Archives for January 10, 2004

‘It’s considered a good possibility that defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who still is under contract for the coming season, will be back. However, if the new coach has a confidant he wants to bring along as defensive coordinator, Gray could be let out of his contract.’

‘According to other sources, the key question is whether the Bills want their next radio voice also to be their voice in the community, speak to area groups, host TV shows and do public relations. If the Bills decide their voice will hold a full-time job, Murphy’s chances could diminish. He is the sports director at the local ABC affiliate, Channel 7, and certainly is making more money there than the Bills would offer for a full-time position.’

‘Gray is considered a long shot to land the Bills job, but it’s believed the new coach will be urged to keep him on as coordinator. Gray would not be interested in making a downward move by rejoining Williams. The Texas job does intrigue him.’

‘It will be interesting to see if pass-happy quarterback Drew Bledsoe would accept such a drastic change in offensive philosophy. For the sake of the Bills and his career, Bledsoe should buy into it 100 percent.’

‘According to a source, Williams wants to hire his former defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, defensive line coach Tim Krumrie and linebackers coach Don Blackmon. But those coaches remain under contract with the Bills, who so far have given the Redskins permission to talk only with Jackson and Smith.’

‘Williams is interested in other Bills staffers but remains in a holding pattern while Buffalo searches for his replacement.’

‘The Oakland Raiders have received permission from the Steelers to speak to Mularkey about replacing former coach Bill Callahan, who was fired at the end of the season.’

‘He was assistant head coach with the Buffalo Bills in ’03 and is hoping to return to Buffalo this season. He is tempted by the Steelers’ job possibility, but he might want to stay in Buffalo if his close friend Dick Jauron is hired as head coach. Jauron is one of seven candidates in Buffalo, including Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.’

‘Coughlin is interested in hiring Jauron to be his assistant head coach, in part so he can work with Lewis. But Jauron’s availability isn’t clear, since he’s still a candidate to be the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Jones said Buffalo Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak told him Thursday that he remains unsure whether he wants to interview for the position.’

‘Smith is the Bills special teams coach, and his unit finished third in the league this season in kickoff coverage. Jackson is the Bills safeties coach and third-down specialist.’

‘Smith’s best fit likely would have been with the Falcons and general manager Rich McKay, who was with Smith when he coached linebackers with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ”Lovie Smith is going to get a head coaching job,” offensive tackle Kyle Turley said.’

‘Both coaches of course are close to Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who hired them when he was head coach of the Bills.’