Archives for January 2004

‘In addition to his acceptance of a deal, Redskins sources also told SportsLine.com that Gibbs has already met with and signed former Bills head coach Gregg Williams to become his new defensive coordinator. Williams was the hottest defensive coordinator on the open market and was previously set to fly to New York on Friday to interview with Tom Coughlin.’

‘Labeled a “quarterback guru”, Fassel was credited with recruiting and coaching Broncos quarterback John Elway at Stanford. He later coached Elway to his finest season as a pro in 1993, when the Broncos quarterback earned the AFC Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. That year, Denver’s offense ranked third in the AFC and fifth in the NFL and scored 373 points to rank first in the conference and third in the league. Fassel also tutored Kent Graham into a solid player and helped rejuvenate veteran Boomer Esiason and Kerry Collins.’

‘As for a time frame, Fassel backed away from earlier reports that said he wanted to have something finalized by the end of the week. “I thought that that might happen, but like everything else, a lot of guys go through different processes. But I would imagine it would be sometime over the weekend or something like that, I’d have a pretty good idea.”‘

‘Fassel, fired last month by the Giants, who fell to 4-12, flew home to New Jersey after the meeting. He described it “as a good day” in a brief interview with Buffalo’s WGRZ-TV. But Fassel declined to say whether the Bills had made him an offer, adding he hoped to have a better idea of where he stood by this weekend.’

‘Tom Donahoe has spoken with Lovie Smith, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis, Jerry Gray and Dick Jauron. One man he will not talk to his Tom Coughlin. He was hired to replace Fassel with the Giants.’

‘Crafts, who played for Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal in the CFL and the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, is expected to be released from prison later this week, having already served 71 days in jail. Erie County Judge Michael Pietruszka also sentenced Crafts to 200 hours of community service.’

‘Former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Jerry Crafts faced a 15 year jail term, but instead Erie County Judge Michael Pietruszka sentenced the 35 year old athlete Tuesday to 100 days behind bars, five years probation in a drug case.’

‘Contrary to various reports, Donahoe has no immediate plans to name a new head coach. It appears he will interview as many viable candidates as possible.’

‘”Buffalo is a wonderful place. It’s a great spot, a great job,” said Levy on Monday when contacted at his Chicago home. “And I feel re-energized, more energized in fact than when I stepped away. I had a bit of the Dick Vermeil syndrome, but I’m in even better shape now than I was.”‘

‘Finding a person with NFL head coaching experience and experience on the offensive side of the football are high on Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe’s list of criteria after the team regressed offensively last season under Gregg Williams, who was fired last week. Fassel meets both prerequisites.’

‘The only other team that has indicated interest in Coughlin this season has been the Buffalo Bills, who appear to be leaning toward the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, although they also have an interview scheduled with Fassel today.’

‘There were indications the Bills were scheduled to interview Coughlin in Buffalo today, the same day they are scheduled to talk with Fassel. It’s not clear how the Giants’ heavy interest in Coughlin will affect those plans.’

‘Williams, who recently was fired as the Bills’ head coach, is believed to have moved to the head of the list as the favorite, because Tampa Bay assistant head coach/defensive line coach Rod Marinelli might be untouchable. Williams’ attacking style of defense, which had the Bills ranked second in the NFL this season, seems to be a good fit for the way Edwards wants to play.’

‘Fassel today interviews with the Bills in Buffalo, where he’s considered a serious candidate. Fassel also is likely atop the lists at both Washington and Arizona after interviews with those teams last week. Fassel will not, as previously scheduled, interview this week with the Bears. A source said Fassel was angered by erroneous reports that the Bills had already put together an offer and that he was using the Chicago job as leverage.’

‘Fassel is to interview with the Bills today after talking with the Redskins and Cardinals last week.’