Archives for January 2006

‘Of the seven new head coaches named so far, six are first-timers. The Bills, whose last two hires (Gregg Williams and Mike Mularkey) had never been head coaches before in the NFL, are expected to break that trend.’

‘Capers has garnered interest around the league as a defensive coordinator, but he was hoping another head coaching opportunity would arise. He will be the third former NFL head coach to interview with the Bills.’

‘In our 13-WHAM online poll we asked you who the Bills should hire as coach. Here are the results…’.

‘Mularkey was in Atlanta on Thursday interviewing with the Falcons for their quarterback coach job. Mularkey and Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. are very close friends, and Mora is hoping to have Mularkey help tutor star quarterback Michael Vick, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, the consideration for Mularkey might be whether he would like a higher position of authority in hopes of again becoming a head coach in the NFL. Last week, Mularkey walked away from the final two years of his contract after being forced by Bills management to fire coaches.’

‘Dolphins coach Nick Saban, who lured Linehan away from the Vikings last season with a lucrative contract worth $2.5 million over three years, must decide whether to promote an assistant from within the organization or bring in outsiders with more experience, such as Mularkey — who resigned as the Bills coach last week — or Martz.’

‘Nevertheless, Mularkey is widely regarded as one of the game’s most creative coaches.’

‘”This is a big deal for our league and for Fred,” said Bandits’ Coach Jose Jefferson. “He’s supposed to be in Florida Feb. 10 and go from there. Hopefully, he’ll make the team down there, then go to NFL Europe, then come back and go from there. I’m excited for him.”‘

‘His second experience as head coach of an expansion team didn’t go very well, either. Houston went 18-46 with Capers in charge between 2002-2005. Capers was let go after the 2005 season when, marked by an inability to protect franchise quarterback David Carr, the Texans posted the worst record, 2-14, in the NFL.’

‘While it helps to build his resume and Lofton was interviewed by the Oakland Raiders too, it is a reach to conclude that he has the credentials for an NFL head coaching job yet. The move does satisfy league rules that dictate at least one minority candidate be interviewed.’

‘The Falcons interviewed former Buffalo head coach Mike Mularkey for their vacant quarterbacks coach job Thursday, the team confirmed. Atlanta is expected to speak with Detroit quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator Greg Olson Friday about the same position. Mularkey will also interview with Miami Friday for their vacant offensive coordinator’s position.’

‘Recently dismissed as the Houston Texans’ head coach, Capers posted an 18-46 record in four seasons (2002-2005), including a league-worst 2-14 mark this year. He was 31-35 in four seasons (1995-98) with the Carolina Panthers. Capers was the first head coach in the history of both former expansion teams.’

‘The Buffalo Bills signed 12 journeymen free agents Thursday, including quarterback Craig Ochs who led Montana to the 2004 Division I-AA title game.’

‘The Bills today announced that the team has signed the following free agents: defensive tackle LaWaylon Brown, linebacker Greg Carothers, linebacker Wendell Hunter, running back Fred Jackson, safety Rob Lee, quarterback Craig Ochs, defensive tackle Eric Powell, kicker Nicholas Setta, offensive lineman Jason Thomas, defensive tackle Faafetai Tupa’i, quarterback Tory Woodbury, and defensive end Mark Word.’

‘It’s unclear whether the Bills have any other candidates left to interview. Former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett told The Associated Press late Wednesday that he has not had any interview requests from the Bills and doesn’t know if any will be scheduled.’

‘There have also been rumors that the Bills have asked the Chicago Bears permission to speak with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.’