ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Ted Cottrell got what he wanted out of
his interview with Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe -- a
fair shot.
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Capers to get interview
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The Buffalo Bills have received permission from the Jacksonville Jaguars to talk with Jaguars defensive coordinator Dom Capers about the Bills' opening for a head coach. No interview date has been set.
The Bills won't hire a coach until after the Super Bowl because they want to talk to the two Super Bowl defensive coordinators -- the Giants' John Fox and the Ravens' Marvin Lewis.
Capers, a former head coach with the Carolina Panthers, also has interviewed to be the Jets head coach.
-- ESPN.com news services
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"Yeah, that's all I'm seeking," Cottrell said Tuesday, a day
after meeting at Donahoe's home in Pittsburgh. "I wasn't seeking
for anybody to give me the job, I just wanted a fair shot: 'Give me
a chance, let me present myself."'
Cottrell, the Bills defensive coordinator, was the first to
interview with Donahoe, who took over as the Bills' GM last week.
Others reported to be in the running to succeed Wade Phillips,
who was fired by Buffalo last week, include Baltimore's defensive
coordinator Marvin Lewis, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom
Capers and Miami offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
All three worked with Donahoe during his 14-year tenure in
Pittsburgh.
Cottrell said he was impressed with Donahoe's approach to the
interview.
"He's a very organized guy and he knows which direction he
wants to go. He's got a good upbeat attitude," Cottrell said.
"He's been around and knows exactly what he wants to do."
Cottrell also learned that Donahoe isn't prepared to make his
selection until after the Super Bowl. That fueled the speculation
of Lewis' candidacy. No team can talk to him until after the
Ravens' season is done.
Cottrell, the only in-house candidate, has received support from
Bills players, and also got a vote of confidence from Phillips.
A day after being fired, Phillips said: "I think you're going
to have a hard time finding somebody better than Ted."
In Cottrell's three seasons as coordinator, the Bills defense
finished no worse than sixth in the NFL and was the league's
top-ranked defense in 1999.
After being shut out of all interviews for head coach positions
a year ago, Cottrell has suddenly become popular.
He interviewed for the NFL-expansion Houston Texans head coach
position last week and will meet with the New York Jets on
Wednesday for their vacant post.
Donahoe, scouting the college Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., was
unavailable for comment.
Ray Anderson, Lewis' agent, was also unavailable.
Buffalo, while not denying that Lewis is a candidate, has denied
reports that it sought permission from the Ravens to speak with
Lewis.
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