Archives for January 2013

‘Hackett, 33, has been Marrone’s offensive coordinator at Syracuse for the past two seasons. In the 2010 season Marrone began to cede the offensive play calling duties to Hackett, when he was still serving as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.’

‘Pettine will enter his 12th year in the NFL coaching ranks in 2013 and fifth as a defensive coordinator. He served in the same capacity with the New York Jets from 2009-12 overseeing a defense that finished in the top 10 in total defense each year.’

‘”I have worked closely with Nathaniel the past 3 years and the first thing that jumps out at you is his boundless enthusiasm. He has a genuine love and excitement for the game of football, offenses in particular, and that transcends into everything he does. Secondly, he has a great knowledge of offenses for someone his age. Having grown up as the son of coach, particularly the son of a good coach, has certainly served him well. He’s been surrounded by offensive-thinking football all his life and he’s absorbed it. It’s in his DNA. Finally, you hear coaches speak of “everyone being on the same page?” Well Nathaniel is on the same page with me when it comes to the offense, and it’s multiple variations, that we are looking to run here in Buffalo.”‘

‘”The personnel we acquire through free agency and the Draft will not be locked into a defense that plays one particular front or one particular coverage. We want defensive players who are tough and get after it, and, at the same time, play smart football.”‘

‘Coach Marrone is a very well respected coach throughout the NFL. His experience with the offenses is just amazing. To learn that from him first-hand and to work with him very intimately on creating a system while we were there at Syracuse learning all the things that he wanted carried over from the NFL. It not only gave me the foundation in the pass protection and the run game, but just overall how to put everything together to correspond with that-protect the quarterback and run the ball.’

‘”First and foremost was the opportunity to work with a quality coach like Doug Marrone. It was just a whirlwind for me when the opportunities came. When his name popped up people came out of the woodwork to recommend him. He’s pure football. The biggest thing for me is also to coach in an area with passionate fans. I grew up a coach’s son and in a community where it was all about football. It’s great to be somewhere where the fans are so passionate.”‘

‘”I was definitely excited when I read that about him,” Wood told Buffalobills.com. “I’m happy he’s an offensive-minded coach. I think that bodes well for us on offense that he coached a really successful offense down in New Orleans. The way he talked he wants to be innovative on offense and that’s kind of how the league is going these days.”‘

‘McKelvin and other players chosen will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice.’

‘The 2012 season was the 13th straight year that the Bills missed the playoffs and 8th straight season with a losing record. They had such high hopes of breaking the playoff drought thanks to the signing of Mario Williams. He was a disappointment and the team finished with the exact same 6-10 record as they did in 2011. Now for the 13th year in a row we do our position by position final exam grades as well as individual player grades for key players at each position.’

‘The Bills had one of the least aggressive defenses last season, rarely blitzing the quarterback and relying primarily on the four down linemen to create pressure. Those days appear to be over.’

‘Marrone wasn’t kidding. Less than two days after taking the reins in Buffalo, according to various reports, Marrone has already made the two most important decisions regarding his coaching staff, though nothing official was announced by the Bills Wednesday.’

‘But Bills fans should keep in mind that Hackett ran a similar offense to the one the Bills ran in the 1990s with Jim Kelly. Of course, the Bills need a good quarterback to run this offense on the field, but I’m keeping an open mind. This could be great for the Bills’ offense, especially players like C.J. Spiller, Stevie Johnson and Scott Chandler.’

‘Hackett said he was offered the job Monday night during a phone conversation with Marrone, the former SU head coach who gave Hackett “the chance of a lifetime” to return to Buffalo and take the reins of an NFL offense.’

‘In a telephone interview on Monday night, however, while at O’Neil’s house watching the BCS championship game between Alabama and Notre Dame, Pettine talked about breaking away from the Jets and the shadow of head coach Rex Ryan. “I thought it would be good to be exposed to a different style of coaching, a different system,” he said. “It’s like continuing education – the more things you can expose yourself too, it’s beneficial.”‘

‘Pettine and Ryan have been a successful team for years, finishing first, third, fifth and eighth in total defense in the past four years. Pettine became the primary play-caller through the years.’