February 12, 2013 - 7:50 AM
By Tim Graham
Until their contracts expire or they're released, Buffalo Bills
defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is forbidden from speaking about New York
Jets safeties LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell or Eric Smith.
As defensive coordinator of the Jets a few weeks ago, however, he
could blab, blab, blab all he wanted.
I reviewed Pettine's 2012 news conferences to search for comments about his former safeties a day after the Bills released captain George
Wilson.
Continue reading "What Mike Pettine thinks of LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell, Eric Smith" »
February 11, 2013 - 5:06 PM
By Tim Graham
When Rex Ryan left the Baltimore Ravens to become head coach
of the New York Jets in 2009 and Mike Pettine came along as defensive
coordinator, a significant part of their master plan was to sign former Raven
defenders who could communicate the system to their new teammates.
The top two targets were linebacker Bart Scott and safety
Jim Leonhard, who speak the same language Ryan and Pettine do. Scott and Leonhard made the
on-field calls and explained the adjustments.
The Jets' defense thrived right
away.
A similar transition could be in the works for the Buffalo
Bills. A few weeks after hiring Pettine to be their defensive coordinator, the
Bills today released linebacker Nick Barnett and safety George Wilson.
Continue reading "Why it's important Bills clear room for some of Mike Pettine's Jets" »
