Adam Schefter first reported that the Bills contacted Mike Shanahan, now Vic Carucci is reporting that Shanahan has emerged as the Bills’ “No. 1 candidate” to become their full-time coach after the season.
Carucci says a meeting between Shanahan, Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon, who is overseeing the hiring process, likely will take place next week.
There’s also strong speculation that the Redskins are pursuing Shanahan to replace Jim Zorn as their coach after the season. However, according to the source close to the Bills, Shanahan is intrigued by the “low-maintenance” situation he would have in Buffalo as opposed to Washington.
Carucci says former Steelers coach Bill Cowher also is high on the Bills’ list of candidates, but at the moment, they are focused on Shanahan.
Sources have told Carucci that the Bills are willing to offer whatever salary is necessary to land a high-end candidate such as Shanahan and would give him total control of the football operation, something Wilson has generally been opposed to doing in the past. Adding to the job’s attractiveness, according to the source, is the fact the team is in solid financial shape and not burdened by any dead salary-cap money.
“This is his (Wilson’s) last coach and (he) is going to do everything it takes to get it right,” the source said of the 91-year-old owner. (From NFL.com)
Mind of Joe
Wow! Unlimited salary? Bill Cowher? Have the Bills become the Dallas Cowboys? I don’t know where to begin. If this is all true, and that’s a big If, it’s about time Wilson has woken up and smelled the “real” NFL. I’m more excited at the prospect that the Bills are going to do whatever it takes to finally bring in a real football guy.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but if the Bills decide to go the route of Shanahan, they will have to match what the Redskins would offer him and then some. I know that the “low-maintenance” quote will make some Bills fans happy, but the NFL is a business. If the Redskins were to offer Shanahan 8 million dollars and the Bills offered only 6, I’m sure Shanahan would go to the Nation’s Capitol.
Even before reading the blog from Carucci, I was going to write that it wouldn’t shock me if Shanahan was trying to use the Bills as leverage to get more money from the Redskins, who he has been connected with for some time. Maybe it’s the other way around now?
I think another big part of the equation is how much will Ralph Wilson open up his wallet for players. While in Denver, Shanahan spent a ton of money and gave out big one year deals to guys like Simeon Rice.
I just don’t picture Shanahan being forced to start Bryan Scott at linebacker and some practice squad kid at starting left tackle. We all know the Redskins will pay for players and if the Bills don’t follow in those footsteps, It would be hard to see Shanahan in Buffalo. Now if full control of football operation means a blank check for Shanahan or whoever is put in charge of the Bills, it’s fine with me.
Now again, this is still in the developing stages and I wouldn’t put it past the Bills to just make up a great wish list to appease the fans, only to wake up on Christmas Day with a lump of coal and Jim Haslett in our stockings. Like I said, it’s a good start, but now the Bills have to bring their game and checkbook to the table.
Man, it’s going to be a fun offseason for a change.
PS- Did I mention that Bill Cowher is on the list?
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