FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Jon Gruden as the Bills new head coach? If Ralph Wilson had his way, it would have happened. Sources tell News 4 Sports that Gruden was the top choice of the Bills to replace Dick Jauron. Those sources say the team "went after him hard," including a face-to-face meeting, but could not convince Gruden to leave his job as analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

wivb.com

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Mike Holmgren said in his weekly appearance with KJR's Dave "Softy" Mahler that he has not spoken with Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner about the possibility of becoming the team's director of football operations. But he did say he would be interested in talking with Lerner, saying "I'd love to talk with Cleveland someday." Don't think the Browns are the only team that will be calling Holmgren. Several teams will be interested in bringing him on in some form.... But will one of those teams be the Seattle Seahawks?

Tacoma News Tribune

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Kerry Rhodes knows what the perception is. He's supposed to be the Jets' ball-hawking version of Ed Reed in Rex Ryan's defense but he hasn't been making plays. So that surely means he has been too preoccupied doing photo shoots, commercials and appearing in music videos rather than spending time in the film room, right? "It is a little bit misleading," Rhodes said of the perception that he is more Hollywood than bringing the wood on the field. "People think I do more than what I actually do. At the end of the day, I do my work."

New York Daily News

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The Raiders have ditched even-keeled for energy and passion. It won't matter if Bruce Gradkowski can't complete passes with any greater frequency than JaMarcus Russell, but it sounds as if the presence of a new quarterback has picked up the tempo during practice this week. "Bruce gives us the best chance to win right now," tight end Zach Miller said. "We've got to be out there and play better football than we have the last few games here." Coach Tom Cable noted an increase in completions during practice.

Contra Costa Times

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Any team with a 5-4 record at this point of the season can't look too far ahead. That's particularly true for the Giants, who reached that point thanks to their four-game losing streak. To help that cause, Michael Strahan, who was at the Giants practice facility, was asked by Tom Coughlin to talk to the team. "I didn't expect to do it," Strahan said. "[But] that's what I do. I'm a motivator. That part will never leave. They're as talented as any team in the league. It's just a matter of believing in their talent and the talent of the guy next to them. If they do that, they'll be just fine."

New York Post

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