Archives for January 2006

‘Making a general manager or coach walk the plank doesn’t make players instantly perform better – and let’s face it, many of the Bills on the field during Donahoe’s time will be on the field next year, too.’

‘Donahoe and Wilson met a week-to-10 days ago at the owner’s home, according to Wilson. At that time, Donahoe told Wilson he thought it would be best for the organization if he didn’t return as president and GM. Wilson stopped short of calling it a resignation, though. “I just thought a short time ago that we were not going in the right direction and we needed a fresh start and Tom Donahoe said he wanted the best thing for the Buffalo Bills,” Wilson said.’

‘Since arriving in 2001, the Bills were 31-and 49 after five seasons, including a 5-11 campaign in 2005.’

‘After giving Donahoe the most power of any executive in Bills history in January 2001, Wilson announced that he is taking back the title of team president and will become more actively involved in the day-to-day operation of his team. Donahoe’s last two drafts produced only two starters, wide receiver Lee Evans and quarterback J.P. Losman, who started just eight games this season.’

‘Strength and conditioning coach Brad Roll is also in danger of being let go, as is defensive line coach Tim Krumrie. Roll, a friend of Mularkey, replaced the highly respected Rusty Jones, who left the team after last season and helped turned the Chicago Bears into a playoff team. The Bills’ inability to finish games strong – they were outscored 123-59 in the fourth quarter – did not reflect well on Roll’s work.’

‘”Yes I wanted to play,” Losman said. “I was trying to convince the coaching staff that I was healthy enough to go in there by trying to practice, run around and show them I could do some of the things they had questions about. But there was a lot of concern from the coaching staff and the training room whether I was going to get hit in a certain area and how I would respond to that. It was a tough decision, but they had to make that decision and put me as the No. 2 quarterback the last two weeks. I want to play, of course.”‘

‘Sales are down fifty percent for jerseys and hats for the Bills. The owner of one store said he has so much inventory that he won’t have to buy stock for next season.’

As mentioned earlier today on the Stadium Wall, WIVB in Buffalo has confirmed that Jerry Gray has submitted his resignation as Defensive Coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

‘Donahue released a statement in which he thanked Bills fans and owner Ralph Wilson for his five seasons with the club. "While we are very proud of the progress made by the Bills’ organization over the past few seasons, we also recognize the fact that this is a bottom-line business and our record hasn’t been good enough," Donahue said. "I take full responsibility for that."’

‘When Levy was coaching in his 70s, players paid little attention to his age. “He could be 95 and we’d still respect him the same way. He’ll outlast me by at least five or six years,” running back Thurman Thomas said.’

‘"I think Marv’s the man and he should come back. He’s really old, but I think he’s better than all of our coaches."’

‘Donahoe’s tenure features two coaches, poor draft picks and a thin-skinned demeanor regarding criticism of him or his team.’

‘Wilson said the new GM will not be president, instead he will take back the presidency of the team saying, “I am going to be the president and I’m going to be much more active than I have been in the last five years.”‘

‘Van Pelt will be the Bulls’ new quarterbacks coach and also will serve as the team’s passing coordinator. It is his first college coaching job after serving the last two seasons a Bills analyst on radio broadcasts.’

‘Mularkey expressed satisfaction with his relationship with owner Wilson. Wilson promised that whomever the new general manager is will not be second guessing or micro-managing Mularkey.’