Part of the risk for a team trying to attach itself to an A-list coach is being shot down.

Excitement over the Buffalo Bills' pursuit of former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan should be tempered when other prominent coaches tell them "no thanks."

Jon Gruden reportedly did that recently. So too has Bill Cowher.

ESPN's John Clayton and the NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora have reported the Bills contacted Cowher, but he won't interview for any openings until after the season.

The Bills will never be a more attractive potential employer than they are now. They are alone in needing a head coach after firing Dick Jauron last week, but many other teams will be posting their classified ads soon.

That's why the Bills don't appear a likely landing spot for the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach. He will have his pick of any opening, and is said to be most interested in a team that has a legitimate quarterback in place. The Bills are sorely lacking in that department -- among others.

Shanahan reportedly scheduled a meeting with the Bills for this week. That's a feather in their cap.

But headlines that state the Bills are getting the Heisman stiff-arm from other recognizable names is a reminder of how implausible their hot pursuit will be.

Few actually expect Shanahan to consider taking the job. Talking to the Bills gives Shanahan leverage for the other teams that would seem more probable destinations.