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EVENTS
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Battle lines drawn Lewis, Fox set to interview for Buffalo, Cleveland posts
By Don Banks, Sports Illustrated TAMPA, Fla. -- Win, lose or nuclear attack, the opposing defensive coordinators in Super Bowl XXXV will spring into action of a whole 'nother sort shortly after Sunday's final snap. Consider it the second half of Marvin Lewis and John Fox's personal doubleheader. Baltimore's Lewis is scheduled to interview for Buffalo's head-coaching job with new Bills general manager Tom Donahoe on Monday afternoon. The meeting will take place in either Pittsburgh or Baltimore, said Ray Anderson, Lewis' agent. As of Sunday afternoon, the site had yet to be determined. On Tuesday, Lewis will journey to Cleveland and interview for the Browns' head-coaching position. Fox, New York's defensive coordinator, meanwhile is expected to interview in Buffalo on Tuesday and in Cleveland on Wednesday. Anderson said that Lewis' intention is to go through the interview process with both teams and not make a pre-emptive decision in favor of Buffalo under any scenario. The Bills also intend to talk to both men before making any offer. "Our intention is to meet with both teams," Anderson said. "And the Bills intend to meet with both candidates before they make a determination. This is one situation that you really want to think about it, but we're not afraid of being pro-active either." It also is believed that Cleveland intends to interview both men before offering anyone the job. Lewis is considered the front-runner in both situations, and some would view it as an upset if the Bills did not land him. Cleveland's best shot at getting Lewis might be to make him an overwhelming financial offer. Fox is considered a strong second choice for both the Bills and Browns. If the Bills land Lewis, it will be the second time in three seasons that Cleveland loses out on its No. 1 choice, with its arch-nemesis Baltimore being involved. In 1999, Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick chose the Ravens in favor of the expansion Browns after negotiations with both teams that started just hours after Minnesota lost to Atlanta in the NFC title game. Billick has his surprising Ravens in the Super Bowl in his second season. The Browns meanwhile hired Jacksonville offensive coordinator Chris Palmer as head coach two years ago. Palmer was fired earlier this month after going 5-27 in his first two seasons. Lewis, said Anderson, cut off all talk of his head-coaching candidacy after Thursday's morning media session, his final responsibility to the press last week. "He and I didn't even talk about it the last three days," Anderson said. "Marvin wanted to focus solely on the game."
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