By Staff and Wire reports
Democrat and Chronicle

(Friday, February 1, 2002) -- Jay Zygmunt, the St. Louis Rams' president of football operations, confirmed that the team has granted the Buffalo Bills permission to talk with quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell next week for their vacant offensive coordinator job.

Under NFL rules, the Bills can't interview Ramsdell until after Sunday's Super Bowl.

Ramsdell has been the Rams quarterbacks coach the past four seasons, helping develop coach Mike Martz' high-powered offense under Kurt Warner.

'It's an honor to be considered by such a fine organization like the Bills," Ramsdell said. "Right now, I'm just trying to get through this week and go from there."

While the Bills wait on Ramsdell, they're watching developments surrounding another top candidate, Pittsburgh Steelers QB coach Tom Clements.

Clements could be promoted to the Steelers' coordinator position should Mike Mularkey land the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coaching job.

Kevin Gilbride remains a Bills candidate but two others are now out of the picture.

Mike Riley, former San Diego head coach, was hired Thursay as assistant head coach and secondary coach of the New Orleans Saints.

The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, have denied Buffalo permisison to speak with their quarterbacks coach, Brad Childress, who has molded the early career of Donovan McNabb.