Archives for January 2013

‘Coaches Greg Adkins, Tyrone Wheatley, Donnie Henderson and Jason Rebrovich are all headed to work for the NFL team.’

‘Several new assistants also have ties to the New York Jets, where they worked under Buffalo’s new defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine. That group is made up of Jim O’Neil (linebackers), Anthony Weaver (defensive line) and Samson Brown (assistant defensive backs).’

‘”I’m excited to announce the newest members of the Buffalo Bills coaching staff,” said head coach Doug Marrone. “When I began the hiring process for our staff, I sought after individuals that had a strong work ethic, passion for the game of football and experience which are all qualities demonstrated in each of our new hires.”‘

‘In 1992, Crossman was in his final season in the World League, but Marrone chose to hang up his cleats to begin his coaching career at SUNY Cortland as a tight ends coach. A year later their paths would cross again as they both landed coaching jobs at the Coast Guard Academy. Marrone coached the offensive line, while Crossman coached defensive backs for the 1993 season.’

‘The team finished last in the league by giving up an average of 14.8 yards per punt return. Buffalo’s net punting average with Brian Moorman and Shawn Powell was 37.8 yards, second worst in the NFL to the 37.1 yards averaged by Crossman’s unit in Detroit.’

‘I didn’t see any coordinators spiking the ball in the end zone over the weekend. The presumed genius of Denver’s Mike McCoy wasn’t all that evident. In the end, it’s about players – more specifically, the quarterback.’

‘He originally met Marrone when the two were teammates on the London Monarchs in the World League of American Football, and later worked with Marrone early in both men’s coaching careers at the Coast Guard.’

‘It’s a dream he has worked hard to make happen, and one he believes other small-town athletes can aspire to. “It kind of goes to show that a lot of hard work and dedication can pay off no matter what your background is or where you come from,” he says. “There’s always a chance if you want something bad enough, then you can go get it.”‘

‘Weaver follows Mike Pettine, the Bills’ new defensive coordinator, from New York to Buffalo. Pettine was the Jets’ defensive coordinator from 2009-12, overseeing a defense that finished in the top 10 in total defense each year. The Jets defense held opponents to the second-fewest passing yards per game (189.8) and finished fifth in the AFC in total defense this year – 323.4 total yards per game.’

‘The Lions return units finished among the NFL’s worst last season. Their coverage units were a little better, finishing 18th in punt-return average and 14th in kickoff-return average.’

‘During Crossman’s tenure with Detroit, safety John Wendling tied for the NFL- lead with 51 special teams tackles. In addition, Lions kicker Jason Hanson posted a career-high and set a franchise record with 134 points in 2012.’

‘In their yearly breakdown of overall special teams’ performances, FootballOutsiders.com had Crossman’s 2012 unit ranked 30th out of 32 teams in the NFL. In 2011, the Lions were 29th according to the website’s rating system. In 2010, however, Detroit’s special teams ranked 11th in the league.’

‘From 2010-12, Crossman presided over the Detroit Lions’ special teams unit after seven years with the Carolina Panthers (2003-09), including the final five as their special teams coordinator. Crossman entered the NFL with Carolina in 2003 as a special teams assistant while also assisting the team’s strength and conditioning program.’

‘”The relationships that you build as players are obviously very important and special. You go through a lot of adversity in this game, so we remained close. My second job was at the Coast Guard Academy, which was Danny’s first. Really we have come from the bottom up through this industry. We have stayed close and we have come to this point where we can work together again. He brings great enthusiasm to the room and he brings experience. He has been to playoff games, he has been to championship games and he has competed at the highest level which is the Super Bowl.”‘

‘”Doug and I have known each other for the last 25 years or so. After playing together, we had the opportunity to coach together twice before in college football and compete against each other in the NFL. We have maintained a very close relationship over the years.”‘