Archives for January 28, 2010

‘Butler’s NFL team is also going through a transition, with former Cowboys and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey in as the new head man in place of interim coach Perry Fewell, who replaced Dick Jauron after Jauron was let go in November following a 3-6 start. “I’ve heard nothing about good things about the guy, that he’s a man of high character. But at the same time, the NFL is ultimately about winning games, and it’s a business. Hopefuilly he can come in there and turn the tide and get us into the playoffs,” Butler said.’

‘Wendling took almost half the votes in a Buffalobills.com online poll where kicker Rian Lindell, punter Brian Moorman and fellow cover man Ashlee Palmer were also nominees. He finished as the team’s second leading special teams tackler in 2008, but finished at the top of the tackle list in 2009 with 26 on the season. Wendling accounted for almost one-fifth of all the special teams tackles by the Bills this season.’

‘It was not surprising that both Catavolos and Sanders were brought back by Gailey. Catavolos was credited with helping to develop rookie safety Jairus Byrd, who finished tied for first in the NFL with nine interceptions and earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl, though he can’t play due to hip and groin injuries. Overall, the Bills tied for second in the league with 28 interceptions, 21 coming from members of the secondary.’

‘But, in the end, Smith said becoming the outside linebackers coach at Buffalo makes him more marketable, even though it means leaving Atlanta, where he grew up (Mableton) and where his two children were born. "[I want an] opportunity one day to sit in the big chair and do it the way you want to do it and see if it turns out," Smith said.’

‘"I’ve seen it tried and failed and I’ve seen it done right. You can get it done. I think we’ll have a good, solid plan to get good players in here and get it done."’

‘”You move on, but this is home to me. Atlanta’s home,” Smith said. “I didn’t look at any other colleges, I wasn’t looking to leave for more money or anything like that. It’s an opportunity where you want to try to advance in your career, and I am very thankful to Georgia Tech, to Coach Johnson, to (athletics director) Dan Radakovich and especially to the Georgia Tech fans. They’ve been tremendous to me and my family, and I will be forever grateful for that.”‘

‘”On the practice field, he practiced as hard as anybody and on game day, he competed as hard as anybody,” Mariucci said. “He gave you his all. I think he was always playing to prove something. He didn’t want to stay in Jerry Rice’s shadow too long. He wanted to be T.O. He was very motivated to prove himself.”‘

‘Modkins, an associate of Gailey’s at Georgia Tech and then in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, has never been a coordinator at any level of football. But Gailey was looking for an individual with a good resume of working with individual players that could help him implement his schemes. “When you talk about a teacher, a communicator and a smart individual, Curtis fits all of those at the highest level,” Gailey said. “He is a bright young coach and I am excited about having him here.”‘

‘Owens was supposed to be the answer to teams double-teaming Evans. Unfortunately for the Bills, their blocking and quarterback play were so weak, the passing game never achieved the potential it had on paper. The numbers for Evans (44-612, 2 TDs) and Owens (55-829, 5) were among the poorest for their careers. It’s not likely that Owens, 36, will re-sign, though both sides are leaving the door open. Reed (27 catches), a solid slot receiver in years past, is a free agent the new staff will think hard about bringing back. Hardy, a second-round pick in 2008, came off major knee surgery to see some action late in the season (one catch, 9 yards). He has great size and elusiveness and could get the first crack at starting alongside Evans. Parrish caught just three passes for 34 yards; two different staffs have failed to utilize his unique skills.’

‘SS Donte Whitner’s legal troubles stemming from an incident with police outside a Cleveland nightclub last April are officially behind him. After completing a selective intervention program in which he met with a probation officer for three months, charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest have been dropped. The offseason incident compromised Whitner’s leadership role in the Bills locker room and he’ll look to re-establish himself under a new coaching staff in 2010.’

‘Curtis Modkins, who served as the Arizona Cardinals’ running backs coach this past season, has been hired to be the Bills’ offensive coordinator and running backs coach.’