Bills contact Shanahan about coach opening

[Nzoner]

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By Adam Schefter
ESPN
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One day after firing Dick Jauron, the Buffalo Bills have wasted no time identifying a potential replacement.

Buffalo has contacted and is in the process of arranging a meeting with former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to two NFL sources.

Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is said to be willing to listen to the Bills. He has said in the past that he is determined to return to the NFL next season.

While Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is viewed within the Bills organization as a desired candidate, there are other names at or near the top of the team's wish list.

For now, the Bills have appointed defensive coordinator Perry Fewell as interim head coach. Fewell is well-respected within the organization and will be given every opportunity to earn the full-time job.

The Bills also will investigate options expected to include Florida Tuskers coach Jim Haslett and New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, both of whom has ties to the Bills.

Haslett played linebacker for Buffalo from 1979 to 1985. Gilbride was the Bills offensive coordinator during 2002-03, when quarterback Drew Bledsoe had his most productive seasons with the team.

Another candidate on the Bills radar is Marc Trestman, coach of the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, who posted a CFL-best 15-3 regular season record and has his team one win from the Grey Cup final. Ironically, Trestman once succeeded Shanahan as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

Adam Schefter is an ESPN NFL Insider.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Well, hes got a proven track record of turning around wayward programs. That actually wouldnt be a bad choice.

This!

[Rain Man]

Here's how I hope the conversation went.


(Ring, ring)

Mike Shanahan: Hello?

Ralph Wilson: I'm looking for Mike Shanahan.

MS: Who's calling?

RW: Ralph Wilson. I own the Bills.

MS: Oh, okay. This is Mike. Your voice sounds a lot like Al Davis' voice, so I was screening.

RW: Understood.

MS: So what can I do for you? You want to me to make an amateurish jewelry store ad? I do those all the time.

RW: No, no. We don't wear jewelry in Buffalo. It freezes to the skin.

MS: Really?

RW: Yeah. Check out Terrell Owens' jewelry next time you see him at a home game. It never moves. But anyway, I have a question for you. As you may know, we have a coaching vacancy now.

MS: Yeah, yeah, Dick Jauron. Can't win with Dick Jauron. He plays by the rules too much. You never see his linemen going low.

RW: Um, yeah. Okay. So anyway, we know that you have a lot of connections around the league, and....

MS: I have a staff ready to roll in an instant. Romanowski's coaching high school ball, Elway's just killing time with his Ponzi scheme, and I think I could even get Jake Plummer to be a player-coach.

RW: Actually, we're thinking more about Bill Cowher.

MS: I don't think Cowher could be a player coach. But I'm glad to have him on my staff.

RW: No, you don't understand. We know you have connections. None of us can find Bill Cowher's phone number, and we were wondering if you have it. Sorry to call so late.

[Ralphy Boy]

When I saw Marty's name wasn't on the list, I wondered if it was one of AJ Smith's old associates in Buffalo trying to keep the man down.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Here's how I hope the conversation went.



MS: I have a staff ready to roll in an instant. Romanowski's coaching high school ball, Elway's just killing time with his Ponzi scheme, and I think I could even get Jake Plummer to be a player-coach.

RW: Actually, we're thinking more about Bill Cowher.

MS: I don't think Cowher could be a player coach. But I'm glad to have him on my staff.

RW: No, you don't understand. We know you have connections. None of us can find Bill Cowher's phone number, and we were wondering if you have it. Sorry to call so late.

Rep.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Admiral Crunch

This list of candidates is full of FAIL.

Haslett?
Gilbride?
Some CFL coach?

The only one on that list that has credibility is Shanahan.

Marv Levy was the HC for the Montreal Alouettes before getting hired by the Chiefs, and ultimately by the Bills.

Just sayin'.

[milkman]

Also, while Buffalo may not be the center of the NFL universe, the Bills this season are starting 4 rookies on the O-Line.

Guys that many of us here discussed and thought highly of in last Aprol's draft.

If only two of those guys develop, then they will be in good shape, if three or all four deveop, then they'll be in great shape.

That would be a great foundation for a guy like Shannahan to take over and build around.

That team, as far as I'm concerned, is way ahead of the Chiefs in the building stage.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by milkman

Also, while Buffalo may not be the center of the NFL universe, the Bills this season are starting 4 rookies on the O-Line.

Guys that many of us here discussed and thought highly of in last Aprol's draft.

If only two of those guys develop, then they will be in good shape, if three or all four deveop, then they'll be in great shape.

That would be a great foundation for a guy like Shannahan to take over and build around.

That team, as far as I'm concerned, is way ahead of the Chiefs in the building stage.

Nope, they all suck and we desperately needed another Corner and an RB.

[Boon]

M. Shannahan - J. Elway - T. Davis = Same 'ol shit.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by milkman

That team, as far as I'm concerned, is way ahead of the Chiefs in the building stage.

They need a QB. Trent Edwards is not the answer.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by milkman

Also, while Buffalo may not be the center of the NFL universe, the Bills this season are starting 4 rookies on the O-Line.

Guys that many of us here discussed and thought highly of in last Aprol's draft.

If only two of those guys develop, then they will be in good shape, if three or all four deveop, then they'll be in great shape.

That would be a great foundation for a guy like Shannahan to take over and build around.

That team, as far as I'm concerned, is way ahead of the Chiefs in the building stage.

The defense isn't bad. A qb and stud lt and they would be competitive if they can keep lynch on the field.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

They need a QB. Trent Edwards is not the answer.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Cassel is not the answer here at QB.

Would you rather have an O-line that included 4 talented, promising rookies, and a solid 5th year center, moving forward or an aging guard, a 4th year center that clearly isn't getting the job done, and questions everywhere else on the line?

[rtmike]

Originally Posted by chiefs1111

There has also been some talk the bills may look at Marty Schottenheimer..

Marty would fit right in. Bills are used to losing in the postseason.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

The defense isn't bad. A qb and stud lt and they would be competitive if they can keep lynch on the field.

There's a lot of people who really liked Demetrius Bell as a late round project at LT going into last year's draft.

He's starting there this season.

If he does have the potential that many think he has, then they very well could be set there.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by rtmike

Marty would fit right in. Bills are used to losing in the postseason.

No, they are used to winning more games than they lose in the postseason.

They are just used to losing in the SB.

Call when Marty gets that far.

I won't hold my breath waiting for the phone to ring.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by milkman

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Cassel is not the answer here at QB.

Would you rather have an O-line that included 4 talented, promising rookies, and a solid 5th year center, moving forward or an aging guard, a 4th year center that clearly isn't getting the job done, and questions everywhere else on the line?

Ill reserve judgement until i see what moves Pioli does with our O-line in the offseason.