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Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
The Bills also hired Jim Schwartz's QB coach to tutor EJ Manuel. He also knows Thad Lewis well.
Originally posted by YAHOO!
Marrone also turned to Schwartz's former staff to address another need by agreeing to hire Todd Downing to coach the young crop of quarterbacks, led by last year's rookie first-round pick, EJ Manuel.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone wasted little time filling a big hole on his staff by reaching a deal with recently fired Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator.
Re: Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
More....
Downing's addition filled Marrone's desire to add a quarterbacks coach to his staff after offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett doubled at the position last year. Marrone had expressed an intention to ease Hackett's burden entering his second season.
Lack of experience and injuries didn't help the position. Manuel missed six games because of knee injuries. Undrafted journeyman Thad Lewis went 2-3 in five starts, while undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel struggled in a 23-13 loss to Kansas City.
Downing has 11 years of NFL coaching experience, and spent the past three seasons at the same position in Detroit, where he mentored Lions starter Matthew Stafford.
The 33-year-old Downing is familiar with Lewis, who spent last off-season in Detroit before the Bills acquired him in a trade in August. And he also coached Manuel at last year's Senior Bowl.
"Todd Downing is a bright and energetic coach," Marrone said. "He played a pivotal role in the development of Detroit's quarterbacks during his tenure: most notably Matthew Stafford, the franchise's all-time
Re: Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
I like the fact that he has seen up close (for multiple seasons) what a QB with elite skills can do. Just having that understanding will help him see where he can help EJ and where he can't (as EJ is not Stafford's equal in raw talent). I'm sure there are little habits that he'll be able to apply day one to help EJ.
He's really young. That should help in making a connection with the players but I'm sure there's still quite a bit he has to learn. He has been coaching for a while though. I noticed in his Lions bio that he did work with the St. Louis DBs and Special Teams between 06 and 08. Jack of all trades type?
I like the fact that he has seen up close (for multiple seasons) what a QB with elite skills can do. Just having that understanding will help him see where he can help EJ and where he can't (as EJ is not Stafford's equal in raw talent). I'm sure there are little habits that he'll be able to apply day one to help EJ.
He's really young. That should help in making a connection with the players but I'm sure there's still quite a bit he has to learn. He has been coaching for a while though. I noticed in his Lions bio that he did work with the St. Louis DBs and Special Teams between 06 and 08. Jack of all trades type?
All true. Add in that he was a factor in developing Thad Lewis as well.
Re: Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
seems obvious to me they dont want to risk overshadowing hackett which might be a big mistake. hire a kid to take direction from a kid on how to develop a first round qb. they already lost a year of dedicated qb tutoring due to their coaching arrogance, now they hire a glorified intern to be molded by the brilliant kid oc who made that ill fated qb coach decision in the first place. there had to be better options so this tells me they want hackett to be unthreatened, which is almost always a bad move. this needs to work and at first blush this looks like a doubling down on an already shaky oc strategy
seems obvious to me they dont want to risk overshadowing hackett which might be a big mistake. hire a kid to take direction from a kid on how to develop a first round qb. they already lost a year of dedicated qb tutoring due to their coaching arrogance, now they hire a glorified intern to be molded by the brilliant kid oc who made that ill fated qb coach decision in the first place. there had to be better options so this tells me they want hackett to be unthreatened, which is almost always a bad move. this needs to work and at first blush this looks like a doubling down on an already shaky oc strategy
Well, at least Downing has some experience in the NFL, unlike Hackett.
Re: Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
lolololol Stafford is known for having some of the worst mechanics and footwork issues in the NFL that's why they wanted Jim Caldewell, to help him develop those things.
lolololol Stafford is known for having some of the worst mechanics and footwork issues in the NFL that's why they wanted Jim Caldewell, to help him develop those things.
lolololol Stafford is known for having some of the worst mechanics and footwork issues in the NFL that's why they wanted Jim Caldewell, to help him develop those things.
I'll tell you what... if he can get the same kind of numbers out of Manuel, then I wouldn't give two ****s about mechanics. Fair enough?
Re: Bills hire former Detroit Lion QB Coach Todd Downing
Well, Bernie Kosar had some weird mechanics. The knock on Phillip Rivers coming out of college was that he threw slightly side arm. Watching Rivers this year, he has changed somewhat, but still has the ability to deliver the ball when a sidey pass is required.
Well, Bernie Kosar had some weird mechanics. The knock on Phillip Rivers coming out of college was that he threw slightly side arm. Watching Rivers this year, he has changed somewhat, but still has the ability to deliver the ball when a sidey pass is required.
Potential draftee qb Bridgewater seems to have the same motion. I've seen a lot of his play - Louisville is regional football for me.
He's a decent player - smart youngster. I don't consider him top 5. But who knows? Next year, knocking down a qb behind the LOS might be a personal foul.
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