Lightning Strikes Buffalo
By CLEO PEPPERTON, FHAP Sports Writer
February 11, 2007
BUFFALO (FHAP) -- One year after replacing Tom Donahoe as General Manager of the Buffalo Bills, Marv Levy is ready to step down. Levy who led the Buffalo Bills to four Superbowls during the early nineties as head coach announced with owner Ralph Wilson, that little known Assistant Director of Talent Ryan Lightning would be taking the reigns of the Bills front office today.
Though an unknown commodity, Ryan Lightning has been mentored by some of the best talent evaluators and football minds in the NFL. He spent the previous season with the New England Patriots learning from the likes of Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli and Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick himself before joining the Bills scouting staff this season.
“To thrive and grow year after year you have to build a team from the inside. It’s a lesson that has been ingrained to my very being from the intense learning experience I’ve had under them.†Lightning said Sunday as he was officially named Bills General Manager.
“Not everyone fits into a system, or is evaluated the same by different experts. However it’s my job to have the right players for Dick (Jauron) to win.â€Â
Confident and self assured the new General Manager remained tight lipped about his plans for the off season which include the unenviable task of replacing unrestricted free agent cornerback Nate Clements, who has already made it clear he will be testing Free Agency.
The departure of Clements will drastically hurt the Bill’s defense which was ranked 18th overall this past season and 7th against the pass with a 188.7 average pass yards against, but was near the bottom of the league in rush defense with a 140.9 rush average against.
On top of impending defensive woes new General Manager Ryan Lightning will have to turn around an anemic offense that ranked 30th in the league in total offense and points scored, the Bills were also 27th in rushing and 28th in passing.
On a positive note second year starter JP Losman has shown some flashes of brilliance during the latter half of the season, while speedy wide receiver Lee Evans is proving to be a dangerous weapon in the passing game. The development of both players will be crucial in leading the once thriving Bills franchise back to the Post season where they haven’t been since 1999.
“I might not be from Buffalo but I grew up in Bills country in Ontario and I know what they mean to not only to fans in Buffalo but in Canada and the United States, not to mention the world, and I know the fans won’t be happy until we’re back in the playoffs and a world championship.â€Â
Undaunted Lightning will have to take a Bills club that nearly made the playoffs last year but fell to a 7-9 record after two straight losses to close the season, and put them back among the NFL elite.
By CLEO PEPPERTON, FHAP Sports Writer
February 11, 2007
BUFFALO (FHAP) -- One year after replacing Tom Donahoe as General Manager of the Buffalo Bills, Marv Levy is ready to step down. Levy who led the Buffalo Bills to four Superbowls during the early nineties as head coach announced with owner Ralph Wilson, that little known Assistant Director of Talent Ryan Lightning would be taking the reigns of the Bills front office today.
Though an unknown commodity, Ryan Lightning has been mentored by some of the best talent evaluators and football minds in the NFL. He spent the previous season with the New England Patriots learning from the likes of Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli and Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick himself before joining the Bills scouting staff this season.
“To thrive and grow year after year you have to build a team from the inside. It’s a lesson that has been ingrained to my very being from the intense learning experience I’ve had under them.†Lightning said Sunday as he was officially named Bills General Manager.
“Not everyone fits into a system, or is evaluated the same by different experts. However it’s my job to have the right players for Dick (Jauron) to win.â€Â
Confident and self assured the new General Manager remained tight lipped about his plans for the off season which include the unenviable task of replacing unrestricted free agent cornerback Nate Clements, who has already made it clear he will be testing Free Agency.
The departure of Clements will drastically hurt the Bill’s defense which was ranked 18th overall this past season and 7th against the pass with a 188.7 average pass yards against, but was near the bottom of the league in rush defense with a 140.9 rush average against.
On top of impending defensive woes new General Manager Ryan Lightning will have to turn around an anemic offense that ranked 30th in the league in total offense and points scored, the Bills were also 27th in rushing and 28th in passing.
On a positive note second year starter JP Losman has shown some flashes of brilliance during the latter half of the season, while speedy wide receiver Lee Evans is proving to be a dangerous weapon in the passing game. The development of both players will be crucial in leading the once thriving Bills franchise back to the Post season where they haven’t been since 1999.
“I might not be from Buffalo but I grew up in Bills country in Ontario and I know what they mean to not only to fans in Buffalo but in Canada and the United States, not to mention the world, and I know the fans won’t be happy until we’re back in the playoffs and a world championship.â€Â
Undaunted Lightning will have to take a Bills club that nearly made the playoffs last year but fell to a 7-9 record after two straight losses to close the season, and put them back among the NFL elite.