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Bills Search Delayed by Design?
It's been nearly two weeks since the end of the season and Marv Levy's decision to step down as General Manager. To this point, there's been very little activity in terms of finding a replacement.
Bills managmement held its usual meetings at the end of the season to evaluate 2008 - those happened late last week. But as of Wednesday Owner Ralph Wilson remained in Detroit, Head Coach Dick Jauron was out of the building, and no formal interviews had taken place.
Sources close to the situation tell us no firm decisions have been made yet, but many believe the situation will be handled internally without the Bills having to hire someone to fill the role of a traditional General Manager.
The Bills currently have a workable structure in place:
Russ Brandon - Executive V.P. Business
Tom Modrak - Assistant G.M. / Director of
College Scouting
John Guy - Director of Pro Personnel
Jim Overdorf - V.P. Football Administration
(Contracts and Salary Cap)
We've been told Modrak is not a candiate for the position. John Guy could potentially move up and assume more of a supervisory role, along with Dick Jauron who figures to gain more decision making power and say in terms of personnel. Jim Overdorf is also very capable, and is extremely valuable in terms of negotiating deals and handling the intricacies of the salary cap.
So what do the Bills need?
That's open to debate after back-to-back 7-9 seasons and eight years out of the playoffs - but assuming the current cast members remain in place, a safe bet is that they add another member of the personnel staff. That could be a replacement for Guy if he moves up, or someone from the outside with the likely title of V.P. of Football Operations or something to that end.
Bears Director of College Scouting Greg Gabriel, a Buffalo native and GM candidate two years ago when Marv Levy took over, very much wants to return home to work for the Bills. He has the blessing of Bears Management to make a move. As of Wednesday, the Bills had not requested permisson to speak with him formally.
Saints V.P. of Football Operations Rick Mueller - who has ties to Jauron via Jacksonville - has also been mentioned as a possibility. A member of the Saints staff told us Wednesday the Bills had not requested permission to speak with him.
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