for which he already has interviewed.’

‘"We don’t want to lose him because he’s a great coach, but this has been his dream and we want him to have his dream. He’d make a great had coach, I think everyone knows that. You see how he prepares us each week. There are a lot of teams in the league who could use a head coach like John Fox."’

‘It has been reported that Cottrell has an out clause in his contract in case Buffalo wants to hire him as its head coach. But the Bills also will interview both Super Bowl defensive coordinators — the Giants’ John Fox and Baltimore’s Marvin Lewis — early next week.’

They are really cleaning house [at OBD]. They are downsizing and even let Adam Lingner go. He was one of the most visable PR types in the office. We [the Booster Club] will meet the new GM at the April meeting. I did ask about the injuries and there were a lot of offseason surgeries. We talked salary cap issues with someone inside the organization, but not in control. He fears that the older, well paid guys are going to get the chance to test the waters. Hansen, Washington, Jones, Fina were just some of the names mentioned. Also it is almost a shoe in that the Ravens man [Marvin Lewis] is our head coach and Ted Cottrell is #3 man on the list. It was mentioned that Eric Moulds may end up in New Orleans where he will be close to home.

‘Lewis and Fox are up for the head coaching job in Buffalo, with both expected to be interviewed by the Bills next week, and Lewis is the early favorite.’

Mr. King seems to think that the Bills will NOT land Marvin Lewis. Here is a quote from his article: "I think the more I hear about coaching vacancies in the NFL right now, the more I think Marvin Lewis will sign with Cleveland a week from today for the most money and the most responsibility he can get from any of the teams still with an opening."

‘Cottrell wants to be a head coach, and figures taking a high profile defensive coordinator position in the media capital of the world could help him take the next step.’

’14. Buffalo Bills – LB – Dan Morgan – Miami (Fla.)

The Bills will focus on their offensive line and defense this spring. Morgan is a very savvy defensive player who has played both inside and outside. He should be able to adjust to Buffalo’s 3-4 scheme and start as a rookie.’

‘Many of the Bills’ coaches are leaving now. It’s a mass exodus and it’s kind of sad. Ted Cottrell took the Jets’ defensive coordinator position and also became an assistant head coach. He had the chance to be the Redskins’ defensive coordinator…’

‘With two offers on the table, Cottrell couldn’t afford to wait for Donahoe to make a decision on a job he might not have gotten anyway. In addition, being an assistant head coach will make him a more attractive head-coaching candidate in the future.’

‘Ted Cottrell is a New York Jet.’