Archives for January 2006

‘There was no script, no sanitized corporate statement, as one might expect from the head of a company that’s worth roughly $500 million. It was hardly slick, but it was sincere. Wilson was part apologetic grandfather and part determined executive, with some rambling stand-up comedy thrown in.’

‘”I want him because I think he can be a very outstanding coach,” Wilson said. “He had a tough time this year. We’re trying to break in a rookie quarterback. You all know how difficult that is. Mike and I think J.P. (Losman) is going to be very good given some experience. Mike is a strong leader. He has his hands on the entire situation. He’s going to make the team better.”‘

‘”My personality or my disposition is I like the road,” Modrak said. “I’m good at the road. I enjoy it. I do like being in the office some, but I think if I had to try to break it down it would be two-thirds road and one-third office rather than two-thirds office and one-third road. I think that’s where it is for me.”‘

‘Wilson did the right thing getting rid of Donahoe. He admitted it was a mistake to give him control over football and administration. But a fresh start? It’s a step backward for the football team. Making Levy the GM is a desperate attempt to borrow from the Bills’ glorious past and curry favor with a disgruntled fan base.’

‘Van Pelt was originally drafted in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent nine seasons with the Bills from 1995 to 2003. Since he does not have a degree, approval from UB President John B. Simpson was needed before he was hired. Van Pelt, who is currently taking classes to earn his degree, served as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe last year.’

‘Assistant general manager Tom Modrak will continue in that role and is not a candidate “at this time” to become the new GM, Wilson said. A general manager will be announced “in the next day or so,” he added.’

‘The general manager and head of football operations will be Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy. That was not officially announced Wednesday, but News 4 Sports has confirmed that the 80 year old will re-join the organization that he coached from 1986 to 1997.’

‘"We were breaking in a quarterback, and you know how tough that is," Wilson said. "We think J. P. Losman is going to be good, given some experience."’

‘Despite the team’s dismal 5-16 record, fans still hope next year’s playoffs will include the Bills. But, even if that doesn’t happen, many say they will remain true to their team. Fan Renee Abbate said, "I’m a true die-hard bills fan through the bad and good." Fans just hope there’s more good than bad in the team’s future.’

‘The immensely popular Levy no doubt will create a buzz, even if the modern game may have passed him by. But like the man and his team owner friend, that act must be getting old with Bills fans.’

‘Though it is believed Wilson and Levy had dinner together last night in Buffalo, all the owner would say about Levy’s possible hiring is that “Marv is a very qualified individual, and I don’t know if that’s going to take place or not.”‘

‘”Mike Mularkey did as good a job as possible with what we had,” said Wilson. “I want him because I think he can be an outstanding coach. He had a tough time this year trying to break in a rookie quarterback.”‘

‘”I think Marv can bring a vision to the organization that quite frankly has been lacking pretty much since he left as coach,” said Steve Christie, the former Bills kicker who now works for Canadian television. “Under the previous regime, it was like a weather vane at times. You’d listen to the press conferences with the general manager and the coaches and you had no idea what direction the team was headed. I think Marv is the kind of guy who can determine what the direction should be and get everyone pointed that way.”‘

‘Was he the astute football man with a keen sense of humor and tireless work ethic, a civic-minded leader who shunned the spotlight? Or an overrated ex-scout who never committed to a plan and whose arrogant, confrontational management style alienated anybody who crossed his path, from staffers to players to reporters to fans?’

‘But the Bills need a top-notch offensive left tackle almost as much as they need a new GM and offensive coordinator. Filling that position has to be No. 1 on the wish list for 2006.’