Inside The Bills

Other interviews to come

Bills owner Ralph Wilson told the Associated Press that the Bills would take the necessary time to find their head coach and not rush to judgment. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter there are more candidates to be interviewed this week.

Here is Schefter’s latest take on the coaching search situation, in which he mentioned that Bill Cowher will not coach the Bills in his opinion. Personally, I think if Cowher was interested he would already have been named head coach. Brian Billick is also not a candidate per Schefter.

“While questions continue to swirl about the Buffalo Bills head-coaching job, certain candidates’ names can being to be crossed off. Bill Cowher is not going to be the Bills next head coach, no matter how much money the franchise has offered him, according to league sources. Brian Billick never was considered once Buffalo hired new general manager Buddy Nix, sources said. But Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is said to have had a highly impressive interview.

Buffalo still is planning on conducting more interviews with more coaches involved in the playoffs, and their outlook always could change, but heading into the start of the postseason, Frazier is the temporary leader in the clubhouse.

Also, Buffalo’s interim head coach Perry Fewell is said to have had a more impressive interview than many realize. Buffalo has other assistant coaches it still wants to interview, but those coaches are involved in the playoffs and the Bills have not had access to them yet.”

Among those candidates currently working for other clubs that have been mentioned include Arizona assistant head coach Russ Grimm, Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer, San Diego DC Ron Rivera and Eagles DC Sean McDermott.

Tasker’s future HOF chances

Bills Wall of Famer Steve Tasker did not make the finalist list for the 2010 Pro Football HOF class. And according to SI.com’s Peter King it’s going to take a lot to gét him enshrined.

King was asked on his twitter account the following and provided a short response.

SI_PeterKing: RT @brian_benedict: What do we have to do to get Steve Tasker elected to the HoF? … Pray. Hard.

King is on the HOF voting committee so he know the lanscape of the room and voters affinity for or apathy about special teams players.

Truthfully I think former Oakland punter Ray Guy may have to get in first for Tasker to have a real chance, right or wrong. And Guy did not make the finalist list either this year.

I just fear some voters will never equate special teams performance on par with offense and defense.

What those voters need to know is Tasker was a player that proved the doubters wrong and showed that special teams can not only change games, but win them.

Cowher interest hard to figure

There’s a wide ranging set of opinions as to how interested Bill Cowher is in the Buffalo head coaching vacancy. The Associated Press, in contact with Bills owner Ralph Wilson asked him for his take on it.

Wilson was quoted by the AP as saying, “You’d have to ask him.” in reference to Cowher’s interest.

The AP also said that Wilson stated that the team will not rush the process of hiring a head coach and would not provide a timetable. He also told the AP that he does not have a preference for a coach with an offensive or defensive background.

Frazier will interview for Seattle job

Vikings defensive coordinator has apparently had a change of heart as he will in fact interview for the Seahawks head coaching post.

Frazier will interview with the Seahawks on Saturday. That according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. So it appears the Bills do in fact have competition if they covet Frazier’s services as a head coach.

Frazier initially declined the interview request because with reports that the Seahawks top choice is USC coach Pete Carroll, Frazier thought the Seahawks only requested an interview with him to satisfy the Rooney Rule, which states at least one minority candidate must be interviewed when an NFL team is hiring a new head coach.

This is the seventh NFL team that Frazier is interviewing for in the last three years.

Reed will again have uphill battle

While it’s great news that Andre Reed is a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the fourth straight time, getting in this time around may prove to be the most difficult task yet.

The pool of candidates this year is even deeper than years past.

Also on the list at the receiver position alone is Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Cris Carter, all of whom have superior statistics to Reed. Carter was a finalist with Reed last year and did not get in either.

Add in the fact that the second all-time leading receiver at the tight end position is also a finalist in Shannon Sharpe along with all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, who is a lock, and the deck is stacked against Reed maybe more than it ever has been in the past.  Unfortunately it is both a statistics and numbers game at the receiver position.

Voters factor the numbers in heavily and there is a contingent that believes there are already too many receivers in the Hall of Fame. Rice is a lock, but with a maximum of five modern era inductees (7 including the senior nominees) and a minimum of four inductees total, I’ll be surprised if there are two receivers this year, and there’s no way that there are three.  

I fear that Andre is going to be waiting another year… again.

Pete Carroll early Seahawks priority

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, USC head coach Pete Carroll is the name at the top of the Seattle Seahawks list for their vacant head coaching job.

Here is Mortensen’s recent twitter post.

mortreport Pete Carroll is the guy Seahawks are targeting. It is expected to happen, according to sources. Just reported to ESPN 10 minutes ago.
1 minute ago from web

Names being mentioned for Seahawks job

It’s all speculation at this point, but here are some of the names being thrown out there for the now vacant Seahawks head coaching post.

Obviously Bill Cowher and John Fox’s names have come up. But also Brian Billick, Jim Fassel (UFL), Kevin Gilbride (NYG OC) and Marty Mornhinweg (Phil. OC). Those names courtesy of ESPN’s NFL Insider rumor page.

Frazier turns down Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks made an immediate request to the Vikings for permission to speak with their defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier just hours after firing Jim Mora, knowing Minnesota had a playoff bye this week. The answer they got surprised them.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that Frazier declined to interview with the Seahawks.

Now the main reason why he declined could be due to the fact that the team has no general manager, so without knowing who is really in charge and what the management structure is for the Seahawks it looks like an unstable situation to become a part of. That’s not appealing particularly for a first time NFL head coach. Mortensen however, did say that Frazier did not want to be a Rooney rule interview, which apparently he thought he was with reports that Pete Carroll is the eary frontrunner for the job.

Of course there’s also speculation out there now that Frazier turning down Seattle means he’s a finalist for the Bills head coaching position where the team’s management structure is in place. Frazier interviewed for the Bills head coaching job on Thursday. Only time will tell.

Fan Friday 1-8

Fan Friday 1-8
First offseason Fan Friday as the coaching search is in full swing. If you have any questions for me you can email me at AskChris@bills.nfl.net. Here we go.

1. Hey Chris, just a couple Bills-related things on my mind…

First, as you mentioned in your blog post Fitz QB Status, Fitzpatrick is clearly not the starting QB… so has the organization just given up completely on Edwards?  Can (will) we trade him?  Do you know (and can you say) if this is a decision straight from the top? 

I just don’t understand it, really… even though I don’t think Trent will be the long term answer that I hoped he’d be… he seems better than the other options.  (Unless we just admit we’re playing for next year and give Brohm a shot, which you already said they won’t do…)  Craziness!

CB: I think Trent’s fate will be determined by the new head coach. GM Buddy Nix has said he will not make any personnel moves without the new head coach getting an opportunity to evaluate the roster and see who might fit his vision and who does not.

So the possibility exists that he will be back in 2010 and the possibility exists that he will be gone. It rests in the hands of the new head coach.

2. Obviously, the Bills have a lot of holes to fill after the season.  However, the position that seems to be of most importance is the interior of the defensive line.  Marcus Stroud is not anywhere close to the player he use to be.  Kyle Williams and Spencer Johnson make plays but are smaller and are better at penetrating with their quickness, they wont be able to eat up blockers. 

How much of the Bills porous run defense can be attributed to the fact that Stroud is getting pushed around fairly easily every play? 

People are always knocking Posluszny, but when blockers are able to get on him, he isn’t free to roam around and make tackles.  I think the biggest priority in the off-season is to find a clog in the middle of that line. 

I know people say we need a QB, but if you can’t stop the opponents run game your not going to win too many games.  What are your thoughts?
 
Nick in Albany

CB: I’ve always been a big believer in getting your big men first on both sides of the ball. In defense of Marcus Stroud he played most of the season hurt (ankle, knee, neck), so if he didn’t look as explosive as he did last season, there’s your answer. The guy gutted it out in a lost season so I give him a lot of credit for that.

That being said I do believe a DT prospect would be a good add especially this year with such a strong DT class. However, offensive tackle and quarterback are ahead of that on my priority list. The offense is much further behind the defense. It takes priority even though I agree that bolstering the DT position is necessary.

I’m just not convinced the Bills are going to spend big in free agency to land a proven left tackle like a Marcus McNeill, especially in an uncapped year where there could be even more bidding wars between teams.

I think because the DT class is deeper than the OT class that you get your OT first and hope you can get at DT that can play right away in round 2. The DT class just got deeper this week with UCLA’s Brian Price declaring.
 
3. Hey Chris,
I think the bills should really consider going hard after Tarvaris Jackson in the off-season. I really think since coming back from injury late last season that he really has turned a corner. In the last four games of last season he was 3-1 and threw for 8td’s-1int. This year as a backup he’s 10-15, 159yards, 1td as a backup. I think he could be the answer for the bills at quarterback not Micheal Vick like some people are speculating and not Brian Brohm.

I think they should also go really hard after an elite young wide reciever like Brandon Marshall if the broncos don’t franchise him. I think the bills should then draft two big offensive tackles.

Maybe Trade Lee Evans to San Fran to get one of their first rounders so they can draft an OT and a DT in the first round. Since we have James Hardy and Steve Johnson at wide reciever. If we sign Brandon Marshall, we can play Hardy as the number two receiver and Johnson in the slot. What do you think?
Rocky

CB: Well that’s a lot you’ve put on the table there. First, the quarterback situation. To me it’s looking more and more like an answer at quarterback might more likely come via trade, and not the draft. There are some respectable prospects, but I don’t know that there’s one you could put on the field right away and give the keys to the offense. So I think trading for a QB is a realistic possibility.

You’d have to pay a king’s ransom to get Kevin Kolb out of Philly so Tarvaris Jackson would come at a lesser price and if your new staff is installing a West Coast offense then Jackson would be a respectable option. I’m not convinced he’s turned a corner, but a consideration nonetheless.

As for a marquee young receiver, the Bills have that in Lee Evans. No one thinks so because he hasn’t put up monster numbers, but if you pair him with a quarterback that’s just above average the production will be there trust me.

Then as you suggested James Hardy can be the number two with Steve Johnson in the slot. It’s time for the young guys to step up at wideout. But there’s no need to go out and make a splash at receiver when you have a guy waiting to produce Pro Bowl numbers with a better line and better QB.

4. CHRIS:  WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE BILLS SIGN CHAD PENNINGTON AS A FREE AGENT, DRAFT A DEVELOPMENTAL QB TO LEARN UNDER HIM AND DRAFT THE BEST LINEMAN OR LB AVAILABLE?  CONRAD FROM ELMA

CB: First Chad Pennington has to prove himself healthy and capable of throwing a 12-yard out before he’s even a consideration. I do believe though that the Bills have to strongly consider the possibility of signing a veteran signal caller to serve as a stopgap at QB while a younger QB is groomed for the future, whether it’s Brian Brohm or a draft pick.

I’ve got a lot more draft prep work to do, but I’m not seeing a guy that will be there at 9 that the Bills can put on the field and succeed with right away. And if you draft a QB later, history shows it’s best to let them watch and learn early in their careers.

So I think there’s a lot of merit to the approach you’re suggesting, I just don’t know if Chad Pennington is the mark.
5. Hi Chris!!

My questions are:

1. How is L. McKelvin doing with his injury? I haven’t heard much 
about him during the season.
2. What do see the Bills addressing first during the offseason / draft? QB or OL?
3. Due to our O-line problems. Do you think the Bills should go after M. Vick? He is certainly a good scrambler…

Thanks & take care…

Luis A. Estrada (Puerto Rico)

CB: McKelvin is close to 100 percent. He began running again on the turf field a couple of weeks ago, but told me he’s not 100 percent just yet. We’ll have a story on him this coming week on Buffalobills.com.

I believe the Bills will survey the landscape for a QB they believe can be a stopgap answer for a year or two while they groom a young QB be it Brohm or a draftee, unless Brohm outperforms said veteran.

I don’t see the Bills getting in a bidding war for premium free agents OTs so that might have to be the top priority in the draft.

Finally I understand your reasoning with Michael Vick, but I believe you fix the line and your QB play will improve. Also I think Vick is a running QB in a passing league. So I’m not big on acquiring Vick.

Another NFL head coaching job open

The Bills had the unusual luxury of having the only head coach job opening in the league after the Browns decided to retain Eric Mangini. That’s all changed now with Friday’s news.

Fox Sports is reporting that the Seattle Seahawks have fired head coach Jim Mora. What’s perplexing is the Seahawks are searching for a GM right now, so jettisoning Mora at this time comes off as a bit strange. Granted the new GM would likely want his own choice for coach, but don’t you leave that decision up to the new GM you hire?

Either way there are two job openings now and the Bills will have competition for not only head coaching candidates, but assistants as well. The only good news is the Seahawks coaching search will not begin in earnest until their GM is in place.

Byrd up for Pepsi NFL Rookie of Year

Bills safety Jairus Byrd is a finalist for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award and he needs your vote.

There are four other nominees (see below) that also had very strong seasons so be sure to vote for Byrd. Brian Cushing already has won AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with Byrd finishing as the runner-up. Let’s try to flip flop that result. The winner will be announced on Feb. 4 at a press conference in Miami during Super Bowl week.

JAIRUS BYRD - S - Buffalo Bills
BRIAN CUSHING - LB - Houston Texans
PERCY HARVIN - WR/KR - Minnesota Vikings
CLAY MATTHEWS - LB - Green Bay Packers
MICHAEL OHER - OT - Baltimore Ravens

LB Draft takes Buffalo kids to movies

Bills LB Chris Draft has taken 200 select Buffalo school kids to the movies with him to see ‘The Blind Side.’ But it’s more than just a few hours out of the classroom.

In partnership with the Buffalo Public Schools, the Chris Draft Family Foundation offered 200 students (selected based on academics, leadership and extra-curricular involvement) the opportunity to participate in a discussion and a the movie, featuring a private screening of ‘The Blind Side.’

As part of the Chris Draft Family Foundation’s Character Team™, Bills linebacker Chris Draft, along with teammates Jon Corto, Keith Ellison, will lead a discussion of the film, allowing the students to discuss the importance of character as a theme in the movie.

Following the film and discussion, the students will participate in an essay contest, encouraging them to use the film as a vehicle to convey their thoughts about history, current events, perseverance and other positive character traits. The student with the winning essay will have the opportunity to have dinner with Draft the weekend of January 16.

Lombardi: “Bills have their guy in mind”

National Football Post and NFL Network reporter/analyst Michael Lombardi reported on NFL Network’s Total Access that the “Bills have their guy in mind” for head coach.

Here is his direct quote from the interview.

“You know Buffalo is quietly been going underground, they are doing their interviews. They interviewed Leslie Frazier. They are talking to a lot of people in the league. But somebody I spoke to in the organization tells me they are very close to making a descision. They think they know which way they want to go. Wouldn’t tell me which way they are going to go. But I think they have their guy in mind.”

Speculate all you want with this one, your guess is as good as anyone else’s. Bottom line though is while the Bills brass might have their guy in mind there are some hurdles still to be cleared.

First, the pick of Buddy Nix and Russ Brandon must get approval from Mr. Wilson, which usually involves a face-to-face meeting. Then they have to talk contract. There also could be the issue of the playoffs if the candidate is working for a playoff team.

If Lombardi is right though this could be wrapped up by early next week. Stay cool everybody.

Haslett update

Jim Haslett doesn’t appear to be on Buffalo’s short list for head coach, but he’s interviewing for a defensive coordinator job.

According to NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, Haslett will interview for the Redskins defensive coordinator post.

Here’s his twitter post.

JasonLaCanfora — skins plan to interview Jim Haslett next week for def coord job. also very interested in Mike Zimmer.

Haslett just coached the UFL’s Florida Tuskers this past fall as head coach.

Ron Rivera update

Chargers head coach Norv Turner was asked on Thursday if the Bills had requested permission to interview Ron Rivera for their vacant head coaching job.

Turner had a quick response.

“No, they have not contacted us,” Turner said.

There have been reports that Rivera is among the names on the Bills list of coaching candidates, but this would be the week to conduct such an interview with Rivera with the Chargers earning a playoff bye this weekend.

With permission not even requested to this point by the Bills its unlikely that an interview would take place this week.

Fewell update

Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell’s interview with the Bears is now set.

Fewell will interview with Chicago on Monday for their vacant defensive coordinator post. That according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Sean Jensen. 

He had a previous coaching stint with the Bears under Lovie Smith as the team’s secondary coach in 2005. Fewell interviewed with the Giants for their vacant defensive coordinator position Thursday.

Ole Miss QB entering draft

Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead has decided to forgo his senior season with the Rebels.

Snead made the announcement Thursday.

“After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to forego my final year at Ole Miss and enter the NFL Draft,” Snead said. “In the end, I had to do what is best for me and my family. Having finished my degree, I look forward to the challenge and hard work that comes with pursuing my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL.”

Snead (6’3″ 215) threw for 2,632 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior for the Rebels, who beat Oklahoma State in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Snead didn’t exactly go out on a high note going 13-23 for 168 yards and three INTs in the bowl game.

Still he is a welcome addition to a weak quarterback class. Mel Kiper’s top 5 Junior QBs are as follows.

1. Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame
2. Sam Bradford – Oklahoma
3. Jake Locker – Washington (going back to school for senior year)
4. Jevan Snead – Ole Miss
5. Case Keenum – Houston (has not declared)

His top five senior QBs are as follows, though he stated that none were worthy of 1st round pick.

1. Colt McCoy – Texas
2. Tim Tebow – Florida
3. Dan LeFevour – Central Michigan
4. Tony Pike – Cincinnati
5. Sean Canfield – Oregon State

Son Schottenheimer on dad coaching

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was asked about the chances of his dad Marty Schottenheimer coaching again in the NFL.

“He’s told me for the last two years that he’s done,” said the Jets play caller. ”I think he really enjoys being retired. He enjoys coming to our games. He’s got four grandchildren, my two and my sister has two in North Carolina where he lives. I think if it was the right job, he would listen, but I think at the end of the day it would take a lot to convince him to come off the golf course and come back to work.”

So he enjoys being retired and spending time with his family, but Brian Schottenheimer thought his dad would listen if it was the right opportunity. Now Marty Schottenheimer when asked by the Associated Press whether he would coach again earlier this week said, “Not likely.”

That doesn’t mean no. Knowing the close relationship that Bills GM Buddy Nix has with Schottenheimer, he’s unlikely to be completely out of the picture until a new coach is officially named. Nix said he wanted an experienced head coach that was a disciplinarian and a leader. Marty is all of those things and has 200 career wins on his resume in 326 games.

I’m not saying he’s officially a candidate, but you have to wonder if Schottenheimer is that extra ace sitting in Nix’s back pocket.

Report: Harbaugh in the mix?

It’s been speculated that Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh could be in the mix for the Bills head coaching job after a very successful season for the Cardinal this past fall. That speculation has now been fueled all the more.

Pro Football Talk is reporting that Harbaugh is a “stealth” candidate for the job. The reason why the word “stealth” is being used is because college coaches don’t want it to leak that they’re candidates for any kind of pro job knowing it can negatively affect recruiting. Nevertheless it’s out there now.

At this point it’s up to Harbaugh to confirm or deny the rumor and speculation. The report also says he’s in the mix for the Raiders head coaching job, though current Raiders head coach Tom Cable is still employed at this point.

Brian Schottenheimer just deflecting?

Jets OC Brian Schottenheimer was deflecting questions left and right about the Bills head coaching search targeting him as a candidate. With a big playoff game for his team this weekend none of us should be surprised.

Trying to advance your own career when the team you’re working for has its most important game of the season doesn’t play well, especially if the team is not successful. Then the media speculates as to whether or not the coach was distracted by a new opportunity.

So more than once Schottenheimer indicated he was happy with the Jets.

“I’m very happy,” said Schottenheimer. ”I haven’t put a lot of thought and effort into it. What I’ve always wanted to do is be the best coordinator I can here. If I do a good job at that, which I am striving everyday to do that, I think at some point there probably will be opportunities. This is a situation where in the past I have been very excited about trying to pursue those things, where as now I am very happy here.”

So Schottenheimer was asked if him leaning against taking a head coaching job this offseason is a matter of timing.

“I think it is all about timing,” he said. ”You want to be in the right spot and I feel like right now I’m in a great spot. I’m with a great organization with Woody (Johnson) and Mike (Tannenbaum). I made the decision to come back last year not knowing what this year would hold working for Rex. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been pretty damn close.”

Schottenheimer interviewed for the Jets’ head coaching job that ultimately went to Rex Ryan. He also admitted that working and helping to develop Mark Sanchez is an appealing part of where he is at now.

So he presented a very good case of being happy where he is, and I’m not saying he isn’t. We’ll see if things change after this weekend’s game in Cincinnati, when the Bills, provided they get written permission, would be eligible to interview him.

To this point however, Schottenheimer claims no knowledge of any such interest on the part of the Bills.

“No, not that I’m aware of,” he said. ”This is not just coach-speak. I’m telling you the truth. I’m very happy. I hope that we continue on this process for a long time. I hope we win a lot of games. I mean that. It’s not just something I’m saying to you.”