Mularkey resigns; Levy not ruled out
Coach Mike Mularkey’s abrupt resignation came as a shock to the Buffalo Bills. An even bigger surprise might be who refused to rule himself out as a candidate for the job – Marv Levy.
A week after taking over as the Bills general manager, and despite owner Ralph Wilson insisting Levy wouldn’t be considered to replace Mularkey, the 80-year-old Hall of Fame coach declined to say he wasn’t interested.
“I really, sort of, don’t even want to comment,” Levy said Friday at a news conference. “I can’t answer it because I want to talk the whole situation over. But we’re going to address it swiftly.”
Levy added that he didn’t plan on being the coach when he accepted the GM’s job, but said the situation has changed with Mularkey’s unexpected departure.
His comments, however, contradicted what Wilson stated minutes earlier after announcing Mularkey’s resignation. Asked whether Levy, who was standing off to the side, would be a candidate, Wilson said: “Absolutely not.”
Wilson had a chance to restate his position after listening to Levy, but declined to do so.
While it might seem curious hearing Levy contradict his boss, it’s becoming par for the course for an operation that can’t get its story straight since Wilson fired president/general manager Tom Donahoe last week.
Upon luring Levy out of retirement, Wilson and Levy couldn’t agree on a title before eventually settling on general manager/football operations.
Then came Mularkey’s resignation, eight days after Wilson said Mularkey would be return.
Something changed, Wilson said, when Mularkey first approached him Wednesday to inform the owner of his intention to resign.
They met again Thursday, Wilson accepting Mularkey’s resignation.
Taylor’s trial delayed
The trial of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor for allegedly pointing a gun during a dispute was postponed so it won’t interfere with his availability through the NFL playoffs.
Prosecutor Michael Grieco told Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mary Barzee that Taylor should not be treated differently than any other defendant, many of whom have to miss work to attend court, and his trial should begin as scheduled Tuesday.
But Taylor’s attorney, Edward Carhart, told the judge that would create a hardship for Taylor and the Redskins, who play Seattle today. If they win, they would play Jan. 22 in the NFC championship game. Carhart also said he still needs to interview some witnesses.
Barzee agreed with Carhart and moved the trial to March 20. The trial had originally been scheduled for last October, but was delayed so Taylor would not have to leave the team. Taylor was not at the hearing.
Packs’ Bates must decide future
New Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy released six assistant coaches and two staff members in his first full day on the job.
Defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who interviewed for the head coaching job on Monday, was not among them and could stay with the team. Bates, who was supposed to meet with McCarthy, did not immediately return a telephone call from the Associated Press.
“He’s a man I respect, and the job he did this past year speaks for itself,” McCarthy said Thursday. “I’d love to have the opportunity to sit down and see if we could work out the possibility of him working here.”
Around the league
New Orleans finished a two-day interview with former Packers coach Mike Sherman, then began two days of interviews with former St. Louis coach Mike Martz. … Purdue quarterback Brandon Kirsch will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. … Kansas City signed a three-year contract with Canadian Football League quarterback Casey Printers. … Joshua Pfeil, 23, accused of punching Cleveland quarterback Trent Dilfer in a bar on June 10, was acquitted by a jury in Lakewood, Ohio.