Archives for February 2006

‘DaShon (James K.) Polk.’

‘Under NFL rules a team can franchise only one player. It will cost the Bills $5.89 million dollars for the 2006 season.’

‘The Post has learned that the Bills are definitely going to place the franchise tag on cornerback Nate Clements. The Bills’ stellar CB finished last year with more than 100 tackles and a pair of interceptions, and Buffalo has no plans to let Clements test the open market. Elsewhere in Bills land, the club is likely to let receiver Josh Reed and center Trey Teague walk.’

‘The AFC East, with the Patriots at the top and the Dolphins on the rise, will be tough for the Bills to navigate in the short-term, and one would have to place the odds at less than 50-50 that Jauron can get this team headed in the right direction.’

‘The Bills were outgained by more yards in 2005 than in any season in their history. Their average of 257 yards a game was the franchise’s lowest ever in a 16-game season, even lower than the 2-14 years of 1984 and ’85. Their average of 343 yards a game allowed was the fifth worst ever.’

‘For the second straight year, the Bills finished No. 1 in the NFL in overall special teams, according to the Dallas Morning News ranking system, which is treated as official by most of the special teams coaches in the league. The system assigns points from 1 to 32 in 22 categories, and the club with the lowest total score wins. The Bills actually finished with a better score than they did in 2004.’

‘He hasn’t yet coached a down here and is still only a third of the way through getting acquainted with his new players, but the letter writers and radio show callers are already unhappy with him. They wanted a bigger name with a glossier resume.’

‘What about the make-up of the squad? “It’s going to be a consensus thing. I’m going to have heavy input, but the final decision on the 53-man roster belongs with the coaching staff. I may voice strong opinions in some cases and try to convince (coach Dick Jauron) of something I think should be done … but the final cutdown of who’s on the team should be made by the coaches.”‘

‘Outside linebacker coach DeMontie Cross is leaving after five years with the Cyclones to become a defensive and special teams assistant with the Buffalo Bills.’

‘What does appear likely is Levy and Jauron buying more time by slapping the franchise tag on Clements. That deadline is Feb. 23.’

‘GM Marv Levy said fixing Buffalo’s offensive line is a top priority. "The offensive line needs improving, it’s obvious," Levy said. How does tackle/guard Mike Williams figure into the picture? That’s up to him, Levy indicated. "Is he intrinsically motivated? That’s what we have to find out," Levy said. "It’s not, ‘Can we get him motivated?’ I’m reflecting something (felt) by the whole coaching staff, too."’

‘New quarterbacks coach Turk Schonert is giving the Bills a second go-around and he can only hope it’s as eventful as the first one. Schonert was Buffalo’s QB coach under Wade Phillips from 1998-2000, coaching Doug Flutie’s rise to NFL stardom after years in Canada. The Bills made the playoffs in two of Flutie’s three seasons that were also marked by an ongoing feud with Rob Johnson. Schonert walks into a similar situation this time, with the Bills trying to chose between a veteran (Kelly Holcomb) and a young prospect that cost a first-round pick (J.P. Losman). After leaving Buffalo, Schonert coached QBs for the Giants and Saints. Jauron and Schonert were briefly teammates in Cincinnati.’

‘Investigators say the Buffalo Bills told them they want to help resolve the situation. One way or another, they want to get this money for Thomas’ little boy. "We are going to come after you and we are not going to stop," said Jarrell.’

‘DeMontie Cross, linebackers and special teams coach for the Cyclones the past five seasons, has been hired to coach defensive ends and special teams for the Buffalo Bills.’

‘Q: Marv Levy and Dick Jauron have publicly stated that upgrading the line will be a priority in the offseason. What role do you play in this process?

JM: Larry Zierlein, who is also a line coach with us, and myself have looked at NFL free agents from other teams that the personnel department has indicated that we should look at and turn in reports on them so when it comes time to talking about NFL free agents I’m sure we’ll have some input. It may not necessarily be the final decision but we’ll have input. When it comes to the college draft we’ll have 30-40 linemen to research and we’ll have reports on them. So between Marv, Dick, and the scouts input we’ll be able to narrow down who is best for us.’