The Bills, who are expected to meet with Mike Shanahan this week about their head-coaching position, also have contacted former Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Cowher, according to league sources.

Mike Shanahan has emerged as the Bills’ “No. 1 candidate” to become their full-time coach after the season, according to a source close to the team.

After leading the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl championship in February, the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that, despite questions regarding his age and experience, Mike Tomlin has proven he was the right man for the job all along.

Former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson gave a highly emotional speech about late LB Derrick Thomas, a 2009 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bad news for some of the fringe players waiting on the Hall of Fame, like Cris Carter, Shannon Sharpe and Andre Reed. That wait could become even longer as Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice will be taking two of the available spots in the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Every USO Tour — the participants, the location, the moment in time — feels different from every other that came before it or will come after it. This tour, our first in the 43-year history of NFL-USO tours to feature coaches, was perhaps more distinct than others.

When the planning for this trip was in its early stages, one thing that was most important to us was having the opportunity to spend the Fourth of July holiday with our troops who are serving overseas in harm’s way. I think all five coaches on the tour would agree that July 4, 2009 was a day they will long remember.

So, what are the accommodations like on USO tours? We always stay in “DV” quarters, which are on-base accommodations for “Distinguished Visitors.” These quarters can range from having an extra pillow on a standard-issue Army cot in a barrack-style room to comfortable single rooms for each member of the tour.

The first full day in Iraq began with an early wake up call and included meet-and-greets with US troops Mosul and Kirkuk before wrapping up with a Q&A with hundreds of troops at a reception in Baghdad.

The trip to Iraq is never easy, and this tour is no exception. But we are looking forward to a number of full, exciting and meaningful days ahead.

The NFL is becoming increasingly comprised of first-time head coaches, with 13 “rookie” coaches filling the 15 head-coaching openings in the league the past two years, and 25 of the 32 coaches with their first NFL team in that capacity.

CBS-TV employs former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Cardinals offensive tackle Dan Dierdorf. Each has his own perspective, outlook and thoughts on Super Bowl XLIII.

Here are some of their ideas on some of Sunday’s issues:

Initially, at least, it doesn’t appear Herm Edwards’ replacement in Kansas City will be Bill Cowher.

While the football world has speculated on the Chiefs’ head-coaching search the past few weeks, now the team actually can commence it. One NFL source said a name near or at the top of the Chiefs’ list is former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

File this one under a Chief area to watch next season. CBS analyst Boomer Esiason said on his WFAN-NY radio show this week that he wouldn’t be surprised if Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli hired Bill Cowher to coach the team in 2010.