Buffalo Bills news, 1/25: Jim Schwartz named defensive coordinator

Jim Schwartz named Bills Defensive Coordinator - BuffaloBills.com
"We are excited to add a talented and accomplished coordinator in Jim Schwartz to our staff," said Bills head coach Doug Marrone. "Schwartz has led aggressive and productive defensive units throughout his time in the NFL and we feel our defense will continue to improve under his leadership."

Run 'D', 3rd down two strengths of Schwartz defenses - BuffaloBills.com
"Over the past 13 years as a defensive coordinator and head coach in the NFL his defensive units have enjoyed a good deal of success in two key areas where Buffalo's defensive units have struggled."

Inside The Bills | Belichick a big fan of Schwartz
Belichick gave him his first NFL job. Read what the Patriots coach says here.

Inside The Bills | Schwartz says flexibility in defensive scheme
"Both Schwartz and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said after the season that they aren’t married to any particular scheme and there’s always tweaking that goes on in the offseason."

Bills hire ex-Lions head man Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator - BN Blitz
"Schwartz's defenses were more successful in Tennessee than in Detroit, where his defensive coordinator was long-time NFL coach Gunther Cunningham. Detroit's defense ranked 16th this past season, then 13th, 23rd and 21st the seasons before. His Titans defenses ranked in the top 12 in the NFL five of eight seasons. The Titans were second in points allowed in 2008."

Jim Schwartz was best bet for Buffalo Bills defense - ESPN
"There is plenty of appeal for the Bills. In hiring Schwartz, the Bills add name recognition to their rebuilding project, reinforcing an urgency to win by luring a bigger name to the NFL's smallest market."

Follow-up thoughts on Jim Schwartz hire - ESPN
"From this perspective, it would be poor form for the Bills to try to keep O'Neil in Buffalo with an unfamiliar boss (Schwartz) when he has an opportunity to advance his career under Pettine in Cleveland."

Jim Schwartz hired as Bills defensive coordinator - Pride Of Detroit
Detroit Lions fans are trolling Downing hard over at our sister blog. They're also not big fans of Schwartz.

Bills hire Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator | ProFootballTalk
"He inherits a unit that finished second in the league in sacks and interceptions, but struggled badly against the run. Schwartz’s units in Tennessee were very strong in that area, which could bode well for Buffalo."

Buffalo Bills hire ex-Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
"Schwartz, who did not respond to a late-night text message, took a more hands-on role with the Lions defense this year and the team responded with its best defensive effort of his tenure."

Buffalo Bills hire Jim Schwartz to run defense - NFL.com
"Schwartz's contract had offsets, so the move helps Detroit pay off the $12 million it owes him, according to Rapoport, per a source familiar with Schwartz's situation."

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Bills hire Todd Downing as QBs coach - BuffaloBills.com
"In Downing’s first two seasons (2011-12) as the Lions’ QB coach, Stafford tallied 10,005 passing yards which ranks as the fourth most passing yards in NFL history over a two-year span."

Inside The Bills | Lewis not only QB on roster Downing coached
"Downing and the Detroit Lions staff coached Manuel at the Senior Bowl last year. Downing worked with Manuel all week and got a good feel for his abilities as a signal caller. So there is at least some small measure of working together before that the two can work with as Downing joins the staff."

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