Two Bills Drive

‘Cowart…said Thursday he doesn’t know much about Williams, but is well aware of the talent on the Titans’ defense. "They were full of athletes, guys who make big plays," Cowart said. "Hopefully, he can bring that mentality over to Buffalo. We weren’t a bad defense, but we can get better in some areas, and I’m sure he’s the guy for that."’

‘So . . . Williams might not be in Buffalo today if it weren’t for Frank Reich & Co. in 1993.’

‘See, in Buffalo, no one really cares whether you’re black or white, qualified or unqualified, paid well or poorly. There’s only one thing they really want to know: Are you a Flutie guy or a Johnson guy?’

‘Call it racism on Buffalo’s part if you want, but bad timing’s more like it, at least where it concerns Lewis.’

‘Anderson said he and Lewis became suspicious about the Bills’ hiring process rather quickly. At no point was there any indication from Donahoe that Lewis would meet team owner Ralph Wilson, tour the city of Buffalo or the team’s facilities, or talk contract parameters, Anderson said.’

‘But the greatest injustice might be that Lewis and Fox only got to interview with one of the nine teams that sought a head coach at some point since the start of the 2000 season, thanks to an NFL rule prohibiting assistants from interviewing for other jobs while their teams are still alive in the playoffs.’

‘"How did Buffalo not hire Marvin Lewis?" said [Blaine] Bishop, shaking his head. "They did two things: They took our coach, and they let Baltimore keep their guy. I don’t what to say. I’m pretty much speechless."’

‘Giants officials had been rooting for Fox to get the Bills’ job on a personal level, but they were notably apprehensive about the consequences of his departure.’

‘John Fox didn’t get the job as coach of the Bills, and that, of course, is good news for the Giants. As much as the people around him were rooting for Fox, they didn’t want to lose their highly acclaimed defensive coordinator.’

‘The hiring of Butch Davis in Cleveland shook up the Buffalo situation, as it was believed that Lewis was next in line with the Browns.’

‘There have been reports the Bills’ modest compensation package turned off high-profile coaches such as Fox and Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis.’

‘Fox said he thought assistant coaches of the two Super Bowl teams were at a disadvantage as far as seeking head coaching jobs. Most openings are filled before Super Bowl assistants like he and Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis even can interview.’

‘Sources in Buffalo suggest that Donahoe was disturbed by a perceived playing off of Cleveland against Buffalo by Lewis’ agent.’

‘Fisher has given Williams, 42, permission to talk to Titans secondary coach Jerry Gray and defensive assistant Ronnie Vinklarek. Both are likely to join Williams’ staff in Buffalo, with Gray as defensive coordinator.’

‘Under Williams, the Titans finished first in the NFL in several categories, including fewest yards allowed this past season.’