Two Bills Drive

‘Lewis and Fox, this year’s hot NFL coaching commodities, are top candidates for the head coaching jobs in both Buffalo and Cleveland. Both teams have asked permission to speak with them after Sunday’s game. And both coaches are steadfastly trying to keep their focus on the biggest football game of their lives.’

‘CBS Sportsline.com reported that the Bills might try to withhold Phillips’ salary because, in effect, he resigned after refusing to fire special-teams coach Ronnie Jones. Phillips called that report "bogus."’

‘In addition to seeking a more experienced agent, Vick said another major reason for voiding the deals was he was unhappy with the percentages that were being charged. According to Vick, Kelly was to get 25 percent of his marketing revenue, about 10 percent higher than the norm.’

‘Phillips said yesterday that he reopened his talks with Schottenheimer on Tuesday and indicated he is more comfortable pursuing the job now that his former defensive coordinator in Buffalo, Ted Cottrell, is no longer a candidate.’

‘”[Joe Pendry’s] a guy with a tremendous breadth and understanding of all aspects of offensive play,” Schottenheimer said.’

‘The 42-year-old Williams is also considered by many inside the league to be a candidate for the Bills head coaching position…Titans President Jeff Diamond said yesterday the Bills have not yet formally requested permission to speak to Williams.’

‘"In Buffalo we were always winners. They treated us that way. There was none of the stigma of losing four Super Bowls," said Parker, who played three years with Kansas City before joining the Giants.’

‘”I started talking to other people, I talked to (Washington defensive end) Bruce Smith, and it made me start thinking that I had to find somebody with more experience and class.”‘

‘Edwards confirmed that Cottrell will be allowed to return to Buffalo if he is named the team’s coach…"We’re not going to stop him," Edwards said. "If he would get that opportunity, we’d let him go."’

‘The Bills on Wednesday would not say if Williams was a candidate to replace Wade Phillips, who was dismissed as coach this month.’

‘Joe Pendry, the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, was hired by the Washington Redskins on Wednesday to coach the offensive line.’

According to radio reports out of the nation’s capitol, Joe Pendry has been hired by Marty Schottenheimer to be the Redskins’ Offensive Line coach. Pendry was Schottenheimer’s Offensive Coordinator back in Kansas City during the Barry Word/Christian Okoye years. Former Bills’ Head Coach Wade Phillips will be interviewing for Washington’s Defensive Coordinator’s position on Monday.

Why is he complaining? Personally, I am glad the Texans got Capers. Let’s hope the “back door” deal with Lewis is true….

‘Attempts to reach Joel and Kelly Enterprises on Tuesday evening were unsuccessful. No reason was given for the firing.’

‘Vick originally signed with Jim Kelly Enterprises of Buffalo to handle promotional activities and Joel Enterprises of Richmond, Va., to negotiate his contract… But league officials here for Super Bowl XXXV confirmed for SportsLine.com on Tuesday night that Vick has terminated the two firms.’