Two Bills Drive

‘The urgency of a quick decision by the Bills was lessened somewhat by Cleveland’s choice of Butch Davis as its head coach on Monday. The Bills now are the only NFL team searching for a head coach. But given the fact teams still are in competition for quality assistant coaches, Donahoe is unlikely to want much delay in the decision.’

‘"If John gets the Buffalo job, I’ll be the most happy for him," Giants Coach Jim Fassel said. "He deserves it. He’s also got a good job now."’

‘Before Davis was hired, most speculation around the NFL had Fox getting either the Browns or Bills job, with Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis getting the other. Lewis is considered the frontrunner for the Buffalo spot. He interviewed with Donahoe on Monday.’

‘Where it once looked as if Fox was the favorite for the job, he now could be viewed as something of a longshot.’

‘Until the Browns hired Davis, it appeared that Fox and Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis would split the two openings. But it now looks as if one will get the Buffalo job and the other will remain in his current job for 2001. Lewis interviewed Monday, and Fox was set to meet Bills president Tom Donahoe yesterday.’

‘"If things don’t work out, I’ve got a great job with a great organization right here," Fox said. "I’ve been trying to prepare myself my whole career to become a head coach, but if I went the rest of my career as a defensive coordinator, it wouldn’t be suicidal for me."’

‘Fox met with new Buffalo general manager Tom Donahoe on Tuesday at Donahoe’s home in Pittsburgh as the Bills look to fill the only head coaching opening left in the NFL. He and fellow defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis of Baltimore and Gregg Williams of Tennessee are the finalists for the job.’

‘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.’