‘Promoting Hall to wide receivers coach would follow Buffalo’s pattern of hiring this offseason. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson had experience as an assistant offensive line coach, but this will be his first stint as an offensive line coach in the NFL. Heath Farwell will also be getting his first chance to be a special teams coach in Buffalo in 2019 after serving as an assistant special teams coach with the Seattle Seahawks (2016-2017) and the Carolina Panthers (2018).’
Archives for January 2019
2019 free agency: Free agents with ties to Buffalo Bills OL coach Bobby Johnson
‘After a stint as the Bills’ assistant offensive line coach from 2010-2011, Johnson made stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars (tight ends coach), Detroit Lions (tight ends coach/assistant offensive line coach), Oakland Raiders (tight ends coach) and Indianapolis Colts (assistant offensive line coach). Players that Johnson coached at all four stops will hit free agency come March. Here’s a look at a few potential fits for the Bills that Johnson could possibly help Buffalo land in free agency.’
Buffalo Bills fans, media remind Adam Schefter that Saints’ suffering far from worst
‘Needless to say, Buffalo Bills fans and media members were quick to remind the ESPN insider about the team’s postseason losses during the Super Bowl era as well as the Music City Miracle. Here’s a look at some of the best reactions to Schefter’s tweet.’
Bills Today: New special teams coordinator earns praise from this Bills veteran
‘“I think the biggest thing is that he’s been an assistant, so he’s been falling in line with whoever has set the tone and standard for that core, in special teams meetings and setting standards for players,” Alexander said. “Now he has to develop who he is as a coordinator, and that’s kind of a growing process. Some guys, I think, have a better understanding of what that is. I think he will do a good job because he’s played. I played against him, probably one of the best players that I’ve competed against, really good core guy.”‘
Offense Analysis: Josh Allen’s improvement seen in empty formations
‘The Bills used an empty backfield – with all the receivers and running backs lined up in wideout positions – only 13 plays in the first 10 games. After Allen returned from his elbow injury, they used it 66 plays the last six weeks.’
Inside the Bills: Comparing Sean McDermott’s staff changes to his counterparts
‘“I would say it’s probably about par,” Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said of the changes to the coaching staff in two years. “You know, what’s hard is, when you come in as GM or head coach, people are under contract, and sometimes you can’t get – you might have five guys that you want to be your coordinator on this side of the ball, or your O-line coach, or whoever – but you couldn’t get them because they’re under contract. So you’re constantly trying to keep up with that.”’
Jay Skurski’s Bills Mailbag: What’s the team’s timeline for winning?
‘I will say, however, that I think the current front office and coaching staff fully expected this rebuild would take at least three, and probably four, years. If that coincides with the end of Brady’s career, then all the better. The tough part of that is fans lived through the 17-year playoff drought, and therefore don’t love having patience preached to them. A big reason for the drought was facing Brady twice a year, so there’s no doubt the outlook for every team in the AFC East gets brighter when he’s gone.’
One-on-One Coverage: Jon Dorenbos on life’s challenges, playing for Bills and magic
‘I actually lived right around the corner from a restaurant called the Poppyseed (in Blasdell), and they had the best chicken chili. When I go back to Buffalo, I stop by the Poppyseed for the chicken chili. That, and, obviously, the Big Tree. After games, you go to Big Tree. I was lucky to play with Brian Moorman, who was the punter and who was very involved in the community. So my introduction to the Bills community was kind of riding his coattail and him introducing me and seeing really how the community responded to him and his PUNT Foundation.’
5 facts to know about the Bills roster heading into the 2019 offseason
‘The Bills have six players who are set to enter unrestricted free agency. Should they not sign an extension with the Bills before March 11, they can begin to negotiate with other NFL teams. They cannot officially sign these contracts until March 13 at 4:00 p.m., the start of the new league year.’
Bills turn special teams rebuilding project over to young Heath Farwell
‘Seattle coach Pete Carroll recognized Farwell as coaching material while he was playing. Farwell spent his final Seahawks season on the sidelines after suffering a serious groin injury in preseason. Rather than reaching an injury settlement with him, Carroll opted to keep Farwell on the injured reserve list and use him in a mentoring/coaching role for the special teams. Seattle reached the Super Bowl that year, losing to New England in the final game.’
Kyler Murray among early-entry QBs Bills can hope become draft darlings
‘Since the Bills are out of the quarterback market, the more QBs taken ahead of them in the 2019 draft, the better.’
Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly gets clean bill of health at latest checkup
‘Jill Kelly said the results “took a bit longer than usual because of all the reconstruction Jim has had inside his mouth. They wanted to be certain that all was good.”’
Former Bills lineman Joe O’Donnell dies at age 77
‘O’Donnell moved back to Milan after his playing career and served as an assistant coach on the high school football team for several decades. He’s a past winner of the assistant coach of the year award from the Michigan high school coaches association. The football field at Milan High was named in his honor in 2009.’
Bills quarterback Josh Allen inspired by Patrick Mahomes’ early success with Chiefs
‘“Absolutely I do think it can happen,” said Allen, who played in 11 more games as a rookie than did Mahomes. “Kudos to him for having such a great season. He’s having a season that quarterbacks dream of. He’s a really good dude, an outstanding player and I’m really happy for him. I definitely think that it can be attained by a young quarterback and why not me? That’s what we all strive to do, to win games and have a fun time doing it. That’s something we’ll be chasing here, not the stats or the MVP or whatever, but winning football games and hosting the AFC Championship.”’
Josh Allen’s growth and o-line’s struggles: Q&A with Bills OT Jeremiah Sirles
‘”When I walked in there I didn’t know any of those receivers besides Kelvin (Benjamin). I hadn’t heard of any of them before. So to watch Zay become close to our number one receiver towards the end of the year – if there was a go-to moment it was going to Zay Jones. Seeing that role that he stepped into with Kelvin leaving and Terrelle Pryor leaving, with opportunity really staring at him in the face and he grabbed it. It was awesome to see.”‘