Archives for January 2017

'Incognito started in all 16 games this season with Buffalo and was graded by Pro Football Focus as the team's best pass and run blocker. He was a part of a unit that helped the Bills finish first in rushing for the second consecutive season. Behind Incognito and the rest of Buffalo's offensive line, the Bills were able to set a new franchise record for rushing touchdowns in one season (29).'

'Secondary coach Leslie Frazier, who was instrumental in the improvement of the team's defensive backfield in 2016, will also depart and become McDermott's defensive coordinator in Buffalo. In his one season with the Ravens, Frazier's impact was felt as the team tied for the league lead with 18 interceptions, more than they had the previous two years combined, and finished with the NFL's ninth-ranked pass defense. ESPN first reported Frazier's departure.'

'Before his mid-season promotions this past season, Lynn – a former all-conference running back at Texas Tech – had spent almost his entire NFL coaching career overseeing his former position, doing so in Jacksonville, Dallas, Cleveland and New York (with the Jets) before following Ryan to Buffalo in 2014.'

'The newest Los Angeles franchise is currently in negotiations with Bills interim head coach and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, a source said Thursday evening. This is the latest layer to an atmospheric rise for the 48-year-old, who began 2016 as Buffalo’s running backs coach, became its offensive coordinator in September and then interim coach in late December.'

'If you're a Bills fan, you're going to love him. Buffalo just lost Rex Ryan as its head coach — a good guy in his own right, but the polar opposite of McDermott personality-wise — and replaced him with the most humble guy you could ever meet.'

'Roman returns to the Ravens after serving as the team's assistant offensive line coach from 2006-07. He's built a reputation for building a sound running game, a deficiency for Baltimore this season.'

'This is a major step up for Lynn, who has never been a head coach nor a coordinator until this season.'

'"I am very excited to join the Ravens' staff and help coach (John) Harbaugh and Marty Mornhinweg in any way I can," Roman said. "The building blocks are there for this team, and we're all looking forward to being better. I've been with the Ravens before and know firsthand what a great organization they have. My family and I are happy to be back."'

'"There's no foundation, no truth to this dysfunctional talk. I consider it an insult to our organization and the Bills and the good people with the Sabres. They can't be real happy to hear that."'

'In one season with the Ravens, Frazier was instrumental in helping improve the defensive backfield. Baltimore ranked ninth in pass defense and had a league-high 18 interceptions.'

'Lynn also interviewed for the Los Angeles Rams' and Bills' head-coaching vacancies. He was elevated from running backs coach to offensive coordinator in Buffalo two games into the 2016 season when then-head coach Rex Ryan fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Lynn then took over for Ryan for the final game of the season when Bills owner Terry Pegula fired Ryan.'

'In his first season with the Bills, Roman was the playcaller for the NFL's top-ranked ground game, which averaged 152 yards per game and scored 19 touchdowns. LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams combined for 1,412 rushing yards and 11 runs over 20 yards.'

'With Frazier Buffalo bound, it means Holcomb will likely stay in place as the team’s linebackers coach. The Panthers are also expected to promote defensive backs coach Steve Wilks to defensive coordinator, meaning the lone vacancy on the staff to fill with be Wilks’ old secondary coach position.'

'Lynn became known for quickly establishing the Bills as one of the NFL's best running teams this season, orienting the team's offense around the skill set of LeSean McCoy. Armed with Melvin Gordon and a strong run-blocking offensive line, it's fair to expect a similar system in Los Angeles, but before the Lynn hire, La Canfora reported that offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and the majority of his staff was expected to be retained by whoever was brought aboard.'

'Roman has been known for using a lot of motion and power running in his offenses, which Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Tyrod Taylor employed with varying degrees of success during his years in San Francisco and Buffalo.'