Two Bills Drive

‘The 31-year-old Van Pelt could emerge as the starter next season. Johnson has one year left on his contract worth $11.2 million against the salary cap and recently was left available for next month’s expansion draft.’

The Buffalo Bills re-signed QB Alex Van Pelt to a five-year contract, rewarding the longtime backup for capably filling in for injured starter Rob Johnson. The deal, agreed to on Tuesday, is believed to be worth $6 million, but also includes additional incentive clauses should Van Pelt become the Bills permanent starter.

‘It appears that former San Diego head coach Kevin Gilbride, who previously worked with Bills coach Gregg Williams, will not be a serious candidate for the job, even though he has interviewed for it.’

‘Why weren’t the Giants right for Phillips? “I’m a New Yorker, but I’m really a Buffalo, New Yorker,” said Phillips, who coached with the Bills from 1995-2000. “Wherever I go, I’d like to pick it. There’s nothing wrong with New York people, certainly, but it’s crowded up there.”‘

‘Speaking from his home in Texas, Phillips said, "It just didn’t fit good. It’s got to be the right situation. They have great players, a great coach, and it’s a great organization. They were more personal things than anything else. For whatever reasons, it wasn’t the right fit for me at this time in my career."’

‘In Clements, Childress and Ramsdell, Williams is eyeing a position coach from behind three of the four quarterbacks in last weekend’s conference championship games (Kordell Stewart, Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner). However, none of the three has been a coordinator at the NFL level.’

‘Van Pelt on Tuesday signed a five-year deal he had agreed on in principle earlier this month, his agent confirmed. Van Pelt’s contract is worth nearly $6 million – top pay for an NFL backup – but comes with incentives and escalator clauses that more than triples if he becomes the team’s permanent starter.’

‘Clements, a McKees Rocks native who has been credited with helping Kordell Stewart’s development, interviewed yesterday for the offensive coordinator position with the Buffalo Bills and will talk with the Jacksonville Jaguars next week about a similar job.’

‘Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, credited with helping resurrect Kordell Stewart’s career, finished his first interview Tuesday to become the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator. Within the next week, he will interview for the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.’

‘Under league rules, the Bills can’t interview Ramsdell until after the Rams’ season ends. Zygmunt indicated Monday that Martz would have no problem with Ramsdell interviewing for the position. adding that Martz doesn’t try to stand in the way of assistants who have a chance at career advancement.’

‘Former Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and recently fired San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley both had phone interviews with the Bills in the last few days.’

Tom Clements, the Steelers first QB coach in 28 years, is a candidate to become the OC of the Buffalo Bills. Bills president Tom Donahoe yesterday requested and received permission from the Steelers to talk to Clements. Williams was trying to arrange to bring Clements to Buffalo for an interview today.

‘No longer content as a footnote in other people’s stories, Briscoe has written his own story, entitled "The First Black Quarterback". The book, due out Feb. 15, chronicles Briscoe’s fascinating and volatile life.’

‘Gilbride interviewed recently with Minnesota for its offensive coordinator’s job. He also reportedly put the New Orleans Saints on hold for its offer to coach their quarterbacks so he could speak with another team about a more prestigious position. That team could be the Bills. Mike Riley, fired as San Diego’s head coach, is also believed to be interested in Buffalo’s opening.’

‘Given that Reeves will likely coach only one more season, Phillips might be attracted to Atlanta if he hopes to again be a head coach.’