game.Boyd said Day will play in the Steelheads top four on the b

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- 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 co-ordinator. Marrone also turned to Schwartzs former staff to address another need by agreeing to hire Todd Downing to coach the young crop of quarterbacks, led by last years rookie first-round pick, EJ Manuel. The additions were announced Friday night, a day after defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine left the team after one year to take over as the Cleveland Browns head coach. "We are excited to add a talented and accomplished co-ordinator in Jim Schwartz to our staff," Marrone said in a statement released by the team. "Schwartz has led aggressive and productive defensive units throughout his time in the NFL, and we feel our defence will continue to improve under his leadership." Schwartz was fired Dec. 30, a day after the Lions missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record. In four seasons in Detroit, the 47-year-old Schwartz was 29-51. That included a 10-6 finish in 2011 when the Lions reached the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Schwartz becomes the Bills fourth defensive co-ordinator in four years and has big shoes to fill in taking over a unit that emerged as the teams strength last season. Pettines departure had the potential of under-cutting much of the progress the Bills hoped would carry over into next season after a 6-10 finish that extended the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. Though the Bills were inconsistent against the run, they still finished 10th in the NFL in fewest yards allowed -- Buffalos best ranking since finishing second in 2004. And they finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks. Schwartz has 20 years of NFL coaching experience, including eight seasons as the Tennessee Titans defensive co-ordinator from 2001-08. The Titans defence three times finished among the NFLs top 10 in fewest yards allowed. Tennessee was particularly stingy in stopping the run, finishing sixth or better in yards rushing allowed, including a first-place ranking in 2003. Its unclear how many positions Schwartz will have to fill on his defensive staff because theres a chance Pettine may lure some of his assistants to Cleveland. The Bills currently have one opening after inside linebackers coach Chuck Driesbach was fired last week. Schwartz takes over unit that produced four Pro Bowl selections, defensive linemen Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus and safety Jairus Byrd. Byrds status is uncertain after he played under a one-year franchise tag last season. The defence also includes linebacker Kiko Alonso, an NFL rookie of the year candidate. Schwartz has a fiery personality, and an aggressive approach to defence much like Pettine, which is being counted on to ease the transition. The knock against Schwartz in Detroit was the Lions inconsistencies and undisciplined style of play. In 2012, the Lions lost their last eight games after a 4-4 start. Last season, they collapsed during a stretch in which they blew fourth-quarter leads in losing six games during a seven-game stretch. Downings addition filled Marrones desire to add a quarterbacks coach to his staff after offensive co-ordinator Nathaniel Hackett doubled at the position last year. Marrone had expressed an intention to ease Hacketts burden entering his second season. Lack of experience and injuries didnt 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 years Senior Bowl. "Todd Downing is a bright and energetic coach," Marrone said. "He played a pivotal role in the development of Detroits quarterbacks during his tenure: most notably Matthew Stafford, the franchises all-time leading passer. Downing will be a valuable addition to our offensive coaching staff." Nike Air Force 1 Deutschland . -- A lawyer for the fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez asked a judge Friday to throw out perjury charges, saying Shayanna Jenkins did not wilfully lie as she was bombarded with 1,630 questions over two days before a grand jury. Huarache Größentabelle .com) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Seth Curry on Tuesday. http://www.airforce1gunstig.de/air-force-270-deutschland.html . LOUIS -- St. Nike Air Presto Schwarz Günstig .The third-seeded Murray, who won here in 2009, will face seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson of South Africa next on the indoor hard court. Nike Air Huarache Deutschland Kaufen . Mike Vecchione tied it at 2 with 4:01 left in the first, Saskatoon native Eli Lichtenwald gave the Dutchman the lead 57 seconds later, and Daniel Ciampini capped the spree with 2:57 to go.The thing about being granted exceptional player status is people expect immediate exceptional results.For Sean Day, those results did not materialize last season.Day, who was born in Belgium, played most of his minor hockey in Michigan and is a Canadian citizen, scored six goals and had 10 points in 60 games with the Mississauga Steelheads. He was a chilly minus-35.Day was the fourth player awarded exceptional status — which allows a player to enter the OHL draft before reaching the minimum age of 16 — following John Tavares (2005), Aaron Eckblad (2011) and Connor McDavid (2012), but the first not to be chosen first not to be chosen first overall in the Ontario Hockey Leagues Priority Selection.Day slipped to fourth overall, chosen by Mississauga behind Travis Konecny (Ottawa 67s), Dylan Strome (Erie Otters) and Matthew Spencer (Peterborough Petes).So you might think at the ripe old age of 16, Day is feeling pressure to have a breakout year.Not at all, said the six-foot-two, 225-pound defenceman. I still have another season before my draft year. I think its good for me that I played in the league last year and to still have this season to work on my game before my draft year.When Day first joined the Steelheads he played the way he did in minor hockey, which was to get the puck and take off with it. He was always bigger, stronger and faster than the majority of his opponents. Suddenly up against older players who were just as big and quick, Day found himself overmatched and his mistakes often ended up in the back of his teams goal.So when he returned to the Steelheads after participating with Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Day dialled back on his offence and started concentrating on being a more competent defensive player.Mississauga coach-GM James Boyd was impressed with Days development. Boyd said the Steelheads traded their top two scorers at mid-season and thus did not score as often, so Day was given more defensive responsibility and reacted favourably.His plus-minus improved dramatically and thatt was with his ice time going up, Boyd said.dddddddddddd In the playoffs against a really good Oshawa team he played extremely well. There were times during the year I would scout a minor midget game in the evening and I just couldnt imagine Sean playing at that level. I couldnt picture him with his peers. I think it was a very good decision for him to play in the OHL.One problem with playing three years in the OHL before being eligible for the NHL Entry Draft is scouts have lots of time to dissect your game. In Days case, some scouts have questioned his hockey sense.Boyd is not only convinced Day will improve his decision making with experience, he believes Day is well on his way to becoming an impact player. Boyd said critics of Day should understand that when he joined the Steelheads, he basically had to learn the defensive game from scratch and there was steady improvement in his game.Boyd said Day will play in the Steelheads top four on the blue-line this season and will get plenty of time on special teams as well.This year Sean has really embraced the physical part of the game, Boyd said. Hes a big guy — really big guy — who skates extremely well and he has been finishing his checks. He is a lot more constant and assertive defensively.Day is a quiet kid who does not seek attention and takes things in stride. Asked about not being the first overall pick in 2013, Day suggested the teams that drafted ahead of Mississauga may not have needed a defenceman or perhaps they didnt like his game. No big deal, really. And how exactly did a 15-year-old fit in with his older teammates?I never really thought of myself as being younger than everyone and I dont feel they treated me differently, Day said. I came into the league thinking I was a rookie like every other rookie. I didnt use my age as an excuse if I made a mistake.Taking a more assertive role on the Steelheads, Day is excited for his sophomore season.Hopefully I can get more points, but still be a defensive threat, Day said.Sounds like an exceptional plan. ' ' '