“Andrew Luck is the best quarterback grade I’ve given in 35 years of doing this,” Kiper said. ”Andrew Luck is viewed as a more athletic Peyton Manning. You cannot pass on Andrew Luck. I haven’t given a grade as high as Luck since 1983 and that was John Elway.”

As for Griffin it seems the only questions on him involve his true measured height per Kiper.

“I thought he was a quarterback all along,” Kiper said. ”I think the fact that he can throw that deep ball so accurately, he’s a straight line guy in terms of mobility. He was a hurdler. He’s not Michael Vick. He doesn’t change direction and isn’t as explosive in and out of his cuts as Vick. Vick is the best running quarterback I’ve ever seen, but RG III is a much better passer. That’s why he has such a high grade.

“His mobility is excellent. He can make people miss. He’s not as dynamic a runner as Vick. Certainly his intelligence, character and game management is all excellent. His height isn’t ideal, he’s listed as 6’2”. If he’s not then there won’t be that buzz. It is what it is.”

DAILY REPORT

The team also announced Bob Bicknell will coach wide receivers after coaching tight ends the previous two seasons.  Adrian White will serve as the assistant defensive backs coach after serving as the defensive quality control coach since 2008.  Bob Sanders will coach linebackers after coaching outside linebackers last season.

Dees joins the Bills after spending last season as the running backs coach/recruiting coordinator at the University of Massachusetts.  He coached offensive line at Temple from 2006-2010.  He coached tight ends at the University at Buffalo from 2001-2005.  The 16-year college coaching veteran enters his first season in the NFL.

Thatcher joins the Bills after spending last season as the assistant defensive backs coach at Mercyhurst College.  Thatcher was a three-year starting free safety at Pittsburgh.  Upon his graduation in 2008, Thatcher started his coaching career at St. Vincent College in 2009 and then served as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 2010.

– Bills offensive coordinator/running backs coach Curtis Modkins breaks down Stevie Johnson’s game against Darrelle Revis and the Jets in the latest installment of the Top 10 performances.   Top 10 Performances – Stevie Johnson vs. the NY Jets

DAILY LINKS
Buffalobills.com – Bills turn to 4-3 as new base defense

Buffalobills.com – Bills add two to coaching staff

Buffalobills.com – Bills re-sign Sanborn

BuffaloBills.com VIDEO – Top 10 Performances – Stevie Johnson vs. the NY Jets

Buffalo News – Bills’ reshuffle results in 4-3

Rochester D&C – Bills announce new coaches

Associated Press – Buffalo Bills add two to the coaching staff

Associated Press – Bills re-sign long snapper Garrison Sanborn

Additional Clips
CBS Sacramento – Buffalo Bills Receiver Stevie Johnson Recaps His Season

WGR – QB coach David Lee joins Howard and Jeremy

WGR – Bills Shifting Back to 4-3 Base on D

WGR – Bills Announce New Coaching Hires

WGRZ – TV – Bills Announce Change in Defensive Scheme and Coaching Staff

WIVB-TV – Bills sign snapper Sanborn

WKBW-TV – Bills Announces Pair of Additions to Coaching Staff

WKBW-TV – SportsBlast 7.0 – Bills switch to 4-3, Sabres back after break

WHEC-TV – Bills re-sign long snapper Garrison Sanborn

Inside The Bills Blog
Bills still need TE coach
Lee sees double threat in Smith
QB mechanics a focus with Lee
Wannstedt’s defense keeps it simple
Stevie wants to be elite
It’s about mental toughness
Stevie to put end to TD displays
Dareus on ESPN2 Monday night
Extensions for restricteds?
Bills Focus: QB Coach David Lee 1-on-1
New Asst D-Line Coach Meets the Media
Chan Gailey on the Coaching Additions
New Wide Receivers Coach Meets the Media

Buffalo News Billboard Blog
Bills shift to 4-3 defense
Gailey confirms Bills’ switch to 4-3 defense
Bills add two assistants to coaching staff
Agent: Sanborn agrees to three-year extension (update)

Pro Football Weekly
Bills make coaching changes
Bills sign LS Sanborn to extension

Buffalo Rumblings
2012 NFL Draft: Brandon Weeden’s Stock Is Rising
Chan Gailey: Buffalo Bills Moving Back To A 4-3 Defense
Buffalo Bills Announce Coaching Staff Changes
State Of The Buffalo Bills Roster: Defensive Line
Four Buffalo Bills Scheduled To Appear At NFL’s Awards Show
Buffalo Bills’ Brad Smith: Lockout Limited His Effectiveness
Hypothetical: Buffalo Bills’ Transition To A 4-3 Defense

Buffalo Sports Daily – 2011 Bills Darkest Clouds- No. 3: Fitz Falters

THIS DAY IN BILLS HISTORY
January 31, 1981 — JIM RINGO IS A HALL OF FAMER
Former Buffalo Bills head coach and Green Bay Packers center Jim Ringo was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1981.

January 31, 1997 — JIM KELLY RETIRES
Bills QB Jim Kelly officially announced his retirement from the NFL in a press conference at the Bills Fieldhouse in Orchard Park, NY.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Head Coach Chan Gailey
On being a hybrid still or strictly 4-3 this year
Yeah, but we’re going to start in a four-man front.  So, it’s going to be when we hand you a lineup card it’s going to have two defensive tackles, two defensive ends and three linebackers.  Its going to start that way but how much we end up in even spacing, odd spacing I can’t tell you that today.  And I think that’s determined by players and the offense we’re playing and what they give us.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Bills offensive coordinator/running backs coach Curtis Modkins breaks down Stevie Johnson’s game against Darrelle Revis and the Jets. Top 10 Performances – Stevie Johnson vs. the NY Jets

Bills head coach Chan Gailey announced changes to the coaching staff yesterday, including moving Bob Bicknell (above) to wide receivers coach after coaching tight ends for the last two years.

This newest edition features Stevie Johnson’s Week 12 performance against Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets. Witness Johnson making the only touchdown catch against Revis in 2011, one of eight, as offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins helps us break down why Johnson was so successful against one of the best corners in the game.

“To me having coached defense for years and that doesn’t mean I know everything about it, but if you can keep things simple and keep it basic where guys play hard it leads to more consistency,” said Nix. ”If you’re having to think and play defense you’re usually a step late. I think some of that will help us (under Wannstedt). We had too many missed assignments, and I’m not blaming anybody. We also didn’t have good enough players at some positions.”

Nix is right, to have a simple scheme work well you need quality talent. The success of Tony Dungy’s simple but successful ‘Tampa 2′ scheme was having players like Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks and later in Indy it was Dwight Freeney, David Thornton and Bob Sanders. So the Bills still need to boost the level of talent on the defensive side of the ball with a pass rusher high on the list, but this new direction is a welcome one on the part of the players and the front office.

Bicknell coached the tight ends each of the past two seasons, but in sliding over to coach receivers there’s still one more vacancy coach Gailey needs to fill. That position is likely to be filled in short order as offseason plans with respect to scheme and such are soon to be formulated.

“I’m really glad he’s here,” said Lee of Smith. ”I think the biggest thing is in Miami we ran it with Ronnie Brown, who wasn’t a really good passer at all. Brad is just such a good passer and I remember watching him with the Jets. So he could keep the opposing coverage back meaning they can’t run 10 of them all down on the line of scrimmage, which is something we ran into in Miami when they realized that Brown wasn’t a threat to throw the football.

“Brad gives us more dimensions. We have some things that we have in mind and that’s yet to be finalized as to what we’ll do. But there are some things that we’ve done that may suit Brad Smith.”

“Accuracy is the number one critical factor at the quarterback position,” Lee told Buffalobills.com. ”It does come down to your fundamentals. It’s like a golf swing. If you have poor fundamentals you could hit 1,500 balls and can’t be more accurate and keep the ball in the fairway. At the same time at the quarterback position if a guy’s fundamentals are good and he has a systematic approach to how he wants his mechanics to be when he throws the ball. What’s happening between his upper body and lower body at the same time. Getting those two in sync increases accuracy and velocity.”

Even though a player like Ryan Fitzpatrick will be entering his eighth season in the NFL next fall, Lee said a quarterback is never too experienced to make an adjustment for the better in his throwing mechanics. 

“Talking to a guy I had recently in Chad Pennington, he said that at age 32 he never thought he would change a couple of things, but he did with me,” said Lee. ”It was with his lower body, his left foot was blocking his right hip. Those things, if a quarterback at this level knows you can get him better and he buys in, once he buys in that you’re going to help he’s sold and you’ve got him. That’s something we want to work with Tyler (Thigpen), (Ryan) Fitzpatrick and Brad (Smith).”

Check out Buffalobills.com’s exclusive one-on-one interview with David Lee later this afternoon in the media center at Buffalobills.com.

Dareus along with other members of the 2011 NFL draft class will be profiled in the program as film crews followed several of the rookies around during parts of their first NFL season. The program airs at 11 pm ET on ESPN2.

In an interview with 1140 The Fan Sportsradio in Sacramento late last week, Johnson was asked how good he believes he can get after posting a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons along with 17 touchdowns.

“I believe I can be considered with this young generation of receivers… my name can be mentioned,” Johnson said. ”That’s as far as I can go because I don’t have any playoff games under my belt. I don’t have any winning seasons under my belt or any individual accolades like Pro Bowls or first team or things like that. So I can’t say too much. I feel like I’ve been trying to get my name out there and now it’s time to show that I can be in this generation considered one of the best in this young talented generation of receivers. That’s my goal to be one of those top guys.”

“I can’t really put my finger on it,” Johnson told 1140 The FAN Sportsradio in Sacramento. ”It’s not from injury or any changes in game plan or what the defense had done. It’s one of those things that happened in a season.  Guys were still working hard. We still had guys showing up after practice after three losses and we felt we could still make the playoffs. It’s something that happens and we have to build up some more mental toughness and get over those bad stretches. The good teams they get over it fast. After one loss or two losses they’re already over it, bouncing back and getting those ‘W’s’. So it’s just mental toughness I guess. That’s what we have to work on.”

Johnson believes the collective mental toughness of the Bills just wasn’t strong enough last season and was part of what allowed the losing streak to stretch so long.

Appearing on 1140 SportsRadio the FAN in Sacramento, Johnson said the TD displays are behind him now.

“Honestly there are things that I will change and things that will stay the same,” said Johnson. ”My fight and the way I go about the game that’s going to stay the same. When I put those pads on and I get on the field I want to win and try to dominate. As far as the extra antics, with over-celebrating I feel like I did that to try to get on in the league and make a name for myself and let people know about Stevie Johnson.

“I feel like I have the attention now so now it’s time to take the next step. That’s trying to be a Pro Bowl receiver and trying to get a team to the playoffs. I’ve been playing this game just to try to make my name relevant coming from being a seventh-round pick, working from scout team to being a starting receiver. Now I feel I’ve got that spot as number one, number two receiver and now I’m trying to take that next step in going to an elite receiver.”

Johnson took it a step further indicating that he’s got to become a mature leader at the receiver position and for the team as a whole moving forward.

“When I came in we had Lee Evans, Josh Reed, Justin Jenkins, we had more veteran guys,” he said. ”Now things are changing and now I’m the veteran receiver among the first-year and second-year guys and my whole mentality has to change. That’s something I’m going to be working on this upcoming season. My receivers coach was already instilling that in me knowing I’m going to be the veteran receiver and I have to take charge of the receivers and be more vocal with the entire team. I’m ready to work on that in terms of being an overall leader for the team and for my receivers. Just the mental part. The physical aspect is going to be the same where it’s going to be competition and I want to win.”

DAILY REPORT

DAILY LINKS
Buffalo News – San Francisco shows Buffalo how to get it done

BuffaloBills.com – Bryant promoted to Senior Manager of Event Services

Sarasota Herald Tribune – Marv Levy going by the book, his own

WGR – Still No Contract Talks Between Bills and WR Johnson

WGR – Bills WGR Memories

WGR – Source Sanborn Signs 3 Year Deal with Bills

WIVB-TV – Bills great Andre Reed waiting for the call

Additional Clips
Inside The Bills Blog
Kelso would take Super Bowl trade
Fan Friday 1-27
Cuomo “optimistic” despite hurdles
Fred makes All-Joe Team
BDC 1/27: Today’s links

Pro Football Talk – Bills, Stevie Johnson not talking contract yet

Buffalo Rumblings
Buffalo Bills Re-Sign LS Garrison Sanborn, Per Report
Why The Buffalo Bills’ Defensive Alignment Doesn’t Matter, Part 2
2012 Senior Bowl Live Discussion Thread
Buffalo Bills, Stevie Johnson No Closer On Contract Extension, Per Report

Buffalowdown
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Bills Select Offensive Tackle

THIS DAY IN BILLS HISTORY
January 30, 1999 — BILLY SHAW IS A HALL OF FAMER
Former Buffalo Bills G Billy Shaw is selected to the class of 1999 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Former Buffalo Bills lineman Billy Shaw was selected to the class of 1999 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on this day in 1999.

As restricted free agents, the club can hold onto your rights as a player by tendering a one-year qualifying offer. Upon signing that offer a player is tied to the club for at least one more season. Such was the case with TE Scott Chandler, who signed his one-year tender for the 2011 season last year.

Rinehart and Urbik both proved to be significant contributors on the interior of the offensive line solidifying the starting unit and providing valuable depth. It would not be shocking if Buffalo chose to get both linemen signed long term as well, though other offseason priorities could always play a factor in compromising that approach (e.g. Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson, Scott Chandler, free agency, etc.).

Appearing on the Schopp and the Bulldog show on WGR Sportsradio 550 late Friday afternoon, Kelso was asked for his thoughts and memories on that unprecendented run to four straight Super Bowls. He was also asked if he would trade that four-year ride for a single Super Bowl win.

“Certainly you want ot think about all those good times,” said Kelso. “The fact that you went there four times in row doesn’t diminish the success that you had, but I would’ve traded all four of those for a couple of Super Bowl victories I’ll tell you that. I wouldn’t trade them for one victory and ride off into the sunset and not be a very good team, but if you said we could trade four for two victories I would have to consider that.”

Kelso also stated that had Scott Norwood’s kick been good to win Super Bowl XXV he doubts the team would’ve won four straight AFC titles. He believes not finishing it off was what kept the hunger alive in those teams year after year. To hear the whole segment you can go to the station’s audio vault.

1 - Hey Chris,
I have heard several rumors that Dwayne Bowe would like to be reunited with Chan Gailey.  Any thoughts on Buffalo being so far under the cap trying to sign Bowe and/ or Stevie or even going defense and making a run a pass rusher that we desperately need like Mario Williams
 
Regards, 

D. Fischer
Rochester, NY

CB: Just rumor at this point. It’s only natural to see Bowe or San Diego’s Vincent Jackson linked to the Bills as potential free agent targets. NFL personnel men just like anyone else in any other line of work prefer to go with what they know, and Chan Gailey knows Bowe from being his offensive coordinator in Kansas City. Similarly Buddy Nix knows Vincent Jackson from his time in San Diego’s front office.

All that being said both of those players fit the description that Nix gave at his season wrap-up press conference. Both are the kind of receivers that are “open even when they’re not open.” They’re both big wideouts and their timed speed is almost identical (Jackson-4.51 to Bowe-4.52), which ironically is right where Eric Moulds timed out during his career.

Would I be shocked if Buffalo made a play on one of them in free agency? No.

I would be shocked however, if both of them made it to free agency. The absence of both players in their respective offenses would be crippling to their quarterbacks. As much as GMs A.J. Smith and Scott Pioli may not want to get into the stratosphere with respect to a long term contract for their top receiver, the way the league is headed they’ll need to bite the bullet.

It’s a passing league, and if your offense lacks a go-to guy you’re sunk.

As for Mario Williams, he’ll probably be available after the production that Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed provided Houston in the absence of Williams after his season-ending pectoral muscle tear. The two combined for 17.5 sacks.

Williams injury history the past two seasons is a bit of a concern so investing heavily could give some teams pause, but it’s not likely. It’s hard to argue with his ability and with the likelihood of the Bills moving to a 4-3, I think he’s a better fit for that system than Houston’s 3-4. I just see a bidding war for Williams and that’s something the Bills typically aren’t a part of.

I think the Bills may add a free agent veteran pass rusher, but I don’t see it being Williams. The highest ticket pass rusher I could see the Bills possibly, and I stress possibly, pursuing is someone more like Cliff Avril if he somehow makes it to the market. In the end, I think the Bills address their pass rush in the draft, and early.  

2 – Hey Chris,

This new GM for the Raiders, Reggie McKenzie, I only know one “football” Reggie McKenzie—the Bills O-lineman from the 1970’s.  Is this the same guy??? 

Thanks!
Matthew S. Kerr
Dayton, OH
CB: No, it’s not former Buffalo offensive lineman Reggie McKenzie. He was a former 10^th round pick out of Tennessee by the Raiders and played for seven seasons in the NFL as a linebacker. He played for the Raiders (85-88), Cardinals (89-90) and 49ers (92).

3 - Chris,
You have had two years now to watch Buddy Nix and his approach to the draft.  While it is always a fluid process during the actual draft because you never know who the teams ahead of you are going to select, do you have a sense that the 1st round selection this year will be a “pass rusher” as opposed to say an offensive tackle or wide receiver?

And do you see Buddy’s first “pass rusher” pick to be a defensive end vs an outsider linebacker?

Bills’ fans all seem to have their favorite pick whether it is Nick Perry, Whitney Mercilus, Melvin Ingram, etc.  Do you have a player you like as a defensive end “pass rusher” for the Bills?

Thanks for all you do Chris.  Hope you are enjoying the ‘off-season’.
Tim N.

CB:  If the right pass rusher is there at 10 the Bills will draft a pass rusher, provided they do not land a high ticket one in free agency beforehand. If the pass rusher is taken 10^th overall it will be one that can play defensive end in a 4-3 in my opinion.

I prefer Courtney Upshaw at 10 myself. I do like Ingram, but I’m not certain he can be a 4-3 defensive end and that uncertainty, if the Bills brass shares it, doesn’t make him a proper value at 10. Mercilus is a one-year wonder so there’s a boom or bust risk there that I don’t see the Bills taking at 10. Perry is a 4-3 defensive end, but I think he has to have a really good workout at the NFL Combine to have a chance to move past Upshaw on the board.

Coples is clearly the best of the bunch in terms of pure talent, but he’ll go no later than 7.

4 – Hi Chris,

With Wannstedt now running the defense, I wanted to ask about the front seven situation. Assuming the Bills decide to predominantly go with a 4-man front, as most people think they’ll do, I was wondering about what that would mean for our linebacking corps. Do you think we’d have to add a couple of typical 4-3 linebackers to adjust to that system (namely on the strong and weak side)? Do you think we have enough linebackers presently on the roster that could easily fit those new roles? Or would they prefer to go with just 2 linebackers and play nickel most of the time? 

Thanks Chris,
Paul
Toronto

CB: I’m anticipating that they’ll add a 4-3 SLB in free agency to start on that side. I think it’s hard to say what Wannstedt’s preferences would be with respect to guys like Sheppard and Barnett in terms of who mans the MLB spot. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Barnett, because of his athleticism and cover ability, is the best fit for the weak side LB position, which should put Sheppard in the middle. Moats, Batten and Chris White will battle for reserve roles in all likelihood. Shep and Barnett would also be the nickel backers as I see it, unless Bryan Scott is re-signed to serve in one of those roles as he did last season.

5- Chris:

With your background and knowledge as a former Bills Beat Reporter for radio and now working as Lead Journalist for Buffalobills.Com, what can you tell the fans to help us stay optimistic that the 2012-2013 Bills will actually challenge for a playoff spot next year?  What is the organization (top to bottom) doing differently from past Bills Administrations that indicate the team is actually going in the right direction, because with each passing year of losing records and missed playoffs it becomes more and more difficult to accept what we are told by Bills Management. 

Thanks
Joe, Blasdell 

CB: If I had to pick one specific thing that the Bills current management is doing differently than they have in the past it’s investing in the lines. Previous front offices either did not invest in the lines enough or missed badly on their investments (e.g. Mike Williams, Derrick Dockery, etc.) with the exception of Eric Wood and Andy Levitre in 2009 draft.

The investments made under Buddy Nix have been good ones and most of them haven’t broken the bank (e.g. Dwan Edwards, Kraig Urbik, Erik Pears, Chad Rinehart). And how refreshing was it to see them draft Marcell Dareus third overall last season?

I think the Bills stand a good chance of investing in the defensive line again this year in the form of a pass rushing defensive end. So although the wins have not been there to this point I think we can all agree that the lines on both sides of the ball are noticeably better.

Not ideal yet, but significantly better and likely to see more improvements this offseason (offensive tackle, defensive end). It’s that approach that encourages me that the winning is on its way because it all starts up front.

The Buffalo News covered the governor’s address at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center Thursday. Here’s a key excerpt from their story. 

The governor called himself a “committed partner in keeping the Bills here” but cautioned that the state’s fiscal picture means there will be no “blank check.”

“We’ve had significant financial problems for a lot of years, so we’re not a bank account here, either,” Cuomo said. “Having said that, we’ll do whatever we can, and I’m optimistic that it will work out.”

The Bills current lease with Erie County runs up to July of 2013.

The All-Joe Team is a honor for “first-rate players that get second-rate recognition.” Here’s what they wrote about Fred.

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills - Buffalo really went downhill after he broke his leg in Week 11. Unheralded product from Division III Coe College averaged nearly 140 yards from scrimmage.

The running back contingent for the All-Joe Team was made up of all AFC rushers with Miami’s Reggie Bush and Houston’s Ben Tate also on the squad.

DAILY LINKS

Buffalobills.com – Jills cheerleader heads to Pro Bowl

Buffalo News – Stadium concrete is focus of study by county to prepare for lease talks

Buffalo News – Let’s look in the mirror, Cuomo says

WGRZ-TV – Aspiring Ballerina From Bemus Point Headed to the Super Bowl

Additional Clips
Inside The Bills Blog
A good synopsis of Upshaw
No talks for Chargers & WR Jackson
WR class lacking burners
How Miami’s 4-3 ‘D’ impacts Bills

Buffalo News Billboard – SB 25 rated 3^rd best

Buffalo Rumblings
In A Perfect World, Buffalo Bills Won’t Be Fussy About PassRushers
2012 Senior Bowl: Buffalo Bills Chatting Up Alabama Prospects

THIS DAY IN BILLS HISTORY
January 27, 2001 — MARV LEVY IS A HALL OF FAMER
Former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy was selected to the class of 2001 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Former Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy was selected to the class of 2001 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on this day in 2001 and was inducted in Canton, Ohio later that year.

Veteran NFL reporter Jeff Legwold’s thorough review of Upshaw lends some good insight into Upshaw’s game. Perhaps the most interesting note is Upshaw’s desire to get down to 265 pounds by the NFL Combine in late February. Whether that’s his aim to make him a quicker and more effective pass rusher or to make him more attractive to 3-4 teams as an OLB is unclear. It’s something I’ll ask him about at the combine in Indy. In any event here Legwold’s write up on Upshaw in today’s Denver Post.

That according to Jackson himself, who told NFL.com as much at the Pro Bowl this week.

“There hasn’t been any communication as far as contracts go,” Jackson said.

Jackson did state a desire to re-sign with the Chargers, but obviously it all comes down to money. The receiver’s camp is likely going to come in north of $10M a year knowing they were asking for that much two years ago. San Diego is more likely to accept something in the range of $8.5 to $9.5 per season. That would slot him in between Atlanta’s Roddy White and Miami’s Brandon Marshall, probably where he belongs in terms of productivity.

There would obviously be interest on the open market for Jackson, should he reach free agency in mid-March as he’s one of the few premiere veteran free agent receivers with deep speed.