Two Bills Drive

‘Phillips returned to his home in East Amherst, N.Y., early yesterday after spending much of Monday with Schottenheimer. Phillips is a proven NFL defensive coordinator and also has been the head coach of the Denver Broncos, and he appeared to emerge as the Redskins’ front-runner.’

‘The sooner a decision is made, the better, said Ray Anderson, Lewis’ agent…"I think by the end of [today], or [tomorrow] morning at the latest, a firm decision would be made. "You’ve got a coaching staff to get together, and Cleveland is already out hustling their staff. Coaches are not sitting around forever."’

‘It’s been learned that the final four candidates have been told a decision will be made today or tomorrow, at the latest.’

‘Sources in Cleveland tell a different story, though, surmising that the feeling there was that Lewis would be taking the Bills’ job, even if they threw from 2-3 million per season at him.’

‘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.’