3 months ago
While former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is reportedly expected to meet with Bills management this week, the odds of him actually becoming the team's next head coach seem to be slim.
During The NFL Today on CBS before Sunday's Bills game, Shannon Sharpe, one of Shanahan's former players, said he had spoken to the coach and that the Buffalo Bills would be a tough sell.
"It's not about winning division titles or beating a particular team in that division," Sharpe said. "If it's not about winning Super Bowls from a players standpoint, and a coaches around him standpoint, you're wasting your time with Mike Shanahan because that's the only thing that matters to him -- is winning a Super Bowl."
Then, former quarterback and analyst Boomer Esiason chimed in.
"He's not going to Buffalo," Esiason said.
ESPN.com's beat writer for the AFC East agrees.
"I think he's going to look at the Bills quarterback situation and probably not be too impressed," said ESPN.com's Tim Graham. "And then there's also just the aspect of Mike Shanahan having his pick of any team in the NFL."
Graham says the team's lack of an established quarterback may also scare off other Super-Bowl winning coaches like Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren. Graham believes the more likely coaching options are former Bills player and former Saints coach Jim Haslett, former Giants coach Jim Fassel, and former Ravens coach Brian Billick.
2 On Your side also spoke to the man who currently holds the job, interim head coach Perry Fewell, during his Monday afternoon press conference.
REPORTER: Do you think you should be among those being considered to be the permanent head coach of the Buffalo Bills?
FEWELL: You know, this is a great opportunity for me, uh, and I'm a candidate, I think, if I choose to be a candidate for this job. But my focus really right now is the Miami Dolphins, and that's what my focus is going to be this week. And the next week it will be the New York Jets, and the next week it will be the next opponent.
REPORTER: Is that probably a decision you'll make after the season?
FEWELL: Yes.
Running Back Fred Jackson said he would support whomever management hires, especially if it's Fewell.
REPORTER: Fred, the team is considering bringing in a real high-profile coach next year, like a Mike Shanahan or a Bill Cowher. What do you think about that?
JACKSON: Uh, you know, it's not up to the players, but whatever they decide to do, you know, I'm going to be behind it 100 percent. I'm willing to play for whoever it is they decide to bring in, and if it is a high-profile guy like that, we'll see what he brings in and what he can do for us.
REPORTER: Do you think Coach Fewell should be considered too among those other names to be the permanent head coach?
JACKSON: Without a doubt. You know, I think a lot of guys respect him. A lot of guys are willing to play hard for him and they like what he brings to the table. So I definitely think he should be in the running.
The Bills would not reveal whether they consider Fewell to be a long-term option as coach. When we asked them Monday, they refused to answer any questions, pointing us toward a prepared statement the released last week. It reads:
"The Bills organization is focused on the next seven games and the efforts of Coach Fewell, the coaching staff and our players. We understand there will be much speculation regarding the head coaching position, but we will not comment during the process until a new head coach has been announced."
Following Sunday's 18-15 loss in Jacksonville, Two On Your Side's Adam Benigni asked Bills General Manager Russ Brandon for comment on the situation.
"No, not right now," replied Brandon.
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