Archives for January 2010

‘Schottenheimer won’t go to Buffalo, where an owner with a tight wallet leads a franchise with a fading identity in a city in peril of losing its team to a Canadian neighbor. It is a team without a quarterback of Sanchez’s class, and a location where it’s nearly impossible to attract big-ticket free agents.’

‘”It is new ground and you really don’t tend to think about these things until they affect you,” Wilson told Buffalobills.com. “But at the end of the day I know I’ve done my part. I’ve put a quality performance on the field in the 13 games that I started. The work is out there on tape for all 32 teams to evaluate and see if I may fit on their team.”‘

‘During the July trial in General District Court, defense attorney Larry Cardon didn’t dispute that Smith had been speeding or that he had refused the breath test. But Cardon said Smith’s football injuries, including multiple concussions and knee problems, led to his poor field test results. The judge rejected the excuse and found Smith, the NFL’s all-time sacks leader, guilty.’

‘Schottenheimer could have a change of heart once the Jets are done with the playoffs, but the way he sounded last week, that doesn’t appear likely. Schottenheimer, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, is expected to address the media Thursday.’

‘Schottenheimer, who last week said he never has been happier in his coaching career than he is right now, wasn’t available for comment yesterday, though he is scheduled to be available today.’

‘A week ago, as rumors he was in the running for the Bills job began to circulate, Schottenheimer, 36, had said he would be happy to stay with the Jets rather than take the first head-coaching position that comes along. "I think it is all about timing. You want to be in the right spot and I feel like right now I’m in a great spot," Schottenheimer said. "I’m with a great organization with Woody (Johnson) and Mike (Tannenbaum). I made the decision to come back last year not knowing what this year would hold working for Rex. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been pretty damn close."’

‘The development is a blow to the search because Schottenheimer is a bright offensive mind and figured to be a strong contender for the Bills. He has connections to Bills General Manager Buddy Nix, with whom both he and his father, Marty, worked in San Diego. The Bills had asked permission to speak with Schottenheimer on Monday.’

‘The trial is scheduled to begin Thursday. Smith was convicted in General District Court in July and given a 90-day suspended jail term, but he appealed to Circuit Court.’

‘ESPN.com, citing anonymous sources, reported Wednesday that Schottenheimer has told the Bills he does not want to talk to them about the position this week or after the Jets’ playoff run is over.’

‘Schottenheimer has remarked throughout the season how much he enjoys working with new Jets head coach Rex Ryan, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, and how truly content he is with his current job as the offensive coordinator of the league’s top-ranked running attack.’

‘”Everything is going really well right now,” Byrd told Buffalobills.com. “I’ll get my stitches taken out and then they’re going to look at me again and make sure everything is going well and I’ll do a little rehab there and get ready for the offseason by getting with a (physical) therapist to start getting my strength back.”‘

‘"I wouldn’t be surprised if he says, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ " to the Bills, one source told The Post yesterday.’

‘April had the out clause written into his contract after the 2008 season, when speculation about Jauron’s future was being raised. April said he wanted to keep his options open if Jauron was fired.’

‘"The background of the potential head coach, whether or not he was an offensive or defensive coordinator, I don’t think the fact it’s a passing league plays into that at all," said CBS’ Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Fame lineman. "It’s going to be about his belief and what he’s going to allow his offensive coordinator to do. You couldn’t have a more defensive guy than Bill Belichick, and yet he would allow Charlie Weis to open a game with 17 consecutive passes. Good coaching is good coaching. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire a coach who was predominantly a defensive guy, because I don’t think that has any relevance on how he’ll run his offense."’

‘I’ve always thought McNabb and Reid got a bad rap. Together they have led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl, but it’s the lack of a Lombardi Trophy that hurts their reputation. With Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick already on the roster and McNabb having one more year left on his contract, they might feel like this is the perfect time to try and get something in return for him. If the Eagles do shop McNabb, Buddy Nix should get on the phone and find out what it will take to bring him in.’