By Tim Graham
PITTSFORD -- The NFL's dramatic offseason intensified yet again over the weekend with receiver Chad Johnson's domestic-violence arrest, and the Miami Dolphins' quick decision to release him.
Earlier this summer, former Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was arrested for drunk driving. Other big names such as Adrian Peterson, Dez Bryant, Nick Fairley and Elvis Dumervil were handcuffed, too.
Johnson's highly publicized arrest -- the attention surrounding him almost certainly will escalate on the next episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" -- was a reminder of how well the Bills have handled themselves off the field since general manager Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey took over in 2010.
"The character of our football team, in my opinion, is extremely high," Gailey said after Sunday's practice at St. John Fisher College. "They're human. They're going to make mistakes, and we've just been smart about it.
"I think our football players have been very smart about how they handle themselves and what they do -- or don't do, more importantly. They're the kind of guys that Buddy and I both want on this football team."
The last time a Bills regular was legitimately arrested was safety Donte Whitner in April 2009. Whitner was booked for aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at then-Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn's birthday party.
Gailey previously discussed character and not getting into police-blotter trouble during a minicamp interview about the changing culture at One Bills Drive.
"There's a certain mindset that you have to have to be on our football team," Gailey said then. "What we're trying to create here is a culture of character, a culture of success, a culture of doing things the right way.
"I don't think you do that unless you emphasize all areas of life, not just football. We have guys that believe in doing things the right way. It's proven out. We have very few incidents on our football team because I believe we've got the right kind of men."
And those quotes should answer any stray questions from Bills fans about whether or not the team will go after Ochocinco.
