Buffalo Bills News, 1/15: Bills Hire Special Teams Coordinator

Bills tab Danny Crossman special teams coordinator - BuffaloBills.com

"In 2012, Lions K Jason Hanson posted a career-high and set a franchise record with 134 points. During Crossman's tenure with Detroit from 2010-12, S John Wendling tied for the NFL-lead with 51 special teams tackles."

BuffaloBills.com is really reaching on this article. They don't mention Crossman's coverage units in Detroit at all because they were bad - finishing anywhere from the middle of the road to the bottom of the NFL. The main accomplishments they list for Crossman are from his days working with the Carolina Panthers. It's true we can't know how much emphasis Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has placed on special teams, but trying to spin Crossman in a positive light rings hollow when other information (see below) so clearly shows he is a mediocre hire at best, and a lateral move - if not a step back - from Bruce DeHaven.

Third Down Conversions: Quarterbacks | ProFootballFocus.com

"When dropping back to pass on third and fourth downs, which quarterbacks convert and which fall short? Khaled Elsayed offers numbers to break it down."

Ryan Fitzpatrick comes in at No. 11 by converting 36.53 percent of his attempts. The most surprising name on the list was Andy Dalton at No. 28, who converted less than 27 percent of the time despite having a solid tight end and a game-changing wide receiver. Fitzpatrick's numbers show his propensity to push it down the field when he knows he has to. Captain Checkdown doesn't work here anymore.

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Danny Crossman comments on joining Bills - BuffaloBills.com
"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."

Bills Focus: McKelvin Returns To Form in Year Five - BuffaloBills.com
"Bills cornerback and return man Leodis McKelvin had his best season with the Bills in 2012, and John Murphy gives an in-depth look at what made this season so special for him."

Scott hopes takeaways keep him in Buffalo - BuffaloBills.com
"The longest tenured player of all the unrestricted free agents had possibly the best season of his 10-year career, from a playmaking perspective. He accounted for six takeaways with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries."

Danny Crossman out as special teams coach in Detroit; is Buffalo in his future? - The Buffalo News
"Under Crossman, the Lions finished 15th in special teams in 2010 (according to the rankings done by Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News, which are accepted league wide), but fell all the way down to 31st in the 2011 season." This is what BuffaloBills.com couldn't tell you.

Crossman joins Bills as special teams coordinator - The Buffalo News
"Detroit this season averaged 31st on kickoff returns, 22nd on punt returns, 19th on opponent’s average start after a kickoff, 14th in kickoff coverage, 32nd in net punting and 18th in punt coverage. The Lions were the only team in the league to allow four return touchdowns in 2012."

WGR 550 SportsRadio - Crossman Joins Bills Staff
"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."

Danny Crossman is the new Bills special teams coach | ProFootballTalk
"The Lions special teams came under a lot of fire in Weeks Three and Four when they allowed the Titans and Vikings two touchdown returns each in Detroit losses." Like in the picture of John Wendling getting run past for a score.

Jerry Sullivan: Note to Bills: Top teams have top QBs - The Buffalo News
"Buffalo fans can be grateful to Ryan for leading a late, game-winning drive against the Seahawks. Otherwise, the NFC championship game would feature Kaepernick and Russell Wilson, two quarterbacks who were passed over by the Bills in the last two drafts."

Editorial: Buttles signs with the Bills - The Daily News Online: Opinion
A local small-town player signed a futures contract with the Bills this off-season. Read about his dream come true.

Former Saratoga Springs football star Weaver named Bills defensive line coach - saratogian.com
A tight synopsis of Weaver's career.