Brian Billick

The Philadelphia Eagles last week interviewed former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports. Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has interviewed eight candidates since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31, after Reid led the team to a disappointing 4-12 record. Billick compiled an 80-64 record in Baltimore, guiding the Ravens to their only Super Bowl title when they defeated the New York Giants in the 2001 championship game.

The Philadelphia Eagles last week interviewed former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick for their head coaching vacancy, according to multiple reports. Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has interviewed eight candidates since firing Andy Reid on Dec. 31, after Reid led the team to a disappointing 4-12 record. Billick compiled an 80-64 record in Baltimore, guiding the Ravens to their only Super Bowl title when they defeated the New York Giants in the 2001 championship game.

'Oddly enough, God bless America, we're going into the final game and we have a playoff shot.' --Brian Billick, Baltimore Raven coach, on his team's possible playoff berth despite losing its last two games

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick accused the New York Jets of using an "illegal" ploy to draw Baltimore offside during Sunday's game. Billick said Monday that the Jets' defense shouted out signals to intentionally throw off the Baltimore offense. Billick claimed the tactic led to the three illegal-procedure penalties against the Ravens. "They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets.

"In the electronic age we live in, with all the gadgets we have out there, the least Ray [Lewis] could do is call.... I am angry. I don't deserve to be treated this way." Brian Billick, Baltimore Raven coach on the absence of Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware from a recent minicamp.

Owner Art Modell took the offensive Tuesday in his bid to get to the Super Bowl for the first time, signing Brian Billick to a six-year contract reportedly worth $9 million as coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Billick, the architect of the Minnesota Vikings' record-setting offense this season, was hired less than 24 hours after becoming the fourth person to interview for the job.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick accused the New York Jets of using an "illegal" ploy to draw Baltimore offside during Sunday's game. Billick said Monday that the Jets' defense shouted out signals to intentionally throw off the Baltimore offense. Billick claimed the tactic led to the three illegal-procedure penalties against the Ravens. "They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets.

Apparently the Tennessee Titans didn't like it when Raven Coach Brian Billick saluted his troops at the Titans' expense after Baltimore's 24-23 victory here in November. There's no question Billick didn't appreciate it when the Titans used the comments to rally their fans before Sunday's AFC playoff game. Several comments by Raven players and coaches were played on the video screen before and during the game. One was a scene from the postgame locker room Nov.

Minnesota offensive coordinator Brian Billick, who will probably be working in Baltimore or Cleveland next season as head coach, showcased his creativity for his potential new employers by using running back David Palmer at quarterback on short yardage situations. He even designed a play for Palmer to throw the ball, "although it might be the last time," Billick said after Palmer threw the ball incomplete while falling to the turf.

Raider Coach Jon Gruden had just watched the Baltimore Ravens defeat Tennessee on Sunday when somebody told him what Baltimore Coach Brian Billick said last week. In Billick's mind, it was the Raven-Titan game that would decide which AFC team will play in the Super Bowl. Gruden cocked an eyebrow, ever so slightly. "I know Coach Billick is a good coach, a smart coach, but if I'm not mistaken, this next game decides it," Gruden said.

They fiddled and fussed, tweaked and tinkered, and finally the Baltimore Ravens found the answer to their offensive troubles. It took only 7 1/2 years. That's how long Coach Brian Billick waited to start calling the plays, something he did so effectively in the late 1990s as offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, a team that set the NFL single-season scoring record.

'Oddly enough, God bless America, we're going into the final game and we have a playoff shot.' --Brian Billick, Baltimore Raven coach, on his team's possible playoff berth despite losing its last two games

I say this through gritted teeth: Brian Billick deserves strong coach-of-the-year consideration. Not only that -- and this will go over big in Cleveland -- Art Modell has done an outstanding job as owner of the Baltimore Ravens. First, Billick: OK, so his ego could fill the Potomac, and sometimes he talks as if he invented the game. But it's impossible to deny what he and the Ravens (7-7) have done this season.

"In the electronic age we live in, with all the gadgets we have out there, the least Ray [Lewis] could do is call.... I am angry. I don't deserve to be treated this way." Brian Billick, Baltimore Raven coach on the absence of Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware from a recent minicamp.

I wanted to play golf at the NFL's annual get-together with Baltimore Coach Brian Billick, but I wasn't sure I could do it with someone talking during my backswing. I've known people who write as if they're being paid by the word, but it's not as if you have to finish one of sports editor Bill Dwyre's stories--unless it's important for you to be the first on your block. I learned early on with the in-laws that when they sit down in the living room, I move to the kitchen.

Arrogant. Egotistical. Brian Billick has heard it all before. He got off on the wrong foot for Super Bowl week by chiding the media about the Ray Lewis story. A day later, the Baltimore Raven coach was answering questions from a small contingent when a boy about 12 walked up. "I'm Josh from Nickelodeon," he said, preparing to ask which five NFL teams are named after birds. Billick warmed and leaned close. "Do you think I'm arrogant too?"

I wanted to play golf at the NFL's annual get-together with Baltimore Coach Brian Billick, but I wasn't sure I could do it with someone talking during my backswing. I've known people who write as if they're being paid by the word, but it's not as if you have to finish one of sports editor Bill Dwyre's stories--unless it's important for you to be the first on your block. I learned early on with the in-laws that when they sit down in the living room, I move to the kitchen.

Arrogant. Egotistical. Brian Billick has heard it all before. He got off on the wrong foot for Super Bowl week by chiding the media about the Ray Lewis story. A day later, the Baltimore Raven coach was answering questions from a small contingent when a boy about 12 walked up. "I'm Josh from Nickelodeon," he said, preparing to ask which five NFL teams are named after birds. Billick warmed and leaned close. "Do you think I'm arrogant too?"

Raider Coach Jon Gruden had just watched the Baltimore Ravens defeat Tennessee on Sunday when somebody told him what Baltimore Coach Brian Billick said last week. In Billick's mind, it was the Raven-Titan game that would decide which AFC team will play in the Super Bowl. Gruden cocked an eyebrow, ever so slightly. "I know Coach Billick is a good coach, a smart coach, but if I'm not mistaken, this next game decides it," Gruden said.

Apparently the Tennessee Titans didn't like it when Raven Coach Brian Billick saluted his troops at the Titans' expense after Baltimore's 24-23 victory here in November. There's no question Billick didn't appreciate it when the Titans used the comments to rally their fans before Sunday's AFC playoff game. Several comments by Raven players and coaches were played on the video screen before and during the game. One was a scene from the postgame locker room Nov.