‘"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."’
BillsBeat - January 10, 2001
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.’
Loyalty costs Phillips his job
‘"He told us, ‘They’re going to get me eventually and it’s because I’m loyal,’ " said backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt, referring to Phillips’ pregame speech in the locker room before the Bills’ final game at Seattle Dec. 23.’
Cottrell lets credentials speak
‘However, as of yesterday, Cottrell had not heard from owner Ralph Wilson and the highly respected career assistant was going ahead with plans to interview with the expansion Houston Texans tomorrow for their vacancy.’
Patient Donahoe unfazed by changes
‘"This is unexpected, but it’s something that Mr. Wilson has to deal with today," said Donahoe when asked about Phillips’ dismissal. "We’ll see where it goes."’
Phillips pays for choosing friends
‘I would have asked Wade Phillips to fire not only special-teams coach Ronnie Jones, but also offensive coordinator Joe Pendry and offensive-line coach Carl Mauck.’
Phillips' decisions left Wilson with little choice
‘My report card on Wade Phillips: Overall record — B.’