Two Bills Drive

‘What a crappy business, this NFL. The Bills fire Wade Phillips after he posted the best start in the first three seasons of any Buffalo head coach’s tenure. If winning is the bottom line, all Phillips did was go 29-21 (.580).’

‘Shortly after 11 a.m., the team confirmed a story that broke late Sunday … "Bills President Ralph Wilson released Wade Phillips as head coach of the team … "’

‘"Buffalo special teams’ record was among the worst in the National Football League last season,\" Wilson said Monday. "I felt we needed a change and that my request was reasonable. … I did not want to release Wade but his refusal left me with no option."’

‘Wade Phillips refused to fire special teams coach Ronnie Jones and it cost him his job.’

‘Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips was fired late Sunday night by owner Ralph Wilson. His unwillingness to make changes in his assistant coaching staff was reportedly a factor in Wilson’s decision.’

‘Bills assistant coaches whose jobs could be on the line include offensive co-ordinator Joe Pendry, special teams coach Ronnie Jones and offensive line coach Carl Mauck. All three are close friends of Phillips.’

‘Wade Phillips’ three-year head-coaching tenure with the Buffalo Bills will end Monday. Team owner Ralph Wilson is expected to announce Phillips’ firing, in a move that was not expected to be decided until Buffalo filled its vacant general manager position.’

‘Apparently, a new general manager isn’t the only thing the Buffalo Bills need.’

‘Phillips’ reluctance to fire some of his assistant coaches apparently led to his dismissal. The team has no comment at this time.’

‘And late Sunday night, it became the bitter end for Phillips, who was dismissed by the Bills after he steadfastly declined to make staffing changes suggested by owner Ralph Wilson last week and then reiterated in the past 48 hours.’

‘"We have no comment at this time," said Scott Berchtold, Bills vice president of communications.’

‘They look at me like I’m crazy, or making the whole thing up. They don’t understand how anyone could go to the extremes that a Bills fan will go to in order to feel like part of a team.’

PFW recently wrote, "Some Bills observers are beginning to be concerned over wide receiver Eric Moulds’ impending free agency. These sources say it is not absolute that Moulds will return to Buffalo, especially if offensive coordinator Joe Pendry remains." Listening to talk radio and reading the Stadium Wall message board, Moulds may not be the only person not present in RWS next season if Pendry remains. Some fans may elect to stay away too!

‘Phillips was happy being a defensive coordinator, but his dream was to be a head coach again. He insisted he didn’t come to Buffalo to be Levy’s successor. But that’s what happened shortly after Levy announced his retirement on Jan. 31, 1998.’

‘The firing apparently was a result of Phillips’ refusal to release three of his assistant coaches – offensive coordinator Joe Pendry, offensive line coach Carl Mauck and special teams coach Ronnie Jones.’