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" »
February 11, 2013 - 2:03 PM
By Jay Skurski
The Buffalo News has learned the Buffalo Bills have released safety George Wilson.
The move comes after a season in which the seven-year veteran started all 16 games and served as a defensive captain and NFL Players Association team representative.
Wilson, 31, made 104 tackles and defended five passes, but failed to record any "big plays," registering zero sacks, interceptions or forced fumbles. In two close losses -- to Tennessee in Week Seven and St. Louis in Week 14 -- Wilson dropped would-be interceptions late in the fourth quarter that would have sealed two Buffalo victories.
"It ended up ricocheting off the palm of my hand and bouncing away from me. Those are the plays you end up replaying in your head over and over again and wishing the ball would have bounced your way," he said after the loss to the Rams.
Continue reading "George Wilson released by Bills" »
